First Meeting

So he stepped forward, put away the Nine Heavens Auspicious Cloud Banner, held it in his hand, and poured his Law Power into it. He carefully felt the banner. This banner was Spirit Treasure made by combining the spiritual objects of Rainbow Clouds and Hazy Clouds. When this item was activated, it had the effects of gathering all things with rosy light, protecting the body with auspicious clouds, repelling enemies with rainbow light, and escaping by borrowing clouds.

In addition, Su Yao also possesses the Autumn Steed and Zhengji Ji swords, the Great Yin Dharma Robe, the Qingxuan spiritual Spirit Treasure given by Qingzhu, and the Crimson Dawn Unstained Night-Illuminating Clear Light Sword intent! Even now, after leaving Golden Ao Mountain, without the protection of an array, and despite having only just broken through to the Purple Mansion, he is not afraid to fight against many Purple Mansion.

Moreover, if necessary, he can also retrieve the Flame Domain Flowing Fire Umbrella. After all, the Fire Virtue has always been a prominent path since ancient times and has never declined. Fire Virtue treasures are the most common and also one of the most lethal.

Stepping out of the cave abode, Su Yao stood before its cave abode, gazing at the lingering glow of the sunset and the rising moon reflected in the sky. He laughed heartily and recited aloud:

"Nine years of Danxia locked the jade gate, a sword soaring into the sky shattered the clouds; new black feathers were donned as the stars changed, and behold, the clear light illuminated the night sky!"

Having absorbed all the mists and clouds to form this body, who will ask why?

From this day Great Void across the vast sky; looking back at the lanterns of the Pear Garden, the wind has ceased, and the bright moon shines on the flower-covered trees across the mountains.

Then, with the deliberate enhancement of his Law Power, Su Yao's voice first resounded throughout Golden Ao Mountain.

Although this was the third time Liu Yunhe and the others in the mountains had heard this sound today, they were still extremely excited.

Immediately afterwards, the sound pierced through the layers of gray light of the Soul-Losing Radiant Fire Formation, spreading in all directions like a morning bell and evening drum, stirring up ripples between the Great Void and reality.

Those figures who had not yet left the Great Void all showed expressions of surprise—this was no longer a sound that Foundation Establishment cultivator could make; it was a profound sound emanating from Purple Mansion True Person, emanating from their Law Power.

Upon hearing this voice in the Great Void, the various Purple Mansion True Person displayed different expressions, with those who had previously belittled Su Yao now wearing stern faces.

Many people around them watched as if it were a joke.

Three people felt a chill run down their spines. These people, eager to curry favor with Qixia Temple and Su Yao, would likely be the first to tell Su Yao what they had said earlier...

But they were already on the wrong side, already on opposing sides.

Immediately afterwards, an extremely dazzling ray of light suddenly burst forth in the middle of the crowd.

Su Yao, clad in black robes with flowing clouds, the Autumn Steed Sword hanging at his waist and the Nine Heavens Auspicious Cloud Banner in his left hand, appeared amidst the crowd. His cold gaze swept over them, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"It seemed like someone was cursing Ben Daozi earlier?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions varied, and they all thought to themselves: This Qixia Daozi is truly domineering.

Not far away, a middle-aged man in an official robe stepped forward first, cupped his hands, and smiled:

"Prefect Yang Xuanye of Nanzhao congratulates Qixia Daozi on breaking through ignorance and transcending illusion, achieving mastery of the Five Laws, and ascending to the throne!"

He paused, then changed the subject:

"This breakthrough by the academy is truly a blessing for our Nanzhao. In the future, we hope that you, fellow Daoist, will provide much protection for the hundreds of millions of people in this vast land."

Su Yao cursed "old fox" inwardly, but put on a smile on his face:

"You flatter me, Prefect. You are an imperial envoy sent by the dynasty to Nanzhao. All matters are to be handled by you. If you are unable to do so, you may petition the court to send an imperial censor or a nobleman. If all else fails, the king is still in Nanzhao. How could a junior like me possibly be of any use?"

Yang Xuanye was about to speak again when a woman dressed in Bai People clothing interrupted him:

"Priest Meng Shixi of Nanzhao greets fellow Daoist. Congratulations on your easy passage through the Mysterious Pass; the Golden Core is within reach."

As she spoke, she took out a golden scroll from her sleeve and presented it with both hands:

"This trip has been hasty. The next king presents the two mountains, Draped Bones White Stone, located east of Cibi Lake, as a congratulatory gift."

Su Yao did not reach out to take it, but declined, saying:

"Thank you for your kindness, High Priest and King. However, it is enough for my Qixia Temple to build a separate courtyard here; we dare not accept these two mountains. Please ask the High Priest to convey to the King that I will personally go to the royal court to pay homage to the descendant of the Orthodox God one Sunday."

Upon hearing the words "descendant of the Orthodox God," Meng Shixi sighed softly in her heart, but showed no sign of it on her face. She simply put away the golden book and then replied:

"When you arrive, please send someone to inform the king in advance. In recent years, the king has often secluded himself in his grotto for cultivation, detached from worldly affairs, and rarely receives guests. I must also burn incense to inform the king."

Su Yao nodded slightly.

At this moment, a gray light rose from the bottom of the Cibi Lake and transformed into a middle-aged man dressed in gray with a single horn on his forehead.

He merely glanced at Su Yao and said indifferently:

"Lake God of Cibi Lake, congratulations on achieving the Purple Mansion. If you have the time, please come to my Water Palace for a chat."

Without waiting for Su Yao's reply, she turned and descended into the lake, the gray light disappearing into the blue waves in an instant.

The old man in white robes standing to the side laughed upon seeing this:

"Don't be offended, Daozi. This is always the nature of the Lake God of Cibi Lake. I've been his neighbor for over a thousand years and am used to it."

Su Yao already had some guesses in his mind. He knew the name and appearance of the Immortal Clan's Purple Mansion where Yang Zhao was located, so it could only be the one in the northeast. He then asked:

"I don't know who you are, friend?"

This question was quite rude. The other party had a powerful aura, clearly indicating they were at the Purple Mansion Middle Stage. They even initiated conversation, saying they were neighbors of the Lake God of Cibi Lake, and that there were only a few such houses nearby. Su Yao obviously already had a guess, but he still pretended not to know...

But the old man in white robes didn't seem to care at all, and chuckled while rubbing his forehead:

"It is I who have been presumptuous. I am from the Hongyan Red Rock Zhao Household, Kuiwu, and our mountain gate is two thousand miles to the northeast. Although we are far apart, I am still considered a neighbor of the Lake God of Cibi Lake."

Su Yao cupped his hands and said:

"Thank you for the reminder, fellow Daoist. I will certainly pay you a visit in the future."

The Kuiwu nodded with a grin upon hearing this.

Just then, a cold snort rang out.

A middle-aged man in a scholar's robe flicked his sleeve and sneered:

"A bunch of sycophants!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

Su Yao's gaze turned icy. With a gentle wave of the Nine Heavens Auspicious Cloud Banner in his left hand, several streaks of rainbow light shot out, striking the back of the scholar-robed man. He sneered:

"Wasn't it you who cursed this monk here earlier?!"

The man in the scholar's robe suddenly turned around and shouted:

"I am good at cultivating my Vast Righteousness!"

Before he finished speaking, boundless Vast Righteousness Qi descended from above, like a waterfall or a curtain, enveloping him and keeping the rainbow light suspended in mid-air.

He glared at Su Yao, his voice sharp and stern:

"Su Yao! How dare you attack an official of the imperial court! I am Liu Mingyuan, the Inspector of Education of Nanzhao!"

Su Yao slightly turned the banner in his hand, and the rainbow lights did not retract, but hovered outside the Vast Righteousness barrier, pulsating uncertainly.

He raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"Your Excellency, what an imposing air of authority! I, Daozi, am here to receive congratulations from all of you fellow Daoists, yet you immediately denounce everyone present as sycophants. Could it be that your Vast Righteousness Qi has only nurtured your glib tongue, and not even a shred of the principles of conduct for a person?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Mingyuan immediately took out his official seal from his waist, channeled his Law Power into it, and then the image of an official governing the people appeared on it, as if he wanted to throw it at Su Yao.