Tang Ming's expression suddenly dawned with understanding. "No wonder the spiritual energy in Ziyang County is so dense. Even though Patriarch Chunyang didn't recover his past life's memories, he chose to reincarnate in such a small place, having already set his sights on this region's spiritual脈泉眼 (língmài quán yǎn - spiritual脉泉眼)."
"This place is remote, most suitable for reincarnated immortals like us to cultivate. The Patriarch truly lives up to his name!"
"..." Chen Jiuyang.
He hadn't even considered this.
Chen Jiuyang said, "In that case, you shall cultivate here diligently and refrain from causing trouble."
"Yes, we respectfully obey the Patriarch's decree!" Tang Ming and the other four said respectfully.
"Mm."
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly, then left the room, departing with Wan Xiu.
Luo Nan asked, "Regarding Patriarch Chunyang's identity, should we report it to the Immortal Alliance's sacred land, Shu Mountain, for verification?"
Tang Ming replied, "Naturally, we must verify it."
"If he is truly Patriarch Chunyang, we shall follow his commands from now on. A Patriarch at the Tribulation Stage, if he recovers his past life's memories, we will have endless benefits."
"But if he is not, then we need not bother. Regardless, he is still an immortal."
"Makes sense."
The five of them jointly infused their divine souls into a jade slip, which then began to flash with light.
...
Shu Mountain Sacred Land.
Immortal energy coiled, and floating islands with springs hovered in the air.
Before a massive palace, an old man resembling a fossil sat at the entrance. Suddenly, a message arrived from a stone tablet before him. The fossil-like old man opened his eyes and glanced at it, his expression filled with surprise. "The reincarnated body of Patriarch Chunyang?"
He then smiled faintly. "I owe you a favor, and now it is repaid."
A stream of pure spiritual energy was sent into the stone tablet. The old man closed his eyes again, resuming his fossil-like posture.
...
In Ziyang County, within the Zhu Family Manor.
Tang Ming and the others soon received a reply. Infusing their spiritual energy into the jade slip, a few words appeared.
"Verified, confirmed."
Tang Ming, Yang Xing, Hong Da, Qiu Ge, and Luo Nan's expressions changed drastically, and they couldn't help but gasp.
"He is truly a reincarnated Tribulation Stage Patriarch!"
"Fortunately, we did not offend Patriarch Chunyang just now. Otherwise, once his memories awaken, we would be finished!"
"To think that such a place would have a reincarnated Tribulation Stage Patriarch, terrifying!"
"Henceforth, we five immortals must act with caution and never anger Patriarch Chunyang!"
The five nodded with solemn expressions.
...
After Chen Jiuyang and Wan Xiu left the Zhu Family Manor, Wan Xiu asked, "King Qian, why did you not kill those five people just now?"
Chen Jiuyang narrowed his eyes. "Keeping them alive for now might be a good thing, to verify a guess in my heart."
"Even if I were to kill them, it wouldn't be now."
Chen Jiuyang was currently at the peak of the Earth Realm. Killing these five immortals would bring him no particular benefit. If he were to kill them, it would be after he broke through to the Heaven Realm. The life sources of these five immortals were likely incredibly potent.
Chen Jiuyang asked, "Wan Xiu, do you know about the Immortal Path and the Myriad Races of the Heavens?"
Wan Xiu replied, "The Myriad Races of the Heavens, aren't they just foreign countries?"
"Ancient texts in the Sword Bearer Legion record that countless years ago, the Myriad Races of the Heavens contended for dominance. After the Immortal Path was sealed, a portion of the Myriad Races of the Heavens remained here to multiply and prosper."
"As for the Immortal Path, such secret information is only held by the five great sacred lands. The Sword Bearer Legion has no records of it."
"..."
Chen Jiuyang pondered for a good while, stroking his chin. Roughly piecing it together, after the Primordial Era, the Myriad Races of the Heavens fought to descend to Earth via the Immortal Path. Subsequently, the world underwent great changes, and the Immortal and Martial paths were weakened. As spiritual energy gradually nourished the land over time, the Immortal and Martial powers in various regions slowly strengthened.
And these reincarnated immortals likely did not fully understand all the events.
Wan Xiu said, "What if these immortals cause trouble?"
Chen Jiuyang narrowed his eyes. "Don't worry, I will resolve these hidden dangers before the Martial Ranking World Competition."
The two walked back onto the road leading to Qingcun Town.
A toddler dressed in ancient black robes stood on the road, followed by dozens of martial artists resembling servants, all at the Half-Heaven Realm.
It was evident that this toddler was also a reincarnated immortal.
Spiritual energy and true qi were two entirely different cultivation methods. Cultivating immortals granted longevity, but their combat power at the same level was inferior to martial arts.
The toddler saw Chen Jiuyang, his eyes shining brightly, pure spiritual energy flowing through his body. He addressed Chen Jiuyang, "Are you the mortal Human King who presides over this place in the current dynasty?"
"Indeed," Chen Jiuyang said calmly. "I am King Qian. Who are you, and what business do you have?"
"I am Fu Zheng, and I have taken a liking to your manor," Fu Zheng stated. "Name your price and cede this manor to me, this immortal!"
Chen Jiuyang inwardly sneered. He had taken a liking to his manor? He likely coveted the spiritual脉泉眼 (língmài quán yǎn - spiritual脉泉眼) beneath the manor!
Chen Jiuyang said coldly, "What if I refuse?"
"Then I shall teach you a lesson," Fu Zheng said with a cold laugh. "I don't believe you won't yield."
"Attack!"
"Yes, Old Ancestor!" The dozens of Half-Heaven Realm cultivators immediately said coldly, each unleashing terrifying auras towards Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang's eyes suddenly revealed a hint of coldness. "Originally, I did not intend to kill anyone before advancing to the Heaven Realm, but since you lawbreakers have come to offer your lives, I shall not refuse."
"I will fulfill your wish and send you on your way."
"Boom!"
"Instantaneous Light!"
Chen Jiuyang wielded his Yan Sheng Blade, and his vast, golden qi and blood erupted. With a single slash, three Half-Heaven Realm cultivators were instantly killed.
"Hmm?" Fu Zheng's expression changed. "Immortal aura! No! You are like me, a fellow cultivator who has returned to the mortal world after reincarnation!"
"A misunderstanding between fellow cultivators! Fellow Daoist, show mercy! Retreat quickly!"
"The blade has been drawn; it cannot be sheathed without killing!"
Chen Jiuyang responded coldly, feeling the life source surging within him, causing a slight throbbing sensation in his body.
"Fellow Daoist! I was wrong! If you spare me, I will certainly offer you satisfactory compensation!" Fu Zheng hurriedly said.
"Oh?" Chen Jiuyang's long blade suddenly stopped. He looked at Fu Zheng and asked, "What satisfactory compensation will you give me?"
Fu Zheng replied, "One spirit stone! Plus a spiritual herb of two hundred years!"
"Spirit stone?" Chen Jiuyang's eyes narrowed. He hadn't encountered such a thing yet. "Two spirit stones and two spiritual herbs of two hundred years!"
The grades of medicinal ingredients were divided into several levels: medicinal ingredients, spiritual ingredients, spiritual herbs, medicinal kings, divine herbs, immortal herbs, immortal-undying herbs, and so on.
Fu Zheng gritted his teeth and said, "Fine!"
"Heh heh..." Chen Jiuyang then sheathed his blade. "You yielded so easily?"
Fu Zheng smiled bitterly. "Fellow Daoist, to be able to reincarnate before the Spiritual Rain and cultivate both Immortal and Martial arts, your strength must be far superior to mine. I don't want to be held accountable by you later. Besides admitting my mistake and yielding, what else can I do?"
Fu Zheng's words carried a different meaning when they reached Chen Jiuyang's ears.
Chen Jiuyang said sternly, "You are wise."