Chapter 139: So You Were Very Restrained When I Was Around?

The Prefect of Qingzhou led the officials of Qingzhou in a grand procession to Buyi Town. With a single strike of his Prefectural Seal, the rules enveloping the town shattered into invisible fragments and gradually collapsed. This was not his own power, but the authority granted to him by the Great Xia Dynasty, allowing him to mobilize a small portion of humanity's power.

The cultivators were not new to solving such issues. With their intervention, rules like 'not being able to look the private tutor in the eye' or 'the thatched hut being dangerous during the day' were utterly laughable. They captured the private tutor, dragged out the shadow hidden in the thatched hut, investigated how many people were animated corpses versus living individuals, and studied whether those transformed into black dogs could be restored. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

Immortal Fairy Hao Yue had never witnessed such a scene. In ancient times, there was no concept of nations, and systems built around clans as ties lacked such clear division of labor and organized structure. According to Daoist Buyu, this was just the power of the dynasty alone. If the dynasty were to mobilize with the five great immortal sects, they could sweep through ancient cultivators.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou found the rescued innkeeper. Seeing them, the innkeeper wept tears of joy; he hadn't expected them to actually solve the problem, and in such a short amount of time. He truly shouldn't have suspected Lu Yang and his companion of being demonic cultivators earlier.

Qingzhou officials also discovered that the apothecary owner was a secret agent of the town mayor, with evidence of harming countless people. Under the rules' restrictions, the apothecary owner seemed to be telling the truth, but actually concealed much, tricking many. The apothecary apprentice, the private tutor, the yamen runner, the steamed bun shop owner—all these individuals were detained to await the truth being clarified before their fates were decided.

The Prefect of Qingzhou immediately drafted a memorial to report the trio's deeds to the imperial court, but Daoist Buyu stopped him, asking the Prefect to omit Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou's names. However, their due rewards would still be given.

Daoist Buyu invited the two excellent youngsters to dine at the most bustling restaurant in Qingzhou.

"Haha, it's finally over!"

"Although our travel plans had a small unexpected turn, it was ultimately a minor issue. Once we've eaten our fill, I'll take you to experience the prosperity of the continent's south."

"This time, with your Senior Sister not around, the three of us can let loose and have fun! Don't worry, I'll cover any trouble!"

Daoist Buyu laughed heartily. With the officials handling everything afterwards, there was nothing left for him to do. Having finally gotten out, he naturally wanted to let loose.

"Oh? Is that so? Were you very restrained when I was around?"

A cold voice brought Daoist Buyu's laughter to an abrupt halt. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou then realized that the usually bustling restaurant had fallen silent. Only their table had been lively with conversation and laughter; now that the three of them had stopped talking, the entire restaurant was so quiet that a pin dropping could be heard.

The other customers had noticed much earlier that a breathtakingly beautiful woman had entered the restaurant. Her mere presence drew everyone's gaze. People were astonished by her beauty and aura, instinctively closing their mouths, not daring to even breathe deeply, fearing she might notice them. The woman chose a table, sat down, and quietly watched the master and his two disciples indulging themselves. No one could see that the woman held two chains, binding two soul bodies.

Finally, the woman spoke, and only then did the master and disciples truly see her.

"Oh, it's... it's Xiao Yun!" Daoist Buyu forced a smile. "Come, come, come, sit and eat with us."

"Hello, Senior Sister," Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou greeted her obediently.

Daoist Buyu looked at the two chains in Yun Zhi's hand with some surprise, recognizing that the bound figures were indeed the escaped Integration Stage cultivators.

"Xiao Yun, when did you find us?"

"From the first time you demonstrated the 'One Sword, Ten Thousand Swords' and 'Human-Sword Unity' techniques."

Cold sweat immediately broke out on Daoist Buyu. This had been a day ago, so no wonder Xiao Yun could capture these two. He calmly thought to himself that he hadn't spoken ill of Xiao Yun all day. "Good, good," he murmured.

The two captured Integration Stage cultivators stared at Yun Zhi in horror. This person had merely used a light palm strike from a distance and sent both their souls flying. What level of cultivation was this? Why did they keep encountering such monsters, one after another?! What happened to the promised resurgence of ancient times and opportunities everywhere? Where were the opportunities? Clearly, dangers were everywhere!

"Originally, I was just worried that Master might not know the way and lead these two astray," Yun Zhi said, her tone flat, "I didn't expect you to have such a good time when I wasn't around." Her words sent shivers down the trio's spines.

Meng Jingzhou reacted the fastest, pointing at Lu Yang: "It was all Lu Yang. I didn't want to come originally; Lu Yang called me over."

Lu Yang, in turn, pointed at Daoist Buyu: "It was Master! Master said he wanted to fulfill his duties as a master and take me out to see the world!"

Daoist Buyu pointed at Meng Jingzhou: "It was this kid's grandfather who asked me to look after his grandson; that's why I took them out!"

Daoist Buyu's extensive experience with getting into trouble told him that pushing the blame onto someone not present was the wisest choice.

Yun Zhi's cold gaze swept over the three of them: "Master, you may continue to spread the glorious deeds of my Dao Seeking Sect outside. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, you two will come back with me." Yun Zhi was concerned that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou might pick up their master's improper habits.

Before Yun Zhi took the two back, she told Daoist Buyu, "On your way, tell the Prefect of Qingzhou that I've already captured the individuals, so there's no need to be so anxious anymore." Yun Zhi wanted to take the two Integration Stage captives back to see if she could get any useful information.

On the way back, Lu Yang tried to claim credit from his Senior Sister, saying he had eliminated an Integration Stage cultivator and asking if he could get contribution points.

Yun Zhi was puzzled: "Didn't Huang Doudou kill the Integration Stage cultivator?"

Immortal Fairy Hao Yue, hearing this, no longer cared that Yun Zhi addressed her directly by name and excitedly asked, "Then can I get contribution points?"

"You are not a member of my Dao Seeking Sect, so naturally no."

Immortal Fairy Hao Yue, without even thinking, immediately said, "Then I'll join the Dao Seeking Sect." Lu Yang stared at Immortal Fairy Hao Yue in surprise. How could she just join like that? What about her dignity as an immortal?

Yun Zhi nodded: "An immortal joining the Dao Seeking Sect is certainly permissible. I can specially approve you as the first guest elder of the Dao Seeking Sect. However, only I will know your true identity. Correspondingly, you will receive the contribution points for this mission, as well as stipends equivalent to an elder's. If you agree to these terms, then you may join."

"Join," Immortal Fairy Hao Yue said. She quite liked the atmosphere of the Dao Seeking Sect; it was very similar to her own personality, which was rare.

Yun Zhi then mentioned another matter and spoke to Lu Yang: "A few days ago, the Palace Master of the Lunar Laurel Immortal Palace approached me, saying she wanted to marry you to Lan Ting."

"I thought you were at the age for marriage, and the Dao Seeking Sect and Lunar Laurel Immortal Palace were a suitable match, so I agreed for you two to become Dao companions," Yun Zhi continued. "Later, for some unknown reason, the Palace Master of the Lunar Laurel Immortal Palace went back on her word. Do you have any idea why? Did they perhaps find you not good enough?"

Lu Yang was completely bewildered.