Chapter 942: If the sky falls, someone will support it

Li Qi thought about it and realized that… releasing Xiangliu seemed to genuinely bring the aid of a faction of Deities.

This faction of Deities primarily had three leaders.

Emperor Hundun, Gonggong, and Emperor Jun.

First, there was Emperor Hundun; his purpose was unknown, but his existence could indeed restrain and influence Taiyi and Huanglong.

This was also the most unpredictable existence for Li Qi. As his name suggests, Emperor Hundun was almost impossible to fathom by conventional means. Rumor had it that he had no eyes, no mouth, no ears, no nose, only a body, and was skilled in dance.

Li Qi didn't know what he wanted, but what was known was that Emperor Hundun disliked Mortals, to the point that he was preparing to destroy all Mortals. Perhaps that was his goal.

Then, Gonggong…

Gonggong’s purpose was very clear: Gonggong truly wanted to destroy all Mortals. For this, he made many efforts, but ultimately failed and was exiled.

His subjects also either died or were Sealed, like Xiangliu who was Sealed, while Fuyou died.

Gonggong was finally defeated by Zhu Rong, and in anger, he broke the Pillar of Heaven, intending to perish together, causing the world to tilt, lower in the east and higher in the west… The sky collapsed, and it was only later patched up, which allowed the world to continue to exist.

And Gonggong was Li Qi’s Senior Martial Uncle. If he was willing to free Xiangliu, there was a high probability he could get his help.

Then there was Emperor Jun.

The Goddess of Sun and Moon was named ‘Xi’. The meaning of Xi was ‘the faint light at the boundary between day and night’, so she was the Goddess of Sun and Moon, and she bore ten suns and twelve moons with Emperor Jun.

Nine of the ten suns had already been shot down, and the twelve moons served as twelve different lunar phases. The fact that a year has twelve months also originated from this, because the initial calendar was formulated by Xi, which was an order from Haotian.

So, releasing Xiangliu and befriending Gonggong.

Winning over Xi would indirectly win over Emperor Jun.

Plus, Emperor Hundun naturally posed a certain kind of threat to Huanglong and Taiyi.

Li Qi suddenly realized that Xiangliu seemed to have planned all of this long ago. As long as Li Qi nodded, he could indeed gain an additional ally.

There was just one problem—

Li Qi’s thoughts stirred, and his Dharma Body immediately descended into Shaman God Mountain, to the Immortal Cave where Zhu Fengdan resided.

As soon as he arrived, Li Qi, with a serious expression, couldn’t help but sigh.

Huodou was standing beside him, arms crossed, looking at Zhu Fengdan, with an expression almost identical to Li Qi’s.

And Zhu Fengdan himself was riding the two fifth-grade Iron-Eating Beasts he raised.

These two Iron-Eating Beasts adamantly refused, so he was currently taming them.

He wrestled with the two Iron-Eating Beasts, engaging in a fierce Physical Body brawl. However, the Iron-Eating Beasts had thick hides and tough flesh, and with his current almost-廢 Physical Body, he really couldn't take them down.

But the Iron-Eating Beasts also couldn't do anything to him. The two black and white roly-polies burst forth with tenacious willpower, using their weight to pin him to the ground.

And Zhu Fengdan was not to be outdone, directly clashing head-on with the two Iron-Eating Beasts, fighting so fiercely that mountains crumbled and earth cracked, and all the floor tiles in the entire courtyard shattered.

Seeing Li Qi arrive, Huodou took a step and came to Li Qi’s side: “He looks like he’ll be a while. What are you here for?”

“I originally came to ask Teacher Zhu about some hidden secrets of the Divine Dao… but now it seems, it’s not a good time.” Li Qi looked helplessly at the boisterous Zhu Fengdan.

“Oh, it’s not that it’s not a good time, but rather it’s too coincidental. He’s also currently fighting with the hidden secrets of the Divine Dao,” Huodou sighed deeply.

He really didn’t know what karma had been created for that spirited Young Master, that Heavenly God, to become like this.

“Haha, Chiyou’s Divine Beast, right? I heard Chiyou is already dead, and his body turned into Xiechi Lake, which is now a marvel. So, these Iron-Eating Beasts are Chiyou’s direct descendants?”

“Who knows? However, your Master has a cheerful disposition and good relationships with various Dao Orthodoxy. It’s not unusual for him to get direct descendants of Chiyou’s Iron-Eating Beasts. He used to be very popular, and all sides liked him, regardless of Dao Orthodoxy differences, because he himself had no Dao disputes whatsoever,” Huodou said.

But these words made Li Qi suddenly realize something.

His expression changed.

Wait… Teacher Zhu used to have good relationships with all Dao Orthodoxy?

Come to think of it, as a Zhu, it was normal for him to have good relationships with all forces. When Teacher Zhu was young, he was said to be a representative Shaman Priest. ‘Cheerful disposition’ was exactly that.

Leaving aside his current disliked vagrant appearance, he used to be very likable.

In other words, Teacher Zhu’s relationship with the faction of Deities that exterminated Mortals wasn’t bad either?

It could even be said that Teacher Zhu and his elder brother, the Heavenly God Gonggong, actually had no estrangement?

Although Zhu Rong and Gonggong had a very bad relationship, Zhu Fengdan and Gonggong’s relationship might not be bad.

Thinking of this, Li Qi quickly excused himself to Huodou.

After that, he quickly came before Zhu Fengdan, who was wrestling with the Iron-Eating Beasts. Looking at his teacher, who, though seemingly half-dead, at least appeared energetic on the surface, Li Qi was not polite and directly asked: “Teacher Zhu, how is your relationship with Second Senior Martial Uncle?”

“Second Senior Martial Uncle? Gonggong?” Zhu Fengdan asked, turning his head while pushing the Iron-Eating Beast’s butt.

“Mm.” Li Qi confirmed.

“How to put it… Uh, he doesn’t have a very good temper, and he’s fierce and violent, understand?” Zhu Fengdan said to Li Qi while quickly blocking the Iron-Eating Beasts’ attacks.

Li Qi was sweating just watching.

How were those Iron-Eating Beasts standing on two legs? Their bodies flowed with Fist Intent, not at all inferior to a fifth-grade Martial Artist, and when they fought, they unleashed a storm of shadows.

Such cool Iron-Eating Beasts.

Something’s wrong, aren’t Iron-Eating Beasts supposed to be savage beasts? Although they have strength, they don’t have high intelligence; essentially, they are wild beasts with great power.

But it seems these Iron-Eating Beasts frequently sparred with Zhu Fengdan, which led them to learn Fist Arts through long-term training, turning them into Kung Fu Iron-Eating Beasts.

Hey, how many times have you fought with these Iron-Eating Beasts for them to learn martial arts?

Li Qi felt that even when he reached the third grade, Teacher Zhu would always refresh his understanding.

And these cute creatures seemed to treat this as a way to play, and they even rushed towards Li Qi.

Come to think of it, Li Qi had also raised these two chubby ones before.

When he first arrived here, he was only at the eighth grade, and he rode these two chubby ones to wander around Shaman God Mountain. At that time, he even fished for radishes for them. (See Chapter 232 for details)

In the few times he returned later, they would also come to Li Qi for a pat while gnawing on Zhu Fengdan’s big bones.

So they were very close to Li Qi, and at this moment, they also started playing with Li Qi.

It was just a bit loud.

Li Qi glanced at them. It seemed that without playing happily with these two chubby ones, it would be unlikely to discuss serious matters.

So, he simply landed and joined this great battle with the family pets, punching a chubby one flying, its whole body trembling.

But these Iron-Eating Beasts had thick hides and tough flesh; they didn't feel pain, only found it fun, and pounced again.

Huodou covered her face nearby.

They truly are a family.

Huodou couldn’t stand it anymore. She ran off to another place. Anyway, Li Qi was guarding here.

She really didn’t understand what was so fun about this.

What was the point of teaching Iron-Eating Beasts to fight?

So-called martial arts were inherently just crude and unbearable games.

Just a series of different movements, connecting Qi and acupoints, that’s all. Things like techniques and movements could all be fundamentally deconstructed.

“Moves” were not important at all. As long as the “Fist Intent” was analyzed, then thousands of Fist Arts were merely things that could be combined like building blocks at will.

No matter how many Fist Arts, in the final analysis, they were just the effects produced by Qi and striking postures flowing through acupoints. Huodou herself could create any “Fist Art” she wanted anytime, anywhere, or freely improve any existing Fist Art.

Even if Huodou had never learned martial arts for a day, there was no martial art in this world that she didn’t know.

At most, there was only a difference between “skilled” and “unskilled,” depending on whether she was willing to put in more thought.

Therefore, she truly found it difficult to understand Li Qi and Zhu Fengdan’s inexplicable interest.

Especially Li Qi, whose Fist Art was clearly still at the eighth grade. It seemed to imitate the movements of water and carp, crude and unbearable. At his level, he should be able to make rapid progress with just a slight improvement, but he didn’t seem to care and kept using it, so much so that those Iron-Eating Beasts broke through his defense several times and bit him several times.

He didn’t understand. Was this passed down by Zhu Fengdan?

But it didn’t matter.

Let them play. Out of sight, out of mind.

Huodou ran off, too lazy to care.

On the other side, after an hour of arduous battle, the two chubby ones had a great time playing and fell asleep from exhaustion.

Li Qi and his Master found a place to sit down.

Li Qi tidied his clothes, maintaining neatness.

Zhu Fengdan, completely unconcerned, sat beside him disheveled and said, “What were you saying just now? Asking about Gonggong?”

“Yes, Teacher Zhu, how is your relationship with Senior Martial Uncle Gonggong?” Li Qi nodded.

“Not only do I have a good relationship with Gonggong, but Emperor Jun, Emperor Hundun, and I also get along well. Even Chiyou was my friend. Your Master, I, was very formidable when I was young,” Zhu Fengdan said, patting his chest.

“I can see that. So, you actually know what I want to say, right? Then why were you wrestling with those Iron-Eating Beasts?” Li Qi knew from these words that his Teacher Zhu was actually well aware of everything.

Although he was recuperating in this place, he seemed to be very knowledgeable about external affairs.

“Just playing with them, it has nothing to do with you. Don’t overthink it, being so hesitant. You’ve been like this since you were little. Be more magnanimous. What if the sky falls?” Zhu Fengdan slumped on the ground, looking relaxed.

Li Qi, however, only felt helpless: “Sigh, if I were as carefree as you, Teacher Zhu, I don’t know how many times I would have died.”

Zhu Fengdan, however, looked indifferent: “Will you really die? Are these pressures self-imposed? Take the matter of Xiangliu, for example. I could tell at a glance that you must have been agonizing over it for a long time, fearing that it would upset some balance or trigger another great war. But think about it, are you really that afraid?”

“It’s easy to say. But what if it really triggers a great war? Just like… the Human-Shaman War,” Li Qi sighed and said, “If I had a choice, I wouldn’t want to ignite the internal conflicts of the Heavenly Gods. It might even lead to more troublesome things, like a second battle between Gonggong and Zhu Rong. If it really escalated to that point, how would you handle yourself, Teacher Zhu?”

These words made Zhu Fengdan sit up, then he flicked Li Qi’s forehead.

“Thinking about irrelevant things, haven’t you already understood what courage is? Why are you still worrying about these?” Zhu Fengdan said.

Li Qi shook his head: “Teacher Zhu, you fear nothing, you’d just lie down and wait to die. Anyway, someone will always bail you out, and you can just throw the blame on Shaman God. You’ll never be in trouble. I’m different…”

“How are you different?” Zhu Fengdan retorted.

“I—” Li Qi was about to say that he wouldn’t shift blame, but then he couldn’t speak.

He really couldn't say that.

Li Qi had triggered the Human-Shaman War. Although it was just a spark igniting a powder keg, this had nothing to do with him firing the final shot. He still had to take responsibility for it.

But, did Li Qi suffer any consequences?

Actually, no. He did need to participate in the war, but even if he hadn’t caused it, he would still have participated. And the real consequences, such as behind-the-scenes wrangling and verbal battles with the peace faction, Li Qi hadn’t experienced at all.

It was all Zhu Fengdan doing it.

So… actually, it’s just like this. If he throws the blame on Zhu Fengdan, in the end, the pressure from Gonggong and Emperor Jun can actually all be thrown to him.

“Don’t look at your Master, I, like this now. Actually, I’m very formidable,” Zhu Fengdan suddenly stood up and then glanced at Li Qi.

Just for an instant—

Li Qi suddenly felt his body lighten.

It was as if an illusion appeared around him, and he couldn’t see his surroundings clearly, like a person walking in the mountains, lost in the mist.

But very quickly, he walked out of the limited mist and discovered the Dharma Form before him, a Dharma Form like the Universe itself.

Facing the Universe beyond the Universe, facing the light before him, Li Qi felt a blinding intensity, such light not only illuminated all things but also offered a brand new possibility.

This Dharma Form… was a starry sky of another possibility.

A starry sky without the Four Symbols, without Star Officials.

No… it wasn’t that there were none, but rather a world where all things had completely lost ‘differences’. The boundary between Heavenly Gods and Mortals disappeared, so the distinction between Star Officials and Mortals also vanished.

Under such unbearable brilliance, Li Qi was blinded for an instant.

Immediately after, the mist enveloped him again.

Li Qi returned to reality.

Li Qi fumbled, trying hard to recall what had just happened.

Just now, what he saw had caused a strangely chaotic effect on his imagination. Although he had tried his best to record the feeling of that instant, the amount of information was still too vast.

He had witnessed Zhu Fengdan’s Dharma Form before, but at that time he was still young and couldn’t have such a real experience as he did now.

“That was…” Li Qi looked at Zhu Fengdan, his expression subtle.

“Go do it. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up,” Zhu Fengdan said easily.