The snack street from his memory had also been completely relocated elsewhere to avoid being discovered by certain interested parties...
This last statement made Ji Jingqiuâs eyebrows twitch.
The two walked past several temple halls together, and Ji Jingqiu was impressed by the changes here.
"Mainly, the place where you used to live has been given special protection, and those who have had dealings with you have been scattered and protected to prevent unwanted incidents."
"In addition, the lower areas have been completely renovated."
"The place you just came out of is the core here, with the Divine Temple of the Four Directions God suppressing on the left, while on the right are the stations of several departments of the Federation, given its critical location leading to the Nine States that needs extra vigilance."
"Hmm, the news of your return has likely already spread..."
Bai Lu Daoist shook his head slightly, his eyes profound.
The two arrived at a cafeteria where Ji Jingqiu saw Cheng, who was originally assigned to guard the Divine Temple.
"Brother Ji!" Chengâs eyes lit up, and he quickly approached Ji Jingqiu, looking a bit taller than a year ago.
Ji Jingqiu smiled and ruffled the young boyâs hair, telling him to go about his business.
Cheng, being sensible, knew that Ji Jingqiu wanted to talk to Mr. Bai Lu, and despite having a lot to say, he obediently left.
Ji Jingqiu and Bai Lu Daoist sat down and ordered some food from the kitchen.
Once seated, Ji Jingqiu took the initiative to ask, "Master, how have things been recently? Earlier, when I was traveling through heaven and earth in Divine Travel, I noticed many strong individuals had emerged on the East Three Bright Star."
"Recently?"
Bai Lu Daoist talked about the current situation in the Federation, and even his usually calm demeanor could not hide a trace of worry, he sighed lightly,
"Storms are brewing, demons and monsters are stirring."
Ji Jingqiu earnestly inquired about any major changes during his year of absence, and also asked where the Qingyang Ancestor had gone now.
"Not long ago, led by a Grandmaster of the Mu Family, a summon was issued to the Grandmasters and Martial Artists within the Federation, including the peak Heavenly Humans like Qingyang Ancestor."
"Half a month ago, Qingyang Ancestor had already left, responding to the call."
Ji Jingqiu asked, puzzled, "What for?"
Bai Lu Daoist shook his head, "Nobody knows exactly, just that a great opportunity has arisen, but it requires leaving the Federation."
"Leaving the Federation?" Ji Jingqiuâs eyes narrowed, "All the Grandmasters? Then afterwards, wonât the Federation only be left with Heavenly Human Martial Artists?!"
"Exactly!"
Bai Lu Daoist said solemnly,
"The Federation has been able to maintain overall stability over the years because there are supremely powerful individuals who could disregard everything else seated at the top."
"But now, with the news spreading of several Grandmasters about to lead all Grandmasters out, various factions canât help but start probing."
"By the way, have you ever interacted with the Supreme True Buddha Sect before? A few days ago, there was news that the Supreme True Buddha Sect internally declared you as the âBuddhaâs Sonâ of this generation and want you to return."
Ji Jingqiu: "..."
He instinctively felt this was probably not good news.
The last man who called him Buddhaâs Son was Li Buyi.
As expected, just as he thoughtâ
Bai Lu Daoist spoke seriously:
"Donât think this is a good thing. The Supreme True Buddha Sectâs position on the Federationâs wanted list is only slightly less than that of the Four Demonsâ church, and their reputation is extremely bad!"
"Some official forces within the Federation have wanted to summon you for questioning; weâve managed to suppress those."
"Itâs said that the order to invite you back as the Buddhaâs Son came from Zuo Qianqiu, the Dharma King of the Supreme True Buddha Sect."
"This person was also a legendary figure renowned in his time."
"He was originally a martial arts prodigy wooed by the Mu Family, destined for a brilliant future, yet he suddenly defected one day and joined the Supreme True Buddha Sect, quickly rising to the position of Dharma King, also recruiting a number of wanted criminals into the Supreme True Buddha Sect."
"The Supreme True Buddha Sect has a bad reputation over the past few centuries, and this person is at least seventy percent responsible!"
Ji Jingqiu couldnât help but recall the warning from the Bone Arhat earlier, who advised him not to go to the Supreme Buddha Country for a short term, to avoid being discovered by certain people.
It seems that what the Bone Arhat referred to was the New Law Sect led by Zuo Qianqiu.
He asked, "What is this personâs strength?"
Bai Lu slowly said:
"The path of the Heavenly Person is divided into three levels, from the bottom upwards. This person stepped into the third level two hundred years ago, and a hundred years ago, it was said that he was just one step away from becoming a Grandmaster. Today, his strength is uncertain to anyone. With the help of the Supreme True Buddha, even a Grandmaster canât kill him."
Ji Jingqiu contemplated and said, "He is also at the peak of Heavenly Person, why isnât he in the recruitment list?"
"It is said that this person is also on the list, but he refused and has been hiding within the Buddhaâs realm of the Supreme True Buddha, and unless true power is exerted, even several Great Grandmasters cannot do anything to him for the time being."
Ji Jingqiu frowned; the Buddha Country of the Supreme True Buddha Sect is indeed extremely tricky, and being targeted by such a troublesome person also gave him a headache, especially in the absence of the Qingyang Ancestor.
The Federation only has Heavenly Human Martial Artists left...
This is clearly a good thing for him.
It wonât be too long, he might not be able to walk unhindered, but at least he wonât have to take detours anymore.
But before this, he still needed some time.
At least, to reach the late-stage of Chains.
Suddenly.
That sense of hunger from the depths of his soul surged again.
Ji Jingqiu sighed, this is the side effect of the Holy Embryo. He rummaged through the Floating Temple, the gains from the Ancient Road were naturally not just three Heavenly Medicines, other items were all stored in the Floating Temple, awaited for use in the Chains Realm.
He found a Great Medicine that helps nourish the spirit and began to nibble absentmindedly, temporarily alleviating the hunger of the spirit.
Bai Luâs gaze fixed on the Great Medicine in Ji Jingqiuâs hand.
Portable secret realm...
Taking Great Medicine as a pre-meal snack...
In just one year, what exactly has Ji Jingqiu experienced?!
That night.
Ji Jingqiu and Bai Lu talked for a long time before parting ways.
And the news of Ji Jingqiuâs return also spread quickly, radiating across most of the Federation at an astonishing speed, stirring up undercurrents.
Many forces that had been paying attention to the movements of the East Three Bright Star cursed after receiving the latest intelligence.
"Fetal Breathing...?!"
"Are the intelligence personnel of East Three Bright Star pig-brains?! How can they mess this up? Ji Jingqiu has only been gone for a little over a year, even if he is progressing at Divine Speed, he is only at the peak of Divine Travel at best, how could he break through Spiritual Fetal Breath?"
"To think that among the young ones who went to Nine States, Ji Jingqiu is the first to return; this kid really didnât follow the Federationâs path, but took a different passage... Marshal Heâs Daoist Collection, huh?"
"Send someone to meet with Ji Jingqiu, see his attitude, try to coax information about Marshal Heâs Daoist Collection."
"Ji Jingqiu is back? Quick, find someone to ask how my familyâs Qilin Son has performed impressively on the Nine Provinces Ancient Road!"
"Iâm more curious about what Ji Jingqiu gained in Nine States, not long ago an external power contacted us, hoping we would hand over Ji Jingqiu to them, after our direct refusal, they changed their request, hoping to get hold of... special soil from Ji Jingqiu?"
Overnight.
Countless powers were stirred by the news,
and at this moment, Ji Jingqiu, just after parting from Master Bai Lu, was strolling in the lower layers of Taian City, transformed.
He was enjoying the night breeze, flipping through the contact list.
He found out from Master Bai Lu that, among the many martial artists who went to the Ancient Road for the Federation, he was actually the first one to return, and the others seemed to still be in the Nine States, collaborating with the Federationâs expansion tasks.