Always lazy Chen Changsheng was now genuinely busy. Normally, he would have stopped to admire a place as magical as Zhong Ling. But now, he had no such desire.

His time was not like ordinary people’s. What might be a year or two for others, equaled centuries for Chen Changsheng. He couldn’t afford to wait. The Disrupted Providence could return to normal any moment; he could only race against time.

Seek Evil Spirits when alive; achieve peace of mind when dead.

This was probably the busiest period Chen Changsheng had ever experienced.

Upon waking this time, nearly a month passed. Yet, the Evil Spirits he found were few; the efficiency was very low.

As the sun set, Chen Changsheng died once more.

In that emptiness, he began to consider plans for what came next. Ultimately, working alone was too slow. He needed to find some help.

Of course, he could only think about that once he woke up again.

For now, it wasn’t the time.

…

Seasons changed, day followed night.

Three years slipped by in a rush.

The Tabby Cat had also waited three years in Cloudtop Manor. It missed Chen Changsheng for those same three years, that big liar.

When Chen Changsheng woke again, he did not return to Cloudtop Manor.

That day, a Flying Sword shot across the sky from the Cultivation World toward the north. It flew on Sword Flight, heading straight for the Desolate Sea.

Chen Changsheng went to Tianji Mountain.

To seek a helper.

Zhong Zhengyuan, sitting silently cultivating within Tianji Pavilion, suddenly sensed something. He opened his eyes, leaped up gracefully, and took a step forward. A Divine Crane appeared before him.

“Scree!”

The White Crane spread its wings, carrying Zhong Zhengyuan through the misty clouds of the Immortal Mountain. As the view cleared, he saw a figure in a Blue Robe standing on an Immortal Sword as if waiting there a long time.

Zhong Zhengyuan cupped his hands. “Mr. Chen, I hope you’ve been well?”

“All is well.”

Chen Changsheng got straight to the point. “I have come today to ask for your help, Zhong Zhengyuan.”

Zhong Zhengyuan paused briefly. “Mr. Chen, please speak. I will do my utmost to assist.”

Chen Changsheng then spoke of the Evil Spirits.

After listening, Zhong Zhengyuan asked, “You want them alive?”

“Yes, exactly,” Chen Changsheng nodded.

“Might I ask what you intend to do with these Evil Spirits, Mr. Chen?” Zhong Zhengyuan inquired, a hint of concern in his heart.

He worried Mr. Chen might be straying down a dark path.

Chen Changsheng saw his doubts. “Master Zhong, no need for concern. I have not fallen into the ways of evil. These Evil Spirits are sought for another purpose.”

Zhong Zhengyuan cupped his hands again. “With the Heavenly Secrets now Disrupted Providence, obscured by mist, Mr. Chen, please clarify.”

Friendship was one thing, but Tianji Mountain had always seen guarding the stability of the Mortal World as its sacred duty. As Tianji Mountain’s Senior Brother, Zhong Zhengyuan could not afford mistakes.

Chen Changsheng responded directly, “Master Zhong, have you ever heard of the Underworld Palace?”

Zhong Zhengyuan stared, stunned. “What?”

“To build the Underworld Palace, you must first create a realm beyond this world. Mountains and rivers need foundations. The Evil Spirits adrift in the Mortal World are perfect for this.”

“…”

Zhong Zhengyuan’s lips parted slightly. “Mr. Chen, to defy the Mandate of Heaven and Earth… if you fail… the consequence would be…”

“Perish without achieving the Dao,” Chen Changsheng finished for him. “Whether I do this now or not, I will tread this path eventually.”

Zhong Zhengyuan was silent for a long time, unable to decide.

This was no small matter.

“Mr. Chen, I personally will help you with this. But Tianji Mountain… Tianji Mountain itself cannot be involved.”

Chen Changsheng understood. He had anticipated such an outcome when he came.

“That alone is enough,” he said.

Zhong Zhengyuan breathed a sigh of relief. “Then I shall temporarily set aside my duties at Tianji Mountain and join you, Mr. Chen.”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I’m afraid that won’t work. The Cultivation World is vast. Countless places conceal Evil Spirits. To finish this task sooner, we must split up.”

“Ah, that makes sense,” Zhong Zhengyuan nodded. “Where should I meet you again, Mr. Chen?”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment. He handed Zhong Zhengyuan a leaf. “In the Cultivation World, there is a place called Li Hai. A thousand feet above it, if you use this leaf as your eye, you will see the Cloudtop Manor.”

“Mr. Chen, you… you no longer reside at Flowing Cloud Temple?”

“My home is the Flowing Cloud Temple.”

“Sending Evil Spirits there… I wouldn’t feel at ease either.”

“I see…”

Once this was settled, Chen Changsheng departed hastily.

Zhong Zhengyuan stood on his Divine Crane, watching Chen Changsheng go.

As he saw that man fly away on his sword, complex thoughts filled his mind.

This Mr. Chen intended to construct the Underworld Palace, connect it to the Yellow Springs? Such an undertaking… if mishandled, complete destruction awaited him.

“A great disturbance is brewing…”

Zhong Zhengyuan murmured softly and shook his head with a sigh.

Shortly after, he temporarily set aside his duties at Tianji Pavilion. Mounting his Divine Crane, he left Tianji Mountain.

His journey would be one of constant travel.

…

Beyond the miles of Snow Mountain, dense forests sprawled.

Demonic Qi permeated the air, yet the atmosphere felt profoundly peaceful.

Hu Junhan, the Fox Sovereign, sat cross-legged before a vast lake. He held a bamboo fishing pole in his hand, its line trailing into the waters.

Over the past several decades, the Demon Realm had developed rapidly. Many promising younger talents had emerged from his clan, lightening the burden he carried.

In moments of leisure, he often sat here fishing.

Perhaps it was an impression from long ago that caused an obsessive impression.

Only by personally trying over these decades did he learn whether this lake truly held fish.

He hadn’t caught a single one yet.

“Fox Lord possesses such refined leisure.”

A voice sounded.

Hu Junhan stiffened. Demonic Power surged within him before he recognized the speaker and calmed.

“Mr. Chen brings not even a whisper of wind with him this time?”

Chen Changsheng stepped beside him. “Some matters require haste. I couldn’t exactly stroll in openly, could I?”

This was the Demon Realm. If a Cultivator entered openly, it would cause trouble.

“What is this urgent matter, Mr. Chen?”

Chen Changsheng explained his purpose.

Hu Junhan paused. “Evil Spirits…”

“Indeed, I happen to have imprisoned a few.”

Evil Spirits fleeing to the Demon Realm met their misfortune.

Hu Junhan, the Fox Lord, possessed power that blotted out the sky. For him, handling Heavenly Tribulation-stricken Evil Spirits was effortless; a flick of his finger could snuff them out.

Hu Junhan said, “Initially, I thought to eradicate them. But sensing their strange origins, I kept them instead.”

Within the Demon Realm’s prison, three clouds of Evil Qi were confined.

These three beings had only their Souls left.

Their Mortal Bodies must have vanished during long captivity or beneath Heavenly Tribulation.

“A pleasant surprise,” Chen Changsheng remarked.

“Mr. Chen requires these Evil Spirits…” Hu Junhan sounded puzzled.

“They will serve a purpose,” Chen Changsheng explained briefly.

Hu Junhan simply nodded. “Then take them, Mr. Chen.”

Hu Junhan asked no further questions. When Chen Changsheng requested his help capturing Evil Spirits, he accepted immediately, no explanations needed.

Compared to Zhong Zhengyuan, Hu Junhan was far more straightforward.

Such is the nature of the carefree Fox Lord.

Hu Junhan smiled faintly. “It’s been quite a while since I truly moved my muscles.”

“My thanks to the Fox Lord.”

“No need for thanks, sir.”