Hearing this, the young man turned his head and asked in confusion, "Is there something you need, sir?"
When Jiang Qi met his gaze, he felt only that those eyes were remarkably clear, devoid of much human emotion.
Eyes clouded when laden with human sentiment. Weather-beaten elders, having experienced too much, had eyes steeped in myriad emotions, turning murky and dim.
Jiang Qi’s eyes flickered as he thought to himself, *It really is him. Taipu Gongyang Ce was defeated by his hand and nearly sacrificed to Zulong. He has been lingering nearby all along. It seems Xu Ying was right—the reemergence of Yunmeng Marsh really was connected to him!*
With a welcoming smile, he invited, "It is a rare twist of fate that brings us together across the starry sky. Might I invite Fellow Daoist Xu to travel with us and return together to Yuanshou?"
Closing his golden book, Xu Fu said in delight, "To journey alongside Grand Preceptor Jiang of the Great Zhou is humble me's honor."
He stood up, and Mount Fangzhang drifted over to Jiang Qi's side. Xu Fu invited, "Grand Preceptor Jiang has an injured patient with him, making movement difficult. Why not step onto my immortal mountain, where it will be easier to look after him?"
Jiang Qi lifted Xu Ying, stepped onto the immortal mountain, and gently set him down.
Xu Fu hastily examined Xu Ying's injuries, then let out a sigh of relief. "Though Young Master Xu’s wounds are severe, fortunately his true spirit is profound and vigorous, leaving his foundation unharmed."
Jiang Qi’s gaze landed on the golden book. "The ageless immortal was sealed away. Could it be that the characters on this golden book can undo the seal?"
Xu Fu chuckled. "What makes you say that? Could Grand Preceptor Jiang think I am controlling the ageless immortal?"
Jiang Qi said, "I wouldn't dare presume. I merely think you are playing with fire. You used the golden book to help him unseal a portion of his power, borrowing his hands to slay Longyuan, and then used the golden book to seal him once more. Sooner or later, you will find yourself unable to clean up the mess."
Xu Fu shook his head. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
Jiang Qi changed the subject and continued, "I have heard that the redirection of the Nai River, the underworld's invasion, the reemergence of fiefs, the revival of Zulong, and the resurfacing of Yunmeng Marsh were all orchestrated single-handedly by you, Fellow Daoist. Was the reopening of the heavenly road in Taiyi Lesser Mysterious Heaven also within your calculations?"
After helping to stabilize Xu Ying's injuries, Xu Fu looked up at him in surprise upon hearing this. "Reopening the heavenly road was entirely your own doing, Grand Preceptor. When you entered Stone City, you were merely at the Cross-Refinement stage. Yet shortly after entering Taiyi Lesser Mysterious Heaven, you had already become a grand master of the Ascension stage. Even if I possess some ability, how could I have predicted all that?"
Jiang Qi's expression shifted slightly.
Xu Fu continued, "Grand Preceptor Jiang subdued the Heavenly Dao divine artifact, the Tianzhu Sword, projected his voice across the myriad worlds of the heavens, and restored the heaven and earth spiritual root, the Yin-Yang Vine. These were deeds of a peerless wise man! If I could have anticipated even that, wouldn't I be far too terrifying?"
Composing himself, Jiang Qi leaned down to examine Xu Ying's injuries, though his hand rested quietly on the hilt of the Tianzhu Sword. He said, "The news of Yunmeng Marsh's reemergence spread extraordinarily fast. Someone was certainly fueling the flames behind the scenes, deliberately broadcasting the news to lure people here. This cannot help but remind me of an affair from two years ago."
Xu Fu looked upward, casually waving his hand in the air as if stirring something, and asked with apparent curiosity, "What past affair?"
Following the direction of his hand, Jiang Qi showed a look of astonishment.
This tiny immortal mountain actually possessed an atmosphere of its own! Though extremely thin, it was indeed an atmosphere!
A diminutive immortal mountain was truly a world unto itself!
With that slight wave of Xu Fu's hand just now, the dark clouds of this mountain world were brushed aside, and a ray of sunlight shone down from parts unknown, landing directly upon Xu Ying's glabella.
The ray was not large, merely an egg-sized patch of light, yet it harbored unimaginable spiritual energy and magic power.
As the sunlight struck Xu Ying's forehead, this incomparably pure energy naturally flowed into his body without requiring any cultivation technique to circulate. Even as it nourished his physical body, it also healed his divine consciousness, soul, Realm of Xiyi, and wounds throughout.
This ray of sunlight was the brilliance radiated by the sun of the Immortal Realm.
Because Mount Fangzhang was so small, it only had the opportunity to be bathed in the sunlight of the Immortal Realm once a year.
Jiang Qi looked at this ray of sunlight and said, "This method is identical to the one used when Mount Li Mausoleum emerged. I have studied the resurrection of Zulong at Mount Li Mausoleum. The architect of that scheme first spread word that the Twelve Golden Men had appeared at Mount Li, drawing the experts of the Nuo master clans. Those Nuo masters scouted the way for the schemer, venturing into the grand mausoleum and dismantling the dangers."
Xu Fu smiled. "I heard of that affair as well, though I had no idea there were so many intricacies behind it. Grand Preceptor Jiang, please, do elaborate."
Mount Fangzhang drifted toward the Yuanshou world, gradually catching up to the Fusang Divine Tree.
Jiang Qi said, "The schemer not only used those Nuo masters to pave the way and clear the dangers, but also used the immortal medicine within the Nuo masters to sacrifice to Zulong and revive him. Without spending any effort or resources, that person accomplished his goal of resurrecting Zulong."
Xu Fu smiled. "How does this person's intellect compare to the Grand Preceptor's?"
Jiang Qi replied, "This person even schemed against me. I was lured to Stone City, entered Taiyi Lesser Mysterious Heaven, and became his pawn, helping him reassemble the spiritual root and reopen the heavenly road. However, he plotted against an unwitting target; I did not know he was laying out a board. Had I known, who would be player and who would be pawn remains to be seen."
Xu Fu adopted a solemn expression. "Then, if Grand Preceptor Jiang were given a chance to do it over, would you still enter Taiyi Lesser Mysterious Heaven?"
Jiang Qi was stunned for a moment. Veins bulged on his hand gripping the Tianzhu Sword. "I would."
He was deeply reluctant to admit it, yet he spoke the truth in a deep voice: "I would still enter Taiyi Lesser Mysterious Heaven, reassemble the spiritual root, and reopen the heavenly road."
He had to do it. Only in this way could he gather more primordial Dao essence and prevent the Son of Heaven of Zhou and the others from falling prey to heavenly demons.
Xu Fu laughed. "Then why should Grand Preceptor Jiang care whether you were in the game, or whether you were being used?"
Jiang Qi slowly released his grip on the Tianzhu Sword, pulling back his killing intent. He smiled. "You are an extraordinary person."
Xu Fu said leisurely, "I have always been extraordinary; it is just that some people lack the discernment to appreciate it. For instance, those Nuo master clans who died in Mount Li Mausoleum—even if they knew full well that the news of the mausoleum had been spread by me, would they truly not have gone?"
He smiled faintly. "They still would have gone, just like Grand Preceptor Jiang."
Jiang Qi burst into hearty laughter. "That is the wondrous power of intellect."
The two exchanged smiles, feeling a sense of mutual respect and understanding.
Jiang Qi smiled. "I look forward to having an open and honorable duel with you."
Xu Fu smiled. "I will not give you the chance for an open and honorable duel. Just like this time, you have no opportunity whatsoever to make a move against me."
The two looked at each other and broke into laughter once more.
Mount Fangzhang caught up to the Fusang tree. Jiang Qi picked up Xu Ying, leaped off the immortal mountain, and returned to the Fusang tree. When he looked back, Mount Fangzhang and Xu Fu had already vanished without a trace.
*This man is a formidable rival of mine!*
Jiang Qi exhaled a breath of turbid air. Had he not suffered grievous injuries in the brutal clash against Heavenly God Longyuan, he truly would have liked to fight Xu Fu and put their respective learnings to the test.
*There will be chances in the future.*
Ahead, the Yuanshou world came into sight.
When Xu Ying woke up, the Fusang tree was already rooted in the depths of Yunmeng Marsh, and the people of the fish-belly world were busily constructing their new home.
The great marsh teemed with strange beasts and was exceedingly perilous; surviving here would be impossible without formidable strength.
Xu Ying stood up and saw Jiang Qi surrounded on all sides by a tight crowd. Jiang Qi was imparting Qi Refining techniques to them, explaining foundational knowledge of qi refining.
Xu Ying shook his head; he was still somewhat groggy and found it hard to focus his mind.
Just then, bright light shone from the sky, drawing gasps and cries of shock from the crowd. Xu Ying looked up to see a scorching sun flying toward them, but upon closer inspection, it was a phenomenon produced by the flames wreathing a three-legged golden crow.
That three-legged golden crow was enormous, with a wingspan of several hundred zhang. As it flew over, the air grew unbearably hot.
When the golden crow landed upon the Fusang tree, golden flames instantly coursed across the entire tree, causing the divine tree to emit a dense, overwhelming aura of spiritual energy!
As everyone inhaled this spiritual energy, they felt their strength steadily rise, their bodies growing robust, their steps light, their eyesight sharper, and their ears keener.
The crowd prostrated themselves before the golden crow. The crow flapped and spread its wings like a supreme monarch, bestowing protection upon all living beings.
Suddenly, the crowd dispersed as the golden crow craned its neck, lowering its head from the tree right before Xu Ying, turning its head side to side to size him up several times.
Xu Ying heard an ancient voice emerge from the golden crow's beak: "Strange. I seem to have seen you somewhere before."
Xu Ying scrutinized the golden crow, perplexed. "I have no recollection of you."
The golden crow said, "I ought to have seen you, but I am too ancient. So old that my memory is failing, and I cannot recall where I saw you. Strange... you shouldn't have been able to live this long."
Jiang Qi walked out from the crowd and said, "The Fusang tree can attract the golden crow. With the crow’s protection, these fish-belly folk should have little trouble surviving."
Xu Ying smiled. "Grand Preceptor Jiang, how does it feel to save people?"
Jiang Qi replied, "Returning from a god to a human certainly brings emotional stirrings. But the present age has no need for humanity."
Xu Ying looked at him, showing puzzlement.
Jiang Qi put away the Tianzhu Sword and tightened his lapels, saying, "Humanity cannot survive in this era. Senior Ah Ying, I bear the survival of everyone aboard the Divine Boat of the Other Shore. To possess humanity would be to endanger their lives."
He bowed to bid Xu Ying farewell, saying, "I must hold fast to divinity and cannot be swayed by emotions. Yet I admire someone such as yourself. Senior Ah Ying, we have forged good karma today. If I have requests of you in the future, I hope you will not decline."
Xu Ying bowed slightly and nodded gently. Carrying the Tianzhu Sword on his back, Jiang Qi broke through the air and took flight.
Watching him turn into a streak of light and disappear into the sky, Xu Ying murmured softly, "No need for humanity, only retaining divinity?"
He suddenly realized that this was precisely the kind of person Xu Fu wanted him to become.
At that moment, Yuan Qi slithered over, exclaiming in delight, "Ah Ying, you're awake! Lord Bell, Lord Bell, hurry over! Let Ah Ying see the characters branded on your rear!"
Perplexed, Xu Ying watched as the bronze bell flew over bashfully, draped in pieces of cloth—likely garments sewn for it by the fish-belly people.
"Lord Bell, why are you acting so bashful?" Xu Ying asked in surprise.
The bronze bell flew up close, and Yuan Qi forcibly stripped off its clothes, revealing the eight bird-and-worm seal script characters engraved by the Tianzhu Sword. Yuan Qi chuckled, "Ah Ying, while you were unconscious, Master Ying left these for you, saying to show them to you once you woke up."
Xu Ying stepped forward to inspect them, his heart stirring as he deciphered the bird-and-worm seal script characters one by one.
He understood these bird-and-worm seal characters the moment he saw them, but whenever he tried to memorize their exact forms, he found himself utterly unable to do so. Every time he forced himself to commit them to memory, he felt a surge of fog in his mind, wiping the memory completely clean!
Xu Ying tried to memorize them again and again, and again and again his memory was erased. In his muddled state, an epiphany suddenly struck him: *Why must I memorize them completely? If I break down these eight characters and deduce different Dao methods from them, will they still be erased then?*
The bronze bell said shyly, "Ah Ying, are you done looking yet? I want to put my clothes back on."
Yuan Qi advised, "Lord Bell, these eight characters harbor immense power; they could even seal Master Ying. This might be your chance to turn your fortunes around."
"You're the salted fish!"
The bronze bell blew its top, abandoning all coy pretenses, and wrestled together with the giant snake.
Suddenly, with a loud *dang*, bell might erupted! The "Imprison" character Dao rune among the bird-and-worm seal script on the bell's wall burst with blazing light. The space around Yuan Qi folded, trapping him inside in an instant!
Within that "Imprison" character, another "Imprison" character erupted, much smaller than the previous one, locking Yuan Qi's physical body completely.
Next, a third layer of the "Imprison" character Dao rune erupted, imprisoning Yuan Qi's Realm of Xiyi!
After locking the Realm of Xiyi, a fourth layer erupted, locking Yuan Qi's Golden Core and furnace vessel. A fifth layer erupted, locking Yuan Qi's soul.
A sixth layer erupted, locking his three souls and seven spirits one by one.
A seventh layer erupted, already minuscule, confining Yuan Qi's trace of imperishable true spirit inside an infinitesimal cage.
Yuan Qi's eyes could not move, his ears could not hear, all five senses severed. His soul lost all perception, and his cultivation and divine consciousness were completely unusable, plunging him into boundless terror.
The bronze bell froze in surprise, then suddenly clanged with uproarious laughter, bursting with smug pride. "I don't need clothes to cover myself anymore! I don't need to hide away anymore! With brandings like this, why should I fear any Xiaoyao Bell? Even Li Xiaoke would have to address me as Lord Bell! I'm going back to Jiucai Ridge to trade blows with that Xiaoyao Bell and see who the real master is!"
Xu Ying praised, "Lord Bell's righteousness reaches the heavens. Lord Bell, could you release Yuan Qi?"
The bronze bell had only triggered the "Imprison" character Dao rune by accident and had no idea how to undo the seal. After fussing for a long time to no avail, it instead triggered the "Confine" character seal, sealing Yuan Qi even deeper.
Xu Ying had no choice but to painstakingly study the eight bird-and-worm seal characters, taking up a brush to record whatever insights he comprehended before his memory was wiped once again.
A few days passed, and Xu Ying was still unable to undo Yuan Qi's seal, growing increasingly anxious. The bronze bell grew worried as well, circling frantically around Yuan Qi.
Stone City, Yunmeng Marsh.
Beichenzi's face was ashen as he stared at the small altar before him. The arm-thick joss stick on the altar was still burning, and the demon-quelling runes inside the shrine remained intact, yet the script upon them was constantly shifting and fluctuating!
Clearly, someone was attempting to break the seal!
"Utterly lawless!"
Beichenzi cursed furiously, then turned to the Earth God of Shenzhou and said, "Ruffians are forcibly breaking the seal! Shouldn't the higher-ups take care of this already?"
That Earth God, short and stocky, not even as tall as his calf, slapped a crumpled sheet of yellow paper onto the altar and snapped irritably, "Take care of my ass! Two and a half years ago, I petitioned the higher-ups to bestow a Heavenly Dao divine artifact to suppress Zulong, and it's still going through the bureaucracy! Who knows how many eons we'll have to wait for this petition!"
Chapter 158