On the banks of the Sanzu River, turbid waves surge.
Unlike the hustle and bustle of the distant underworld, this area retains the original deathly silence and desolation of the netherworld.
Of course, this is true if we ignore the "live streaming platform" on the riverbank that has been clearly leveled by hand and even thoughtfully equipped with anti-slip tiles and soft-light ghost flame fill lights.
Master Xuanji, or rather, the current top streamer of the Yellow Springs Path, "Master Xuanji," wears a wide Taoist robe that looks like that of a hermit, and his hair and beard are meticulously groomed, giving him the appearance of a reclusive master.
Unfortunately, this "expert" was currently rolling up his sleeves, pointing at the rapidly scrolling comments on the live stream jade slip, and launching into a tirade with great enthusiasm.
"Hey, you over there, 'Has the Demon Lord's wife gone home yet?' Are you out of your mind?! Huh?! I've said it eight hundred times! The evolution of the mainstream flying sword style among Lingzhou sword cultivators has absolutely nothing to do with the success rate of your demon realm spouses escaping! Your question is pure cross-realm extortion!"
"And that 'today we'll continue to hang ourselves within these bizarre rules' thing! You ask if powerful figures in Lingzhou get trapped and killed by their own rules when they go into seclusion? I think you're just bored! We're here for proper cultivation! We don't play those dirty tricks of yours, 'You can't turn back once you see a shadow'!"
"Moderators! Where are the moderators?! Mute these two cross-server arguing idiots for ten minutes! Let them calm down!"
Shen Zhaozhao stood not far away, expressionless, watching her Dao Ancestor engage in a lively exchange of insults with the eccentric viewers from various worlds in the live stream. She even managed to find time to thank the "Phoenix Feather Realm Empress" for the "Netherworld Spirit Boat" she had gifted her.
Epilepsy.
They're all crazy.
It's good to be a little crazy.
Xuanji Daozu was clearly the victor of the previous "cross-server debate" and ended the live stream in high spirits.
The suspended jade slip went dark, and he looked smug, as if he were the best in the world. The immortal aura around him was instantly replaced by a roguish air of "I won the argument".
Turning his head, he saw Shen Zhaozhao standing not far away. Xuanji Daozu's eyes lit up, and he floated over with an air of otherworldly elegance.
Then, under Shen Zhaozhao's wary gaze, he suddenly extended his index finger, pointed it at Shen Zhaozhao, frowned, adopted a profound and unfathomable posture, and shouted sharply: "Bold monster! I can tell at a glance that you are not from this world! Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon! World Honored Ksitigarbha! Prajna Buddhas! Prajna Paramita!"
Shen Zhaozhao: "..."
Her lips twitched, and she didn't even bother to lift her eyelids.
Xuanji Daozu remained in that position for a long time, but seeing that Shen Zhaozhao had no reaction and only a cold expression that said "You continue acting, I'm watching," he felt bored and reluctantly withdrew his supernatural power, pursing his lips.
“(ˉ▽￣～) Tsk~~”
"This is boring. What's going on in Lingzhou right now?"
"The juniors you've trained can't even pick up on a joke? They have no sense of internet savvy at all, I really dislike you guys!"
Shen Zhaozhao finally couldn't hold back any longer, a cross-shaped vein popping out on her forehead: "Wait a minute??? What exactly happened after Dao Ancestor passed away?! Is the atmosphere in the Heavenly Evolution Sect always this oppressive?!"
Just how much pent-up frustration must one have endured to mutate like this after descending to the underworld?!
Upon hearing this, the slight disdain on Xuanji Daozu's face, as if he were a "reclusive master forced to work," vanished instantly, replaced by the enthusiasm of "finally, a familiar guest has arrived on my own territory," and even a hint of smugness as if saying, "Come and admire my glorious achievements."
He waved his hand dismissively, his tone full of pride: "From the Heavenly Evolution Sect? Hey! You should have said so earlier! We're all family! Don't be afraid! In this Yellow Springs region, mentioning my name will do!"
"Let me put it this way, half of the revenue of the Underworld comes from the hard work of this live stream!"
"Now, I am a true sugar daddy of the Underworld! Even King Yama has to address me respectfully as 'Teacher Xuanji'!"
He got more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes burning as he looked at Shen Zhaozhao: "Perfect! I've been planning to create a brand new promotional slogan for the Underworld to boost our local tourism industry!"
"I've already thought of a slogan: 'So close, so beautiful, let's jump into reincarnation this weekend!' How about that? Isn't it catchy and highlights the unique characteristics of our Underworld... uh...?"
Xuanji Daozu was completely absorbed in his grand plan and didn't give Shen Zhaozhao a chance to interrupt. He slapped her on the shoulder and said, "It's fate that we met! I think you have extraordinary talent and are good material for publicity!"
"Alright, you don't need to queue for that damn reincarnation number anymore. Stay here and lend me a hand! Let's work together to boost the KPI for tourism in the underworld!"
Shen Zhaozhao: "..."
Looking at the passionate Dao Ancestor in front of her, who was planning a grand blueprint for the Underworld, she felt that if he continued to veer off-topic like this, the conversation could easily escalate to opening a chain of milk tea shops at the Bridge of Helplessness.
Shen Zhaozhao quickly pressed her throbbing temples and forcibly steered the conversation back on track: "Dao Ancestor, I didn't come here to be reincarnated, nor am I a disciple of the Tianyan Sect! I'm alive! Breathing! I came down from above!"
She spoke rapidly, taking advantage of the moment when Xuanji Daozu was somewhat stunned by the amount of information, and succinctly recounted the recent changes that had occurred in the Tianyan Sect.
Finally, she took a deep breath and stated her purpose: "I have come at the risk of my life to ask you, Dao Ancestor, to think of a way to save Elder Qingxuan's life."
The smugness and enthusiasm on Xuanji Daozu's face gradually faded as Shen Zhaozhao narrated.
He frowned and remained silent for a long time. A rare, complex and indescribable emotion appeared on his face, which always carried a hint of mockery and banter. In the end, it turned into a bitter laugh filled with deep helplessness.
“Ling Xiao is a stubborn kid... He’s got stuck on one thing and there’s no going back. All he does all day is cultivate, kill enemies, and go to secret realms. His brain is like it’s filled with stones.”
"Where's Qiu Bai? He's jumping around like a little devil, watching the excitement, but if something really happens, Qing Xuan will have to clean up his mess."
"Qingxuan...only Qingxuan is a good kid. He's soft-hearted and always wants to take everything on his own shoulders..."
Xuanji Daozu's gaze fell upon the turbid Sanzu River, as if it could pierce through the void and reveal the sect he had built with his own hands, which was now shrouded in chaos.
"I knew he was carrying too much on his own, so before his lifespan ended, I used my last bit of strength to forcefully peek into the secrets of heaven... I wanted to show him the way so that he could have an easier time in the future..."
At this point, he gave a wry smile, shook his head, and unconsciously traced a mysterious path in the air with his whisk, bringing with it a faint light that quickly vanished.
"Little did they know, the secrets of heaven are like water, and the celestial orbits are unpredictable."
"What I see is merely one tributary among countless possibilities... Now, the chessboard is in turmoil, and the players have changed hands. How can the shadows of the past define the trajectory of the future?"
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