"The Nine-Nine Life-Loss Banner? Someone still knows this evil technique?"

Hu Tianzong, released from the True Dragon Law Realm, was initially taken aback when he saw Qi Xiu and Dongfang Qing, and then dumbfounded by the barrage of questions from them.

"Yes, now someone is using this spell to kill our Shenxiao Sect's Great Elder who is undergoing a tribulation, but the spell caster is far away in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains."

"Since Witch Nuo is a family, I wanted to see if you have a way to break the spell," Qi Xiu said softly.

Upon hearing the cause of the matter, Hu Tianzong frowned slightly, and after a moment of silence said:

"This Nine-Nine Life-Loss Banner is an evil spell of the Witch Nuo lineage, long lost."

"My Great Yi lineage has lost the Daoist inheritance of witchcraft spells in the course of its heritage over the years."

"I have no means to break this spell."

"I can only see if my father can try to break it, but he has gone to the Dao Alliance and has not returned yet, otherwise..."

"Is Third Master Hu still alive?"

Dongfang Qing's sudden question made Hu Tianzong pause, though he didn't understand why Dongfang Qing suddenly asked about the Third Master, he nodded:

"Grandfather is still around, but he's become increasingly lazy over the years, though he has no ailments."

"In that case, I'd appreciate it if you could take us to meet Third Master Hu."

"Huh? Meet Grandfather?"

Startled, Hu Tianzong's eyes shifted, but he quickly understood the meaning of the Shenxiao Sect Master:

"Grandfather has long stopped receiving guests, let alone helping to break curses. I think finding my father would be more reliable."

"Rest assured, I have some acquaintance with Grandfather; you just take me to him, and I'll discuss the curse-breaking matter with him."

Seeing Dongfang Qing insist on meeting Third Master Hu, Hu Tianzong glanced at Qi Xiu and finally nodded.

"Alright then, since the True Venerable insists."

Just as Hu Tianzong agreed, Dongfang Qing reached out and grabbed Qi Xiu and Hu Tianzong by the wrist, saying softly:

"Focus your thoughts on your Grandfather's location, calm your mind, and don't move."

As soon as Dongfang Qing spoke, Qi Xiu immediately understood that the Sect Master intended to use the Space-Bounding method to take them directly across from Qinlong Province to Liaodong Province.

Just as expected.

As Hu Tianzong closed his eyes and focused on his Grandfather's location, Dongfang Qing instantly transformed with the two of them into a dazzling, fierce Thunder Light that tore through the Space-Bounding barrier, entering the depths where the Samadhi Divine Wind swirled.

Qinlong Province is located in the southwest, while Liaodong Province is in the northeast direction of Great Xuan.

One in the south, one in the north.

Even for a True Monarch of the Dao Body to fully utilize the Escape Skill, it would take time to reach.

But for a Primordial Spirit True Honor, it's merely a step away.

From the hot and dry desert climate, they instantly arrived at the cold and frigid deep mountain forest, the abrupt change was hard to adapt to.

"Oh, a rare guest indeed."

Almost at the moment Qi Xiu and the others descended into this forest, a voice tinged with some teasing suddenly appeared in their ears.

Upon hearing this voice, Dongfang Qing clearly showed a hint of helplessness.

Qi Xiu also displayed an unusual expression, but not because of the sudden voice, rather, upon arriving in this forest, he unexpectedly sensed a familiar energy.

Dragon Energy?

This place, towering mountain peaks standing majestically, does it have a Dragon Vein?

Looking around, Qi Xiu noticed the terrain of the mountain range was very solid, implicitly revealing a strong and dormant might.

The long-buried remains of a True Dragon gradually fused with the Earth Vein, eventually forming a Dragon Vein.

It seems that within this mountain range, there indeed lies a Dragon Vein.

Realizing that the Dragon Energy he sensed indeed hid underground, Qi Xiu silently nodded. Liaodong Province is vast, but due to its bitter cold, it has a relatively sparse population compared to other major provinces.

Furthermore, with the Great Yi lineage upholding natural principles and revering heaven and earth, such a Dragon Vein could be nurtured.

If it were any other province, it would have long been excavated out.

Following Hu Tianzong, the three of them arrived at the seemingly unremarkable small yard, but as they reached the door, a voice came from inside.

"I, Grandfather, am meeting an old friend today; Tianzong, take your friend out for a walk."

With this word from Third Master Hu, Qi Xiu and Hu Tianzong were suddenly blocked at the small yard's entrance, unable to take a step further though there seemed to be nothing there.

"Don't bother looking; my Grandfather has always been firm in what he says. Let your Sect Master go in alone," Hu Tianzong shrugged, knowing well his grandfather's temper, he said to Qi Xiu.

"Go on, I'll seek you out when the matter is resolved."

Nodding to Qi Xiu, Dongfang Qing then stepped into the yard.

As Qi Xiu turned to leave, he was grabbed by Hu Tianzong, who excitedly led him into the forest:

"Chance favours the prepared mind; come, come, come, I'll take you to a good place."

"I've had my eye on this place for a long time; couldn't go alone previously, but since you're here, we shouldn't make this trip in vain..."

Qi Xiu was spiritedly pulled away by Hu Tianzong.

Meanwhile, Dongfang Qing also crossed through the yard, entering the inner chamber.

Gently pushing open the worn and shabby wooden door, he was greeted by swirling smoke and dense fumes seemingly concealing something.

Leaning in the bedroom by the fire couch, Third Master Hu held a tobacco pipe in one hand and a tea bowl in the other. Upon seeing Dongfang Qing enter, he slowly placed the tea bowl aside on the wooden table.

"You've come."

"Three Elder Masters, it has been a long time."

"Stop with the meaningless tricks. You tricked me badly back then, and now you dare to come knocking again, you must be in some kind of trouble." Puffing out a cloud of gray-white smoke, Third Master Hu squinted his eyes, a playful gleam in his gaze.

"I indeed have some problems. The Hundred Thousand Great Mountains are bullying us, the Human Race, and have remotely cursed our mighty ones. Dongfang has run out of options, so I'm here to seek the help of the Three Elder Masters."

Standing in front of the bedroom door, Dongfang Qing wore a helpless expression and cupped his hands towards this living fossil that had witnessed several eras.

"Spare me this talk; your Grandfather, I am not of the Human Race. How does your loss of face concern me?

But I am curious, what move did the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains make that forced you to shamelessly come to me?" Ignoring Dongfang Qing's appeal to the Human Race's grand duty, Third Master Hu lightly tapped the table with the bowl of his pipe.

"It's the Nine-Nine Life-Loss Banner."

Dongfang Qing stealthily glanced at Third Master Hu's expression and feigned casualness as he took a step forward into the bedroom.

Seeing Dongfang Qing enter the room, Third Master Hu's facial whiskers trembled but he said nothing.

"The Nine-Nine Life-Loss Banner? The thing from the Witch Nuo lineage has actually found its way to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

Humph, no wonder you came to me.

The one cursed must be your brother Dongfang Xiong." With a keen shift of his amber eyes, Third Master Hu guessed the purpose of Dongfang Qing's visit.

"Elder Master's wisdom is unparalleled, the younger generation is in awe."

"Save the nonsense, Dongfang Qing, back in the Outside Domain's West Mountain Spirit Realm, that Spiritual Spring we agreed to draw lots and let fate decide.

But you, kid, cheated and swindled, blackened one of Grandfather's hands.

This account, we should settle today, right?" Squinting at Dongfang Qing, Third Master Hu slowly revealed the grudge between the two.

"How does the Grandfather want to settle it?" If it's a blessing, not a curse, if it's a curse, there's no avoiding it. Having come to this place, Dongfang Qing instead calmed down.

"Simple!"

Smiling slyly, Third Master Hu casually drew out two grass stalks.

"Let's draw lots again.

I think that kid you brought looks decent.

If you win this time, I will break the curse on your brother, and all previous accounts will be wiped clean, I won't pursue them.

But if you lose...

Heh, I can still lend a hand.

However, you must let the child you brought be adopted by me, recognize me as his godfather.

How's that sound?"

Listening to Third Master Hu's demand, Dongfang Qing's steps into the bedroom subtly retreated.

"Recognize you as godfather, aren't you afraid of scrambling the lineage?"

"I find it amusing, what, are you reluctant?" Third Master Hu glared, casting Dongfang Qing a glance.

"Do you know who this child is?" With a smile at the corner of his mouth, Dongfang Qing slowly spoke.

"Stop pretending; you think your elder master is blind?

Huh, Primordial, it's not like I've never seen one."

Puffing on his pipe, Third Master Hu's eyes remained indifferent as he effortlessly revealed Qi Xiu's identity.

"Grandfather is insightful indeed, but this generation's Primordial is different from the past." Upon seeing Third Master Hu unveil Qi Xiu's identity, still calm and composed, Dongfang Qing was neither anxious nor angry, merely added another sentence.

"Different? How different? By comparison, among the generations of Primordials, this child is not particularly outstanding.

Did he embody the Dao like the First Generation Primordial, laying the foundation for eternity in the Tianyuan Main Realm with such selflessness?

Did he, like the Second Generation Primordial, roam Outside the Domain, creating the Primordial Spirit cultivation system for the Human Race with such grandeur?

Did he, like the Third Generation Primordial, hold Ailao Pass till death, shattering Netherworld Reincarnation with such resolve?

Did he, like the Fourth Generation Primordial, bloodily battle across All Heavens, ranked among the Human Race's top ten War Venerates with such bravery?

Did he, like the Fifth Generation Primordial..."

As the world's oldest living Spirit Being, Third Master Hu's vast knowledge even left Dongfang Qing somewhat amazed.

One by one, he recounted the feats of the generations of Primordials.

Yet when he spoke of the Fourth Generation Primordial, he noticeably hesitated, seeming to sense something was amiss but couldn't pinpoint it.

Dongfang Qing felt the same, but paid it no mind.

Compared to these past Primordials, Qi Xiu was far inferior both in cultivation and in achievements.

Thus, to Dongfang Qing's claim of difference, Third Master Hu was quite disdainful.

"What you said is indeed sensible; among the generations of Primordials, this child is indeed not outstanding, perhaps even somewhat mediocre.

But you need to understand, it's precisely this mediocre generation.

His Protector... is that one."

Without revealing a name, Dongfang Qing simply used his hand as a pen to draw two characters in the void.

Upon seeing these two characters, Third Master Hu's eyes suddenly shrank, transforming into narrow lines.

"Is this really true?"

"Involving this person, does Grandfather think I would lie?"

Frowning and glancing at Dongfang Qing, Third Master Hu took several deep puffs on his pipe, smoke streamed from his ear openings, and after a moment of silence, spoke:

"Regardless, we must draw lots!"

...