Chương 195: Returning to the Mountain

Master Puyuan was taken aback when he heard this, not expecting Zhao Rui to refuse so directly.

There wasn't even a hint of tact.

After all, in this situation, you need someone's help, and they don't charge you. No matter how you look at it, you're bound to have to negotiate.

Surprisingly, Zhao Rui refused outright.

"Amitabha, that is truly a pity."

Pu Yuan's long eyebrows twitched slightly, and he put his palms together and said.

"I am not fortunate enough to have such an honor."

Zhao Rui quickly bowed in return. Everyone wants good things, but this is Guixu.

There are too many extraordinary people and events, but he is not so arrogant as to dare to wander into any blessed land or grotto.

If it were easy to get in, the people of Emei would still be here today.

"In that case, Zhiyuan, you may lead the other immortals there."

Pu Yuan lowered his eyebrows and smiled faintly, showing no dissatisfaction with Zhao Rui's lack of cooperation. After all, with his level of cultivation, whether it was martial arts or Buddhist nature, he was far beyond the mortal realm.

"Thank you, Zen Master. If you have any free time in the future, please come to my Qingcheng Sword Sect as a guest. Our entire sect will certainly welcome you with open arms."

"Excellent, excellent! In that case, this humble monk will not see you off."

After exchanging greetings, Zhao Rui and the others, led by Master Zhiyuan, headed to the interdimensional passage.

"Will you remain in this world, or leave with me?"

On the way, Zhao Rui transmitted his voice to Zhou Moshu and the others.

There were seven people in total: two who practiced demonic arts and five righteous disciples.

"This humble woman is willing to follow you closely, senior, and serve you faithfully. I hope you will grant me permission."

Su Wanyun was the first to answer, and her answer was straightforward and direct, without the slightest hesitation.

"If you, sir, do not despise me, I am willing to go and serve you with utmost loyalty."

Not long after Su Wanyun finished speaking, the Five Dragon Envoys also made their choices.

"Of course!"

Zhao Rui readily agreed to their request.

With these two around, many things become much easier.

This is why he "forcibly tied" the two of them up.

Where are you?

"Senior, I... I won't go. I still have my sect and family here..."

Luo Yunxi glanced around at the dignified and solemn-looking Abbot Zhiyuan, and immediately felt more confident.

No matter what, she is a disciple of the righteous Taihua Mountain sect, and now that she is in Emei, he can't do anything to her.

"Senior, I'm not going either."

Tao Yuansheng shared the same idea.

"Sure. No pressure."

Zhao Rui said calmly.

"Senior, my sister and I admire your demeanor and wish to accompany you. We hope you will grant us permission."

"Senior sisters? You guys?"

Luo Yunxi was stunned. He hadn't expected that at the last moment, Zhou Moshu and the other person would choose to follow Zhao Rui.

"Junior sister, the Taihua Mountain lineage is already in decline. Do you still remember Master's wish?"

"Senior sister. I..."

"No need for further words, you may choose to stay or leave."

Zhao Rui directly interrupted their conversation.

In the end, only He Wenhua remained in the entire team.

"Senior, I am willing to follow you, but my sect also has a base in the Central Plains..."

"It's alright!"

Zhao Rui ignored all of that. Seeing that everyone had made their choices, he said directly, "Those who are traveling with me, follow me closely from now on and don't think about anything else."

"Yes, senior."

Everyone readily agreed.

Seeing that Zhao Rui was so easy to talk to, Luo Yunxi looked at Tao Yuansheng with delight. The two of them were overjoyed. If they weren't still in Emei, they probably would have run away long ago.

After walking for a while, the group finally arrived near the passage between the two worlds.

Since it is a passage between the two worlds, its significance and value are naturally extraordinary. One-third of the existing forces of the Guixu Emei Sect are basically deployed in this vicinity.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that there was a sentry post at every step.

The guardians were mostly dressed as laymen carrying swords, clearly disciples of the Emei Sword Sect.

After overcoming numerous obstacles, the group finally arrived at the end of a winding mountain road and entered a high platform built beside a stream.

The high platform is built with a unique type of stone from Guixu. This stone has a peculiar texture and can absorb spiritual energy from the air on its own, remaining intact for millions of years.

Moreover, it is incredibly tough and difficult to damage with ordinary swords and knives.

It is truly an excellent material for bricks.

"The passage is just ahead, filled with turbulent currents. It requires the gathering of the five elements of spiritual energy to stabilize the space..."

Master Zhiyuan summoned the monks around him and gave them a few instructions. Soon after, four monks appeared, each holding a strangely shaped object, and sat cross-legged on the four sides of the high platform.

Before long, the four creatures rose up with a vast amount of exotic spiritual energy, which instantly condensed in the middle of the high platform.

Zhao Rui carefully sensed the past and found that it was actually the four elements of earth, fire, water, and wind.

As expected, the ancestors had already spoken of the ultimate path of martial arts.

"open!"

Then a monk threw in four crystal-like objects with his bare hands, and instantly the entire platform was enveloped in a misty aura.

"The passage is open, Master Zhao, take care on your journey."

"Thank you! Until we meet again."

Zhao Rui thanked him and stepped into the passage.

Zhou Moshu and the others exchanged glances and then followed.

The passage was pitch black. As soon as you stepped in, the world spun around you, and you found yourself in the void.

"The divine sword guides the way; farewell, Master Zhao!"

A sword light flashed past outside the passage, and Zhao Rui and the others quickly jumped onto it, their longswords instantly transforming into small boats.

It carried everyone forward through the spatial turbulence.

"This is the passage between the two worlds. It's so amazing! What kind of great power would it take to construct it?"

Everyone was amazed.

Before anyone could think too much, a bright light suddenly appeared ahead, and a long sword shot out into the air, flying out of the cave in an instant.

As soon as everyone saw the light, they instinctively closed their eyes. When they opened them again, they found themselves in a new world of verdant peaks, lush trees, and pleasant scenery.

Zhao Rui was the first to jump down.

He held his breath slightly and looked around.

They saw a group of Emei Sword Sect disciples and several senior monks and nuns looking at them.

One of the nuns recited a hand seal, pointed her finger, and a long sword flew swiftly into her hand automatically.

Who else could it be but Abbess Liaojing!

"Thank you so much for waiting, esteemed masters! We are deeply grateful!"

Zhao Rui quickly bowed and said politely.

"It's alright. Benefactor Zhao is truly blessed to have returned from the Ruins of Return. It is truly astonishing. This humble monk is Zhihui. I have met Benefactor Zhao and would like to invite you to rest inside the temple."

The first monk chanted Buddhist mantras and said with a smile.

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhao Rui didn't stand on ceremony; he would repay the favor of passing through in the future.

"Master, how have you been! More than a year has passed since we last met, and your swordsmanship remains as powerful as ever!"

"You're too kind, Benefactor Zhao!"

Master Liaojing returned the greeting with a complicated expression. The boy she used to look down on had now made the Emei Sect go to such lengths to welcome him.

Even though she had practiced Zen for many years, her heart was still filled with turmoil.

How did he cultivate himself to this level?

Master Liaojing, who was half a step behind, couldn't help but glance at him slightly.

"Such talent, such opportunity..."

Her gaze involuntarily fell on the Five Dragon Envoys following behind Zhao Rui. Their striking, unusual attire made them look like no good people.

"If it is a demon, then this nun's sword..."

Liao Jing's eyes narrowed slightly.

……

An hour later, Zhao Rui met Daoist Yun Hao, who had rushed over, and an elder from the Qingcheng Sect.

"Junior Brother Zhao!"

Yun Hao was extremely excited. Ever since he heard the message from Emei that Zhao Rui was about to return, he and his senior brother had been unable to calm down.

Zhao Rui is still alive.

During this period, the news coming from the outside world has been that Zhao Rui and the Demoness of Guixu perished together and fell into the passage between the two worlds.

They even planned to hold a religious ceremony for Zhao Rui if there was no news for a while.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Rui returned alive.

It was truly a stroke of good fortune.

In terms of sects, the Qingcheng Sword Sect with Zhao Rui and the Qingcheng Sword Sect without Zhao Rui are completely different levels.

"Is everything alright, Senior Brother?"

"As long as I live, the Qingcheng Sword Sect will be safe."

Yun Hao, as always, spoke sparingly.

"Okay, then I'm relieved."

Zhao Rui patted him on the shoulder, then met with the elders of the Qingcheng Sect and exchanged a few polite words.

After a short rest at the Emei Sect, Zhao Rui, along with his newly recruited servants, descended the mountain with Yun Hao and the others, under the watchful eyes of the Emei monks and nuns.

On the way down the mountain, Zhao Rui made no attempt to hide anything and spoke directly to Zhou Moshu and the others:

"I don't force anyone. I gave you a choice before you came. Since you chose to follow me, let me make this clear from the start."

"Since you work for me, you're naturally one of my own. I won't treat you unfairly. But if you harbor any disloyalty..."

"Senior, we wouldn't dare!"

Su Wanyun and the others quickly bowed and said they dared not.

"This place is different from Guixu. You can call me Boss Zhao, or General Manager Zhao."

"Yes, Boss Zhao."

Everyone responded in unison.

"... Boss Zhao!"

"What, Boss Zhao? My junior brother actually has a penchant for being a boss."

Calling him Sect Leader Zhao, or Grandmaster Zhao, would be much better.

Listening to Zhao Rui lecturing several martial artists who were clearly from Guixu, Yun Hao's face twitched involuntarily.

Unfortunately, you are not a fish, how can you know the joy of a fish!

After Zhao Rui set the rules, everyone arrived at the foot of the mountain.

Several cars were parked in the parking lot at the foot of the mountain; they were the vehicles sent by the Qingcheng Sect to pick them up.

When Zhou Moshu and the others first saw these lumps of iron, they were completely bewildered, thinking they were utensils made of sheet metal.

Only after seeing Zhao Rui and the others open the car door and get in did they realize that people could actually sit inside.

The crowd, bewildered, followed suit and sat down inside.

The car suddenly started and sped forward.

"It's actually a divine weapon or treasure?"

Zhou Moshu was stunned!

What else could such a magical object, capable of moving out of thin air, be but a divine weapon or treasure?

"These must be mules and horses from this generation, used for transportation."

He Wenhua's Quanzhen Sect has some foundation and naturally knows some things about this world.

But we don't know much about it.

"That's amazing!"

Zhou Moshu and Cao Yingcai couldn't help but touch it curiously, their eyes lighting up.

Su Wanyun was more composed and patient, but the curiosity in her eyes was no less than that of the other two women.

As the car drove along, the buildings along the roadside, the clothing of the pedestrians, and even the flashing traffic lights and signs were all visible.

They were all amazed.

Only then did they realize what the other world truly meant.

Everything here is different from Guixu.

Especially Zhou Moshu and her two sisters, who belong to peripheral sects, know very little about Blue Star.

All I know is that there are martial arts sects on Earth, and many of my people have already gone there.

Deep down, I felt that it was the same environment and the same court there, only the rulers were different.

Only now did they realize what stepping into the passage between the two worlds truly meant.

After driving for two hours on the highway, we finally arrived at the foot of Mount Qingcheng.

After getting out of the car, looking at the familiar hilltop and the familiar reception area, Zhao Rui couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

They're finally back.

"Junior Brother Zhao!"

"Elder Zhao!"

Yu Zhengnan and Wei Yun, the powerful elder of the Qingcheng Sect, who had been waiting there, greeted them with smiles.

"Sect Leader, Elders!"

Zhao Rui greeted the two men with a smile.

"It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back."

Yu Zhengnan couldn't suppress a smile. With Zhao Rui's return, he unconsciously straightened his back a bit.

"Let's talk again when we get back up the mountain!"

"Go back to the mountain!"

……

In a side hall of the Qingcheng Sword Sect, Zhao Rui and Yu Zhengnan, after returning from the Qingcheng Sect, arranged for Zhou Moyun and other guests from Guixu to stay, and then gathered here to talk about their experiences during this period.

"A major battle in the East China Sea?"

"It actually connects to the Realm of Return to Nothingness?"

"My family..."

Zhao Rui was astonished. He hadn't expected that not long after he left, the passage connecting Guixu and Lanxing would not close, but instead continue to expand.

Many enormous and incredibly powerful beasts emerged from within.

These strange beasts sprang out from among them, some diving into the deep sea, others walking on air.

They quickly disappeared outside the passage.

The first to be affected was the Eastern Japan, located near the passage.

The strange beasts kept landing on the island, wantonly destroying the buildings.

It has a similar immediate feel to logging into a Pacific Rim monster movie.

The army had no choice but to mobilize as a whole and use powerful weapons to attack, but unfortunately these strange beasts were not like dinosaurs; they were just large, fleshy chunks of meat with little ability.

Each of them possesses various strange and supernatural abilities, and even the weakest among them is comparable to a Grandmaster of the Dharma Aspect Realm.

It's not something that ordinary firearms can handle.

Besides the military, the Holy Lotus Cult, which controls the entire country, has also been active.

From the leader down, all the divine messengers, guardians, and elders appeared to resist the invasion of these strange beasts.

These monsters are not mindless attackers as depicted in the movies; many of them are simply terrestrial creatures that want to come ashore.

After a period of interaction and understanding.

The Holy Lotus Church chose to back down.

The Shikoku region of the eastern Japanese islands thus became a paradise for strange beasts.

They dwell there, howl, fight, and forage.

It has become a mutated version of Jurassic Park.

Besides the Japanese pirates, the eastern seas of China were also harassed by strange beasts.

Many sects dispatched Dharma Masters to border cities to guard against sporadic attacks from strange beasts.

"It's not just strange beasts!"

"I heard that things aren't peaceful on the other side of the Pacific either. Apparently, some alien race has broken through the two worlds, and they're even using shock bombs and nuclear weapons over there."

"Could it be that the Savage Clan has also come to join the fun?"

Zhao Rui's expression was rather grim. He had thought that after returning from Guixu, he could finally live a peaceful life.

But things didn't get much better here either.

Why would there be a passage between the two worlds?

What exactly is the connection between Blue Star and the Ruins of Return?

There isn't anything on the moon?

What about the other planets?

Zhao Rui frowned deeply; he knew that things were not as simple as they seemed.

"Over in Dongqi..."

"Don't worry, two elders of the Cang generation from the Qingcheng Sect have gone, and with the addition of the Taishan Sect and the Laoshan Sect, the protection is sufficient."

Hearing Yu Zhengnan say this, Zhao Rui couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"By the way, junior brother, who are these people you brought?"

"I have my own plans."

"That's good."

After chatting for a while, Zhao Rui took his leave and returned to his residence to rest.

Zhao Rui slept soundly through the entire night before finally waking up to the rising sun.

The sun is rising outside the window, something I haven't seen for a long time.

(End of this chapter)