The Unruly Immortals

Li Huowang, shrouded in darkness, heard Liu Zongyuan's words and his brows gradually furrowed. "You're saying that the Astrological Bureau's arrangement of that Golden Palace Great Formation in the Capital City was to cope with a natural disaster?"

Back when he was involved in the Capital City, although ensnared within the events, his attention had been wholly drawn away by the North Wind, leaving no room to ponder what exactly the Emperor of Da Liang and the Astrological Bureau were up to together.

In the aftermath, he had wildly guessed that such a massive mobilization by the Emperor of Da Liang was perhaps aimed at his own ascension to immortality.

Now, it seemed quite the opposite, the Astrological Bureau and the Emperor of Da Liang wanted to use the "Eyes of the Divine Mountain Ghost" to counter the celestial disaster of the solar eclipse.

For a moment, Li Huowang's thoughts on what exactly was happening in all of Da Liang became much clearer, but soon a tinge of regret arose in his heart.

In the matter that transpired previously in the Capital City, he seemed to have taken on a role that was not exactly positive.

But previously, without a whisper of indication from the Astrological Bureau, how could he have known that their Great Formation truly aimed to liberate the common folk from a natural disaster?

The consistent behavior of the Astrological Bureau didn't lead him to think in that direction.

"No, Brother Li, you're not in the wrong, it's my fault," Li Huowang leaned in slightly, listening to Zhuge Yuan's voice.

"This whole affair is my fault from start to finish; I was deceived by the Oblivion Path," Zhuge Yuan's voice carried self-reproach and sorrow.

"From the beginning with the beheading of Bai Lingmiao, I was probably ensnared by the schemes of the Oblivion Path. Perhaps, the Da Qi Emperor who was nothing more than a walking corpse, controlling the imperial policies, was also a machination of Da Qi's Oblivion Path, with both sides of the Oblivion Path working in tandem."

"Their actions weren't to avenge the deceased Bai Lingmiao, but rather to use my identity marked by Heart Pan to unite the Oblivion Paths of both sides, then deceive Doumu and steal the "Eyes of the Divine Mountain Ghost" from the Astrological Bureau."

Upon hearing Liu Zongyuan's information, Zhuge Yuan, being directly involved, dug out far more details than Li Huowang had.

"Don't be too hard on yourself. After all, you did everything you could do. If there's someone to blame, it would be the Oblivion Path," Li Huowang couldn't help but speak up to console him.

Before Zhuge Yuan could respond, Liu Zongyuan, who was nearby and assuming Li Huowang was speaking to him, quickly continued.

"Brother Li, you're too kind, but I'm not upset. I didn't go to the Capital City on duty, so why worry about my life? That day, I had already hidden away in Qingqiu."

Seizing the moment, Liu Zongyuan rambled on, "Ah, decades ago, we cleared out the Oblivion Path once, but who would've thought that in such a short time, they would pose a threat again."

"These sons of no asses are like maggots in a privy, impossible to completely get rid of no matter what you do."

"Eh, Brother Li, I'm telling you, but you mustn't tell anyone else. I've heard that this time the Oblivion Path has thoroughly angered those above, and after the disaster is dealt with, they plan to notify all the Astrological Bureaus to completely encircle and suppress them."

"Originally, at that event in the Capital City, the Oblivion Path was already left dead and crippled; with this major action coming, that damned Oblivion Path will probably be wiped out completely."

Hearing this, Huowang immediately sat up straight, even clenching his fists in excitement. "That's great news! I hate the Oblivion Path the most! The Astrological Bureau should have done this long ago!"

"Right, Brother Li, that's why I specifically came to find you to join in the action. Who would have thought that you would be blind, ah," Liu Zongyuan lamented.

"It doesn't matter," Li Huowang quickly said, "I can kill just fine with my eyes blind! Let's set out right now!!"

"Ah, forget it, Brother Li, you should focus on healing. Don't overexert yourself; the Astrological Bureau has plenty of capable people. They won't miss one less, nor will one more make a difference."

In fact, Li Huowang had anticipated that Liu Zongyuan wouldn't accompany a blind man on official duty; his proposal was merely to maintain his past character and make an appearance.

He himself was already burdened with a heap of troublesome matters, and truly had no interest in getting involved in this one.

After discussing official business and making small talk for a while, Liu Zongyuan's attention inevitably fell on the frightening figure of Li Sui.

"Hey, Brother Ear, it's one thing for people in your Ao Jing Sect, but why even skin a dog?"

Li Huowang reached out to touch Li Sui's hard skull. "She's not a dog; she's a spiritual beast that came to me through a fortuitous coincidence. Since I'm temporarily blind, I use her for self-defense. Don't be scared by her appearance; sometimes she's more reliable than people."

"Really? That must've been some good fortune, ordinary people wouldn't dare to keep such... what do you call it... a spiritual beast! Are you selling it?"

Upon hearing this, a threatening growl immediately emanated from deep within Li Sui's throat, revealing her gnashing white teeth to Liu Zongyuan beside her.

"Quiet, Brother Liu is just joking." With a pat on Li Sui's neck, Li Huowang swiftly calmed her hostility toward Liu Zongyuan.

Feeling Li Sui's unusual behavior, Li Huowang couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. The past Li Sui was so naive, just like a child, but now she seemed to be different.

Perhaps because of the Mantou inside her body, her personality now contained an animalistic element.

"Alright, Brother Ear, since we've mostly said what needs to be said, I'll take my leave. Take care of your injuries, and don't panic about anything."

As he said this, Liu Zongyuan got up to leave but was immediately called to a halt by Li Huowang.

"Brother Liu, wait. Since you're well-informed, do you know of any Cultivation Technique Divine Ability from any sect that could restore one's eyes? You also know about my current situation..."

"Hmm... you really don't need to look for those people for this. Being unfamiliar on their turf, you could easily be cheated. We have our own methods. You've completed quite a few duties for the Astrological Bureau, and your rewards haven't been small, right? Take the Yangshou Pills they gave you to the storeroom in the Capital City and exchange them. Surely there you will find a Cultivation Technique and Magic Artifact that can restore your eyes."

After saying this, Liu Zongyuan quickly left. In the dim environment, Li Huowang, alone, sat there silently stroking the back of Li Sui's neck.

So many things had happened recently, and he needed to sort them out properly. "Li Sui, get me a piece of charcoal and a sheet of rice paper."

"Alright, Dad."

Soon, a sheet of rice paper was spread in front of Li Huowang, and a piece of charcoal, held by a tentacle, was stuffed into his hand.

Li Huowang took the charcoal and listed his current troubles on the paper with its sharp end, from top to bottom, one by one.

One: Bai Lingmiao's eyes are close to blindness due to excessive exposure to the sun. Moreover, her fragile body has a short lifespan.

Two: The aberrations of natural disasters. Now that the Astrological Bureau's plan has been disrupted by the Oblivion Path, it's possible more disasters will follow. He wasn't worried for himself, but how to ensure the survival and self-protection of Niuxin Village in such a tumultuous environment?

Three: His past, modified by Doumu—a past belonging to Hong Zhong—remains a hidden danger that he must seize the opportunity to eliminate.

Four: The relentless pursuit of the Cultivation of Truth is essential, not only pertaining to the resurrection of Zhuge Yuan, his overall strength, but also concerning the truth and illusion of the real world.