Jiang Man snorted coldly, then began to circulate all his power.

The hidden Demon Beasts were already preparing to find an opportunity for a devastating strike.

However, the moment Jiang Man released his power, he turned and fled.

He was like a dragon streaking across the sky.

Even the Jiao Dragon was stunned for a moment, not having expected such an outcome.

"After him!"

In an instant, the four Demon Beasts gave chase.

Jiang Man alternated between using Wandering Dragon and Cyan Smoke Melody.

Empowered by the True Martial Skill, his speed was incredible.

There were four demons lurking in the shadows, and their strength all surpassed his.

If he weren’t an Unparalleled Celestial Pride, his aura would have likely faltered at the very first encounter.

Having just reached the Golden Core realm and not yet begun his Cultivation, he was actually still in a Weakness Stage.

Facing these battle-hardened demons with their countless tricks, he was bound to be at a disadvantage.

’I’ll stall for a bit, find a place to cultivate.’

’But it would also be a huge problem if they went down the mountain.’

KREE!

A clear cry rang out from the sky, piercing through the fog.

Then, a fierce wind howled, and a storm of wind blades attacked him.

Jiang Man spun around abruptly, retreating while activating Shadowless Palm.

He then unleashed Shadowless Thousand Palms.

With a BOOM, Jiang Man was knocked back.

He used the momentum to continue his escape.

The ground beneath his feet trembled as giant vines shot out in pursuit.

But they weren’t as fast as Jiang Man’s Wandering Dragon.

He shook them off in an instant.

But he knew the Jiao Dragon would be faster, and sure enough, it had already appeared behind him.

"Human, we simply wish to invite you as a guest."

"I refuse."

"We come seeking peaceful coexistence with the Human Race. We hope you can give us a chance."

"I’ll go back and relay the message. You all wait for me here, don’t go anywhere."

With that, Jiang Man quickened his pace.

He didn’t dare let his focus waver; there were still Demon Beasts lying in wait.

Jiang Man’s brow furrowed at the thought.

’This won’t work. If I keep this up, I’ll definitely be ambushed.’

’If this drags on, something bad will happen.’

’No one from the Yunqian Bureau can help me. My only option is to call for backup.’

’But backup would be too late.’

’I have to find a way to turn this around and kill them.’

As he was plotting his counterattack, the ground suddenly gave way beneath his feet, and he stepped into water.

He immediately activated Wandering Dragon to lift himself from the water’s surface.

Then he retreated.

He had to guard against the Jiao Dragon emerging.

But he soon realized this wasn’t their doing.

Instead, a river had appeared before him.

The river flowed from a distant point, heading down the mountain.

’How is there water here?’

He remembered this mountain didn’t have any rivers.

There were only rivers at its base.

And as the water flowed onward, the surrounding fog was dispersed, and the mist covering the mountain was cleansed.

It was as if a beam of light had shone in, breaking through everything.

This sudden change shook Jiang Man’s Heart Spirit.

’If this is a technique of the Demon Race...’

’There’s no point in running anymore.’

’I’ll just pretend to surrender and wait for Old Huang and Meng Qiewei to bail me out.’

’If that doesn’t work, I’ll wait for Ji Hao.’

’He’s a reputable figure and very powerful.’

’He’s the one most likely to be able to rescue me.’

KREE!

Just then, a miserable shriek echoed from the sky.

It then rapidly faded into the distance.

ROAR!

The Jiao Dragon’s roar carried over.

It was also fleeing.

This surprised Jiang Man. ’Did an expert from the Sect arrive?’

’Ren Qian?’

But as he watched the river flow ceaselessly, he felt that wasn’t right.

Immediately after, he felt the very ground changing, as vegetation rapidly spread across the landscape.

From far to near.

Everything stopped changing only when a stone stele emerged from the distance and came to a halt before Jiang Man.

The stone stele came into view, and inscribed upon it were the words:

Beneath the Magpie Bridge, the Endless Immortal Lake.

Enter, and your fortune shall be left to fate. Your life or death is your own responsibility.

Jiang Man: "..."

He never expected the Magpie Bridge to open here.

Back then, it wasn’t on this mountain. And it only appeared because Old Huang guided it over.

’Why did it come on its own this time?’

’Was it a coincidence, or did it come for me?’

For a moment, Jiang Man considered just waiting where he was.

’If I go in this time, heavens know what I’ll encounter.’

’Running into Meng Qiewei would be a minor issue, but what if I run into another Fairy bathing?’

"Aren’t you coming in?" A vast, deep voice emanated from within.

It was a male voice.

’So men can enter the Magpie Bridge too?’

’An expert from the Immortal Sect?’

Jiang Man immediately recalled Meng Qiewei’s words.

"Senior, I’m fine out here," Jiang Man said respectfully.

"Those Little Demons outside were looking for you, weren’t they? Are you coming in, or are you going to go meet them?" the vast voice spoke again.

’I’m being threatened,’ Jiang Man lamented internally.

’It seems anyone can bully a young Unparalleled Celestial Pride.’

However, the Magpie Bridge was deeply entangled with his affairs. If he handled this poorly, he could easily start down a path of no return.

Soon, Jiang Man made his decision and strode inside.

’An Immortal Sect expert who can corner Meng Qiewei... Even if I wanted to leave, I couldn’t.’

Following the river upstream, Jiang Man increasingly felt that the path was the same as the one he had walked before.

Just then, the vast voice continued, "Coming in so decisively? Aren’t you afraid something will happen?"

"Would something have happened to this junior if I hadn’t come in?" Jiang Man asked.

"It would have," the other person replied with a chuckle in their voice.

Jiang Man sighed inwardly, but still asked out of curiosity, "Senior, who might you be?"

"A celestial pride. A world-shaking, Unparalleled Celestial Pride," the person declared with utter confidence.

Jiang Man was shocked. ’You can add "world-shaking" in front of Unparalleled Celestial Pride?’

Soon, Jiang Man saw a tree by the riverbank. Beneath it sat a man eating a piece of fruit.

He looked to be in his twenties and was dressed in silver-white armor.

Seeing him approach, the man plucked a fruit from the tree and tossed it to Jiang Man, saying, "Want one? It’s a pretty good Spirit Fruit, though it won’t help your Golden Core Cultivation."

Jiang Man caught the fruit and put it away.

"Greetings, Senior." He bowed respectfully.

"No need to be so polite. I sought you out because I have a favor to ask," the man said.

Jiang Man was perplexed. "Senior, you are a world-shaker. Is there anything you cannot accomplish?"

"You’re not an Unparalleled Celestial Pride, so you wouldn’t understand the suffering of an Unparalleled Celestial Pride," the man lamented, taking a bite of his fruit.

"Senior, is it possible that I, too, am an Unparalleled Celestial Pride?" Jiang Man asked.

The man glanced at Jiang Man, asking dubiously, "A *world-shaking* Unparalleled Celestial Pride?"

Jiang Man was at a loss for words.

’I really don’t know about that.’

’This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a "world-shaking" Unparalleled Celestial Pride.’

"You’ve fallen silent," the man sighed.

Then, he added, "Meeting you here is a matter of fate. I was starting to think no one would ever come in. I’ve been waiting for many days.

"I was about to head back."

"What does Senior need my help with?" Jiang Man asked.

The man pondered for a moment, then said, "Do you know of the Immortal Sect?"

Jiang Man nodded.

"Then do you know that the Immortal Sect has a group of people who are forbidden from going out?" the man asked again.

Jiang Man shook his head.

’I know, but I can’t nod.’

"For the sake of peace and stability in the world, these people are restrained. None of them can leave the Immortal Sect, let alone take large-scale action at will," the man said, continuing to munch on his fruit. "But there’s always someone who thinks they’re clever and actually managed to come over here through the Magpie Bridge.

"Normally, that would be that.

"As long as there were no major repercussions, the Immortal Sect wouldn’t want to interfere too much.

"They’d just investigate slowly.

"If they found the person, they’d issue a warning or two. If not, they’d let it go.

"No one wanted to stoop to this person’s level.

"The Immortal Sect isn’t that idle.

"Of course, they also *couldn’t* stoop to her level.

"These people are all too powerful. As long as they don’t cross a bottom line, the Immortal Sect turns a blind eye.

"But now, someone actually wants to come out openly.

"Even *I* can’t get out, and *she* thinks she can?

"Who does she think she is?

"Now there’s no need to investigate. I’m sure the one who came out through the Magpie Bridge is that old woman."

The man grew more agitated as he spoke.

The more Jiang Man listened, the more guilty he felt.

Especially when he heard the words "old woman."

His heart was pounding like a drum.

But he didn’t dare show it.

’And he’s saying *she* wants to come out? Aren’t I completely screwed then?’

"So, can she get out?" Jiang Man asked.

"For now, she probably can’t. But she’s been plotting for a long time. I’m afraid the day will come when she succeeds.

"And that’s why I’m asking for your help." The man looked at Jiang Man with a serious expression. "You know, it’s too dangerous for someone like her to be on the outside. Since the Immortal Sect will let her out, they can’t take action against her.

"As long as her actions stay within normal bounds, they can only let her be.

"But from the looks of it, she’s not just coming out for a two-day trip.

"As for me, I came out for two reasons. First, I want to find the path she took to get out and see what she’s been up to.

"Second, I want to ask for your help."

Jiang Man was quite curious. "Ask for my help with what?"

The man’s eyes grew cold as he said, "Kill her."

Jiang Man’s Heart Spirit trembled. ’He’s asking me to kill my wife?’

He was stunned for a moment before saying, "You’re asking a Golden Core cultivator to kill someone that even the Immortal Sect dares not touch?"

’Did I mishear, or did you misspeak?’

Jiang Man felt this was utterly absurd.

And far too dangerous.

Even if it wasn’t his wife he was being asked to kill, he wouldn’t dare.

Not unless he grew much stronger.

’And taking a huge step back, who even knows who this man is?’

’What if I’m being tricked?’