Chapter 146: "May the National Teacher, Even Though You Travel Far, You Remain the Dragon Among Men,

Chapter 146: "May the National Teacher, Even Though You Travel Far, You Remain the Dragon Among Men, Slaying All Enemies!"

Inside the Great Xia Kingdom's imperial palace, in a study.

Seeing Chen Qiu deep in thought, the young man who had already removed his cloak also stopped talking. He quietly retreated from the study, leaving the space to Chen Qiu alone, not wanting to disturb him.

"Little Six?"

As soon as the young man stepped out of the study, Fei Long and the others, who had been waiting outside the study, couldn't hold back their curiosity and surrounded him. Fei Long, in particular, was filled with confusion and couldn't help but ask, "How long have you been with Qiu-ge?"

"A long time," Little Six replied, shaking his head. "I know what you want to ask, but many things are not for me to answer alone. If the National Teacher wants to tell you, you will naturally find out."

After saying this, Little Six didn't linger and left. Soon, he was out of sight.

". . ."

Fei Long's expression was complex as he watched Little Six's departing figure. He didn't speak, and since Little Six had already said so much, he naturally wouldn't continue to pry. However, he felt that Qiu-ge seemed more complicated than he had imagined.

If Qiu-ge was the National Teacher...

That would mean Qiu-ge had lived for a very long time, at least a hundred years or more.

"Should I go find Ji Jianian?"

At this moment, the scholar, who had been standing beside them, suddenly spoke up.

"Why?" Fei Long turned to the scholar, looking perplexed.

The scholar remained silent for a moment before speaking softly, "When I was the top Sword Cultivator in Daxia, the National Teacher guided me to escort Ji Jianian. It seemed like he wanted to match us together. Although I personally don't have any feelings for Ji Jianian..."

"But if Qiu-ge wants to betroth Ji Jianian to me, I can accept it."

"For Qiu-ge."

"Hmm," Fei Long pondered for a long time before shaking his head. "Let's ask Qiu-ge later. Let's see what he decides. Although Ji Jianian is the Heavenly Dao's first beauty and a beauty of the mortal realm, she is already married."

"Unless you have a particular preference for this, I think you might feel uncomfortable inside."

"But it's fine."

"I'll help you wash away the dust later. It will be like returning from the mortal world, having shed all attachments."

"In ancient times, there was the story of warming wine and slaying Hua Xiong. Now, there's the story of warming and washing away attachments."

"Hmm..."

Fei Long, who had only spoken halfway, suddenly felt embarrassed when he saw the scholar's expression. "I know this joke isn't very funny, but you could at least react a little. Otherwise, I feel awkward, and you don't need to take it too seriously. Based on my speculation, Qiu-ge probably just wanted to arrange for you to have the effect of being with Ji Jianian, the Heavenly Dao's beauty."

The scholar didn't speak, but his expression turned slightly bitter.

Qiu-ge had greatly helped him, and he respected Qiu-ge, both for his strength and the gratitude he owed him. As a Sword Cultivator, if he were to betray his principles and break his promises, the sword in his hand would lose its edge.

A Sword Cultivator must not have any hidden grudges.

But...

He truly had no feelings for Ji Jianian. If Qiu-ge insisted on arranging their marriage, he wouldn't know what to do.

No wonder he had felt a sense of familiarity in Qiu-ge's eyes earlier that morning, as if he had seen them somewhere before.

It was the same look he had seen in the National Teacher's eyes a few years ago.

But the National Teacher didn't look like this back then.

Chen Qiu sat in the study of the Great Xia Kingdom's imperial palace, playing with the Illusion Stone on the corner of the table before putting it away in his pocket. He had been sitting in this study for many years, and every mark in this room was familiar to him.

The sudden recovery of his past life's memories made him feel like he had been reborn.

The only thing he couldn't understand was why he felt no particular attachment to chopping wood, yet every time he was reborn, his first task was always to chop wood. Why couldn't it be something else?

He had chopped so much wood in Fufeng City.

And he had killed so many people.

Only then did he manage to reach this point. This world was truly difficult to navigate, and life was hard.

After a moment of sighing, Chen Qiu couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy. It wasn't due to any sadness, but he felt that he had been exhausted in these past few lives. Before recovering his memories, he hadn't felt tired at all.

But after recovering his memories...

He learned that he had spent a full thousand years trying to leave the Daxia Cage. This realization made him feel weary, but fortunately, the outcome in his final life was a success.

Chen Qiu, leaning on his walking stick, slowly stood up and left the study. He looked at Fei Long and the others standing outside the study, but he didn't speak.

Then, his spirit sense rapidly spread out.

Soon, the current emperor of the Great Xia Kingdom, Xia Xundao, came stumbling over, supported by the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince. He immediately knelt down, saying, "Old servant Xia Xundao, I pay my respects to the National Teacher."

"Rise," Chen Qiu said calmly, his expression neutral. After a moment of silence, he spoke softly, "In a few days, I will be leaving the Great Xia Kingdom. You should know where I'm going, right?"

"I do," Xia Xundao replied, still kneeling on the ground. He lowered his head and spoke hoarsely, "Xuantian Continent, the National Teacher mentioned it a long time ago."

"Hmm," Chen Qiu nodded and continued, "There are some matters I need to entrust to you."

After a cup of tea, Chen Qiu finished his instructions and prepared to leave the palace, but at that moment, the Seventh Prince suddenly spoke up, stopping him. The Seventh Prince's eyes were filled with fervor as he stared directly at Chen Qiu, and his voice trembled with excitement.

"Master, can I come with you?"

Chen Qiu stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the Seventh Prince, whose eyes were filled with fervor. He had never accepted the Seventh Prince as a disciple. He had merely shared the story of Sword One in his free time and taught him a few sword techniques, and the Seventh Prince had taken it upon himself to call Chen Qiu his master.

Chen Qiu didn't mind and never corrected him.

"As a Sword Cultivator, the only thing you can rely on is the sword in your hand."

"Do you want to go to Xuantian Continent?"

"Yes, as long as you use your sword to defeat any puppet, you can come out. I'll wait for you outside."

After saying this, Chen Qiu didn't linger and strode out of the palace. Fei Long and the others quickly followed, their faces cold, as they hurried after him. Along the way, the imperial guards knelt on one knee and bowed their heads in farewell.

The Xia Family's Eight Great Venerables, who had been standing on the roof, now descended to the square, withdrawing their bodyguard spirit energy and bowing their heads in respect.

No one spoke.

The atmosphere was solemn, with a hint of tension.

Until—

From the crowd, a member of the Imperial Guard, clad in pitch-black armor, defied the risk of beheading and raised his head to gaze at Chen Qiu's departing figure. His eyes shone with fervor as he shouted passionately.

"National Teacher, ten years ago, you buried my mother."

"This is a great kindness that I can never repay!"

"I wish that National Teacher, on this journey, will continue to slay enemies and soar like a dragon among men!"

He didn't know where the National Teacher was going, but he could vaguely sense that this journey might keep him away for a very long time.

As his words fell—

The squad leader kneeling beside him paled, immediately trying to silence his subordinate. However, seeing that the National Teacher wasn't angry, he stopped and turned to look at them, smiling gently.

"I remember."

The squad leader, who had been tense, relaxed a little, but as he saw the National Teacher preparing to leave, he gritted his teeth and couldn't help but raise his head to shout loudly.

"National Teacher, thirty-seven years ago, you said I would become a great talent in the future."

"I've let you down, National Teacher. I'm still just a squad leader in the Imperial Guard."

"I wish that National Teacher, on this journey, will continue to slay enemies and soar like a dragon among men!"

This was their only chance.

Perhaps they wouldn't have another opportunity like this.

In the past, the National Teacher never allowed them to express their gratitude, saying that if everyone wanted to thank him, he wouldn't have time to do anything else. Today's actions were unprecedented, but the National Teacher was clearly leaving for an unknown destination, and no one knew when he would return.

They didn't know what they could do.

There was nothing they could offer to help the National Teacher; a lighthearted blessing was all they could give.

With these two leading the way—

Voices rose and fell, as the Imperial Guards, kneeling on the ground, shouted in unison.

"National Teacher, forty-eight years ago..."

"National Teacher, nine years ago..."

Finally, their voices united as one.

"We wish that National Teacher, on this journey, will continue to slay enemies and soar like a dragon among men!"

The deafening, unified voices echoed like waves within the palace, growing louder and louder, even as the National Teacher's figure disappeared into the distance.

The National Teacher's presence among them was not just about gratitude.

It was also about awe.

In their hearts, the National Teacher was always a cold and unsmiling person, and they never dared to express their inner gratitude. This rare opportunity allowed those who had interacted with the National Teacher to release their pent-up emotions, their voices hoarse and eyes red.

No one knew the National Teacher's true standing in their hearts.

The voices even carried beyond the Great Xia Palace, floating over the capital city.

The citizens were unaware of what was happening within the palace, nor did they know why the usually silent palace was so noisy today. They only vaguely sensed that the National Teacher seemed to be leaving.

Inside the Great Xia Palace—

Amid the deafening roar, the squad leader kneeling on the ground leaned closer to the Imperial Guard member who had spoken first, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Not bad. I thought your education wasn't that high, how did you come up with these words?"

"I wish that National Teacher, on this journey, will continue to slay enemies and soar like a dragon among men!"

"The latter part is good, but the phrase 'on this journey' lacks elegance. I feel there should be better words to replace it."

"I..."

The Imperial Guard member, kneeling on one knee and clad in pitch-black armor, shrank back and spoke softly. "I've been thinking about these words for many years. I initially planned to say them when the National Teacher passed away, as I wouldn't dare say them otherwise. You know the National Teacher dislikes such things."

"My original words were, 'I wish that National Teacher, in the next life, will continue to slay enemies and soar like a dragon among men!'"

"But this time, the National Teacher is clearly leaving for a long time. If I don't say it now, I might never get the chance. I came up with these four words in a hurry, without time to refine them. Were they not good enough?"

". ."

The squad leader, kneeling on one knee, remained silent for a long time before speaking softly. "Good thing you didn't mess up."

"You're quite scary."

"He's leaving..."

As the Seventh Prince supported Xia Xundao, he gazed at Chen Qiu's departing figure, feeling a bit dazed. Suddenly, he recalled his first meeting with the National Teacher, which seemed both long ago and recent.

He had always known that Daxia was a cage, as the National Teacher had told him long ago.

He wasn't sure how long the National Teacher had been working towards this goal, but he had often seen him standing outside the study, gazing into the distance with a look of bitterness and sorrow—the look of a caged bird.

For the National Teacher,

His greatest aspiration, or perhaps the goal he was willing to dedicate his life to, was singular: to break free from the Daxia cage.

"Your Majesty."

At that moment—

The Seventh Prince, standing nearby, spoke with a hint of self-doubt. "National Teacher said I would become the first sword cultivator of Xuantian Continent. Do you think I can?"

A trace of helplessness flashed in Xia Xundao's eyes, but after a long silence, he rasped, "You will."

By this time, Chen Qiu and his group had already left the capital.

The scholar turned to Fat Dragon, who had maintained a cold and ruthless expression for a long time, and asked curiously, "Fat Dragon, are you in a bad mood? You've been like this for a while; aren't you tired?"

Fat Dragon didn't reply. He glanced at the scholar with an icy expression, then looked behind him, and his entire body slumped. He rubbed his face, which had become stiff, and shook his head in exasperation.

"You don't know anything. Just now, so many people were watching Brother Qiu. If we, as his subordinates, were to act all carefree and smiley, wouldn't that be embarrassing for him?"

"Of course, we should have a look that's ready to kill without a second thought, a look as cold as ice."

"Only then can we avoid losing face for Brother Qiu."

"When you're out and about, you need to be mindful of your reputation, understand?"

"Let's go, to Fat State."

Chen Qiu patted the scholar on the shoulder, signaling him to prepare for the journey.

By the time they reached the outskirts of Fat City in Fat State, the sky had already darkened, and it was past midnight. They didn't enter the city but instead headed straight for the SkyMock Sect in the wilderness.

At that moment, inside the SkyMock Sect, hundreds of craftsmen were working with fervor to restore the sect, which had been reduced to ruins. These craftsmen were all hired by Xia Xundao at Chen Qiu's request, and they were the best craftsmen in the entire Great Xia Kingdom.

Within half a month, the SkyMock Sect would be fully restored.

Additionally, several Golden Core mid-stage cultivators were currently gathering to repair the formation arrays. Once the formations and the collapsed buildings were all fixed, the SkyMock Sect would regain its former bustling atmosphere.

The small world of the SkyMock Sect that Chen Qiu had inherited was merely a core area of the original SkyMock Sect from ten thousand years ago.

The real SkyMock Sect could accommodate a million Sword Cultivators.

Its size was so vast that it even surpassed an entire province.

Chen Qiu stood on the hill behind the sect, leaning on his staff with his back to the bustling scene below. After a long silence, he spoke softly, "Where should I start? Let's begin with the National Teacher's current life."

"That's me."

A voice devoid of emotion echoed across the mountain peaks.

Fat Dragon, the scholar, and the others looked at Chen Qiu's back with complex expressions, remaining silent. Many of the things they heard seemed fraught with danger, but when spoken by Chen Qiu, they sounded incredibly mundane.

He didn't convey the sense of urgency that came with a life-or-death situation.

Perhaps it was as Brother Qiu had said.

Everyone dies eventually.

The dead have no stories to tell.

As Chen Qiu left the capital—

Several pieces of news, originating from the Great Xia Palace, began to spread throughout the Great Xia Kingdom and even to the Hundred Kingdoms.

The most important news was:

The Great Xia Kingdom's top Spell Cultivator, Chen Qiu, was the National Teacher.

However, at the same time, several more secretive messages were circulating within various sects and families.

"The Great Xia Kingdom is a cage on the Xuantian Continent."

"Soon, Chen Qiu will break out of this cage and head to the Xuantian Continent."

"Golden Core late-stage and peak cultivators who are struggling to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage can follow Chen Qiu to the Xuantian Continent to seek the Nascent Soul Dao. However, they must join the SkyMock Sect and sign a life seal contract."

Life Seal Contract.

A method used by sects to control their core disciples. With the life seal in the sect, not only can the sect know the status of their disciples' lives, but they can also control their disciples' lives at will.

The Sky Walker was unable to leave the sect because of this life seal.

Ordinary people were unaware of this news and didn't care about it; they were more concerned about earning enough money tomorrow to buy some pork for themselves. But for those Golden Core peak cultivators at the brink of their lifespan, this news was like a godsend.

Watching their lifespan slip away without the ability to break through and extend it was a pain only they could understand.

The Nascent Soul bottleneck had trapped them at this stage.

Now, with the opportunity to break through this bottleneck, they were almost delirious with joy!

Chen Qiu also gave them another option.

"If you don't want to join the sect, you can leave on your own. You just need to defeat a Nascent Soul puppet in any of the four forbidden grounds in the east, west, south, or north, and you can open a temporary passage."

It had to be said.

They had all misunderstood Chen Qiu before. If they had known this secret, they would never have revealed it. This was the first time they learned that the four Nascent Soul puppets in the four directions were just Nascent Soul-level puppets, not real people.

"Can I stay here?"

Inside the Heavenward Sect, Zhao Yishi looked at the Heavenward Sect Leader with pleading eyes and a quivering voice, "Sect Leader, what will we do if you leave? We can't do without you. Who will take care of me?"

"I don't know, and I don't want to know."

Zhao Dezhu, the Heavenward Sect Leader, was currently packing with excitement and anticipation. He turned to the Heavenward Sect's Supreme Elder, who had just emerged from seclusion, and said, "Senior Uncle, take all the sect's spirit stones with you. When we join the SkyMock Sect, these can be considered as our initiation fee."

"Senior Uncle, you'll see. Even though we're all joining the SkyMock Sect, those of us who pay the initiation fee will definitely receive better treatment."

"Good, good, damn good!"

The Heavenward Sect's Supreme Elder was also excited, stroking his beard. His eyes were filled with uncontrollable laughter, "Haha, you're the thoughtful one, Junior Uncle. But don't call me Senior Uncle anymore. When we get to the SkyMock Sect, we'll all be disciples, and we'll be of the same generation."

"Moreover, I'm old, but you're still young. Who knows, you might even break through to the Nascent Soul stage before me."

"Nonsense."

Although Zhao Dezhu, the Heavenward Sect Leader, pretended to be dissatisfied, excitement flashed in his eyes, "I'm only at the Fourth Level Golden Core stage. Originally, Chen Qiu didn't want me, a mid-level Golden Core cultivator, to follow him. I only managed to join by pulling some strings. Unlike you, Senior Uncle, who is already at the Golden Core Peak Grand Completion stage. Who knows, you might break through to the Nascent Soul stage as soon as we reach the Xuantian Continent."

"Haha, no, no."

"Also, Junior Uncle, dig up the immature spirit herbs from the back mountain and put them in a jade box. We can plant them in the small world when we get to the SkyMock Sect."

"Senior Uncle, you're so thoughtful. Why don't we also catch some spirit beasts from the back mountain and bring them along? I heard the SkyMock Sect's small world lacks spirit beasts, and having more of them will bring more vitality."

"Good, good! You're indeed perceptive, Junior Uncle. You established a good relationship with Chen Qiu early on. When he takes care of you in the future, don't forget to mention me, okay?"

"Master, you're wrong. Once a master, always a master. No matter what happens in the future, you will always be my master."

The Sect Leader and Supreme Elder, ignoring the confusion of the surrounding elders and inner sect disciples, were so excited that they wanted to take everything from the Heavenward Sect and bring it to the SkyMock Sect.

Zhao Dezhu was truly thrilled. He had been searching for a fateful opportunity for his disciple, Zhao Yishi, but never expected that the greatest opportunity would fall into his own lap. Since he still had a chance to advance further, why should he care about his disciple? He would definitely prioritize himself first.

At this moment—

Zhao Yishi, standing beside him, had already started crying. His large head bumped into the Sect Leader's face: "Sect Leader, are you really leaving? What will I do if you leave?"

"What will you do?"

Zhao Dezhu gave Zhao Yishi a sidelong glance: "Do whatever you want. You don't like fighting, right? This is perfect for you. You'll be happy. I'll go ahead first."

"When I reach the Nascent Soul stage, I'll come back and sprinkle some soil on your grave."

"Are you leaving, Master?"

"Will you come with me, Junior Nephew?"

Zhao Dezhu and the Supreme Elder of the Heavenward Sect exchanged a glance, both seeing the anticipation for the future in each other's eyes. Suddenly, they burst into laughter together, then transformed into two streaks of light and shot towards Fat State, the meeting point Chen Qiu had mentioned.

They left behind a chaotic Heavenward Sect, numerous elders and inner sect disciples with bewildered expressions, and Zhao Yishi standing on the hill behind the sect, looking as dumbfounded as a mountain.

The Sect Leader and the Supreme Elder both ran away?

What will happen to the remaining sect?

In the capital, within the Qu family compound.

An old man wearing wooden clogs was in high spirits, holding half a watermelon and dancing in the Qu family courtyard. He was so happy that he couldn't contain his emotions and started singing.

"My heart is like a stone, unyielding and unchanging."

"My heart is like a mat, unfurling and unrolling."

"Empty eyes, the depth of love is unfathomable~"

He was the Supreme Elder of the Qu family.

After crossing over, he had immediately attained the Golden Core Peak Grand Completion cultivation level, but his lifespan was almost up, with less than a year remaining. After experiencing the heavenly blessing, his lifespan was extended by another half a year.

After understanding the reality of the situation, he rarely left the Qu family compound.

He was just waiting for his fateful opportunity.

And indeed, he was waiting for it!

The old man's smile was so wide that he couldn't close his mouth. A few days ago, the Qu family patriarch had asked him to kill Chen Qiu, and he had done it. The Qu family patriarch's spirit artifact was right here, and although the old man couldn't unlock the seal, he believed that Chen Qiu, the Sect Leader, would definitely have a way.

Three spirit artifacts.

He would offer two as a tribute and keep one for himself to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

It was simply perfect.

So—

The old man straightened his collar, cleared his throat, and shouted: "The most loyal disciple of the SkyMock Sect is about to take his position!!!"

Then, without further ado, he gathered the Qu family's accumulated resources and transformed into a streak of light, shooting towards Fat State. Just as he flew out of the capital, he remembered something and turned back to the "Ten Miles of Spring Breeze Pavilion" brothel, where he lifted the entire building, along with the girls and the madam, and took them with him.

Chen Qiu and the others often visited this brothel, and each of them would surely offer spirit stones, but no one would offer this. It also showed his thoughtful consideration.

If it were a normal day.

He wouldn't dare to be so arrogant in the capital, but things were different now. Who would care about that now? Haven't you seen that the Great Xia's Venerables are almost done running? Who wouldn't want to break through to the Nascent Soul stage instead of waiting to die in the Golden Core stage?

If he hadn't known that Chen Qiu was the National Teacher of Great Xia and had a special relationship with the kingdom, he would have considered raiding the capital before leaving.

"Hehe."

In the Xuantian Continent, within the Starlight Sect in the Great Xia's Xu Province, the Sect Leader's face turned awkward as he looked at the expressionless elders. After a moment, he spoke with an uncertain gaze: "Last night, while observing the heavenly clues, I suddenly realized that it's time for me to step down as the Sect Leader."

"The position should be passed on to the younger generation."

"I'm already at this age, and I can't keep sitting in this position forever, can I?"

The Sect Leader of the Starlight Sect coughed lightly: "So, starting today, I will relinquish my position as the Sect Leader. After I attain the Nascent Soul stage, I will return to see you all."

Without paying attention to the resentful gazes of the elders, he immediately transformed into a streak of light and shot towards Fat State.

Xu Province is in the northernmost part.

Fat State is in the southernmost part.

There's a long way to go, and if he doesn't hurry, what if they don't want him anymore? He was only at the middle stage of the Golden Core, which didn't meet the standard, but he had heard that the SkyMock Sect lacked alchemy cultivators, and even Zhao Dezhu, the Sect Leader of the Heavenward Sect, was accepted due to his connection with Chen Qiu.

He had personally refined the Divine Spirit Pill for Chen Qiu.

Wasn't that a strong connection?

He decided to give it a try; perhaps they would accept him too.

Although it seemed like a demotion from being a Sect Leader to a disciple, only he knew the vast difference between the two. If he stayed in the Starlight Sect, as his cultivation level increased, his fate would be to become a Supreme Elder, only to watch his lifespan deplete and die.

But going to the SkyMock Sect was different.

It was a path full of hope!

Perhaps the Nascent Soul stage was just the beginning!

At that moment!

Numerous late-stage Golden Core and Golden Core Peak Grand Completion cultivators rushed towards Fat State in the middle of the night, even though Chen Qiu had said to wait for a while before setting off. They would rather wait in Fat State than risk being left behind due to their late arrival.

For those whose lifespans were about to end, there was no greater temptation than attaining the Nascent Soul stage.

Life Seal?

It didn't matter. What was that?

If they didn't go to the SkyMock Sect, they wouldn't need the Life Seal, as they would die in a few years anyway.

Handing over their lives to others was better than burying themselves in the ground.

Even a child could understand this logic, so they naturally wouldn't refuse.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end