Chapter 115: The Foundation of Creation

“Great Siming, what exactly is this Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth? For something to make even you mobilize personally on such a grand scale...” Li Shun seized the opportunity to ask, his face filled with genuine confusion.

He deliberately chose not to ask Duan Jiuzhang. There seemed to be some unspeakable secret surrounding this Celestial Phenomena Realm expert.

Instead, he directed the question straight at the little girl.

Li Shun had heard the title Great Siming before from Sun Chengyou, but he had never imagined that the head of Great Qian's Directorate of Celestial Observation would appear to be nothing more than a seven or eight-year-old child.

Ordinarily, with the existence of the Twelvefold Longevity Methods, appearances could never be trusted.

Yet judging from their brief interaction just now, this Great Siming genuinely did not seem particularly bright...

Li Shun's assessment was surprisingly accurate.

Faced with his question, the Great Siming showed not the slightest hint of caution. She scratched her head and answered directly.

"You don't even know what the Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth is?"

"Xuan is the color of Heaven. Huang is the color of Earth. The Xuanhuang of Heaven and Earth is the primordial essence of the beginning of creation, the very foundation of all creation itself. Its nature is supremely spiritual and immeasurably heavy. Even a single wisp is enough to suppress countless mountains and stabilize the very world. This qi does not originate solely from the primordial void. It also gathers from the accumulated merit of countless generations of humanity. Whenever Sages govern the world, blessing all living things, and their sincerity moves the heart of Heaven, Xuanhuang Qi descends. Store it within oneself, and all evils are warded off while karma can scarcely interfere. Refine it into a treasure, and even divine weapons become everlasting, attaining true spiritual creation..."

The little girl swayed her head from side to side as she rattled off an exceptionally long explanation in one breath.

Duan Jiuzhang looked as though he wanted to interrupt several times.

In the end, however, he merely sighed and chose not to stop her.

Li Qing listened with a completely bewildered expression, unable to make sense of a single word.

Li Shun, however, had once stolen a strand of the Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth and personally experienced its miraculous effects.

A thoughtful gleam flashed through his eyes as understanding gradually dawned upon him.

‘The primordial essence... the very foundation of creation.’

‘It is born not only from the primordial void, but also from the accumulated merit of countless generations...’

Li Shun finally understood why strands of Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth had been entwined around Lord Ge's stone statue.

Because Ge Linfeng was genuinely revered by every citizen of Jiuyi.

To utter words bordering on treason, within Jiuyi Commandery, the people's admiration for Lord Ge even surpassed their reverence for the Qian Emperor himself!

‘If it gathers from the accumulated merit of the people... then doesn't that mean every place throughout Great Qian where someone like Lord Ge is worshipped by the masses would also possess Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth?’

‘Lord Ge has already become wary after I took one strand from him. But what about everywhere else?’

Li Shun's expression remained perfectly calm.

Yet beneath that composed exterior, waves were already surging through his heart.

The Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth was simply too valuable to him.

Not only could it expand the Fangcun space, it also greatly accelerated the refinement of the Sage's legacy.

The more, the better.

Unfortunately, for Great Qian and perhaps even for Heaven and Earth itself, the Xuanhuang Qi seemed to be of immeasurable importance.

Whoever stole it would inevitably invite heavenly punishment.

Without the protection of Threefold Self-Reflection, given Li Shun's current cultivation, attempting to steal the Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth and escape unharmed would be nothing more than a fool's dream.

That was also why he had managed to clear himself of suspicion so easily.

'I need to learn more.'

With that thought in mind, Li Shun continued asking with an innocent expression.

"If it's so precious, then why isn't it guarded more heavily? Lord Ge's shrine seems completely open to the public. Ordinary people can enter freely. It's only natural that thieves would eventually set their sights on it."

The little girl rolled her eyes at him.

"The Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth is Heaven's reward and the lingering warmth of the Great Dao itself. Without immense fortune and extraordinary virtue, anyone who touches it will immediately suffer backlash!"

"Generally speaking, those capable of touching it would never think of stealing it."

"And those lacking sufficient cultivation and virtue can't even perceive its existence..."

"There hasn't been a single case of Xuanhuang Qi being stolen anywhere in Great Qian for who knows how many years."

The Great Siming looked increasingly distressed, her tiny face filled with worry.

Just then, Duan Jiuzhang suddenly seemed to recall something.

He lowered his voice and asked, "Great Siming, since you've personally traveled all the way from the Sacred Capital..."

"Even with the Grand Heavenly Mirror monitoring everything, you still can’t find any clues regarding the missing Xuanhuang Qi?"

The little girl nodded. “I've searched all over the world and couldn't find it. And it isn't because the Grand Heavenly Mirror is malfunctioning either.”

“If it isn't within the Xuanhuang...” Duan Jiuzhang's expression abruptly darkened. Almost imperceptibly, he raised his head and glanced toward the heavens.

Then he spoke in a low voice, “If the stolen Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth has truly vanished from this world, then...”

He cupped his fists respectfully before continuing, “In this humble official's opinion... the most likely explanation is that an Otherworldly Celestial Demon has reappeared.”

Duan Jiuzhang's expression was incomparably solemn.

The little girl, who had been scratching her head, suddenly froze.

“An Otherworldly Celestial Demon? That... shouldn't be possible, right?” A trace of fear unexpectedly crept into her voice.

“No, no. Definitely not.” She immediately shook her head furiously, denying the possibility herself.

“This is shortening my lifespan. The theft of the Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth is already serious enough. If an Otherworldly Celestial Demon has really appeared...”

A flicker of panic flashed across the little girl's face.

“Wouldn't that mean all my upcoming beauty sleep is ruined?”

From their conversation, Li Shun quickly pieced together several important clues.

'It isn't only an Otherworldly Celestial Demon that can steal the Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth. It seems anyone with sufficient cultivation can do it.'

'However, when a native of Great Qian steals it, calling it "theft" isn't quite accurate. It's more like a transfer. Regardless of who possesses it, the Xuanhuang Qi still remains within the world of Great Qian.'

'But if an Otherworldly Celestial Demon takes it... the meaning is completely different.'

'It means the Xuanhuang Qi of Heaven and Earth has disappeared from Great Qian altogether.'

While Li Shun's thoughts raced, Duan Jiuzhang had already turned to the little girl with utmost seriousness.

“Great Siming, the reappearance of an Otherworldly Celestial Demon is no trivial matter. I ask that you return to the Sacred Capital immediately and report this to His Majesty.”

The little girl was startled.

“Th... that's a bit unnecessary, isn't it? We still haven't completely confirmed it.”

Duan Jiuzhang remained resolute.

“The sooner this matter is reported, the better. Even if it cannot be presented directly before His Majesty, the Left and Right Chancellors must at the very least be informed.”

Seeing how grave Duan Jiuzhang was, the little girl could only let out a long sigh.

“Fine... There goes my vacation.”

She muttered to herself before lightly hopping into the air.

With a single leap, she landed atop the clouds and transformed into a streak of light that vanished into the distance.

Duan Jiuzhang lowered his head and fell into deep thought.

Li Shun and Li Qing quietly stood at his side, not daring to disturb him.

Even they had begun to realize just how serious the situation had become.

“Let's go. We'll focus on our own business.”

After a long silence, Duan Jiuzhang suddenly spoke.

Li Shun blinked in surprise.

“Lord Duan, we're just going to ignore this matter concerning the Otherworldly Celestial Demon?”

Duan Jiuzhang chuckled.

“You may not be very strong, but your ambitions certainly are. Although the Otherworldly Celestial Demon concerns the very safety of Great Qian, it isn't something the two of you need to worry about.”

“We'll do what we're supposed to do.”

“The sky isn't going to fall.”

His tone carried absolute confidence.

Li Shun could only nod in agreement.

As evening approached and the weather finally became a little cooler, the three of them resumed their journey.

Not long after leaving Lihuo County, a figure suddenly came chasing after them from behind.

“Hm?”

Duan Jiuzhang pulled on the reins and brought his horse to a stop, a trace of displeasure appearing on his face.

“Father...”

The newcomer was dressed in official robes. Upon seeing Duan Jiuzhang, he immediately bowed respectfully.

“What are you doing here? You're responsible for governing an entire region, yet you seem to have far too much free time.”

Duan Jiuzhang's voice was cold as he questioned him.