Time swiftly passed.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since Zhang Yao and his group entered the Jing Kingdom.
During this month, Zhang Yao truly lived as he had said before, traveling through the mountains and waters, viewing various scenic spots, and enjoying local customs.
On this day:
In a bustling marketplace in the central Jing Kingdom, Zhang Yao and his group were experiencing a special service called "Fu Luo Yun Meng" in an elegant pavilion.
The greatest feature of the Jing Kingdom among the Central Plains Countries is the abundance of demon cultivators because it is naturally endowed, and no one can control or correct it.
On this basis, a series of methods targeting the bloodline power of the Demon Race have been developed in the cultivation realm.
These methods are not only used for combat, but also increase the success rate of alchemy, enhance the efficiency of refining treasure materials, temporarily boost cultivation speed, etc., and are used extensively in unconventional practices.
Some clever demon cultivators have thus created many special services offered to cultivators who have no shortage of spirit stones.
"Hmm..."
In the pavilion, Zhang Yao rubbed his temples, sat up from a reclining chair, and said with a cheerful smile:
"Your method is quite good, though the effect is somewhat mild."
The Fu Luo Yun Meng technique uses several special talismans and specific bloodline power to help cultivators clear their mind and soul, purifying the spirit platform, supposedly very effective in unraveling knots and preventing possession.
However, Zhang Yao's divine soul power is too formidable, such that the shop owner tried his best, yet couldn't achieve a significant effect on him.
"Forgive me, elder."
The shop owner, with a charming appearance and graceful figure, hurriedly apologized, her three fox tails behind swaying uneasily.
As the Taiyin Tide grand event approaches, it's known across the Jing Kingdom, and upon seeing this group with extraordinary demeanor, she guessed their importance and dared not neglect them.
Normally, she wouldn't personally perform the Fu Luo Yun Meng technique given her status.
This marketplace is the largest under Liangyue River's command, with a Golden Core Ancestor overseeing it. The shop owner herself is a Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator with the Fox Race bloodline, one of the derivative lower bloodlines of the Waning Moon Celestial Fox.
"Boom..."
In the high sky above the marketplace, faintly, four or five grand escape lights whizzed past, unabashed Golden Core Realm auras, causing many exclamations within the marketplace.
The dozen or so Golden Core cultivators, including True Yang Ancestor and Du Guyan, who were idly wandering or standing in the pavilion, naturally noticed the commotion yet didn't even raise an eyebrow.
The reason is simple; this scene has occurred at least seven or eight times, so it has become customary.
As the opening date of the Taiyin Tide grand event draws closer, Golden Core cultivators from the Central Plains Countries and even the Nine Mansions of the Celestial Continent become increasingly common, often moving in groups of three to five, whistling as they head towards Liangyue River.
Golden Core cultivators traveling alone are quite rare, and even rarer are large groups of more than a dozen, all from renowned major forces.
After consolidating the Southwest region, they barely stepped into this threshold, still lacking the foundation and momentum compared to the former Seven Sects Alliance.
"Hmm?"
Zhang Yao suddenly moved, standing up.
"Ancestor?"
"Daoist Brother Qingxu?"
The dozen Golden Core cultivators were somewhat surprised and looked toward Zhang Yao.
In the past month, they had witnessed many Golden Core cultivator lights, but Zhang Yao typically ignored them, so was this a familiar face?
"I merely encountered an old acquaintance."
Zhang Yao waved his hand and said:
"Fellow Daoists, please wait a moment; I will be back shortly."
As he finished speaking, Zhang Yao's figure disappeared from the pavilion, leaving many Golden Core cultivators puzzled and speculating.
In fact, their initial guesses were off track.
Zhang Yao's divine thought indeed captured the familiar aura of an old acquaintance, but it wasn't a Golden Core cultivator.
Marketplace outskirts.
A slender, veiled female cultivator slowly walked towards the marketplace center, with sea-blue hair, her collarbone sides revealing fins, and some faint scales on the back of her hand.
Clearly, she was also a demon cultivator, seemingly with a water attribute demon race bloodline.
"...this might not be a good thing, perhaps even a great misfortune..."
As she walked, her elegant brows furrowed, pondering continuously, appearing deeply troubled.
Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice echoed in her ear:
"Fairy Yuan Meng, it has been years since we last met."
"..."
Fairy Yuan Meng raised her head in shock, seeing a completely unexpected figure.
"Fellow Daoist Qingxu?"
Before her stood a young man with a cyan Daoist robe, smiling at the corners of his mouth, still retaining his youthful appearance, standing with hands behind his back, scrutinizing her.
After overcoming her shock, a few traces of panic flashed across her face, and she quickly made obeisance:
"Greetings Qingxu...Elder Qingxu."
"Please rise quickly."
Zhang Yao supported her and gently said:
"Fairy Yuan Meng, you and I are old acquaintances; there's no need to be so distant, nor overly formal."
He paused for a moment before smiling and saying:
"It seems my humble reputation has reached the ears of the fairy."
Fairy Yuan Meng sighed a breath of relief inwardly and, hearing Zhang Yao's words, couldn't help but smile wryly:
"It's hardly a humble reputation."
"Elder Qingxu's defeat of the Seven Sects Alliance and ascension as Lord of the Southwest is well-known in the Jing Kingdom; how could I not have heard?"
Her mood was exceedingly complex as she spoke.
More than a hundred years ago, when she left the Haihe Association, Zhang Yao had just joined. Even though his strength surpassed hers, his cultivation wasn't as advanced.
Yet, unexpectedly, over a century later, their situations became vastly different.
She was an ordinary bloodline demon cultivator, struggling for over a century, only managing to advance from middle-stage to late-stage Foundation Establishment, far from the Golden Core realm or even Foundation Establishment Perfection.
Now Zhang Yao, however, ruled the Southwest, renowned across the countries and known as a dominant force. Even ordinary Golden Core cultivators had to show great respect and dared not offend him.
Their disparity was beyond a mere difference between clouds and mud.
"Fairy Yuan Meng, I wonder how you've been since we last parted."
Zhang Yao proactively inquired about her experiences over the years.
"Just the same; fortunately, within the Jing Kingdom, we demon cultivators are no longer universally hunted..."
Fairy Yuan Meng shook her head and started sharing stories, echoing his words.
After some pleasantries, Fairy Yuan Meng could hardly contain herself, asking:
"I wonder, how is Lord Haihe... is he... is he doing well?"
The question was essentially about Lord Haihe's life or death.
If he hadn't reached the Golden Core, then Lord Haihe would have long since passed away. Yet, after the tumult, forcing the Fuhai Sect to move to Dayu, obtaining information grew extremely difficult.
"..."
Zhang Yao paused a moment, recognizing the seemingly exceptional relationship between her and Lord Haihe, beyond mere gratitude for rescue and protection.
Perhaps there were some hidden affections?
Regrettably, with Lord Haihe's demise, all sentiments vanished into dust.
"Alas."
Zhang Yao sighed, ultimately choosing to speak the truth:
"To be honest, Fairy, Lord Haihe's master, Wanchuan Ancestor, also happened to be a demon cultivator, lived for a thousand years, and personally founded the Fuhai Sect."
"During Lord Haihe's critical Golden Core breakthrough, Wanchuan Ancestor covertly harmed him and replaced him..."
His expression remained calm, but his tone carried traces of chilling coldness:
"Later, I visited Dayu, unmasked his disguise, and after slaying him, relocated the Fuhai Sect back to Da Li."