Chapter 423: Sisters communicate

In the Holy Flame World, within Li Qi's secluded Immortal Cave, Yang Ning was leisurely pecking at the seeds of a plant.

It was a native plant of the Holy Flame World, and Li Qi didn't know its name, but Yang Ning seemed to like it very much. She often placed a pile on the table, then transformed into a bird and, like a woodpecker, pecked open these seeds to eat the nut-like kernels inside.

While pecking at the kernels, she spoke to Shen Shuibi, who was beside her:

"I don't really understand why you have to make it so troublesome. Refine the Heavenly Dao of this place, then spend a decade or so making the new generation voluntarily engage in reproductive worship and multiply greatly. After that, turn all entertainment activities into Dao fields, and use illusions to help them condense Sacred Flame. That way, the efficiency would be much higher, it would be easier to manage, and it wouldn't cause so many casualties."

"That would... harm Heaven's harmony," Shen Shuibi said softly while weaving a Formation.

Weaving Formations and designing Formation diagrams were what she had been doing recently, and it appeared to be what she would continue to do for the next several decades, even centuries.

Hearing Shen Shuibi's words, Yang Ning tilted her head, swallowed a seed, and disdainfully said, "Harm Heaven's harmony? Cultivation itself is a Heaven-Defying act. Our cultivation is fundamentally seizing the creation of Heaven. What is Heaven's harmony?"

"A Heaven-Defying person is Innate and does not violate the Dao. Because of their Innate Dao, they can defy Heaven and go against it. Those who do not follow Heaven always possess a subtle escape, which doesn't mean they must necessarily oppose Heaven," Shen Shuibi immediately corrected.

A Heaven-Defying person is Innate and does not violate the Dao.

With a single phrase, Shen Shuibi revealed the core idea of the Daoist sect. If this were spoken publicly, this one sentence alone could allow countless people to achieve a Breakthrough in their cultivation.

Daoist cultivators temper themselves with external objects and absorb the Origin Qi of Heaven and Earth, which is indeed a Heaven-Defying act. However, the key is 'Innate and does not violate the Dao.'

The Dao is more fundamental than any 'Heaven.'

The Heaven-Defying act of cultivation itself is to become an Innate being.

This is the goal of the Daoist sect: freedom, liberation, unbound by anything.

Longevity, suffering, and even this Heaven and Earth, the Universe itself, all things in the world, all existence, will not become restraints.

They pass through the realms of life and death, roam freely within and beyond Heaven and Earth, following only the Dao within their hearts, doing as they please, no longer bound by anything.

Immortals, using reputation as morning dew, tread through raging flames without burning, step lightly on dark waves, beat their wings through clear dust, ride wind-drawn chariots and cloud-borne carriages, ascend to the purple zenith, and dwell at the foot of Kunlun. Their only guiding principle is themselves.

For example, a situation like Ga Ga's is what the Daoist sect despises most.

Being pushed by fate, bound by 'Heaven's Mandate,' becoming a practitioner of 'Heaven's Mandate,' a seemingly grand and magnificent life, but merely performing a series of farcical plays with pre-written scripts on a predetermined path.

However, being unbound does not mean necessarily being an enemy of Heaven. Immortals are more adept at ignoring it and simply leaving, which is the so-called 'escape.' The terms 'Dunjia' (遁甲) and 'Dunyi' (遁一) refer to this matter.

"But there's no need to care so much about Heaven's harmony. For this so-called Heaven's harmony, too much time has been wasted," Yang Ning said.

She didn't even bother to criticize the excessive casualties, because Yang Ning knew that it was all for the sake of more people surviving. Sometimes, one simply has to choose, just like the Seniors who stayed behind to cover the retreat at Mount Luofu back then.

"Li Qi is a Shaman. He always wants to do things a little better, not to go against too much," Shen Shuibi said.

"That's why I don't like him. I don't understand what you're thinking. A Shaman's cultivation is harmonious in every aspect, and ultimately, they will never achieve transcendence," Yang Ning flew up, circling twice in the air, as if to aid digestion.

"Following Heaven brings opportunity, following Earth brings assistance, following people brings harmony, following benevolence brings no loss, following the Dao brings virtue. There's nothing wrong with it. Since all things follow, what difference is there between transcendence or not?" Shen Shuibi replied.

"There's a huge difference. Whether the power of choice is in your own hands, that's a world of difference," Yang Ning landed on Shen Shuibi's shoulder and pecked her face with her beak.

"Then, do you want to debate the Dao with him?" The rabbit didn't continue the argument but instead directly retorted.

"He can't win against me. He's still young, only at the seventh rank. Yes, that's also something I find very strange. You should have found a husband, not a son. Looking at how you treat him now, it's exactly like a mother treating an infant, even having to constantly control your strength to avoid hurting him," Yang Ning returned to the table, bored.

"He only took less than five years," Shen Shuibi said, "and he is a qualified husband. Don't forget that this world you are currently in, the Breakthrough point for Mount Luofu outside the domain, was taken by him. He did these things for Mount Luofu."

"Yes, I admit, it's astonishing that a seventh-rank cultivator can do these things, especially since his cultivation went from nothing to something in just a few years. But you don't have to marry him. Mount Luofu doesn't need such a sacrifice from you!" Yang Ning seemed a little annoyed.

"This isn't a sacrifice, Yang Ning. He is my love," Shen Shuibi said calmly, her movements of weaving the Formation unwavering. Runes sprang from her nimble fingers, engraved into the base of the Formation diagram.

Then, she continued, "I protect him simply because he still needs time to grow, just as he waited for me to recover. At that time, he could have easily killed me too, but he didn't."

"With his talent, it won't be long, at most two or three thousand years, before he can reach the fifth rank. Perhaps when he is climbing to the fourth rank, you and I might still be原地踏步 (standing still)."

"Hey, you and I were born at the seventh rank!" Yang Ning interrupted Shen Shuibi unhappily.

"Yes, born at the seventh rank, and then it took nine thousand years to reach the fifth rank, and that was with Empress Luofu's full education and assistance, not to mention we directly inherited a portion of the Sect Master's Dao Resonance... And he, with a Mortal body, is very likely to achieve this in two or three thousand years. Isn't that enough to explain the situation? Don't judge people by their cultivation. If that were the case, what right do we have to stand beside Niangniang and speak? What does our cultivation amount to for Niangniang?" Shen Shuibi retorted.

"But how do you know? Everything you say is speculation. He is, after all, just a Mortal, and a lecherous one at that, taking advantage of the situation, even forcing his way into the mountain gate and causing a mess!" Yang Ning spread her wings, transformed into a woman with golden-red hair, sat by the table, and slapped it as she spoke.

"And, I admit his talent is extraordinary, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like he's doing you a favor. Ultimately, when he first met you, he didn't even have any cultivation—"

"Cultivation is accumulated. Stones accumulate to form mountains, water accumulates to form seas. There is no one in the world who can succeed without accumulation. Those who accumulate virtue are given by Heaven, aided by Earth, assisted by ghosts and gods. Phoenixes soar in their courtyard, Qilins roam their suburbs, Dragons rest in their swamps. Therefore, to govern the world with the Dao, the Dao is the source of virtue, the root of Heaven, the gate of fortune. All things depend on it to be born, to be completed, to be at peace. Have you forgotten the Dao Ancestor's honorific title? How can you refute someone in this manner?" Shen Shuibi said.

These words choked Yang Ning.

The Dao Ancestor's honorific title.

All Daoist cultivators in the world know it; it's an introductory lesson.

Virtuous Heavenly Venerable.

This is not the 'morality' spoken of by Mortals; that kind of morality should be renamed 'customs.'

This honorific title represents something far greater.

That which moves through all things is the Dao.

That which connects Heaven and Earth is Virtue.

The weight of this honorific title was self-evident.

Shen Shuibi even brought that up, so what more could Yang Ning say?

Watching the speechless Yang Ning, Shen Shuibi put down her tools, then shifted her position and sat beside her.

"And, I know your concerns... Yang Ning, this isn't a transaction, nor is it an exchange of benefits. I do those things for him because I am willing, and he bears these debts for Mount Luofu simply because he is willing."

"Everything follows its natural course. Things arise naturally, not from oneself. Without action or creation, all things govern themselves. It comes from the heart and manifests as emotion. It's nothing major; there's no need to overcomplicate it," Shen Shuibi said, picking up her tools again and resuming the weaving of the Formation.

Nothing special, just that they both wanted to do it. No transaction, no exchange of benefits, and certainly no sacrifice.

The rabbit remained as calm and composed as ever, doing her own thing.

Compared to her helplessness when Mount Luofu was first destroyed, she now appeared much calmer.

However, Yang Ning stared at her back, letting out a disgruntled grumble, then suddenly transformed her wings, turning into a golden-red small bird, and swiftly flew out of the Immortal Cave.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Li Qi was writing a plan.

Not everything can be thought through in one's head, especially when it involves the coordination between multiple forces of a world. Even Li Qi had to make a detailed plan and then fine-tune it little by little.

Helping the Child of Destiny walk his predetermined path, and once the Child of Destiny reaches the pinnacle, the contract made earlier will take effect.

At that time, no one could go back on their word. This was a contract made with the Heavenly Dao through a Heaven-worshipping ritual. The fate of the Holy Flame World was already sealed at that moment.

Therefore, Li Qi had to ensure that Ga Ga could successfully fulfill his destiny and become a true 'Child of Destiny.'

However, he himself felt a bit sad about it.

The Child of Destiny received immense assistance; the entire world helped him. However, he had to fulfill his destiny, which was the price for the Heavenly Dao's help.

The Heavenly Dao is without knowledge or consciousness, but it has a spirit. It knows what it wants. It will instinctively bestow 'destiny' upon a person, and this person will unknowingly walk a predetermined path. During this time, he will receive many investments from the world, but ultimately, all of this is for the world itself.

But for a 'free' person like Li Qi, this destiny truly seemed like a joke; he lost more than he gained.

Of course, for most people, they would eagerly wish to become a Child of Destiny, because this way they could have a privileged life and quickly improve their cultivation.

Having seen the world, feeling good about themselves, accustomed to living a life of almost unearned gains, this lifestyle often makes people envious, which makes them feel no need for liberation.

Perhaps everyone has different pursuits.

Just as Li Qi was busy with this task, with the descent of a flame, he looked up in surprise.

"Ah, Yang Ning?" Li Qi stopped what he was doing and looked at the descending Golden Crow.

No matter how one looked at it, this was a very beautiful bird.

Flames burned on its feathers, its whole body glowed golden-red, agile and swift, and also very strong.

Much stronger than Shen Shuibi.

Li Qi had heard that the rabbit was very curious, adept at research, very peaceful, and had studied medicine, Alchemy, Formations, Qimen Dunjia, and even dabbled in musical instruments, painting, etiquette, history, and even weaving and silkworm breeding.

But Yang Ning was not interested in any of these.

From childhood, Yang Ning was only interested in one thing: becoming stronger.

She meticulously studied martial arts, focused on improving her cultivation, and loved to fight with others. From childhood, Shen Shuibi had been beaten by her many times.

Of course, afterwards, Empress Luofu would hit her back. The rabbit had specifically told Li Qi about this before, during that short period after leaving Qingwu City.

The result was... naturally, Yang Ning was incredibly strong in a fight. Few among the fifth-rank cultivators were her match.

Li Qi had no doubt about this; he had been beaten several times himself.

He truly hoped this sister-in-law's temper would improve in the future.

But Li Qi's hope was clearly dashed.

The moment Yang Ning landed, the shockwave directly twisted a wall in the air. Li Qi, caught off guard, was knocked down by this wall and sent flying!

This immediately made him feel suffocated and dizzy, with stars flashing before his eyes.

But the next second, Yang Ning, who had already transformed into human form, gently waved her hand, and Li Qi felt another huge force strike him, pulling him towards Yang Ning.

This hilltop collapsed under such impact, and Li Qi finally stood before Yang Ning unharmed.

He was just a little dizzy and wanted to vomit.

Li Qi knew what was going on.

Yang Ning seemed to really want to beat him up, but she also knew she couldn't. After all, Li Qi could easily be beaten to death by her.

So, in her frustration, she could only use this method, perhaps... to vent a little?

Li Qi gave a wry smile. Forget it, a sister-in-law would always be a bit uncomfortable. Any sister whose older sister was 'abducted' probably wouldn't feel too good, unless it was in those unspeakable books.

Those would be too shameless.

"Alright, what's wrong, Yang Ning?" Li Qi looked at Yang Ning, took a few deep breaths, and returned to normal.

After all, he was a seventh-rank cultivator, and there were no real injuries. Although his body was considered weak among seventh-rank cultivators, he could still classify this kind of action as a 'joke.'

What truly made Li Qi nervous was Yang Ning's face.

His sister-in-law looked very unhappy.

However, soon, Yang Ning let out a long sigh.

"Your plan requires people from Mount Luofu to participate, right? I'm just the first step. Next, you plan to target other world clusters, expand your business, accumulate wealth, and then repay Mount Luofu's debts. This is your intention," Yang Ning looked at Li Qi and said.

"Uh, I am indeed preparing to do that. In fact, I've already done some preliminary work, and many preparations are already complete," Li Qi said uncertainly.

Did Yang Ning have any questions about this plan? Or was she against it?

If that were the case, it would be difficult to handle.

But to Li Qi's surprise, after Yang Ning let out a long sigh, she said to him, "Then, if you need anything, feel free to command me."

With that, she vanished from the spot.