Seeking the Tao in the Mortal World

Ci Ming said, "I wants to go back to the temple to report to my superior.  I will discuss this matter with you later."

Zheng Yunyi put his hand on his shoulder in a friendly manner and escorted him out, "Master, don't be angry, we are indeed wrong about this. The main reason is that Ju Yunxiu and the chess idiot concealed the secret. We can't calculate it. This Qin Yicultivate time is very long." It’s short, no one would have thought of it, right?”

Ci Ming said, "I can't blame you. I didn't... poof..."

The words were stuck in his throat. Ci Ming turned his head to look at Zheng Yunyi in disbelief, only to see Zheng Yunyi pull out a long sword from his back with a smile, "The obscene monk of the Temple Great Joy lurked in our Myriad Tao Immortal Palace, intending to harm our disciples, then I discovered and killed him. What do you think of this statement?"

Ci Ming could no longer answer as he was dead with a grievance.

Tian Jizi turned a blind eye and said faintly, "There are too many flaws. This scheme is too low level."

Zheng Yunyi sighed helplessly, "I has just learned about Temple Great Joy's involvement in this matter... When Temple Great Joy is introduced, unless they are driven away, there will be flaws as long as we want to use them. The key is that we underestimate Qin Yi's true combat power... If he dies at the hands of Ci Ming, Ju Yunxiu will only settle the score with Temple Great Joy. Our flaws don’t matter.”

Tian Jizi said, "I have long taught you not to be too obsessed with scheming. When your own strength reaches a certain level, such conspiracies are just child plays."

Having said that, Tian Jizi didn't scold his apprentice or even blame him for not telling him earlier.

They obsessed with scheming due to the pursuit of the sect. If the disciples asked him before making any decision, there was no way to train them.

On the side, Xi Xiangzi said, "It doesn't matter if there are many flaws. Palace Master doesn't care anyway. As long as we can give a reasonable explanation to other sect members, Ju Yunxiu can't fight with us."

Tian Jizi was silent for a moment and said slowly, "Palace Master... may not remain silent to  this. There needs to be another backup plan. You bring Ci Ming's gong to the Temple Great Joy and explain to them that Ci Ming was killed by Qin Yi."

Xi Xiangzi took the order and left.

Tian Jizi said to Zheng Yunyi again, "I have a gambling agreement with the chess fanatic, so I cannot take action personally. You still have to preside over the game between the two sects. But remember, what we are competing for is the fate of their sect, and not Qin Yi. Whether you can drive Qin Yi away or kill Qin Yi, what does it matter to the overall situation? It is simply putting the cart before the horse!"

Zheng Yunyi was silent for a moment and whispered, "I just want to get my painting back."

Tian Jizi squinted his eyes and looked at him, "So as I calculated before, there is something wrong with the painting, but you don't admit it..."

Zheng Yunyi said awkwardly, "I have a crush on Ju..."

Tian Jizi interrupted, "Crush your ass. Your little schemes are far too obvious to fool me."

Zheng Yunyi said helplessly, "There may be or may not be a secret in the painting. My father once seriously told me to gather together, that's all. Maybe we can only know after we gather them..."

Tian Jizi thought for a while, then he suddenly smiled and said, "So that is why you are obsessed with dealing with the piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting sect? And Qin Yi also participated in this tao conference for the painting?"

Zheng Yunyi said, "I don't need their paintings. After all, I can't confirm whether there is any secret, so I'm not very interested. I'm just annoyed that my painting was replaced with a bunch of obscene objects."

Tian Jizi smiled slightly, "In that case, just let them collect them."

Zheng Yunyi was stunned for a moment. "What does this mean?"

"Do you know how many paintings there are?"

"Not sure."

"We'll know when they finish collecting them."

"..."

"Besides, it's the tomb of Ju Yunxiu's master. If they want to take, it's easy for them to take it. If you want to take them, just save the effort." Tian Jizi said leisurely, "Wouldn't it be much more convenient to let them collect the paintings?"

Zheng Yunyi looked at his master sincerely. "You are indeed much more cunning…"

"Bullshit." Tian Jizi said calmly, "We are now very passive after your scheme failed. What will happen next depends on how Palace Master responds!"

…

Their conversation showed that Qin Yi was already number at this tao conference.

In fact, there were still two contestants in the Geo Secret Realm at this time, but they had been completely ignored. No one thought they could challenge Qin Yi.

Even Qin Yi didn't think the other two could beat him, but he didn't put his guard down.

Because the competition was about who could pick more celestial fruits, not who beat who.

What if the other two picked more fruits than him when they got out, that would be a disaster.

So he followed the map and continued to look for celestial fruit. On the way, Liu Su also told him to cut some twigs to plant them after returning.

"Have you seen that stone?" Liu Su said, "This is the quant stone. It is useful for forging and refining weapons. It is also good for building cave houses. Let's take it..."

Qin Yi walked forward with his head down.

How do I take such a giant rock...

It feels like Liu Su has become more cute and funny after waking up. Maybe she is relieved and happy that she isn't imprisoned in the Sitck. It is understandable. If I were imprisoned tens of thousands of years, I would be much more joyful than her.

"Boom!" Suddenly there was an explosion in the distance.

Qin Yi stopped suddenly and looked toward the source of the explosion. A figure flying across the sky, and a tigox was chasing behind.

The figure dodged the pounce of the tigox, then a giant wine gourd phantasm smashed the tigox, forcing it back.

Yin Yigu of the drinking sect.

At the same time, countless vines stretched from below like devil's hands, wanting to entangle him. Yin Yigu turned around and sprayed out a ball of flames downward. The vines quickly spread out like a net.

Suddenly, a wooden man flew from the other side and smashed into the vines. The vines wrapped the wooden man and retracted with satisfaction.

The wooden man suddenly exploded, blowing the vines into pieces.

He's from the eccentric skills sect. What's his name? Qin Yi found that he had not even asked his name.

The vines seemed to be angry and growing wildly again. From a distance, they looked terrifying.

At this time, the tigox seemed to be going crazy. It roared and emitted strong sound waves at the Yin Yigu.

"Why did they act together and fight with that tigox?" Qin Yi thought while running toward them.

Although they were in a competition, these two were his peers unlike Zhou Yuncheng who had ulterior motives.

The tigotx is a Cloud Riding Stage beast. They can't handle it. I should help them.

But what are those vines?

"Those are Ghost Weep Vines." Liu Su said leisurely, "Xi Xiangzi once coaxed you to find the seeds of Red Ghost Vines that can protect cave houses... If the so-called Red Ghost Vine is your level, this Ghost Weep Vine is my level. They are not the same level.”

Qin Yi almost staggered. What is this shit metaphor!

"Are you sure you want to help them?" Liu Su suddenly said, "If they can't beat it, they can just crush their jades to escape. They won't die anyway."

Qin Yi hesitated for a moment, but he still rushed straight away.

After all, we are from the same sect. If I just sit back and watch, my so-called ideals of cultivating immortality and upholding chivalry would be nothing but empty words.

-

Being so close, Qin Yi couldn't help but take a deep breath.

The so-called Ghost Weep Vines looked insignificant from a distance, but after getting close, he realized that each vine was as thick as a human being. The vines were covered with various organ shapes with countless eyes and mouths densely packed together, looking spooky.

The vines could whip with a terrifying force. Even if he didn't see it, he could feel the force of the strong wind. Qin Yi wondered if he would be bounced away if he hit it with the mace. If the opponent was weaker, he would probably be smashed into a pie.

In terms of cultivation level, the Ghost Weep Vines was at least at the Cloud Riding Stage, and maybe even the intermediate stage.

They even had to deal with a tigox.

But he saw the fellow disciple releasing countless iron birds around the vines. The vines tried to hit the iron birds respectively, but the birds nimbly avoided them and went through the vines, making them intertwined with each other.

Qin Yi exclaimed in his mind, "This guy is a smart one."

In the battle between Yin Yigu and the tigox, a wine vat phantasm trapped the tigox inside. The aroma of wine overflowed from the vat. The wine swirled like a vortex as if to twist the tigox into pieces. At the same time, the wine aroma seemed to have some entrancing effect, which could be seen in the tigox's confused eyes.

But just when Yin Yigu was about to launch an attack, a vine whipped toward him. He shook drunkenly, and the vine brushed past him. Then he threw a wine gourd and smashed the vine into pieces.

"Isn't that Chin Gentsai(from King of Fighters)? These two fellows have some skills."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

In just a moment, the tigox broke free from the restraints of the wine vat and rushed toward Yin Yigu with a roar. The movement was as fast as lightning.

Qin Yi couldn't even capture its movement.

In addition to the beastkins' innate talents, they relied most on their physical strength, speed, and indestructible physical body. This was the most primitive battle. Whether it was human beings, martial arts cultivators or immortal cultivators, they could learn from the beast and improve it.

As for this ferocious Cloud Riding Stage Tigox, the Piano Heart Stage disciples of Immortal Palace definitely couldn't withstand it.

Qin Yi couldn't catch the speed, and Yin Yigu was naturally not much better. He barely dodged a with a drunken movement, but he was still brushed by the force. His lower abdomen had a mutilated wound.

The tigox swept its oxtail without stopping.

When Yin Yigu was about to crush the jade, a mace suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Bang!"

The mace and the oxtail collided, and the sharp fangs stings made the oxtail bleed. The tigox roared in pain and turned around to see Qin Yi. When it saw him, its eyes widened, and it ran away immediately.

Qin Yi, who was about to fight, was dumbfounded to see the tiny figure of the tigox in the distant.

I bet this is the tigox that was knocked unconscious by Senior Ju just now.

Yin Yigu's somewhat embarrassed voice came from behind. "Thank you for you help, Junior Qin… Otherwise I would have crushed the jade."

When saying this, Yin Yigu was also very surprised. He joined forces with the craftsman Mo Wuzi to stop Qin Yi from getting the first place. It wasn't that they had ill intentions toward Qin Yi. They were just displeased that Qin Yi stole all the limelight in this tao conference.

If I were Qin Yi, I would never rescue him. We wouldn't die anyway. Wouldn't it be better to let us crush the jades and escape?

But he unexpectedly came to the rescue. Does he really not care that he might lose the competition because of this?

Qin Yi waved his hand nonchalantly, jumped up, and smashed at Ghost Weep Vines with his stick.

The vines had already solved the iron birds of Mo Wuzi, then they stretched toward him. Once entangled, he would be devoured entirely.

Mo Wuzi retreated and released a mechanical puppet again. Before the puppet could play any role, it was dragged away by the vines. Under a burst of creaking sounds, it instantly turned into a pile of scrap metal. The vines continued chasing him. There was way to divert them away at all.

A mace swept over and collided with a vine. The tip of the vine was smashed to pieces, and Qin Yi was also whipped with great force. He flew backward in the air for a long time before he managed to stop on the ground. The ground was left with long marks from his shoes.

Mo Wuzi was also stunned. "Junior Qin..."

"You all stand behind me and guard yourselves." Qin Yi took out his flute and faced the countless incoming vines.

He blew the song 'Sky Collapse'.

Layers of sound waves rippled out. It was hard to feel the crushing and tearing energy, but the actual damage was there, which was more difficult to guard against than normal attacks.

Wherever the sound waves passed, those disgusting vines burst apart and turned into powder.

Mo Wuzi said with great joy, "That's amazing, Junior Qin!"

Qin Yi said solemnly, "Be careful, only the vines above are removed. They can still grow!"

Everyone looked down and saw that the lower half of the vines continued to grow. But Qin Yi's sound waves were already exhausted at the bottom, and there was some kind of protection at the roots below that could hinder Qin Yi's sonic waves.

"As expected of the Cloud Riding Stage… but it's just a dead object after all." Yin Yigu threw forward a wine gourd.

The gourd quickly grew into the size of a mountain and crashed down.

At the same time, Mo Wuzi took out a… cannon.

The pitch-black barrel extended and aimed at the vines' roots.

They were all the best disciples of the Immortal Palace. Once they weren't under the pressure of potential attacks, their counterattacks were fierce and unparalleled.

"Boom!"

The heavy cannon roared and blasted the roots. The remains of the vines splashed all over, then they were quickly stomped by the gourd mountain from above.

Under the attacks of Qin Yi and Mo Wuzi, the roots could no longer withstand the heavy impact of the gourd mountain. After a deafening blast, the earth trembled, and the vegetation and rocks were scattered around.

Then it gradually subsided.

A blood-like slurry flowed from the bottom of the gourd.

Yin Yigu breathed a sigh of relief. He stretched out his hand to retrieve the gourd. The roots were mushy, but they were still squirming.

"That's disgusting." Qin Yi said, "Senior Apprentice Mo, give it another blast?"

Mo Wuzi smiled bitterly and said, "I don't have that much energy. It cost a lot of my vitality for one blast."

Qin Yi touched his chin and thought of something as he looked at the cannon.

Mo Wuzi smiled and said, "Junior Qin, are you interested? I know you have creative ideas. If you join us, you will definitely become the top disciple."

Qin Yi said, "You say like I'm not the top disciple now."

The other two looked at each other and stopped talking. Piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting sect only has a few disciples. Not to mention being the top disciple, you can probably be the sect master.

"Anyway, thank you Junior Qin for your help." Both of them bowed. "I really didn't expect that Junior Qin would help us..."

"We are from different sects, but we are not enemies. Since you two can help each other, why must I be your opponent?"

They smiled awkwardly.

Qin Yi smiled and said, "I would like to know how you got into trouble with that tigox, and what's going on with the Ghost Weep Vines?"

"I encountered the tigox." Yin Yigu said, "When I was looking for the celestial fruits under the guide, I saw a tigox sleeping on the ground. Then it suddenly woke up and chased me. I bumped into the territory of the Ghost Weep Vines while running. Senior Mo happened to pass by and helped me..."

Mo Wuzi asked, "Why is there a tigox in the celestial fruit area?"

"Of course it was led by someone."

Both of them looked at Qin Yi with ugly expressions, "This is breaking the rules and harming fellow disciples!"

Qin Yi said, "That Tigox went for me and was knocked unconscious by me, so you should know who did it?"

Mo Wuzi put away the heavy cannon angrily, "I'm done with picking the shit fruits. I want to go back and question the medical, divination, scheming, and planning sect now! How shameless can they be?"

Neither of them were stupid. Even if the tigox killed Qin Yi, it wouldn't return to its area. It would eventually run into the other two sooner or later. Zhou Yuncheng never intended to let anyone go.

Yin Yigu didn't say anything, raised his neck, took a sip of wine, and walked away drunkenly. Qin Yi could see the anger in his eyes. He was the one who was chased by the tigox! Now that they were rescued by Qin Yi, it was boring to fight for the fruits. What they wanted to do now was to go out and beat someone!

TL: The trial just ends like this? Qin Yi probably wants to extend the treasure hunting, right?

-

Of course, the two fellow disciples went out immediately. Another meaning was that they didn't want to compete with Qin Yi anymore. They didn't know what to say to Qin Yi if they stayed, so it was better to leave first to avoid embarrassment.

Qin Yi also wanted to leave. Judging from the current situation, they probably didn't pick as many fruits as he did, so it was pointless to keep picking fruits. But he was not in a hurry now as he realized one thing...

"What is this Ghost Weep Vines protecting?"

Liu Su gave a thumbs up, "You are finally using your brain."

"This is the ecology. Such a terrifying plant won't grow here for no reason. Either it is for protection or there is something suitable for it to grow here. In short, it is useful."

"Yes." Liu Su said, "There must be a Ghost Weep Rock underground. It is a hotbed that absorbs the nether aura in the dark place over the years and nourishes the Ghost Weep Vines. In fact, the roots of the Ghost Weep Vines haven't been destroyed yet. They are still entrenched in the stone bed. You can dig it out and raise it. As long as it recognizes you as its owner, it can be used to protect the cave house. And digging it out won't affect other ecology, so it doesn’t conflict with the value of the Immortal Palace to protect the ecology here. On the contrary, you eliminate a danger for them.”

Qin Yi started digging right away.

Liu Su must know the way to make it recognize me as the master... Even if she doesn't know, I can ask Ju Yunxiu to check the books. Such a powerful plant guardian, even if I don't need it for Mount Passerby, it can be used in other cave houses in the future. It would be foolish not to take it away.

Liu Su added, "In the center of the stone bed, there should be a Ghost Weep Jade. Although it is of high grade, its purpose is relatively narrow, so it is not of much use to you... People from the Myriad Shinra Sect would like it more."

As they talked, Qin Yi had already dug deep, and he saw a green stone bed. It was one and a half feet thick with roots around it. There was a piece of black jade in the middle of the roots, exuding a hint of nether aura. Everything was consistent with what Liu Su said.

Qin Yi praised, "You’re really knowledgeable."

Liu Su was very smug. "Back then, when I was cultivating step by step, I had seen many things. Not everyone is so lucky like you who can be taught by a powerful person."

Yeah, keep on boasting about yourself...

Qin Yi said nothing. He put the stone bed into the ring and found that it was not too difficult to move. The ring itself is its own space and didn't take up any weight. However, the process of putting the stone bed into the ring required a bit of force. Only at this moment did Qin Yi realize that he had quite a strong physical strength. This stone bed was more than a thousand kilograms, but it wasn't difficult to move for him.

I'm becoming more and more like a musclehead...

After that, he looked around, and he was finally satisfied. Most of the places here were still dangerous areas. He couldn't run around, and it was not suitable to take more things from the Immortal Palace, so he should just leave.

…

When he walked out of the Geo Secret Realm's array, there was no one there anymore. Most of them should have returned to the arena mountain. Qin Yi took out the handkerchief and flew over. He was dumbfounded in the air.

In the middle of the competition mountain peak, Yin Yigu and Mo Wuzi were holding down Zhou Yuncheng and beating him up. Elder Wu could not separate them from them. Tian Jizi shouted angrily on the rostrum, "You evil beast, how dare you lure the beastkin to harm your fellow disciples!"

Zhou Yuncheng kept apologizing.

Qin Yi smiled. You want to cover it up with that?

He was descending from the sky as he said, "Not only did he lure the beastkin, he even..."

Before he finished speaking, Tian Jizi waved his hand, "Nephew Disciple Qin, you came back just in time. This person colluded with the obscene monk of the Temple Great Joy and sent him into the secret realm to kill you. Now I’ll give you an explanation.”

Before he finished speaking, he launched a white light from his hand, which went through the middle of the two people and hit Zhou Yuncheng.

Zhou Yuncheng's eyes bulged. He was dead before he could say a word.

Yin Yigu and Mo Wuzi who were beating him were both dumbfounded and stood there at a loss.

Qin Yi narrowed his eyes and looked at Tian Jizi, feeling a little chill... I thought Tian Jizi would try to cover his disciple, but he just abandoned his disciple!

Abandoning his disciple in public is the safest choice. Not only has he given an explanation to Palace Master, but he has also shut the mouths of the crowd. So what if the other sect masters know that there is something fishy here? No one will really turn against him completely. Even Ju Yunxiu couldn't find a better excuse to fall out. Escpecially after kicking Zheng Yunyi out from the trial, the others have no idea that Zheng Yunyi is involved.

It neat decision.

I'm afraid Zhou Yuncheng himself didn't know he would end up as such... He was just a temporary replacement for Zheng Yunyi. It shouldn't be him who takes the death punishment...

Myriad Tao Immortal Palace, which has always given me the auspicious charm, has finally revealed its cruel side.

Perhaps for Tian Jizi, in the struggle for the luck of the sect, the life of a disciple is not worth mentioning at all. From another angle of interpretation, he can abandon anything other than his obsession.

Qin Yi looked at Ju Yunxiu. Does she also have this side? If I affect her obsession, will I be abandoned too?

Ju Yunxiu was also looking at him with a hint of a smile in her eyes as if she knew what he was thinking. She suddenly said, "Since Master's Junior Tian has solved the issue, let's leave it as it is. Should we continue the tao conference or not?"

Elder Wu said, "Qin Yi, Yin Yigu, and Mo Wuzi, submit your celestial fruits."

The three of them put the celestial fruits into the baskets on the side. Qin Yi took a sneak peek and found that theirs were much less than his own, so he secretly kept three of them.

My face feels a little hot. Liu Su must have given me a bad influence... But this fruit can be matched with Cheng Cheng's elixir, it is very important. If I ask for it from the Immortal Palace afterward, it might be troublesome. I might as well keep a few...

As Elder Wu was counting the fruits, Yin Yigu bowed and said, "When I was in danger, Senior Mo saved me, then Junior Qin saved both of us. There is no need to compare the fruit count. Junior Qin is first, Senior Mo is second, and I'm third.”

Elder Wu frowned and wanted to refute that this was against the rules. Just as he was about to speak, Palace Master's laughter came from the air. "That's very good. The tao conference is to promote communication, exchange, integration, and cohesion among various sects, rather than rivaling to become the best. I’m very satisfied with this outcome and will act accordingly.”

Since Palace Master said so, Elder Wu could only say, "Understood."

A breeze blew in the air, then a painting scroll appeared in front of Qin Yi, a dice appeared in front of Yin Yigu, and a small hammer appeared in front of Mo Wuzi. Palace Master's voice sounded again, "These are initially the rewards for the winner to choose. The second and third rewards were downgraded. Now, you will each get one to reward this act of mutual help. But this is not fair for Qin Yi, so please come to the main hall later. I will give you another reward."

Everyone thanked with satisfaction. "Thank you, Palace Master."

Palace Master said again, "Okay, other contestants will also be rewarded. Elder Wu will distribute them in order. I'll leave now. Qin Yi, come and meet me."

Qin Yi looked at Ju Yunxiu and her voice sounded in his ears. "It's a rare opportunity to meet the Palace Master. Try your best to find out what condition he is in... Forget it. Even I can't find out, you are even more impossible. Just try to get more benefits for yourself… Meet me at the main mountain after meeting Palace Master!”

TL: Maybe Liu Su can?