Chapter 407: Daily

The rabbit and Li Qi got along well for a while.

Over the past few days, the year-long frustration had dissipated a lot.

To be honest, ten words of nonsense are not as good as one, but they were both tired of chirping.

However, after a few days of getting along, calculating the time, it was almost time to do serious business.

Lying on the bed, Li Qi looked at the top of the cave.

On the other side, the rabbit was practicing Qi cultivation; she didn't let Li Qi's sudden arrival disrupt her cultivation plan.

Oh, it was disrupted, so the rabbit had to use other times to make up for her daily lessons, which often led to adjustments in the times for morning and evening lessons.

There was nothing that could be done about it.

However, she still had self-control; if she delayed once, she would definitely make up for it.

Cultivation was like this: never stopping, a strong foundation was built up over tens of thousands of years of accumulation.

However... Li Qi was much more lax; besides consolidating his foundation and emotional foundation every day, he spent the rest of his time leisurely, reading books, doing exercises, daydreaming, and chatting idly with Shen Shuibi.

Mainly, he didn't really have anything to do right now.

As for his foundation, Li Qi's foundation was incredibly solid; after his body was illuminated by the three lives ancient mirror, all his flaws were clear, and he had already specifically remedied them.

As for progress, there were very few people in the entire world who cultivated faster than him; he had already reached the seventh rank in less than ten years of cultivation, and if he didn't control his speed, he might even develop chronic issues, growing too fast would cause leg pain.

Therefore, after the important matters were concluded, what he needed to do was to settle down.

Which was what he had been doing these past few days: reading, doing exercises, making up for knowledge, learning new Spiritual Artifacts, and exploring his own abilities.

Of course, his main energy was still focused on the rabbit.

A short separation makes the heart grow fonder, like a new marriage.

If he didn't pet the rabbit's fur a few more times, he would always feel empty inside.

Li Qi lay on the bed, watching the rabbit cultivate, absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Their Dao Orthodoxy were different; the rabbit was a member of the Dao sect, and her cultivation required absorbing external Qi to refine her own small world within her body.

As a Shaman, Li Qi didn't need to undergo such refinement; the Qi in Li Qi's body was complex and strange, containing everything, so there was no such thing as 'daily cultivation' for him. His daily cultivation was ongoing at all times; the small world within his body was operating autonomously according to the arrangements of the Dao, without manual manipulation, just like the outside world, where nothing was controlled, and everything simply followed certain basic laws to develop and evolve naturally.

As the saying goes, he could get stronger even while lying down.

But the downside of this was that his reliance on the Dao would be extremely strong; if the Dao had even a slight problem, then the small world within his body would have a very, very big problem.

Each had its advantages and disadvantages. It was said that some branches of Dao Orthodoxy didn't even need to comprehend the Great Dao; they didn't need to grasp the true meaning of the Dao, only to learn Spiritual Artifacts. Then they would use these Spiritual Artifacts for combat, which was said to have immense killing power, roaming the world and taking it upon themselves to slay demons and eliminate evil.

It seemed this branch was called the 'Talisman Sect,' specializing in Spiritual Artifacts. Because of this philosophy, they were also supporters of external alchemy and basically did not cultivate internal alchemy.

Shaman, however, couldn't do this. Shaman had very high requirements for understanding the Dao, as this was a metaphysical Dao that heavily relied on personal ability and subjective understanding.

With the rise and fall of her breathing, the rabbit's evening lesson ended today.

She let out a long breath, expelling the turbid Qi from her chest and abdomen, then opened her eyes and dispersed the turbid Qi.

A day of cultivation had ended.

However, after finishing this, she stood up from the meditation cushion and cautiously took two steps back: "Why aren't you getting out of bed yet?"

After a few days, the rabbit had developed a sense of vigilance and would no longer be successfully ambushed by Li Qi.

However, with her cultivation, if she truly didn't want to, Li Qi would have already flown out.

It's just... she actually really didn't want to.

But if Li Qi's surprise attack succeeded... she seemed to not really feel like opposing it.

She couldn't quite explain what was going on, and all that cultivation seemed to be useless at times.

Alas, she truly didn't know what she was thinking.

Regarding this, Shen Shuibi herself was also very troubled.

However... while she said troubled, it wasn't really; it could only be described as a bit helpless.

This feeling was somewhat like returning to Mount Luofu, that carefree feeling.

But it still wouldn't do!

She couldn't let Li Qi get carried away anymore.

How shameful!

This couldn't go on; she had to pull herself together and stop drifting with the current.

The rabbit secretly made up her mind, and her expression became resolute.

Meanwhile, Li Qi witnessed her entire range of expressions.

Watching her go from flustered to doubting herself, then becoming resolute, that unguarded look, Li Qi even felt he could guess what she was thinking.

So he chuckled, sat up, leaned against the headboard, and suddenly interjected, "Yu'er, Jin Buhuan has been released. Don't you think Lu Mountain God should arrive very soon?"

Hearing Li Qi start talking about serious matters, the rabbit's attention was indeed drawn, and she immediately fell into thought: "Hmm... almost. So you kept him back then to inform Lu Mountain God now?"

"That was one consideration. Think about it, it's difficult for us to find Lu Mountain God, but Jin Buhuan definitely has a way to find his father. Releasing him directly is equivalent to sending a lot of information to Lu Mountain God." Li Qi stood up from the bed, talking about serious matters, and walked over to the rabbit's side.

The rabbit also entered a serious state: "That's true, but I'm just afraid the Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord has unexpected power..."

"Not to that extent. If the Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord were truly that strong, he would have been causing trouble in Baiyue long ago. He wouldn't be suppressed in that area by the various kings, unable to get out," Li Qi said.

"However, there must be someone behind the Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord. Many say that the Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord is actually a pin inserted into Baiyue by the demon race, but the demon race's methods were crude, which led to him never being able to open up the situation..."

Shen Shuibi shook her head when she heard this: "That's not very credible. He has already gathered several kings and is leading them to cause trouble outside the domain, which shows that he is not as isolated in Baiyue as he appears. He has already secretly built his own social circle, but in the eyes of others, he is still isolated. At least, the Lingxiao Flower Goddess you recently contacted thinks so, which shows his cunning methods."

Li Qi also agreed: "To be chosen by a powerful demon race figure as a nail to be inserted into Baiyue, he cannot be underestimated. So I also made backup plans."

"What backup plans?" The rabbit tilted her head and asked.

"You'll know when the time comes. I'll keep you in suspense for now." Li Qi walked to the rabbit's side and reached out to touch her face.

The rabbit shivered, disengaging from serious mode, and quickly took three steps back, covering her collar, and said with firm eyes, "I said no!"

Li Qi was stunned, then smiled wryly and shook his head: "What are you thinking?"

"I only know what you're thinking!" The rabbit glared, defending herself strictly.

She had been too lax these past few days; this wouldn't do.

"Alright, don't be so tense. We've been in the cave these past few days, why don't we go out for a walk?" Li Qi shook his head and said with a smile.

"Just a walk?" The rabbit showed a suspicious expression.

Oh, no, it was a rabbit-like suspicion.

"Then what else do you want to do?" Li Qi tilted his head and asked back.

The rabbit's expression changed; she shrank her head, not knowing what she was thinking.

"I think you're thinking more than I am... You should reflect on yourself." Li Qi criticized seriously.

Shen Shuibi became anxious and immediately retorted, "That's all your fault! It's clearly because of you these past few days—"

However, at this point, she swallowed the rest of her words.

She herself was also getting a bit annoyed.

She never realized before that some things could be thought and done, but not spoken.

But just before she could get angry, Li Qi suddenly changed his expression, walked forward, and gently took her hand: "Seriously, let's go for a walk. It's been a long time since we walked together, hasn't it?"

The rabbit's anger immediately dissipated.

"Okay..." She nodded, not shaking off Li Qi's hand.

And on Li Qi's side, he held the rabbit's hand, feeling her skin and fingers.

The two of them didn't say much, walking out together.

It was evening outside, with familiar stars hanging in the sky.

Those were the unique stars in the world; in all the myriad worlds, no matter what world, the same stars hung.

The stars were not patterns of distant light seen by a world looking up at the sky, but rather were personally placed one by one by the ancient Star Officials onto the firmament, and then hung among all the heavens, allowing all worlds to witness the same starry sky.

Li Qi and Shen Shuibi stood on the mountain, gazing into the distance.

Their gaze reached the edge of the sky, with the setting sun illuminating a few mountains on the Yellow River bank.

The scenery of the Holy Flame World wasn't particularly outstanding among the myriad realms, far less impressive than some of the tourist worlds they had encountered before, but looking at it now, it still had a calming effect.

Because this was a 'world'.

The power of a world, even if a high-ranking expert could easily destroy one, could not deny the nobility and greatness of a world.

It was the world that nurtured civilization, and civilization illuminated this starry sky.

The rabbit seemed to be moved as well, and she withdrew her hand from Li Qi's.

Li Qi was still a bit surprised, but then he saw her suddenly take out a jade flute.

Actually, Li Qi wasn't very good at recognizing musical instruments; after all, he had a lot of theoretical knowledge, but he had never really personally touched a musical instrument, whether on Earth or in this world, so he naturally couldn't play one.

However, he still knew that blowing horizontally was a flute, and blowing vertically was a xiao.

It's just... the rabbit actually knew how to play an instrument, which was a bit surprising.

This gave him a pleasant surprise.

It was like that novelty feeling when you've been using a familiar software for a long time and suddenly discover it has other functions.

"Yu'er, you can actually play the flute?" Li Qi looked at the jade flute in her hand.

"Yes, Mother taught me before, but... actually, I don't play very well." The rabbit seemed a bit shy, like someone who wanted to show something but was too timid.

"I want to hear it," Li Qi said directly.

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuibi said nothing more. Instead, she brought the jade flute to her lips and gently began to play.

Li Qi listened carefully; at first, it seemed to carry a hint of resentment.

The green flute plays, breaking thoughts, like a yellow oriole calling endlessly beside an empty boudoir.

But then it soared high.

Responding to the thought of a lonely bird contending for a different roost, the reeds rustle, and the rainy night is dim.

Only here do we live together in a realm beyond the dust, just like the four seasons of spring beneath Mount Luofu.

The rabbit said she didn't play very well, but Li Qi felt that she was comparing herself to cultivators who specialized in the Dao of music. Those people took music as their Dao, meticulously studying their art, so naturally, Shen Shuibi couldn't compare to them.

But at this moment, Li Qi felt that even the music played during the grandest dances couldn't compare to the tranquility of this moment.

Li Qi felt that the life he desired was nothing more than this.

Listening to the flute, enjoying the scenery, cultivating.

If only there weren't so many miscellaneous things.

But paradoxically, if there weren't all those messy things, he wouldn't have met the rabbit, nor would he have this current tranquility.

Things in the world were always like this, interconnected, Karma linked together.

Was this also part of Karma?

Li Qi suddenly realized with a start.

He seemed to have once again realized and confirmed this point.

Things in this world are all cyclical; cause brings about effect, and effect in turn becomes cause, interweaving and cycling, influencing each other layer by layer.

Well, but, cultivation matters, let's leave them here.

Li Qi did not continue to ponder deeply with this inspiration.

Although he also knew that such inspirations seemed very precious to ordinary cultivators, and were very important insights for them.

But Li Qi had encountered such things too many times; he no longer cared much.

Compared to such feelings, appreciating the rabbit was more important.

After the flute melody ended, the rabbit put down the jade flute and looked at Li Qi, her eyes flickering.

"That was truly beautiful. It's a pity I don't know any performance techniques; I can only listen to you play," Li Qi said with a smile.

"I'll teach you. Mother taught me too," the rabbit sat next to Li Qi and handed him the jade flute.

Li Qi took the jade flute, played with it in his hand for a moment, then pretended to hold it to his mouth, making a gesture as if to play the flute.

However, he suddenly realized that the air hole at the bottom of the flute was where the rabbit had just blown.

This made him pause.

But Shen Shuibi seemed to feel nothing, instead pointing to the other air holes and saying, "Press these few with your fingers, then blow air into it. This jade flute of mine is a Spiritual Artifact, so ordinary airflow cannot activate it. You must use the vital Qi from your lungs, and also attach other Qi to change the timbre."

"Using different Qi produces different timbres. Jin Qi (Metal Energy) sounds high-pitched, earth Qi sounds low, and thunder Qi will vibrate. Try it." The rabbit enthusiastically taught Li Qi how to use this Spiritual Artifact jade flute.

Li Qi tried it.

Wow, attaching a trace of thunder Qi, it actually produced an electronic sound!

"There are many other uses; it's not as simple as an ordinary flute," the rabbit enthusiastically began to instruct Li Qi.

Li Qi also smiled and began to learn the instrument.

The night wind swept across the long sky, the White River flowed with murmuring sounds.

How much more wonderful was the fragrant sound, embracing the moon into one's arms.

(Revised four versions...)