If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1417 The Reaction of the Mysterious Maiden

Grand Tutor Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Could it be that Old Daoist Xingguang believes he did indeed leave Taiyin Palace, met many Daoists along the way, greeted them, and then entered the Scripture Pavilion?"

His words, when compared to those of others, led to suspicion?

Taibao nodded, puzzled, "You were the one who transformed into him to steal the Taoist book, so how come he thinks he went to the Scripture Pavilion?"
His own account almost perfectly matched what Luo Zhenren and the others said.

If you bewitch him with a spell.

But you escaped. When the True Immortals rushed to the Taiyin Palace, they saw True Immortal Xingguang sitting there chanting scriptures.

He himself was a little confused. He had clearly gone to the Sutra Repository and even retrieved the "Five Elements Escape Technique," so why did he suddenly return to the Taiyin Palace to chant scriptures?

Grand Tutor Yu pondered and said, "Some of these spells are also the first time I've used them. They were created on the spot because of temporary needs."

The side effects of newly created spells have not been verified, and I myself cannot fully control them.

Her "Dream-Eating Demon Ancestor" persona is actually quite unprofessional.

Having been a demon ancestor for half a year, apart from the time he set off a calamity in the Extreme Profound Great Yuan Heaven, he has hardly used any demonic spells on outsiders.

They also didn't set aside specific time and energy to deeply develop their own potential.

She had been diligently comprehending the Great Dao of Rahu, breaking the Black Lotus Mark and the authority of Rahu's Heavenly Dao. The results were quite good; the "Grand Master Yu's Demon-Suppressing Divine Incantation" that she gave to Master Yumen was a simple application of her understanding of the "Reversal of Rahu's Dao."

However, she was so focused on comprehending the Dao that she neglected the research and development of "techniques".

To put it bluntly, a qualified old demon must frequently use people as practice tools.

Only by applying the spell to a Taoist priest can one know its specific effects and side effects.

At this moment, she wielded immense demonic power in the martial world and the immortal realm, resembling an unparalleled demon, forcing the immortals of the three realms to convene the "Anti-Dream-Eroding Ten Thousand Immortals Conference".

In reality, she felt somewhat ashamed of the infamous reputation of the 'Dream-Eating Demon Ancestor' in the Three Realms.

The "Nightmare Erosion" used on "Old Taoist Starlight" was created temporarily when there was a demand.

It should be noted that even in dreams, people have a certain degree of "rationality," knowing that they want to urinate or have sex with their dream goddess.

How can we make the old Taoist priest in our dreams follow the script wholeheartedly?

In Xiaoyu's previous life, there was a movie called "Inception": the protagonist could use a dream machine to enter other people's dreams, and then enter the depths of their minds through the dreams, implanting a dream that did not originally belong to them.

For example, a Chinese tech company might not want to sell its Western operations. Someone could secretly infiltrate the CEO's dream, weaving a logical scenario, or subconscious fantasy, for him. When the CEO wakes up, he'll sign the sale contract.

The Dream-Eater Demon used similar methods.

She had to instill in the old Taoist priest Xingguang a strong sense of "going to the top floor of the Sutra Repository to retrieve the Five Elements Escape Technique".

To achieve this goal, she used the magic of "Dream Erosion" to erode his Dao heart and give him "demonic thoughts"—any thought that should not be possessed and that can harm oneself or others can be called "demonic thoughts".

"I never expected that such a simple 'Dream Erosion Minor Curse' would have such a wicked side effect."

Grand Master Yu sighed, “The Xuanmen Immortal convened the ‘Celestial Assembly of Ten Thousand Immortals’, and the Dao Ancestor held the Great Luo Dharma Assembly in the Mi Luo Palace specifically to oppose the Old Demon of Dream Erosion.”

Now it seems absolutely necessary!

Right now, I even want to attend the Dharma assembly myself, to study and analyze the evil magic of the Dream-Eating Demon Ancestor.

She spoke from the heart, her words sincere and earnest, which made Taibao feel very uncomfortable, and his expression became distorted.

“Starlight Immortal is not the point! You stole the immortal book.” He looked down at the “jade tablet” that was constantly scraping against the sword blade, “but you have no affinity for immortality and are not destined for the Heavenly Immortal Method, so you have never been able to open it, right?”

Now that the Heavenly Court has been alerted, the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden has dispatched someone to descend to the mortal realm to capture you!

"If you fail to complete the task, I will be unable to report back, and you will never have peace."

Grand Master Yu said, "Who said I have no affinity with the Heavenly Immortal Technique? Haven't I obtained the Immortal Book?"

It's only temporarily unopenable. Once I've worn away the 'Great Immortal Power' on it for a couple of days, it will naturally open the door to wisdom and knowledge for me.

The original immortal book was not a paper-bound book.

Instead, it gathers the essence of the five elements and enlightens their spirit, making it like a spirit without its own thoughts, to carry the principles that the "Five Elements Escape Technique" aims to expound.

In its normal state, it will be a folding box that is neither gold, jade, nor wood. When the folding box is opened, it can be made to take the form of a metal plate, a jade tablet, or a bamboo scroll, or even directly become a paper book, depending on the holder's will.

Now it's like a phone with its password unlocked, becoming a "jade tablet".

Grand Tutor Yu held it and ground it on the edge of the Qiaoshi Sword. His method seemed crude, but in fact, he used "nanoscale" sword energy as fine as silk to sever the Great Luo will within the jade tablet.

Without the Great Luo's will, one can refine it using their own spiritual will and immortal power, and then read it at will.

Taibao activated his spiritual eye, looked down and examined it carefully for a moment, and indeed found that the spiritual light of the immortal book was somewhat dim.

"The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden has her eye on you and has even sent someone down to the mortal realm to capture you. What should we do?"

Grand Tutor Yu asked, "What magical treasure did the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden give you?"

Taibao shook his head. "What magic weapon could she possibly give me? She only ordered me to capture you within three days. If you cannot bring me to justice, then I will be the one to bring you to justice."

Even when the Nine-Headed Insect sent Benboerba to kill Tang Sanzang and his disciples, he gave them a poison that could kill even immortals.

The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden sent you down to the mortal realm to eliminate the Dream-Eating Demon Ancestor, who was awe-inspiring throughout the Three Realms, yet she wouldn't even give you a single magical treasure.

Grand Tutor Yu inwardly scoffed, then stood up, put away the jade tablet, and held the Qiaoshi Sword in one hand, saying, "Grand Tutor, we've known each other for many years, but we've never had a contest of supernatural martial arts! Today we've just happened to meet, so let's give it a try?"

Taibao nodded slightly and drew his iron mace. "Come on."

"You shout it out first," said Grand Tutor Yu.

Taibao cleared his throat, his voice booming like thunder, and shouted, "Grand Tutor Yu, you have stolen the Taiyi Dao Immortal Book, and now you have been caught red-handed. Why don't you surrender immediately?"

Grand Tutor Yu leaped into the air, transforming into a beam of light as he soared into the sky, shouting, "Zhang Songzhi, you think you can take me?"

"Don't run away, let's fight three hundred rounds!" Taibao charged forward, wielding his double maces.

One of them wielded a sword, while the other used an iron mace.

The swordsman, Yu Taishi, transformed the Qiaoshi Sword into a white ribbon, like a snowball, dancing with impenetrable force. With each move, it resembled a hundred silver snakes winding and twisting, reaching far and wide. With each change of move, it was like a great sun, almost rivaling the brilliance of the sun in the sky.

The bodyguard wielding the iron mace moved his hands rapidly, sometimes launching fierce attacks, like a golden cannonball crashing violently into the sword energy; at other times remaining still as a mountain, his aura deep and unyielding, allowing thousands of silver snake-like sword lights to engulf him.

The two did not use any supernatural powers or magic; they simply competed in swordsmanship and martial arts, each displaying their true abilities.

In front of the people of Xianyang and the gods in the heavens, two hundred feet above Xianyang, there were loud banging, clanging, rumbling, and crackling sounds.
Even from hundreds of feet away, the mortals below could feel the sword light scattering, the cold radiance and chilling aura pressing down on their brows, and the divine light flashing, which instilled fear in them.

Fear gripped my heart, yet I couldn't resist the urge to look closely. The sight was so dazzling I couldn't discern human figures; it was as if a snow-capped mountain and a golden mountain were colliding back and forth.

Two hundred rounds later, the battle ended. "Yu Fengxian, you are indeed formidable. In terms of swordsmanship alone, I am no match for you." Taibao had his double maces knocked away by the sword energy, and his neck was also pressed against Qiaoshi's sword. His expression was genuinely dejected and disappointed, without the slightest pretense.

Grand Tutor Yu sheathed his sword, took a few steps back, and said arrogantly, "Don't even mention you. Even if the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden came in person, or even if the legendary Six Great Sword Immortals of the Divine Continent joined forces, they would still be no match for me in a contest of swordsmanship alone!"
I am the greatest swordsman under heaven, the invincible and eternally undefeated Dongfang Bubai!

Tai Baozhen was a little angry and shouted, "What a bold thief! What an arrogant old devil! You just wait, when the Goddess Xuan Nu will settle accounts with you."

Grand Tutor Yu's eyes flashed, and he took out a piece of spirit jade and threw it to him, "This is 'Deciphering the Divine Mace Technique,' take it back and study it carefully. If you can fully understand it, you may not need the help of the Mystic Maiden."

Taibao didn't want it, but he was unwilling to give up.

He awkwardly accepted the spirit jade, then waved to retrieve the divine mace, leaped into the air, and transformed into golden light, soaring into the heavens.

Using the divine dimension, Taibao went straight into the Heavenly Court and arrived at the Tushita Palace's Xiuwen Academy.

"Your Highness, I have failed to capture Yu Fengxian, but my ambition remains undiminished. I am willing to lead 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, and set up a military formation to besiege and annihilate Yu Fengxian."

The Goddess of Mystery's exquisitely beautiful face remained expressionless. "You have the ability to command 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals?"

Taibao was somewhat embarrassed and said, "I am not a commander, but a vanguard officer. Or, Your Majesty, do you have any innate spiritual treasures? My own supernatural powers are insufficient, so I can use the power of a magic treasure to deal with her."

"If I borrow your magic weapon, but you lose it and let Yu Fengxian take it, what should I do?" Xuan Nu Niangniang asked.

"Then shall I go down and fight again?" Taibao asked.

The Empress said calmly, "Go find the immortals of your Taiyi Sect! Zhang Daoling took the 'Five Elements Escape Technique' from Xiuwen Academy back then, and now that it has been stolen, it is the responsibility of all the immortals of your Taiyi Sect."

If you don't find it within three days, prepare to go to the Execution Platform!

Taibao Zitang's face turned pale with fright. "Your Majesty, spare me! I truly cannot defeat Yu Fengxian!"

"Ahem, the Xuan Tianzi of the Taiyi Zhengyang Palace pays respects to the Xuan Nu Goddess!"

At this moment, a Taoist priest in a green robe carrying two swords on his back and a flower basket in his hand strode into the main hall of Xiuwen Academy. After bowing, he said with a solemn expression and a clear and resonant voice, "Your Majesty, rest assured, when we requested the immortal book at Xiuwen Academy, we swore an oath to protect the Xuanmen Dao from the covetousness of evil spirits."

Although Grand Tutor Yu possesses a special status and unparalleled supernatural powers, our Taiyi Sect remains confident in completing the mission.

"If the Immortal Book is not retrieved within three days, the Divine Mace Protector is willing to take full responsibility!"

His eyes were resolute as he met the gaze of the Goddess Xuan Nu.

Taibao panicked, "You bastard, Emperor Xuantian—"

"Shut up!" Xuan Tianzi shouted, interrupting his cursing. He then bowed to the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, you are busy with your affairs, so we will not disturb you any longer."

He used his other hand to drag Taibao out.

Taibao's eyes were bloodshot, his gaze murderous.

Xuan Tianzi led him away from the Southern Heavenly Gate and back to the Middle Realm before saying indifferently, "You feel wronged? If you hadn't spoken recklessly, would Yu Fengxian have come back to attack?"

"I... I was..." Tai Bao's expression froze, and he was somewhat speechless.

But thinking that he would be on the execution platform in three days, he quickly found an excuse and said excitedly, "I did say that, so what? Protecting the immortal books is the responsibility of the library, but it has nothing to do with me!"

Someone also asked Yu Fengxian if the Doushuai Palace had Nine-Turn Golden Elixir and several gourds of top-grade Nine-Turn Bone-Changing Elixir. They asked if it was useful.

Even if Yu Fengxian really did steal the elixir from the Tushita Palace, is it my fault?

Ultimately, you've failed in your duties, yet you want someone to take the blame—that's going too far.

Xuan Tianzi gave him a strange look and asked, "How many years is the interval between when the Five Elements Escape Technique reveals the Heavenly Dao?"

Taibao was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Five years? What happened?"

The Emperor Xuan asked again, "How many days does the Empress expect you to 'recover' the stolen goods?"

He emphasized the pronunciation of "several days" and "recover".

Three days later, the resentment and anger on Taibao Zitang's face gradually dissipated.

A year on Earth is equivalent to a day in Heaven.

So the Goddess Xuan Nu gave him three years!

And three years is exactly the time it takes for the Five Elements Escape Technique to reveal the Heavenly Dao.

Yu Fengxian will definitely be able to see the "Five Elements Escape Technique". Once she has read the immortal book, the next time she can pass on the teachings will be five years later.

In other words, the Nine Heavens Goddess's request is: hurry up and bring back the immortal book, so as not to delay the next transmission of the Dharma!
"No wonder Yu Fengxian isn't worried at all, nor is she worried for me."

Xuan Tianzi asked meaningfully, "Where did you see her?"

Taibao asked, "What's wrong at the Grand Tutor's residence in Xianyang?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Taibao belatedly realized: Last time, Grand Tutor Yu swept through 50,000 heavenly soldiers and generals in Xianyang, killed the Four Heavenly Kings, and even chased them to the Heavenly Court to show off his power.

"I see!"

Her public appearance in Xianyang was a message to all the gods: If you have the courage and spirit to face my "Nine Cauldrons and Dragons", then come on!
Putting aside the fact that in the Three Realms today, which deity would dare to provoke her in Xianyang? Even if the Heavenly Court were determined to wage war against her once again...

Before the Heavenly Court arranged the generals to lead the troops and prepared 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, she had already opened the "Five Elements Escape Technique" and clearly seen its contents.

Grand Tutor Yu had previously told him that he could open the immortal book in two days.

If she's already read the immortal book, why send 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals down to capture her? What's the point of such a huge sacrifice?

"As a spirit official, your duty is to obey orders. Who would really expect you to complete an impossible task? Your loud and boisterous behavior is unbecoming!" Xuan Tianzi reprimanded.

"You want me to be the scapegoat, and I can't even complain? I'm going to complain!" Taibao glared.

Xuan Tianzi exclaimed in shock and anger, "You spirit official, how dare you speak to me like that?"

Taibao sneered, "Grand Tutor Yu is a close friend of mine! Why would I be afraid of you?"

"Very well, so you all know how to use the enemy to bolster your own position now." Emperor Xuan laughed in exasperation.

Taibao sighed, "Once the great calamity of heaven and earth ends, and once Yu Fengxian attains enlightenment and becomes an ancestor, I will go and seek refuge with her."

Last time she stole peaches, she even gave half of one to the dog.

Is someone even worse than a dog?
If she steals another peach next time, and shares half with me, then I might finally have a chance to become a celestial being.

My Lord Xuan, you might have to curry favor with me then!

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; never underestimate the spirit official's poverty."

(End of this chapter)