Chapter 218: Shining Yet Unassuming, Like Deep Flowing Waters

Chapter 218: Shining Yet Unassuming, Like Deep Flowing Waters

At dusk, the setting sun casts its golden glow.

The wind carries with it yellow leaves, gently brushing against shoulders.

Two figures walk side by side into the city, their shadows stretching long behind them.

One figure, bearing a large spear on their shoulder, appears weary from the journey, yet their eyes shine like stars, sharp and brilliant. This is none other than Dao Xingyun from Xuan Tian Dojo.

Beside him stands a young man with a calm demeanor, broad shoulders, and a stride as majestic as a dragon's.

"Old Zhang," Dao Xingyun slaps Zhang Buzhou's shoulder casually, "This time, with just one more strand of high-quality Spirit Essence, I can undergo my seventh transformation!"

In the Federation's martial arts, each transformation is associated with the absorption of one strand of Spirit Essence. Historically, the maximum number of transformations is seven.

A roar filled with powerful energy instantly reverberates throughout the entire city.

This incident once again stirred up a huge commotion, declaring that the Ancient Path had officially entered the hegemony stage! But what surprised everyone even more was...

Dao Xingyun and Zhang Buzhou nodded slightly, their minds seemingly elsewhere.

Soon after, the Moon Palace officially declared war on the Dark Mansion.

"Brother Ji... Alliance Leader! You're back!" Zi Rixin, upon seeing Ji Jingqiu, was momentarily stunned, her face filled with joy. She immediately dropped the task at hand and rushed over.

Shining yet unassuming, like deep flowing waters.

During this journey, he encountered many other martial artists traveling the world, and he realized that cultivation was not merely about fighting; there were many other aspects to it.

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Along the way.

Although he could still dominate most planes, he was far from the brilliance of the Near-Forbidden and Forbidden Sequences.

Ji Jingqiu and Pang Hu indulged in the delicious food, and Ji Jingqiu secretly praised the fisherman for not deceiving them. The silver pike indeed had delicious meat, and it also possessed a certain efficacy that could enhance one's energy and blood.

The two had met unexpectedly during their journey on the Ancient Path, and initially, they hadn't planned to travel together as they were both solo travelers. However, several unexpected incidents forced them to fight side by side, eventually leading to their companionship.

As they chatted, they quickly pieced together the image of Ji Jingqiu from the rumors they had heard.

The young man became enraged. This woman's arrogance was comparable to Ji Jingqiu's, and it was simply intolerable! After he left, Chi Ji called upon Bhrama and instructed, "Have there been any news of Ji Jingqiu recently?"

She didn't oppose it, for in this war that swept across the Ancient Path, the Sun Moon Alliance had joined forces with the God-Hunting Company, and the Heavenly Deity Temple naturally had to take sides, unsurprisingly choosing the Dark Mansion.

"I've delivered goods to the Heavenly Net Palace before, and I know the locations of several treasure troves. Follow me!" Someone bravely took the lead.

According to the Heart Lamp's sensing, Sen Luo and the others were mostly not in Phantom City, which surprised him.

The key lies in the various opportunities and blessings on the Ancient Path.

Hela said that it was neither a living being nor a dead soul, but merely a strand of obsession that coexisted with this world and could dissipate at any time.

"Jiang Tunhai?!" Zhong Nanzhu's heart sank. Compared to Sen Luo, this person was the real formidable opponent in his eyes.

Zi Rixin nodded, "They are currently engaged in battle with the Dark Mansion Alliance."

So, before leaving, Ji Jingqiu left behind a Heart Lamp seed as a return gift.

"Bring it here," she said indifferently.

In the most dangerous encounter, he was hunted down by two Mythical creatures of the Shackle Realm, fleeing in disarray and sustaining multiple injuries until he finally escaped from that plane.

Amidst hearty laughter, a youth with a formidable aura approached with his energy locking onto Zhong Nanzhu.

In ancient times, there was a custom called "Walking on Guyu," where people would walk through the streets or venture into the wilderness on Guyu day, symbolizing a fusion with nature and strengthening the body.

"The Sun Moon Alliance has a deep foundation, and rumors have long circulated about their ambition to unify the Ancient Path!"

Sen Luo replied indifferently, "You'll lose."

He had reached the True Seed Realm and stopped at the Kingly Realm, while Zhang Buzhou had reached the Kingly Apex.

"Don't worry, we have Brother Zhang and Brother Dao, who we've collaborated with before. Their strength is exceptional!" The enthusiastic youth introduced Dao Xingyun and Zhang Buzhou.

The only thing worth mentioning was that he had inadvertently ventured into some forbidden grounds during this journey.

This subtle mystery was something he couldn't explain for the time being.

Guided by a fisherman determined to fish out the Ancient Path, Ji Jingqiu sat atop a ten-thousand-meter cliff, holding a self-made fishing rod in one hand and pulling Pang Hu, who was nestled beside him, with the other. His posture was as still as a mountain, patiently waiting for the reverse current fish tide.

On the ground of the only well-preserved side hall, ten characters were engraved.

Ji Jingqiu made his way to the Alliance's base in Phantom City but couldn't sense the presence of Sen Luo and the others.

Perhaps when this undead being took its last breath, the world would truly come to an end.

Soon, a silver glow illuminated the area below, and hundreds of silver pike swam against the waterfall, leaping in the cascading water as if trying to leap through the Dragon Gate.

For instance, there was the spiritual cultivation that he had always overlooked but was of utmost importance to others.

Even though they were still separated by thousands of mountains and vast oceans, he had finally seen it!

This wasn't uncommon in the past, as the two sides were natural enemies, but it was clear to any discerning eye that this situation was entirely different because the Moon Palace had the Sun Moon Alliance backing them!

"I also heard..."

Heavenly Deity Temple.

Even the Xuan Tian Dojo, which he was affiliated with, only possessed one Heavenly Herb, transplanted from the Heart Spirit Ocean.

During this return journey, he couldn't avoid passing through multiple civilization cemeteries.

Along the way, Ji Jingqiu used the secret method 【Eternal History】, which he had obtained from La Zhan, to collect fragments of residual civilization imprints.

"Regardless of which lineage, they are all just stray dogs now, and they dare to bark?"

The young man's expression turned solemn. Born with the will of the Ancient Path, he considered himself the true descendant of the Imperial Heaven. Hearing Chi Ji's insult towards the Imperial Heaven Hundred Tribes, a chill rose in his heart.

The crowd opened the treasure trove.

"Sen Luo?!"

"Who dares to attack our Heavenly Net Palace?!"

Dao Xingyun and Zhang Bu Zhou exchanged glances, their eyes filled with doubt.

Chi Ji turned around, her eyes each bearing a white cross-shaped imprint, exuding a sacred and flawless aura, yet also fierce and domineering. She glanced at the young man and scoffed, "A mere strand of a broken divided soul, borrowing the body of a heart nightmare, dares to come and play god before me? Imperial Heaven Hundred Tribes, which lineage's waste are you from?"

One day later...

"Where is Ji Jingqiu?!"

The crowd's "ambitious" companions were still traveling along the Ancient Path.

These two guys only needed to eat and sleep every day, and their strength would naturally increase with their growth, without needing to worry about anything else.

Hela quietly observed Ji Jingqiu.

Some people gathered a dozen friends, found a secluded world, and started playing "My World," avoiding external conflicts. They even brewed wine and invited Ji Jingqiu to drink with them in their "kingdom."

Along the way, they encountered countless martial artists, each with their unique martial arts.

Instead of rushing, he heeded Hela's previous advice, learned to slow down, and traveled to experience the wonders of the world.

"Not yet. The alliance led by Dark Mansion has already fought two battles with the Sun Moon Alliance, but there's still no news of Ji Jingqiu's appearance." Shapo replied.

Sen Luo calmly said, "Your era ended the moment you set foot on the Ancient Path. The great trend is like a flood, flowing with it brings prosperity, against it brings destruction. Since you don't recognize the true dragon's location, it's natural to be eliminated."

The mystery of divinity, not to mention a Divine Roaming Warrior who hasn't even seen the Human-Deity Gateway or the Human-Deity Border, even those who have attained the Great Dao and see the Dao like palm lines, are still diligently searching.

At the banquet, the other party sighed and said that this would be their last celebration here. The border of this world had appeared with something like a ghost mist, greatly increasing the danger. They had to leave, regretting the effort they had put in during this time.

In the grand hall, a white-robed barefoot woman heard the commotion and slowly opened her eyes. Her standard phoenix eyes exuded an innate dignity, as deep as the starry sky.

Zhang Bu Zhou glanced at him without saying a word.

In the end, he understood the principle of impermanence and realized a trace of permanence.

"I heard that Ji Jingqiu single-handedly defeated Zhong Nanzhu. Didn't you notice Zhong Nanzhu's tone when he mentioned Ji Jingqiu? He clearly looked down on Sen Luo but was wary of Ji Jingqiu!"

Dao Xingyun was speechless.

"Heavenly Net Palace?" Dao Xingyun returned, "I think I've heard of it before."

Dao Xingyun transmitted, "Do you think it might be Jingqiu?"

"There's also the superior Six Sense..."

Accompanying them were several other young people, all of the same "like-minded" group.

Thinking about the remains of that forbidden land, Ji Jingqiu suspected that it might have been a sacred cultivation site, and the ancestors of those two mythical creatures might have been the guardian beasts.

Along the way, they also encountered those with sinister hearts.

He sat in meditation for a night, introspecting. Behind him, a faint Bodhi shadow swayed gently, and his mind, floating and sinking, recalled every blooming flower and falling leaf he had seen along the way. He returned to the pure land in his heart and, in that instant, touched the pulse of eternity.

"Heavenly Net Palace is probably in trouble this time. If Ji Jingqiu dares to make a move, he must have at least an eighty to ninety percent certainty."

But after entering the Ancient Path, they discovered that most of the martial artists who could transform seven times had actually transformed far more than seven times.

One day...

Dao Xingyun and Zhang Bu Zhou looked at each other in silence.

"Three stalks of Great Herbs in this treasure trove! Unbelievable!"

The grand battle in the hall finally came to an end.

He directly hooked the fish, a several-meter-long silver pike, which leaped high into the air and landed on the grill.

But in front of his compassionate heart, they were not worth mentioning.

"There's a rumor that he previously joined forces with Sen Luo to defeat Zhong Nanzhu!"

She was eager to see the boy scratching his head, looking flustered.

For a moment, Ji Jingqiu was silent, like the countless broken worlds he had passed by.

Finally, Hela said, "You can go back and transform. Once you contain the Superior Six Sense, you can try to unlock the third layer of the physical divine treasury and see if you can use it to enter the First Sequence."

Despite this, Zhong Nanzhu remained vigilant. He didn't believe that Sen Luo came alone; Ji Jingqiu must be hiding nearby!

Among the strong in the Divine Roaming Realm, some could achieve eight to ten transformations, and it was said that those Forbidden Warriors could even surpass the ten-transformation level.

Because this lone figure had almost single-handedly united the forces in the north of the Ancient Path, when the Ten Thousand Phases Kingdom and other forces contacted them, they even suspected they were being tricked!

Some people practiced the bitter cultivation method, strengthening their minds as they traveled through the wilderness, bowing with each step, paying respects to heaven and earth, and the gods in their hearts. When they met Ji Jingqiu, they smiled and nodded.

Zhang Bu Zhou looked up at the sky. At that moment, Jiang Tunhai was fighting Zhong Nanzhu, while Sen Luo stood behind with his hands behind his back, facing the wind, not joining the attack.

And so, on this day...

"You can contact Dark Mansion. The Heavenly Deity Temple has also joined this war!"

Occasionally, watching the plump tiger fall three times as he tried to pounce forward, Ji Jingqiu would also be speechless, but he couldn't help feeling envious of the guy's carefree attitude and the dead fish's peaceful life in the inner landscape.

Zi Rixin's eyes shone with brilliance as she spoke, "We've conquered the Heaven Net Palace, Phoenix Capital, and other forbidden forces. We've unified the south of the Ancient Path, and now the temporary alliance led by the Dark Mansion is putting up a last stand. Soon, we'll break through this line of defense, march forward, and join forces with the Omnipresent Kingdom and Ten Thousand Phases Kingdom. We'll lay the foundation for the unification of the Ancient Path!"

...

He humbly sought advice from La Zhan, but La Zhan refused to acknowledge him, seemingly lost in some form of self-imposed isolation.

It was the Rain Season Festival, a time when the days were clear and the nights were filled with rain, nurturing the land and all its creatures.

Zhang Buzhou and Dao Xingyun took two Great Herbs and headed out of the city.

Soon after, a heavy rain began to fall, and he stopped to take shelter in a side hall, gazing at the raindrops falling from the sky and listening to the sound of the rain hitting the lotus pond.

"That makes sense!"

Before the young man could speak, Chi Ji seemed to lose interest and turned away, saying calmly, "You're right. I should focus on the present and leave the future to fate. But I can't help but wonder, what if the future holds something unexpected?"

Chi Ji let out a cold laugh, "You're right. I should focus on the present and leave the future to fate. But I can't help but wonder, what if the future holds something unexpected?"

Ji Jingqiu wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or indignant.

"Maybe I should test the waters first."

When he saw Chi Ji saw him, his eyes lit up, but he quickly suppressed his excitement and smiled, saying, "You're the Divine Daughter of the Holy King's lineage? I'm the Imperial Heaven Descendant, and if you help me conquer this war zone, I can assist you in capturing Ji Jingqiu from the Sun Moon Alliance."

Zhang Buzhou was taken aback.

As soon as Ji Jingqiu entered Phantom City, he noticed that the population had increased significantly compared to a few months ago.

As the city prepared for battle, Dao Xingyun and Zhang Buzhou went against the flow, not distancing themselves from the city center like others, but instead stealthily infiltrating it.

"I didn't realize it before, but this person is incredibly composed and ambitious. No wonder he's from the Heaven People lineage; it's truly a shared trait."

The Divine Daughter of the Deva Race, Suopo, was already extraordinary, but in front of Chi Ji, she still paled in comparison.

Looking at Ji Jingqiu, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, Zi Rixin's admiration only intensified, becoming even more fervent.

It was truly inconceivable.

Many realms were in turmoil, and numerous warriors faced significant obstacles in their explorations and travels.

Finally, he escaped that realm, planning to return after completing his metamorphosis and avenge his previous defeat. During his journey, he unexpectedly discovered an ancient temple with a collapsed mountain gate and a pond with blooming lotuses.

Ji Jingqiu returned to the Sun Moon Alliance in Phantom City.

After a fierce battle, Zhong Nanzhu seized the opportunity to escape, and Senluo and Jiang Tunhai seemed prepared, calmly following behind.

Jiang Tunhai laughed, took a step forward, and unleashed a powerful punch, creating a vast and surging wave of fist intent that soared towards Zhong Nanzhu! His action served as a signal, marking the beginning of the battle.

"Engage in battle with the Dark Mansion Alliance?" Ji Jingqiu was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What battle?"

Zhang Buzhou thought for a moment and replied, "Zhong Nanzhu from the Ancient Path seems to be the first forbidden sequence to suffer a defeat."

The wind chimes atop the ancient temple's pagoda rang in the wind, creating a clear and distant sound.

Dao Xingyun said, "Old Zhang, after spending time with you, I don't think you're as flamboyant as people say."

Zhang Buzhou nodded and spoke solemnly, "When your seventh metamorphosis is complete, we'll return and reclaim that Great Herb!"

...

From the looks of it, Senluo and the others were making significant progress.

Zhang Buzhou calmly said, "After experiencing so much and washing away the dust, we've finally found a hint of the path to enlightenment.

As the two prepared to rest, a sudden loud explosion echoed outside! Both of them became alert and opened their eyes, approaching the window to observe the situation outside. They discovered that the central area of this neutral city was already surrounded by warriors from all directions.

Each broken realm was a new world with unique seasonal variations and landscapes.

The former spoke, "Earlier, Zhong Nanzhu mentioned 'Ji Jingqiu,' right?"

At that moment, a startling sight appeared in the sky, a cold and sharp war halberd was thrown down from above, piercing the hard ground with controlled force, revealing half of its length and emitting a faint green glow.

And at this very moment.

Dao Xingyun suddenly stopped and asked in confusion, "If it's really Ji Jingqiu we know, why don't we just join the Sun Moon Alliance? Why are we hesitating?"

He had seen birds resting on the cross atop an old church's spire, the deities within the church long silent; he had witnessed a steel forest engulfed by a sea of trees, covered in vines and moss, the passage of time evident; he had even encountered an undying spirit in the depths of a ruin, a copper pillar bound an undying 'spirit,' its head bowed, and as Ji Jingqiu approached, it lifted its head, its shriveled eyes rolling in their sockets, its raspy voice declaring it was not yet dead, and its legacy not yet over.

"Ji Jingqiu's reputation has taken quite a hit," Dao Xingyun muttered, glancing at Zhang Buzhou and saying, "Congratulations, Zhang San Dao's value has increased again!"

And at that moment.

Suopo calmly said, "I understand."

"Good, good!" Zhong Nanzhu laughed in anger, "We'll see what you're capable of. Show me your true skills!"

Listening to these people, this "Ji Jingqiu" not only had unpredictable strength but also possessed deep cunning and ambition, a schemer lurking in the shadows.

Zhang Buzhou's mouth twitched.

There were also those who lived freely, indulging in the pleasures of life, brewing tea with snow, inviting him to witness the clouds' dance and the vibrancy of all creation.

Unbeknownst to them, the world of cultivation was vast, and opportunities were abundant. Even the most renowned and powerful herbs, the so-called Heavenly Herbs, were but a fraction of the treasures to be found.

"I wonder how the others are doing now," murmured Diao Xingyun.

His aura was like a radiant light, subdued yet not glaring. It flowed like a deep current beneath a serene surface, powerful and profound without being ostentatious.

The ground shook, and the Sun Moon Alliance, citing old grudges, annihilated the Heaven Net Palace. It seemed grand, but beneath the surface, a massive undercurrent was stirring.

"You don't know?" someone among them asked, "This Ji Jingqiu is no ordinary person. Rumor has it that he's the mastermind behind the Sun Moon Alliance. He's a strategist, and his depth is unfathomable. He never appears in the limelight, but the Alliance's current success is all thanks to him."

---

Ji Jingqiu, amidst the budding of nature, followed the mountain path, with a chubby tiger-like creature named Pang Hu by his side.

A sense of tranquility enveloped his heart.

The world's silence was akin to the end of a civilization.

The latter was curious about everything, often crouching outside the bushes, watching insects wrestling in the grass. Just as he was about to reach out with his claws, Ji Jingqiu grabbed him by the back of his neck and lifted him like a cat, carrying him as he continued forward.

On this return journey, Ji Jingqiu had planned to take a month, but before he knew it, two months had passed, and he finally returned to the headquarters of the Sun Moon Alliance.

Ji Jingqiu couldn't help but marvel at the boundless nature of cultivation, the world, and the Great Dao.

Unforeseen paths lay ahead.

Many worlds ended not with a loud bang that shook the earth, but with a mere whimper.

A figure descended, landing steadily on a spear, and from afar, locked eyes with a figure deep within the Heaven Net Palace. "Zhong Nanzhu, it's time to settle the score. Will you submit or perish?"

---

In the blink of an eye, Ji Jingqiu's arms tensed, and his entire body moved in unison, embodying the ancient principle of "a hair's difference between Yin and Yang."

Zhong Nanzhu's eyes narrowed, his voice cold, "A former Near-Forbidden dares to challenge me?"

Ji Jingqiu nodded, "Sen Luo and the others aren't here?"

It was the Rain Season Festival, and Ji Jingqiu was trekking through a desolate area, devoid of human presence, only the rustling of insects breaking the silence. Yet, a lone tree stood tall, its red leaves a stark contrast to the surrounding decay.

In the past, such a sight would have been a cultivation prodigy, shining brightly in an era, but on the Ancient Path, it was merely average.

The battle erupted, and the warriors of the Sun Moon Alliance quickly gained the upper hand, suppressing the Heaven Net Palace's forces.

In just two months of wandering the realms, Ji Jingqiu had truly comprehended a trace of the profound mystery of permanence.

Hearing the name that seemed like fate itself, Zhang Buzhou nodded silently.

"For the sake of those few Heavenly Venerables from the past, I won't kill you today. Leave."

Soon, a young man strode in, appearing youthful but with an eerie, discordant aura.

During that time, he seemed to forget all the noise, immersing himself in the world, observing the blooming flowers, flowing waters, and listening to the wind whispering through the forest. His spirit was cleansed.

The group stealthily ventured deeper, finding a treasure trove guarded by a Seal King warrior. Diao Xingyun and Zhang Buzhou worked together, easily subduing the guardian.

Along the Ancient Path, the invasions from the Dark Mansion intensified. Many once-peaceful worlds were now shrouded in Yama Float Mist, similar to the invasions from the Dark Mansion!

She had indeed provided guidance to Ji Jingqiu, but it wasn't out of pure goodwill; she had secretly set a trap.

However, Ji Jingqiu quickly found Zi Rixin, the manager of the Sun Moon Alliance.

After a brief silence, a roar of disbelief echoed from the front, and a figure burst through the sky.

"How's the defense there?" someone asked.

"Wait..." Ji Jingqiu rubbed his temples and took a deep breath, "The foundation for unifying the Ancient Path?"

He suddenly remembered the warning from Ji Anquan before their departure - 'The Southern Path will rise in turmoil...'

Ji Jingqiu subconsciously tightened his clothes.

A chill crept in, as if winter had arrived.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end