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Chapter 107: The Mud Buddha

His comment only made Bei Qingsi\'s already annoyed face flush even redder. Quickly, she retrieved a set of clothes from her storage bracelet and dressed rapidly, her eyes brimming with a mixture of shame and anger.

"Alright, you can turn around now," Bei Qingsi said, her voice tinged with embarrassment and frustration.

Reluctantly, Zhong Shan turned to face her, meeting her angry gaze. He knew Bei Qingsi wouldn\'t kill him, but her expression made him feel deeply wronged. It really wasn\'t his fault; it was just an incredible coincidence.

"I expect a reasonable explanation," Bei Qingsi demanded, trying to steady her emotions. She felt strangely conflicted because, despite the situation, she couldn\'t bring herself to blame Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan glanced at her, also hoping for a rational explanation from the heavens. It was just too coincidental, almost eerily so.

Looking at Bei Qingsi, Zhong Shan said, "If I told you it was a coincidence, would you believe me?"

Bei Qingsi: "..."

"When did you come back?" Zhong Shan quickly changed the subject. Although it was an awkward segue, he knew he couldn\'t linger on the current topic.

Bei Qingsi glanced at him, understanding that it had to be a coincidence. She had just returned to the Kaiyang Sect. Even if someone knew she was coming, they couldn\'t have prepared in advance, at most waiting outside the hot spring. Besides, it wasn\'t dignified for a woman to dwell on such matters.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she said, "I just got back."

Zhong Shan noticed her damaged outer garment and frowned. "Did you get the second piece of evidence? Did you encounter danger?"

"Yes, I took care of my opponent. But I can\'t access the location of the third piece without borrowing something from the Sect Master," Bei Qingsi replied, putting away her torn clothes and not mentioning the earlier incident.

Frowning, Zhong Shan approached Bei Qingsi. She seemed flustered but stood her ground stubbornly.

Standing close to her, Zhong Shan asked softly, "What do you plan to do after obtaining the three pieces of evidence?"

"I will leave immediately to clear my father\'s name," Bei Qingsi said resolutely.

"Can\'t you wait a bit longer? At least until you reach the Nascent Soul stage?" Zhong Shan asked, concerned.

Touched by Zhong Shan\'s worry, Bei Qingsi\'s expression softened. "I can\'t wait any longer. My father\'s remains are still being desecrated. I must go as soon as possible."

Seeing her determination, Zhong Shan sighed, "Alright, I wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you," Bei Qingsi nodded.

"Maybe you should finish your bath. I\'ll leave now," Zhong Shan suggested, glancing at the hot spring.

Bei Qingsi\'s face turned crimson again. Shaking her head, she said, "No need. I need to see the Sect Master and then say goodbye to my master."

"Alright, I also need to see my master. I\'ll accompany you," Zhong Shan nodded.

"You? Your master?" Bei Qingsi asked, puzzled.

"Yes, I was fortunate enough to catch the Sect Master\'s eye this time and become his named disciple. So, I won\'t have to address you as senior brother anymore," Zhong Shan explained.

"Senior brother?" Bei Qingsi shook her head. "In that case, you can just call me Qingsi."

"Alright, Qingsi," Zhong Shan replied.

Bei Qingsi didn\'t say anything but a hint of a gentle smile appeared on her normally aloof face.

With a wave of her hand, she retrieved the sixteen cloud flags and stored them in her bracelet. As the array dissipated, the surrounding mist vanished abruptly.

Meanwhile, on the peak of a distant mountain, Tian Sha had been closely observing the hot spring valley. As the array disappeared, he took a deep breath, ready to assess the situation. However, his expression froze as he felt a surge of disbelief. How could this be possible? How could there be another man?

Zhong Shan? What was he doing in the valley? Bei Qingsi had gone there to bathe. Why was Zhong Shan bathing there too? What had happened in the hot spring valley just now? Tian Sha\'s brow furrowed, a sense of frustration building up inside him. He glanced at Zhong Shan with resentment and a hint of murderous intent.

But Tian Sha\'s anger was far from over. On the flying sword that had never been touched by a man stood Zhong Shan. How could this be? Tian Sha knew Bei Qingsi was fastidious and her sword was never touched by any man, except in a life-and-death battle. What was happening now? How could she let Zhong Shan step on it?

Clutching his fists tightly, Tian Sha watched as the two flew away from the valley, filled with boundless rage. His eyes narrowed, emanating a chilling coldness.

Bei Qingsi led Zhong Shan straight to the Kaiyang Peak, and in no time, they arrived at the Kaiyang Hall.

Perhaps Bei Qingsi and Zhong Shan were just incredibly lucky. When they reached the Kaiyang Hall, Tian Xingzi happened to be there, along with Xuan Xinzi and Gu Shaozi.

As Zhong Shan entered the hall, he noticed another person—a man who wasn\'t Nie Qingqing but a rugged-looking individual with dark skin. Moreover, there was a prominent scar running from his left eye to his mouth.

Nan Batian!

Nan Batian had returned?

"Disciple Zhong Shan pays respects to Master and senior uncle," Zhong Shan immediately stepped forward and greeted.

"Qingsi pays respects to Master, Sect Master, and senior uncle," Bei Qingsi followed suit.

"When did you return, Qingsi?" Gu Shaozi asked with a hint of joy.

"I just returned today," Bei Qingsi replied promptly.

"The sixth level of the Xiantian stage, Zhong Shan, you\'ve broken through again?" Xuan Xinzi exclaimed in surprise.

Meanwhile, Tian Xingzi nodded in satisfaction.

"Yes, thanks to Master\'s guidance," Zhong Shan replied promptly.

"Good. Zhong Shan, I just checked, and you\'re in excellent condition now. Following the sequence I previously mentioned, the next step is to open up the remaining 360 acupoints and continue to infuse your true essence, filling your body with it," Tian Xingzi said, pleased with Zhong Shan\'s progress.

Xuan Xinzi and Gu Shaozi glanced at Zhong Shan, both showing a hint of surprise. They were well aware of Zhong Shan\'s aptitude, and the fact that he had cultivated true essence in just over two years was unbelievable.

Nan Batian, on the other hand, eyes glittered with happiness, clearly pleased for Zhong Shan.

"Master, Qingsi has come this time to ask Master for the token to the Wolf Domain," Bei Qingsi said, bowing to Tian Xingzi, her eyes filled with hope.

As Bei Qingsi spoke, everyone fell silent, their brows furrowing in concern.

"You\'ve already collected two pieces?" Gu Shaozi sighed softly.

"Yes, Master. There\'s only one piece left," Bei Qingsi replied earnestly.

"Ah..." Gu Shaozi let out a sigh. He glanced at Tian Xingzi.

"Are you going to see him?" Tian Xingzi seemed to be reminiscing about something, his eyes filled with guilt and regret.

"Yes, Master. He\'s holding onto the last piece of evidence left by my father, which is also the most crucial one," Bei Qingsi nodded.

With a flip of his hand, Tian Xingzi produced a white token. The token was shaped like a large wolf\'s head and emitted a peculiar aura.

As Tian Xingzi gently touched the token, he fell into silence, as if lost in thought.

"Zhong Shan," Tian Xingzi suddenly called out.

zhongshan furrowed his brows, unsure why Tian Xingzi had called him, but he still respectfully replied, "Yes, Master."

"In ten days, you will accompany Qingsi to the Wolf Domain," Tian Xingzi said after some thought.

"Um? Master..." Zhong Shan looked puzzled as he glanced at Tian Xingzi.

"At that time, Qingsi will take you there to meet that person. Qingsi will retrieve the evidence, and you will apologize to him on my behalf and invite him to Kaiyang Sect," Tian Xingzi took a deep breath, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

"Senior brother, you want to invite that person back?" Gu Shaozi immediately exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, Ling\'er has grown up now, but her grudge with Wuyou remains unsettled to this day. I don\'t even know who the enemy is. Although Wuyou didn\'t choose him back then, I believe he has always remembered her. I must avenge Wuyou, even if it means sacrificing my life. We can\'t find the culprit, only he with his unique abilities can. If I go, he will definitely not want to see me, so Zhong Shan, you will go in my place," Tian Xingzi said, his gaze gradually shifting towards Zhong Shan.

"Yes," Zhong Shan immediately replied.

"Zhong Shan is my disciple, and Tian Sha is also my disciple. You two will accompany Qingsi together and make sure to bring him back for me," Tian Xingzi said solemnly.

"Yes, Master, I will do my best," Zhong Shan replied solemnly.

"Good, I trust you. Take this last \'Essence of Clouds\' with you and be careful," Tian Xingzi handed over a fist-sized cloud-like object.

Seeing this, Zhong Shan felt a surge of joy in his heart but still calmly accepted the \'Essence of Clouds,\' saying, "Yes, Master. May I know the name of the senior?"

Grasping the ethereal Essence of Clouds, Zhong Shan tucked it away carefully. He looked at Tian Xingzi with reverence.

"He is called \'Ní Púsà\'," Tian Xingzi sighed softly.

Ní Púsà? Zhong Shan repeated the name silently in his mind before nodding.

"You and Batian can go now. Qingsi will stay," Tian Xingzi said.

"Yes," Zhong Shan replied immediately.

"Master, I take my leave," Nan Batian said to Xuan Xinzi.

"Very well," Xuan Xinzi nodded.

Then, Zhong Shan and Nan Batian slowly walked out of the hall.

"Batian, when did you come back?" Zhong Shan asked immediately as they left the hall, a hint of joy on his face.

"I\'ve been back for two months now, but I haven\'t seen you," Nan Batian replied promptly.

"Uh, I\'ve been condensing my true essence lately, so I went to practice near Flame Mountain Peak. Come, let\'s go to my place, Ting Shui Pavilion," Zhong Shan said promptly.

"Okay." Nan Batian agreed readily. It had been a long time since they last met, so they naturally needed to catch up.

At the Ting Shui Pavilion, next to the deep pool, Zhong Shan and Nan Batian sat facing each other, a teapot on the table between them. They poured themselves some tea and began sipping.

"You said you joined the army this past year?" Zhong Shan frowned in confusion.

Join the army? Nan Batian, with his cultivation, joining the army? Wouldn\'t he be invincible? Wait, did Nan Batian join one of the military forces during the Yun Dynasty?

"Yes, I\'ve heard about the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation in the southern Eight Gates Mountain, and also about Haosan and Qiulong\'s matters. However, after leaving the sect last time, I didn\'t go south, as Master instructed me to go north instead. There, I joined the Great Ming Dynasty and started fighting battles as an infantryman. This scar on my face was left from a major battle five months ago," Nan Batian explained.

"The Great Ming Dynasty? Can you tell me about the situation around us?" Zhong Shan asked, pondering.

"Well, where we are is called Tianlang Island, located southeast of the Divine Land across the sea. I\'m not very clear about the Divine Land, but I\'ve heard Master mention Tianlang Island before," Nan Batian said after taking a sip of tea and thinking for a moment.

Zhong Shan listened patiently, as he had established the Great Mount Empire himself and needed to understand the surrounding situation.

"We\'re in the western part of Tianlang Island. To the south, there are three areas with mortal kingdoms. As you mentioned before, the Great Kun Kingdom where you used to be is one of those areas. These kingdoms are mundane powers, not very powerful, but their locations are relatively favorable, so they haven\'t been wiped out," Nan Batian explained.

"There are three in total?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Yes, three in total. The Great Kun Kingdom, where you used to be, is located in the central area, with two other areas to the east and west, separated by numerous mountains and rivers. This is in the south of Tianlang Island. To the north, however, there\'s only one area, and it\'s dominated by powerful dynasties," Nan Batian continued.

"Dynasties?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Yes, the northern territory is vast, much larger than the three areas in the south combined. There are three major dynasties and one Yin Yue Imperial Dynasty. The emperors of these dynasties have at least reached the Yuan Ying stage in cultivation. The strength of any one of these dynasties is no weaker than the apparent strength of our Kaiyang Sect. However, the three major dynasties are collectively resisting the Yin Yue Imperial Dynasty and are being suppressed by it. You know how terrifying the Yin Yue Imperial Dynasty is, don\'t you?" Nan Batian chuckled.