Honghuang: It makes sense that there are four Sanqing, right?

After being guided away, Xu Qing and Yuanshi Tongtian first went to Fengdu in the underworld to meet the former ancestor of earth immortals, now the Great Emperor of Fengdu—Zhen Yuanzi.

When Xu Qing and the others arrived at the Fengdu Hall, Zhen Yuanzi was annotating official documents. He, who used to wear a black and yellow Taoist robe, was now dressed in a black imperial robe, which added to his majesty.

"My dear brother!"

The three figures appeared at the entrance of the Fengdu Hall. Zhen Yuanzi sensed the familiar presence, immediately put down his pen, and quickly walked to the entrance, calling out to Xu Qing at the same time.

Xu Qing also cupped his hands in return and smiled.

"Brother Dao, how have you been?"

Zhen Yuanzi, dressed in a black imperial robe, grasped Xu Qing's hand, patted his shoulder, and sighed.

"How have you been? How have you been?"

"Before Yuanshi Tongtian Nuwa led the four fellow Daoists to Kunlun Mountain, she told me, 'I'm not trying to criticize you, but your plan was really too risky. Fortunately, judging from your appearance, you should have won a great victory.'"

As Zhen Yuanzi spoke, a relieved smile appeared on his face, as if he, Zhen Yuanzi, was the one who had survived the ordeal, not Xu Qing.

"Don't worry, fellow Daoist, I know what I'm doing, and the four fellow Daoists have protected me very well."

Xu Qing looked at Zhen Yuanzi with concern in his eyes and felt a warm current in his heart. Apart from his three older brothers, Zhen Yuanzi and Houtu were the people with whom he had the best relationship in the prehistoric world.

Zhen Yuanzi examined Xu Qing carefully, still uneasy, and then used his divine sense to sense him again.

In fact, he also knew that Xu Qing's strength and realm were now far superior to his own, so if Xu Qing really wanted to hide something, Zhen Yuanzi would naturally have no way of knowing.

However... the answer lies right there in the riddle itself, and Zhen Yuanzi is still not entirely at ease, that's all.

Xu Qing neither dodged nor avoided, quietly waiting for Zhen Yuanzi to observe him carefully.

Tongtian and Yuanshi watched this scene with a hint of jealousy. It seemed that Zhenyuanzi, their sworn brother, treated Xu Qing better than their own biological brother.

But there's a reason for this. Tongtian and Yuanshi directly participated in the great battle against the Four Fiends, and they witnessed Xu Qing's injuries and treatment. In addition, their cultivation levels were higher than Zhen Yuanzi's, so they naturally didn't need to observe him so closely.

Zhen Yuanzi, on the other hand, neither saw it directly nor possessed the necessary level of understanding, which led to the current situation.

After a while, Zhen Yuanzi patted Xu Qing on the shoulder and said.

"Indeed, my cultivation has reached a higher level, my brother. You no longer need me."

"By the way, my dear brother, I have already moved the ginseng fruit tree and Wuzhuang Temple to Fengdu City. The ginseng fruit wine I had accumulated before is also in the cellar. Now that you have returned in triumph, why don't you join your foolish brother for a good drink?"

After saying that, Zhen Yuanzi seemed to suddenly remember that Yuanshi and Tongtian were still beside him, and then said something else.

"Fellow Daoist Yuanshi, Fellow Daoist Tongtian, you should join us too, and have some fun with this lonely fellow."

Yuanshi and Tongtian exchanged a glance, unsure of what expression to make, and could only manage an awkward smile.

"Excellent, excellent."

Xu Qing gave the same answer.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

"Hahaha!" Zhen Yuanzi laughed loudly, flicked his sleeves with a magnanimous gesture, and said as he walked backward.

"Please~"

Xu Qing then led Yuanshi Tongtian into Fengdu, and after many twists and turns, they entered a pavilion.

Qingfeng and Mingyue had already set out the wine vessels, and various dishes were laid out on the Eight Immortals table. Upon seeing Zhen Yuanzi and Xu Qing enter, they first greeted them respectfully.

"Greetings, sir. Greetings, gentlemen."

Zhen Yuanzi and Xu Qing nodded with smiles. Yuanshi Tongtian then threw a post-natal spiritual treasure to the two boys. The two boys thanked him respectfully and then went to pour wine into their cups.

Zhen Yuanzi sat in the main seat. As soon as he sat down, his black imperial robe changed back into a dark yellow Daoist robe. Then he waved his hand and greeted everyone with a cheerful smile.

"Fellow Daoists, please sit down."

Xu Qing and the other two said "Good," bowed slightly, and then sat down in order of seniority, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

After everyone was seated, Zhen Yuanzi picked up his wine cup and cupped his hands in greeting to Xu Qing and the others.

"Fellow Daoists, please~"

"Please~"

Zhen Yuanzi smiled, then raised his wine cup with both hands and drank the ginseng fruit wine in one gulp. Yuanshi Tongtian Xu Qing did the same, swallowing the fruit wine.

The fruit wine is fragrant and sweet on the palate. I don’t know how Zhen Yuanzi brewed it, but the sweetness and alcohol flavor are perfectly blended. Those who like sweet drinks will not find it spicy, and those who like strong liquor will not find it tasteless.

Enjoying the aroma of wine and delicious food, though there was no music, the four of them were all old acquaintances, and they often chatted about old stories and reminisced about the past, which added to the fun. For a time, the host and guests were all happy.

The drinking party lasted for three or four days, and all four of them were a little drunk, until Zhen Yuanzi stood up and said...

"I have a post in the underworld. The world is a cycle of yin and yang, and the judgment of good and evil is something that even the Kings of Hell cannot be sure of. It is up to me, the Great Emperor of Fengdu, to make the decision. Taking three or four days off is already the limit. The banquet has come to this point, and I am afraid I must excuse myself."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingyuan and Shi Tongtian also stood up, their divine power surging to dispel the smell of alcohol, and cupped their hands in greeting.

"Brother, please go ahead."

"Fellow Daoist, please go ahead."

Zhen Yuanzi looked at Xu Qing with some reluctance before changing his yellow Taoist robe into a black imperial robe. He then heard the Great Emperor of Fengdu say something as he left.

"The Netherworld and Fengdu Imperial City, though quiet and peaceful, lack human presence. As the ruler of the Netherworld, I am burdened with the labor of official documents and the hardship of compiling records. I hope my virtuous brother will visit me more often."

Xu Qing was equally reluctant. Upon hearing this, he was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. However, the crisis in the prehistoric world was still unresolved, and the tribulations of the gods and demons and the imperial beasts were still looming ahead.

Therefore, Xu Qing dared not give a rash answer and could only give a vague reply.

"well."

It was unclear how Zhen Yuanzi reacted, but when Xu Qing looked up again, the figure in black was already gone.

"Sigh~"

Xu Qing sighed, and Yuanshi and Tongtian, who were standing behind him, surrounded him and said the same thing.

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi must be someone who enjoys excitement and is free from desires. Back then, at the Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain, he took in many victims of the Lich War."

"Now that I am living in seclusion in the netherworld, and burdened by official documents and trivial matters, I can truly say that I am suffering."

Xu Qing looked surprised, then suddenly realized that he had thought it would be a good thing to let Zhen Yuanzi become the ruler of Fengdu, but he did not expect that this would go against his nature.

"It is I who have caused trouble for you, fellow Daoist."

Unfortunately, Zhen Yuanzi has now firmly established himself as the Emperor of Fengdu, connected to the fate of the underworld, and cannot be easily replaced. Perhaps we could add a deputy to handle official documents, but Zhen Yuanzi is a responsible person and will inevitably have to oversee things himself, so the final result may not be good.

"The primordial world has suffered such a great calamity, and Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi was born with the Book of Earth. Perhaps it is Heaven's will to resolve this calamity. Fourth Brother, there is no need to blame yourself. Just resolve the matter of the Great Calamity as soon as possible. When the situation is stable, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi can return to Wuzhuang Temple and live a carefree life."