Chapter 255: 渡厄观

“In those days, everyone in the Lei Xiao Sect proclaimed themselves as gods. Their arrogance escalated into unbridled cruelty, and just like today, they plunged the world into chaos.

“The war raged for many years. When the world was utterly exhausted and all parties were worn down, the situation gradually became clear. That’s when people from Du'e Temple approached me.

“They wouldn't directly intervene, but instead promised to provide me with ten Longevity Pills annually, along with scarce resources for cultivating transcendent abilities and precious medicines to extend life.

“As soon as the news spread, talented individuals from all over the world flocked to join me, and old masters whose lifespans were nearing their end also pledged their allegiance.

“Before this, I was already the largest rebel army in this land. With their resource support, it was like gaining an overwhelming advantage, and naturally, my forces rapidly grew and swept across the world. This shortened the period of unrest and significantly reduced casualties.

“After the establishment of the Lingxiao Palace, in return, resources from the Living Realm would be prioritized for them. In turn, every sixty years, they would still send ten Longevity Pills to Lingxiao Palace, thereby solidifying its ruling position.

“For example, when I slew the Flying Dragon, its bones, dragon essence, and the Dragon Palace were taken by them.”

Li Weiyi could sense the dissatisfaction in Chan Hai Guan Wu's tone: “They invested a large amount of resources, and it's perfectly understandable for them to ask for a return after success. Investment always carries risk. If you had been defeated, their resources would have been lost entirely. It's fair!”

The Spirit Tablet Master said, “Lord Mist wants to tell you that Du'e Temple isn't a compassionate savior; they merely use the banner of salvation while being purely driven by profit.

“If they were true saviors, they would have stepped forward at the very beginning of the world's turmoil. Instead, they waited until the world was in ruins before seeking out so-called 'hidden dragons'.”

Li Weiyi, seeing things clearly, laughed, “While cooperation based on mutual interest can indeed collapse at any time, I'd find Du'e Temple even less reliable if they only spoke of ideals, heavenly principles, and unconditional support.”

“You're right! Relationships built on mutual exchange are often more stable.”

Chan Hai Guan Wu said, “However, Du'e Temple's biggest problem is that they don't just bet on one side. While they supported me back then, another faction within them also supported the Lei Xiao Sect, believing that the Lei Xiao Sect might be capable of quelling the war.

“That's why, even after I defeated the Lei Xiao Sect, I couldn't completely destroy them; I had to compromise with the other faction within Du'e Temple.

“The continued existence of the Lei Xiao Sect, to some extent, maintains a balance of power against the Lingxiao Palace.”

Li Weiyi said, “That's a rather cunning move! But in the power struggles between major forces, it's a common tactic, so it's not surprising. I'm very curious, with your later cultivation level, capable of even slaying a Flying Dragon, were you still unable to break free from Du'e Temple?”

Chan Hai Guan Wu scoffed softly, lifting her pale chin: “At its peak, the Lingxiao Living Realm comprised three hundred states, and masters were as numerous as clouds. At that time, how could Du'e Temple dare to point fingers at me? The Lei Xiao Sect's annual tribute was far greater than that of countless other sects, precisely because they feared my reckoning. But thousands of years have passed, and several generations have come and gone, so naturally, there was no widespread slaughter.

“I'm telling you about the true nature of Du'e Temple because I want you to know this: for the Lingxiao Living Realm, you cannot rely on them too much. Dealing with Qilin Zang can only be done by the people of Lingxiao themselves.

“For you, this could be a catastrophe, and you must deal with it carefully.”

“Catastrophe?” Li Weiyi's expression became serious.

Chan Hai Guan Wu said, “Your All-Gold Trace Veins and the secret of opening the Tenth Spring must absolutely not be revealed to Du'e Temple. And the existence of the Dao Ancestor's Taiji Fish must not be exposed either.”

The Pot Master immediately agreed: “Absolutely right! Even if one's foundational physique reaches the level of Luan Sheng Lin You, Ge Xiantong, or Zuoqiu Hongting, it's still not enough to make some old masters on the verge of death take such risks. But if All-Gold Trace Veins and the Ten Divine Springs are confirmed... it would be very hard to say what might happen.”

The Coffin Master said, “I've had contact with Zhuang Shiyan; his character is acceptable.”

The Pot Master said, “Zhuang Shiyan isn't in charge of Du'e Temple; the waters there run deep!”

Li Weiyi somewhat understood what Chan Hai Guan Wu and the Pot Master were worried about, and broke out in a cold sweat: “Should I escape while there's still chaos?”

Chan Hai Guan Wu said, “Currently, nowhere is safer than Taoli Mountain. You don't need to worry too much. You have the Zuoqiu Clan and the Jiuli Tribe behind you. If you don't go to Du'e Temple, can Zhuang Shiyan really kidnap you? As an Immortal Master, he wouldn't act so shamelessly.”

“Exactly, staying on Taoli Mountain is actually the safest right now, because no one can play dirty tricks,” the Pot Master said.

Li Weiyi asked, “Will they invite me to cultivate at Du'e Temple?”

The Pot Master said, “Given the talent you've displayed, it would be strange if they didn't invite you. You absolutely cannot go. If you do, you'll be beyond help.”

“Now that you have the identity of the Jiuli Chieftain's disciple, the Jiuli Tribe will protect you with all their might. The Zuoqiu Clan needs the Jiuli Tribe's support, so they will also protect you,” the Spirit Tablet Master said.

Li Weiyi was startled by their words: “Alright... I'll use this opportunity to enter seclusion for a while, temper my Dharma Qi, and strive to fully master it soon. Pot Master, how long do you think I'll need to temper it?”

“Three months for the Fourth Sea, and at least half a year for the Fifth Sea. By then, you'll be able to cultivate the Sixth Sea Wind Palace and Tier 5 Qi!”

“Nine months.”

Li Weiyi was extremely troubled; qi tempering took too long. Luan Sheng Lin You, on the other hand, had already broken through to the Dao Seed realm. If his Dao Seed was truly a "Dragon Seed," then his cultivation speed in the Dao Seed realm would undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds. Li Weiyi didn't want to still be tempering qi in the Seventh Sea while others had already broken through to Immortality.

“Is there a way to improve the efficiency of qi tempering?” Li Weiyi asked.

The Pot Master was displeased: “See, you're getting impatient again. We agreed you'd settle down properly after the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival.”

“Yes, by utilizing the power of the Fusang Divine Tree.”

Chan Hai Guan Wu looked towards the distant blood mist. The blood mist dispersed, revealing Tanggu Sea and the Fusang Divine Tree on the other side of the spatial barrier, with Xihe Flowers floating across the sea.

She said, “But you must truly cross that spatial barrier, travel to Tanggu Sea, and get closer to the Fusang Divine Tree. Your qi tempering speed should be able to double.”

Currently, Li Weiyi is only at the first realm of a Great Mental Master, the 'Earth Fire Realm', which only allows him to open a bowl-sized hole in the spatial barrier, too small for a person to pass through. To open a larger passage, cross space, and reach Tanggu Sea, he must dedicate all his efforts to cultivating mental power in the coming period, striving to reach the 'Heaven Fire Realm' and even the 'Calamity Fire Realm' as quickly as possible.

The Coffin Master said, “This is indeed a path! But... what are you so anxious about, Lord Mist?”

Chan Hai Guan Wu's gaze was extremely heavy: “I've reached the Heavenly Sovereign level, and I'm very aware of how close Qilin Zang is to breaking through. The situation is critical. Once he crosses that threshold, will Taoli Mountain still be safe?”

After a long silence.

She said, “In the entire Lingxiao Living Realm, perhaps only one person can contend with Qilin Zang.”

Li Weiyi's eyes moved: “Yu Yaozi?”

Chan Hai Guan Wu said, “Among my three disciples, she ranked first in talent, temperament, and wisdom; she was the one I trusted most. I'm truly curious what she encountered, what insurmountable obstacle she faced. I want to visit Lingxiao City and meet her in person.”

Li Weiyi was greatly alarmed. Everyone in the world now considered Yu Yaozi a terrifying monster, believing her to be even more frightening than the demon race. He quickly urged, “It's been a thousand years; your disciple must have changed drastically, and her mind must be troubled. It's too dangerous for you to go rashly like this!”

Chan Hai Guan Wu said, “I'll deliberate on this matter further... You need to cultivate faster and reach the Dao Seed realm as soon as possible. By then, your Disguise Art should be perfected, enough to deceive everyone. At that point, you can go anywhere.”

Li Weiyi asked, “I have one more question: since Qilin Zang is so powerful, why doesn't Du'e Temple directly support him?”

“Investing in Qilin Zang might lead to easier success, but it could also result in losing everything. The risk involved is no less than investing in the Zuoqiu Clan,” the Coffin Master replied.

Li Weiyi asked, “Is it related to Flying Phoenix and the Ancestor of Ash Spirits?”

“That's a higher-level game; no need to think about it.”

Chan Hai Guan Wu, who understood Du'e Temple well, said, “It's easy to guess that the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival is essentially an internal struggle between two factions within Du'e Temple. Some are optimistic about Qilin Zang, while others favor the strategist from the Zuoqiu Clan. Both are supreme masters with the potential to unify the world.

“Since neither faction could persuade the other, they organized this Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, intending to assess the caliber of the next generation from these two major forces.”

After gaining a general understanding of Du'e Temple, Li Weiyi exited the blood-mud space and began healing his injuries, tempering his Dharma Qi, and cultivating his mental power. He also prepared to use Divine Hearthwood in the coming period to perfect his physical body cultivation.

Seven days later, his injuries were fully healed.

Li Weiyi was quite concerned about the situation outside, especially regarding Yin Jun and the others, wondering if they had managed to secure the Longevity Pills, Dragon Essence, and Dragon Bones. So, he temporarily emerged from seclusion.

“Brother Zuoqiu?”

In a densely built area of the Third Heaven, Li Weiyi saw "Luan Sheng Lin You," whose aura was that of Zuoqiu Ting.

Zuoqiu Ting, fanning himself with a folding fan, with his injuries well-healed, silver hair flowing, and incredibly handsome, laughed heartily: “Li Weiyi, you really know how to keep your composure, boy! The whole city is abuzz, yet you've been in solitary seclusion. How are you doing? How are your injuries?”

Seeing that he could still laugh, Li Weiyi knew the battle situation must be alright.

“I'm fine now.”

Li Weiyi strode over, intending to playfully punch him in the chest as a sign of their precious brotherhood, but ultimately spared him, instead slinging an arm around his shoulders: “Where did you run off to during the final battle of the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival? You actually deserted? Do you know how hard your sister and I fought?”

Zuoqiu Ting squirmed, gently blocking Li Weiyi's arm with his fan, trying to appear as natural as possible, and sighed: “Alas, my injuries were too severe, so I was eliminated early! My sister thinks highly of you; she said you're worth befriending.”

“Worth befriending, then why are you pushing my arm away? We're brothers, we've even slept in the same bed.”

Li Weiyi hugged him even tighter and whispered in his ear, “Honestly, your sister is truly beautiful, like a fairy descended to the mortal realm, no less stunning than Immortal Feather. If your Zuoqiu Clan were to arrange a marriage between her and me, I might just agree! How about you play matchmaker?”