Nonsensical...
Damn, all fortune-tellers are the same worldwide.
Nevertheless, Li Qi managed to control himself, politely bid farewell to this person, and sped up towards his teacher's grotto heaven.
The journey was smooth from then on, though it still took several hours.
However, while Li Qi was on his way...
—————
"Boring, truly boring. A bunch of kids pretending to be polite and composed—it's utterly uninteresting!" Zhu Fengdan shook his head in his cave abode, his tone quite displeased.
He held a miniature landscape spanning a thousand miles in his hand, every blade of grass and tree clearly visible. He had watched the entire confrontation between Li Qi and his fellow disciples.
But it really was quite dull.
A bunch of children acting like little adults, each more calm and restrained than the last.
Why not fight? Where's the youthful spirit?
Zhu Fengdan was disappointed.
Yet, despite saying that, he was somewhat satisfied.
While the scene might have felt anticlimactic to an observer, it was merely because Li Qi had handled the situation with great finesse.
That white-robed handsome man, whom Zhu Fengdan remembered as Yan Ke, had a very interesting path in the Dao.
He belonged to the Ghost Branch of the Zhu Clan, possessing an innate talent for becoming a leader among people, understanding their hearts, and sensing major trends. Due to his extraordinary talents, he was taken in by a Grand Invoker as a disciple.
To aid his progress along the Dao path, the Grand Invoker went through great lengths and paid a considerable price to find a small world with unique temporal flow characteristics.
Then, he sought help to refine the Heavenly Dao of this small world, overcoming its peculiar temporal properties so that external wills could descend into it under the arrangement of the Grand Invoker.
This item was then given to Yan Ke, allowing him to project his will into the world and manipulate its 'civilization.'
Through repeated descents, using only his will and words to sway the direction of civilization, he gradually mastered the ability to manipulate 'major trends.'
A small world with a billion inhabitants, where one could influence history purely through projected will and speech, guiding a billion souls toward a desired outcome.
Manipulating historical processes and creating major trends was a special cultivation method of the Ghost Branch, perfectly suited to Yan Ke's talents.
That small world was Yan Ke's foundation in Dao.
Yan Ke proposed to compete within this small world, intending to trap Li Qi since he had been practicing this for years, whereas Li Qi had never encountered it before. It seemed impossible for Li Qi to win.
But Li Qi was even more direct, stating that such actions did not align with his Dao and firmly refused, releasing his aura of Ten Thousand People.
Where did Li Qi's aura of Ten Thousand People come from?
It came from forming karmic bonds with countless people, receiving their gratitude, and even worship. Although Li Qi was of the Earth Deity lineage, he had done much work in the Ghost Branch, such as consecrating the spirits of the White Rhino Army, helping them reincarnate, saving tens of thousands of people who worshipped him, and conducting grand ceremonies that brought numerous causal connections.
In essence, Li Qi had progressed further in the Ghost Branch than Yan Ke, who was still experimenting with controlling major trends, while Li Qi had already influenced the fate of an entire province.
Thus, after demonstrating his achievements, Li Qi stated that he would never accept such methods.
This fundamentally negated Yan Ke's foundation in Dao.
This was the crux of the matter; Yan Ke hadn't deeply considered his foundation in Dao.
It was bestowed upon him by his master, a Grand Invoker, and thus he naturally believed it to be correct—a blind spot in his thinking.
Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, as he would eventually understand it through practice. By thoroughly studying the cycles of cause and effect within that small world, all doubts could be resolved, likely as part of his master's plan.
The future seemed bright.
But now, being pointed out by Li Qi prematurely,
it was akin to someone better at studies telling you that you were wrong.
This prompted reflection, shaking his previously firm beliefs.
Consequently, this caused his foundation in Dao to waver momentarily, forcing him to retreat and ponder whether his previous actions were right or wrong.
For him, this was beneficial, so there would be no enmity afterward, and it dissolved the blockade.
From Zhu Fengdan's perspective, everything had been meticulously calculated by Li Qi, which pleased him greatly.
Within minutes of meeting, Li Qi discerned the intentions of the other party and each individual's different goals and threats.
First, he cleverly defused Yan Ke, causing him to withdraw, thereby angering the muscular man with dark red skin, and then defeated him with strength, frightening off the two women.
Therefore, overall, Li Qi's insight and strategy were commendable, except for failing to deal with the blind diviner, everything else was excellent.
Handled very well.
Just that there wasn't any fighting—truly boring. If there had been a fight, it would have been more exciting.
As Zhu Fengdan lamented this, Li Qi finally arrived outside the cave abode.
—————
After traveling for half a day, Li Qi looked up and finally saw his teacher's sacred peak.
Honestly...
It didn't seem any different from others'.
Nothing particularly distinctive, looking quite ordinary, even more plain than others', just a bare mountain.
Others decorated their peaks uniquely with various items.
But here...
It looked like a mere mound.
Could it be that there was something special inside?
Curious, Li Qi entered.
Upon entering the mountain, Li Qi bowed deeply: "Teacher! I've arrived!"
His surroundings instantly changed.
Surrounded by endless void, pitch-black without any light.
Yet, there was no sensation of falling, as if floating in mid-air, unable to move.
Suddenly, a lamp lit up, and Zhu Fengdan appeared before him.
"Disciple, you've come?" Zhu Fengdan emerged in this void.
Before Li Qi could greet him, Zhu Fengdan sighed while shaking his head: "What's going on with you? Even after returning here, you're still thinking about getting along with others and solving problems. That won't do. Why didn't you simply fight them? Were you worried I couldn't handle it?"
Li Qi pretended not to hear these words.
He respectfully performed the disciple's salute and said on his own: "Teacher, besides reporting back, I also have important matters to inform you."
"Pfft, so serious, how boring. Go ahead, what's the matter?" Zhu Fengdan waved his hand dismissively, rolling his eyes, floating in mid-air waiting for Li Qi to speak.
Who taught this disciple to act so rigidly, lacking any youthful passion?
He was only around twenty, an age full of vigor in human society, yet he acted like this, showing no trace of anger.
But Li Qi ignored that, seriously recounting his encounter with the attack.
Then, he presented the dragon soul and the remains of the self-proclaimed Ji Ding: "Teacher, please look, this is the item."
"Alright, alright, I know," Zhu Fengdan said with a disinterested expression. "There's something fishy behind this, everyone knows that. Just leave it to me."
He gave Li Qi a look of disappointment: "You, a child, worrying about national affairs? Is this something you should concern yourself with? Does worrying help? Truly, you're nothing like me."
Li Qi lowered his head.
Although the cultivation techniques and spells he practiced were given by his teacher... he had never actually taught him anything...
Frankly, most of his knowledge about the cultivation world came from Shen Shuibei and books he read.
He relied mostly on his own insights.
It made sense that he wasn't like him...
After mentally complaining, Li Qi heard his teacher cough awkwardly twice.
Oh, he forgot his teacher could read minds.
"Cough, cough, you're really unlikable, kid. Forget it, I won't argue with you." Zhu Fengdan waved his hand.
Li Qi felt embarrassed.
Not... can you even argue with me? As a revered third-rank Grand Invoker, who knew how many years he had lived, arguing with a twenty-year-old?
No, shouldn't think about that.
Li Qi immediately straightened his posture, silently reciting numbers to pretend he thought of nothing.
At that moment, Zhu Fengdan waved his hand.
The scenery changed around them.
Suddenly, Li Qi found himself sitting in a chair, surrounded by oddly shaped stones, their uses unknown.
Next to the stones stood three tea trees, nearly dead, their leaves plucked bald, appearing yellow and on the verge of dying.
Li Qi picked a couple of leaves and smelled them, finding nothing special.
Further away in the courtyard, there were piles of strange items.
Magic treasures, tools, oddities, various curious materials, including his gaming console, almost forming small mountains, their quantities unknown.
Was this... his teacher's residence?
Were those things stolen?
As Li Qi thought this, an air cannon exploded near his head, startling him.
Though not injured, it was like a sudden thunderclap.
"What are you saying? Stolen?!! Treasures belong to the world, and those with affinity obtain them. I have some connection with these items, borrowing them for a few days before returning them. Not occupying them forcefully," Master Zhu held a disk in his hand, glaring at Li Qi.
Li Qi quickly regained composure and bowed deeply: "Teacher speaks wisely, I was shallow!"
Master Zhu sat down holding the disk: "Forget it, discussing this with you is pointless. You don't seem to get it. Instead, let's find some youthful excitement for you."
"You're concerned about that Jade Rabbit, right? That seems the only youthful thing left about you. I'll give you a task. Once completed, I'll take you to visit Luo Fu's cave abode, how about that?"
Hearing this, Li Qi snapped to attention: "Please instruct, Teacher!"
"Attend the banquet," Master Zhu narrowed his eyes.
"The invitation you received wasn't fabricated. It was organized by a dream interpreter, intended to divine your fortunes and dangers, guiding you towards good luck and away from harm. But those people used it as a pretext to embarrass me, making me lose face."
"Since you've thwarted those children's schemes, we'll boldly attend the banquet together, seeking opportunities for you. No hiding or avoiding conflicts, use words to persuade. If anyone provokes you, smash their heads!"
"Do this, and after the banquet, I'll take you to visit Luo Fu's cave abode, and you can seek out the rabbit yourself, okay?"
Zhu Fengdan spoke boldly, watching Li Qi's reaction.
Li Qi gritted his teeth: "I will follow your instructions! But, Teacher, regarding the mastermind behind..."
Zhu Fengdan was even more direct: "Why worry about that? Don't I know there's a mastermind behind it? Just enjoy your childhood, and leave the troubles to me. Focus on preparing for the envoy mission to Tang Kingdom."
"As for those plotting against you, I'll deal with them. No need for you to worry."
Li Qi remained silent, bowing and asking: "When do we leave?"
Zhu Fengdan smiled broadly: "Right now! Let's go show them who's boss!"
True to his word, Zhu Fengdan was always decisive.
He grabbed Li Qi, waved his hand, and a large carriage approached automatically. He threw Li Qi into the back seat, sat in the driver's seat, whipped the reins, and two...
Uh, iron-eating beasts appeared in front?
Li Qi wiped his sweat; his teacher's aesthetic tastes were indeed...
Regardless of what pulled the carriage, it moved swiftly towards its destination.
Inside Wu Deity Mountain, rapid flight was prohibited, and space was protected, preventing teleportation. Thus, travel mainly relied on legs or vehicles.
Sitting in the carriage, Li Qi watched his teacher happily whip the iron-eating beasts.
Their flesh jiggled.
Quite cute.
Indeed, so fat yet so fast...
Wait, this aura...
These iron-eating beasts were fifth-rank?!
Li Qi immediately became respectful, sitting quietly in contemplation.
Since his teacher said not to worry and to enjoy his childhood, he'd do just that.
No longer considering the conflicts between Wu Deity Mountain and Tang Kingdom, leaving it to his teacher.
And that fortune-teller...
Seemed to have predicted correctly; he was indeed attending the banquet.
Damn, annoying riddlers.
Forget it, better focus on his current worries...
Miss Shen... What happened to her?
Since the grand ceremony, her attitude seemed to have changed.
Though only four or five days had passed since then, significant events occurred during this time, each making Li Qi feel somewhat distant.
What was the reason?
Given it happened after the grand ceremony, the issue must have arisen during that period.
Before the ceremony, Shen Shuibei even rushed onto the altar to heal him, indicating no problem then.
Afterward, something important must have happened during that period.
A third-rank attack was repelled by his teacher and Yun Fang.
Then, Yun Fang mentioned, "Wu Deity Mountain and Lady Luo Fu are not aligned."
Wait, was it because of that?
He once doubted whether he and Shen Shuibei shared the same path.
Did Shen Shuibei doubt the same?
Perhaps more seriously.
Like... Wu Deity Mountain using him as leverage to persuade Lady Luo Fu... something like that?