Situ Ping, after returning home, lay on his bed that night, silently pondering: as Ziling had said, his family and hers were from two opposing martial arts factions, and from the sound of things, his parents would strongly object.

He definitely shouldn't have helped those people from the opposing side with their tribulation; otherwise, wouldn't that be a betrayal of his master and his teachings? In doing so, he would greatly dishonor his parents.

According to the books, those who betray their masters and defy human relations suffer a tainted reputation and never end well.

She claimed that her Emei Sect was the orthodox faction, while my Wutai Sect was an evil sect, but over the years I've never seen my parents harm anyone—the tofu they sell is always honest in weight, always giving more, never less.

As for allegations like killing pregnant women and children to extract their souls for sword refining... who knows?

But that Flying Sword really is impressive. Are my mother and father truly Sword Immortals? If they are, it would be so much better if they just taught me directly...

He resolved not to help Ziling with her mother's tribulation but instead decided to probe whether his parents were truly Sword Immortals.

The next day, he carved a wooden treasure sword and brought it home, pretending to wield it as he played.

The third day, he drew many nonsensical talismans on paper, purposely waving them in front of his parents, claiming they were Heavenly Master Zhang's talismans.

The fourth day, he mentioned hearing about a child whose soul had been taken away.

Situ Xingming and Jiang Sangou, his parents, were discussing the impending tribulation and thought it was just child's play, not taking it seriously at all.

During this time, Ziling kept asking him for an answer, and he kept responding that he needed to think it over. After deliberating for over ten days, he still hadn't given a definite response.

As Ziling saw the date of her mother's tribulation drawing near and couldn't wait any longer, in desperation, she forcefully used her spells to capture Situ Ping and brought him to the East Sea's Fishing Rock—apologizing while crying and kneeling on the ground, begging him to help her mother through the tribulation.

When Situ Xingming and Jiang Sangou discovered their son was missing and calculated with their Innate Divine Number, they indeed found he had been taken to the East Sea. Panicking, they abandoned their tofu shop, leaving several blocks of tofu out on the street for anyone to take.

The couple rushed towards the East Sea, but upon reaching a mountaintop, they were stopped by a pair of young men and women: the male was Zhuge Jing, and the female was Plum Blossom Fairy, Lin Su'e, disciple of Xiao Shijiumei.

That year was precisely when Shi Feiyang was single-handedly defending Qiao Mountain, the Yuanjiang Golden Ship was retrieving treasures, and Mingyu Immortal Market was under siege by numerous evils. The older generation of Emei Sect fought in Illusion Wave Pool against Xuanyuan Dharma King, while the younger generation went northeast to the two seas to aid Laughing Monk in opening Pan Luo's Immortal Mansion.

Zhuge Jing, unable to find competent sect members, happened upon Lin Su'e passing by and asked for her help.

With Emei Sect poised to establish their sect, they had also sent an invitation to Xiao Shijiumei, and since Luo Ziyuan and Xiao Shijiumei were already on good terms with Emei, it was an honor for Lin Su'e to help.

Both sides exchanged spells at the mountaintop.

After an experience of turning another's tribulation, Zhuge Jing became even more composed. He had always been formidable, and after facing a tribulation himself, his Dao Level and the Taiqing Mysterious Sect's Invisible Sword Energy were more profound and inscrutable.

Alone, Situ Xingming and Jiang Sangou could not defeat him, let alone with Lin Su'e there as well!

Situ Xingming practiced his family inherited Daoist Technique, which was limited in its brilliance while Jiang Sangou, having restored her memory too late and after giving birth, had recovered her past life's memories through the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor's Daoist books, but her mana hadn't fully recovered. Even combined, they were no match for just one of their opponents.

Zhuge Jing and Lin Su'e did not harm them but simply stopped them from reaching Situ Ping.

Jiang Sangou, with her fiery temperament, intended in her desperation to use the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Technique to fight to the death, but Situ Xingming forcefully prevented her from doing so.

They fought for a day and a night until Lady Bao Xiang passed through her tribulation safely, and Zhuge Jing finally let them go.

Originally, Lady Bao Xiang's tribulation should have been peacefully overcome as everyone else was involved in their own battles; for instance, Geng Kun had been killed by the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor, while Hundred Desires Demon Yan Shen and his senior brother Gu Chen were dueling with Lin Han and others on the Yuan River. Only the Demon Tribulation was insurmountable for her, and Situ Ping maintaining a calm and unshaken mind while holding her Nascent Soul was the only way through.

As planned by the Emei Sect, everything should have gone smoothly, and then Situ Ping would have been safely sent back.

However, complications arose, and just then, an extraordinary expert among independent cultivators, Divine Camel Yi Xiu, passed by and overheard the conversation between Ziling and Situ Ping after the incident.

From Ziling's perspective, the Emei Sect was the Orthodox Sect and the Wutai Sect was the evil one; good and evil cannot coexist, and good will ultimately triumph over evil. She was concerned that Situ Ping would turn to the Evil Path and didn't want to be enemies in the future, persuading him to join them at Illusion Wave Pool to become a disciple—she even listed the crimes of various Wutai Sect ancestors.

Situ Ping said, "I don't know any of these people you're talking about, and I don't know about it. All I know is that my parents sell tofu; I've been away from home for a day and a night, and they must be terribly worried. You wanted me to help your mother through the tribulation, and now that it's over, I don't want your gratitude. All I ask is for you to send me back home!"

Ziling's cheeks flushed as she spoke of the pre-arranged marital alliance. She did not wish to see her future boyfriend fall into the hands of the evil Wutai Sect demon folks.

Situ Ping became both anxious and furious, his speech growing more intense.

From hundreds of miles away, Yi Xiu heard their conversation and, despising the actions of the Emei Sect, directly used his powers from afar to whisk Situ Ping away.

Years ago, Yi Xiu had been suppressed under a mountain by Ling Hun and thirty-six other Sword Immortals. He had just been born into the world not long ago, with no particular ties to the Emei Sect at that time.

As an outstanding Independent Immortal from an alternative path, he had endured a major tribulation in Heaven Mountain five hundred years ago and would soon face his second one. His actions were always as he pleased, often speaking of "going against the heavens" with enmity; even regular Sword Immortals dared not provoke him, for he struck both venomously and ruthlessly.

This time, his remote strike was unblockable by the dozen or so Sword Immortals at Fishing Rock, nor could the anchorite monk who had just reincarnated, and the rest of the assemblage—all together were no match for Yi Xiu. They could only watch helplessly as a five-colored Divine Light whisked Situ Ping into thin air.

Although the Ascetic Monk could not stop Yi Xiu, he recognized who it was and hurriedly sent Ziling to notify Zhuge Jingwo, urging him to explain the situation thoroughly to the Jiang couple.

Upon hearing that her son had been taken, Jiang's fury erupted like a detonated temple. Zhuge Jingwo and his daughter continually apologized, assuring that Yi Xiu had no ill intent in taking Situ Ping away and that it might even turn into a blessing in disguise, with Situ Ping acquiring a worthy master. They added that the Emei Sect would surely find a way to safely return Situ Ping to his family.

Situ Xingming and Jiang were beside themselves with anger, unable to fight back, so they had no choice but to leave temporarily. Using the Innate Divine Number, they confirmed that the Emei Sect had spoken the truth: their son had indeed been taken, but his life was not in danger, and there were signs that this misfortune might turn into fortune.

Still, they could not swallow their pride!

The couple conferred and decided to close their tofu shop and retreat into the mountains to rigorously study the Daoist books Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor had passed down to them, also gathering materials to refine several powerful Magical Treasures. They emerged this time because the Emei Sect had closed off the mountain and they could not find Zhuge Jingwo, so they went looking for Lin Su'e to exact revenge.

They had calculated that Xiao Shijiumei was about to face a Demon Tribulation and planned to kill Lin Su'e first. Lin Su'e hurried towards home; the couple chased her to Bu Xu Mountain, where they encountered the swollen-faced Daoist. Driven by an old grudge, he had chosen this day to seek revenge against Xiao Shijiumei. Jiang had encountered the swollen-faced Daoist a few times before, and, identifying a common enemy, they joined forces in a pact of vengeance and besieged Bu Xu Mountain together.

Xiao Shijiumei was in the midst of transcending tribulations, unable to meet the challenge. Although Lin Su'e was strong in Mana, she could not fend off so many enemies.

Luckily, Sai Feiqiong, Xiong Man, and Lady Luo Ziyuan arrived one after another. Together, they drove off the assailants and rescued Xiao Shijiumei and her disciples.

After assisting Xiao Shijiumei through the tribulations, there wasn't even a chance for much conversation when Luo Ziyuan's two disciples rushed in, reporting that trouble had arisen again in Heng Mountain—Yue Wen was trapped by two demon folks.

Luo Ziyuan heard her disciple's description and realized it was the siblings Qin Tui and Qin Mo. Knowing their evil skills were exceptionally strong, she hurried back at full speed. Although Xiong Man had grown estranged from her sisters over the years and harsh words had been exchanged, they still harbored mutual concern deep in their hearts. Fearing Luo Ziyuan might be outnumbered and encounter mishap, Xiong Man also came along.

Of course, that wasn't what Xiong Man claimed; she said she wanted to show Luo Ziyuan a thing or two, to stop her from always looking down on her.

Unexpectedly, by the time they arrived, Shi Feiyang had already taken care of the sibling duo.

If it had been any other Orthodox Sect Sword Immortal, they would have long been familiar with Luo Ziyuan's great reputation, but would know little about Xiong Man. Luo Ziyuan had been cultivating for several lifetimes and knew many venerable immortals who had been practicing for hundreds of years. Xiong Man had only started her path of cultivation in this life, so not many people knew of her. Therefore, when faced with the two sisters, there was a subconscious inclination to hold Luo Ziyuan in higher regard.

Shi Feiyang was Xiong Man's mentor and knew what his female disciple cared about the most. In his conversation, he referred to Xiong Man as the main figure among them, placing Luo Ziyuan in a secondary position. He started by saying he had long heard of Daoist Xiong's great name, listing some of Xiong Man's unknown achievements—her unwavering Daoist heart, her detachment from worldly ties, her mastery of Immortal Law, her defeats of Demon Monks from the Western Demon Cult...

Xiong Man listened with both surprise and delight. She had never spoken of these matters herself, nor did she find them particularly extraordinary. There was no idle gossip among her fellow disciples, and no one had spread word of her deeds. Yet, unexpectedly, even the "Jade Cave True Master," who seldom tread Central Earth, knew so much about her, in such detail.

She also wanted to praise Yue Yun, but having spent recent years fervently cultivating in seclusion and paying little attention to worldly affairs, she didn't know of any great deeds by the Jade Cave True Master. Furthermore, being naturally reserved, she was at a loss for words and could only comment on how "True Master Yue" was good-looking, with the noble bearing of an immortal, and possessed strong mana.

After chatting idly for half a day and exchanging some Daoist techniques, by the afternoon, Sister Nineteen Xiao also arrived, bringing along her own disciples Lin Su'e and several of Luo Ziyuan's disciples.

Sister Nineteen Xiao had come primarily to formally thank the two senior sisters for aiding her in surviving the tribulation and to express her appreciation to Yue Yun, "If my nephew Yue Wen were to suffer any injury because of my troubles, it would leave me restless!"

Shi Feiyang quickly waved his hand, "Wen'er is my nephew, and it's only natural for me to come to the rescue when he is bullied."

Besides expressing gratitude, Sister Nineteen Xiao had another purpose: to seek an explanation from the Emei Sect!

The reason Lin Su'e offended Mr. and Mrs. Jiang San was all due to the incident involving Situ Ping ten years ago. Now, with that couple seeking revenge, the Emei Sect retreated into their mountain sanctuary, while others came seeking vengeance against her!

This time might have been bearable, but she also considered that Situ Ping had been taken back to the mountain by Yi Xiu to become a disciple, which had facilitated Yi Xiu's reconciliation with his wife, the Han Fairy. As a direct disciple, Situ Ping had learned many Immortal Laws from the couple over the years and received several formidable Magical Treasures. The plan was to eventually make a grand return to the ordinary world, visit home, and then seek revenge against her and her disciples!

This was inherently an Emei Sect issue; she couldn't take it all on herself. She intended to take Lin Su'e to Emei Mountain to see the stance of the Emei Sect and how they planned to resolve the situation.

Worried that her fellow disciple might be at a disadvantage, Xiong Man, too, insisted on accompanying them, and Luo Ziyuan, who had the best relationship with the Emei Sect among the three sisters, feared discord between the parties and also wished to go along.

Shi Feiyang said, "Since that is the case, I and my nephew Wen'er will also visit the Emei Sect. Firstly, I can pay my respects to the ancestral spirit tablets, and secondly, Wen'er must be missing your master by now, right?"

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