After leaving Danxia Mountain, Tie Dan went straight in the direction of Jiangdu.
After all, although he accepted the task of eliminating the Supreme Bliss, Tie Dan did not know where this Lust Demon was now. All he could do was wait for this elusive figure to show up, then find an opportunity to alert Master Taichong on their preparations.
However, if his previous calculations with Master Taichong were correct, then Hehaha Young Master was a disciple of the Supreme Bliss, the new generation of the Xiaoyao Sect. And judging by his intimate relationship with Princess Nan in the mansion, it seems the Xiaoyao Sect has now joined forces with the Immortal Palace and colluded with the Southern Country Lord.
And their previous plot against Yao Honglei was likely because the Xiaoyao Sect had begun to expand its influence and set their sights on the renowned nine great Immortals as part of their plan to take action.
However, now, the Supreme Bliss seems to have enemies all over the world, constantly being hunted by the Mystic Sect, yet it’s clear that his fortune is not yet exhausted, and he still has a chance of survival.
Actually, there are many who wish to join the Xiaoyao Sect and quickly cultivate the Energy Replenishment Demonic Technique, but obtaining the Immortal Fate is difficult, and they cannot find a way in. While the Supreme Bliss is being besieged by the Mystic Sect, there’s no way he could simply set up a platform to preach, forcing him to act in secret and maintain a low profile, unable to easily spread the Xiaoyao Dao inheritance.
But if someone like Hehaha Young Master, the first generation disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect, gradually strengthens his cultivation, they could act separately to propagate the Energy Replenishment Demonic Technique. If eradicating evil proves difficult, the power of the Xiaoyao Sect could start snowballing.
The attack on the nine great Immortals is perhaps a symbol of the Xiaoyao Sect’s grand emergence.
After all, the reputation of the nine great Immortals is so illustrious. If they were all assimilated into the Xiaoyao Sect, it would either lead to their downfall, joining the Xiaoyao Sect to assist the wicked, or being enslaved under the disciples of the Supreme Bliss. Either way, it would be extremely shocking and a sensational piece of news that would terrify everyone across the land.
By then, news of the Xiaoyao Sect’s triumphant return, having mastered their Divine Skill, would likely spread across small taverns. Even with the Mystic Sect’s formidable presence, it would be challenging to intimidate those with malicious intentions. Moreover, the evil beings desiring the nine great Immortals would proactively join the Xiaoyao Sect.
Alas, this world is truly in turmoil, growing ever more unsettled. If it’s not an internal war in the Immortal Palace or a demon invasion, then it’s the resurgence of the Demon Path, revenge killings, unexpected infiltrations by the Earth Evil Ghost Spring, or the advent of the Void Heavenly Demon. It’s unclear how much longer this can continue.
In short, Tie Dan, mounted on a deer, arrives outside Jiangdu City. He asks the deer to return to the Liu Family and then ventures to where he last hid with Yao Honglei in their Dual Cultivation spot to search, regrettably without seeing any trace of her. He also hasn’t heard of the Demon Palace capturing Immortal Jiang Zhu, not knowing where she might be hiding, so he leaves a letter informing her of his whereabouts.
Then, he wanders around Jiangdu Prefecture, intentionally exposing the Taiyin Light, planning to use himself as bait to attract the attention of the Xiaoyao Sect and Demon Palace, to see if he could lure out the Supreme Bliss.
Fortunately, after circling the city twice, he strolls until nightfall, the moon shines brightly, the hour when thousands of lights illuminate the city. At this time, with the Taiyin Moonlight on his head glowing like a bulb, his trouble-attracting aura finally comes into play, and the bait has successfully lured in some fish.
"Mage, please stay."
Tie Dan turns his head and sees a monk standing under the moon, wearing a Black Robe Kasaya. He stands one zhang and nine chi tall, bald head, hunchbacked, bulging eyes, bare feet, high cheekbones, and gaunt. His forehead is dark, with his chest exposed, revealing seventeen pairs of ribs, resembling nothing like a human form.
This monk also has a string of prayer beads around his neck, 108 in total, which upon closer inspection are all the skulls of children, strung together like dried corpses. With his palms joined together, he holds a seven-foot-long White Bone Veda Chopper between his tiger’s mouth, resembling a refined human spine.
This monk’s bizarre form is evident, not clear whether he’s human or demon. Walking without sound, unaffected by the wind or dust, clearly possessing high cultivation and deep realm knowledge. Tie Dan even didn’t notice him approaching and couldn’t discern the monk’s specific realm or cultivation level, which naturally startled him. One hand clasping the sword ball, the other pinching the formula, always ready to escape in a Blood Escape.
"Mage and the monk are fated."
The monk palms together in prayer, lifts his head, gazes into Tie Dan’s eyes,
"Please come to the Zen Temple for a brief sit."
Tie Dan hesitates for a moment, recalling previously inquiring from Liu Chaoyan that there are three major experts under the Southern Country Lord, one being the Wuyi Zen Master, likely this person. Who would have thought, seeking the Supreme Bliss, but unknowingly luring out this old demon instead.
Tie Dan, bold and courageous, especially considering he recently consumed the Thunder Qilin Pill, and he’s holding the Thunder Strike Talisman, with True Spirit protection. Thunder eliminates evil, which is exactly the counter to this sort of demon. So he readily agrees.
The monk bows again and leads the way.
In Jiangdu, where merchants gather, there’s no curfew, and it’s not uncommon for merchants and travelers, intoxicated, to wander the night streets, visiting shops and alleys.
But the passersby apparently don’t see this giant, grotesque monk, as they’re invisibly pushed aside, opening a path for him.
Although Tie Dan cannot discern this monk’s exact Divine Skills, he is unafraid, following him all the way to the river.
The monk, with bare giant feet, enters the water, crossing the river. The Black Robe remains dry, and there isn’t even a shadow cast on the water.
Tie Dan refuses to show weakness, using Xuanji Xuanming True Qi to create Mystic Ice for footing, keeping up with him.
Thus, the two proceed along the river to the central river sandbank, entering an unnamed Zen Temple, which further astonishes Tie Dan.
This place unmistakably is where he and Yao Honglei previously watched executions. The entrance is the execution grounds, but last time it was executed at 11:45 AM, in broad daylight, and even then he didn’t notice there was a temple here...
Inside the Zen Temple, several dozen headless figures in plain clothes are seen in the courtyard, filled with a gloomy air, kneeling under the moon, each with a lime-filled box before them, obviously head container boxes, likely containing the freshly executed ’Demon Cultivators’ from today.
Though the scene is rather cold, Tie Dan himself has slain many, and a few ghosts don’t scare him. Instead, as he enters, a sharp killing aura emanates from him, with chilling Sword Wind blowing, scattering the ghosts, each shrinking to the corner of the wall.
Yet, the monk is unfazed, leading Tie Dan into the main hall.
Once inside the Zen Temple, with each step, the monk’s form reduces an inch, ultimately returning to a seven-foot-tall human form, transforming back into an ordinary bald monk. The Veda Chopper is placed by his side, and both sit facing each other on meditation cushions, offering a date tea cup with a wave.
"Please, have some."
Tie Dan remains expressionless, not reaching for the tea, silently observing what kind of trick the monk is playing.
The monk doesn’t waste words, palms together, and says,
"This humble monk is crafting a treasure crown for the Immortal Palace Lord, but lacks a Dharma Conch Celestial Pearl."
Upon hearing this, Tie Dan understands, taking out the Nascent Soul Treasure Pearl.
This bead, a treasure from the Western Regions, was distributed by the Kun Country Divine Sect as a way to spread the Daoist inheritance. Tie Dan once used Mystic Sect artifact refining techniques to practice refining it. Initially, it could barely hit someone, but regrettably, it was later shattered by the Heavenly Demon Blood Poison, its Essence Blood tainted the Artifact Spirit. Without materials to repair and re-refine, it’s now just trash. Not even accepted for exchange at Danxia Mountain...
The monk bows,
"This is precisely the item, please, Fellow Daoist, part with it. This humble monk is willing to exchange a magic treasure for it."
Tie Dan doesn’t reject immediately,
"Let’s see."
Consequently, the monk waves his sleeve, casting out three rays of Treasure Light.
One is the Crossed White Tooth Comb, another the Cloud-piercing Burnt-tail Zither, and a third is the Sheep Fat Jade Bone Case.
Upon observing, Tie Dan can’t help but focus his gaze.
The Black Robed Monk reveals these three items, clearly magic treasures of the Nascent Soul Realm, yet heavily laden with death chi, carrying a distinct corpse stench...
"Funerary objects?"
Tu Che Chuling, vessels of divine essence, meant for burial rites.
The Black Robed Monk comments,
"For a funerary object denotes understanding of burial traditions, to prepare objects uselessly. Alas, the deceased using items meant for the living, is it not perilous to use them posthumously?"
Alright, considering this old monk looks neither human nor ghostly, residing at an execution site, using magic artifacts made of human heads and bones, taking out funerary objects seems fitting to the theme. He’s likely a practitioner of some necromantic or bone-worshipping evil path.
Tie Dan doesn’t mind using items from the dead; many of his own possessions were obtained by chopping people down, so he’s hardly one to criticize.
Thus, Tie Dan picks up the three magic treasures one by one, looking them over thoroughly,
"Oh, these are all things from the Xiaoyao Sect, and their seals are undone. Old monk, this is quite the bargain for me."
The Black Robed Monk states,
"This humble monk is engaged in a dry meditation, storing your sect’s items serves no purpose."
Tie Dan nods,
"I see, thinking it through so thoroughly, but how did the old monk know I’m from Xiaoyao Dao?"
The Black Robed Monk answers,
"Your eminence is burdened with so many killings, countless lives rest on your hands, it’s no wonder you’ve gathered so much Yin Yuan."
Tie Dan remains silent for a moment, then suddenly smiles, nods, and raises the cup of date tea, sipping,
"The old monk speaks truthfully, this junior can no longer manage in the North.
Came to hear that a senior from my sect is enjoying himself down South, hence came to pay respects."
Unexpectedly, Tie Dan didn’t foresee the Black Robed Monk responding,
"Jile Tongzi predicted you’d come, so he asked this humble monk to put you to the test. Among these three items, please choose one, Mage."

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