Zheng Yin's last words left everyone astonished.
Especially for Tao Qian, this was the first time he had heard any news of Aunt Yunhua since leaving the Spirit Treasure Sect to dwell among mortals and save people.
Previously, after the "Absolute Immortal Congress" at Penglai Sea, Auntie had departed from the sect even earlier than Tao Qian in search of saving Senior Sister Lingji. Before she left, she gave him a token, telling him that if he encountered any difficulty, he could summon her for rescue, and neither a thousand mountains nor ten thousand years could hinder her.
But who could have expected to encounter her like this?
In a flash, a guess emerged in Tao Qian's heart:
"Aunt Yunhua is solely concerned about Senior Sister Lingji, how could she help Yuan Mingzhen without reason?"
"Unless the Devil Concubine is a split form of Senior Sister?"
Though this speculation seemed reasonable, Tao Qian strangely felt that this was not necessarily the case.
He had once entered Yuan Mingzhen's bridal phoenix chariot and observed the Devil Concubine up close, knowing some of her background and secrets.
The Ancestor Spirit within the Mountain and River Map had even suggested that Tao Qian use her to escape.
Despite finding Yuan Mingzhen somewhat similar to Senior Sister Xie Lingji at the time, it was only similarity, nothing more.
"I still have a thread of 'Innate Spiritual Sensing' bestowed by Senior Sister Lingji within me."
"If Yuan Mingzhen were Senior Sister's split form, I should have felt a connection at that moment, shouldn't I?"
"Of course, there's another possibility that the remaining two split forms of Senior Sister are completely independent, even life force and True Spirit Sensing are all separated, hence the sensing can be shielded."
"However, there's no need for more guessing; Master surely knows Aunt's whereabouts, I will know once I ask after returning."
With these thoughts whirling and settling, Tao Qian currently couldn't take out the Golden Radiance Token to ask Duobao and decided to ask after returning.
Now facing the questioning eyes of the four people—Zheng Yin, Zhao Gongda, Meng Shoudao, and Guo Huchen—Tao Qian directly replied:
"My Aunt Yunhua is indeed traveling abroad, but as far as I know, she has important matters to attend to and shouldn't participate in the world's struggle for power unless the Devil Concubine Yuan Mingzhen has an extraordinary relationship with my Aunt Yunhua and my Spirit Treasure Sect."
"The truth of this matter can be easily confirmed. I can verify with Master after my return."
"However, since it's not easy to gather everyone together, let's solve another issue. Fellow Daoist Zheng, please use the Heavenly Track Secret Skill again and invite General Li Ren here to hear his conditions."
"Agreed!"
Zheng Yin responded and immediately his catfish body turned into bubbles and dissipated, vanishing into the Buddha's Golden Soup with an inexplicable and traceless method.
In no time, the radiance flashed again.
Apart from Zheng Yin's return, there was now an additional strange fish.
Completely white, with a demeanor of peace, yet its head was abnormally large with a rounded lump on the forehead.
The experienced mortals on both banks of Golden Soup River would have exclaimed in admiration upon seeing this fish: "What a splendid 'Buddha-headed white fish'; so close to becoming a Buddha, what a pity it is."
Needless to say, the one transformed into this fish was the commander of the Han Mountain Army, General Li Ren.
As soon as Li Ren arrived, his gaze swept over everyone, lingering the longest on the Jin Lin fish that Tao Qian had transformed into.
But in the end, he focused on Zhao Gongda, who had become an old turtle, and with a flash of Buddha Light on his lump, he blew a bubble and said:
"Fellow Daoists, time is of the essence, so I will not bother with niceties."
"I was fortunate to be invited by Fellow Daoist Zheng, and have heard of your ambitions. I hold immense respect and am very willing to join."
"However, I believe there is a significant flaw in your grand plan."
"Without addressing this flaw, even if we give our all, it may turn out to be nothing but a fleeting illusion, a vain effort."
"Ah, do tell."
Although everyone knew that these words were Li Ren's prelude before revealing his conditions for joining,
they still asked upon hearing his remarks.
Including Tao Qian, none of them thought there was any flaw in their plan.
At least from Tao Qian's experience, rich with many battles in various places, he considered this sparsely populated governing team—this band of rebels—to be more pragmatic and reliable than the National Salvation Congress and Ancestor Dragon Society that came before.
Especially after providing a list of several thousand names, Tao Qian was convinced that as long as those three old bald thieves from the Demon Buddha Temple were eliminated, the circumstance of millions of commoners in Qiantang Province would greatly improve.
Li Ren was straightforward and spoke candidly:
"Fellow Daoists Zheng, Zhao, Meng, Guo, and the Wu Gou Buddha Son from South Sea, without exception, you all are heroes and the chosen of Daoist and Buddhist worlds."
"But haven't you realized that you truly lack a definitive leader amongst you?"
"It's good to consult with each other on most matters."
"However, for major and perilous matters, a 'leader' is essential to oversee the overall situation."
"None of you, fellow Daoists, have the aura of a Human Emperor."
Initially curious about the flaw he would point out,
upon his words, the five of them were taken aback, Zhao Gongda and the others showing a touch of ridicule, while the elder Zhao Gongda seemed to have a contemplative expression on his face.
Li Ren didn't wait for their response and quickly continued:
"Fellow Daoists, don't be annoyed, just hear me out."
"Today, nearly each of the seventy-two provinces is embroiled in war, ushering in new and old sovereigns. Like you, many virtuous heroes emerge, disapproving of this decaying world, using their passion to rise up, eliminate devils, protect all people... but not many are truly successful."
"The very few forces that I, Li Ren, recognize—"
"Such as the National Salvation Congress, the Ancestor Dragon Society, with a little inquiry, it becomes clear that these established forces, besides gathering many willing heroes, all possess an extraordinary leader."
"Yu Yanshi of the National Salvation Congress has a huge reputation in the southern provinces."