Chapter 685: Chongxing Taoist's Gift

Yu Lian recounted the story she had seen to Wang Ping in a conversational tone.

Wang Ping listened in silence. When Yu Lian finished her story, he smiled. “The creatures of this world are truly wondrous. To think that even beneath this little Dark River lies such a fascinating world.”

With that said, he returned to his cloud bed to meditate. As he settled into his trance, a Divine Technique Formation automatically materialized around him. A massive, lifelike map of Zhongzhou appeared within the golden light. Yu Lian joyfully connected to Wang Ping’s Primordial Spirit to read the prayers of his followers, while Wang Ping swiftly entered a rational state of ‘self-restraint’.

The night passed in silence.

When Wang Ping opened his eyes, the divine light gathered around him instantly poured back into his body like a receding tide. In the blink of an eye, the Divine Technique Formation vanished without a trace.

Yu Lian, who had been full of energy just a moment ago, immediately grew listless after the Divine Technique Formation disappeared. In her Tengyun form, she landed on Wang Ping’s shoulder, burrowed into the front of his robes, and was fast asleep by the time he stood up.

The next moment, Wang Ping appeared at the Mountain Peak Dojo.

“KREEE~”

In the distant mountains, a flock of Immortal Cranes used for sending messages was calling out, their cries resounding. Sensing his gaze, they fell silent, but the moment he looked away, their calls resumed.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the cool southern wind of early autumn felt refreshing. Wang Ping walked into his workshop, took out the Star God Core, and placed it casually on a wooden table near the window. Then, he animated two puppets to refine Spirit Wood.

Once that was done, he left the small courtyard and went to a pavilion at the edge of the garden. He enjoyed the cool breeze as he replied to Mansu’s message. He promised to organize and dispatch a team to the Moon Base within half a month to help search for Wei Kong. He also set a specific date for his visit to Chongxing Taoist’s Dao Field.

The twenty-sixth of September.

After the Inner Sect duels at Qianmu Temple concluded, he would chat with his disciples and then head to the Eastern Continent to find Chongxing Taoist.

Next, he sent a voice transmission instructing Liu Shuang to personally invite Leng Kezhen and Qingjiang to the Dao Field.

Leng Kezhen was part of Dongshui Mountain’s Inner Sect; his identity token was registered there. When he advanced to the Third Realm, the Internal Affairs Disciples of Dongshui Mountain had, as was customary, built him a Dao Field in a scenic spot on the back mountain. However, because the area was a “yin land” within the Nine Extremes Array, they had not installed a Spirit Gathering Array for him.

Qingjiang’s identity was registered with Baisui Lake, making her a disciple of the Baisui Lake Dojo. According to the Daoist Palace’s records, she could also be considered one of Wang Ping’s own, as his personal Dao Field was Baisui Lake.

During her time at Qianmu Temple, she had been staying at Leng Kezhen’s Dao Field. Their friendship traced back to when Leng Kezhen served as the Commander of the Guard on Mozhou Road. Back then, he was still called Leng Feng and harbored a fierce hatred for evil, attempting to reform the officialdom and the Cultivation Realm of Mozhou Road.

When Liu Shuang landed in their courtyard, the two were in the middle of a game of Go under a banyan tree. They rose at once upon seeing her and saluted with cupped fists. “Greetings, Dean!”

It was a reflexive action for both of them.

“Master summons the two of you. Make your own way to Qianmu Mountain.”

After hastily delivering the message, Liu Shuang turned into a streak of light and departed. It was clear she was extremely busy.

Qingjiang stared blankly at Liu Shuang’s departing figure. She herself had once been like that—the most dazzling figure in the entire Hai Zhou Road Cultivation Realm. But then, the words Liu Shuang had just tossed out echoed in her mind.

‘The Lord is summoning us?’

She turned to meet Leng Kezhen’s gaze, and they both saw the same confusion and gravity reflected in each other’s eyes.

Then, they both glanced down at their own attire. They were wearing simple, narrow-sleeved Blue Daoist Robes.

Both Leng Kezhen and Qingjiang had met a Fourth Realm Cultivator before, but they still felt a sense of apprehension. After all, if a Fourth Realm Cultivator in a bad mood decided to kill them on the spot, no one would dare speak up for them.

With a mix of apprehension, anticipation, and nervousness, the two flew to the foot of Qianmu Mountain. A Guiding Disciple with an Entry-level Cultivation was already waiting there. These days, the disciples stationed outside Wangping Dojo were all at the Foundation Establishment Stage at minimum.

“Ancestor Yu Lian was just here. She said you are to fly directly up the mountain. Making the Lord wait is a grave offense!”

The Guiding Disciple’s expression was haughty.

Leng Kezhen’s expression tightened. He fought back the urge to bribe the Guiding Disciple with silver. After exchanging a look with Qingjiang, he transformed into a streak of light, hugging the mountain steps as he flew up to the main gate of the Mountain Peak Dojo.

The main gate was open, where a Foundation Establishment Disciple awaited them.

“This way, Seniors.”

The Foundation Establishment Disciple gestured for them to follow, then entered the garden to lead the way.

The Wood Spirit Qi that filled the garden carried a cool breeze, which did much to ease their tension. The guiding Foundation Establishment Disciple stopped about ten zhang from the small courtyard and said, “Seniors, the Lord is inside.”

Hearing this, both Leng Kezhen and Qingjiang took an involuntary deep breath. Leng Kezhen then took the lead, walking toward the small courtyard. As he did, his mind drifted back to the first time he had seen Wang Ping on Mozhou Road. It was in a gloomy underground prison. He had seen Wang Ping intently observing a cell that was no longer relevant to any investigation and had felt compelled to step forward and offer a word of advice.

But now, what he saw was the Lord, seated at a Stone Table in the center of the courtyard, engrossed in studying the puppet components in his hands.

“Greetings, Lord Changqing!”

The moment Leng Kezhen saw the familiar figure, he immediately cupped his fists and bowed in salute.