Guarding the Prison for 100 Years, I Emerge to Overwhelm the Demon Venerable

The old Daoist Cui Yanliang was slightly taken aback.

The Little Ghost before him, however, had already bowed respectfully.

BUZZ!

With just that one bow, his surroundings changed dramatically. Cui Yanliang felt his body lighten, and when he opened his eyes again, he saw two scrawny Little Ghosts huffing and puffing as they carried a sedan chair, wisps of black mist puffing from their nostrils.

And he himself was sitting in that very sedan chair.

The two Little Ghosts carried the sedan chair, walking along a secluded path.

The path was strange; it was pitch-black on both sides, but exceedingly bright ahead.

Cui Yanliang looked into the distance and could see a massive, dignified, and ancient mansion standing at the end of the road.

The mansion was vast, seeming both real and illusory. It was shrouded in a light mist that exuded a powerful pressure.

Above the mansion, streams of Incense and Candle Qi converged from all directions.

Furthermore, he could vaguely make out a golden plaque hanging above the mansion’s main gate.

On it, three words were carved in ancient Dao Talismans: "Gui Dao Mansion"!

"Gui Dao Mansion..."

Seeing those three words, Cui Yanliang’s expression changed slightly, a sense of fear creeping into his heart.

He had been in the Desolate Province for nearly a hundred years, so he naturally knew what the Gui Dao Mansion was.

Simply put, it was for Daoists whose Daoist Skills and Cultivation were exceptionally powerful. They could choose to pledge allegiance to the Dayu Immortal Dynasty, and the higher-ups of the Dayu Immortal Dynasty would grant them corresponding rights and positions.

Thus, the Gui Dao Mansion came into being.

The term "Gui Dao" referred to the Daoists who had submitted to the Immortal Dynasty.

And these Daoists, without exception, were all powerhouses who had once made a great name for themselves. The strength of their Daoist Skills was far beyond Cui Yanliang’s imagination.

If Su Bai hadn’t spoken up, he would have refused.

"Sit tight, True Master!"

At a certain moment, the Little Ghost carrying the front of the sedan grunted.

"Master Qingming is waiting!"

The Little Ghost carrying the back chimed in.

"I am merely a sect disciple, I dare not be called a True Master!"

Cui Yanliang waved his hands frantically.

The title of True Master was not something just anyone could bear.

Only those whose Daoist Skills reached a certain powerful stage, and whose own Martial Arts Cultivation was not weak, could be called a True Master.

Although he had cultivated diligently for nearly a hundred years, he was well aware of his own strength. He had only just broken through to the Divine Platform Realm.

Whether it was his Martial Arts Cultivation or his various Daoist Skills, he was a world away from those True Masters. How could he possibly deserve such a title?

On a normal day, he would at most refer to himself as a Daoist.

"True Master, we’ve arrived!"

But the two Little Ghosts paid him no mind.

They carried the sedan chair, looking a bit strained, but their pace was surprisingly fast. In the blink of an eye, they had arrived in front of the mansion.

Upon arriving, new Little Ghosts naturally came out to greet them.

Cui Yanliang followed behind, his eyes darting around, his heart pounding with panic. But thinking of Su Bai’s words, he had no choice but to brace himself and carry on.

Catching a glimpse of his surroundings, he saw forty or fifty other Daoists who had arrived by sedan chair just like him. The scale of this banquet was likely quite large.

As he watched, his heart inevitably began to race with anxiety again.

"Stay calm!"

Su Bai’s voice echoed in his mind once more.

「In the northeast corner of the Prefecture City, a secluded small courtyard stood.」

Inside the courtyard, in Cui Yanliang’s room, Su Bai stood by the window, observing the old Daoist who was fast asleep with even breaths. His eyes flickered as a thought crossed his mind.

The one who had gone to the banquet was the old Daoist’s Divine Spirit; his physical body remained in the room.

’This Qingming Daoist’s method of inviting his peers is rather interesting.’

’Little Ghosts Hooking Souls, astral projection for a night journey... such methods are truly imperceptible, known to neither god nor ghost.’

"Qingming Daoist’s grand birthday banquet..."

A glint flashed in Su Bai’s eyes. He then slowly closed them, and a powerful strand of his Divine Thoughts sank into the old Daoist’s body.

He followed the old Daoist’s trail.

...

’The Senior really is following me!’

After hearing Su Bai’s words, Cui Yanliang felt much more at ease. His distracting thoughts were swept away, and his expression calmed.

He followed the Little Ghost all the way into the mansion.

’With a senior following me, what do I have to fear?’

The mansion was very large, with a spacious interior.

Exquisite pavilions and gazebos stood within, along with a good number of tranquil, winding corridors and pools.

Many Little Ghosts bustled about, walking back and forth along the corridors.

The air was also filled with a rich, burning aroma—a change brought about by the Incense and Candle Qi being concentrated to an extreme degree.

"Haha! Fellow Daoist, your presence truly brightens my humble abode!"

As Cui Yanliang was surveying the mansion, he heard a hearty laugh coming from the main hall.

He looked up and saw a white-bearded Daoist wearing a Jade Crown and a green robe, holding onto a young man in a white Daoist Robe as he spoke with a loud laugh.

’Qingming Daoist Chen Tianhua, and Gui Chen Sect Elder Chu An!’

Cui Yanliang recognized the white-bearded Daoist at a glance.

The Desolate State Mansion, as the largest city in the Desolate Province, had a history of ten thousand years.

This Qingming Daoist was said to have protected millions of civilians back in the day. The Demon Fiends who died by his hand numbered in the tens of thousands, a testament to his meritorious service.

Afterward, he pledged allegiance to the Dayu Immortal Dynasty, becoming one of the first Daoists in the Desolate Province to do so. And he was the master of this Gui Dao Mansion.

He also recognized the young man in the white Daoist Robe. He was a young Elder of the Gui Chen Sect with extraordinary talent.

At the same time, he was also the Sect Leader of the Gui Chen Sect’s branch in the Prefecture City.

However, while he recognized them, they might not necessarily recognize him.

The Gui Chen Sect had posts all over, with its members scattered far and wide. The sect had numerous members, and Cui Yanliang’s talent was only average. Even if Chu An had met the old Daoist before, he likely wouldn’t have remembered him.

Cui Yanliang’s arrival didn’t attract much attention. Or rather, there were too many people attending the banquet this time.

It seemed as if every Daoist in the Prefecture City had been invited.

Indeed, just after Cui Yanliang arrived, many more people who had received invitations showed up. A quick glance revealed that there were likely several hundred people.

The old Daoist was rather shocked. He recognized many of the people here; they were basically all disciples of the Gui Chen Sect.

But the only ones who could truly be called True Masters were the few people by Qingming Daoist’s left and right hands, including Chu An.

’Huh! Who is this old Monk?’

After a quick glance, Cui Yanliang’s gaze fixed on a kind-faced old monk sitting to Qingming Daoist’s left.

This old Monk looked benevolent. His body was aged but not frail; on the contrary, he appeared rather plump, and his skin was crystal clear.

’Who is this old monk?’

Since ancient times, the left has been the seat of honor. The fact that the old Monk could sit there meant that in Qingming Daoist’s heart, this old Monk’s status was even higher than that of Chu An, who presided over an entire prefecture.

"Tomorrow is my birthday. Today, I had the whim to invite you all. It is my greatest honor that all you fellow Daoists could come."

After everyone was seated, Qingming Daoist Chen Tianhua finally let go of the young Daoist’s hand, raised his cup, and spoke with a light chuckle.

"Not at all! Not at all!"

"Since True Master Qingming invited us, of course we would come."

"Indeed! It is our honor to be able to attend such a banquet tonight."

Not daring to be disrespectful, the crowd saw True Master Qingming raise his cup and promptly followed suit, speaking flattering words as they downed a cup of Spirit Wine.

Cui Yanliang had quick eyes and nimble hands, so he naturally followed suit and drank a cup as well.

Under the glow of the moon and candlelight, the potent liquor was cool as it entered his mouth, spreading a comfortable warmth throughout his body. His spirits were instantly lifted, as if he were basking in warm sunlight.

"This wine is made from precious herbs from the Netherworld, brewed for a long time using the Power of Incense as fuel. It is extremely valuable."

Gui Chen Sect Elder Chu An also drank the wine in his cup and said with a slight smile:

"Brother Chen is truly generous."

"Haha! It is merely some wine, an external object. Since you have all graced me with your presence, how could I possibly be stingy?"

Chen Tianhua smiled faintly, then clapped his hands.

The next moment, many Little Ghosts came in from outside the doors, carrying delicious delicacies and placing them one by one on the Jade Tables before everyone.

These dishes were extraordinary. Since everyone was in their Divine Spirit state and not their physical bodies, they couldn’t swallow ordinary food at all.

Evidently, these dishes were all made with ingredients from the Netherworld and cooked with the Power of Incense.

And these dishes were most effective at nourishing the Divine Spirit; they were also of great benefit to Martial Arts Practitioners.

The guests didn’t stand on ceremony. As long as there were benefits to be had, everything was negotiable.

Chen Tianhua chatted with the two people on his left and right, raising his cup for a toast from time to time. The old Monk didn’t shy away from meat or wine, eating with great gusto.

His large, round face rippled like waves.

"Everyone!"

Halfway through the banquet, Chen Tianhua suddenly clapped his hands. After getting everyone’s attention, he slowly began to speak:

"I seem to have forgotten to make an introduction."

"This great master on my left is an eminent monk from the Wansheng Institute of Yu Province. He has come here this time to establish a temple in the Prefecture City and offer salvation to all living beings."

"Amitabha Buddha!"

As Chen Tianhua made his introduction, the smile on Chu An’s face gradually vanished. The old monk, however, put his palms together and chanted:

"I am the humble monk Huinian. Greetings, fellow Daoists!"

In the main hall, everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke.

Anyone could see that this old Monk’s intentions were not friendly; he had an ulterior motive.

Disasters had been frequent recently, and the Prefecture City was no longer safe. Now, an eminent monk from some Wansheng Institute had shown up. Things were about to get even more chaotic.

Gui Chen Sect disciples like Cui Yanliang, upon seeing the look on Chu An’s face, dared not offer congratulations in his presence.

’The Gui Chen Sect is so powerful. It has been sharing the Power of Incense in the Prefecture City with the Gui Dao Mansion for several hundred years.’

’What kind of power is this Wansheng Institute? How dare it try to snatch Incense from the Gui Chen Sect in the Prefecture City?’

Many people were pondering the deeper meaning behind this.

For a moment, an awkward silence fell over the room.

The three people seated at the head table did not seem surprised by the crowd’s reaction.

Chu An was expressionless and clearly had no intention of breaking the silence. Chen Tianhua simply watched with a smile, shaking his head from time to time, his thoughts unreadable.

"Amitabha Buddha!"

Only the old Monk, after chanting the Buddha’s name, spoke slowly:

"True Master Qingming, I’ve heard that the Fierce Demon who committed murder in Shanyun County a few days ago has fled into the deep mountain forests near the Prefecture City. Is this true or not?"

"It is."

"That Fierce Demon is a Magic Stone that gained sentience. It roams the mountain forests, and the trees, plants, and great mountains all serve as its weapons. Its power is simply unimaginable. Even if we were to go, we would be unable to do anything to it..."

Chen Tianhua nodded slightly, an imperceptible glint flashing in his downcast eyes.

"Does the Great Master have a clever plan?"