Had he grasped the secret of reversing time?
Yan Chixia and Left-hand Deputy Sun Junlin were both seasoned martial cultivators, yet now they felt as if they were listening to divine scriptures. Things they had clearly experienced firsthand sounded completely different when recounted by another. It was like when they were children, going to the alley to buy a sugar figurine, only to be told upon returning home that there had been demonic invasions, heroic interventions, fierce battles, and moving emotional tales. Eventually, everything calmed down, seemingly something had happened, yet no trace remained. To themselves, it could only be a story.
The monk named Yusheng hadn’t spoken, but it seemed Meng Qi knew that the fact he carried the “Earth Store Spirit Crossing Sutra” had slightly shaken him, making him reluctant to affirm or deny the truth, yet he also couldn’t confirm whether the Patriarch of Cang Sect fabricated this story for another hidden purpose.
Seeing everyone fall silent, Meng Qi did not directly reveal the secret of reversing time. Instead, he recounted several different developments, such as various ways in which Ning Caichen and Nie Xiaoqian had met.
This left the people present exchanging astonished glances. If it were merely an invented tale, how could the details be so elaborate, perfectly matching each person’s personality and manner of speaking? It made them feel as if they had indirectly encountered another version of themselves!
Surely this couldn’t be fabricated out of thin air?
Or could it be that the other party’s ability to divine and predict had reached an extremely terrifying level? Then why would he choose to deceive them in such a way instead of using other methods?
As they remained doubtful and shocked, Meng Qi clasped his hands behind his back, gazing upward at the vast and profound starry sky, sighing slightly, “After several attempts, this old man discovered that Young Master Nangong wasn’t from our world. He came from an external realm, descending through some connection, creating his physical form from emptiness. Precisely because of this, he could reverse time within a limited, small scope.”
“Creating something from emptiness, reversing time itself…” Du Qingqing murmured to herself. She had known Chong Ge for quite some time; how could she have completely missed such a power, stronger than gods and demons?
Was he an incarnation of the Creator? As Yan Chixia and others were stunned, temporarily forgetting to discern truth from falsehood and forming countless guesses, Meng Qi continued in a seemingly calm tone, “Therefore, this old man projected his Yuan Shen, replacing ‘Cangtian’ with ‘Huangtian,’ following Young Master Nangong’s descending connection, piercing through the barrier and spiritually traveling to his world.”
“What?” Yan Chixia and Left-hand Deputy Sun Junlin’s mouths slowly opened. They never expected the “story” to take such a twist!
Piercing through the barrier and descending in reverse? It completely surpassed their imagination, more bizarre than any tale they had ever heard. If not for experiencing it firsthand, who could fabricate such a thing?
Du Qingqing, Ning Caichen, and Nie Xiaoqian were even more confused, their expressions blank, as if listening to an unprecedented storytelling session.
“Amitabha, what sights and experiences did the lay devotee encounter in that world?” Yusheng finally spoke.
Not making hasty judgments was his style, so after repeated shocks, he chose to inquire in detail, seeking clues to determine truth from falsehood.
Meng Qi withdrew his gaze, his eyes deep and serene, his expression leisurely, “The world where Young Master Nangong resides is completely different from ours. It follows the path of tools and craftsmanship, exploring the universe, summarizing laws, then using those laws to create external objects that, in turn, enhance the body and extend lifespan.”
“They already possess fleets capable of roaming the Milky Way, capable of destroying stars. Their daily lives are extremely convenient, far surpassing the commoners of our world: communication is done through telephone networks, making distances of thousands of miles feel like whispers in the ear; travel across land and sky is done by airplanes and flying cars, making even the farthest corners of the earth reachable within the time it takes to enjoy a feast…”
Du Qingqing and the others listened intently. This was completely different from their own lives, evoking endless imagination. Moreover, the details were vivid and specific, seemingly real. It would be extremely difficult to fabricate such depth solely from imagination!
Could there truly exist such a fantastical place in the world? Such a convenient and comfortable lifestyle?
After briefly describing Nangong Chong’s world, Meng Qi slightly curved his lips, shifting the topic, “The place where this old man descended was Young Master Nangong’s home, where I discovered he was playing a game called ‘Old Demon of Black Mountain.'”
“A game?” Everyone except Yusheng exclaimed in unison.
They all understood the meaning of “game,” yet now it felt different. Moreover, it was named “Old Demon of Black Mountain!”
“Just like ‘Hawk Catches Chick’ is called a game, ‘Old Demon of Black Mountain’ uses our world as a reference, creating illusions where players immerse themselves, choosing to play different roles like ‘hawk’ or ‘chick.’ Young Master Nangong ‘played’ the role of Young Hero Nangong Chong.” Meng Qi briefly explained, helping everyone grasp the concept of the “Old Demon of Black Mountain” game.
“If it’s an illusion, why could we see it and interact with it?” Yan Chixia frowned.
Meng Qi nodded slightly, “This old man was equally puzzled at the time. However, after investigation, I discovered the issue. Unlike others entering illusions, Young Master Nangong directly descended into our world, originating from a mysterious fragment belonging to another faction.”
He didn’t elaborate further. Raising his right hand, he drew a circle in the air, projecting a “video” of his conversation with Wu Youming.
“Reverse descent of the Female Emperor?” Left-hand Deputy, Yan Chixia, and Du Qingqing focused on this point first. Even Yusheng became solemn, as Wu Youming spoke logically and coherently. Though they didn’t understand “virtual reality technology,” they understood illusions. They could judge the plausibility of the entire event!
Meng Qi changed the scene again, showing himself bringing Nangong Chong into Cangqiong Game Company and battling fiercely with the Female Emperor. Watching this, Yan Chixia and others felt their breathing grow heavier, as they recognized the figure as indeed the Female Emperor!
“Later, this old man used the power of that world’s nation to destroy the game company, but the Female Emperor had already returned earlier. The mysterious fragment’s whereabouts became unknown, and the special device was completely destroyed. Only then did we see the Old Demon of Black Mountain’s final message.” Meng Qi finally displayed that blood-soaked text. “Precisely because of this, time in our world returned to normal, and Young Master Nangong could no longer descend. His physical body naturally dissipated.”
“In other words, Chong Ge isn’t dead?” Du Qingqing seized the most important point, her expression a mix of sorrow and joy, leaning toward belief.
At this moment, Left-hand Deputy Sun Junlin suddenly understood, “Patriarch, the things you previously showed to Grandma were obtained from that world, right? They were attempts made by a player within the illusion?”
He wasn’t disappointed because the Patriarch lacked “foreknowledge.” If this were true, the Patriarch replacing “Cangtian” with “Huangtian,” projecting his Yuan Shen out of this world, and spiritually traveling beyond the heavens had already surpassed all current Grand Masters, rivaling gods and demons, making him even more revered!
“Indeed.” Meng Qi’s green robe slightly fluttered.
No wonder! He had always wondered where the Patriarch learned about Grandma’s past lives, assuming he could touch the realm of gods and demons. But even now, it was impressive enough! Sun Junlin first felt his confusion dissipate, then furrowed his brows again, “But if it was just an illusion, why did Grandma say she had dreamed similar things before?”
This contradiction also puzzled Yusheng, Yan Chixia, and others.
Meng Qi spoke calmly and casually, “This old man once visited a place where the scenery was identical, yet different people saw different things. They couldn’t touch key objects. Investigating the reason, it turned out this place was special, higher than ordinary worlds, containing everything each person saw, manifesting differently according to the individual without touching their true selves. However, yin and yang, positive and negative are fundamental principles of heaven and earth. If there’s an effect, there can be a counter-effect. Not touching the true self doesn’t mean it can’t influence the true self. At that time, there was indeed a change that caused the true coffin to open.”
“This case is similar. The illusion originates from the true self. Events within the illusion vary according to each person’s choices, differing from the true self. This difference can be transmitted back to the true self through the interaction of opposites. Of course, the influence isn’t significant, at most causing dreams. Those with strong minds might not even dream.”
Ning Caichen listened, half understanding, astonished, “I often have strange dreams I can’t remember. Could it be due to this?”
“Exactly so. Sometimes, events calculated and evolved within illusions can even help us ‘see the future.'” Meng Qi looked at Ning Caichen with sympathy.
Yan Chixia had one doubt resolved but quickly another arose, “If they can manipulate time reversal, won’t they be able to kill us at will?”
If they couldn’t kill us now, they’d just go back to the past!
Meng Qi paced slowly with his hands behind his back, “Not to mention their limited ability to reverse time. From what this old man knows, once one reaches the ‘Other Shore’ spoken of in Buddhism, past, present, and future truly become everywhere. We martial cultivators must never judge others by ourselves.”
“Amitabha, what the lay devotee says is correct.” Having inherited the legacy of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Yusheng wasn’t unfamiliar with the “Other Shore” realm. He clasped his palms, looking at Meng Qi solemnly, “Does the lay devotee wish for this old monk to join forces with you against the Female Emperor and the Old Demon of Black Mountain?”
“Concerning the rise and fall of this world, how could this old man remain idle?” Meng Qi slightly nodded, confirming Yusheng’s guess.
Before Yusheng could reply, Yan Chixia’s face turned serious, “I still find it hard to believe.”
It was simply too fantastical! He suspected that the Patriarch of the Cang Sect fabricated the entire story to gain Yusheng’s alliance.
Not only he, even Yusheng and Left-hand Deputy couldn’t fully believe it!
Meng Qi spoke calmly, “If you don’t believe, you can project your Yuan Shen, and this old man will send you to that world for a spiritual journey.”
“What?” Yan Chixia’s pupils simultaneously constricted. Could he actually send someone there? Was this real?
“The master will be watching, so you needn’t worry about this old man manipulating anything.” Meng Qi added.
Yan Chixia’s expression changed repeatedly. Before he could speak, Du Qingqing stepped forward urgently, “Senior, could you send this humble girl to see Chong Ge?”
“You’ve just entered the Outer Scenery, your Yuan Shen isn’t stable. Going there would turn you into a wandering soul, quickly dissipating, unable to return.” Meng Qi shook his head.
Du Qingqing was deeply disappointed, tears sliding down.
Yan Chixia exchanged glances with Yusheng, seeing him nod, then gritted his teeth, “Fine, I’ll give it a try.”
Thus, he sat cross-legged, entered deep meditation, and slowly projected his Yuan Shen.
At this moment, everyone saw Meng Qi’s eyes growing deeper, star-like lines emerging, as if containing a brilliant yet mysterious universe.
Deep within that starry abyss, darkness condensed into unity, indistinguishable yet the source of everything!
“Huangtian shall rise?” Left-hand Deputy’s eyes widened, his heart stirred.
Meng Qi raised his hand, and the surroundings instantly turned pitch black, devoid of any light, as if a rift had appeared, devouring light and all things.
In that instant, in the eyes of Left-hand Deputy, Du Qingqing, and others, Meng Qi truly resembled a god or demon!
…
Back home, Nangong Chong felt unusually exhausted, wanting nothing more than to collapse into sleep. He took off his clothes, entered the bathroom, and chose to take a shower.
The sound of rushing water relaxed him, washing away much of his fatigue and tension.
Sigh, finally over…
Just as Nangong Chong turned off the shower, a cold wind arose, making him shiver.
“Master Nangong.” A familiar voice suddenly entered his ears.
Nangong Chong froze, eyes widening, seeing a blurred figure appear before him—it was Yan Chixia!
“Good grief, another one…” Nangong Chong’s mouth opened wide, staring blankly at the “ghost” before him, feeling somewhat lost.
Suddenly, he snapped back to reality, realizing he was still naked. Hurriedly grabbing a bathrobe to cover himself, he asked in a low voice, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, “Master Yan, did you also get transported here?”
“Yes, with help from the Patriarch of Cang Sect. He sent me to confirm the truth with Master Nangong.” Yan Chixia honestly replied, “I have no physical form to rely on, I can only stay for half an hour. Please assist me, Master Nangong.”
Nangong Chong clenched his teeth inwardly, forcing a smile on his face:
“This junior will now take Master ‘online’!
…
After finally getting rid of Yan Chixia, he returned to the bathroom, sat on the toilet, relieving stress while muttering curses, “Will this ever end? My home isn’t a transit station for cross-dimensional travel!”
Before his words faded, cold winds rose again, and an old monk appeared before him.
Nangong Chong’s expression froze as he sat on the toilet, instinctively bowing, “Master Yusheng…”
…
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