Chongming Island.

When Jiang Yuansheng's team was in danger, on the island, a figure flew out from within a towering black building.

He wore a dark robe, his face youthful, with two strands of white hair flowing down, exuding an incredibly intimidating aura.

This was the Great Saint stationed here by the Fang Xian Dao, known as—Li Xuan!

"[Son of Da Gun]? How did a [Son of Da Gun] manage to pass through the defenses and reach the near sea..."

Li Xuan Saint's figure flew across the sea, a piercing sonic boom resounding, creating a white streak on the surface, which vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Heh heh... Li Xuan is about to lose it, I remember... That sea area, wasn't it your responsibility to patrol, Old Huang Long?"

On the island, amidst layers of buildings, a fine, intricate voice suddenly emerged, then disappeared into another secret chamber.

"This matter... was my negligence!"

In the secret chamber, a Great Saint in a yellow robe said softly, "When Li Xuan returns, I will definitely give him an explanation."

"Very well!"

The mystifying voice retreated.

Huang Long Great Saint looked at the secret chamber and suddenly conjured a Dharma Seal.

A dense layer of green seaweed emerged from the void, crawling over the four walls.

Only then did Huang Long Great Saint unhurriedly lift his robe, revealing his arm.

Upon one glance, irregular scales had grown thickly, layer upon layer, extraordinarily terrifying.

"A sign of Dao Transformation... has intensified again."

Huang Long Great Saint's expression was extremely heavy: "Ninth Realm Practitioners think that a Great Saint can completely refine the power of Dao Transformation, but little do they know we merely suppress it forcefully. If suppressed, one becomes a Great Saint; if not, one becomes a calamity!"

"Even the Dao Ancestor has the tribulation of Dao Transformation, and in our cultivation, it's a path filled with thorns, like facing an abyss..."

"I can barely hold on... For this, Xuanhai had to take the risk of practicing that secret text, hoping he can succeed..."

A Great Saint represents the foundation of a major force.

If Huang Long Great Saint falls, the fortune of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty might decrease by thirty percent!

For this, the Imperial Family naturally considered many methods, tried numerous strategies, hoping to cultivate another Great Saint.

Unfortunately, achieving the title of Saint is not something that can be done just by piling resources, otherwise, the Great Zhou Imperial Family would have long been the first force in the world.

...

"Oh? Someone's coming?"

On the sea vessel, Zhong Shenxiu sensed something, watching the horizon.

Splash!

On the surface of the sea, a white streak appeared, followed by a powerful voice riding the wind and thunder, landing directly on the deck.

"Li Xuan Ancestor!"

Jiang Yuansheng's eyes lit up, bowing deeply: "Thank you, Ancestor, for coming to our aid!"

"This person is..."

Li Xuan Saint's gaze fell on Zhong Shenxiu, immediately recognizing him: "Fang Lang fellow Daoist?"

"It's indeed me!"

Zhong Shenxiu responded with a smile, feeling that the Great Saint's attitude was somewhat strange.

But this was normal.

After all, he first destroyed Yuan Yin Temple and then saved people from Fang Xian Dao, such feelings were naturally quite complex.

"Thank you for coming to my aid, fellow Daoist!"

Li Xuan Saint didn't need to hear Jiang Yuansheng's words to grasp everything, solemnly bowing.

"It's nothing, as I am also someone who has to station at Chongming Island, this is my duty."

Zhong Shenxiu displayed equanimity.

In his eyes, this Li Xuan Saint appeared human outwardly, but inside hid great terror.

Within flesh, a truly horrifying true form was concealed.

Three heads, six arms, skeletal without any flesh, his entire body marked with Karma Fire Red Lotus...

'This seems to differ from the [Taishang Decapitating Essence See My True Life Classic], given that this Great Saint hails from Fang Xian Dao... And Fang Xian Dao's origin is a Dao Ancestor, accommodating various external forms and paths, which is quite normal...'

Li Xuan Saint's eyes flashed with brilliance, as he too observed the details of this newly emerged alternative Great Saint.

He convinced himself that he practiced Xuanmen Orthodox, equipped with a 'Truth Breaking Eyes', potentially allowing him to glimpse a bit of the other's foundation.

But he never anticipated, upon viewing, only witnessing darkness and moonlight, followed by Zhong Shenxiu's ambiguous smile, causing a chill in his heart, realizing his scrutiny had already been detected by the other, prompting him to avoid further staring, merely inwardly lamenting: "Truly deserving of a side-door Great Saint!"

With two Great Saints escorting them, naturally nothing happened along the way.

The ship sailed peacefully back to Chongming Island.

Upon arriving on the island, a group of cultivators came to greet them, led by none other than two Great Saints!

One wore a robe imprinted with numerous talismans, face like a jade's finish, eyes like ink dots, carrying a gentle aura, was Zhengyi Dao's 'San Shan Great Saint'.

The other identified himself as 'Huang Longshi', belonging to the Imperial Family of the Great Zhou.

Previously, it was these three Great Saints who joined forces to station at Chongming Island, resisting the ocean's immense calamity.

"This must be Fang Lang Great Saint, indeed heroes arise from youth!"

San Shan Great Saint laughed as he approached: "Previously, upon receiving a message from Li Xuan, we've prepared a banquet and invite the Great Saint to join!"

"I must not decline!"

Zhong Shenxiu nodded.

Soon afterward, in the most spacious 'Sea View Palace' on Chongming Island, the four Great Saints sat around the table, talking happily.

As for the ordinary cultivators? Even those at the Ninth Realm Divine Transformation were not qualified to join the table.

"Chongming Island doesn't have any special products, but being near the deep sea, every time the Sea Clan Demons attack, they leave quite a few good things!"

Li Xuan Saint said: "Especially the meat of a certain flying fish demon, incredibly tasty, must be tried!"

With a clap of his hands, several charming and smiling female practitioners brought forth jade trays, presenting slices of fish, still emitting chills.

The fish, upon entry, was exceptionally delicious, needing no seasoning, or anything else that would disrupt this pure beauty.

"Excellent!"

Zhong Shenxiu tasted a bite, unable to help but praise, then looked toward the fruit on the banquet.

They were clearly green infant-like fruits, with distinct features, vibrant and lively.

"These are fruits from an exotic tree in the East Sea, flowering every three years, bearing fruit every six. The fruit resembles infants, contains primordial energy, able to lead one into the Dao... Hence named 'Nascent Soul Fruit', even for us it can replenish essence!"

Huang Longshi laughed.

"Indeed, indeed."

The Nascent Soul Fruit wasn't meant for consumption, Zhong Shenxiu picked one up, gently squeezed it, transforming it into a jade-like green vapor, absorbed into his belly, experiencing a unique flavor.

...

After three rounds of drinks, Zhong Shenxiu asked: "What's the arrangement for guarding the East Sea?"

This world faces the Heavenly Demon Tribulation, referring to attempts by Outer Gods to infiltrate the world periodically.

The previous time he entered, Zhong Shenxiu observed the world's defense, noticing a gap in the crystal wall system.

However, the attempts by Outer Gods are not constant, rather spaced out.

Currently, during peaceful times, manpower on the Heavenly Demon Battlefield isn't in high demand, so terrestrial defense becomes the priority.

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