In the gloomy sky, flashes of golden light from the Buddhist sect occasionally streaked across.
The Tribulation Transcendence auras made no attempt to hide themselves, sweeping in from all directions.
Regardless of whether there were cultivators in the area, or whether those cultivators minded.
The Buddhist sect was already using its hardest fist to convey its current attitude.
However, the cultivators present each reined in their auras, no longer flying through the air, but quietly descending to the ground.
For cultivators, the Buddhist sect's high-handedness in the Western Niu Continent was nothing new, and they had long understood this unspoken rule.
It was just that the Buddhist sect was, after all, a righteous orthodox faction. As long as the matter didn't involve them personally, there was a high probability the Buddhist sect wouldn't take the opportunity to drag innocent people away along with them.
Therefore, at this moment, most cultivators followed the rules. Aside from obediently walking on the ground, they also continued with their own business and headed to their destinations.
"What a grand spectacle…"
Chu Xingchen sat beside the carriage, gazing at the flowing golden light in the sky, his tone filled with sighs.
Wukong was driving the carriage. Hearing this, he couldn't help but glance sideways at Chu Xingchen, who was speaking with a sigh.
Such a grand spectacle was all to catch him; what was there to sigh about?
Due to the Buddhist sect's control, at this moment, on this regulated road, besides mortals, there were also cultivators walking or driving carriages.
As for how to distinguish cultivators from mortals, it was extremely simple.
Most cultivators held their heads high and chests out, with weapons either hung at their waists or carried on their backs.
Most mortals wore obsequious smiles, bowing their heads first to everyone they met.
Right beside Chu Xingchen was a young Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Half-reclining beside the carriage, feeling the cultivation aura Chu Xingchen was emitting, which was roughly at the mid-to-late stage of Foundation Establishment, he spoke in a relaxed tone:
"Although the Buddhist sect is high-handed, they are relatively reasonable in how they handle things."
"It's just that this kind of spectacle is indeed rare… I wonder what could have prompted the Buddhist sect to make such a big fuss."
Seeing someone reply, Chu Xingchen looked over and teased with a smile:
"It might be that some Honored Buddha of the Buddhist sect had someone poached from under him, and since he couldn't win them back, he's now killing to silence them."
Hearing this, the young Foundation Establishment cultivator also shook his head with a smile, saying in a teasing tone:
"Fellow Daoist, you're joking. Don't all monks have to suppress their desires down below? I've heard that the more profound the monk, the stricter the control down below. How could they possibly have romantic entanglements poached away?"
Chu Xingchen's expression became animated as he said, "Has Fellow Daoist not heard that everything has two sides? The current world only shows its good side to people."
"If it were truly some news meant to be known, why make such a massive move without making any announcement?"
"If it were a major event like exterminating evil cultivators and saving the common people, do you think the Buddhist sect wouldn't broadcast it to everyone?"
"It's probably a case of family shame not being aired, and it might be far more intense than we think."
Hearing this, the young Foundation Establishment cultivator thought it made sense.
Another powerful aura streaked across the sky, and a dazzling golden light flew rapidly past before their eyes.
He thought for a moment and said, "To be searched for by the Buddhist sect with such a massive deployment, they must be a top-tier figure."
The young Foundation Establishment cultivator's voice suddenly dropped a bit as he said, "Previously, the three sects united to enter the Western Niu Continent. The momentum was huge, but later they strangely retreated."
"After the Buddhist sect returned to the Western Niu Continent, I heard they started searching for someone. I think this person must be related to the three sects."
"What kind of figure could stir up the Eighteen Immortal Sects like this…"
"Although being wanted like this is rather unlucky, this person must be a top-tier figure."
"Able to glimpse the demeanor we cannot see, able to climb to the realm we cannot reach."
"The path of a cultivator is long and far."
The young Foundation Establishment cultivator paused in his speech, then smiled and said:
"My talent is ordinary. If I could become such a figure, I would be willing to be hunted by the Buddhist sect."
"At least I could leave a name in this world, be remembered by the big shots, and show that there are cultivators like me in this world."
"I've also heard that there are few prodigies in the world, but legends are as numerous as clouds."
"If I were such a figure, I reckon I could chat with prodigies and meet with legends."
"What kind of demeanor the peerless genius of a prodigy truly has, and what kind of invincibility in the human world a legend possesses."
"In this lifetime, just getting a glimpse of it would definitely be worth it!"
Wukong drove the carriage, glancing sideways at the young Foundation Establishment cultivator, whose face was full of longing.
His emotions were quite complex.
Those in the eye of the storm often wish for a moment of respite to catch their breath.
Those outside the storm, however, envy others for attracting the wind and rain.
Chu Xingchen looked ahead. Further ahead, Tribulation Transcendence auras were already sweeping the area, and Wukong beside him cast an inquiring glance his way.
However, Chu Xingchen was in no hurry to respond. He looked at the young Foundation Establishment cultivator and smiled:
"Fellow Daoist is quite open-minded. May I ask your name?"
"A casual cultivator, Qingyun Sword, Lu Zhao. May I ask for Fellow Daoist's name?"
Chu Xingchen stood up. He didn't answer out loud, but instead replied via voice transmission:
"It seems someone has given me a title, but I haven't bothered to find out what it is."
"However, my name is Chu Xingchen."
Hearing the voice transmission, Lu Zhao's eyes widened, and his tone became somewhat stuttering:
"You… you are…"
"That's right, the very one you're thinking of." Chu Xingchen revealed a smile. "Fellow Daoist, do I count as a prodigy?"
"Na… naturally you do!"
Lu Zhao's expression was excited, yet also somewhat incredulous.
When it came to the prodigies of today, Chu Xingchen's name had long been far ahead of the rest.
He had overwhelmingly suppressed the Yuyang Daoist Son and had an extremely good relationship with Xu Jin, the highly mysterious core disciple of the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect.
Not to mention being a core disciple of the Tianyan Sect.
Moreover, it was heard that the legendary figure Bai Xuanling was constantly by his side, and there were even rumors that Bai Xuanling was Chu Xingchen's Dao Protector.
That was Bai Xuanling; how many cultivators had heard of her legends?
Who wouldn't want to be like her, needing only a single sword to roam the Central Continent invincibly?
No matter what kind of legend stood opposite her, she would settle it with a single sword.
If such a legend was willing to serve as a Dao Protector, then this person would inevitably become a legend among legends in the future.
It was also rumored that for this union of the three sects, Chu Xingchen was the core organizer.
Perhaps this was not just a rumor, for only someone like Chu Xingchen, who had deep ties with the core disciples of the three sects, could facilitate such an unprecedented event.
Rather, if a figure like him didn't count as a prodigy, could there even be any prodigies left in this world?
Chu Xingchen smiled, took out a bottle of mortal wine he had bought from his spatial ring, and tossed it to Lu Zhao:
"It's good that you recognize me; it means I wasn't being presumptuous."
"Fellow Daoist, I have important matters to attend to shortly, so I won't chat with you any further."
"If we meet again in the future, I'll take the opportunity to introduce you to other prodigies."
"The path of a cultivator is long, and there are all sorts of fortuitous encounters. It's best not to belittle yourself."
"Anyway, from my perspective, Fellow Daoist is a prodigy."
"Until we meet again, I will definitely have a good chat with you then."
Lu Zhao's head was somewhat dazed. Holding the bottle of wine in his hand, he parted his lips slightly as he listened to Chu Xingchen speak.
It sounded a bit blurry, yet every single word seemed to be engraved into his mind.
The next moment.
Chu Xingchen's figure dissipated, and when he reappeared, he was already far away, turning into a rainbow light and heading forward.
Lu Zhao stood up, gazing into the distance. After taking two deep breaths, he replied:
"Until we meet again!"
With that said, Lu Zhao's gaze turned back to Wukong, who was driving the carriage.
Wukong spread his hands, his tone somewhat helpless:
"I don't understand what you guys are talking about. I'm just a mortal."
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