?

  Dan Yu's armor on his body can change at will, Bai Shaofeng stared with his eyes wide open and asked after a long time: "A You Shixiong, what is this magic?"

  Dan You Cheng smiled slightly proudly, "This can't actually be considered a spell, others won't be able to do it. This armor isn't just for show, it's also my protective treasure, ordinary swords and spears can't penetrate it."

  Xiao Bai was amazed and exclaimed: "Is this what Mr. Mei taught?"

  Dan You Cheng: "It was passed down by my Master's wife, and even Master himself doesn't know it. He isn't a snake demon after all."

  Xiao Bai took a step back: "Snake demon?"

  Dan You Cheng: "Yes, I'm not human, I'm a five-step snake demon. Didn't your master tell you not to be surprised?"

  Bai Shaoliu: "Mr. Mei told me not to be surprised, but I didn't expect... isn't Sanmeng Sect a sect of Kunlun cultivators?" The unnecessary words were left unspoken by Xiao Bai, who was too embarrassed to ask - how could a demon emerge from the ranks of a prestigious Kunlun cultivation sect, whose leader is also the leader of the Kunlun Alliance?

  "Three Dreams Sect was founded by my master, but when the sect was established, among the four seniors, only the Master is human. The Vice Sect Leader Liu is a ghost, General Manager Han is a demon, and Guardian Shi is a transformed auspicious beast. As for us disciples, I am a snake demon, and I have a sister named Guo Guo who is a flower spirit. How's that? Interesting, right?"

  Bai Shaoliu: "Good heavens, it's really true that the heavens are impartial! They actually treat humans and non-humans equally, is every cultivation sect in the world like this?"

  Dan You shook his head: "Of course not, where can you find so many monsters and ghosts? Don't forget that the ancestor of my Sanmeng Sect, Feng Qizu, was not a human being. He was an immortal in the world... When he passed on the main method to Mei Zong, he said that heaven and earth are unkind and all things are selfish, and the cultivation of spiritual objects between heaven and earth relies on opportunities, so he doesn't care about it, and neither does Mei Zong."

  Bai Shaoliu: "Then there must be many demons in your Sanmeng Sect?"

  Dan You Cheng: "That's not the case, in the three realms, apart from humans, other clans' cultivation is not that simple. Now, except for Liu Vice Sect Master and me, Guo Guo Shifu and Wa Wa Xiao Shifu, everyone else is human."

  "What you just said..."

  Dan You Cheng: "Han Zongguan and Shi Hufa have a deep affinity, they have long since cultivated human form, but I only obtained human shape, my original body is still a five-step snake."

  Bai Shaofeng was startled by the words and took a step back, but after saying a few words, he became curious again. He stepped forward and reached out to touch the armor on Dan Youcheng's body: "What is this made of? Snake scales? ... From your accent, you're from Wucheng, aren't you? We call the five-step snake 'Tubulong' in our place."

  Dan Youcheng: "You also know the nickname Tuba Long? Then we are fellow villagers, I grew up by the side of Xushui River in Wucheng. This armor is transformed from my scales, don't you think it's intimidating?... I am venomous, aren't you afraid?"

  "What am I afraid of? You don't have any malicious intent. Can you poison me just by touching your arm?"

  Dan You smiled: "Bai Shidi is indeed different from others, when others hear that I am a snake demon, they all avoid me far away, but you actually come to study my armor... Can we discuss something?"

  "What's wrong?"

  Dan Youcheng: "I've just mastered this transformation armor's defensive technique and I've been wanting to try it out. The most valuable treasure in the world is my wife Han Shuang's Jade-Cutting Knife, but I don't dare use that for a test. I heard you have the Divine Night Owl, can you give me a shot? Let's see if I can withstand it!"

  "No, no, my cultivation is limited, and I'm not proficient in using the Shenyue Bird Carving. Last time, I accidentally cut someone in half with a single move, and even I got injured."

  Dan You Cheng: "I didn't let you summon the Thunder Law to strike me! With true power infused into the Divine Shadow Carving, the artifact emitted a small piece of carving feather, just one will do, come and try it on me."

  "I won't!"

  Dan You Cheng: "Really stupid, bring the Divine Sparrow Carving over, I'll demonstrate it for you."

  Xiaobai removed the Divine Shadow Carving from his right arm and handed it to Ayou. Ayou held her breath for a moment, and under the sunlight, the Divine Shadow Carving gradually lit up. The silver blade seemed to be translucent, and then Ayou swung it with all her might. The Divine Shadow Carving flew out of her hand, spinning in mid-air, and a flash of silver light shot out over ten meters away. A piece of rock on the edge of Yanwo Ridge was silently cut off. The rock was connected to a pine tree growing on the stone, which slid down the cliff. After a while, a loud crashing sound was heard.

  Xiaobai has been carefully observing Ayou's every move, how to invoke the power of the law, how to summon the Shenyue carving, and how to activate the silver awn to control the direction of the attack. He basically grasped it with an accuracy of **not off by ten**. The Shenyue carving exerted its power in a single swing, so mighty that Xiaobai's mouth was agape for half a day without uttering a word. Not just him, but Danyou Cheng seemed to be stunned as well, staring at the mountain rock he had carved with his mouth hanging open, unable to speak.

  "A-Yu Shixiong, you're too formidable! Just now, I also felt a bit of it, but my control is definitely not as good as yours. Who made my skills still shallow? ...Alright, I'll learn from your example and try to do it once, test your armor." Bai Shaoliu was the first to react and speak up.

  Dan You stepped back two steps and shook his head repeatedly: "No need, no need, try again later, there's still serious business today."

  Xiao Bai took over the divine night carving, but didn't dare to laugh. Dan You Cheng knew what was going on in his mind very clearly. The power of the carving's first move was so great that it also scared him. His armor couldn't withstand it, and he didn't dare try again. Mr. Mei had indeed instructed Dan You Cheng to demonstrate the carving technique to Bai Shaofeng, not to teach him but to let Xiao Bai see for himself, whether he could understand or not. And Dan You Cheng was also a young man with a proud heart, having just refined his protective armor and thinking he was extraordinary. But when he tried the divine night carving on a mountain rock, he realized that his defensive technique still needed more practice, at least he didn't dare to harden himself against the carving's power like this.

  He didn't even bother to explain, took the divine seal and put it away, cupped his fists and said: "Thank you, Brother Ayu, for demonstrating such a wonderful technique. I also saw a bit of the way, and in the future, I will practice more myself, hoping to be as majestic as my brother!"

  Dan You's face turned slightly awkward, and he nodded: "It's embarrassing to show off! It's not easy to want to be as smooth as you are, you can think about it slowly yourself."

  As they were speaking, a gust of wind suddenly blew over the Swallow's Nest Rock, like a flowing entity that filled the space, with an eerie force that repelled in all directions. Xiao Bai and A You both turned around and retreated several steps shoulder to shoulder, only to see three people floating down from the Swallow's Nest Ridge and landing on the opposite side. It was Duke Ling Dun who had arrived, but he didn't come alone, bringing with him the newly appointed Bishop Rutz of the Uighur Church District and the priest Heinrich.

  Heint and Rudes both wore black robes, the only difference being that Bishop Rudes' robe had a colorful belt-like decoration on the large lapel, which was the bishop's color. The Marquis of Linton's attire was completely different, from bottom to top, shiny golden long boots with half-inch high heels and silver trim on the back, with the Linton family crest engraved on the trim. The pants were slightly tight-fitting, especially the straight legs, which were rose-red in color, with a row of gold buttons on either side of the pant legs. Looking at the chest, the shirt was spotless white, with a one-inch wide lace decoration along the buttons from top to bottom. The buttons were transparent and inconspicuous, but upon closer inspection, it could be seen that they refracted light and were actually made of whole natural diamonds.

  Marquis Lington wore a deep brown open-collared long dress with a silver sword and flower ring brooch on his left collar. His golden hair was curled slightly at the forehead, combed neatly to the back, and tied in a small braid behind his head. Bai Shaoliu had never seen such attire before; Marquis Lington was already tall and handsome, but dressed like this, he looked even more majestic and elegant.

  Dan Youcheng saw the approaching person slightly stunned, and immediately took a step forward to salute: "I am Dan Youcheng, the envoy sent by the Kunlun Alliance Master. May I ask which one is the Papal Envoy, Lord Lingdun?" In fact, it was obvious at first glance who was Lord Lingdun, as he stood out more than the other two people, but Dan Youcheng still asked politely.

  Marquis Lington stepped forward and bowed: "I am the Knight of the Holy See, Purnis Lington, sent by His Holiness to deliver a decree. May I ask where Mr. Mei Ye Shi is?"

  Tan Youcheng: "The Lord of the Plum Alliance is waiting for you in the clouds and snow, I'm here to guide the way."

  Marquis Lington looked around and then pointed to the two people behind him, saying: "These two are Bishop Rudes and Officer Hainte, who came with me. ... Thank you for introducing us, Mr. Bai Shaoliu." At this time, he still didn't forget to greet Bai Shaoliu.

  "Mr. Marquis brought two more people with him, is he afraid that the road won't be safe?" Bai Shaoyu asked with a smile.

  Marquis Lington: "Mr. Bai is too humorous, as the Pope's envoy, how can he be afraid? The two of them are in the Zhixu Continent and also want to experience the demeanor of the Kunlun Alliance Master. Unexpectedly, the Mei Alliance Master is not waiting here. May I ask, Mr. Envoy, where should we go?"

  "From here, we'll fly all the way to the west, to the ends of the clouds. Does the Duke of Ling have any objections?"

  Marquis Lington was shocked: "The sky thousands of miles away? Just fly there like that?"

  "Mr. Bai is the witness to your delivery of the imperial edict, and Mei Mengzhu specifically instructed me to bring him along. I've heard that the Marquis of Lingdun's magical martial arts skills are extraordinary, so this journey of thousands of miles, meeting at the snowy peaks and clouds, is naturally not a problem."

  Marquis Linton frowned and turned to look at Rutz and Haynt. Bishop Rutz bowed and said, "Your Excellency, we will accompany you here, wishing you a glorious mission!" Meaning they would not go any further. Upon learning that the leader of Mei Meng was thousands of miles away and even in heaven, Bishop Rutz saw the situation and did not accompany Marquis Linton.

  Ling Dun couldn't bear to say that you two shouldn't leave, I'm a bit scared alone, so I had to pretend to be brave: "Alright, I'll go by myself, and you two can wait at Wuyou Jing. ... When are we leaving?"

  Dan You Cheng: "It's now!... Bai Shidi, wait a moment and I'll transform into my true form. You can jump onto my back then. The high-altitude winds are fierce, please cast a spell to protect yourself fully. I'm afraid my powers may not be enough to protect you for ten thousand miles."

  Bai Shaoliu: "Thanks, I'll be careful. How did you change?"

  Dan Yu smiled slightly, leaped from the top of the Swallow's Nest stone and jumped into the sea, startling everyone. But what happened next was even more astonishing! He let out a loud bellow in mid-air, his body expanding against the wind to transform into a giant snake several zhang long. The snake's entire body was covered with yellow-brown triangular patterns, and on its head grew a red crest over a foot high and more than a foot long. What was most peculiar was that under the snake's ribs grew wings, each wing unfolding to be over one zhang long, just like giant bat wings.

  The giant snake spread its wings and flew back against the wind, flapping its wings and speaking in human language: "White Shidi, jump up and stand on my wings. ...Ling Dun Hou, please follow me!"

  "Dragon Rider!" The three people, including Ling Dun Hou, retreated several steps back. Hainet and Rutz simultaneously drew out their staffs and long swords. Bai Shaoliu stood aside, laughing: "What's a Dragon Rider? Haven't you seen a snake demon before?... Ah You Shixiong, sorry about that!" After finishing speaking, he jumped onto the giant snake's back with a punch. Xiao Bai was actually startled as well, but on the surface, he remained calm and collected. He already knew that Ah You was a snake demon, just didn't expect his true form to be so enormous and frightening. He hadn't seen a snake demon before, but instead of being scared, he mocked the three people with a sentence.

  A You saw Xiao Bai had already jumped up, and with a flap of his wings, he shot straight up into the high sky. This posture was not suitable for low-altitude flight above people's heads; ordinary people would be scared to death if they saw him. Ling Dun Hou Jue looked at Ruzi and Haiteng, gritted his teeth, spread his arms like a seagull welcoming the sea breeze, and slowly rose up, accelerating upwards faster and faster into the high sky. When he disappeared from view in the sky, Luzi said quietly, "Good luck to you; this journey will probably be very difficult!"

  Heint asked on the side: "Your Eminence, your magical attainments are also fully capable of flying thousands of miles, why not go together?"

  Bishop Rudes: "The envoy is not me, besides, if I don't stop to rest and fly thousands of miles in a hurry, when I arrive at the place, I will surely be exhausted, isn't that losing face for the Holy See?"

  At the same time, Bai Shaofeng in mid-air asked Dan Youcheng: "Why didn't you send a signal before coming up directly? How did you know whether Duke Ling Dun would follow or not?"

  Dan You Cheng: "He's the Pope's envoy, so he has to come even if he doesn't want to. If he can't make it, it'll be embarrassing for us... He's quite capable, and has already caught up." At this time, Lord Ling Dun had floated up into the air, standing with his back to his hands in a carefree manner, as if there was an invisible force supporting him, making him look no different from someone standing on solid ground. Using air magic to fly through the sky didn't require taking any steps, but Lord Ling Dun still pretended to stroll over and asked: "May I ask where we're headed?"

  The giant snake replied, "Follow me, if you can't keep up, please call out and I'll slow down to wait for you. Whatever you do, don't force yourself!" After finishing speaking, it swung its tail and flew off in a southwesterly direction.

  Xiao Bai had experience flying in the sky before, the last time was when Yu Cangwu rode the wind and took him to a sea island. At that time, he only felt the sound of the wind whistling around him, but couldn't feel any wind hitting his face, it was Yu Cangwu's magic that protected him. This time is different, Dan You Cheng's flying in the sky took advantage of the demon's original body, and his cultivation is far from comparable to Hai Tian Gu's master Cang Lang. The high altitude is extremely cold, the fast flight is like a sharp blade cutting through the face, the giant snake's scales are as hard as fine steel, naturally fearless. When spreading its wings, it brings up a flow of wind that forms a protective circle around Xiao Bai, but still, there are occasional strong gusts and body. Fortunately, Bai Shaoliu has been practicing in the icy waters of Ying Liu River recently and has made some achievements, using his skills to protect his whole body, so he's not too badly off.

  Dan Yu Cheng and Xiao Bai flew at an extremely fast speed, but before they had flown very far, someone beside them asked, "Excuse me, sirs, when will you arrive?" Turning to look again, Ling Dun Hou Yue was flying alongside them, his body motionless as he rapidly moved forward in the air, looking very relaxed.

  Dan You Cheng: "In that case, it's a matter of speed. We can make it before sunset, but we can't keep the leader of the Mei Alliance waiting for too long, can we?"

  Marquis Lington: "Then why don't you hurry up?"

  Dan Youcheng: "I was worried you wouldn't keep up, but since that's the case, I'll speed up." As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Bai felt the snake's back beneath his feet suddenly sway, and he quickly grasped a staff to steady himself. He only felt the wind pressure around him increase several times over, as Dan Youcheng accelerated his flight. Xiao Bai also used all his might to cast a spell to protect his entire body, but was suddenly blown away by the fierce winds, unable to speak.

  Xiao Bai suddenly heard A You's voice ringing in his ear: "Turn your head and see if he has followed up?" This sentence scared him, because it was not emitted from the giant snake's mouth, but rather like when he communicated with the donkey, it came from a divine thought. Is there still someone in the world similar to Bai Mao? He tentatively replied in his mind as if speaking to Bai Mao: "How are you talking to me?"

  Dan You Cheng: "The wonderful words in the Ear of God are extraordinary, with spiritual thoughts exchanged, don't you also know this? ... It's really strange, how can you have such a high state?"

  "It's not that I have a high realm, but rather I was born with the ability to communicate with others through my mind. As for what you call 'wonderful words' and 'divine mental exchange', I don't understand those things."

  Dan You Cheng: "I see, it seems your talent is extraordinary!"

  Bai Shaoliu: "What is this 'Ear Spirit Communication' you're talking about?"

  Danyou Cheng: "The Ear Spirit actually also refers to the Wonderful Sound, its realm has five layers, namely True Listening, Sound Hearing, Wonderful Words, Wisdom, and Guanyin. I took advantage of being a monster, so I also reached the realm of Wonderful Words, you took advantage of being born with special talents, this Wonderful Words is self-taught."

  Bai Shaoliu: "That's very interesting, tell me more about it?"

  "True listening and hearing are actually simple. Since you've already reached the realm of extraordinary language, I'll just say it and you'll understand. True listening means being able to hear extremely far and subtle sounds, and with spiritual awareness, you can lock onto them. As long as your spiritual awareness reaches, you can hear them. How far and subtle you can hear depends on your cultivation. The accomplishment of hearing through sound emphasizes the return of spiritual awareness to its origin, allowing you to remember what you've heard without forgetting."

  Bai Shaoliu: "I've never heard of the term 'Voice Heard Achievement', but I won't forget what you said. I learned the technique of Soul Returning Immortal Dream, and as long as I've experienced something, I won't forget it. The technique of True Listening you mentioned, I'll try it out properly later."

  Dan Youcheng said, "My master once said that the spiritual powers triggered during cultivation are all unintentional. The various descriptions of realms are just rough outlines in words; as long as you can use them, that's enough. What's truly important for a great master to teach his disciples is to point out the key points according to their aptitude. Of course, if one wants to become a great master themselves, they still need to understand the crucial points of all the Dharmas... Oh dear, I've been talking too much! Has Ling Dun Houye kept up with us? We mustn't leave him behind!"

  Bai Shaofeng turned his head and took a look: "He is thirty miles away, now flying closer and closer, just now you suddenly accelerated and threw him far away, but he gradually caught up again, it seems not very strenuous."

  "Wow, you really have good eyesight, can see so clearly?"

  "My eyesight is indeed much better than ordinary people."

  Dan You Cheng: "It's really not easy, you've stabilized, I'll speed up a bit more, and I won't believe it if I can't give him some color to see!" With that, he flapped his wings with all his might, and his speed increased by a lot. Little White was now almost unable to open his eyes at all.

  Half a time later, Dan You Cheng asked again in his ear, "Is he following up?"

  "Right behind you, about ten miles away, neither slow nor fast."

  Dan Yu Cheng: "Wow, this is so fierce! Let's add more strength."

  "Never mind, what's the point of competing with him? You're here to pick him up to see Mr. Mei, not to compete with him. If you accidentally drop him in the sky, it would be bad." Actually, Xiao Bai could feel that Dan You Cheng had already given his all, and he didn't even have time to look back while flying forward at full strength. If he forced himself to speed up again, he would exhaust himself and wouldn't be able to last much longer. He quickly spoke up to advise him to step down.

  Tan You said in a conciliatory tone: "You're right, let's just forget it. Let's slow down a bit and wait for him." As he spoke, he also slightly slowed down his pace.

  As they slowed down, the Earl of Lyndton gradually caught up from behind. When he flew to their side, he didn't say a word. Suddenly, Xiaobai heard a low humming sound, and then saw three-colored light rings rising around the Earl of Lyndton - red, blue, and yellow. Immediately after that, the Earl of Lyndton suddenly accelerated in mid-air, shooting forward like a meteor, leaving Ayou and Xiaobai far behind.

  Dan Youcheng shouted loudly: "Ah! So he has a treasure on his body! ...White Shidi, help me out and use the Divine Shadow Bird to release its divine feathers to clear the way ahead. With this wind-cutting technique, I can speed up my journey and catch up with him!"

  Bai Shaofeng didn't take out the divine bird, but instead smiled and persuaded: "What's it to you? He doesn't even know the way. Even if he flies fast, what's the use? You just fly your own, he'll still have to wait for you up ahead."

  Dan You thought for a moment and also smiled: "What you said is indeed true." The two continued flying in the air, and after a while, they saw Lord Ling Dun slowing down his speed and waiting there.