In early summer.
Next to the Jiuyang Martial Arts Hall in the old district of Qingzhu City, a painting studio opened.
It was said that the owner was a young girl, exceptionally beautiful.
As the cicadas began to chirp, more and more foreign gods began to cause trouble within the territory of Huaxia.
And, amidst these many incidents, many disciples of various sects died.
This left the current generation of Town Guardians, whose lineage had been broken, and the Jixia Academy utterly baffled.
However, the Master and the Town Guardian felt that there must be a hidden secret behind it.
The two were forced to seek help from Gong Liexian.
After hearing this news, Gong Liexian, who had already transitioned to immortal cultivation and regained her youthful appearance, couldn't help but frown, "I don't know either. This era is different from my own."
The Master and the Town Guardian exchanged a look and gave a wry smile.
Gong Liexian's expression flickered, and she looked at the two before speaking, "I know what you mean."
"In the previous era, I was not an ultimate existence, nor did I know many secrets. But Brother Chen was a peerless figure of his generation, an ultimate. I will go to Qingzhu City, but you should not. Brother Chen is a person who..."
"He is overbearing and does not tolerate defiance. What he says goes. If he is displeased, he may not be willing to lend a hand."
The Town Guardian cupped his fists and clasped his hands, "In that case, we will await good news from the Ancestor here."
Then, Gong Liexian, with her Void Returning stage cultivation, transformed into a stream of light and flew towards Qingzhu City.
During this time, Yu Neizhu was completely swayed by Ming Huatong, acting like a devoted fangirl. However, by giving her a taste of success after a reprimand, Yu Neizhu was promoted to the Yellow Realm, becoming the senior disciple of the Jiuyang Martial Arts Hall, and she supervised others in their martial arts practice.
A tea table was set up at the entrance of the martial arts hall, where Chen Jiuyang and Ming Huatong sat opposite each other, drinking tea.
Ming Huatong brewing tea became a beautiful scene.
Ming Huatong said, "Having known Brother Chen for so many years, this is the first time I've sat with him peacefully to drink tea."
Chen Jiuyang smiled slightly, "Are you perhaps going to lament that fate plays tricks on people?"
Ming Huatong replied, "Indeed."
"Back then, someone like Brother Chen, who clearly had the opportunity to contend for the position of Great Emperor, chose to retreat and endure the tribulation instead. Such a mindset is far beyond what I or others can achieve."
Chen Jiuyang merely smiled and said, "The world's affairs are a matter of cause and effect, with shallow缘 and deep entanglement. But fortunately, we have passed through it smoothly, so it is fine."
"Sometimes, not contending is also a form of contending."
Ming Huatong's eyes were filled with a hint of melancholy, "Brother Chen's words are becoming more and more profound. I can't understand them."
"Hahaha." Chen Jiuyang laughed heartily, "Likewise. You, the legitimate daughter of a forbidden lineage of the Liuxian clan, were forced to reincarnate and dare not cultivate. This is very much like my own past."
Ming Huatong sighed softly, "If I cultivate, my grandmother will likely sense my whereabouts immediately. In that great battle, the foundation of the Liuxian clan's forbidden grounds was greatly depleted, and almost no one can suppress my grandmother now."
"My elder brother also perished on the path to becoming an Emperor. I truly have no one to seek protection from."
Chen Jiuyang's eyes narrowed, "That old thing is still alive?"
Ming Huatong said, "Grandmother has improved the eight-life immortal cultivation, almost reaching the path of a mortal immortal. She should have the combat power of a Saint King."
Chen Jiuyang slowly shook his head, "What is a Saint King in the path of a mortal immortal? You can cultivate, and you must cultivate quickly, otherwise, I fear you will not have time to cultivate later."
Ming Huatong's large, watery eyes trembled instantly, "Brother Chen..."
Chen Jiuyang did not continue.
Ming Huatong slowly nodded, "I understand."
It was at this moment.
Gong Liexian, who had transformed into a stream of light, arrived at Qingzhu City and immediately saw Chen Jiuyang and Ming Huatong sitting opposite each other, drinking tea.
Sensing Gong Liexian's aura, Chen Jiuyang's calm voice rang out, "Liexian, since you are here, come down and have a cup of tea with us."
Gong Liexian smiled gently, "Then I respectfully accept."
The stream of light dissipated, and Gong Liexian slowly landed.
The scene before them was indeed magical. Two people who had once fought to the death were now peacefully coexisting, sitting together and drinking tea.
Yu Neizhu was stunned. The newly appointed national guardian of Huaxia, Gong Liexian, had arrived. Not only her, but other disciples in the martial arts hall were also dumbfounded. However, they all conscientiously remained inside and did not disturb the master.
They felt even more that they had come to an extraordinary martial arts hall.
Upon hearing Gong Liexian's purpose,
Chen Jiuyang pondered, "Yesterday, the Living Arhat of Shaolin Temple came to find me. I told him to go to Xiaoleiyin Temple to take a look."
"Foreign gods often cause trouble in Longguo and kill disciples of various sects… This action is not difficult to guess."
"It is easy for the Town Guardians and Jixia Academy to defend the country, but difficult to attack and kill. The disciples of various sects are, after all, the orthodox lineages of the great forbidden grounds walking in the human world."
"If all the orthodox lineages are destroyed, even if the forbidden grounds awaken, they cannot send people out. And at this time, if the Heavenly Court of the Immortal Realm sends people, I fear the human world will become a mess."
Gong Liexian and Ming Huatong's bodies trembled, and a flicker of fear flashed in their eyes.
They had also witnessed the dark tribulation and knew its horrors.
Chen Jiuyang said, "If we can detect the Heavenly Court of the Immortal Realm causing trouble behind this, then we must make plans early."
"The worst possibility... Although I have awakened and the forbidden grounds are unsealed, the Heavenly Court may not allow the golden age to descend, but rather eliminate it in advance."
"The mortal realm is already like this. I will find time to go to the small immortal realm to see. The strongest power of our human race is ultimately in the small immortal realm."
The wonders of the golden age had been witnessed, giving birth to many prodigies, with various fortuitous encounters constantly occurring, leading to rapid cultivation advancements. At the end of the era, even a powerful institution like Jixia Academy lost its past inheritance, which was likely due to the absence of powerful figures.
"Liexian, I cannot interfere too much in the great era due to karma. I only wish to live a peaceful life, so I can only help you with information."
Gong Liexian said, "Thank you, Brother Chen, for telling me. Liexian is grateful. The matter is urgent, please forgive me for leaving first to investigate the situation thoroughly." Then she transformed into a stream of light and flew away.
Ming Huatong was astonished, "You are still as impetuous as before in your actions."
Chen Jiuyang smiled and said, "A pure heart."
One left, and another arrived.
"Amitabha!"
The Living Arhat of Shaolin Temple appeared.
However, his condition was extremely dire.
He was enveloped in deathly aura and severely injured.
Chen Jiuyang's eyes narrowed, "Old monk, what happened?"
The Living Arhat of Shaolin Temple's lips were trembling, and he was shaking as he walked, fear in his eyes, "Qianyang Benefactor, this is a great catastrophe, a great catastrophe."
Ming Huatong suddenly exclaimed, "This is Grandmother's aura."
Chen Jiuyang's expression turned serious.
The Living Arhat trembled, "Qianyang Benefactor, in this world, apart from Longguo, gods and demons are also rampant, like hell descending."
"That Lotus Birth Mother has colluded with the demon race and the Heavenly Court, and is about to cause a great catastrophe."