"Something came up on the spirit boat, Origin Celestial Venerable. Let's chat more once I arrive."
Rogue Immortal Venerable signed off in a hurry after saying this.
The group chat instantly went quiet.
Aside from Rogue Immortal Venerable, who seemed to be online constantly, Great Sun Flame Emperor and Iceberg Overlord Woman only logged on depending on circumstances.
Qi Yuan tapped into the forum and immediately spotted the post made by his alternate account, the Blood-Robed Sword God.
Quite a few comments had accumulated beneath it.
"Senior, you're actually coming!"
"The Palace of Light has committed countless atrocities; they deserve to die!"
"It's better to keep attacks to a minimum. If you get surrounded by the Palace of Light's Purple Mansions, things will get dicey.
"The Palace of Light has the advantage in numbers, after all, and Cuiyun Continent is their home turf. Senior Blood-Robed Sword God, caution should still come first."
"This old man also shares a grudge with the Palace of Light. Would Senior Blood-Robed Sword God be open to meeting with us so we can take on the Palace of Light together?"
Beneath the post, comments of all kinds flooded in.
Some cheered him on, while others urged the Blood-Robed Sword God to proceed with caution.
"What a pity Blood-Robed Sword God is just my alt account. Otherwise, I could openly declare: With my Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment and Stellar Golden Core, would I fear the Palace of Light?"
After a moment's thought, Qi Yuan replied to the thread using his main account:
"I, Origin Celestial Venerable, of Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment and Stellar Golden Core, hereby give my real-name support to the great boss Blood-Robed Sword God. If the boss needs it, I can lend my Golden Core hanging in the sky for you to use."
After posting his reply, Qi Yuan felt very smug. "When the people from the Palace of Light see my comment, they'll surely tremble in fear!"
After all, even a Stellar Golden Core had stepped up to back the Blood-Robed Sword God. How could the Palace of Light possibly withstand that?
However, a moment later, Qi Yuan blinked in surprise.
Several more replies had popped up beneath the post.
"I, of Immortal Pill Golden Core, hereby give my real-name support to the Blood-Robed Sword God!"
"I, of One Million Golden Cores, hereby give my real-name support to the Blood-Robed Sword God!"
"I, of Nine-Turn Golden Core, hereby give my real-name support to the Blood-Robed Sword God!"
Qi Yuan stared at them, dumbfounded. "Even nine-turn large intestines can be refined into a Golden Core?"
Immediately after, his gaze sharpened. "Those who uphold the Dao find abundant support, while those who lose it find scarce help. The Blood-Robed Sword God will surely succeed in this venture!"
With so many terrifying Golden Cores—perhaps there were even kidney-stone Golden Cores and quantum Golden Cores—all uniting in support, the Blood-Robed Sword God was bound to triumph!
Qi Yuan switched over to his alt account, the Blood-Robed Sword God.
"Seeing everyone's immense support, I, the Blood-Robed Sword God, shall go slay a few more Purple Mansions of the Palace of Light just to add to the festivity."
He made sure to reply directly to the Nine-Turn Golden Core.
Meanwhile, inside a certain cave abode...
A female cultivator's eyes widened, her expression turning into one of tearful distress.
"Senior, don't reply to me!"
She had merely followed the trend set by the comments above, only to end up getting a direct reply.
Now, it looked as though the Blood-Robed Sword God had been egged on by her to butcher the Palace of Light's Purple Mansions.
The Palace of Light was considered a top-tier power across the entire Eastern Lands.
This female cultivator naturally did not dare truly offend them.
"The Palace of Light won't come looking for trouble with me, right?"
"I'm not in the Eastern Lands right now, so it should be fine."
Thinking this, the female cultivator breathed a sigh of relief.
...
Three days passed in a flash.
Qi Yuan wore blood-red robes.
Xu Yeli followed behind him, his expression completely numb.
Just moments ago, he had accompanied the Blood-Robed Sword God to another Palace of Light stronghold.
When the suona blared, the Purple Mansion entered the coffin.
That stronghold had housed five whole Purple Mansions.
It counted as one of the Palace of Light's larger strongholds.
Yet the Blood-Robed Sword God had effortlessly slaughtered them all.
Purple Mansions, notoriously the hardest cultivators to kill, were even easier to dispatch than Divine Infants in the hands of the Blood-Robed Sword God.
Xu Yeli's body trembled.
By now, he had walked too far down this dark path. There was no longer any way for him to sever his ties with the Blood-Robed Sword God.
"Senior... do you have a way to deal with the Palace of Light?" Xu Yeli was now forced to consider his own future.
A formidable powerhouse like the Blood-Robed Sword God could afford to completely offend the Palace of Light.
At worst, he could simply dust off his robes and walk away.
Xu Yeli knew that even if all three Palace Masters of the Palace of Light moved together, they would be unable to keep the Blood-Robed Sword God here.
Meanwhile, as the Blood-Robed Sword God continued slaughtering the Palace of Light's Purple Mansions out in the wild, the Palace of Light's remaining Purple Mansions would inevitably retreat to their headquarters.
With dozens of Purple Mansions alongside the three Palace Masters defending the Palace of Light, if the Blood-Robed Sword God dared to go there, he would surely die.
Therefore, Xu Yeli understood that this feud between the Blood-Robed Sword God and the Palace of Light was approaching its end.
Yet Xu Yeli himself lacked the Blood-Robed Sword God's strength.
"A way to deal with the Palace of Light?" Qi Yuan replied casually upon hearing this. "I've already formulated the Hundred-Day Plan to Destroy the Palace of Light. Success is just around the corner."
Right now, he was systematically sweeping through the Purple Mansions stationed outside.
The remaining Purple Mansions of the Palace of Light would inevitably fall back to their headquarters.
That would be Qi Yuan's true opportunity.
If they weren't gathered together, to be frank... they were actually quite a hassle to kill.
After all, if a Purple Mansion chose to hide, Qi Yuan wouldn't find it easy to track them down.
Hearing Qi Yuan's words, Xu Yeli let out a cough. "Then I shall await Senior's good news."
A plan to destroy the Palace of Light?
Xu Yeli naturally did not believe a word of it.
Unless a Yin God emerged, who could possibly obliterate the Palace of Light?
Filled with deep anxiety, he felt his future was bleak.
Qi Yuan, of course, had no idea what Xu Yeli was thinking.
Even if he did, it would mean nothing to him.
Having slain five old, charming white moonlights, Qi Yuan had reaped a massive harvest this time around.
Upon returning to his cave abode, he hurriedly logged into his alt account and entered the Divine Flower Society forum once more to post another thread.
*Slain Five Purple Mansions to Celebrate with Fellow Daoists!*
"I, the Blood-Robed Sword God, despise evil as my sworn enemy and have slain the Purple Mansions of the Palace of Light.
"I never expected that when I posted the other day, I would receive support from so many fellow cultivators.
"My gratitude goes out to 'Wenfeng of Spirit Mountain', 'Little Li of Fox Cave', 'Daoist Dragon Tiger', 'Origin Celestial Venerable'... for their support."
Qi Yuan typed out the usernames of all the people who had voiced support for him in the forum.
The only minor flaw was that he couldn't tag them.
"It is precisely the support of these fellow daoists that makes me believe justice will inevitably triumph over darkness.
"Tossing and turning each night, constantly remembering the encouragement of these fellow daoists, I went out overnight and executed five more Purple Mansions of the Palace of Light.
"These five Purple Mansions did not die by my hand alone; they died at the hands of all the fellow daoists who supported me, and by the righteousness of the realm!"
After posting, Qi Yuan felt that his closing paragraph was truly masterful.
It took no personal credit while deepening the theme, elevating a personal deed to a grander scale—a model conclusion worthy of a top-scoring exam essay.
Having published the post, Qi Yuan felt very pleased with himself.
Before long, a comment appeared.
Little Li of Fox Cave: "Senior, I didn't, it wasn't me!"
Inside her cave abode, the female cultivator flailed her arms in panic. Looking at the post's contents, her heart was filled with both shock and dread.
*The grandmaster killed five more Purple Mansions?*
*Why did the grandmaster single me out by name?!*
*Wah... The Palace of Light won't come after me, will they?*
"I remember your Nine-Turn Large Intestine Golden Core vividly; I could never mistake you.
"In the destruction of the Palace of Light, there is a share of your credit!"
Qi Yuan promptly replied.
He had to take good care of his die-hard fans.
Little Li of Fox Cave was completely at a loss, wanting nothing more than to play dead.
Time flew by, and more and more people replied to the thread.
"Senior... is truly formidable. With this level of strength, you probably rank among the top twenty in the Eastern Lands."
"No wonder Senior is so carefree and doesn't take the Palace of Light seriously in the slightest."
"Senior, as long as you don't clash head-on with the Palace of Light, there's nothing they can do to you!"
Now, the tone of the replies beneath Qi Yuan's post grew increasingly lively.
Quite a few people even began hatching schemes for Qi Yuan on how to eradicate the Palace of Light.
"Senior, I have a plan that can help you destroy the Palace of Light.
"All Senior needs to do is leave the Eastern Lands, find a place to enter seclusion for ten thousand years, and when you emerge into the world again, you will surely be able to wipe out the Palace of Light!"
"The Third Palace Master of the Palace of Light is a peerless beauty.
"If I were Senior, I would definitely shake hands and make peace with the Palace of Light, persuade the Third Palace Master, and take her as a Dao companion.
"Treat the Palace of Light as your harem! To win Senior over, the Palace of Light would naturally send more Dao companions your way.
"Senior would only need to sow your seeds and father children every day. As long as you have abundant offspring and great blessings, won't the Palace of Light become Senior's backyard after a few thousand years?"
Reading these comments, Qi Yuan found them quite illuminating, occasionally having his eyes opened as if gaining immense insight.
"Who says another world doesn't have its own master strategists? These people... are absolute geniuses!"
Especially that brilliant scheme about fathering children and seizing the nest like a cuckoo.
Qi Yuan felt it was highly feasible.
Moreover, it sounded quite thrilling.
However, upon remembering that Iceberg Overlord Woman and his junior sister were still saddled with high-interest loans from the Palace of Light, he had no choice but to ignore these clever strategies.
Within a hundred days, the Palace of Light must fall!
Once a plan was set, how could it be altered on a whim?
He wasn't some corporate boss or an unpredictable client.
Thinking this over, Qi Yuan switched back to his main account to bump the thread.
"Blood-Robed Sword God, if you run into any trouble destroying the Palace of Light, come find me among the Four Emperors of Divine Flower! I'll lend you my Stellar Golden Core!"
He was showing off his Golden Core once again.
Right then, Qi Yuan noticed his contact list flashing.
Spirit Maiden had sent a message.
Qi Yuan was startled. *Could it be that Junior Sister is finally going to show me the real thing?*
Excited by the thought, he opened the messages she had sent.
"Eldest Senior Brother, I heard that recently, you've been dual cultivating with a man for half an hour every day?"
"Eldest Senior Brother... when it comes to obsession, being obsessed with games is fine, but please don't become obsessed with other things."
"Sigh, Eldest Senior Brother, what's so good about men?"
Qi Yuan stared at the messages.
He was left utterly speechless.
"Jiang Ya looks so quiet and refined, like some aloof fairy from above. How can she love tattling so much?"
For Jiang Lingsu to know about this, it had undoubtedly been relayed by Jiang Ya.
"Junior Sister, don't misunderstand. While I am dual cultivating with Xu Tongchen, it's completely proper dual cultivation."
"He awakened True Solar Fire, and I observe it daily because I want to learn it."
"Your Senior Brother is a man with a family. How could I possibly be interested in men?"
Qi Yuan replied.
If it were any other misunderstanding, he wouldn't even bother explaining.
But this kind of misunderstanding had to be cleared up!
...
Leaving the great hall, Xu Tongchen wore a sorrowful expression, looking as though he were in deep mourning.
In truth, he was overjoyed inside.
Over the past few days, major events had unfolded one after another in the Palace of Light, with Purple Mansions falling one by one.
By now, nearly ten of them had died.
In just a few short days, ten Purple Mansions dead?
That was more than had perished over the last hundred years.
And every single one belonged to the Palace of Light.
One could well imagine how terrible Huang Tu's expression must be.
The Blood-Robed Sword God, whom they had previously laughed about so casually over drinks, had abruptly transformed into an overwhelming colossus.
Even Zheng Fangxing's Purple Mansion master had fallen, which naturally left Xu Tongchen feeling thoroughly vindicated.
Of course, he had to pretend to be devastated.
"In just a few days, my True Solar Fire has grown ten percent stronger.
"This Qi Yuan is truly my lucky star!" Thinking of Qi Yuan, the delight in Xu Tongchen's heart deepened even further.
This was truly a double blessing.
Suddenly, a voice transmission landed in Xu Tongchen's ear.
Xu Tongchen's eyes narrowed. Glancing back at the few informants trailing him—who currently seemed dazed and distracted—he slipped into a narrow alleyway.
"Master, why are you here?" Surprise and joy showed in Xu Tongchen's eyes.
He had not expected to see his master here.
Looking at his disciple, Xu Yeli spoke slowly, "Why have you been running outside so often lately?"
"This disciple met a... prodigy. He is very peculiar." Xu Tongchen recounted everything that had transpired between himself and Qi Yuan to Xu Yeli.
Listening to the tale, Xu Yeli furrowed his brows. "Such a person exists in this world? He must have had some miraculous encounters."
Since the other party was merely a youth participating in the Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle, Xu Yeli naturally didn't pay him excessive attention.
What was more, his own situation was perilous right now.
"Tongchen, be prepared at all times during this period. Be ready to flee with me at any moment," Xu Yeli warned gravely.
Upon hearing this, Xu Tongchen's face shifted slightly. "Master, what happened? Could it be... the Palace of Light intends to make a move against us?"
"The True Solar Fire is simply too conspicuous. The Palace of Light will not let you hold onto it forever," Xu Yeli said with a grim face.
In the past, although the Palace of Light was overbearing, they had at least cared about preserving some semblance of face and basic propriety.
Lately, however, whether in instigating the Hundred Nations Blood War or handling other matters, they acted with complete, brazen directness.
Xu Yeli had a faint premonition that a monumental event was likely brewing.
Unfortunately, his standing was too low to discern what that event actually was.
"Master, right now the Palace of Light is facing a formidable foe in the Blood-Robed Sword God. Do they really have the leisure to seize my True Solar Fire?" Xu Tongchen's tone shifted from indignant to excited as he spoke.
Xu Yeli remained silent.
Xu Tongchen continued, "The Blood-Robed Sword God is truly a peerless supreme being. With one man and one sword, he has slain a full nine Purple Mansions of the Palace of Light.
"Counting those running dogs of the Palace of Light, he's killed over ten in total.
"Such a peerless expert is the only one worthy of being the leader of the righteous path in our Cuiyun Continent.
"However, I am quite perplexed. Why is there a black-robed Purple Mansion blowing a suona behind the Blood-Robed Sword God during every battle?
"Why doesn't he step in to assist the Blood-Robed Sword God? Is his strength lacking?" At this point, Xu Tongchen voiced the confusion that had been lingering in his mind.
That black-robed Purple Mansion blowing the suona seemed like an utter bystander, completely useless.
"Sigh, why would the Blood-Robed Sword God take on such a useless old servant?"
Xu Yeli's face grew darker and darker.
Noticing this, Xu Tongchen hurriedly asked, "Master, what is wrong? Did the Palace of Light mistreat you again?!"
Xu Yeli glared fiercely at Xu Tongchen. "Your master *is* that useless old servant you speak of!"
"..." Xu Tongchen was stunned, instantly gripped by guilt. After a long pause, his excitement flared up again. "Master, you've met the Blood-Robed Sword God? What is his demeanor like? Is he truly like the legends say... akin to a saint?"
"A saint?" Xu Yeli snorted coldly. "He's a god of slaughter!"
Where in the world was there a saint like that?
...
When he arrived outside Qi Yuan's cave abode once more, Xu Tongchen still felt a bit dazed.
His own master was actually the Blood-Robed Sword God's lackey.
The Blood-Robed Sword God had offended the Palace of Light, but in the end, he could just dust off his hands and walk away.
His master, however, could not.
If this was discovered, the fate of the Seven Words Sect would be miserable.
With his mind wandering, he stepped into Qi Yuan's cave abode.
"You're here! Quick, manifest the True Solar Fire so I can observe it," Qi Yuan urged impatiently.
"Alright." Xu Tongchen manifested the True Solar Fire.
For him right now, overthinking was pointless; boosting his own strength as quickly as possible was the best course of action.
Qi Yuan's gaze fell once more upon the True Solar Fire.
He narrowed his eyes, studying it intently.
At the same time, high in the heavens, a wisp of flame seemed to flicker atop the miniature sun.
Half an hour passed, and Qi Yuan broke into a pleased smile. "Not bad, not bad. I've gained some insights."
Sensing his True Solar Fire thriving, Xu Tongchen couldn't help asking, "Fellow Daoist Qi Yuan has comprehended something?"
"Comprehended just a little bit," Qi Yuan replied earnestly.
It truly was just a little bit—in the same way a tricycle could only haul "just a little bit."
Xu Tongchen was dumbfounded.
It had taken him decades of contemplation to comprehend it.
Qi Yuan had only spent a few days, yet he had already grasped something?
He couldn't be lying, could he?
"In another ten days to half a month, I should be able to fully comprehend it."
"Alright..." Xu Tongchen hesitated, uncertain whether Qi Yuan was speaking the truth, but still said, "If Fellow Daoist can comprehend the True Solar Fire before the prodigy battle begins, you will surely sweep through the contenders and place within the top twenty."
"Sigh, to be honest, aiming for the top twenty puts quite a bit of pressure on me.
"After all, those prodigies all hail from noble backgrounds. Unlike me, born of humble origins, I feel so inferior whenever I see them," Qi Yuan remarked.
Xu Tongchen was speechless.
Just days ago, this guy had sharply criticized his Golden Core for being too small, and now he was claiming to feel inferior?
"Fortunately, heaven rewards diligence. Through bitter effort, I finally walked out of the mountains and achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, ultimately widening the gap between myself and those prodigies."
Sure enough, everything before had been nonsense.
Feeling inferior despite possessing a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment?
Xu Tongchen was now completely convinced that there was something wrong with this Fellow Daoist Qi Yuan's head; he spoke like a madman.
Still, hearing mention of Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, he couldn't help remarking with emotion, "In this prodigy battle, there is indeed someone with a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment named Gu Xiaoyao."
"Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment?" Qi Yuan's expression grew solemn. "Is his a Perfect Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, or a Flawed Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment?"
According to Iceberg Overlord Woman, a Perfect Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment meant that one's words became law, causing even gods to fall.
As for himself, his talent was lacking, leaving him with merely a Flawed Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.
This resulted in his strength being pathetically weak even after reaching Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.
During the Foundation Establishment stage, he could only kill Divine Infants.
That was why every time he encountered those Divine Infant wretches, he would shout:
*I have a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment! What's wrong with me killing Divine Infants?!*
In truth, he hadn't been boasting; he had merely been venting the sorrow in his heart.
Despite having achieved the grand Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, he could only slaughter Divine Infants like dogs.
Hearing Qi Yuan's words, Xu Tongchen was somewhat baffled.
Since when was Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment divided into perfect and flawed?
"Naturally, it is a perfect Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment," Xu Tongchen replied.
Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan's expression turned even graver.
In this Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle, he had finally encountered a truly terrifying adversary.
A legendary Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.
"Tell me, with my Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment plus a Stellar Golden Core, would I be a match for that Gu Xiaoyao?" Qi Yuan whispered.
Xu Tongchen shook his head. "Fellow Daoist Qi Yuan, even if you comprehend the True Solar Fire, you still wouldn't be a match for that Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment."
Qi Yuan fell silent upon hearing this.
He was still too weak after all.
This Eastern Lands Prodigy Battle... maybe he shouldn't participate?
Otherwise, if he encountered that Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment and lost, it would be terribly awkward.
Yet the moment he recalled his promise to the Sect Master, he was torn with indecision.
He had to think of a way to avoid crossing paths with that Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.
"Fellow Daoist, two days from now, Huang Tu will be hosting the Fish-Dragon Banquet. I must accompany him, so I will be unable to come cultivate with you. I hope Fellow Daoist will forgive me," Xu Tongchen said softly before departing.
Qi Yuan blinked in surprise. "Alright."
The Fish-Dragon Banquet was starting?
Did that mean Rogue Immortal Venerable was arriving soon as well?
Chapter 147