The setting sun cast a slanting glow, dyeing the layered forests completely.

In the distance, mountain peaks layered upon each other, arranged in an orderly fashion; nearby, the dense maple forest was fiery and vigorous.

Inside the secluded valley, five disciples of the Skywalking Sect lay on the ground like rolling gourds, each with broken bones and swollen faces.

After a "friendly" exchange to ensure there were no hidden treasures left on them, Yu Yuan gave them a solemn warning before letting them leave.

Afterward, he had Yun Zhongzi tally the treasures "confiscated" from those Skywalking Sect disciples.

Three spiritual medicines, each aged around seventy to eighty thousand years; one spirit fruit, capable of resurrecting the dead and fleshing the bones; a small piece of mysterious golden true iron, weighing over ten thousand catties and indestructible; a Flying Rainbow Spear forged mainly from Beiming mysterious iron; a Red Training Whip made from ten-thousand-year-old blood python skin...

It is worth mentioning that the idea to confiscate the spiritual weapons and treasures was suggested by Yun Zhongzi.

He felt that these Skywalking Sect disciples had committed numerous atrocities, far more detestable than the previous Black Bear Immortal, and their tools of crime should be confiscated as punishment to teach them a lesson!

Yu Yuan naturally wholeheartedly agreed and promptly offered encouragement and affirmation.

After the tally was complete, he turned to look at the Immortal riding the Green Bird, and asked tenderly, "Are there any treasures among these that were taken from you?"

Although she was quite frightened by his earlier action of hammering on people's heads, she realized from her observation that these two were not here to "steal from thieves" as she had initially thought.

She blinked her eyes and pointed to the spirit fruit and one of the spiritual medicines on the ground, saying, "Both of these were first discovered by me, then taken by them."

Yun Zhongzi stretched out his hand, and enveloping the spiritual medicine and the fruit with mana, lifted them into his hand.

"Don't forget to follow the procedure," reminded Yu Yuan on the side.

Yun Zhongzi nodded slightly and said to the Immortal, "Fellow Daoist, you only need to take an oath, and let the Heavenly Dao prove you aren't lying, and I will immediately return these spiritual fruit and medicine to you."

The Immortal: "..."

Under Yun Zhongzi's sincere gaze, her face slowly turned a shade of red, and she whispered, "Actually, only that spirit fruit was first found by me… I am willing to take the oath!"

...

A moment later, the Immortal left with the spirit fruit.

Watching her departing figure, Yun Zhongzi sincerely remarked, "Brother Dao indeed had foresight; the story of 'The Farmer and the Snake' really happened."

Yu Yuan smiled softly, "She's not quite the 'poisonous snake', merely a bit greedy, which is the inherent nature of most beings."

Yun Zhongzi nodded in agreement, finding this very true.

Yu Yuan waved his hand, collecting all the remaining spiritual medicines and weapons on the ground into his Qiankun Ruyi Bag, then said with a smile, "Previously, you shunned the red dust and did not know the evils of the world. Now that we travel together, I will show you the true nature of this world!"

"Yes!"

Yun Zhongzi nodded vigorously, earnestly saying, "Spending these days with Brother Dao has truly benefited me greatly!"

...

Time passed by like flowing water.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed since the Eastern Emperor Heaven opened. Countless Immortal Gods were scattered throughout the land, searching high and low but still could not find the whereabouts of the Chaos Bell Fragments.

The whole Eastern Emperor Heaven was filled with treasure-seekers.

Countless treasures and spiritual roots were dug up, numerous rare birds and exotic beasts were subdued… and likewise, numerous treasure-seekers perished here.

A small part of those who perished were killed by the fierce beasts and birds of prey within Eastern Emperor Heaven, but most were tragically slain by other treasure-seekers like themselves.

Treasure hunting, robbing, seizing treasures, battling…

This was the prevailing theme within Eastern Emperor Heaven.

Yet Yu Yuan and Yun Zhongzi went against the tide.

Though they still followed their instincts aimlessly, unlike before when they deliberately avoided crowds, now they headed wherever there were people.

Wherever there was robbing and seizing of treasures, their figures were there.

In just a few days, the names "Qi Zhongjun" and "One Qi Immortal" became widely known.

...

Above a broad river, an old Daoist riding a sika deer was drifting downstream along with the flow.

His appearance was unremarkable; his hair was styled in twin buns, dressed in a saffron Daoist robe, surrounded by halos of colorful spirit light, and radiant immortal energy wafting around him.

If Yun Zhongzi were here, he would certainly recognize this old Daoist as Randeng Taoist, the Vice Hierarch of the Chan Sect.

At this moment, this highly cultivated individual from the Chan Sect had a troubled expression, continuously calculating something with his right hand.

After a long while, he helplessly gave up the futile act, waved his hand randomly in front of him, and six or seven water mirrors appeared out of thin air.

Each water mirror displayed the figure of a Chan Sect disciple.

Despite being separated by an unknown distance, these Chan Sect disciples all bowed in salute simultaneously.

"Greetings, Teacher."

"No need for such formalities."

Randeng Taoist returned the salute and then asked, "Has anyone found out the whereabouts of Yun Zhongzi?"

The Chan Sect Golden Immortals all shook their heads.

"Just a few days ago, I did hear some news about Junior Brother. However…"

Guang Chengzi hesitated to say, "The news came from the remnants of the Demon Clan, claiming that Junior Brother Yun Zhongzi blocked the road to rob, not only injuring him but also taking his treasure."

Before he could finish speaking, someone laughed, "Senior Brother must be joking. Considering Junior Brother Yun Zhongzi's luck, does he need to rob others for treasures?"

"In this Eastern Emperor Heaven, there are numerous natural treasures. Junior Brother Yun Zhongzi must be so fortunate that by now he's likely been picking up treasure until his hands are full."

"I think someone is deliberately using Junior Brother's name to tarnish our Chan Sect's reputation!"

"It could also be someone deliberately smearing our Chan Sect... Those of the Jie Sect would dare to do such a thing."

"..."

Several Chan Sect Golden Immortals chattered, none believing Yun Zhongzi would engage in highway robbery.

Randeng Taoist raised his hand to cease the discussions, instructed, "Continue seeking treasures, and do not forget to keep searching for Yun Zhongzi and other brothers.

Once Yun Zhongzi is found, you must immediately inform me."

"Disciples understand."

A group of Chan Sect disciples responded with a bow.

At that moment, Chi Jingzi curiously asked, "May I ask Teacher, why do we need to find Junior Brother Yun Zhongzi so urgently? Is it because of his luck?"

Randeng Taoist slightly pondered then lightly said, "Rather than luck, it would be more apt to say he carries a significant fate... Among the Three Realms and within the Five Elements, perhaps no one can match him.

If we follow him, our chances of finding the Chaos Bell Fragments would greatly increase."

Guang Chengzi and others felt a slight shock, bowed in a low voice, "Disciples understand."

…

"Aooow—"

Deep within a mountain range in Eastern Emperor Heaven, ancient trees touched the sky, and monkeys howled and tigers roared.

Duobao Taoist, along with Huo Ling'er, rode an auspicious cloud and rapidly advanced along the mountain range.

Behind them, a dozen Jie Sect Immortals spread out, scanning the forest below like pulling a net to capture fish.

Suddenly, Duobao Taoist stopped his cloud, glanced at the woods ahead, and with a casual wave of his sleeve, a bright treasure light shot up from the forest and steadily hovered before him.

Only now did Huo Ling'er, who was following, see the treasure light contained a crimson-colored Spirit Ginseng, and immediately cheered with joy, "Master is so powerful, finding another treasure again."

Nearby, a Jie Sect Immortal attracted by the noise came closer, enviously saying, "This is Fire Cloud Ginseng, its age looks to be over two hundred thousand years!"

He sounded as if he had sucked on a lemon, murmuring, "Senior Brother truly has unparalleled fortune… This Fire Cloud Ginseng is the ninth rare Spiritual Medicine Senior Brother has found, right? Yet, I have not found even a single treasure."

Duobao Taoist, who originally planned to toss the Fire Cloud Ginseng to his disciple, paused his motion, enveloped the ginseng with mana and held it in his palm, looking at the gathering Jie Sect Immortals and said:

"These natural treasures are trivial; remember, the Chaos Bell Fragments are our primary goal for this trip!

Whoever finds the Chaos Bell Fragment, not only will Master bestow a great treasure as a reward, but I will also give all the natural treasures found in Eastern Emperor Heaven to him! So, I encourage my brothers and sisters to focus more on finding the Chaos Bell Fragments."

Hearing this, the initially begrudging Jie Sect Immortals' eyes now sparkled.

"Senior Brother, rest assured, we will do our utmost to fulfill the trust!"

Saying so, the Jie Sect Immortals dispersed again, their spirits lifted, earnestly searching the forest below.

Huo Ling'er's eyes twinkled as she softly said, "Master, why don't you let me help too? More people mean more strength."

Duobao Taoist looked back at her askance, "Are you really going to search for the Chaos Bell Fragments? I bet no sooner you leave than you'd run off to find Yu Yuan right?"

"Hehe…"

Huo Ling'er, having her thoughts exposed, giggled awkwardly, "I'm just worried about Junior Brother Yu Yuan, and since Uncle Jin Ling is busy leading people to search for the Chaos Bell Fragments, he certainly won't have time to look for him. His being alone in this perilous Eastern Emperor Heaven…"

Duobao Taoist spoke irritably, "You still worry about him? These past two days I've received plenty of messages saying that someone claiming to be 'One Qi Immortal' is causing trouble everywhere, shouting about supporting the weak and fighting the strong, all the while injuring people and stealing treasures, even our Jie Sect members have suffered!

Chances are it's that Yu Yuan causing trouble again!

It seems without your Uncle Jin Ling to supervise him, he really could turn Eastern Emperor Heaven upside down!"

"Why do you always target Junior Brother Yu Yuan?" Huo Ling'er protested somewhat dissatisfiedly, "Junior Brother doesn't like to cause trouble. It's always others who provoke him first!"

She paused, then added, "Even if he did start trouble, it must have been the other party at fault first!"

Duobao Taoist: "…"

His disciple used to be somewhat naive but obedient; however, she seemed to have learned to talk back after going out!

Alas, disciples grow up…

…

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