Chapter 124: A Single Thought Forges Wellbeing, Returning to the Great Wilderness Stirs the Winds of Change!

"Indeed, it has been a long time."

Watching Senior Lu turn around, looking at the candied haws in his hand and the large white rat nestled in his arms, observing the warm smile on his face as cold and pure as jade, Daoist Liu Jing, the white-robed elder of Kunlun, dared not show the slightest negligence as he saluted and replied.

"It has been over seven years..."

The middle-aged man in white robes, Li Yuanchun, then chimed in, "It has been seven years and six months since the True Monarch eliminated the Black Mountain Old Demon and saved the entire Jinhua Prefecture."

Hearing this, Lu Wufei immediately smiled, "Daoist Li has a very good memory."

Li Yuanchun quickly offered a flattering smile, "To express our gratitude to the True Monarch for eradicating the demons back then, the City Lord of Jinhua Prefecture had an inscription carved on a stone tablet and erected a statue of the True Monarch. The events of that year are clearly recorded upon it."

Hearing what Li Yuanchun said, Lu Wufei smiled, "So that is how it is..."

"Indeed."

At this moment, the white-robed elder Daoist Liu Jing timely intervened, "Back then..."

While the three of them were speaking, a large crowd of mortals had already begun to gather at both ends of the street, causing a blockage.

Fortunately, the juniors of the Kunlun Sect and the swiftly arriving guards of Jinhua Prefecture maintained order, preventing the common folk from disturbing the three of them.

However, watching the two high and mighty Kunlun Immortal Masters—the most powerful immortals stationed in Jinhua Prefecture—bowing respectfully and greeting this person, the ever-growing crowd of onlookers grew more and more curious. They yearned to see the person's appearance clearly and began to whisper animatedly among themselves.

Gazing at the figure in green robes with a cold, ethereal demeanor to whom the two Kunlun immortals were respectfully bowing, many people who had lived through the terrifying demon invasion and chaos in Jinhua Prefecture seven or eight years ago finally recalled the Immortal Lu who had stepped forward to defeat the monstrous and terrifying demon back then.

Didn't Immortal Lu wear a green robe when he eradicated the demons? Wasn't it identical to the one worn by the person before them?

And what about the large white rat in his arms? According to the waiter and the innkeeper of the hospitable "Auspicious Welcome Inn" where Immortal Lu had once stayed, the Immortal Lu of back then had also carried a large white rat. Didn't that match up perfectly?

Most importantly, there was the attitude of the two Kunlun immortal masters.

Soon, the onlookers chimed in from all directions, quickly guessing the identity of the green-robed figure.

"Immortal Lu!"

"Immortal Master Lu!"

Such shouts quickly rang out.

Wishing to get closer to see Immortal Lu's appearance clearly, the crowd began to push forward.

The guards of Jinhua Prefecture immediately moved to maintain order.

The few blue-robed disciples of the Kunlun Sect who stood on the outer perimeter, maintaining order alongside the guards, had heard the conversation between their masters and uncles and knew that the True Monarch was standing right before them. How could they dare let ordinary mortals draw near?

"My master came to Jinhua Prefecture later on. Hearing tales of the True Monarch, he wished to pay his respects, but unfortunately, the True Monarch departed too swiftly."

After some polite pleasantries, the white-robed elder Daoist Liu Jing recalled the events of the past and extended an invitation: "My master instructed me that should I meet the True Monarch again, I must invite the True Monarch to visit Kunlun to express our sect's gratitude. I wonder if this humble Daoist has the opportunity to fulfill my master's instruction this time?"

These words were courteous indeed.

Lu Wufei immediately replied, "I thank your master for the invitation, but I am currently unable to make the trip. I have pressing matters to attend to on my journey to the Xiniu Hezhou, and my stop in Jinhua Prefecture is merely a brief look back at an old place. If I have leisure in the future, I will certainly make a formal visit..."

The two Kunlun cultivators, who had not held out much hope to begin with, showed joy on their faces upon hearing this. The elder Daoist Liu Jing immediately said, "Whenever the True Monarch travels this way, you need only send word, and my master will await the True Monarch's grand arrival at Kunlun."

The cheers of the people of Jinhua Prefecture at both ends of the street had naturally been heard by them.

To avoid drawing too much of a crowd and displeasing True Monarch Lu, the white-robed middle-aged man Li Yuanchun spoke up, "Since the True Monarch is revisiting an old place, the City Lord of Jinhua Prefecture is overjoyed. A banquet has already been prepared, and he wishes to invite the True Monarch to attend to express their gratitude."

Before Li Yuanchun could finish his sentence, Lu Wufei shook his head and said, "The banquet is unnecessary. If he truly wishes to express his gratitude, let him treat the common people at the bottom of Jinhua Prefecture well."

Li Yuanchun immediately replied respectfully, "The True Monarch is benevolent. This humble Daoist will surely convey the True Monarch's intent and ensure the City Lord keeps the True Monarch's teachings firmly in mind."

Hearing this, Lu Wufei nodded, then turned around, intending to continue buying snacks. However, upon seeing Lu Wufei, several small peddlers immediately dropped to their knees in sheer terror.

Seeing this, Lu Wufei sighed inwardly, then took a single step forward and vanished from the street.

Upon seeing this, the senior brother Daoist Liu Jing and Li Yuanchun bowed deeply toward the direction where Lu Wufei had disappeared and said, "We respectfully send off the True Monarch."

After finishing their bows, the two Kunlun cultivators paid no heed to the onlookers at either end of the street and directly turned and flew back to the tall pavilion.

Standing before the window sill, the white-robed middle-aged man Li Yuanchun sighed, "I never expected that after only seven or eight years apart, Senior Lu would have already broken through the boundary between immortals and mortals, ascended to the realm of immortals, and become a True Monarch."

Hearing his junior brother's exclamation, the white-robed elder Daoist Liu Jing, who was gazing into the distant firmament, also nodded, "Indeed. However, given the immense cultivation and strength Senior Lu displayed previously, breaking through the immortal-mortal boundary and achieving the status of True Monarch was only a matter of time. I simply didn't expect it to happen so swiftly."

"Senior Eldest Brother has been in seclusion for over thirty years now, hasn't he?"

Li Yuanchun asked. "It has been thirty-four years."

Liu Jing replied, "Let us hope Senior Eldest Brother can successfully fathom the mystery between immortals and mortals and ascend to the immortal realm soon."

"Moreover, Junior Brother, True Monarch Lu accepted our invitation. This matter is of great importance and must be reported to Master as soon as possible."

Li Yuanchun nodded immediately, "Junior Brother understands. I shall burn incense and inform Master tonight."

"Mm."

Liu Jing nodded, then continued, "I wonder which sect or school this True Monarch Lu truly hails from. To my knowledge, among all the major sects we know of, there are no genius disciples of this age and cultivation level who match him."

His junior brother Li Yuanchun immediately chimed in, "I suspect True Monarch Lu might originate from some blessed immortal mountain. If he were a genius from another major sect, his reputation would have spread long ago."

Liu Jing nodded, "There is reason in what you say. However, once True Monarch Lu visits our Kunlun, his identity will naturally become known."

As the setting sun descended, darkness began to envelop the earth.

Night fell, and Jinhua Prefecture grew increasingly lively.

On another street, Lu Wufei, dressed in black robes and possessing ordinary looks while holding Xiaobai in his arms, appeared in the largest plaza of Jinhua Prefecture.

In the very center of the plaza stood a colossal statue.

However, the gigantic figure was the terrifying and massive Black Mountain Old Demon, pitch-black in color.

As the savior hero, Lu Wufei's statue was rendered relatively much smaller. He appeared diminutive yet handsome, a green-robed, white-haired figure leaping into the air, wielding a golden staff and fiercely striking down at the fiend.

Beside the gigantic statue stood a massive stone tablet inscribed with the events of that year, the demons, and Lu Wufei's astounding feat of subduing demons and saving the entire Jinhua Prefecture.

In this city, he had truly become a hero.

Looking at the stele praising him, Lu Wufei merely smiled faintly.

Slaughtering the Black Mountain Old Demon back then had been nothing more than a casual action on his part.

He had never intended to seek fame or renown.

Yet, fate is often thus.

Nevertheless, regarding everything he had brought about, he felt a sense of accomplishment, for this was one of the original intentions behind his striving for diligent cultivation.

This feeling was quite good.

After viewing his own statue, Lu Wufei left the plaza in high spirits.

As the night grew deeper and after having his fill of food, Lu Wufei found an inn to lodge in.

However, it was not the Auspicious Welcome Inn where he had previously stayed; because Lu Wufei had lodged there, it had become the most famous inn in Jinhua Prefecture, making it far too noisy and bustling.

Soaking in a steaming wooden bathtub, Lu Wufei let out a comfortable grunt, and his mind stirred slightly.

Lines of pale white virtual ink data began to materialize before his eyes.

【Host: Lu Fei】

【Realm: Early Earth Immortal (566/1,000,000)】

【Experience Value: 798/15,000】

【Soul Power: 0.1】

【Technique: Mixed Cave True Qi Heavenly Scripture (Consummation); Demonic Breath-Holding Technique (Consummation)】

【Ability: Seventy-Two Transformations (Great Accomplishment) (1,777/2,000); Staff Technique (Consummation)】

(1/3)

(2/3)

【Supernatural Power: Universe in the Sleeve (Consummation); Law Heaven and Earth (Proficient) (52/500); Golden Light on the Ground (Consummation)】

【...】

Looking at the data before him, Lu Wufei's gaze remained calm.

At his current realm, slow growth was the most normal thing in the world; there was nothing strange about it.

Looking further at the soul power and experience points:

Over the past seven or eight years, the only notable gain was back when he slaughtered the Black Mountain Old Demon of his own rank in the city beneath his feet, earning nearly one point of soul power.

Although he had killed quite a few demons, ghosts, bandits, and evildoers along his eastward journey, the experience points they provided were minimal.

As for his techniques, the deeper Lu Wufei's cultivation became, the more he perceived the power of superior techniques.

Though he had yet to comprehend any major divine powers, his understanding of various minor divine powers continued to grow.

Becoming a disciple of Wuzhuang Temple was undoubtedly the most correct decision Lu Wufei had made since coming to this world.

Lu Wufei deeply felt this.

Looking at his abilities, the three disasters' wondrous skill, the "Seventy-Two Transformations," had shown some improvement but had yet to reach consummation. The further he practiced, the more difficult Lu Wufei found it.

However, Lu Wufei was no longer who he used to be; he simply let nature take its course.

As for the final divine powers column, the proficiency of the major divine power "Law Heaven and Earth" had advanced from beginner to proficient.

This was not achieved through practice—the difficulty of Law Heaven and Earth truly lived up to the name of a major divine power—but rather because Lu Wufei had reinforced it using a bit of soul power.

That precious bit of soul power had originated from the Black Mountain Old Demon he had previously slain.

Thinking carefully, the Black Mountain Old Demon could be considered the strongest opponent Lu Wufei had ever killed since embarking on the Daoist path.

It had both earned him tremendous renown in Jinhua Prefecture and contributed a supremely precious point of soul power.

"Splash, splash, splash."

Xiaobai's playful splashing in the water brought Lu Wufei back to his senses.

Although he was already possessed of an undefiled body, Lu Wufei still thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of a hot bath.

This had become a must-do ritual whenever he visited the mortal world.

After finishing his bath, Lu Wufei stood up and prepared to go out.

His fatigue had merely been mental weariness from prolonged travel.

Now, having toured Jinhua Prefecture, seeing that the city had become better due to his past actions, and thoroughly experiencing the mortal hustle and bustle, Lu Wufei's spirit had rapidly recovered and filled with vigor.

Naturally, there was no need to linger any longer.

Ahuang Mountain still held numerous matters awaiting him.

Donning his green robe once more, Lu Wufei left the inn with Xiaobai.

The moment he stepped out of the inn, his figure vanished instantly.

This caused a passerby walking in the opposite direction to stare wide-eyed, terrified with the belief that they had encountered a ghost, before fleeing in a panic.

Lu Wufei, appearing instantly in mid-air, transformed once more into a golden streak of light and soared toward the western sky.

More than half a month later.

In the far south of Xiniu Hezhou.

Above a boundless, wild mountain range.

A speck of golden light suddenly hurtled swiftly from the distant heights, transforming into a green-robed figure standing amidst the high clouds.

"It's fine if Taiping Mountain has no packs of demons..."

"Why is it that even here, on Panlong Mountain, hardly any demons can be seen?"

The green-robed youth gazed at the mountains below, his gaze profound and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Squeak."

At that moment, a white-haired, pink-nosed, black-eyed silver mouse poked its head out from the collar of the youth's green robes and let out a soft cry.

This man and beast were naturally Lu Wufei, returning from his distant journey, and the treasure-seeking mouse Xiaobai.

Not long ago, they had passed by his former domain, Taiping Mountain. Although there were a few scattered minor demons on the mountain, the packs of demons had vanished entirely.

The stone cave where he had once lived had even been occupied by two newly sentient minor demons.

Though he wondered why the third great king, White-Faced, had not assigned subordinates to such a resource-rich domain, the completely demon-less Panlong Mountain before him filled him with some doubt.

"Could it be that during the battle back then, Ahuang Mountain lost?"

"Impossible!"

"The three great demon kings of Ahuang Mountain pledged themselves to a new patriarch, the Yellow Wind Monster. How could ordinary demons possibly defeat the Yellow Wind Monster!"

"Could something have happened...?"

Looking left and right, aside from a few scattered, freshly spawned minor demons in the surrounding forests whose identities were obvious at a glance, there were no other packs of demons to be found.

"It must be so!"

"Let's go to Langlang Mountain."

Patting Xiaobai's head, Lu Wufei sped swiftly forward.

Before long, Lu Wufei, clad in green robes, stood atop the main peak of Langlang Mountain.

This massive mountain peak where he had lived for quite some time was covered once more by various plants over the traces of human construction, and the tracks of demon packs were gone.

With a single step, Lu Wufei appeared before the General's Cave at the peak.

A massive vine had grown right in the center of the cave entrance, lush and thick, blocking the entire mouth of the General's Cave and revealing only the crooked large characters carved above: *General's Cave*.

Lu Wufei stamped his foot, and the vine instantly snapped into pieces, scattering across the ground.

Lu Wufei stepped inside the General's Cave.

Aside from several stone tables, stone stools, stone beds, and various plants that had sprouted all over the floor, there was nothing else.

Stepping out of the General's Cave, Lu Wufei already had a rough idea of the situation.

Langlang Mountain had evacuated in an orderly fashion and not in a rush. Neither fighting traces nor corpses of minor demons were seen on the mountain or at its foot.

Therefore, this must have been a relocation.

With another step, Lu Wufei instantly appeared on the peak opposite the main mountain, standing before the door of his former stone cave.

Much like the General's Cave, this place was also overgrown with dense vines and vegetation.

"Relocated!"

"I refuse to believe the entire Ahuang Mountain relocated."

Gazing at the scene before him, Lu Wufei reappeared in mid-air and muttered to himself as he looked toward the direction of Ahuang Mountain.

However, Ahuang Mountain had three demon kings.

Lu Wufei considered himself capable of dealing with the eldest of the three, the late Earth Immortal realm old demon. But if the second and third demon kings attacked together with him, it would undoubtedly become somewhat troublesome.

Furthermore, there were the Crow Monster, Red-Skin, Huang Gui, Wandashan, and Bai Yunxiao—demons with whom he shared close ties.

He needed to take them into consideration.

In case the enemy used them to threaten him, it could prove troublesome.

He would find the Crow Monster and the others first, and then deal with that old demon!

(2/3)

At this thought, Lu Wufei shifted his form, transforming into a different appearance, and then shot off rapidly in the direction of Ahuang Mountain.

At the same time.

In the former territory of Fengyun Ridge.

A vast expanse of forest.

Inside a spacious cave near the mountaintop.

A group of demons bearing various animal heads were gathered around a blazing bonfire.

Above the bonfire hung a large boiling pot. Inside the pot, large chunks of meat churned ceaselessly amidst bright green vegetables, purplish-red onions, mushrooms, and other wild greens, looking rather appetizing.

"Third Brother, how much do you know about the opponent for my upcoming duel—Big Bear's sworn younger brother, that ox?"

The Crow Monster, bearing a black bird's head, raised the wine bowl in his hand and asked.

Beside him, clad in black iron armor, tall, stocky, robust, and radiating a fierce aura, sat the pig-headed demon in the master seat. Casually tossing a large bone-in chunk of meat into his mouth, he chewed it bones and all, then picked up a wine bowl filled to the brim by a minor demon, toasted the Crow Monster, and drained it in one gulp. Only then did he speak: "I don't know much, but that ox is not weak. He has been at the mid-stage Demon General realm for a long time. In a genuine fight, it will be very hard for Second Brother to win."

"Does Third Brother not have confidence in me either?"

The Crow Monster drained his cup of wine in one gulp and immediately protested, "Black Fang said the exact same thing!"

"Second Uncle, Third Uncle hasn't finished speaking yet."

Noticing the inebriated and dissatisfied Crow Monster, a female tiger demon clad in black armor with a delicate tiger head spoke up.

"Oh."

Chided by the female tiger demon, the Crow Monster's expression turned joyful as he immediately turned his head to look at the wild boar demon beside him, saying, "Third Brother, speak on, Second Brother is listening..."

However, the wild boar demon drained yet another bowl of wine poured by a minor demon, looked at the Crow Monster beside him, and asked, "Are you sure that if I tell you now, you'll actually remember it?"

Hearing this, the Crow Monster nodded immediately, "Of course I will!"

With that, the Crow Monster's mind stirred, and a wave of mist instantly rose from his body.

Evaporating the bulk of the alcohol in his system, the Crow Monster quickly said, "Alright, now I'm fine. Third Brother, go ahead."

Seeing the Crow Monster's commendable display, the wild boar demon didn't find it strange and said, "Although that ox demon has decent strength, his brain isn't very good."

"As long as Second Brother provokes him first during the duel, then maneuvers and fights him, your chances of winning will be much higher."

Now with a much clearer head, the Crow Monster hesitated upon hearing this, "I've heard about that, but won't provoking that ox make him even stronger?"

The wild boar demon picked up his refilled wine bowl, drinking as he spoke, "He will become stronger, but his brain will also turn to mush. What are you afraid of?"

"This is the only chance of victory I can think of for you."

"Although that ox has no magical artifacts, his strength is nothing to scoff at. Back then, he became a leader even earlier than Eldest Brother."

"Why has he stagnated for so long, failing to break through to the late Demon General stage and become a leader? Isn't it precisely because his brain isn't good?"

"If Second Brother wants to win, you'd better think carefully on this."

Having said that, the wild boar demon ignored the Crow Monster and went back to eating meat and drinking wine.

"Third Brother makes sense..."

Hearing this, the Crow Monster's eyes lit up.

Although he disliked thinking, he was quite good at accepting suggestions from other demons.

In the past, he listened to Eldest Brother; now, he listened to Third Brother.

After all, Third Brother had higher and stronger cultivation, already being a late Demon General and appointed as a commander by the General, whereas he was only a mid Demon General.

"I've remembered it too."

Beside them, a slender, sturdily built demon with the head of a badger raised his bowl and spoke.

The Crow Monster clinked bowls with the badger demon, drained his wine, and asked, "Your opponent isn't that ox, why are you remembering this?"

The badger demon replied, "But that ox is Big Bear's brother, and Big Bear has a blood feud with Eldest Brother and us brothers!"

The Crow Monster immediately chimed in, "Big Bear already apologized to Eldest Brother and compensated us with thirty spiritual herbs."

The badger demon continued, "Although that's true, what if Big Bear becomes a General? Do you think he'll just forget about these things?"

As his voice fell, the wild boar demon in the center seat stopped his movements, frowned, and said, "With Eldest Brother around, even if he becomes a General, he wouldn't dare do anything to us..."

"Besides, becoming a General isn't that easy."

"For all these years on Langlang Mountain, aside from the General, there has only been Eldest Brother."

"No other demons have broken through to the Demon Marshal realm. Sheep Leader Changxu doesn't even have a shadow of a breakthrough, how could it ever be Big Bear's turn?"

At this point, the wild boar demon looked at the badger demon and asked, "Fourth Brother, did you hear something?"

The badger demon nodded, "A couple of days ago, when I was drinking with Lanzhou, I heard him mention it. Some of his subordinates minor demons were hanging out with Big Bear's subordinates. For the past few days, Big Bear's minor demons have been guarding outside his cave. I heard Big Bear has been in seclusion for several days without leaving the cave, and the General even visited and left smiling, telling the minor demons to keep watch."

Huang Gui asked at this point, "Third Brother, you're also a commander and closest to the General. Haven't you heard anything about this?"

This group of demons was naturally Lu Wufei's sworn brothers.

When Huang Gui's words fell, the cave fell silent.

"Right now, there are four commanders on Langlang Mountain, each managing different affairs. Without important matters and lacking the General's command, we don't gather easily..."

"The last time I saw Big Bear was ten days ago."

"Therefore..."

At this point, Red-Skin narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly spoke, "I didn't know about his seclusion."

Seeing that Red-Skin, a commander, spoke thus, it proved that what Huang Gui said was true. Facing the prospect of Big Bear potentially becoming a General, the atmosphere in the cave grew somewhat heavy.

"I still don't understand why Eldest Brother was willing to let that bear off back then."

At that moment, the Crow Monster suddenly spoke up.

"It was the General who interceded for Big Bear," Red-Skin replied.

This was the first time the Crow Monster and Huang Gui had heard of this, and they immediately turned their heads to look at him.

Red-Skin continued, "Sheep Leader Changxu told me while we were drinking. Back then, Big Bear knelt and begged Eldest Brother for mercy, and the General interceded. Eldest Brother agreed, and demanding thirty spiritual herbs as compensation was Eldest Brother's condition."

When the words fell, the Crow Monster immediately said, "I knew it! How could Eldest Brother have forgiven that bear otherwise?"

"Eldest Brother shouldn't have agreed to the General."

Hearing this, Red-Skin glanced at the Crow Monster and said, "The General has a great favor to owe Eldest Brother. Since he spoke up, how could Eldest Brother refuse?"

"Don't ever say such things again."

"Rumble..."

"Rumble, rumble..."

At that very moment, a clap of thunder suddenly resounded out of nowhere, startling the demons.

"Are you kidding me?!"

The Crow Monster jumped in fright and immediately shouted, "It's winter! Why is there thunder?"

"Winter thunder!"

Hearing the Crow Monster's words, Red-Skin reacted instantly, his expression changing drastically as he immediately strode toward the exit.

"Hahahaha..."

"I never thought old bear would have his day!"

At that moment, a loud, echoing laugh rang out across the mountaintop.

Hearing this, Red-Skin's expression shifted drastically, and his footsteps froze in place.

(3/3)