Mist and vapor swirled in the air, and Yuan Yang and the others felt a surge of joy, struggling to overcome the dizziness caused by the spatial and temporal changes.
When the discomfort finally subsided, they exchanged glances, their eyes filled with happiness and tacit understanding from their joint efforts. Although the mission was full of challenges, aside from the initial difficulties, they had not encountered major setbacks, which prevented conflicts and blame among them. Compared to their initial unfamiliarity, they had now grown closer, developing a sense of camaraderie forged through shared hardships.
Of course, without having experienced failure or life-and-death trials together, the emotional foundation of the team remained fragile, far from reaching the level of mutual trust and reliance.
“Where is the Young Master?” Suddenly, Weng Lingyu exclaimed in shock.
She looked around, but could not find any trace of the Young Master.
At that moment, the indifferent voice of the Lord of the Six Realms echoed, announcing the completion of the mission, giving an evaluation, and explaining the issue regarding the auxiliary team. Finally, it said, “Recognition has been obtained from the other party. A connection has been established. If you have any questions or requests, write them down as a ‘letter’ and place it into the central light pillar. When the other party enters the cycle, they will see it and respond accordingly.”
“An auxiliary team?”
“The Young Master acknowledged us?”
Min Renlong and others blurted out in surprise and joy. To gain the Young Master’s recognition, who was so mysterious and unfathomable, was the greatest affirmation of their progress over the past seven days!
After calming their emotions, Wu Xiuxian remarked with a sigh, “The Young Master’s power is unfathomable. Even if he is not a master of the Outer Realm, he must be very close to one. If he were from our world, he would surely be a renowned figure.”
He was uncertain whether only people from their own world could be selected as reincarnators, considering that the city where the “Farewell Demon Sword” was located seemed entirely real—perhaps it was a world of equal standing.
“With the Young Master’s strength, he is still trapped in reincarnation… What kind of terrifying tasks must they be facing?” After these past few days, Min Renlong’s slight pride as a disciple of a great sect had been significantly tempered.
Weng Lingyu opened her mouth, her expression slightly shifting, but in the end, she said nothing.
Yuan Yang first thanked the “Young Master” a few times, then touched his face and gazed with a gleam in his eyes at the central light pillar.
…
After establishing contact with the auxiliary team, Meng Qi saw familiar figures appear before him through shifting lights and shadows. Jiang Zhiwei, dressed in a pale blue dress, sword in hand, stood in front of the central light pillar, lost in thought.
“Zhiwei?” Meng Qi felt slightly puzzled and called out cautiously.
Jiang Zhiwei stiffened slightly, then relaxed and turned with a smile, “You’ve opened nine orifices already? Not bad! Remember when I was approaching the fourth orifice, you hadn’t even completed the Qi Accumulation stage. Now you’re catching up quickly.”
She stood there, without the slightest hint of sword intent, appearing completely ordinary. Yet with every step she took, Meng Qi felt as if the air in front of her was being split apart, just like water naturally parting before Gao Lan.
“You’re not bad either. Half a year of quiet cultivation has brought you to the realm of communion with heaven, even nearing the unity of heaven and man.” Meng Qi grinned in reply.
“I have studied countless sword techniques and nurtured my sword intent for years. After countless life-and-death trials, I unleashed a self-consuming sword strike. If I still couldn’t achieve success, I’d truly be unworthy of myself.” Jiang Zhiwei lifted her head proudly, her confidence as strong as ever.
As Meng Qi was about to ask why she had been lost in thought earlier, the light pillar flared again, and Qi Zhengyan and Ruan Yushu returned.
“Are you also guiding new recruits?” Jiang Zhiwei asked.
“Yes. The team I guided was full of internal conflicts, so we haven’t established contact yet.” Qi Zhengyan replied simply.
Ruan Yushu’s long hair was casually tied up, the contrast between her jet-black hair and fair skin making her presence striking despite her cold demeanor.
She still held her Qifeng zither, and after a slight pout, she said, “Two of them are decent. I told them privately about the auxiliary team, but whether they can make it out ultimately depends on themselves.”
“The team I guided is quite good, worth further observation.” Meng Qi didn’t elaborate much on Yuan Yang and the others, as they were still far from reaching the level of his own team. They might even be wiped out in the next mission.
Jiang Zhiwei smiled, “The team I guided is similar to Yushu’s.”
At this moment, Meng Qi noticed that both Qi Zhengyan and Ruan Yushu’s auras had significantly strengthened, especially Qi Zhengyan, whose surrounding energy had turned dark and nearly purple, dotted with brilliant stars-like brilliance, deep and enchanting.
“It seems everyone has taken a step forward.” Meng Qi chuckled with a good mood.
Qi Zhengyan nodded, “A few months ago, I opened the eighth orifice. After some exploration, I finally mastered the basics of the Purple Stars River Skill, though I still struggle to control this powerful stellar energy.”
“I also achieved it a few months ago.” Ruan Yushu’s features had fully matured, shedding the last traces of youthful innocence, making her even more coldly enchanting.
Meng Qi wasted no time and got straight to the point, “I have a cultivation technique from the Buddhist Outer Realm called the Diamond Seal. Do you want to learn it?”
Jiang Zhiwei couldn’t help but laugh, but finally managed to compose herself, “If it were the Diamond Sword, I’d be interested to see it. But the Diamond Seal? No thanks.”
“Just focus on your own cultivation. No need to worry about us.” Ruan Yushu maintained a serious expression and tone, clearly implying that the Diamond Seal and Meng Qi were a perfect match.
Qi Zhengyan was the calmest, “It conflicts too much with Hun Tian.”
“By the way, little monk, Gao Lan has escaped and secretly headed south, stirring up chaos. My master was alarmed and went to Longtai. If you encounter him again, it’s best to avoid him directly.” Jiang Zhiwei, wanting to change the subject before Meng Qi brought up the cultivation technique again, deliberately diverted the conversation.
Speaking of this matter, Meng Qi recounted his experiences in detail, carefully omitting Gu Xiaosang’s teasing words and his absurd act of becoming sworn brothers with Gao Lan. Then, he took out the remnants of the Human Emperor’s Sword and earnestly asked, “Do either of you have any relevant forging diagrams to introduce?”
Jiang Zhiwei frowned slightly and answered indirectly, “According to my master, Gao Lan is sometimes wildly erratic, deeply emotional and sincere, while at other times, he turns cold and ruthless without warning. When he goes berserk, he becomes utterly irrational. At one time, he slaughtered so many aristocratic families and sects that had been loyal to the royal family of Northern Zhou that they turned against the Gao clan, conspiring with top-tier aristocratic houses and martial arts grandmasters to suppress and seal him. If it hadn’t been for the confrontation between the elders Chonghe, Master Lu, and the adversaries Gourdo and the Great Full of the Eternal Cult at that time, he might have perished.”
“When you interact with him, be very careful with your words and avoid touching his taboos.”
So, my big brother has such a past… A cold sweat broke out on Meng Qi’s forehead. Fortunately, he had always been cautious, and even though he had sworn brotherhood with Gao Lan, he had never spoken recklessly.
“It sounds like Gao Lan might have achieved the Dharmakaya…” Ruan Yushu’s voice was cool and ethereal.
Based on Meng Qi’s description, Gao Lan’s strength had already exceeded their imagination, becoming something unfathomable and incomprehensible. Therefore, she speculated that one of the legendary Twin Luminaries of the past might have also formed a Dharmakaya.
However, since the Ruan Clan of Langya had not had a Dharmakaya expert for generations, Ruan Yushu could only make a judgment based on fragmented records in the family scriptures, unable to confirm it definitively.
“Sometimes, my master gives me that same feeling, though only rarely…” Jiang Zhiwei mused thoughtfully, “If Gao Lan indeed formed a Dharmakaya, the world might be heading into turbulent times.”
“At the very least, the Heaven Ranking will see some changes.” Qi Zhengyan’s tone was ambiguous, whether out of yearning or reflection.
Since the topic of Dharmakaya was too distant from their current level, they didn’t dwell on it further and instead seriously discussed how to enhance the “Heaven’s Scar” or “Flowing Fire.”
Just then, the light pillar flared again, and Zhao Heng appeared within it—wounded.
Before Meng Qi could ask, he stepped out with a bitter smile, “The team I guided was too reckless and impulsive, taking unnecessary risks that drastically altered the mission. And since I couldn’t directly harm others, I nearly got dragged into their mess… Uh, the Human Dao Treasure! The True Emperor Seal!”
He hadn’t finished speaking before he was stunned into silence, for Meng Qi now held a seal emitting the aura of the Human Dao.
Heh, so Zhao Wu is keeping a close eye on the Crown Prince and Prince Jin’s intentions… Meng Qi inwardly chuckled, confirming Zhao Heng’s intentions, and leisurely said, “I picked it up on the road. Want it? If you do, say so, and we can talk about the details of the exchange.”
Zhao Heng’s expression slightly changed, and he helplessly replied, “I have no ambitions at all. I’ve never aspired to the throne. What use would I have for the True Emperor Seal?”
“Fine then, I’ll exchange it with the Six Dao.” Without hesitation, Meng Qi turned toward the central light pillar.
“Wait, wait a second!” Zhao Heng instinctively called out to stop him.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he saw Jiang Zhiwei covering her mouth with her left hand, trying not to laugh, Ruan Yushu looking at her own feet, seemingly trying to suppress something, and Qi Zhengyan turning his face away, unable to watch.
Zhao Heng’s eyelid twitched a few times, swallowing the words “present it to my father,” and self-mockingly said, “Sigh, the thief within the heart refuses to die. It will be hard in the future. Su Meng, could you keep the True Emperor Seal until the mission ends? I currently can’t gather enough Virtue Points.”
He had lost many items in his last mission, so he had converted most of his accumulated treasures from the main world into useful items. Despite his wealth, he was now struggling financially and had to ask Meng Qi to hold onto it temporarily, promising to pay Meng Qi back after completing the mission.
“Alright!” Meng Qi turned back with a grin.
After all, he had obtained it just for Sima Tutu’s wife and child. Keeping it with Zhao Heng for now could even help him pass the mission.
As there was no time to visit the Immortal Trace to make the exchange, and Virtue Points were urgently needed, Meng Qi reluctantly traded the “Diamond Seal” with the Six Paths for 1,050 Virtue Points. Adding this to his remaining balance, he now possessed a total of 1,170 Virtue Points.
Before the guidance mission, Jiang Zhiwei and the others had completed their exchanges, each keeping only 500 Virtue Points to pool together for the “Immortal Binding Rope”—a treasure worth 2,500 Virtue Points, usable only once, capable of binding experts below the third stage of the Outer Realm for five breaths, during which they could only rely on their physical body or a few extremely rare techniques to resist attacks.
Therefore, after obtaining the “Immortal Binding Rope,” they had nothing else to do and all helped Meng Qi plan how to upgrade his treasure weapon, even offering to lend him some pills if he needed more Virtue Points.
For Meng Qi, although he temporarily lacked healing pills, his protective martial arts had greatly improved, making him less prone to injury, and his recovery ability was already very strong. He could also purchase or temporarily “borrow” healing items from his companions in the mission world. Therefore, he decided to upgrade his treasure weapon first to enhance his combat effectiveness.
This would be more useful for the mission!
After careful consideration, Meng Qi chose to enhance Flowing Fire, as it was a sword and stronger than Heaven’s Scar, making it more suitable for using the remnants of the Human Emperor’s Sword. Jiang Zhiwei then provided a forging diagram detailing a method to refine the metal elements contained in the waste, supplemented with various fire-element materials.
After spending a total of 600 Virtue Points, Meng Qi watched Flowing Fire roll and steam within the central light pillar, radiating a crimson glow.
Shortly after, he retrieved the sword and immediately sensed something strange:
“Flowing Fire, a cultivable treasure weapon worth 5,000 Virtue Points, forged from the remnants of the Human Emperor’s Sword and dragon scales. Each time it kills a powerful enemy, it uses the enemy’s will and blood to temper itself and ascend.
Limited by its materials, it can only be enhanced to the level of a supreme treasure weapon.
Its heat is internally restrained, cutting through metal like mud, burning away evil and filth. If used to its full potential, it can cause weather changes within a twenty-mile radius, igniting clouds and filling the sky with flowing fire, turning the battlefield into a blazing inferno. If its power is concentrated, it won’t reveal its presence in the Outer Realm, instead releasing invisible sword qi to injure enemies. Once struck, a thread of ghostly flame will rise from the enemy’s feet, while a sliver of the Eightfold Heavenly Dragon Fire descends from their brow, and the point of impact will emit residual flames from the Dragon Platform. The convergence of these three flames will reduce the enemy to ashes.
It contains immense power, and through its aura, one can borrow part of its might, displaying various miraculous effects.”
Suddenly, flames erupted, and Meng Qi disappeared from Jiang Zhiwei’s sight. Soon after, firelight flared in the distance, and Meng Qi stepped out.
“One fire escape move of no more than ten zhang, but still quite good…” Meng Qi grinned.
Jiang Zhiwei admired Flowing Fire and praised it enthusiastically.
After preparations were complete, the group began waiting for the mission to begin.
Suddenly, Ruan Yushu murmured, “The Mirror of Revealing Demons, the Demon-subduing Pagoda, the Immortal Binding Rope—these treasures are strange and formidable, allowing those who open orifices to confront experts of the Outer Realm. Yet in our world, such things are practically nonexistent…”
Although the Ruan family also had treasures, they were merely separated from the weapon’s aura, capable of blocking a single strike from an Outer Realm expert or having similar effects. Unlike treasures like the Immortal Binding Rope or the Mirror of Revealing Demons, which had unique, targeted, and terrifying effects.
“Perhaps, there exists a world specialized in such things…” Meng Qi inhaled deeply, implying something.
At that moment, the voice of the Lord of the Six Dao echoed:
“In ancient times, gods and demons descended upon the mortal world, leaving behind numerous descendants, ultimate techniques, and divine weapons, bringing both chaos and prosperity to the land.
Now, the royal house has lost its way, the Son of Heaven has accomplished nothing, and rebellion flames rise everywhere.
Let us see which descendant of gods or demons will obtain the Nine Tripods and challenge the world!”
“Main Mission: Head to the Great Tranquil Kingdom, rescue the leader of the Red Garment Army, the ‘World-stabilizing Heavenly King’ Du Huaishang, who is trapped within the city, and assassinate the mastermind behind the scenes, the ‘Emerald-eyed Flying Dragon’ Zuo Hanfeng. Completion rewards: 1,000 Virtue Points. Failure penalty: corresponding deduction of Virtue Points.”
…
Behind a hill, within a camp, several men dressed in red were sitting with furrowed brows.
“Old Sixth, didn’t you burn the talisman left by the immortal, which could summon the Master for help? Why hasn’t he appeared yet?” The leader anxiously paced.
Old Sixth was a wiry, monkey-like man who sighed, “I just tried it on a whim. I didn’t expect the immortal’s talisman to be ineffective…”
Boom!
Suddenly, thunder rumbled in the sky, and countless bolts of silver-white lightning struck down, illuminating the surroundings as bright as day.
Crackling with electricity, five figures emerged from the dazzling flashes.
“Master…” The red-clothed men stood with their mouths half-open, staring blankly at the strange phenomenon before them.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage