Though a bit late, it's finally here.
Zhang Kui breathed a sigh of relief and slowly retracted the Lu Li Sword.
After days of sleeplessly clearing demon nests and a night of life-and-death escape, even killing a Grain Avoidance Realm snake demon in retaliation, though his mana constantly recovered, his spirit was stretched to the limit.
Running into that ghostly old hag, the outcome would be hard to predict.
The Immortal Crane in the clouds was drawing closer, and Zhang Kui finally saw it in full.
Its bright wings shone over accumulated snow, its divine presence spreading across the high autumn...
The Immortal Crane lived up to its name, majestic and handsome, floating among the white clouds, with a white-haired, child-faced elder in a Taoist robe sitting calmly atop, holding a wine gourd with a leisurely demeanor.
What a genuine Taoist master!
Zhang Kui secretly praised, just its appearance was far superior to those eerie evil cultivators by a long shot.
Whoosh! Wind stirred and dust flew.
The Immortal Crane flapped its wings and descended, standing seven or eight meters tall, exuding an unmatched aura, the air crackling with static. Zhang Kui suddenly felt his heart quiver.
This Immortal Crane was actually at the Celestial Tribulation Realm!
Right, Eunuch Yin mentioned that two Celestial Tribulation Realm National Guardian True Men would come from the Capital City, probably even including this Immortal Crane.
At that moment, the Immortal Crane opened its mouth and spoke human language: "Ah, who threw a snake on the ground? Just right, I'm hungry, so I'll help myself."
With that, its long beak quickly pecked down.
Chang San's corpse on the ground instantly shattered into pieces, the demon pill swallowed down the crane's long neck.
Bam!
The wine gourd struck the crane's head as the white-haired elder on its back leapt down, scolding like a shrew, "Shameful, stealing from a child, you thieving bird, have you no dignity?"
"Old drunkard meddlesome as ever!"
The Immortal Crane shook its head, its long beak pecking fiercely at the elder.
"Hey, can't catch me, can't catch me..."
The elder danced around, dodging repeatedly, then swung the gourd for another hit.
Boom!
Dust billowed, the ground cracked.
The crane's head was smashed down, dizzy with anger, "Old drunkard bullying me again? It's not over between us today!"
Whoosh~ A whirlwind swept sand, as the man and crane chased each other, disappearing into the distance...
Zhang Kui was dumbfounded, unsure of what to say.
In the distance, a yellow figure approached like lightning, an old weasel glanced at the giant snake body, swallowed nervously.
"Master Kui, sir, I yield, let's go, I'll treat you to a drink!"
Zhang Kui laughed heartily,
"Let's go, drink until we're drunk and never stop..."
...
Crackling, dark clouds gathered in the sky, a flash of lightning, and a torrential downpour began.
In Black Water City, at the Vegetable Market execution ground, an Astronomical Bureau Squad Leader stood sternly, unmoving in the rain.
"By the order of the imperial envoy Lord Wu Siyuan, it's been found that Captain Zhou Shilian and his associates in Black Water City have committed corruption, colluded with demons, and plotted rebellion. They are to be executed immediately!"
"Execute!"
Amidst cries and wails, heads rolled, blood mixed with the rain, spreading outward, causing the distant onlookers to quickly step back in fright.
After the National Guardian True Man, Wu Siyuan and Eunuch Yin led over a thousand black-armored Astronomical Bureau soldiers into Black Water City.
These experts, pulled from various regions, were not something the local forces of Black Water City could stop, and soon controlled the entire city.
Except for Qin Yi and the Nine-Child Ghost Witch, none escaped.
Wu Siyuan personally presided, conducting trials through the night, uncovering bloody conspiracies hidden in the darkness one by one.
Embezzling silver was a small matter; the deeds of the evil cultivators recruited by Eunuch Liu were truly frightening.
Seeking to identify the reincarnated individuals, they naturally recorded birthdates and established archives of city residents. Women and children meant to be cultivation partners often disappeared mysteriously.
The local Astronomical Bureau assisted in covering up, claiming all culprits were passing evil spirits.
Not to mention the masses of skeletons beneath the White Cloud Temple.
...
In an inn, Zhang Kui leaned by the window, watching the rain splatter, sipping aged wine and nibbling on peanuts, looking at ease.
Opposite, the old weasel smoked a pipe,
"That Lord Wu specially prepared a large residence for you, why are you hiding here instead of going?"
Zhang Kui stretched lazily,
"I'm used to freedom, can't stand constraints."
The old weasel shook his head,
"With your current reputation, everyone will treat you with respect. Who dares to boss you around? In today's world, with sects in decline, finding shelter with the court has its benefits."
Zhang Kui chuckled,
"I know, but nothing comes for free, unless I become a National Guardian True Man, otherwise plenty would try to control me. I'm fine with things as they are now."
"You're unencumbered..."
The old weasel sighed, "Pity me, this old man, still striving for a peaceful place for my descendants. I'm off."
With that, he stood and left the room.
This old demon's cultivation wasn't high, but he held an astonishing status. All weasels throughout Qingzhou called him ancestor, which earned him a role from Wu Siyuan as a Guest Minister of the Astronomical Bureau, tasked with gathering and relaying information.
With the discovery of a new Ancient Secret Realm, the court's actions were swift and fierce. Two Celestial Tribulation Realm National Guardian True Men suppressed the situation; Eunuch Liu was declared a rebel and executed, while Qingzhou's Vassal King Li Hongshou was rebuked and detained at his residence.
Of course, the situation wasn't so straightforward.
Evil cultivators and demon people recruited by Eunuch Liu scattered and hid, local demon ghosts and evil spirits ceased concealing themselves, causing chaos across Qingzhou.
Thinking of this, Zhang Kui looked at a bottle of pills on the table labeled Jade Flower Rose Pill.
Indeed, a Grain Avoidance Realm Old Demon was a treasure from top to bottom. Zhang Kui sold it to Eunuch Yin, and it's said to have been skinned and boned for making Astronomical Bureau equipment in the Capital City.
This bottle of pills was his reward.
Zhang Kui pondered, then sat cross-legged, pouring out one pill and swallowing it.
The pill melted instantly in his mouth, a cool aura flowing through his meridians like heavenly dew within.
After a few incense sticks' worth of time, Zhang Kui opened his eyes and exhaled a puff of white smoke, filling the room with fragrance.
His mind interface showed his mana value increased slightly; consuming the whole bottle would likely equal one level up.
It seemed this was also a way to increase strength and could accumulate with leveling up.
The Earth Demon 72 Techniques also included Alchemy Skills, probably superior to this item. Unfortunately, alchemy takes time, and Zhang Kui didn't plan on starting it now.
After killing Chang San, he gained five skill points. Zhang Kui thought for a moment and activated a skill.
Pot Heaven Skill (Level 2): Passive Skills
Skill Description: Holds a universe in a mustard seed, creating personal space, currently two cubic meters.
Zhang Kui shook his head; Pot Heaven Skill had no level limit, but to truly reach Universe in the Sleeve or create a Palm Cave Mansion, who knew how long it would take.
For now, it's enough, with two skill points left for emergencies.
With this thought, Zhang Kui waved his hand, and the Lu Li Sword, Big Black Umbrella, and that bottle of Jade Flower Rose Pill vanished instantly.
Opening his palm, a pill appeared there.
"Quite convenient..."
Zhang Kui smiled slightly, took the pill, and closed his eyes.
For the following two days, he remained seated cross-legged, refining the entire bottle of pills, significantly boosting his mana.
He originally planned to immediately set off for Qingzhou to fight monsters and level up, but an unexpected visitor changed his mind.
"Elder Huayan, may I ask what brings you here?"
Zhang Kui respectfully cupped his hands.
The white-haired, child-faced elder in a black robe before him was the National Guardian True Man, known as Elder Huayan.
He was said to be the Observatory Master of a Taoist temple near the Capital City. That Immortal Crane was his close friend, and together, they had roamed the Jianghu in their youth, gaining great renown.
The elder casually sat down, stroking his long beard with a smile:
"Hahaha, my Crane brother swiped your demon pill, he's shameless, but I'm a proper man."
"I'll give you two choices. A few days ago, that Jade Flower Rose Pill was made by me; I'll give you another bottle for compensation."
Hearing this, Zhang Kui waved his hand,
"It's just a demon pill, let him have it, consider it my treat, thanks for the urgent help from both of you."
"Hehehe..."
Elder Huayan laughed, "You're generous, but compensation must be made to preserve my reputation."
Zhang Kui smiled and shook his head,
"Alright then, what's the second choice?"
The elder playfully winked,
"Would you like to explore an Ancient Secret Realm?"