Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were deeply moved by Lan Ting's efforts to exonerate them, a kindness comparable to that of being given a second chance at life by new parents.

In contrast, the Immortal Fairy seemed to enjoy the chaos, unconcerned with the gravity of the situation. Luckily, Lu Yang, with his quick reflexes, clamped his hand over her mouth just in time, or his fate that day would have been uncertain.

"Let's go, let's head back together," Yun Zhi said, flying down to the foot of the mountain. Seeing this, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou bid farewell to Lan Ting and hurriedly followed.

"We'll take our leave first!"

"Until we meet again."

"Come visit The Moon Laurel Immortal Palace when you have time."

After their farewells, the grand event concluded, and everyone went their separate ways to attend to their own affairs.

When Lu Yang and his companion reached the foot of the mountain, Yun Zhi lifted the carriage curtain, "Get in."

Meng Jingzhou looked at the old horse with a strange expression. Usually, the old horse's coat was dull, its eyelids droopy, looking like it was living out its last days. But now, the horse was shiny-coated and spirited, a rare steed unlike its former self.

Yun Zhi held a soul chain in her hand, with the other end extending out of the carriage. The Catastrophe Honored One floated outside the carriage like a balloon, looking quite comical.

Seeing the old horse submit to Yun Zhi's will and willingly pull the carriage, the Catastrophe Honored One was convinced of his suspicion.

This Dragon Horse was the mount of a demi-immortal!

"Do not be arrogant, the national teacher will surely restore the Great Yu!" The Catastrophe Honored One, with a fierce look, laughed wildly.

Yun Zhi frowned, annoyed by his laughter, and casually cast a seal, blocking his senses and speech, rendering him unable to make a sound or perceive the outside world.

"The national teacher? Is the national teacher of Great Yu behind all this?" Once on the carriage, Lu Yang searched his mind for information about the national teacher of Great Yu.

"What's a national teacher?" asked the Immortal Fairy, who hadn't fully grasped even modern knowledge, let alone the now-extinct concept of a national teacher.

"The national teacher was a unique institution of the Great Yu Dynasty. Think of the Great Yu Dynasty as a sect; the national teacher is like the sect's protector, ensuring its long-term existence."

"The institution dates back to the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty 200,000 years ago. It's said that the first national teacher was the teacher of the founding emperor, who established the dynasty with the teacher's help."

"To overthrow the previous dynasty and unify the central continent, the founding emperor was indeed a formidable figure. Unfortunately, none of his descendants were up to par, lacking both cultivation talent and the breadth of vision to govern the nation."

"That's when the founding emperor thought of his own teacher and created the position of national teacher, inviting his teacher to take the role. That's how the first national teacher came to be."

"According to historical records, the national teacher institution indeed made great contributions after the founding emperor's death. The early Great Yu Dynasty was strong, largely due to the national teacher's guidance in cultivating emperors and governing the nation."

"However, this led to another consequence: the national teacher became the de facto ruler of the Great Yu Dynasty. At the peak of their power, national teachers could even replace the emperor with a single word. Although such changes did improve the dynasty, how many emperors would tolerate having an overlord above them?"

"Moreover, while the first national teacher devoted himself wholeheartedly to the dynasty, were his successors really acting for the sake of Great Yu, or for their own selfish desires?"

"In the middle and later periods of the dynasty, Great Yu appeared prosperous but was rife with hidden dangers. The struggle between the national teacher and the emperor intensified, with assassinations, schemes, seductions, and battles for succession. No one knew what the other side was hiding."

"Eleven thousand years ago, at the 'Flat Top Mountain Meeting,' the conflict erupted. The national teacher's faction and the emperor's faction openly clashed, leading to a great battle on Flat Top Mountain. At least eight Tribulation Crossing experts participated, with countless others acting in secret."

"Both the national teacher and the emperor were severely injured, and with the loss of top-tier power, Great Yu's governance plummeted. The previously suppressed conflicts erupted, signaling the dynasty's decline."

"Do you remember the ancient Tribulation Crossing expert, the Blood Demon Honored One, who was captured by our eldest senior sister? He was also a national teacher."

"The Blood Demon? Oh, I remember now. Isn't he the one mentioned in the ghost stories of Cloth Town? Little Yun learned from a few ancient Body Fusion experts that they left a treasure in the Three Stand Heaven that could lead to a resurgence."

"Later, Little Yun encountered a Tribulation Crossing expert sleeping in the heaven, the Blood Demon Honored One you mentioned."

"Yes, I checked later. At the end of the Great Yu Dynasty, the Blood Demon Honored One supported an emperor and became the national teacher. Later, for the sake of a great conflict, he chose to sleep, only to be captured upon awakening by our eldest senior sister."

"The Immortal Fairy recalled, "The Blood Demon Honored One was only at the early stage of Tribulation Crossing, was the Great Yu Dynasty that weak at its end?"

As the foremost among the ancient immortals, the Immortal Fairy considered all Tribulation Crossing experts as trash.

However, the fact that one could become a national teacher at the early stage of Tribulation Crossing indicated just how weak Great Yu was at the time.

The Catastrophe Honored One was on par with the Blood Demon Honored One, both at the early stage of Tribulation Crossing. Judging by the Catastrophe Honored One's reverence for the "national teacher," the teacher's cultivation must have been astonishingly high.

"The end of the Great Yu Dynasty was chaotic; high-level combatants were greatly diminished. There were few Tribulation Crossing experts, and those stronger than the Blood Demon Honored One were not interested in the position, which is why he got lucky."

"For example, the cultivation of the first and second national teachers was very high. Some speculate they were at the peak of Tribulation Crossing, others that they were demi-immortals. As for their actual realm, that remains unknown."

The Immortal Fairy responded with an "Oh," not impressed: "Does Great Xia have a national teacher? I could reluctantly take on the role."

Lu Yang thought to himself that if the Immortal Fairy became the national teacher, Great Xia would likely fall apart before the great era even arrived.

"Immortal, you forgot, I mentioned that the national teacher is a unique institution of the Great Yu Dynasty; Great Xia doesn't have such a position."

"What a pity," lamented the Immortal Fairy, regretting the missed opportunity to shine.

Lu Yang was about to say more when he heard the eldest senior sister's calm voice: "We're here, get off."

Lu Yang was surprised. What do you mean, we're here?

He poked his head out and saw that they had already arrived at his sect's gate.

How long had it been, an hour?

Meng Jingzhou glared at the old horse with displeasure. It had taken several days to pull Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to Qingzhou, but less than an hour to return with the eldest senior sister?

The old horse was hiding its abilities too well!

"Old horse, give me a straight answer, what realm are you really in?" Meng Jingzhou whispered, hugging the old horse's neck.

The old horse snorted and ignored Meng Jingzhou.

Meng Jingzhou was angry but helpless; he couldn't defeat the old horse.

"I'm going to Prison Peak to see if I can get some information. You two are free to do as you please."

The eldest senior sister, carrying the Catastrophe Honored One, flew towards Prison Peak.

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