Chapter 83

"Little Junior Brother, you're finally back!"

As soon as Zhu Ganglie returned to the sect, Senior Brother Yinghuo and Second Senior Brother Ximen Jianbei both came out. Ximen Jianbei was especially overjoyed. It was Ximen Jianbei who had taken Zhu Ganglie to participate in the Pill Evaluation Conference. When the True Immortal of the sect broke through the restrictions of the Return Void and could not find Zhu Ganglie, Ximen Jianbei felt immense guilt and self-reproach.

Now, seeing that Zhu Ganglie had not only returned safely but had also achieved the Unity Realm, laying a solid foundation, Ximen Jianbei could not help but be elated.

Zhu Ganglie was also overjoyed. After being pursued for millions of miles by the True Lord of the Netherworld, he truly felt that the sect was not just a place for cultivation but also the only place he could rely on in this world, a sense of home naturally arose in his heart.

Zhu Ganglie then roughly recounted his experiences.

As for his departure from the Return Void, he attributed it to the senior of the Tai Bai Sword Sect and also explained the origin of the Immortal-Slaying Gourd.

For Zhu Ganglie's good fortune, both Yinghuo and Ximen Jianbei praised him highly.

Zhu Ganglie then mentioned that after leaving the Return Void, he encountered a descendant of the ancient Wu clan, who taught him a divine technique and sent him to the Netherworld to find the Flowers of the Other Shore.

These events were a mix of truth and fiction, and Zhu Ganglie chose to tell them selectively, which made the two of them even more moved and sighed with emotion, commenting on Zhu Ganglie's experiences.

"Junior Brother, don't worry. Although the Netherworld is powerful, the elders of the sect will protect you."

After hearing this, Yinghuo comforted him.

Ximen Jianbei flicked his wrist, and a white jade bottle appeared in his hand. "Junior Brother, this is the Pure Yang Pill. I won it from a senior sister on Jade Maiden Peak. It contains pure yang essence, which can quickly restore a cultivator's magical power!"

Seeing the pill offered by his second senior brother, Zhu Ganglie did not hesitate, knowing that his second senior brother felt guilty. He directly took it without any hesitation.

His magical power had been severely depleted this time, and without this pill, it would take several years to recover through cultivation.

"Junior Brother Zhu, now that you have achieved the Unity Realm, you can refine your own life-bound magical tool. And when you go to the Great Wasteland, you will need a powerful tool to protect yourself. Soon, I will have Ice Venerable take you to the Great Snow Mountain to retrieve the White Jade Divine Ice Iron and refine a magical tool!"

After a moment of thought, Yinghuo spoke, and Zhu Ganglie was also moved. He indeed needed a life-bound magical tool to harness his Ice Soul magical power.

The Gourd Sword Technique's magical power is driven by the Immortal-Slaying Gourd, and the only spell currently driven by his Ice Soul magical power is the Supreme Cold Qi of the Heavenly River.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. After I recover my magical power, I will seek out Ice Venerable. I wonder how the Nine Dragon Ice Flask is being refined by Master?"

"Master recently emerged from seclusion and went to the Return Void with the True Immortal of the sect, even using his avatar to enter the Return Void. However, he could not find you, and his avatar was severely injured. He is now re-refining his avatar and cannot return for a while. But I have already informed Master of your return!"

Yinghuo said slowly, warming Zhu Ganglie's heart. He bowed three times toward the distant Ice Dao Temple in reverence.

At this moment, a talisman flew from the distant Divine Dawn Peak and landed on Zhu Ganglie. Seeing the talisman, Zhu Ganglie did not dare to be careless. He said to Senior Brothers Yinghuo and Ximen Jianbei, "The Sect Master has summoned me with a talisman. I dare not delay, so I will take my leave from the two of you!"

"Junior Brother, go ahead. Don't worry. The Sect Master will handle these matters. You just need to stay true to your heart!"

Yinghuo comforted him, putting Zhu Ganglie at ease. He bowed and transformed into a beam of light, heading toward the Divine Dawn Peak.

"Old Man Huangquan, why don't you leave?"

On the way to the Divine Dawn Peak, Zhu Ganglie deliberately slowed down his flight, hoping to let Huangquan leave, but the old man had no intention of leaving. Zhu Ganglie then asked aloud.

Hearing Zhu Ganglie's words, Huangquan sighed lightly. "It's not that I don't want to leave. The True Lord of the Netherworld is a great adept, and they cultivate the ancient martial arts, making them extremely powerful. He also brought three ghost immortals. How dare I leave? Your strength is not enough to know that your sect has great adepts who can lend their power. If I didn't rely on you, I would have been killed long ago!"

Hearing this, Zhu Ganglie did not say anything and directly flew to the Divine Dawn Peak, entering the Divine Dawn Hall.

The Sect Master, Chongxu Tongmiao, wore a Daoist robe, with a face like a jade crown and a long beard, exuding a sage-like aura. He stood quietly in the hall.

Beside him, the Guardian True Lord wore black clothes and looked at Zhu Ganglie as he entered.

Zhu Ganglie did not dare to be careless and walked forward, bowing respectfully. "Disciple Zhu Ganglie pays respects to the Sect Master!"

Chongxu Daoist nodded slightly and looked at Zhu Ganglie, then said, "Tell me everything that happened, and I will take care of it for you!"

Hearing this, Zhu Ganglie was delighted and recounted everything that had happened.

However, upon hearing Zhu Ganglie's account, Chongxu Daoist and the Guardian True Lord both frowned slightly.

Others might not know about the ancient Wu clan and the Linglong Blessed Land, but great adepts like them were well aware of these ancient secrets, and their feelings were different.

"The Wu clan's Wu Xian and Linglong Fairy were both great adepts of ancient times. I did not expect you to be involved in these ancient grudges. This is both your good fortune and your tribulation. You must handle it well. If you are in danger, the sect will protect you!"

After pondering for a moment, Chongxu Daoist said to Zhu Ganglie, having made a decision. From Zhu Ganglie's good fortune, he could see that this disciple had a bright future.

If he could handle this cause and effect, he would surely achieve immortality. Chongxu Daoist then decided to support him.

The Guardian True Lord also took Zhu Ganglie more seriously.

Continuing, Chongxu Daoist said, "Now that you have offended the Netherworld and released thousands of malevolent spirits, the Guardian True Lord has observed that you can transform into the ancient fierce beast Jiuying. He has granted you the responsibility of a Yin Messenger, to find those malevolent spirits. I think this is a good arrangement and have agreed on your behalf. This responsibility will greatly benefit you in the future. If you disagree, it's fine."

Hearing the Sect Master's words, Zhu Ganglie had more thoughts. It seemed that the responsibility of a Yin Messenger was a position of virtue, otherwise, the Sect Master would not have agreed on his behalf.

Now, the Sect Master was giving him a choice. Making the right choice would ensure a bright future, while making the wrong choice would affect his future cultivation.

It was like having an opportunity in hand, and it was up to him to seize it.

Understanding this, Zhu Ganglie immediately bowed respectfully. "Disciple is willing to take on this responsibility!"

Hearing that Zhu Ganglie was willing, the Guardian True Lord, with a cold face, stepped forward and pointed. A black robe and a black scythe appeared in his hand.

"This is the Yin Messenger's set, a magical treasure for you to use in your duties. Remember, this responsibility is temporary. In the future, your virtue will be observed. If your virtue diminishes, not only will the responsibility be taken away, but you will also be held accountable."

Hearing the Guardian True Lord's words, Zhu Ganglie was delighted. He did not expect to receive a magical treasure, which would greatly enhance his strength.

Seemingly sensing Zhu Ganglie's joy, the Guardian True Lord scolded, "You have cultivated the ancient divine magic technique, the Ten Directions Hell Path, which has been modified and is now strange, but it is still an ancient divine magic technique. Your Jiuying is an ancient fierce beast, possessing both divine and demonic qualities. It can fly for thousands of miles and is effective against yin ghosts, making it suitable for this responsibility. This is your cause and effect. You must remember not to spread the Ten Directions Hell Path to others, or I will hold you accountable."

Hearing the Guardian True Lord's words, Zhu Ganglie was puzzled. Why couldn't the Ten Directions Hell Path be spread? The technique was his, so why couldn't he pass it on?

"Don't overthink it. These ancient martial arts involve some secrets. Therefore, you cannot pass this technique to others or the sect. The Guardian True Lord cultivates the Ten Directions Hell Path and sensed the same source of energy in you. He also observed your transformation into Jiuying and followed you. Otherwise, how could you have escaped the True Lord's pursuit? Go and thank the True Lord."

Chongxu Daoist said with a smile, as if he had gained something significant, which made the Guardian True Lord slightly angry, "You're taking advantage of the situation."

This made Zhu Ganglie realize that he had indeed gained something significant and immediately bowed to thank the Guardian True Lord.

"Chongxu, you must fulfill your promise."

After accepting Zhu Ganglie's bow, the Guardian True Lord said to Chongxu Daoist.

"Go! The old Daoist will fulfill the promise, but you must speak to Ice Venerable yourself."

Chongxu Daoist flicked his wrist and handed a talisman to the Guardian True Lord.

This made Zhu Ganglie realize that the responsibility he had gained was a result of the Sect Master's negotiation. If he had made the wrong choice, thinking it was a laborious task, he would have missed this opportunity.

The Sect Master might have thought he was not a promising disciple.

"Old ghost, come out. I have made many conditions with the Guardian True Lord. You will stay in our sect from now on."

After the Guardian True Lord left, Chongxu Daoist grabbed Huangquan and the great seal, bringing them out.

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