He was both shocked and delighted, his heart stirred, with a thread-like hidden pain in his chest. He decided not to dwell on it, and after a while, gradually fell asleep.

Under such circumstances, Ye Jiuya was unable to calmly meditate.

He neither meditated, nor felt sleepy. Seeing the flickering red candles, the low-hanging gauze curtains, the spring breeze entering through the windows, and the wafting fragrance in the room, he felt dazed for a moment, not knowing what night it was.

Suddenly, a white item floated through the green gauze window and slipped into the bed curtains.

Ye Jiuya reached out and caught it. It was a thin piece of paper, with powerful and bleak handwriting, bearing eight characters: "Events are unfolding in the imperial city, observe the changes calmly."

He should have replied at this time, but looking at Chen Weichen beside him, he ultimately did not want to startle him awake. So he just put away the letter without any other action.

Without a word all night, they rose the next morning. Ye Jiuya said to Chen Weichen, "Chi Juntian sent a letter last night, asking me to calmly observe the changes."

Chen Weichen said in an unhappy tone, "She abducted both the person and the cat, and still want you to calmly observe the changes. Even if we don't care about the fate of the dynasty, I still want to find this witch."

Ye Jiuya had no objections. Xie Lang was even more anxious to find the cat, so they went out on the streets again to continue the search.

After walking through more than half of the capital city, Xie Lang finally frowned and followed the direction of the small needle on the circular plate. They left the heavily guarded inner city and the bustling outer city. Once outside the three city walls, the population became sparse. No longer needing to worry about mortal eyes, they rose into the air and finally landed in front of a mountain.

The distant mountains undulated, shrouded in mist. Under the sunlight, the nearby mountains were emerald green, while the distant ones were deep purple. It didn't seem like the outskirts of the capital, but rather like some famous mountains and rivers.

The occasional cries of monkeys and the sound of a bell could be heard in the distance.

"I thought there was a great change in the fate of the dynasty, but it turns out that Buddhism is flourishing here. There must be eminent monks presiding inside."

Lu Hongyan said, "So you took the wrong path?"

Xie Lang was quite ashamed. "You can't blame me for this." After a moment, his eyes suddenly lit up. He put away his uncomfortable expression and became complacent. "Lady Lu, look behind you."

The group looked back and saw only layered green peaks and heavy mist. The path they had come from was no longer visible.

Xie Lang said, "We have clearly arrived at the territory of Zhichen Temple. I wonder if Buddhism can truly achieve instant enlightenment and universal salvation as they claim. It is indeed admirable that Zhichen Temple opens its doors to the entire world."

It is said that the first abbot of Zhichen Temple once made a supreme vow with his unparalleled dharma powers, wishing to provide shelter for all suffering people in the world, and for those who wish to cross the mundane world to immediately see the Buddhist gate.

Since then, among the countless temples in the world, as long as people are sincere in their practice of Buddhism, they will immediately arrive at the foot of Zhichen Mountain. The Immortal Dao has various sects and schools, but only Zhichen Temple stands supreme in the Buddhist Dao. This is precisely the reason - Buddhist practitioners regard entering Zhichen Temple as their lifelong aspiration. Daoist practitioners each attain the Dao on their own. In the end, there is no one who has truly achieved immortality, and there is no way to distinguish their levels. They can only resort to the inferior method of determining superiority through martial prowess.

Zhichen Temple also has dealings with the Immortal Dao. Therefore, the sect leaders of the major sects all possess tokens. If they wish to go to Zhichen Temple, they only need to hold the token and proceed with a tranquil mind and spirit.

"But I don't have a token," Xie Lang looked at Ye Jiuya. "Sect Leader Ye, do you have a token?"

Ye Jiuya: "I do not."

"This is strange indeed."

Chen Weichen hesitated for a moment and rolled up his sleeve, revealing an inconspicuous Buddhist seal on his wrist. "After I left Jinxiu City, I discovered that the old monk had branded this thing on me at some point - it should have been secretly engraved when both Sect Leader Ye and I were in the illusion, and Lady Lu was not yet awake. It has never acted up before."

"This is not a token and cannot bring us here," Lu Hongyan said. "It can only be that when we were proceeding, someone nearby used a Zhichen token, and with the Buddhist energy attracting you, we mistakenly arrived at this place."

"Master Kong Shan?" Xie Lang was very surprised and said to Chen Weichen, "It seems that the master has a compassionate heart and, seeing that your mortal heart is too heavy, wants to come and admonish you."

Chen Weichen was about to mock Xie Lang with a few words, but when he raised his head to look at the mountain peak, he suddenly heard solemn Buddhist chants in his ears. Caught off guard, his chest felt a dull pain as if he had been heavily struck, and he coughed up a large mouthful of fresh blood.

The lingering sound in his ears did not cease. He instinctively circulated his qi to resist, but it triggered the chaotic qi in his body.

Ye Jiuya flew to his side, drew his sword, and erected a high wall of sword qi, blocking the Buddhist chants.

Among the group, only Chen Weichen experienced this condition. The others only vaguely heard the solemn and clear Buddhist sounds from the mountain peak, with no other reactions.

Chen Weichen wiped the remaining fresh blood from the corner of his mouth. "It's not directed at me."

"Then why are you the only one injured?"

Chen Weichen looked at the mountain. "Probably..."

He rubbed his forehead. "Let's go back."

However, these words were of no use - since they had already arrived here by chance, it was considered a karmic connection. At this time, a Buddhist practitioner had made a move, seemingly engaged in a fight with someone. The various sects of the Immortal Dao were very friendly, so it was only right to go up and take a look, both in terms of sentiment and reason.

Moreover, Chen Weichen was inexplicably injured by the Buddhist chants. With the energies of the immortal, Buddhist, and demonic realms mixed in his body, the situation was even more difficult than before. They needed to find the person responsible and dispel the Buddhist energy in order to bring some relief.

With a few leaps, they arrived at the mountain peak and saw a magnificent Buddhist temple. The temple gate was tightly closed, and in front of the gate, there was a winding procession of mortal carriages and horses, surrounding a luxurious soft couch with hanging tassels.

A figure could be vaguely seen reclining on the soft couch.

A languid voice was heard: "Smash it."

The leader, who had the appearance of a treacherous eunuch, went up to the temple gate and shouted, "You bald donkeys inside, if you don't accept the toast, you'll have to drink the forfeit. Our State Preceptor wants you to open the door, but you won't open it, and even chant sutras to provoke us. Now, by the order of the State Preceptor, your mountain gate will not survive this day!"

With that, a group of people behind him rushed up, and instantly, there was a huge sound of smashing the door. However, the mountain gate was as hard as iron and did not budge in the slightest.

The person in the curtained couch let out a cold snort.

The treacherous-looking eunuch went over and bowed and scraped. "State Preceptor, this mountain gate is really sturdy. We..."

"That's the rumored State Preceptor? But this aura is clearly..." Lu Hongyan frowned.

A rather elegant hand was seen sweeping open the curtain, and the eunuch immediately went up to support it.

The person stood up, a deep purple robe trailing forward, surrounded by a crowd of people in front and behind. Even though only the back view could be seen at the moment, it was indeed incomparably noble, with an extremely flamboyant and domineering air.

However, just a single silhouette was enough for Chen Weichen to recognize it.

He really wanted to slip away now and avoid the confrontation.

He had originally thought that Xing Qiu, unfamiliar with the immortal realm and having to keep a low profile, would have gone off to play in some remote mountains and forests. He never expected him to come to the human world's capital to cause trouble.

To be able to reach the capital and even secure the position of State Preceptor, he truly had immense ability.

"It's a demon cultivator!" Lu Hongyan blurted out, looking inquiringly at Ye Jiuya.

Ye Jiuya frowned slightly and nodded, "It should be the one who crossed the barrier."

The immortal way exterminated demons, it was the natural order of things. Upon hearing this, Lu Hongyan and Xie Lang immediately tensed their bodies, observing the person's aura, ready to take action at any moment.

Chen Weichen had lied in the past about battling the Demon Emperor. Now he could neither expose that he knew him, nor sit by and watch him be killed. He could only mediate, saying, "Let's see what he wants to do first."

The State Preceptor walked to the mountain gate and mocked, "Bald donkey Kong Ming, we can be considered old acquaintances. Not only did you not come find me, but now that you invite me here to debate the dharma, you hide and don't come out. What's the meaning of this?"

He pressed a hand on the mountain gate, black energy gathering and screaming at his fingertips. The gate shook, looking like it would be broken open.

The entourage shouted, "The State Preceptor has vast magical powers!"

Just then, the gate opened with a boom, golden light spilling out. When it dissipated, a young-looking monk in a kasaya robe stood at the entrance.

Seeing this, Chen Weichen clicked his tongue.

Xie Lang, familiar with important figures, counted on his fingers, "This is probably Abbot Kong Ming, reputed to be on par with Abbot Kong Shan. He cultivates the otherworldly way and is said to have never left Zhichen Mountain except for the Battle of Heavenly River."

The monk pressed his palms together and slightly bowed to Xing Qiu, "So it turns out to be an old friend visiting. I was unaware just now."

The Demon Emperor sneered, "Unaware?"

The monk's expression was calm, "This poor monk did not send an invitation."

The Demon Emperor laughed sinisterly, "When we met at Heavenly River back then, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know. Could there be a third person who knows? Bald donkey, don't quibble. How do you explain injuring me with your dharma technique just now?"

The shifty-eyed entourage started echoing "bald donkey" endlessly.

Chen Weichen continued urging the others to go back, "These two seem to have known each other for a long time. Besides, this is Zhichen Temple's territory. With Abbot Kong Ming here, Abbot Kong Shan has probably returned too. No need to worry about this demon cultivator being let out to harm the world. We still need to find Chi Juntian, better to avoid trouble."

But Ye Jiuya glanced at him, "What are you afraid of?"

Chen Weichen was exposed. He obediently shut his mouth, not daring to speak again, and handed over his arm, letting Ye Jiuya help regulate his aura.

That wisp of Buddhist aura had truly caused quite a bit of trouble, incompatible with both immortal and demonic energies, running amok inside his body.

Even more deadly, it seemed to vaguely resonate with the Buddha seal on his wrist. Chen Weichen couldn't help but curse the old monk for meddling.

At this moment, the atmosphere over there suddenly became tense.

The monk sized up Xing Qiu, his originally amiable expression suddenly vanishing, replaced by solemnity.

"Evil sinner," he uttered clearly, "you still walk the deviant path."

"Bald donkey, your words are simply laughable," the Demon Emperor guffawed. "In your eyes, could I possibly walk the righteous path?"

"Immortals, demons, and Buddhas originally had no right or wrong, deviating from the proper way is the evil way," Kong Ming's voice was clear and upright, his countenance dignified. "In these twenty years, do you dare say you haven't dabbled with things from beyond this world?"

Xing Qiu sneered and retreated towards the mountains behind him, "Monk, I received a letter today. I originally thought you wanted to see me, but it turns out you want to capture me instead."

"Not good," Chen Weichen furrowed his brows and confessed some things he had to say to Ye Jiuya, "This person is the Demon Emperor. I've fought him in the demon realm. He's still a good person now, but once injured and bleeding, he's prone to turning into something else. That monk just now seemed to have already wounded him with Buddhist techniques. If he really transforms, Zhichen Temple might not be able to stop him. You'll need to go."

However, at this time, Buddhist disciples had already lined up behind Kong Ming.

"Seize this demon," Kong Ming said, "if we let him off the mountain now, he will surely wreak havoc and harm the human realm."

Xing Qiu flew backwards, his purple robes fluttering, "Monk, if you want me to not harm the human realm, then don't make a move."

In the blink of an eye, the esteemed State Preceptor had turned into a demon and fled, leaving the entourage who had just been so aggressive quite baffled.

Xing Qiu landed behind a large rock, intending to continue into the deep mountains and old forests. Turning his head, he saw four people looking at him.

He had just cursed through gritted teeth that there was actually an ambush, when he saw Chen Weichen standing there, a white-robed beauty beside him whose aura felt very familiar.

Seeing his old friend, the Demon Emperor was overjoyed, "It's actually you - this bald donkey wants to turn against me, quick, come help me!"

Author's Note: The Demon Emperor, with his new title "Lord State Preceptor", has been lured out in a sinister manner _(:3」∠)_