"If the old man’s so against it, then I’m even more eager to see what you’ve got!"

Seeing Daoist Bailong’s strong reaction, Ji Yunzhou’s interest was instantly piqued.

"That’s exactly what we were thinking. To witness Brother Zhou’s profound skills, we’ll be taking advantage of you."

Jiang Jiushan and Zhang Zhizhen also walked over with smiles, standing in line with Ji Yunzhou.

"Alright, alright. A stubborn bunch who won’t listen to reason."

Daoist Bailong shook his head helplessly. ’Let them be,’ he thought. When it came to the Martial Dao, these guys were like cats—their curiosity was off the charts. Once they got an idea in their heads, not even a team of wild horses could drag them back.

If they wanted to ask for a beating, there was nothing he could do about it.

"An old man like me, with my old bones, won’t join in on the fun. I’ll head out and get out of the way for now."

With his hands behind his back, Daoist Bailong leisurely strolled out of the laboratory, leaned against the corner of the wall, and quietly waited for the matter inside the training room to conclude.

HUMMM!!

A ripple of energy pulsed out. Daoist Bailong looked up and saw streaks of silver light mixed within a red glow emanating from the upper-floor windows of the training room.

SCREECH!!

A sharp bird-like cry rang out. It seemed some colossal creature was flapping its wings inside the training room.

The next moment.

BOOM!!!!

A deafening roar shook the very ground like an earthquake. A violent blast of air, carrying an incandescent light and thick dust, erupted from the windows and the door. In an instant, it formed visible Pillars of Qi, as if a massive explosion had just occurred.

The training room door was blown several meters away, crashing heavily to the ground, and the specially-made glass of the windows was shattered by the terrifying gale.

"Fuck!"

Leaning against the wall, Daoist Bailong cursed colorfully. The momentary tremor in the wall had sent his relaxed body flying, and shattered glass splattered across his face. He had truly caught a stray bullet just by minding his own business.

He suspected that if this training room hadn’t been specially reinforced, Zhou Yuanjue would have just demolished it with that last blow.

"What a little monster."

Daoist Bailong shook his white hair and beard. With a wave of his hand, the dust and smoke dispersed, revealing the entrance to the training room. He slowly walked inside.

He was met with the sight of Zhou Yuanjue standing in the center of the training room. The specially reinforced floor had a large crater in it from his explosive attack. At this moment, his entire body was enveloped in silver starlight, and several parts of him looked limp, as if he’d lost his bones.

Daoist Bailong knew this was a special technique of his. That last strike had surpassed his body’s limits, causing multiple bone fractures. However, with the help of the silver starlight ignited by the Southern Dipper Starlight stored in the Peach Wood Bottle, his body was recovering at a visible rate.

Unconcerned for Zhou Yuanjue’s safety, Daoist Bailong immediately looked for the others. He finally found them embedded in the training room wall.

"Oho, what an abstract painting."

Daoist Bailong couldn’t help but stroke his beard with a grin as he looked at the three figures of Ji Yunzhou and the others, inset into the specially made wall like a piece of modern art.

······

······

「Half an hour later.」

Everyone had mostly recovered.

Although the爆发 of Zhou Yuanjue’s attack was terrifying, it was still impossible to kill three Saint Awakening masters with a single strike.

Seeing that everyone was safe and sound, Daoist Bailong felt slightly relieved, but then he became a little annoyed.

The moment these guys got together, they started discussing all sorts of Martial Dao questions without a moment’s rest. Their ideas were wild and imaginative, as if they could talk for seven days and seven nights straight. Finally, Daoist Bailong had to interrupt them.

"Alright, alright, save it for the road. There will be plenty of other opportunities. For now, let’s talk about the Moon Race’s baptismal assembly."

Daoist Bailong said helplessly.

Only then did they stop their discussion and turn their gazes toward Daoist Bailong.

’Leading a bunch of problem children really isn’t easy...’ Daoist Bailong lamented inwardly before his expression turned serious.

"The Moon Race’s baptismal assembly. It might sound like an internal affair of the Moon Race, but it’s not."

"The Moon Race holds a very high status among the Donghua Spirit Guardian families. The reason for this can be traced back to ancient times. Back then, Donghua, along with parts of the Beisha and Silan Region, was ruled by two of the most powerful Celestial Demons. They were known among the Celestial Demons as the ’Primordial Ancestors.’ One ruled the Northwest, the other the Southeast."

"These two Primordial Ancestors were sealed away using a special method by two extremely powerful Ancient Heroes. One was named ’Li,’ the other ’Lin.’ The Moon Race inherited the Moonlight Bloodline of ’Li.’ The great Seal at Kunlun was laid down by this very Ancient Hero."

"Therefore, the Moon Race’s position among all the Donghua Spirit Guardian families is crucial. The Moon Race’s baptismal assembly has also gradually evolved into a grand event for all Donghua Spirit Guardian families because of the Moon Race’s status."

"When the time comes, many Donghua Spirit Guardian families will be invited to send representatives. One reason is to witness the birth of the Moon Race’s next successor and help ensure the assembly proceeds smoothly, undisturbed by evil demons and heretics."

"Another reason is that the Donghua Spirit Guardian families often follow their ancestral teachings, guarding their own territories in isolation. Thus, they need an opportunity to communicate and exchange resources. This baptismal assembly has gradually taken on that function. Through multilateral discussions at the assembly, a consensus may be reached that will be followed for some time to come."

"This is why I’ve insisted on bringing you all to participate in this assembly."

Daoist Bailong slowly explained to the group.

"I see."

Zhou Yuanjue and the others exchanged glances, a look of understanding on their faces.

No wonder Daoist Bailong and the higher-ups placed so much importance on this Moon Race assembly. So this was the reason.

If they wanted to bring about change among the Spirit Guardian families, this was undoubtedly an excellent entry point.

"This assembly will be held the day after tomorrow in Longyue Valley, so we’ll need to set out later tonight," Daoist Bailong said.

"Longyue Valley?"

The group looked at each other. None of them had ever heard of this place. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"It’s a valley that doesn’t exist on any map. Or rather, it cannot be captured by maps. It’s located deep within a dense forest in the central region, a small mountain village almost completely isolated from the rest of the world. Legend says it was where ’Li’ was born. A natural ’Moonlight’ magnetic field envelops the area, making it nearly impossible for ordinary people to enter without permission," Daoist Bailong said.

"There are still places like that in the country?"

Ji Yunzhou found it rather novel.

"It’s perfectly normal, though there aren’t many such places. Not all Spirit Guardian families possess the power of the Moon Race," Daoist Bailong explained.

"So, what is our mission in accompanying you this time?" Jiang Jiushan asked.

"The Spirit Guardians have been isolated from the world for too long, and you all represent the new era. I’ve invited you to come along precisely so they can see the light of this new age."

A slight smile touched the corners of Daoist Bailong’s lips.