Chapter 18: Master, please accept my bow!" (Third Update)

City Lord Fang Daoqi made his move, and after the giant crocodile let out a furious roar, it quietly vanished.

It had left Cuiling City.

Several houses collapsed, and over a dozen people were dead or missing... the government naturally sent people to provide relief.

The dead were buried, and the wounded were treated.

Everything soon fell silent, as if nothing had ever happened.

Even when Luo Zhou returned to the Dao Academy, none of his classmates discussed it.

The matter was forbidden from spreading; aside from the eyewitnesses, no one had heard the news.

The reason Luo Zhou had come to the Dao Academy was that many of his classmates were there. The bustling noise gave him an indescribable sense of inner peace.

Being with his classmates stopped Luo Zhou's body from trembling with fear.

Humans, after all, like to huddle together for warmth.

The terror of the old crocodile dragon had left Luo Zhou feeling somewhat chilled and frightened.

But what chilled and frightened him even more was the attitude of Cuiling City.

The Dreg Crocodile ate people; if it ate them, it ate them.

City Lord Fang Daoqi had acted, but he had only driven it away; he had not made a killing blow to slay the old crocodile dragon.

Unable to fathom why it was this way, Luo Zhou suddenly stood up, gritted his teeth, and strode toward the Academy Dean's office.

Arriving there, he stood at the door for a long time, unsure whether he should enter.

Suddenly, a voice drifted to his ears: "Is it the Great Hero Luo? Come in!"

The words carried a hint of playfulness.

Luo Zhou pushed the door open and found an old man inside.

The old man was thin, dressed in a green robe, looking vigorous with the complexion of a youth despite his white hair.

Upon closer inspection, he was neat and clean, without a speck of dust, and possessed a dense spiritual aura flowing around his body, as if everything near him was being torn apart by the spiritual energy.

It was precisely the Dean of the Dao Academy, Zhao Bochen, one of the top three figures in the city, to whom even the City Lord had to bow in respect.

Luo Zhou had once used his reputation to pose as his student, though they had no actual master-disciple relationship.

Entering the Dean's office, Luo Zhou bowed and said, "Luo Zhou from Immortal Bud Class Three greets the Dean. Greetings, Dean!"

He performed a respectful bow.

Zhao Bochen looked at Luo Zhou with a smile; he had noticed this youth long ago.

"Great Hero Luo! Is something the matter?"

Luo Zhou gave a bitter smile and said, "Dean, please don't laugh at me. The so-called 'Great Hero' was just a joke made by the students."

"It's fine. I am very pleased with your actions. The Academy is proud to have a student like you.

Luo Zhou, work hard for the future. At the Ascension Ceremony, enter the Heaven and Earth Dao Sect.

When that time comes, truly become a Great Hero—protect the weak and bring blessings to all living beings!"

Luo Zhou spoke slowly

"Dean, actually, the so-called Great Hero is truly just a joke.

When I was a child, I was sickly and a complete fool. It was only because my parents never abandoned me, loving and caring for me, that I survived.

However, when I was ten, a sea beast invasion broke out in Ningze County. They died in battle for Cuiling City and the Heaven and Earth Dao Sect."

As he spoke, word by word, Dean Zhao's expression gradually grew solemn as he listened intently.

"Back then, only the three of us brothers were left. We used to love listening to the storytelling in the teahouses about the *Legend of the Three Heroes and Five Gallants*.

My eldest brother said that if a Great Hero had passed by back then and killed the sea beasts, our parents wouldn't have died, and we wouldn't have suffered from hunger and bullying!

Later, my eldest brother became an apprentice, and I haven't seen him for three years.

My younger brother has great talent and was adopted by our uncle. I have no talent, so our uncle didn't want me.

I held my brother tight, unwilling to let him go!

My brother said he would study hard and return as a Great Hero, and whoever bullied me, he would beat them to death...

So, after my awakening, since I had a bit of fragmented spiritual energy, I fantasized about being a Great Hero.

But I know it's just a game played among classmates in the academy.

With the Academy protecting me and the Dean backing me, I can play this game.

In reality, being a Great Hero truly means dying—dying without a place to be buried!

Even in the stories, the protagonists of the *Legend of the Three Heroes and Five Gallants* died for their heroism. No matter how much the storytellers embellish it, they never had a good end..."

The old Dean, Zhao Bochen, let out a long sigh and said

"A clear-headed child, but also a child who has suffered.

Speak, what is it you seek from me?"

Luo Zhou said slowly, "I know I cannot be a Great Hero, and it is impossible for me to uphold justice for others.

But there are countless heroes in this city; why is there not a single one to uphold justice for the hundreds of thousands in Cuiling City!"

Before the old Dean could speak.

Luo Zhou continued, "This morning, in the heavy rain, I passed by Green Emerald Bay.

I saw the old crocodile dragon, Yue Canglong, and I saw City Lord Fang Daoqi!"

Then Luo Zhou said in fury, "Actually, everyone knows who the Rain Night Demon is!

It is nothing more than a beast; I don't believe the heroes of this entire city cannot kill it!

Why, why is no one upholding justice!

It has eaten tens of thousands of people! Tens of thousands! That could circle the city!

Why, why is no one stopping it!

I don't understand. I know you, Dean, are the most just person, so I have come to ask you: why?"

At this question, Dean Zhao Bochen remained silent for a long time, letting out another long sigh.

In that moment, he seemed to become incredibly old.

"Since you want to know, I will tell you.

Do you know what our Cuiling City was called one hundred and eighty-seven years ago?"

Luo Zhou was stunned and said, "I don't know!"

"Back then, it was called Qingniwa, just a small town."

Zhao Bochen looked into the distance as if reminiscing and continued

"In those days, this place was unremarkable and ordinary.

But, in those days, a great hero was born here.

You have seen that stone statue in front of the City Lord's Mansion, haven't you?"

In the center of the city, in front of the City Lord's Mansion, stood a statue of a heroic and spirited female hero. On every festival, the City Lord would lead people to kneel and worship before it.

Every city celebration was held in the plaza before that statue.

Luo Zhou nodded, but he did not know who she was.

"That statue is the great hero of our Cuiling City.

Her name was Yue Cangqing. She was the first female cultivator from our area to climb the Heaven's Ladder during the Ascension Ceremony and enter the Heaven and Earth Dao Sect.

Furthermore, in the Heaven and Earth Dao Sect, she met many great teachers, had countless fortuitous encounters, fought alongside comrades, and grew strong and independent.

One hundred and eighty-seven years ago, she ascended to become a Golden Core True Person, with the Dao title 'Cuiling True Person'!

When she ascended to Golden Core, the Liang Kingdom, to flatter her, renamed this place Cuiling Town.

She did not forget her roots. Back then, she returned home almost every year, providing various rewards and strong support to our Cuiling.

She built the Law City Array, destroyed great sea demons, expelled evil gods, established great sea pillars, used talismans to block storms, opened fertile lands, and organized the Fire Crow Army...

With her support, Cuiling Town grew from a town into a city, flourishing into what it is today.

In truth, all the cultivators and citizens in this city have benefited from her; we are all considered descendants under her protection.

Without her, there would be no us!

It is only in the last sixty years, during Cuiling True Person's secluded cultivation, that our relationship has faded."

At this point, Luo Zhou understood.

"Is Yue Canglong her pet?"

"Before she attained the Dao, it was Yue Canglong who protected her so she could survive.

However, Yue Canglong's beastly nature never changed; he loves to eat humans.

She could not bring him into the Heaven and Earth Dao Sect. She was still weak then; if she had brought him, Yue Canglong would have certainly died, so she left him in her hometown.

For all these years, everyone has known that Yue Canglong has been secretly eating people, but who dares to touch him?

Because behind him stands Cuiling True Person!

Whoever kills Yue Canglong will surely die!"

Luo Zhou did not know what to say.

"Setting aside past sentiments, let's talk about future livelihoods.

You should know that Qinglan City, one hundred and twenty miles off the coast, has always been competing with us for the most prosperous area in Ningze County!

No, actually, we snatched their past honors.

Because we have Cuiling True Person!

Why are they competing with us again now? Because they have also produced a Qingning True Person.

Is our struggle between the two cities just about honor?

It is about competing for docks, shipping, fisheries, and trade...

It is a struggle for the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people in our city!

If not for the support of Cuiling True Person, imagine—perhaps our Cuiling City would have regressed back into Qingniwa...

Therefore, no one dares to act, and no one is able to act!"

Luo Zhou remained silent for a long time. Such a massive secret; so that was it.

"Additionally, the core issue is that Yue Canglong receives the blessing of Cuiling True Person.

He has obtained the Heaven and Earth Divine Seal and has become perfectly unified with this sea, river, and lake.

Without the ability to shatter the connection between the heavens, earth, rivers, and lakes, no one can kill him.

It is not that they dare not, it is that they lack the strength!

I actually attempted to strike him in secret!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Zhou's eyes lit up as he looked at the Dean.

"But I failed. I could not break the connection between the heavens, earth, mountains, and rivers!"

"Therefore, for the rest of my life, I am punished to only be the Dean of the Academy, unable to step one foot out of Cuiling City!"

The last sentence was the punishment imposed by Cuiling True Person.

Luo Zhou stood up and performed a deep, respectful bow to Dean Zhao!

"Student Luo Zhou thanks the Dean for not fearing power and for protecting all living beings!"

Dean Zhao chuckled and said, "I'm not dead yet, why the bowing?

By the way, Luo Zhou, what kind of spirituality have you actually awakened?

I see your strength is constantly increasing?"

Luo Zhou answered selectively

"Dean, I have actually awakened the Divine Ability: Nine Bulls and Two Tigers.

It is just that I have only awakened the strength of the nine bulls so far; it will take some time and some opportunities to awaken the strength of the two tigers."

Dean Zhao nodded and said, "I see, so it is the Divine Ability: Nine Bulls and Two Tigers!

It would be a waste not to use such strength.

Luo Zhou, I wish to pass on to you the immortal auxiliary profession of 'Vanguard Warrior.' Are you willing?"

During the last great battle, the bandits of the Three Rivers Gang had already assumed Luo Zhou was a Vanguard Warrior.

Hearing this, Luo Zhou did not hesitate for a second; he dropped to his knees and bowed!

"Master, please accept this disciple's bow!"

If there is a chance to latch onto something, grab it; if there is a willow tree, climb it—this Master must be bowed to!