Chapter 2037: 85: Recruitment

Chapter 2037: Chapter 85: Recruitment

“Are you… Taiyi Mountain Master?!”

Though the green-robed cultivator had a grotesque appearance and a stocky figure, both Lu Shifu and Li Zhongping, along with the arriving group of cultivators, recognized his identity!

He was none other than the Taiyi Mountain Master from the Primitive Demon Mountain, recently rising to fame in the market for selling a large amount of spirit food!

Standing with his hands behind his back, no one could discern when he had arrived behind Lu Shifu!

Even Lu Shifu himself!

What this implied was obvious.

Evidently, merely this ghostly escape skill was far superior to everyone present!

More importantly, both noticed that he hovered three inches off the ground, seemingly unaffected by the invisible rules of this place.

Realizing this, Lu Shifu and Li Zhongping’s pupils contracted slightly, unable to conceal the shock in their hearts.

Li Zhongping immediately recalled the report from Zu Wenqiu, feeling a pang of irritation:

“Wenqiu is truly unreliable in handling matters!”

“Able to contend equally with Lu Shifu… can this be called Void Refining?!”

“Fortunately, having fought with Lu Shifu beforehand, it revealed a bit of his foundation… but this Outer World Cultivator lacks many resources, and his Primordial Spirit doesn’t advance as fast as in the Dao Domain. Taiyi Mountain Master’s formidable cultivation base is beyond my perception. Where did he come from?”

“He doesn’t seem to be from the Nine Heavenly Palace or the market… if he had appeared before, I should have recognized him.”

Frowning, his mind raced through past memories of deteriorating major forces in the Sea of Chaos Realm, yet found no connection whatsoever.

Lu Shifu’s ethereal and aloof demeanor showed a hint of gravitas, as he involuntarily retreated two steps and sized up the opponent, his voice low as he repeated:

“Are you Taiyi Mountain Master?”

The previous question was more out of shock than inquiry, but now it carried a tone of confirmation and affirmation.

The green-robed cultivator’s expression was indifferent, his face grotesque, yet his calm demeanor and effortless grace had a captivating aura, making one instinctively ignore his appearance.

Standing with his hands behind his back, he calmly retorted:

“Taoist Friend, you call my Spirit Beast a beast, yet didn’t expect that you would recognize its master, did you?”

Lu Shifu’s face stiffened, detecting the sarcasm in the other’s words, showing faint anger.

But he quickly recalled how the opponent had effortlessly broken his Dao Domain with a single finger, and how he seemed unaffected by this place’s rules. His displeasure immediately turned into deep apprehension, glancing rapidly at the surrounding cultivators and Li Zhongping. Just moments ago, he had berated Wu Monkey King casually, yet now managed a faint smile, raising his hand in a peaceful gesture:

“Taiyi Taoist Friend, perhaps there has been a misunderstanding… my gratitude for holding back earlier.”

His attitude warm and changed from the previous arrogant domineering nature, shocking the Outer World Cultivators around him, who never expected Lu Shifu to have such a side.

As for Lu Shifu, this wasn’t mere courtesy; when the opponent appeared behind him, he didn’t sense it immediately. If the opponent had meant harm, even if he survived, he’d suffer great loss.

Moreover, it was indeed him who struck first, so him taking the initiative to show weakness and friendliness was reasonable.

Certainly, not everyone could enjoy such treatment.

In fact, within the vast Sea of Chaos Realm, those who could receive such treatment were countable on two hands.

The surrounding people were not fools; seeing Lu Shifu’s attitude, even though many lacked the cultivation realm to understand the brief and profound exchange between the two, they knew this mysterious Taiyi Mountain Master was clearly a late-stage Integration Great Cultivator, comparable to Lu Shifu.

“In the Sea of Chaos Realm, there’s actually such an Outer World Cultivator on par with Lu Shifu! I’ve never heard of it before. Where did he emerge from?”

“Lu Shifu is said to be among just two or three individuals in the Double Body Realm, only slightly inferior to Daoist Master Ying Yuan…”

Such confusion arose in the hearts of all.

Yet the Sea of Chaos Realm is vast, who knows what unparalleled figures might emerge from some obscure corner, so they did not dwell on it.

Facing Lu Shifu’s friendly overture, Wang Ba’s expression slightly eased, glancing around, and did not pursue further, calmly saying:

“Cannot claim such, Taoist Friend, your Dao Domain circulates so nimbly, reality and illusion are aligned, motion and stillness at will, in general circumstances, I wouldn’t be able to harm you.”

Seeing Wang Ba accurately identify the essence of his Dao Domain’s manipulation, Lu Shifu’s heart tightened slightly, but his face showed even more genuine smile:

“Taiyi Taoist Friend is modest, but that finger point just now, I really didn’t understand it, if you are at leisure, when this…”

Before finishing his sentence, a voice interrupted:

“Taiyi Taoist Friend, pleased to meet you, I am Li Zhongping from Jade Pot Realm.”

Lu Shifu’s expression immediately darkened, turning to glance at the white-haired elder who had suddenly spoken, his eyes narrowing, a hidden glint of coldness emanating.

The white-haired elder merely smiled slightly, then turned towards Wang Ba, raising a hand courteously:

“Previously, I heard of the multitude of spirit food sold by Primitive Demon Mountain, unbeknownst that the Mountain Master had such cultivation mastery, truly admirable. Our Jade Pot Realm always treats talented individuals with respect, my senior brother Master Chang Ying also enjoys conversing with virtuous talents from various realms… this time, we hope to explore the Mirage’s secrets together with Taoist Friend, and upon returning, to brew wine and taste tea together.”