Chapter 213 - Conflict Between Exorcism and Qi

If I wanted to farm human elixir, I could start right here: teach Shi Yuqing the six secrets’ exorcism arts laden with traps and let her pass them on to disciples of Mount Shu Sword Sect, then reap the harvest in three hundred years.

Xu Ying gazed at Shi Yuqing, who was studying seriously beneath the Fusang Tree. I can use Mount Shu Sword Sect to get thousands of chives. Harvesting all the immortal herbs inside them at once will ensure I won't die for ten thousand years! When that time passes, I can emerge and harvest again with the same method.

Xu Ying’s expression gradually darkened. As she is right now, Shi Yuqing is just a silly girl who has just joined the sword sect and is unaware of the treachery of human hearts. But luckily for her, I’m the Ageless Immortal...

The gloom on his face vanished, replaced with a bright but tanned smile. Otherwise, the tragedy of the sword sect would've repeated itself. This girl and the sect's future disciples would've been reduced to human skin and left floating in the air.

Shi Yuqing was a prodigy selected by the ancestors of Mount Shu, after all, and learning Exorcism arts was no difficult task. Dragon Tracking was easy, and the techniques all involved gathering immortal herbs and refining them, unlike complex Qi cultivation techniques. She learned them with ease.

The only difficult part was opening the six secrets’ grotto heavens.

She was at the same cultivation realm as Xu Ying: the Second Gate-Knocking Stage. Though she suffered from amnesia, her cultivation remained. Her six secrets had grown incredibly heavy, making them extremely difficult to unlock.

Fortunately, Dazhong was there.

Now, Dazhong possessed incredible power. Ever since he had comprehended the technique in the Golden Vault Supreme Immortal Book and grasped the essence of the six characters, he seemed boundless as he hovered in the air.

His power had skyrocketed as he skillfully used his various Dao avatar imprints to unleash it to the fullest. He had already reached the same level as Xu Ying in terms of refining himself internally while connecting with heaven and earth externally.

When channeling Dao art divine abilities, he could fight endlessly without exhausting a drop of his own energy. This was the brilliance of applying the Great Dao of Golden Core to artifacts!

This sight filled Yuanqi with envy.

Dazhong helped Shi Yuqing easily unlock her Mud-Pill, Jade-Capital, Jade-Pool, Yellow-Court, and Crimson-Palace Secret Troves. However, with each Secret Trove unlocked, the next became harder to open as Shi Yuqing’s cultivation increased.

By the time he opened her Crimson-Palace Secret Trove, Dazhong’s own strength failed to breach the Gushing-Spring Secret Trove.

“Your cultivation has gotten much deeper. Only an immortal artifact can unlock this trove now. Mortal treasures can achieve no more than I have. If I cannot open it, no other artifact can.”

Dazhong said to Shi Yuqing, “Emei’s sect leader, Yan Kongcheng, also relied on his sect’s immortal artifact to unlock his sixth Secret Trove. Does your Mount Shu Sword Sect have one?”

Shi Yuqing stood there in bewilderment. “Can someone like me use the sword sect’s immortal artifact?”

Dazhong hesitated for a moment before replying, “You probably can.”

Shi Yuqing said, “I’ve heard that our immortal artifact is an immortal sword left behind by the first patriarch, called Think No Evil. He cast it down from the Immortal Realm when he ascended to anchor the sword sect’s destiny. Only the sect leader wields this blade, and I just joined...”

Worry weighed heavily on her.

Xu Ying’s voice drifted over leisurely, “I am the supreme elder of Mount Shu Sword Sect. My status is higher than even the sect leader. Surely I can use Think No Evil?”

Shi Yuqing was shocked and delighted, though a little disbelieving. “My dear, do you have the supreme elder’s token?”

Xu Ying produced his token. Shi Yuqing cheered, but immediately felt uneasy. Did he use that token to coerce the sect leader into accepting me as a disciple under his direct tutelage?

She blinked, her thoughts running even wilder. Wait, how does he have the supreme elder’s token? Could it be that even though he looks like a youth, he’s actually an old monster who’s lived thousands of years? He took a liking to a teenager like me, forced me to marry him, and abused his authority to orchestrate my apprenticeship?

Xu Ying waved his hand before Shi Yuqing, and only then did she come back to her senses. She thought, Ah, what was I thinking? He’s definitely not that kind of person!

Suddenly, all kinds of memories flooded her mind—her initiation into the sword sect, becoming a disciple, the conflict between Exorcism and Qi, the tragedy of the sect, the great upheaval in the world, the sky warping and the earth tilting, the seal of heaven and earth. Though buried like duckweed in muddy water, these memories surged back to the surface.

Shi Yuqing stood frozen.

Her memories came rushing back at lightning speed. Three thousand years later, heaven and earth were unsealed. She woke up alone in the sword sect, looking out into the distance. Then, she headed to the Homeward Pavilion to look for the sword sect’s venerables and came across Xu Ying. Everything suddenly snapped into focus.

So, I went down the stray path of practicing dual cultivation in my confusion?

Two trails of tears slid down her cheeks. She murmured, “I, the sect leader, have become a traitor of the sword sect?”

Xu Ying looked at her, surprised. “What’s wrong, my lady?”

Shi Yuqing’s expression sank as she recalled more details. My lady? That’s right, I’ve been calling him “my dear” over the past few days! Luckily, he’d only taken advantage of me verbally and hadn’t done anything that crossed the line.

Shi Yuqing was overwhelmed with shame and anger, but she concealed it perfectly. The human heart is unpredictable. He's already taken advantage of me verbally; there’s no telling if he wants to take advantage of me physically next. I will watch his moves for now. If he tries anything, I will pretend to comply, then slay this supreme elder when he drops his guard and purge the sect!

She said softly, “I just spaced out for a moment, thinking how well you’re treating me, yet there’s nothing I can do to repay you. I feel ashamed.”

Just then, a voice drifted in from afar, reciting, “Silver silk woven into a cage in five days, capture the Golden Crow and send it in. Who knows who placed it upon the Fusang Tree, leaving the creek’s waves burning crimson red! What a magnificent Golden Crow!”

Xu Ying raised his brow and asked, “Master Qi, what does this poem mean?”

Yuanqi replied, “This poem means he took five days to weave a birdcage out of silver silk to trap the Golden Crow. Someone then hung it on the Fusang Tree. The bird’s intense fire and smoke dye the waters crimson. That person is expressing his grand ambitions, proclaiming that he has the will to capture the sun and moon. Ah Ying, you should study more.”

Xu Ying nodded lightly. “I’m studying. I read whenever I have time.”

Yuanqi sneered coldly, “You’re clearly using books as a sleeping aid! The moment you hold a book, your head slumps to the side and you fall asleep!”

Xu Ying muttered sheepishly, “They’re never as interesting as those stories of legends.”

The voice approached rapidly. Though miles away moments ago, the speaker now stood before the Fusang Tree, speaking as he walked, “I heard that in the current world, the Divine Capital is best when it comes to exorcism arts.

“I visited their young talents, but I remain undefeated after twenty battles. Someone surnamed Cui from the capital claims that among the experts of exorcism arts, no one can match Xu Ying. So, I’ve come to pay a visit.”

Xu Ying said to Yuanqi, “A man named Cui from the Divine Capital? Does he mean Cui Dongli? The one who kept threatening to challenge me but never dared to strike?”

Yuanqi replied, “It’s most likely him.”

The two looked toward the voice and saw a young man approaching the Fusang Tree. He had a broad forehead and displayed an extraordinary demeanor. He exuded an ethereal, immortal grace as he walked. Divine brilliance flashed in his eyes, his mind seemed vast as the universe, and his majestic aura dominated the surrounding mountains.

He wore purple robes and led a massive, muscular azure bull. Its eyes were round and protruding, gleaming like lightning. Its demonic qi was astonishing. As it approached, dark clouds rolled, shrouding the surrounding dozens of li!

The purple-robed man bowed to Xu Ying in greeting and smiled. “I am Xiao Guike of Shangjing Palace. After leaving the palace, I’ve heard that today's cultivators have strayed from the path, and exorcism arts have become rampant. So I have been traveling, seeking guidance from others, and I've yet to suffer defeat.

“In my attempt to correct these foul practices, although I have defeated the heirs of the various noble clans in the Divine Capital, they all claimed that only by defeating Brother Xu can I prove that orthodox Qi Cultivation is superior.”

He bowed slightly. “Please guide me, Brother Xu.”

Xu Ying nodded slightly, then turned back to Shi Yuqing. “My lady, you just mentioned wanting to repay me. Here is your chance. Go send him away.”

Shi Yuqing was slightly shaken inside. She whispered, “You’re unaware, my dear. He’s the successor of Shangjing Palace, a sect from the ancient era. Legend says they select only a few elite disciples. Every palace master of every generation ascended as an immortal!”

Xu Ying asked doubtfully, “They overcame the super heavenly tribulation?”

Shi Yuqing whispered. “No. After the super heavenly tribulation appeared, not even the Shangjing Palace’s palace masters could ascend. Still, every successor from their lineage remains exceptionally talented and dangerous.”

Xu Ying smiled. “You’ve unlocked five secrets and your cultivation has increased significantly. Having stepped into the Domain of Five Immortality, you can take him on.”

Shi Yuqing braced herself and stepped forward. Although Xiao Guike is the successor of Shangjing Palace, our Mount Shu Sword Sect’s legacy isn’t any inferior.

However, deep down, she was still worried. The Shangjing Palace's legacy was extremely mysterious, while many of the sword sect’s legacies had been lost. The sect's profound sword techniques were all written in Immortal Dao runes, making them difficult to decipher.

Though she was clever, it still proved difficult for her to comprehend the legacies left behind by the successive sword immortals.

Seeing her stepping forward, Xiao Guike chuckled. “You don’t dare to fight me yourself, and only sent a young lady to test me?”

“Cut the nonsense!” Shi Yuqing shouted and opened her five secrets. Twenty spinning grotto heavens instantly materialized behind her, shining brilliantly!

Her cultivation had reached a level where she could open four grotto heavens from any Secret Trove. Her speed, strength, primordial qi, and divine sense had all improved tremendously!

Whoosh!

As she raised her sleeve, the great marsh instantly boiled over. Its water surged into the air with a roar and formed countless water swords that converged from all directions, making up a massive sword formation!

The sheer force shocked even Shi Yuqing; she had not anticipated such a massive surge in power.

After unlocking her Jade-Pool Secret Trove, her cultivation had more than doubled.

So this is what my dea—ptooi! This is what Elder Xu means by the primordial qi immortal domain of the Domain of Five Immortality?

Her confidence soared. Shi Yuqing drifted gracefully into the air to command the massive sword formation. Floating in midair, heaven and earth trembled violently as her overwhelming primordial qi and divine sense surged!

Xiao Guike looked up at Shi Yuqing, who stood at the center of the massive sword formation. His expression grave, he said to the azure bull, “Uncle-Master, help me suppress the formation!”

He soared into the air like a streak of purple qi and cut into the sword formation.

The green bull grew incredibly tense, staring intently at the two figures in the sky.

Beneath the Fusang Tree, Xu Ying looked up as well, then suddenly said, “Master Qi, Master Zhong, her memories have awakened, right?”

Before Yuanqi could come back to his senses, Dazhong replied, “That’s right. The Meng Po Soup’s effect on her should have ended. While still under its influence, she thought she had just joined the sword sect, but now she wields the Golden Core’s mystical power effortlessly at will, like it’s an extension of her arm. Clearly, her memories have awakened.”

Yuanqi came to a realization. “That’s right!”

Puzzled, Xu Ying said, “Since she’s awakened her memories, why didn’t she say anything?”

Yuanqi nodded heavily. “Exactly! Why hasn’t she said anything?”

Dazhong didn’t know her reason either. “Let’s see what she’s trying to do first.”

Xu Ying nodded.

As they talked, Shi Yuqing pushed the power of her Domain of Five Immortality to the limit. Her combat prowess skyrocketed. Even though Xiao Guike had received the legacies of immortals, he was driven back repeatedly. As he drifted farther and farther from Shi Yuqing, his heart burned with shame.

Shi Yuqing was a master in sword formations. The farther Xiao Guike was from her, the stronger the sword formation became, and the lower his chances of victory.

I need to fight her in close combat! A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Guike's eyes.

Braving a barrage of consecutive strikes, he unleashed every technique in his arsenal and finally closed the distance to Shi Yuqing. He threw a punch, circulating the Shangjing Palace’s immortal true art. His punch billowed with immortal qi, like an immortal had descended to the mortal realm!

Shi Yuqing raised her hand. Boundless sword qi gathered within her hands, meeting his punch with a palm strike!

As their fist and palm collided, blood spurted from Xiao Guike’s seven orifices. He let out a muffled groan and was thrown backward. Boundless sword qi whistled toward him, covering him in wounds!

Immortal Dao runes constantly lit up around Xiao Guike, blocking any fatal injuries.

Meanwhile, Shi Yuqing withdrew her power in time and refrained from delivering any killing strikes.

Had she unleashed the full force of that palm strike, the razor-sharp sword qi would have sliced Xiao Guike to pieces, regardless of his profound heritage.

“I have learned!” Xiao Guike landed with a grim expression. He bowed toward Shi Yuqing, who was still floating in midair, and turned to leave.

Shi Yuqing floated down lightly. “Senior Brother Xiao, Exorcism legacies do indeed have their merits. Why not stay?”

Xiao Guike ignored her. However, the azure bull slowly stood on two legs, growing larger like an iron tower and looming over the Shang settlement.

The sense of oppression from the azure bull grew stronger, like a divine demon standing between heaven and earth. He said coldly, “You people practicing exorcism arts have strayed onto the wrong path, and now you even want to drag our young master down with you? You harbor ill intent!”

Just then, an even stronger sense of oppression swept over them. Flames surged skyward from the Fusang Tree as Jin Buyi grew larger and larger, as if a blazing sun had suddenly appeared above the great marsh, pressing down on that azure bull.

Jin Buyi glared down at him. “You little calf, apologize!”

The azure bull trembled. A moment later, he lowered his head and said, “I was wrong, everyone...”

Xu Ying didn’t make things difficult for him. He made the bull kowtow only three times before letting him go.

Yuanqi praised, “Ah Ying is merciful, and Master Jin is gentle and benevolent.”

Xu Ying watched the azure bull disappear into the distance. He fell into deep thought. “Shangjing Palace’s legacy is incredibly formidable, nonetheless. Xiao Guike wields various immortal arts with ease, even more masterfully than Yan Kongcheng. If he practices Exorcism, he would surely advance a step further and become a formidable rival.”

He had a feeling that in this era of great changes, some monsters with transcendent strength would emerge!

He thought, If I don’t work harder, I’ll be overtaken by these monsters!

That night, when it was time to rest, Shi Yuqing lay in bed, feeling both anticipation and worry. When he comes to take advantage of me physically, I’ll strike to purge the sect of corruption!

She waited for a long time, but Xu Ying still hadn’t come. Gradually, she began to feel disappointed.

When most of the night had passed, Xu Ying suddenly knocked on the door. Shi Yuqing’s heart pounded wildly. “He’s finally here!”

Xu Ying didn’t enter her room. His voice came from outside. “Yuqing, wake up early today. We need to hurry to Mount Shu Sword Sect.”

Deeply disappointed, Shi Yuqing voiced her acknowledgment and got out of bed in a hurry. She opened the door and saw that Xu Ying and the others had already packed and were ready to set off.

Shi Yuqing hesitated for a while before finally mustering her courage. She asked softly, “My dear, why haven’t you wanted me these past few days?”

Taken aback, Xu Ying replied, “Yuqing, haven’t you already awakened your memories? Why are you saying such things?”

Shi Yuqing froze momentarily. She clenched her fists tightly. Countless fine strands of sword qi whistled chaotically around her, but she forced them back.

Xu Ying whispered to Dazhong, “Master Zhong, I see it now. She wants to take advantage of me.”

Dazhong spun leisurely. “I knew something was off with this girl long ago.”

Xu Ying nodded, sincerely agreeing with him.

Shi Yuqing faintly overheard them. Veins throbbed on her forehead as she suddenly rose into the air with a fierce shout, and her fingers splayed open. Countless sword qi roared out like a torrent and leveled a distant mountain peak!