After leaving the “scene of the incident,” Meng Qi slightly deviated from the Qilu direction, heading northwest instead, intending to take a detour to avoid being traced based on the clue “Yuxu remnants.”
In this battle, he had sustained severe injuries: half his body, both arms, his head, and even his Yuan Shen had been torn apart—wounds not easily healed in a short time. For most Grandmasters, such injuries would have already been fatal. Fortunately, he still had one Dongji Changsheng Pill left from his previous mission. Since the danger had already passed, there was no need to consume it yet; he could instead use the healing pills he had taken from Huamei Villa. During his stay at Huamei Villa, he had been injured battling a Lan-ranked assassin, and Master Lu had gifted him some spirit pills, which were quite effective.
“It’ll probably take over a month to recover completely,” Meng Qi sensed his condition. Anyway, the following days would involve wandering naturally and traveling through the mundane world to digest what he had gained from the battle. He didn’t plan to provoke any Grandmasters actively. If danger did arise, he could always take the Dongji Changsheng Pill then.
Ahead was a small valley, lush with trees and a stream trickling through. Meng Qi stopped and found a spot, taking out two fragments of Chi Xia Daoist’s corpse, digging a hole to bury them, and setting up a blank wooden tablet.
“Taking your life avenges King Chen; from this moment on, we have no further grudges,” Meng Qi sincerely bowed. “As an opponent, your strength was formidable, and your mastery of the Yuan Magnetic Domain was exquisite. I admire you greatly. I bury you here to prevent your corpse from being used for cultivation tools or becoming prey for wild dogs and beasts.”
On the path of martial cultivation, it was common to encounter opponents who inspired admiration, even mutual respect, regardless of enmity or personal decisions—a simple respect for each other’s martial prowess.
From this battle, Meng Qi had also gained many insights. In the future, he could use the Neijing to manifest the “Solar Transformation” or the “Dual Yuan Magnetic Light Beast,” creating effects similar to the Yuan Magnetic Domain and catching opponents off guard in combat.
The Bayi Xuan Gong was precisely such a supreme martial art, capable of turning an enemy’s techniques against them!
If the Lan-ranked assassin weren’t currently in a self-destructing, frozen state, Meng Qi would have liked to study how to separate shadow, body, and Yuan Shen.
After burying Chi Xia Daoist, Meng Qi crossed the valley and found a secluded spot to hide. As he secretly cultivated his martial art to heal, he finally had time to inspect his spoils.
Respecting Chi Xia Daoist’s martial skills and burying his corpse did not prevent Meng Qi from looting his possessions!
“This is just how practical I am!” Meng Qi muttered to himself, first examining the ancient longbow. It was dark green and black in color, ordinary in appearance, with the characters “Shanhai” engraved in seal script.
He infused his consciousness into it, breaking its seals, and roughly understood its power. It was an exceptional treasure weapon, though imperfectly crafted, seemingly modeled after some divine artifact. Its bowstring was extremely difficult to draw; even Chi Xia Daoist, a Grandmaster, had struggled slightly.
The further the bowstring was drawn, the more powerful the golden light arrows became. The bow could amplify the optimal effect based on the characteristics of the force applied while drawing it. Just like Chi Xia Daoist’s “Disintegration,” if wielded by an opponent at the peak of the Outer Scenery realm, a single arrow at full draw could equal half a complete strike of a step forward. If unblocked or weakened, it could easily pierce Meng Qi’s Kunlun Daoist Robe and even injure his body. Even when used by Chi Xia Daoist, it had pierced through his defenses, leaving white marks on Meng Qi’s face and body.
The greatest feature of the Shanhai Bow was that it couldn’t be directly blocked. Even if weakened by traction or bound by restraints, these could only reduce its power, not slow its speed. The further the bowstring was drawn, the faster the arrow flew. Its attack range was two to four times that of Meng Qi’s fully powered Tian Zhi Shang technique.
“Now I have a long-range option besides my zither techniques,” Meng Qi thought, putting away the “Shanhai Bow” and slightly suspecting it might be a replica of the ancient Qiantang Pass Qiankun Bow.
Opening his spatial ring, Meng Qi found many treasures: five jade slips containing excellent Outer Scenery techniques—not part of the Jinguang Cave transmission, but rather Yuan Magnetic techniques and archery methods like “Shining Rain of Light” and “Night Blooming of a Thousand Flowers,” collected by Chi Xia Daoist himself, complete with his annotations indicating where the techniques had issues or were worth emulating.
Additionally, there were top-grade treasure-level Earth Magnetic Light Escape Talismans, a golden imitation of the Binding Immortal Rope, several bottles of healing pills, a spare set of “Dual Yuan Magnetic Robes,” a top-grade purple jade ruler, and five or six rare treasures imbued with powerful Yuan Magnetic energy, such as the “North Pole Mini Magnetic Mountain,” which Chi Xia Daoist could directly decompose for energy replenishment when exhausted.
“Truly worthy of a Grandmaster,” Meng Qi’s lips curled into a smile. Particularly the “Dual Yuan Magnetic Robe” was perfect for replacing his damaged Kunlun Daoist Robe. Although of a slightly lower grade, it could form an invisible “Dual Yuan Magnetic Light” around him, capable of distorting attacks to a certain extent—an acceptable substitute.
After changing into the new robe and stowing away the other items, Meng Qi pondered. The imitated treasures were mostly replicas of the Five Light Stone and Binding Immortal Rope. Could it be that the Jinguang Cave on Wudang Mountain was descended from Sun Wukong and Deng Chanyu’s lineage? Yet they did not claim to be Yuxu disciples, instead referring to Duke Huan’s lineage as remnants.
Shaking his head, Meng Qi decided not to speculate further. He closed his eyes, dispersing the medicinal energy to heal his wounds.
At present, only two things interested him the most: breaking through to a higher cultivation realm and attempting various methods to sense the Yuxu Palace in its mysterious, elevated position once again.
…
Five months later, in a temple in Linzi, Qi territory.
A little girl, a few years old, followed her mother to the temple to burn incense and pray for blessings. Along the way, captivated by the blooming flowers, she wandered down a side path.
Suddenly, she let out a frightened cry. Before her stood a monster—its head was long and narrow, split into two parts like legs, its feet were round and globular, and two crystal-like scars adorned its body.
Hearing her cry, her mother quickly approached, glanced at the scene, and chuckled in exasperation. She spat lightly and said, “Come with me to the hall, what’s so interesting about an upside-down person?”
“Upside-down person?” The girl’s eyes widened as she looked at the “feet” scars—those were actually eyes.
Their eyes met, and Meng Qi suddenly flipped upright, his lips twitching slightly, “Never seen someone upside down before?”
In his quest to sense the Yuxu Palace, he had tried faking death, pushing the Immortal Primordial Form to its limits, failing repeatedly, trying again and again. Eventually, out of sheer boredom, he had tried every posture imaginable—lying sideways, upside-down, and more—but without success.
The little girl was startled for a moment, then burst into bright laughter. “Uncle, you look really handsome when you’re not upside down!” she said, running into the hall.
Meng Qi clicked his tongue, stroking his chin. “Kids are just too honest.”
He stood up, stretching his limbs. These five months of focused cultivation, peaceful wandering, and steady progress had elevated his cultivation level once more. He was now close to touching the second tier of the heavenly ladder.
Feeling relaxed, Meng Qi stepped out of the temple and into the bustling streets of Linzi. Merchants thronged the area, and the crowd was lively. Though their attire wasn’t necessarily luxurious, most people appeared spirited and energetic, in stark contrast to the apathy and lifelessness he had observed among people in other states.
Turning down several streets, he often saw people giving public lectures, promoting the Mohist ideals of mutual love and benefit, and opposing unjust warfare. Crowds gathered around, many young men and boys filled with passion and vigor.
“Feels really good…” Meng Qi mused, a subtle sense of satisfaction and growing accomplishment welling up inside.
Inside the Grand Minister’s Mansion.
Bai Song sat at the head, Zhao Bai beside him, while many Mohists knelt and listened below.
“The Juzi taught us to always embrace the heart of mutual love, without discrimination based on wealth or status…” Bai Song, having listened to their reports, stroked his short beard and advised, “Especially now that we have gained dominance in Qi, we must remain humble and simple…”
Suddenly, Zhao Bai stood up, his voice trembling, unable to form coherent words.
Sensing his abnormality, Bai Song lifted his head and saw, standing by the door, a noble figure with an ancient appearance, his face familiar.
Joy lit Bai Song’s face as he stumbled to his feet. “Juzi!”
He was gently restrained from bowing deeply by a soft force, and a gentle voice reached his ears: “We Mohists do not adhere to elaborate formalities.”
“Juzi?” The Mohists below, who held power, were shocked. The Juzi they had revered and admired for so long had finally appeared?
They all stood up, hands at their sides, excited and thrilled, like the girls Meng Qi had seen chasing their idols.
“How is the current situation in Qi?” Meng Qi walked forward calmly, not boasting or preaching, only asking for updates.
Bai Song carefully chose his words. “Reporting to you, Juzi, it has been less than two months since Masters Jiang and Ruan departed. Currently, we have the full support of King Qi, and with the help of a certain individual, many opposing clans have been eliminated. The atmosphere is becoming clearer, and meritocracy is being promoted, replacing recommendations with assessments, attracting many powerful individuals. Public schools are also being promoted in Linzi and surrounding areas, though the effects are not yet clear.”
“Some clans, seeing that their fiefdoms and resources have not been confiscated, merely that they can no longer advance by birthright, and that assessments are now in place, have turned to us. The remaining stubborn ones have retreated to the borders, colluding with the state of Lu.”
“All internal customs duties, except those at the borders, have been abolished.”
…
He detailed everything, a hint of joy in his voice.
“Remain calm, proceed steadily,” Meng Qi nodded, turning to the other Mohists and bowing deeply:
“On behalf of the suffering people of the world, those trapped in chaos and injustice, I thank you all for your sacrifices, your courage, and your fearless actions!”
“Blood and sacrifice… the Juzi personally thanking us on behalf of the suffering…” Each Mohist suddenly trembled, as if struck by lightning, excited and thrilled, feeling their actions were truly worthy of the great righteousness!
Meng Qi’s gratitude was heartfelt; he felt a sense of guilt for awakening them but being unable to lead them.
Bai Song and Zhao Bai also wore expressions of joy, feeling their efforts were finally recognized.
Meng Qi sat down and began discussing Mohist doctrines, no longer just theoretical but now filled with practical methods, many of which were ideas he had once devised for Master Qi.
The Mohists listened in rapture, feeling their horizons greatly expanded.
…
Inside a palace, Meng Qi met with Duke Huan of Qi, who was dressed in Daoist robes.
“You sensed the Yuxu Palace back then?” Duke Huan’s white eyebrows twitched slightly.
Meng Qi nodded. “Unfortunately, I’ve tried many methods since, without success…”
He roughly described his attempts, hoping Duke Huan might discern something.
Duke Huan listened thoughtfully, then suddenly said, “You haven’t tried burning, chariot dismemberment, or lingchi execution yet…”
Don’t go that far… Meng Qi immediately broke into a cold sweat.
Duke Huan chuckled, suppressing his teasing tone. “The Yuxu Palace is in a mysterious place, accessible from anywhere in the world, yet not within this realm. Lately, time has often flowed at varying speeds—perhaps this is related…”
That’s probably the Six Paths’ doing… Meng Qi thought bitterly, looking at Duke Huan with anticipation. “Master Uncle, what do you advise?”
After a moment’s thought, Duke Huan said, “You and King Chu’s treasures taken from the Yuxu Palace have a connection. Now you also sense the Yuxu Palace, so the key must lie within yourself. At that time, you were at your strongest ‘self,’ having just overcome some obstacle. Perhaps when you are on the verge of crossing the second tier of the heavenly ladder, you will sense it again.”
That’s why the ‘Only Self Supreme’ technique, even with a strong sense of self, was useless… Meng Qi nodded slightly.
Suddenly, Duke Huan smiled. “But I can’t be sure. I will keep a close eye on you these days, not missing any of your movements, to find clues from the subtle changes.”
“Keep a close eye on me…” Meng Qi felt like a pervert was watching him, unable to help himself. “Master Uncle, you should know a few Yuxu transformation techniques. Why don’t you transform into a beautiful woman to watch me? Otherwise, I’ll feel chills!”
Duke Huan, known for his licentiousness and informality in his prime, had become familiar with Meng Qi’s casual speech after spending time together.
Duke Huan’s eyebrows and mustache trembled as he feigned anger. “Get out!”
“Alright, Master Nephew will immediately roll away!” Meng Qi was unfazed, chuckling, knowing this way he wouldn’t be watched.
Duke Huan’s expression froze, then he angrily shouted again. “Come back!”
He paused, then said. “Your practice of the Yuan Shijinzhang is all over the place. Let me explain it to you properly!”
“That would be great!” Meng Qi immediately sat upright.
…
Another three months passed, and Meng Qi’s Yuan Shijinzhang improved, as did his Bayi Xuan Gong.
One day, he sat in meditation, cultivating his techniques, when he sensed the second tier of the heavenly ladder appearing before him.
At that moment, his consciousness soared, and his spirit entered a mysterious realm, sensing a noble and grand palace.
The Yuxu Palace!
Beside him, Duke Huan sensed the subtle change and opened his eyes.
…
At the Jinguang Cave on Mount Wudang, the Ruyi scepter of King Zhuang of Chu suddenly emitted a dazzling radiance!
“Bring those two guests over,” King Zhuang of Chu, hiding his joy, ordered the boy.
…
Inside the small valley, Chi Xia Daoist’s grave suddenly cracked open, and two fragments of his corpse jumped out, wriggling and attaching together.
After a while, the “Chi Xia Daoist” moved his body, twisting his neck as if adapting to this form.
Then he raised his head, gazing upward into the boundless heights, as the surrounding void condensed, forming patches of black substance that merged into a dark Daoist robe. It enveloped the Red Glow Daoist, concealing his aura completely, leaving no trace exposed.
Creating something out of nothing!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage