I subdue demons and monsters, and cultivate immortality in hell to become a saint.

"Nonsense! I am the Spirit Ape King of Thousand Fruit Island, with a lifespan of thousands of years. How dare a mere judge of the underworld decide my life or death?!"

When the Spirit Ape King is enraged, the heavens and earth tremble!

Thunderclouds rolled overhead, lightning flashed and thunder roared, the oppressive force was terrifying, almost crushing the entire Thousand Fruit Island. The monkeys and their offspring around them were so frightened that they knelt on the ground, not daring to raise their heads.

Yuan Kong feigned fear, taking several steps back, his voice trembling slightly, but in reality, he was overjoyed.

"How dare this humble monk deceive Your Majesty? If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may go to the City God's Palace in Xingsha City yourself. There you will find a Book of Life and Death, and Your Majesty will know the truth upon seeing it!"

"However, the City God's Palace is a stronghold of the underworld stationed in the human world. It is a powerful place and not a place to run wild."

"Especially the City God of Xingsha City, whose cultivation is profound and whose power is incomparably formidable. Your Majesty must not offend him lightly, lest you suffer a loss!"

Yuan Kong deliberately feigned weakness, using every word to provoke and precisely strike at the Spirit Ape King's competitive, strong-willed, and lawless nature.

The Spirit Ape King, who was always lawless and arrogant, could not possibly swallow this insult.

He immediately let out a sharp, furious roar that shook the heavens!

"I refuse to accept this! Today I will go to Xingsha City, overturn the City God's table, tear up the Judge's Book of Life and Death, and raze the City God's mansion to the ground! Let's see how they can do anything to me!"

Seeing that the Spirit Ape King had completely taken the bait, Yuan Kong was extremely satisfied. He said no more, and with a flash, he left silently, waiting for the Spirit Ape King to wreak havoc in the City God's Mansion.

At the same time, Feng Xuanzi rode a streak of light, moving at lightning speed, and arrived at Hidden Immortal Mountain in an instant.

Originally, this mountain was nameless and just an ordinary, desolate mountain. After the spiritual energy was restored, the mountain grew several times larger, filled with spiritual energy, and teeming with beasts, gradually taking on an extraordinary appearance.

But that's not enough to justify its name "Hidden Immortal Mountain." The core meaning of "Hidden Immortal" is that immortals live in seclusion on this mountain.

And this reclusive immortal is none other than the famous Old Immortal of Penglai!

Before he became an immortal, he lived in seclusion on this mountain, eating simple food and not caring about worldly affairs. Now that he has ascended to heaven and achieved immortality, he remains indifferent to fame and fortune and is unwilling to leave the mountain even for a moment.

He still built a thatched hut in the mountains, watching the clouds rise and fall, observing the sun, moon and stars every day, appearing as a hermit detached from worldly affairs, indifferent to worldly disputes.

Feng Xuanzi discerned the direction, rode the flowing light and slowly descended, immediately spotting the simple thatched hut nestled in the mountains.

Just as he was about to approach the thatched hut, an invisible barrier suddenly rose up, flashing with light and forcefully blocking his path. Spiritual energy flowed across the barrier, containing boundless power.

Feng Xuanzi paused, but did not intend to break the barrier; his expression remained respectful.

Leaving aside the fact that he might not have the strength to break through this barrier, the fact that the master set up the barrier was precisely because he did not want to be disturbed.

If one were to force a breakthrough, it would undoubtedly be a blatant provocation against the Old Immortal of Penglai. Even if the Old Immortal of Penglai had the best temper, he would never tolerate such rudeness, and it would only backfire.

Therefore, Feng Xuanzi stood respectfully outside the barrier, his posture upright and his expression humble, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent.

"I am Feng Xuanzi, the head of the Xuanmiao Sect. I have come to request an audience with you, senior, as I have important matters to discuss!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it contained his own divine sense, penetrating the barrier, and he was certain that the Old Immortal of Penglai could hear it.

Sure enough, as soon as the words were spoken, a deep and ancient voice came from all directions, calm and composed, yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"I am merely an ordinary old man, with no intention of getting involved in the conflicts of the cultivation world. I neither accept disciples, nor make friends, nor am I involved with any sect! You may return."

The voice, though seemingly calm, was firm and clear, conveying a firm refusal.

Clearly, after becoming famous, the Immortal of Penglai had already been harassed by countless people.

People came in droves, trying to curry favor, offering hefty bribes, and others seeking to buy his skills. They were already thoroughly annoyed by his constant stream of visitors.

That's why he set up this barrier, clearly displaying the words "not welcome" to everyone.

"Senior, you are wise. I have come here today not to seek apprenticeship, nor to curry favor, and I dare not presume to hope that you will join the Xuanmiao Sect!"

Feng Xuanzi had already prepared his explanation. With a calm smile on his face, he slowly said, "Senior is pure of heart and desires, and is devoted to seclusion. I should not have disturbed you rashly. However, today's matter is indeed of great importance, concerning the overall situation of the cultivation world. I have no choice but to come and consult with you."

He spoke sincerely, his words filled with genuine emotion, but the Old Immortal of Penglai showed no intention of removing the barrier. Instead, his tone became increasingly firm, tinged with impatience.

"No need for further words, you may leave."

Feng Xuanzi was slightly taken aback, his heart filled with doubt. He couldn't understand why the Old Immortal of Penglai was still so resolute and unwilling to budge, even though he had already made such a statement.

"senior……"

He was about to speak again to persuade him and explain the importance of the matter in detail, but was abruptly interrupted by the voice of the Old Immortal of Penglai, which carried a hint of coldness.

"Your refusal to seek a master or make friends only shows that you have much bigger ambitions!"

"I have absolutely no interest in the important matters you speak of, and I'm too lazy to get involved."

"This morning I consulted the oracle and learned that an unwelcome guest was coming to disturb my peaceful cultivation. It seems that it is you!"

Unwelcome guest?!

Feng Xuanzi's words were instantly stuck in his throat, his face turning pale and then red, filled with helplessness.

With the old immortal of Penglai saying this, he had a thousand words to say but couldn't find the words to say. He couldn't very well say that the old immortal's divination was wrong, could he?

Once these words are spoken, it is an open offense against the Old Immortal of Penglai. Let alone discussing important matters, he will probably not be able to escape unscathed today!

As everyone knows, the Old Immortal of Penglai once obtained the Penglai Black and White Chess, and also inherited the ancient "Heavenly Strategy Calculation Art". He was never wrong in his divination and divination and in his ability to glimpse the secrets of heaven, and his accuracy was unparalleled!

It was precisely because of this extraordinary ability that he was revered as the "Old Immortal of Penglai" in the cultivation world and was admired by many.

He said he was an unwelcome guest, and Feng Xuanzi really couldn't refute that.

After all, he came here today with the intention of using the Old Immortal of Penglai and hoping to achieve his own goals by borrowing his power.

Just as Feng Xuanzi was hesitating, unsure whether to continue patiently persuading him or simply turn away and seek another way.

The seemingly indestructible barrier suddenly opened with a roar, the light dissipated, and the path in front of the thatched hut was revealed.

Immediately afterwards, the slightly weary voice of the Old Immortal of Penglai came out again, less cold and more helpless.

"Alright, come in."

Feng Xuanzi was filled with doubts, completely unable to fathom the thoughts of the Old Immortal of Penglai. One second he called him an unwelcome guest, and the next he opened the barrier and invited him in. This reversal left him momentarily speechless.

"Senior, what do you mean by this?"

He suppressed his doubts, slowly walked to the thatched hut, respectfully cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke in a humble tone.

The Old Immortal of Penglai had an excellent reputation and a gentle nature. He rarely made enemies, which was why he dared to ask so directly and inquire about the reason.

If it were one of those violent, ruthless, and decisive demonic cultivators, he would certainly not dare to utter a word and would only obediently follow orders.

Inside the thatched hut, an old man frowned slightly, hesitating in his heart: "I have a hunch that an unpleasant guest will come to my door today and ask me to come out of seclusion!"

Ironically, the divination had already clearly stated that even knowing the visitor was ill-intentioned, I would still accept the invitation!

The old immortal from Penglai slowly stepped out of the thatched hut. He was a white-haired old man in rough clothes. Judging from his appearance, he did not look like a banished immortal at all, but rather like a country bumpkin.

Only those eyes held a sharp edge, far beyond the reach of ordinary people.

He glanced at Feng Xuanzi, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes. He wanted to see what kind of person could break his divination and lure him out of the mountains.

"Speak! What brings you to me, old man? You've managed to make this old fellow, who has been guarding the mountain for a thousand years, even consider taking a step down from here!"

This is the downside of having foresight!

The more one understands the secrets of heaven, the harder it is to suppress curiosity, and the more one wants to get to the bottom of things and find out the mystery behind it.

Knowing that the guest is unwelcome, one should refuse to see them and protect oneself wisely; this is the way for cultivators to preserve their lives.

But the Immortal of Penglai refused!

His curiosity was like wildfire, impossible to suppress. He had to see what Feng Xuanzi was capable of that could make this old monster, who had lost all hope, willingly step out of this Hidden Immortal Mountain!

Feng Xuanzi's heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward, speaking urgently, "Senior, this matter concerns your deceased wife and beloved daughter!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the old immortal of Penglai's gaze changed instantly, his expression a complex mix of coldness and warmth, his once calm heart now churning with towering waves.

My premonition has finally come true!

No wonder they were able to lure him out of seclusion; it turns out they precisely struck at his Achilles' heel!

A murderous intent erupted from his body in an instant, icy cold, almost devouring Feng Xuanzi.

This kid hit his sore spot with one sentence, using it to force him to come out of the mountains. He is also the hostile guest indicated by the divination. His heart is despicable!

Reason screamed frantically: Don't listen! Kill him immediately to prevent future trouble!

But emotionally, another voice is screaming: Listen! Even if it's a trap, find out everything about your wife and daughter!

Finally, his murderous intent subsided, and he suppressed his surging emotions, coldly saying, "Go on."

……

"So that's how it is..." The old immortal of Penglai murmured, his gaze somewhat unfocused. His mind, which had been dead for thousands of years, was now completely torn apart by the surging emotions.

The faces of his wife and daughters, which he never dared to even think about in his daily life, now appeared clearly in his mind. The heart-wrenching grief that had been dormant for thousands of years instantly swept over his body, almost crushing him.