k with ghostly energy.Beside this eerie candlestick, there were actually several... faces.I gasped for breath, almost choking, and squeezed into Jiang Qiyun's side. He held my hand, and we stood silen...Moonlight was like water, but halfway down the mountain, lights were as bright as day.

Three years ago, the chaotic barrier where the Corpse Demon resided was attached to a piece of wood. The wood was split into three parts, and the three great masters—the monk, the Taoist, and the lay person—each sealed one piece.

The Qingyu Dao Guan was one of the main battlefields, suffering severe damage. Lingxuzi, the old Taoist priest, was also seriously injured.

After two years of preparation and with its accumulated reputation, many sects came to participate in this year's September 9th sacrificial ceremony. The Qingyu Daoist Temple felt a sense of widespread response.

My brother and I represent the Shen and Mu families respectively. Our joint actions are nothing new to those in the circle.

Although the Shen family was a little reluctant to associate their reputation with the "low-class" Mu family, they couldn't resist my brother's wealth and power, and his smooth-talking skills.

My younger brother is quite admired by the disciples at home. They usually greet and pay respects to him proactively, and this time, they followed my lead throughout the journey, diligently adhering to his instructions.

Such gatherings need to be very low-key. The authorities have always turned a blind eye to our circle, they won't bring it up on the surface, but they also won't deliberately suppress us.

Those in positions of power actually know a lot more than we ordinary people do.

In the era of ignorance, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism gave rise to a lot of dross, but also many valuable things worth inheriting.

But now that society is peaceful and there is no famine or natural disaster, and timely assistance can be provided for disasters, the sight of bones exposed in the wild is rarely seen anymore.

As living standards improve, transportation has become more convenient with the availability of better transportation options.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Shen family has a helicopter to handle emergencies, it's not really anything special in this circle.

A renowned mage, even if he worked alone and didn't take on any new clients for three years, could still have enough commissions to last him for three years.

If there were clans or families, at least they would be worry-free about food and clothing—except those who went into the mountains to practice asceticism.

Look at Xiao Yinluo's home, that old house alone is an antique. It's not easy for her family to support so many disciples, especially when money is needed - like when she was taking care of the people from Wuwang Mountain City, that constant flow of cash!

Now, at the newly constructed parking lot downhill, you can see high-end business cars coming and going constantly.

To avoid unnecessary trouble from road inspections, many people wear ordinary clothes while traveling and only change into their robes once inside a business vehicle.

Therefore, seeing so many "impeccable" Daoists getting out of the car felt a bit strange.

Jiang Qiyun stood by the carved window on the high pavilion, hands clasped behind his back and eyes downcast, watching the people who climbed up the mountain one after another. He narrowed his eyes slightly: "...There are a lot of new faces this year."

"Huh You, Your Majesty the Emperor, still recognize people" I stared at him in disbelief.

In his eyes, how much difference could there be in the faces of all people

He frowned slightly and said, “This seat looks at the bones, not the skin. This year, among these people, it seems that some have ulterior motives...”

I was startled and hurried to the window, leaning against his arm and peering out.

A group of Daoists were filing up the mountain in an orderly procession. I squinted and watched closely; they all had their heads bowed, hands clasped in respectful gestures, seeming oblivious to everything around them.

I couldn't recognize the face, but this kind of honor guard I haven't seen at the Shen family in the past two years.

Then came another group of people, this time in pairs, strolling up with relaxed attitudes, occasionally looking down to talk to each other.

The word "dao" encompasses all things, and naturally, there are many different kinds of cultivators. Seeing these waves of people, I'm a little puzzled—in past years, I haven't seen so many people!

"...Perhaps it's because Qingyu Dao Guan has gained fame within the circle, and this year just happened to finish renovations. Maybe all these fellow cultivators who don't usually interact with each other came to offer congratulations" I speculated.

Jiang Qiyun shook her head slightly: "No, it should be related to the recent changes... The Demon Lord's appearance, even slightly capable cultivators should feel the change in aura."

The Demon Lord has appeared in the world...

Jiang Qiyun called him Yin Su Bai, saying that it was the name he used when he appeared in the world before. I didn't dare to call him directly by his name.

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

“According to reason, if the world were peaceful, why would he appear in this world” Jiang Qiyun said to me in a clear and low voice: “Although the world is full of extravagance and malice today, there has been no overwhelming malice. His eagerness to appear in the world... is worth investigating.”

"Well, after tomorrow's sacrifice, my brother and I will take Archie to deal with that corpse." I said hurriedly.

Jiang Qiyun pondered for a moment, then spoke in a low voice: "Don't wait until tomorrow. Since all these clans and sects are gathering here now, you should leave tonight."

"Huh" I was taken aback. "Didn't we come here for tomorrow's sacrifice Why are you leaving tonight Tomorrow is your birthday..."

He glared at me and said, “What Does this deity need you to bow and pay your respects”

Pfft... Speaking of it, I'm truly disrespectful. Not only did I not perform a proper bow and greeting, but I even argued with him.

"The head of the Shen family not appearing will surely give people something to talk about... Ling Xuzi, the old Daoist priest, invited me very much..."

"Does he dare to have an opinion about you" Jiang Qiyun brushed his sleeves and turned around, and I immediately followed him to turn my head.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp gaze on the back of my neck, like a needle pricking me.

I immediately turned my head to look at the mountain trail in the night. It seemed that none of the Taoist priests going up the mountain looked this way.

This kind of gaze feels very bad. Over the past few years of cultivation, my five senses have also improved somewhat, so it's impossible for goosebumps to appear out of thin air.

Someone must be watching me.

"What's wrong" Jiang Qiyun saw me frequently turning my head to look out the window.

"...nothing special." If there was anything strange about the atmosphere, Jiang Qiyun would have noticed it already.

At this time, he was sitting on the bedside, picking up the document I had placed on my head and examining it carefully.

This is intel the Tong Xuan Hui sent us, passed down to me by my brother.

The Tong Xuan Hui welcomes members from all walks of life, regardless of their religious affiliations, social status, or family background. As a result, its membership comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, ensuring a wide range of information flows. After filtering out unreliable sources, the currently collected information on reanimated corpses and disturbances in the demon realm amounts to a substantial volume.

There is reason for vigilance within the circle. Recently, many strange things have happened. Some Daoists, when going out to walk or handle commissions, initially thought they were dealing with simple ghosts and spirits, but unexpectedly they turned into uncontrollable demons.

There have been injuries, even fatalities.

Under this atmosphere, everyone in the circle was forced to unite... I felt like they were just encouraging each other.

I feel that as a practitioner at my level, dealing with things like restless spirits and other yin-yang affairs shouldn't be a problem. After all, humans and ghosts... they are ultimately two sides of the same yin-yang coin.

And the gods and demons, are simply beyond our capabilities.

Those low-level demons and monsters, like livestock, are already difficult to deal with. As for a demon lord's scout like Chongmo, I haven't even seen his true strength. The demonic beasts he summons with a flick of his finger are unimaginable. If we were to truly face someone of his level, none of these aristocratic sects would stand a chance.

"Where is this" Jiang Qiyun showed me a black-and-white surveillance photo.

I took it over and glanced at it carefully, frowning. "This is a sneak shot, isn't it"

The picture shows a man wearing a hat to cover his face, standing in a crowded subway car, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.

Even through the photo, I could feel that "deathly" aura about him.

"This man seems to have also been in contact with the corpses, all this information is gathered around that corpse..." I flipped through a few more pages, it seems like it's all about this man.

"I'm asking, what is this place" Jiang Qiyun tapped the image with her slender fingers.

The picture is crowded, but you can see the ring and iron rod.

"In the subway car… uh, you probably haven't been on a subway before" I patted my head.

The Jade Emperor taking the subway... I shook my head, shaking the scene I had imagined from my mind.

He shook his head slightly. "No."

Huh What's wrongittle yellow skins. Do you think something happened to it on its way back" I nudged Mu Wanchen's arm.Mu Wanchen sat up, slightly frowning and saying: "The Dream Realm is vast, and for those with spiri...