I am a boss in the world of nine uncles

Kunlun Mountains.

at the foot of the mountain.

The masked man glanced back as he hurried along, and upon confirming that no one was chasing him, he breathed a slight sigh of relief and gradually slowed his pace.

"Oh!"

Suddenly, he felt as if he had crashed into a mountain wall, and was thrown back several steps by the recoil. In the instant he turned around, he saw a tall and imposing figure.

The other person was at least two heads taller than me, and his muscular physique made his clothes look bulky, exuding an aura of ferocity.

Why are you blocking my way?

"Who's blocking your way? You're the one who's not watching where you're going," Qin Yao retorted.

The masked man let out a soft breath, thinking that he was still far from Tianyong City and the danger had not yet disappeared, so he did not want to argue with him. He used his Gangbu technique to leave.

Just as he was about to disappear into the distance, a hand slapped him on the shoulder, interrupting his spellcasting: "Brother, you bumped into someone, and you think you can just run away?"

Masked Man: "???"

How did this guy interrupt his own spellcasting?
Unconvinced, he turned and shook off the other's hand, then used the Qigong Steps again.

However, a hand, seemingly moving slowly, suddenly grabbed his collar and lifted him up like a chick: "Are you mute?"

Enraged, the masked man raised his long sword to strike the other man, but just as he raised his arm, the other man snatched the sword from his hand.

It's a ghost story.

No.

That's even more outrageous than seeing a ghost.

What kind of monster has such power?!
"Clang."

Qin Yao slammed his longsword into the ground and slapped the masked man hard across the face.

The mask shattered instantly, revealing a handsome face.

However, after being slapped, half of her face swelled up rapidly, severely damaging her appearance.

"It's you, Feng Guangmo."

Qin Yao casually pushed the other person to the ground and said softly.

"I am Feng Guangmo? Who is Feng Guangmo?" The man asked with a complicated expression, enduring the excruciating pain.

That slap made him truly realize his current predicament.

There's no way to escape, and you can't win a fight either, so it's better to talk than to fight.

"You're not Feng Guangmo, I am?"

Qin Yao retorted, then said, "As for Feng Guangmo's identity, you should see for yourself."

As soon as he finished speaking, he used the power of karma from the Karmic Fire Red Lotus to unlock the memories buried deep in the other party's soul.

After an unknown amount of time, the clarity in Feng Guangmo's eyes disappeared, replaced by a complex and heavy expression: "Thank you. May I ask, who exactly are you?"

Qin Yao smiled slightly: "I have many names, just call me Tu Su."

"Tu Su." Feng Guangmo memorized the name.

Qin Yao nodded slightly: "Are you going back to Youdu, or will you continue your travels in the human world?"

Feng Guangmo sighed softly, "It's time to go back and take on Wu Xian's responsibilities."

"Please give my regards to Granny Youdu," Qin Yao said with a smile.

"You still haven't told me who you are. You seem to know a lot of things," Feng Guangmo said.

Qin Yao waved his hand: "You'll find out in the future."

Feng Guangmo: "..."

Tianyong City.

Inside the Sword Pavilion.

After much discussion, the sect leader and the elders decided that the elders would take turns guarding the Burning Sword with Hongyu to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

After all, Tu Su was able to scare away the sword thief this time, but who knows what will happen next time.

While Hongyu's strength is sufficient to deal with ordinary cultivators, she would be outmatched by cultivators above the Immortal Realm.

"Master, does Tu Su deserve credit for guarding the sword?" Ling Yue suddenly asked after the matter was settled.

The sect leader understood perfectly what he meant by asking that question, but he didn't want to be led by the nose by a disciple:
"The Burning Sword was brought by your master, and from beginning to end, this sword has never belonged to Tianyong City. So, you should ask your master about this."

Ling Yue: "..."

"Alright, everyone disperse." Seeing that he had no reply, the sect leader waved his hand and said.

Ling Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and said, "Tu Su, let's go."

"Yes, senior brother," Qin Yao replied gently.

After watching these people leave one after another, Hongyu turned to look at the Burning Sword, but a question still lingered in her mind.

How could the Burning Sword be silenced just because of Tu Su's words?

Could it be... that Tu Su has already attempted to refine the power of the Burning Sword?

The next day.

It was noon.

A disciple in purple robes hurriedly stepped into the Lintian Pavilion, bowed, and said, "Reporting to the Sect Master, Granny Youdu requests an audience."

"Grandma Youdu..."

The sect leader's expression changed slightly, and he pondered for a moment before saying, "Please come in quickly."

In the blink of an eye, Granny Youdu, dressed in magnificent robes, with a full head of silver hair and an imposing aura, slowly entered and smiled, saying, "True Person Hansu."

"Greetings, Mother-in-law," the sect leader said, clasping his hands in greeting.

Tianyong City prospered because of the sword immortal Ziyin, but Youdu's backer is the goddess Nuwa!

That is why, even as Tianyong City grew increasingly powerful, it dared not neglect the guests from Youdu...

Granny Youdu waved her hand and said softly, "No need for formalities, Master. I have come here to see the Burning Sword."

The sudden fluctuation in the Burning Sword's flame the other day must mean something went wrong with the Burning Sword.

The sect leader paused slightly, then said, "The Burning Sword is guarded by True Person Ziyin, who is a sword immortal of this era, so it is definitely safe."

Granny Youdu then asked, "May I ask where True Person Ziyin is?"

"Mother-in-law, your timing is unfortunate. Master Ziyin is in seclusion..." the sect leader replied.

Granny Youdu pursed her lips: "Shall we wait in Tianyong City for two days?"

The sect leader smiled broadly: "Of course, I'll arrange accommodation for Grandma right away. However, the time for your return from seclusion is uncertain, so you may have to wait in vain..."

Not long after.

As news of Granny Youdu's visit to Tianyong City spread, Ling Yue quickly found Qin Yao in the back mountain and said in a deep voice, "Junior brother, you must not see anyone from Youdu!"

Qin Yao knew that this was Zi Yin's order, the purpose of which was to prevent the Youdu people from harming Baili Tusu.

However, from the moment he gained Nuwa's approval and brought Chang'e out of Youdu, the original gears of fate began to derail.

After he helped Feng Guangmo regain his memories, Youdu was no longer a potential threat to him.

Of course, he couldn't say these things to Ling Yue, so he just nodded in agreement without even asking why.

"Also, I received orders from the sect leader to go to the North Sea to assist with the sword. I'm afraid I won't be back for a while. You must be patient and restrained while you're alone in the sect. Don't get angry, lest the spirit of the Burning Sword take advantage of the situation," Ling Yue reminded him again.

Qin Yao smiled and said, "I understand... Senior brother, you can go and help with the sword without worrying about me."

Ling Yue raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder, then strode towards his Dao Palace.

That night.

Qin Yao, as promised by Chang'e, quietly arrived at the forbidden area behind the mountain, where, as expected, he encountered Granny Youdu...

"Did you save Guangmo?"

Upon meeting, Granny Youdu went straight to the point. "Yes," Qin Yao nodded, "He suffered some accident, and his memories were sealed within his soul. I helped him remove the seal."

"Thank you," Granny Youdu said softly.

Qin Yao smiled and said, "Even if it's just for Qingxue's sake, I would do it."

Granny Youdu paused slightly and asked, "Are you now a disciple of True Person Ziyin?"

"Yes."

"Do you know why the Fenji sword energy fluctuated so violently the day before yesterday?" Granny Youdu asked.

Qin Yao said, "Because you saw me!"

"You weren't harmed by the demonic energy of the Burning Sword, were you?"

"No, I am refining the Burning Soul Demonic Qi."

"What?" Granny Youdu exclaimed in surprise.

Qin Yao flipped his hand and summoned a ball of black and red flames, smiling slightly, "Isn't this just what you see?"

His recent cultivation has mainly focused on refining the demonic energy of the Burning Sword, both to weaken the sword spirit and to prepare for the future when he can work with Ouyang Shaogong to permanently seal the Burning Sword.

Grandma Youdu was dumbfounded as she stared at the flickering black and red demonic fire before her.

It wasn't until I came to my senses that a tremendous sense of shock washed over me.

"How could you... how could you refine the Burning Soul Demonic Energy?"

Qin Yao explained, "It's possible that I've developed a symbiotic relationship with Fenji, so for me, Fenji's demonic energy is just a kind of spiritual energy from heaven and earth that's relatively difficult to absorb."

Granny Youdu: "..."

From her perspective, she couldn't understand the current situation.

For example, it's like an old lady seeing someone eating arsenic and then telling her that it gives her strength.

"Inconceivable, utterly inconceivable!"

"As the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined." Qin Yao smiled slightly: "Perhaps this is the opportunity hidden in my destiny."

Granny Youdu gave him a deep look and advised, "Although you seem fine now, you should be careful that this isn't a scheme by the sword spirit. Or, is it possible that he's transferring demonic energy to you first, just to prepare to seize your body?"

Qin Yao shook his head and said, "There is absolutely no such possibility! Please rest assured, Mother-in-law, I will control the spirit of the Burning Sword until it is sealed forever. I will also take good care of Qingxue and not let her suffer any harm."

Granny Youdu nodded slightly: "Alright! From now on, you are a friend of Youdu. If you need our help, you can come to Youdu for assistance at any time."

Qin Yao smiled and replied, "Thank you, Grandma."

Unbeknownst to him, he had already changed many things.

When countless small variables come together, little by little, they accumulate and eventually become the fulcrum to leverage the overall trend!

The next day.

Lintian Pavilion.

Granny Youdu's sudden departure left the sect leader completely baffled.

Didn't you say you were going to stay for a few days and wait for Master Ziyin?

Why are you leaving at dawn after only one night?

Despite his doubts, he certainly wouldn't try to stop him, so he smiled and saw the other person off at the mountain gate.

Unexpectedly, just as he watched the other person's figure disappear into the distance and was about to return to Lintian Pavilion, a disciple suddenly flew down on his sword and shouted, "Sect Leader, something has happened!"

The sect leader's smile faltered slightly, and he asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"

"A snake demon has been spotted in Anlu Village at the foot of the mountain; its strength is extraordinary."

Upon hearing this, the sect leader even breathed a sigh of relief.

Rural demonic disturbances were not a big deal to him; only calamities affecting the entire cultivation world, or crises that could lead to the survival of a sect, would make him feel troubled.

"Go find Ling Duan and have him lead his disciples down the mountain to exorcise the demon."

"Here!"

The back mountain of Tianyong City.

Ouyang Shaogong, carrying a long zither, approached Qin Yao and Chang'e, and said with a smile, "I heard a piece of music in my dream last night. Can you two listen to it for me?"

Qin Yao looked surprised: "So mysterious? Then I really have to hear about it."

Ouyang Shaogong slowly stepped into the pavilion, placed his long zither, and sat down. His slender fingers gently stroked the strings, and a beautiful melody immediately echoed in the back mountain.

"Are you all so free?"

Half an incense stick's time later, just as Ouyang Shaogong was finishing this piece of music, a rebuke suddenly rang out inside and outside the pavilion.

Ouyang Shaogong's fingers paused slightly, and the beautiful music came to an abrupt end.

Chang'e frowned, turned around, and looked at Ling Duan, who was carrying two swords and leading six fellow disciples, and said, "Couldn't you wait until he finished playing?"

"wait?"

Ling Duan coldly replied, "I can wait, but can the villagers down the mountain who were attacked by monsters wait?"
And Ouyang Shaogong, didn't I tell you to go to the kitchen to do odd jobs? Why didn't you go?

"I stopped him," Qin Yao said calmly.

“Junior Brother Tu Su, what right do you have to stop him?” Ling Duan questioned.

Qin Yao said, "If you are not satisfied, you can go to the sect leader or my master to complain. I also have something to say to them."

"What do you mean?" Ling Duan asked, frowning.

"It means I have a way to help find the Guhuoniao," Qin Yao said with a smile. "With my guidance and the strength of the sect leader or my master, it won't be difficult to capture it. Then, we can ask the new disciples what exactly happened on the night of the trial."

"What does this have to do with me?" Ling Duan said, forcing a smile.

Seeing that the two were about to break up, Ouyang Shaogong hurriedly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Senior Brother Lingduan, are you going out?"

"Yes."

Ling Duan seized the opportunity to back down, and said in a deep voice, "A demonic calamity has appeared in Anlu Village. The Sect Leader has ordered me to lead a group to exorcise the demon. Junior Brother Tu Su, Junior Brother Shao Gong, you two come with me."

Qin Yao shook his head: "You guys go, I'm not going."

“If you’re not cultivating to slay demons and monsters, what’s the point of your cultivation? Or are you afraid of demons and monsters and dare not go down the mountain?” Ling Duan provoked.

Qin Yao said indifferently, "It's my master who won't let me go down the mountain. If you want to assign me a task, you'll have to ask my master for permission."

Ling Duan's cheek twitched: "Who doesn't know that Elder Zhijian is in seclusion? How am I supposed to ask him?"

"I can see you're just filled with fear. You're unworthy of being the disciple of the Sword-Holding Elder, let alone being compared to Ling Yue."

"The innocent will remain innocent," Qin Yao said succinctly.

Ling Duan had no choice but to turn to Ouyang Shaogong: "Junior Brother Shaogong, he has the Sword-Holding Elder as his backer, so he can ignore my arrangements. You don't have any backer. Are you sure you want to be like him?"

Ouyang Shaogong hesitated for a moment, then slowly stood up: "Never mind, I'll go with you."

Ling Duan nodded and then said, "Tu Su, I've noted your performance today. I'll tell the Sect Leader later."

Qin Yao shrugged: "Take care, don't bother seeing me out."

Half a day later.

sunset.

Suddenly, Zhao Lin, covered in blood, flew back to Tianyong City. Reaching a secluded spot in the back mountains, he addressed Qin Yao:
"Hurry and rescue Shao Gong and the others; they are trapped inside the snake demon's barrier."

Qin Yao asked in confusion, "Are you sure you're not looking for the wrong person? You should be seeking help from the sect leader, why are you here?"

Zhao Lin said, "The sect leader has gone out..."

“Then we should go find the other elders,” Qin Yao said seriously.

Zhao Lin took a deep breath: "Ling Yue is also inside the barrier!"

Qin Yao was taken aback.

Ling Yue?

Wasn't he supposed to be in the North Sea helping with the sword-making? How come he's inside the snake demon's barrier? (End of Chapter)