Yun Zhongzi saw his smile, and a trace of inexplicable anger surged in his heart.

If the person dispatched by the Great Heavenly Venerate this time was Dou Mu or Thunder Sound Universal Transformation Venerable, then they were targeting Emperor Gouchen. Because Dou Mu and Thunder Sound Universal Transformation Venerable have grievances with Emperor Gouchen, Gouchen being an immortal, if they came to kill, they would have to bring Gouchen's head back.

— Back then, Dou Mu's disciple, Thunder Sound Universal Transformation Venerable, died at the hands of Yun Zhongzi, refined to death using the Heaven-Reaching Divine Fire Pillar. Gouchen is Yun Zhongzi's disciple, just perfect for payback.

However, the Great Heavenly Venerate dispatched Chen Shi for pacification.

Chen Shi is too weak, simply unable to kill Gouchen, clearly sent by the Great Heavenly Venerate as cannon fodder to die. — The Great Ming Dynasty has cannons, after being fired for a long time, ashes accumulate in the barrel, blocking the talismanic array drawn within, thus needing thorough cleaning. Cannon fodder, is useless stuff sent to die.

The plan was set well, Chen Shi came for pacification, having little impact on Yun Zhongzi's plan, and after Chen Shi's death, the Great Heavenly Venerate would still send others. Or perhaps Chen Shi angered Emperor Gouchen, Gouchen killed Chen Shi, forcing Gouchen to rebel nonetheless.

Unexpectedly, Chen Shi actually possesses the power for pacification.

Chen Shi indeed successfully pacified!

Key is, this bastard pacified better than anyone else!

Chen Shi steadily moved forward, without harming the common people, smoothly rendering all rebellious and non-rebellious immortals into ordinary people along the way, no longer needing warfare.

At Pingtian Tower, Immortal Lord Xin and Mei True Master among others set an ambush, Wu Yue Star Lord lured Chen Shi into the trap, even going as far as having Xi Zi appear at Wu Yue Star Mansion to disrupt Chen Shi's mind, all under Yun Zhongzi's guidance.

Unexpectedly, despite Chen Shi being momentarily captivated by Xi Zi's beauty, the reason for entering the trap was unrelated to Xi Zi's allure but rather feeling he could flatten these rebels.

— And Chen Shi indeed had the strength to flatten the rebels, swiftly eradicating the chaos at Heavenly Market, capturing over ten thousand immortals, escorting them to the Heavenly Court for trial.

Yun Zhongzi, despite growing more disdainful of Chen Shi, had to acknowledge Chen Shi's unexpected performance all along.

Yun Zhongzi and Emperor Gouchen fell silent, Chen Shi, feeling insignificant, did not speak either.

After a long pause, Yun Zhongzi said, "The Immortal Court doesn't want you in the ranks of the Heavenly Court; if you stand there, I, as your teacher, must eliminate you. Only then can closely cooperate with the Immortal Court."

Emperor Gouchen replied, "The Great Heavenly Venerate also doesn't want me appearing in the Immortal Court's ranks."

Yun Zhongzi fell silent again.

The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

Emperor Gouchen broke the silence, saying, "Master, I can refrain from aiding either side, I will stay at Heavenly Market, and go nowhere."

Chen Shi's heart moved slightly, "Emperor Gouchen doesn't refer to himself as 'I' but as a disciple, indicating he's not desperate, hoping to maintain appearances with Yun Zhongzi, keeping surface harmony between master and disciple."

Yun Zhongzi sighed, saying, "Good disciple, sometimes even as your teacher, I cannot help myself. I am no longer the Qi Refiner of Zhongnan Mountain back then; now, I am an Upper Pure Realm Sect Leader. Under me are not just you and Golden Dawn Child but the entire Upper Pure Lineage, thousands of direct disciples, and tens of thousands of distant disciples, including countless Upper Pure disciples."

He was somewhat bitter, softly saying, "Sitting in this position, I must set a standard as the Upper Pure Sect Master."

Emperor Gouchen nodded in silence, saying, "I understand. The Upper Pure Realm Sect Leader joining forces with the Immortal Court cannot tolerate his disciple betraying the Upper Pure Realm, a stance must be taken."

Yun Zhongzi smiled, "Therefore, even though I know the Great Heavenly Venerate is paying attention here, I must come once. Coming once demonstrates to the Immortal Court, to Taiqing, Yuqing, and the Western Heaven my stance as Upper Pure."

Emperor Gouchen also smiled, saying, "I understand. The Upper Pure Sect Master is forthright. Even if aware of contending with the Great Heavenly Venerate, he must make the journey. Moreover, this trip by the Upper Pure Sect Master isn't without purpose, it's a chance to test the Great Heavenly Venerate's true skills, and potentially eliminate Gouchen and Mr. Chen, gaining multiple benefits, a worthwhile risk without loss."

Yun Zhongzi laughed, "Indeed. As your teacher, I never suffer losses. Good disciple, you are now Emperor Gouchen, no longer the seven-year-old rogue back then, the two red apricots you consumed should be returned to me."

Chen Shi's heart slightly trembled, looking at Emperor Gouchen, subtly shaking his head, indicating not to engage with the topic.

Emperor Gouchen ignored this, seriously stating, "The assistance I've received from those two red apricots, mastering the Outer Dao Wind and Thunder Technique, repeatedly killing formidable foes, protecting Great Zhou, the benefits were indeed tremendous. I ought to repay my teacher!"

He stimulated his own mana, refining the Outer Dao Power within his physical body and primordial spirit, highly concentrating the vital essence within, soon refining the two red apricots.

Emperor Gouchen's skills largely came from these two red apricots, the Wind and Thunder Wings, the two-zhang Golden Body, coupled with elusive Daoist Skills. However, with his current realm far surpassing before, the robust body and wings afforded by the red apricots were no longer essential to him.

Emperor Gouchen refined the red apricots with apparent ease, holding them in both hands, presenting them to Yun Zhongzi.

Yun Zhongzi accepted the red apricots, smiled, "Over the years, you've gained considerable insight into extraordinary Daoist Divine Powers due to them, benefiting greatly. Although the red apricots are returned, the Daoist Skills remain with you; it's still to your advantage."

"Indeed."

Emperor Gouchen didn't argue, saying, "Now that I've reverted to human form, there are no shackles anymore; if I survive this time, I may advance further."

"Indeed, you're truly enviable."

Yun Zhongzi smiled, "The Wind and Thunder Stick was also given to you by me. Today, our master-disciple bond is severed, and it is time to return it."

Chen Shi coughed softly and said in a serious tone, "In those days, when the Yun Sect Master bestowed the Wind and Thunder Stick, it was merely a common magical treasure. Now, after thirty-six thousand years of incense fire at the Gouchen Upper Palace, its refinement surpasses the original by far, a world of difference. This magical treasure should not be returned."

Yun Zhongzi smiled silently.

Chen Shi sneered, "Can what the Yun Sect Master has given be asked back? The Upper Pure Realm is too stingy, even the evil Outer Dao of Golden Turtle Island finds it disgraceful!"

Yun Zhongzi remained indifferent.

Chen Shi frowned, transmitting his thoughts, "Your Majesty, he harbors murderous intent and wishes to kill you before the Great Heavenly Venerate makes a move. Surrender the Wind and Thunder Stick, and he will surely succeed in getting rid of us!"

Emperor Gouchen remained expressionless, with a slight movement of his mind, the Wind and Thunder Stick flew out from the Gouchen Upper Palace.

This treasure, refined by his own Daluo Golden Immortal status, and subjected to thirty-six thousand years of incense fire, has become immeasurably powerful, capable of repelling the Qingxu Daoist Venerable with a single strike.

During the Fashang period, the Wind and Thunder Stick was merely a slightly formidable immortal artifact. Now, it has become one of the world's rarest treasures, its power boundless, directly comparable to supreme treasures!

Emperor Gouchen bowed and presented the treasure, saying, "I borrowed the Wind and Thunder Stick for thirty-six thousand years, overcame many disasters, and preserved my life. I am immensely grateful to my master's gift. Today, I return this treasure."

"Good child, truly a good child."

Yun Zhongzi smiled and grasped the Wind and Thunder Stick, surveying the staff carefully.

The staff shimmered with golden light, entwined inside and out with Wind and Thunder Dao Patterns, pervaded by incense fire Qi, immensely heavy, the extraordinary power has already condensed into Dao, with slight movements of the Divine and Immortal Dao Patterns resembling thunder explosions!

In addition, there are various incomprehensible Outer Dao Patterns, apparently the result of Emperor Gouchen's years of Outer Dao enlightenment, refined to a pure degree, using Outer Dao for the sacrificial refinement of this treasure.

"It truly is a wonderful treasure," Yun Zhongzi couldn't help but praise.

Chen Shi's heart sank.

Previously, Emperor Gouchen had a plan to preserve his life. Now, after refining Red Apricot and surrendering the Wind and Thunder Stick, his hope of survival barely stands at ten percent!

Emperor Gouchen said, "Master, what else must I surrender?"

Yun Zhongzi said, "There is also the cultivation technique I taught you back then. But since you became Emperor Gouchen, you naturally no longer use the cultivation technique I passed on to you. I assume you've already forged your own path and enlightened the Immortal and God Cultivation Magic Skill. You owe me nothing more."

Emperor Gouchen breathed a sigh of relief and suddenly activated the Wind and Thunder Stick, its golden light bursting forth, wind and thunder roaring, and its power surging!

Yun Zhongzi sensed trouble immediately, releasing the staff and elevating his cultivation to its peak, with various sealing Dao Patterns erupting from the palm that held the Wind and Thunder Stick!

As the Sect Leader of the Upper Pure Realm, schooled in the Spirit Treasure Lineage, he is skilled in the refinement of magical treasures and in array talisman seal technique sealing, aware of Gouchen's boldness in daring a treacherous strike with the Wind and Thunder Stick, hence the thought to seal this treasure!

Gouchen's other hand formed a fist, striking head-on.

Yun Zhongzi raised his hand to block, and as their fists and palms clashed, Chen Shi withdrew swiftly, shouting loudly as he retreated, "Chang Chun Emperor, Niang Po Primordial Monarch, swiftly come to my aid!"

Above his head, the Dao Ruins appeared, with the Chang Chun Emperor, Niang Po Primordial Monarch, and other crippled Daluo Golden Immortals hidden within the Dao Ruins, all acting to withstand the aftermath of the divine skills of these two contemporary masters!

Chang Chun Emperor bore the brunt of the divine skill's aftermath, his face changing drastically, suddenly feeling unable to withstand it, hastily shouted, "Yangshuo old ghost, Shantang old ghost, come out and protect the master! This is too difficult!"

From a distance in the Dao Ruins, Yangshuo Mountain Man, Shantang Scholar, and other old cripples rushed over to show their loyalty to the master, lest the year's end brings increased rents.

Gouchen's fist collided with Yun Zhongzi's palm while his other hand had already grabbed the Wind and Thunder Stick.

As the strength of both sides erupted and Daoist power spread, Emperor Gouchen felt the divine power surge, and his mana couldn't endure, with a muffled grunt he flipped over, had already grasped the Wind and Thunder Stick, snatching the treasure from Yun Zhongzi's hand.

He landed, rotated his wrist, glowing all over, and the Wind and Thunder Stick's thunderous roar shattered Yun Zhongzi's seal.

Emperor Gouchen laughed heartily, "Yun Sect Leader, I have returned the item, now I snatch it back, this shouldn't be considered owing you anymore, right?"

With the magical treasure in hand, his strength surged, facing the Upper Pure Realm Sect Leader with no fear whatsoever.

Yun Zhongzi withdrew his hand, his expression somewhat disappointed, "Gouchen, I couldn't see through your trick, you're no longer the sincere gentleman you used to be."

Emperor Gouchen laughed, "I was honest as a child, but after eating the Red Apricot, I became neither human nor ghost. If I maintained that honesty as Gouchen, I would have long been devoured whole by you lot."