Chapter 836: Zhou Daoping, Died Worthily

Nanzhou, in a marketplace at the foot of "Mount Yunlong".

On this day, a somewhat short, yellow-clad old man walked hurriedly outside a restaurant. After looking up at the somewhat expensive sign above, he entered the restaurant with a somewhat displeased expression.

Under the lead of a restaurant waiter, the yellow-clad old man very quickly arrived outside a private room on the second floor and signaled for the waiter to go up and knock on the door.

"I haven't shorted you on spirit stones, why are you bothering me again? Get out!"

Hearing an angry rebuke from the room, the waiter who was knocking on the door was startled, stopped his movements, and looked somewhat helplessly at the yellow-clad old man to the side.

Seeing this, the yellow-clad old man waved his hand slightly to signal the waiter to step down, then directly pushed open the door and walked in.

The private room was decorated very gorgeously, with magnificent palace lanterns, swaying lights, and brocade embroidered with exquisite patterns covering the walls, revealing a scene of exquisite luxury.

Just as the yellow-clad old man stepped into it, he heard a burst of crisp and pleasant zither music enter his ears, but following his sudden intrusion, the music stopped abruptly.

Not far away, a handsome man lying on a wooden chair with his legs crossed looked at the intruding yellow-clad old man. First, a look of surprise appeared on his face, then he sighed somewhat helplessly: "Sixth Granduncle, I was just bored staying on the mountain and came down to steal a moment of leisure. Why did you find me here?"

Hearing the man's words, the yellow-clad old man did not pay attention to the other party first, but waved his hand at the few restaurant musicians who were still stunned to the side.

After everyone else in the private room had left, the yellow-clad old man carefully set up a formation at the door before turning to rebuke the handsome man:

"This is the Li family's territory. If you run to a place like this and people find out, aren't you afraid of affecting your reputation!"

"Sixth Granduncle's words are too serious. I merely came here to taste a few cups of spirit wine and listen to some music I love. How did it become so ugly in your words?

Besides, I am someone preparing to marry into another family. What kind of good reputation can I have in the cultivation world in the future? Sixth Granduncle, don't worry about me.

While there is still a chance to chat, why not accompany me for a drink? I might not have many chances to return to Mount Huanglong in the future."

Hearing the yellow-clad old man's rebuke, the youth had an expression of indifference, laughed and replied, then picked up the wine cup on the table.

And after the yellow-clad old man sighed, he said with a solemn expression: "Daoping, I know you are angry about the family's arrangements, but you must know that the family is doing this for your own good.

Our Zhou family has only been a Nascent Soul family for less than a thousand years; how can our family foundation compare to other Nascent Soul forces around us?

Now the family has decided to fully support your Third Uncle in forming a Nascent Soul; it is impossible to have any more energy to support you in impacting the Nascent Soul realm.

If you stay in the family, I fear it will be difficult for you to achieve the Nascent Soul Dao in the future, and you can only waste your life in the Jin Dan realm like your Sixth Granduncle.

Letting you go to the Li family, besides the family's considerations, is actually also for your future path.

The Li family had already promised us before; just wait until you and Li Xuanyi complete the dual cultivation ceremony, and they will pass that cultivation technique to you. In the future, when you impact the Nascent Soul realm, you will at least increase your certainty by one or two tenths.

These are all decisions made by the ancestor after careful consideration. Although it is somewhat wronging you for now, as long as you can successfully form a Nascent Soul, no one will dare to gossip about you in the future, whether in the Li family or the Zhou family.

You should know these things in your heart without me saying much. Do not misunderstand the ancestor's good intentions."

"Hmm!... The ancestor considered it thoroughly! You also know that I just like to talk, I didn't really oppose this matter.

I have been dedicated to the Dao all my life; besides loving music, I have no other hobbies. As long as the Li family's young lady doesn't mind me climbing high, it's fine.

Besides, I'm already here, what else do you have to worry about? Sixth Granduncle, don't always keep such a straight face."

"As long as you know, come back with me! The Li family's young lady just sent someone to deliver a message; she will visit in person in a while."

"Eh! I haven't even visited as per custom, why is she so impatient to see me?"

Zhou Daoping, who had just tasted a sip of wine, heard the words from the yellow-clad old man's mouth, and a look of doubt instantly appeared on his face.

Hearing this, the yellow-clad old man also shook his head: "I don't know why she wants to see you. Perhaps she just wants to meet you first. You'll know when you see her." —— A few months later, a cyan escape light flew over and landed directly outside "Mount Yunlong", transforming into a green-clad man with a somewhat ordinary appearance.

After this green-clad man swept a glance at the somewhat unfamiliar marketplace in front of him, he strode forward and very quickly arrived at the entrance of the marketplace.

Seeing Song Qingming, whose cultivation was extraordinary, walking over not far away, a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator guarding the marketplace entrance hurriedly stepped forward to bow and welcome him.

"Junior greets Senior. May I ask Senior's name? Are you going to Mount Yunlong?"

Hearing the inquiry from the other party's mouth, Song Qingming asked with a puzzled smile: "I am only here for the first time, how did you know I was going to Mount Yunlong?"

"Uh! Could it be that Junior misunderstood Senior? Please forgive me!

Recently, one of our Mount Yunlong ancestors is holding a happy event, so there are many guests coming and going. I saw that Senior's cultivation is not bad and you are a stranger, so I thought you were also here from afar to offer congratulations on the mountain."

"Oh! So that's how it is. Then it is quite a coincidence to come today!

I wonder which ancestor on the mountain is having a happy event? I'll see if I can go join in the fun and have a cup of wedding wine later!"

Hearing Song Qingming's inquiry, the gate-guarding cultivator immediately replied with a bit of pride on his face: "Hehe! Senior is right. This dual cultivation ceremony of Ancestor Xuanyi is a grand event that our Li family rarely encounters in a hundred years.

If Senior misses it, that would truly be a pity."

"Wait! Which ancestor of yours did you say?"

"It's Ancestor Xuanyi. Senior, could it be that you know her?"

Seeing the look of surprise on Song Qingming's face, the gate-guarding Qi Condensation cultivator immediately asked curiously.

Hearing this, Song Qingming immediately came back to his senses, shook his head at him with a calm expression, and walked directly into the marketplace.

After separating from his master "Daoist Lingxu" that day, Song Qingming originally intended to return to the Fuyun Mountain Range, but before leaving, he still had one thing unfinished, so he took a detour to "Mount Yunlong" in the west of Nanzhou.

"Mount Yunlong" is the immortal mountain spirit vein of the Nanzhou Nascent Soul family, the Li family, and it is also the cultivation family where Senior Sister Li Xuanyi is located.

The reason Song Qingming came here was precisely to see this Senior Sister who had taken good care of him back then.

He didn't expect that just as he arrived at the foot of the mountain, he would hear the news that Senior Sister Li Xuanyi was about to get married, which also shocked him greatly for a time.

"Senior Sister suddenly left the sect, could it be because of this?"

Having been in the "Grand Void Gate" for many years, Song Qingming was naturally very clear about the sect's rules.

Because of the sect's rule of avoiding the world, all inner sect disciples, once they join the sect, cannot have too much connection with other cultivation forces in the outside world.

Back then, when he heard the news from his master "Daoist Lingxu" that Senior Sister Li Xuanyi had suddenly and voluntarily withdrawn from the sect, Song Qingming had always been very puzzled and confused about this in his heart.

If Senior Sister Li Xuanyi wanted to return to her family to get married, then her giving up her status as an inner sect disciple and choosing to withdraw from the sect directly was indeed a matter of course.

It's just that Song Qingming had known Li Xuanyi for many years, and in his heart, Senior Sister Li Xuanyi had always been someone who went her own way and had a distinct personality.

Suddenly hearing the news that Li Xuanyi was getting married, Song Qingming didn't know why, but he always felt somewhat strange in his heart.

Walking while pondering the doubts in his heart, until he walked to the end of the marketplace street without realizing it, Song Qingming suddenly came to his senses, couldn't help but shake his head, and turned to walk into a restaurant nearby.

By the next day, Song Qingming, who was truly unable to hold back the anxiety in his heart, arrived early at the foot of "Mount Yunlong" and sent a message wanting to see Senior Sister Li Xuanyi.

The result that Song Qingming didn't expect was that the Li family's mountain-guarding cultivator, upon hearing that Song Qingming wanted to see Li Xuanyi, reported it, and very quickly rejected him with the excuse that their ancestor was not convenient to see guests.

This instantly made Song Qingming feel quite depressed in his heart; he didn't know if the other party was unwilling to help pass the message, or if Senior Sister Li Xuanyi had really changed so much that she didn't even have time to see him, a fellow sect friend of many years.

After nightfall, the dim moonlight slowly climbed into the sky, and there were very few pedestrians on the streets of "Yunlong Marketplace".

At this time, a figure suddenly flipped down from the second floor and then quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Not long after, in a residence in the northwest corner of "Yunlong Marketplace", a middle-aged man in a yellow robe had just returned from outside and was about to return to his cave dwelling to meditate and cultivate.

Unexpectedly, just as he walked into the residence, he saw that everything outside his house was pitch black, and there wasn't even a single lamp lit, which made him feel somewhat angry in his heart:

"These servants, where have they all died? This is becoming more and more outrageous!"

After the yellow-robed middle-aged man rebuked, he was just about to go find the servants in his residence when he felt a cool breeze blow past him. Looking up, he discovered that a mysterious person wearing a bamboo hat had already arrived silently beside him.

"Who... who are you?"

The yellow-robed middle-aged man had just asked this when he saw a flying sword already pressed against his forehead, making him unable to help but break out in a cold sweat.

"If you still want to live, it's best not to ask who I am!"

"Senior... Senior, spare my life. This one dares not speak more. Whatever Senior commands, just say it directly!"

Hearing the very cold tone from the other party's mouth and the powerful aura coming from the other party, the yellow-robed middle-aged man hurriedly nodded in terror, fearing that the flying sword in the other party's hand would move even a fraction of an inch forward.

The mysterious bamboo-hatted person saw this and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face before he continued: "Next, I ask and you answer. If the answer can satisfy me, then not only will you not have to die, but these spirit stones will also be yours."

After speaking, the mysterious bamboo-hatted person's spiritual light moved, and he threw a bag of spirit stones to the yellow-robed middle-aged man.

Seeing the full bag of spirit stones in his hand, which had at least a thousand pieces, even though the yellow-robed middle-aged man was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator with some small achievements, a look of temptation still flashed in his eyes.

But before he could be happy for long, the next cold sentence from the mysterious bamboo-hatted person brought him back to reality. "If you dare to deceive me, then not only will you not get the spirit stones, I fear it will be very difficult for you to leave this place alive. You should think this over before answering; don't miscalculate!"

"Senior, rest assured. As long as it is something this one knows, I certainly dare not deceive you!"

Facing such a mysterious bamboo-hatted person whose cultivation was much higher than his own, the yellow-robed middle-aged man knew he didn't have much choice, and as if recognizing reality, he hurriedly nodded at him.

"Are you a member of the Li family of Mount Yunlong?"

"Junior Li Quansheng is indeed a cultivator of the Li family of Mount Yunlong!"

"Li family Jin Dan Ancestor Li Xuanyi, do you have any way to see her in person?"

"What, Ancestor Xuanyi, this..."

Seeing the yellow-robed middle-aged man's expression was somewhat hesitant, the mysterious bamboo-hatted person's gaze instantly swept over, and he said sternly: "As long as you honestly tell the truth, I won't make things difficult for you regarding other things."

"Yes! Senior.

Ancestor Xuanyi is currently cultivating beside several Supreme Ancestors on the mountaintop. Usually, unless the ancestor is willing to receive guests, it is very difficult for us to get close to that place. Junior is also not sure if I can have the opportunity to see her. Please, Senior, investigate clearly."

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"It doesn't matter if you can't see her. You just need to help me deliver a letter to her. If you can handle this matter well, I have another reward!"

After the mysterious bamboo-hatted person finished speaking, he directly lowered the flying sword that was pressed against the other party's forehead. His spiritual light moved, and a letter appeared in his hand, along with a small cyan jade bottle, which he handed to the yellow-robed middle-aged man.

"Senior, rest assured, Junior will definitely try my best to handle this matter!"

At first, the yellow-robed middle-aged man thought that the other party dressing so mysteriously might be someone with a grudge against his family coming to find trouble and inquire about family secrets.

He didn't expect that after a round of questioning, it was just to let himself deliver a letter to the mountain, which also made him feel a trace of relief in his heart instantly.

After wiping the sweat from his forehead due to nervousness, the yellow-robed middle-aged man hurriedly nodded with a smile and was about to turn and leave.

However, just as he thought he was about to escape danger, a voice from behind stopped him.

"The thing in that bottle is prepared for you. Take one pill first before going to handle the matter for me!"

"May I ask Senior, what is this?..." Looking at the cyan jade bottle in his hand, the yellow-robed middle-aged man's expression became nervous again.

Seeing this, the mysterious bamboo-hatted person hurriedly explained: "This is a special poison. After taking it, you must come back to find me within three days to get the antidote, otherwise you will never have another chance.

This poison was concocted by my own hands; even if a Nascent Soul cultivator takes action, I fear it will be very difficult to remove it in a short while. I think you should understand what you should do!"

"This... Senior... I..."

"Of course, if you want to die now, I am not unable to fulfill your wish.

It's just that I have no great grudge against you. This trip is merely to handle some matters; I don't need to say much for you to see some of this."

"How to choose, why don't you decide for yourself!"

Hearing the "kind" reminder from the mysterious bamboo-hatted person, Li Quansheng's face turned pale. After trembling slightly, he opened the jade bottle in his hand, gritted his teeth, and poured the pill inside into his mouth.

Subsequently, Li Quansheng cupped his hands at the mysterious bamboo-hatted person and walked quickly away from the residence, disappearing directly into the night.

After Li Quansheng left, the mysterious bamboo-hatted person slowly took off the bamboo hat that was covering his face, revealing a very ordinary face.

It took less than half a day, and before the sky was bright, Li Quansheng ran back quickly and met Song Qingming, who was pacing in the residence.

"Senior! Junior did not fail the mission; I saw Ancestor Xuanyi.

Ancestor... Ancestor asks you to follow me to the outside of the marketplace later to see her!"

Hearing the anxious words from Li Quansheng's mouth, a look of satisfaction appeared on the mysterious bamboo-hatted person's face, and he nodded at him:

"Good! Take these spirit stones first. After I see her in a while, the antidote will naturally be given to you."

After the mysterious bamboo-hatted person finished speaking, he threw another bag of spirit stones to Li Quansheng, making a rare look of joy appear on his face.

After more than an hour, seeing that the sky was already bright, Li Quansheng came to the mysterious bamboo-hatted person again and urged softly: "Senior, the time is almost up!

Let's hurry over, lest we keep Ancestor Xuanyi waiting for too long!"

"Very well, lead the way!"

In order not to attract attention, the mysterious bamboo-hatted person did not choose to walk side-by-side with Li Quansheng, but followed far behind the other party.

After the two left the marketplace one after the other, they very quickly followed a small path with nice scenery not far away and stepped into a bamboo forest.

After traveling a distance of several hundred zhang in the bamboo forest, a "swishing" sound of water suddenly came from ahead, and very quickly a small river more than ten zhang wide appeared in front of the two.

After arriving at the riverside, Li Quansheng immediately stopped his footsteps, pointed to a two-story small pavilion located by the river not far away, and bowed to the mysterious bamboo-hatted person:

"Senior, Ancestor Xuanyi is waiting for you in the pavilion not far ahead. The ancestor has given orders not to let me disturb your conversation, so I won't take you over."

Hearing this, the mysterious bamboo-hatted person looked at the "two-story pavilion" not far away, and after a good while, replied: "Hmm! Sorry to trouble you, you go back first!"

"This! Sen... Senior, you haven't given me the antidote yet?"

Seeing Li Quansheng looking at him nervously, the mysterious bamboo-hatted person shook his head at him with a smile: "I said, if you handle the matter well for me, I will give you the antidote, but you insisted on being clever. This can't be blamed on me."

After the mysterious bamboo-hatted person's voice fell, his figure moved, flashing into an escape light and leaving the spot directly, paying no more attention to Li Quansheng, who was still dazed in place.

At this time, in the "two-story pavilion" by the small river, two cultivators, a man and a woman, hiding in the dark, saw this scene and were shocked, unable to help but blurt out: "Eh! Why did this guy turn around and run? What's going on? Could it be that he saw some clues?"

"I said, Auntie, the person has run away, why are you still asking this? Let's chase!"

After the two finished speaking, they flew directly out of the "two-story pavilion" and headed straight for the direction where the mysterious bamboo-hatted person had disappeared.

Looking at the several escape lights flying away in the sky, only Li Quansheng stood dazed in place, holding his forehead with a look of regret.

"It was clearly just a little bit off, how did it fall short of success? Could it be that my fate is truly meant to be this way?

Forget it! Anyway, I am someone whose path is hopeless in this life. Being able to sacrifice for the family is dying worthily after all. The family will not treat my descendants badly in the future."

Just after leaving the bamboo forest not far away, he suddenly discovered two escape lights of different colors chasing after him. The mysterious bamboo-hatted person looked back at the other party, and the speed of his feet increased by a few points.

Just as the mysterious bamboo-hatted person was about to shake off the two people behind him, a golden escape light suddenly flew from ahead and blocked his path, transforming into a yellow-robed man with a somewhat rough face.

"Since Fellow Daoist dares to come to my Mount Yunlong as a guest, why bother being sneaky and threatening my junior to pass a message for you? Why not take off the bamboo hat and meet us openly and honestly?"

Facing the obstruction of the yellow-robed man, a trace of surprise flashed in the mysterious bamboo-hatted person's eyes. After being silent for a moment, he took off his bamboo hat directly.

"Fellow Daoist Li, long time no see. How have you been?"

"Fellow Daoist Song, so it was you."

Seeing that the other party recognized him, Song Qingming hurriedly explained:

"Song's trip this time was merely to see Fellow Daoist Xuanyi. Because I couldn't find a way and was anxious for a moment, I resorted to this inferior plan. It was my discourtesy; I hope for your forgiveness.

Before, I just wanted to let that little friend help pass a message. The pill I gave him was just an ordinary pill and had no intention of harming him. Fellow Daoist Li, please don't misunderstand."

"Oh! So that's how it is. Fellow Daoist truly gave us a fright yesterday. Fortunately, it was just a misunderstanding."

After hearing Song Qingming's explanation, Li Xuanfeng couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and then asked: "Fellow Daoist's trip this time is just to see Xuanyi?"

Song Qingming heard this and nodded directly: "Exactly!"

"I don't know the reason, but I sent a message to the mountain yesterday, yet I gained nothing. Fellow Daoist Xuanyi and I can be considered old friends; in terms of reason and logic, it shouldn't be like this."

"Fellow Daoist Song, although I don't know your identity very well, I can guess a thing or two.

Xuanyi has indeed had some trouble here, but some words concern my family's secrets, so it is inconvenient for me to tell you directly here.

Regarding Xuanyi's matters, if Fellow Daoist Song wants to inquire, why not follow me to the mountain to see our ancestor? When the time comes, you will naturally understand everything."

"Oh! Then many thanks, Fellow Daoist Li!"

Before, hearing that Senior Sister Li Xuanyi was about to get married, Song Qingming had been thinking about how he should congratulate the other party when they met again.

He didn't expect that only less than a day had passed, and now he heard that Senior Sister Li Xuanyi had an accident. Song Qingming was also unable to figure out the situation for a time, and a look of worry appeared on his face, so he nodded hurriedly without thinking too much.

Under Li Xuanfeng's lead, the two arrived at the foot of "Mount Yunlong" and passed through the grand formation into the Li family's mountain gate. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 837 =====