Master Xuanji breathes deeply, his face glowing with a subtle red energy, as thoughts gather into a Divine Soul, transforming into a Soros Wood about two meters tall, with thousands of branches falling.

This is the Dao Skill Fourth Realm, Spirit Communication and Manifestation.

The Divine Soul, sun-dried and wind-blown, never sinking in water or burning in fire, refined to the extreme, can be freely gathered and scattered, capturing hearts and souls, and then, following the Cultivation Technique studied, visualized and imitated, reflecting back to the self, forming an image.

To break through the life-and-death barrier, the last step to transcend into Ghost Immortal, is to refine this extremely strong Divine Soul into an Immortal Primordial Spirit.

"Still lacking some refinement. Zhi Xin Temple's 'Flower Shifting and Wood Connecting Great Method' is the third level of secrets, techniques, scriptures, and classics. Without nourishment from the Prefecture City Grotto Heaven Blessed Land's Jade Liquid Pool, and bestowed with the scripture-level 'Evergreen Longevity Scripture'..."

Master Xuanji's mind is calm, his reason for changing He Hongyun's dying accusation of "Four Reversals Demon Sect" to "White Sun Sect" is simple.

The goal is simple, to make Chongxu Zi cave to pressure and agree to arrange a grand ceremony with him, searching the mountains and seas to capture the remnants of the White Sun Sect hiding in Yihai Prefecture, and settle the case of Master Qingxuan.

Then report to the Dragon Court, discuss merits, and receive rewards, only then is advancement possible.

"As for the Four Reversals Demon Sect, there's no rush for the moment, wait until I surpass Ghost Immortal and become Prefecture City Daoist Official, the later Daoists will handle it."

Master Xuanji's eyes gleamed slightly, compared to the White Sun Sect causing chaos everywhere throughout the lost three thousand years, the Four Reversals Demon Sect rising in the past few hundred years is too light.

It's well-known, the Four Saints spread the Dao and opened Infinite Ten Thousand Heavens, which is beyond doubt.

The so-called Four Reversals Demon Sect proposes deviating from the classics and rebelling against the Four Saints.

If you worship the Great Wisdom Profound Monarch, then abandon wisdom and choose to be a blindly stubborn fool.

If you worship the Great Virtuous Celestial Venerable, then abandon kindness and choose to be a bloodthirsty murderer.

If you worship the Great Compassion Supreme Saint, then abandon the flesh and choose to be a beastly creature in disguise.

If you worship the Great Ailuo Deity, then abandon desires and choose to be a heartless, cruel demon.

All in all, going against the Four Saints is the core of this sect.

If not for the Dragon Court honoring only the Five Emperors and not worshiping the Four Saints' deities, this Four Reversals Demon Sect would have been strangled as soon as it emerged.

"The only regret is He Jinghong and He Jingyun, they were originally intended to be well-cultivated."

Master Xuanji shook his head:

"Help me capture the rebel remnants, make great contributions, you two brothers, also died deservedly."

He suddenly laughed twice:

"Master taught me, the realms in the world are nothing but three ranks. First tier are seniors, second tier are Daoist friends, third tier are ants.

After half a lifetime of cultivation, my only desire is to rid myself of the label 'ant', to add more weight to my life."

...

...

Yihai Prefecture, Martial Arts Chen Family.

Chen Ye opened his eyes, his hanging hands gently lifting, resting on the wheelchair, his Divine Soul returned to this crippled flesh, that detestable sense of powerlessness welled up again.

"Cripple!"

This young master in fine clothes and delicacies, fiercely beat his numb legs, a strong hatred flashed in his eyes.

It's unclear if it's toward himself, or that nightmare-like, unnamed man in a green robe.

The once spirited youth, now confined to bed, relying on others for basic needs, it's simply unbearable torment.

Stripping naked like a pig, letting maids clean his body, needing to call for the maid to bring a basin for bathroom needs... Each outing, the pity, sympathy, and mockery coming from every direction pierce like arrows, bleeding pain.

"Wish I could just die!"

At first, Chen Ye planned to poison himself, swallow gold, or maybe hang himself.

But he sorrowfully realized, he was so cowardly, afraid of the ugly dying appearance from poison, worried about the gut ripping from swallowing gold, backed out at the moment he hung the white silk on the beam.

This young master, once called "Senior Brother" at Martial Arts, seemed to have fully accepted the label "cripple", gradually becoming numb, barely surviving.

"Ye'Er."

In the flow of Chen Ye's thoughts, a deep voice suddenly echoed, scaring him into looking toward the dark outer room.

A tall figure appeared by the round table separated by bead curtains, resembling a silent sculpture, giving a sense of weight.

"Dad."

Chen Ye's tone suddenly dry:

"When did you get here?"

Chen Xing calmly said:

"Just sat down, saw you looking asleep, didn't disturb. Ye'Er, this weather is heavy with cold, should have Xiaoyu support you to bed, avoid catching cold."

Chen Ye's throat rolled:

"Understood."

Chen Xing continued:

"You haven't entered the Daoist School yet, it's forbidden for the Divine Soul to leave the body at will. What if you attract the malevolent born of the void? Don't do it again.

I just received news, He Family's elder and third son died because of this." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Chen Ye's breath calmed slightly:

"Will follow your advice, dad."

Chen Xing slowly stood up, his sturdy figure like a mountain, lifting the bead curtain causing it to rustle.

He walked to Chen Ye, speaking earnestly:

"Your mother lost Zhao'Er, feeling deeply sorrowful, so avoid making her worry."

Chen Ye's shoulders sank, Chen Xing's large hand pressing on it, he looked up meeting his stepfather's gaze:

"I know."

Chen Xing seemed to remember something:

"Before Zhao'Er died, he was close to you, after joining the army, he didn't forget to send you small gadgets often, once during a campaign with Zhechong Prefecture to annihilate the Demon Cult, he earned merit and sent you a bone carving, remember?"

Chen Ye's heart thumped violently, sweat slightly seeping from his back:

"I remember, I let Xiaoyu store it in a box."

Chen Xing softly said:

"Zhao'Er had bad luck, suffered misfortune, his body non-existent, only left a clothed tomb. You should give me that bone carving, to place it in the coffin as burial accompaniment."

Chen Ye's face stiffened:

"Xiaoyu's clumsy handling, might not be there, I'll have her look later, if not, I have other items."

The large room is unlit, dim and gloom pervade, making it hard for Chen Ye to see Chen Xing's expression.

The latter was silent for a moment, releasing the hand from his shoulder:

"Ye'Er, it's best if you find it. If not… let it go.

In three days, your brother is to be buried."

...

...

Past half of 9 p.m., Bai Qi sailed alone down the river, today being the Ren Water flood, the wind swept across the river surface, stirring waves like fish scales.

As night deepened, the waves grew fiercer, tossing the small boat around like it might flip any moment.

"Uncle Qiu says my Direct Seal is the Gold and Fire Seal, Indirect Seal is the Black Water Overflow. This means I'm somewhat water-affinitive."

Bai Qi sat at the bow of the boat, his Qi and Blood Power coursing through his body, filling his flesh, like a stabilizing force, firmly pressing down the small boat, the biggest waves unable to shake it.

He took out three purple-black, ingot-shaped Life and Death Ling Jiao, a rare treasured plant, known for cleansing the flesh, enhancing martial bone maturation, said to be a key ingredient in making 'Human Essence Grand Pill'.

Its growth environment is very demanding, only the dragon's habitat with abundant vital water essence can sustain it.

"Tonight is the Ren Water flood, the water vapor rising, almost causing a flood, I am at Black Water River taking three Life and Death Ling Jiao, completing the ninth blood exchange, entering the 'Refined Silver Marrow' stage, it should be fine."

Bai Qi took a deep breath, the river surface fog lay thick, water vapor so dense, almost forming rain drops, hair and robe soaked, two water patterns on his forehead shone brightly with radiant splendor.

He felt a sense of closeness and comfort, like a fish swimming freely in the river, a natural ease.

"The taste is not bad, crunchy, sweet and refreshing."

Three pieces of Life and Death Ling Jiao entered his stomach, Bai Qi reluctantly sighed, calmly inhaling and exhaling, centered on the spine dragon, each bone ringing, muscles tightening, Qi and Blood Power surging like waves.

The originally bright red color was squeezed out bit by bit by the pores, turning into a mist-like blood fog, enveloping the body.

New blood formed within the bone marrow, thick like paste, flowing rapidly, faintly emitting a golden hue.