“…”
Although Xie Lian had generally lived his life as if he were impotent, there was a fundamental difference between "pretending to not have that thing" and "truly losing it forever." He instantly broke out in a thin layer of cold sweat and shouted, "Get out of the way!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the sword suddenly withdrew, and Xie Lian seized the opportunity to move forward. A moment later, he tugged at Shi Qingxuan again, "Be careful!"
Another sword strike descended from Shi Qingxuan's direction, practically piercing his head. If Xie Lian hadn't pulled him back, he would have been pinned there. He exclaimed in horror, "That was a close call! How did you know where he was going to strike?!"
Xie Lian said, "I don't know, just a guess!" It was simply intuition. He had practically mastered the ability to react to murderous intent without even thinking. Immediately, a second, third, and fourth sword thrust forward, piercing rays of light blocking the three men's path forward and back. Then, with a resounding boom, a violent tremor erupted from above, sending a shower of dust and rubble cascading down. Xie Lian exclaimed, "They're bombing from above!"
The rumbling grew louder and louder, the vibrations growing ever louder, clearly drawing ever closer. He was blocked from front and back by sharp swords, all young, sharp, and of the highest quality. Even at his age, Fang Xin wasn't sure if he could withstand a head-on confrontation. Ming Yi, unearthing a crescent shovel from somewhere, painstakingly began digging a hole in the narrow space. Shi Qingxuan, beside him, was practically vomiting smoke: "Brother Ming, are you really capable? Brother Ming, please hurry up! It's all your fault for not using this magic weapon in so long. You should use it more often, okay? Look how rusty you've become!!!"
Actually, being unfamiliar with the subject was forgivable. There was nothing else to be done. After all, in the entire Upper Heaven, only Xie Lian could walk in and out all day with a shovel on his back without batting an eyelid. No other priest could do such a thing. A vein popped in Ming Yi's forehead, and he shouted, "Shut up!!!"
Xie Lian hurriedly said, “Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, it’s all working!”
Sure enough, Mingyi exerted force, and the cave opened. He grabbed a shovel and frantically cleared a path ahead, Shi Qingxuan frantically encouraging him in the middle, and Xie Lian, the only one still standing, covered the rear. The geomancer's precious shovel was truly magical. With just a few strokes, he had dug out a new tunnel several dozen feet long. After a while, looking back, they saw the cave entrance gradually closing, and a faint light leaked from above the place where they had been trapped.
Xie Lian immediately said, “He’s almost got through!”
Mingyi's digging became even more frantic, then he paused, looking upwards. Xie Lian's reaction echoed, for they both sensed the silence and stillness above them, suggesting an empty palace.
Since the tunnel had been discovered, they had to get out first. Mingyi turned and dug upwards. Shi Qingxuan asked, "Are you sure there's no one here after we dig it out?"
Mingyi said, "I didn't hear any sound. Unless he was sleeping!"
Of course, ordinary priests didn't need to sleep, let alone sleep in their own halls during the day, so this possibility shouldn't exist. Unexpectedly, Mingyi shoveled forward, and three people broke through the ground. As they poked their heads out, they took a breath of fresh air, but before they could exhale, they saw a couch across from them, and on it lay a young man, his limbs spread wide, sleeping.
Xie Lian: “???”
Is there really a priest sleeping in his own temple in broad daylight?
Hearing the noise, the young man sat up, his curly hair a mess from sleep. His brow furrowed as he scratched his hair, sleepily staring at the three heads across from him, seemingly puzzled as to why such things had appeared in his own hall. The three pretended nothing had happened and quickly climbed out of the cave. Unexpectedly, just as Shi Qingxuan was about to climb out, he suddenly cried out. Xie Lian turned around and saw a hand grabbing his ankle.
The hand belonged to Pei Ming. Even in the tunnel, he remained extremely graceful. "I was wondering where the little rats were digging a hole under my palace. Qingxuan, why did you get out? Where are you going? You know how angry your brother gets. Go back now before he notices."
Ruo Xie flew out and repelled his hand. Pei Ming leaped out and said, "Your Highness, Master Earth Master, are you two free? It's unacceptable to instigate Master Feng to leave home for no reason."
Xie Lian said, “Although Master Wind Master is Master Water Master’s younger brother, he is still a priest, hundreds of years old. General Pei, please don’t treat him like a three-year-old child. Even if we’re being reasonable, Master Water Master should be more unjustified in imprisoning a Celestial official without reason.”
If his guess was correct, then Feng Shi really couldn't stay in the Upper Heavenly Palace. Quan Yizhen stared blankly from the couch, seemingly still confused about the situation. Pei Ming raised his sword and said, "Qiying, stop looking. Come over and help us capture him first."
After thinking for a moment, Quan Yizhen came to help.
He jumped off the couch, swung it up, and threw it at Pei Ming. Sure enough, he was helping, but it was only helping Xie Lian and the others. Pei Ming was caught off guard by the couch and was completely stunned. He asked, "Qi Ying!!! Why are you hitting me???"
Quan Yizhen waved at Xie Lian, probably signaling them to hurry up. Xie Lian and the others were stunned for a moment before quickly leaving. Shi Qingxuan, perhaps due to his injuries and lack of energy, turned blue after running a few steps. Xie Lian helped him up, while Ming Yi grabbed him and carried him on his back. Xie Lian placed his hand on the door, pulled out two dice, and turned back to the young man, saying, "Thank you very much!"
Quan Yizhen continued to pummel Pei Ming with ferocious and unsystematic attacks. If Pei Ming hadn't been so skilled, his haphazard style would have left anyone else bloodied. Pei Ming's veins bulged with the blows, and he shouted, "Guards! Stop them!!!"
Before he could call for help, Xie Lian rolled the dice, opened the door, rushed out, and closed the door again, thus escaping from the Upper Heaven Palace. However, what he never expected was that after closing the door and turning around, he saw Hua Cheng standing before him, shirtless, wiping his sweat, with one foot on a new merit box.
“…”
“…”
“…”
A shabby little temple like Puqi couldn't possibly hold so many great deities. Xie Lian felt like he was suffocating. And outside the house, a possessed person was howling, oblivious to the noise, "Guzi, come here and give Daddy a leg massage."
After a while, Hua Cheng casually threw E Ming, who was whittling wood, aside and raised an eyebrow slightly: "......?"
His half-naked body, with its complexion and lines, was so beautiful and eye-catching that it almost dazzled Xie Lian. He couldn't see anything clearly, but the blood rushing to his eyes made him black. Xie Lian scrambled to get in front of him, holding up his arms to block Ming Yi and Shi Qingxuan's view. "Close your eyes, close your eyes! Close your eyes now!"
The two men's faces froze, and they looked at them with strange expressions. Hua Cheng placed a hand on Xie Lian's shoulder and said jokingly, "...Brother, why are you so nervous?"
Xie Lian finally realized what was happening. Really? Why was he so nervous? Hua Cheng wasn't a grown-up woman. What was wrong with working shirtless?
But he still didn't lower his arms, trying his best to cover Hua Cheng tightly, and said: "Anyway... put on your clothes first."
Hua Cheng shrugged and said, "Okay, I'll listen to my brother." After that, he calmly took a piece of clothing and put it on slowly.
Seeing him so calm and composed, Shi Qingxuan said awkwardly, "Well, sorry to bother you guys. I didn't expect you guys... Hahaha, that's pretty good, hahaha. Anyway, hahaha."
“…” Xie Lian said, “Sir, please just say what you want to say. I can explain any misunderstandings so I can clarify them. Please don’t use “hahahaha” instead, okay…”
Time was running out. Pei Ming was afraid they would be checking in soon, so Mingyi wouldn't be able to stay at Puqi Monastery for long. Setting Shi Qingxuan aside, Mingyi began to draw a thousand-mile-long map on the ground. Xie Lian was about to ask where they were going when he heard Huacheng sigh behind him.
Xie Lian remembered his warning to stay away from Feng Shi and the others, and he couldn't help but turn around and said, "San Lang, I'm sorry."
Hua Cheng had already put on his clothes and said, "I knew you wouldn't just stand by and watch."
After a pause, he smiled again and said, "But why did you apologize to me, brother? You only remember what I said a few days ago. Have you forgotten that I said another thing to you?"
Xie Lian was slightly startled, thinking, “Which sentence?”
Suddenly, he remembered.
It was the night at the Green Ghost Nest that Hua Cheng said, "Just do it."
After remembering this, Xie Lian blinked. He didn't know what else to say, but he suddenly wanted to do something for Hua Cheng. But for a moment, he couldn't find anything he could do. After a long pause, he suddenly caught a glimpse of the collar of Hua Cheng's red dress and said, "Wait!"
After saying that, he rushed over to help Hua Cheng straighten his collar. It turned out that Hua Cheng had just put on his clothes without turning up the collar properly. After finishing, Xie Lian looked at it for a moment and smiled, "It's done."
Hua Cheng also smiled and said, "Thank you."
Xie Lian whispered in his heart, “I am.”
The two people over there seemed unable to even look at this side; even Mingyi's circle was not so round anymore. When he finished drawing the formation and opened the door, Xie Lian expected to see some eerie cave or towering palace. Instead, he saw vast expanses of farmland. In the distance were serene green hills and green bamboos. A group of farmers were scattered in the fields, and a sleek, powerful black ox was plowing the fields.
He almost thought he was still in Puqi Village. He was stunned for a moment, but Mingyi had already walked out, carrying Shi Qingxuan on her back. Before he could even take a step, Huacheng had already left.
The four of them walked two by two along the ridge of the field. Perhaps it was an illusion, but the black bull seemed to be staring at them. After walking for a while, they found a small thatched hut. The four of them went in and sat down. Only then did Shi Qingxuan finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Xie Lian asked, “Don’t we need to run anymore? What if General Pei gets here?”
Hua Cheng looked outside for a while, especially at Hei Niu, then closed the door and said nonchalantly, "Don't worry. He doesn't dare to mess with the owner of this place, and nothing good will come of it if he does. Shui Hengtian won't act rashly either."
Xie Lian thought for a moment before saying, "Sanlang, this is a messy matter. I'm afraid it will have serious repercussions in the Upper Heaven Court. It's best if you don't come along."
Hua Cheng smiled and said, "What happens in Heaven is none of my business. I'm just following you around for a bit."
Suddenly, Shi Qingxuan said, "Don't follow me."
The other three people in the room all looked at him. Shi Qingxuan said, "Your Highness is right. This matter is a mess, and there are many people involved. I will stay here and not leave. Friends, there is no need to help anymore. Let's end it here."
Xie Lian said slowly, "Master Wind Master, whether we should stop here or not is not up to you. Master Water Master and True Immortal Baihua have the final say."
Upon hearing this, Shi Qingxuan's face froze.
Xie Lian continued, “Master Feng, please don’t be offended if I ask you a question.”
"What's the problem?"
Xie Lian asked, “Did that Immortal Baihua get hold of anything on you and Master Shuishi?”
Shi Qingxuan's face turned slightly pale.
Originally, Xie Lian had set up a very strong protective formation that night at the drinking table. As long as Shi Qingxuan didn't open the door and leave, he would be safe. But why did he take the initiative to open the door?
Unless, when someone is communicating with him through spiritualism, he directly throws out the handle in the first sentence, leaving him no room for resistance and making him dare not speak out, forcing him to do as the other person instructs.
Xie Lian sat down at the table and said, "I'm more inclined to believe that this was Master Shui-shi's leverage. Because, I believe, no matter what happened originally, you were originally unaware of it."
Therefore, the backlash after knowing the news was so intense that they even developed resistance to the Heavenly Court. They would rather go down to the human world to become wandering immortals than stay in the Heavenly Court to become priests.
Mingyi frowned and asked, "What handle?"
Shi Qingxuan wasn't a victim. If he'd been tricked into losing his powers, his normal reaction would have been to be furious, to pursue the truth, and to violently beat up the culprit. However, he didn't do any of these things. While he was angry, he wasn't directed at Baihua Zhenxian, but at his brother. He told everyone else, "That's enough."
This is of course completely abnormal, with one exception -
Shi Qingxuan's ascension was not normal from the beginning!
To defy fate and elevate someone who was originally incapable of ascending to the heavens—this was sheer audacity and sheer treason. Xie Lian had never heard of such a thing. If it were true, and were exposed, it would surely cause a huge uproar. Imagine if everyone wanted to ascend, and everyone could use such means, wouldn't the order of heaven and earth be completely shattered, leaving it in chaos?
While this conjecture was bizarre, the more I thought about it, the more plausible it became. Shi Qingxuan had been entangled by the Baihua Zhenxian since birth, and the only way to escape was to ascend, and he had actually ascended. For two brothers to ascend in the space of just a few years was truly a blessing and a coincidence.
Xie Lian had absolutely no desire to question the fact that Master Qingxuan had ascended. However, if the Wind Master had ascended naturally, how could his magical power have been drained so easily? If it were so easy for demons to transform a priest into a mortal, countless priests would have suffered such vengeance.
Unless, he was originally a mortal. Unless, when the Wind Master ascended, the Water Master did something shady.
Smashing natural treasures to enhance one's path of cultivation isn't out of the ordinary. Nor is ascending through the shifting of power in the mortal realm, through the bloodshed of war. After all, the natural course of the world is this: glory inevitably comes with blood, and after ascension, all is wiped out. However, some things are out of the ordinary. If a mortal, or even a priest, resorts to devious means to achieve a person's ascension, using wicked methods to intentionally harm their life, that's a completely different matter.
Xie Lian asked in a low voice, “Master Fengshi, was the night you ascended on the eve of Cold Dew?”
After a while, Shi Qingxuan took a deep breath and said, "Yes."
After a pause, Shi Qingxuan continued, "I remembered it that day in Bogu Town. The eve of Cold Dew, wasn't that the same day I ascended? I wanted to ask you if this counts as a clue? Is there any connection? Is it a coincidence? But I felt uneasy and didn't ask. Now you know if there is any connection."
Yes. Of course it matters a lot.
Why did the Immortal Baihua choose this date to first teleport Shi Qingxuan to Bogu Town, allowing him to witness the spectacular Bloody Fire Festival, and then bring him to the Qingjiu Terrace to attack him? This arduous process certainly wasn't for no reason. Try connecting these two locations: Many years ago, on the eve of the Cold Dew Festival in Bogu Town, a mortal named He Sheng collapsed, murdered countless people, and died himself. And on the eve of the Cold Dew Festival on the Qingjiu Terrace, Shi Qingxuan ascended.
In this way, what Baihua Zhenxian wants to express cannot be clearer:
The ascension of your master Qingxuan is closely related to the death of the protagonist of this bloody community fire show!
Xie Lian's very bad, yet very reasonable guess is this:
After Shi Wudu ascended to heaven, in order to free Shi Qingxuan from the status of Baihua Zhenxian, he secretly found a qualified person and used some unholy magic to make that person ward off disaster for Shi Qingxuan. This person was undoubtedly He Sheng, who came from a poor family and was extremely intelligent, but suddenly suffered a series of misfortunes and eventually his family was destroyed.
He Sheng had taken over Shi Qingxuan's identity and deceived Baihua Zhenxian, so his own destiny was taken over by Shi Qingxuan. On the eve of Cold Dew, one person experienced the taste of purgatory on earth; the other, under powerful protection, successfully transcended the tribulation and ascended to heaven.
However, the original destinies of these two people are opposite!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
