Time flowed silently by. Qin Ze didn't know how much time had passed. His body gradually calmed down, but he felt his power constantly increasing. He opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with excitement. He could feel that his strength had reached a new level.
He stood up, took a step, and the ground seemed to tremble slightly at his foot. He stretched out his hand, gathered a ball of energy in his palm, and gently squeezed it. The energy condensed into a small ball of light, shining like a star.
Qin Ze sensed that the Monster Forest could no longer provide him with any further improvement.
Upon returning home, he felt a flash of white light. Turning around, he saw Shen Gongbao had appeared behind him at some unknown time. Shen Gongbao seemed to sense Qin Ze's change in strength and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "I'm really curious, kid, how did you manage to have such good luck, improving your strength so rapidly!"
Qin Ze smiled slightly, not taking Shen Gongbao's teasing too seriously. He knew that his strength had indeed increased rapidly, but this was not simply due to luck, but rather the result of his hard work and accumulation in cultivation and combat.
However, he didn't dwell on the topic, but instead asked, "I'm going to Longhu Mountain now, would you like to come, senior?" Shen Gongbao's eyes flashed with interest: "Go? Of course I'll go!"
Qin Ze nodded, and together with Shen Gongbao, they opened a void passage, traveled through time and space, and arrived at Longhu Mountain.
Shen Gongbao looked around curiously, filled with a desire to explore this unfamiliar place.
The two began their ascent up the mountain, and along the way, Qin Ze recounted some of the history and legends of Longhu Mountain to Shen Gongbao. Shen Gongbao seemed quite interested in these stories of deification after the human world was established, occasionally letting out exclamations of wonder or confusion.
Finally, they arrived at the summit of Longhu Mountain, where they could overlook the entire mountain range and the distant scenery.
Shen Gongbao walked to Qin Ze's side, his eyes flashing with complex emotions: "The stories of humanity and the changes of history truly evoke a myriad of feelings."
Qin Ze led Shen Gongbao to the main hall of Longhu Mountain, a magnificent building with a solemn and dignified atmosphere. Inside the hall, Zhang Yuechen was handling some affairs, but she sensed the arrival of Qin Ze and Shen Gongbao and looked up at them.
When Shen Gongbao saw Zhang Yuechen, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly recognized Zhang Yuechen's identity. He smiled slightly and greeted Zhang Yuechen with a teasing tone: "Oh, isn't this the reincarnation of the Mysterious Maiden? What an honor."
Zhang Yuechen smiled slightly and bowed to Shen Gongbao: "Greetings, Great God Shen Gongbao."
Shen Gongbao waved his hand casually, seemingly unconcerned about these honorifics: "Let's not talk about gods or anything, he's just a prisoner."
His tone revealed a mixture of helplessness and mockery, clearly indicating that he didn't care much about his fate of being sealed in the Ruins of Return, and was even somewhat nonchalant about it. A trace of sympathy flashed in Zhang Yuechen's eyes. She knew that Shen Gongbao had once been a powerful being, but now he was bound there.
Zhang Yuechen turned her gaze away from Shen Gongbao, smiled slightly, and said to Qin Ze, "You brought the great Shen Gongbao, it seems you've already had some contact."
Just then, Zhang Tianshi slowly walked into the main hall, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. When he saw the unfamiliar girl standing beside Qin Ze, he couldn't help but be taken aback. He quietly sensed the girl's aura, but his expression immediately changed drastically, because he discovered that this girl's aura was extremely profound and unfathomable, making her impossible to fathom. He immediately realized that the girl before him must be an extremely powerful being.
Zhang Tianshi immediately calmed down, nodded to Shen Gongbao and Qin Ze, and smiled, "Young friend Qin Ze, the entire cultivation world already knows about what happened to you abroad. We have now honored you as the leader of the cultivation world, ruling over the entire cultivation world."
Shen Gongbao was somewhat surprised, but then revealed a mocking expression and said to Zhang Tianshi, "The cultivation world? Who is the strongest?"
Master Zhang chuckled and answered confidently and calmly, "The strongest in the cultivation world is naturally young friend Qin Ze. Besides him, we old folks are also among the strongest."
Shen Gongbao pursed his lips and chuckled softly, "Hmph, it seems the standards in this cultivation world aren't very high after all."
Qin Ze listened quietly to Zhang Tianshi's words. When he heard the suggestion to be honored as the leader of the cultivation world, he smiled slightly, but then shook his head. He explained to Zhang Tianshi, "Zhang Tianshi, although I appreciate your recognition, I do not wish to bear the responsibility of being the leader of the cultivation world. This position is too heavy for me. I would rather maintain my current lifestyle and pursue my own path."
Zhang Tianshi frowned. He wasn't in a hurry to gain Qin Ze's approval because he knew Qin Ze's character well. He patiently said, "Young friend Qin Ze, the cultivation world needs a leader, someone who can unite many cultivators and lead the cultivation world to a better future. Your strength and influence are most suitable for this position."
Qin Ze shook his head firmly and replied earnestly, "Master Zhang, I understand your intention, but I am really not suitable for this role."
Master Zhang smiled wryly and said, "Young friend Qin Ze, your refusal is indeed a regret for the cultivation world."
Qin Ze smiled slightly and insisted, "If we really need an alliance leader, I think you are the most suitable candidate. I support you, but I really don't want to become the alliance leader of the cultivation world."
Zhang Tianshi remained silent for a while, then finally sighed and suggested, "Alright, since you insist, I'll propose an honorary title for you. You don't need to worry about anything else. You just need to step forward and express your views and opinions when necessary."
Qin Ze nodded in agreement. This arrangement preserved Qin Ze's right to choose while relieving him of excessive responsibility, making it a relatively compromised solution.
Just as Qin Ze and Zhang Tianshi were talking, suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the door, followed by a young Taoist acolyte rushing in. Fine beads of sweat clung to his forehead, clearly indicating he had just been on a rush. The young acolyte panted, "Grandmaster, she's here!!!" His tone revealed a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianshi was stunned. He frowned slightly and asked, "Who has come?" The young Taoist boy gasped for breath and said, "That woman!" His voice carried a hint of awe and trembling, as if mentioning this woman had deeply shocked him.
Zhang Tianshi's expression changed slightly, and a barely perceptible worry flashed in his eyes. He quickly stood up and said to everyone in the room, "Everyone, just say you've never seen me!" His voice was firm and resolute, as if conveying an important message.
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Zhang Tianshi lightly tapped his foot, instantly transforming into a series of afterimages and vanishing from the spot. His figure quickly dissipated, leaving behind only a quiet little house and a group of astonished people.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com