This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 91 Three years have passed, Zhong Bai returns to Maoshan

Xuanmingzi spoke these words from the bottom of his heart.

He is already around 150 years old. Even though he has only just broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch level, he only has about 300 years of lifespan at most.

A Foundation Establishment True Person has a lifespan of two hundred years, and a Golden Core True Monarch has a lifespan of five hundred years, and that's under ideal circumstances.

If one's foundation is damaged by injury, one may face an early end.

When their time is up, whether they are Golden Core True Monarchs or Foundation Establishment True Monarchs of Maoshan, they generally choose to enter the underworld to take up their posts.

After all... the path of cultivation shouldn't be severed here, should it?

Upon hearing the sect leader Xuanmingzi's open-mindedness, the elders' gazes toward him became complicated.

Their senior disciple is under a lot of pressure, especially since he couldn't break through to the half-step Golden Core stage before. Now that he has finally broken through, he is facing the situation of having no successor.

Though he didn't say it aloud, everyone knew that Xuanmingzi was also feeling bitter in private.

But nothing in this world is perfect.

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The question of whether Zhong Bai should stay or leave was quickly conveyed to Zhong Bai, who was far away in Jiuquan Town, by Master Qian Yuan via letter.

Inside the courtyard, Zhong Bai was teaching the two maids, Chunhua and Xiahe, some knowledge from their previous lives when a golden origami crane landed precisely in his palm.

Unfolding the origami crane and seeing the contents of the letter on it, Zhong Bai was somewhat taken aback, but quickly smiled.

"Sir, has your sect given you permission to leave Jiuquan Town?"

Spring Blossom asked a question at the right moment, and Summer Lotus listened with her head held high.

"You two girls seem quite concerned about my fate, but I have good news for you: I cannot leave Jiuquan Town for the time being."

"For the next three years, I will be stationed here in Jiuquan Town. However, after three years, I will be able to leave Jiuquan Town and return to Maoshan. After that, I will travel the world, slaying demons and monsters, and protecting the people. Are you two girls satisfied with this?"

"Hehe, sir, what are you saying? We just feel that three years is enough time for us to learn so many useful and novel things from you, especially the Three Principles of the People that you mentioned, which is simply a subversion of the thousands of years of emperors in the entire Kyushu!"

Sir, your supernatural powers are comparable to those of immortals, and your knowledge is also beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Three years is enough time for us to learn so much from you, sir…

Listening to Xia He's words, Zhong Bai nodded. Xia He wasn't talking nonsense. What he taught them wasn't the Four Books and Five Classics, but new ideas. Since he wouldn't leave Jiuquan Town for another three years, Zhong Bai wanted to try to train Xia He into a future gravedigger of the Manchu Qing dynasty during these three years!

Since he had nothing better to do than cultivate and read Taoist classics in Jiuquan Town, where no evil spirits lurked, Zhong Bai really had nothing to do.

Speaking of the Daoist classics, this was requested by the True Man Qian Yuan back then, when Zhong Bai had just become a disciple of Maoshan.

They learn supernatural powers and techniques, aiming to quickly become Qi cultivators.

However, if you want to break through to the Foundation Establishment True Person level, simply practicing hard won't work.

To comprehend the universe, one needs to study the Daoist classics to deepen one's understanding of the Dao and the universe.

Nodding in agreement with Xia He's words, Zhong Bai put down the letter.

Zhong Bai continued reading the Tao Te Ching on the table, explaining new knowledge to Chunhua and Xiahe as he studied the classic text.

Time flies, and so does Zhong Bai's cultivation state.

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Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

In the past two years, Zhong Bai has killed very few evil spirits and gained very few demon-slaying points. However, Zhong Bai is not in a hurry. These three years are a period of accumulation for him.

While the Demon Exorcism Panel is powerful, relying solely on it can easily lead to arrogance and complacency. Time will allow Zhong Bai's Daoist essence to deepen and become more in harmony with the world.

Sitting cross-legged on the futon, Zhong Bai felt that the increase in his true essence had reached a bottleneck, but he was not in a hurry. It would be difficult to break through from the eighth to the ninth level of Qi Refining without spending tens of thousands of Demon Extermination Points. Not to mention that Zhong Bai did not have them, even if he did, he did not plan to do so.

Over the course of two years, Zhong Bai's daily arduous practice allowed his mind to become as still as water, sweeping away all his former restlessness.

Faced with his bottleneck, Zhong Bai was not in a hurry. He knew that he would probably be ready to break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining soon.

This time, Zhong Bai doesn't plan to use the Demon Extermination Points to cheat; he wants to try it out himself through his own efforts!
"In two years, the Shangqing Dragon Elephant Technique has reached a strength of 30,000 jin, and the golden light within the body has grown stronger."

His spiritual strength is already twice that of a Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivator. Such speed can only be described as monstrous. With another year to go, he will surely have a breakthrough after a period of accumulation!

"All evil beings of the world, are you ready?"

Zhong Bai smiled faintly and then stood up.

He pushed open the door, and golden sunlight streamed onto his face in the courtyard…

After two years of growth and development, the spring flowers and summer lotuses have shed their immaturity.

The nineteen-year-old girl was full of youthful energy. In this era, she might be considered an old maid, but in Zhong Bai's eyes, she was at the level of a college student.

"Sir, have you finished your cultivation?"

Xia He walked gracefully, her every step exuding an air of scholarly elegance.

"Sir, Xia He would like to ask you a question. I wonder if you have the time?"

Zhong Bai smiled and said, "Xia He, just ask whatever you want to ask."

"Then let me ask you, sir. You said that if you want all the people of Kyushu to live a life of great harmony, you can't do without a group that works for the benefit of the people. Does that mean that the new government established after the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty must take the interests of the people as its starting point?"
But...you also said that human nature has weaknesses, and there are many stories of dragon-slaying heroes who end up becoming dragons themselves. So what should we do then?

Zhong Bai frowned. Xia He's question was quite intriguing, but Zhong Bai still gave his answer.

"One word: Change!"

"Change?" "Yes, everything in the world changes. You would never have imagined that one day you would be standing in this courtyard discussing this issue with me."

Human nature has weaknesses, but its changes are endless. Xiahe, if you want to witness this for yourself in the future...

You can go and see the outside world after I leave Jiuquan Town next year.

They've changed a lot...

The Nine Provinces also need change; you can learn from them.

As for Chunhua and Xiahe, Zhong Bai's plan is to send them to study in Western countries after they leave on their own next year. As for their safety, the Yang family guarantees that they can make arrangements to ensure their safety.

Spring Flower and Summer Lotus also agreed.

Now they practically live their lives on their fingers.

Spring goes and winter comes again, a year later.

Outside Jiuquan Town, it was time to say goodbye. Chunhua and Xiahe, the two girls, left ahead of time.

Two months ago, the Yang family had already used their connections to send Chunhua and Xiahe to study in the West.

Zhong Bai, on the other hand, has only now completed his three-year agreement.

At this moment, in the courtyard, Yang Chong, the head of the Yang family, had some gray hair at his temples. He was no longer young. Three years had passed, and time had finally left its mark on him.

Looking at Zhong Bai, who was just as he had seen him before, Yang Chong smiled wryly and said, "Master Qianhe, you are leaving Jiuquan Town today, right?"

Zhong Bai nodded.

“Indeed, Patriarch Yang, I know what you are worried about. After I left Jiuquan Town, it is not that no one came to garrison it.”

My senior brother Mao Xiaofang, a true disciple of the Maoshan Pill Hall, will succeed me.

At that time, the Yang family only needs to cultivate a good relationship with my senior brother Mao.

Upon hearing this, Yang Chong breathed a sigh of relief, but was still somewhat reluctant to part with her.

"Master Qianhe, please rest assured. After you leave, the Yang family will send people to take good care of your courtyard. As for your senior brother Mao, the Yang family will build a Taoist temple for him."

Besides, you can rest assured about Chunhua and Xiahe, the two maids.

Although our Yang family doesn't have connections that reach the highest levels, it shouldn't be a problem to ensure our two daughters can study abroad safely for a few years!

Having said that, Yang Chong let out a heavy sigh and continued, "Master Qianhe, a thousand words are not as good as a simple 'Take care'!"

"Patriarch Yang, take care!"

After the two said goodbye, Zhong Bai gave a look, and the Angry Rooster that was standing in front of him suddenly flapped its wings and crowed towards the sky.

As dawn breaks, the sun appears.

Facing the morning sun, Zhong Bai left Jiuquan Town, leaving behind the place where he had been stationed for three or four years.

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Renjia Town.

Lin Fengjiao looked at Qiusheng and Wencai, who were practicing horse stance in the mortuary, but she couldn't calm down.

Qiu Sheng was taken in last year and has been by his side for a year now.

"Junior Brother Qianhe will be returning to Maoshan in the next two days, and then his status as a Maoshan Daoist will be announced. The difference between former fellow disciples has become so great in just a few years. Alas, perhaps this is the difference between ordinary cultivators and prodigies."

Forget it, even the eldest brother is convinced, so why should I dwell on it?

In this life, protecting the peace of this region and finally reaching the Maoshan Talisman Hall—that would be a fulfilling life.

Shaking her head, Lin Fengjiao decided not to dwell on the matter; perhaps she felt a pang of envy.

But more than anything, they felt a deep sense of helplessness; the gap was too wide, leaving them no chance to even catch up.

Maoshan.

When Zhong Bai returned to Maoshan, it was already seven days later. Zhong Bai was not slow, mainly because he was being followed by Nu Qingji, who was a burden.

However, Zhong Bai wouldn't abandon the Angry Sun Chicken. In three years, although the Angry Sun Chicken was still only a mid-stage demon soldier and hadn't made much progress, it was still somewhat useful, and it was quite loyal in guarding the house.

What's more, this guy's sycophantic nature has really kicked in; knowing his master is leaving, he's been rubbing against his pants day and night...

Like a venomous plaster, it was afraid that Zhong Bai would throw it away.

Upon arriving at Maoshan, just as he reached the mountain gate, Zhong Bai saw a streak of light instantly appear before him.

"Disciple Qianhe greets Martial Uncle Changsheng!"

Upon hearing this, Changsheng Zhenren smiled and shook his head, saying, "Nephew Qianhe, you don't need to be so polite. From now on, Nephew Qianhe will be a Taoist disciple of Maoshan."

"The Daoist's status is similar to that of an elder. Even though I am your senior uncle, I will still have to address you as Daoist from now on."

Zhong Bai almost laughed, but he held it in.

"Uncle-Master Changsheng, you flatter me. In Zhong Bai's eyes, the title of Dao Child is nothing but an empty name. Once you are Uncle-Master Changsheng, you will be Uncle-Master for life. That will never change!"

Hearing this made the Immortal Changsheng feel extremely comfortable, and his eyes smiled.

Sorry, dear readers, something came up at school yesterday afternoon and they called me away. Hehe, I'm a junior in college and still doing an internship. Sometimes I really can't just say I won't go. Damn, so frustrating.

From now on, updates will be around 6 PM, four chapters totaling 12,000 words. Then, the two chapters I missed yesterday will be made up tomorrow and the day after, making it five chapters totaling 16,000 words over the next two days.

Sigh, it's tiring, but I hope all you readers can support me by subscribing and giving me monthly tickets. Thank you!
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(End of this chapter)