Desperate Taiyi Zhenren

Taiyi Zhenren asked in confusion, "How did you learn of this news, fellow Daoist?"

Li Hao smiled and said, "I sensed the changes in heaven and earth and happened to see them within the chaotic secrets of heaven."

Taiyi Zhenren's lips twitched slightly.

Pack!

Damn it, he's still pretending with me.

Seeing this from the chaos, why don't you travel to the Underworld your spirit?

Taiyi Zhenren naturally did not believe Li Hao's words.

During the previous cataclysmic events in the world, he had sensed some kind of change occurring, but he couldn't find anything amiss. It wasn't that he hadn't tried to deduce things, but it was of no use whatsoever.

As for the claim that Li Hao gleaned this from the chaos, Taiyi Zhenren would never believe it.

It wasn't that he thought his divination skills were superior to Li Hao's, but rather that the Investiture of the Gods Calamity was approaching, and the secrets of heaven were so chaotic that even the Three Pure Ones could not deduce them clearly.

Of course, Taiyi Zhenren wasn't stupid, so he didn't show it directly.

He laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist, you are quite capable."

Li Jing and his wife's eyes twitched.

Even if they were incredibly foolish, they would understand the animosity between Taiyi Zhenren and Li Hao. No, it should be said that Taiyi Zhenren harbored displeasure and hostility towards Li Hao. Therefore, this seemingly friendly remark sounded like utter mockery to them.

However, since Li Hao had done Nezha a favor, neither of them could presume to comment.

Taiyi Zhenren was a highly accomplished disciple of the Chan Sect, and his fate was tied to Nezha's, so they were even more difficult to offend.

Therefore, when it came to their situation, they could only respond with an awkward and impolite smile, finding it difficult to speak up.

Taiyi Zhenren was silent for two seconds, then said, "I heard from Zha'er that your cultivation is unfathomable, and you are a rare and accomplished master. I, too, have some skill. Since I am fortunate enough to meet you today, how about we have a friendly spar and discuss the Dao Yi?"

Li Hao found it amusing.

Is this guy worried that I'll steal his apprentice?

Li Hao couldn't help but shake his head and said, "Let's skip the sparring. I have some urgent matters to attend to and don't have time to linger at the Li residence."

Taiyi Zhenren sneered inwardly.

It's safe!

This fool, it's one thing to play tricks and pretend to be a ghost, but to dare to try and fool a Daoist priest like me.

If I don't expose your hypocritical and deceitful nature in front of Zha'er today, how can I maintain my standing in front of my disciples in the future?

Li Jing was somewhat surprised and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? Since you've come, why don't you stay at my humble abode for a few more days before you leave?"

Li Hao said, "The changes in the East Sea are extraordinary, and I have no choice but to make the trip myself."

Taiyi Zhenren laughed heartily, "Wonderful, wonderful! I am also very curious about the events that have occurred in the East Sea. Since you are in a hurry and cannot stay at the Li residence, why don't we have a speed contest to see who gets to the scene of the incident first? Such a contest should not delay you, right?"

Taiyi Zhenren patted his round belly, his smile incredibly kind and friendly.

Li Hao sneered inwardly.

Trying to outrun me? You're underestimating my spatial Ancestral Witch Bloodline!

Li Hao feigned modesty and said, "Well, since you've already spoken, wouldn't it seem unreasonable of me to disagree?"

When Taiyi Zhenren saw that Li Hao had agreed, his smile became even brighter.

He clapped his hands and said, "Good, good."

Li Hao paused slightly before continuing, "However, there are some things I must say upfront. Regardless of winning or losing this competition, please remember not to take it to heart."

Taiyi Zhenren was slightly taken aback.

Don't take it to heart.

Wait a minute, is this kid admitting defeat, bowing down to the mighty Taiyi Zhenren?

Yes, that must be it.

This fool must have realized he couldn't hide it anymore, which is why he wanted to beg for mercy.

Taiyi Zhenren, thinking he had seen through Li Hao's scheme, magnanimously laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist, what are you saying? We cultivators emphasize understanding the will of Heaven. If we care too much about winning or losing, what does that have to do with ordinary people? I want to compete with you, Fellow Daoist, not for winning or losing, but because I am excited to see a fellow Daoist and can't help but want to compete."

"Therefore, fellow Daoist, you should also go to the Forget-Me-Not Heart. I have no ill intentions; I simply wish to see how profound your immortal techniques are and learn a thing or two."

Li Hao's lips curled up, his smile gentle and refined, like that of a humble gentleman.

He laughed and said, "How could I possibly care?"

As Li Hao spoke, he stood up and bowed to Li Jing and his wife, saying, "The matter is urgent, so I will not bid farewell to Nezha. If fate allows, we will surely meet again in the future."

Li Jing and his wife rose at the same time, cupped their hands in farewell, and said goodbye.

After bidding farewell to Li Jing and Li Jing wife, Li Hao turned to the smiling Taiyi Zhenren and said with a smile, "I will take my leave first and await your arrival at Flower-Fruit Mountain."

"Alright, alright, fellow Daoist, please go first. I'll be right there," Taiyi Zhenren said with a smile as he stood up.

But his eyes were full of amusement, as if he were watching a show.

Clearly, he couldn't wait to see Li Hao make a fool of himself, so as to prove his status Nezha's rightful master.

Li Hao responded with a smile.

Then, he lightly waved his sleeve towards the void in front of him, and the void in the center of the living room rippled like a lake with pebbles thrown in.

Then, as if a door had been opened, a luminous white arched gate appeared in the void.

Through the portal of light, everyone could clearly see the scene on the other side.

Huge waves crashed against the cliffs, creating a thunderous roar.

A gentle sea breeze blew out from the portal, carrying a faint scent of the sea.

Li Hao nodded slightly to everyone and stepped into the portal with a smile.

The door was then closed, leaving Li Jing and his two companions staring at each other in the living room.

Li Jing asked in astonishment, "What kind of technique is this?"

Lady Yin frowned and said in a deep voice, "It should be the 'Teleportation Technique,' a very advanced immortal technique. I just don't know where this Immortal Master Li is headed. Judging from the terrain just revealed, it doesn't seem to be near Chentang Pass."

Li Jing nodded and said, "Chentang Pass an area of a thousand miles, which I know very well. There is no similar terrain here."

As the two were talking, they didn't notice that the smile on Taiyi Zhenren's face suddenly turned very ugly.

Li Jing and his companion couldn't recognize the place, but Taiyi Zhenren knew it!

It wasn't that Taiyi Zhenren had been to Flower-Fruit Mountain or knew anything about Sun Wukong, but rather that he deduced the result using his immortal arts after seeing the scene behind the spatial gate. However, it was precisely because he knew Li Hao's destination that Taiyi Zhenren felt incredulous, shocked, and even ashamed.

Damn it, Chentang Pass is hundreds of thousands of miles away from Flower-Fruit Mountain. Even at my current speed, it would take half a day to fly there!

But they were different; with a flick of their sleeves, without taking away a single cloud, they traversed hundreds of thousands of miles!

I!

When Taiyi Zhenren thought about his duel with Li Hao, he suddenly couldn't help but bang his head on the ground.

I hate it!

Why did Laozi have to go looking for trouble? Now look what happened, I've lost face and even my reputation.

After some reflection, Li Jing and his wife recalled the contest between Taiyi Zhenren and Li Hao.

They all turned to look at Taiyi Zhenren.

Li Jing asked, "When will you depart, Master, and when will you return?"

Taiyi Zhenren's heart was bleeding, but he couldn't very well not answer Li Jing's question.

He forced a smile and said, "Although it is hundreds of thousands of miles away from Flower-Fruit Mountain, I, cough cough, I will be able to return from Flower-Fruit Mountain very soon."

Taiyi Zhenren coughed lightly, his head held high and chest puffed out, exuding an indescribable confidence and majesty.

Upon seeing this, both Li Jing and his companion felt admiration.

Listen to that! This is the skill of an immortal, this is the aura of a great man!

Hundreds of thousands of miles away, described as as simple as visiting someone's neighbor—is that something a human being would say?

The two felt both admiration and awe.

Li Jing bowed and said, "Take care, Immortal Master. Li Jing awaits your good news at Chentang Pass."

Taiyi Zhenren smiled and nodded, then strode away.

He rode the big, fat pig southward.

Li Jing and the other man watched Taiyi Zhenren's departing figure with envy on their faces.

When will I have such power?

Lady Yin sighed, "Alas, I wonder where Immortal Master Li is now."

Li Jing said, "Immortal Li can travel a thousand miles in an instant with a wave of his sleeve. Although he is not as elegant as Immortal Taiyi who can fly through the sky and escape into the earth, his speed is still extremely fast. I suppose Immortal Li's speed should not be slower than Immortal Taiyi's."

Taiyi Zhenren heard their conversation from afar and silently shed tears.

Master, Taiyi is so wronged.

When has your baby ever experienced such injustice?

Can anyone tell me where that freak came from? He can teleport hundreds of thousands of miles in the blink of an eye. I doubt only the Three Pure Ones could do that, right?

Wait, Mom! Could what this pervert said earlier have been true?

Cultivating in the Outer Heavens?

No, impossible. If he were truly a powerful figure from the Outer Heavens, Master would have told us. But Master has never mentioned anyone named Li Hao from the Outer Heavens. Could he be an incarnation of the Two Sages of the West? I've heard there's an old pervert in the West—no, I mean, a Celestial Venerable-level expert—who can attain enlightenment in dreams and transform into countless beings to play in the world while he's asleep.

No, that's not right either. If they were the two Western Saints, there's no reason for them to conceal their identities and travel the world under aliases.

Could it be a newly emerged peerless expert? If so, it's not impossible.

No, that brat... cough cough, that powerful figure might actually be a master at the level of the Three Pure Ones. If I go to Flower-Fruit Mountain, let alone whether they hold a grudge, what about my reputation Taiyi Zhenren?

Yes, let's find a place to have a few drinks, and tomorrow we'll go back to Chentang Pass, consummate our relationship with Nezha, and then I'll formally become his disciple. That's right, that's it.

Realizing there was no benefit to be gained, Taiyi Zhenren couldn't help but let out bursts of cheerful laughter.

Just as Taiyi Zhenren was cheering, a sinister voice suddenly came from below. "Isn't this Senior Brother Taiyi? Where are you going, Senior Brother?"

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Zhenren looked in the direction of the voice in astonishment.

Then, a middle-aged man who was a master appeared on the sea surface at some unknown time. He was none other than Shen Gongbao, the junior brother of Taiyi Zhenren.

He asked in confusion, "Junior Brother is here too?"

Shen Gongbao smiled and said, "I was just taking care of some small business nearby when I unexpectedly ran into Senior Brother Taiyi. What a coincidence!"

Taiyi gave an awkward smile, tears welling up inside him.

Are you kidding me? How did I end up running into my junior brother here?

Damn it, what am I going to do now?

Taiyi Zhenren's eyes darted around, but before he could devise a plan, Shen Gongbao had already arrived in front of him.

He chuckled, "Senior brother hasn't said where you're going yet. Is there something you're hiding from your junior brother?"

Taiyi Zhenren said awkwardly, "Not at all, not at all. I just foresaw that the previous anomalies in the heavens and earth were related to Flower-Fruit Mountain, so I wanted to go and investigate."

Upon hearing of the strange changes in the heavens and earth, Shen Gongbao couldn't help but straighten his expression.

He said in a deep voice, "I also came here to investigate the strange changes in the world. Now that you have found the place, why don't we go together?"

Taiyi Zhenren was moved to tears.

Alright, you big rascal!

Senior brother, I just offended a freak, ptooey, ptooey, just kidding, senior brother, I just offended a super strong person.

If we went over there, we'd be doomed!

Taiyi Zhenren roared inwardly, but could not utter the words of refusal.

He laughed heartily, feigning a cheerful tone, "Haha, good! With my junior brother here, I can relax a lot more. Let's go together, let's go together!"