There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 273 Paying Homage to His Majesty
After a cold shout, Chen Qing gave everyone no time to react. The bronze mirror in his hand reversed its dark light, and a beam of light, even more solid than before, shot out like a bolt of lightning, enveloping the unsuspecting Jin Yuanzhao!
"What are you doing?! How could you activate this thing?!" Jin Yuanzhao was horrified and tried to struggle, but he felt that his entire body's energy had been locked in place by the mirror light!
The next moment, under the shocked gazes of everyone, the mirror light, like a paintbrush, rapidly "painted" on Jin Yuanzhao's body!
His once handsome features became distorted and swollen, his skin became rough and oily, a huge nose curled and protruded, two white fangs protruded from his mouth, his ears became large and protruded, and his body became bloated as if inflated!
In the blink of an eye, Jin Yuanzhao, who had just been looking like a wise and in control person, suddenly transformed into a fat, big-eared, grunting... black-haired boar demon in front of everyone!
"Ho...ho..."

The pig demon opened its mouth in vain, letting out unintelligible roars, its small eyes filled with terror and confusion.

The surroundings fell into an absolute silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The crowd's gazes shifted back and forth between Zheng Qingtian, who was displaying wolf-like characteristics, and the newly born pig demon.

"What?! What's going on now?!"

"One looks like a wolf, the other like a pig? This guy looks even more like a monster than Zheng Qingtian!"

"It's more than just similar! This is clearly a manifestation of the demonic form of the Northern Tusked Boar! It is a ferocious branch among the hundred races! I have seen it with my own eyes!"

The bizarre and absurd scene before them left everyone completely dumbfounded. They looked at each other in bewilderment, and no one dared to make a hasty judgment or take any rash action.

Some meticulous and knowledgeable people, like the Taoist in green robes, had already focused their attention on the strange bronze mirror in Chen Qing's hand. Their eyes flashed with a sharp light as they realized that this was the key!

Chen Qing ignored the surrounding discussions. He held the mirror up to his eyes, examined it carefully for a moment, then flicked his wrist. The mirror's eerie light shifted again, turning into a deep darkness. He then shone it on Zheng Qingtian from afar!
"Om-"

The gray-black "demon aura" on Zheng Qingtian's body fluctuated violently, like a painted skin being torn apart by an invisible hand, twisting and finally peeling off with a "hiss," turning into a stream of light that was captured in the mirror and disappeared.

Zheng Qingtian suddenly felt a lightness throughout his body. The unfamiliar, fierce aura receded like a tide, and he returned to his original appearance. However, his face still showed shock and confusion, and there was a restless feeling in his bloodline. He felt a chill in his heart and had a vague guess.

Chen Qing then looked up at the old monk Jingyan, raised the bronze mirror in his hand, and asked, "Master, do you know the origin of this object?"

"Amitabha." The old monk Jingyan put his hands together and slowly shook his head: "This item belongs to Benefactor Jin. This is the first time I have seen its mystery. I'm afraid only Benefactor Jin himself can answer its questions." After saying that, he, like everyone else, turned his complicated gaze to the fat pig demon in the field that was still struggling and groaning.

"Ho... Aww!"

After transforming into a pig demon, Jin Yuanzhao recovered from his initial shock and felt the gazes around him filled with realization, disdain, and even murderous intent. An extreme sense of shame and violence overwhelmed his reason!

His eyes instantly turned bloodshot, his fangs bared, and he let out a muffled and frenzied roar: "Sorcery! It's the sorcery of you, the traitor among the hundred races! You framed me! Know that I am the reincarnation of the true Buddha! You will all die!"

A violent demonic aura erupted from its bloated body. Ignoring everything else, it stomped its hind hooves on the ground, transforming into a black whirlwind with chilling fangs, and charged madly towards the people closest to it!

Judging from the momentum, they were going to silence everyone present who knew about it!
"careful!"

"This monster is about to commit a heinous act!"

Amidst the exclamations, those who were closer hurriedly dodged or summoned their protective magic items.

However, there was a figure who was even faster than them!

Just as Jin Yuanzhao suddenly attacked, Zheng Qingtian, though still unsettled, reacted instinctively!
"You still dare to act so aggressively!"

A furious shout, like a thunderclap from a clear sky!
Zheng Qingtian's blood and qi erupted like a volcano, and a giant dragon seemed to be swimming beneath his bronze skin. He took a step forward, causing the ground to crack. He clenched his right fist and threw a straight punch with the force of a mountain collapsing and rocks splitting, creating a gust of wind that enveloped the pig demon!
"Oh!"

A deafening explosion!

Jin Yuanzhao's charge came to an abrupt halt. His massive body was sent flying through the air like a ripped sack, spitting out a mouthful of foul blood mixed with fragments of internal organs. He crashed heavily to the ground, creating a shallow crater. He groaned and could no longer get up, clearly severely injured by the punch.

Zheng Qingtian withdrew his fist and stood still, not even glancing at the dying pig demon. Instead, he turned to look at the several pale-faced, trembling traitors of the Lieyun Gang and asked, word by word, "Chief Wang, Chief Li, and the rest of you, tell me, what exactly do you know?!"

The two leaders, Wang and Li, and their gang members exchanged glances and hesitated, ultimately failing to utter a single word.

Seeing his once loyal brothers in such a state, Zheng Qingtian's anger gradually subsided, replaced by a deep sorrow.

He sighed heavily and shook his head, saying, "So be it! In the end, it's still my fault! It must be because I failed to understand the difficulties our brothers faced that you were coerced into doing such a rebellious thing!"

He actually took the blame upon himself.

"Amitabha." The old monk Jingyan stepped forward at the right time, his face full of compassion, and said gently, "Chief Zheng is benevolent and righteous, which is admirable. This is not the place to talk. Why don't you all move to the meditation room in the temple to rest for a while, have a cup of tea, calm your minds, and then discuss this further? I can guarantee that you will all be able to speak freely and clarify right and wrong."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qingtian did not reply, but instead looked at Chen Qing. How could he not see that the old monk's true purpose was still to keep his brother Chen in the temple?

Chen Qing, however, said frankly, "I appreciate the Venerable's good intentions, but your temple's threshold is too high and the waters too deep. My cultivation is too shallow, and I'm afraid I can't wade through it. Just now, the Venerable sat on the sidelines, letting this clown slander my brother and frame his fellow practitioners. Now that the storm has subsided, you want to act as a peacemaker and bring everyone into your temple. Such scheming is rather low."

The old monk Jingyan's smile froze instantly, but he then bowed deeply to Chen Qing and earnestly said, "Benefactor, your wisdom is truly remarkable. I am ashamed! I did have selfish motives just now and failed to stop the dispute in time, almost causing a great disaster. However, benefactor, you possess unparalleled Buddhist affinity and your awakened nature is evident. This is a rare and precious opportunity. You are destined to enter my monastic community and receive the supreme Dharma. Your future achievements will be limitless! I earnestly hope you will reconsider!"

Chen Qing wasn't buying it at all and said directly, "I am a true disciple of the Hidden Star Sect. My path is not about ancient Buddhas and the cycle of death." He came to this temple to find clues about the Demon Buddha's Dao Fruit. He originally thought it was related to that so-called treasure, but he found something in the mirror above. Now, with the help of half a Dao Fruit, he has made a connection with that mirror and is no longer confined to the temple, so he naturally has fewer concerns.

The monk Jingyan was speechless for a moment.

In the crowd, Murong Zhiqing, seeing Chen Qing so decisively reject the offer from Kuchan Temple, showed a hint of anxiety on her face and whispered, "Master, how could he do this? Kuchan Temple has a profound foundation. This rare treasure's appearance is precisely the opportunity for him to condense his Golden Core. To refuse like this is tantamount to cutting off his own future!" The Taoist in green robes stroked his beard and chuckled, shaking his head, and said, "Zhiqing, you've misjudged him. This young man's determination and vision far exceed our imagination. He's stuck at the threshold of the Golden Core stage not because he lacks the ability, but because his ambitions are far greater. Ordinary opportunities are no longer enough for him. Just watch closely; his Golden Core will be formed sooner or later, and once it is, he will be no ordinary being!"

Murong Zhiqing was taken aback when she heard this, thinking to herself, "You didn't say that before, how come you changed your mind so quickly?"
The Taoist in green robes, unaware of his disciple's thoughts, misunderstood and said, "Now it seems that this young man is quite a good match. If you are interested, after this matter is settled, I may be able to speak to the Hidden Star Sect on your behalf. Although he comes from an extraordinary background, we are a good match given our identities and origins."

Upon hearing this, Murong Zhiqing's pretty face flushed red, and she hesitated to speak.

The Taoist in green robes was about to tease his disciple a few more times when his expression suddenly changed. His gaze shot towards a shadowy corner on the other side of the crowd, and his brows furrowed slightly.

In the shadows, a man in a gray robe stared at the ancient bronze mirror in Chen Qing's hand, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"There's no mistake! This Chen Qiu was born with extraordinary signs, pointing to the heavens and the earth, displaying unparalleled domineering power! He also possesses a Buddhist affinity, and more importantly, he joined the Hidden Star Sect, which corresponds perfectly with many of the instructions in the legacy! He can also control this Painted Skin Mirror, so he must be the person we've been searching for! This matter must be immediately relayed to the others..."

However, before he could finish speaking, a chilling feeling of being watched rose from the bottom of his heart. When he looked up, he met the sharp gaze of the Taoist in green!
"not good!"

The man in the gray robe was shocked. He instinctively took a step back, his figure flickered, and he disappeared into the shadows. In the next instant, he vanished without a trace.

The Taoist in the green robe withdrew his gaze and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I sensed a similar aura in Tingfeng City before, both times related to that kid Chen. Could it be that he's being targeted? However, given his talent and abilities, it's not surprising that he's being watched."

With that thought, his gaze turned to Chen Qing.

At this moment, Chen Qing looked up at the Three Lives Reflection Mirror hanging on the temple roof, feeling that this object still resonated faintly with the half of the Dao Fruit in his Niwan Palace.

He knew he shouldn't linger here. He needed to find a quiet place to carefully explore the secrets hidden in the mirror, unravel the mystery, and find clues to the other half of the Dao Fruit. He also needed to thoroughly stabilize the Nascent Soul's external landscape, and ideally, condense the Golden Core as well. Once the projection of himself and others was complete, he could return to the Spirit Gate and solidify his trump card.

Looking at Zheng Qingtian beside him, Chen Qing saw that this bold man had a look of desolation between his brows after this incident. He stopped talking to the old monk Jingyan and bowed slightly: "Master, it seems that my brother Zheng's matter was a misunderstanding. I will take my leave now."

"Please wait, benefactor." The old monk's eyes flashed with reluctance, but he did not insist on keeping him. Instead, he beckoned a handsome young monk and said, "This is my disciple Huiming. He is quite clever. Why not let him serve you, benefactor, so that he can broaden his horizons and also receive some Buddhist blessings."

Chen Qing didn't even look at the young monk, shaking his head and saying, "There's no need for that. I'm used to being alone and don't like having anyone following me." As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, grabbed the unconscious pig demon Jin Yuanzhao from the ground, and used his magic to subdue several ashen-faced rebels of the Lieyun Gang. He then said to Zheng Qingtian, "Brother Zheng, let's go. If there's anything, we can ask after we leave this place. I think no one will stop us this time."

Seeing this, the old monk Jingyan had no choice but to step forward and lower his voice: "Seven days from now at noon, the temple's rare treasure will be unsealed. This treasure does not belong to our temple, but is offered by the Lotus Sect. Its origins can be traced back to the Taiyuan Immortal Dynasty! The opportunity involved is extraordinary. We hope that you can take the time to come at that time."

"Could it be traced back to the Taiyuan Dynasty?" Chen Qing's eyes flickered slightly, but his face remained calm. "We'll see when the time comes." After saying that, he didn't linger and, along with Zheng Qingtian, Mang Shoutuo, and the others, transformed into several streaks of light and headed straight down the mountain.

After they left, the many guests in the temple had different thoughts. Knowing that this son of the Marquis of Donghai was involved in many things, many people also had the idea of ​​leaving to find out more. However, thinking of the rare treasure in seven days, they finally held back.

As the monk Huiming watched Chen Qingyuan's departing figure, he couldn't help but ask, "Master, are we really just going to let him go like that? And that benefactor Jin, is he also a reincarnation of a true Buddha...?"

“Jin Yuanzhao was destined for this calamity, otherwise it would be difficult to convert him. As for the heir of the Marquis of Donghai…” The old monk Jingyan watched the light disappear into the horizon and sighed softly: “We cannot force him to stay. This boy has an extraordinary Buddhist destiny, even greater than Jin Yuanzhao’s! His will is also more resolute. If we force him to convert, he will only become disgusted. Wouldn’t that be doing the work for someone else? You must know that the Buddhist community is vast, not just our Lotus Sect. We must proceed step by step and show our sincerity. However, now that the news has spread, the other sects will know sooner or later. So, we will have to put in more effort after seven days. I will go and consult the higher sect now.”

Outside the desolate mountains, Chen Qing and the others activated their escape techniques.

Zheng Qingtian suddenly sighed, his face full of desolation: "I have now figured it out. This time, the temple was a trap set against me! If it weren't for my brother being there and exposing that pig demon's treacherous scheme, I would have been ruined and even my life would have been in danger. The scheming of people's hearts is truly more difficult to guard against than real swords and spears."

Chen Qing shook his head and said with certainty, "Brother Zheng, you flatter me. You are highly skilled and righteous. Even without me here, with your abilities and character, you would definitely be able to break through this predicament."

Zheng Qingtian shook his head, looked at the antique mirror in Chen Qing's hand, and moved his lips as if he wanted to ask something.

at this time!

Suddenly, dark clouds surged in the mountains ahead, and a dark shadow plummeted down like a meteor, blocking their path!
"careful!"

Mang Shou Tuo and Zheng Qingtian reacted extremely quickly, their figures flashing as they blocked Chen Qing's path. Their blood and qi surged, and their magic power surged as they prepared to attack!

"Please hold your fire!"

A slightly hoarse voice came from the dark clouds. The clouds dispersed, revealing a man wearing a gray robe with his face shrouded in a hood.

This person exuded a calm and collected aura, and his magical power flowed smoothly; he was clearly also a Golden Core cultivator!
Upon seeing this, Chen Qing frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "Now that spiritual energy is so scarce, why are Golden Core cultivators so common?"

Before he could think it through, the gray-robed man suddenly stepped forward and knelt down in front of Chen Qing amidst the guarded men!

At the same time, a divine thought entered Chen Qing's ears—

"This humble general, Zhang San, pays his respects to Your Majesty the Holy Emperor!"

(End of this chapter)