Why Does That Sound So Familiar?

"Fellow Daoists, do you need me to invite you out?"

As soon as Tongtian finished speaking, the Immortal Slaying Four Swords gave a clear hum, and figures emerged from the void one after another, all looking as though they had narrowly escaped disaster.

One could tell from their expressions that Tongtian, that troublesome young man, had definitely used these warmhearted fellow Daoists of Hong Huang to test his swords more than a few times.

Watching this patch of heaven and earth become packed in an instant, Liu Mang could not help grumbling inwardly.

Holy shit! They were all hiding nearby! People always said Hong Huang was full of schemers. I've really seen it today.

While Liu Mang observed everyone, two Daoists stepped forward with smiles.

However, both had sallow complexions and looked malnourished. Their smiles were even uglier than crying.

One sat upon a golden lotus platform surrounded by Merit, while the other held a small tree laden with all manner of magical treasures. Anyone unaware of the truth might have thought he was selling a decorated New Year tree.

The moment Liu Mang saw their flashy appearances, he guessed their identities. They had to be Jieyin and Zhunti.

Their next move confirmed Liu Mang's guess. They simultaneously bowed toward Nu Wa through the air and said, "Greetings, Junior Sister Nu Wa."

Before Nu Wa could speak, Zhunti looked at Liu Mang with a beaming smile. "This humble Daoist sees that this nephew's words and deeds share a deep affinity with The West. Would Junior Sister Nu Wa be willing to part with him?"

Liu Mang lowered his head and snorted. He breathed on the Spiritual Treasure Tongtian had given him, wiped it as he muttered under his breath, "You won't even take out a single gift, but my mother has to give up one person. Why don't you blow a giant snot bubble while you're at it?"

As soon as Liu Mang finished speaking, a sudden slap sent him stumbling sideways.

When Liu Mang looked up, he found Nu Wa rolling her wrist.

The perpetrator clearly believed no one present could beat her, and had made no attempt to conceal the weapon used in the crime!

The others looked at him while suppressing laughter. Di Jiang even secretly gave him a thumbs-up.

Holy shit, did she hear that?

Liu Mang turned to Nu Wa, his eyes seeming to ask: You overheard me?

Nu Wa rolled her eyes at him: What do you think?

It was not really Liu Mang's fault. He had not even begun cultivating, so how could he understand just how terrifying the hearing of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal could be?

Forget quiet muttering. Even staring at someone for too long could be noticed.

Zhunti acted as though he had not heard Liu Mang's mockery, and completely ignored everyone's teasing. With a sigh, he said, "It seems your affinity with The West has not yet arrived. I hope you will come visit someday."

Liu Mang immediately realized this was bad and hurriedly rose to bow.

He laughed heartily, looked at Zhunti with an excited expression, and gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Martial Uncle Zhunti, for your generous invitation. I heard from my mother that it was precisely because of the two of you tirelessly cultivating it that the old lands of The West have recovered eighty percent of their former appearance. This nephew will certainly come to trouble you another day. When that time comes, I hope Martial Uncle will not hesitate to offer guidance."

After that performance, everyone felt as though the earlier complaints had not come from him at all.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged smiles after hearing this, then stepped aside. Yet they never again mentioned anything about a "viewing fee."

Those two rotten bastards are definitely plotting something. I'm not going! I might get there alive and never come back.

Nu Wa had originally been somewhat worried, but after hearing Liu Mang's thoughts, she curled her lip. "I almost forgot, you're no good thing either! If you went, who knows who would scheme against whom."

Immediately afterward.

Ming He and Kunpeng also presented their own "viewing fees."

Ming He took out a piece of blood jade and tossed it to Liu Mang. After leaving behind the words, "A trifling gift. It can block one strike from a quasi-saint," he returned to his original position.

Simple and direct, truly a model for showing off!

Kunpeng, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of Ming He.

He kept nodding at Liu Mang and muttering, "Not bad, not bad." His admiration was obvious, scaring Liu Mang into continually hiding behind Nu Wa.

"I wonder what the Demon Master sees in this junior. I'll definitely change it!"

"Young friend, you jest!" Kunpeng said as he took out a pair of boots and handed them to Liu Mang.

"These were a casual creation from when I comprehended the Law of Extreme Speed. They are not especially useful, and their speed barely matches that of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal."

Upon hearing that, Liu Mang clutched the boots tightly to his chest, unwilling to let go.

These were essential for escaping and fleeing for his life, far more useful than those Spiritual Plants and Spiritual Fruits.

After everyone else had stepped aside, the final two people to appear slowly walked forward.

The man on the left wore a loose Daoist robe embroidered with rivers, lakes, seas, mountains, and lands.

He stroked his beard, casually took a pair of jade-like little dolls from his sleeve, and said somewhat bashfully, "Wuzhuang Temple is humble. Two Ginseng Fruits, as a small token of my regard."

Nu Wa said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi!"

Liu Mang eagerly accepted the Ginseng Fruits and could not help muttering inwardly.

He's a good guy, but his luck is awful. He could have become an Earthly Dao Saint, but unfortunately, Hong Jun crippled the Earthly Dao!

Great! With Ginseng Fruits, I won't have to fear dying of old age even if I don't cultivate!

As Liu Mang thought this, his hands did not remain idle. He picked up the two Ginseng Fruits and took a fierce sniff!

Sniff fast, sniff fast. If they take them away later, I won't get to sniff them!

These were among the ten great innate spiritual roots of Hong Huang. Smelling one could extend one's life by three hundred and sixty years, while eating one could grant forty-seven thousand years of life, with no toxicity or side effects.

In modern terms, they were green, organic, pollution-free, and ridiculously effective.

For deathly afraid Liu Mang, this was like a dung beetle finding a pile of diarrhea—exactly what he needed!

Nu Wa pretended not to see Liu Mang's antics, but the fist hidden behind her back clenched even tighter!

The man beside Zhen Yuanzi carried a huge gourd on his back. Holding up a gift, he smiled warmly at Nu Wa. "When Hong Yun learned that Fellow Daoist Nu Wa's chance to attain the Dao had arrived, he specially sought out Brother Daoist Zhen Yuanzi to come offer congratulations."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun." After speaking, Nu Wa casually handed Hong Yun's gift to Liu Mang, only to find him staring brightly at Hong Yun.

Hong Huang's number one good guy, its unluckiest fool. I've finally met him in person today!

Nu Wa considered it carefully and found that Liu Mang was indeed right.

Hong Yun had even given up his seat at the Purple Cloud Palace to hear Hong Jun's teachings. He truly was an old-fashioned good man.

The key was that he had given it to the wrong person—to that fellow from The West. Anyone without a stroke every thirty years would never do such a thing!

By doing so, he had not only offended Kunpeng, but gained nothing for himself.

Just like now, the two from The West acted as though they had not seen him at all, not even offering a greeting!

Liu Mang seemed not to be finished yet. I have to say, you've really got some nerve!

Nu Wa thought: Hm? And why is that?

Seven strands of Hongmeng Purple Qi were given to seven people, yet Hong Jun alone did not take you as a disciple. How can you not have any fucking clue? And you still dare run around outside? It would be strange if Kunpeng wasn't green with envy when he looked at you!

Although the Hongmeng Purple Qi Hong Jun gave is definitely no good thing, it's still your fault for running around outside!

"Perhaps you're the only one in all of Hong Huang who would dare say that? First you worried that heavenly Merit had problems, and now you think the Hongmeng Purple Qi was tampered with. Just how afraid of death are you?"

Though she mocked Liu Mang inwardly, Nu Wa still could not help secretly checking Kunpeng's reaction. Sure enough, she saw him occasionally staring at Hong Yun with a sinister expression, his eyes filled with hatred.

But this was ultimately the karmic entanglement between Kunpeng and Hong Yun. Nu Wa felt there was no need for her to forcibly interfere.

"If I encounter Fellow Daoist Hong Yun after attaining the Dao, I can give him a warning."

Nu Wa did not intend to say anything, but Liu Mang wanted to. He simply could not find an opportunity.

There are too many people here. I can't exactly drag Hong Yun away to warn him!

Ugh, that's another chance to earn a Postnatal Spiritual Treasure gone!

Unable to do anything but rage helplessly, Liu Mang could only hug the Ginseng Fruits and sniff them with all his might!

Seeing Liu Mang's sorrowful face, Nu Wa did not know whether to laugh or cry. "I thought you had finally grown a conscience. Turns out you're addicted to fooling people! Do you think everyone is as generous as Di Jun?"

With a wave of Nu Wa's hand, the Spiritual Treasures piled beside Liu Mang, along with the Ginseng Fruits in his hands, all flew before her.

"You have no use for these things for now, so I'll keep them for you. I'll give them back once you begin the path of cultivation."

As soon as Nu Wa finished speaking, all the items vanished.

Liu Mang looked at his empty hands, momentarily dazed. "Why does that sound so familiar? I feel like I heard it somewhere when I was little!"