Chapter 350: Karmic Debts and Human Relations, Hitting a Wall

Chapter 350: Karmic Debts and Human Relations, Hitting a Wall

Qing Lian Dao Ren observed with keen interest the figure in the void, a young man with a clear brow, bright eyes, and red lips. He appeared a few years younger than Ji Jingqiu, but his aura and Daoist essence were boundless, rivaling the Yao Ting Zhen Sheng for control over the surrounding universe.

With a single thought, his psychic power swept across the starry sky, manipulating the principles and rules of the Dao, supporting the vastness of the Heavenly Palace's grand arch. Standing within it, he was enveloped in chaotic energy, ruling over a vast world.

"This young fellow is even stronger than before," Qing Lian Dao Ren muttered to himself, unafraid of this figure. Instead, he introduced him to Ji Jingqiu, "This person is known as Wan Jie, or Wan Jie Dao Ren. The Daoist lineage he founded is called Wan Jie Shan, and he achieved Daoist immortality only thirty thousand years after me. He has a grudge with Mu Shitian, considering him a Daoist enemy."

A light chant, like the roar of a dragon and the cry of a tiger, echoed through the air. On the youth's forehead, a warm and nurturing grand axe slowly extended, surrounded by swirling chaotic thunder and a murderous aura that dominated the starry river, incredibly domineering!

Even the dispersed aura was so cold that it seemed to tear through the void, and the bright axe blade seemed to capture eternity, suppressing all the principles and great paths of the Dao beneath its edge.

This was a Shen Bing Zhen Xing, a true saint-level weapon, not a projection, but the real thing!

In the past, what Ji Jingqiu had seen in the Macroverse were incomplete projections, limited to the Tian Ren Jie Wei. But now, a fully awakened Shen Bing Zhen Xing stood before him!

When he saw the grand axe, Ji Jingqiu's pupils constricted.

It was this grand axe that had forcefully broken through the ancient restrictions, temporarily severing the Guang Yin Chang He, attempting to invade Wu Wang Shan!

So, it was a strong Wan Jie Shan cultivator who had tried to enter Wu Wang Shan and reach out to capture him that day!

Because of the 'wanted' notices from Tian Sheng Hu and Yao Chi Xian Jing, he had once thought it might be a strong cultivator from Yao Chi Xian Jing or Tian Sheng Hu.

"Yao Xian, do you truly intend to be my enemy?" Wan Jie's voice was cold and indifferent, and as he drew his weapon, his battle intent soared, sharp and formidable. He confronted the Yao Ting Zhen Sheng, and a chilling murderous intent filled the air.

He was making it clear that he was determined to achieve his goal, unafraid of engaging in a full-scale war with Yao Ting.

Under normal circumstances, the Yao Ting Zhen Sheng would choose to back down and wouldn't fight to the death with Wan Jie Shan over an outsider.

But today was clearly different.

A beam of immortal light pierced through the universe, showering down a rain of flying immortal light, an astonishingly auspicious sight.

The Yao Ting Zhen Sheng, who had been shrouded in immortal light, finally revealed his true form—a white-haired Yao Xian with features resembling the sprites Ji Jingqiu had seen before. His hair fluttered in the wind, and he held an oil-paper umbrella, opening up the Great Expanse of Heaven.

"Wan Jie, you're being too reckless," the Yao Xian coldly reprimanded. "Can't you see who else is here?"

Wan Jie's expression remained unchanged, and his gaze briefly swept over Qing Lian's body, not lingering. He acted as if he hadn't seen anything.

"Dao Yi, are you pretending not to see me?" Qing Lian smiled faintly. "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have saved you back then."

Wan Jie's eyebrows furrowed, and he tried to keep his voice calm. "Could it be Brother Qing Lian? I never thought I'd meet you in this life. Why don't we go to Wan Jie Shan, and I'll make it up to you there."

"Wan Jie Shan?" Qing Lian smiled, but it wasn't a genuine smile. "I dare to go to the burial sea, but I dare not go to your Wan Jie Shan."

Wan Jie's expression remained unchanged. "Brother, you're joking."

Qing Lian's expression changed, and he coldly demanded, "Are you going to move or not?"

Wan Jie remained silent for a moment, his eyebrows tightly knit as if caught in a dilemma.

Qing Lian merely stared at him coldly, saying no more and showing no fear.

Suddenly, Wan Jie's gaze focused, fixing on Qing Lian's body. He spoke in a deep voice, "Is that Dao Guo on your body?"

Qing Lian laughed coldly. "Think carefully about how much karmic debt you owe me."

Wan Jie took a deep look at him, almost without hesitation, sheathed his battle axe, and turned to leave.

"Dao Yi owes you a great deal, Brother. Unfortunately, our positions are different today. When we meet again, Dao Yi will retreat three times to repay your kindness."

Qing Lian, seeing this person leave, wasn't surprised at all. He sent a mental message to Ji Jingqiu, "Even a Zhen Sheng would have to temporarily avoid your cheap master's Karmic Dao if it were paired with my human relations."

Ji Jingqiu was curious, "Is the Dao Guo of Mu Shi really on that senior's body?"

Qing Lian glanced at him, "Of course not, but can he dare to gamble?"

After saying this, he turned to the Yao Xian and bowed, "Thank you, fellow Daoist, for your help."

"You're too kind, fellow Daoist." The Yao Xian spoke softly, "But be careful; I can sense that Wan Jie hasn't gone far. He's still lingering nearby. I'll personally escort you out."

"Thank you, fellow Daoist."

The Yao Ting Zhen Sheng personally escorted them far away before returning.

After leaving the Yao Ting region, Ji Jingqiu asked, "Where are we going next? The Sheng Miao?"

He had some dealings with the Sheng Miao, but they were negative. Previously, he had helped Tai Yin Shen Gong in a fight, defeating their warriors.

Qing Lian shook his head, "If the person at Sheng Miao is who I suspect, there's no need to look for him. He's well aware of the necessity to eliminate the Four Devils."

"How far are you from achieving Tian Ren Yuan Man?"

The conversation took an unexpected turn as Qing Lian Dao Ren abruptly inquired about Ji Jing Qiu's current cultivation level.

"Not far now, just one more tribulation to go," Ji Jing Qiu replied. "It's mainly because of the recent overwhelming gains that I need to adjust and refine my cultivation."

Qing Lian Dao Ren gave him a few appraising looks and clicked his tongue. "With your foundation, what kind of breakthrough have you achieved that you're still feeling unaccustomed and in need of further refinement?"

Ji Jing Qiu wanted to explain that he had already formed the initial stages of the Kingdom of Tian Wang, having refined a part of Wu Zhou's divided body and extracted the incomplete Dao Fruit of the Formless Heavenly Demon, incorporating several strands of the Formless Grand Dao into the Origin of Unity.

Although it wasn't an ideal fit, his Origin of Unity had sufficient inclusivity to barely manifest a rudimentary form of the True Dao Realm.

As for the Formless Grand Dao required for ascending to Tian Wang, the path he would take was undoubtedly the path of opening the Dao, with Wu Zhou's Grand Dao serving as the foundation for his own Tian Wang cultivation.

"I understand," Qing Lian Dao Ren said, as if he had already formed a plan, nodding. "I will arrange some battles for you to refine your cultivation after the breakthrough."

He led Ji Jing Qiu through the Tai Xu and headed in a different direction.

"The Three Thousand Yan Fu Ti is too vast. In terms of the total area of wild and untamed territories, it has already surpassed the Macroverse."

"While there aren't many True Sage powers, there are still a considerable number. Those preparing to enter the Macroverse are just a portion of them."

"A small number of True Sage powers have completely sided with the Dark Ocean. These people are not worth pursuing, nor can they be persuaded. They are destined to be enemies of the Federation."

Qing Lian Dao Ren paused, then said, "I sense that Dao Yi is already heading in that direction."

"Why does he consider Mu Shi a rival on the path?" Ji Jing Qiu asked.

"In his eyes, it's a competition on the path. I won't comment on it," Qing Lian Dao Ren shook his head. "You will have many opportunities to interact with Wan Jie Shan in the future, and you'll understand then."

The Grand Dao is unique; it cannot accommodate two people on the same path.

However, Dao Yi's so-called path competition seemed somewhat absurd to Ji Jing Qiu.

Could Dao Yi dare to tread the path that Mu Shi Tian had taken?

Not even him.

No one in the entire world could.

Even with the Five Great Pillars alive, no one would dare to make such a claim.

"We've arrived."

Qing Lian Dao Ren led Ji Jing Qiu to a starry domain.

"Our main goal this time is to win over these secluded powers and sects..."

Suddenly, Qing Lian Dao Ren's expression turned serious.

Ji Jing Qiu quickly realized the reason for this change.

Not far away, there was a young man with rosy lips and white teeth, who had just finished visiting a friend and was about to leave.

Dao Yi!

The young man, slightly surprised, smiled and bowed to Qing Lian Dao Ren before turning to leave.

"Does this count as an encounter?" Ji Jing Qiu muttered.

"Is this person deliberately creating 'chance meetings' to exhaust your favor debt?"

"Tsk, a True Sage using such tactics, what a ruthless person, ruthless enough to throw away his dignity." Qing Lian Dao Ren didn't immediately respond but instead frowned and glanced at the place where Dao Yi had exited.

It seemed that Dao Yi's intentions went beyond just repaying his favor debt; he was also obstructing their path.

"Have you been to the Four Guardian Stars recently and seen that divine blade?" Qing Lian Dao Ren suddenly asked, then added meaningfully, "Keep it safe, for there will come a time when your divine blade will make its mark."

Ji Jing Qiu nodded in deep agreement.

"Let's go. I want to see if my eloquence has deteriorated over the years."

...

...

Yanhuang Federation.

"Senior Brother, what does this mean?" Zhang Bu Zhou asked in a low voice, "A few years ago, when the Nine States Gate had just opened, Master mentioned the 'Sun Deity Dynasty', suspecting it was a message left by the Ancestor."

"Now, with the connection established between the Ji Clan and the Sun Deity Dynasty, both sides have agreed to send a batch of disciples for exchange. The Sun Deity Dynasty specifically requested the participation of a pure Yang Dao disciple. I don't have the time, and among the suitable disciples in the sect, you're the only one."

Zhang Bu Zhou furrowed his brows. After returning from the Ancient Road, he had been diligently cultivating, not daring to slack off for a single day. Not long ago, he had broken through to the Heart Mirror Realm.

This progress wasn't slow, but compared to a certain someone, it was like the difference between heaven and earth.

Yin Tianping spoke sternly, "When you get there, work hard and don't waste the opportunity that the Ji Clan has fought for you. You must not tarnish the reputation of our lineage or lose the face of our sect!"

Zhang Bu Zhou nodded solemnly, his eyes deep and profound.

Looking at his junior, Yin Tianping's expression softened slightly.

In the past, he had been somewhat impetuous, but fortunately, he didn't give up after setbacks. After years of continuous refinement, he had shed some of his youthful impetuousness.

Even at the Heart Mirror Realm, he already possessed a hint of the profound aura of a sect master.

In the future, his achievements would surpass even his senior brother.

Zhang Bu Zhou suddenly said, "Reach the peak of the Heart Mirror Realm as soon as possible, even if your foundation is a little unstable."

Having said that, he added, "According to the intentions of the Ji Pulse Master, on your journey to the Sun Deity Dynasty, you might as well mention the name of our Master a few times and observe the change in their attitude."

Although he didn't quite understand, Zhang Buzhou still nodded in agreement.

After hanging up the communication...

Yin Tianping turned around and looked at the starry battlefield not far away.

"What's wrong? Can't you hold on?" asked Zhang Jianshen, the current leader of the Divine Path, as he walked over with a smile.

Yin Tianping sighed lightly, "The situation isn't looking good."

The border had already been completely broken, and it was only the Twelve Divine Lords who were holding it together.

The most troublesome were the invasion of the main Heavenly Road and the backlash from the Ocean of the Soul, especially the latter.

Recently, there had been isolated incidents of "What You Think is What You Get" within the Federation's borders, a phenomenon that would sound the alarm bells for any top-tier civilization, as even a slight misstep could lead to their demise.

Zhang Jianshen burst into laughter, "What's this? Young man, study history more. There have been countless more tragic and severe events in history, yet the Federation still stands today."

Yin Tianping smiled and said, "Zhang senior is right."

The Federation had its fair share of big and small problems, and over the past ten thousand years, it had faced numerous obstacles, but ultimately, the Federation was fortunate.

Because when the heavens tilt, there will always be those willing to right them.

Yin Tianping turned around and looked at the Tongtian Divine Light shining through the Federation's borders, connecting the realms of mortals and gods like the Tongtian Tower.

...

...

"I'm sorry, fellow cultivator, but my Jiuding Mountain is not prepared to enter the world and will not assist either side."

"Your words are misplaced, fellow cultivator. During the Great Calamity, where can one find a recluse?"

"Your words are too severe, fellow cultivator. It's just a Great Calamity, and it doesn't threaten the foundation of this realm."

"No, you don't know..."

"Fellow cultivator, I won't hide it from you. Before you arrived, three or four Saints had already sought me out, but I didn't agree to any of them."

"Then I won't disturb you further, fellow cultivator."

"I'll see you off, fellow cultivator."

...

"My senior brother is about to undergo the True Sage Great Tribulation, and I really can't spare the time to participate in this war. I'm afraid I've troubled you for nothing, fellow cultivator." The old cultivator bowed.

"The Shou Zhen Saint of Tian Sheng Lake is also about to enter the tribulation," Ji Jingqiu suddenly said. "When the great tribulation is about to begin, it's better to take the initiative rather than wait for it to come."

What he said at this moment was what Shou Zhen Zu Shi had said to Wu Tian back then.

However, the old cultivator who was hosting them on behalf of his senior brother's hospitality suddenly changed his expression without any warning, even glaring at them.

If it weren't for Qinglian standing by his side, he would have already slapped this annoying junior to death!

Qinglian Dao Ren smiled bitterly, "What does a junior like you know? You haven't even lived a hundred years. There's no need to get angry with him."

In the inner realm of the world, Hela, who knew the inside story, laughed so hard she bent over:

"Pfft, his senior brother's Great Tribulation a million years ago was the inability of Tian Sheng Lake! If it weren't for others mediating, he almost couldn't make it through!"

Ji Jingqiu: "..."

The old cultivator coldly snorted, and it was unclear if he was truly angry or just looking for an excuse.

Qinglian Dao Ren shook his head, not wanting to argue. He already understood the other's intentions.

The decision of the True Sage was not something that could be changed by pestering.

He took Ji Jingqiu and quickly smiled, "It's fine, fellow cultivator. I understand."

Unfortunately, just like all their good luck seemed to have been used up earlier, they visited five more places, but the results were meager.

The most they could get was neutrality, with neither side helping the other.

And those who were unwilling to promise neutrality had an obvious intention.

If you are in a dominant position, I won't interfere.

But if the situation tilts, I won't mind following the will of heaven.

Moreover, the further they went, the more subtle the other party's attitude became. Even with Qinglian Dao Ren's personal visit, they didn't send out the senior disciples or masters, but instead had junior disciples or younger cultivators attend to them.

In such cases, Qinglian Dao Ren didn't say anything, and after a simple exchange, he took the initiative to bid farewell.

On the road, he casually told Ji Jingqiu, "Actually, this is already not bad."

Although he said this, Ji Jingqiu could still sense a certain emotion from Qinglian Dao Ren's expression and tone.

As expected.

"Not everyone can clearly see the situation and distinguish between what's important and what's not," Qinglian Dao Ren lightly added.

He hadn't even left the territory of the Saint's Dao Field he had just visited, yet he spoke openly without any fear of the True Sage hearing him.

Not long after...

They visited another Dao Field.

And this time, the Dao Field of the True Sage who chose to remain reclusive actually had another visitor.

The True Sage of this place personally came out to greet Qinglian Dao Ren, showing him the utmost respect.

Hearing his intention, the True Sage smiled and glanced at Ji Jingqiu, who was standing behind Qinglian Dao Ren, and said, "Actually, I also intend to enter the world, but I'm still undecided between entering and remaining reclusive. Coincidentally, the cultivators from Tian Di Xuan Men and Wan Jie Shan are also here for this matter."

"Why don't we let the juniors compete and exchange moves? You know me, fellow cultivator, I value the 'future' the most."

Qinglian Dao Ren's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Jingqiu, go and learn from others' techniques. Be careful not to accidentally kill someone."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end