Chapter 434: Gift (Part 2)

Everyone was momentarily stunned, unsure of what had happened.

That was because the speed of light was faster than the shockwave.

At such a distance, it took time for the shockwave to reach them.

After more than ten seconds, some people finally realized what was happening; they immediately ran, wanting to get to higher ground to get a good look at the mountain's condition.

Others were slapping themselves, muttering, “Illusion! …An illusion?”

Uncle Six and Huang Si, along with the others, were observing Li Qi’s Dharma Idol in astonishment.

How magnificent was that?

The Dharma Idol, over two thousand meters tall, radiated immense power, sitting cross-legged in mid-air, transmitting incredible energy fluctuations that caused their Martial Dao Inner Qi to involuntarily shrink back in fear.

Everyone reacted differently, but after more than twenty seconds, a visible shockwave carrying dust and rubble reached them.

It was like a strong wind blowing through, followed by a thunderous explosion!

Lanterns swayed wildly, clothes flapped loudly in the fierce wind, which was mixed with sand and dust, creating a sense of obscuring the sky and sun; visibility rapidly decreased, and everyone felt an uncomfortable, nauseous, urge-to-vomit sensation in their internal organs, as if a muffled thunderclap had exploded, making it hard to control their breathing.

That was because the mountain had collapsed.

A mountain two to three li wide was flattened, the shockwave was strong enough to travel over ten li, the infrasound could make countless people vomit, and the dust it kicked up was clearly visible from Li Prefecture City.

Li Qi wanted people to see it.

Another minute passed, and the dust finally slowly dispersed.

Everyone stared at Li Qi, speechless.

But a minute was already enough time.

Then, another Dharma Idol suddenly appeared in the sky!

It was roughly the same size as Li Qi’s Dharma Idol, adorned with colorful painted gold flowers and encircled by a colorful wreath.

Around it flowed mountains, rivers, fields, land, tributes, plants, metals, and produce, all clearly depicted, along with unified mountain ranges, unified water veins, and unified Five Domains, all orderly and well-arranged.

The entire Dharma Idol was the manifestation of ‘Li Prefecture’, the foundation of the Governor of Li Prefecture.

As soon as this Dharma Idol appeared, a questioning roar was heard: “What is your intention! I went to arrange the sea route for you, but you destroyed my mountain range? Do you know that the mountain ranges near Li Prefecture are all meticulously arranged, and are all part of the Mountain and River Grand Formation!? I did not guard against you, yet you harmed me?!”

Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, the Governor of Li Prefecture descended.

“Greetings… greetings, Prefect!” Uncle Six’s knees buckled, and he immediately bowed down.

The other Paibo Gate members also knelt, calling out to the Prefect and kowtowing repeatedly.

Everyone knew what kind of Immortal being the Prefect was.

Over the past few years of river-opening, Paibo Gate had accumulated some wealth, allowing them to clearly see the Prefect’s majestic figure.

Undoubtedly an Immortal, undoubtedly the strongest in Li Prefecture!

The Sect Leader of Qianji Gate, a powerful expert rumored to have entered the God Realm, a single person capable of annihilating Paibo Gate, was nothing but subservient in front of the Prefect, a loyal lackey of the Prefect.

And as lackeys of Qianji Gate, the Paibo Gate members were filled with even more terror upon seeing the Prefect, immediately kowtowing and respectfully welcoming this true Immortal.

Why was he called a true Immortal?

He could overturn rivers and seas, and had a lifespan of a thousand years; if this wasn't an Immortal, then what was?

The Paibo Gate members present all knew that the Prefect had been the Prefect for several hundred years, seemingly ageless and Immortal, a true Immortal.

Today was also the first time they witnessed the Prefect's power; the intense pressure made them breathless, and they dared not move an inch.

But only Uncle Six, who had just begun to kowtow, immediately realized something and quickly looked up, saying, “Prefect… Prefect! Li Qi just didn't understand the rules, his crime isn't punishable by death, not by death!”

In his opinion, the Prefect had been drawn here by Li Qi's 'display of power', so even at the risk of being killed, he had to quickly plead for Li Qi.

Considering Paibo Gate's hard work, and the power Li Qi had displayed, the Prefect should not kill him, right?

Li Qi, standing by, saw Uncle Six's appearance and felt a mix of emotions, an inexplicable sadness.

Even like this, Uncle Six was still thinking of him.

But… Uncle Six and the Paibo Gang were, after all, still those Boat Towmen, they hadn't changed.

They revered authority, were oppressed by authority, and if they gained authority themselves, they would imitate it and oppress others.

They had never contemplated their own Dao, never considered making their own decisions; everything followed this 'world', drifting with the current, letting this world change them.

Well, if he wanted to change them, he would start by shattering the idols in their hearts.

The strongest idol in their hearts should be the Governor of Li Prefecture.

As Li Qi thought this, a demonic claw extended from his Dharma Idol and gently squeezed.

The Governor of Li Prefecture’s pupils constricted, and his Dharma Idol also moved in response, but then mountains and rivers stabilized the land, the common people were simple and honest, mist enveloped Pengze, pearl palaces and treasure halls, cliffs dripped water, farmers patrolled their wells and villages; the entire 'humanistic' scene of Li Prefecture, utilizing the geographical advantages of Li Prefecture, transformed into an anomaly, blocking his path with human Dao methods!

As the Governor of Li Prefecture, he was very confident; this was the land he guarded, possessing ample geographical advantages.

Not to mention the Mountain and River Grand Formation, just the popular support of the entire Li Prefecture and the blessings of the Mountain and Water Deities were enough for him to elevate his strength by one Rank, reaching the level of a strong expert in the seventh Rank.

Originally, his foundation was very poor, but with the national fortune and popular support granted by his official position, he prided himself on never being weaker than this formidable Dragon crossing the river, even if the other party was stronger than him!

But those outside didn't know, especially the Paibo Gate members, who only felt their breathing hitch.

The Prefect was going to act against Li Qi!?

However, in the next second, with a casual gesture, the Governor of Li Prefecture’s Dharma Idol crumbled into countless specks of light, and Li Qi gripped his throat, lifting him up.

“It’s merely geographical advantage, but look again, whose geographical advantage is this?” Li Qi said indifferently.

The Governor of Li Prefecture’s expression was terrified; he had also realized it.

The surrounding world had silently changed.

This person in front of him had opened his Human Body Minor World, and through the method of 'stealing the sky and replacing the sun', he had extended the influence of his Human Body Minor World to the greater world outside, turning this place into his own geographical advantage.

In this area, others' cultivation would drop slightly, while Li Qi's cultivation would increase slightly, creating a very significant difference.

His geographical advantage was stripped away, and his cultivation was suppressed; at close range, he was defeated in one move, directly grabbed by Li Qi's main body, losing all ability to resist.

“Senior… Senior, spare my life, this young one… this young one.” The Governor of Li Prefecture immediately begged for mercy; facing death, he no longer cared about his dignity.

However, Li Qi merely flicked his hand, tossing his main body to the ground.

The Governor of Li Prefecture immediately retreated several li, re-establishing his stance!

But Li Qi ignored him.

Then, Li Qi’s Dharma Idol gradually transformed; his arms became like Mountain and Water Deities , and within his Human Body Minor World, the Five Peaks Mountain Gods moved in unison.

Then, the stone mountain that Li Qi had just flattened rose from the ground again, painstakingly reshaped by Li Qi.

This was not creation from the Void Realm, but rather pulling back the previously flattened stone mountain and restacking it into a mountain.

At this sight, the Governor of Li Prefecture was stunned, staring intently at Li Qi.

Li Qi then said, “You said you wanted to use this mountain as part of the Mountain and River Grand Formation, but this mountain’s water veins have already been cut off; as a quarry, its connection with the surroundings is extremely weak. If such a mountain is one of its components, when you activate it, you’ll know what it means to suffer a great loss.”

“I have reconstructed the mountain range for you and reconnected its foundation. You should deal with those who secretly quarried and severed the mountain’s foundation. I believe they are called Qianji Gate. It’s truly embarrassing that you can’t even see what’s happening right under your nose.”

Li Qi casually commented on the Governor of Li Prefecture.

The Governor of Li Prefecture immediately bowed, “Thank you… thank you, Senior. This young one was too impetuous earlier and dared to act against Senior, truly, truly…”

He trailed off here, momentarily speechless, unsure how to continue, feeling only immense shame.

This Senior had clearly seen the flaws here.

Right under his nose, his lackeys had actually severed the foundation of one of his Mountain and River Grand Formation's Formation Plates, and he had been completely unaware...

If a major crisis were to arise in the future, requiring the activation of the Mountain and River Grand Formation, the cost would be immense, and he might even lose his life.

And who would do such a thing?

He knew that Qianji Gate had a quarrying business; after all, Lizhou City was so large, and stone materials were indispensable for its construction, making it a very lucrative business.

But when did they dig to the mountain's foundation? Was someone instigating them?

The Governor of Li Prefecture immediately pulled out a string of clues in his mind; after all, quarrying and severing a mountain's foundation couldn't be done without a master behind it. There was a traitor by his side, someone was using Qianji Gate to plant a spy against him!

That’s why he thanked Li Qi; the other party had truly saved his life.

“It’s a minor matter. Go do your business. Consider it my reward. Oh, and please pay attention to my trip to the East Sea.” Li Qi said indifferently.

“Yes, this young one will absolutely do his best for Senior!” The Governor of Li Prefecture finished speaking and left without another word.

He needed to purge the traitors and find out who was secretly plotting against him.

At the same time, he was secretly alarmed.

This Dragon crossing the river, truly terrifying… such powerful cultivation. We are both of the seventh Rank, yet how is he so formidable? Could it be, a disciple of the legendary Shaman God Mountain?

Harboring these thoughts, the Governor of Li Prefecture hurried away. He had many things to do, and… he also had to properly handle the Senior's matter, otherwise, given today's actions, he would likely face dire consequences.

Watching the Prefect arrive in a hurry and leave in a hurry, Li Qi shook his head.

Then, he walked over and helped up Uncle Six, who was standing there like a wooden dummy.

Li Qi said to Uncle Six, “Uncle Six, you know now, don’t you… Great Deer Kingdom is really very small.”

Uncle Six was speechless, his eyes filled with shock.

The other Paibo Gang members didn't even dare to stand up.

After a long while, Uncle Six finally patted Li Qi and said, “Little Li, you… you’ve become capable.”

Li Qi smiled, then gently raised a hand, and everyone was forcibly lifted up.

Then, he raised his voice: “Are you willing to come with me?!”

The answer was unequivocal; facing Li Qi's power, no one would object.

Everyone expressed joy and willingness to follow Li Qi.

Moreover, as they spoke, they also kowtowed to Li Qi.

However, Li Qi sighed.

He had failed.

He wanted to shatter the idols in these people's hearts, to make them break free from this world, to examine it from their own perspective, and then to arrive at their own conclusions.

But clearly, he had shattered the Prefect’s idol, but in its place, a new idol had been erected.

That was himself.

In this situation, there was nothing he could do; they still hadn’t learned to think for themselves.

However, with his current perspective, Li Qi was only disappointed, not despairing.

He felt that by seeing more of this world, and learning more knowledge, they would surely figure things out on their own. There were still four or five years, which was plenty of time.

Thinking this, Li Qi began to sit down and discuss the upcoming itinerary with them.

He could see that the eyes of these old brothers had become a bit timid and hesitant; they no longer called him Brother Li, feeling a little constrained.

However… once they had seen a bit more of the world, they should be much better. He hoped this constraint would become a motivation for their future learning.

Li Qi talked a lot with these brothers, including Liu Bo, emphasizing the importance of leaving this place.

After finishing up here, Li Qi left.

He didn't go far, however, still staying within Paibo Gate.

But these past few days, he began to orchestrate the return of the land and industries that Paibo Gate had originally seized through force.

This caused much dissatisfaction, but no one objected.

Because Li Qi used violence; to these Mortals, a seventh Rank expert was a living deity, leaving no room for resistance, and Li Qi's words were absolute commands.

For those outside the Paibo Gang, Li Qi did not give them a choice, nor did he intend to.

But Li Qi also did not forcibly oppress them; he still gave them channels to earn resources with their own abilities, which was Li Qi himself paying them to help with work.

It was merely gold, which was not valuable to Li Qi. This mundane material was of high quality, difficult to replicate, but not rare; gold could often be found amidst the wailing of worlds or suns as they annihilated.

And how many suns extinguish, how many worlds die every single second?

They were countless, so for Li Qi, gold was easily obtained.

Li Qi, of course, knew that such a ban would probably not last long after he left, but the reason he did this was not for their benefit, but to bring peace to his own eyes.

Living here for a few days and constantly seeing people bullying men and women was truly unbearable.

As for what would happen after Li Qi left…

Let it be, there was nothing he could do. This world was like this, and Li Qi was not yet qualified to change the entire world.

Time passed bit by bit.

Two days later, Li Qi made arrangements for Paibo Gate; they would, in half a month, take a ship prepared by the Governor of Li Prefecture to Song Kingdom, embarking on the eye-opening journey Li Qi had arranged for them.

There would certainly be accidents along the way, but accidents were also part of the eye-opening experience.

He hoped that after this journey, they could rethink how they wanted to live their lives, no longer drifting with the current.

As for Li Qi, he was leaving.

The ship for the East Sea was already prepared.