Cool breezes rippled the calm sea.
The hustle and bustle of the day has faded, as waves surge over and over, erasing the marks of animal activity on the beach.
Dusk blends with night, like spilled paint on the sky, touching the sea, creating a dreamy beauty.
Far away, returning birds circle, brushing against the sunset, just like the timeless couplet "Where the sun's glow mingles with solitary swans in flight, and autumn waters mirror endless skies."
Different from the tranquility of the heavens and the earth, a group of people by the shore watched as the youth immortal descended amidst radiant light and a profusion of colorful clouds, their hearts churning with great emotion.
None expected that, in the moment of life or death, a golden lance with red tassels descended from the sky, instantly pinning down the sea serpent spirit beast, several tens of zhang in length and considered invincible by all, onto the beach!
And the one wielding that golden lance is none other than the illustrious Chen Pu!
Fu Ming looked blankly at the approaching person.
Gu Yuetian's face was filled with admiration.
The remaining dozen or so cultivators were utterly incredulous!
Who among the people present had not heard of Chen Pu's magnificent achievements in Sourland?
That was Xuanmen Daoist Chen Pu, who had executed the number one disciple of Yin Shan Sect, Yin Wumo, and wiped out Ghost Commander, four Ghost Generals, and over ten thousand ghost troops!
The crowd truly could not believe it; they had actually seen this legendary War God of Shu with their own eyes!
Just as everyone was stunned, Chen Yun, Qin Ming, and their external avatars had already landed on the beach.
At this moment, Chen Yun extended a gesture, and the red-tassel lance automatically rose from the beach and flew back into his palm, then disappeared instantaneously.
With a smile playing on his lips, he looked at Zhang Qian and Lin Chen, "Two senior brothers, it's been years since we parted. How have you been?"
Zhang Qian had just escaped the terrifying fate and hadn't quite snapped out of it yet.
Hearing this, he suddenly realized and joyfully rushed forward, "Senior Chen, how come you are here?"
Lin Chen was also very excited and approached, "If it weren't for Senior Chen's great power, Zhang senior and I might truly not be able to say we are unharmed today."
"Ha ha, it's good that you all are safe and sound." Seeing his two close friends, Chen Yun was overjoyed, and he warmly grasped each of their hands, saying: "It's been so long since we last met. It's quite fortunate to run into each other here. Let's find a place to sit down and chat properly."
"Good! Good!" Zhang Qian's relationship with Chen Yun was second only to Li Si. After not seeing Chen Yun for years, he naturally became excited upon meeting him, "Four or five years apart, Senior Chen looks more energetic and lively than ever. I'm just curious to know how you've been getting by all these years."
The three of them walked together towards the flat peninsula not far away.
Qin Ming and his external avatar followed closely behind.
As the group of people walked past the dozens around Fu Ming and Gu Yuetian, this group suddenly came to life, bursts of chatter erupted spontaneously.
"Is he really Mr. Chen Pu?"
"I don't know, but since Zhang Qian and Lin Chen call him senior brother Chen, it's probably the senior brother Chen."
"Regardless of whether he is Mr. Chen Pu or not, the moment he threw that stupendous gunshot can tell us that he possesses limitless divine power!"
"Should we follow and take a look?"
"Let's go and take a look!"
The group of cultivators with relatively shallow cultivation level murmured among themselves without ceasing, and finally decided to go and take a look.
Gu Yuetian is from Shu, though he has never seen the real face of Mr. Chen Pu, the fame of Mr. Chen has long been as famous as thunder in his ears, and he has deeply admired him all along.
Gu Yuetian, from Shu, although he had not seen the true appearance of Mr. Chen Pu, had long heard of his reputation. He deeply admired him. Now seeing a young Daoist who might be Mr. Chen Pu, he was afraid that the crowd might offend him and hurriedly cautioned as he walked, "Gentlemen, Mr. Chen is a high disciple of Zhongnan Mountain Jinyang Cave's Zeng Yang Daoist and also a respected Daoist in Shu. He possesses profound magical power and holds jade and jade fragments in his hands. You must not be disrespectful to avoid making him unhappy."
Fu Ming chuckled, "With the sea snake spirit beast so powerful, it was pinned down by Mr. Chen with just one gunshot. Do you think we dare be disrespectful?"
Another middle-aged woman cultivator in her forties exclaimed, "Previously, when I heard that Senior Zhang and Senior Lin knew Daoist Chen Pu of the Xuanmen Sect, I thought it was all boasting. Little did I know it was true!"
"Yes, I felt the same."
"Little did we think, they are of such great status, with Mr. Chen to back them up."
A group of people sighed in awe.
Though they could not yet confirm whether the Mr. Chen in front was Chen Pu, they no longer dared to silently mock Zhang Qian and Lin Chen for their fondness of bragging as they used to.
After all, the strength Mr. Chen demonstrated just now was too extraordinary.
So high that they, a group of cultivators, could only stand there and exclaim in admiration.
...
The shore, the peninsula.
Here three sides are surrounded by water, and some extend into the ocean, growing some peculiar plants.
Fu Ming, Gu Yuetian, and the dozen or so cultivators arrived here and saw Zhang Qian and Lin Chen chatting with Chen Yun sitting on the rocks.
"……Since the fall of Luoyang, I and my junior brother had to flee far south after the invasion."
Zhang Qian could not help but sigh and exclaim, "With the current chaos in the world, the spiritual essence that protects ordinary people has weakened, and various demons and ghosts have emerged. As a nation's decline nears, devils will come to life!"
Lin Chen's expression was also grave. "In times of peace, there were hardly any beast demons along the coast, as the sacred essence protected the world. However, now that faith is shaken and many temples have been destroyed in the war, not only did we encounter the sea snake spirit beast here on Huangyan Island, but it is said that demons are dancing in droves all over the land. Many cities are overrun by demons, and people live in such dire straits."
Chen Yun did not expect that the world has become so chaotic in only one year since he went to the Yueyue Spring Cave.
For a moment, his heart was heavy, and he couldn't help but recall the disciples and soldiers of King Si Yuan and Gong Ji Jie on Qingcheng Mountain.
He asked, "How is it in Shu?"
Zhang Qian shook his head and said, "The first emperor issued an imperial edict to demote the official title of Tianshuan Panyan Field Commander Tian Lingzi, exiling him to Duanzhou. However, Tian Lingzi relied on his brother Chen Jingxuan, the Swords South West Governing Expedition Commander in Yizhou, defying the imperial decree. After the new emperor ascended the throne and summoned Chen Jingxuan to court, he refused to comply and raised troops in rebellion. The warfare in Shu was also like spring mushrooms popping up one after another. Currently, the former Governor of Lishi State Wang Jian is leading troops to attack Western Shu. It's not much better."
Chen Yun felt a pang in his heart upon hearing this, worried for the safety of Wang Siyan and some disciples who didn't have much cultivation.
Fortunately, Zhang Qian added a sentence, "Although the entire Western Shu is in turmoil, around Qingcheng Mountain, because of Mr. Chen's great reputation, those soldiers and generals dare not cause any trouble. Additionally, other demons and monsters also respect Mr. Chen's majesty and dare not approach Qingcheng Mountain recklessly."
Chen Yun finally relaxed.
In fact, he was well aware that the soldiers and generals in the mortal world might know of his achievements in Shu and dare not cause any trouble there, but that was not the case with the demons and monsters. After all, there were many sacred beings around Qingcheng Mountain, such as Master Zhang Tianshi, Jiang Lang Er (a deity associated with the Yangtze River), and others. Who among them did not instill fear into the hearts of demons?
He understood the situation very well.
However, just arriving nearby, Fu Ming and Gu Yuetian et al., having heard Zhang Qian's confirmation with their own ears, immediately realized that the youth Daoist sitting on the rock with a celestial demeanor before them was none other than the legendary Mr. Chen.
Now, the eyes of the crowd were hot and eager, wishing to rush forward and worship immediately.
However, everyone had their sense of proportion and knew that Mr. Chen was having a reunion with Zhang Qian and Lin Chen, so they refrained from disturbing them by rushing forward.
Therefore, Fu Ming and Gu Yuetian, along with the other dozen or so cultivators, stood there with expressions of reverence in anticipation.
Chen Yun chatted with Zhang Qian and Lin Chen for about half an hour.
Fu Ming and the others waited in the cold wind for half an hour, which was extremely respectful.
In the end, the reunion came to an end.
Chen Yun stood up and said, "Senior brothers Zhang and Lin, with the world in turmoil now, both of you have just begun your cultivation journey. If you wander around, you might encounter all sorts of disasters. Why don't you two come with me after I've dealt with my current affairs? You can take refuge on Qingcheng Mountain with me."
"Very well, thank you Senior Chen."
"Thank you, Senior Chen, for protecting us. My companions and I came to the south because we had nowhere else to go."
Zhang Qian and Lin Chen were grateful to the point of tears.
Chen Yun smiled and said, "We are all family, so there's no need for such formalities."
He paused for a moment and said, "I have a major battle to fight tomorrow. I need to rest well tonight to ensure that I am fully prepared to carry out the mandates entrusted by my master. I'm afraid I can't accompany you any longer tonight. If you have any questions regarding cultivation, feel free to ask Gong Ming from my sect, who is a highly skilled practitioner at the realm of upper-order priests. He has been studying some knowledge of Daoist cultivation in the Yueyue Spring Cave and has also learned from me, so he should be able to provide guidance and assistance."
Zhang Qian hurriedly said, "Alright, Senior Chen, you should go and rest first."
Lin Chen said, "Important matters require attention. You should take care of your own affairs, Senior Chen."
Chen Yun nodded slightly and did not speak anymore. He found a spacious area, crossed his legs, and cultivated to replenish his qi and essence.
...
Seeing Chen Yun leave to rest.
Fu Ming, Gu Yuetian, and the other dozen or so cultivators only dared to approach when they saw Chen Yun resting.
At this moment, Fu Ming revealed a sycophantic expression as he looked at Zhang Qian and Lin Chen, "Brother Zhang, Brother Lin, I didn't realize you actually know Mr. Chen Pu. "
Zhang Qian smiled awkwardly and said, "We have already told you before, but you didn't believe us. How could my brothers and I possibly change your mind?"
Gu Yuetian, unable to both laugh and cry, said, "It's not that we refuse to believe, but your story is so exaggerated that we dare not trust it."
Another middle-aged cultivator, around thirty years old and dressed in fisherman's attire with a dark complexion, said, "That's right. The Zhongnan Mountain Jinyang Cave Daoist School is like an celestial sect to us. Mr. Chen is also known as Zhenchuan Shu and is a true high Daoist from the Xuanmen Sect. To be honest, your cultivation levels are not as high as many of us, so how can we dare to believe what you say?"
Lin Chen understood everyone's mindset and laughed heartily, saying, "What you're thinking now is just like when I was pulled out of my body by a dissolution fairy, and then with the help of Mr. Chen, I saw the sacred beings like Lü Zu and Guan Zunwang. At that time, even though I saw it with my own eyes, I couldn't believe that Mr. Chen would go to such lengths to summon so many sacred beings for just two ordinary people like us."
Fu Ming and Gu Yuetian, as well as the other dozen or so cultivators, had long since heard the two of them talk about this incident.
Now hearing Lin Chun's account, the group couldn't help but privately reflect on how right he was. Indeed, the saying 'seeing is believing' holds true. Even now, seeing the idol-like Mr. Chen in front of them, they still couldn't believe it and felt as though they were living in a dream.
(End of Chapter)
