Chapter 78: Inquiry

In the path of cultivation, there’s a saying: “One man’s poison is another man’s meat.”

Is water Qi a good thing?

Not necessarily. If an ordinary person has too much water Qi, they will suffer from swelling and blood stasis.

But if there’s no water Qi, they will suffer from internal heat and sores.

And now, Li Weng’s Five Elements harmonious pattern, due to the mountain root water Qi entering, has caused water to flourish and fire to weaken, disrupting the Five Elements.

But is this a bad thing?

Of course not. Water Qi is just a type of Qi; there’s no good or bad. It’s just that some people need it, and some don’t.

But Qi is not something you can just get rid of if you don’t want it. Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible for a person’s microcosm to become imbalanced by carelessly absorbing other Qi.

Absorbing or expelling different types of Qi requires corresponding methods. That’s why the Human-Ghost Li Weng was worried about the pile of water Qi in his tomb, because he had no way to deal with it.

But Li Qi has a way!

Not only does he have a way, but he particularly needs this kind of thing! The cultivation of Carp Current Intent requires water Qi to transform into internal Qi!

Around the tomb, Yin Qi surrounds, and the mountain root water Qi, nurtured for a hundred years, might even be comparable in quality to the pure water Qi bestowed by the God of the Li River!

He hit the jackpot!

He was still looking for water Qi everywhere, and now it just delivered itself to him?

It’s like someone bringing a pillow when you’re sleepy.

“Can Invoker help me clear out the water Qi?” the Human-Ghost asked in surprise.

“He can, but… the Wang family’s matter…” Li Qi mused.

“If Invoker can help me clear out the water Qi and reconstruct the Five Elements, I’m willing to let bygones be bygones regarding the Wang family’s matter!” the Human-Ghost immediately said.

Then, as if feeling it wasn’t enough, he immediately added, “I’m also willing to use my Human-Ghost Qi to protect Invoker!”

Li Qi nodded upon hearing this: “See, is there anything that can’t be resolved through discussion? Since we’ve agreed, then so be it. You go back for now, and I’ll have the Wang family bring me over to clear out your water Qi.”

“Respectfully seeing off Invoker.” The Human-Ghost was very respectful.

Li Qi also straightened his chest and withdrew from the altar space.

“Great Master! Great Master, what happened!? Is it settled!?” Seeing Li Qi come out, Wang Yuanwai immediately rushed over.

Li Qi deftly dodged: “It’s settled. Take me to the tomb to find the location.”

Wang Yuanwai dared not say more and immediately led the way.

And Li Qi, after confirming the location, instructed Wang Yuanwai to go back and prepare millet, panicled millet, and Five Qi Bright Water for another sacrifice.

Then, he hurried back to find Shen Shuibi and Old Ma.

Along the way, Li Qi was inexplicably excited.

Not because of anything else, but because he had for the first time truly accomplished what a Invoker should do, like what a cultivator can do.

It was like a college graduate, participating in work for the first time and perfectly completing a project—that kind of heartfelt joy and sense of accomplishment!

He fully utilized his knowledge, negotiated with Human-Ghosts, coordinated the conflicts between Human-Ghost and humans, and even received compensation from both sides for it.

Although he used Young Master Zhu’s willow branch to intimidate the other party, equipment is certainly part of one’s strength.

A sudden realization dawned on him.

This is what a cultivator is.

Cultivation is not just for fighting and killing. A cultivator will certainly fulfill their responsibilities according to their strength.

Cultivation is not simply for one’s own strength, but more like mastering more skills and more weapons. This way, one can better implement the cultivator’s own thoughts and ideals.

The ideal of Invoker, this Dao Orthodoxy, is to coordinate humans, gods, and Human-Ghosts, to make the three harmonious and consistent.

Sacrifice is not everything for a Invoker, but rather the method and tool for a Invoker to achieve this ideal.

Sacrifice can help a Invoker increase their strength, better achieve this ideal, and implement this thought. Therefore, a Invoker learns sacrifice and increases their strength.

If there were no classics in the Book of Zhu to guide the Invoker, and they only mastered the method of sacrifice, then sacrifice would no longer be a tool to coordinate humans, Human-Ghosts, and gods, but would become someone’s weapon.

It’s like a pencil can kill three people in a bar, but the true purpose of a pencil is to write, record, and allow words and thoughts to spread.

If one deviates from the Invoker’s thought… and only masters the Invoker’s cultivation methods and combat methods, what will they ultimately become?

Perhaps, they will be like Li Weng, whose microcosm becomes imbalanced, and they die prematurely.

Through this incident, Li Qi seemed to have vaguely realized something.

“Dao” refers to both natural rules and the thoughts of a Dao cultivator.

Dao Orthodoxy is an organization formed by a group of people with similar thoughts, gathered together, trying to implement their Dao.

So, cultivating the Dao means implementing one’s own thoughts, making them conform to natural rules?

Or… if natural rules don’t conform, then—modify nature?

Is it changing oneself to conform to nature, or forcing nature to change so that one’s own rules are implemented?

Li Qi didn’t know.

But he probably already understood why the human body is called “human microcosm.”

“My body is also heaven and earth, and also has a Dao. This Dao is my thought, my Dao.”

“The outside greater heaven and earth also have a Dao. This Dao is the natural rule.”

“So… the reason why various Schools and organizations call themselves ‘such and such Dao’ should be this, right?” Li Qi thought silently in his heart.

He wasn’t sure if what he thought was correct, but he felt it made a lot of sense.

Anyway, no matter what, this grave-digging incident was resolved.

However, he still needed to go back and consult the database, Shen Shuibi, to get accurate information before determining the next step.

Moreover, Li Qi was also a bit conflicted about Wang Laotai’s matter.

Although he had saved the Wang family, was it really appropriate for them to risk their lives to save Old Ma for him?

Li Qi was somewhat hesitant.

He didn’t have a good impression of Wang Laotai, as her attitude towards him was extremely utilitarian from the beginning, even later on, she was still calculating how to use him.

But looking at this whole situation, she actually wasn’t wrong. She was utilitarian, but she was willing to sacrifice her life just to let her son live.

Oh, the compassion of a parent!

He would see then. Old Ma’s matter… was indeed difficult. To actually make the other party commit suicide, that would be a bit…

Thinking this, Li Qi walked into the forest.

Because they were already outside the city, back in the woods, he blew a whistle, and Shen Shuibi and Old Ma quickly appeared.

“Li Qi, you’re back? Is the matter settled? Are we going to find the goddess now?” Shen Shuibi asked impatiently!

“Almost.” Li Qi replied, “Sit down first, Old Ma too. I’ll tell you about it.”

Li Qi pulled Old Ma and Shen Shuibi to a stop.

“Ah? What’s wrong?” Shen Shuibi looked puzzled.

Old Ma also didn’t know what was going on.

And Li Qi said, “Old Ma, regarding your previous owner…”

Before he finished speaking, Old Ma’s hooves began to shift uneasily.