Chapter 5, Chaos

Mingxin was greatly enraged and shouted: "With your meager skills, it is sufficient for me to deal with you alone. Is there any need to rely on numbers to gain victory? Senior Brother Mingyun is already waiting. Today, you must go, whether you like it or not!"

At this moment, Mingxin could no longer contain himself and stepped forward, shouting: "If you are afraid to confront Yinyin, then I shall be your opponent!"

This method of dissociation originates from the blue stone, which was originally worn on the body of that fat sheep. Upon realizing this, Ji Ruocheng's expression immediately became even more unpleasant

Zhang Yinyin was furious

Ji Ruocheng slowly awakened; as he opened his eyes, a ray of sunlight fell into them

Ming Xin was extremely frustrated and was just about to shout a few words when suddenly footsteps were heard. Several Taoist priests were walking along the road, chatting and laughing. Ji Ruochen and Ming Xin stepped aside to greet them respectfully. It was only after watching the priests walk away that Ming Xin quietly let out a sigh of relief. Ji Ruochen observed coldly, knowing that he was feeling guilty, and couldn't help but smirk inwardly.

In the room, only Zhang Yinyin remained, stunned and speechless. She never expected her parents to react in such a way. After a moment, she regained her senses and suddenly burst into tears. After crying out several times, Zhang Yinyin abruptly jumped up, throwing and smashing everything within reach in the room, while shouting: "Ji Ruocheng! You wait for me! I swear I will not rest until I avenge this grievance! I... I will not let this go with you!"

During this period of interaction, Ji Ruocheng has observed the demeanor of several individuals and understands that their magnanimity cannot be described as particularly broad. If they were to learn of such a significant embarrassment occurring to him, although the fault does not lie with him, their arbitrary anger could lead to unimaginable consequences. Thunder, infernal fire, thorns, wheel blades, and fierce winds are not merely tools used in Daoist techniques to attack enemies; they can also serve well for personal punishment. On the day Ji Ruocheng was besieged and beaten by the crowd, he had already experienced firsthand what the five elements' energy and the four symbols' power felt like, as well as the various sensations brought upon his skin by the divine abilities arising from the operation of true essence. He does not wish to endure such misfortunes again.

Ji Ruocheng suddenly broke into a smile, waved at Mingxin, and said: "Whether the injury has healed or not, can't you just come over and take a look?"

Mingxin is, after all, still a child at heart. With a chuckle, he patted Ji Ruocheng on the shoulder and said in a somewhat pretentious manner: "This is more like it. In two days, come to the Sword Casting Platform honestly, and I guarantee you will suffer a little less hardship"

Although the Dissociation Technique is a celestial art, Ji Ruocheng's cultivation is truly inadequate. Even when dealing with small objects that possess a bit of spiritual energy, his success is inconsistent. After a day of attempts, the furnishings in the room have significantly diminished, leaving it quite empty. He dared not try again, fearing he might expose himself. However, ever since he comprehended the Dissociation Technique, Ji Ruocheng's eyesight has improved considerably. At this moment, he can see that the magical tools gifted by the various true practitioners are faintly radiating a precious aura, and none of them are ordinary items.

"Isn't this a method of dissociation just a celestial technique?" He lay down on the ground in despair

Mingxin and the group of young Taoists were taken aback, turning their heads in shock, only to discover that an ethereal figure, resembling an immortal, had unexpectedly appeared on the sword-forging platform.

Ming Xin, with his arms crossed, walked around Ji Ruochen and coldly remarked: "Given your robust physique, after resting for two days, your injuries should have healed by now, right?"

What advice do you have?" Ji Ruocheng said in a nonchalant manner

In the Daoist sect, the first to enter is regarded as the elder. Mingxin, being still young, found great comfort in being called "senior brother" by Ji Ruocheng, and accepted it with ease. However, Ji Ruocheng is a disciple of the Ziyang True Person, and the heads of various sects have always interacted as equals. Therefore, in terms of seniority, Ji Ruocheng is actually Mingxin's great-uncle in the fourth generation.

Moreover, just as an ordinary person consuming supplements does not gain full strength merely by ingesting them, the spiritual energy extracted from the world through celestial techniques is similar. It does not naturally integrate simply by swallowing the chaotic true essence of the five elements and four symbols. Often, one observes a certain attribute of spiritual energy overflowing, yet only one in ten can be utilized by Ji Ruocheng. To attempt to thicken true essence in this manner can truly be considered a wasteful act.

"I won't go; there will definitely be a crowd waiting for me." With that, Ji Ruocheng turned and left.

Mingxin observed his demeanor and disdainfully sneered, "Senior Brother Mingyun wishes to meet you to see what abilities you possess, daring to injure Zhang Yinyin of our Taixuan Peak."

After a long time, Ji Ruocheng finally calmed down and was able to carefully recall the events of that day. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that the plump sheep was ethereal and seemed to possess a celestial aura, which was indeed very strange. Not to mention anything else, just the fact that it had walked through the vast wind and sand yet remained completely untainted was enough to indicate that this plump sheep was extraordinary. As he pondered, cold sweat began to slowly seep out of Ji Ruocheng.

Ming Xin stood in place, filled with intense resentment, yet he did not dare to step forward and pull her back. He could only grit his teeth and say: "Ji Ruochen, you may evade the first day, but you cannot escape the fifteenth! If you come with me today, it will be nothing serious. If Brother Ming Yun is left waiting in vain, hm, hm! Offending us at Tai Xuan Peak, you will eventually suffer the consequences!"

At this moment, Ji Ruocheng was eager to head to the Scripture Pavilion to research the legends of immortals and the tales of ascension, hoping to clarify the mysteries surrounding the exiled immortal. He had no inclination to be entangled with Mingxin. Seeing Mingxin, who was oblivious to the situation and continued to be relentless, an inexplicable anger surged within him.

Ji Ruochen hurriedly said: "The rules of the sect are strict, and there are many real people coming and going here. If you truly lay a hand on me, as long as I shout out, you will at least be confined for seven days to reflect on your actions!"

Mingxin was taken aback and quickly withdrew his fist. Taking advantage of the moment, Ji Ruocheng pulled back his sleeve and dashed three to five steps diagonally, distancing himself from Mingxin.

Zhang Yinyin was furious: "Tonight, you must fight whether you want to or not!"

Mingxin hurried over, smiling apologetically: "He might have been delayed by something. We must teach him a good lesson later! Senior Sister Yinyin, Senior Brother Mingyun, let us wait a bit longer; surely he wouldn't dare to play tricks on us!"

With a sharp sound, she drew her sword from its sheath; this time, it was no longer a wooden sword, but a true sword forged from blue steel! It was evident that she had come prepared

"Exiled Immortal? Does that not refer to an immortal who has descended into the mortal realm?" Ji Ruocheng asked in confusion. However, deep down, he already sensed that something was amiss. It seemed that the eight high-ranking and powerful immortals were favoring him precisely because of the term 'Exiled Immortal.' Yet, having been orphaned and wandering since he could remember, how could he possibly be an Exiled Immortal?

The cloud, which had remained motionless in the center, suddenly opened its eyes and said softly: "He is not afraid; rather, he has already played us for fools. Let us return."

Ji Ruocheng's hands and feet were icy cold. He steadied his mind and, after forcing himself to find some comfort in his inadequate knowledge, cast another divination.

Ji Ruocheng suddenly jumped up and casually struck a piece of agarwood paperweight on the table. As his thoughts stirred, the Dissociation Technique naturally emerged from the depths of his heart. The agarwood paperweight suddenly radiated brilliance, shattering into countless fine wood fibers, which then burst into a pale blue wood energy with a loud bang. In an instant, the room was filled with flying brushes and inkstones, and shredded paper filled the air, while even the extremely hard rosewood desk was cracked in several places.

At this moment, he has a clear direction. By learning more techniques and cultivating a bit more true essence, he increases his chances of escaping or preserving his life in the future. Therefore, he works even harder; even if he sleeps for just one more minute, he is terrified and breaks into a cold sweat, blaming himself relentlessly.

***

Ji Ruocheng was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, while on Tianxuan Peak, which faced Taichang Peak from a distance, there was also a state of unrest.

As the moonlight began to rise, Ji Ruocheng finally calmed down. After carefully reflecting on what he had learned recently, he took out the Longhua Pill gifted by the real person Gu Shouzhen and began to refine its medicinal power according to the prescribed method. Previously, he had been desperately cultivating because he felt that everything in the Taishang Dao De Palace was like a dream, fearing that one day he would wake up empty-handed. Thus, he was determined to grasp as much as he could before waking from the dream.

At this moment, a deep and calm voice suddenly echoed from the sword-casting platform: "Who says that my Daoist sect is nothing of significance?"

However, the subsequent words of the Cloud Wind Daoist startled him

Ji Ruocheng felt his entire body weak and soft, his limbs powerless, unable even to stand. Cold sweat poured out in waves, soaking through his inner and outer garments. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, forcing himself to struggle to his feet, climbed onto the bamboo couch on the side of the house, sat cross-legged, took deep breaths, and silently recited the true mantra, hoping to gather his mind and reflect on a strategy.

Ming Xin raised his fist and shouted, "If you're going to make a move, then make a move. You're refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty!"

Ji Ruocheng smiled at Zhang Yinyin and said, "No matter what, we will not fight."

However, this is also for a reason. You are a fallen immortal, which is why the eight true beings hold you in high regard. However, this is a secret within our sect, and these disciples are unaware of it. Seeing you exerting no effort while receiving instruction from the eight true beings together, this is indeed a unique blessing within our sect! Naturally, they will harbor some dissatisfaction

Ji Ruocheng felt a slight shock in his heart, unsure why Master Yuxu suddenly inquired about such minor disputes among his disciples. Although countless thoughts flashed through his mind, he maintained a sincere expression and recounted the events of that day in detail, even mentioning the embarrassing incident of being beaten. He did not take the opportunity to exaggerate the misdeeds of those little Taoists who had gathered to bully others. Of course, there were minor inaccuracies in his account, such as omitting the part about the Separation Immortal Technique.

Ji Ruocheng was momentarily taken aback; he had originally thought that Mingyun was as overbearing and arrogant as Mingxin. Unexpectedly, this young Taoist priest, who did not seem very old, was surprisingly courteous and responded appropriately. Even in the current situation, it was difficult to find him displeasing. It seemed that Mingyun's cultivation of composure had reached a considerable level.

When Ji Ruocheng first ventured into the great path, he naturally did not know how rare these magical artifacts were or where their true value lay. At that time, he saw these artifacts, each one dark and dirty, lacking gold inlays, silver embellishments, or any jewels or jade. Thus, he did not take them seriously and casually tossed them aside.

This Ming Yun recalled the seniority of Ji Ruochen, but found it truly difficult to address him as "Shishu Zu". After several moments of hesitation, he ultimately settled on calling him "Shixiong".

Huang Xinglan also remarked: "If Ruochen can harness such pure wood energy right after beginning his cultivation, it seems his talent must lie in the path of wood-based techniques."

Ji Ruochen still shook his head and said: "Our sect has strict rules, and I will not compete with you."

Mingxin pointed a finger at Ji Ruocheng and said with resentment: "You, Ji Ruocheng! How dare you play tricks on us? I ask you, why didn't you come last night?"

Ji Ruocheng slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "So that's how it is. Last night, Master Ziyang summoned me to provide guidance on my cultivation issues. I certainly could not afford to miss that."

Ji Ruocheng's face was filled with confusion, seemingly intimidated by Mingxin's soaring arrogance, and he kept asking, "Where to go?"

Today was supposed to be the day when Ji Ruocheng received teachings from the Jade Void Real Person, but due to his injuries, Daoist Yunfeng took the liberty of granting him a day off. Once Ji Ruocheng's mind settled, he placed all his hopes of accelerating his cultivation on the Immortal Technique, spending the entire day locked in his room diligently studying the Separation Technique. After numerous attempts, Ji Ruocheng finally realized that this Separation Technique and the Immortal Technique were not infallible.

Zhang Yinyin angrily said: "Are you really not going to fight?"

Having said this, the Daoist Yunfeng once again urged him not to become overly immersed in miscellaneous studies, lest he neglect the practice of the "Ta Qing Zhi Sheng Jue," and then left the room

Mingxin was taken aback and instinctively took a step back, for he had suffered greatly from Ji Ruocheng's sudden change of demeanor. He had never experienced much hardship, so Ji Ruocheng's full-force punch had given him nightmares for two consecutive days. Mingxin then recalled that Ji Ruocheng had claimed to possess no real skills, and his own timidity had made him look foolish. His small face flushed bright red as he angrily said, "Ji Ruocheng! Don't let the favor of the esteemed ones go to your head! Stop the nonsense and come with me!" Mingxin then recalled that Ji Ruocheng had claimed to possess no real skills, and his own timidity had made him look foolish. His small face flushed bright red as he angrily said, "Ji Ruocheng! Don't let the favor of the esteemed ones go to your head! Stop the nonsense and come with me!"

As Ji Ruochen stood firmly on the sword forging platform, Ming Yun first performed a deep bow with clasped hands, then said: "Ruochen Shixiong, I am Ming Yun. I have heard that you possess extraordinary talent and have garnered the favor of many esteemed masters. Furthermore, you have defeated Junior Sister Yinyin with your profound techniques. Therefore, I have specially arranged this meeting, hoping to seek your guidance on a few matters. Let us keep it brief to avoid harming the camaraderie among fellow disciples, and I hope you will not decline, Shixiong Ruochen."

He absentmindedly comforted Zhang Yinyin for a few moments, then hurriedly left, mumbling to himself that he still needed to rummage through the storage room to see if there were any other treasures that could be sold.

Ming Yun's expression changed immediately, and he knelt down on the ground, saying: "I pay my respects to Master Zi Qing!"

Ming Xin stepped forward, suddenly holding a wooden sword in his hand, and shouted at Ji Ruochen: "Stop always talking about the rules of the sect! Whether you are better than the sword tonight or not, if you want to leave, you must first endure a good beating from us! Hmph, what are the rules of the sect anyway?"

Ming Yun let out a soft sigh, her left hand lightly waving the pipa as if it were flowing clouds and flowing water, gliding over Zhang Yinyin's sword edge. Immediately, the sword force of Zhang Yinyin plummeted, and the blue steel sword emitted a long, clear sound as it pierced into the ground, sinking more than two inches into the stone

Three days later, the bright moon hangs high, with thin clouds like gauze.

From the Forging Sword Platform, one can see the Taishang Daode Palace shimmering with starlight, as splendid as a dream. Occasionally, a streak of light sweeps across the sky, leaving a faint trail behind. It is uncertain whether it is a true immortal flying by on a sword or a rare beast from the palace returning from its nocturnal outing.

Ji Ruocheng was shaken back by the wooden energy, stumbling several steps before collapsing to the ground, unable to rise for a moment. He was not seriously injured; it was merely that he was overly shocked, resulting in a weakness in his hands.

Ming Xin Jian Ji Ruo Chen moved out of Yun Feng, knowing that today he could not do anything about him. Since he ultimately yielded, they set a future appointment. He could only retract his anger and said indignantly: "Alright! Three days from now at this time, I will be waiting for you at the sword forging platform on the back mountain!"

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. As night fell, Mingxin saw Ji Ruocheng walking alone towards the sword forging platform from a distance, finally letting out a sigh of relief

At this moment, the group of young Taoist priests were all frozen, hugging their arms tightly and jumping up and down to prevent their feet from going numb. Zhang Yinyin had a slightly higher level of cultivation, but her face was already devoid of color, and her lips were a shade of blue. She closely followed Mingyun as they walked down from the sword forging platform. As they passed by Mingxin, she shot him a fierce glare and let out a heavy snort, startling Mingxin so much that he trembled and nearly fell off the sword forging platform.

Great misfortune, and there will be a calamity involving bloodshed

Even if the true immortals do not take the law into their own hands, what virtue or capability does a mere inn servant possess to be included within the moral boundaries of the sect? The true immortals need not do anything to him; they could simply cast him into the Western Mysterious Mountain. With his meager cultivation, he would either fall prey to the demons and beasts in the vast expanse of the Western Mysterious Mountain or perish from hunger and exhaustion in the desolate mountains.

Fierce

The swordsmanship is profound and extensive, containing the ultimate principles of heaven and earth. The Jade Void Real Person taught him a total of three techniques, but Ji Ruocheng spent more than half an hour barely managing to memorize two of them, while the third technique he simply could not remember no matter what. Although the Jade Void Real Person felt slightly disappointed, he did not take it to heart and merely advised him to practice diligently after returning home

Ji Ruocheng allowed him to grasp her sleeve, merely stating: "I simply will not go! Do you still intend to take action?"

Ji Ruocheng was overjoyed and quickly expressed his gratitude. His true essence was almost entirely derived from various elixirs and celestial techniques, akin to consuming supplements; it was not his own, making it difficult to wield with ease, and the gradual refinement required time. This series of missing sword techniques did not require profound true essence, making it a timely blessing for him in his current situation.

Ji Ruocheng felt both astonished and delighted. The delight stemmed from the fact that the Disengagement Technique truly lived up to its reputation as a celestial art, vastly different from ordinary Taoist methods, exhibiting extraordinary wonders and boundless applications. The astonishment arose from the realization that if this Disengagement Technique was so remarkable, then the plump target was likely a fallen immortal, further solidifying his suspicions.

Ji Ruochen

At this moment, it is the season when the biting wind howls. The Supreme Dao De Palace is protected by a formation, making it feel like spring all year round. However, the range of the formation is limited, and on the sword forging platform, only a hint of warmth can be felt. Each time the cold wind howls past, the thinly clad children on the platform shiver uncontrollably. Zhang Yinyin desperately breathes warmth onto her ten fingers, which have become somewhat numb from the cold, and finally unable to endure any longer, she calls out loudly: "Mingxin! Didn't you say Ji Ruocheng would come? It's been an hour already, where is he?"

Ji Ruocheng also noticed that his true essence was much stronger than the previous day, but he felt a subtle burning pain in all his meridians. He focused his mind and recalled that it was most likely due to the wood energy generated from the separation of Zhang Yinyin's wooden sword, which he had absorbed. After a day and night of effort, it had transformed into his own true essence.

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Ji Ruocheng was immediately drenched in cold sweat and hurriedly sat up. However, this sudden exertion caused a sharp pain to shoot through his chest, followed by a fiery ache coursing through several meridians in his body. Compared to the slight burning sensation on his face, this pain was nothing. The intense agony struck him unexpectedly, and with a groan, Ji Ruocheng collapsed back onto the bed

The Jade Void Real Person was quite pleased to see him so humble and courteous, and said with a smile: "When you return, practice diligently. Next time that eager one comes to bother you, you won't need to expend much true essence, and you can ensure that her Great Five Elements Sword is completely shattered!"

Huang Xinglan did not linger any longer and immediately headed outside, saying as he walked, "There is no time to waste. I remember there is a millennium-old coiling dragon wooden plaque; I will go find it now. Let a disciple deliver it to Ruocheng."

The next day at dusk, as Ji Ruocheng was about to leave after completing his studies with Master Yuxu, Master Yuxu suddenly called out to him and smiled, saying: "Ruocheng, I heard that Master Jingxiao's precious daughter had a sword duel with you"

Ji Ruocheng turned around, looking somewhat bewildered at Mingxin, whose face was ashen and teeth were clenched in anger

Ji Ruocheng finally managed to calm himself down and slowly entered a profound state of complete silence. At this moment, he faintly perceived a flow of pale yellow light within his body, representing the true essence. However, where the true essence flowed, there was a subtle stinging sensation, markedly different from his usual feelings. Startled, Ji Ruocheng focused his gaze and discovered that a faint trace of green energy was entwined around the true essence. It was uncertain whether it was due to his possession of the Dissolution Technique, but at this moment, Ji Ruocheng was extremely sensitive to the various energies of true essence, as if he could see through them clearly. In a moment of concentration, he discerned that the trace of green energy was indeed pure wood energy, originating from the piece of agarwood he had dissolved. The wood energy wrapped around his true essence, accompanying it, and was gradually being absorbed into his meridians, transforming into a part of his true essence.

Little did she know, Ji Ruocheng was completely unfazed by her threats; he merely smiled and shook his head, saying, "Our sect has strict rules, so I absolutely dare not engage in conflict with Miss Yin Yin"

This layer of relationship is, of course, overlooked by Mingxin.

Moreover, Ji Ruocheng shivered, pulling back his thoughts that had wandered off track, and had to confront the most feared truth deep within his heart. If the esteemed immortals of the Moral Sect were to know that the main character had died at his hands...

Just as Ji Ruocheng's heart was gradually calming down, his six senses were tranquil, and his internal meridians began to illuminate, he suddenly recalled that the stone cushion he was sitting on was taken from the bottom of the Arctic Blue Ice Pool, which had the remarkable effect of stabilizing the mind and dispelling inner demons, a gift from the esteemed Yu Xuan Zhenren not long ago. Thus, a wave of panic surged within him again, nearly causing him to tumble off the couch.

Ji Ruochen

Yunfeng Daoist chuckled and said, "I have spoken too much. You need not overthink; just remember to focus on your cultivation."

Oh no! I haven't done the homework for this morning

The Honorable Master Jingxiao clapped his hands and said: "This is excellent! Thank you for your hard work, dear wife"

After calming down, Ji Ruocheng began to carefully reflect on the entire situation. Escape was impossible, and confessing was not a wise course of action; the only way out was to grit his teeth and continue to keep it a secret.

Ji Ruochen's peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a corner on the ground where a branch of unseparated amethyst divination stick remained. Observing the orientation and calculating the celestial and terrestrial influences, it precisely formed a hexagram.

The Dissociation Technique can only be applied to objects imbued with spiritual energy, in order to extract usable spiritual essence. For instance, the agarwood paperweight has a history of at least several hundred years and has been handled by numerous enlightened masters, thus it has absorbed a trace of spiritual energy. However, when Ji Ruocheng struck a half-new carved wooden chair with his palm, the chair vanished into thin air, yet not a trace of true essence or spiritual energy escaped. It is also possible that Ji Ruocheng's cultivation is insufficient; when dealing with artifacts or celestial tools that are somewhat similar, the Dissociation Technique proves ineffective. When Ji Ruocheng struck the half-new carved wooden chair again, the chair disappeared without a trace of true essence or spiritual energy escaping. Furthermore, it may be due to Ji Ruocheng's inadequate cultivation that the Dissociation Technique does not work on artifacts or celestial tools that resemble it.

At this moment, Ji Ruochen has already understood that the esteemed masters treat him differently from ordinary disciples, precisely because of his status as a banished immortal. He suddenly harbored a rather disrespectful thought: the esteemed figures of the Moral Sect may have sought the wrong person this time.

He suddenly felt a surge of anger and swept all the divination sticks off the table with a single strike of his palm. However, as dozens of sticks were still in the air, they began to glow with a purple-red radiance, disintegrating into wisps of faint purple mist. Ji Ruocheng was taken aback, realizing that in his moment of anger, he had inadvertently activated the Dissolution Technique, causing these divination sticks to disintegrate! Before he could regain his composure, a wisp of purple crystal energy, sharp as a needle and chisel, fiercely invaded his meridians. Ji Ruocheng was shocked again, realizing that he had inadvertently activated the Dissolution Technique, causing these divination sticks to disintegrate! Before he could gather his thoughts, a wisp of purple crystal energy, sharp as a needle and chisel, fiercely invaded his meridians. At that moment, Ji Ruocheng could no longer withstand it and suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, collapsing to the ground.

As the Daoist priests walked away, Mingxin turned his face and put on a fierce expression, saying in a low voice: "Ji Ruocheng, regardless of your reasons, you have played us once, making us freeze for an hour and a half on the sword forging platform! What do you have to say for yourself?"

Ji Ruochen's heart raced faster and faster, as if it were about to leap out of his chest. His entire body gradually turned cold, and he could only think: "The fallen immortal, the fallen immortal... Could it be referring to him? Is it that fat sheep? It must be, when I entered the sect, the Master of Ziwei had even sent someone to check the green stone... This green stone is not mine! Did I kill an immortal? What... what should I do? Will I be directly cast into the eighteen layers of hell, or struck down by heavenly thunder? It must be, when I entered the sect, the Master of Ziwei had even sent someone to check the green stone... This green stone is not mine! Did I kill an immortal? What... what should I do? Will I be directly cast into the eighteen layers of hell, or struck down by heavenly thunder? ... But if he really is an immortal, how could I have possibly killed him?"

"Father, that Ji Ruocheng is so despicable, you must help me vent this anger!" Zhang Yinyin's small face flushed bright red, with tears welling up in her eyes, ready to spill over at any moment. She rolled up the sleeve of her right arm high and extended an arm as white as snow lotus in front of Master Jingxiao. On that slender arm, there were several purple bruises, which looked quite shocking.

Ji Ruocheng seemed to be moved by his words, hesitating for a moment, and said: "But now Daoist Yunfeng is already waiting for me to cross the bridge. If I delay any longer, he might come looking for me. How about this, three days from now at this time, I will go with you to meet Senior Brother Mingyun?"

Another half an hour has passed

Little did he know, the Cloud Wind Daoist smiled and said, "Not entirely. My Daoist sect has many disciples, and it is inevitable that there are both good and bad among them. For instance, among the disciples of the Seven Veins, there are quite a few who are arrogant and self-important, which gradually corrupts those who have just begun their path. If you keep tolerating them, they will only continue to pester you. Rest assured, our Daoist sect has strict rules, and Master Ziqing is known for his impartiality; he will not allow anyone to act recklessly. No matter who it is, as long as they violate the sect's rules, they will face appropriate punishment."

The shopkeeper once said, "No profit, no early rise." These true practitioners of the Dao have not yet attained immortality; they have not reached the realm of being desireless and unaspiring. When they rise early, it is natural that they have ulterior motives. It seems that the key to the problem lies in first understanding what these true practitioners wish to gain from the fallen immortals, in order to take the initiative. Moreover, the study of Daoist arts must not only be diligent but also require even greater effort, as this is the foundation for escaping and saving one's life.

Ji Ruocheng shifted his thoughts and smiled apologetically, saying: "Brother Mingxin, two days later at the same time, I will visit Brother Mingyun at the Sword Forging Platform and also apologize to Sister Zhang Yinyin. What do you think?"

At that moment, Daoist Yunfeng walked in and saw Ji Ruocheng struggling to get out of bed. He immediately said: "Ruocheng, you have just been injured; it is better for you to rest a while. Missing a day of morning lessons is not a big deal. Come, have something to eat first."

Ji Ruochen let out a cold smile in his heart. Since he knew that Zhang Yinyin was the daughter of the Real Person Jingxiao, such an outcome was not surprising. However, he did not show any sign of this on his face and hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Yunfeng is doing this for my own good, and I certainly understand that. If they come looking for trouble again, I will just avoid them."

Great misfortune

Ming Xin was taken aback, and the raised fist hesitated for a long time before finally not daring to strike Ji Ruochen. He felt unwilling and said fiercely, "You coward, can you really call out for me to see? I will break your legs!"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Yinyin could no longer contain herself and exclaimed, "Ji Ruocheng! Don't be ungrateful. If you don't want to spar with Senior Brother Mingyun, then let's have another match. However, if I accidentally injure you, then you will have brought it upon yourself!"

With a thud, Ji Ruocheng felt dizzy and disoriented, his body weak, as he collapsed into the chair, momentarily experiencing a blankness in his mind

Ji Ruocheng has learned to draw talismans, cast spells, and perform techniques, and his instructor, the Tawei Zhenren, is renowned as the foremost authority in Daoist arts within the sect. It is said that he can even summon the divine thunder of the Nine Heavens! However, the application of Daoist techniques is quite troublesome. Most techniques require a strong foundation of true essence, supplemented by magical tools, runes, and so forth. Some special techniques even necessitate the establishment of a ritual altar and formation, requiring several days of preparation before they can be executed. The incantations and methods of casting Daoist spells are exceedingly complex; even a minuscule error can lead to ineffectiveness, or worse, a backlash that may result in unpredictable consequences. For instance, the Yinyin Wangshi Yimu Sword Technique lost control and nearly pierced Ji Ruocheng with a single strike.

Upon hearing this, Ji Ruocheng immediately took a deep breath, opened his mouth wide, and was about to let out a scream that would echo through the heavens

However, Zhang Yinyin beside her was not in such a good mood. She was like an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth in the square area of the high platform, occasionally cursing under her breath in frustration

Upon hearing the words "strictly enforced rules" deliberately pronounced by Yunfeng Daoist, Ji Ruocheng immediately gained insight and began to formulate a plan in his mind. Since Yunfeng himself stated that constant forbearance is not a viable strategy, Ji Ruocheng was not the type to offer his right cheek after being struck on the left. Naturally, he would not be foolish enough to provoke that rude and overbearing little girl. However, if such unwarranted misfortunes were to come knocking again, any unforeseen consequences could not be blamed on him.

A sudden shout rang out from behind, startling Ji Ruocheng, who had just left the Hall of Enlightenment and was deep in thought about the Lieuque Sword Technique. Although the voice had been deliberately lowered, it still sounded very familiar to his ears. Ji Ruocheng turned around and, as expected, saw the young Daoist from Mingxin.

The young Taoist priests exchanged glances, their faces pale. Their original intention was merely to teach a lesson to Ji Ruocheng, who had gained the favor of the true immortals, and they never dared to entertain any thoughts of killing or violence. However, witnessing the unfolding situation, they were left utterly dumbfounded. Yet, due to their insufficient cultivation, none of them dared to rashly obstruct Zhang Yinyin, fearing that a single strike from her Great Five Elements Sword Technique could endanger their own lives.

At this moment, with Ji Ruocheng's meager cultivation, even with a spiritual talisman in hand, he is unable to invoke the Taoist techniques attached to it. However, as soon as the incantation of the Dissolution Spell is activated, with a mere wave of his hand, he can separate the agarwood paperweight into pure wood essence. The method by which this is achieved is both mysterious and unfathomable; how can the wonders within be described in words? If this is not an immortal technique, then what is it?

Jingxiao Zhenren, whose secular surname is Zhang, has a wife named Huang Xinglan, who is also well-known in the Daoist community. Jingxiao Zhenren had this daughter when he was over forty years old. Zhang Yinyin is exceptionally intelligent, which naturally leads to her being spoiled. Over time, this has developed into an extremely arrogant temperament typical of a young lady. After the conflict last night, she was affected by the surge of wood energy and sustained some minor injuries. Sneaking back to Tianxuan Peak, she feared her parents' punishment and endured in silence for an entire night. When dawn broke, Huang Xinglan noticed that her movements were somewhat hindered. After repeated inquiries, she finally learned the general details of the previous day's events.

Our sect has strict rules and truly does not engage in fighting

As they spoke, Mingxin reached out to pull Ji Ruocheng and the book.

In the event that he possesses the miraculous ability to revive the dead, or perhaps he never truly died at all

Ji Ruocheng thanked Mingxin and then went to the scripture depository to read the books

He forced himself to stay alert, trying every possible way to find evidence that the fat sheep was not an immortal: "However, if he were truly an immortal, he should possess protective immortal techniques and could not be killed by me, which indicates that he is not some fallen immortal... Wait a minute, immortal techniques!?"

Daoist Yunfeng held a tray in his hands, which contained a bowl of plain congee and several small dishes. Ji Ruocheng did not expect that Yunfeng would personally attend to such menial tasks, and he hurriedly struggled to sit up from the bed. After respectfully thanking Daoist Yunfeng, he quickly ate while inquiring about the events of that day.

But how could Zhang Yinyin clearly explain how she was injured? She merely stated that she thrust out a sword, and then the wooden sword suddenly disappeared, followed by a flash of green energy, and she was injured. As she spoke, her small mouth pouted, and she began to demand her parents to avenge her grievances.

Ji Ruocheng stood dazed in the room, murmuring to himself: "Exiled immortal, exiled immortal... How could I possibly be an exiled immortal?" He repeated this phrase dozens of times, and suddenly let out a low cry. He swiftly removed the green stone from around his neck and held it up to examine closely, his hands trembling, sweat falling like rain.

What should I do? What should I do?

Ji Ruocheng felt a chill in his heart and dared not think further. However, matters have their priorities; although the affair of the banished immortal is significant, the immediate task at hand is to deceive the various true immortals of the Moral Sect. As for why the banished immortal, who possesses celestial techniques, was knocked down by him with a single blow, that is a matter to ponder in due time when he has the leisure to do so

The Sword Casting Platform is situated at a high and perilous location, extending outwards at an angle, resembling a square iron anvil for sword casting, hence its name. At this moment, a dozen or so figures were faintly visible on the platform, most standing at the edge, craning their necks to gaze down the mountain path, their anxious expressions evident. In the center of the platform stood a young Taoist priest, appearing to be around sixteen or seventeen years old, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, exceptionally handsome. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes lowered, showing no signs of impatience, and it seemed he had already cultivated a considerable level of inner peace.

However, this time, the reaction of Master Jingxiao was far beyond Zhang Yinyin's expectations. He gently brushed his fingers over the wound on Zhang Yinyin's arm, sniffed at the tip of his nose, and actually praised, "What pure wood energy! Not a trace of impurities, truly rare!"

The Master of Yuxu nodded, clearly pleased with Ji Ruocheng's candor. He looked Ji Ruocheng up and down and said, "Hmm, although your true essence is strong at this moment, it appears somewhat intermittent, indicating that you have taken a pill to supplement your true essence, yet your injuries are not fully healed. Ruocheng, our Daoist sect values sincerity and integrity above all; it is rare that you harbor no ulterior motives, but being overly candid is also not advisable. You have a heavy academic load, and if these children keep pestering you, it will ultimately hinder your progress. They are not my disciples from Yuxu, and as your master uncle, I cannot directly discipline them. However, you need not worry. Come, come, I will teach you a few moves of the Liekong Sword Technique. As long as you work diligently, you need not possess profound true essence to wield great power."

Ji Ruocheng can now see the spiritual treasures, but the more precious these Daoist artifacts are, the less he can smile. The esteemed masters have invested such significant resources, and they certainly will not be willing to leave empty-handed. In the future, when the truth comes to light, he will surely face dire consequences.

The Daoist Yunfeng stroked his beard and smiled, saying: "This matter is neither too big nor too small. Zhang Yinyin, eager for victory, rashly employed the Yimu sword energy, resulting in a loss of control due to insufficient cultivation. However, you only sustained minor injuries, and your meridians and true essence remain intact, which can be considered a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. Our Daoist sect has strict regulations, and dueling among disciples is strictly prohibited. However, firstly, all the disciples present at the time claimed that you agreed to the duel, and secondly, Zhang Yinyin lost control of his sword and suffered significant injuries, which can be seen as a lesson learned. Therefore, I took the liberty of bringing you back for treatment and recuperation, without reporting this matter to Master Ziqing, who oversees the sect's regulations. You should not blame me, Ruocheng."

Despite Zhang Yinyin's exaggerated narration, Huang Xinglan and the arriving Jing Xiao Zhenren understood that this incident was caused by her initial provocation and bullying. Jing Xiao Zhenren has always been very protective; if he saw his beloved daughter injured, he would at least comfort Zhang Yinyin, even if he did not punish the disciple responsible for the incident.

The Celestial Master Jingxiao nodded and said: "Most likely so! Xinglan, check if there are any treasures at our Tianxuan Peak that can enhance the cultivation of wood energy, and send one to Ruocheng later."

But what should be done next? Should I tell the esteemed masters that I am not a transcendent being, but merely a humble servant working in an inn? Have they perhaps mistaken the person they are looking for? Ji Ruocheng forced a smile and shook his head. He was not someone ignorant of worldly affairs; he understood that the leaders of the Daoist sect placed great importance on their reputation. During the incident at the Dragon Gate Inn, the three esteemed masters of the Daoist sect had effortlessly dominated the crowd, subduing their opponents without a fight. What an impressive display of power and intimidation! If the world were to learn that the Daoist sect had gone to such great lengths only to capture the wrong person, it would likely become a source of amusement for cultivators for centuries to come.

Ji Ruocheng immediately returned a full bow and smiled, saying: "Well said, well said, but my cultivation is shallow, and I have not even touched the threshold of the Great Dao. How can I possibly embarrass myself? Junior Brother Mingyun, please spare me!"

He fell back into the chair, burying his head and face in his hands, feeling momentarily lost in the vastness of the road ahead, with not a shred of hope. Suddenly, he called out, recalling that Master Gu Shouzhen had once gifted him a set of amethyst divination sticks and had initially taught him the method of divination. Ji Ruocheng hurriedly retrieved the amethyst divination sticks, following the prescribed method to divine the fortune of the banished immortal.