Chapter 655: Trust

At the Fairyland Bazaar, in front of the central jade pillar, Meng Qi gradually exchanged the storage bag of Master Xiyue and its contents for a total of seven thousand six hundred merits.

Originally, unless in urgent need, Meng Qi had planned to list the treasures inside the storage bag for sale at the Fairyland Bazaar. However, the contest over the Guqin of Salvation and the battle against the evil thoughtform of Zhenwu made him realize a flaw he must quickly rectify—his lack of a technique for short-term power bursts. His previous skill, “Sacrifice Formula,” had already become ineffective!

At the Outer Manifestation stage, the side effects of power-burst techniques became increasingly severe. Effects such as damaged Yuan Shen, ruined Inner Manifestation, halved lifespan, destroyed Dharma Body, and permanent loss of sanity left Meng Qi speechless in shock. Without the perfect healing of the Lord of the Six Realms, using such a technique would essentially be a mutual destruction choice. Even with the East Sea Longevity Pill, who would remember to take it after turning into a fool or an idiot?

No wonder neither the “Bay Jiu Xuan Gong” nor the “Yuan Shi Jin Zhang” included such techniques. Of course, if one truly wanted mutual destruction, both divine techniques had corresponding methods!

As for the perfect healing of the Six Realms, after the incident with the evil thoughtform, Meng Qi no longer dared to have complete confidence.

Lowering his expectations, he began seeking techniques with less severe side effects, even if their effects were mediocre or lasted only a moment. After several rounds of screening, he finally found one: “The Formula of Heaven’s Will and My Intent.”

This technique could allow one’s Dharma Body to temporarily embody the Will of Heaven and Earth, enabling it to briefly separate from the physical body and fully unleash its latent power to assist both the physical body and Yuan Shen. However, it could only last for an instant. Otherwise, under the cleansing of the Will of Heaven and Earth, the Dharma Body would lose its sentience and completely sever its connection with the physical body and Yuan Shen, effectively regressing to a Half-Step Outer Manifestation state, making future cultivation extremely difficult.

“It can only be used as a final strike or for escape…” Meng Qi nodded slightly, having fully grasped its pros and cons.

Under normal use of “The Formula of Heaven’s Will and My Intent,” the solidified Dharma Body would be damaged and become unstable. Without excellent pills or healing from the Lord of the Six Realms, one would have to gather corresponding treasures again and spend a year or so to recover.

After spending five thousand merits to purchase this technique, Meng Qi had a remaining balance of four thousand and eighty merits. He then exchanged for a spare “Yao Master’s Heart Pill,” worth four thousand merits.

…

At the entrance of the Sword-Cleansing Pavilion, the mountain peaks stood straight like swords, piercing into the clouds. It was early winter, and snow covered the upper half of the mountains, presenting a pure and sacred appearance.

Lingbao Tianzun had already removed his mask and assumed the identity of Daoist Chong He, accompanying Meng Qi as they flew swiftly through the sky.

He remained at a distant small hill, watching Meng Qi approach the entrance. Suddenly, his gaze lifted, his eyes deep and profound, as if piercing through layers of snow and barriers to see a certain figure. His expression became slightly more solemn.

Two disciples stood at the entrance, swords at their waists, their postures sharp like swords just drawn from their sheaths. Upon seeing Meng Qi approach, they were first startled, then recognized him from his distinctive long saber, appearance, and attire.

“Wild Blade” Su Meng!

The famed young expert who had become renowned across the land in the past decade!

Thinking that someone not much older than themselves had already become an unparalleled expert, the gatekeepers felt a complex mix of emotions as they bowed: “Master Su, are you here to visit Senior Jiang?”

“Yes, please announce my arrival,” Meng Qi replied with a warm smile.

The gatekeeper hesitated slightly before saying, “Senior Jiang is in retreat, reportedly attempting to cross the first Celestial Ladder. However, this is not a life-or-death retreat, and she can stop anytime. I’ll go inform her first.”

Watching him hurry up the mountain path, Meng Qi remained calm, hands behind his back, gazing at the other peaks surrounding the main peak of the Sword-Cleansing Pavilion. Some were ancient and rugged, others lush and vibrant, and others sharp and steep. The variety of shapes further highlighted the majesty and unencumbered height of the main peak.

In Meng Qi’s mind, insights from the general principles of the Seven Heavens Severing Sword naturally surfaced. The true forms of the mountains quickly faded, revealing the inner meanings, which manifested as various sword techniques, profound and arcane.

“It seems the founding patriarch of the Sword-Cleansing Pavilion deliberately moved mountains and reshaped peaks when establishing the sect,” Meng Qi mused with a slight nod.

The remaining gatekeeper watched Meng Qi, dressed in black, standing there with an air of effortless grace, exuding a compelling presence.

After an unknown length of time, a yellow-clothed figure descended from the mountain. Jiang Zhiwei approached gracefully, smiling: “I heard you broke through?”

Her tone was natural, her attitude warm and familiar.

“Of course.” In front of his closest friend, Meng Qi made no effort to hide his slight pride, “I have something good to discuss with you. Let’s walk and talk.”

Jiang Zhiwei, without asking what it was, gave a few instructions to the gatekeeper before leaving the entrance, reaching a secluded area a hundred miles away.

“I eliminated the evil thoughtform of Zhenwu,” Meng Qi whispered directly through secret transmission.

Jiang Zhiwei sighed, “After I heard you crossed the first Celestial Ladder, I knew you would go. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a Reincarnation Talisman on me, so I couldn’t assist. Speaking of this chain quest, aside from the first step, you completed everything else alone. Thinking about it makes me feel ashamed.”

She spoke candidly, without concealing her thoughts.

“Zhiwei, if you had something good and it didn’t involve your sect, wouldn’t you share it with me?” Meng Qi smiled and countered, “My fortune is abnormal—I often come across treasures, so I need to share them to find some help. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t help me in the future?”

Jiang Zhiwei chuckled lightly, “So that’s your plan. It seems I’m already too late to regret it.”

After a few rounds of teasing, Meng Qi returned to the main topic, recounting his recent experiences from the Guqin of Salvation to the destruction of the evil thoughtform by the Six Realms.

“The Six Realms have ulterior motives…” Jiang Zhiwei’s expression turned heavy, though it barely masked the sparkle in her eyes upon hearing about the whereabouts of the fifth Severing Heaven Sword.

“We are too far from the Six Realms to consider that for now. First, let’s go retrieve the fifth Severing Heaven Sword,” Meng Qi exhaled, “I’ve invited a senior expert to assist us, but he can’t reveal himself for now. Later, he’ll send us to the Huanhua Sword Sect to find Senior Qi.”

Ruan Yushu was consolidating her cultivation, learning the qin, and Zhao Heng was stuck in the capital city, so Meng Qi had decided to bring only Jiang Zhiwei and Qi Zhengyan this time.

I wonder if Senior Qi has broken through?

Jiang Zhiwei nodded slightly, vaguely guessing it was a senior from the Fairyland Bazaar but asking no further questions. A warm breeze blew, and the two vanished from the spot.

The Four Beauties Mountains, home of the Huanhua Sword Sect.

Jiang Zhiwei waited in the distance while Meng Qi approached the entrance to request an audience.

Disciples of the Huanhua Sword Sect often exuded a scholarly air. One hesitated and said, “Master Su, it’s rather inconvenient. Senior Qi left the sect a few months ago after reaching the Outer Manifestation stage, but shortly after consolidating his cultivation, he had urgent matters to attend to and has not returned yet. We currently cannot contact him.”

He clearly explained Qi Zhengyan’s recent situation and his current absence from the sect.

“What urgent matters does Senior Qi have?” Meng Qi furrowed his brows, activating the Yuxu technique to divine Qi Zhengyan’s whereabouts, only to find his trail obscured and difficult to trace.

Shaking his head, Meng Qi temporarily set the matter aside. He must obtain the inheritance of the fifth Severing Heaven Sword as soon as possible to avoid any unexpected complications.

…

Bei Zhou’s secondary capital, Feiyan Mountain, Dianxian Lake.

The lake was nestled within the mountains, stretching for hundreds of miles. Legend had it that it was formed during the final days of the Primordial Age when two immortals fought, creating a vast, misty expanse of water with breathtaking scenery. The most astonishing feature was its naturally occurring ice eye, which froze the central area into eternal ice—an extremely rare phenomenon.

Legend also said that the ancestor of the Cao family in the secondary capital discovered a deceased Earth Immortal near the ice eye, obtained the inheritance, and thus established their clan. Over generations of collecting techniques, the core martial arts evolved into the “Seventy-Two Chapters of Earth Immortal,” with the most essential being the “Seven Chapters of Earth Immortal” from the original inheritance.

The Cao family did not fully claim Dianxian Lake for themselves, merely sealing off the area around the ice eye. Thus, the lake remained semi-open for public enjoyment.

Gentle waves rippled, with floating ice drifting on the water, lightly dusted with snow.

There were many boats on the lake. Meng Qi and Jiang Zhiwei had changed their appearances to avoid recognition, piloting a small boat that drifted with the current.

Both sat cross-legged, facing the same direction, holding fishing rods, appearing as leisurely anglers.

Nearby, two large boats drew close. A martial artist leaped several zhang, landing on the bow of the other boat, loudly proclaiming, “Long admired your reputation, dare you face me in battle?”

The onlookers nearby immediately stirred, many boats rowing over to watch the spectacle.

“Challenges, sparring, showing off, gaining fame. Unconsciously, the martial world of the Opening Stage feels distant from us now,” Meng Qi pretended to gaze at the fishing hook, sighing with a tone of “world-weariness.”

Jiang Zhiwei understood his nature, chuckled, and asked, “Don’t you like such things anymore?”

Meng Qi thought for a moment and sincerely replied, “I still enjoy them.”

Jiang Zhiwei laughed softly, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the surroundings, sensing the changes in the natural energies. Since ancient times, the land had undergone many transformations, and the location Zhenwu had mentioned no longer existed. Thus, the two sailed the lake, slowly searching for clues, combining Zhenwu’s teachings on energy changes to locate the hidden treasures.

The lake’s center was silent, surrounded by stillness. Meng Qi took the opportunity to transmit his voice secretly: “I’ve realized I misunderstood Fairyland Bazaar more than once before.”

Knowing Meng Qi had entered Fairyland Bazaar and gained the endorsement of the Tianzun, Jiang Zhiwei understood this wasn’t a secret to be leaked.

“Hmm?” Jiang Zhiwei was slightly puzzled by his intention.

“Fairyland Bazaar is a relatively loose organization, mainly for exchanging resources and intelligence, mutual support, and low constraints among members. Even clauses could be added to avoid harming sect interests. The disadvantages are minimal, and the benefits are substantial. For instance, this time, if better prepared, I could have exchanged for a Reincarnation Talisman from Fairyland Bazaar and even obtained techniques under certain titles,” Meng Qi explained, somewhat nervously, as if he were doing “multi-level marketing.”

Jiang Zhiwei pondered for a moment and asked, “What are the disadvantages?”

“When choosing a title and obtaining its inheritance, if the title’s master is a legendary or higher-level expert, one might bear some karmic consequences. Additionally, one must complete a task annually. However, since official members of Fairyland Bazaar are primarily sects and clans, there won’t be actions against one’s will,” Meng Qi combined his recent experiences to revise the previous understanding from Bi Xia Yuanjun.

Jiang Zhiwei nodded slightly, “Alright, I’ll join.”

“So quickly decided?” Meng Qi himself was startled.

Jiang Zhiwei smiled, “You’ve explained the pros and cons clearly. If I had hesitated, I would have hesitated already. Delaying further won’t change anything.”

Truly, she was like a sword—decisive and efficient! Meng Qi couldn’t help but admire.

After a pause, Jiang Zhiwei smiled at Meng Qi:

“Besides, I trust you won’t harm me.”

Her deep trust suddenly moved Meng Qi, lifting his mood, making him feel the sky was bluer and the air fresher, indescribably comfortable. Transmitting his thoughts, he mused, “Previously entangled in matters of great experts, I always felt a sense of oppression and illusion. Now, I finally feel a bit of the ‘aliveness’ of returning to the human world.”

The atmosphere was calm, yet their minds were relaxed.

After a while, Jiang Zhiwei asked, “Among the remaining titles, which ones specialize in sword techniques? Both male and female are acceptable.”