Start with the fisherman

The setting sun poured down like molten gold, dyeing the sky a gentle orange-red. The afterglow filtered through the sparse clouds and scattered in the quiet courtyard.

At this moment, Cao Ze was lazily lying on a lounge chair made of high-quality bamboo. A faint but lingering wisp of original power surrounded his body, as if even the air became fresh and refined because of it.

His face was calm, his eyes were slightly closed, and there was a faint smile on the corners of his mouth, which showed the relief and satisfaction of finally making a breakthrough after going through untold hardships.

The sunlight outlined a soft contour on his angular face, adding a bit of otherworldly temperament to him. The cultivation of the Dharmakaya realm not only made his strength leap forward, but also made his state of mind reach an unprecedented tranquility and depth.

Su Xiaozhi snuggled quietly beside Cao Ze, her eyes full of tenderness and admiration, as if one could see the stars and the sea through them.

She gently leaned her head on Cao Ze's shoulder, and her hands unconsciously wrapped around his arms. The dependence and security she felt could be deeply felt without the need for words.

Su Xiaozhi's long hair swayed gently in the wind, carrying a faint fragrance, intertwined with the faint original power of Cao Ze, forming a warm and harmonious picture.

The two of them just lay there quietly, enjoying this rare quiet time. Everything around them seemed to slow down, and even time was no longer so hurried.

Occasionally, a breeze blows by, bringing the fragrance of flowers and plants in the distance, adding a bit of comfort.

dong dong dong...

There was a knock on the gate, breaking the tranquility at the moment.

The two men stood up and opened the gate. It turned out to be Prince Yongping Li Yuchen and his guard Liu Tong, whom they had just met a few months ago.

The moment the courtyard gate opened, Liu Tong suddenly raised his head and looked at Cao Ze, his eyes flashing with brilliance.

Cao Ze has broken through to the Dharmakaya realm!
Even though Cao Ze had tried his best to restrain his aura, after seeing it with his own eyes, Liu Tong, who was already at the sixth level of Dharmakaya, still could not hide it from him. The aura of the original power around Cao Ze was as conspicuous as a firefly at night.

He admitted that he had underestimated this guy before. He was a genius like him, and it was worth His Highness coming all the way to recruit him!

Li Yuchen looked at the mark left by the Phantom Soul Powder on Cao Ze's forehead with a half-smile.

The Phantom Soul Powder was naturally broken when Cao Ze broke through to the Dharmakaya Realm. The mark now was just a simulation by Cao Ze using the power of the Dharmakaya Realm. It was fine to fool ordinary warriors, but in the eyes of true experts, it seemed a bit clumsy.

"Brother Cao, congratulations!"

"Happy together, rejoice together."

An honest person does not speak in secret. Cao Ze did not hide anything, nor could he hide it.

Li Yuchen was very satisfied with Cao Ze's honesty. "With your talent, according to the Heavenly Dao Contract, your treatment will automatically be upgraded to the King level. But I'm sorry, I was in a hurry to go out this time, and I don't have any Dharmakaya-level resources. I will mobilize them for you when I return to the Royal City."

"Your Highness, don't worry. There is still a long way to go!"

Cao Ze had a confident smile on his face. After breaking through to the Dharmakaya realm, his mentality and demeanor were no longer what they used to be.

As Li Yuchen expected, he also smiled, "But as for intelligence, I can share it with Brother Cao right now."

This is also the purpose of their visit this time.

"The Blood Demon Cult is planning to besiege Qingming Peak, and there is an insider in the Blood Demon Cult in Xuanbao Pavilion!"

It was like a thunder exploding in Cao Ze's mind.

"Brother Li, do you know who is the traitor in Xuanbao Pavilion?"

He did not suspect that Li Yuchen had lied to him. Given Li Yuchen's identity, there was no need for him to tell a lie that could be easily exposed.

There are dozens of Dharmakaya realm masters in Xuanbao Pavilion, and Master Li Changji is an even stronger one in the Dharmakaya realm. No one in Donghai County can match him.

The Xuanbao Pavilion's mountain protection formation is as solid as a rock, and it is not easy for the Blood Demon Cult to break through it.

However, it would be a different story if there was an insider. The mountain protection formation might not play its due role, and Master and the others might be ambushed.

Cao Ze heard it clearly. Li Yuchen was talking about Qingming Peak, not Xuanbao Pavilion!

Li Yuchen shook his head. "After all, Donghai County is not our territory. It took us a lot of effort to get this news. It's not easy."

"The Blood Demon Cult will probably take action soon. Brother Cao, why don't you send a message to the sect and evacuate as soon as possible to Guangping County. No one will dare to attack Brother Cao there!"

"No, I have to go back and check!"

Cao Ze shook his head with a firm attitude.

If he had not broken through to the Dharmakaya realm, he would naturally not go and die. But now, he was confident that he could escape even if he couldn't win, so he naturally had to go back and take a look.

"Thank you for telling me, Your Highness!"

Cao Ze clasped his fists again, raised his hand and threw out a jade talisman for communication.

Although I have decided to go back, I still have to send the communication jade talisman. It will be good to let my master and others prepare early.

But he doubted whether this jade talisman could be delivered to his master.

Although the communication jade talisman is extremely fast, there are ways to intercept it in the world of the powerful ones in the Dharmakaya realm.

"You can't go, it will be dangerous!"

Li Yuchen frowned, thinking that Cao Ze was too impulsive.

"I have to go!"

Without saying much, Cao Ze turned around and said a few words to Su Xiaozhi, then left the courtyard and went straight to the City Lord's Mansion.

Cao Ze believed that An Changlin was trustworthy, otherwise, he would have disappeared without a trace after staying in Donghai County for such a long time.

Hey?
Looking at Cao Ze's departing back, Li Yuchen sighed.

"Your Highness, why are you sighing? You should be happy. His behavior proves that we didn't make a mistake in his decision!"

Liu Tong spoke calmly, but his attitude towards Cao Ze had improved a lot.

"That being said, I do not want such a genius to die young."

"This is not Guangping County."

Liu Tong shook his head, "We should go back."

……

In the depths of the ancestral hall of the Yuwen family, three old men with white hair and beards were sitting in the room, holding a jade talisman in their hands, all with solemn expressions.

"The Blood Demon Cult is preparing to tear its face off and completely change the world!"

Finally, the old man on the left spoke with a complicated expression, as if he didn't know how to choose.

"Donghai County is that person's territory. How can Xuanbao Pavilion think it can remain immune to the situation?"

Yuwen Song was the youngest of the three, and his tone was full of vigor. "This day will come sooner or later. We just need to follow His Highness with peace of mind. In the future, the Donghai County may even be named Yuwen!"

"The fight for the throne is not that simple. It can easily lead to death."

The old man on the left snorted coldly, "People are greedy, and our Yuwen family doesn't have such a big appetite. We can't eat up Donghai County."

"You won't know whether you can eat it or not until you eat it!"

Yu Wensong also sneered, "Donghai County is originally the territory of that prince, and we have offended Xuanbao Pavilion. Do we have any choice?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent.

"Go and ask the Wang family to come over."

Finally, the old man sitting in the main seat spoke.

The old man in the first seat on the left closed his eyes and said nothing after hearing this.

The Yuwen family was not very powerful in Donghai County, and they were able to stand firm for so many years because they were united. When they discussed, they might argue and fight, but once a decision was made, no matter how much they disagreed, they would abide by it.

"Send someone else to tell that kid about this."

"understand!"

Yuwensong looked excited and understood what he meant.

They could not help in the siege of Qingming Peak, nor did they dare to.

But they still have the courage to take advantage of the opportunity to surround and kill Cao Ze who came back to support, and seize the Chaos Spirit Source Pearl!

They didn't know whether the Chaos Spirit Source Pearl was on Cao Ze, but it would be good to get it. Even if they couldn't get it, it would be a gain if they could kill that guy.

Although Cao Ze was poisoned by the Phantom Soul Powder, his performance these days still made them feel uneasy. The only thing that could make them feel at ease was Cao Ze's body. Only the dead were the safest.

However, the county town is far away from Xuanbao Pavilion. If the Yuwen family alone wants to intercept them, there will inevitably be omissions. If they bring in the Wang family, they will be absolutely safe.

"What if he gets the news and doesn't return to Qingming Peak?"

The old man on the left has opened his eyes again, completely accepted this decision, and started to make suggestions for it.

Yu Wensong chuckled, confident in his decision, "Third Uncle hasn't paid attention to what's happening outside for a long time, right?"

"I can now recite the boy's experience. I am sure that if he gets the news, he will rush back to Qingming Peak!"

"Let us make him famous for his loyalty and courage!"

……

Walking on the street, Cao Ze felt heavy in his heart.

He originally thought that he could do whatever he wanted after breaking through to the Dharmakaya realm, but he didn't expect that his master's sect would be in great crisis in the blink of an eye.

Since the Blood Demon Cult dared to besiege Xuanbao Pavilion, they must have made complete preparations.

In a war of this level, the role of a Dharmakaya realm warrior is not so obvious.

"Where are you going, Cao Xiaoyou?"

Looking up, Cao Ze discovered that a skinny old man with kind eyes was looking at him with a smile. It turned out to be Luo Zhenduo, the ancestor of the Luo family.

"Senior Luo?"

Cao Ze saluted, but there was some confusion in his eyes.

He remembered that the ancestor of the Luo family had not left the Luo family ancestral hall for a long time. This way, no one could spy on his physical condition and those with ulterior motives would be cautious.

So, what was the reason that made him come here to see me?
"Congratulations, little friend!"

Luo Zhenduo's eyes were gentle, not sharp enough to see through everything, but he could still see clearly the slightest details. The fact that Cao Ze had broken through to the Dharmakaya realm could not be hidden from his eyes.

"I came to see you today because I want to give you something."

Naturally, he saw the doubt in Cao Ze's eyes, and without further ado, he raised his right hand and stretched it towards Cao Ze. In his palm was a transparent bead the size of a walnut with a light layer of water-blue liquid in it. It was the Luo family's treasure, the Heart of the Ocean.

Cao Ze's eyes narrowed and he didn't take it.

This kind of treasure would be of infinite benefit to him even if he had already forged a Dharma body. It would also give birth to the Luo and Wang families, two great families that would dominate Donghai County. He didn't understand why the ancestor of the Luo family wanted to give it to him.

"My friend, there is no need to be suspicious. The Luo family today cannot keep this treasure. If it stays in the Luo family, it will only bring disaster. It is better to use it to find a reliable backer for the Luo family."

Luo Zhenduo looked at Cao Ze gently. Obviously, he thought Cao Ze was the reliable backer.

"My friend, you don't have to feel burdened. If the Luo family encounters difficulties, you can help them. If you can't help, you should focus on protecting yourself."

"If this thing is no longer useful to you in the future, you can return it to the Luo family. It's all up to you to decide."

After saying that, Luo Zhenduo looked at Cao Ze quietly and let Cao Ze make his own decision.

"Thank you, senior!"

Without much hesitation, Cao Ze clasped his fist and took the Heart of the Ocean. He was about to return to Qingming Peak, and he needed to improve his strength as much as possible.

The moment he got the Heart of the Ocean in his hand, he could feel the bead trembling slightly, as if it was excited to find its new owner.

The rich water elemental power enveloped Cao Ze, and the points on the panel soared rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Cao Ze felt that he had established a connection with another original force between heaven and earth. As long as he moved his mind, he could easily mobilize them.

So, Cao Ze had an idea.

Wow…

Behind him, a figure of Ming Wang, about ten feet tall, appeared. At the same time, the sound of waves was heard. The azure waves surrounded the feet of Ming Wang's Dharma body. Cao Ze actually mastered an extra kind of original power out of thin air.

He understood that the Heart of the Ocean was like an external Dharmakaya clone. In the hands of warriors below the Dharmakaya realm, it could help warriors absorb the original power. But in the hands of a powerful warrior in the Dharmakaya realm, it was not only a cultivation accelerator, but also a combat magic weapon!

When I feel sleepy, someone sends me a pillow. This Heart of the Ocean comes at the right time!
"Don't worry, Senior Luo. As long as Cao is still alive, I will never let the Luo family suffer any disaster!"

Cao Ze clasped his fists and made a solemn promise. Having already broken through to the Dharmakaya realm, he was qualified to say this.

Luo Zhenduo smiled and nodded, "My friend, we'll see you again if we're lucky!"

He believes what Cao Ze says!

Not only the Yuwen family studied Cao Ze's life, but Luo Zhenduo also conducted an investigation.

Having lost the Heart of the Ocean, he was like a broken sieve. The original power continued to dissipate from his body, bringing with it a wind that blew the fire of life to the point of being on the verge of collapse. He didn't have much time left.

Saying goodbye, I'm afraid we will never see each other again.

……

Daqian is the world of the human race, but its territory is vast and most places are still primitive jungles.

From Donghai County to Xuanbao Pavilion, it is still the world of nature.

In the dense jungle, Cao Ze's figure appears and disappears in the interweaving of light and shadow, and he shuttles between the mountains like a ghost, leaving behind a series of firm and deep footprints.

With the help of Uncle An and the Zhoutian Star Array, he quietly left the city without attracting anyone's attention. However, Uncle An had to guard the county city, which was of great importance and could not be lost.

And after leaving the county city's Zhoutian Star Array, An Changlin could not display his strongest strength, so he could only let Cao Ze return to the mountain first.

With Cao Ze's level of cultivation, he would have been able to fly a long time ago, but now he is also the target of everyone's attack. Flying in the air is too big a target, so using the jungle would save him a lot of trouble and his speed would not be much slower.

Suddenly, Cao Ze stopped and looked forward.

Two figures walked out of the jungle ahead.

One male and one female.

The man had a resolute face and his eyes were burning with rage, as if he wanted to devour the entire world. His long hair and torn clothes were flying wildly in the wind.

The woman was wearing a long palace dress, her face was haggard and miserable, like a ghost crawling out of hell.

"Cao Ze, we have been waiting here for a long time!"

Yuwen Lie spoke grimly.

All the grudges will finally be resolved today! (End of this chapter)