Chapter 6: The Iron Rod Strikes (Part 1)

  After listening to Lingyunzi's words, Daomingzhen's face became even more gloomy. "You're really good! Now you can take charge on your own. The Condensed Dew Liquid is only produced three drops every hundred years, and you so easily gave it away to someone else. Do you know what this Condensed Dew Liquid can do?" He paused for a moment, and his eyes flashed with cold light as he glared at Lingyunzi: "Not only did you take it upon yourselves to send out the Condensed Dew Liquid without permission, but you also accepted something from that person. Lingyun, return that fifth-grade Purple Bamboo to Daoyun Shishu immediately after you get back. I had always thought highly of you, but I didn't expect you to be so greedy. Hmph, we'll discuss everything when we get back."

  Hai Long glared at Ling Yunzi, who was being scolded by Dao Ming Zhenren, and suddenly felt his anger rising. He shouted loudly: "Master ancestor, why are you being so harsh?! Fourth Master never wanted it in the first place! The purple bamboo was something I received from Master Lingmu Zi's hands. Moreover, I've already used it to save Little Mechanism Spirit, so there's no way to return it!"

  Dàomíng zǐ's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and Hǎilóng clearly felt an overwhelming sense of oppression coming from all directions, his breathing suddenly becoming difficult.

  Lingyunzi was startled and hastily said: "Master, don't listen to Tangyu's nonsense, it's really my fault, if you want to punish me, then punish me."

  Dao Ming was openly defied by his disciple in front of the other disciples, and his anger surged up, but he also knew that today was not the time to lose his temper, so he let out a cold snort and withdrew his aura.

  Hailong took big gulps of the fresh air at the top of Jie Tian Peak, revealing that Zhenren's actions had stirred up his inner stubbornness. He suddenly stepped forward and shouted: "What did I do wrong? You want to treat me like this? You're not even worthy of being my master!" His voice was very loud, with a sharp tone, and the unintentional use of his magical powers enhanced its piercing power, almost spreading it to every corner of Jie Tian Square. The hundreds of Lian Yun Sect disciples who had already arrived immediately focused their attention on him, all revealing shocked expressions. Hailong was the first person to dare scold an elder at the top of Jie Tian Peak.

  Dao Ming's chubby face had turned a deep purple, and the killing intent in his small eyes was exposed. In front of so many fellow disciples, he was scolded by a junior, how could he put down his face? Just as he couldn't bear it anymore and was about to make a move, a gentle voice sounded, "Dao Ming Shixiong, what's wrong that made you so angry? It's not good to lose your temper in the Tiān Jiǎo Square."

  Dào Míng True Person turned his head to look back, and it was indeed Dào Yún True Person. He let out a cold snort and said, "We don't need you to interfere with the affairs of Mó Yún Peak."

  Dào Yún Zhēn Rén bumped into a hard nail but didn't get angry, floating down beside Hǎi Lóng, smiling and saying: "I also heard some things just now, since the matter arose from my borrowing those three drops of Condensed Dew Liquid, it's naturally related to me. Shī Xiōng, you've also cultivated for 500 years, why is your fire energy still so vigorous? He's currently the only fifth-generation disciple; we seniors should spoil him a bit more. The various Daoist sages will soon arrive, I think... let's just forget it then. If in the future Shī Xiōng has any unpleasantness, just come find Dào Yún."

  Dao Ming's eyes flashed with cold light, and he thought to himself: In terms of cultivation, Dao Yun may have started later than me by several decades, but he has already surpassed me by one realm, reaching the initial stage of Dao Long. He has always been at odds with me, and now that he has found an opportunity to mock me, how can I still survive in Lianyun Sect? Just then, Hai Long pulled on Dao Yun's sleeve and said: "Dao Yun Master Uncle, please take me as your disciple. That dead fatty Dao Ming is so vicious, if you don't accept me, he'll beat me to death when I get back."

  Dào Yún was startled, and in the Lián Yún Sect, there really wasn't anyone who dared to be as presumptuous as this little scoundrel. He rebuked: "Don't spout nonsense, you can't disrespect your Shīzǔ... Ah! Shīxiōng, spare him."

  "Boom——" In the midst of the loud noise, all eleven disciples of Dao Ming were blown away, while Dao Ming and Dao Yun took a step back to steady themselves. Hai Long, who was protected by Dao Yun, didn't suffer any harm but had turned pale with fright. It turned out that after hearing Hai Long's inflammatory words, Dao Ming could no longer hold back his anger and struck at Hai Long. Fortunately, Dao Yun discovered this in time and, having a higher cultivation level than Dao Ming, managed to save Hai Long's life.

  "Who dares to make a move in the Tianyuan Square?" A hoarse and thick voice rang out, causing everyone's heart to beat rapidly, as if this sudden voice could control their lives. A wheel of blue-green light burst forth from afar, forming a massive halo. In the center of the halo stood an old man with a flowing Taoist robe, his feet treading on a green auspicious cloud that floated gently towards him. The old man's face was ancient and simple, his eyes clear and profound, with a hint of warmth hidden beneath. Despite his white hair and aged bones, his appearance gave off a fresh and new aura. A powerful aura enveloped his body, clearly indicating an extremely deep level of cultivation. Upon seeing the old man appear, all the Tianyun Sect disciples on the square simultaneously bowed their heads in respect, saying: "Greetings to the Wujidao Zun."

  The green cloud dispersed, and the halo surrounding Wuji Daoren's body suddenly retracted, shrinking to half its size and quietly floating behind his back. "Alright, you can all get up now. Dao Ming, Dao Yun, what's going on here? Has your master not arrived yet?" Wuji Daoren's cultivation ranked sixth among the nine top cultivators of the second generation of Lianyun Sect, just below Tian Shi Daoren, who was Dao Ming Zhenren's master, and had been cultivating for over two thousand years.

  Dàomíngzi saw Wújī Dào Zūn appear, and a layer of cold sweat suddenly broke out on his back. After regaining his composure, he hurriedly bowed and said: "I report to the Honorable Dao, everything is my fault, please punish me."

  Wu Ji Dao Zun smiled slightly and said, "Cultivating the truth requires a calm mind, but your anger is too heavy. It's taboo to fight in the Tian Tian Square. This place is the closest to the immortal realm in the Shenzhou continent, once you provoke the heavenly calamity, this place will become a scorched earth, and you will be the sinner of our Lian Yun Sect, don't you know?"

  After hearing Wuji Daozun's words, Daoming and Daoyun were suddenly terrified, both kneeling on the ground. What is Tianjie? How could they not know? If they encountered the triple heavenly tribulation, even if all the cultivators of Yunzong joined forces, they might not be able to resist it. Realizing their terrible mistake, both of their bodies trembled with fear.

  "Unjust, don't scare the younger generation. Unless it's us nine old guys working together, where would this heavenly calamity come from? Can they do it with just their little cultivation?" Another mass of blue clouds floated over, and a cyan light ring that was almost identical to Wuji Daozun appeared. The light dissipated, and suddenly there was another person standing beside Wuji Daozun. This person was not tall, only reaching Wuji Daozun's shoulder, with his right hand supporting a round, milky white stone about 20 centimeters in diameter. Inside the stone seemed to be swirling clouds and mist, looking extremely mysterious.

  The inorganic Daoist smiled and said, "Heavenly Stone Shixiong, why are you ruining my show again? I just wanted to give these disciples a warning." The newcomer was none other than Tian Shi Dao Zun, the master of Dao Ming Tian.

  Tian Shi Dao Zun gazed at Dao Ming Zhen Ren with a hint of disappointment and said, "Dao Ming, you're becoming increasingly unaccomplished. Not only is your cultivation progress slow, but even your temperament has become so unbearable. How can you possibly inherit my mantle?"

  Daming Zhenren was delighted when Tian Shi Daozun appeared, and with Tian Shi Daozun there, his heart became more stable. Upon hearing his master's rebuke, he hastily responded with a series of "yeses", putting on a humble and obedient appearance.

  "Hmph." A soft chuckle broke the solemn atmosphere of the Heavenly Square, and it was none other than Hailong who had laughed. The Celestial Stone Daoist's eyebrows furrowed slightly, while the Mechanical Daoist looked at this junior disciple with some curiosity. The Celestial Stone Daoist's jade stone radiated a gentle glow as he asked calmly, "What are you laughing at?"

  The dragon king can be said to be a newborn calf that is not afraid of tigers, and does not care about the anxious expressions of his several masters. He says: "Of course it's ridiculous. When my master was facing me, he was an angry tiger, but when he saw the two ancestors, he became as gentle as a kitten, a typical bully who fears the strong and preys on the weak."

  Tian Shi Dao Zun's face sank, and the kneeling Dao Ming Zhen Ren emitted a dangerous aura. Wu Ji Dao Zun chuckled and said, "Well, you're quite interesting, kid. However, when facing your elders, you can't be so rude." Hai Long scratched his head and said, "Ancestor, I'm not being rude! Respect for one's elders should come from the heart; what's the use of just putting on a show? I'm not disrespecting you all, I'm just saying what's on my mind. Don't you like hearing the truth?"

  Wu Dao Zun was taken aback, he didn't think that after living for over two thousand years, he would be refuted by a child of only ten or so years old, and to make matters worse, his words made it impossible for him to retort.

  "Well said. I like children who speak from the heart." In the clear voice, a young woman appeared beside Hailong, with a cyan light halo floating behind her back. "Greetings, Master Piaoyou Dao."

  Dào Yún stood behind a young woman with his head bowed and said respectfully: "Master."

  Her appearance was extremely beautiful, and Ling Fei compared to her was only a firefly's glow. Her white skin, delicate features, and ink-green long hair like a waterfall were not the most attractive places. The most moving was her temperament, as gentle as a mountain spirit rain, so serene that it seemed to be detached from worldly affairs. Even for the disciples of Lianyun Sect, it was hard to imagine that this stunning beauty was actually the third seat holder of Lianyun Sect at first sight.

  "You two! You're not even as good as a child. What's wrong with other people's children? Honestly, what's wrong with that? I think you both should reflect on yourselves. Someone like him who cultivates the truth is much smoother than we were back then. I think that maybe after a thousand years, our Tianyun Sect will be able to produce another freak again. Tienshi, if you don't want her, let her join my sect instead."

  A flash of anger passed through Tian Shi's eyes, but he also knew that he couldn't afford to offend the ethereal Daoist. He calmly said, "Sister, after all, he is my junior brother in the sect. How can I let him be wronged? Since you say he didn't do anything wrong, then it's settled."

  Piaoyu Daozun smiled slightly and said, "I knew you wouldn't be willing to part with it. Don't worry, child, if they dare to bully you in the future, I'll help you take revenge." As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Hailong. Hailong had been completely stunned since Piaoyu Daozun appeared, and Ling Feizi's figure was nowhere to be seen; in his eyes, there was only the peerless beauty of Piaoyu Daozun before him. As he gazed at Piaoyu Daozun's slender body hidden beneath her Taoist robes, and breathed in the faint fragrance on her body, two streams of blood flowed involuntarily from his nostrils.

  "Ah! Child, were you just shaken by them? Let the Ancestor take a look." For some reason, as soon as the Ethereal Venerable saw the Sea Dragon, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

  An incomparably pure and warm energy enveloped his entire body, and the Sea Dragon only felt a tremor in his body, as if all 36,000 pores had opened at once. It was an indescribable comfort. Under the powerful magical effect of the Floating Void Venerable, it took only an instant for him to rise from the initial stage to the intermediate stage.

  The dragon king spat out a sentence that shocked everyone, he looked deeply at the floating Taoist in front of him and said: "Sister, you look so beautiful! Will you marry me when I grow up?"

  Xuǎngǔ Dào Zūn's entire body shook, the cyan light ring behind him suddenly fluctuated without reason, all the disciples were shocked, and Dao Ming True Person, who was kneeling on the ground, couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood. Although he knew that Hǎi Lóng was bold, he didn't expect that he would even dare to be rude to Xuǎngǔ Dào Zūn, a heavyweight figure in the Xiūzhēn world.

  Tian Shi Dao Zun angrily rebuked, "Dao Ming, you have a good disciple." A brilliant light burst forth from behind him, and a white glow shot out from his hand, Tian Shi, and flew straight towards Hai Long's forehead. Even someone with Tian Shi Dao Zun's cultivation could be provoked to kill, and Hai Long could take pride in that.

  After hearing the words of the Sea Dragon, Piaoyue Daozun's mind and body were completely trapped in confusion. She had entered Lianyun Sect at the age of seven and had not left the Lianyun Mountains for over 2,300 years. Although her cultivation was profound and her status was revered, this was the first time she had ever heard such frivolous words. The Sea Dragon's childish words were so sincere that they gave rise to a strange feeling in her heart. She stood beside the Sea Dragon, with scenes of her past cultivation flashing before her eyes. This third-ranked Daozun of Lianyun Sect was somewhat infatuated.

  Tian Shi Dao Zun's sudden move, even Wu Ji Dao Zun couldn't stop it in time, and Piao Miao Dao Zun was still in a daze, watching as Hai Long's life was about to disappear.

  The dragon saw a white light rushing towards him, he wanted to dodge, but couldn't exert any strength, as if the surrounding space was sealed off, including his spirit, his whole body felt soft and weak, and could only stare blankly at the white light floating towards his brow. Silently crying out "I'm doomed", he subconsciously closed his eyes.

  "Master, no!" Ling Tongzi and the other four disciples exclaimed in unison. After more than a year of being together, they had already developed deep feelings for Hailong.