Chapter 363: The Kind-hearted Cultivator Stone Vice Leader

Daoist Buyu and the Minister of Justice were scrutinizing the Venerable Calamity when they heard a soft, yet very familiar voice from behind them, startling both of them and sending shivers down their spines.

"Master, Minister, long time no see."

"It's you!" Seeing the figure responsible for his current predicament, the Venerable Calamity shrieked in terror and desperately tried to crawl forward.

Daoist Buyu and the Minister of Justice glanced sideways at the Venerable Calamity, thinking to themselves, "Why is this old fellow reacting more strongly than us?"

Both of them were intelligent individuals and immediately understood the reason: This person was being hunted by Yunzhi and had fled all the way here, hoping to use the gloomy atmosphere of the prison to conceal himself, but was caught red-handed by the two of them.

"If I'm not mistaken, this individual is the Venerable Calamity from the mid-period of the Great Yu Dynasty. He used the occasion of the Qingzhou Grand Ceremony to incite two ancient Body Integration stage cultivators to revolt, forcing the Governor of Qingzhou to use the national destiny and the phantom of the Supreme Sword to fight back, thereby achieving his goal of gathering intelligence."

"Fortunately, Junior Brother was perceptive and noticed something amiss with the two ancient Body Integration stage cultivators. He informed me in time, allowing me to capture him."

"If he had managed to transmit information about the national destiny and the Supreme Sword to other ancient cultivators, it would undoubtedly have caused significant trouble."

"I knew something was strange; how could an unfamiliar Body Integration stage cultivator suddenly appear? So it was another ancient Body Integration stage cultivator!" The Minister of Justice glared at the Venerable Calamity, gritting his teeth.

Daoist Buyu's lightheartedness also faded; this was indeed part of the Great Xia's calamity.

Yunzhi's eyes narrowed. This was the second time she had captured an ancient Tribulation Transcendent stage cultivator. Previously, she, the other four sect masters of the Five Great Immortal Sects, and Emperor Xia had reached a consensus that ancient cultivators would awaken one by one over time. Currently, Body Integration stage cultivators were awakening, and in the future, Tribulation Transcendent stage cultivators would awaken.

However, judging by the actions of this ancient Tribulation Transcendent stage cultivator, he already knew about the national destiny and the Supreme Sword and must have awakened much earlier.

"It seems many ancient cultivators are hiding in places we don't know about." A trace of displeasure was evident in Yunzhi's cold tone. These dull-witted individuals, who calculate time and scheme many things just to become immortals, bring disaster to the world.

The Venerable Calamity's body was withered and his aura was faint, as if he could die at any moment. Seeing his state, Yunzhi lightly touched him with her index finger and pulled out the Venerable Calamity's soul.

It was much more convenient to take back just the soul.

Rather than carrying a collapsing physical body, it was better to have only the soul.

Yunzhi's right hand held an invisible chain, the other end of which was bound to the Venerable Calamity.

"Oh, by the way, Master, Minister," Yunzhi suddenly said before leaving, "your capture of the Venerable Calamity is a great merit. I will inform Emperor Xia of this."

The two of them were stunned at first, then overjoyed. Such a great achievement was enough to secure their release from prison.

They had thought they would miss the opportunity for release.

"Where should I go to find ancient cultivators for revenge?" Vice Cult Master Shi mused. He always sought revenge immediately, never letting it wait overnight.

"Fellow Daoist possesses noble character, specifically seeking out ancient cultivators. I, Sun, admire you!" A hearty laugh resounded, with a hint of joy.

Vice Cult Master Shi found the voice somewhat familiar. He turned his head, and his eyelid twitched; it was the Governor.

The Governor cupped his fists towards Vice Cult Master Shi, his attitude sincere: "May I know your origins and name, Fellow Daoist? To severely injure the Venerable Calamity by using the opportunity of undergoing tribulation lightning is truly a great achievement. I invite you to return to my residence, where you will be generously rewarded. Afterwards, I will also report to the imperial court and commend you, Fellow Daoist!"

The Governor, like Yunzhi, had been following the Venerable Calamity. However, his speed was not as fast as Yunzhi's, and he hadn't seen the entire process of events.

When he arrived, Vice Cult Master Shi was pulling the Venerable Calamity to undergo tribulation lightning. The Venerable Calamity tried to escape multiple times, but was blocked by Vice Cult Master Shi each time. Vice Cult Master Shi even laughed gleefully, making it obvious he had a grudge against the Venerable Calamity. After the lightning tribulation, Vice Cult Master Shi even tied up the Venerable Calamity, afraid he might escape.

The Governor conjured the following scene in his mind: Vice Cult Master Shi was a reclusive rogue cultivator undergoing tribulation lightning in a desolate area. He discerned that the Venerable Calamity reeked of blood and had committed numerous evil deeds, so he forcibly detained him using the lightning tribulation.

What a benevolent person!

The Governor was greatly moved and immediately stated his intention to stay and reward Vice Cult Master Shi.

Vice Cult Master Shi shook his head repeatedly. How could he dare go with the Governor? If the Governor discovered his identity, wouldn't the Governor be promoted?

This wasn't something he said himself; it was recorded on the bounty list.

"Governor, you are too kind. I merely could not stand to see these lawless ancient cultivators committing evil deeds, so I punished them. As for rewards, how can one accept payment for upholding justice? That would be putting the cart before the horse. I must take my leave!"

After speaking, he quickly left, giving the Governor no chance to detain him.

The Governor watched the disappearing Vice Cult Master Shi and sincerely sighed: "What a truly benevolent and reclusive cultivator."

At the Qingzhou Grand Ceremony, the two ancient Body Integration stage cultivators had been captured, their cultivation sealed, and were being guarded by several Body Integration stage cultivators in shifts. The imperial court would soon dispatch the Luoshui Guards to take these two ancient Body Integration stage cultivators away, sever their meridians, and imprison them in the heavenly dungeon.

Officials performed their duties, maintaining order. With the Governor absent, Xia Qun was the highest-ranking official. He presided over the yamen, coordinating and directing affairs. Everything was steadily returning to order.

Although it was called "recovery," the impact of this incident was not primarily material, but rather a significant mental shock.

Ancient Body Integration stage cultivators, national destiny, the phantom of the Supreme Sword, ancient Tribulation Transcendent stage cultivators, and mysterious powerful beings who could easily suppress Tribulation Transcendent stage cultivators... None of these were things ordinary cultivators could encounter.

Not to mention ordinary cultivators, even Lan Ting and others were stunned and hadn't fully recovered.

Lu Yang, however, showed no reaction. What were ancient Tribulation Transcendent stage cultivators? In his spiritual space, he had the First Immortal of Antiquity, the foremost among the Ten Beauties of Antiquity, who casually discussed ancient secrets involving Immortals, making Tribulation Transcendent stage cultivators insignificant.

He heard passersby discussing the recent events.

"Fortunately, that powerful being took action, otherwise we would have been in danger." A Golden Core stage cultivator said, feeling relieved. He had almost thought he was going to die. Now he felt incredibly fortunate to be alive.

His companion agreed with his view, the fear in his eyes not yet fully subsided: "You're right. By the way, what did that powerful being look like?"

"You've forgotten what your savior looks like... Oh right, what *did* that powerful being look like? Was it a man or a woman?"

The two looked at each other, bewildered.

Passersby on another side were also discussing the recent battle.

"The Governor is amazing! He alone withstood a Tribulation Transcendent-grade magical artifact."

"That's nothing! The Governor almost killed that ancient Tribulation Transcendent stage cultivator, especially that sword strike! It was against the heavens!"

"Sword? What sword?"

"What's wrong with your memory? It was a sword made of... what was it made of?"

"Speaking of which, what weapon did the Governor use to defeat the ancient Body Integration stage cultivator?"

The two were full of questions and soon completely forgot what had just happened.

Lu Yang frowned as he watched this scene. In his mind, he recalled the national destiny, the phantom of the Supreme Sword, Senior Sister... he remembered it all clearly.

"Fairy, what's going on?"