Chapter 126: Zhao Ming

"Welcome, Master."

Before long, his lackey Zhao Ming flew over in a flurry, his eyes filled with reverence as he prostrated himself piously.

Old Man Jian, upon sensing Li Changsheng’s arrival, instantly transformed his physical form into a cluster of illusory, eerie energy and appeared by his side.

"Seeing that your sincerity is commendable, I bestow upon you the status of a Nether Servant and the cultivation of the Law."

Li Changsheng remained expressionless as he gazed at Zhao Ming before him, speaking in a faint tone. He raised his hand to form a seal, connecting his mind to the River of the Underworld. Drawing forth a single drop of its water, he pointed his finger.

The dark, gloomy river water suddenly morphed into an ancient, primitive rune, which streaked directly toward the center of Zhao Ming’s brow!

It arrived in an instant and merged seamlessly!

Within the blink of an eye, the rune had fused completely with Zhao Ming’s soul, his physical body, and every fiber of vitality within him.

Simultaneously, at a flick of Li Changsheng’s will, the pure energy he had obtained from Bu Yuzi within the Nether River began to pour steadily into Zhao Ming.

"This..."

Zhao Ming felt a jolt in his heart the moment the rune took hold. Now, sensing the spiritual energy in his body rapidly swelling and his cultivation level climbing steadily, his shock was beyond measure!

*To manipulate the spirit with a mere thought!*

What level of cultivation must one possess to achieve such a feat? Even a master at the Ancient Mirror stage would find such a task daunting, to say the least! Yet, the Master performed this act with such effortless ease!

Could it be that the Master’s identity... is a God? But were not all the gods of the ancient era annihilated?

At this thought, Zhao Ming’s heart trembled! He hurriedly dispelled the distracting thoughts from his mind. Gods are not to be blasphemed! The ancient gods were peerlessly powerful; with a wave of their hands, they could shatter the starry sky and collapse the void! They could commune with all sentient beings and manipulate the flow of time!

If the Master truly were a god, then being his servant could hardly be a loss! Moreover, that level of existence was far beyond anything he could ever fathom!

With this realization, the reverence in Zhao Ming’s heart deepened, and a flicker of fanaticism ignited in the depths of his eyes. Like a truly devout believer, he performed the three kowtows and nine prostrations before Li Changsheng.

As a Nether Servant, Zhao Ming’s thoughts were transparent to Li Changsheng, who naturally perceived his inner musings. He chuckled inwardly and shook his head slowly.

"Ding! Subjugated Zhao Ming. Destiny points merged. Host's current Destiny points..."

*...??*

*10 Destiny points?*

Li Changsheng arched an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

*A sect master is worth 10 Destiny points?*

*What use are you, then?*

*Hmm?*

*What use?*

Thinking this, Li Changsheng suddenly felt he didn’t want to look at him anymore.

"Integrate all the sects in the Chu Ling region. Search every opportunity and secret realm clean."

"If there is anything unusual, call my name, and I shall know."

After a slight pause, Li Changsheng’s expression returned to calm, and he gave his instructions indifferently. As illusory energy surged around him, he gathered Zhao Wan'er into his arms, took a step forward, and vanished instantly toward the eastern horizon.

"Since you are now a servant of the Young Master, remember to serve with loyalty and harbor no other designs."

Old Man Jian’s eyes flashed with a sharp light. After giving Zhao Ming a cold instruction, his figure dissolved into a stream of eerie energy, following closely behind Li Changsheng.

"This servant will remember. Respectfully sending off the Young Master!"

Zhao Ming watched the direction in which they departed, bowed deeply, and called out reverently. Only after a long while did he rise, a flash of determination deep in his eyes.

"Disciples of the One Sword Sect, listen to my orders!"

"All disciples above the Foundation Establishment stage, with the exception of the Law Enforcement Elders and the Supreme Elders, assemble at the sect gates within ten breaths!"

As a vast, surging spiritual energy rippled around him, Zhao Ming’s majestic voice boomed across the entire One Sword Sect like a rolling thunderclap!

*Boom!*

*Thud!*

*Rumble!*

Simultaneously, a chorus of thunderous roars erupted throughout the One Sword Sect! Countless disciples and elders broke through their seclusion, rushing to assemble at the gates!

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

Looking up at the terrifyingly powerful Zhao Ming standing above the gates, the disciples and elders were stunned for a moment before erupting into fanatical joy! Their voices rang out with fervor! Their Sect Master’s cultivation had clearly reached a new height; the One Sword Sect was destined to rise to fame in the Chu Ling region! As disciples, they felt a profound sense of honor and pride!

"Follow me to the Phantom Demon Palace and annihilate the sect!"

Zhao Ming’s gaze was sharp as lightning as he swept it across the fanatical crowd. With a wave of his large sleeve, he swept them all inside and teleported toward the location of the Phantom Demon Palace!

Time passed slowly, and night fell in the blink of an eye...

As the night sky draped over the land, stars twinkled with faint light and the bright moon hung high, casting a serene glow, Li Changsheng and his companions arrived at a small town.

The town was named Immortal Forest.

Immortal Forest Town was not large, yet it was lit by thousands of lanterns, with people bustling through its ancient streets and alleys. It appeared exceptionally lively.

At this moment, Li Changsheng and his two companions sat quietly drinking in the town’s largest tavern. Aside from them, there was also a woman draped in red silk with a somewhat illusory figure present. This was Tang Yun, whom Li Changsheng had taken into the Nether River.

"Young Master, there is something Wan'er still doesn't understand..."

Zhao Wan'er’s beautiful eyes rippled with doubt, and she spoke with a hint of hesitation.

"Your doubt is merely why I, a practitioner at the Half-Immortal stage with such a noble status, would repeatedly tolerate a low-level cultivator like Lin Hao."

Li Changsheng drank his tea calmly, his expression serene.

"The Young Master is wise; Wan'er truly does not understand."

Zhao Wan'er bowed respectfully. Beside her, Tang Yun’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, and she focused her attention on them. Logically speaking, someone of Li Changsheng’s cultivation level should indeed not have tolerated a junior time and again. This was exactly what Tang Yun had been unable to fathom when Li Changsheng had let her and her companion go earlier.

*Does he not understand the need to cut the weeds and pull up the roots?*

To have cultivated to the Half-Immortal realm, one could not possibly be simple-minded. Someone as unfathomable as Li Changsheng could not be ignorant of such things. If not for that, there must be another reason...

"Your horizons are too narrow."

Li Changsheng naturally sensed the shift in their expressions, but he remained calm as he spoke.

"Wan'er, your upbringing was not high. Most of your life has been spent by my side; what you see and think is limited to the Qingling World."

"If you were to step outside this framework, you would soon understand."

Li Changsheng blew on his tea, took a sip, and spoke placidly.

"Does your Excellency mean that there is a great enemy outside the Qingling World?"

At this, Tang Yun’s eyes flickered with contemplation, and her red lips parted as she murmured.

"Yes, and no."

Li Changsheng sipped his tea again and continued:

"As a descendant of the Demon Immortal lineage, you should know something of ancient history. Rumor has it that the gods and the endless immortals and demons were all annihilated in a great cataclysm. Do you believe that to be true?"

Li Changsheng’s gaze was profound as it landed on Tang Yun.

"This matter is too terrifying... With my current cultivation and experience, it is difficult to say."

Tang Yun shook her head slowly, feeling a sense of helplessness. Such ancient secrets were beyond her ability to speculate. If she truly knew, the Demon Immortal lineage would not have fallen to this state.

Suddenly, Tang Yun froze. A grave look flickered in the depths of her eyes as she looked back at Li Changsheng.

"You ask this; could it be that you know something?"

*The bait is taken, the bait is taken...*

Sensing the gravity in Tang Yun’s eyes, Li Changsheng almost laughed out loud. However, his own expression revealed a subtle bitterness...

"Let me ask you: what level of existence were the ancestors of the Demon Immortal lineage?"

Li Changsheng sighed, a hint of depth in his expression.

"The ancestors of my lineage rose to power only after the cataclysm that annihilated the gods."

"If one were to speak of it, the level of the Demon Ancestor was likely second only to the ancient gods."

"Later, for reasons unknown, they left behind their inheritance and vanished without a trace."

Tang Yun spoke thoughtfully. Although she did not exactly dislike Li Changsheng, she did not trust him much either. She remained guarded, and what she said was merely trivial information. Of course, Tang Yun could speak so calmly only because she did not know that her ancestor’s inheritance had been destroyed by Li Changsheng. Li Changsheng was deep-minded and would naturally never tell her.

*As the saying goes: see through it, but don't expose it, so that friends can continue to be friends.*

"Second only to the gods is not enough."

Shortly after Tang Yun spoke, Li Changsheng’s eyes revealed a trace of bitterness as he murmured.

"To tell you the truth, I have obtained the inheritance of the Ancient True God, the Master of the Nether River."

"This inheritance contains a great secret!"

"The Qingling World is a place laid out by the gods, a cage for all sentient beings..."

Li Changsheng’s eyes were filled with despair, and his voice sounded desolate.

"What!"

"Can what you say be true?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Yun’s pupils shrank violently, and she found it hard to accept!

"Most of the ancient gods perished without even leaving behind their own inheritances."

"Only the Master of the Nether River used great divine power to pass down the Nether River."

"After I obtained it, I naturally understood the secrets within."

"And this secret points directly to the Great Cataclysm of the Gods!"

"Even to the Qingling Cage..."

Li Changsheng looked remorseful, his face filled with grief and indignation, his voice bitter.

"What... what exactly is it..."

Tang Yun’s heart was seventy percent convinced; she hesitated and murmured. Logically, a cultivator of Li Changsheng’s level had no reason to weave such a tedious lie. Moreover, she was just a soul with little utility value. And the fact that Li Changsheng truly mastered the Nether River had already been verified!

After some thought, Tang Yun reached a conclusion. What Li Changsheng said was likely true! This world truly contained a great secret!

"This calamity... cannot be spoken of..."

"To utter a single word of it is to perish instantly..."

Li Changsheng’s expression gradually returned to calm, though the bitterness in his eyes remained.

"Above the Ancient Mirror stage is the Dao stage."

"But is the Dao stage truly the limit for us cultivators?"

Sighing, the last trace of bitterness in Li Changsheng’s eyes vanished, and his expression returned to its usual indifference. But that last sentence cast Tang Yun’s thoughts into an infinite unknown! The fear of the unknown is the emotion hidden deepest in the human heart!

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Tang Yun’s pupils shrank, and her heart was churned by stormy waves! Even Old Man Jian and Zhao Wan'er felt the weight of his words, their hearts filled with shock! No one dared to claim that the path of cultivation had an end! There were countless legends of those who had completely transcended life and death! Let alone a mere Dao stage!

"Ding! The Dao mind of the Third-Generation Demon Immortal is shaken and leans toward the host. Lin Hao’s Destiny points reduced by 200. Additional reward of 2000 Destiny points for the host."

As the system sound rang in his mind, Li Changsheng was already laughing with glee. Looking at the three people lost in thought, he felt quite spirited.

*When it comes to weaving tall tales, if I am second, who dares to be first?*

*Third-Generation Demon Immortal?*

*About to be led astray by my lies...*

With that, Li Changsheng shook his head and sighed, drinking his tea. The other three remained silent, each with a different expression.

"Young Master, what are our plans for the future..."

After a long while, Zhao Wan'er broke the silence. Old Man Jian and Tang Yun also looked over, waiting for Li Changsheng to speak.

"The Alchemy Saint of the Immortal Forest Sect is the reincarnation of an Ancient Alchemy Demon. According to my deductions, this demon possesses certain ancient secrets."

"And the Immortal Forest Sect is but a few hundred miles from this Immortal Forest Town. We can reach it in a moment."

"But this demon is cunning, ruthless, and his arts are eerie..."

"Only by entering the Immortal Forest can we get close to him."

"At that time, with a bit of scheming, we can force out his true form and make him a target for all! That will be the moment for us to kill him and seize the secret knowledge!"

Li Changsheng’s expression was indifferent, his voice laced with a coldness that seemed to stem from a deep hatred for demonic creatures. Honestly, Li Changsheng wasn't even bluffing. After all, the reincarnation of the Ancient Alchemy Demon was true, and his cunning was also true. No matter how you looked at it, he was a good person ridding the world of evil...

"Ancient demonic cultivators are indeed truly wicked and sources of chaos."

"As a member of the orthodox Demon Immortal lineage, I naturally do not wish to see this demonic cultivator run rampant."

"Tang Yun is willing to assist with your plan with all her might."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yun’s expression turned grim, a cold light flashing in her eyes as she spoke in a chilling tone.

*Oh?*

*This woman hates demonic cultivators so much?*

Noticing the shift in Tang Yun’s expression, Li Changsheng was surprised. After a moment of contemplation, he began to understand. The placement of the chess pieces in the underground palace beneath the Tianyuan Winery had already explained everything. The immortals and demons were lawless, and the Demon Ancestor had used their own will to dominate the firmament, attempting to quell the chaos. Demonic cultivators were the root of this world’s turmoil; as a descendant of the Demon Immortal lineage, she naturally hated them. Moreover, as the Third-Generation Demon Immortal, her origins must be extraordinary. If she had some tragic experience related to demons, it would make perfect sense.

*Besides, what I need to be careful about now is Lin Hao...*

After some thought, Li Changsheng chuckled inwardly, a plan already beginning to form...

"In that case, we shall head to the Immortal Forest tomorrow to pay a visit to the sect."

Li Changsheng’s expression was calm, his eyes deep. As he murmured, he finished his tea.

*Ancient Alchemy Demon?*

*With me in the dark and you in the light, will you not be played like a puppet in my hands?*

*Once this wave of leeks is harvested, I should have enough to trade for a magical treasure to play with...*

*Regardless, I am quite looking forward to it...*

...

Meanwhile, at a holy palace on a sacred mountain hundreds of miles away, near a lake just east of the palace, a young man in white sat cross-legged.