Chapter 570: Appearance

The most important thing about a talisman is that it’s universal and easy to identify, otherwise, it won’t serve its purpose.

Imagine you take a talisman outside and claim to be an envoy of Shaman God Mountain, but people don’t recognize or believe you, and simply kill you—how awkward would that be?

Therefore, all Dao Orthodoxys spent a lot of effort promoting their talismans, striving for them to be recognized throughout the Myriad Worlds.

However, there are always exceptions. The Myriad Worlds are vast, and there are so many bumpkins. What if someone simply doesn’t recognize you and kills you? What then?

So, Li Qi initially wasn’t prepared to expose the talisman. Instead, he planned to wait until he entered Lingchou Realm, then find Lingchou Realm Lord, and reveal the talisman.

However, encountering someone from the Nine Lands Under Heaven now meant they would definitely recognize the talisman. For people from the Nine Lands Under Heaven, this item was as distinct as a flag, so Li Qi decisively pulled it out and had him announce his arrival.

Although that Spirit Dao cultivator didn't know why he ended up in this world as an inspector, he was, after all, from a Great Dao Orthodoxy of the Nine Lands Under Heaven. He recognized the talisman almost instantly and determined its authenticity.

Absolutely genuine.

“I’ll go report immediately. This line is suspended!” He reacted instantly, directly casting a Spiritual Artifact to halt the inspection work on this line.

The people waiting in line immediately grumbled.

But no one paid attention to them, because the next second, the highest Rank alarm was triggered here. The inspector used all his authority, and in an instant, the entire Lingchou Realm seemed to mobilize!

Everyone else was surprised, including many people from the World-Class Giant Ship over there who flew out to check the situation.

What happened? Was someone plundering? Did a Great Power want to seize the entire world?

A large group of people flew out from the World-Class Giant Ship, and a large group of people flew out from within Lingchou Realm.

Even several Fifth Rank cultivators appeared, one of whom was Lingchou Realm Lord.

The highest Rank alarm, this was an alarm that could only sound at a time of the world’s life and death. No one dared to give a false report; if they did, the outcome would surely be the destruction of their Spirit Soul.

Therefore, no one dared to underestimate it. One could even see some people running without even looking, trying to escape, but more people chose to gather in this direction.

Because Lingchou Realm Lord was here, and several other Fifth Rank cultivators had also descended.

Could they really escape by running outside? How far would they have to run to escape the aftermath? It was better to directly approach the Great Power; perhaps they could survive, or even bolster the momentum and scare off the invaders.

So, in just a few minutes, more and more people gathered. There were four Fifth Rank cultivators, dozens of Sixth Rank, and countless Seventh Rank and lower cultivators. Various Spiritual Artifacts and flying ships were stacked densely, like a metal ball, surrounding Li Qi.

Then, Lingchou Realm Lord slowly floated out.

Her appearance was very similar to human races of the Nine Lands Under Heaven, only her hair was blue. She was a female, and within her Dharma robe, mysterious light shimmered, seemingly with Dao flowing faintly.

A Fifth Rank Realm Lord, and perfectly integrated with the local Heavenly Dao. In Lingchou Realm, she was the top-tier Fifth Rank.

That Spirit Dao cultivator had already transmitted Li Qi's message, and she clearly understood the situation.

She then softly said, “Greetings, Senior. May I ask why you have personally come?”

She did not bow, nor did she disarm the alarm.

Hmm… Li Qi nodded slightly.

It seems that while the Senior's status is high, it’s not enough to compel these Lords of the Realm. She is wary of me, worried about affecting Lingchou Realm’s interests?

Indeed, for them, their own interests are paramount. It’s not surprising to even change Dao Orthodoxy for that.

“May I enter for a discussion?” Li Qi said, throwing the talisman into the sky.

This was also one of the talisman’s original functions.

Two streams of black and yellow Qi shot straight into the sky, over three hundred li wide and stretching across the heavens. Within them, there was a sound like drums, and a great hurricane raged!

Within the light, an omen appeared: there were ceremonies of organizing troops, reviewing armies, setting up camps, and grand inspections, while also encompassing the rituals of spring hunts, summer hunts, autumn hunts, and winter hunts. Simultaneously, the sacrifices to the earth god, spring, autumn, and winter ancestors were displayed.

The five planets were bright, the thousand degrees were in order, the sun hung like a golden mirror, and the moon like a silver hook, from which a rumbling Dao sound emanated!

No matter what language you spoke, no matter what race you were, at that instant, you would instantly understand its meaning.

This was Dao sound, an information carrier beyond language; it transmitted information itself.

Of course, it was only information; whether to believe it or not was up to the listener.

Whether you believed it or not, the information had been conveyed.

Everyone present, observing, realized the identity of the newcomer.

An envoy.

Fully representing Shaman God Mountain.

Some bumpkins hadn’t heard of Shaman God Mountain, but soon various mixed voices and languages spread the news everywhere.

One of the strongest Dao Orthodoxys in the Nine Lands Under Heaven, and also Lingchou Realm’s current backing.

Although Shaman Dao itself doesn’t like to manipulate anything, it doesn’t prevent everyone from thinking so.

Moreover, for most onlookers, whether they believed it or not, this display had already awed them, and the news had also spread.

Seeing Li Qi’s talisman, Lingchou Realm Lord took a deep breath, then slightly lowered her head and bowed, saying, “An envoy’s arrival must be welcomed. Please enter.”

Saying that, the world barrier opened to its maximum.

Li Qi glanced around.

Although the situation wasn't what he expected, the news of the Shaman God Mountain envoy's arrival would probably be spread by these people to the surrounding worlds, right?

It might not be a bad thing.

The remaining three Fifth Rank cultivators exchanged glances, then one of them joined Lingchou Realm Lord in welcoming Li Qi, while the other two instantly vanished from their original spots.

Clearly, they also went to spread the news.

Li Qi didn't stop them. He just put away the talisman, then put away the pile of toys he had just bought into his Mustard Seed Bag, and habitually said to the aquatic race member who had spoken to him earlier, “Brother, thank you for your Illusion Pearl. Farewell.”

After speaking, Li Qi flew forward, leaving the passerby stunned in place, unsure whether to stand or walk, to be quiet or to reply.

But by the time he snapped out of his daze, Li Qi was long gone.

At this moment, he slapped his hand sharply, then slapped himself across the face.

Oh, no! Did I miss a great Opportunity?! If only I had responded in a natural and proper way just now—

So much regret!

Putting those matters aside, Li Qi, with the talisman, walked between the two Fifth Rank cultivators.

Normally, Li Qi would never do this. After all, they were Fifth Rank cultivators, and in any case, they were Seniors, so proper etiquette should be maintained.

But at this moment, Li Qi represented Shaman God Mountain. Let alone Fifth Rank, even a Third Rank cultivator would have to stand aside. Li Qi had to be in the center everywhere.

In public, his primary identity was the Shaman God Mountain envoy, not Li Qi.

Walking in the middle, he entered Lingchou Realm all the way.

This was a typical continental world. The entire world was surrounded by oceans on all eight sides, with an irregular continent at its very center. On this continent, countless buildings stood.

Li Qi didn’t know what those buildings were for, but he could see the magical power flowing within them, and the architectural style was also quite beautiful.

Only the decorative style was beautiful. In terms of essence, it wasn't really impressive; most were mundane objects, with only a few occasionally reaching the Ninth Rank.

Even a Fifth Rank world can't allow everyone to access Spiritual Artifacts? Or is it Lingchou Realm’s own choice?

Moreover… in this place, he couldn’t see the methods of Shaman Dao.

The typical characteristic of Shaman Dao is that, like where Shaman God Mountain is located, because Shamanes are dedicated to strengthening and maintaining the supreme laws of nature, the great source of heaven and earth can flourish, and the Rank of the entire world will be elevated as a result.

But while flying in the sky, Li Qi couldn’t feel the vitality that this world should possess in Lingchou Realm.

On the contrary…

Somewhat weakened?

“Realm Lord, why is the great source of this world somewhat weakened? The Heavenly Dao also feels a bit listless. Have you had a war?” Li Qi asked.

As he spoke, Li Qi clearly felt Lingchou Realm Lord’s body stiffen for a moment.

To make a Fifth Rank Great Power lose composure like that, things aren't simple.

Theoretically, a Fifth Rank Great Power should absolutely remain unperturbed even if Mount Tai collapses before them; their Dao cultivation is unimaginably firm. Yet, Li Qi's casual question caused the other party to show obvious hesitation, which already bordered on trying to conceal something.

She herself realized this and immediately forced a bitter smile, saying, “Your insight is indeed sharp, Senior. It is true; the matter concerns the invasion of humanity.”

“It concerns the invasion of humanity? Oh? Even you know about this?” Li Qi raised an eyebrow.

Theoretically, this war shouldn’t have been announced yet.

Lingchou Realm Lord keenly sensed Li Qi’s hint and immediately said, “What is it? Please enlighten me, Senior.”

Li Qi smiled and said, “Humanity is indeed about to invade. It seems the Realm Lord, being at the forefront, has already sensed it. Alas, I still arrived a bit late. However, please rest assured, Realm Lord, Shaman God Mountain will not stand idly by.”

“So that’s how it is. We truly didn’t know what happened. Please, Senior, after we go down, enlighten me,” Lingchou Realm Lord said, relieved.

She sighed in relief, and Li Qi, on his side, also closed his pores, holding back his cold sweat.

Just those few sentences had made Li Qi tense up, because if he had misspoken just now… he might have died right there.

Even if Lingchou Realm nominally cultivated Shaman Dao and was recorded as a Shaman Dao world.

If someone was duller, they would certainly only feel that it was just an ordinary conversation, and Lingchou Realm Lord even stood at a disadvantage, revealing a little bit of her own small thoughts.

But in Li Qi’s view, he had even felt his head fall to the ground just now.

Unexpectedly, the envoy mission, which he initially thought wouldn't be too difficult, turned out to be such a high-difficulty match right from the start!

The danger within it, in fact, lay in those World-Class Giant Ships outside.

Before this, Li Qi knew that Lingchou Realm was actually a place of handicraft production. A large number of Dharma robes were produced through a method similar to Shaman Dao Spiritual Artifacts, where each person produced goods according to their own needs, typically exquisite but small in quantity.

Could a small quantity support so many World-Class Giant Ships?

Absolutely not possible.

Then, judging from the weakening of the great source of heaven and earth, as well as the operation of the entire world’s Heavenly Dao and commercial circulation…

Clearly, Lingchou Realm’s production method had evolved from handicraft production to assembly lines after the Industrial Revolution.

Humanity had invaded here, but not through war, but through Dao Orthodoxy.

In other words, humanity had already made a move on Lingchou Realm, right? And it was through a method that Lingchou Realm could hardly refuse, such as massive commercial profits.

It’s impossible to demand that these extraterrestrial worlds be as pure as the Dao seekers of the Nine Lands Under Heaven.

And frankly, the Dao seekers of the Nine Lands Under Heaven are pure precisely because they don't lack food and are free from the worries of resources, allowing them to single-mindedly pursue and ascend the Dao.

The outer realms don’t have such favorable conditions. Although from the perspective of Shaman Dao, this industrialized production is actually slowly destroying the potential of civilization, perhaps they temporarily benefited from industrialization, and everyone’s resources became more abundant.

However, this production model relies on a large amount of raw materials!

Even humanity itself needs to carry out massive plundering to maintain its own growth, let alone these Fifth Rank worlds?

Therefore, after their world’s resources are nearly depleted, they will inevitably follow the same path as humanity, beginning to extract resources from the outside to satisfy their own needs.

Admittedly, this cannot be called wrong, but it clearly does not align with the values of Shaman Dao, and Lingchou Realm initially actually believed in Shaman Dao. The current situation…

If Li Qi were to expose the situation and make things difficult at this moment, he might well be beheaded by the other party as a sacrifice, and then they would completely side with humanity.

That’s why I said Li Qi almost lost his head just now.

To resolve this situation, Li Qi directly exposed the matter of the Human-Shaman War, and then immediately added, “I still arrived a bit late, but Shaman God Mountain will not stand idly by.”

This was a reminder, and also a subtle warning.

This wasn’t an overt warning to the other party, but rather an assertion of Shaman God Mountain’s existence, making the other party retreat in the face of difficulty, while also ensuring that Li Qi wouldn’t completely fall out with them.

Just this brief conversation, Li Qi had already smelled danger.

The envoy from humanity had probably already arrived, and their primary target was Lingchou Realm, after all, Lingchou Realm was a Shaman Dao world, and also the largest Fifth Rank world in the vicinity, whose radiating influence had an effect throughout the entire world cluster.

“Hmm…” Li Qi became vigilant inwardly, but still maintained a nonchalant demeanor, chatting amiably with Lingchou Realm Lord about some trivial matters.

As they spoke, Li Qi suddenly mentioned, “Alas, I originally didn’t want this envoy mission, but my master ordered it, and I couldn’t refuse. However, now it seems that Lingchou Realm is peaceful and well, so there’s no need to worry. Please, Realm Lord, prepare a secret chamber for me so I can continue my cultivation inside. Compared to these external things, cultivation is still more important.”

Lingchou Realm Lord immediately praised him, then said to the attendant behind her, “The Senior is truly worthy of being from the Nine Lands Under Heaven. Such a steadfast heart for cultivation is truly admirable. Go arrange a Grotto-Heaven for the Senior to cultivate properly.”

Li Qi also smiled and said, “That’s good. The Human-Shaman War is still centuries away, there’s plenty of time. Cultivation is still important.”