Chapter 395: Chapter 195: Returning to the Mountain

Zen Master Puyuan was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Zhao Rui to refuse so directly.

He didn’t even try to be tactful.

After all, in a situation like this, when asking for a favor that the other party wasn’t even charging for, a bit of polite refusal and insistence was expected.

And yet, Zhao Rui had simply said no.

"Amitabha Buddha. That is a pity, indeed."

Zen Master Puyuan’s long eyebrows twitched slightly as he spoke, his palms pressed together.

"I am unworthy of such a blessing."

Zhao Rui hurriedly bowed with his hands clasped. ’Who wouldn’t want something so valuable? But this is Gui Xu.’

’There are too many strange people and bizarre occurrences here. I’m not so arrogant as to think I can just barge into any Cave Heaven Blessed Land I come across.’

’If it were so easy to get into, the people from Mount Emei wouldn’t have left it alone all this time.’

"In that case, Zhi Yuan, please lead the Masters on their way."

Zen Master Puyuan lowered his gaze and smiled faintly. He showed no dissatisfaction with Zhao Rui’s lack of cooperation. After all, with his level of cultivation, both his Martial Arts and his Buddhist disposition were far beyond the mortal realm.

"Thank you, Zen Master. Should you have the time in the future, please do visit us at the Qingcheng Sword Sect. My sect will welcome you with open arms."

"So be it. This humble monk will not see you off, then."

After both sides exchanged bows, Zhao Rui and his group, led by Master Zhiyuan, hurried to the Two Realms Passage.

"Are you staying in this realm, or leaving with me?"

Along the way, Zhao Rui sent a voice transmission to Zhou Moshu and the others.

There were seven of them in total: two who practiced Demon Skills and five disciples from Righteous Sects.

"I wish to follow you, Senior, and serve you faithfully. I hope you will grant me permission."

Su Wanyun was the first to answer. Her reply was crisp and direct, without the slightest hesitation.

"If you will have me, Zhenren, I too am willing to go and pledge my loyal service."

Just a moment after Su Wanyun finished speaking, the Five Dragon Envoy also made his choice.

"Certainly!"

Zhao Rui readily agreed.

’With these two around, many things will be much easier to handle.’

’This was exactly why he had "roped them in" in the first place.’

"And the rest of you?"

"Senior, I... I won’t go. I still have my sect and my family here..."

Luo Yunxi glanced at the solemn and dignified Grand Monk Zhi Yuan nearby, and suddenly felt more courageous.

’After all, I’m a disciple of the righteous Taihua Mountain. Now that I’m here on Mount Emei, he can’t possibly do anything to me.’

"Senior, I won’t go either."

Tao Yuansheng had the same idea.

"Fine. I won’t force anyone."

Zhao Rui said calmly.

"Senior, my sister and I admire your great character and wish to follow you. We hope you will grant us permission."

"Senior Sister? You two?"

Luo Yunxi was stunned; she hadn’t expected Zhou Moshu and her sister to choose to follow Zhao Rui at the last minute.

"Junior Sister, the Taihua Mountain lineage is already in decline. Do you still remember Master’s wish?"

"Senior Sister. I..."

"That’s enough."

Zhao Rui cut in, interrupting their conversation. "It’s your choice whether you stay or go."

Of the entire group, only He Wenhua remained.

"Senior, I am willing to follow you, but my sect also has a base in the Central Plains..."

"That’s not an issue."

Zhao Rui paid it no mind. Seeing that everyone had made their choices, he said directly, "Those of you coming with me, stick close to me in a moment. Don’t let your minds wander."

"Yes, Senior."

They all agreed.

Seeing how reasonable Zhao Rui was, Luo Yunxi happily glanced at Tao Yuansheng. The two of them were ecstatic. If they weren’t still on Mount Emei, they probably would have bolted already.

After walking for a little while longer, the group finally arrived near the Two Realms Passage.

Given that it was the Two Realms Passage, its significance and value were naturally immense. A third of the entire surviving force of Mount Emei in Gui Xu was deployed in this vicinity.

It was no exaggeration to say there was a sentry post at every step.

Most of the guards were dressed in lay attire and carried swords; they were clearly disciples of the Emei Sword Sect.

After passing through numerous checkpoints, the group finally reached the end of a long, winding mountain path and entered a high platform built next to a stream.

The platform was built from a stone unique to Gui Xu. This material was unusual; it could automatically absorb Spiritual Qi from the air, allowing it to remain undecayed for millennia.

It was also incredibly durable, difficult to damage with ordinary swords and sabers.

The perfect material for a sturdy brick, really.

"Ahead lies the passage. It is filled with turbulent currents, and we must gather the Spiritual Qi of the five elements to stabilize the space..."

Master Zhiyuan called over the monks beside him and gave a few instructions. A few moments later, four monks, each holding a strangely shaped artifact, sat cross-legged at the four corners of the platform.

A moment later, the four artifacts began to emit a vast, exotic Spiritual Qi, which instantly converged in the center of the platform.

Zhao Rui focused his senses on it and realized it was the four auras: earth, fire, water, and wind.

’Just as the ancestors had always said about the ultimate destination of the Martial Dao.’

"OPEN!"

Another monk tossed in four Crystal Stone-like objects with his bare hands. Instantly, the entire platform was shrouded in a Misty Qi.

"The passage is open. Zhao Zhenren, I wish you a safe journey."

"Many thanks! Until we meet again."

After a word of thanks, Zhao Rui leaped into the passage.

Zhou Moshu and the others exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

Inside the passage, it was pitch black. The moment they stepped in, the world spun, and they found themselves in a void.

"The Divine Sword will guide your way! Until we meet again, Zhao Zhenren!"

A streak of sword light flashed from outside the passage. Zhao Rui and the others hurriedly leaped onto it. The longsword instantly transformed, becoming like a small boat.

It carried them forward through the spatial turbulence.

"So this is the Two Realms Passage... It’s incredible! What kind of immense power would it take to create something like this?"

The group couldn’t help but marvel.

Before they could ponder it further, a brilliant light erupted ahead. The longsword shot forward and, in an instant, flew out of the tunnel.

Blinded by the sudden light, they all squeezed their eyes shut. When they opened them again, they found themselves in a new world of verdant peaks, lush trees, and pleasant scenery.