Hearing this, everyone’s expressions were absolutely priceless.
If anyone had dared to show off like this before, they would have been dealt with right away, but now, seeing this man, oh well, forget it.
“Ye Shidi, you really know how to make an entrance! Coming back and hitting us with a huge surprise!” Xu Yonian exclaimed excitedly.
During this time, as the sect leader, he had been extremely anxious, fearing that one day the Xuantian Sect would be overrun by the Underworld Abyss’s army, and they would all meet their doom. He knew it was only a matter of time before that happened.
But now, that crisis had finally been averted!
“Hurry, hurry, let Ye Shidi in! We can’t wait to hear all the interesting things you encountered out there over the past year!” Cangjian Peak Master said.
With the protective array lifted, everyone returned to the Xuantian Sect, and the whole sect erupted in cheers. Elders and disciples were immensely excited, feeling as if they had survived calamity and regained new life.
After all, being cooped up in the Xuantian Sect during that time was an unbearable experience!
Now that the crisis was over, they felt enlightened and cried tears of joy. When they heard that Ye Peak Master had slain the Bone Tribe king and saved the Arid Province, they regarded him as a heavenly deity, eyes filled with fervor.
“Ye Peak Master, we love you!!” Many fair-skinned, beautiful female disciples rushed out, shouting hysterically at Ye Junlin.
Ye Junlin had originally been smiling, but seeing a lot of men joining in, his smile gradually stiffened.
Back at the Mysterious Peak.
Over a year had passed, but everything here still looked the same, as if it had been meticulously maintained.
“In your absence, I had the disciples take care of things,” Xu Yonian said.
“So this is where Master lived,” Li Wujie looked around, feeling a surge of respect. Surely, Master must have contemplated and diligently cultivated here to become a top-tier expert!
Ye Junlin nodded, “Since we’re all here, how about we have a feast together?”
“Sure!”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Ye Junlin waved his hand, and the previously stored ingredients were brought out from his spatial storage, all preserved remarkably fresh.
“Xiao Xi, it’s all yours!”
“Okay, leave it to me!”
Bai Xiaoxi was excited, ready to show off her culinary skills to everyone.
Ye Junlin glanced at the boy with the mushroom head hiding in the crowd and cleared his throat, “Xiao Hei, I’ll need your help again later.”
The mushroom-headed boy shuddered.
Was this really my only purpose?
“Fourth Shidi, much appreciated,” Li Wujie patted the boy on the shoulder, his expression serious.
The mushroom-headed boy almost cried, thinking, “What did I owe you all in my past life?!”
There was no choice.
Now that he was on this pirate ship, trapped in someone else’s lair, he couldn’t back out. Plus, he was genuinely worried that if he wasn’t careful, he might end up in a stew.
So, soup it is, just treat it like a relaxing soak!
With that, the mushroom-headed boy transformed back into his true form, his face filled with resentment as he jumped into the large pot.
“Xiao Hong, mind the proportions.”
“Roger that!”
Hong Qianye dared not play tricks and skillfully manipulated the flames to heat the bottom of the pot. Minutes later, a delicious aroma wafted out, whetting everyone’s appetites.
“This is a top-notch Medicine King! Even if it’s just soup, many big shots would fight over a sip. Who knew we’d have such good fortune today? Ye Shidi, your disciple is truly a find!” Xu Yonian gave a thumbs up.
Ye Junlin chuckled, “As long as you drink the soup regularly, even a wild chicken can become a phoenix, and mere mortals can gain an immortal aura. If you all drink a few bowls, we’ll have a continuous supply, and our Xuantian Sect will truly become a real immortal sect!”
“That’s an amazing idea!” Xu Yonian slapped his thigh, grinning from ear to ear.
The other peak masters had their eyes gleaming, staring at the Great Mushroom King simmering in the pot, swallowing hard, filled with an unprecedented desire for immortality.
The Great Mushroom King was struggling to adapt to the water temperature. Hearing this, it nearly blacked out in shock.
Regret washed over it!
It thought it was stepping out of its comfort zone for a new adventure, only to plop into a big black pot!
Next, Ye Junlin began recounting his experiences after leaving the Xuantian Sect. Xu Yonian and the others listened quietly, chuckling at his tales, from the Xue family’s birthday banquet to the Great Zhou Dynasty, Dragon Gate Inn, and Medicine King Valley. They occasionally burst into laughter, but when they reached the fate of the Hanging Temple, a wave of sighs followed.
“Ye Shidi has truly had an exciting year,” Cangjian Peak Master remarked, “Your life is my dream!”
“Since the Hanging Temple was destroyed and the Pure Land Kingdom Imperial Palace was slaughtered, and neither was your doing, then who is really behind this?” Tianxiang Peak Master said indignantly, “They clearly want to frame you!”
Ye Junlin shook his head, “There’s a hidden hand stirring the pot; this fire will only burn brighter, and no one can remain uninvolved.”
“Wait, you said the Underworld Abyss beings launched a war for the Star Gate. Does that mean our Xuantian Sect just happens to have one too?” Xu Yonian asked.
“That must be it. The Star Gate connects to countless realms, and in ancient times, cultivators could use it to freely travel anywhere in the universe. Just think about the immense strategic value that holds.”
“No way!”
Cangjian Peak Master was stunned, “Now that you mention it, it really does make sense!”
“Ye Shidi, to be honest, as my cultivation level rises, I increasingly feel that the Kunlun Realm is like a cage. How wonderful it would be to see what’s outside,” Xu Yonian sighed.
According to ancient records, beyond the world lay the vast universe, with magnificent star rivers and boundless realms. Yet now, even cultivators who could fly and move mountains could not escape; the only way out is to ascend to the Immortal Realm, but that path has turned many away.
Ye Junlin said, “I understand your point, but given the current situation, the closure of the Kunlun Realm is not without its protections. If the Star Gate opens, it would be inviting wolves into the fold, leading to scenes of chaos and bloodshed.”
He didn’t divulge the impending doom of the Immortal Realm to avoid exacerbating their panic and confusion.
“We can only take it one step at a time,” the other peak masters said with wry smiles.
“Delicious food is ready!” Bai Xiaoxi, wearing a chef’s hat, transformed into a little cook, bringing all sorts of delicious dishes to the table.
Everything was beautifully presented, making everyone’s mouths water!
“And there’s fresh mushroom soup!” Li Wujie brought over a large pot, with the somewhat limp mushroom-headed boy trailing behind, his legs feeling like noodles.
Everyone dug in, and it was a feast!
“So good! This is absolutely delicious!”
“Ye Shidi, with such a great disciple, your life must be fabulous!”
“Let’s think back to how we used to live! You win in the enjoyment department!”
…
Everyone was in high spirits, the atmosphere joyous.
After eating and drinking to his heart’s content, Ye Junlin burped, wiped his mouth, and stood up, “I feel like having some music.”
“Is Master going to play something spontaneously?”
Li Wujie was filled with anticipation. He had personally seen Ye Junlin play the guzheng, and it was phenomenal; just thinking about it got him pumped.
Night had fallen.
Ye Junlin waved his sleeve, and a colorful metallic round object flew out, releasing vibrant lights above the Mysterious Peak.
Then, with a snap of his fingers, rows of speakers appeared, along with a turntable like in a nightclub.
Ye Junlin silently donned sunglasses, a devilish smile creeping across his face, holding up his right hand in a rock gesture, and shouted, “Friends in the audience, let’s get hyped!”
This was a daily system sign-in item, designed to relieve inner pressure; it was all about entertainment and enjoyment!
Boom, boom, boom, boom~!!!
As the rhythmic electronic music blasted through the air, everyone was left gaping in shock.
“What the…?” Xu Yonian was startled by this flashy display, his heart pounding like a drum, the blood in his veins boiling. This was music he had never encountered before.
For some reason, it felt pretty good!
“Wow, I had no idea things outside had developed to this extent,” the Cangjian Peak Master murmured, thinking this was a new performance style Ye Shidi learned while traveling.
Li Wujie stood there dumbfounded, thinking this was a unique product from the Arid Province.
Hong Qianye’s eyes widened, wondering where he had picked up these tricks from?
Wasn’t this a bit too advanced?
Even back in the Central Region, he had never seen anyone play like this!
Suddenly, Hong Qianye sensed something was off; his body wanted to move.
It startled him, flowing with disbelief.
When he looked up again, the sight before him left him astounded.
Everyone was swaying to the electronic beat, an exhilarating visual spectacle.
“No way, I can’t dance like them, that’s way too embarrassing!” Hong Qianye fought to restrain his hands, gritting his teeth.
Two minutes later.
Hong Qianye was shaking his hands, taking off into the air.
“Everybody, let’s get hyped together!” On the mountaintop stood a handsome young man with silver hair cascading to his waist, wearing sunglasses and ancient attire, fingers flowing with wisps of energy, skillfully working the turntable amid the pulsating electronic music.
The entire Mysterious Peak was enveloped in alternating colorful lights, standing out vibrantly against the night.
Across the Xuantian Sect, disciples and elders alike were astonished by the spectacle from Mysterious Peak.
“What the heck, what’s going on over at Ye Peak Master’s place?”
“What kind of music is this? So energetic!”
“Truly a traveler of the world, broad-minded, full of tricks, knows how to have fun!”
The entire sect was affected, many disciples found themselves wanting to shake their heads and twist their waists, feeling liberated and pumped!
Outside, the liberated Arid Province regained its former order, bustling with liveliness and chatter.
“What happened in the end? Come on, tell us!”
In the tavern, patrons urged the storyteller.
The storyteller banged his wooden block and said loudly, “At the critical moment, the killing god Ye Junlin transformed, standing tall beneath the thirty-three heavens, with the vast earth beneath his feet. In an unbeatable stance, he clashed with the Underworld Abyss’s king, knocking him to the ground in tears, begging for mercy. Only then was the Arid Province saved!”