Chapter 529: Matters of the Western Paradise

In Mystic Radiance Mountain, inside Li Qi’s Immortal Cave, everyone clearly felt a wave of Spiritual Qi rush towards them.

The source was… deep within the Immortal Cave.

Li Qi didn't even greet them, instantly vanishing from his spot and appearing directly in front of the bed.

Shen Shuibi, however, arrived there a step faster than Li Qi; she covered her mouth with her hands, gazing absentmindedly at the light before her.

Li Qi took a few quick steps and opened the barrier of light.

Inside, he saw a little girl, eighty percent resembling Shen Shuibi and twenty percent resembling Li Qi.

This made Li Qi breathe a sigh of relief.

Good thing she looked like her mother.

This child didn't cry or fuss, and she was already quite big, not an infant; she looked about one or two years old and could already stand and walk upright, her large eyes blinking as she looked at Li Qi.

Her mind was very clear, and she seemed to want to say something, but when she opened her mouth, she babbled many words, yet couldn't utter a single complete sentence, making her sweat profusely in frustration.

No matter how innately intelligent, one still has to learn to speak.

Li Qi and Shen Shuibi watched her display her vitality and cuteness without a word.

Mainly, they didn't know what to say either.

What expression should they use to face such a small life?

Li Qi didn't know, and neither did Shen Shuibi.

And that small life was not weak; she had already reached the Peak of the ninth rank upon birth, and could even be said to be capable of reaching the eighth rank at any time. She didn't understand the ‘Dao’ around her, but these Dao had already become her instincts.

She was not weak; she could live freely in the world without Li Qi. What meaning did parents hold for her?

Li Qi couldn't help but ponder these thoughts.

If Mortal parents, seeing the birth of their beloved infant, imagine ‘without me, my child cannot survive,’ then for this child, is the existence of parents simply unnecessary?

But at this moment, the little darling seemed frustrated that she couldn't speak, and she simply sat down on the bed with a plop, opening her mouth as if to cry.

But before she could even wail, Shen Shuibi had already stepped forward and extended her hands.

Seeing this, the little darling immediately held back her tears and gleefully reached out, actively embracing her mother.

And Li Qi’s train of thought was interrupted at this moment.

Meaning? What a load of nonsense.

The events that transpired in this single moment, this very second, were the meaning.

So, he too moved his steps and walked over, and the family of three huddled together, teasing their daughter who couldn't yet speak.

After that, even Li Qi, who usually disliked extravagance, after weighing his assets, decisively chose to host a banquet.

He didn't know why, but he just felt that he needed to do something to celebrate, otherwise, his chest would feel stifled.

If he was going to celebrate, then a grand banquet was a necessity.

He invited relatives and friends, his Master, the beings of Mystic Radiance Mountain, and sent out many invitations to celebrate the full moon.

It was an extremely luxurious banquet, its cost almost enough to buy several seventh-rank worlds.

And during this banquet, some elders from Mount Luofu and Shaman God Mountain even started arguing over naming her.

They weren't arguing initially, but with Zhu Fengdan present, the atmosphere was unlikely to be good; she almost flipped the table.

Finally, with collective wisdom, the little one received her name.

Li Shiwei.

“The body mirrors heaven and earth, and encompasses Yin and Yang. It occupies the correct position of the earthly spirit, imitating the circular form of the Supreme Purple. The ‘Seven Abstracts’ states: Sages and worthies emulate heaven and earth, acting in accordance with heaven, thus the system of the Bright Hall, with its inner Great Chamber, symbolizes the Ziwei Palace; the southern exit, the Bright Hall, symbolizes the Taiwei. The ‘Yuanming Bao’ states: Zi means ‘this,’ and Gong means ‘center,’ meaning that the Heavenly God’s patterns and laws, and the opening and closing of Yin and Yang, are all contained within this.”

Shi Wei, therefore, is to emulate the actions of ancient sages, to model oneself after the Purple Palace, so that the Heavenly God’s patterns and laws, and the opening and closing of Yin and Yang, are all contained within.

This name also conveyed sufficient expectations.

However, there wasn't any situation where a bunch of people bestowed blessings on the child, because no one would do such a foolish thing.

The Dao path is always one's own Dao path; one can only walk it oneself. A helping hand at a crucial moment is fine, but if you give a child a Ferrari at the very beginning, it's highly likely to result in a crash and death.

So, giving a bunch of blessings at the beginning, like in fairy tales, is usually done with the intention of causing trouble.

Giving a name was already an act of considerable affection.

However, they didn't have much affection for Li Shiwei; naturally, it was impossible for them to show such doting affection right away. The reason for this still fell back on Li Qi.

Li Qi’s evident重视 for this child made the other Young Masters feel a little unnerved.

Over these past few decades, Bo Yue and the others had also returned from Chang'an, and each of them had already advanced to the seventh rank, maintaining a good relationship with Li Qi and remaining good friends.

Yan Ke, seeing Li Qi’s doting appearance, even began to advise him not to spoil the child.

Unfortunately, the current Li Qi couldn't hear it at all.

How could he not dote on her?

He didn't know, Li Qi just felt… he couldn't refuse. Before the child was born, he had no feelings, even thinking that children might be a bit annoying.

After all, Li Qi had disliked taking care of children since he was young; he wished he could punch other people's mischievous children.

Of course, he still found children annoying now.

Except for his own.

After the banquet, Li Qi saw off the others, and then, re-entered a peaceful life.

This life continued for another half a year, during which Li Qi sent off Old Ma, letting him go to the Outer Domain.

In the Outer Domain, Lingxiao Kingdom Lord would let Old Ma 'get lost'.

This would be a bit dangerous, but Li Qi hoped Old Ma could truly gain some motivation.

However, while doing this, Li Qi suddenly felt that he seemed to understand Zhu Fengdan’s intentions.

Zhu Fengdan probably looked at him the way he looked at Old Ma.

So, she had to push him.

It's just that Li Qi chose to use Old Ma’s own life to push him, while Zhu Fengdan chose to use Shen Shuibi to push Li Qi.

But in the end, the matter was the same.

Over these seventy-plus years, Li Qi had always pondered these things. By now, he had become much calmer and could understand many things, even why Shen Shuibi faced it all with such equanimity.

Participation in the war was destined, and what he had to do was not to fight against his own people.

Face the challenges that should be before him, not letting his mind be affected by the situation. Whatever he did, it should be for the ultimate goal, not to waste his energy elsewhere.

Li Qi had learned to be calm, to ignore fear, and to do only what was most necessary, just like the Demonic Prince.

In the battle between the Demonic Prince and Lesser Heavenly Master Zhang Zong, and Yao Ji, the Shaman God Mountain Goddess, no matter how tragic the situation, he treated it with indifference, only making the optimal moves, without the slightest fluctuation, just like a machine.

It's just… Zhu Fengdan still said that doing so was not courage.

True courage is feeling fear, yet still not being afraid, rather than ignoring fear and forcing oneself to become a machine.

Just like the years Li Qi spent Seal True Knowledge, he was deeply immersed in fear, but he still emerged from it, instead of directly sealing his heart and love.

Li Qi continued to ponder, meditating on his future Dao and how to act; this was his daily cultivation.

As an immortal, he wasn't afraid of difficult tasks; he was only afraid of not knowing how to do them, so he spent a great deal of time reflecting and thinking.

“Father, what are you thinking about?” At this moment, a child’s voice reached Li Qi’s ears.

Li Qi looked up but saw nothing, only hearing Li Shiwei approaching, seemingly followed by a bunch of small mice, weasels, and various birds. Li Qi didn't see them, but he could hear their sounds.

Without True Knowledge, he could no longer do things like see through walls.

But relying on sound, he could still make accurate judgments.

Currently, Li Shiwei was the child king of the entire Mystic Radiance Mountain, dealing with various Anomolus Spirits every day, and all the little demon monsters on the mountain obeyed her commands.

A true Mountain King.

In half a year, she had mastered over a thousand types of magic, as well as language and writing, at an extraordinary speed.

However, the speed had now slowed down; the later spells were increasingly difficult, and her Innate talent was almost used up. Soon, it would be time to rely on hard work.

However, with Shen Shuibi and Li Qi personally teaching her, her progress remained very fast.

“Nothing. Why did you suddenly come to me?” Li Qi put aside his thoughts and looked at his daughter, who rushed out from around the corner.

She rode on a large wolf, charging over with a whoosh, followed by a line of rat soldiers and cat generals, and a few bird scouts, as if going to war.

“Mother sent me! She said she wants to see you! She told me to come and call you over, so I’m leaving now!” Saying this, Li Shiwei seemed not to want to stay for even a second, riding the large wolf and rushing out of the Immortal Cave.

She truly just came to deliver a message and had no intention of saying more than two words to her father.

Like all children who have just gained the ability to move, she was a bit overly active.

This personality was compatible with Yang Ning. Li Qi and Shen Shuibi were both the quiet type, not fond of activity, so they didn't know how they managed to give birth to a Little Overlord of the Mountain.

Perhaps she would calm down when she grew up.

Li Qi watched her leave, seeing her directly jump down the cliff and then land in the pool in the river valley.

The height difference was at least two hundred meters.

What a healthy body.

With these random thoughts swirling in his mind, Li Qi’s steps shifted, and he himself floated into Shen Shuibi’s secret room.

The rabbit was sitting there, and upon seeing Li Qi arrive, she immediately stood up: “You’re here?”

“Mhm, what’s so important that you had to send our child to call me? Usually, you just come yourself, don’t you?” Li Qi habitually reached out and stroked the rabbit’s head, saying so.

“You’re going to the Western Heaven, right?” Shen Shuibi, as always, went straight to the point.

“Mhm, I’m planning to go. After all, it’s been delayed for decades. But there shouldn’t be any problem. I’ve already been to Penglai, so what’s so special about a trip to the Western Heaven? Now I’m one of the best among the sixth ranks; the world is vast, and I can go anywhere,” Li Qi said with a smile.

The current Li Qi was no longer the same as before; the world was vast, and there was basically nowhere he couldn't go.

Of course, if he were to go to the Outer Domain, that would be another story. After all, the Outer Domain was a lawless place and could not be under absolute supervision like the world. Although the sixth rank was not weak, he couldn't claim to act with impunity.

“The journey to the Western Heaven was already arranged, and I won’t stop you. It’s just that, as you know, Amitabha once made a move against you, and your Demonic Clone is also somewhat entangled with Buddhism. It’s even said that the Heavenly Demon considers you an indispensable key to achieving a certain goal. All of this indicates that your trip to the Western Heaven will likely attract a lot of attention.”

“Furthermore, you must have heard the news from Lingxiao Kingdom Lord, right? You once stayed for a period at Feng Temple in Lingxiao Kingdom and came into contact with Five Aggregates Demonic Blood. After you left, Feng Temple was attacked by the Demonic Dao, and many monks were killed or injured. I believe this matter is inseparable from you.”

Shen Shuibi said these things, looking at Li Qi with some worry: “This trip to the Western Heaven will likely bring out these matters as well. I originally wanted to go with you… but—”

Li Qi, however, comforted her: “Shi Wei is still young, only half a year old. She cannot be left unattended, and it’s impossible to leave her with Master; otherwise, by the time we return, she might be completely out of control. It’s better if you look after her, and I’ll go to the Western Heaven. The round trip will take at most a year, it’s nothing.”

“A few years is nothing, but Shi Wei really can’t be left alone. If Grand Invoker were to take over…” Shen Shuibi also said with a wry smile.

Children are at a critical stage of intellectual development. Zhu Fengdan might be able to guide her towards a good Dao, but Li Qi and Shen Shuibi certainly wouldn't be at ease.

If she grew up to be like Zhu Fengdan, they feared they would never have a peaceful day again.

“No need to worry. This is the world, heavily guarded. The Heavenly Demon has appeared several times in the past seventy years, even visiting Chang’an once, so it must have suffered significant damage, even losing an eye. Moreover, I’m going to the Western Heaven; unless he wants to personally face the combined might of the Buddhas, he certainly wouldn’t stir up trouble for no reason,” Li Qi analyzed.

As long as the Heavenly Demon didn't make a move, Li Qi felt that nothing would happen in the Western Heaven. After all, he had visited various places before, including Penglai, and the journey was no different from a tourist trip, serving as a distraction.

Just over a year.

“I know the Heavenly Demon won’t make a move. I’m worried about more than just that. Feng Temple was attacked by the Demonic Dao, and you’ve had conflicts with the Demonic Dao before. Among the Buddhist sects, there are quite a few Demonic Dao followers, and you’ve offended them…,” Shen Shuibi voiced her associated worries.

Upon this reminder, Li Qi suddenly remembered.

When he was at the ninth rank, he had encountered Chan Zhi, a monk who was both Buddhist and demonic. The monk’s fifth-rank Master had also come looking for him and was cursed to death by a Shaman God Mountain Diviner.

“Hmm… The Buddhist-demonic unity, that is, the 6th Grade Lama sect, is not a large force within Buddhism, nor have I heard of any Buddhas appearing from it. Besides, Chan Zhi was just a small fry; it shouldn’t involve me. At that time, he, a seventh-rank, attacked me, a ninth-rank; there’s no logic to it, and they shouldn’t be so narrow-minded,” Li Qi said.

You can doubt the character of those in high positions, but you shouldn't doubt their magnanimity and vision.

Shen Shuibi sighed. How could she not understand these things? Li Qi’s trip should, in theory, be without risk.

But she always felt uneasy.

Had seventy years of peaceful life made her revert to her former self?