Bidding Farewell to a Dear Friend Outside the Profound Firmament Sect, Encountering Nuo Owl Before the Carriage in the Sea of Clouds

Outside the Profound Firmament Sect's mountain gate.

Looking at the birdcage Gao Yi was carrying, inside which was a radiant, colorful spirit bird, Zhao Shiyong couldn't help but sigh, "As expected, Brother Dao has a way with things."

Seeing his melancholy expression, Chen Shuangbai comforted him, "Brother, once this matter is settled, I won't stay any longer."

Zhao Shiyong nodded, and then his disciples stepped forward, carrying four jade boxes, and handed them to Chen Shuangbai.

"Brother Dao, what's this?"

Chen Shuangbai was puzzled.

Zhao Shiyong explained, "My friend and I became acquainted through a fight when we were both in humble circumstances. Although we haven't exchanged many letters over the years, we feel an instant connection and a deep mutual respect."

"I've heard that you already have four disciples under your tutelage, so as your senior uncle, I can't just remain silent."

"Hey! Consider this a token of my appreciation!"

Chen Shuangbai couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head, wanting to refuse, but seeing Zhao Shiyong's sincere appearance, she felt that this person was indeed someone worth befriending, so she accepted the offer.

After putting away the jade box, Chen Shuangbai led his apprentice onto the dragon chariot.

The four-headed dragon beast with its gleaming scales and claws roared, and the golden boys and jade maidens around it, along with the disciples in front and behind, waved banners and danced, causing the entire carriage to emit a faint watery light and azure glow, which condensed into auspicious clouds, carrying the entire procession into the cloud path.

It really is:

"Beyond the clouds, green mountains rise; beyond the mountains, clouds gather; I seek the Dao in the Mysterious Heaven, where I meet with the immortals."

"Under the Return to Truth Stele, he comprehended the profound sound; atop Crimson Flame Peak, he performed a miraculous feat."

"I return home, my sleeves filled with the wind; a pot of bright moonlight illuminates my loyal heart."

As the Daoist song ended, the dragon chariot had already driven into the depths of the sea of clouds.

The shimmering water and azure clouds surrounding the carriage grew even more intense, enveloping the entire procession in a peaceful atmosphere.

Gao Yi carried the pure gold birdcage and curiously examined the Flowing Light Flame Bird inside. The bird was not afraid of people; instead, it tilted its head and let out a clear chirp.

Fang Xiao sat upright on the other side, his eyes glued to the view, but he could still sense that the terrifying aura that the Dao Child Dao Child him had brought him since this trip had become increasingly indifferent.

But sometimes, indifference doesn't mean disappearance; rather, it means something is hidden even deeper.

He recalled that day and couldn't help but shiver.

Regardless of what the Sha Beast thought, Chen Shuangbai was currently resting with his eyes closed, but his right hand was forming a sword incantation as he was calculating based on his insights from gazing at the Sword Stele.

"Although this didn't allow me to immediately grasp the [ Sword Intent ], I've at least found some ideas."

As Chen Shuangbai performed the calculations, she thought to herself, "This is what I'm thinking."

Unlike before, Chen Shuangbai could now clearly sense the road.

This is something that no amount of magic pills or elixirs can provide.

As he was calculating, Chen Shuangbai couldn't help but recall the sword technique that the sword immortal had used over and over again. It was perfectly natural and carried a very strong concept, but that concept... was something that Chen Shuangbai currently lacked.

"Perhaps the key to a breakthrough lies therein."

Just as he was pondering, Chen Shuangbai suddenly felt a surge of Divine Sense, and a magnificent burst of Divine Ability light emanated from his body. Fang Xiao, who was standing to the side, was startled and instinctively dodged, but he found that it was not aimed at him, but rather released outwards, transforming into streaks of celestial osmanthus light and shadows, with golden streams of light falling down, protecting the entire carriage.

Chen Shuangbai stepped out and appeared outside the carriage. Looking at the figure faintly visible in the clouds ahead, he spoke calmly, "Who are you? Why are you blocking my carriage?"

The figure slowly emerged from the clouds.

The newcomer was dressed in a dark green Daoist robe, his figure indistinguishable between male and female. He wore an unknown Nuo mask on his face, resembling both a demon and a Celestial Person being. He looked at Chen Shuangbai a face that was half ferocious and half compassionate, appearing particularly eerie under the reflection of the clouds.

Chen Shuangbai frowned slightly, because even with his current Divine Sense, he could no longer see through the Nuo mask on the other party's face.

Furthermore, the other party's aura was very elusive, as if they had taken measures to prevent others from remembering their aura.

This kind of hiding and revealing...

Without a second thought, Chen Shuangbai sent a wisp of white light from his sleeve onto the dragon chariot, where it transformed into a pure white mirror.

The treasure mirror shone brightly, and the double-layered silver-white incantations on its edge emitted light one after another. Then, ethereal images of immortal cassia trees floated, and golden flowers, like layers of auspicious clouds, unfolded one after another, enveloping the entire carriage.

As the man observed Chen Shuangbai's move, he sighed softly, " Jade Spring Dao Child is indeed as cautious as the rumors suggest!"

The voice was clearly disguised, making it impossible to tell if it was male or female.

Having said that, before Chen Shuangbai could question him, the man took something out of his wide sleeve with his right hand—

It was just a piece of clothing!

Chen Shuangbai looked closely, and her face turned unusually gloomy.

The man chuckled softly and said, "It seems you recognized me, fellow Daoist."

"If you don't want your good disciple to suffer, why don't you sit down and talk?"

Chen Shuangbai stared intently at the person before her, her eyes gleaming with a jade-like light. But the person laughed and sighed, "How could I not know that Jade Spring Dao Child possesses a pupil technique that can reveal one's true form? Since I've come here, how could I not take precautions?"

"Fellow Daoist, there's no need to waste your energy. Why don't we sit down and have a calm discussion?"

Chen Shuangbai stared calmly at the masked figure, her mind racing.

What the other person was holding was a corner of the robe of the second disciple Chen Yazhen.

Although it is indeed the real thing, it doesn't necessarily mean that Yazhen has actually fallen into his hands.

Otherwise, this person would probably be threatening him right now by bringing Chen Yazhen along.

A moment later.

Chen Shuangbai followed this person and landed in a mountain a hundred miles away. After passing through a protective array, they arrived at a valley.

Chen Shuangbai glanced at the valley and found that his Divine Sense could not penetrate it; it was clear that a third-order grand formation covered the entire valley.

"A third-tier grand formation... It seems you have quite a bit of influence."

Despite Chen Shuangbai's cold words, the masked man remained calm and said slowly, "When you're out traveling, your life is at stake. Being cautious isn't a bad thing."

Chen Shuangbai did not respond, but instead asked, "Fellow Daoist, you sent me here, shouldn't you explain your purpose?"

The masked figure stood with his hands behind his back, his deep eyes beneath the mask fixed on Chen Shuangbai. " True Person Xuhong straightforward, so I won't beat around the bush either."

"I've come here to discuss a matter with True Person."

Chen Shuangbai raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Cooperate?"

"Using my disciple as a threat, can that really be called cooperation?"

The masked man chuckled and said, "If it weren't for that, True Person afraid you wouldn't be able to follow me here so calmly, nor would you be able to listen to what I have to say so peacefully."

Chen Shuangbai looked at the man coldly and said indifferently, "Speak."

The masked man slowly said, "I've heard that the Jade Spring Sect possesses a pill-refining Pill Cauldron called the [ Azure Yi Mystic Cauldron ]. The precious elixir refined within it can increase the user's chances of forming a Golden Core by 20%. I wonder if you could bring it to me?"