Chapter 593 - 592: Haoran City, Half-demon

The pharmaceutical family behind Xiang Yunxian is no common one; named the Yun family, it has a long and storied history.

The Yun family is not a traditional family in the usual sense.

This dynasty was initially a powerful force dedicated to the path of the pharmacist.

However, due to the fact that the family was full of pharmacists who were not particularly good at fighting, they appeared to be very weak in the many conflicts between forces. The master of the house decided to transform the force into a family.

And you know what?

After becoming a family instead of a sect, the pharmacists spent their days quite comfortably.

Being a family has many advantages.

But at the same time, it brings a lot of constraints and uncontrollable factors.

Pharmacists, who are generally not good at fighting, are at a great disadvantage in these uncontrollable circumstances.

As a sect, there are many times when they have to fight simply to save face.

But as a family, there is no need for this.

After all, a family doesn’t have any conflicts of interest with a sect, nor does it have a hierarchical structure.

Being a family filled with top-level pharmacists, they are often sought after for their medicine.

However, when they were a sect...

Of course, there were also many people who sought their medicine, but there were even more who were from rival sects that oppressed them or even openly robbed them.

When facing the extremely wicked and ruthless ones, even kidnapping and murder could occur.

All in all...

The Yun family made a very wise decision back then.

As the Yun family is not a traditional family, there is no unity in terms of surname or bloodline.

That is, the earliest batch of pharmacists who formed the "big family" decided to add "Yun" to the names of their descendants.

For instance, Xiang Yunxian’s surname is "Xiang", but there’s a "Yun" character in her name.

The Yun family’s dwelling...

... is a city named Haoran on the periphery of the Donghua Immortal Palace’s power range.

Initially, the Yun family chose to stay on the edge of the Immortal Palace’s power range to stay as far away from strife as possible.

Within the Donghua Immortal Palace’s range, there is undoubtedly peace.

But the place where the Immortal Palace is located is without a doubt the core of human cultivation, and is never devoid of intrigue.

Due to the initial distance, it is now difficult for the Yun family to "move up" in the Donghua Immortal Palace.

As mentioned earlier...

Pharmacists are not exclusive to them.

There are only so many positions in the Donghua Immortal Palace, why should they choose you?

By breaking away from the shackles of being a sect, the Yun family can be said to have "stepped out" of the circle under the jurisdiction of the Donghua Immortal Palace.

Who would choose to use the resources of a family that has stepped out of the circle when there are others to use?

It’s worth noting, though...

Haoran City is rather special.

The city was built by Confucian cultivators.

Yes, those of the "Confucian" path.

More than half of the entire population of Haoran City are scholars who follow the Confucian path and cultivate righteousness.

Li Jing has heard of Confucianism in the past, but he had never seen a person of the Confucian path in person.

It is said that the followers of Confucianism are quite good at arguing.

Those with deep cultivation can speak words that sound almost magical, saying that the dead can be made to seem alive, whether it’s true or not is unknown.

Since Haoran City is on the edge, Li Jing and Xiang Yunxian didn’t take much time to reach the place after entering the influence zone of the Immortal Palace, and they both landed.

Confucian cultivators can be considered as descendants of the Confucian School.

The Confucian School is famous for its conservatism, and its countless rules are well-known.

Haoran City has many rules that other areas do not have, one of which is a ban on flying in the city.

With such a rule in place, Li Jing obviously would not offend people upon first arrival.

Adhering to the corresponding rules when you are in someone else’s territory is only basic courtesy.

Entering the city with Xiang Yunxian, Li Jing looked around.

At first glance...

The streets are full of people who look like scholars.

At least half of them are individuals whose true cultivation level he cannot perceive.

This portion all consists of Confucian cultivators.

The Confucian path is completely different from the Orthodox Immortality Path.

The "righteousness" within their bodies is not presented as a power carrying Spiritual Qi as its basis.

The foundation is not the same, therefore there’s no way to sense it.

Certainly...

Those Confucians without Spiritual Qi in their bodies also cannot sense how powerful the Orthodox Immortality Path cultivators, Monster cultivators, Alien Species cultivators, etc., who use Spiritual Qi as the basis of their power are.

If half the people on the street are Confucian cultivators, the remaining ones would naturally be the "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" pretend scholars.

But you know what?

They assimilate quite thoroughly.

Everyone appears to be gentle and refined, their manners and speech are all quite confucian.

Seeing Li Jing’s curious gaze as he looked around, Xiang Yunxian asked with a smile, while guiding him along the way.

"Master Jiu, have you never encountered the Confucian system in the past?"

"Hmm."

Li Jing nodded, looked down at his Taoist robe and said.

"So, should I change my outfit? I’ve heard the Confucians and Taoists don’t really get along."

"That’s not necessary."

Xiang Yunxian shook her head and said.

"It’s true that the Confucians founded Haoran City, but since it is a city, all visitors are welcome. The grudge between Confucians and Taoists is a systemic issue, has nothing to do with individuals. As long as you, Master Jiu, don’t provoke these Confucian and Taoist cultivators, it will be fine."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing nodded, then looked around curiously.

"This Haoran City looks quite interesting, are there any fun places to visit?"

Picking up on Li Jing’s question, Xiang Yunxian thoughtfully blinked her beautiful eyes before hesitantly responding.

"Well... the ’QingGuans’ here are famous."

"..."

Li Jing.

QingGuans, aren’t they the courtesans in the brothel who only perform, not sell their bodies?

But that’s not the point.

The point is that after Xiang Yunxian thought for a while, she mentioned it, implying that he might be interested in the brothel?

It seems not.

What she wanted to say.

Was probably that other than the Confucian and Taoist cultivators prevalent in Haoran City, only the brothels might be more unique.

Li Jing shook his head and said.

"Let’s forget about the brothels. It would be inconvenient if you had to accompany me."

Xiang Yunxian was speechless.

Just as she was about to say something, a sudden shout echoed from the sky.

"There should be thunder strikes to eradicate the evil here!"

At the same time.

"Boom", thunder erupted.

The once clear sky suddenly turned gloomy, and thunderbolts fell from the sky, striking a tall building deep within Haoran City, evaporating it instantly.

The event happened so suddenly.

Not to mention Xiang Yunxian, even Li Jing was taken aback.

Before they could react, a chilling, creepy laughter echoed.

"I’ve heard the Confucians are great at blustering, but now it turns out to be nothing."

This actual laugh was professional, far more disturbing than Bai Chuchu’s fake one.

Hearing it sent shivers down the spine and made goosebumps rise...

TM...

This must be some kind of evil entity!

While Li Jing was genuinely amazed, he took an interested look up.

Hovering in the air above the skyscraper demolished within the depths of Haoran City, was a peculiar humanoid figure with a health bar showing 19498, and on the opposite side an old man dressed in Confucian and Taoist attire.

The instant Li Jing saw the two figures, he was captivated by the distorted humanoid figure.

This non-human being was at the peak of the Venerable Realm on the surface appearance.

But the Essence Source displayed behind its health bar was a whopping forty million!

Forty million!

What does that mean?

Even the Essence Source displayed on the head of Jin Ritian, the Southern Demon Emperor, was only over twenty million!

This number is slightly less than that of the remnant soul of the Emperor of Heaven, but it surpassed the Deceiving the Heavens Li Jing killed in Ancient Fairyland...

Seeing such a huge amount of Essence Source, Li Jing was naturally envious.

But at the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder.

An Essence Source number of this magnitude implies a cultivation level beyond the Venerable Realm and definitely in the Return to Origin Realm.

Why would a creature of such existence suddenly appear in Haoran City?

It doesn’t make sense!

There should be no Return to Origin beings in the Immortal Realm...

And this is too coincidental.

An alien species of the Return to Origin realm popped up, and he just happened to encounter it.

Unconsciously, Li Jing recalled the Emperor of Heaven, who had been lying low for many years and had only interacted with the Nalan family a few years ago.

If one Return to Origin being showed up and he happened to run into it, that would be one thing. But just a few days passed and here comes another one.

Even if it was a coincidence, it couldn’t be that coincidental.

Is he being overly sensitive?

Li Jing frowned.

Just as he was deep in thought, another thunderous shout echoed from the sky.

"Outrageous creature! Return my Confucianism’s Saint Object! Long live righteousness in the Haoran Universe!"

The old Confucian man appeared like he had opened Law Heaven and Earth law, a giant phantom figure emerged from behind him and reached out a great hand to captivate the distorted figure.

"Heeheehee..."

Following the eerie laughter, the distorted figure punched, easily smashing the phantom hand and sneered.

"You old boy have decent Confucian cultivation, but unfortunately, you’re no match for me. I advise you not to interfere. After all, this thing is pretty useless in the hands of your younger generations, it is just a symbol at best."

Faced with such words, the Confucian elder naturally couldn’t back down.

However, after one round of clash, he was sure he was no opponent for that figure.

If he persisted in entangling.

He would suffer, and Haoran City could be destroyed in an instant.

The problem was that they couldn’t simply let the Confucianism holy artifact be taken away...

Here.

Xiang Yunxian saw that the Confucian elder was clearly at disadvantage in the distant sky, and couldn’t help but look to Li Jing with hope.

"Master Jiu, the elder is Sun Qu, the powerful lord of Haoran City capable of standing against an Emperor Level, and he is also the current leader of Confucianism. Even he is no match, it seems that the Confucianism holy artifact will inevitably be taken away today. This will have a significant impact..."

Li Jing chuckled upon hearing her words.

Xiang Yunxian obviously hoped that he would take action, but she felt embarrassed to say it directly.

Usually, Li Jing wouldn’t bother with such trivial matters.

But with the Essence Source right in front of him, it was not trivial.

What made Li Jing curious was.

Xiang Yunxian, a pharmacist who followed the Orthodox Immortality Path, wasn’t a Confucian. She could simply sit back and watch, why would she think of asking him to take action?

After a brief thought, Li Jing spoke out.

"Does this Confucianism holy thing have any particular emphasis?"

"Yes."

Xiang Yunxian nodded and said,

"This is something outsiders wouldn’t know. Our Yun family came to know this coincidentally, because we’ve held a crucial position in Haoran City for a long time. Haoran City is a Confucian seal itself. Beneath the city is a seal imprisoning an ancient demon from the Ancient Fairyland. The Confucianism holy artifact is the key to the seal. Without it, it won’t immediately break free, but I’m afraid it won’t take long."

With that, she said seriously,

"This is not exaggeration, but it’s real. Our ancestors left instructions that if Haoran City is in danger, the Yun Sect can’t stand by indifferently and must protect the city at all costs."

Hearing such words, Li Jing frowned.

An ancient demon from the Ancient Fairyland...

This is definitely one of the beings that were sealed when the Ancient Fairyland collapsed, and the realm lords fought for supremacy.

Most likely another Return to Origin!

And a looser during the battle for supremacy.

That’s secondary.

The key is.

That twisted humanoid seemed to be here solely for the Confucianism holy thing and not to break the seal.

In other words.

It has no connection with the imprisoned ancient demon.

A Return to Origin who didn’t know the internal situation ran here to seize the Confucianism holy thing...

Accidentally unleashing an ancient demon from the Ancient Fairyland that has been suppressed for countless years, this is obviously a chain of events.

Some sort of scheme?

Li Jing thought to himself, and couldn’t help thinking of Nalan Que once again.

If this is indeed some sort of scheme, could Nalan Que be a part of it?

With these thoughts in mind, Li Jing stepped forward, disappearing from his original position in a flash.

Seeing this, Xiang Yunxian looked delighted.

The next instant.

Li Jing crossed through space and appeared directly behind the twisted humanoid.

The twisted humanoid was just mocking Sun Qu who was fearful of him. He was about to turn his back and leave.

He turned around, coming face to face with Li Jing.

At that moment, his entire form twisted.

Seeing Li Jing in a Taoist robe, he retreated abruptly like a cat that had its tail stepped on, and then stopped in the distant sky.

"A man of the Taoist sect!?"

Li Jing didn’t expect such a huge reaction.

Seeing him, someone who obviously bears a grudge against Taoists, he nodded agreeably.

On the other side, Sun Qu saw Li Jing frightening the twisted humanoid who apparently was here to help. He hurriedly spoke up.

"This friend of the Tao! The matter of the Confucianism holy artifact is of great importance! Please join me in suppressing this villain! After this, my Confucian sect will surely reward you generously!"

Generous reward?

Li Jing’s eyes lit up.

The twisted humanoid, after the initial shock, came around and laughed grimly.

"It is just an Emperor Level Taoist that came, you two think that you can suppress me, that’s too..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Li Jing vanished from his spot.

"Between Heaven and Earth, with the power of Universe!"

The humanoid figure was taken aback when Li Jing suddenly disappeared.

Then, listening to his command, he was shaken.

A Taoist incantation!

Out of instinct, he looked up at the sky.

Taoist laws, mysterious and unpredictable.

But one characteristic can’t be changed.

Because they harness the power of heaven and earth, most of the powerful offensive forces come from heaven.

However, the next second.

Li Jing appeared directly in front of him.

???

The human-shaped object contorts.

The next second.

A terrifying rush of Blood Qi surged into the sky, with a punch that was as normal as ever landing on his chest.

At that instant.

The human-shaped creature felt as though it had been hit head-on by a prehistoric giant beast running at full speed, beyond the speed of light, and withdrew in a fit of restrained discomfort after a muffled grunt.

Li Jing stood in midair, frowning and withdrawing his hand.

Since there was a fight available, he wanted to try his own physical strength after activating the Soaring.

That punch.

Indeed, it was a bit fierce.

This human-shaped creature obviously chose the Body Refining path.

He’s quite sturdy.

He is in the Return to Origin Realm.

Being limited by the lack of rules in the big realm is okay, but Body Refining is much less restricted compared to Qi Refining.

After all, his body in the Return to Origin Realm won’t change.

However, Li Jing’s punch went straight through him.

Hmm.

It didn’t knock him back far.

It punched through.

This could be seen as a disadvantage.

Knocking someone back can sometimes be quite important...

Far away, the human-shaped creature, who had a hole in his chest due to injury, seemed unable to maintain the means to conceal his true face. His form gradually stabilized to reveal a humanoid with a ferret head.

Upon seeing Li Jing’s power, Sun Qu couldn’t help but applaud when he almost smashed the human-shaped creature with a single punch.

But when he saw the human-shaped creature reveal its true face, his face became grave.

"A Half-demon!?"

?

Li Jing turned his head.

Half-demon?

How did he deduce that?

The human-shaped creature had a ferret head, which could be an Alien Species, or an incomplete Monster Transformation, right?

Why did he categorically declare it a Half-demon?

As he was wondering, the human-shaped creature with the ferret head gave a cold smile.

This.

Was as good as a tacit admission.

Li Jing frowned.

Other than that, there was nothing else>

Sun Qu could see at a glance that this human-shaped creature with a ferret head was a Half-Demon, not because he had the ability to see through its nature, but because it was something else.

At that moment, the Half-demon looked over with a gloomy face.

"You...are supposed to be a Daoist, right? Why...."

Before he could finish, Li Jing grinned.

"Who says a Daoist can’t do Body Refining?"

"..."

Half-demon.

Indeed, there’s no rule that Daoists can’t do Body Refining.

But this fellow punched through his Return to Origin Realm body with a single punch. This level of physical strength is impossible for human cultivation.

Although he could see his Blood Qi was overflowing and not inferior to him, even giving off a more pure taste, he obviously has achieved an indestructible body.

But even with an indestructible body, human cultivation can’t reach this level.

Narrowing his eyes at Li Jing, who was shamelessly pretending to use Taoist law while actually attacking him physically, the Half-demon glanced at Sun Qu and sent a message.

"Your cultivation level doesn’t seem like that of someone from the Immortal Realm, aren’t you part of the conspiracy too?"

?

Li Jing slowly typed out a question mark.

The self-destruct of the Half-demon caught him off guard.

Part of the conspiracy!

Is there really trickery behind all this?

How big a conspiracy is this?

Just among those whom he had met, there were two in the Return to Origin Realm, and there was one under seal awaiting escape.

How many more are active elsewhere?

As Li Jing ruminated and made deductions, he responded in kind.

"Whether I am part of the conspiracy or not is not important. What’s important is that there is a large reward for capturing you, the embodiment of Confucianism."