Chapter 401: Self-destruction

Lingxiao Flower Goddess never expected that the very thing she had been pondering over without success would be revealed by someone in a stroke of Opportunity.

She had searched high and low, only to find it effortlessly.

So… after all that, the problem she couldn’t find despite so many self-examinations was this…

In the end, it was merely the word ‘cowardice’.

So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is.

Cultivating for countless years, ultimately, all one seeks are these four words: ‘So that’s how it is’.

Centuries of scheming, a deeply rooted Heart Demon, countless deeds done for cultivation resources, for various matters concerning the flower goddess’s Divine Grade—innumerable memories surfaced in her mind.

Her Dao Heart wavered.

Following that was a fluctuation in her cultivation.

A fluctuation capable of almost destroying the world spread out!

A Fifth-Rank Cultivator’s cultivation fluctuation, even in Chang’an, could easily flatten dozens of miles!

The Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar’s expression changed, and he immediately made his move.

A Dharma Idol suddenly appeared, vast Righteous Qi surged, and countless characters flew out, all containing content from the “Book of Documents”.

This should be the primary scripture of this Confucian Cultivator.

For the Four Books and Five Classics, Confucian Cultivators generally choose one as their ‘primary scripture’, which is the foundation of their cultivation. When dealing with Confucian Cultivators, one usually starts with their primary scripture.

As this Fifth-Rank Cultivator made his move, a Dharma Idol tens of feet tall shielded everyone present.

The “Book of Documents” (Shang Shu), ‘Shang’ means ‘above’, meaning the Heavenly God shows written patterns, and arranges rules and books, like the movement of the heavens.

However, countless anomalies appeared all around—

There were phantoms of Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuanyuan, called “Three Tombs”, but they were blurry, their faces unseen.

Then, phantoms of Shaohao, Zhuanxu, Gaoxin, Tang, and Yu appeared, called “Five Canons”, holding Spiritual Artifacts, cutting through thorns and thistles, resisting disasters.

Furthermore, the Eight Trigrams interacted, each generating its own principles, and one thousand five hundred and twenty strategies echoed. All matters under Heaven were obtained, hence the name “Suo”, which refers to the Eight Suo.

There were also the Records of the Nine Provinces, which described all that the Nine Provinces contained, what the land produced, and what the climate was suitable for, all gathered here, forming a geomantic map, serving as the backdrop for numerous anomalies, called ‘Nine Hills’.

The Tombs and Canons were known from external texts, and their Hills and Suo were connected to the texts of Tombs and Canons, hence they were mentioned together!

“‘Able to read the Three Tombs, Five Canons, Eight Suo, and Nine Hills’ refers to the遗书 of ancient emperors…” Li Qi thought to himself.

When he was protected within, he immediately recognized everything represented by this Dharma Idol through True Knowledge Dao Resonance and his own knowledge.

The “Book of Documents” (Shang Shu) is actually a history book.

To cultivate the “Book of Documents” as one’s primary scripture is to use one’s own human body as a small world to carry ‘history’. The weight of human history naturally makes its power terrifying. Although it wasn’t used for attack, it could still easily withstand the shockwave caused by the Lingxiao Flower Goddess’s scattered cultivation.

Countless silhouettes, figures from historical records, surged forth. Although these phantoms had no faces, each possessed unique divine abilities, firmly blocking and deflecting the Lingxiao Flower Goddess’s pressure.

Just then, that Dharma Idol said faintly, “Don’t worry, this is the Imperial Garden.”

As soon as the words fell, the Formation of the Imperial Garden suddenly appeared.

It wasn’t as cool as the previous Dharma Idol, nor did it have many anomalies and phantoms, but it effortlessly, and nonchalantly, suppressed the Lingxiao Flower Goddess directly.

Locks appeared, and with a soft hum, the Lingxiao Flower Goddess’s expanding human body as a small world was directly crushed by the rune-made locks!

Li Qi gasped.

Damn, this time, she’s going to lose her Grade, right!?

Even the Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar frowned.

Such an injury is too severe…

“Something’s not right. The Imperial Garden’s Formation usually doesn’t exert such immense power. What did the Lingxiao Flower Goddess do?” the Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar said gravely.

Before he cast a spell to enhance his vision, he couldn’t clearly see what was happening inside, but the Lingxiao Flower Goddess… seemed to be doing something that alarmed the Imperial Garden’s Formation.

And Li Qi, meanwhile, opened all his senses.

True Knowledge Dao Resonance, Information Stream Vision, all activated!

Li Qi clearly saw something inside erupting with intense destructive power.

“Wait, she’s inside, destroying a world’s Origin—Senior, stop her quickly, she’s trying to dismantle the Imperial Garden’s foundation!” Li Qi shouted, raising his voice!

At these words, the Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar’s Dharma Idol immediately swelled, expanding from tens of feet to two or three miles tall!

His Dharma Idol, clad in Confucian robes and a scholarly headscarf, had a solemn demeanor. He held a “Book of Documents” in his hand, and a flowing river of history rested on his shoulder, encircling his body, its pressure like the vast heavens!

From the long river of history, countless scenes emerged.

There were people working together to control floods, heroes standing against Innate Heavenly Gods, and scholars educating the populace.

There were wars and disasters, and times of peace and prosperity. Endless scenes, moments from history, flowed within it like water.

Then, the Dharma Idol raised its hand, and the entire river of history pressed down directly!

What is the ‘river of history’?

A poem reads: The rolling Yangtze River flows eastward, its waves washing away heroes.

The river of history possesses such grandeur, such immense power, that no matter what kind of figure, under this great river, they will become an insignificant speck in those countless scenes.

A Fifth-Rank Cultivator was not yet enough to unleash the full power of the “Book of Documents” and history, but for everyone present, this was an irresistible, unstoppable force.

Human history, accumulated through time, transformed into an endless Yangtze River pressing down, intending to crush the Lingxiao Flower Goddess to pieces!

Things had reached this point. The Lingxiao Flower Goddess, in her inexplicable madness, actually wanted to dismantle the Imperial Garden’s Formation. Then she deserved to die!

The ignorant fool, did she really think no one could deal with her?

The Imperial Garden’s Formation, and the Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar, attacked with full force!

Li Qi frowned below.

In this case, the Lingxiao Flower Goddess… would she die?

Almost everyone thought so.

However, in the next moment, that river of history was forcibly torn open!

“What’s going on!?”

The Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar was instantly stunned.

Li Qi was also dumbfounded.

Neither of them was surprised by the Lingxiao Flower Goddess’s resistance; it was only natural for her to resist.

The reason for their surprise was—

The Imperial Garden’s Formation had turned traitor.

That Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar was much stronger than the Lingxiao Flower Goddess. As a true Confucian, he was far more formidable than a flower goddess who wasn’t skilled in combat. Confucianism was not a Dao Orthodoxy of weaklings.

They had to learn various skills like writing, arithmetic, rites, music, charioteering, and archery, so they were quite martial.

Moreover, according to rumors, the Confucian Sage, that First Grade Cultivator of the current era, actually cultivated martial Dao as well, and his rank was not low, though he never displayed it.

Of course, rumors are just rumors, not worth mentioning, but the mere fact that such rumors spread was a signal in itself.

In any case, Confucianism was much more capable of fighting than the flower goddesses.

But no matter how capable they were, they couldn’t defeat the Imperial Garden’s Formation.

The Imperial Garden’s Formation, which had just turned traitor, directly bounced back the Confucian Cultivator who was trying to suppress the Lingxiao Flower Goddess. His Dharma Idol shattered inch by inch, and he was sent flying backward.

Fortunately, the Formation wouldn’t kill people; otherwise, this single counterattack would have been enough to kill this Fifth-Rank Cultivator on the spot.

Such a strong counterattack produced a violent roar!

Fortunately, other parts of the Formation reacted in time and immediately activated, spreading out layer after layer of protection, neutralizing all shockwaves; otherwise, there would have been heavy casualties.

After all, this was Chang’an; everything was in order.

The others had basically fled or retreated. The only one capable of dealing with the Lingxiao Flower Goddess, the Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar, had also been sent flying. Only Li Qi remained in the center of the battlefield.

However, Li Qi didn’t leave, because in his Information Stream Vision, everything had stopped.

The battle seemed to be over. The Lingxiao Flower Goddess didn’t continue to act, and the Imperial Garden’s Formation was clearly weakened by a segment.

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess seemed to have succeeded, and… it was with the assistance of the Imperial Garden’s Formation.

Why?

Why would the Imperial Garden’s Formation suddenly turn traitor and help the Lingxiao Flower Goddess do something that would destroy itself?

Although the Lingxiao Flower Goddess was not strong enough to destroy the entire Imperial Garden’s Formation, digging out a foundation like this was a huge blow to the Formation’s integrity, and it would be very difficult to repair.

Li Qi couldn’t understand why.

Moreover, by causing such an incident, wouldn’t the Lingxiao Flower Goddess’s efforts be in vain? Would she give up her centuries-old wish?

Regardless of whether she won the literary gathering, this incident alone would be enough to put her in the Ministry of Justice’s prison for several centuries, and her return would be out of the question.

However, at this moment, he suddenly sensed a familiar aura.

This aura immediately dispelled all of Li Qi’s confusion.

It was Zhong Minglou’s aura.

Only… Zhong Minglou didn’t appear alone, but together with another being.

“This fragrance…” Li Qi took a deep breath, and immediately felt his head filled with a floral scent.

It was elegant, noble, high above yet amiable, almost flawless, but it also subtly hinted at a thousand miles of distance.

This distance was not something the other party intentionally revealed, but rather something that made the observer subconsciously feel inferior, unconsciously developing the thought of ‘I’m not worthy’, and then retreating sadly.

So fragrant, and so beautiful.

Li Qi couldn’t help but sigh.

But after all, it was just a tiny bit of fragrance emanating, not enough to make Li Qi lose his composure, so he still persisted in looking towards the source of the fragrance.

But the Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar who had been sent flying had already moved a step ahead, actively approaching the source of the fragrance.

To have this feeling… there was only one person he could think of in this world.

“Junior Fu Yuelong, greets, Peony Flower Goddess!”

Li Qi’s heart trembled. Indeed, it was as he had guessed.

The one who came was none other than the venerable leader of all flowers, the foremost Flower Goddess!

The Peony Flower Goddess!

The smoke around gradually dispersed, and Li Qi was finally able to behold the countenance of the most esteemed Flower Goddess of the Imperial Garden.

But as he looked up, what stunned him even more was that Zhong Minglou stood beside the Peony Flower Goddess!

This charlatan, after going out once, hooked up with the Peony Flower Goddess!? Did he know this would happen all along? How much future did this charlatan see, how many things did he deduce?

Li Qi was incredibly shocked.

Damn it! So, the commotion in the Imperial Garden’s Formation was because the Peony Flower Goddess was acting behind the scenes?

Li Qi was stunned in place.

But the others weren’t.

The previously fleeing onlookers and other participants of the literary gathering bowed in unison, showing their respect to the Peony Flower Goddess.

Even though this being was very amiable, even excluding those strange titles, she was a genuine Great Power of extremely high rank, rumored to have reached Third Grade.

What’s more, she was also the leader among the Flower Goddesses, a frequent visitor to the Human Emperor’s Palace. There was probably no one in this world who had visited the Human Emperor’s Palace more times than her.

In fact, she could even enter the Human Emperor’s private chambers in the backyard.

What was even more intriguing was that many years ago, when a female became the Human Emperor, the Peony Flower Goddess was demoted, banished from Chang’an to Luoyang, and even ordered to burn peonies, suffering far more than the Lingxiao Flower Goddess.

But later, after the next Human Emperor ascended the throne, Peony was able to return to the Imperial Garden.

The anecdotes about this spread widely, but the truth was not convenient for outsiders to know.

Moreover, these rumors did not tarnish Peony’s reputation or give her a scandalous name; instead, they made her fame grow even greater, and various legends about her continue to circulate today.

The appearance of such a legendary Flower Goddess naturally attracted countless gazes, and even many Great Powers outside the Imperial Garden cast their eyes upon her.

Li Qi also reacted, immediately looking over, scanning the Peony Flower Goddess and Zhong Minglou, wanting to discern some clue.

However, as soon as his eyes fixed on them, he couldn’t move them away.

So… so beautiful a person.

How could such a countenance exist in this world?!

This was a face Li Qi couldn’t even imagine.

Her radiance was like a delicate mist, her form pure and graceful, her steps elegant.

Fragrant and flourishing, resplendent with five colors, her spirit radiant.

Her countenance was like the morning glow, enchanting and charming, a celestial beauty.

Her demeanor was graceful, possessing all beauties, almost impossible to describe fully.

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess and the rabbit paled in comparison to her; just one glance made one feel as if they would be lost in her beauty.

Fortunately, this was merely pure beauty, untainted by any magic, so Li Qi was still able to force himself to shift his gaze and look towards Zhong Minglou.

Zhong Minglou nodded slightly to Li Qi, then lowered his voice and said a few words to the Peony Flower Goddess.

The Peony Flower Goddess nodded, then spoke, “Everyone, there have been some unexpected changes in the Imperial Garden today, making it inconvenient to host guests. Please leave for a day.”

Her voice was clear and pleasant, and a faint floral scent wafted through the air.

Many people felt immense regret upon hearing these words.

But there was nothing they could do; they could only assent and turn to leave.

Although they didn’t know what had happened, the Peony Flower Goddess herself had spoken. Who would dare to stay and watch the commotion?

Just as Li Qi was about to leave, he heard the Peony Flower Goddess’s voice in his ear: “Young Master, please stay. The aftermath will likely require your presence.”

Upon hearing this, Li Qi stopped, made no sound, but merely cupped his hands, indicating he understood.

With that, he followed the crowd out, circled around outside, and then returned to this spot.

This way, he wouldn’t attract attention. After all, if everyone left and he stayed, it would imply that the matter was related to Li Qi, which would certainly lead to future troubles.

If there were still observant individuals who noticed, there was nothing he could do, but such individuals likely wouldn’t be too foolish and would pretend not to have seen anything.

After circling around, he returned to the original spot.

The first thing that caught his eye was a lingxiao flower.

Is this… unable to even maintain a human form?

Lingxiao Flower Goddess… why? Why would she make such a choice?

(I’ll find a time to add an extra chapter this week. Families, is there a chance for a thousand monthly votes this month?)