The man walked in slowly.
Li Qiang replied, "This talisman already belongs to Brother Luo. You'll get the next one... Oh, it's Brother Yan from Cypress Succession Order! Long time no see."
Luo Duyu stood up and laughed, " Old Yan, you come here and immediately try to snatch the Immortal Talisman from me, haha. You're also familiar with Senior Muzi, huh? What brings you to Snow Dragon City today without even letting me know? Come and sit down."
Yan Qianhui was still the same as before, dressed in a messy manner, and the spikes on his back always reminded Li Qiang of the straw raincoats worn by ancient fishermen.
Yan Qianhui stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Senior Muzi."
Li Qiang waved his hand and said with a smile, "Brother Yan, there's no need to be so polite, please have a seat."
The crowd made way for Yan Qianhui, who didn't stand on ceremony and sat down cross-legged.
Li Qiang asked, "Brother Yan, is there business in Snow Dragon City? Has your disciple been cured?"
Yan Qianhui's face was beaming with joy, a stark contrast to the coldness he displayed when they first met.
He smiled and said, "I must thank Senior Muzi. Hehe, my disciple has fully recovered. I came to Snow Dragon City to say goodbye to some old friends; I'm preparing for a long journey."
The cultivators in the shop immediately began to discuss it amongst themselves.
Luo Duyu, also a master of the Body Integration Realm, immediately understood upon hearing this. He said, " Old Yan, have you entrusted all the sect's affairs to your disciple? Congratulations, you can finally embark on the final stage of your cultivation."
Li Qiang asked curiously, "What is the final path of cultivation?"
Luo Duyu's face showed envy as he explained, "If I'm not mistaken, Old Yan has already passed on the position of leader of Cypress Succession Order to his disciple. He will leave Linming Planet and return to undergo tribulation only after completing the Late Body Integration Realm."
"Our tradition here is that novice cultivators complete the formation of their Nascent Soul during Ascetic Cultivation Road, while grandmaster-level cultivators complete the Body Integration Realm during their Far Journey Road. Hehe, when Old Yan returns, it will be time to prepare for his tribulation."
Li Qiang was unaware of this cultivation custom, and had never heard of it on Sealed Fate Planet. He couldn't help but ask, "Where do people usually go on Far Journey Road?"
Yan Qianhui said, "I plan to go to Wondrous Dragon City to say goodbye to a few old friends, and then leave Linming Planet. I haven't decided where to go yet. I'm not very clear about the star paths outside."
Li Qiang thought for a moment and said, "Brother Yan, I'm also planning to go to Wondrous Dragon City and then leave this place. If you'd like, you can travel with us for a while."
Yan Qianhui was overjoyed and said, "Great! It would be my Qianhui honor to travel with you, Senior."
The Devil Venerable Chiming smirked and mocked, "What's so good about going with him? It's so much freer to go on your own, you spineless coward!"
Yan Qianhui's expression turned slightly cold as she asked in a chilling tone, "Who are you?"
Li Qiang laughed and said, "Brother Yan, don't pay him any mind, he's Fengzi. Xiao Ming, don't interrupt."
Luo Duyu secretly transmitted his voice to Yan Qianhui, telling him about the identity and origin of the Devil Venerable Chiming, which surprised Yan Qianhui.
The Devil Venerable Chiming dared not argue with Li Qiang. He impatiently shook his hand, held his head, and continued to ponder how to break the Devil Restraint.
A flash of silver light appeared outside the door, and a small silver dog snuggled into Li Qiang Li Qiang's arms, nuzzling affectionately and whimpering sweetly.
Li Qiang laughed and said, "Little guy, where have you run off to again?"
Yan Qianhui stared intently at Little White for a long while, then shook his head and muttered to himself, "This is impossible... No one can tame it. Strange... It's too similar..."
Gong Yifu sat down next to him and asked curiously, "Senior, what do you look like?"
Yan Qianhui sighed, "It's nothing, I probably misunderstood."
Li Qiang also heard his words and couldn't help but admire him in his heart. Yan Qianhui was indeed a master who specialized in transforming monsters. It seemed that he also had an impression of the Heavenly Lion Divine Beast.
Li Qiang didn't expose him. He handed the talisman in his hand to Luo Duyu and said, "Don't bother competing with them for the talisman. Who here can beat you?"
Luo Duyu smiled sheepishly, took the talisman, examined it closely, and exclaimed, "It's perfect! Amazing! Senior Muzi, I'll be right back."
Devil Venerable Chiming watched Luo Duyu walk out, he muttered to himself, "Sneaking around like that doesn't seem like a good thing..."
Li Qiang almost laughed out loud. This guy was speaking with such seriousness, as if he were a good person himself.
Soon, Luo Duyu sat down again, smiling, and said, "I won't argue anymore, Old Yan, you shouldn't argue either. Let them get the benefit."
The cultivators in the shop were overjoyed, and they all thought in unison that he was indeed a grandmaster from the Extreme Chasm Cliff, and his realm was truly extraordinary.
More cultivators entered from outside, and they quietly sat down cross-legged. Soon, the small shop was full of people, and many more were standing at the entrance.
Li Qiang felt a bit groan. He had only intended to have some fun, but now there were just too many people. How many jade talismans would he need to cultivate? He remembered that he had quite a few jade talismans on hand, so he decided to just take them out and sell them.
Li Qiang took out a piece of green jade talisman and said with a smile, "This is a protective talisman. Who's bidding?"
Now everyone knows that the talisman in Li Qiang's hand is a treasure, and bids are being shouted in unison.
The Devil Venerable Chiming casually pointed and gestured, identifying the person who offered the most Immortal Stone. After more than a dozen rounds of bidding, he finally lost his patience and shouted, "Brother, are you ever going to stop? I wouldn't even take these worthless talismans for free! Damn it, I'll refine a protective talisman for you to see!"
Li Qiang had already exchanged for a pile of Immortal Stone. He wasn't angry at the Devil Venerable Chiming's complaints, and laughed, " Old Chi, you can refine talismans too? Good, refine one for me to see. If you don't refine it well, hehe, watch out, I'll give you a hard time! Let me tell you first, don't refine any messy, harmful stuff, or you'll regret it."
The Devil Venerable Chiming didn't answer. A blue demonic flame erupted from his hand, plunging the entire shop into darkness. Only the blue-green light in the Devil Venerable Chiming's hand could be seen. Apart from a few experts like Li Qiang, everyone else felt a chill and discomfort. Some couldn't help but put on their armor for protection.
Li Qiang suddenly shone brightly, illuminating the entire shop.
In just a short moment, the Devil Venerable Chiming had finished his cultivation, a speed that surprised even Li Qiang.
A cone-shaped talisman appeared in his hand; it was dark and showed no particular features.
Li Qiang reached out and took it, immediately noticing its extraordinary nature. The talisman was covered with dense, black, scale-like protrusions, and at the cone-shaped tip was a small red bead. He probed inside with his Divine Sense and discovered countless creatures wailing within.
Li Qiang withdrew his Divine Sense and cursed, "Who would dare wear your amulet! They'd be scared to death, how could it protect them?"
The Devil Venerable Chiming Lord chuckled, "What's there to be afraid of? This Gods and Devils Talisman of mine is so powerful that even ordinary Gods and Devils wouldn't dare to harm its owner. To be honest, even a protective talisman made by an immortal can't compare to this. Which Gods and Devils would dare to touch the protective talisman I made!"
Li Qiang knew he was telling the truth; given his status as Great Gods and Devils god, no demon would dare to harm the talisman's master.
He couldn't help but find it amusing that the best exorcism talisman was actually made by Great Gods and Devils from the Black Devil Realm.
As a result, almost everyone saw through the strangeness of the Devil Venerable Chiming, so who would dare to accept the talismans he made?
Seeing everyone remain silent, the Devil Venerable Chiming roared in anger. Li Qiang laughed and said, "Forget it, what are you yelling about! Can't I take this Gods and Devils Talisman?"
The Devil Venerable Chiming Lord huffed, "A bunch of cowards! Take it if you want; you know your stuff, sir."
Li Qiang stood up and said with a smile, "Thank you everyone for coming. That's all for today, let's call it a day! Hehe, the party's over!"
Luo Duyu said with satisfaction, "Everyone, please disperse, senior. Please rest at Extreme Chasm Cliff." He was very proud of himself, as most of the jade talismans that Li Qiang had just auctioned had ended up in the hands of Extreme Chasm Cliff.
Watching the disciples quietly slip away, he said again, " Old Yan, let's go together."
Yan Qianhui smiled slightly and said, "From now on, I will follow Senior Muzi."
Gong Yifu was also overjoyed. Although he hadn't obtained the jade talisman, he knew that from now on, Gong Yifu talisman would be very famous in Snow Dragon City. He bid farewell to Li Qiang with great gratitude.
Just as everyone returned to the plaza, a disciple from the Extreme Chasm Cliff descended from the sky, hurriedly approached, bowed, and said, "Sect Leader Luo, news has arrived..."
Luo Duyu said, "Get to the point, what news?"
The disciple hurriedly replied, "Yes! The news came from Jinyang City. Luo Heaven High Immortal and his men have driven the Gods and Devils out of Linming Planet, but..."
Li Qiang asked, "Was he not restrained?"
The disciple said, "Lord Gan and Fairy Dainan intercepted that Gods and Devils in Descending Wood City, but Gods and Devils escaped very quickly and immediately fled Linming Planet. Lord Gan and the others have already given chase."
Luo Duyu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "It's good that he escaped. I hope he never comes back."
Li Qiang asked, "Brother Luo, may I ask where the teleportation array is? We'll go to Wondrous Dragon City first, so we won't bother you at Extreme Chasm Cliff." He felt he had acquired enough Immortal Stone, and it was time to leave Linming Planet.
Luo Duyu felt a little regretful. He said, "Brother Xia Yuntao from Wondrous Dragon City is here. Should we inform him so that Wondrous Dragon City can make preparations?"
Li Qiang smiled and said, "No need, I don't want to disturb everyone. Goodbye, Brother Luo and Brother Ying." After bidding farewell to everyone, he went to the teleportation array in Snow Dragon City.
In all the major cultivation cities of Linming Planet, there are various kinds of teleportation arrays, which are generally set up by each sect. Ordinary cultivators have two ways to teleport: one is to use their own sect's teleportation array. If a cultivator is not from a sect, they have to spend a certain amount of Coiled Dragon Coin to use another sect's teleportation array. Therefore, each sect's teleportation array is also a way to make money.
Li Qiang and the other two didn't use the teleportation array. They simply checked their positions on the array and then teleported together. As long as it wasn't Greater Teleportation, this distance wasn't a problem for the three of them.
The three appeared simultaneously in Wondrous Dragon City. Li Qiang laughed and said, "Not bad, your location judgment is quite accurate."
The Devil Venerable Chiming Lord chuckled and said, "I use the method of 'Devil Trace Flash,' so no matter where you go, I, Old Chi, can follow." Relying on his superb Devil Cultivation Method, he teleported entirely by taking advantage of Li Qiang's teleportation ability. This was a lazy method, but also a superb skill.
Yan Qianhui, however, followed based on his own abilities. A cultivator like him had steadily cultivated his way up layer by layer, and his cultivation and knowledge were very solid. Li Qiang could not compare to Yan Qianhui in this respect, nor could he compare to the Devil Venerable Chiming.
Li Qiang vaguely remembered Bai Canglao's house. He said, "Come with me, let's go see a friend's house first."
After following Li Qiang for a while, Yan Qianhui remembered and asked with a smile, "Oh, senior, are we going to Bai Canglao's house?"
Li Qiang laughed and said, "I don't have many friends in Wondrous Dragon City, he's probably the only one."
Yan Qianhui clicked his tongue and said, "Senior, he... he... he could be your friend?"
Li Qiang said, "That's right, he's my friend. Brother Yan, you don't need to call me senior, let's treat each other as equals."
Devil Venerable Chiming Lord chuckled, "Exactly! Look at his pathetic appearance... He doesn't resemble a senior at all... Uh!"
Li Qiang grabbed him by the neck and cursed, "If you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll break your neck."
The head of the Devil Venerable Chiming Lord fell to the ground with a thud, rolling to the side of the road with its eyes still wide open.
Yan Qianhui was startled and said, "Brother Muzi, did you really break his neck?"
The Devil Venerable Chiming Lord's head emitted a cruel laugh.
Li Qiang was slightly startled, and released his grip, saying, " Old Chi, I admire you. You actually managed to press the Devil Restraint down to your shoulder? Alright, stop pretending to be dead."
The head suddenly flew up, turning into a wisp of red mist, and before we knew it, the head of the Devil Venerable Chiming had grown back.
He rubbed his head and shouted at the terrified crowd on the roadside, "Never seen a head fall off before...?"
This was the first time Yan Qianhui had seen the Devil Venerable Chiming like this. He smiled wryly and said, "No wonder... sigh..."
The Devil Venerable Chiming grinned at him and said, "Aren't you disappointed? A Demon Venerable of this caliber has fallen to such a state. Don't you feel heartbroken... sad...?"
Li Qiang couldn't help but burst into laughter. " Old Chi, you're really capable! Haha, if you can remove the Devil Restraint, you'll be free. There's no need for this pretentious act."
The three chatted and laughed as they quickly arrived at Bai Canglao's house. A little girl ran towards them, Li Qiang couldn't help but laugh, " Quan'er! What are you doing here?"
The little girl was none other than Dan Boyu's daughter, Dan Huan. She exclaimed in surprise, "How do you know this place? I'll go get my parents!" She pushed open the gate of Bai Canglao's courtyard and rushed in, laughing and calling out.
Several people quickly ran out of the house. The ones calling him "Uncle-Master" were Bai Shengzhen, Dan Boyu, and Xuanyuan Yiqing. Behind them were Bai Canglao and his wife, the Ying Yan sisters, and a young man who was Dan Boyu's son, Dan Yong.
A warm feeling suddenly welled up in Li Qiang's heart, as if he had returned home. He smiled and greeted everyone one by one.
Bai Canglao was still a little reserved, but he smiled very happily, and you could tell that it was a genuine joy from the bottom of his heart.
The Devil Venerable Chiming looked at everyone, then at Li Qiang, and said, "Brother, it's rare to see you so happy. Are they your junior disciples? Their cultivation seems rather poor. How did you, as their elder, teach them? Terrible."
Yan Qianhui laughed and said, "You think you're so capable? You try and teach me."
Li Qiang was pleased and too lazy to argue with the Devil Venerable Chiming. He laughed and said, " Chanlao, a guest has arrived, why don't you invite him in? Don't just stand there talking."
Quan'er affectionately tugged at Li Qiang's arm. Young girls in cultivation cultivation are generally very outgoing, and she now greatly admired Li Qiang. She said with a grin, "Senior, was Senior Xuan Long, whom I met last time, really Luo Heaven High Immortal? What a pity, Quan'er missed her chance!"
Ying Hui, accompanied by Dan Boyu, stepped forward and bowed. Ying Hui smiled and said, "Uncle-Master, we've moved to Wondrous Dragon City to live with Brother Baicang. We'll settle here from now on. The house in the back is still under construction; we'll move in once it's finished. Uncle-Master, let's go inside and talk."
Whenever his wife spoke, Dan Boyu didn't dare to interrupt; he just kept smiling.
After everyone entered the room and sat down, Li Qiang said, " Yi Qing, you used to be the most eloquent person, why are you so quiet today? By the way, are you still working at the Broad Pivot Court?"
Xuanyuan Yiqing said with a wry smile, "Uncle-Master, I have nowhere to go right now..."
Bai Canglao laughed and said, "Brother Xuanyuan, you can just cultivate at my house. With your great abilities, you'll never have to worry about having nothing to do."
Xuanyuan Yiqing smiled bitterly to himself. He had been instructed by Feng Qianbao, the head of the Thousand Treasures Pavilion, to follow Li Qiang, but Feng Qianbao had suddenly embarked on Far Journey Road in Snow Dragon City, and his original promise had fallen through.
To make matters worse, Broad Pivot Court had a new host, leaving him disappointed in both places. Fortunately, Bai Canglao extended a warm invitation, and having nowhere else to turn, he had no choice but to stay at Bai Canglao's house, where he also taught Bai Shengzhen and some other novice cultivators in the vicinity.
Li Qiang said, "I came here specifically to say goodbye to my friends. Hehe, I'm going back now."
Bai Canglao asked in surprise, "Senior, you're leaving so soon? Could you stay in Wondrous Dragon City for a few more days?"
Dan Boyu also said, "Uncle-Master... this... that..."
He hesitated, seemingly wanting to say something, but Ying Hui pinched him and said for him, "Uncle-Master, Xiao Yu wants to cultivate with you." As soon as she said this, the room became lively.
Xuanyuan Yiqing suddenly raised his head and said, "Yes, I also want to cultivate with my martial uncle. Alas, cultivating here is really difficult."
Bai Canglao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Senior, could you let Shengzhen go with you? You don't know, but ever since Shengzhen returned, he has been thinking of you constantly and wants to cultivate with you."
Bai Shengzhen looked at Li Qiang with expectant eyes, while the Devil Venerable Chiming Lord chuckled and said, "Brother, you're not going to take this bunch of lousy disciples on your journey, are you?"
Li Qiang kicked out, and the Devil Venerable Chiming jumped aside, raising his hands and saying, "Good people don't fight... Damn it! You still kicked me..."
Yan Qianhui laughed and said, "You asked for it, so you can't blame anyone else."
The Devil Venerable Chiming was also incredibly bored; if he didn't find something to vent his frustration, he would practically suffocate.
He said smugly, "He wouldn't take these people with him, ha, he has a ton of troubles of his own..." He glanced at the crowd and added, "I, Old Chi, don't see what benefit these people can bring him. Their aptitude is terrible. Old Yan, I don't think he'll take any disciples."
Everyone knew that anyone who could be on friendly terms with Li Qiang must be a formidable expert, so for a moment no one dared to interrupt.
Li Qiang laughed, " Old Chi, do you think I'll only take on a disciple if there's some benefit involved? You underestimate me! Fine, I'll show you today..."
The most quick-witted person present was Xuanyuan Yiqing. Without hesitation, he bowed down and said piously, "Disciple Xuanyuan Yiqing greets Master."
Immediately afterwards, Ying Hui pulled Dan Boyu down to bow as well.
Bai Canglao panicked. He grabbed Bai Shengzhen and made him kneel down, saying, "Senior, please accept my son as your disciple."
Li Qiang was just saying it casually, but he didn't expect everyone to bow down. He felt a little embarrassed. "I'm about to leave here. If you want to become my disciples..." He glared at the Devil Venerable Chiming and said, "If you want to become my disciples, you must leave with me. It will be very difficult for you to come back. It's a very, very far place."
The Devil Venerable Chiming grinned smugly. The more difficult Li Qiang made things for him, the happier he became. If he could make Li Qiang suffer a little, that would be even better.
Xuanyuan Yiqing said resolutely, "Master, I have decided to follow you, no matter where you go!"
Li Qiang got Jipi all over. He thought about it and figured that once they got to Sealed Fate Planet, they could enter the Ancient Sword Academy. He only needed to give them a little guidance. The key was that the journey back was full of unknowns. If they encountered any powerful enemies, it would be troublesome to take them with him.
Yan Qianhui also advised, "Brother Muzi, the future is unpredictable; you should be careful."
Ying Yan pulled Ying Hui aside and said, "Sister, Senior Muzi wouldn't look down on cultivators like us with such low cultivation levels..."
Dan Boyu retorted, "Master isn't that kind of person, Yanmei, please don't say that."
Everyone in the room fell silent, staring expectantly at Li Qiang. The Devil Venerable Chiming couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Li Qiang wasn't one to mince words, so he readily agreed, "Alright, Xuanyuan Yiqing, Dan Boyu, Ying Hui, and Bai Shengzhen, I'll accept you four as my Registered Disciple. Bai Canglao, what will happen to you and your wife if I take Shengzhen with me?"
An excited expression flashed across Bai Canglao's dark face. He quickly said, "It's alright. As long as Shengzhen is promising and can achieve success in cultivation, I will die content."
Bai Shengzhen cried out, "Father... you..."
Ying Yan immediately became anxious. "I want to become an apprentice too!"
The Devil Venerable Chiming Demon Lord cackled, "This little girl is interesting. Hey, little brat, why don't you become my disciple? I guarantee you won't regret it."
This time, Li Qiang wasn't going to let him off the hook. He made a hand seal and shouted, "Ma!"
The Devil Venerable Chiming knew Li Qiang was truly enraged. After a tremor, he stammered, "No... no... oh, it's numb... numb! numb! numb! Brother... I... I won't do it again..."
The tingling, numbing sensation that seemed to radiate from his bones was unbearable, so he had no choice but to beg for mercy.
Everyone in the room was dumbfounded. Except for Yan Qianhui, who knew that he was the Devil Venerable Chiming, everyone else was confused because Li Qiang never bullied anyone. This was the first time they had ever seen Li Qiang bully someone.
Ying Yan asked timidly, "Senior, he didn't do anything, why are you bullying him?"
She had never seen the true face of the Devil Venerable Chiming, but she felt that he was somewhat Evil Qi and unfathomable, so she couldn't help but speak up in his defense. Others who didn't know the reason also tried to persuade her, Yan Qianhui shook her head and smiled bitterly.
Li Qiang laughed and said, "Since everyone's pleading for him, let him off this time. Old Chi, you better behave yourself! Otherwise, my hands will be itching to be touched."
The Devil Venerable Chiming was both angry and resentful. Li Qiang was unyielding to his words and actions, and would often try to harm him. Whenever Li Qiang tried to show off, he was immediately stopped by Li Qiang.
The Devil Venerable Chiming was on the verge of tears. It seemed that if he wanted to plunder lives in this realm and surpass the status of the Devil Venerable Kaihuang, it would be extremely difficult. He was almost in despair.
The Devil Venerable Chiming said to Ying Yan, "Little sister, look how fierce, shameless, unreasonable, and ruthless he is! Look how pitiful I am... Waaah, little sister is so kind, she has compassion."
He was spouting nonsense, but secretly he was laughing at the book.
Ying Yan blushed deeply at his words and stammered, "You... you're not a good person either!"
The Devil Venerable Chiming couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "Little sister is so clever. I've never been a good person to begin with, hahaha."
Ying Yan screamed in fright.
Li Qiang shouted, " Xiao Ming, get out of here and stay in the corner! Don't talk nonsense anymore!"
The Devil Venerable Chiming was still afraid of Li Qiang's outburst, so he actually went to the corner and squatted down, pitifully saying, "I'll go, I'll go, okay?"
Ying Yan patted her chest, and after a long while, she finally said, "Senior, who exactly is he?" She was confused by Li Qiang and the Devil Venerable Chiming, and couldn't figure out their relationship. They weren't friends, nor were they enemies.
Li Qiang said calmly, "He is my prisoner."
Everyone looked puzzled, but Quan'er chuckled and said, "Senior is just joking; that's impossible."
Yan Qianhui said, "Brother Muzi is right. He's a prisoner, and Brother Muzi is in charge of guarding him, so..."
The Devil Venerable Chiming, cowering in the corner, sneered repeatedly, "Hmph, if you piss me off, I'll devour you all! Wahahahaha!"
Quan'er, Quan'er jumped into Ying Hui's arms and cried out, "Mother, he scared me!"
Li Qiang said, "He wasn't trying to scare you, because he is the Devil Venerable Chiming of the Black Devil Realm, a famous Great Gods and Devils." He understood that if they were to travel together in the future, he would have to tell everyone the truth.
Everyone in the room felt as if they had been doused with cold water, and they all shivered involuntarily. The demonic calamity had just passed, and now a super demon had entered their home; it would be strange if they weren't afraid.