"Could it be that the Longevity Realm is too small to contain Them?"
These doubts flashed through his mind and quickly faded.
Clearly, such ancient secrets of this equivalent grade are not something Tao Qian can contemplate at present.
After merely glancing, he once again sighed:
"My friend sponges off cleverly."
...
After his sigh, it wasn't long before he arrived within Demon City.
If speaking just of leaving the Mortal World, it had only been a few days.
But speaking of Demon City, since that incident, Tao Qian had been away for a long time.
Upon seeing Tao Qian's expression, Ancestor Spirit immediately guessed his current thoughts.
"Daoist, are you thinking that, in just a few days, the world has changed so quickly?"
"Don't blame Daoist; the scenes of Demon City are now a unique case, a trial conducted by Si Xixin."
"This person possesses considerable ambition, but his methods are indeed extraordinary."
"Not only did he persuade the Si Family, Great Freedom Temple, Canxuan Sect, Zhengyi Sect, Heavenly Mechanism Building, and other forces supporting him behind, but he also invited other Daoist, Buddhist, Demon, and Devil sects from various veins, providing money and granting authority, allowing them to merge into Demon City in a subtle way, supporting the mortals."
"As this method greatly benefits the Human Clan, after the Forbidden Law Barrier was recast, not only was it allowed, but it was given more support."
"Within these days, signs of harmony amongst the various Dao and intercommunication between the hundreds of veins have already emerged within Demon City."
"Seeing Si Xixin actually succeeded, Yu Yanshi in the south, Zhang Jinluan in the north, and nearby Yin Yuehua also began to imitate."
"Daoist, if you wish to indulge in leisure in the Penglai Sea for decades, you may discover that when you re-enter the world, it has changed beyond recognition?"
While patiently listening to Ancestor Spirit's explanation, Tao Qian gazed at the magnificent scene of Demon City with a puzzled look.
With his supernatural power, he could naturally see every corner of Demon City and discern the living status of the millions of residents inside and outside the city.
To put it mildly, extraordinarily good!
Even the "refugees" outside the city can now gain warm clothes, satiating food, and shelter from wind and rain.
Moreover, each one seems to receive transcendent care, without sickness or pain, looking almost like an unprecedented prosperous era.
It seemed as if these millions of mortals were ascending to another level.
However, the more it was like this, the more grave and perplexed Tao Qian's expression became.
After a while, he suddenly asked:
"Daoist, what about the cost?"
"The benefits seem to fall upon the Human Clan and mortals, but to create these, a considerable price must be paid. Could the Si Family and Great Freedom Temple willingly transfer the cost and bear it themselves?"
Ancestor Spirit seemed to have anticipated Tao Qian's question, and promptly replied after hearing it.
His expression was also full of confusion:
"I don't know either!"
"The various Dao veins are sustaining millions in Demon City, supposedly with a considerable cost that should result in a large amount of cause and debt, involving supernatural entities."
"Yet, there is nothing. Even though I have immersed myself in the Forbidden Technique's Heavenly Track to observe carefully for several days, I cannot spot any flaw."
"However, yesterday, Si Xixin publicly connected with the entire nation, stating that the reforging of the Forbidden Technique can make it difficult for demons and evil cultivators to invade the mortal world. But it is only a start, a remedy that treats the symptoms but not the root cause. He intends to unite all the world's outstanding talents and figures to research a way for the complete integration of the mortal world and the cultivation world."
"If successful, it could transform and elevate tens of billions of the Human Clan across the seventy-two provinces, who will no longer suffer disturbances thereafter."
"With Demon City as such an irrefutable example, Yu Yanshi, Zhang Jinluan, and others find it hard to openly refuse, so they have sent envoys to the Imperial City."
After Ancestor Spirit spoke, Tao Qian only felt that the fog before him grew thicker.
Even though he possessed the most immense Human Dao Destiny and had a close affinity with the Forbidden Law Barrier, along with Ancestor Spirit's assistance, he still could not fathom what Si Xixin was doing for the time being.
However, after utilizing his fortune and blessing to sense further, he received feedback: [What Si Xixin is doing will not harm the people of this country. Though significant changes are brewing in the Human World in the future, it's not a disaster...]
Tao Qian could get this feedback, and naturally, Ancestor Spirit could as well.
Thus, at this moment, he smiled slightly and, in turn, comforted Tao Qian:
"Daoist, there is no need to worry!"
"Since the Forbidden Technique has been reforged, the scenes of demons running rampant across the world, treating the Human Clan as blood food, will no longer occur."
"Yu Yanshi, Si Xixin, and Zhang Jinluan, these ambitious figures, intending to vie for the Human Emperor's prestigious position, will elevate the level of their struggles, not involving the mortal realm."
"Daoist's wish has indeed been fulfilled."
"Since marriage is soon upon you, be at ease as a bridegroom. I am looking forward to going to Penglai Sea to enjoy a good drink at Daoist's wedding feast."
Since Ancestor Spirit also sensed the same, and the grand scene before him was indeed alluring, Tao Qian could only let go of his doubts for now.
He bid farewell to Ancestor Spirit and went on to send invitations.
The Secret Realm of the No Food Country is now integrated with Demon City, so he doesn't need to go elsewhere.
After all, it's their territory, and Tao Qian knows his manners.
He used a secret technique to point into the void as if directly knocking on the Ghost Gate of the Ghost Country, then lightly uttered:
"Is the Ghost Mother here?"
"This is Tao Qian, an old friend of your esteemed son-in-law, Xiao Hua Daoist, who will be getting married in a few days and has come to extend an invitation."
...
Hardly a moment after Tao Qian finished speaking.
Before him, dim light surged, revealing a portal enveloped in ghostly mist, illuminated by decorative lanterns and guided by a red umbrella.
Stepping into the portal, Tao Qian immediately witnessed the ghostly kingdom's breathtaking scene he once glimpsed briefly in Seeking Immortal County: a massive black-red moon hung in the sky, countless ghost fires drifted, the Huangquan Ghost River flowed, tens of thousands of cities were lined within the vast ghostly mist....
At that time, Tao Qian only faintly saw the ceremonial guard of Princess Pei Niannu, yet never caught a glimpse of the No Food Country Master.
This time, however, his identity and Dao attainment were vastly different.
The most crucial part is that his merits and fortune were extraordinary.
Even the "No Food Ghost Mother" was willing to come personally to greet.
The heavens and earth suddenly changed color as if ghosts cried and gods howled, with the eighteen layers of purgatory vaguely emerging and resembling an oncoming mighty army with great commotion, banners fluttering, ghostly sounds filled the air, as a vast ceremonial guard came forth from the depths of the Ghost Country.
In the center of the procession, there was a massive Ghost Mother carriage, surrounded by numerous ghostly ladies serving it, evidently, seated on the carriage was the fierce female cultivator, No Food Ghost Mother, who once wielded the Ghost Mother Divine Sword to forcefully storm one of the Twelve Daoist Sects, the Heavenly Talisman Sect's mountain gate premise.
Tao Qian was about to step forward to salute, but at this juncture.
In the distance, a city gate suddenly burst open, and a familiar figure flew out from within.
Tao Qian focused his sight, and it was a young, handsome Ghost Cultivator.
"Xiao Hua Daoist!"
Lin Xiaohua had undergone countless transformations, turning from a weary, weak middle-aged man into a handsome and graceful young Daoist.
Yet that flamboyant red robe and the familiar flirtatious charisma made Tao Qian recognize him effortlessly.
With his shout, Lin Xiaohua also saw him, and a look of delight appeared in his eyes immediately.
Ignoring his disheveled state, he started to run towards him, about to shout in joy.
Yet quickly, behind him, another appeared: dressed in white, the cold and beautiful Princess Pei Niannu, followed by a group of unique and alluring female ghosts.
The female ghosts called out: "Mr. Lin, hurry and escape."
While Pei Niannu wielded her sword to kill, shouting: "Lin Xiaohua, come and meet your death."