“I’ve joined ‘Xianji’,” Meng Qi lightly coughed and announced.
He didn’t directly mention the “Tathagata Palm” because he feared that Jiang Zhiwei and others might draw the attention of Mythos, thereby uncovering potential issues.
“Eh?” Jiang Zhiwei showed surprise on her face, Ruan Yushu inhaled deeply, and Qi Zhengyan’s eyes widened, his expression still frozen in a corpse-like stare.
Meng Qi naturally wouldn’t elaborate: “Anyway, Lady Bixia borrowed my Qingdeng to Jiuzhen, eliminated the Yuan Demon, and obtained a Bodhi Seed that was about to shatter.”
Lady Yuanjun, I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to bear this blame!
“Given this, she introduced me into ‘Xianji,'” Meng Qi said with an extremely sincere expression.
Looking at Meng Qi’s face, Jiang Zhiwei suddenly sensed something was off. Previously, the little monk had no desire to join Xianji. Surely, Lady Bixia hadn’t just invited him again, and he immediately agreed? It would have been more reasonable if she had compensated him with another treasure!
Could it be… Her dark, bright eyes suddenly narrowed as if she had understood something.
“Qingdeng before Buddha,” “joining Xianji,” “Bodhi Seed”—linking these three together, combined with her understanding of Meng Qi, the truth became evident.
However, she didn’t continue thinking further. Knowing too much might bring misfortune rather than blessings, and would only implicate Meng Qi unnecessarily!
Why didn’t Jiuzhen directly ask Meng Shidi to borrow the Qingdeng? Had she reached some kind of agreement with Lady Bixia… How could Meng Shidi’s attitude change so suddenly… Qi Zhengyan’s expression slightly faltered as he looked at Meng Qi, then quickly composed himself, deciding not to dwell on it further.
Ruan Yushu’s cold and profound eyes rippled slightly. She knew that Meng Qi wasn’t someone who easily changed his previous decisions. Of course, if pressured by circumstances, as long as it didn’t involve his bottom line, he could quickly become flexible. So…
She remained silent, as if she could understand Meng Qi’s considerations at that time, but similarly chose not to delve deeper, avoiding thoughts about that divine palm capable of founding a martial arts sect.
The three of them weren’t worried about Mythos discovering secrets from them. Even if their memories were triggered by some mental technique, nothing suspicious would be found. Without accumulated understanding of Meng Qi’s personality over time, they would only perceive Meng Qi’s account as truthful. Even if someone investigated Xianji, it certainly wouldn’t deny the story, and Meng Qi was merely a probationary member with limited knowledge about Xianji. Attempting to extract information from him would prove ineffective.
Furthermore, it would be difficult for Mythos to even consider the possibility of Xianji’s failure, given the massive power gap between them. As long as Xianji itself didn’t clarify the matter, the focus would naturally shift to them, making it less likely for Mythos to target them directly—just a precautionary measure.
Meng Qi continued, “Anyway, I definitely won’t leave the team. I’ll only occasionally go to help out. As for other matters, I don’t know much yet, and in the future, I probably won’t be able to say more either.”
“That’s all we can do,” Qi Zhengyan sighed.
Jiang Zhiwei smiled bitterly, “Sometimes, excessive luck isn’t necessarily a good thing. We overfulfilled the mission but barely survived. Blessing and misfortune are interdependent.”
She felt a slight melancholy.
“I hope joining ‘Xianji’ turns out to be misfortune harboring blessings,” Ruan Yushu, unusually refraining from teasing Meng Qi, softly remarked.
“Afterwards, any martial arts techniques I ‘obtain’ that might be useful to you, feel free to learn,” Meng Qi added, having already adjusted his mindset.
After chatting for a while, they gradually departed. Before stepping into the beam of light, Jiang Zhiwei slightly frowned and said, “Little monk, I think your fortune within Buddhism is too strong. Possessing A-nan’s Precept-breaking Blade, the Jade Buddha, and the Qingdeng before Buddha might not be a good sign. Be careful.”
“Yeah, Master Lu also warned me about this,” Meng Qi nodded in agreement.
Then, he stepped into the beam of light, preparing to first seek out Xianji and then head to Jiuxiang.
…
Returning to the main world, Meng Qi scaled the city walls under the cover of night, found a secluded spot, and retrieved the talisman given by the mysterious “immortal” from the Fish Sea.
The talisman slowly burned, emitting specks of green light that gathered before Meng Qi into a large green portal.
The portal twisted, suddenly stretching into a green door covered in mysterious inscriptions.
Creaking, the void vibrated as the green door slowly opened, revealing the scene behind it. This was a world with mountains and rivers, immortal cranes soaring in the sky, auspicious beasts galloping on the ground, and misty peaks enveloped in ethereal haze—a truly paradisiacal view.
Standing at the entrance was Meng Qi’s familiar acquaintance, “Lady Bixia”: “Good thing I’m near an exit, otherwise I’d have to trek over mountains and rivers to get here.”
“So it’s not possible to enter Xianji from just anywhere…” Meng Qi twitched his lips. The opening of the green door moments ago and Lady Bixia’s grand entrance had momentarily stunned him. He had thought that after joining Xianji, he could open the green door anytime to hide inside when in danger.
“Such good fortune? Don’t dream on it!” Lady Bixia sneered, then her tone turned cold, “Hurry up and get in! What are you dawdling for? It’ll be a big problem if someone sees us!”
You can’t stop pretending just because I’m about to join Xianji and reveal your true identity, right? Mind your image! Meng Qi thought silently.
He stepped through the green door in the void, feeling empty with no foothold, then was wrapped in green light and whisked away flying. After quite some time, he finally saw the real “Xianji Green Door.”
The void trembled, his soul felt dizzy, and his physical body experienced a tearing sensation. Meng Qi seemed to have passed through a long, dark tunnel, finally seeing light and the previously paradisiacal estate.
Lady Bixia led Meng Qi toward the highest peak, and soon they landed at a magnificent Taoist palace. A plaque above the entrance bore strange characters, neither ancient nor modern. Yet upon seeing them, Meng Qi instinctively understood their meaning:
“Biyao Palace.”
Biyao Palace… Meng Qi directly ignored the first two characters, his heart surging with shock. However, upon reflection, it could just be a later imitation of ancient styles. For example, if he were to establish such an organization, he would definitely name it Dushuai Palace, Yuxu Palace, or Biyao Palace!
Inside the palace, few people were present. Except for a few apprentices and Lady Bixia, Meng Qi didn’t see any other members of Xianji.
“Unless there’s something special, most people rarely come to Biyao Palace. They only go to the nearby ‘Xianji Bazaar’ to choose tasks, list items they want to sell, and search for things they need,” Lady Bixia seemed to have noticed Meng Qi’s thoughts.
Meng Qi nodded slightly, “Please, Lady Yuanjun, introduce me to Xianji.”
Without flying inside the palace, Lady Bixia walked slowly with Meng Qi, explaining as they went, “Our Xianji differs from Mythos. Our goal is to transcend samsara, avoid calamities, and achieve true immortality.”
“A few initial members encountered some extraordinary fortune and obtained a set of Taoist sages’ martial arts techniques. Thus, they established Xianji, based on the principle of mutual aid. We don’t force members to act, only enticing them with benefits. For example, if Lingbao Tianzun wishes to explore an ancient ruin, he will issue a task with generous rewards to seek volunteers. Similarly, if I find it inconvenient to deal with someone, I can issue a task, offer appropriate compensation, and let other formal members or probationary members handle it.”
“Additionally, items you obtain in the cycle worlds and the real world can be sold in the bazaar or directly exchanged with Xianji. Unless otherwise agreed upon during the transaction, we don’t interfere with whether you choose to spread them externally. Overall, it’s more beneficial than dealing with the Six Paths.”
“Moreover, martial arts techniques under titles cannot be spread externally, and matters concerning Xianji must not be disclosed. These are all covered under contracts witnessed by the Six Paths. Violators will be instantly killed and their remains destroyed.”
So the destruction by Xianji and Mythos is based on the Master of the Six Paths. No wonder Abbot Kongwen and Senior Su Wuming equated these two organizations directly with the Six Paths, Meng Qi suddenly realized.
Reflecting on Lady Bixia’s words, he asked, “Lingbao Tianzun? Could he be the current leader of Xianji?”
“Yes, he is one of the original members and currently the leader, also known as the ‘Tongtian Sect Master,'” Lady Bixia explained.
“Tongtian Sect Master?” Meng Qi was slightly taken aback.
Lingbao Tianzun is one of the Nine Venerables of Taoism, usually mentioned alongside Yuanshi Tianzun and Daode Tianzun. However, in the main world, he doesn’t have the title “Tongtian Sect Master.”
“Yes, in certain cycle worlds, Lingbao Tianzun is also called Tongtian Sect Master,” Lady Bixia briefly explained.
Don’t think I don’t know which world you’re referring to—so there really is a Fengshen! How does it relate to the Taoist Tianzun of the main world? Meng Qi remained outwardly calm: “Lady Yuanjun, besides these, what else should I pay attention to?”
“One more thing: to ensure that members’ tasks can be taken on and to keep the organization from becoming too loose, formal members and probationary members must complete at least one task each year. However, this requirement is often unnecessary, as everyone is quite proactive,” Lady Bixia led Meng Qi into a hall, “and every year, formal members must gather once for exchanges. Unless they are in retreat or unable to attend due to ongoing tasks, everyone must come.”
Inside the hall, it was clean and tidy. At the upper seat, there was no common statue of Yuanshi, Daode, or Lingbao, only an ancient and simple “Dao” character exuding an indescribable charm.
Lady Bixia asked Meng Qi to wait briefly before entering the back of the hall. After dozens of breaths, she returned, holding a brown contract. The paper was ancient, the characters mysterious: “The content above is what I just explained. You can currently only become a probationary member. After completing three tasks, since you’ve already passed the death task, you can directly apply for an evaluation to become a formal member.”
While reading the contract to avoid being deceived, Meng Qi asked, “What advantages do formal members have over probationary members?”
“Exterior techniques under titles, one or two Dharma Body moves, and only formal members can participate in some tasks involving ancient secrets,” Lady Bixia replied indifferently.
After reading the contract, Meng Qi, under Lady Bixia’s watchful gaze, hesitated not at all. He recited the contract in a special syllable, finally using his essence, energy, spirit, and will as a brush to inscribe his name.
The contract burned, turning into ashes, and the voice of the Six Paths’ Master sounded in Meng Qi’s ears:
“The contract is established. Until both parties voluntarily agree to dissolve it, any violation will result in immediate destruction.”
Upon seeing this, Lady Bixia’s tone shifted, and she clenched her teeth: “Remember to share the martial arts techniques you’ve comprehended from the ‘Tathagata Palm’ with us. The Lingbao Heavenly Lord has a use for them… Damn it, so many martial arts techniques, so much merit…”
Her tone carried an indescribable heartache. Once, a divine palm had been before her, but she hadn’t managed to obtain it…
“Yuanjun, do all formal members have to open a shop to gather information?” Meng Qi quickly changed the subject to avoid triggering Lady Bixia’s painful memories.
Lady Bixia coldly replied, “Not necessarily. Not everyone lacks an overtly effective identity like us. Hmph, some people, who seem virtuous and dignified in daily life, are actually lecherous scoundrels!”
It’s definitely Qu Jiuniang… Meng Qi slowly nodded.
Lady Bixia stopped her grumbling and looked at Meng Qi: “Back then, seeing your potential, I gave you the talisman, never expecting you to discard it like trash, wasting my good intentions…”
One shouldn’t argue with a woman about such matters… Meng Qi kept his eyes lowered, focusing inward.
After a while, Lady Bixia ceased her complaints and said, “Lingbao Tianzun isn’t here, so I’ll take you to choose a title.”
Hearing this, Meng Qi perked up and followed Lady Bixia toward the back of the hall.
The back was shrouded in primordial chaos, with sword qi subtly restrained, giving an extremely dangerous feeling. A single misstep would result in being instantly pierced by a thousand swords.
On the walls were over a hundred alcoves, each containing several jade slips marked with different names. Some were dim and lifeless, while others emitted a faint green glow.
The latter included names like “Lingbao Tianzun,” “Doumu Yuanjun,” “Nanhua Tianzun,” “Guangcheng Tianzun,” and “Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun.” The former included “Yuanshi Tianzun,” “Taiyi Tianzun,” “Guangfa Tianzun,” “Yuding Zhenren,” “Cihang Zhenren,” and “Zixu Yuanjun.”
It seemed that the ones emitting green light were titles with owners… Meng Qi roughly counted them, finding at least fifty. This meant there were around twenty to thirty probationary members—probationary teams weren’t all probationary members. Only those who reached a certain level of strength and were selected could obtain a title and be listed as candidates for probationary evaluation.
Moreover, Xianji didn’t possess all the martial arts techniques of Taoist immortals. The obvious omissions included Daode Tianzun and Duobao Tianzun.
“All the unlit ones are available for selection,” Lady Bixia pointed at the alcoves.
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