Planting one's memories of a person as a heart demon makes that person become one's own heart demon.
Thus, the person is reborn in one's heart.
This sounds utterly incredible.
But for a Great Shaman, it seems so natural and reasonable.
They should indeed be this powerful.
While Li Qi was astonished, Yun Fang stood still, pointing to the heart demon sealed within the Five Peaks Suppression Formation.
Then he said to Li Qi, "Go meet him. It might give you some understanding of 'demons,' which will be helpful for your future Dao path."
"Thank you, senior," Li Qi bowed sincerely.
The care shown by the other party was meticulous.
Even his teacher wasn't this attentive.
Of course, his teacher's lack of concern was probably due to his personality; he simply didn't care about these things.
Honestly... Li Qi felt that his teacher did like him and was generous, just with a slightly wicked personality.
On the other hand, Senior Yun Fang was much more meticulous and encouraging.
It was unclear why he cared so much about Li Qi or if he was simply kind to everyone.
Uncertain.
But staying here and pondering wouldn't yield answers. Since the elder had already helped resolve the issue with the Māra thought, there must be further arrangements.
Of course, it was best not to overthink things beyond one's capabilities. Just focus on doing well in one's own tasks.
Since ascending to the eighth rank, Li Qi had gained a deeper understanding of the differences between ranks.
One could say that an eighth-rank Li Qi could easily defeat a hundred ninth-rank Li Qis.
With a fully developed divine body, his strength surpassed his previous self by several dozen times.
Previously, he only had a primordial spirit and couldn't use it in combat.
Now, with five mountain gods, four river water gods, and sun and moon celestial gods—eleven different divine bodies—he could summon at any time. Thanks to the establishment of his personal microcosm framework and the presence of myriad Qi, he was considered moderately strong even among eighth-rank cultivators.
He was no longer on the same level as before.
Spending half a year using wisdom and intellect, supported by fifth-rank resources, to hold a grand ceremony brought him such significant improvements.
Feeling his power, Li Qi guessed that this might be some form of training to familiarize himself with his current strength.
Therefore, he gathered his energy, prepared himself, and entered.
However, there was no battle inside.
There was... only a nearly human-shaped, incomplete figure.
Yes, it could only be described as human-shaped, not human.
All four limbs were missing, even half of its head was gone, including the left side of its face and skull.
Its abdomen had a large hole, revealing writhing organs, but it only had half a lung and a leaking stomach.
Li Qi found it hard to recognize this thing as human.
But the figure... was alive.
Moreover, it emitted a very familiar aura.
Māra aura.
This was... a heart demon? A living heart demon?
Li Qi cautiously approached and realized that the figure wasn't here to fight.
So, he walked closer, bowed, and said to the 'heart demon,' "I am Li Qi... I have come to see you, Senior Brother."
These words awakened the sleeping heart demon.
He opened his remaining eye and glanced sideways at Li Qi.
"Who are you?" he asked with half his mouth.
Surprisingly, his speech was quite clear.
But Li Qi knew that the figure was merely an appearance, not affecting his actual state.
This person's essence was a heart demon.
He had died, irreversibly, so Yun Fang planted a demonic thought in his heart, making him a heart demon, thereby allowing him to be reborn in Yun Fang's heart.
However, this meant he could only exist as a heart demon, forever staying here without any possibility of advancement.
To put it another way,
he was no different from a memory.
Without a physical body, soul, or anything, he was merely a memory of Yun Fang.
Just a memory that could think on its own.
Hearing the question, Li Qi politely replied, "I am Li Qi... a fellow disciple of yours."
"Oh, a young member of Wu Deity Mountain, right? What brings you here? To mock me?" He floated up, "Are you here to learn from my mistakes? To take me as a cautionary tale?"
His tone became furious as he spoke:
"This is inside that old man's heart, so you must have been called here by him. Calling me Senior Brother... Are you his disciple? His new disciple?!"
Ignoring Li Qi, he shouted to the heavens, "You have a new disciple! Old thief! Old thing! Now can you let me die!?"
"Now someone has come to replace me. Go torment him! Why won't you release me! Let me go, let me die! Old thief, don't pretend to be deaf! I know you can hear me!"
Seeing this, Li Qi quickly stepped forward, saying, "Senior Brother, Senior Brother, I'm not Senior Yun Fang's disciple, you misunderstand."
But the figure glared at Li Qi, "Get lost! Want to observe demonic thoughts and temper your Dao heart from me? Impossible! Get out, get out!"
The heart demon began wildly unleashing techniques, showcasing various exquisite methods.
But they were just exquisite.
These techniques manifested various phenomena within the personal microcosm.
Summoning water and clouds, raising mist with a wave of the hand, gathering soil into mountains, piercing the earth into ravines.
He also spat out five-colored Qi, spreading a hundred miles wide, connecting to the sky, with countless fierce beasts leaping out from within.
Then clouds dispersed, revealing rivers, hills, pits, thorns, sand, iron walls, mountains, and stones, all collapsing.
A great wind arose, tearing roofs and breaking trees, roaring like thunder, fences and trees falling apart.
However, none of it had any effect.
Despite the impressive display, these techniques had no real impact.
The reason was simple.
This figure was merely a heart demon, lacking both magical power and a physical body, and thus incapable of generating any effects. Even these illusions came from 'memories.'
All of these were manifestations of the person's memories, brought to life through the characteristics of a heart demon.
At first, Li Qi was momentarily frightened, but quickly, through his understanding of demonic thoughts, he realized the situation.
This person had no ability to resist, couldn't fight, and couldn't leave.
Apart from still being able to think... he was an eternal prisoner here.
"Senior Brother, you, uh..." Li Qi began, wanting to say something, but countless illusions surged towards him. Hearing the other's hoarse shouting, he felt there was nothing much to say.
He couldn't understand the other.
The other couldn't understand him either.
So, he simply stood there, letting the endless illusions bombard him.
The illusions engulfed Li Qi, but they were useless against him.
Having witnessed battles between third-rank cultivators and continuously encountering far stronger beings since the beginning of his cultivation, his mental resilience had reached a certain level.
In any case, these heart demon illusions had absolutely no effect on him.
Compared to the might beside a Great Shaman, it was vastly inferior.
After this round of illusions ended, Li Qi approached and politely said, "Senior Brother... could I have a word?"
As for the heart demon—
Seeing Li Qi unharmed after walking out of his spells, he showed a bitter expression. Simultaneously, the despair and hatred in his eyes gradually turned into memories.
It was so similar.
This young man was exactly like him at eighth or ninth rank...
Full of vigor, with exceptional talent, surpassing peers in wisdom and insight, destined for greatness, seemingly preordained to reach high positions and look down upon the world.
Just the confidence in his brows was infuriating!
However, the more he saw, the angrier he became.
It was precisely such people!
Looking at the approaching Li Qi, the heart demon exploded.
Even the incomplete human form couldn't be maintained as he burst into a heart demon storm, enveloping Li Qi.
Then, everything vanished.
Li Qi stood there, bewildered.
This heart demon...
committed suicide?
But soon, Li Qi saw fragments of demonic thoughts re-emerging around him.
Then, they coalesced again into a heart demon.
Truly witnessing this process, Li Qi suddenly felt a strange power.
A power of immortality.
"What is this? Demonic thoughts? Is this what demons are?" Li Qi looked up, carefully observing the scene of the heart demon's rebirth.
He remembered that this thing had appeared in Chan Zhi's pagoda before.
These demons were actually immortal.
Chan Zhi wouldn't die, nor would these demons, as they were one entity. Thus, Chan Zhi could only subdue them rather than destroy them.
In Yun Fang's personal microcosm, the same power appeared.
But Li Qi was no longer the same Li Qi.
He immediately realized that this was what Senior Yun Fang wanted him to see, the true purpose of bringing him here!
Now, he was already at the eighth rank.
Suddenly, Li Qi extended his hand, and nine divine energies emerged around him.
Five elements' mountain energies, four directions' water energies.
Then, these refined energies condensed into divine forms.
These were Li Qi's divine bodies.
Mountain gods, robust and mighty, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, wrapped in vines, cast entirely of metal and stone, exuding formidable presence. The mountain energies swirled within them, slightly increasing the gravity around them.
Water gods, sinister and slender, upper bodies human, lower bodies whirlpools, standing in pools of pure water energy, lacking feet.
These were the most primitive deities.
Not mountain spirits or water monsters, but original deities born from heaven and earth, ancient 'true gods.'
True gods were not those cultivated by current divine path practitioners.
There was a significant difference between the two.
Now, nine divine bodies appeared, each taking their positions.
Then, the heart demon's rebirth was interrupted.
No, not interrupted, but slowed down.
Water gods used freezing techniques to slow it down, while mountain gods pressed on key points of the heart demon.
Through the formation composed of mountain and water gods, Li Qi, leveraging his understanding of demons, seized crucial moments, obstructing the resurrection process and slowing down the heart demon's revival speed to a certain extent.
Thus, the entire rebirth process unfolded before his eyes.
The 'principle' of the heart demon was fully revealed.
Li Qi took out a notebook from his storage bag and began meticulously recording observations.
Expecting him to analyze it right away was unrealistic; Li Qi wasn't some super genius who could grasp things instantly.
But memorizing it and writing it down allowed him to study it later and find usable methods.
Every detail, every fraction, he recorded thoroughly.
All observable changes throughout the process, even those discernible through True Dao Resonance, were noted down without omission.
This took him about half an hour.
Once everything was recorded, his strength was nearly depleted, and he released his restraint on the heart demon.
The heart demon revived.
His anger intensified.
The heart demon roared to the sky, cursing, "See! See! This is your choice! This is how you treat me, old thief! Kill me! Why torture me like this!"
Then, he looked at Li Qi with a fierce expression: "Don't be smug! You think you're happy stepping on me as a stepping stone today? One day, you'll also be trapped here! You will also suffer eternal damnation like me!"
Li Qi looked at him without saying a word and turned to leave.
With his Dao heart shattered, soul destroyed, and now reduced to a heart demon, there was no point in trying to communicate.
He went to report back to Senior Yun Fang.
However, just as he turned around, he heard the heart demon kneeling on the ground, banging his head repeatedly, sobbing and wailing, "Master! Master, I know I was wrong! Please release me, I beg you, let me die!"
The sound of his head hitting the stones made Li Qi's head ache.
Crying, cursing, begging—his grotesque behavior made it hard to imagine he had once been a proud and talented young man from Wu Deity Mountain.
Li Qi shook his head and walked out of the mountain. Yun Fang was waiting outside, looking towards the mountain.
Even after Li Qi came out, Yun Fang showed little reaction, silently watching the mountain, his calm expression making Li Qi feel uneasy.
So, Li Qi spoke up first.
He bowed and said, "Thank you, Senior, for your guidance... I have benefited greatly."
Yun Fang snapped out of his thoughts and smiled, "No problem, as long as you gained something."
But then, Li Qi boldly asked, "Senior, may I ask... why don't you release him?"
"In my view, that heart demon is truly your heart demon, right? Keeping this heart demon not only traps him here forever but also limits your cultivation."
"At the very least, letting go would be a relief for both of you."
After speaking, Li Qi lowered his head and said nothing more.
Honestly, he feared Yun Fang might get angry and throw him out because what he said was too deep.
But since Yun Fang had helped him so much, Li Qi felt he had to advise him somehow.
After carefully observing the heart demon, Li Qi realized that the heart demon had become an obstacle on Yun Fang's path. Without overcoming it, it would be difficult to advance further.
However, after hearing Li Qi's words, Yun Fang simply shook his head and gently replied, "If it could be easily let go, how could it have become a heart demon?"
Li Qi remained silent, not daring to respond.
It wasn't just Yun Fang's disciple who had become a heart demon.
Even Yun Fang himself was trapped within the heart demon.
Although Yun Fang briefly mentioned that his path was broken, thus placing him here for rebirth, Li Qi could imagine there were many stories behind it.
A third-rank cultivator deliberately cultivating a heart demon, cutting off his own path, just to allow his disciple to continue suffering in his heart...
And that disciple only wanted to die.
Ah, every family has its own troubles.
Even Senior Yun Fang, despite being a Great Shaman with boundless cultivation, had his own unresolved issues.
But this was someone else's personal matter, and Li Qi couldn't say much about it.
Suggesting that Yun Fang give up was already quite impolite; he had no right to advise him to abandon his efforts.
Yun Fang waved his hand, and Li Qi suddenly teleported back to the previous immortal mountain.
Then, he said, "You've recorded the details of the heart demon here. If you gain any insights into resolving Dao heart issues later, could you contact me?"
"If I gain any insights, I will certainly share them," Li Qi promised immediately.
"Alright, prepare for your journey to Tang Kingdom. Your master should help you with travel expenses. I shouldn't interfere too much. Be careful on your journey, watch out for hidden dangers. The matter of Chenji Golden Elixir Method is still mysterious and needs further investigation," Yun Fang nodded.
"Thank you, Senior, for your advice. Farewell," Li Qi bowed.
When he lifted his head, the surroundings had changed.
In that moment, he returned to the altar, dark clouds gathering overhead, seemingly about to rain.
He took a few steps forward, leaned on the railing, and looked down.
Only a few people remained below; most had dispersed.
Looking up, the sky was clear, everything seemed peaceful.
Observing the earth, the qi was stable, suggesting a possible bountiful harvest next year.
Guangyang had recovered from its lifeless state to normal.
However, most people didn't understand what had happened; to them, it was merely someone directing them to do certain tasks.
As for who did it and why, they didn't care much.
Confused and unaware, this was probably the mindset of most commoners in Guangyang. Some families didn't even realize what had occurred.
Those who knew the truth didn't dare approach Li Qi.
They were afraid.
This young man was from a different world.
Shen Shuibei had disappeared somewhere, but Li Qi wasn't worried about her; she always acted like this.
Having observed Heaven, Earth, and Humanity,
the grand ceremony was over.
Time to leave.
Li Qi turned and descended from the altar.
At the bottom of the altar, Wang Baisan was fanning himself, waiting for Li Qi.
"Oh, Brother Li, are you done?" Wang Baisan smiled as he greeted Li Qi.
"Yes, almost finished," Li Qi nodded.
Wang Baisan closed his fan, "Do you feel disappointed? No applause, no cheers, the common folk below didn't even know you existed, and those who did were too scared to come see you."
"You saved so many people, yet only I waited for you. Zhang Lan avoided you on purpose, fearing it would ruin his future boasting, while others were too frightened to talk to you."
Wang Baisan sighed, "High places are cold indeed. For geniuses like you, staying among ordinary people must be boring."
Wang Baisan seemed deeply moved.
Indeed, despite all his efforts and risks, no one dared to speak to him.
He was a son of Wu Deity Mountain; after revealing his identity, no one dared to approach him.
The only one brave enough was Wang Baisan from the human path.
Li Qi chuckled, "Hmph."
After laughing, Li Qi waved his hand, shrinking the altar into a palm-sized object which he put away.
Then, he began wandering through the city.
Wang Baisan followed, curious.
Walking together, they soon left the city and reached the streets.
In Guangyang's alleys, many people were busy cleaning up.
The remnants from the grand ceremony, such as candles and paper offerings, needed to be collected and buried.
These tasks were handled by laborers, not important figures.
Li Qi approached an old man struggling to pull a cart.
This old man, with missing teeth, gray hair, and bent posture, was clearly burdened by hardship.
His cart's axle was broken, forcing him to carry it manually, making the task much harder.
"Old sir, try using this," Li Qi greeted the man and magically produced a new axle, crafted from wood and metal energy.
With his eighth-rank strength, creating a simple wooden stick took mere seconds.
Li Qi fixed the axle for him.
The old man was overjoyed, thanking Li Qi profusely and wishing him good fortune.
Then, he happily continued on his way.
"See, getting thanked isn't hard," Li Qi smiled at Wang Baisan.
Wang Baisan watched thoughtfully as Li Qi walked away.
Li Qi didn't say more, whistled, and his horse appeared, nuzzling him affectionately.
Li Qi mounted the horse and left without a word.
Was his action motivated by seeking gratitude?
Wrong, completely wrong.
Li Qi acted according to his Dao, driven by his principles.
Not for rewards, not for thanks, nor for recognition or gratitude.
He acted to practice his Dao.
This was his path.
Profit and fame shouldn't drive a cultivator unless pursuing them is their Dao.
Dao is external, the law of nature's operation.
Dao is internal, the cultivator's own principle.
Risking his life to save Guangyang wasn't for recognition or gratitude.
Motivation was pure: practicing his Dao.
No reward or recognition was necessary; what mattered was that his Dao was practiced and implemented.
Ancient wise men like Zishun exemplified this.
When the King of Wei heard of Zishun's wisdom, he sent envoys with gold and silk to hire him as chancellor.
Zishun replied, "If you can implement my Dao in your land, I'd gladly eat vegetables and drink water. But if you only offer me a position without using my Dao, high positions and wealth mean nothing. Do you really need me?"
If practicing my Dao means having nothing, I am content.
If unable to practice my Dao, high positions and wealth mean nothing.
Riding his horse, Li Qi observed Guangyang's vibrant scenery: flourishing pine trees, lush bamboo, verdant mountains, blooming flowers, and lively villages.
He felt deeply satisfied.
Running ahead, he saw someone blocking the road, apparently waiting for him.
Li Qi landed and saw Lie Kedi approaching, loudly declaring, "I know you're leaving and might not return. You saved my life and Guangyang's countless people. I have no way to repay you, but I will honor your departure with a sword dance!"
Lie Kedi removed his armor, wrapped his clothes, and performed a magnificent sword dance, soaring high into the sky, emitting powerful sword energy.
Li Qi laughed, mounting his horse and galloping away, shouting, "Broad paths remain unchanged by time or circumstances. My Dao remains consistent!"
Thus, they parted ways, each following their own path.
People follow different paths, sometimes intersecting, but ultimately moving on.
Only those sharing the same Dao can walk together.
Called Dao friends or comrades, only shared Dao allows companionship. Otherwise, even brothers part ways.
Dao unites like-minded individuals.
Li Qi understood these concepts more clearly.
Yet, one question lingered in his mind: Is Shen Shuibei on the same path?
Thinking about this, Li Qi wandered through the skies, observing the revived Guangyang.
Subsequently, Wang Baisan used Li Qi's influence to consolidate power in Guangyang, absorbing other factions and taking control of the lower nine gates.
His authority surpassed even the governor's.
The original governor had died under Chan Zhi's control.
The ruler of Guangyang faced punishment from Wu Deity Mountain for failing to rescue the two princes.
Ironically, the ruler was meditating and unaware of events, a common situation for fifth-rank cultivators.
The Rat Mound thanked Li Qi profusely for advancing their cultivation significantly during the grand ceremony.
Zhang Lan fled, likely bragging elsewhere.
Le Yue and Bo Yue returned to the mountain for recovery and cultivation.
As for Shen Shuibei...
Rabbit called Yang Ning to inquire why she hadn't received any messages.
Li Qi prepared to return to Wu Deity Mountain, expecting someone to pick him up. He planned to ask Yang Ning about the Chenji Golden Elixir Method upon arrival.
---
Four days passed.
Li Qi and Shen Shuibei waited in a mountainous area.
Rugged rocks, dense forests, winding paths.
In a valley surrounded by greenery, a waterfall cascaded down, forming a magnificent scene.
This was a valley in Jinbai Prefecture of Hundred Forests Kingdom. After leaving Guangyang, they headed straight here to wait for transport to Wu Deity Mountain.
The sun shone brightly at noon, reflecting beautifully on the waves and cliffs.
The old horse grazed and chased wild mares below.
How enviable, horses don't bear responsibilities.
Rabbit sat gloomily on a rock, frowning.
Li Qi enjoyed the scenery, occasionally glancing back at Rabbit.
Finally, he sat beside Shen Shuibei, hesitated, then put his arm around her shoulders, smiling, "Why are you still worried? I told you it's none of your concern. We're going to Tang Kingdom, what's there to fear?"
Shen Shuibei looked up anxiously, "I'm worried about deeper plots. The destruction of Luofu Mountain and recent incidents suggest someone is plotting more than just conflicts between Tang Kingdom and Wu Deity Mountain. Their goal is likely the Sun Moon True Lead Cauldron."
The temptation of a first-rank breakthrough...
Li Qi hugged her reassuringly, "Don't worry. Since we're going to Tang Kingdom, things aren't as complicated as feared. Our teacher assured us that Tang people, though proud, keep their promises. We'll be safe and can investigate further..."
Before he finished, a nameless witch doctor descended from the sky.
He wore primitive but stylish animal skins, looking stern.
However, the shaman said to Li Qi with a serious expression, "Young Master Qi, we are no longer going to the Witch God Mountain. We must set out immediately for the Tang Kingdom."
"Why?" Li Qi was stunned.
"The Sun Essence Yang Ning has gone missing, and the Great Diviner has calculated the cause and effect. All the threads of causality point to the Central Plains," the shaman said.
This news shocked both of them!