"Uncle Master's words are mistaken." Yue Dewen sighed. "Have you not heard that our Great Dao Teaching from the very beginning upholds the doctrine of loyalty to the emperor and serving the nation? When the Great Spirit prospers, we prosper; when it wanes, so do we."

"Absurd! You shouldn't be this ignorant!" Jin Yuyan's gaze turned cold.

"It's not ignorance." Yue Dewen shook his head. "Uncle Master, all you seek is victory for one sect, but what I seek is victory for a hundred generations."

"What do you mean by victory for a hundred generations!?"

"What do I mean?" Yue Dewen sighed. "I once thought about it for a long time. But no matter how I pondered, I couldn't avoid one point. That point is royal power."

"Royal power, backed by nothing more than the Spirit Flying Church of yesteryear.

The Spirit Flying Church has developed to such strength and influence, far surpassing all other sects...."

"So you plan to rely on the royal family? Entirely leveraging the Spirit Court?" Jin Yuyan seemed to understand something.

"It's not leveraging, it's cooperation." Yue Dewen smiled.

"They get what they want, and we get what we need... each taking what is necessary."

The royal family has long sought to shake off the Spirit Flying Church's influence, this Jin Yuyan knows, but now it has reached such a fierce level. She hadn't anticipated this.

"Do you know what you're doing?!" She finally understood what Yue Dewen was aiming to do.

He... seems to want to replace the Spirit Flying Church! To make Great Dao Teaching the new national religion!!

He wants to break the absolute rule of the Spirit Flying Church that has lasted for over two hundred years!

But is the Spirit Flying Church that easy to deal with??

What happened to the Eastern Sect?

How did Emperor Lingzhi die?

Still can't see it clearly?

"I certainly understand. That's why I'm discussing with you, Uncle Master, isn't it?" Yue Dewen smiled.

"I won't follow you into madness!" Jin Yuyan turned and left.

Swoosh!

In an instant, Yue Dewen's figure appeared at the large hall's entrance, blocking the way.

"Uncle Master... I consider you one of us, which is why I'm sincerely inviting you to join."

His smile remained, but his eyes faintly revealed a hint of strangeness.

"Don't make it difficult for me."

"What? You dare confront me!?" Jin Yuyan's voice rose sharply, her hair and hem moved automatically, without wind.

"The Spirit Flying Church secretly manipulates everything in the world, dominating above all. They've stayed long enough..."

Yue Dewen's voice lowered, the smile slowly fading from his face.

"Uncle Master, I, Yue Dewen, have traversed the world for decades, and there aren't many people I regard highly. You count as one."

He extended his hand.

"Come, let's create the true brilliance of our Great Dao Teaching together!"

"Are you crazy!?" Jin Yuyan's eyes grew colder, "I have no time to play the game of conquering the world with you, you're asking for death! Step aside!"

"Uncle Master.... I have now subdued many masters from the Sensing Sect, Jade Void Palace should also join.... you shouldn't resist."

Yue Dewen slowly approached her.

"I say again, step aside!!" Jin Yuyan's skin began to reveal silver patterns. Invisible streams of air swirled around her, sweeping, moving the curtains and furnishings in the large hall.

"Uncle Master.... do you know why I've chosen to lie low for these decades?" Yue Dewen suddenly smiled again.

"Because.... "

Whoosh!

His figure flickered, stepping forward. Shadows remained on the large hall's ground, forming a straight line, rushing towards Jin Yuyan.

Clang!

The two crossed paths.

All returned to calm.

Jin Yuyan's face flushed, her palm curled, a drop of fresh blood dripped from her fingertip.

Her eyes showed disbelief, fingers clenched, and steps swiftly moved forward, exiting the large hall, disappearing.

The silver patterns on Yue Dewen's body continued to flicker with phosphorescence, remnants of Jin Yuyan's restraining method.

"Uncle Master.... why bother with this?"

The silver patterns slowly dissipated, he turned around, his gaze peaceful, as though the recent scene hadn't exceeded his expectations.

"Forget it, everything can't be forced, soon enough, Uncle Master should understand my painstaking efforts."

Yue Dewen sighed.

"Bring Ran Xinyue Grandmaster here."

Outside, someone soon silently saluted, bowed, and quickly left.

After a while. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"What instructions does the Sect Leader have?"

From outside the hall, a woman in a blue Daoist robe quickly entered.

This is Ran Xinyue, the envoy responsible for sending tokens to Zhang Rongfang, just returned from outside.

"How is my obedient disciple now? Has he caused any trouble?" Yue Dewen shifted his thoughts, and at the mention of the troublemaker Zhang Ying, his heart pricked.

He single-handedly tied up at least three Grandmaster-level forces beside him.

This accounts for the most troublesome among all sect successors.

"The Daoist is well, in good health.... the token has been delivered to him..."

At the mention of Zhang Ying, Ran Xinyue couldn't help but recall the terrifying figure who single-handedly took down three Grandmasters.

But if it weren't for Zhang Ying's rescue, she might have been intercepted by those three halfway.

"Delivered to him? Then why haven't I felt it?" Yue Dewen asked, puzzled.

"Umm... I indeed handed it over to him, saw it with my own eyes!" Ran Xinyue quickly said.

"Let me look then." Yue Dewen clapped his hands, and soon a Daoist brought a token into the hall.

The token was entirely black and purple, with a dragon design engraved in the center.

On the dragon's head, the eyes slightly glowed red.

He picked up the token, pressed his thumb on the center.

The dragon's eyes lit up red.

Yue Dewen stared at the red light for a moment.

Crash!

With a snap, he crushed the token to the ground.

"That troublemaker, didn't take the token again!! Didn't you send it to him?"

He looked at Ran Xinyue.

"It was really sent." Ran Xinyue quickly nodded.

"This kid... is he deliberately opposing me?" Yue Dewen said angrily.

"Perhaps the Daoist doesn't like to carry it, and might have put it somewhere far away again." Ran Xinyue cautiously replied.

"It seems... I've been too lenient with him, making him unclear... some things shouldn't be so reckless...." Yue Dewen's face darkened.

"Mingyuan!"

"Here!"

Outside the great hall, Mingyuan, dressed in a blue long dress and wearing a sunny flower crown, quickly approached, lowering her head in response.

"Why are you in such a state?... Forget it, come with me to Qingchuan Prefecture!"

"Yes, princess... okay!" Mingyuan quickly replied.

"Finally, I have some time on my hands for now, just right... to check the development of the Jade Void Palace over at Martial Uncle's side."

Yue Dewen glanced at the token on the ground, rubbed his hands, picked it up again, checked to see it wasn't damaged, and carefully put it away.

*

*

*

Ze Province · Qingchuan Prefecture.

In the martial arts arena behind Agarwood Mansion.

Zhang Rongfang and Ding Yu swiftly crossed paths, fists and feet like rain, confronting each other head-on.

Amidst the intense sound of strikes.

With Ding Yu's full efforts, whether a punch or a palm, his speed had reached the internal method stage, and his strength was immense, even surpassing the internal method.

This was due to his innate divine power, enhanced further by blood modification, thus achieving such results.

"Your movement is wrong." Suddenly, Zhang Rongfang struck, driving him back with a palm.

"You clearly have plenty of strength before striking, so why does it weaken considerably when you approach me?" he asked, frowning in confusion.

"I don't understand either, it's strange, just before I strike you, I naturally lighten my strength." Ding Yu also felt it was odd.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rongfang's mind involuntarily flashed with the image of the Blood God's statue.

If this truly is a way to develop descendants, then Ding Yu not being able to strike him might indeed be a natural instinct.

"Forget it, that's enough for today. After you return, diligently practice the content I taught you earlier, dozens of times. As for your body's issues, don't worry, it's nothing." He comforted.

Although he is also just using external medicine, his vision is high. Guiding Ding Yu is a piece of cake.

By now, Ding Yu had noticed the anomaly in his own body.

The enhancement of super speed, strength, and recovery power made him distinctly different from ordinary people.

Also, there was a certain craving for blood.

Yes, now he needs to eat two servings of pig's blood every day, or else he cannot feel calm.

"Understood. Thank you, sir." Ding Yu dared not say more, cupping his fists and leaving.

Zhang Rongfang also took a towel from the attendant, wiped his sweat, changed clothes, and returned to the front hall.

Clad in a Daoist robe, he sat down and stuffed a handful of fasting pills into his mouth.

Since stepping into the Devouring Stage yesterday, he now needs to consume a fasting pill every hour, or else he would feel extremely hungry.

This feeling is quite unpleasant, only by eating three times his usual amount in one go can he temporarily curb this hunger.

As he pondered how to solve this problem.

"Master, someone is looking for you outside." An attendant came in and reported softly.

"Who is it?"

"I don't know, but the person is wearing a Daoist robe, always smiling, with a remarkable demeanor, should not be an ordinary person." The attendant replied.

A Daoist robe, always smiling? Remarkable demeanor?

These three elements combined made Zhang Rongfang's heart tremble.

Could it be Old Yue!?

With his level of Literary Cultivation, he has reached the Refining God perfect stage, if discovered... he would definitely be dragged to worship the gods!

'Toad Seal Skill! If it is indeed Old Yue... perhaps I can only rely on the Toad Seal Skill...' Zhang Rongfang thought, standing up.

"Let's go."

He said softly.

"Yes."

The attendant led the way, and the two walked out of the front hall to the reception room on the right.

This place was specifically for receiving guests.

Before entering, Zhang Rongfang kept rehearsing various scenarios in his mind, he had thought before what it would be like to meet Yue Shi again.

However, now that it was actually happening, he realized.

He was still nervous.

Not only because he didn't want to worship the gods.

There was also... fear.

Fear that, the kindness of today's Yue Shi might also be an illusion, like flowers in the mirror or the moon in the water....

Just a façade.

Creek.

The wooden door was gently opened.

Zhang Rongfang took a deep breath and looked up into the reception room.

"Wu Daorong, greeting fellow Daoist Qiankun."

A slightly plump, always smiling, fair-skinned middle-aged Daoist stood up, bowing respectfully towards him.

"Wu Daorong? Who are you!?" Zhang Rongfang was taken aback.

He didn't recognize the person, although he thought Yue Shi had arrived, it turned out... it wasn't.

"It's like this." The Daoist politely cupped his fists, "We had a senior who had contact with you before. We are here this time to express our sincere apology to you.

Additionally, there's a letter from an old acquaintance for you."

He took out a wax-sealed letter from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Rongfang.

"A letter?" Zhang Rongfang took it, gently tore it open, and unfolded the paper.

On the paper was a line of familiar handwriting.

'10 PM, third floor of Xingxing Pavilion.'

"This is...!?" Zhang Rongfang's heart trembled slightly. This handwriting....

Celestial Maiden!