On the street in the capital, the battle between all parties had been intense and soul-stirring right from the very beginning.
Right now, the cultivators on the street were still locked in a fierce and hearty battle.
As if it were a divine tool that possessed sentience, a colored glaze flying sword managed to hold back Knife Sharpener Liu Zong all by itself.
Liu Zong had used his renowned Boning Knife for what felt like an eternity, and his weapon had never suffered any chips or scratches. Today, however, the furious attacks from Yu Zhenyi's flying sword left several chips in his knife before he could even hope to touch Yu Zhenyi's flowing robes.
Liu Zong had no time to feel pained about this.
Losing concentration would mean death.
The flying sword was intense and extremely quick, with its astral energy also flooding an area that measured more than thirty meters in radius. Standing within this astral energy, Liu Zong couldn't help but feel stifled and restricted.
As expected of Yu Zhenyi, leader of Lake Mountain Faction and also a genuine immortal. He was at least as powerful as two Liu Zongs combined, and Liu Zong was the fifth most powerful person in this world...
Following the glance out of the corner of Liu Zong's eyes, it was extremely likely that Yu Zhenyi was actually as powerful as two Zhong Qius combined.
Zhong Qiu continued to throw punch after punch, with his expression remaining unfazed even after he experienced failure after failure. There was a bright glimmer in his eyes, and he didn't feel deflated or discouraged at all. Imperial Preceptor Zhong Qiu was still the same Imperial Preceptor Zhong Qiu as always.
However, the more this was the case, the more one would feel pain in one's heart.
The world shouldn't have been . This was a feeling that would cause grief and indignance to well up in one's heart.
Zhong Qiu continued to throw punches.
As if he were taking a leisurely stroll, Yu Zhenyi continued to casually walk forward in the face of Zhong Qiu's relentless attacks. He would at most take a small detour around the battlefield of Liu Zong and his flying sword. He walked past the numerous shops in the street, glancing up at the inscribed plaques and looking over at the couplets that had weathered the spring rain.
Yu Zhenyi smiled and asked, "Are you feeling regret for not accepting that immortal sword back then? You know, the path you've chosen is only suitable for mortals in the mortal world. You won't be able to make it far if you try to ascend the mountains. Even if you're given another thirty years and you are allowed to ascend to the peak of the mountain, you'll still find that your path leads to a dead end. You'll only feel more regret at that time.
"Zhong Qiu, ever since you were young, you always cared about those insignificant things that no one else cared about. In my eyes, it’s not unique and outstanding. It's foolish."
Zhong Qiu remained silent.
It was an extremely peculiar scene, with one side taking a beating yet remaining completely relaxed.
Yu Zhenyi had already turned a corner and walked onto the imperial carriageway. If he continued forward, he would eventually arrive at the imperial city and imperial palace of Southern Garden Nation. The imperial hall was even grander and more majestic than the imperial palace of Pine Song Nation. Ten peculiarly shaped immortals and beasts were on each of the eight roof ridges, with a phoenix-riding immortal in the lead followed by a dragon, phoenix, lion, heavenly horse, sea horse, suanni, yayu, xiezhi, douniu, and xingshen.[1]
Some powerful and influential rulers and officials could see these beasts in person, yet some beasts weren't visible.
Yu Zhenyi pointed forward and said, "When we were young, you were extremely curious when you read about the descriptions of these ten beasts of the roof ridges. You said that you definitely wanted to see them in person in the future. Afterward, you managed to live outside the imperial palace for several decades. So, have you seen them in person yet?"
Zhong Qiu finally replied, "Yu Zhenyi, don't think that you're all that capable and mighty, and don't treat yourself as transcendent above normal humans simply because you cultivate immortal techniques. You look down on everything from a seemingly lofty position, and you wear an expression of reminiscence whenever you talk about people and matters from your mortal past. You need to see and understand more of the joys and sorrows of the mortal world... no, what am I even talking about. You have no idea about these things."
Yu Zhenyi nodded and remarked, "The vulgar views of a mere mortal. One should only deal with matters befitting of their status—the same applies to cultivation. Zhong Qiu, it's not that your principles are incorrect, but it's simply the case that they're not lofty enough. This is because you're considering things from a very lowly position."
A hint of sadness flashed across Zhong Qiu's eyes. He ceased his punches and looked toward the imperial palace.
Yu Zhenyi also stopped walking forward, chuckling, "Such soft and airy punches. Zhong Qiu, perhaps you haven't eaten for a few days? Maybe I should give you an hour to fill your belly first?"
Zhong Qiu cursed in an extremely rare display, exclaiming, "I'm afraid that I'll punch the shit out of you!"
Sure enough, Zhong Qiu was still the same Zhong Qiu as before. No matter how many books he read, he would still be that hillbilly from the Jiulan County of Pine Song Nation's Zhuo Prefecture when he was forced into a corner. Was this not the case?
Yu Zhenyi clutched his stomach and roared with laughter, saying, "After reading books from the heavens, learning immortal techniques, setting foot on the bridge of immortality, cultivating supreme Dao, entering seclusion, and abstaining from food for many years, there's truly no need to piss, shit, or fart anymore."
Zhong Qiu sighed and asked, "You're actually waiting for that other battle to conclude first?"
Yu Zhenyi nodded and replied, "And so what if I am? It's not like you can shatter my astral energy anyway."
He then shook his head and continued, "I'm not waiting for that battle to conclude. Rather, I'm waiting for Chen Ping'an to die."
Zhong Qiu suddenly turned around and looked down at the childish body of the person who was once his friend, a strange smile on his face.
Yu Zhenyi craned his neck and looked up at him, asking, "What's wrong?"
"Do you remember that one time we were standing outside the office of County Magistrate Ma back then?" Zhong Qiu asked.
Yu Zhenyi thought for a moment, and a look of realization quickly appeared on his face. "I would have genuinely forgotten if you didn't bring it up."
Many years ago, Yu Zhenyi had only been the son of a mere petty official in his hometown of Jiulan County, with his father far from reaching the official ranks of the imperial court. Zhong Qiu's family had been even worse off. The two of them had become best friends at a very young age, and Yu Zhenyi had yearned to enter the cultivation world while Zhong Qiu had dreamed about becoming a scholar. Neither of them had been resigned to their state.
While young and energetic, Zhong Qiu had fallen in love with the darling daughter of County Magistrate Ma. Thus, Yu Zhenyi had come up with all kinds of ideas and plans for him. The girl hadn't liked Yu Zhenyi to begin with, and she had felt increasing dislike toward him as the days passed.
Late one night after becoming smashed on drinks, the two of them had taken a piss on the back wall of County Magistrate Ma's office. Unexpectedly, however, County Magistrate Ma's daughter had secretly snuck out with her maidservant to meet up with a scholar from outside of town. Upon opening the gate, the two girls had coincidentally come across Zhong Qiu and Yu Zhenyi pissing on the wall.
County Magistrate Ma's daughter had been relatively shy, while her maidservant had been extremely forthright and fierce. She had actually glanced between their legs before saying with an expression of disdain, "Why are you swinging two tiny little worms around at night?"
Afterward, Zhong Qiu and Yu Zhenyi had never gone anywhere near the county magistrate's office again.
Yu Zhenyi recalled this matter after being reminded by Zhong Qiu, but he didn't feel was anything interesting or worth ruminating over.
So...why was Zhong Qiu suddenly mentioning this matter? Perhaps there was some deeper meaning behind it?
Zhong Qiu smiled faintly and said, "Old Immortal Yu, you're inferior to even a tiny little worm now."
Yu Zhenyi was unfazed, yet his expression turned cold as he said, "Imperial Preceptor Zhong, now that we've finished reminiscing about the past, perhaps it's time to engage in some sparring now?"
Zhong Qiu dismissed this with a smile.
Yu Zhenyi chuckled coldly and suggested, "Why don't we have a gamble? If Liu Zong can avoid death, will he still actively seek death like you?"
Zhong Qiu nodded and replied, "Sure, then I'll wager that he won't leave by himself."
Yu Zhenyi was just about to raise his arm to summon the colored glaze immortal sword to his hand. However, he quickly lowered his arm and said with a faint smile, "But I won't even give Liu Zong the opportunity to avoid death."
Zhong Qiu didn't say anything else.
The two of them stood side by side.
There were only the two of them here, Imperial Preceptor Zhong from Southern Garden Nation and Yu Zhenyi from Pine Song Nation.
"You're wrong. My primary destructive ability doesn't lie with that sword," Yu Zhenyi suddenly said. "However, I felt like there was still a chance to save you before, so I purposely went easy on you. Just like when we were young, I was always willing to cater to you no matter what. Not only that, but I also needed to look after your feelings."
However, Zhong Qiu replied with a strange remark that couldn't be any further from the topic at hand. He turned around to gaze at the city wall in the south as he said in a soft voice, "Yu Zhenyi, you're standing in the most awkward position right now. You're neither the radiant sun, nor are you the bright moon. Indeed, this world will still be complete even if you cease to exist."
The skinny little girl carried the small stool all the way to the only courtyard that still had its door open. She poked her head inside, only to see Cao Qinglang squatting on the ground and bawling into his arms.
She knocked on the courtyard door before stepping inside and purposely asking, "Hey, hey, hey, is there anyone here? I'm going to enter if there's no one here."
When Cao Qinglang finally raised his head with an alert expression, the skinny little girl casually tossed the small stool to the ground before looking around and asking without a care in the world, "Is this your home? I've come to return this."
Cao Qinglang grabbed the hatchet from the ground and held it in front of him, exclaiming, "Who are you?!"
The gaze of the skinny little girl was still swimming around, and she snapped, "I'm together with that rich person in white. I'm not together with that person wearing the flower hat."
After her gaze reached the wing room, she turned to Cao Qinglang and said, "I saw a trash man and a trash woman holding four heads and walking out of here earlier. They tossed the heads onto the ground and caused blood to spill everywhere. Out of the goodness of my heart, I walked over afterward and placed the four heads back together. Who are these people to you? Are you not going to hurry up and take a look?"
Cao Qinglang instantly burst into tears again, and he turned around and sprinted toward the courtyard door
The skinny little girl suddenly blocked him with an angry expression and exclaimed, "Stop right there!"
Cao Qinglang was slightly baffled.
"Are you not going to thank me?" the skinny little girl asked.
Cao Qinglang faltered upon hearing this, and he appeared extremely hesitant as if he wanted to say something. However, he ultimately remained quiet and ran outside with tears streaming down his face.
The skinny little girl didn't dare to block someone holding a hatchet, so she pursed her lips and stepped aside to let him pass. "Ungrateful wretch. You deserve to become an orphan," she muttered.
She pushed open the door to the wing room, the place where Chen Ping'an was temporarily staying.
The blankets on the bed were neatly folded, and the books on the desk were also neatly stacked.
Everything was clean and tidy.
There was also an empty sword scabbard on the table.
She didn't find any food, nor did she find any copper coins or loose silver.
In the end, she was so angry that she walked to the table and pushed the stack of books onto the floor, causing them to fall everywhere.
However, her eyes suddenly lit up. She could sell these books for money! She then turned her gaze to the empty sword scabbard before heaving a sigh. She could forget about this scabbard. That person in white most likely wouldn't punish her much if she secretly sold these books. If she secretly sold that sword scabbard, however, he would very likely subject her to harsh punishment. At that time, even the excuse of being young wouldn't work anymore.
She grabbed the books and ran outside.
She quietly made up her mind. After selling these books for a large handful of copper coins, she would hurriedly spend all of the money and use it to buy food. After all, only food that had entered her stomach couldn't be taken back by him!
Holding Zhou Shi and Ya'er's shoulders, Zhou Fei walked around and found Lu Fang again. Lu Fang was still drinking in the wine shop, and no one else was inside. Not only that, but the entire street was empty as well.
It was very likely that the imperial court of Southern Garden Nation had already issued a strict order a long time ago, and the city would enter martial law whenever a battle between grandmasters broke out. These were similar to night curfews that had been implemented throughout history. In any case, Zhong Qiu must have issued this order.
The beautiful woman who had once been Lu Fang's fellow disciple was collapsed on the table.
Smiley Face's lifeless head and Lu Fang's sword, Dachun, were both resting on a neighboring table.
Zhou Fei released his grip on Zhou Shi and Ya'er before striding forward and sitting down. He chuckled in anger and asked, "You simply got her drunk?"
Lu Fang poured Zhou Fei a bowl of wine and retorted, "So what?"
Zhou Fei observed Lu Fang for a moment before saying, "Finally, my efforts were not in vain. You've at least made some progress."
Compared to his dejected and listless self before, Lu Fang had already come to his senses at this moment, and there were wisps of seemingly tangible spirit, energy, and Qi flowing around him. It was as if they were about to twist into ropes.
In any case, this was enough to let Lu Fang live in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land for another sixty years. When the time came, he would perhaps have the chance to ascend with his physical body, enjoying incredible fortune thanks to his current misfortune.
The flow of time in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land and Majestic World was very interesting. In fact, the difference between them was completely up to that person's mood.
If that person found the events of this world interesting, then sixty years in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land would only correspond to five or six years in Majestic World. If that person found things boring, however, then those in the Lotus Flower Blessed Land would suffer great calamity.
Taking a look at the most unlucky time in history, a person had gone through a myriad of challenges and hardships in the blessed land before they finally managed to ascend with much difficulty. Yet, after returning to Majestic World, they were shocked to discover that three hundred years had already passed. Their Dao Heart had almost crumbled on the spot.
After all, three hundred years was a long time even for cultivators from the mountains. This was enough time for everything to change. Those they wanted to see might have passed from the world already, while those they wanted to kill might have already died in peace after enjoying a life filled with riches and glory.
Zhou Shi and Ya'er picked a table to sit down at, each lost in their own thoughts. Zhou Shi walked over and found a pot of bamboo wine, a local specialty of Southern Garden Nation. He had just experienced a close brush with death, so this was a good time to enjoy a drink with the girl he loved.
In terms of becoming one of the top ten or even top three elites in the next sixty years, Zhou Shi didn't lack the conviction and strength to achieve this. He was Zhou Fei's son, after all, and Spring Tide Palace was on the mountain peak of the Lotus Flower Blessed Land to begin with. Thus, Zhou Shi was confident that he could reunite with Ya'er after sixty years. At that time, he could hold her hand and travel to his father's hometown together.
Zhou Shi didn't know what Ya'er was thinking. However, he didn't need to dwell on this either. This was because he had full trust in his father's abilities, especially after his father ascended and returned to his original world. That would be akin to a flood dragon returning to the water and a tiger returning to the mountains.