I'll Vouch for Him! He's a Good Man!
"Haha, so it's Fellow Daoist Yun Zhongzi!"
Fortunately, you intervened out of righteousness, otherwise my worthless disciples and grand-disciples would have perished at the hands of those inhuman, ghostly demons of the Self-Sacrifice Cult!
A burly, towering True Person in red robes, with a full beard and a booming voice, strode forward, grabbed Qi Yun's hand with his large, fan-like hand, and shook it vigorously, causing Qi Yun's blue robe to flutter slightly.
It was none other than the elder of the sect of Yuhengzi and the others who had been rescued, the True Person Huchan of the Hao Ran Holy Land.
"Fellow Hu Chan, you're too kind. It was just a small matter for me to help someone in need." Qi Yun smiled warmly and calmly withdrew his hand from the hot, incredibly strong "iron clamp."
His gaze swept across the Hundred Rosy Clouds Cave as if casually.
The cave was quite spacious, with stalactites hanging down, reflecting the Baoguang of various Law Artifact and the talismans lit by the cultivators, barely dispelling the gloom and darkness unique to the Northwest.
This place is a temporary stronghold where cultivators from various righteous sects within the Southern Yin Allied Army take turns resting, regrouping, and exchanging information.
Besides True Person Huchan and the Hao Ran Holy Land he represents, there are seven or eight Foundation Establishment True Person scattered around, each dressed in different attire and exuding a calm aura. Some are closing their eyes to regulate their breathing, some are talking in hushed tones, and some are examining maps.
Hundreds of Qi Refining disciples from various sects were also resting, but they were all on high alert, keeping their magical Law Artifact close at hand.
Unlike the indomitable and Blood Qi of the Southern Yin Zhen Shi army, these cultivators from righteous sects were noticeably more cautious in their actions.
After each advance, they would seek out such easily defensible and difficult-to-attack locations to establish strongholds.
We must proceed slowly and methodically, step by step.
Although Qi Yun saved True Person Huchan's disciples, the gazes of the other cultivators in the cave, especially the Foundation Establishment True Person, were filled with not only scrutiny and curiosity, but also undisguised suspicion and wariness.
After all, this place is different from the south; it is the hellish land of the northwest.
Murderous intent everywhere, traps lie at every turn.
A young True Person claimed to be Rogue Cultivator, yet possessed astonishing Talisman Art and could easily defeat the deputy leader of the Self-Sacrifice Cult, appeared too abruptly and was too "perfect."
With a pure and upright character, excellent Root Bone, and pure and profound Talisman Art, he truly embodies these qualities.
The more flawless something seems, the more suspicious it becomes in the eyes of some mature and True Person.
"Fellow Daoist Yun Zhongzi, you are so young yet you have such mastery of Talisman Art arts. May I ask which sacred Baoshan you are from?" A middle-aged female cultivator with a pure face, dressed in a plain white Daoist robe, spoke slowly.
She was True Person Qingzhi of Plain Heart Daoist Temple, her tone gentle, but her eyes sharp as needles.
"My fellow Daoist's understanding of talismans is pure and refined, and his methods are rigorous, far surpassing those of ordinary Rogue Cultivator cultivators."
"Indeed." Another swordsman in a green robe, carrying a long sword and with a cold demeanor, Azure Mountain Mist Sect of the Qinglan True Person Lingfeng, chimed in, his gaze sweeping over Qi Yun like a sword flash.
"The demonic path in the Northwest is cunning and adept at disguising themselves to infiltrate and bewitch people."
Although you saved the disciples of Fellow Hu Chan, their origins are unknown, making it difficult to completely trust them.
Could you please provide a token of identification?
"Even if there's a token, who can guarantee he's not a demon in disguise?"
Another voice of doubt arose.
The one who spoke was the taciturn, black-robed elder with a face as stern as old tree bark. He was an elder of the Earth Spirit Sect, known as the True Person Moshou. His voice was dry and hoarse, yet every word was clear, striking the hearts of everyone present. The atmosphere inside the cave immediately became subtle.
True Person Huchan frowned slightly, as if he wanted to speak up for Qi Yun, but seeing the serious and suspicious looks of his colleagues around him, he opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Although he was grateful to Qi Yun, he also understood that everyone's concerns Wudao.
Despite the many questioning glances, Qi Yun remained calm, as if he had expected it all along.
He was about to speak, responding with a well-crafted, detailed, and unverifiable story of a "Rogue Cultivator's adventure."
"I'll vouch for you."
Inside the cave, you could hear a pin drop.
The light and shadow flickered slightly at the cave entrance, and a figure dressed in the flowing, wide-sleeved Daoist robe unique to Nine Kings Mountain stood silently in the spot.
Out of the corner of his eye, Qi Yun's lips curled into a slight smile.
At this moment, everyone's attention fell on the person who had spoken.
It was True Person Xuanping of Nine Kings Mountain.
The True Person had initially been skeptical immediately showed expressions of surprise.
Nine Kings Mountain is the foremost sect of righteous talismans in the Southern Yin.
True Person Xuanping was a renowned master of talismanic arts within the sect, holding a highly respected position.
His guarantee carried immense weight!
True Person Qingzhi asked in surprise, "Brother Xuan Ping, do you know this Fellow Yun Zhongzi?"
Donning the cloak of [True Person Xuanping] once more, Zecheng nodded slightly, his expression calm. "Indeed, Fellow Yun Zhongzi and I are old friends."
Fellow Daoist Yun Zhongzi, you possess Talisman Art talent in Talisman Art arts, and your mastery of this art surpasses even mine.
I have known him for nearly a century; he could never be a spy for the Demonic Sect.
True Person Lingfeng's brows remained slightly furrowed. "Even so, Brother Xuan Ping, this fellow Daoist's title was not on the list of those who came to the Northwest—"
True Person Xuanping interrupted him, her tone slightly somber, carrying a hint of the authority of a great sect elder. "Fellow Daoist Lingfeng, extraordinary times call for extraordinary wisdom."
Does not being on the list mean that those who follow the righteous path are not?
If unfounded suspicions discourage righteous people.
Wouldn't this cause pain to loved ones and joy to enemies?
I, Nine Kings Mountain, am willing to act as guarantor for Fellow Daoist Yun Zhongzi.
If anything goes wrong, I will bear full responsibility.
Once this statement was made, there was no room for rebuttal.
The elders of Nine Kings Mountain gave their double guarantee, based on both the sect's reputation and their personal credibility.
This amount is enough to quell most of the doubts.
True Person Huchan immediately broke the silence with a hearty laugh, "See! I told you so!"
Fellow Daoist Yun Zhongzi is clearly a righteous hero!
Come, come, Fellow Daoist Yun Zhongzi, please have a seat and try our Chiyang Spirit Tea from the Hao Ran Holy Land!
The atmosphere inside the cave immediately eased, and the several True Person also put away their suspicious expressions, instead showing friendly or inquisitive smiles.
Qi Yun took a seat at the warm invitation of True Person Huchan, accepted the spiritual tea, and then his gaze met briefly with True Person Xuanping was not far away with her eyes closed. Everything was understood without words.
Since True Person Xuanping's "a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold" guarantee.
The name "Yun Zhongzi" took on a completely different luster in Hundred Rosy Clouds Cave and even in the surrounding righteous cultivators who Lunzhuan and recuperate.
Qi Yun was well-versed in this art. He had already obtained this "golden body."
He then followed the trend and portrayed the character of "Yun Zhongzi" to the fullest.
In the time that followed, he helped the righteous cultivators overcome difficulties on several occasions.
At the same time, he also used the power of the [Supreme Mystery Register] to create a large number of talismans and distributed them to Liaozheng disciples.
He even personally wiped out a small demonic sect without Foundation Establishment True Person present during a later trip.
After these events, Yun Zhongzi's reputation grew daily.
The talismans he provided were stable, efficient, and highly targeted, greatly enhancing the survivability of the Qi Refining disciples and the overall resilience of the team.
When he personally takes action, he is always precise and ruthless, solving problems that are a headache for righteous cultivators.
Moreover, he never took credit for himself and always maintained a humble and low-key attitude.
Gradually, the last remaining doubts in the hearts of the righteous True Person were dispelled.
Even the most ruthless villain couldn't possibly turn on his own people so easily and effortlessly.
Those initially scrutinizing glances have completely transformed into genuine admiration and a warm desire to make friends.
Needless to say, True Person Huchan regarded him as a close friend despite their age difference.
True Person Qingzhi often came to consult on the wonderful uses of combining talismans and elixirs.
Even the most skeptical True Person Moshou now greets Qi Yun with a nod and occasionally discusses the nesting of runes in protective Formation Art.
The atmosphere inside the cave grew increasingly harmonious. People discussed philosophy around the campfire, exchanged cultivation insights under the moonlight, and even occasionally cracked harmless jokes.
"Fellow Daoist Yun Zhongzi" has become one of the most trusted figures among the righteous True Person.
On this day, the group repelled a wave of demonic interference and was resting inside the cave.
True Person Huchan patted Qi Yun on the shoulder and loudly praised how powerful his newly improved [Chain Fire Lightning Talisman] had been in the battle just now.
True Person Qingzhi smiled and handed over a freshly brewed cup of calming tea.
Even True Person Moshou managed a rare smile, saying, "Fellow Yun Zhongzi Zhongzi's considerations are thorough; I have benefited greatly from this arrangement of the talisman array."
Qi Yun wore an impeccable, warm and gentle smile, responding to each question with earnest words and humble demeanor.
He accepted the spirit tea, gently inhaled its aroma, and glanced at the faces that now appeared so sincere and friendly.
In my heart, however, lies a deep, still pool.
There was only a faint, almost imperceptible sigh, like a breeze rippling across a pond, creating barely visible ripples.
It's been a long time since I've seen such a naive Foundation Establishment True Person.