Chapter 98: Inviting the Divine into the Temple, the Selection of the Four Demon Gods

Chapter 98: Inviting the Divine into the Temple, the Selection of the Four Demon Gods

Day 1.

Ji Jingqiu panted heavily, leaning on his sword.

Zhuang Budong's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Take a break, we'll continue in a bit."

Ji Jingqiu exhaled in relief and seized the opportunity to recover his strength.

Today's Zhuang Budong was vastly different from the previous two encounters. He exuded a hidden sharpness, like a long sword about to be unsheathed, giving Ji Jingqiu an extraordinary sense of oppression.

Ji Jingqiu placed Qingzhu horizontally across his knees, restoring his strength while also contemplating the integration of secret techniques and nurturing his Eternal Blade with the cultivation method.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked towards Zhuang Budong.

At this moment, the dilapidated training room resembled a serene and solemn dojo, with time flowing exceptionally slowly.

A few inches of sunlight filtered through the ancient window lattice, casting a mottled glow on Zhuang Budong, enveloping the disheveled man in a faint golden aura.

This was a rare moment of tranquility and warmth.

But for some reason...

Ji Jingqiu sensed a dangerous and eerie aura emanating from the front, specifically from Zhuang Budong's body.

This aura, like a long-hidden presence, had finally found its opportunity to be released, slowly and steadily spilling out.

It was as if another world had found an anchor point and was attempting to descend, intertwining with reality.

But in the blink of an eye...

This eerie feeling vanished without a trace.

Zhuang Budong was bathed in sunlight, and the air was filled with a long-lost sense of peace and harmony.

He took a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes, and continued his cultivation.

Not far from him, Zhuang Budong sat cross-legged, his eyes closed as he struggled against some unseen force.

Unbeknownst to them, a delicate jade hand gently caressed his chest, eventually cupping his head.

A soft whisper blew in his ear, as if it could penetrate his heart, stirring his most primal desires.

Zhuang Budong opened his eyes.

In his eyes, the sunlight appeared grayish-white, as if covered by a thick layer of dust. The air was filled with a dull iron-gray hue, and the world seemed desolate and silent.

The figure behind him gently caressed his face, trying to lure him into an endless beautiful dream.

A low laugh came from behind.

"A-Zhuang, you've finally made up your mind, but you still have a long way to go. You haven't reached the point of breaking through the Sixth Constraint, and they're not willing to help you. Only I am willing to..."

"Just like back then, I was the only one who responded to you, wasn't I?"

Zhuang Budong's eyes held a deep and mysterious light.

At this moment, he felt as if he had returned to the past, seeing his younger self sitting at his teacher's knees, listening to ancient stories. Then, he suddenly jumped up, vowing to establish a new martial peak for the world. His teacher affectionately stroked his head, giving him a thumbs-up and praising his ambition.

Zhuang Budong slowly closed his eyes, paying no heed to the demonic sounds behind him. He focused solely on tempering his heart blade.

This being was named "Dream Demon."

Over the years, he had honed his spirit, intent, and energy into a blade, using the existence of the Dream Demon as a sharpening stone. The price was constant invasion by the Dream Demon, dragging him deeper into the wilderness.

The depth of this invasion was such that even martial masters were reluctant to interact with him extensively, let alone attempt to probe his mind.

However, in return, he had managed to pinpoint the location of the Sixth Constraint by understanding the nature of the Dream Demon.

Zhuang Budong silently spoke in his heart.

Teacher, I'm about to succeed.

Whether it's a failure or a success, the Sixth Constraint will truly manifest.

He endured until the demonic sounds behind him faded away.

Zhuang Budong opened his eyes and said calmly, "Continue."

...

...

Day 3.

Urgent! Is there a way to make the heart blade sharper? The cultivation method for nurturing the spirit is good, but he doesn't have much time left.

After careful analysis, Ji Jingqiu completely integrated this secret technique with his Eternal Blade and the cultivation method, ultimately naming it the Ji Family Eternal Blade.

This secret technique forges the blade with one's spirit, intent, and energy, a step that Ji Jingqiu had skipped.

In his inner world, he already possessed five blades, equivalent to directly cultivating five blades.

Each blade was the most orthodox Eternal Blade! In this aspect, even Zhuang Budong was far behind him.

It's worth mentioning that he had originally intended to name it the Five Tiger Soul-Severing Blade...

At this moment, Ji Jingqiu's task was to make these five blades sharp enough to cut through everything.

After a moment of contemplation, Ji Jingqiu continued to embody the spirit of asking when in doubt, directly calling Master Luo.

The answer he received was that the fastest method, given his current situation, was to invite the divine will of the Guardian General God into his body.

"Invite the divine will of the Guardian General God..."

Ji Jingqiu directly contacted the Dragon Tiger Dojo.

Xuanzhen: Is Ji Shidi in a hurry?

Chan: It's an emergency! Please help, Shixiong!

Xuanzhen: Alright! Wait for me!

Ji Jingqiu blinked, surprised that Shixiong Shi was quite approachable, but why was the group chat so quiet?

With hope from the Dragon Tiger Dojo, Ji Jingqiu contacted Lou Qinglan to arrange for the fastest transportation.

Having the backing of a powerful force had its advantages; even trivial matters like this would be efficiently taken care of.

Not long after, the response came:

Xuanzhen: Ji Shidi, I've taken care of it. You can go directly to the god temple. (Confetti.jpg)



Chan: Thank you, Shixiong! (Bowing to the big shot.jpg)



Xuanzhen: It's a small matter. By the way, Shidi, do you have any ideas to liven up the group chat? It seems like everyone is rather quiet...

Ji Jingqiu, pondering the most urgent matter, flipped through his limited group chats, found the two most active ones, summarized their common traits, and quickly replied:

Chan: More interaction!

Xuanzhen: Will that really work... (Staring blankly.jpg)



Chan: Trust me!

After sending the message, Ji Jingqiu stood up. With Lou Qinglan's arrangements, he boarded a spaceship bound for the Guardian General God's temple.

The temples of the various gods were not located in the three cities but were scattered across the planets.

The Four Guardians Star's ecosystem was not suitable for human habitation, and the Federation's modifications seemed limited to the three cities.

Ji Jingqiu boarded the Starlight Corporation's spaceship to the temple, and along the way, he witnessed the desolate land covered with traces left by warriors.

Fist imprints, sword marks, and blade scars...

From above, he could see a distinct fan-shaped scrape across the vast mountain range, as if a warrior had erased half the mountain range with a single punch.

...

When Ji Jingqiu arrived at the Guardian General God's temple in the wilderness, it was already 5 PM.

"Is it closed?"

"Hehe, little brother, if you don't want to leave, you can stay at the side hall. The temple will open in the morning, and you can then enter to worship the god." The temple guardian smiled.

Ji Jingqiu's expression was helpless. Was he really going to wait here until the temple opened tomorrow?

"Let the young man in. Even if the Guardian General Deity were here, I doubt he'd mind."

Just as Ji Jingqiu was about to head towards the side hall, an elderly man emerged from behind him and spoke in a calm tone.

The guard, upon seeing the old man, immediately displayed a respectful demeanor. Before he could respond, a priest arrived and smiled, saying, "Never mind. Since you've come with a spot from the Dragon Tiger Dojo, you're practically family. Come with me, and I'll take you to meet the True Monarch."

Ji Jingqiu turned to thank the old man for his kind words, his mind secretly guessing that this person's identity must be extraordinary to have changed the priest's attitude.

He wondered if this was a senior from the Dragon Tiger Dojo who, upon seeing him with a spot from the dojo, had casually helped him.

The old man didn't say much, merely waving his hand to indicate that Ji Jingqiu could enter, and then turned to leave.

The priest led Ji Jingqiu into the spacious temple, explaining various matters of caution along the way.

For instance, to invite the True Monarch's divine will, one must first bathe and change clothes as a sign of respect, and then burn incense and offer prayers, reciting scriptures before the True Monarch's seat...

Hearing so many intricate rituals, Ji Jingqiu fell silent for a moment.

To invite a deity required half a day's preparation?

This was too formal!

Deities should be revered in the heart, not just on the surface!

Looking up towards the center of the temple, the statue of the Guardian General Deity stood tall and imposing, its aura filled with solemnity and awe, causing one's heart to tremble.

If he hadn't mistaken the sensation that night in the Eastern Third Star...

Ji Jingqiu quietly stopped, while the priest ahead continued walking, seemingly unaware.

Ji Jingqiu joined his hands in prayer, closed his eyes, and bowed three times, silently reciting the name of the Guardian General Deity.

The priest, turning back at that moment, saw this and his expression turned stern, feeling both annoyed and helpless.

This young man was too hasty!

He hoped this action wouldn't anger the True Monarch.

Just as he was about to step forward to stop Ji Jingqiu, a profound and mysterious aura descended, and a profound and enigmatic shadow appeared, hovering over the temple. In an instant, the atmosphere became filled with solemnity and killing intent.

The Guardian General Deity had responded to this boy and descended!

The priest immediately knelt down, listening to the divine thought. Soon, his expression changed again, and in the depths of his mind, he heard a long, drawn-out sigh. The Guardian General Deity, rarely expressing emotions, seemed to convey a sense of disgust...

He looked up and saw that Ji Jingqiu had, at some point, sat down cross-legged.

He sighed, unsure why the True Monarch was displeased with this young man.

He took a step forward, intending to expel the boy on behalf of the True Monarch.

He didn't hold any grudge against the boy; it was just that he was a bit too hasty. But now, the True Monarch was annoyed, and even though a grandmaster had spoken up for the boy, as a priest of the temple, he had to take action!

At that moment, a white radiant light shot out from the brow of the statue, piercing Ji Jingqiu's forehead.

The priest's foot, which had been raised, hung in mid-air.

His expression was one of confusion.

The True Monarch was disgusted with this boy, yet he still bestowed a blessing. Why?

No, that didn't seem to be disgust.

It was...

Reluctance?

The priest, over two hundred years old and having served the True Monarch for many years, encountered the first incomprehensible event of his life.

At that moment, a torrent of killing intent poured down like a heavenly waterfall towards Ji Jingqiu below.

The priest gasped, shocked that the True Monarch was using his own killing intent to temper the boy's spirit!

This was a privilege reserved for the chosen ones!

...

Ji Jingqiu sat cross-legged, his heart burning like a flame in the wind and rain.

It was as if, in the depths of the void, a pair of chaotic and profound tiger eyes had opened, gazing and locking onto him from afar.

An endless wave of solemnity and killing intent washed over his mind, and even though he stabilized his heart with tranquil meditation, constantly reminding himself that this was just an illusion, it was to no avail.

Was this a test for inviting the deity into the temple?

Just as he was about to give in and retreat into his inner world, a sigh of helplessness echoed in his ear.

【Have you come to me to temper your blade?】

Ji Jingqiu, blessed, retreated into his inner world, using the killing intent bestowed by the Guardian General Deity to temper the Eternal Blade within his heart.

【I must ask you, do you truly intend to help that boy with the surname Zhuang break through the Sixth Constraint?】

Ji Jingqiu was puzzled and asked in his heart, "Does the True Monarch know even this?"

【This matter is of great importance, and we have been paying close attention to it.】

Ji Jingqiu's spirit was lifted. "May I ask the True Monarch, why is the federal leadership handling this matter in this way?"

The Guardian General Deity interrupted him:

【What do you want to ask about? Fairness? Where is fairness in this world? Is it fair that you were born in hell? Is it fair that the children of noble families are born into privilege? Is it fair that Zhuang Budong is naturally endowed with martial wisdom? There is no fairness in this world, only choices.】

【Moreover, in this matter, the Federation owes nothing to Zhuang Budong. If not for our protection, he would have fallen under the control of an evil deity over thirty years ago.】

【This is his choice, and it is the way of destiny. The heavenly forces have decreed that the Sixth Constraint should appear at this point in time. Even if it weren't Zhuang Budong, there would be a Ji Budong, a Zhao Budong, to open the path for all beings.】

【Of course... even someone as strict as I must admit that he has done exceptionally well, extremely well!】

Hearing the last sentence, Ji Jingqiu exhaled softly and said, "I want to know who it was that responded to Elder Zhuang, was it destiny as you said?"

【It was destiny, it was himself, and it was one of the four demons in the depths of the heart's wilderness—the Dream Demon.】

"Dream Demon?" Ji Jingqiu was slightly taken aback, wondering if this was related to the Dream God AI.

【Indeed, one of the Dream Demon's essences is to 'respond to and fulfill the beautiful wishes of all sentient beings, even if it's in a distorted form.'】

【Zhuang Budong was able to receive its response and reach his current conclusion, which can be called an unrepeatable miracle.】

【In a sense... he can be considered the Dream Demon's chosen one. The Federation, in not destroying humanity out of safety considerations, has shown utmost kindness.】

【Normally, we wouldn't reveal such secrets to humans, as even just recognizing these beings can lead to entanglement with them. But you are an exception.】

Ji Jingqiu pondered, "What does the True Monarch mean?"

【Hehe, I wish their divine consciousness would willingly enter your inner world.】

Ji Jingqiu was speechless and finally said,

"Please help me temper my blade."

【I can.】

【Additionally, we have already sent a strand of divine will to reside in your inner world to share the burden of your heavy heart. I can no longer bestow divine will upon you, so visit the temple less in the future.】

Ji Jingqiu appeared deep in thought.

The pillar-like figures he could vaguely see in the distance, were they the various True Monarchs of the Federation?

He didn't know how much time had passed.

The Guardian General Deity's words echoed:

【Lastly... take care of that tiger cub of yours.】

Ji Jingqiu's expression was one of surprise, but the True Monarch had already left.

He remained silent for a moment, then looked at the five Eternal Blade Techniques before him.

Under the cleansing effect of the God's essential sabersickness, each one had been honed to the sharpest point possible at the moment.

He had already reached the limits of what he could do.

Feeling that the God had left, Ji Jingqiu, who was seated in the Inner World, raised his head and looked at the eleven Divine Pillars scattered across the heavens and earth, and at the fat tiger dozing beside his leg, gently rubbing against it.

"Little guy... have you also learned to outsource?"

...

...

Fifth day.

That night, a torrential downpour flooded the streets.

It was the first rainfall Ji Jingqiu had encountered since coming to the Four Guardians Star.

He didn't use an umbrella; the gift of the Heavenly Human First Limit, the Copper Skin, allowed him to experience raindrops rolling off his skin like beads, without soaking into his flesh.

This sensation was particularly wondrous, a sublime touch that he found irresistibly delightful.

Returning from the Starlight Corporation, he carried Qingzhu and strode toward the Training Studio.

Rain cascaded like a waterfall at his feet, and in the distance, the sky was faintly illuminated by thunder, with colorful holographic images still projecting through the rain, casting light on the outlines of the buildings, blending the real and the illusory.

Ji Jingqiu suddenly stopped.

The street had been deserted for five days, as expected, cleared by someone.

And now, a mobile van was parked by the roadside, with an old man busily working behind it.

Smelling the aroma of food in the air, Ji Jingqiu paused, recognizing the old man as the one who had helped him at the Temple of the Guardian General God.

It wasn't the Dragon Tiger Dojo, but...

Ji Jingqiu seemed to have an idea.

He walked directly over.

"Boss, two of your specialties, one to go."

The old man didn't speak, only quietly served him a bowl of clear soup noodles with a poached egg on top.

Ji Jingqiu was taken aback. "This is your specialty?"

"Young man, how do you know if it's good without trying?" the old man said calmly, "Handmade noodles, there are very few of these in this era, and even fewer on the Four Guardians Star."

Ji Jingqiu took a small bite, his eyes widening in surprise. He had judged by appearance, but these noodles were the most resilient he had ever eaten in his two lifetimes!

And something had been added to the noodles, such that with just one bite, the tension and negative emotions he had accumulated over these days were instantly swept away!

He took a long breath, which under the lamplight in the rain looked like a white dragon, then in one go, he swallowed the noodles and broth.

"Refreshing!"

"Boss, another bowl."

"Gone." The old man glanced at him, "Limited to one bowl per person. Where are you going in the middle of the night?"

"Where are you opening your shop in the middle of the night?" Ji Jingqiu countered.

The old man shook his head, finding the boy stubborn.

"Do you want to hear my story?" the old man suddenly said.

Ji Jingqiu put down his chopsticks, hesitated slightly, then nodded.

"...It will be a long story."

The old man placed the to-go package in front of Ji Jingqiu, speaking softly, the light in his eyes shifting as if dark clouds had gathered in the sky, his gaze deep and distant, looking into the dim, rain-soaked alley.

At that moment.

The clouds in the old man's eyes seemed to collapse, the heavy rain pouring down like outside, a sorrowful and tranquil current surging through the dark, rainy night.

The story... began.

"Too long, I won't listen! Otherwise, the noodles will get soggy."

Ji Jingqiu stood up, firmly declining.

Come on, he didn't have time to listen to a long story, his schedule was packed, and he wished he could spend all 24 hours of the day in the Inner World nurturing the Eternal Blades!

Stories could wait until he was done.

The old man, caught off guard, closed his mouth.

"I won't pay, okay?" Ji Jingqiu waved his hand, picking up the to-go package, "If I'm not wrong, you should know Senior Zhuang, perhaps even be his master?"

"I'll bring the noodles to you, and my bowl will be the delivery fee."

"If you have time in the next few days, you might want to come by more often." Ji Jingqiu added, "There aren't many days left anyway."

As soon as he said that, the old man's eyes flashed with a sword-like intensity, piercing through all illusions and pretenses, his figure rising like a divine mountain, unyielding!

But Ji Jingqiu didn't continue.

He gave a thumbs up, "By the way, these noodles are really resilient! This was worth it!"

Indeed, being able to eat noodles handmade by a Martial Dao Master was a rare treat.

He carried the noodles to the Training Studio, his accumulated emotions of the past days swept away.

It seemed the situation wasn't completely dire; there were still people willing to stand by Senior Zhuang.

Returning to the training room.

Inside, a single flickering light bulb cast shadows, occasionally illuminating Zhuang Budong, who sat in the center of the room, his expression as calm as ever.

No one knew what he was thinking.

Ji jingqiu placed the to-go package in front of him and opened it for him.

Zhuang Budong slowly opened his eyes, his expression momentarily dazed at the sight of the clear soup noodles.

"Just met an old man on the street, he said these were handmade noodles, limited to one bowl per person, I brought you a bowl."

Ji Jingqiu smiled, a warm feeling in his heart. Although he hadn't listened to the story, he could see from the old man's actions that the Martial dao master, who once stood at the pinnacle of the Federation, had never abandoned the disciple he once took pride in.

At the same time, Ji Jingqiu's vigilance heightened.

Why had the old man come to see Senior Zhuang in person? Was it unwillingness, or... inability?

"Dream Demon..."

This was the biggest secret about Senior Zhuang, the higher one's position, the more wary.

On the other hand, lower realm martial artists like them had fewer reservations.

Ji Jingqiu had a vague sense.

At that moment.

Zhuang Budong caught thefaint scent of familiar hot soup noodles from his memories.

He gazed at the bowl in front of him, a gentle light in his eyes.

He had always known that his master had never left him.

The past thirty years of hardship had affected not only him but also his master.

He slowly picked up the bowl, ate the noodles and broth cleanly, leaving no residue.

After putting down the bowl.

"Are you rested?" Zhuang Budong asked.

Ji Jingqiu was solemn.

In these few days, while Zhuang Budong had been resting, Ji Jingqiu's martial arts had been advancing at an astonishing pace under Zhuang Budong's guidance!

He gently stroked Qingzhu across his knees, his aura rising.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end