Chapter 796: Passing by the Gate Without Entering

In the city of Guangling, Meng Qi resided in the guest courtyard of the Wang family, waiting for news from the Su Nu Sect.

This wait lasted a full two months, from early spring to midsummer, yet Meng Qi showed no signs of impatience. Calm and composed, he seemed to have forgotten all about it, because for him, there were many things to accomplish without relying on comprehending the “Overlord’s Decisive Blade.” Whether it was the “Dao Yi Seal,” the “Yuan Shi Golden Scripture” general outline for the Dharmakaya, the “Eight-Nine Profound Art” Dharmakaya section, the “Reversing Heaven Seal,” or the “Wu Ji Seal,” he had barely scratched the surface of these techniques. He only wished for more free time and never found the waiting tedious.

More importantly, during his battle against Haswula, Meng Qi discovered that his comprehension of the “Overlord’s Six Cuts” had distorted his “Heaven-Opening, Earth-Creating” technique. Therefore, he needed to reevaluate the moves he had previously mastered and reconsider whether there were any omissions.

What once seemed fine in the past might not appear so with current experience and insight.

Martial cultivation always advanced in a spiral, constantly ascending. If one became complacent with past achievements and previous understandings, one would only stagnate and never progress.

When the head-wrapped Wang Siyuan entered the guest courtyard, he saw Meng Qi, exuding an ethereal, almost illusory presence. He seemed connected to everything within the courtyard, as if all would vanish the moment he left.

“News has returned from the Su Nu Sect. Unless you truly join the Xuan Nu lineage and cultivate dual practice with the Xuan Nu manifestation, the ‘Overlord’s Decisive Blade’ will not be shared with you. However, if you agree to the above conditions, not only will you be allowed to comprehend it—cough—cough, you may directly control it.” Standing beneath the Bodhi tree in the courtyard, Wang Siyuan spoke in a tone devoid of emotion.

He always seemed to choose the pivotal spots of a battlefield, as if using them to foresee and develop his “Master Domain.”

Meng Qi furrowed his brows slightly. “These conditions are too harsh.”

It practically bound him permanently to the Xuan Nu lineage!

Cultivating dual practice with a Xuan Nu manifestation, aside from personal willingness, carried immense hidden dangers, easily leaving behind mental scars. Joining the Xuan Nu lineage wouldn’t be simple either; binding contracts were inevitable, leaving him no room to resist the Su Nu Sect in the future.

“The Su Nu Sect seems firm in its stance, leaving no room for compromise—at least according to the information we’ve received.” As a competent mystic, Wang Siyuan never closed the door completely.

Meng Qi’s thoughts raced, then he suddenly burst into laughter. “Then inform them that I care little for the ‘Overlord’s Decisive Blade.’ No matter how mighty the Overlord or how formidable the blade, it still ends in self-destruction, with neither lover nor subordinate surviving. What use is it to me?”

This was a move to retreat in order to advance!

Recent major events heralded the arrival of a great calamity. The Su Nu Sect, possessing a peerless divine weapon they could not use, must be anxious indeed!

Wang Siyuan did not mention the phrase “Past matters vanish like smoke and mist,” seemingly forgetting his earlier warning to Meng Qi. He coughed and turned, exiting the courtyard.

This time, the Su Nu Sect responded in merely a little over half a month, delivering a verbose message. Meng Qi summarized it in four words: “If you refuse, forget it!”

“The Su Nu Sect shouldn’t be this firm; they must have another trump card.” Wang Siyuan, the mystic, casually remarked.

Meng Qi shared this thought. Leaving the “Overlord’s Decisive Blade” unused was like leaving it as scrap metal. It would be better to exchange it for limited assistance from him than to gain nothing. The Su Nu Sect couldn’t possibly know the effect of “Past matters vanish like smoke and mist” on him. Why were they so confident he would ultimately yield?

Could it be they truly had another trump card, another way to initially control the “Overlord’s Decisive Blade”?

That’s why they were so firm?

As thoughts swirled in his mind, Meng Qi formed a rough plan. He needed to investigate this first, only then could he have the confidence to negotiate.

As for where to begin the investigation, Meng Qi already had a target—Liu Shuyu, the Xuan Nu disciple!

She had been blackmailed by Gu Xiaosang into doing many things detrimental to the Su Nu Sect, meaning she had vulnerabilities in her grasp. As long as he didn’t push too far and force her into a desperate corner, extracting some information shouldn’t be a problem.

Of course, first, he had to find her.

“Since Liu Shuyu is the Xuan Nu disciple, ‘Purple Roc Divine Hunter’ Liu Shengming must also have deep ties with the Su Nu Sect. I can start with him…” Meng Qi quickly formulated a plan.

Only a few years had passed, and the once formidable and untouchable “Purple Roc Divine Hunter” was now an ordinary opponent he could easily handle. This was the meaning of growth and progress!

Once the thought formed, he acted immediately, rising swiftly.

In Wang Siyuan’s eyes, mysterious connections abruptly severed. The courtyard returned to normal, no longer disappearing with Meng Qi’s departure.

…

In the imperial capital, at the residence of the “Purple Roc Divine Hunter.”

The middle-aged, slightly plump handsome man, Liu Shengming, walked slowly with his hands clasped behind his back toward his bedroom, enjoying the rare cool breeze of a summer night.

Servants along the way bowed respectfully. Their master had recently gained the emperor’s trust, solidifying his position as the Divine Hunter.

After extending his senses and confirming no danger, Liu Shengming pushed open the door and entered with a creaking sound.

He casually shut the door behind him, snapped his fingers, and the silver candle lit itself without wind, illuminating the cold painted screen.

“Who shall I have accompany me tonight…” Liu Shengming stroked the purple roc bird carved on his sword hilt, his mind flashing images of his many beautiful concubines—all objects of his energy cultivation.

Suddenly, Liu Shengming’s gaze froze, cold sweat forming rapidly on his forehead. For across from the silver candle sat a young man in a green robe, handsome and smiling playfully.

He seemed to have always been there, yet Liu had not noticed him at all. Even after lighting the candle, he had overlooked him. Only when the man picked up the teacup and took a sip did Liu finally notice him!

How terrifying was this!

The gap between their strengths had reached such a level?

“It’s been a while, Uncle Liu. You’re even more vigorous in your old age.” Meng Qi swirled his teacup, smiling.

Liu Shengming had served as a Divine Hunter for many years, encountering numerous vicious criminals. With rich experience, he wiped his forehead and chuckled, “The honorable young master’s visit graces my humble home.”

He sat cross-legged on the other side of the square table, sighing deliberately, “It’s only been three or four years, yet you’ve grown from a promising junior into a grand master. I’ve spent twenty-seven years and still haven’t crossed the second heavenly threshold.”

Meng Qi didn’t take the bait. “Uncle Liu, aren’t you curious why I came?”

“I’d be delighted to hear.” Liu Shengming maintained a calm demeanor, as if nothing could shake him.

“Ziyue often speaks of Shuyu’s whereabouts, so I came to ask.” Meng Qi brought the teacup to his lips.

Liu Shengming sighed. “My daughter was born with weak constitution, making martial cultivation difficult, always troubling her heart. However, heaven never completely closes the door. A wandering nun can help her achieve rebirth, though she must renounce luxury and endure twenty years of ascetic practices. Ziyue should know this. Perhaps she only wishes to know if Shuyu has written home?”

“A while back, I met Shuyu.” Meng Qi smiled.

Liu Shengming’s pupils slightly contracted, yet he remained outwardly calm. “Where did you see her? As a father, I miss her dearly. I wonder if she can endure the hardships?”

“In the Su Nu Immortal Realm.” Meng Qi set down his teacup, brushing his robe.

Liu Shengming forced a laugh. “What immortal realm…”

Before he finished speaking, his feet sprang, his body soaring like a roc, while a streak of light silently dove downward, attempting to penetrate the ground.

Darkness enveloped him, and with a bang, Liu Shengming felt the ground harden like steel, crashing into it and bleeding from his head. Staggering upright, he found the silver candle and painted screen unchanged, as was the young man Meng Qi, sitting unmoved.

Deeply aware of the gap between them, Liu Shengming’s smile twisted painfully. “What does the young master want from me?”

“Shuyu is the Xuan Nu disciple. Uncle Liu must also be part of the Su Nu Sect?” Meng Qi asked, expressionless.

Liu Shengming sighed deeply and sat back down. “I was once, but after the late emperor and the Chief Hunter uncovered my identity, I severed ties completely, devoting myself entirely to the imperial court. You can ask the Chief Hunter yourself.”

Meng Qi silently activated the Yuanxin Seal, detecting no falsehood in Liu’s words. He frowned slightly and smiled. “Then, Uncle Liu, do you know how to find Shuyu?”

“She’s a Xuan Nu disciple. Would she ever contact a traitor like me?” Liu Shengming, cunning as he was, had already grasped Meng Qi’s intent. He hesitated before speaking. “If the young master wishes to contact the Su Nu Sect, I do know a way.”

“I’d be glad to hear.” Meng Qi smiled and bowed.

Liu Shengming continued, “The island lord of the Three Fairy Islands in the Eastern Sea, ‘Wild Hermit of the Six Oceans’ Wu Jizhen, has deep ties with the Su Nu Sect. His deceased wife was likely a manifestation of the Xuan Nu. He must have known this, which is why he remained devoted to the current Xuan Nu.”

“‘Wild Hermit of the Six Oceans’?” Meng Qi asked seriously.

This was no ordinary Exo-Realm master—he was the ninth-ranked Grand Master on the current Earth List!

Liu Shengming nodded. “Correct.”

No lie… Meng Qi mused inwardly.

At that moment, a servant arrived, reporting that the emperor had summoned Liu Shengming to the palace.

“Uncle Liu enjoys the emperor’s great trust.” Meng Qi casually remarked.

Liu Shengming smiled bitterly. “He hopes to use energy cultivation techniques to assist in refining the people’s power. I happen to be somewhat skilled in that.”

Watching Liu Shengming leave, Meng Qi sat quietly for a while before suddenly vanishing from the Liu residence.

Strolling slowly along the midnight road, Meng Qi originally planned to visit Zhao Laowu, Su Ziyue, and Gu Changqing. With the threat of the old weeping man gone, he could return home. However, suddenly recalling Gu Xiaosang’s words—that as bait, if he wasn’t obedient, his loved ones would perish one by one—he immediately lost interest, wanting only to stay away and avoid bringing disaster upon them.

Sighing, Meng Qi vanished from the imperial capital, heading eastward toward the Eastern Sea.