You might as well speak plainly—I, a humble Daoist, hail from the Illusory Star Grotto-Heaven

A salty breeze carrying a faint fishy scent drifted through the depths of the peach blossom forest. Amidst the fluttering petals, a woman emerged with graceful steps.

She wore an elegant, pale golden palace gown that shimmered as the wind lifted its hem. With every step, her jade-like feet left trails of iridescent light, adding to her ethereal aura.

Her beauty was not the kind that could topple kingdoms, but rather an intriguing androgynous charm—cherry lips, sharp brows, starry eyes, and a jawline so defined it almost suggested she was a man in disguise. Yet the undeniable fullness of her bosom dismissed that notion entirely.

Ignoring the discomfort brought by the Yin-Yang Rebirth Pearl, she strode directly before Chen Dalei and offered a delicate bow. "This humble one is Mu Shuihua, the Northern Guardian King of the Daughter Kingdom. Noble guests who have traversed mountains and rivers, braved the Lost Mist Forest cast down by the gods, and set foot upon our lands—surely you are the Heaven-Sent Ones foretold by divine prophecy!"

As she spoke, she suddenly glared at the women still giggling with Yang Laosan and Ao Laosi. "Cease this impropriety! Return at once!"

"Aww..."

The reprimanded women shuddered, pouting as they reluctantly withdrew from the warm, sturdy embraces they had been nestled in.

Yang Laosan and Ao Laosi inhaled the lingering fragrance on their fingertips before reluctantly stepping back behind Chen Dalei. With mocking grins, they elbowed Hou, who was sulking over his own social awkwardness, and Jin, the youngest yet most burly of the group.

"What kind of men are you, cowering before mere temptresses? Where’s your courage?"

"Tch, these two are just weaklings..."

"Sun Kongkong, you asking for a beating?"

"You wanna step outside and settle this?"

The brothers erupted into rowdy banter, shoving and laughing.

Mu Shuihua covered her mouth with a sleeve, chuckling softly. "My apologies for our earlier impropriety. You must understand—since the gods cast the Lost Mist Forest upon us a decade ago, no true man has entered the Daughter Kingdom..."

"If our noble guests would deign to follow me, let this humble king host you in the city, where we may offer respite and extend our hospitality."

Her voice was warm, her words sincere, carrying a soothing power that eased the furrowed brows of Sun Kongkong and Jin.

Yet Chen Dalei waved a dismissive hand, his tone unyielding. "Spare me the fairy tales. I know exactly what you want!"

"In fact, let me make it plain—I am Chen Dalei, hailing from the Illusory Star Grotto-Heaven. My journey began at the eastern shores and leads to the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss, rectifying the imbalances of this world along the way!"

"So speak plainly yourself!"

Truth be told, Chen Dalei disliked invoking Yi’s name unnecessarily—but there was no denying how effective it was.

In this complex world where hearts were inscrutable, the masses distrusted even the local earth gods and celestial deities. Grievances were buried, injustices swallowed, for fear of retribution.

Yet amidst this murky realm, there blazed a radiant sun!

Perhaps it could not dispel all darkness, but under its light, filth dared not fester.

That sun was Yi.

Hovering high above the nine heavens, he marked history with his reign—the Era of Imperial Tribulation. Before it, the Purple Star Continent had been plagued by corruption. The Heavenly Dao’s justice was gentle, lacking teeth, allowing wicked cultivators to thrive like weeds. Demonic sects flaunted their existence openly, while the masses suffered in silence.

Then, with a thunderous arrival, Yi changed everything.

The first year of the Imperial Tribulation Era marked the beginning of the Sixty-Year Demon Purge.

Yi spent six decades eradicating every scourge, cowing all evil into submission until even the most hardened sinners reformed.

Mid-purge, he even paused to attempt transcending the Immortal Tribulation—though he failed, the residual heavenly lightning essence he left behind extended mortal lifespans by years...

Unbiased and undeniable—who wouldn’t revere such a figure?

So when Chen Dalei revealed his origins, Mu Shuihua’s gaze flicked to the cloudless sky. Then, her body trembled violently.

Heavens!

He was genuine!

A true disciple of the Illusory Star Grotto-Heaven!

Before the Celestial Court’s establishment, imposters had run rampant—claiming brotherhood with the Imperial Tribulation Sage, or even kinship. None could be disproven, so none were risked offending.

But after the Celestial Court’s rise, such frauds vanished.

The Court punished any who exploited Yi’s name.

Thus, for one to still claim ties to the Illusory Star Grotto-Heaven—and face no divine retribution—meant only one thing:

He was legitimate.

And that spelled trouble...

Thud!

Mu Shuihua dropped to her knees, her voice breaking. "Our queen is tyrannical! The city gods are negligent! The earth spirits plunder our lands! The Lost Forest seals our borders, cutting us off from the world... I beg you, save the Daughter Kingdom before it plunges into the abyss!"

Chen Dalei’s brow furrowed. "You’re saying that a group of young deities—vetted by the Central Examination Court, idealistic, driven, tasked with salvaging historical messes and uplifting the people—are the villains?"

Mu Shuihua shivered. "Hearts are hidden behind faces, let alone the heartless gods. See for yourself..."

Chen Dalei shook his head. He was no clueless outsider. Did they think his five centuries in that turbulent era counted for nothing?

Yi himself had been his student!

He never acted without preparation, never fought blind. Every historical grievance along this westward journey was known to him—he could resolve them all with ease.

Of course, he preferred shortcuts—like flaunting his Illusory Star ties to deter obstructionists, streamlining the process, saving time for sightseeing.

Yet even with his backing laid bare, they still resisted?

Did they think his blade had dulled?

His gaze remained calm as he studied Mu Shuihua’s seemingly earnest eyes. Slowly, he raised a finger.

Sage King’s Belt—Sheep Talisman Power: Soul Projection!

Sage King’s Belt—Tiger Talisman Power: Dichotomy of Good and Evil!