Chapter 822: Meng Qi’s “Save Point”

Without any emotion in his gaze, Meng Qi glanced at Nan Gongchong and slightly nodded without speaking.

“Having a heart filled with righteousness is excellent,” Yan Chixia praised, making Du Qingqing’s delicate face shine with a glow, as if sharing in the honor.

Ning Caichen felt rather shy and hastily waved his hand, saying, “No, no need for that.”

Being together with another man while urinating made him feel awkward. After all, they were just outside the hall, separated by a single wall from Yan Chixia, the legendary swordsman; there shouldn’t be any malevolent ghosts lurking around.

Nan Gongchong laughed loudly and said, “Young Master Ning, no need to mind. I will choose another spot.”

Hearing this, Du Qingqing secretly spat in disapproval. Do practitioners of martial arts still need to relieve themselves? How embarrassing for Chongge!

Relieved, Ning Caichen climbed through the large hole and, seeing Nan Gongchong indeed heading in a different direction, expressed his gratitude with a glance. He hurriedly found a stone pillar in the corridor, loosened his belt, and looked visibly relaxed.

At that moment, a gust of cold wind blew through, and Yan Chixia inside the hall abruptly stood up, sensing the sudden loss of Ning and Nan’s presence!

What a formidable ghost!

He drew the broadsword from his back and dashed through the large hole. At the same time, he instinctively turned his head and saw that the mysterious man in the green robe still sat with his eyes closed, composed as ever, seemingly unaware of the change or treating it as an insignificant matter.

Du Qingqing noticed the anomaly a moment later, her face showing panic. Turning to Meng Qi, she said, “Senior, Chongge has vanished! It must be the work of the evil ghosts in Lanruo Temple. Please help us out of righteousness.”

At that moment, Zuo Shi, Sun Junlin, whispered in agreement, “Patriarch, why don’t we directly capture the evil ghosts here?”

The timing of this statement was noticeably delayed compared to the first time, indicating that even with similar intentions, the choice of when to express them would vary depending on the situation. Such subtle differences in outcomes based on different choices intrigued Meng Qi, giving him a deeper understanding of the unpredictability of human hearts and the future. He could use this insight to enhance his cultivation of the Yuanxin Seal and other techniques.

He remained with his eyes closed, calmly telling Zuo Shi and Du Qingqing, “Don’t panic; neither of them will be in danger.”

His firm voice carried a peculiar sense of calm, instantly easing Du Qingqing’s tension, evoking memories of her childhood when facing her parents—no matter what happened, they would handle it, and nothing serious would occur.

“Senior is waiting for the right moment?” she asked obediently, not urging Meng Qi to take action.

Watching the show… Meng Qi silently replied.

…

The hall was gone, and all around were winding corridors. Nan Gongchong’s lips curled into a faint sneer as he retrieved an object from his storage bag and suspended it behind his head—a small, ancient bronze mirror.

The mirror, covered with deep intricate patterns, emitted radiant light as bright as the midday sun, piercing through the surrounding fog and shaking the illusory void like reflections in a mirror or flowers in ripples.

Within two or three heartbeats, all illusions were dispelled. Nan Gongchong saw the hall again, the normal corridor covered in bird droppings and weeds, and Yan Chixia rushing out.

He pulled out a small banner to conceal his presence and form, using the illusion to blend into the shadows. After Yan Chixia rushed off in the direction where Ning Caichen had vanished, he glanced back at the hall, carefully retrieved an earth-escape talisman, and slipped out of Lanruo Temple unnoticed.

He must “prematurely” encounter the foolish monk to deceive that mysterious and terrifying man in the green robe!

…

Ning Caichen had just fastened his belt when he heard a mournful wailing sound from his ear, scaring him nearly out of his wits. He hurriedly turned to run but found the hall gone.

Suddenly, a faint fragrance wafted past, making his head spin. When he regained his senses, he found himself in a simple room with a table, a bed, and four chairs, all neatly cleaned.

“Perhaps I’ve been reading too much and have a headache?” Ning Caichen thought this was the inn where he was staying, feeling nothing unusual, as if he had forgotten that he had left this place earlier that day to stay overnight at Lanruo Temple.

Dong dong dong, came the sound of knocking on the door.

Before Ning could ask, the door creaked open, and a beautiful woman in a white gauze dress walked in. She had deer-like innocent eyes, a cold and pure demeanor, slightly thick and dark eyebrows that complemented her features, and a beautiful figure faintly visible beneath her translucent gauze.

Even women would be captivated by her.

“Young lady, you must have entered the wrong room!” Ning Caichen kept his eyes wide open at first, then tightly shut, repeatedly telling himself, “No looking at impropriety!”

The girl in white gauze spoke with a soft and alluring voice, “The moonlight is bright, and I couldn’t sleep. I admire your grace and wish to be intimate with you.”

“Young lady, don’t speak recklessly! I have studied the teachings of sages and know the virtues of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. How could I commit such a disgraceful act that would invite criticism?” Ning Caichen kept his eyes tightly shut.

“In the quiet of night, no one will know,” the girl’s voice was so soft it seemed to drip with moisture.

“A gentleman must be cautious even when alone!” Ning Caichen waved his hand forcefully, whispering harshly, “Go away immediately!”

After scolding her, he couldn’t help but add with concern, “Young lady, you are still young, perhaps misled by old women’s stories, unaware of right and wrong, thus committing such an indecent act. If your parents or others find out, you may not be able to hold your head high anymore. Accumulated defamation can destroy even the strongest bones. Moreover, if your behavior itself is improper, do you want to be forced to drown yourself? Go back, forget this incident, and don’t act so frivolously again. I won’t mention this again either, to protect your reputation.”

This heartfelt speech, filled with sincerity, showed genuine concern for the girl’s reputation. The girl in white gauze was momentarily stunned, her eyes brimming with tears. She inhaled deeply, suppressing her sobs, and forced a seductive smile, asking, “What do you think should be done to be intimate with you?”

“Of course, it must be through a proper marriage with matchmaker and ceremony!” Ning Caichen replied decisively.

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding environment changed again. Ning Caichen opened his eyes, slightly dizzy. He saw the beautiful woman before him wearing a phoenix crown and embroidered robe. Her face was vaguely visible, like a blooming orchid—both pure and enchanting, with a hint of shyness:

“My husband…”

Hearing her voice, Ning Caichen looked around in confusion. Everything was red—the table, the dragon and phoenix candles burning quietly. He himself wore a groom’s attire.

“My husband, won’t you come and help me remove my phoenix crown?” the beautiful woman said in a delicate and tender voice.

Ning Caichen took a couple of steps forward but suddenly felt something was wrong, “There was no matchmaker, no formal betrothal, and no bowing to elders. How can we consummate our marriage? This is an illicit union!”

The beautiful woman’s expression became slightly dazed. Suddenly, she began to cry, “My husband, hurry and escape! My grandmother ordered me to harm you!”

The surroundings rippled with water, and there was no longer a phoenix crown and embroidered robe, dragon and phoenix candles, nor the wooden table and bed. Instead, there were deep corridors, broken stone pillars, rampant weeds, and a sinister atmosphere.

The beautiful woman had reverted to her white gauze dress, her delicate figure faintly visible, crying with fear, self-loathing, and sorrow.

Ning Caichen recalled everything and realized the woman before him was a soul-stealing ghost. However, upon hearing her words, he felt not fear but pity and a sense of righteousness, “Were you forced by your grandmother to harm people?”

“Yes, my name is Nie Xiaoqian. I died at eighteen and was buried beside Lanruo Temple. My grandmother captured my soul and forced me to seduce and harm men. Whenever I encounter a man, I stir their desires and bewilder their minds, allowing my grandmother to absorb their essence. I have fallen into a sea of suffering and can’t return. Today, seeing your integrity and your concern for my reputation, I couldn’t bear to do it…” Xiaoqian began to cry again and suddenly warned, “My husband, be careful! Tonight is the time when the yin forces are strongest. My grandmother and her kind can strike with full power, no longer confined to manipulating illusions. And you seem to be special to them. Hurry, it’s almost the yin hour. Hide quickly!”

Upon hearing her words, Ning Caichen was momentarily stunned. He walked closer and solemnly said, “Miss Xiaoqian, there is the great swordsman Yan Chixia in the hall who can eliminate demons. I will take you there for help!”

“Yan Chixia…” Xiaoqian was momentarily stunned, both delighted and worried. Suddenly, her wrist was tightly gripped by Ning Caichen.

“Hurry to the hall,” Ning Caichen felt her wrist was smooth and icy, almost intangible, but he paid no attention to it, pulling Nie Xiaoqian toward the hall.

After running for a while, Nie Xiaoqian suddenly asked, “Young Master Ning, isn’t it improper for men and women to touch each other, needing to be mindful of their reputations?”

“In times of emergency, exceptions are made!” Ning Caichen declared proudly.

Nie Xiaoqian’s lips slightly curved, and her eyes softened with tenderness.

As the two rushed into the hall, they found Yan Chixia gone. Just as they were feeling anxious, they suddenly saw a man in a green robe, with slightly aged eyes, standing up with a smile while folding his hands behind his back, “The white poplar tree with a crow’s nest in the forest, right?”

“Eh?” Nie Xiaoqian was instantly stunned, both shocked and fearful, feeling the man before her was mysterious and terrifying.

He actually knew about this.

“Old man is here to cause trouble for your grandmother,” Meng Qi waved his sleeve, and a gust of wind wrapped around Ning Caichen and Nie Xiaoqian.

The show was over; it was time to take action. Besides, with protection nearby, he could try something bold!

With one step, everyone in the hall was teleported. Nan Gongchong, who had just left Lanruo Temple, also felt the world spinning. Then he found himself standing before a white poplar tree, with a crow’s nest above and a man in a green robe with folded hands below.

He knows my purpose? Fear rose in Nan Gongchong’s heart, as Du Qingqing fussed over him.

Meng Qi kicked his right foot, and many ash urns flew from the soil, one of which flew directly into Nie Xiaoqian’s arms.

“Watch out for your grandmother…” Before Nie Xiaoqian could finish speaking, the entire forest seemed to come alive. Branches became hands, roots like feet, covering the sky and earth, coming from all directions.

Meng Qi kept one hand behind his back, extended his right palm forward, and calmly said, “Just call the Black Mountain Demon King.”

It was an insult without even seeming to be one!

Suddenly, lightning flashed in the high sky, illuminating the heavens and the pitch-black forest. The lightning, like purple dragons and green snakes, carried the destructive aura of divine punishment.

They spiraled downward like water columns from the sky, landing precisely on Meng Qi’s right palm, compressing and solidifying, crackling with electricity, forming a thunder cleaver.

Heaven’s Punishment… Zuo Shi, Sun Junlin, gasped in awe.

Meng Qi’s right palm sliced out calmly, precisely cutting a vine that was whipping towards him.

Boom!

Thunder roared, and the electric light surged along the vine, spreading and covering the entire forest, transforming the area into an ocean of thunder!

Crackling sounds filled the air as the forest was instantly reduced to scorched earth, leaving only the white poplar tree with the crow’s nest.

“Where is the Black Mountain Demon King?” Meng Qi casually placed his right hand behind his back again and asked the empty space in front of him while Nan Gongchong and others stared in disbelief.

“You will never know where he is! You can only wait for him to come and kill you!” A hoarse, piercing voice rang out, weak yet filled with malice as she cackled, “But he doesn’t need to lift a finger himself—because tonight marks the peak of the Nine Nether Rift. Die with me!”

As soon as the voice faded, the sky and earth darkened, and streams of black mist emerged from unknown places. Meng Qi even felt the laws of heaven and earth in this area had changed, while a powerful aura akin to a Dharma Body rapidly approached from the void!

Another unexpected twist… Meng Qi thought with interest.

Nan Gongchong gripped the life-saving item, his heart filled with delight:

“Met a powerful opponent, huh! Die already!”

Before the thought vanished, he saw the green-robed figure take a step back, raise his left foot as if wielding a whip, and from the tip of his foot, a needle-like black whirlpool appeared. With a crack, it shattered the protective treasure Nan Gongchong instinctively activated and struck his head.

He, he actually chose to kill me? Nan Gongchong plunged into darkness.

In an instant, Meng Qi’s perception was restricted again. This time, he attempted to use the superficial knowledge of the Dao Yi Seal to investigate the changes.

Using different methods to obtain different pieces of information, thus piecing together a whole to uncover secrets!

“Hello, my save point…” Meng Qi’s senses recovered as he saw Nan Gongchong, Du Qingqing, Zuo Shi, Yan Chixia, and Ning Caichen hurrying behind with small steps.

Nan Gongchong looked at Meng Qi with hidden fear, only to see him smiling faintly, his expression full of meaning.

“Why did he kill me?” Nan Gongchong was puzzled and decided to seek help.

Meng Qi narrowed his eyes. When he had just used the “Dao Yi Seal” to sense the connection, he discovered something interesting:

He didn’t find more traces of “time reversal,” but at the moment of returning to the “present,” Nan Gongchong had appeared through some mysterious connection.

I need to feel this connection more…

…

Inside a fairly spacious room stood a coffin-like silver-gray metal pod, with a faint glow floating on its surface.

With a click, the glow disappeared, and the metal pod opened, revealing a man inside wearing a strange helmet, his entire body connected by silver-gray wires.

He removed the helmet, unplugged the silver-gray wires, and sat up, revealing a rather ordinary face, vaguely resembling Nan Gongchong, around twenty years old.

Frowning, the man hurriedly stepped out of the metal pod and walked toward a nearby computer that was turned on. To his right sat a large box, its surface etched with a black shadow covering the entire box, with blood-red eyes, and below it, a line of text read:

“A groundbreaking masterpiece: The Black Mountain Demon King!”

The man sat in front of the computer, quickly found a forum, logged in, and rapidly typed a post:

“Has anyone encountered a hidden boss from the Cangtian Sect while running the Lanruo Temple dungeon? Need help urgently, online!”