Chapter 336: Return to Wushen Mountain

It's like communicating with people.

To truly make people understand the Great Shaman's thoughts, one cannot rely on language, because language is such a barren thing that it cannot describe their minds.

But without language, nothing can be said, and nothing can be expressed.

Therefore, they would condense all the essence and then leave the restraints on themselves.

The descendants only need to take the essence they have summarized, without having to bear the burden of 'inherent thinking', they can go into battle lightly, take over the baton, and then explore higher-level things.

To explore the Dao, to find that sole truth, that eternal, universally applicable ultimate answer that can truly define and interpret everything.

Li Qi suddenly understood why Shaman God Mountain didn't care at all about cultivating the combat power of the Young Masters; for example, a fighting idiot like himself wouldn't receive special training.

According to Li Qi's own understanding of such Xianxia forces, the elite disciples of such a great Sect should be those who seek to dominate an era, striving to smash the heavens with their fists.

But in reality, Shaman God Mountain does not need its successors to smash everything.

What it wants is for its successors to inherit its Dao Orthodoxy, and then go further and longer, then pass the baton to the next one, until they reach the end.

Where is the end?

Unknown.

Before the existing Dao path, there is only a rugged wilderness.

Where there was originally no road, only the pioneers trod it out step by step.

Other than the ideal destination, there are no markers; competitors go in opposite directions, and fellow travelers fall behind, but as long as one person can extend the path by one step, it is creating new history.

There are no references, no markers; everything awaits future generations to开拓.

Is it irresponsible to let future generations开拓?

No, that's not it.

Because the Great Shamanes themselves were once future generations and are now pioneers.

They walk the path of the pioneers, then开拓new paths, and after they are bound by everything they possess, they cultivate new, vibrant successors, allowing the successors to take over everything they have开拓and become new pioneers.

Generation after generation, generation after generation.

“Is this… the meaning of Dao Orthodoxy’s existence?” Li Qi looked up.

Now, another one of his doubts was resolved.

He had always been unable to understand why Dao Orthodoxy existed at all.

Whether it was Shaman God, or Ordained Invoker, or even the Great Shamanes below them, their existence could not be erased, their power was immense, and their lives were almost eternal.

Li Qi truly couldn't understand why such beings would need a group of ants, and what the meaning of establishing forces and cultivating descendants was to them.

But now, Great Shaman Mi Xin gave him an answer.

That is to advance his Dao Orthodoxy.

Because the older generation is already bound by their own power, the addition of fresh blood becomes extremely urgent.

For this, they will eliminate all threats to their descendants.

Even if the opponent is a Heavenly Demon.

It was precisely because of this that Li Qi's matter could actually alarm Shaman God.

Because Shaman God can only ever be Shaman God, but Li Qi, and other descendants, might be more than Shaman God.

Although the probability is slim, no, it shouldn't be called slim, it should be said to be basically equal to 0.

But it seems that the entire Shaman God Mountain feels that such a sacrifice does not need to be questioned.

Is it worth it, even if it's a near-0 probability, to let Shaman God personally sit at the gambling table and place a bet?

Even Shaman God Mountain made its choice with almost no hesitation; even the two Great Shamanes rushed in without hesitation, using the strength of two people to resist a Demonic Dao many times their number.

To be honest, Li Qi couldn't quite understand.

But not understanding is one thing; as the direct beneficiary of this action, all he can do is be grateful, and then strive to be able to bear this heavy responsibility.

Great Shaman Mi Xin continued to speak: “This is the meaning of Dao Orthodoxy’s existence, and it is also your responsibility. You are still young now and don’t understand how heavy that restraint is. I truly hope you understand it later…”

Li Qi didn't speak.

The Great Shaman naturally did not continue.

However, Li Qi was thinking about his words.

How terrifying was that restraint?

So terrifying that the Great Shamanes and even those above them completely despaired of their own abilities and could only pin their hopes on future generations?

Unfortunately, such a thing will probably be difficult to understand until one experiences it oneself.

Just at this moment, Li Qi suddenly heard a voice calling him.

It was his teacher.

Zhu Fengdan was calling him.

So he bid farewell to Mixin and hurried back to Zhu Fengdan's side.

Zhu Fengdan, who had been looking half-dead earlier, was now sitting up, lively and jumping, and his eyes had become much more spirited.

Aside from the large hole in his chest, there was no way to tell that he had just been injured.

It was just that the hole was truly shocking.

It was chilling to the bone, making one feel no ease at all.

“Teacher, why did you call me?” Li Qi walked over, still respectful.

“Did Mixin tell you something about Legacy, responsibility, and the like?” Zhu Fengdan snapped open his folding fan and began to fan himself.

“Yes.” Li Qi nodded.

“Don’t listen, only a fool would believe it,” Zhu Fengdan said casually, his tone light, as if he didn’t take this serious endeavor seriously at all.

“Okay,” Li Qi replied.

But this answer greatly surprised Zhu Fengdan.

He snapped his folding fan shut: “You understood?”

“I know a little,” Li Qi said.

“Tell me?” Zhu Fengdan asked curiously.

So, Li Qi said: “To advance on the Dao path, all motivation must come from one’s own heart. Being forced forward by responsibility will not lead far. Only by genuinely wanting to explore that supreme ultimate can one persevere, because that is what one’s Dao Heart seeks, without regret.”

Zhu Fengdan laughed heartily upon hearing this.

His laughter was very hearty, making people feel that he was in a good mood.

However, as he laughed, the hole in his chest suddenly began to gush blood.

Li Qi broke out in a cold sweat.

Before either of them could say anything, they quickly grabbed medical equipment and hurriedly stopped the bleeding, barely managing to plug the wound again.

But Zhu Fengdan seemed not to mind, merely patting Li Qi's shoulder: “Not bad! This is more like my disciple, even though I haven't taught you much.”

Li Qi's face was full of black lines.

You old man, you also know you haven't taught me anything, huh?

But Zhu Fengdan immediately changed the subject: “Although I haven’t taught you anything, that’s because what you’re learning now is too shallow. Teaching you those things would not only waste my time but also waste yours. When you reach Fifth Rank and can truly inherit my mantle, that’s when I’ll teach you something different, something you can’t learn by self-study.”

Li Qi heard this and said nothing more, just nodded silently.

Indeed, although he was already Seventh Rank, what he was studying now, he could still manage on his own.

This conversation didn't take too long, overall less than ten minutes.

Then, Shaman God Mountain arrived.

Li Qi's mood lifted at this point; he started to get nervous.

Because, this return to the mountain meant facing Shaman God directly!

----------

Li Qi straightened his clothes and landed on Shaman God Mountain.

This time, as the Roc landed, he felt countless gazes.

It was truly countless gazes; he couldn't even distinguish how many there were, and they weren't the gazes of low-rank cultivators. These gazes all came from the ethereal realm, simply not hidden, so True Knowledge Dao Resonance could perceive them.

How many powerhouses were hidden in Shaman God Mountain…?

However, these gazes were merely observing.

Li Qi nervously glanced at Zhu Fengdan.

Zhu Fengdan nodded, coughed violently twice, and then prepared to speak: “All of you, get out—”

However, he had only uttered half a syllable, not yet fully pronounced the word, when Mixin suddenly struck, landing a direct punch on his face.

Zhu Fengdan fell backward, the remaining half-syllable choked back.

Mixin took over the conversation, saying loudly: “Fellow disciples, this matter is of great importance and has not yet been reported downwards. Only you know about it, so please do not spread it, lest it cause great chaos.”

“As for Young Master Qi, he is only Seventh Rank and cannot withstand your gazes, so please restrain yourselves.”

With Mixin's words, the surrounding gazes gradually disappeared, no longer staring so intently at Li Qi.

Li Qi also broke out in a cold sweat.

He was already nervous about meeting Shaman God, and being stared at made him even more anxious.

If the teacher had really shouted that out, who knows how much chaos would have erupted…

Mixin glanced at Zhu Fengdan, snorted coldly, and then said to Li Qi: “Don’t mind him, come with me.”

Of course, Li Qi couldn't possibly listen to that. He merely bowed to Great Shaman Mi Xin, then ran to Zhu Fengdan and helped him up from the ground.

“Oh… ah, Mixin, you… sigh, never mind, don’t hit me in the face, really.” Zhu Fengdan covered his nose and stood up.

Mixin, however, was exasperated: “As a teacher, such an demeanor is simply misleading! I truly don’t know how a Genius like Li Qi, rarely seen in several eras, ended up in your hands! It disgraces our Sect!”

Zhu Fengdan rolled his eyes: “What do you know? If Li Qi were truly handed over to you, he’d be ruined before he even reached Sixth Rank. Constantly instilling responsibility and Legacy, and then boxing people into pre-defined paths step by step—whose Dao path would that be, then?”

Seeing that the two seemed about to argue, Li Qi raised his hand from the side: “Um… Teacher, Great Shaman Mi Xin, shouldn’t we go see Shaman God first?”

This sentence temporarily stopped the two of them, especially Mixin.

Zhu Fengdan seemed not to care much about Shaman God, but Mixin, upon hearing this, shook his head, voluntarily ceased the dispute, and then said: “You descend from the Roc; someone below will naturally receive you. Meeting Shaman God requires some preparations, and someone will tell you everything along the way.”

“Yes.” Li Qi cupped his hands and replied.

Then, he did as Mixin said.

He didn't know how the two Great Shamanes would communicate after they descended, but at least for Li Qi, they had temporarily stopped arguing.

And Li Qi, he also left the Roc.

Before leaving, the Roc blinked at him: “Young Master, this is your second journey with me. The last time I saw you, you were Eighth Rank. It’s only been a few months… Truly worthy of being a Young Master.”

“Just luck,” Li Qi said with a bitter smile.

Luck?

Thinking about himself being targeted by the Heavenly Demon now, and then having to face Shaman God later.

Truly… traded with his life.

The Roc quickly spread its wings and flew high, leaving the place.

Li Qi lightly stepped on the clouds, the Qi surging within him allowing him to easily soar through the clouds and mist.

Leaping down from a Roc several tens of miles tall was no longer a big deal for him.

Below was Shaman God Mountain.

Landing easily on the ground, Li Qi wanted to see who was greeting him.

However, what greeted him was a Dragon roar!

He turned his head and saw a monstrous beast charging towards him!

That monstrous beast was ten feet tall, with a long neck, winged shoulders, a body covered in green scales, and thunder rumbling beneath its feet, with electric sparks constantly flashing around its body, drawing streaks of green light in the air.

Looking further within.

It possessed the appearance of a Xuan Chi, resembling the essence of a Ling Qiu.

It had the noble lineage of a Flying Rabbit, combined with the fine qualities of a Ji Lu.

A thick spiritual aura permeated this monstrous beast, causing it to appear somewhat strange and ferocious, yet its demeanor was quite noble, making even those ferocious scales appear much smoother.

This monstrous beast charged all the way, crashing towards Li Qi.

Li Qi, however, did not dodge or evade, but met it head-on.

The monstrous beast, upon reaching Li Qi, slowed down and affectionately rubbed against him.

“Oh, it’s been half a year since we last met, Old Horse. Have you entered a Rank?” Li Qi touched the horse’s face, somewhat happy.

This was truly a happy occasion.

The monstrous beast before him was none other than the Old Horse, who had already entered a Rank!

The sound Old Horse emitted was no longer a neigh, but a roar similar to a Dragon's, though his emotions could still be heard.

The last time Li Qi left Old Horse, it was because Old Horse had absorbed the Dragon Qi of a young True Dragon and fainted, so Li Qi couldn't take him along and had to leave him here.

And now, it seemed he had already digested the Dragon Qi, and the Unrivaled Song he cultivated with it seemed to have officially entered a Rank.

A Ninth Rank Dragon Steed, but due to the True Dragon Dragon Qi, his Dragon transformation rate was very, very fast. It seemed that after a while, he could even directly transform into a Dragon.

Turning into a demon dragon.

Of course, it had to be a voluntary transformation.

However, before he could say a few more words to Old Horse, Li Qi saw two women walking towards him.

Were those… two Wu Yu?

It was previously mentioned that Wu Yu are a type of female shaman who can summon spirits through dance, preside over seasonal purifications and ablutions, pray for rain during droughts, and, in times of great national disaster, sing and weep before the prayers.

They were considered assistants and eyes of the Invoker.

However, these two Wu Yu before him were of much higher rank than Li Qi.

He carefully observed the two Wu Yu.

Their appearance goes without saying; at that rank, one can be as beautiful as one desires, as the physical body is no longer a constraint.

But their eyes, it was as if the evening mist was gradually rising within them, and the bright glow had already faded.

Scattered were ten thousand sparse stars, the lake light desolate, the forest misty.

Li Qi couldn't even tell what rank they were. Could they be Shaman God's servants?

If they truly were Shaman God's servants, then he couldn't afford to be disrespectful, so Li Qi stepped forward: “Two Seniors, are you here to receive me?”