Sword energy hovered around at his fingertips, and the sound of sipping blood could be heard lingering and crisp, so elegant and so lovely.

Paranirmita vasavartin, the first of the six realms, the supreme demon.

It was the sword energy that he had tempered with the essence of the celestial demon. It was extremely sharp, but in order not to hurt Xiao Qing and to prevent the essence of the celestial demon from being consumed too quickly, he set up an energy-saving function. Normally, the sharpness was only maintained at the level that could kill Nascent Soul cultivators and below.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

After the energy saving was lifted, its original power could naturally be used.

Ji Yunlai watched the sword light leisurely surrender at Feng Qingxiu’s fingertips, and felt a bit puzzled as he had already been ready to suppress it.

But that sword light seemed to like Xiao Qing very much, and it didn’t put up any resistance. Amidst the glimmer of joy it gave off, there was also a hint of craving for praise.

What a fickle sword energy. When he first refined it, it would avoid him fearfully, while now it was acting so ingratiating towards his apprentice.

The paper man pondered about whether to find time to switch to a more obedient sword for his apprentice.

The extremely sensitive sword energy seemed to feel uneasy, and quickly sucked up the blood that had just been taken from the enemy before tightly entwining around Feng Qingxiu’s finger.

The paper man was even more unhappy.

Thousands of feet away, that unassuming man held Xiao Yuan with one hand and covered his chest injury with his other.

That sword had been silent and invisible, as well as incredibly sharp, and with his ability, he couldn’t avoid it at all.

A child who had just entered the Golden Core Formation Stage could actually use such a formidable spiritual weapon, and could even cross three cultivation levels to hurt a powerful cultivator like him…

He felt that the fake skin mask on his face could barely remain hanging on it anymore.

“Li Jiuzhen, the agreement did not say the ordinary disciple you want to catch was this tricky.” The unassuming man looked at the ring hanging on Xiao Yuan’s chest.

Naturally, he was not an ordinary person if he could become a great Synthesis cultivator. The sect he was part of could also be regarded as a hegemon in the Central Continent.

Today, the only reason he came in disguise to help the descendants of the Great Xuan family was only to repay the favor that he owed the other back then.

His agreement with this force was only to help the other catch a few ordinary Kun-Lai disciples—but if the spiritual weapon just now could be given to all ordinary disciples, then Kun-Lai dominating the world like the Great Xuan Immortal Dynasty back then would only just be a matter of time!

The Great Xuan imperial family was once divided into two branches, the imperial clan and the ancestral clan. The ancestral clan was led by the Great Xuan High Priest and had already incorporated the imperial clan six hundred years ago, and his cultivation base was unfathomable.

He also didn’t want to anger the Great Xuan High Priest thus he decided to help in this matter, but if it endangered him then it would not be worth it.

The ring did not reply to him.

“I didn’t know that Ji Mingyu would come too.” Xiao Yuan’s voice trembled. “She and Feng Qingxiu are both here. One of them is the only apprentice of the Sect Leader of Kun-Lai, and the other is the only daughter of the Sect Leader of Kun-Lai. As long as you catch them, Kun-Lai’s countless treasures will be up to us to take whatever we want…”

The unassuming man’s fingers shook and almost threw Xiao Yuan away from him.

“Li Jiuzhen, if you don’t show your cards, I may have to take my leave.” Forcibly suppressing his anger, the unassuming man said coldly.

One or two ordinary disciples could be taken to be a consequence of conflict, and they could use material things to appease the other party. But if they were such important people of the sect, with Kun-Lai’s size and power, even if he was already a Synthesis cultivator, he did not think that his sect would offend a Human Immortal for his sake.

“Do you still have a retreat left?” The voice in the ring was elegant and leisurely. “Kun-Lai is also in trouble now. Don’t worry, the Xing Dao Master won’t be able to come over.”

***

Kun-Lai, Zhaoyue Peak.

The mountains were high and the moon was far away, the pine forests stood tall and lonely.

Ji Yunlai had his eyes closed as he sat. The moonlight broke through the window, reflecting half of his face.

The countless flying petals in front of him were slowly condensing into a sword that was even more illusory than before.

It was just that it kept coming up short at the critical point, and it had yet to reach the highest level.

“There is another sign of movement in the Outlands.” Someone from far away informed him with divine consciousness. It was Elder Yan Zhao, the most powerful in Kun-Lai after the Sect Leader himself. “The Great Sage Kunwu is near the Western Continent, I have already ordered the outpost there to avoid him.”

“What is his reason?” Ji Yunlai asked indifferently.

“A Great Sage takes a continent as their dwelling. There are other Great Sage powers around him, and resources are scarce. Therefore, he has always wanted to invade the Western Continent and obtain Kun-Lai’s wealth, but he is afraid of your power and dare not enter.” Yan Zhao replied in detail, “The Outlands is vast, and our human realm is not yet strong enough. It was no problem back then when this place was barren, but now that it is revived and prosperous, naturally it arouses covetousness.”

“Continue.” Ji Yunlai said.

“It’s not just him, but the other Great Sages on the border with our Western Continent are the same, but they are also hostile towards each other, so they don’t easily make a move, and instead prefer to wait for someone to make the move first.” Yan Zhao also had a headache over the years about this. He paused for a while before he said, “A few years ago, you announced your Seclusion and there was no news for twenty years. Not only the Outlands, but also the Central Continent has made all kinds of secret preparations despite being part of the human race. Fortunately, you left Seclusion in time, so I prepared Kun-Lai’s ceremony as a warning to them.”

In recent years, Kun-Lai had accumulated countless wealth thanks to the three treasures of the Celestial Flying Peak, Cloud Talisman Dao Seed, and the Net Charm.

The flying peaks could be used to attack and defend, perfect for expeditions to the Outlands to trade for various precious treasures; the Cloud Talisman Dao Seed opened spiritual fields that feed lower-level cultivators of the sect and keeping them strong; the Net Charm was even more infinite in its benefits, just the subscription system to the knowledge and personal experiences in relation to cultivation had the entire sect no longer stingy and secretive on their cultivation methods, and instead opened the sharing of various cultivation tips and tricks, study methods and learning conclusions, and as a result becoming the foundation of Kun-Lai’s development. Some low-level disciples’ income received for subscriptions to their small cultivation tricks and experiences were even higher than those of powerful cultivators’.

While those minor sects and unaffiliated cultivators were still hiding those supreme cultivation methods and techniques, Kun-Lai’s various cultivation training crash courses had already been cropping up like mushrooms after the rain, and many of them have had a hundred years worth of reputation.

So long as there was enough time, Yan Zhao himself was startled at how much of gargantuan Kun-Lai would become in the future.

However, the current problem lay in the lack of powerful cultivators.

The Human Immortal stage was not a level easily reached.

Only after countless years in the Outlands did all kinds of Great Sages were born. The three Human Immortals of the Central Continent also experienced the Great Xuan Immortal Dynasty’s tribulation and had to move their sects away or underground for many years. They only moved back to the Central Continent after the destruction of the Great Xuan a thousand years ago. It could be said that after experiencing the prosperous era of twelve Human Immortals during the Great Xuan period, there was only one Human Immortal to come out of the human race since then, and that was the Master of Kun-Lai.

Back then, when the Great Xuan empire was the most expansive, dragon veins were stimulated by secret spiritual techniques, and the fortune of the human race was almost exhausted. Only then did twelve Human Immortals were produced. They wanted to capture countless more territories and gain more fortune, but instead the empire fell into civil strife and greatly hurt the vitality of the human race.

The Western Continent was like a cake with ever-increasing weight, but there was still only one guardian to keep watch over it, which naturally made countless people become covetous.

It was just that when Ji Yunlai cut Celestial Fox Su Wan’s body in half with a single sword strike, and almost killed a Great Sage of the spirit demon race on the spot, he managed to temporarily deter all the greedy grasping hands.

However, Celestial Fox Su Wan was the weakest among Human Immortals and Great Sages after all. In recent years, there were even rumors that it was because the injury she suffered in the battle with Great Xuan had not fully healed which caused her to be defeated so easily by Ji Yunlai.

The wealth of Kun-Lai today was dozens of times what it was then.

“Is that so?” Ji Yunlai tapped his fingertips on the couch and slowly said, “Where is the Great Sage Kunwu.”

“Thirty thousand miles away west of the Western Continent, at the Fiery Lake.” Yan Zhao was very familiar with this. “He said that it is his favorite pool.”

Thirty thousand miles was too close. If he wanted to, he could easily invade the Western Continent. A Great Sage of the spirit demon race caused them to be vigilant every time.

“Fine.” Ji Yunlai raised his head and enunciated slowly. He looked at the petals that had disappeared and drew up a formless sword.

The moonlight still shone, but there was no sign of any figure in the room.

Wait, Senior Brother, did I say something?

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Yan Zhao was stunned for a moment, and then he swept his divine consciousness over, but there was no response from his senior brother.

He suddenly thought of a terrifying possibility.

Heavens above!

Senior Brother, don’t scare me!!

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Prev

The Teacher of the State Manor.

Inside the great manor, Xiao Yuan was currently feeling a rare sense of panic at this moment.

He had already learned that all his recently recruited subordinates have disappeared.

Those people in Kun-Lai must have discovered him.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

He had already prepared a retreat route, and the bribes and gifts he received were enough for him to travel far away to the Central Continent.

It was just that he still couldn’t calm the panic in his heart.

He had lived in Kun-Lai for a long time, and of course he knew how massive Kun-Lai was.

If they truly intended to capture him, he would inevitably have to remain anonymous for many years, and he must not give any hints of his identity for there to be a chance of escape.

“Strong will is the foundation of cultivation, isn’t it too late for you to regret now?” The voice in the ring slowly said.

“It’s not regret…” Xiao Yuan was silent for a moment, “If I don’t go to extraordinary lengths, I won’t be able to get much in the secular world, and as a result I can’t provide for my cultivation needs. It’s better to take a risk.”

These days, he had stolen from the Great Xiao State treasury, and although Elder Li used special techniques to cover his trail, it was estimated that he would soon be exposed.

The time to leave was imminent.

He touched the ring hanging around his neck to give himself confidence, then stretched out his hand and twisted a corner of the brick wall. The floor tiles retreated and an underground secret pathway appeared. He immediately leaped into it.

“Elder Li, although Great Xiao is close to the Central Continent, after all, there are still tens of thousands of miles away, do you think there is really no problem?”

“Unless they don’t care about the Dragon-Phoenix Selection, otherwise how will they have surplus energy to chase after you. For such a big event, it is natural to place stabilizing the public’s hearts first.” The ring slowly said, “Follow the previous route.”

Xiao Yuan nodded and stopped talking.

***

On the way to the Teacher of the State Manor, Feng Qingxiu and others ran into Ji Mingyu who also arrived in a hurry at the door.

Because Xiao Yuan was in the Golden Core Formation Stage, Feng Qingxiu only allowed Senior Sister Tu, who had countless spiritual artifacts on her person, to follow. The other senior brothers and sisters were quite unhappy about being rejected.

“Just a piece of meat, and yet so many people want a bite…” Of course, Senior Sister Tu recognized this Kun-Lai’s Eldest Miss, and in fact she was very familiar with the other. Putting aside other things, she was the first person her father would send good rice that he produced.

All kinds of good things from Kun-Lai’s various main peaks were sent first to this young lady. Since they couldn’t send it to the Sect Leader, then sending it to the Sect Leader’s daughter was the next best thing—everyone thought so.

Of course, Senior Sister Tu also knew that having been spoiled in such a way over these many years, the fact that Ji Mingyu managed to grow up only a little arrogant was already pretty good.

Those people who held her in the palm of their hands like one would a pearl numbered at least in the upper thousands if not in the 10,000’s, and Senior Sister Tu could bet that there was at least one hidden Demigod cultivator protecting her at all times.

“Feng Qingxiu? And Kaka?” When Ji Mingyu saw a familiar friend, her expression changed from aloofness to gentleness, appearing bright and beautiful. She stepped forward and grabbed her paws. “Kaka, it has been a while, you are also here to capture Xiao Yuan?”

“En,” Senior Sister Tu and Eldest Miss Ji entered the Teacher of the State Manor arm in arm.

“How are you doing recently? I heard that you have added another sister to your numbers?”

“Don’t mention it, there are already more than two hundred little sisters, and the peak nearly can’t hold them anymore—”

“Don’t tell me her name is also Kaka again, even the sound of eating a radish can be used as a name, your father is really something else…”

“Who says it isn’t so? But this pot still needs to be carried by the Sect Leader. He started the bad trend and named my father Tu Fei (Fat Rabbit), and my father thought that should be the way you come up with names.”

“But You Jia’s father was also named something like You Bazhao (8 Hands), so it’s really his own problem.”

***

“So this is what best girl friends are like.” The paper man shook his head and said in a whisper.

It caused Ye Han to cast a strange look over, and Feng Qingxiu motioned at him to walk with him. Ye Han, who was left behind, was a little unhappy, but still followed Feng Qingxiu.

They quickly found the secret passage and followed in.

When they entered, they saw three forkways.

Feng Qingxiu threw out a talisman butterfly, Senior Sister released her snake, and Ye Han pointed to one of the paths.

The goal of the three was the middle pathway.

“Believe in Ye Han, his instincts have never gone wrong.” Ji Mingyu expressed that he was her spiritual compass.

Ye Han revealed a slightly shy but also confident expression.

So they walked over.

The natural talent of Senior Sister Tu’s family was extremely fast speed, and both Ji Mingyu and Feng Qingxiu were also very fast as they were Golden Core Formation cultivators. Only Ye Han had a little trouble keeping up.

Ji Mingyu was with Senior Sister Tu, so Feng Qingxiu naturally gave his junior brother a dozen speed talismans.

It was not like he could pull him along.

Ye Han followed at his side, and after chasing for a while, he leaned in closer to Feng Qingxiu’s ear and asked in a low voice, “Can I have a look at the paper man on your neck?”

“No!” Feng Qingxiu flatly refused.

Ye Han was a little aggrieved and a little unwilling to give up. He didn’t know why he wanted to touch the talisman at first sight. He wanted to grab on to it and never let go.

The paper man also gave him a sideways glance, but didn’t have much interest and continued to watch them chase their target.

Although the secret passageway was long, it quickly reached its end. At the end was a dense forest, and it was actually the direction that Feng Qingxiu and the paper man had chased out from the neighboring city.

“He ran in the direction of Jiuxi City.” Feng Qingxiu’s talisman butterfly and Ye Han both came to the same conclusion.

“Keep chasing.”

But Feng Qingxiu only took a step before he stopped.

“It seems something is wrong.”

The two senior sisters also frowned.

The higher ups in Kun-Lai were all experts at talisman seals and spiritual wards, so they were naturally also knowledgeable in regards to their uses. The exit of the secret passageway itself was under a huge spiritual ward.

“This is not something Xiao Yuan can make.” Senior Sister Tu said flatly, “Someone is helping him.”

“Look at the level.” Ji Mingyu skillfully took out a white jade ruler with scales, and pinched her fingers, “Heaven and earth set dangers, storms and thunder descend on mountains!”

The light on the jade ruler flickered and stopped on the fifth scale.

“Eh, they really think highly of us.” Senior Sister Tu took a look, “Qi Condensation Stage, Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Core Formation Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, Demigod Stage, Synthesis Stage, Human Immortal… The ward is actually at the Demigod level!”

They were no more powerful than two Golden Core Formation cultivators, which meant that even if they took a wrong step, they would directly be killed here.

“Leave it to me!” Feng Qingxiu looked calm, “Our team configuration is still good, I am skilled in talisman seals, Senior Sister Tu can count as a medicine expert, Senior Sister Ji has fierce attack power, Ye Han can divine bad luck…”

“I can’t!” Ye Han rejected his position, “I don’t know anything about divination.”

“It doesn’t matter, you can be in the position for the time being!” Ji Mingyu said decisively, “Then Xiao Qing, why don’t you look for the location of the safe exit of the spiritual ward?”

Feng Qingxiu nodded: “Okay.”

He raised his hand, and the talisman butterflies around him turned into countless silk threads and began to spread in all directions.

“Great Xuan ancient ward!” Feng Qingxiu quickly compared this spiritual ward with the cases he learned before. “The problem shouldn’t be big. Master said before that Great Xuan’s spiritual wards were no longer able to advance after the dynasty’s demise and there are many flaws to them. Obviously, although the Central Continent uses this kind of spiritual ward the most, few can make up for the flaws. Master also showed me twelve ways to crack them.”

“Ah, is there a new technique to find flaws?” Ji Mingyu was overjoyed, “When you have time, Xiao Qing, you must write a few reflections and put them online. I’ll wait to subscribe.”

“Definitely.” Feng Qingxiu quickly found a flaw, but found that he did not have a handy tool to crack it.

The Way of Seals was profound, and many times one needed special materials to crack spiritual wards, but he had not learned much, nor had he brought along any high-level materials. For example, the ward in front of them appeared huge and dangerous, but so long as you had Kun-Lai’s Fixed-Wave talisman stone, which costed only 300 spiritual stones per stone, and place it in key positions to cut off the continuity of the ward, not only could you pull down the ward you could also find the high-level materials used to make the ward and earn a small income by selling it.

“What need is there to go to such trouble.” While praising his apprentice for his cleverness, the paper man said indifferently, “Use the Formless Sword and attack the third center.”

“The ward stones there are too strong, and my cultivation base won’t be able to damage it.” Feng Qingxiu said softly, but still followed his master’s request. The sword energy left his hand and stabbed at that spot silently and swiftly.

The ward stones hidden in the ward were silently shattered.

“Master, this sword energy—it seems a bit sharp.” Feng Qingxiu was dazed for a moment.

“Of course, why else would I give it to my apprentice for self-defense.” The paper man touched his apprentice’s face, “Someone has arrived from the front, you are going to have to fight.”

As the ward stones shattered, they saw a person in the distance, with black robes and black hair. It was Xiao Yuan. He looked at them with a trace of disgust and a trace of surprise.

“Ji Mingyu, you are actually here!” There was a hint of ecstatic delight in his voice, “As long as I possess you, as long as you give birth to my child, I can return to Kun-Lai and take charge of Kun-Lai—”

Ji Mingyu’s expression became cold. There were countless people who wanted to marry her. But the people who wanted to possess her usually only dared to think about it. But now, for the first time someone actually dared to say it out loud in front of her.

She ordered coldly: “Kill him!”

Ye Han strode forward and was about to make a move, when he saw a cold sword light flashing out of the void, like a ghostly specter, and in just a breath, it had already approached Xiao Yuan’s neck.

His eyes widened instantly, and his body went completely rigid and unable to move. The sense of approaching death was real and terrifying, and his mind was overcome by it.

How could it be!? He clearly had Elder Li’s protection!

Just as the sword was about to slash down and cut off his head. Suddenly, the sword was stopped by two slender fingertips, unable to move an inch further.

The fingers were as firm as steel, and just like the person who suddenly appeared, cold and sharp and steady like a mountain.

The sword turned into a phantom, and in a blink, a shadow suddenly appeared behind Ji Mingyu. Only the eyes could be seen of their facial features, and they were currently staring at the cultivator who suddenly appeared to protect Xiao Yuan. Their eyes were incredibly eerie, as if a fatal blow was waiting to erupt from them again at any time.

The cultivator glanced at Ye Han, and then faintly said to the four: “Come along now.”

He was a little old, and the hair on his head was also gray. He looked like just an ordinary middle-aged man, his presence very unassuming, and only a faint aura indicated that his cultivation base was in actuality quite terrifying.

It was not something they could compare.

“Your elders won’t be able to come to your rescue, someone has already gone to stop them.”

“Is that so?” The paper man spoke up first.

The man took a look at him, nodded in confirmation, but his fingers were slightly bent, and he was finally beginning to look a little wary.

“Follow me to the Central Continent as a guest, and the Xing Dao Master will naturally come to pick you up.” He smiled.

The paper man whispered to Feng Qingxiu: “Xiao Qing, stab him.”

“I’m already doing so.” Feng Qingxiu said in a low voice, “His figure is too fast. If I move intentionally, he can predict it in advance. I can’t touch him.”

“Did you forget the joint function mode.” The paper man whispered, “You don’t need to control it, it will manipulate its blade by itself.”

Feng Qingxiu was confused for a moment.

But he still communicated with the sword energy and let it act freely for a moment.

The next second.

The surroundings began to wail faintly.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

That cultivator had already retreated thousands of feet away in an instant.

But the sword energy had already returned to Feng Qingxiu’s fingertips, bringing with it a sip of blood, and as it sipped at its prize it joyfully rang out.

“Its full name is called Carefree Celestial Demon Sword.”

The paper man casually explained to his apprentice.

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Prev

The talisman butterflies were flying in the broad autumn sky, reflecting the dwindling leaves in the mountains and forests and creating a beautiful scene that pleased the senses.

The paper man poked his head out of his apprentice’s collar and looked at the beautiful surroundings, feeling that he had been right to come out.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

It could only be considered watching the scenery when accompanied by someone. It was too lonely to be alone.

Suddenly, there was a strong wind, and in the paper man’s moment of distraction he was nearly blown away by the strong wind.

Feng Qingxiu’s eyes and hands were quick and he retrieved his Master in time, but for a while he felt quite weak from the scare. So when looking at his Master, his gaze held a trace of pitiful pleading: “It’s just looking with divine consciousness either way, so can’t you stay in my clothes?”

“Isn’t this because the divine consciousness is not strong, and the barrier of your clothes will weaken the range of sight~” The paper man floated up and touched his neck comfortingly, “Next time I will be careful!”

The apprentice obviously could not win against the master.

And so the paper man kept a hold on the collar of his apprentice to avoid being blown away by the wind, and continued to enjoy the scenery.

Here was the place where the Lanjiang River, the largest tributary of the Wuling Sea, crossed. The water network was densely intersected and there were mountain streams and hanging springs everywhere. The red autumn leaves floated downwards, and from time to time, one could see patches of farmland and village gatherings. There were huge wooden fences around the villages, likely to defend against wild beasts. From time to time, farmers could be seen drying and grinding grain, the scene lively and thriving.

A sense of happiness that his thousand years of life had not been lived in vain surfaced.

Although he didn’t remember, he still felt under a lot of pressure.

It was not a waste that his real self was guarding Kun-Lai and couldn’t come out to play. He suddenly understood why he would rather erase a part of himself and reinstall the system.

He also understood why that part of himself left a message saying that everything was already handled.

The pit was still there, what could he do?

Just jump then.

That part of himself knew for sure that no matter what he would still make the same choice, and so he erased that part of himself, right?

For a thousand years, I am who I am, and there is no that part or this part.

For I have never changed.

***

Ji Yunlai, who was far away in Kun-Lai, opened his eyes.

Something, changed.

The cultivation methods and incantations he relearned before and was still slightly unfamiliar with, were now fully integrated almost instantly, and the faint obstacles and jarring feelings were all gone.

The slight red mark on the center of his eyebrows trembled, giving off a faint light.

What appeared in front of him was a huge door.

His pupils dilated slightly. Behind the door was a spacious and endlessly vast divine temple.

Countless strange monsters could be seen in the temple, firmly trapped in scarlet chains, struggling and roaring from time to time and exuding monstrous evil intent. With just a closer look, those with slightly weaker cultivation bases would be captivated instantly, falling into the embrace of one’s heart demons without any way of struggling out.

But the largest cage in the middle of the temple was empty.

Only a trace of old bloody handwriting was left.

Emitting from it was a sense of silent desolation.

***

Ji Yunlai suddenly grasped his chest, his eyes darkened, and the temple disappeared.

However, the pain left by the sudden emptiness seemed to leave a residual rhythm, making it difficult for him to recover for a while.

When he stretched out his hand and instinctively took out that sword.

The notorious Calamity Sword was as white as snow and as cold as bones.

So, there indeed seemed to be an inside story why he no longer wanted to continue practicing this sword technique back then…

Ah, forget it, he didn’t want to think of it anymore. In any case, it looked like it would be a tragedy anyway.

***

Feng Qingxiu quickly followed the talisman butterflies  to another cave. He performed an incantation on himself and then walked in.

There were many mechanisms in the cave.

But there were no talisman seals or spiritual wards.

He was not in a hurry, so Feng Qingxiu used his divine consciousness to sweep over the mechanisms, and then undid them one by one.

With the Aura Curbing technique, he could guarantee that no one would be alerted to his presence.

Sure enough, many children were found at the end of the tunnel.

There was also a cauldron with countless gloopy things boiling in it, the thick scent of blood enough to invoke nausea.

“To change one’s spiritual roots will cost a thousand spiritual stones, I won’t accept a second price.” A man in a cloak with no hair and skinny like a skeleton said sinisterly to another man.

“It’s too expensive. Both of my children are both precious to me and I won’t have one less. Five hundred for one spiritual root change!” The well-dressed man bargained.

“Heh, one child requires the spiritual roots of four others to have a chance of success. I’m taking great risks here. If you don’t want to do it, then get out!”

“So rude, you are not afraid that I will report the matter to Kun-Lai?” The man in luxurious robes also replied coldly.

“Nowadays, the Great Xiao State’s Teacher of the State is in charge. If you are not afraid of death, then go ahead and report it.” The cloaked man’s cold eyes were steeped in strong killing intent, and his fingers quietly pinched to perform an incantation.

“…Fine, it’s just, can you be sure that it won’t be found out? This kind of pseudo-spiritual roots can’t be concealed from the Heart Asking Stone before.” The richly dressed man still hesitated.

“Hmph, it can’t before, doesn’t mean it can’t now. Do you want to do the change or not?” The man in the cloak asked coldly.

The richly dressed man gritted his teeth: “Change, change it for my eldest son. My grandfather who had been in Kun-Lai back then left a bottle of Life Extension Pills. After many years of consumption, there are still five pills left. I will give you all this time!”

If it hadn’t been for his grandfather passing away during a Kun-Lai expedition, his family wouldn’t have had to part with this kind of treasure in order to give his son a chance at being selected.

Without ancestors in Kun-Lai, their family had no speaking power in the Great Xiao State!

“Very good.” The man in the cloak was overjoyed. This was exactly what he needed. Only a place like Kun-Lai had so many good things that it could be given away at will. If it was the Central Continent, someone with his ability would be unable to get a hold of such a good thing.

His cultivation base had remained the same for many years, and now the end of his life span was getting closer. If that were not the case, he would not come here willingly.

With the price agreed upon, the man immediately turned around and pulled in a finely dressed teenager from outside: “Nianzu, come over quickly!”

“Wait, father!” The young man named Nianzu struggled desperately, “Although I am a mixed root, I don’t want to change it. Kun-Lai is not a place of fools. I will be dead if I’m caught!”

“Relax, this time the Great Xiao State’s Teacher of the State has promised that there will be no problems…” The man comforted his son, “You can propose to the princess if you are selected. No matter what princess or aristocratic daughter, Kun-Lai disciples can have their pick. But if you are not selected she will look down on our family, let alone marry you…”

“Father, please come to your senses, Xiao Yuan’s plan has as many holes as there are in sieves, and getting caught is just a matter of today or tomorrow no matter who he has backing him. We can do the change in another two days, okay?” The finely dressed boy was almost in tears.

“Fool, it’s already at this time, can we walk out safely without getting on their boat?” The man in the luxurious clothes whispered, “Damn it, who knew that it is this kind of spiritual roots change, we have been deceived miserably by that stupid Teacher of the State.”

“Don’t think that just because your voice is small, I can’t hear you.” The cloaked man laughed in a low voice.

“That’s right.” A voice next to him said lightly.

The cloaked man’s body stiffened.

“You can all remain silent, and you will talk one by one.” Feng Qingxiu slowly walked towards him, a trace of murderous intent in his words.

***

Two hours later, another group of people to be interrogated appeared on the flying peak.

“You also brought some.” The peak master of the flying peak looked at the group of children and demonic cultivator brought by Feng Qingxiu, and motioned him to look to the side.

There were already many children and many demonic cultivators there.

“Senior Brother Feng has only caught a batch now.” Senior Sister Tu flicked her long ears in a show of glee, baring her cute little teeth. “This Senior Sister caught the most. We have basically caught all the demonic cultivators in the capital. Originally, this Senior Sister was also going to catch the batch you have there, but I heard that Junior Brother Feng had also gone so I didn’t go in the end.”

“You, you all… If I hadn’t gone to a neighboring city, I would definitely have caught even more.” The sense of loss was too great and Feng Qingxiu mumbled in a low voice, sad that he didn’t get the first place this time.

“…” The paper man pretended not to have heard.

“Oh, don’t bother making any excuses,” Senior Sister Tu said triumphantly, “Let’s go, let’s go find Xiao Yuan. Now all the criminal evidence points to him. Say, why would anyone be so stupid?”

Qingdi Peak’s trash has once again done something for other peaks to laugh at for a long time.

“Don’t underestimate the enemy.” Feng Qingxiu argued, “Such a leaky plan that allows any of us to discover problems. What if it is a trap?”

“Believe me, his brain can only come up with such a plan.” Senior Sister Tu smiled contemptuously, “Someone who tried to woo Ji Mingyu with the status of an idler, how useful do you think his brain is?”

***

Ji Mingyu held the fresh household registration in her hand and felt satisfied.

Then she found out that her footman kept looking in a certain direction.

“What’s wrong?” Kun Lai’s eldest miss asked.

“Actually, I also don’t know.” Ye Han was a little confused, “I keep wanting to go over to Xiao Yuan, as if there is something with him that is attracting me.”

He felt like killing the other would be beneficial for him, but this was definitely not something he could tell Mingyu.

Otherwise, he would definitely get another beating…

“Is there any new problem with the Lost Pearl Society that you were in contact with before?” Ji Mingyu put away her household registration and began to polish her Waning Moon Sword.

Ye Han actually also belonged to the Lost Pearl Society, and she only learned about it today.

Those who couldn’t attend the Dragon-Phoenix Selection for various reasons were all the targets that the Lost Pearl Society would solicit. In fact, the chance of becoming a cultivator was very slim, but if you were deprived of the opportunity from the very beginning, it was normal if you couldn’t come to terms with it.

For many years in the Western Continent, there were still quite a number of people who did not attend the Dragon-Phoenix Selection due to various reasons, but still managed to step onto the path of cultivation and made some achievements. Others then lamented ‘a lost pearl dropped in the ocean’, so the name actually did not come from themselves. It was just that the effect caused by the term naturally invoked the resonance of other people who had no chance from the start, making them feel that they were a member of ‘lost pearls’. (TN: a lost pearl dropped in the ocean=buried talent)

The Lost Pearl Society was also organized at that time, and it had accumulated a lot of power over these hundreds of years.

Kun-Lai would not take a second look at this small organization, because in order to please Kun-Lai, there was no lack of governments willing to suppress these people to ingratiate themselves to Kun-Lai.

“I was also very despairing back then.” Ye Han felt that he had to rectify his name, “If it wasn’t for you, wouldn’t I really be a lost pearl?”

At that time, he was also full of hatred for the Feng family. Although he now put aside his grudges, back then he really did feel that his whole life had darkened.

“Then what bad things have you done?” Ji Mingyu asked him.

“Even if I wanted to do anything, I couldn’t at the time. I just collected news of the Feng family. However, at that time Feng Qingxiu had a cousin who was part of the higher-ups of the Lost Pearl Society so my news was not of much use.” Ye Han claimed his innocence, “They did however provide the route and household registration when I eloped with Ah Luo. It’s a pity…”

Thinking of Ah Luo, Ye Han’s mood became slightly gloomy. Now thinking about Feng Qingxiu’s cousin helping him take away Feng Qingxiu’s betrothed, perhaps there might have also been an intent to slap Feng Qingxiu’s face.

Maybe he was also used and was nothing but cannon fodder, and only poor Ah Luo suffered…

“Then what they just said about changing the spiritual root is true?” Ji Mingyu felt that she must have achieved great merit this time.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Father would definitely look at her differently!

She felt excited just thinking about it.

“Then let’s go catch them!” Ji Mingyu rushed off confidently.

“Wait for me, don’t be in such a hurry…” Ye Han followed.

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Prev

Feng Qingxiu used a skillful maneuver, which seemed like he had thrown them harshly onto the ground, but it didn’t hurt the people at all. He just wanted to scare them. The outer sect had taught them to first intimidate so the following interrogation would be much easier.

So he didn’t even have to ask anything, and the girl who was being chased was already spilling everything.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Her speech was not very eloquent and appeared very disordered. She saw Feng Qingxiu as a lifesaver so she tried to tell how menacing and terrifying those people were, kidnapping children and then taking them away. After her senior brother disappeared, she searched all over only to be caught herself. If the sickly young man hadn’t saved her, they would have definitely died already.

And Feng Qingxiu didn’t manage to learn more from those strong men. They just collected money for errands, and used food and money to lure the children who caused a jade ball to change colors to a house and lock them up. They didn’t even remember what the person paying the money looked like, and there was also someone else who was in charge at the house. Moreover, they had only stayed outside and never entered the house during the entire exchanges.

He fed the sickly boy an Energy Invigorating Pill. The boy felt that his body improved a lot in an instant, and he no longer wanted to faint with weakness as he did just now. His expression couldn’t help but shift.

“No money will be charged from you.” With a casual reassuring remark, Feng Qingxiu asked them to lead the way.

Naturally, the other party did not dare to disobey.

Kun-Lai had been entrenched in the Western Continent for many years and had hosted the Dragons-Phoenix Selection numerous times. Everyone was no stranger to the existence of cultivators, and they dared not easily provoke them.

The girl seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and her gaze changed a bit when she looked at Feng Qingxiu.

Feng Qingxiu followed them to the house where the children were kept, but there was nothing left inside.

With his enhanced cultivator eyesight, he did not find any traces after searching up and down the house.

“This house uses normal mechanisms, not spiritual wards, so you have to be more attentive and thorough.” The paper man climbed out of his neckline to alert him.

Feng Qingxiu understood, and then swept the house with the divine consciousness that could be released outside as a Golden Core Formation cultivator. Sure enough, he found signs of cavities in the ground of the courtyard. He then lightly used a palm technique to punch a hole.

“Xiao Qing, you are quite violent.” The paper man originally thought they were going to be trying to find the mechanism slowly.

“Since they have retreated, the mechanisms would be hidden and hard to find, so naturally we have to find a faster way.” Feng Qingxiu knocked the three strong men unconscious and threw them into a corner of the courtyard. He then took the two children to jump into the hole.

The tunnel was claustrophobic and dark, but the ventilation and drainage system was good, and it looked like it had been used for a long time.

“Xiao Qing encountered a big case just after having arrived, are you excited?” The paper man patted him on the neck and asked.

“Master,” Feng Qingxiu said helplessly, “Why do I feel that you are more excited than me?”

The paper man shrugged and said: “This is just a trace of divine consciousness, not my personal self, of course it’s a bit uncontrollable.”

Feng Qingxiu was struck speechless, so he switched his attention to the two young ones and asked what the girl meant when she shouted “a group of evil monsters who rob other’s of their spiritual roots” back then.

“What’s the point of saying anything, you Kun-Lai cultivators don’t even care.” The girl snorted coldly. “Demonic cultivators have been in the Western Continent for many years. They have colluded with human traffickers to gather children everywhere, as well as with the government to suppress the orthodox cultivators, and yet I don’t see you guys doing anything about it.”

Feng Qingxiu waited for her to continue.

“My family’s ancestors came from the Central Continent.” The girl proudly declared, before saying, “We are from the Central Continent’s Tiannan Territory, and moved here after the Tianhai Meeting.”

“Tianhai Meeting?” The paper man asked curiously.

“Back when the Sect Leader of Kun-Lai caused the South Sea to change routes and enter the Western Continent, of course you people were happy, but have you ever thought about how the people of the southern part of the Central Continent felt?” The girl said, “The Western Continent is full of water now, transforming from one tiny inland river to three large rivers. The surplus river water all poured into the southern region bordering the Western Continent, seizing the river channel of the Duoming River in the southern territory into the sea which flooded the territory of countless fierce beast demons, and caused them to invade the human settlements. At that time, the southern region sent hundreds of envoys to the Western Continent to ask for justice.”

“So then the Sect Leader went to the southern territory and sorted out the waterways there. But you people claimed that the spiritual veins were broken there, and the Sect Leader should block the Western Continent water outlet, and return things to the natural way.” Feng Qingxiu said, his expression flat, “I heard that you people experienced a very difficult battle holding up against the cultivators of Kun-Lai, the two sides finally reaching a negotiated settlement.”

“That’s right.” The girl proudly said, “Then we moved to the Western Continent and settled down because of the scarcity of spiritual resources.”

Feng Qingxiu quietly said to the paper man: “Just look at how big their faces are, back then you clearly cut out the South River sea outlet with a single sword strike right in front of them, causing them all to fall silent as quails. The Kun-Lai historical accounts recorded that you did not say a single word to them. It just said that you only went over and made one cut with your sword, without any other description at all. Though the legend made up by the other side was added as a small anecdotal story underneath for amusement. When we read this part we were very annoyed.”

“En, I will let you see when there’s a chance.” The paper man felt a little light and fluttery, but he was a piece of paper now, it was normal for him to flutter a little.

“But you Kun-Lai cultivators have countless rules. Not allowing us to quarry spiritual stones or snatch spiritual resources. And also even registering these things in a register. Only by doing things for you can we get resources.” The girl angrily said, “You Kun-Lai are too overbearing!”

“The Western Continent originally lacked the full five elements and was very scarce in spiritual energy,” Feng Qingxiu said mildly. “After the Sect Leader repaired the five elements, the cycle of vitality began to circulate and the spiritual energy gradually grew. Only then did the spiritual resources begin to replenish slowly, and the spiritual veins became full. We just don’t want you people bringing over your habits of draining the pond to get at the fish.”

All of these minor sects who migrated from the Central Continent were like unsophisticated bumpkins. The spiritual plants and spiritual beasts were clearly yet to mature and were still seedlings and young, but these locusts were still so eager and in a hurry to gather and sell it for their own profit. The spiritual veins had just replenished and still these people wanted nothing more than to empty it all out or move it away. Kun-Lai had to suppress these people with force several times before managing to stop this unhealthy trend.

The effect of matured medicinal herbs was a hundred times that of seedlings. If spiritual veins were allowed to remain untouched they could bring more growth of spiritual resources. What was the point of taking it away and causing extinction in the area? The Western Continent’s spiritual veins had just grown out a bit, how could they let it be ruined by these people.

“If we don’t pick it, then should we just leave it to others?” The girl said bitterly, “So it’s just you people who can enjoy countless spiritual treasures and resources? Simply the Energy Invigorating Pill you just gave out…”

She pointed to the sickly young man and said angrily: “Do you know how long we have to save before we can buy one? It is clearly just a wound that can be healed by a little hemostatic herb, yet you just give it away like this, and to an ordinary person!”

“Our Kun-Lai spiritual resources come from expeditions to the Outlands. Don’t you people also join the expeditions to seek a profit?” Feng Qingxiu said casually.

“Kun-Lai never protects minor sects like us, and the protection talismans you sell are too expensive. Those of us who go there, if even half of us return then that’s already a remarkable feat.” The girl complained.

Every twelve years, Kun-Lai would send out flying peaks on expeditions, mixed into formations, and fly to the Outlands to carry out trading of spiritual pills, talismans, and spiritual artifacts. There were countless races in the Outlands and of course there would be various battles along the way, but the Outlands were vast and just one transaction would result in countless gains. After returning to Kun-Lai, they could use many materials that were not available in the human domains and they themselves couldn’t use up to trade with other continents. Kun-Lai had been rich for hundreds of years and this could be seen by the high numbers of students and disciples they could support every year.

Feng Qingxiu was silent for a while, then touched the paper man, and quietly said to him: “Master, it’s a good thing you have such foresight. Training us and imparting various experiences to us at the lower school, telling us that the lessons of the unaffiliated cultivators and outside sects are our lessons. I’ve heard that many unaffiliated cultivators think that the flying peaks’ taxes are too high, refusing to enter the flying peaks to trade, and then complain that we don’t protect them.”

The paper man laughed a few times: “It is experience I gained back then. How can an official army compare with a ragtag army? But it is understandable they feel that way, your incomes are much higher than theirs, so naturally you don’t care about the tax.”

“This is also true,” Feng Qingxiu also felt a sense of superiority and pride in his heart, “Kun-Lai has nurtured me to become a talent, and I should of course reciprocate back.”

The tax revenue was high, but Kun-Lai had been educating so many people for many years, and which part of these deeds did not burn money. The treatment of ordinary disciples in Kun-Lai was comparable to the treatment of elite disciples enjoyed in the Central Continent.

No one would be dissatisfied, even if there were one or two who squandered their resources and were dissatisfied, it did not matter. If you are dissatisfied, then just leave!

“Uh, what is a demonic cultivator?” The voice of the sickly young man brought them back to the main topic at hand.

The girl blushed before continuing: “Cultivators who use certain morally intolerable practices. They think that people are the most common spiritual resources in the world. They often use the human soul to create spiritual tools and artifacts and the human body to supplement spiritual energy. The Central Continent’s southern territory had a lot of powerful demonic cultivators back then who could even be compared with the high-level cultivators of the Central Continent’s major sects. In fact there was even one Human Immortal among them.”

“There is no powerful demonic cultivator in the Western Continent.” Feng Qingxiu said coldly, “Since the Sect Leader cut down Celestial Fox Su Wan back then, and injured her down to her foundation, no demonic cultivator big or small dared to step foot on the Western Continent.”

The ones that could come were basically weak and insignificant, not higher than the Qi Condensation Stage, but these people possess concealment abilities that were very strong, and they basically didn’t dare to make trouble either.

The Western Continent’s Dragon-Phoenix Selection over these hundreds of years was not for nothing. Any major event back in one’s hometown would disturb their ancestors who were in Kun-Lai, moreover Kun-Lai disciples especially liked to gather in large numbers to gang up on enemies. If one wave couldn’t overcome the enemy then how about a second wave? The other side could be powerful but could they be as powerful as the elders I call to come flying over on a flying peak?

“The matter of demonic cultivators collecting children’s spiritual roots was only recently reported, but the source of the information is certain…” The girl said resentfully, “There are already some children of the powerful and affluent families who have been implanted with new spiritual roots. Many of us unaffiliated cultivators have received news, so that’s why my senior brother was kidnapped!”

In a few words, the tunnel had already come to an end. The exit was located far outside the city and was very well hidden.

Feng Qingxiu threw a talisman paper which turned into countless butterflies that made a circle around them and then flew north.

“That’s the direction of the Great Xiao State.” The paper man tilted his head, feeling that it must be because he had not shown himself for too many years, as a result many little bugs and pests have begun to act arrogantly.

“You guys should stay out of what comes next.” Feng Qingxiu gave them a bottle of pills, “This is a reward for giving me useful news, you can go back and prepare to attend the Dragon-Phoenix Selection.”

“You’re just going to leave?” The girl asked unwillingly.

“Yes, I can’t treat you to a meal.” Feng Qingxiu nodded before turning into light and disappearing.

The girl stomped her foot, but saw that the sickly teenager next to her remained silent.

“Hey, airhead, is your injury okay? I’ll leave if it’s okay. I have to go find my senior brother!” The girl asked.

“Let’s go together.” The boy said suddenly.

“Why should I take you with me?” The girl frowned.

“I can see one’s fortune and predict bad luck,” The boy said suddenly, “that’s why I told you to run into the alley before.”

The Kun-Lai disciple who had just saved them possessed a purple cloud over his head that practically lit up the whole sky. (TN: purple cloud=auspicious portent in astrology)

“Then what would have happened if we stayed?” The girl was a little surprised for a while before asking curiously.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“Death without a doubt.” The young man sighed, “The Lost Pearl Association is not something we can afford to provoke.”

“Just now, why didn’t you say—” The girl raised her voice.

“Just now when I saw that paper man, I was too dazed to react.” The young man smiled bitterly. It was not like he could say that he saw the fortune of a paper man and a human mutually uplifting each other, and as a result he had become stunned for a while.

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Previous

Jiuxi City was the closest city to the Great Xiao State’s capital, and it had also become very lively recently.

Even though it was night, there were still lanterns hanging on the roadside, and there were still countless children curled up in the street corners of the city to keep warm. Fortunately, although the autumn nights were chilly, it was not too cold, and a blanket could still manage to keep out the cold.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The government soldiers patrolled up and down the streets, and whenever they saw a suspicious figure, they would go over and arrest them first and questions later.

The hawkers and peddlers walked along the streets selling their goods including food, attracting the longing eyes of the poor curled in the corners.

Every time it was the Dragon-Phoenix Selection, it was always a time for them to make a lot of money, and no one was willing to close their business just because of the arrival of night. Even merchandise usually sold during the Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival, and not usually at this time of the year, would be displayed for sale—those travelers from the rurals who had never seen the world would always buy some souvenirs back.

An old man with gray hair and a skinny physique carried a big gourd with him to a street vendor who sold food made from wheat flour. After many good words, he exchanged a coin for a full gourd of hot soup and a steamed bun, and then went back to the street corner where he doled out the hot soup one by one to the dozen children there, all of whom had maple leaves tucked into their hair. Clearly they had all come to participate in the Selection.

When the hot soup was divided, each child only had a few mouthfuls, but they were not picky. After thanking the old man, they took out their prepared rations, and ate it with the hot soup.

The old man sighed, reached out and touched the forehead of a teenager who was a little feverish next to him, and wrapped his own blanket around the other.

“Thank you,” although the teenager was a little feverish, he still possessed clarity, “Let’s use it together.”

“I’m already at this age and can stand a bit of cold wind.” The old man frowned, “It’s not that I don’t want you to come, but your body is too weak, so how can you stand the harshness of travel.”

On the way, the young man did not complain once and only gritted his teeth to keep up with the rest, but just as soon as they entered the city, he started to come down with a fever, causing the old village head to worry.

“You are also a clever child. I heard that clever children are the most likely to be selected,” the village head rambled. “I also want there to be someone in the village who can be selected. Even if in the end you fail the exams and have to come back, you can still be accepted by the government and become an official of no small status, as well as earn three years of tax exemption for the village. Just have a look at our downstream village the Zhang Family Village, only one child was selected. And although he came back the next year, he can still go and catch fierce beast demons! These years, life in his village has become so much better. And if the child selected can become a cultivator, it will be even more remarkable. Everyone in the village will be able to live in a large brick house, and afford an education for the village children…”

The village head rambled on with a look of hope and longing in his old eyes, and the teenagers and children who sat listening next to him also felt touched in their hearts, as if they could imagine themselves being selected.

An autumn breeze blew by, the children huddled into each other closer, and the old man also tightened his clothes, but he still mumbled about how wonderful the Selection was.

At this time, several tall figures approached them.

“This is the hundred families blessing amulet for our young master. Come, each of you touch it, say a word of good wishes, and we’ll give you a string of coins, hurry up!”

The darkly tanned man at the head took out a walnut-sized jade ball and arrogantly said to the poor people in the corners.

A string of coins was enough to buy a big steamed bun, and many young ones walked over automatically, gathering in crowds around that group of people.

After getting the money promised, a child sneaked in again and wanted to get another string of coins, but was found out by the darkly tanned man, who dragged him out and beat him up, and the pained screams could be heard echoing down the streets.

Many children and teenagers who had the same idea retracted their thoughts and obediently made a blessing then retreated.

This scene landed in the eyes of passers-by, but they all directly ignored it.

A passing youth in blue green robes glanced over and sighed.

“What, don’t you want to go over and help?” The paper man lay on his shoulders, raising his head and asking curiously.

“If I can’t take them away with me, then it’s better not to help.” Feng Qingxiu shook his head. He also went through similar experiences, and knew the ins and outs, “Otherwise, you not only won’t invoke gratitude, you will end up creating enmity.”

“Why is this?” The paper man sat up, and in order to avoid attracting attention, leaned close against his apprentice’s neck.

“Every affluent family in every place is interconnected with each other in some way. There are too many subtle ways to bully ordinary people. And it’s not like we can stay here forever.” Feng Qingxiu understood very well. “They won’t take it too far, they will only give a small lesson to the offender.”

“This kind of superstition seems to be very popular.” Seeing that the child had only a bruised nose and a swollen face without any internal injuries, the paper man turned his attention to other places, and saw several people asking for cloth pieces from the children one by one, also giving each a string of coins.

“That is the hundred families patchwork cloth. It is an undershirt that is made of hundreds of children’s clothes. Putting it on can increase one’s chances of being Selected.” Feng Qingxiu smiled, “When I attended the Dragon-Phoenix Selection, my mother personally sewed one for me. She sewed a thousand families patchwork cloth for me. Every eligible child in the town had a piece of their clothing cut out by her.”

Ji Yunlai imagined a short little Xiao Qing wearing a colorful patchwork of clothes, and couldn’t help laughing out loud.

“But this is also one of their incomes.” Feng Qingxiu said with a serious face, “Every time at this time, the affluent and aristocratic families will bring a lot of money to beg for a good sign, and these young people will also get this small amount of money to support them in queuing up to their turn. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the poor children to hold on to the end.”

“That’s also a good thing. Although superstitions can’t save or change one’s life, this kind of golden period is also beneficial for the poor.” Ji Yunlai nodded, “I really want to see Xiao Qing wearing patchwork clothes.”

“Maybe in the next life.” Feng Qingxiu coldly rejected his master’s unreasonable request.

The paper man smiled and continued to stick close to his apprentice’s neck, waiting for his apprentice to make their way to the Heart Asking Stone in this city.

There was quite heavy traffic, roadside vendors and poor people curled in the corners occupying most of the road. It was crowded with people, and there would be noisy quarrels from time to time, but they did not brush even a hem of the young man as he passed by.

Very soon they arrived at the Immortal Worship Temple in the city, which was also blocked by huge crowds of people.

Feng Qingxiu was about to go in, but suddenly he heard someone shout, “Fire!”

Then they saw thick smoke rising in the temple, followed by a burst of crackling noises. A group of soldiers in full armor quickly dragged out an 18 or 19-year-old boy, dragging him away like a dead dog.

“Actually daring to make trouble in the Immortal Worship Temple, beat him to death!” Many people rushed over angrily.

Feng Qingxiu was silent for a moment, sympathy in his eyes.

“What was that?” Ji Yunlai asked curiously.

“That’s a ‘lost pearl’.” He explained with a bit of melancholy, “Back when you set up the Heart Asking Stone, you said that anyone under fifteen had a chance, but over the years, the Heart Asking Stone has been tested countless times. We found that children under seven have a limited ability to analyze and can’t draw down the seals even if they could see it, and those around fifteen also have a chance, so the age limit was changed to ages seven to seventeen.”

Ji Yunlai waited for him to continue like he was listening to a story.

“Kun-Lai’s resources are limited, so the affluent and aristocratic families limited the age to seventeen. Every time Kun-Lai students attend the Mountain Ascension Ceremony and the Dragon-Phoenix Selection is held again, Kun-Lai always needs time to do so. Therefore, this gap in time will cause the previous seven-year-old children to lose out on the opportunity.” Feng Qingxiu smiled bitterly, “These children are ‘lost pearls”. I have a cousin who also happens to have his age stuck at this juncture and could not be selected.”

When that cousin looked at him, it was always with a look full of jealousy and hatred.

“Then why not just avoid giving birth to children in those two years?” Ji Yunlai asked casually.

“After all, there are only a few people who can be selected, and it’s not like the pregnancy can be aborted for such a reason.” Feng Qingxiu shook his head, “Parents don’t hold wild expectations for their children, but there are always some people who can’t get over it.”

Kun-Lai had no opinion on this. It was better if fewer people were selected and occasionally they would even delay the time. After all, the population of the Western Continent was increasing more and more year by year, and they were also at the point of having a bit of difficulty handling the numbers as well.

Every twelve years was the time the Dragon-Phoenix Selection was held. The formal learning and teaching took just about ten years. During the first two years these students would definitely not be eating spiritual rice but ordinary rice, and then all sorts of screenings must be passed before they could truly enter the outer sect and start enjoying life buried under hellish exams.

As he was speaking, Feng Qingxiu had already squeezed into the temple and saw the huge black stone that looked the same as the one in the capital of the Great Xiao State.

And his master, who had been on his neck, had already flown over to press against the stone.

“Can’t Master scan it using divine consciousness?” Feng Qingxiu looked at the paper man sticking to the stone, and suddenly felt his fingers becoming a little itchy.

He really wanted to touch—no, as Master’s apprentice, he couldn’t be so disrespectful.

Feng Qingxiu forcefully shook his disrespectful thoughts out of his mind.

“I am just a trace of divine consciousness attached to the talisman paper and without any spiritual energy now. So my radar is definitely not as good as before. After all this stone was created in my heyday.” The paper man slowly said, pressing hard against the stone, feeling the stone in a particularly focused and deep manner, seeming to want to drill his paper head inside.

Feng Qingxiu wanted to touch even more, so he pinched his hand hard.

After a while, when the sun was in the middle of the sky, the paper man raised his head and said with a little pride: “I am indeed a genius!”

Feng Qingxiu looked at him in puzzlement.

“The previous spiritual roots measuring devices were very inflexible and only measured the spiritual roots but not one’s comprehension. This invention of mine, let me tell you…” But Ji Yunlai suddenly paused, and the paper man raised his head and looked up into the air.

A yellow leaf fluttered downwards, and a fat caterpillar that was about to make a cocoon also fell along with it.

The paper man silently raised his hand, forcefully issued a very miniscule amount of sword energy, and cut the caterpillar away.

Obviously this action had consumed a lot of energy from the paper man, so he flew into the arms of his apprentice: “Master is tired, let’s take a break. There is no problem with this stone so let’s go to the next one!”

“Okay…” The paper man sticking to his chest seemed a little warm, and Feng Qingxiu of course left obediently.

He thought of the pine forest on Zhaoyue Peak that used spirit demons to eliminate insects to the extent that ordinary birds could not even survive in it.

Feng Qingxiu realized that he seemed to have discovered something incredible…

He can’t think that his master is cute, his master is aloof and almighty! Completely out of reach!

Recently, it’s just that his master was experiencing heart demons! ! !

Feng Qingxiu tried to convince himself.

Leaving the Immortal Worship Temple, Feng Qingxiu turned into a remote alley and was about to fly away.

“Help! Help!” But a sudden voice made him stop performing the incantation. There was a young girl on the right, dragging a sickly and barely breathing young man as they rushed towards him. Behind them followed three strong men in black, each holding a wooden club with nails as they chased the two fiercely.

The young man was the sickly young man who they had seen by the city gate before. At this moment, a wound on his back was bleeding heavily.

Seeing Feng Qingxiu, the girl suddenly gained strength and forcefully pushed the boy into Feng Qingxiu’s arms. She screamed: “A group of evil monsters who rob other’s of their spiritual roots, if you have the balls then chase after me! Sooner or later you will come to a sticky end!”

She then rushed in another direction.

Feng Qingxiu caught the almost comatose teenager, and then lightly sealed his pressure points. At the same time, with a cold expression, he raised his hand and grabbed into the air!

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

The strong men and the girl seemed to be grasped by big invisible hands, and they were pulled in front of him one after another, and then thrown to the ground.

The paper man excitedly crawled out of his neckline to join in the fun: “Is this a hero to save the beauty?”

Feng Qingxiu thought for a bit, and then decided to commit the act of offending his superior by reaching out and stuffing his master back inside his collar. 

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The flying peak landed on the Yunjin Rock on the west side of the Great Xiao State. The huge open space had already been cleared by countless officials and soldiers, and there was not a person within miles.

Normally, at this time they would greet the Emperor of Great Xiao State and his officials, but only Feng Qingxiu came out to exchange courtesies.

The other disciples flew out to play long before the peak landed.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

—The head disciple was made good use of at this time. They were all senior brothers so of course they didn’t have to be courteous.

Only, among the people from Great Xiao State, two of them did not kneel, which was very particular.

One was the emperor, of course, as he represented a country. If an elder came, he would definitely kneel, but as Feng Qingxiu was a new disciple at the Foundation Establishment Stage, he definitely was not qualified.

As for his other identity, Kun-Lai did not announce it to the outside world.

As for the other person who did not kneel, this one was a bit of a problem.

Feng Qingxiu nodded and greeted: “Dao Brother Xiao Yuan, it’s been a long time.”

The Teacher of the State, Xiao Yuan’s gaze was sharp as they looked him up and down for a long time before he slowly loosened his fist: “It has been a long time. I didn’t think that you, the only apprentice of the Sect Leader, would personally come down and take care of a trivial matter such as the Dragon-Phoenix Selection.”

The surrounding officials suddenly erupted in a big uproar, and the look in their eyes became full of enthusiasm.

At this time, the spreading of news was not fast. Although Kun-Lai’s internal discussions were heated, the time was not long and not much news had been spread outside the sect.

Since Feng Qingxiu was the head student of his graduating year, it meant that he was selected just a dozen years ago.

It meant that his family had not yet moved to Kun-Lai.

It meant that they still had a chance to make ties and initiate a marriage connection!

Suddenly, undercurrents surged.

“The Dragon-Phoenix Selection is ​​the foundation of Kun-Lai, how is it a trivial matter.” Feng Qingxiu smiled and brushed off his hostility.

“It’s not a trivial matter? Then, how come every year, nearly 10,000 children are sent back to their hometowns. Does Senior Brother Feng know that they will face a lot of gossip due to having been returned to their hometowns for no reason?” Xiao Yuan had long been full of hatred and indignation for Feng Qingxiu. If not for the other, he clearly could have relied on the Qingdi Peak Master to stay in Kun-Lai!

As a Golden Core Formation cultivator, why was it that he could only come to this rural area as a lowly Teacher of the State, but an ordinary disciple like Feng Qingxiu had such a smooth future, winning the favor of the Sect Leader?

“Xiao Yuan, do you have complaints about Kun-Lai’s rules?” The middle-aged peak master gave him a cold look.

Xiao Yuan glared at him, but knowing that he could not provoke a flying peak master, he did not speak again.

At this time, the emperor of the Great Xiao State interjected by smoothing things over, inviting Feng Qingxiu to attend the banquet that was prepared. Just how solicitous they were all the way, it need not be mentioned.

Xiao Yuan followed silently, his expression clouded.

“Elder Li, will his arrival here hurt my plans?” He asked silently.

“His cultivation level is too shallow and won’t detect anything. Are you sure that the flying peak master can’t leave?” The voice in the ring asked solemnly.

“The cost of creating a flying peak is extremely high. After the great wards on the peak are up, not even a Synthesis cultivator can break through it and harm the people inside for seven days. It is Kun-Lai’s biggest reliance when launching expeditions to the Outlands. Unless it returns to Kun-Lai, there must be a peak master on the peak.” Thinking of this, Xiao Yuan couldn’t help but feel a little angry. “Back then, Bai Liu, the peak master of Qingdi Peak, was going to use up his savings to buy us orphans a flying peak of our own and let us ascend to a small peak as well as earn some resources only for the plan to be blocked by Yimeng Qingnu. If I had a flying peak back then, how could I be exiled here.”

“With just this one peak, tens of thousands of children and teenagers can be transported away?” The ring spirit was still a little skeptical.

“The inner part of the mountain is hollow, and there is a huge amount of supplies stacked in the lower layer, so it is naturally possible.” Xiao Yuan explained.

Every time Kun-Lai launched an expedition to the Outlands, dozens of flying peaks would go to gather various spiritual resources. When countless cultivators were injured or exhausted, they would return to the flying peaks to rest, or trade what they gathered, or purchase supplies. Every time one needed to pay a small amount of tax to the peak master in order to use the flying peak, thus such accumulation would add up, making all peak masters wealthy with countless resources at their disposal.

“Such divine objects can even be created… This Kun-Lai Sect Leader is truly extraordinary.” The ring spirit sighed faintly.

Xiao Yuan also had a complicated expression on his face. He was born in Kun-Lai, and no matter what his fate was, he couldn’t help but worship the Master of Kun-Lai. How could their Sect Leader be described so simply by the word extraordinary?

***

The capital of the Great Xiao State extended a large area, and the great avenue in the center was 100 meters wide. It was directly connected to the city from the city gates, and there were countless carriages and horses seen on it.

From the beginning of the next month, the fantastical flying peak would be hovering outside the capital city, attracting countless people to come and stare.

The road was full of luxurious carriages pulled by fine steeds, and the bustling and prosperous secular world was always very lively.

Although Kun-Lai was good, it was a bit lonely there.

After dealing with the countless scheming at the wine table, Feng Qingxiu was finally able to relax. He had just flown back to the peak only to slip out again.

It was also the first time that he had stepped out of Kun-Lai, so naturally he did not want to waste the time on greeting and socializing with political animals.

The young man in a green blue robe with his long hair tied up rubbed his hands together, gearing up to fulfill the vow he made as a young boy.

Just as soon as he took to the streets, Feng Qingxiu became surrounded by at least five hawkers.

“Young man, you must also be here to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Selection!” The leading hawker had a kind face and enthusiastically urged him over, “Come on, our riddles are very challenging. But if you make a correct guess you can win a Dragon-Phoenix Lantern. This is a very auspicious sign, come and make a guess.”

“No thanks, I have something else to do.” Feng Qingxiu declined.

But his voice was completely overridden by that of these hawkers, and he only finally managed to struggle out with some difficulty. He let out a sigh of relief when he slipped into the alley next to the busy street.

Then, he carefully avoided the traffic of various vendors and tried to make his way to the north of the city where the Heart Asking Stone was located.

He heard that this Heart Asking Stone was the first sacred stone erected by the Sect Leader back then. It was opened every twelve years and there would be talisman seals flashing on its surface. Anyone who could make sense and draw one or two could then enter Kun-Lai to cultivate immortality.

Now there was a huge temple constructed there to enshrine the sacred stone which was given offerings to every day.

Feng Qingxiu had wanted to come and take a look for a long time.

But he didn’t expect that he couldn’t even get close to even a hundred feet away from the temple gate, let alone actually go in and have a look.

There were so many people there to worship!

Without using incantations, he could forget about trying to go inside.

However, having practiced so many spiritual techniques, if he didn’t use it at this time then when should he?

Decisively, he used a traversal incantation to enter the temple and squeezed next to a huge boulder in the crowd.

After finally touching the cold stone, he was very satisfied.

Alright, he could now go to other places to look for possible fraud and bullying!

Feeling very satisfied with having fulfilled his wish, Feng Qingxiu was ready to leave.

“Wait, wait a little longer.” A calm and gentle voice sounded.

Feng Qingxiu’s body became stiff, and he was suddenly dumbstruck.

“Master?” He looked around, but he didn’t find a single familiar figure.

“Here. Bow your head.” The voice came slowly.

Feng Qingxiu glanced down, and saw a palm-sized piece of paper sticking to the stone, just a paper cut-out of a humanoid shape, without facial features and fingers. It was currently bending its “hand” to indicate that he was here.

Feng Qingxiu could practically hear the sound of his three views shattering.

When the paper man had enough of sticking to the stone, he flew into Feng Qingxiu’s arms and said: “Let’s go back.”

So Feng Qingxiu walked back to the flying peak without a word, where he sat down cross-legged in his room to practice cultivation.

“Don’t be unhappy.” The little paper man stuck to his face and patted his cheek, coaxing, “Your master, I, did not come here in person, just as a piece of divine consciousness to join in the fun.”

Feng Qingxiu continued practicing cultivation cross-legged and ignored him.

He said he wouldn’t follow over!

“Good little apprentice, go out to play, it’s a good and bright life ahead. Being a hermit at home all day long will turn you into a dummy.” The little paper man touched his apprentice’s forehead again.

Feng Qingxiu still ignored him.

He said he wouldn’t follow over!

“Ai, so soon you have come to dislike your master.” The paper man floated in front of his eyes, folding his hands on his chest and tilting his head.

His apprentice’s long eyelashes flickered.

“In truth, I didn’t want to reveal myself so quickly.” The paper man sighed, “It’s just that a doubt sprung up in my heart, and so I stuck onto the talisman stone to take a feel and discovered that the problem is indeed not small.”

Feng Qingxiu suddenly opened his eyes and looked surprised: “What problem?”

He didn’t notice anything at all, so this time it was not a matter he could handle?

He was too arrogant, and he actually felt that his master only followed over because of boredom and the desire to come out to play. He was simply too superficial and arrogant!

“The talisman stone was replaced by someone, and not the original one that was made by me. But the talisman stone is not a weak imitation, and the one who made this stone has a good cultivation base.” The little paper man floated in front of him, his words sure. How could he not recognize the talisman seals he wrote himself, even if the fake resembled it very much?

Of course, that was just a trivial matter. He just wanted to come out and play with his apprentice.

“How is this possible?” Feng Qingxiu’s heart squeezed and he pondered, “The sacred stones of all countries are guarded by Kun-Lai outer sect disciples, and they are heavily guarded with all kinds of alarming wards placed on it. Unless there is collusion with someone on the inside.”

But this was not impossible. Many of the outer sect disciples were eliminated through the exams and chose to manage varied businesses for Kun-Lai in the outside secular world. If they performed well, they might be transferred back to Kun-Lai Mountain. If he was not selected for the Dao Disc back then, he was also ready to take this route as well.

It was just that this route was difficult to persist on, and there had been very few outer sect disciples who managed to go back to the main mountain over these hundreds of years.

But poor performance was completely different from betraying the sect!

Feng Qingxiu did not expect anyone to dare to be so bold.

“Yes. Let’s take a look at the other stones.” The paper man said quietly.

And on the way, take a look at what the Western Continent really looked like. It was a very different experience to look by sweeping over the land with his divine consciousness and to look in person.

“Let’s go, then!” Feng Qingxiu also realized that the situation might be the most serious in many years, and was full of fighting spirit.

“Wait.” The paper man stopped him and under his apprentice’s newly regained look of hero worship, he pointed in a certain direction, “In that direction, use the Formless Sword to pierce forward.”

“Yes.” Feng Qingxiu raised his finger, and a formless sword energy escaped from the fingertip and disappeared.

Almost at the same time, he heard a faint muffled cry.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“This is?” Feng Qingxiu looked at the paper man in confusion.

“Just a little mouse spying on you.” The paper man slowly landed on his shoulder and sat down, while answering casually, “When everyone is carrying an old grandpa, who is afraid of whom?”

Feng Qingxiu didn’t understand, but it didn’t stop him from feeling that his master was very formidable indeed.

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