Is it fair to trade blow for blow?

　　Wei Yuan recalled the image of Wu Zhiqi grabbing the Huai River's water veins.

　　Vast and majestic, the flowing water surged, emitting a sound like wind and thunder.

　　Wei Yuan felt that even if his cultivation were to increase tenfold, he probably wouldn't be able to withstand that blow.

　　He could only temporarily hope that Wu Zhiqi would not be able to break free from his seal in a short period.

　　After a long while, he came back to his senses and stared at the object he had taken out. It was a wisp of divided soul from the great demon Boqi in his dream. After being killed by Wu Zhiqi, it remained in his dream realm. When he woke up, this thing also appeared in the real world.

　　With this, he might be able to find Boqi, or even the hidden Mountain Lord.

　　Wei Yuan collected the remnant soul of Boqi.

　　He planned to hand this over to Zhang Hao and the others. Then, after thinking about it, he turned on his computer and searched for information about the Huai River. This information, once considered extremely precious, could be easily obtained in this era. Gradually, the expression on Wei Yuan's face became solemn, and finally he was completely silent. He finally understood why his dream could be so easily sensed by Wu Zhiqi.

　　Da Yu suppressed Wu Zhiqi at Turtle Mountain in the Huai River.

　　After Da Ming was changed to Hua, modern technology was used to control floods.

　　But before that, from the Han Dynasty to Hua, for more than two thousand years, the Huai River system experienced an average of twenty-seven floods every hundred years. However, tracing back five hundred years before Da Hua began to control water disasters, the average number of floods per hundred years soared to ninety-four.

　　This meant that the entire Huai River system was gradually rioting, with a tendency to revert to ancient times.

　　Wei Yuan felt a slight sense of foreboding in his heart. He didn't know if this situation was due to the gradual recovery of spiritual energy, the increased passive influence of Wu Zhiqi on the Huai River, or whether the seal suppressing the Huaiwo Water God was gradually losing its effectiveness, or perhaps both.

　　But in any case, with his current vision, he could at least see that the changes in the Huai River meant that Wu Zhiqi might soon break free from his seal. He didn't know how much the five thousand years of imprisonment had reduced his strength, but he was the water god of the Huai River. With the Huai River still existing, it wouldn't be too difficult to recover his strength.

　　That was definitely not a trouble he could handle in his current state.

　　Wei Yuan was silent for a moment, then took out a piece of paper and began to write.

　　"Witch Maiden Jiao, please forgive this impolite interruption."

　　After the opening greetings, Wei Yuan briefly discussed the fact that the three fox girls, Su Yu'er and the others, were living in Quanshi, had entered university life, and were gradually getting used to life in the human world. Then, his writing style changed, and he wrote:

　　"I wonder if you still remember Wu Zhiqi from back then?"

　　Then he paused, erased the last line, pondered slightly, and rewrote:

　　"I wonder if you still remember Wu Zhiqi, whom King Yu painstakingly sealed back then? He seems to be showing signs of breaking free from his seal again."

　　This way of writing came from his understanding of Nü Jiao.

　　He had forgotten much of Yuan's experiences, leaving only some vague impressions.

　　But there were many things in the Classic of Mountains and Seas that he still remembered.

　　For example, he had the impression that the Queen Mother of the West was a dignified and graceful being, possessing both the beauty of a woman and the majesty of a goddess. However, in King Yu's description, and in what Yuan had carved on the jade book, the Queen Mother of the West was described as a hideous and terrifying goddess.

　　The only reason was that Nü Jiao was beside King Yu and Yuan when this jade tablet was carved.

　　Nü Jiao was a witch maiden of the Tu Shan tribe, a nine-tailed white fox, cunning and stubborn by nature, and extremely concerned about Da Yu.

　　Mentioning Yu in any matter would make her slightly more interested. Otherwise, she would most likely watch the show while ensuring Wei Yuan's safety.

　　Wei Yuan sealed the letter, planning to trouble Hu Ming to deliver it later.

　　Then he took out his phone, opened the chat window with Zhang Ruosu, whose avatar was a black cat, and sent a message:

　　"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I have obtained Boqi's divided soul, but unfortunately, the previous brand has been exhausted."

　　"Also, if the Tianshi Mansion has the spare capacity, please pay attention to the changes in the Turtle Mountain area of the Huai River."

　　For some reason, Zhang Ruosu, who always replied instantly, did not respond this time.

　　It seemed that he was offline.

　　Wei Yuan waited for a while, then put away his phone, got up and opened the curtains. The sky was gradually brightening.

　　……………………

　　"Ah!!!"

　　Boqi suddenly woke up.

　　Her face turned pale in an instant, and she couldn't even maintain her human form, almost turning into her true form. The youth transformed from the Mountain Lord appeared behind her, placed his hand on her shoulder, and directly transferred his own magic power to her. Only after a long time was she able to maintain her state.

　　After Boqi stabilized herself, the Mountain Lord withdrew his palm and said, "What did you encounter? It's rare for you to suffer a loss in a dream."

　　Boqi thanked him and bowed, then took a slightly frightened breath, and slowly recounted her experience in the dream.

　　A true mythical beast from the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

　　An ancient and mysterious potter.

　　And a huge white-faced, blue-bodied ape, with surging and majestic water flowing around the mountain-sized demon ape, emitting a roar like thunder.

　　She recounted all of these, and finally calmed herself, her tone calm but with a hint of fear, and said:

　　"...If before, it was only a possibility, then now I am very confident that the man's dream realm has become so real and solid that I can't devour it at all. This means that his own cultivation and existence are very strong."

　　"Coupled with the fact that my brand was in his dream this time, it is very likely to be a trap."

　　"A wisp of my remnant soul was left in his dream."

　　The Mountain Lord nodded in agreement with Boqi's speculation, stretched out his hand, his fingers turning into the claws of a tiger, and replied, "We can't deny that possibility. Although it's rare, there are still ancient existences in the human world. You must be careful to hide yourself, and don't easily hunt for the time being."

　　"Yes."

　　The sky outside gradually brightened. Boqi transformed back into Wang Qi, disguised as a psychologist, and went to work in the largest hospital in Jiangnan Province, while the Mountain Lord, using the identity represented by his current appearance, put on a Taoist robe and took a car to the Baiyun Temple.

　　The Baiyun Temple in Yingtian Prefecture was originally in the city.

　　Later, in the past few decades, Yingtian Prefecture gradually expanded and became more prosperous.

　　The abbot of the Baiyun Temple at that time, unable to bear the disturbance, moved the entire temple to a mountain outside the city. The Mountain Lord greeted the disciples of the Baiyun Temple with a peaceful expression and familiarity, and then, together with the disciples, burned incense and prayed, performing the usual morning class, with a calm and serene demeanor, meticulous in every detail.

　　Then came sweeping the fallen leaves.

　　He seemed to have more Daoist charm than the disciples in the temple, and there was not the slightest impatience in his movements.

　　While sweeping around noon, a guest came to the Baiyun Temple.

　　………………

　　"Old Daoist, this way please."

　　Zhao Xiu, the young man transformed by the Mountain Lord, smiled and led the Daoist into the temple. The current abbot came to receive this senior, whose Daoist cultivation and seniority were ridiculously high. After a round of polite greetings, the old Daoist, half sincerely and half with a searching heart, walked around the Baiyun Temple. Under his wide sleeves, he held a jade pendant.

　　The jade pendant could detect the existence of earth deities like the Mountain Lord.

　　But he didn't detect anything unusual.

　　The old Daoist put away the jade pendant, assuming that he was overthinking it. He looked around at the cultivators and sighed, "I haven't been to Jiangnan Province for a long time, and I haven't seen many of my Daoist friends. I wonder where Daoist Tianning is? Could it be that he has also..."

　　A look of hesitation and sadness appeared on the old Daoist's face.

　　The middle-aged abbot quickly shook his head and said, "Senior, my grandmaster is doing very well."

　　"A few days ago, he had some insights and understood the fundamental Daoist scriptures passed down by the founder of our Baiyun Temple. Now he is leading the poor Daoist's master and several uncles to retreat and comprehend in the Ancestral Hall, saying that he will not leave until he has left his own understanding in these Daoist scriptures."

　　"But senior is an old friend with my grandmaster, so you are an exception. Would you like the poor Daoist to call him?"

　　The old Daoist was overjoyed to hear that his old friend had not died of old age, and stroked his beard, answering:

　　"No need, no need. This is a great joy. Don't disturb them. Haha, he was ambitious about the Baiyun Temple's scriptures when he was young, determined to let future generations of disciples know his name. Now that he has such a good opportunity, we should congratulate him. How can we disturb him?"

　　"The old Daoist will stay in this Baiyun Temple for a few more days. If we are destined to meet, that would be best. If not, then it is our fate in this life."

　　The middle-aged abbot nodded and called another disciple, saying, "Zhao Xiu, take the old senior to rest."

　　Zhao Xiu stepped forward and responded, then respectfully led the way, and there was nothing wrong with his every move.

　　The Ancestral Hall was the core of the entire Baiyun Temple, and it was also the place where the ancestral tablets of the Baiyun Temple were stored. The old Daoist, who was also proficient in disguise, knew that it was also the place where the Baiyun Temple raised Yin soldiers and divine generals, and only direct disciples could enter. He had to avoid it.

　　So he didn't step into this place, but vaguely saw through the paper window that although it was a bit dark inside, the firelight reflected figures sitting cross-legged, including his friend. They were either contemplating or applauding, seemingly comprehending the supreme true law, and their movements seemed unrestrained.

　　Good, very good...

　　The old Daoist just stared enviously and was led by Zhao Xiu to a guest room in another courtyard to stay.

　　After settling the old Daoist, Zhao Xiu returned here.

　　The pilgrims and Daoists in the Baiyun Temple all knew that Zhao Xiu was responsible for delivering food and clothing to the Ancestral Hall. This was originally just a leisurely and unimportant task, with no benefits to be gained, but since the grandmasters and uncles had entered, it had become a great job.

　　As long as he pleased the elders, not to mention a true inheritance, even a casual word could make life easier in the temple.

　　It could be said that everyone was envious.

　　Today, after Zhao Xiu entered the Ancestral Hall, a Daoist in his thirties sneaked into the small courtyard of the Ancestral Hall, and saw through the white paper window that Zhao Xiu was also sitting on a futon next to the grandmasters, seemingly having received a true inheritance. He was extremely envious and curious, so he couldn't help but sneak closer.

　　After thinking about it, he poked a hole in the white paper window on the two doors with his finger.

　　Then he put his eyes to it.

　　The Ancestral Hall was still solemn, with tablets and statues. Then he saw the grandmasters and uncles sitting cross-legged, smiling, and forming hand seals, but he always felt that something was wrong. The Daoist who was peeking felt a bit strange. Suddenly, a breeze blew through the room, and the candlelight flickered, and the bodies and faces of the grandmasters shook, revealing wrinkles.

　　The Daoist outside widened his eyes and almost shouted out.

　　It turned out that they were just empty human skins that had been peeled off.

　　Then, with the help of the flickering candlelight, he saw that the solemn stone slabs, the walls, and even the statues of the Three Pure Ones were covered with splattered blood. The blood had long dried, and layers were stacked on top of each other, so thick that it made one want to vomit.

　　In the towering and gloomy Ancestral Hall, only the empty-skinned founders smiled hollowly.

　　In front of the blood-stained statue of the Daoist ancestor, the young Daoist reverently recited the Daoist scriptures.

　　"Constantly pure, constantly quiet, should be constantly pure and quiet."

　　Eerie, bloody, yet with an unspeakable sense of freedom and ease.

　　The Daoist outside tightly covered his mouth, his face pale.

　　He was almost scared out of his wits.

　　[Follow the VX public account [Book Friends Base Camp] to read books and get cash!]

　　The founders comprehend the Great Dao...

　　Is this the Great Dao?

　　This is the Great Dao!!

　　He supported himself with his hands on the ground, his body weak, and almost crawled forward. Then he saw a pair of legs, his body stiffened, and he slowly looked up and saw the abbot's face. He breathed a sigh of relief, his voice tearful, and said, "Abbot, Abbot, Zhao Xiu is a demon, the grandmasters, the grandmasters have all been killed, all been killed!"

　　A suppressed cry, but there was no response.

　　The Daoist sensed something and stiffly raised his head. The wind blew, and the dignified abbot smiled, his face wrinkled up.

　　Squeak—

　　The Ancestral Hall behind him was pushed open.

　　"Constantly pure, constantly quiet."

　　"Should be constantly pure and quiet."

　　ps: Today's second update, three thousand six hundred words, go to bed early, control your schedule.

　　Thanks to those who treat all kinds of arguments, thank you~