In the empty grand hall, dimly colored lamps were lit all around.
With a faint purple hue, occasionally swaying, it seemed as if there were glimpses of figures, like various exotic beasts.
"Qin Ji, Sect Master of Triumphant Mountain, requests an audience with the Lord of the Forbidden Zone."
Before the figure who bowed and made the request, there stood a fleshy statue adorned with numerous souls covered in thick bloodstains, as if they had just been extracted from the bodies of cultivators.
The fleshy statue suddenly opened its eyes and emitted an extremely chilling voice.
"A hundred years have passed, and this is all the offering you bring? Do you really have the audacity to disturb me?"
"Please understand, it is not easy to hunt in the middle layer of the realm. I have almost been discovered by other sects several times, so..."
Qin Ji was desperately explaining.
"I don't want to hear about that. I only care about the amount of offerings. If you want to unify the middle layer of the realm, you must provide more offerings. This meager offering is not enough for me to assist you."
Qin Ji, who was bowing, remained silent and slowly straightened his body. His expression became calm, devoid of any reverence, as he spoke.
"If you don't offer me some benefits, it will be difficult for me to assist you, right, Lord of the Forbidden Zone, who has been half-dead from the previous era?"
A fierce red light flickered in the eyes of the fleshy statue. "Do you, a tiny ant, dare to threaten me?"
"Naturally, I wouldn't dare to threaten you. However, if I were to die, your offerings would naturally decrease. But if I could truly unify the middle layer of the realm, your offerings would increase even more. Perhaps you could even reclaim your position as the Lord of the Forbidden Zone."
Qin Ji once again assumed a respectful expression.
The fleshy statue's eyes lost their red light and fell silent before speaking again.
"The position of the Lord of the Forbidden Zone is not so easily obtained. Do you really think it's child's play? You also had some luck. If it weren't for finding remnants of my soul, you wouldn't have reached the position of Sect Master of Triumphant Mountain."
"Of course, it is thanks to your blessings and protection," Qin Ji nodded.
The fleshy statue fell silent for a moment before finally saying, "Do as you wish. I have been planning for so many years. If we can truly achieve unification, I should be able to step into the realm of Saints."
"Very well," Qin Ji nodded one last time, then extinguished all the lights and walked out of the grand hall.
His mind emptied, avoiding thinking about anything else, fearing that the fleshy statue would probe into his thoughts.
Even though it had fallen, it was still the former Lord of the Forbidden Zone, an ancient monster who had lived for countless years, and it held many secrets.
Qin Ji didn't have the courage to scheme against such an ancient monster, nor had he ever considered it. He simply followed the steps and acted accordingly, gaining only what he deserved.
But he was still afraid.
Afraid that the fleshy statue would turn the tables on him.
Possession, devouring, confusion—it only took Qin Ji a moment to think of various methods of scheming, let alone this ancient monster who had lived for countless years.
If a scheme were to be devised, Qin Ji would undoubtedly meet his death.
Yet, despite the fear, he had to act. The rise of Triumphant Mountain depended on him, and he also wanted to advance further on the path of cultivation, unwilling to remain stagnant at the fifth stage of the Sky-Reaching Realm.
Taking a step towards the realm of enlightenment was something he had longed for.
For the sake of his enlightenment.
Triumphant Mountain was willing to take this risk!
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In the lower layer of the realm,
Zhang DaoMing walked leisurely towards the tavern where he often went to drink, his hands behind his back.
The people in this realm were simple and honest. Although Zhang DaoMing was an old man, he was still a formidable figure in the lower layer of the realm, and few dared to provoke him.
Not to mention someone like Chen Xia.
And if we were to mention further, there was also the existence of Da Huang Gou, an extraordinary being.
A small house was considered impressive and extraordinary.
Zhang DaoMing entered the tavern slowly, walking towards his usual spot where he used to sit, and ordered a drink along the way.
The surrounding customers were happy to see Zhang DaoMing and waved their hands to greet him.
"Old Zhang, here for another drink? Why didn't you bring Chen Xia along? I've reminded you several times."
"Chen Xia doesn't drink," Zhang DaoMing shook his head. He naturally knew what these cultivators were thinking. They had heard rumors about Chen Xia and wanted to get closer to him.
The greetings from the surroundings became more and more numerous, and Zhang DaoMing couldn't bear it any longer. He stood up and moved to a quieter spot.
But as soon as he sat down, a figure in a black robe followed him. Without bringing any drinks, the figure sat down and said, "Old Third."
Zhang DaoMing's small figure trembled, and his expression became slightly stunned. After a moment of silence, he stammered, "E-elder brother."
"It's been many years, Old Third. When you left the Zhang family back then, I tried to persuade you to stay. Unfortunately, you had made up your mind. Otherwise, the Zhang family would still have a place for you today."
The black-robed figure spoke with a nostalgic tone.
Zhang DaoMing shook his head. "I didn't make up my mind to leave. It's just that the family's efforts to keep me weren't enough. Perhaps it's better to say that no one wanted to keep me. Now that I've returned, I don't want any connection with the family, and there's no need for you to come looking for me."
The old man in the black robe sighed and spoke slowly.
"That's not how it should be said. After all, blood is thicker than water. Your father really wanted to see you before he passed away. The younger generation now regards you as their third uncle. During the last Great Sects Conference, Bai Lu and Chen Xia even mentioned you. Moreover, the Zhang family is one of the few human sects in the middle layer of the realm..."
"Stop bothering me," Zhang DaoMing interrupted directly, and continued, "I won't help you with alchemy, and neither will Chen Xia. You don't need to entertain such thoughts. It's just a waste of time."
"Ah, do you really refuse to contribute to the Zhang family?" The old man in black robes wrinkled his sparse eyebrows, looking somewhat worried.
"I cut off ties a long time ago. Now I just want to have a drink and wait for death in peace. Please don't disturb my thoughts," Zhang DaoMing gently swayed the cup in front of him and spoke softly.
The old man in the black robe stood up, stared deeply at Zhang DaoMing, and said in a deep voice,
"I hope you understand the saying 'blood is thicker than water.' The older one gets, the more they care about family."
After saying this, he didn't linger any longer and quickly disappeared from sight.
Zhang DaoMing remained expressionless, holding the cup in front of him, but he didn't drink for a long time. Instead, he stared at the swaying liquid in the cup, and his brow gradually furrowed.
If there really was something to the saying "blood is thicker than water," he would want to go back.
But after all, blood is not always thicker than water; it was just that Chen Xia wanted Zhang DaoMing's help with alchemy.
In the end, it all came down to self-interest.
Zhang DaoMing was already quite old and could see through these things. With no further desires, he finished his drink and lost the mood to continue. He swayed back to his room.
The door was slightly ajar, as if someone had been there.
Zhang DaoMing quickened his pace and pushed the door open.
Inside the room stood Chen Xia, arms crossed, lost in thought as he gazed outside.
"What's wrong?" Zhang DaoMing asked.
Chen Xia waved his hand dismissively. "Someone came just now, claiming to be your second brother. He asked me to help him with alchemy and had quite an arrogant attitude."
"And then?" Zhang DaoMing let out a sigh of relief and asked again.
"I sent him away, saying that you're an orphan with no family."
"Uh..." Zhang DaoMing was momentarily stunned, then nodded. "So there's no problem with that, but why did you say that? Can you explain your state of mind at that time?"
"Because I didn't want to brew medicine," Chen Xia said firmly.
Zhang DaoMing raised his thumb and exclaimed, "You truly live up to expectations."
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