Ye Bufan took a stroll around Zhuang Mountain and, following the woodcutter's directions, found the teleportation array.
The teleportation was very stable, leading Ye Bufan to believe it was almost repaired. The demonic beasts within Zhuang Mountain seemed to be quite subdued, perhaps due to the woodcutter's presence.
Following the location of the Xieyue Sanxing Cave as seen in the illusion, Ye Bufan slowly ascended the mountain.
He was immediately enveloped in a swirling mist. Then, everything before him gradually cleared. What Ye Bufan saw was exactly what the woodcutter had shown him earlier.
There were no changes within this area. Ye Bufan discovered formations scattered around, presumably set up by the woodcutter to prevent the demonic beasts from entering Xieyue Sanxing Cave and causing trouble.
Xieyue Sanxing Cave was vast, reminding Ye Bufan of the Taiyi Divine Sect. However, Xieyue Sanxing Cave was not overly complex; one could generally reach most places by walking.
Looking at the scene before him, Ye Bufan could even imagine disciples listening to their ancestor preach within Xieyue Sanxing Cave.
"So, if Xieyue Sanxing Cave exists, does Sun Wukong truly exist?" This question arose in Ye Bufan's mind.
"Awooo—"
Just then, a furious roar of a demonic beast echoed from outside the mountain. Ye Bufan rushed out, realizing that the demonic beasts in Zhuang Mountain had suddenly become riotous.
"What's going on?" Ye Bufan unleashed his spiritual power and, the next second, felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
"This... this is... the restriction has disappeared?" Ye Bufan sensed the dense spiritual energy and the feeling of unhindered freedom, realizing that the restriction had completely vanished.
"I didn't expect the restriction to disappear so many years earlier than I anticipated," the woodcutter appeared beside Ye Bufan silently.
Ye Bufan turned to look at the woodcutter and asked, "Senior Woodcutter, do you plan to stay in Zhuang Mountain? With your strength, you are fully capable of ensuring our Kyushu, and even the entire Blue Star, remains undisturbed by external forces."
The woodcutter smiled slightly and said, "You still underestimate yourselves. There are still a few years of the celestial seal. You have ample time."
"Alright." Ye Bufan knew the woodcutter was not interested in mundane affairs. Even if external forces invaded, as long as they didn't provoke him, he likely wouldn't intervene.
"Senior, since the restriction has disappeared, I must depart." Ye Bufan clasped his fists in a bow to the woodcutter.
The woodcutter looked at Ye Bufan and said, "Since the Dragon Emperor Token has chosen you, I hope that when we meet again, you will be different from who you are now."
They exchanged a look, and Ye Bufan vanished from the spot.
After Ye Bufan left, Mingyue reappeared and walked to the woodcutter's side.
"Dad, can Ye Bufan really solve the crisis on Blue Star?" Mingyue asked.
The woodcutter smiled faintly, looked at Mingyue, and said, "Without all the Dragon Emperor Tokens, perhaps not. But now that he has them all, he certainly can."
...
With the disappearance of the restriction, drastic changes occurred worldwide. Many places saw mysterious, unseen plants sprout from the ground. Some animals, unknowingly consuming them, began to mutate.
Alerts were immediately issued in various regions. Some people, witnessing the mutations in animals after consumption, tried eating them themselves. Consequently, these individuals became neither human nor ghost, yet their physical strength was enhanced.
As soon as Ye Bufan exited Zhuang Mountain, he received a call from Chu Mengyao.
"How are things on your end?" Ye Bufan asked.
"We're doing quite well here. With the help of Sisters Ye Qingyi and Ye Qingcheng, the Chu family is currently safe. The Scarlet Sword Sect has also sent people over." Ye Bufan nodded. "Has anything unusual happened outside?"
"Some mysterious trees have grown out of the ground. They bear fruit, and after some people ate it, they became terrifying and began to cause widespread destruction," Chu Mengyao said.
"Don't just talk about people; animals that ate it not only mutated into fierce demonic beasts but also started attacking humans. All the major sects have been mobilized," Wang Xinyan added from the side.
Ye Bufan nodded. The mysterious trees were likely the "Dust-Soiled Trees" caused by the prolonged restriction. Their fruits contained special energy that required a specific method of absorption; otherwise, the situation Chu Mengyao described would occur.
After his conversation with Chu Mengyao, Song Mingqin's call came in.
"Ye Bufan, where are you now?" Song Mingqin asked.
"I'm still in the northwest," Ye Bufan replied.
Song Mingqin took a deep breath and said, "The restriction is gone. Be careful. Many rare and exotic fruits not recorded in ancient texts have appeared, causing many animals to mutate into demonic beasts. After consuming them, their cultivation soared, and they attack humans indiscriminately."
"I understand," Ye Bufan said. "Senior, please take care of yourself. I'll see you in the capital."
After hanging up, Ye Bufan immediately took to the skies on his sword. He happened to pass over a village that had already been overrun by demonic beasts. The villagers were fiercely resisting, trying to drive them away.
"Get lost!"
"Go to hell!"
In the village, all able-bodied men had armed themselves with knives, forks, and even axes. However, the demonic beasts were too powerful. A single swipe could send a young to middle-aged man flying, and some had their hands brutally mangled by a beast's stomp.
Just as the villagers were despairing, a flying sword descended from the heavens, its blade flashing. The sword weaved through the demonic beasts, then stopped before Ye Bufan.
In the next moment, all the demonic beasts fell, lifeless.
Seeing Ye Bufan appear, the villagers knelt down and cried out, "Living immortal, you are truly a living immortal."
"I am not an immortal; I am merely a martial artist." Ye Bufan knew these people likely had no concept of cultivation, so he explained himself while helping them up.
"Quickly gather the injured, and I will heal them." Without waiting for their reaction, Ye Bufan directed everyone to act. Those who could clean up the scene did so, some disposed of the bodies, while Ye Bufan tended to the severely injured.
Ye Bufan still had some pills in his spatial jade pendant and the Taiyi Ring, which he could distribute. As for the more severe cases, like those whose hands were crushed by the demonic beasts, Ye Bufan could do nothing to save them.
"Wuwuwu..."
Nearby, an old woman looked at the scene and began to weep.
"What a sin, truly a sin. How could this happen?"