Starting with a blind date with a female constable, you acquire the Nine Swords of Dugu.

Chapter 204 Crimson Sky Demon King

Xu Zhiwei carried the cook and flew ahead.

The cook was pale, but he still managed to raise his hand and point the way.

Before long, they passed through several narrow alleys, and the cook pointed to a dilapidated mud house and shouted, "That's it—that's the one!"

Xu Zhiwei released his grip, and the cook landed on his feet, staggered a couple of steps before regaining his balance, and quickly stepped back.

Xu Zhiwei didn't stop, she went straight to the door of the earthen house, pushed the door open and entered. The house was pitch black and empty.

Gu Guanqi and Wen Shuyi followed them inside.

Gu Guanqi released his divine sense to investigate and said, "No one is here."

"Looks like he got away." Xu Zhiwei's voice was tinged with frustration as she said, "That old guy is very cunning. I've been chasing him all this way, and I was almost able to catch him several times, but he still managed to escape."

As she spoke, Xu Zhiwei raised her right hand to her chest, her five fingers spread open and then slowly closed, with a faint blue light flowing from her fingertips.

She then made a hand seal, closed her eyes, concentrated, and began chanting incantations.

The tiny blue rays of light scattered in the air, like invisible threads sensing the fading aura around them.

At the entrance;

Wen Shuyi stood beside Gu Guanqi, her gaze falling on the wisp of green light between Xu Zhiwei's fingers. She tilted her head and whispered, "This should be a tracking technique from the Daoist sect. It uses the residual energy in the surrounding area as a guide to trace the direction the other party went after they left."

Gu Guanqi said in a low voice, "If this were promoted within the Six Doors, it would be incredibly useful for tracking down serious criminals!"

Wen Shuyi shook her head slightly and said, "It can't be promoted. This secret technique requires extremely high talent. In addition, this secret technique is quite useless most of the time because the energy dissipates quickly. So, after a while, it becomes useless. Few people are willing to spend a lot of energy to cultivate such a difficult and ineffective secret technique."

At this moment, Xu Zhiwei suddenly spoke up: "Unless you are a peerless genius like me, who can learn it with just one glance and without putting in any effort, then whether it is useless or not doesn't matter."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and asked, "Then may I ask, Master Xu, have you tracked them down?"

Xu Zhiwei opened her eyes and said, "Of course, that guy went to the riverbank, it's only about seven or eight miles away now, let's go!"

Before she finished speaking, she had already taken off and sped eastward.

Gu Guanqi and Wen Shuyi followed closely behind.

The three of them swept across the fields and dirt roads outside the town, and in no time, they heard the sound of water ahead—a river two or three zhang wide stretched across the night under the moonlight, its current quite rapid, churning up silvery white waves.

Just then, a hunched old man walked to the shore; it was Feng Xiwan.

He glanced back at the three people who were quickly chasing after him and whispered, "No wonder they've been haunting us; it turns out someone has mastered a bizarre tracking technique."

After saying that, he jumped directly into the river.

Several more breaths passed before Xu Zhiwei arrived, exclaiming in frustration, "He got away again!"

Gu Guanqi and Wen Shuyi arrived shortly after.

Gu Guanqi asked, "Master Xu, does that mean we can't chase after someone who's already in the water?"

As Xu Zhiwei untied the wine gourd, he said, "The water is turbulent with undercurrents and surging waves, and the energy of heaven and earth is also changing greatly, so it is impossible to lock onto it."

After saying that, she took a big gulp of wine and gritted her teeth, saying, "Just one step away! That old bastard is too cunning. He chased me all the way from the Heavenly Dao Sect to here, and so many times he was just one step away, but he always managed to slip away! Sigh, oh well, I missed him again this time!"

"That's not necessarily true," Gu Guanqi said.

Xu Zhiwei asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Gu Guanqi walked to the riverbank, bent down slightly, and looked at the water surface rippling under the moonlight. He immediately activated his divine sense to perceive it.

Immediately, he raised his right hand and struck out with his palm.

In an instant, countless black silk threads surged from his palm, like countless fine tentacles silently shooting into the river water, disappearing into its depths under the moonlight.

Xu Zhiwei's eyes suddenly lit up, and she held her breath, her gaze fixed intently on the direction in which the silk threads disappeared into the water. Wen Shuyi stood quietly beside Gu Guanqi, without uttering a sound.

After about seven or eight breaths, Gu Guanqi suddenly pulled his arm back, "whoosh!"

The water surface suddenly broke open, splashing water everywhere.

A wet figure, wrapped tightly in black silk, was dragged out from the depths of the river. It traced an arc in the moonlight and crashed heavily onto the muddy bank, splashing water everywhere.

It was an old man with a hunched back, his coarse linen clothes clinging tightly to his thin body, his wet hair plastered to his pale cheeks, and his cloudy eyes filled with resentment. He struggled a couple of times, but the silk threads had already tightened layer by layer along his arms, shoulders, and ribs, locking his meridians firmly, and his struggles were completely futile.

Xu Zhiwei's eyes lit up, and she gave Gu Guanqi a thumbs up, saying, "As expected of a sword immortal, as expected of the legend who could destroy a temple single-handedly. I had absolutely no idea where this guy was hiding."

Gu Guanqi said, "His concealment skills are very strong, and I couldn't detect him. However, it seems that there is a problem with his mental will; his mental fluctuations are very large, which is why I was able to detect him."

Feng Xiwan lay on the ground, looking at Gu Guanqi, and suddenly said, "You're Gu Guanqi, the most famous swordsman in the martial world lately? I heard you're only in your early twenties. How about becoming my disciple? I'll teach you unparalleled secret techniques, guaranteeing you'll be the best in the world within ten years, and ascend to immortality within twenty!"

Gu Guanqi was slightly taken aback.

Xu Zhiwei took a sip of wine, slowly squatted down, picked up a twig, and rubbed Feng Xiwan's forehead, saying, "Now I understand why Alliance Leader Gu said you were having such a mental breakdown. You've gone mad. What's Alliance Leader Gu's status? And what's yours? You expect him to become your disciple?"

Feng Xiwan slowly said, "I want him to worship me, not Feng Xiwan."

Xu Zhiwei rubbed Feng Xiwan's head with a twig again and said, "Aren't you Feng Xiwan?"

Feng Xiwan said, "Feng Xiwan is me, but I am not Feng Xiwan."

Xu Zhiwei continued poking Feng Xiwan's head and asked, "Then who are you?"

Feng Xiwan said, "I am the Crimson Heaven Demon King, who has been asleep for a thousand years and is about to awaken. This Feng Xiwan is merely a wisp of my avatar. I have slept for too long and am unaware of the situation in the outside world, so I have sent several avatars to scout ahead—"

At this point, Feng Xiwan suddenly stopped, glaring fiercely at Xu Zhiwei, and angrily said, "Xu Zhiwei, stop! Stop poking me! I've been putting up with you for so long, you know? You come here and immediately start poking my head with a broken twig. Are you crazy?"

Xu Zhiwei chuckled and said, "I'm not sick, you're the one who's sick." As she spoke, she continued poking Feng Xiwan's head, saying, "I just want to see what kind of nonsense is going through your head after you've gone mad!"

"I can't stand you anymore!"

A strange glint suddenly flashed in Feng Xiwan's cloudy eyes.

The next instant, an invisible mental shock surged straight toward Xu Zhiwei.

Xu Zhiwei gently raised her right index finger, and the wisp of green light at the tip of her finger suddenly lit up, like a candle flame standing steadily in a gale, and then she pointed forward.

"Buzz"

A strange mental buzzing sound, like a bubble bursting.

That mental attack vanished instantly.

Xu Zhiwei withdrew her finger, picked up the branch again, and poked Feng Xiwan on the forehead once more: "Is that all you've got?"

Feng Xiwan tilted his head to the side, angrily saying, "Xu Zhiwei! That's enough! Stop poking me! I can't stand you anymore—"

Feng Xiwan's face turned bright red, and he let out a low, angry roar.

The next moment, his eyes glazed over, and then a mental fluctuation appeared in the air.

A ball of light, swirling with dark red light, suddenly surged out from between Feng Xiwan's eyebrows, detached from his body, and hovered in mid-air.

The luminescence had no fixed shape; sometimes it expanded like a ball, sometimes it stretched like a snake, with tiny, spark-like points of light swirling within, flickering uncertainly in the night.

It floated before the crowd, emitting a deep and resonant voice: "Gu Guanqi! I'm giving you one last chance! Become my disciple, and when I return from the Demon Realm, I will make you the greatest in the world, bestowing upon you an empire and all the beauties of the land!"

The voice carried an undeniable pressure, as if every word it uttered was an inviolable destiny.

Xu Zhiwei looked up at the surging light and said, "Are you a demonic fetus or a Dao seed? No wonder your disciple, who was clearly just an ordinary person and had only practiced the Blood-Sucking Divine Skill for a few days, at most increasing his internal energy, could also know other martial arts and use them so skillfully. So you used your spiritual power to implant something in him. What, you're trying to cultivate him and then possess his body?"

The ball of light surged violently, then roared, "Nonsense! I am the Crimson Heaven Demon King, why would I stoop to possessing a mortal's body? Whether it's Feng Xiwan or Ma Yang, they are both my Dharma bodies, and they will awaken in time!"

"You're quite the storyteller! Come back to the Heavenly Dao Sect with me and we'll tell you the story slowly!"

Xu Zhiwei's nonchalant expression softened slightly for a moment, then he made a hand seal.

In an instant, strands of pale blue light, like threads awakened from the void, suddenly surged into the sky and appeared in the air.

The Qi rapidly intertwined and entwined, forming a semi-transparent cage in the blink of an eye. The cage was covered with intricate runes, each line pulsating slightly, like a living, breathing prison, enveloping the luminous light.

The ball of light shuddered violently, and the surging red light within it suddenly became agitated, emitting a sharp and high-pitched shriek.

"Xu Zhiwei, when my true form descends, I will surely slaughter your entire Heavenly Dao Sect!"

The next moment, a muffled explosion rang out, and the ball of light instantly disintegrated, turning into countless tiny red rays that flew in all directions. They were then completely dissipated by the runes of the cage and vanished without a trace in an instant.

Xu Zhiwei frowned and said, "It resolves itself; that's quite ruthless!"

Gu Guanqi looked at Xu Zhiwei and asked, "Master Xu, could you please enlighten me? Who exactly was that person just now?"

Xu Zhiwei shook her head and said, "I don't know who it is either, but it's definitely not the real person. That person must have cultivated a powerful spiritual technique and formed a Dao embryo or a demonic seed. Some say it's called a Yin God."

Simply put, when one cultivates mental techniques to a certain level, a second spiritual will can be formed. In our orthodox Taoist practice, this is called the "Tao Embryo," which is the purest and most authentic state of mind. It can ward off inner demons and lead one to the ultimate Tao, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.

However, some unscrupulous individuals cultivate their Dao embryo into a demonic seed. They then implant this seed into the consciousness of others, guiding them to cultivate their Dao heart, and gradually influencing them until they willingly become a vessel for the demon, their Dao heart merging with the demonic seed to greatly enhance the other person's cultivation. In Daoist tradition, this can be understood as possession.

After saying that, Xu Zhiwei pointed to Feng Xiwan, who was already lifeless on the ground, and said, "This guy should be the furnace cauldron, and the guy who just self-disintegrated should be the demon seed."

Gu Guanqi frowned and said, "This kind of mental manipulation is simply impossible for most people in the martial arts world to defend against."

Xu Zhiwei said, "There's no need to be wary. Although it's a furnace, it has extremely high requirements for talent. Besides meeting the basic requirements, one also needs sufficient temperament and willpower to have a chance to cultivate the Dao Heart."

But this creates a contradiction: people with strong willpower are not so easily influenced by demonic seeds and willingly become furnaces; once the other party resists, it is unlikely that the demonic seed will be able to devour the Dao heart.

Therefore, this method, though seemingly profound, is actually quite simple, because it is extremely difficult. Otherwise, if possession were so easy, it would have caused panic among high-ranking officials, nobles, and especially—the emperor!

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly, then asked, "Then what was that guy talking about, the Crimson Heaven Demon King, the Demon Realm?"

Xu Zhiwei waved his hand and said, "Just ignore this. In our Daoist tradition, the Demon Realm is said to be created by a powerful being named Crimson Heaven Demon King who lost a battle with the Dao Ancestor and then created a new realm called the Demon Realm."

This is definitely false, because the demon realm mentioned in the Daoist Canon does not refer to a specific world, but rather to the world that people see when they are trapped in demonic possession and become demons themselves.

That guy was either possessed, or he knew he couldn't escape and was trying to fool people to find a chance to get away.

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

Xu Zhiwei stretched and said, "Phew, it's finally resolved. We can finally go back. As for the person cultivating the Demon Seed, let Senior Brother Headmaster find a way to do that himself."

After saying this, Xu Zhiwei cupped her hands towards Gu Guanqi and said, "Alliance Leader Gu, thank you very much. If you hadn't been here, I don't know how long I would have had to chase after you!"

Gu Guanqi said, "No need to be polite. Such evil cultivators deserve to be killed by everyone!"

"Great idea!" Xu Zhiwei gave a thumbs up and said, "Since we've met today, let's be friends. If I ever have the chance to visit the Heavenly Dao Sect, I'll treat you to my treasured wine. Of course, if you have any good wine to share with me, that would be even better!"

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Alright, if there's a chance in the future, I'll treat you to a drink."

"Alright, I like people who buy me drinks." Xu Zhiwei glanced at Wen Shuyi and said, "May I ask your name, young lady?"

Wen Shuyi bowed and said, "My name is Wen Shuyi."

Xu Zhiwei said, "So she's the most talented woman in Tianzhou! No wonder she and Alliance Leader Gu look like such a perfect couple, like a match made in heaven!"

Wen Shuyi's cheeks flushed slightly.

Xu Zhiwei glanced at the corpse on the ground and said, "Let's go, let's go!"

With that, she dragged the corpse away.

Gu Guanqi and Wen Shuyi followed and returned together.

When they returned to the Wu family, everyone was still waiting inside.

Upon learning that the heretical cultivator had been dealt with, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. County Lieutenant Pang Tong hesitated before asking Xu Zhiwei, "Master Xu, what should we do with Ma Yang? He practiced heretical arts. If we follow the normal procedures, it will take some time before he is beheaded. I'm afraid that during this time, he might spread his blood-sucking technique, which would be a real problem!"

Xu Zhiwei curled her lip and said, "You officials are all afraid of taking responsibility when you do things."

As she spoke, she pointed directly at Ma Yang.

Ma Yang's body stiffened instantly, and then he collapsed to the ground, no longer moving.

Xu Zhiwei said, "Alright, I'll take this responsibility for you."

Pang Tong smiled and said, "Thank you, Master Xu."

"7

Xu Zhiwei waved her hand, then looked at Wu Ming and said, "Grandpa, could you prepare a couple more rooms? We'd like to stay here for the night too."

Wu Ming quickly replied, "No problem, no problem, I'll have someone arrange it right away."

Immediately, everyone began to leave.

Gu Guanqi and his group went back to their rooms to rest, while Pang Tong led the county government officials and the corpses back to the county government overnight.

Early the next morning.

Gu Guanqi and the others had breakfast at the Wu family's house. Afterwards, Xu Zhiwei left some money as a lodging fee and then took her leave.

There were only three of them, so it was convenient for them to come and go as they pleased.

Gu Guanqi and his group needed to pack up, so they left a little later.

Wu Ming, along with several members of the Wu family, escorted Gu Guanqi and his group out of the town.

After walking all the way to the edge of town, Gu Guanqi cupped his hands and said, "Grandpa, let's stop here. You're getting on in years, so please take some rest."

Wu Ming chuckled and said, "I'm in good health, young friend Gu. If you ever have the chance to pass by again, remember to come and visit me and have a chat with this old man."

"Alright," Gu Guanqi smiled slightly and said, "Then you must take good care of yourself, lest you be gone by the time I arrive."

Wu Ming laughed heartily, patted his chest, and said, "Don't worry, I'm not seriously ill. I can live another three to five years!"

Gu Guanqi smiled, took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket and put it in Wu Ming's hand, saying, "Grandpa, this is a pill I made myself. It has the effect of healing injuries and curing diseases, as well as prolonging life. Keep it safe. If you feel unwell, you can take one."

Wu Ming quickly declined, saying, "This is too valuable, I can't accept it—"

"What's so valuable about it?" Gu Guanqi waved his hand and said, "I'm a doctor, and this is something I made myself. Even the medicinal herbs were given to me by someone else, so it didn't cost me anything. Don't refuse. I was thinking that next time I pass by, I could play chess and chat with you. But I really have important business to attend to this time, otherwise I would have stayed a few more days."

Wu Ming thought for a moment and said, "Since you've said so, then I'll accept it."

Gu Guanqi nodded slightly and said, "It's getting late, we need to hurry on our way. Farewell, until we meet again!"

Wu Ming cupped his hands and said, "Have a safe journey!"

Gu Guanqi cupped his hands in greeting, then mounted his horse.

The group immediately left.

Wu Ming stood at the intersection, watching Gu Guanqi and his group disappear into the distance.

At this moment, a woman behind him said with a hint of resentment, "Father-in-law, I heard from Magistrate Pang last night that he is a top-tier figure in the world, ranking among the best in martial arts, and is also His Majesty's savior. Since you know him, why don't you plan for a better future for your family's descendants?"

The woman was Wu Ming's eldest daughter-in-law.

Wu Ming glanced at the woman, then at the other younger members of the family; their expressions were similar to the woman's.

Wu Ming immediately realized that these people had similar thoughts to his eldest daughter-in-law, all fantasizing about taking the opportunity to rise to the top.

Wu Ming immediately snorted and said, "Stop with your unrealistic ideas. My acquaintance with young friend Gu is purely platonic; we don't talk about the martial world, only about romance. Friends are friends, and those who mix in self-interest are no longer friends."

Another middle-aged man said, "But, Father, precisely because you and he are friends, you should seize this opportunity even more! If Alliance Leader Gu were to promote someone casually, our family would benefit immensely."

Wu Ming waved his hand and said, "I have some connection with him, but don't mistake this connection for an opportunity. People who are not on the same level should not force things together, otherwise it will bring disaster instead of opportunity."

"Even if he promotes you, gives you official positions, or provides you with an opportunity, what happens afterward? Do you have the ability to protect yourself? Officials have political enemies, and even unparalleled martial arts skills have thieves eyeing them. How will you defend yourself?"

The middle-aged man said, "But what about Alliance Leader Gu—"

Wu Ming said, "Does he have to protect you every day? Why should he?"

"this----"

Wu Ming waved his hand and said, "You can't even learn my little bit of martial arts, so don't be so ambitious. Young friend Gu is at a higher level, and the opportunity he bestows is not something you can grasp."

The worst thing a person can do is be arrogant; you must learn to recognize your own limitations. Okay, stop thinking about that. Go back, focus on what you can control right now, and live your life to the fullest!

The Wu family members remained silent and slowly returned.

The order of the martial arts world in Qizhou is very good.

Gu Guanqi and his group traveled through Qizhou. Apart from accidentally encountering a wicked cultivator practicing the Blood-Sucking Divine Skill in Wujia Town, the journey was peaceful. They did not encounter any bandits or shady shops.

Although the main reason was that they always took the official roads, in other states, even the official roads were not necessarily peaceful.

Just as Gu Guanqi and the others left Qizhou, Xu Zhiwei, who had gone in another direction, returned to Taiwang Mountain.

Mount Taiwang, the first mountain in Qizhou, is majestic and magnificent with unique scenery.

From afar, the peaks resemble swords piercing the clouds. A light mist lingers above the mountainside year-round, and sunlight pours down through the gaps in the clouds, painting the layered mountains into a beautiful ink painting.

There are many Taoist temples in the mountains, scattered along the winding mountain paths. They have green tiles and white walls, flying eaves and brackets, and copper bells hanging from the eaves. When the wind blows, they tinkle and echo in the empty valley, adding a touch of otherworldly charm.

-

Pilgrims came in an endless stream, and wisps of smoke rose from the incense burners in each hall, mingling with the fresh scent of mountain plants and trees, permeating the air on both sides of the stone steps.

But the real Tianyi Sect is actually located deep in the mountains, in an inconspicuous peak.

The mountain peak was not high, hidden among a grove of ancient, verdant trees, and if one did not look closely, it would almost blend into the surrounding landscape.

A narrow stone path winds its way up from the foot of the mountain, flanked by ancient trees whose intertwined branches filter the sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. Occasionally, a few wild orchids bloom quietly among the rocks, their fragrance faint and elusive.

Follow the path to the end, and you'll find a very ordinary Taoist temple. Gray tiles and green walls, mottled wooden doors, no plaques, no couplets.

The Taoist temple is not large; upon entering, there is a Sanqing Hall.

Xu Zhiwei passed through the mountain gate and entered the courtyard.

She was still wearing a gray-white Taoist robe, with a wine gourd hanging from her waist. Her hair was a little messy, and a wooden hairpin was crookedly stuck in her hair bun, as if it might fall off at any moment.

She walked to the entrance of the main hall.

Dozens of Taoist priests, men and women, young and old, sat cross-legged inside the hall, all holding their breath in concentration. The hall was so quiet that the occasional soft tinkling of the copper bells on the eaves could be heard.

An old Taoist priest with a white beard sat upright on a futon in front of everyone, facing the entrance of the hall.

He appeared to be around seventy or eighty years old, with white hair and beard, but a gaunt face, and wore a purple Taoist robe. His eyes were slightly closed as he spoke.

...The Tao is the mystery of all things, the treasure of the virtuous, and the refuge of the wicked. Fine words can gain respect, and virtuous deeds can win people's favor. The wicked...

"6

His voice was neither hurried nor slow.

He would patiently answer any questions his disciples raised.

This person is Zhang Daoji, the current leader of the Tianyi Sect, whose Daoist name is Suzhen.

He hadn't been active in the martial arts world for many years, and few young people there knew his name. However, recently, his reputation has spread again.

Because in the three rankings of the Heavenly Realm and the Divine Realm by the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, he was ranked fifth on the Heavenly Ranking.

Xu Zhiwei leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, listening as she untied the gourd from her waist, uncorked it, and took a swig.

Sunlight streamed in from behind her, falling on her shoulders and casting a soft glow on her somewhat languid face.

As she listened, she slowly slid down and sat on the threshold, leaning against the doorframe with one leg casually bent and the other leg stretched out onto the blue brick floor. She stopped drinking, simply placing the gourd on her lap, then tilted her head and fell into a deep sleep against the doorframe.

Her face, which usually carried a hint of nonchalance, appeared exceptionally peaceful in her sleep. Occasionally, a breeze would drift through the courtyard, ruffling her loose hair and wide sleeves, but she remained unawakened.

The Taoist scriptures continued to be recited in the hall, and Zhang Daoji's voice echoed slowly and deliberately in the empty hall.

The Taoist priests in the main hall seemed to be used to Xu Zhiwei's casual behavior. No one bothered her. Even as the Taoist priests left one after another, they tried to walk around her quietly so as not to disturb her sleep.

After a long while, Xu Zhiwei's eyelashes trembled slightly.

She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze still a little unfocused, and saw a smiling face close to hers.

His eyes curved into two crescent moons, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes piled up, making him look kind and gentle.

It is Zhang Daoji.

He squatted in front of the threshold, one hand supporting his knee, the other holding a blade of grass he had picked up from somewhere. He was smiling as he approached Xu Zhiwei, as if he was about to poke her nose with the grass.

Xu Zhiwei's dazed gaze lingered on that old face for a moment, then she raised her right hand, spread her fingers, and pressed them against Zhang Daoji's face without any politeness. She pushed him back, her tone muffled and impatient as if she had just woken up: "Senior brother, how long has it been since you took a bath? You woke me up with your stench!"

'

Zhang Daoji wasn't annoyed that Xu Zhiwei was pressing his face down. He straightened up and chuckled as he smoothed his beard, which Xu Zhiwei had messed up. His tone was a mix of grievance and teasing: "But it's not as strong a smell of alcohol as you, Junior Sister."

66

Xu Zhiwei yawned and glanced at Zhang Daoji with annoyance: "You stink, but the wine smells good."

Zhang Daoji didn't argue with Xu Zhiwei. He smiled and sat down next to her on the threshold, saying with a chuckle, "Junior Sister, you must have had a hard time coming down the mountain. But I knew that with you personally taking charge, everything would be fine."

Xu Zhiwei, holding her wine gourd, pouted and said, "Don't flatter me. My success this time was purely due to good luck. I ran into the Sword Immortal Gu Guanqi. If he hadn't caught that old guy, I don't know how long we would have been chasing him."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Daoji slightly opened his crescent-shaped eyes and said, "Sword Immortal Gu Guanqi, huh? He's quite an extraordinary figure! It's truly unexpected that the Great Qian Dynasty's martial arts are so prosperous. The era of Jun Ziyou and Ye Wudi hasn't even passed yet, and now Gu Guanqi has arrived!"

Xu Zhiwei asked, "You said before that if I had another twenty years, I would have a chance to catch up with Jun Ziyou and Ye Wudi? How long do you think it would take, Gu Guanqi?"

Zhang Daoji slowly extended one finger.

"Ten years?" Xu Zhiwei asked.

Zhang Daoji shook his head slightly.

Xu Zhiwei asked in surprise, "It can't be a year, can it?"

Zhang Daoji shook his head slightly and said, "It's just a matter of a single thought!"

"What do you mean?" Xu Zhiwei asked.

Zhang Daoji said, "Gu Guanqi created the Path of Passion, which is said to increase one's cultivation level the deeper one's feelings. If one day he encounters a woman of unparalleled beauty and falls deeply in love with her, his cultivation level may directly reach the level of Gentleman You Ye Wudi."

Just like the story of Junzi You back then, who, by chance, encountered a demon harming the people. The demon's actions triggered painful memories of his childhood. Then, that sword strike that killed the demon almost allowed him to ascend to immortality!

Xu Zhiwei suddenly realized, "I understand. In other words, Gu Guanqi has been moved while traveling the world, but he lacks a woman he can love deeply."

"Yes, that's it," Zhang Daoji said.

Xu Zhiwei tossed her hair and said, "Isn't that me? Unparalleled beauty, stunningly gorgeous, the number one beauty of the Heavenly Dao Sect, tsk tsk tsk, if I were to flirt with him, he definitely wouldn't be able to resist my charm and would fall uncontrollably in love. In that case, he'd probably ascend to immortality!"

Zhang Daoji: "————"

"You don't believe me?" Xu Zhiwei grabbed Zhang Daoji's beard.

Zhang Daoji quickly replied, "I believe you. Junior Sister, you are a woman of extraordinary beauty. If you take the initiative, which man wouldn't fall in love with you?"

"Hmph," Xu Zhiwei loosened Zhang Daoji's beard and said, "You don't need to tell me, I know it myself."

Zhang Daoji straightened his beard and said, "However, Gu Guanqi seems quite different from Jun Ziyou and Ye Wudi. If you say he's not interested in power, then why does he control Hongzhou, and now he's making moves in Qizhou as well?"

To say he's interested in power is one thing, but he doesn't actually strive for it; he just wanders around all day. Sigh, I don't know if his existence is a blessing or a curse to the martial arts world!

Xu Zhiwei pursed her lips and said, "Whether it's a blessing or a curse, what can you do? Can you beat him?"

Zhang Daoji laughed and said, "Then I definitely can't beat him. Even the Lotus Pond Saint Monk of the Great Bright Temple might not be able to beat him."

Xu Zhiwei said, "The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion ranked the Lotus Pond Saint Monk ahead of Gu Guanqi."

"Youth has the upper hand," Zhang Daoji said. "How old is Gu Guanqi? And how old is the Holy Monk Lianchi?"

"That's true," Xu Zhiwei nodded and said, "By the way, let me tell you, although Feng Xiwan is dead, the matter is not over yet. Someone has cultivated a demonic seed and planted it in his consciousness."

Zhang Daoji sighed and said, "I never imagined that after forty years, someone would have mastered the Demon Seed Technique again."

Xu Zhiwei asked doubtfully, "Was anyone able to master it forty years ago?"

Zhang Daoji nodded and said, "That person from forty years ago was from our Tianyi Sect. He almost caused a great disaster in the martial arts world. He called himself the Crimson Heaven Demon King and wanted to lead the human world into the demon realm. In the end, it was the previous sect leader, our master, who personally went down the mountain to clean up the sect."

However, after that trip down the mountain, my master never returned, and the demon also disappeared, presumably perishing together with me. It was only then that I was forced into the position of sect leader.

Xu Zhiwei's pupils contracted slightly. "You're saying he calls himself the Crimson Heaven Demon King?" she asked.

"Yes, what's wrong?" Zhang Daoji asked.

Xu Zhiwei slowly said, "The demonic seed within Feng Xiwan's consciousness also calls itself the Crimson Heaven Demon King!"

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