“I’m not an idiot…” Xu Qi An smiled bitterly. “After returning from Sword Province, I confirmed Jin Lian’s identity. And before that, I already had suspicions.”
Zhong Li had told him that Daoist Jin Lian’s soul was incomplete, just like Fu Xiang’s.
The consequences of an incomplete soul are typically two: becoming an idiot or a vegetative state.
Daoist Jin Lian came from the Earth Sect of the Dao School, and primordial spirit was an area of expertise for the Dao School. So an incomplete soul didn’t necessarily indicate anything – it could also be due to accidentally losing half of his primordial spirit.
However, through his interactions with Li Miao Zhen, he gained a deep understanding of Dao School techniques. Li Miao Zhen had helped him piece together his primordial spirit and helped Zhong Li do the same.
Daoist Jin Lian’s cultivation level was only higher than Li Miao Zhen’s, not lower. So why hadn’t he pieced together his primordial spirit?
Where had that other half of the primordial spirit that couldn’t be pieced together gone?
This was one point of suspicion.
There were many other details, like the Earth Scroll fragment, and the Nine-Colored Lotus Root… How could an Earth Sect Daoist who hadn’t even reached the third grade snatch the Nine-Colored Lotus Root from the hands of a second-grade Sect Leader?
Of course, these were points of suspicion, but not enough to prove Jin Lian was the Earth Sect Leader.
It wasn’t until he went to Sword Province and witnessed the scene of Daoist Jin Lian’s primordial spirit merging with the Earth Sect Leader’s. Although the beautiful woman White Lotus said Daoist Jin Lian was using a secret Earth Sect technique, in that moment, Xu Qi An connected all the suspicious points.
Not just me, but in the Earth Scroll chat group, except for Li Na, the members who participated in the struggle to protect the lotus seed in Sword Province probably all have varying degrees of suspicion… Xu Qi An looked at Luo Yu Heng, whose delicate and beautiful features were as cold as a mirror.
“National Preceptor, do you know when Daoist Jin Lian fell into demonic cultivation?”
Luo Yu Heng pondered for a few seconds before saying:
“Six years ago, Jin Lian failed to break through and fell into the demonic path. His soul split in two – the good half took the Earth Scroll fragment and protected some disciples as they fled, while the evil half influenced the vast majority of disciples in the sect. They split into the current Heaven and Earth Society and Earth Sect.
“At that time, Jin Lian’s good half secretly snuck into the capital and came to Lingbao Temple to seek my help. I had just advanced to the second grade then, and my foundation wasn’t stable. Moreover, the Earth Sect cultivates merit – once they fall into demonic cultivation, they become the most evil beings in the world. The Human Sect’s cultivation method involves the fires of the mortal world burning the body, already walking on the edge of a cliff. If they were further contaminated by the Earth Sect, the only outcome would be death and destruction of their dao.”
Six years ago, Daoist Jin Lian had come to the capital… Uh, so, was that when Huai Qing was given the Earth Scroll fragment by the Daoist and became a member of the Heaven and Earth Society?
This possibility was extremely high. Xu Qi An made this connection and had a thought: “Then, did Daoist Jin Lian seek help from the Heaven Sect?”
Luo Yu Heng snorted: “Isn’t that obvious?”
Deducing this way, Li Miao Zhen probably also received the Earth Scroll fragment at that time. However, she most likely didn’t know Daoist Jin Lian was the Earth Sect Leader. And her master didn’t tell her either.
“Would the Heaven Sect agree?”
“The Heaven Sect cultivates supreme emotionlessness. Disciples like Li Miao Zhen are anomalies,” she said indifferently.
Xu Qi An understood. The Heaven Sect Leader didn’t agree to help. Luo Yu Heng was wary of the Earth Sect’s fallen nature, while the Heaven Sect Leader simply had the attitude of “I have no emotions, I won’t get involved.”
If he fell into demonic cultivation six years ago, that differs from my guess…
Luo Yu Heng glanced at him and said, “Your deduction was wrong?”
Xu Qi An nodded, then shook his head and said, “National Preceptor, was there anything unusual about Daoist Jin Lian before he fell into demonic cultivation? Is the Earth Sect’s fall into demonic cultivation sudden, or a gradual process?”
Luo Yu Heng considered for a moment before saying:
“As far as I know, Jin Lian went into seclusion back then to undergo his tribulation, and he was in seclusion for nearly thirty years. As for falling into demonic cultivation, although I don’t cultivate the Earth Sect’s merit, the principle that a thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant hole applies to all things. Falling into demonic cultivation isn’t sudden.”
Thump, thump thump!
Xu Qi An heard his own heart pounding wildly for a few beats. He swallowed and said:
“I think I understand what happened. National Preceptor, please listen to my explanation…”
He paused for a moment before continuing: “I suspect that what Prince Huai and Yuan Jing truly encountered in the Southern Garden wasn’t a bear, but the Earth Sect Leader. He already showed signs of falling into demonic cultivation then, perhaps unable to suppress his desire to kill or to refine some evil object, so he chose the Southern Garden to slaughter ordinary beasts. Because the capital had the Supervisor and countless experts, he couldn’t go on a killing spree in the capital.
“This also explains why in the autumn of the 26th year of Zhende, the beasts in the outer areas of the Southern Garden were nearly extinct. When Prince Huai and Yuan Jing went deep into the Southern Garden to hunt, they accidentally encountered Daoist Jin Lian who had fallen into demonic cultivation. All the accompanying guards died. Heh, how could a bear kill so many experts? But if it was Daoist Jin Lian, even if there were more guards, they would only meet their doom.
“You just said that the Earth Sect Leader was in seclusion for nearly thirty years, failed to break through, and fell into the demonic path. Thirty years ago was about the time he returned from the capital, which matches the timeline. In other words, he already showed signs of falling into demonic cultivation when he was in the capital.”
As Luo Yu Heng listened, her expression became increasingly grave. She nodded and asked, “Then why didn’t Jin Lian kill Yuan Jing and Prince Huai?”
Xu Qi An thought for a moment, shaking his head:
“He must have had a purpose, but the existing clues don’t point to what that purpose was, so I can’t speculate. My thought is that they were contaminated by Daoist Jin Lian.”
When he fought with the Earth Sect Leader’s avatar in Chu Province, his strongest impression was the other’s evil intent that could contaminate everything, seemingly able to make all things in the world fall together.
Even the Nation-Stabilizing Sword was contaminated, losing its spirit for nearly a quarter of an hour.
So, contaminating Yuan Jing and Prince Huai became reasonable and explainable.
These weren’t just idle speculations, but reasonable deductions Xu Qi An made based on existing clues.
“It can even explain Prince Huai’s cold selfishness and Emperor Yuan Jing’s almost unreasonable pursuit of immortality. They appear normal on the surface, but they’ve been half-mad for a long time, just like the Daoists of the Earth Sect.”
Hearing this, Luo Yu Heng raised a question: “What about the human trafficking organization and the anomaly beneath the dragon vein?”
This… Xu Qi An’s expression stiffened slightly. He didn’t have a reasonable explanation for this yet.
After some consideration, he said, “The Earth Sect Leader contaminating Yuan Jing and Prince Huai probably had other purposes. Due to lack of clues about the inside story, I can’t speculate.”
But Luo Yu Heng seemed to have a sudden realization and said, “I know what’s going on.”
Xu Qi An listened attentively.
“The Earth Sect Leader is proficient in the art of Three Clarities from One Breath. Jin Lian and the current Earth Sect Leader are the good and evil thoughts. If he once used the Three Clarities from One Breath technique, where is the last avatar?” Luo Yu Heng asked.
As if struck by lightning, Xu Qi An blurted out, “In the underground dragon vein?”
“You think the same as I do.” Luo Yu Heng nodded in satisfaction and said:
“Yuan Jing has been cultivating for twenty years, with national resources tilted in his favor, yet he still hasn’t refined a Golden Core. It’s quite puzzling. Of course, cultivation isn’t just about resources; talent is also very important. Before, I just thought his talent was terrible, but after experiencing so much, if he has another avatar of Jin Lian behind him, doesn’t it make more sense? Those great pills probably also went into Jin Lian’s mouth.
“He contaminated Prince Huai and Yuan Jing, likely for the sake of cultivation, to pave the way for his breakthrough to the first grade. Waiting for the future when the three merge into one, achieving a breakthrough in one go, becoming an Immortal on Earth.
“Of course, all of this is premised on the assumption that an avatar is hidden beneath the dragon vein. Regarding this point, the information you gave last time was too little to prove anything. In a while, I’ll send out an avatar to explore the dragon vein with you, to verify.
“Heh, if there is an avatar of the Earth Sect Leader beneath the dragon vein if Yuan Jing has truly been contaminated by the Earth Sect Leader, then I won’t have any qualms about breaking with Yuan Jing.”
And you won’t have to face the Earth Sect Leader directly, because as long as this matter is exposed, the Supervisor can’t turn a blind eye anymore… Zhong Li said that even the Supervisor can’t easily manipulate the dragon vein, so hiding in the dragon vein could indeed escape the Supervisor’s eyes… Xu Qi An’s eyes lit up. At the same time, he remembered something else and said in a low voice:
“National Preceptor, if Yuan Jing has been contaminated and controlled by the Earth Sect Leader, doesn’t it also reasonably explain why he’s been pestering you about dual cultivation?”
The demonic Daoists of the Earth Sect have minds full of doing evil deeds and women. He had a deep understanding of this during his time in Sword Province.
It’s not because the Earth Sect’s demonic Daoists are perverts, but because the essence of men is to be perverts, with lust being the greatest evil.
As for the possibility of Yuan Jing being an avatar of the Earth Sect Leader, Xu Qi An didn’t consider it, because it was impossible. Yuan Jing was the ruler of a country, bearing the Mandate of Heaven. He could be influenced and contaminated, but could absolutely not be replaced.
Moreover, bearing the Mandate of Heaven isn’t necessarily a good thing for those in high positions. The old ancestor of the Sword Province Martial Arts Alliance didn’t want to bear the Mandate of Heaven because he wanted to live for another five hundred years.
Luo Yu Heng seemed extremely sensitive to the words “dual cultivation,” especially coming from Xu Qi An’s mouth. She stared at him coldly for a few seconds before saying:
“In half a month, we’ll explore deep into the underground dragon vein.”
“Why half a month?”
Xu Qi An frowned, thinking half a month was too long.
Luo Yu Heng hesitated slightly, then chose to be honest: “During this time, I will undergo a karmic fire burning.”
A karmic fire burning within half a month? Please, allow me to extinguish the karmic fire for you… Xu Qi An joked internally, but outwardly maintained the demeanor of a gentleman, nodding and saying:
“Alright, I’ll contact you again after you’ve recovered.”
Luo Yu Heng nodded lightly and dissipated into golden light.
About ten seconds later, the door was gently pushed open, and Zhong Li’s head peeked in through the gap, quietly observing.
“She’s already gone,” Xu Qi An said.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Taiping Saber suddenly flew up and smacked against the door with a thud, trying to close it.
“Ugh…” Zhong Li made a retching sound in her throat, experiencing a moment of suffocation as if being hanged. She slowly and weakly slid down.
Didn’t you say you were experienced and could protect yourself? An experienced prophet shouldn’t have assumed that posture just now… Xu Qi An angrily summoned the Taiping Saber, demanding to know why it bullied Zhong Li.
The Taiping Saber vibrated with a humming sound, conveying the thought “I thought it was fun.”
“The dragon vein exploration will be in half a month. By then, all the truth will be revealed… I can also be open with Huai Qing and the others,” Xu Qi An thought to himself. He looked at Zhong Li and said:
“I’m going to the Court of Astrology to see Sister Cai Wei.”
He planned to have Chu Cai Wei find Huai Qing and arrange a secret meeting at the Xu mansion, rather than using the Earth Scroll fragment.
Because at this point, he wasn’t sure if Daoist Jin Lian was a wolf or a civilian. Last night’s attempt to meet Huai Qing was due to this concern, but Huai Qing had refused to meet an online friend.
Of course, he would only ask Chu Cai Wei to invite Huai Qing, without saying anything else.
…
Western Regions.
The sky in the Western Regions was azure and clear, lacking clouds. The land was primarily barren plains, lacking green vegetation and lush mountains, giving a sense of vast desolation between heaven and earth.
Mount Alanta was the holy land of Buddhism, the core of many Buddhist countries in the Western Regions, and a sacred place in the eyes of countless Buddhist believers.
It was here that Buddha attained enlightenment, achieved Buddhahood, and founded Buddhism.
Thousands of Buddhist temples clustered around the Great Illumination Palace at the mountain’s peak. Occasionally, solemn and majestic chanting could be heard from the mountain.
As the most powerful force in the Nine Provinces, Mount Alanta was seen as the most forbidden of forbidden places in the eyes of practitioners of various systems. But in the eyes of Buddhist believers, Mount Alanta was a place of pilgrimage.
On the plains, one could occasionally see Western Region people with dark skin, wearing simple robes and towels draped over their shoulders, prostrating themselves every nine steps as they made their way towards their sacred destination.
A white-robed sorcerer, with blurred features and a vague presence, stood under the shade of a tree, gazing at Mount Alanta in the distance.
“Why have you come to Alanta?” A soft, pleasant voice came, the most alluring tone of a woman.
Before the white-robed sorcerer appeared a white-robed Bodhisattva. Her skirt was layered and trailing on the ground. Unlike Buddhist monks, she hadn’t shaved off all her hair, and her black tresses fell freely, swaying in the wind.
She had typical Western Region features, with pronounced facial features and rare glass-colored eyes.
Dressed in white, carefree and unrestrained, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Barefoot, her jade feet were untouched by even a speck of dust.
The white-robed sorcerer gazed at Alanta, seemingly oblivious to the woman Bodhisattva nearby, and sighed: “After the battle of magic in the capital, the fate of the Western Regions has become unstable. It’s not a good thing.”
The woman Bodhisattva’s glass-like eyes were devoid of emotion, cold and distant. Her voice remained soft and pleasant:
“Du E brought back the Mahayana Buddhism from the capital and has been discussing the dharma at Alanta for half a year. More and more followers are choosing to believe in Mahayana Buddhism. He has demoted his own Buddhism to Hinayana, and a split in Buddhism is imminent.”
The white-robed sorcerer laughed: “That little thief in the capital is truly unfilial.”
Prajna Bodhisattva’s tone remained soft and pleasant: “Du E wishes to bring back this child and honor him as a Buddha’s son. Guang Xian is pleased, but Ashoka is displeased.”
The white-robed sorcerer asked: “What does Buddha think?”
The woman Bodhisattva scrutinized him and said coldly: “Buddha has been in deep slumber for five hundred years.”
The white-robed sorcerer nodded and got to the point: “I’ve come this time to borrow a divine artifact from Buddhism.”
The woman Bodhisattva’s glass-colored eyes gazed at him, neither pleased nor displeased.
“Don’t be quick to refuse, hear my conditions,” the white-robed sorcerer smiled.
“I’ll trade a piece of information with you.”
The woman Bodhisattva remained silent.
The white-robed sorcerer’s smile widened as he said slowly: “I know where the sealed object beneath Sang Po is.”
…
After lunch, Huai Qing rode in an ordinary carriage, slowly stopping outside the Xu mansion.
The coachman pulled out a wooden stool from under the carriage to welcome the princess. After stepping down using the stool, Huai Qing’s brows suddenly furrowed, sensing a hidden gaze.
Father has been secretly monitoring the Xu mansion… Huai Qing entered the Xu mansion without showing any reaction.
Without disturbing the women of the Xu family, she was led to the inner courtyard by Old Zhang, the doorkeeper. Xu Qi An was sitting at a stone table in the inner courtyard, smiling and nodding to her.
Huai Qing nodded back and followed him into the room.
Her clear eyes, like autumn pools, swept around and noticed that Li Miao Zhen was also in his room.
“I had Zhong Li set up a small sound-isolating array, after all, what we’re about to discuss can’t be overheard by outsiders,” Xu Qi An sat down behind the desk and smiled:
“Right, Your Highness, or should I say, Number One!”
Huai Qing’s usually cool face suddenly stiffened, her pupils showing a slight contraction.