The End of the Immortal Path

He found three on the first day.

After three more days of observation, he found another one.

That made a total of four.

No matter what methods he tried after that, he couldn’t find any more.

To be safe, he even consulted the Old Yellow Ox.

The result was the same.

’It seems this is the situation.’

If the Evil God’s hidden Messenger could evade even these measures, then Jiang Man had nothing more to say.

’It would just mean I’m too weak, that I haven’t worked hard enough.’

Besides this, during his observation period, Jiang Man also felt that something was off about the traces of the arrays.

They weren’t the work of a single person.

He just couldn’t determine if they came from two different Evil Gods, or one Evil God with two subordinates.

But it didn’t matter. Whether it was several factions or several people, it was all the same.

They were all enemies.

He just had to crush them all.

Jiang Man sat at the entrance of the ruined temple, watching the Ling Hua True Spirit outside absorb power. At the same time, he saw streams of special runes flowing in.

Some were obvious connection runes, all of which were intercepted by Jiang Man’s array.

Another portion was hidden in the shadows; Jiang Man didn’t touch those.

Although he had finished reading the seventy-two introductory volumes, it didn’t mean he was completely ahead of everyone else.

The more he tried to stop them, the more he might provoke them into using their full abilities.

It would be troublesome if he encountered something he couldn’t handle.

It was better to let them perceive his "limits" and then watch them walk right in.

That way, he could lure them into his territory and give them a shock.

After observing for a while longer, Jiang Man left the ruined temple.

He then told the Old Yellow Ox what was happening inside.

"You need to be careful," the Old Yellow Ox warned. "You haven’t been cultivating properly lately. The nine hundred days will be over before you know it."

"I thought you were going to tell me to be careful of the Evil God’s subordinates," Jiang Man said.

"You need to be careful of them as well. According to you, it seems two Evil Gods are plotting against the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit," the Old Yellow Ox said.

Jiang Man sighed. "Is the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit that weak? How can any random Evil God just come and bully it?"

"If it wasn’t weak, would it have a Golden Core as a Messenger?" the Old Yellow Ox retorted.

Jiang Man nodded. Ling Hua’s subordinates were not capable.

"Right now, you have three enemies: the awakening Ling Hua Immortal Spirit, and two unknown Evil God factions," the Old Yellow Ox said, looking at Jiang Man. "You might not succeed."

Jiang Man understood. The gap in their Cultivation levels seemed significant.

Besides, they came prepared. No matter how he responded, there was always a chance of defeat.

With this in mind, Jiang Man looked at the Old Yellow Ox. "They must all have an awakening time in mind. Is there a way to wake the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit up suddenly?"

"Yes," the Old Yellow Ox nodded.

"And is there a way to suppress the Cultivation levels in that area?"

"Also yes."

Jiang Man nodded, then walked over to the Old Yellow Ox, took out a brush and paper, and said, "Senior, please teach me."

The Old Yellow Ox looked at Jiang Man and said calmly, "File a report with the Zhenyue Bureau. Apply for it."

Jiang Man froze for a moment, then put away the brush and paper. "Old Huang, you could have said that sooner."

Jiang Man was an official member of the Zhenyue Bureau. Since he was going to subdue the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit, requesting support was an option.

Whether it would be approved was another matter.

「Three days later.」

The Zhenyue Bureau approved it.

There was only one condition: he had to submit a detailed report afterward.

「Late October.」

After finishing his Cultivation of the Evil God’s Technique, Jiang Man let out a long sigh of relief.

He then said to Old Huang, "I have a feeling the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit will awaken in another half a month."

Old Huang nodded. "They should be able to sense it too."

The Evil God’s Technique swirled around Jiang Man as he said, "I’m going in. I’ll advance their schedule by half a month. Old Huang, wait for my good news."

The Old Yellow Ox reminded him, "Whether you win or lose, the Evil Gods behind them will likely notice you."

Jiang Man nodded. "It’s fine. Let them see me when I’m weak. In the future, they’ll understand just how dazzling the light of an Unparalleled Celestial Pride can be."

The Old Yellow Ox watched Jiang Man in silence.

Nowadays, it never argued with him.

Past experience had taught it that although his words sounded exaggerated, he would genuinely do everything in his power to achieve them.

Still, it felt that shining his light upon an Evil God would be very difficult.

At this moment, Jiang Man had already arrived inside the ruined temple. He had no way of knowing what the various factions were doing.

But he was certain they weren’t sitting idle.

And he couldn’t stop either. He had to do something to surprise them.

Jiang Man felt a mist swirl around him, and his location shifted once more.

The place where the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit slumbered appeared at the entrance of the ruined temple.

At this moment, although the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit was still a mysterious symbol, it was beginning to take on a human form.

It didn’t look very old.

She looked to be about ten years old.

From the emotions overflowing from it, Jiang Man could tell it was very happy.

It was filled with joy about its impending awakening.

Seeing this, Jiang Man crushed a square block in his hand. A vast amount of power instantly surged into the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit’s body.

It helped her quickly solidify her body and awaken.

The moment the power enveloped the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit, Jiang Man sensed her extreme pleasure.

She was so excited it was as if she wanted to roar to the heavens, announcing she was alive again.

"Ha... ha... ha..."

First, the sound came through the Messenger’s special perception.

Immediately after, the sound echoed within the ruined temple.

"Ha... ha... ha..."

Finally, a great laugh boomed through the air.

"Hahaha! So what if the Immortal Sect’s methods are formidable?"

At this moment, the little girl’s figure fully solidified. Her clothes were plain, but her aura was astonishing.

"No matter how formidable their methods, all they did was make me sleep a little longer! I was right to choose my Messenger. He has allowed me to awaken so quickly, so joyfully! Hahaha..."

Her eyes slowly opened. "My Messenger, I will remember your meritorious service. In the future, you will bear my name and live on..."

As she spoke, her eyes were fully open, and she looked at Jiang Man standing at the entrance.

The figure was both unfamiliar and yet vaguely familiar, leaving the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit startled. "Who are you?"

"Your Messenger, of course," Jiang Man said with a slight smile. "It seems Lady Immortal Spirit has indeed awakened."

"Have I seen you before?" The Ling Hua Immortal Spirit had just awoken and wasn’t fully lucid yet.

But when she looked at Jiang Man, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

’Besides, as my Messenger, why doesn’t he have my aura on him?’

’No aura means no leash.’

The thought of no leash made the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit suddenly realize something. She said in shock, "Jiang Man of the Wuyun Sect?"

Jiang Man smiled and nodded. "So Lady Immortal Spirit remembers me?"

The Ling Hua Immortal Spirit’s brow furrowed. "Why are you here? Where is my Messenger?"

Jiang Man took out a Token. "I am the Messenger. And what’s more, I was the one who awakened you, Lady Immortal Spirit."

The Ling Hua Immortal Spirit said coldly, "I don’t know how you did it, but I do have you to thank for waking me. You can leave now. Without my approval, you can no longer remain here.

"This is my domain, and you are nothing but an outsider."

As her voice fell, she waved her hand.

The mist roiled, about to envelop Jiang Man and expel him from this place.

However, before the mist could even cover Jiang Man, it recoiled and then vanished.

The Ling Hua Immortal Spirit was stunned. She tried a few more times.

It was completely useless.

Jiang Man stood his ground and said, "Lady Immortal Spirit’s methods seem a little weak. Why not put some more effort into it?"

"What kind of Demon Skill did you use?" The Ling Hua Immortal Spirit wasted no more words. Instead, she condensed her power into avatars that quickly appeared before Jiang Man. "You only have a Foundation Establishment Cultivation. Even though I’ve just awoken and my power is weak, it’s more than enough to deal with you."

As her voice fell, three avatars surrounded Jiang Man, attempting to suppress him with Magic Skills.

She also sent out a spiritual shockwave, trying to lock down Jiang Man’s Heart Spirit.

However, the moment they got close, a flicker passed through Jiang Man’s eyes.

POP!

POP!

POP!

The three power avatars instantly exploded.

The Ling Hua Immortal Spirit was completely stunned.

"Primordial Spirit?" She looked at Jiang Man in disbelief. "Weren’t you at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment?"

"Did you only sleep for a day, Lady Immortal Spirit?" Jiang Man asked.

The Ling Hua Immortal Spirit finally came to her senses. "I’ve been asleep for fifty years?"

"Not that long. About seven or eight years," Jiang Man replied.

"Seven or eight years?" The Ling Hua Immortal Spirit frowned at Jiang Man. "Are you trying to make me think your progress is divine and that you’re a Messenger worth cultivating?

"Your Cultivation is indeed fast, but so what?

"I still look down on you. If you want to be my Messenger, you’re dreaming.

"You have no idea how many followers I have. Killing a single Primordial Spirit like you would be child’s play.

"But you can’t kill me."

As her voice fell, the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit’s aura spread out, an invisible summons piercing through the mist to reach all of her subordinates.

「At the same time.」

Chen Shi and the others, who had been waiting outside the island, suddenly snapped their eyes open.

"The time... has come!"

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