I am a wandering immortal in the mortal realm.

The bright moon hangs high, its clear light shining down.

Everyone looked up and saw that the surrounding world, which was originally filled with ghostly mist and evil energy, had now dispersed to the side, as if it had been forcibly broken open by some force, revealing the sky above filled with rosy clouds.

It was dusk outside, but the appearance of the evil spirit had greatly increased the evil energy, making the light of day dim and difficult to see.

But looking at it now, next to the high-hanging setting sun, a bright moon has quietly risen, presenting a magnificent scene of the sun and moon shining together, a sight rarely seen in a century!

However, the sun is the real sun, but the moon is not.

But everyone was still awestruck and mesmerized by the magnificent scenery before them.

Little did they know that no matter how magnificent the scenery or how beautiful the colors, in the eyes of those ghosts and evil spirits, it contained the most extreme danger!

Zheng Baojuan could no longer maintain his initial composure. Within the small world where the spirit was imprisoned, he kept screaming and roaring.

He raised his head, and in his gray, malevolent eyes, the bright moon in the sky was reflected, but deep in his eyes, the deepest fear flickered.

Xuan Qingzi had long practiced meditation and his cultivation was superb. He was the first to break free from the illusion before him, turned his head, and stared at the Taoist in disbelief.

But the Taoist priest held a long sword, pointing it diagonally into the air. His once black hair was now covered with layers of white frost, his skin was wrinkled, and his figure was hunched over...

Yet his entire demeanor became extremely ethereal, his figure appearing and disappearing as if he were about to transcend at any moment.

"Fellow Daoist!"

Xuan Qingzi roared, his eyes reddening and his heart trembling slightly. He guessed that the Taoist must have sacrificed himself to save the people of Linquan Town by using a move that would lead to mutual destruction.

In comparison, my previous smugness seemed so ridiculous and ugly!

"It is my incompetence that is the cause!"

Xuan Qingzi lay on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, and angrily pounded the ground.

I feel like I've wasted seventy years of my life, and I'm not even as responsible as a young person.

At this moment, he was completely impressed by Shen Yuan's magnanimity and composure. In his regret and shame, a faint voice suddenly rang in his ears: "Where the Dao lies, only heaven and earth are vast!"

He felt a chill run down his spine. When he looked up again, the full moon in the sky had leisurely vanished, transforming into countless sword lights, lying hidden within the blazing sun and neon lights, concealed in the gentle breeze and drizzle, some curved, some straight, some dim, some bright, flowing down continuously.

Zheng Baojuan's expression changed drastically. He wanted to use the illicit silver to escape, but the sword intent kept piercing his mind.

He had a premonition that no matter where he fled, the sword would strike there.

The Tao shines upon all directions and responds to all needs!

Under the pervasive Taoist aura, all the Taoist priests felt a sense of peace, their eyes clearing. They clasped their hands in greeting to the Taoist priest and chanted in unison: "The melodious sounds resonate, the ten directions are purified, rivers and seas are silent, mountains swallow smoke. All spirits are subdued, and immortals are summoned. The heavens are free of impurity, the earth is free of demonic dust..."

In an instant, the heavens and earth collapsed, and mountains and seas shifted.

At first, everyone saw only a glimmer of light, which then quickly shone brightly...

"No!!!"

With a deafening ghostly howl, everyone's vision went completely white. When their vision returned, the world was peaceful and quiet, the ghostly mist had dissipated, and there was not a trace of the evil spirits left.

Only Zheng Baojuan's limp body lay on the ground!

"Fourth Brother!"

"Fourth brother!"

The Zheng siblings exclaimed in surprise and ran towards Zheng Baojuan's direction.

Xuan Qingzi's first thought was of the Taoist.

He had just witnessed with his own eyes the Daoist's vitality fading and his rapid aging.

But when he looked over again, the Taoist still had flowing black hair and a tall, straight figure, but he was leaning on his sword with both hands, his eyes were slightly closed, and he looked tired.

Xuan Qingzi was startled, thinking he was seeing things. He rubbed his eyes and stared intently, but a different scene seemed to appear before him—

As the stars and moon turned and all things withered and flourished, a glimmer of life emerged from nothing, quietly sprouting from the old and frail body of the Taoist priest. It then quickly grew into a new Taoist priest, leaping out of the old body.

He still had his sleeves tucked in, his features clear and bright, but now he exuded an air of otherworldly refinement. He turned to look at his aged body, smiled, and with a gentle breath, the body vanished like smoke...

Xuan Qingzi's eyelids twitched, and he almost cried out in horror: "Severing...severing the corpse?!?"

When I came to my senses again, the scene before me seemed as if it had never happened. The world was still the same world, and the Taoist priest was still the same Taoist priest.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that he must have seen wrong. How could such a legendary miracle as the dismemberment of a corpse happen to a young Taoist?

However, another thought quietly arose in his mind: "This Taoist possesses extraordinary abilities. For him to join the Zhengyi sect would be a waste of his talent. While he remains a hidden dragon, before he rises to power, I must speak to the sect leader and persuade him to join us. In this way, our Quanzhen sect will gain another great general!"

"Fellow Daoist...!" Xuan Qingzi called out softly after a moment's thought, then paused and asked, "Are you alright?"

After waiting for a long time without any response, his expression changed, and he thought that something had happened to the Taoist priest.

Just as he was about to struggle forward, a hoarse, weary voice suddenly rang in his ears: "I have not failed you!"

Xuan Qingzi paused, then suddenly became serious, bowed deeply, and said firmly, "I am Dao Changxing!"

The Taoist smiled, and his body suddenly swayed as if he were about to fall at any moment.

"Fellow Daoist!"

"Master Daoist!"

Everyone realized something was wrong and was about to help when they heard a strange cry coming from afar.

"Woof—"

Then came the dull thud of footsteps.

A blue mist rose again between heaven and earth.

Although it wasn't as sinister as the previous ghostly mist, it still possessed an indescribable eerie and uncanny quality.

Xuan Qingzi's expression changed, thinking that the evil spirit was not dead and that demonic energy was rising again in the world. He immediately shouted, "Form ranks! Prepare for battle!"

The Taoist priests were startled and hurriedly drew their swords, standing in a row to protect the Taoist priest closely behind them.

It must be said that although the Zhengyi and Quanzhen sects are constantly fighting amongst themselves, they are united in their attitude towards evil forces and heretics!

Where the Way lies, there the righteous path leads!

These are the teachings left by countless sages and predecessors, and they have long been engraved in the bones of every righteous person.

"Knock knock knock..."

The sound of footsteps grew closer, and everyone's heart sank.

When the silhouette of a colossal figure was revealed through the thin mist, even Xuan Qingzi swallowed hard, unable to remain calm any longer.

If he had been confident of fighting an hour ago, now that his side is full of defeated soldiers, it's hard to say who will win if they fight again!

"Whoosh—"

The shadowy figure drew closer.

Suddenly, two eerie green lights appeared and hovered in mid-air, startling everyone.

Zheng Baozhu felt that the figure was strangely familiar, and couldn't help but exchange a glance with her brother. The two siblings looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Woof!!!"

Another long, eerie howl rang out. Xuan Qingzi's eyes widened, and he shouted sharply, "Halt, you intruder!"

"Woof!"

Hearing the sound, the dark figure in the mist stopped, but let out another howl, seemingly with some dissatisfaction.

With a whoosh, two more eerie lights ignited beside the dark figure.

Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be another short figure crouching there.

"Taoist Master, don't rush to attack. I...I might recognize them!" Zheng Baozhu suddenly spoke up.

Xuan Qingzi's hand, which was holding the precious mirror, suddenly paused. He turned his head, frowning in confusion, and asked, "You recognize them?"

Zheng Baozhu swallowed hard, then hesitated before saying, "I think I have a guess. They...they must be Master Shen's friends!"

She didn't mention anything about being a tenant or anything like that, only saying they were friends. Anyway, there are plenty of stories about Taoist spirits and monsters in the folk tales, so saying it out loud doesn't require much explanation.

"Friends?" Xuan Qingzi frowned.

"Taoist Master, let me go and talk to them!" Zheng Baozhu took a deep breath and volunteered.

"No way!" Zheng Baojin was the first to object.

"Brother, the Taoist priest saved us. If we get into a fight with his friend because of a misunderstanding, how will we explain it to him afterwards?"

"But..." Zheng Baojin's tone was anxious. He paused, then said in a deep voice, "Then I'll go with you!"

Zheng Baozhu shook her head and said seriously, "No need, eldest brother, you can take care of fourth brother!"

Xuan Qingzi then gave a wink, and seeing a disciple step forward, he said, "Layman, I am physically disabled, and you cannot use my magical artifacts, but you possess a spiritual talisman. If the opponent intends to attack, it should be able to defend you to some extent. Let this disciple of mine accompany you! Rest assured, I will keep a close eye on you!"

"Thank you, Taoist priest!"

Zheng Baozhu nodded, not refusing the other party's kindness.

She nodded to the Taoist priest beside her, took a deep breath to calm herself, and then stepped forward.

In fact, the two were not far apart. Zheng Baozhu quickly walked up to the dark figure. Through the thin blue mist, she could even hear the other person's heavy breathing.

"Brother Niu... is that you?" Zheng Baozhu asked somewhat fearfully.

Suddenly a strange wind blew, splitting the blue mist into two lines, revealing the true form of the dark shadow.

The enormous creature was indeed a takin, but on its head rode a round, chubby black fox that looked rather endearing.

The green light that was floating in mid-air just now was its eye.

Next to the takin was a red fox, whom they had met once before.

It squatted obediently, exuding elegance from head to toe, and its gaze toward Zheng Baozhu seemed to contain a hidden smile.

Zheng Baozhu felt a chill run down her spine and couldn't help but shiver. After a long pause, she said, "Fox, it really is you. Are you here to see the Taoist priest?"

"Yes, layperson!"

A sharp, thin voice suddenly rang out, startling Zheng Baozhu, who couldn't help but cry out.

"not good!"

Xuan Qingzi was on edge. When he heard Zheng Baozhu scream, he thought it was a demon attacking and raised his magic mirror to make a move.

"Layman, get out of the way!"

Using the Pure Yang Treasure Mirror consumes a great deal of vital energy, and he was already at his limit, so this attack had to be successful, otherwise Zheng Baozhu would be in danger.

Unexpectedly, just as he raised his hand halfway, he suddenly felt a heat in front of him, as if a raging fire was surging towards him. He instinctively blocked it, and immediately felt a pain in his hand. The Pure Yang Treasure Mirror had been knocked away.

He couldn't help but show a look of surprise, and when he looked down, the back of his hand was already charred black.

Looking up again, he saw the takin with white steam rising from its nose, its four hooves pounding the ground, nodding repeatedly at him.

Hu Xiaomei tapped the takin's big head a few times and said excitedly, "Takin, you missed, but you've gotten stronger too."

It remembered that the takin would become extremely weak after each burst of fire.

This time, it acted like nothing had happened.

It is clear that fighting and dueling on a regular basis is not without its advantages.

"Woof!" the takin barked triumphantly.

Zheng Baozhu snapped out of her daze, her expression changing drastically. She hurriedly said, "Don't do it! Don't do it! It's a misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding!"

Only after the fighting subsided did she pat her chest, look at Sister Hu with a strange expression, and awkwardly ask, "Fox, are you taking the Taoist priest up the mountain?"

"By the decree of the Patriarch, Abbot Shen Yuan is to be welcomed back to the mountain!"

The fox's shrill voice rang out again, its eyes flashing with an eerie light, as if it could see through people's hearts.

Zheng Baozhu felt a chill run down her spine and shivered, but still said, "But the Taoist priest isn't in very good condition right now!"

"It's okay, we have cows!"

"Then...then..."

Zheng Baozhu didn't know what else to say, so she reluctantly stepped aside.

The two foxes and the ox came to Xuan Qingzi's side again.

Hu Xiaomei suddenly straightened up, her attitude becoming more respectful: "Sister Hu, the spirit fox of Yiyuan Temple, greets the Daoist Master!"

A fox bowing to a Taoist priest—the scene was strange no matter how you looked at it.

Not to mention Xuan Qingzi, even his disciples behind him were rustling and whispering among themselves, as if they had seen some strange sight.

Xuan Qingzi's lips twitched, and his eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

This damned fox spirit under my command—am I supposed to be calling a demon a fellow Daoist?

"Hehe...hehe..."

He chuckled dryly twice, and after a long while, out of respect for "Yiyuan Temple" and "Shen Yuan," he replied in a lukewarm tone, "So...so it's Fellow Daoist Hu!"

Sister Hu was not annoyed by Xuan Qingzi's attitude. It was common for those with profound skills to look down on them, and she was already used to it.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so persistent in transforming into a human. Nor would it have taken the risk of trying to ascend to heaven in one step and become a fox spirit.

Sister Hu chuckled lightly, speaking in a businesslike manner: "I am acting on the orders of the Patriarch to welcome Abbot Shen Yuan back to the mountain!"

"You..." Xuan Qingzi frowned, hesitatingly asking, "How can you prove it?"

The demons are cunning. What if they tricked Fellow Daoist Shen and secretly harmed him? Wouldn't he become a sinner for all time?

Therefore, Xuan Qingzi had to be extremely careful!

Sister Hu wagged her tail, pondering how to prove it, when a weak voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"Fellow Daoists, it's you who have arrived!"

The crowd parted automatically, and Shen Yuan, supported by two Taoist priests, staggered out.

"Master Dao, you look terrible!" The fox took two steps forward, looked up at him quietly.

Shen Yuanqiang forced his eyelids open and grinned, "Not bad, I'm not dead!"

"Woof!"

The takin trotted over and tried to rub its big head against him, but Hu Xiaomei punched it hard twice.

Shen Yuan coughed lightly, a wry smile on his face, and reached out to touch the takin's fluffy head, but a warm feeling welled up inside him.

Just then, the takin suddenly knelt down on all fours and lay low.

"Master Dao, the ox will carry you!" Hu Xiaomei called out with a smile.

Shen Yuan knew this, of course, but he didn't say anything. He looked down at Brother Niu's broad back and felt a surge of indescribable emotion.

He wondered if, having come to such a strange world, he finally had a partner he could entrust his life to?

Without hesitation, he lifted his foot and sat on the ox's back.

"Fellow Daoist..." Xuan Qingzi called out from behind, his tone somewhat worried.

The Taoist priest turned around and slowly said, "This matter is settled, fellow Daoist, it is time for me to return to the mountain!"

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I will truthfully report your merits to the Jade Capital," Xuan Qingzi said solemnly, seeing that he was determined to leave.

The Taoist simply waved his hand, and the ox got up and slowly walked forward.

The fox nimbly darted a few steps, then paused, turned its head to glance at the Taoist priests, smiled, and then disappeared back into the thin mist...

Xuan Qingzi opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent, only saying, "Respectfully bidding you farewell, fellow Daoist!"

The disciples behind him exchanged glances and said in unison, "Respectfully seeing off the Daoist Master!"

……

"The moon is so round tonight!"

"How is Master Dao?"

"I don't know if he's fast asleep or just passed out, but we can't wake him up, though he's still breathing."

"..."

"Sister, shouldn't we take care of him?"

Sister Hu turned her head and glanced at the Taoist priest. The takin was sleeping beside him, warming him with its body heat.

Then, it looked up at the sky.

The clouds had silently dispersed, revealing a bright moon hanging in the azure sky, its clear light spilling down like a ribbon.

The moonlight was not as cold as usual; it seemed to have gained weight, enveloping everything heavily and gently, creating a floating expanse of shimmering silver.

It shook its head: "The opportunity of the new moon and full moon is rare; come with me to worship the moon!"

"yes!"

Hu Xiaomei was unusually well-behaved. She squatted down facing her sister, took out the moon grass, and took it with her sister.

In an instant, the two foxes' eyes shone brightly, and their spiritual energy increased. Using this mysterious energy, one exhaled and the other inhaled, and they began to breathe in and out the moonlight.

Sensing this, the moon in the sky generously bestowed its blessings, and its light suddenly thickened, instantly enveloping the small temple nestled in the mountains.

Suddenly, the sleeping takin seemed to stir, and the remaining moon grass in its body began to work its magic.

The omnipresent moonlight, as if drawn by some invisible rhythm, actually split off a line and slowly converged towards it and the Taoist beside it.

The moonlight filtered out tiny, exquisite halos of light, as fine as millet grains, as glistening as dew, and carrying a golden warmth, fluttering down from the heavens and sprinkling upon the man and the ox.

"Boom..."

Before the ox had even woken up, its body had already begun to automatically generate thunderous sounds.

The Taoist's aura suddenly came into contact with it, and unknowingly, it opened its doors and began to actively absorb it.

Under the moonlight, atop the altar, the two characters "Heaven and Earth" seemed to glow with a shimmering light. Boundless spiritual responses descended, accompanied by merits; as the Daoist aura manifested, a profound divine light emanated from the Daoist's body.

But what no one knew was that the wordless Taoist scripture placed beside the Taoist priest and the wooden sword was also undergoing a strange change.

The character "Dao" on the cover spreads out like ripples, the ink flowing and transforming into four large characters in an instant—"The Imperial Decree of the Heavenly Emperor".

"call……"

A gentle breeze blows, and as the cover is opened, the first sentence reads: "The law manifests in the four seasons, the mechanism of the eight winds is stolen, the six energies enter the pivot, and the Dao returns to its root..."