Chapter 158 - An Old Acquaintance Returns

Hearing his exclamation, the young man turned to look and asked, confused, “Is something the matter?”

Jiang Qi met his gaze. Those eyes were remarkably clear, devoid of much of the emotion one would expect from a human being.

The gazes of those with human emotions would be clouded. For example, an old man who had gone through a lot of hardship had experienced too much. His eyes would be filled with a multitude of emotions, growing clouded and dim with the passage of time.

Jiang Qi’s eyes flickered. It is indeed him. He defeated Minister Coachman Gongyang Ce and nearly became a sacrifice for the Ancestral Dragon. He had always been nearby; Xu Ying was right. The emergence of the Yunmeng Marsh is indeed connected to him!

He invited him with a smile, “It is a rare stroke of fate that we should encounter each other in the starry skies. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Xu would be willing to accompany us on our journey back to Yuanshou?”

Xu Fu shut the golden book and said with delight, “It would be an honor for me to travel alongside Grand Preceptor Jiang of the Great Zhou.”

Xu Fu rose to his feet, and the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain drifted toward Jiang Qi’s side. Xu Fu invited him, saying, “You have injured companions by your side who cannot move easily, Grand Preceptor Jiang. Why not come aboard this humble one’s immortal mountain? It will be much easier to tend to them here.”

Jiang Qi hoisted Xu Ying up, stepped onto the immortal mountain, and gently laid him down.

Xu Fu quickly examined Xu Ying’s injuries and breathed a sigh of relief. “Young Master Xu’s injuries are severe; fortunately, his True Spirit is robust, and his foundations aren’t damaged.”

Jiang Qi’s gaze fell onto the golden book. “Others sealed the Ageless Immortal. Can the characters written in this golden book undo that seal?”

Xu Fu smiled. “What do you mean by that? Do you think that I’m controlling the Ageless Immortal?”

Jiang Qi replied, “I wouldn’t dare. I just think you’re playing with fire. You used the golden book to help him undo a portion of the seal. After borrowing his hands to kill Dragon Abyss, you used the book to seal him once more. Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself in a situation you can’t control.”

Xu Fu shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jiang Qi changed the subject. “I heard that you orchestrated the Hell River changing course, the underworld’s invasion, the sealed lands reemerging, the resurrection of Ancestral Dragon, and the reappearance of the Yunmeng Marsh. So, is the reopening of the Heavenly Path also within your calculations?”

As Xu Fu helped Xu Ying suppress his injuries, he looked up at Jiang Qi in surprise. “You personally reopened the Heavenly Path, Grand Preceptor Jiang. When you entered the Stone City, you were only in the Transmutation Stage but became an Ascension Stage cultivator soon after entering the Taiyi Little Profound Heaven. Even if I do possess some capabilities, could I scheme all of this?”

Jiang Qi’s expression shifted slightly.

Xu Fu continued, “Grand Preceptor Jiang, you subdued the Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact, the Heavenly Punishment Sword, and transmitted your voice to the myriad realms to restore the spiritual root of heaven and earth, the Yin-Yang Vine.

“A masterstroke of a peerless sage! If I could calculate even those events, that would be truly terrifying.”

Jiang Qi composed himself, then bent down to check on Xu Ying’s injuries while secretly putting his hand on the Heavenly Punishment Sword’s hilt.

“The news of the Yunmeng Marsh’s appearance spread very quickly. Someone’s likely pulling the strings from behind the scenes, spreading the news to lure people there. This matter reminds me of something that happened two years ago.”

Xu Fu looked up, raised his hand to gesture something, then asked in confusion, “What is it?”

Jiang Qi followed the direction of Xu Fu's gesture, and widened his eyes in astonishment.

This little immortal mountain actually had its own atmosphere. Although it was exceedingly thin, it was undeniably there.

This little immortal mountain was actually a world unto itself!

Xu Fu’s gesture earlier had parted the dark clouds of this mountain realm. A ray of sunlight shone from somewhere unknown and fell on Xu Ying’s glabella.

The sunlight was no larger than an egg, yet it contained an unimaginable amount of spiritual qi and spiritual power.

When the ray of sunlight shone on Xu Ying’s glabella, an incomparably pure energy circulated without any need for cultivation techniques. It flowed into him naturally, nourishing his physique and even healing the injuries to his divine sense, soul, and ethereal void.

The ray had come from the sun of the Immortal Realm.

However, the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain was far too small. It could only bask in the sunlight of the Immortal Realm once each year.

Jiang Qi gazed at the ray. “This method is identical to the one used when the grand tomb of Mount Li appeared. I’ve studied Ancestral Dragon’s resurrection.

“The mastermind first spread news that the Twelve Golden Statues had appeared in Mount Li, luring the experts of the Exorcist noble clans there. These Exorcists served as scouts for the mastermind, entering the grand tomb and removing the dangers.”

Xu Fu smiled. “I’ve also heard of this, though I never realized there were so many hidden schemes behind it. Why don’t you explain it in greater detail?”

As the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain drifted toward the Yuanshou Realm, it gradually caught up to the Fusang Divine Tree.

Jiang Qi said, "The mastermind used them to scout the way ahead and neutralize any dangers. He also used the immortal herbs within those Exorcists as sacrifices to Ancestral Dragon. He didn’t have to lift a finger or expend a single resource. He simply manipulated others into accomplishing his goal of resurrecting Ancestral Dragon.”

Xu Fu smiled. “How does this person’s cunning compare to you, Grand Preceptor?”

“This person even included me in his schemes. He lured me to the Stone City and into Taiyi Little Profound Heaven. He used me as a pawn to help him reopen the Heavenly Path. However, he only succeeded because I was unaware of his scheme. If I had known, it’s difficult to say who would have been the player and who the chess piece.”

Xu Fu asked solemnly, “So, if you were given a chance to redo all of this, would you still enter the Taiyi Little Profound Heaven?”

Jiang Qi paused for a moment. The veins on the hand gripping the Heavenly Punishment Sword bulged.

As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he still spoke the truth. He said in a deep voice, “I will. I will still enter the Taiyi Little Profound Heaven, gather the spiritual root, and reopen the Heavenly Path.”

He had to do this. Only then could he gather more Origin Da Essence and prevent the emperor of Zhou and the others from falling prey to the heavenly demon.

Xu Fu smiled. “Then, why do you care whether you’ve been caught up in someone else’s scheme or used as their pawn?”

Jiang Qi gently released his grip on the sword, and his killing intent subsided. He smiled. “You’re a brilliant man.”

Xu Fu said calmly, “I have always been brilliant, though some people don’t know how to appreciate it. Take those Exorcist noble clans who died in the grand tomb of Mount Li, for example. Even if they had known I had spread the news, would they have stayed away?”

He smiled faintly. “They would’ve still gone, just like you, Grand Preceptor Jiang.”

Jiang Qi burst into laughter. “That is the brilliance of strategy.”

The two exchanged glances and smiled, sharing a moment of mutual respect.

Jiang Qi said, “I look forward to having a proper showdown with you.”

Xu Fu chuckled. “I won’t give you the chance. Take this time, for example. You never had an opportunity to strike at me.”

The two exchanged another glance and burst out laughing once more.

The Fangzhang Immortal Mountain caught up to the Fusang Tree. Jiang Qi picked up Xu Ying and jumped off the immortal mountain, returning to the tree.

He glanced back. The Fangzhang Immortal Mountain and Xu Fu had already vanished.

“This man is a formidable rival!” Jiang Qi let out a breath of stale air. Had he not been severely injured in his clash with Dragon Abyss, he would have loved to fight Xu Fu and test their abilities against each other.

“There’ll be a chance in the future.”

Ahead, the Yuanshou Realm was in view.

When Xu Ying awoke, the tree had already taken root deep within the Yunmeng Marshes. The people of the Fish Belly Realm were busy building their new homes.

The great marsh teemed with exotic beasts and was extremely dangerous. Surviving here was impossible without immense strength.

Xu Ying stood and saw Jiang Qi surrounded by a crowd. He taught them Qi cultivation techniques and explained some basic knowledge.

He shook his head, still a little dazed and finding it difficult to concentrate.

A bright light suddenly flashed across the sky. The people gasped in surprise. Xu Ying looked up and saw a scorching sun flying toward them. But on closer inspection, it was a phenomenon formed by the flames surrounding a Three-Legged Golden Crow.

The crow was massive, with a wingspan of several hundred zhang. The air grew unbearably hot as it flew toward them.

When the crow landed on the Fusang Tree, golden flames spread throughout the tree in the blink of an eye. The divine tree immediately began radiating a dense and overwhelming spiritual force.

Everyone breathed in the spiritual force and felt their strength rise steadily. They grew stronger, and their steps became lighter. They could see farther, and their hearing grew keener.

Everyone bowed in reverence to the crow. It flapped his wings and spread them wide like a supreme monarch, protecting the masses.

Suddenly, the crowd dispersed. The crow craned its neck, lowering its head from the tree until it was in front of Xu Ying, monitoring him.

Xu Ying heard an aged voice drift over from the crow’s mouth. “Strange. I think I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

Xu Ying looked at the crow up and down and said in puzzlement, “I have no recollection of you.”

The crow replied, “I must have seen you before, but I am too ancient, so much so that my memory is failing. I cannot remember where I’ve seen you. How strange, you couldn’t have lived this long.”

Jiang Qi emerged from the crowd. “The Fusang Tree can draw Golden Crows. With its protection, the people of Fish Belly Realm should have no problem surviving.”

Xu Ying smiled. “Grand Preceptor Jiang, how does it feel to save people?”

Jiang Qi replied, “To return from being a god to a human has certainly given me much to reflect upon. However, this era does not need humans.”

Xu Ying looked toward him, puzzled.

Jiang Qi put away the Heavenly Punishment Sword and tightened his clothes. “Humanity cannot survive in this era. Senior Ah Ying, I bear the heavy responsibility for everyone's lives on the Other Shore Divine Vessel. To possess humanity would harm them.”

He bowed to Xu Ying to bid farewell. “I must hold on to my divinity and not be swayed by emotions, but I do admire someone like you. Senior Ah Ying, we’ve forged a bond of goodwill today. If I ever ask for your assistance in the future, I hope you won't turn me down."

Xu Ying bowed slightly and nodded lightly.

Jiang Qi carried the sword on his back and shot into the air.

Xu Ying watched as he turned into a stream of light and disappeared into the sky. He murmured, “No need for humanity, and only retain divinity, huh?”

It suddenly occurred to him that Xu Fu wanted him to become exactly like that.

Just then, Yuanqi slithered over and said joyfully, “Ah Ying, you’re awake? Master Zhong, Master Zhong, come quick! Show Ah Ying the characters branded on your butt!”

Xu Ying was confused. He watched as Dazhong flew over hesitantly, with some cloth hanging on him. It was likely clothes the people of Fish Belly had sewn for him. He asked, surprised, “Master Zhong, why are you acting like this?”

When Dazhong got close, Yuanqi forcibly pulled off the clothes on him, revealing the eight bird-worm seal script characters engraved with the Heavenly Punishment Sword.

Yuanqi smiled. “Ah Ying, this is what Master Ying left for you when you were unconscious. He said to show you when you’re awake.”

Xu Ying stepped forward to examine them. His heart stirred slightly as he identified the characters one by one.

He could understand the bird-worm seal script characters at a glance, yet no matter how hard he tried, he could not remember their exact forms. Whenever he attempted to force himself to memorize them, a fog would surge through his mind, wiping the memory away.

Xu Ying repeatedly tried to memorize them, only to have his memory erased each time. In his daze, he suddenly realized something.

“Why do I have to remember them completely? I’ll break down these eight characters and derive different Dao arts from them. If I do that, can they still be erased?”

Dazhong said in embarrassment, “Ah Ying, are you done looking? I want to put my clothes back on.”

Yuanqi tried persuading him, “Master Zhong, these eight characters contain immense power. They could seal even Master Ying; perhaps this is your chance to rise from the ashes of obscurity.”

“You’re the ashes here!”[1] Dazhong flew into a rage, shedding his sense of shame, and threw himself into a fight with the giant snake.

A loud clang rang out as the bell’s might erupted. The bird-worm seal script Dao rune for “Imprison” on the bell’s wall burst into a blinding radiance. The space around Yuanqi folded, instantly trapping him within!

Another rune for “imprison” erupted within the rune, much smaller than the first, completely locking Yuanqi in place. Then, a third “imprison” Dao rune erupted, imprisoning Yuanqi’s ethereal void!

After his ethereal void was locked, a fourth Dao rune erupted, locking his Golden Core and cauldron.

A fifth “imprison” rune erupted, locking Yuanqi’s soul.

A sixth erupted, locking his three souls and seven spirits one after another.

When the seventh rune erupted, it had become minuscule, trapping Yuanqi’s speck of Eternal True Spirit within an infinitesimally small prison.

Yuanqi’s eyes couldn’t move, his ears couldn’t hear; his five senses were cut off. Even his soul had lost all perception. He couldn’t use his cultivation nor his divine sense, and he plunged into great terror.

Dazhong was momentarily stunned. Suddenly, he laughed out loud, clanging smugly. “I don’t need to wear clothes to cover myself, or hide myself any longer! With a mark like this, do I still need to fear the Carefree Bell or whatever? Even Li Xiaoke will have to call me Master Zhong! I’m going back to Jiucailing Ridge to compare notes with that bell, and see who is the real one!”

Xu Ying praised, “Master Bell, you’re truly noble. Now, can you let Yuanqi go?”

Dazhong triggered the “imprison” Dao rune by accident and didn’t know how to undo the seal. He fumbled around for some time without any results. Instead, he triggered the “jail” sealing rune and sealed Yuanqi even deeper.

Xu Ying had no choice but to painstakingly study these eight bird-worm seal script characters and record his insights to prevent his memory from being erased again.

Several days passed, and Xu Ying still hadn’t managed to break Yuanqi’s seal. He grew increasingly anxious, and Dazhong began to worry too, circling Yuanqi.

***

In the little stone city of Yunmeng Marsh.

Bei Chenzi’s face was ashen as he stared at the small altar before him. The arm-thick incense was still burning, and the Demon-Suppression Rune in the shrine was still there, but the characters kept fluctuating!

Clearly, someone was trying to break the seal!

“This is utter lawlessness!” Bei Chenzi cursed indignantly, then turned to the Divine Land’s earth god and said, “Unruly peasants are forcibly breaking the seal. Surely the higher-ups have to intervene in this matter now?”

The earth god’s short frame was not even taller than his calf. He pressed a crumpled yellow ritual paper on the altar and said angrily, “Intervene my ass! Two and a half years ago, I submitted a report to the higher-ups requesting a Heavenly Dao Divine Artifact to suppress the Ancestral Dragon.

“It’s still stuck in processing! Who knows how long we’ll have to wait for this report to get through!”

1. A Chinese idiom was used here, which literally translates to "a salted fish turning over.” It describes a hopeless underdog or someone at rock bottom suddenly making a massive, unexpected comeback. ☜