togophonebook Chapter 88: Standoff
Chapter 88: Standoff
at the same time.
The Four Kingdoms' Purple Mansion Immortals also silently watched this battle from within the Great Void.
His expression changed abruptly when the cultivators from Sanqing Mountain appeared.
A master from the Shu Kingdom was immediately enraged and said:
Why are the disciples of Sanqing Mountain here? Why are they helping the Qin state?
"What exactly does Fellow Daoist Shangqing want to do?"
They originally intended to take this opportunity to capture several cities of Qin, and even if they could not win, they could still test the strength of Qin.
To their utter surprise, the ones who came to Qin's aid were actually cultivators from Sanqing Mountain.
"Hmph! It was Shangqing who refused to send disciples into the [Tai Xu] Secret Realm back then, otherwise how could those Purple Mansion spiritual treasures [Zhen Lei], [Shen Lei], [Lu Qi], and [Shou Qi] have been taken away?"
"Now that he's sending disciples to help Qin, could it be that he's planning to betray the Lei Palace lineage?"
The other cultivators were all filled with rage. Then one of them looked towards the direction of Zhao and said in a deep voice:
"We hope that you fellow Daoists can give us an explanation."
The faces of those Zhao Kingdom cultivators turned pale and then red, completely unprepared for Sanqing Mountain's actions.
"Hmph, if you ask me, why don't we go to Sanqing Mountain together and ask that Shangqing Daoist?" So a Purple Mansion True Person suggested.
"Can."
In an instant, more than ten arcs of light appeared in the void and flew towards the direction of Sanqing Mountain.
…………
Sanqingshan.
The Supreme Pure Immortal noticed the unusual movement, looked up and saw more than a dozen points of light hanging in the sky, approaching from afar and revealing their appearance in a moment.
It was none other than the Purple Mansion Immortal of the Four Kingdoms.
Shangqing naturally knew why they had come; they were there to question the Qin state about its past actions.
He didn't get up, but simply waved his hand, and more than ten futons appeared on the cloud platform at the mountain peak. On a white jade table in the center, there was a cup of tea with wisps of smoke rising.
"Fellow Daoists, you have come from afar, please have a seat."
After the four masters from different kingdoms were appointed, the master from Shu spoke first, his words sharp and pointed:
Fellow Daoist Shangqing, we have only one question: Did you instruct the disciples of Sanqing Mountain to assist Qin, or did they act on their own initiative?
Shangqing picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and said calmly:
"It is my will."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the dozen or so masters varied. Some were shocked and angry, some were puzzled, and a few had slightly lowered their gazes, as if trying to decipher the deeper meaning behind his words.
A real person frowned and looked at him, saying:
"With your wisdom and understanding, Fellow Daoist Qing, you should be able to guess our purpose. Why are you trying to stop us?"
"What is the meaning of this, fellow Daoists?" Master Shangqing set down his teacup, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd. "When have I needed to explain my actions to you?"
The Shu Kingdom True Man sneered, "Fellow Daoist Shangqing is joking. The four kingdoms besieging Qin was an agreement, but your Sanqing Mountain interfered, so naturally we want to know the reason."
"An agreement?"
Master Shangqing raised the corners of his lips slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips, and said:
"When did I make any agreement with you?"
Upon hearing this, all the masters were taken aback.
A wise man from the State of Zhao said in a deep voice:
"Fellow Daoist Shangqing, although we belong to different countries, there is a tacit understanding among cultivators of the Purple Mansion that they will not interfere in the wars of the mortal realm. You have made an exception today, so you must give an explanation."
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his voice suddenly turning cold:
"I'm making this clear today: Sanqing Mountain is in charge of the affairs of the Qin state. If any of you have any complaints, feel free to come at me."
"you!"
The Shu Kingdom's immortal slammed his fist on the table and rose up, his spiritual energy surging and scattering the clouds and mist.
The Supreme Pure Immortal remained expressionless, slowly rose, a jade-white sword appearing in his hand, and said in a solemn voice:
"Fellow Daoists, who wants to join me in a battle in the Great Void?"
Just then, an aged voice drifted from the distant horizon:
"Fellow Daoist Shangqing's actions are probably inappropriate."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a golden beam of light pierce through the air. When the light faded, an old man with white hair and a youthful face was revealed.
"Fellow Daoist Xuandu?" Several True Immortals showed delight on their faces.
The eyes of the Shangqing Master narrowed slightly.
Master Xuandu was also a great master who had perfected all five arts. He cultivated the art of "Fire Combination" and was skilled in combat. He lived a secluded life and rarely showed his face.
"Fellow Daoist Xuandu, you've arrived at just the right time."
The Shu Kingdom's True Man seemed to have found a savior, and hurriedly cupped his hands towards Xuan Du, saying:
"Fellow Daoist Shangqing is acting arbitrarily; we urge you to uphold justice."
Xuan Du Zhenren landed on the cloud platform and met Shang Qing Zhenren's eyes.
"Fellow Daoist Shangqing."
He spoke slowly, his voice booming like a bell:
"Your Sanqing Mountain has a profound heritage, which we have always respected. However, your actions today have violated the established rules of the four kingdoms. If you do not give an explanation, it will be unacceptable."
Shang Qing smiled calmly and said coldly:
"Even if you, Daoist Xuandu, were to come in person, I would still protect the Qin Kingdom."
Master Xuandu looked deeply at Master Shangqing, and after a long while, slowly said:
"Fellow Daoist Shangqing, have you thought this through? Are you really going to make enemies of the cultivation worlds of four kingdoms just for the sake of the Qin Kingdom?"
"Fellow Daoist Xuandu can give it a try."
Master Xuandu narrowed his eyes slightly, and a fire seemed to flicker in them.
"Okay, let's give it a try."
He stood with his hands behind his back, his golden Taoist robe fluttering without wind, his spiritual energy surging like a tide, silently colliding with the sharp sword intent emanating from the jade-white sword of the Shangqing True Man in mid-air, stirring up visible ripples.
The four masters all took several steps back, their expressions varying.
Some people looked delighted, clearly pleased to see Xuandu and Shangqing clash, while others frowned, seemingly weighing the potential consequences of this battle.
The next moment, the two figures vanished into the void.
Battles between cultivators of the Purple Mansion Realm and above are mostly conducted in the Great Void to avoid damaging the world and shattering spiritual veins.
Looking out into the void, one side was flames that could scorch the heavens and boil the seas, and the other side was sword intent filled with killing intent. The other observing cultivators watched from afar.
"Is this the Purple Mansion Realm of perfecting the Five Laws? The power of the Five Divine Abilities is truly astounding!" exclaimed a True Person who had just entered the Purple Mansion Realm.
"Fellow Daoist Xuandu cultivates [Bing Huo], while Fellow Daoist Shangqing cultivates [Qing Qi] and is also skilled in swordsmanship. I wonder who will win in the end."
In the vast emptiness.
Xuandu gazed at Shangqing and said in a deep voice:
"Fellow Daoist Shangqing, do you truly intend to make enemies of the four states for the sake of Qin?"
"Further words are useless. Fellow Daoist Xuandu, please make your move," Shang Qing said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Du narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering the pros and cons. After a moment, he withdrew his divine power, [Heart-Burning Fire], and said:
"Fellow Daoist Shangqing, I know what you are thinking. You simply want to preserve the three energies of fortune, longevity, and prosperity."
"Since that's the case, then so be it."
After saying this, Xuandu left Sanqing Mountain.
"Why did Fellow Daoist Xuandu leave?"
The other True Immortals, who were preparing to watch the show, were stunned as they watched Xuan Du leave.
The faces of the Shu Kingdom's cultivators turned grim.
"Alright, alright, since Master Xuandu has left, everyone may disperse."
The strongest Xuandu has left, and the remaining people are no match for Shangqing.
There's naturally no need to keep it.
…………
The Qin state, its capital.
After Ying Zichu settled the four cultivators from Sanqing Mountain, he heard Zhou Xuandu say:
"Would it be possible for us to meet fellow practitioners who cultivate [Blessing Qi] and [Longevity Qi]?"
Ying Zichu nodded slightly and said:
"Of course, fellow Daoists, please follow me."
After saying that, he personally led the way, taking the four disciples of Sanqing Mountain towards the Qi residence.
When Ying Zichu arrived, Qi Yu was in the courtyard instructing Qi Yao.
"Brother Ying?"
Qi Yu looked up and saw Ying Zichu leading four unfamiliar cultivators into the room, and quickly stood up.
Ying Zichu got straight to the point:
"These four are disciples of Sanqing Mountain, sent by the Shangqing Master to assist the Qin Kingdom. They wish to meet you."
Qi Yu's gaze swept over the four people, and his heart stirred slightly.
Upon seeing this, Qi Yao quickly bowed and took her leave.
Qi Yu looked at the four people and cupped his hands in greeting:
"My name is Qi Yu, and I cultivate the Dao of Longevity Qi. I greet you four fellow Daoists."
Zhou Xuandu returned the greeting with clasped hands, his gaze falling on Qi Yu. After sensing him carefully for a moment, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Qi to be at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage?"
He remembered his Uncle-Master Shangqing saying that the [Longevity Qi] technique was only recently revived and passed down, so the practitioners' cultivation levels shouldn't be too high.
But the Qi Yu in front of him was clearly at the peak of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, just one step away from breaking through.
Qi Yu smiled and said:
"Fellow Daoist's insight is indeed keen; I have indeed remained in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage for some time."
Zhou Xuandu nodded slightly, but secretly thought to himself: This Qi Yu is only in his early twenties, yet he has already reached the peak of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Even in the Three Pure Mountains, he can be considered to have exceptional talent.
"May I ask to meet a fellow Daoist who cultivates [Blessing Qi]?" Su Wan'er asked softly from the side.
Ying Zichu said with a smile:
"I've already sent someone to invite Ying Yu; she'll be here shortly."
He then turned to look at Qi Yu:
"Qi Yu, how is your marriage to Ying Yu going?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Yu's lips twitched slightly, and he said:
"Your Highness, that's a very direct question."
Ying Zichu laughed:
"We'll be family sooner or later, what can't we ask?"
Qi Yu shook his head helplessly:
"It went fairly smoothly. The princess came to my residence that day and said she would try to accept the marriage proposal."
"So do you think she accepted it?"
"So...you've accepted it?"
Ying Zichu laughed heartily:
"For my sister to secretly come to see you, you have already surpassed most of the young talents in Qin."
Zhou Xuandu and his three companions stood aside, listening to the two chatting, and gained a deeper understanding of the situation in the Qin state.
Soon after, footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard.
Yingyu wore a moon-white long dress today, her black hair casually tied up with a single wooden hairpin, still as aloof as ever.
She walked into the courtyard, her gaze sweeping over the four disciples of Sanqing Mountain before finally settling on Ying Zichu.
"What does my elder brother want with me?"
Ying Zichu pointed to Zhou Xuandu and the other three: "These four are disciples of Sanqing Mountain, and they wish to meet you."
Ying Yu frowned slightly and looked at Zhou Xuandu: "See me?"
Zhou Xuandu clasped his hands and said:
"Miss Yingyu, please don't be offended. We have come to Qin on the orders of our master, and we must find out the progress of the cultivation of the Three Qi of Fortune, Longevity and Prosperity so that we can make arrangements for the future."
Ying Yu said calmly:
"I cultivate [Blessing Qi], and I'm in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, just one step away from the late stage."
Zhou Xuandu sensed an extremely rich aura of fortune emanating from her. This was a unique characteristic of the [Fortune Qi]. When cultivated to a high level, it could even alter one's fate and influence the destiny of a nation.
"Miss Yingyu has a solid foundation of [Blessing Qi]. If she can break through to the Purple Mansion, it will be the greatest blessing for the Qin Kingdom," Zhou Xuandu said sincerely.
The three energies of fortune, longevity, and prosperity are truly an extremely profound and mysterious lineage.
"May I ask what brings you fellow Daoists to see us?" Qi Yu inquired.
Zhou Xuandu shook his head and said:
"It's nothing important, I'm just curious about the Three Qi of Fortune, Longevity and Prosperity, and I'd like to see them."
"Then why have you fellow Daoists come to the Qin Kingdom?"
Zhou Xuandu explained:
"We have come on the orders of our Uncle-Master Shangqing to help the Qin Kingdom resist the cultivators from the four kingdoms until the Jade Pivot Hall opens."
"Jade Pivot Palace?"
Qin Zichu and Qi Yu had heard about the Jade Pivot Palace from Pei Xiyan and Li Wu.
However, Ying Yu didn't understand it very well.
Zhou Xuandu nodded and said:
"The Jade Pivot Hall originally belonged to the Thunder Palace. It contained many spells, secret techniques, and magical treasures, which could be obtained by exchanging merits. However, with the destruction of the Thunder Palace, the Jade Pivot Hall also disappeared."
"However, as long as three Purple Mansion True Persons of different lightning attributes work together, the Jade Pivot Palace can be brought back to life."
"Now, [She Lei] already has a Purple Mansion True Person, only [Zhen Lei] and [Shen Lei] are missing."
Qin Zichu nodded and said:
"Fellow Daoist Pei Xiyan, who cultivates the [Thunderclap] technique, has now reached the Foundation Establishment stage and is expected to break through to the Purple Mansion stage within five years."
Qi Yu continued:
"Although Brother Li Wu's cultivation of Divine Thunder was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage when he left the Taixu Secret Realm, with Brother Li's talent, he should be able to break through to the Purple Mansion stage in at most ten years."
Qi Yu knew how long it took Li Wucong to advance from the Enlightenment Realm to the Foundation Establishment Realm.
He had no doubt about Li Wu's talent.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xuandu nodded slightly and said:
"Once the Jade Pivot Palace opens, this trend of using cannibalism to improve cultivation can be completely reversed."
"That's right."
After discussing a few more matters, the group got up and left the Qi residence.
As Ying Yu was leaving, she paused slightly and glanced back at Qi Yu:
"Did you use any tricks when you played chess that day?"
Qi Yu felt a pang of unease, but his face remained impassive:
"Why does the princess say that?"
Ying Yu stared at him for a couple of moments, then said calmly:
"Your playing style is inconsistent. In the first twenty moves you are still exploring, but then suddenly you become watertight, as if you are a completely different person."
Qi Yu: "..."
The white jade turtle trembled in his sleeve.
Ying Yu didn't press further, turned and left, leaving only one sentence:
"If we're going to have a friendly match next time, let's do it fair and square."
Qi Yu watched her retreating figure and gave a bitter smile:
"This princess is really difficult to deal with."
The white jade tortoise peeked out from its sleeve and muttered softly:
"I told you she wouldn't be easily fooled..."
Ying Yu's figure disappeared outside the courtyard gate, while Qi Yu stood there, the bitter smile on his lips still lingering.
The white jade tortoise in his sleeve retracted, revealing only a pair of tiny green bean-sized eyes, and said in a muffled voice:
"What did I tell you? This princess is incredibly perceptive. Your little tricks might fool others, but in front of her..."
"Alright, alright."
Qi Yu flicked its head and said softly:
"You talk too much."
Qi Yu turned around and sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard, gazing at the gradually full moon in the sky, his mind filled with mixed thoughts.
The arrival of the four disciples from Sanqing Mountain today has undoubtedly provided a significant boost to the Qin Kingdom's fighting strength.
The four Foundation Establishment cultivators were all direct descendants of the Sanqing Mountain sect, and their combat strength far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.
With them in charge, at least until the Jade Pivot Hall opens, the Qin state no longer needs to worry about the four states' siege at the Foundation Establishment level.
But what about the Purple Mansion level?
There are at least twenty or thirty True Immortals in the Four Kingdoms.
Behind the Qin state, including Yulin Mountain, Dragon Palace, and Sanqing Mountain, the number is estimated to be no more than ten.
The difference in quantity is quite large.
Now we only hope that quality outweighs quantity.
"I wonder how things are going on Brother Li's side."
Qi Yu muttered to himself.
After Li Wucong emerged from the Taixu Secret Realm, he returned to the East Sea Dragon Palace, while Pei Xiyan remained in seclusion on Yulin Mountain to break through the Purple Mansion Barrier.
These two individuals, one being [Divine Thunder] and the other [Thunderous Thunder], are both key to opening the Jade Pivot Palace.
…………
After Zhou Xuandu and the other three were settled in, they gathered in the hall to drink tea.
Su Wan'er held the teacup and said softly:
"That fellow Daoist Qi Yu's cultivation is much higher than I thought. He is at the peak of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. If he were on the mountain, he would be ranked among the top thirty of the inner sect."
Zhou Xuandu nodded:
"Moreover, he cultivates the [Longevity Qi]. My master said that the most difficult part of this path is getting started. Once you establish your foundation, your lifespan will far exceed that of others of the same level, and your cultivation will be more relaxed than others. This fellow Daoist Qi has such cultivation at just over twenty years old. His talent is indeed extraordinary."
"But that Princess Yingyu..."
Li Qingfeng put down his teacup and said thoughtfully:
"I observed that her aura was so dense that it was almost tangible. Her cultivation of [blessing energy] to this level is not just a matter of her own deep blessings. If she were to break through to the Purple Mansion realm, she might truly be able to influence the fate of a nation."
"Therefore, she is the princess of Qin."
Zhou Xuandu said meaningfully, "The Ying clan entrusted the [Blessed Qi] to the royal bloodline for cultivation, intending to nurture the Dao with the nation's fortune and protect the nation's fortune with the Dao."
Zhang Qingyuan shook his head and said:
"However, the current situation is not about the three elements of fortune, longevity, and prosperity."
Zhou Xuandu nodded and said:
"That's right, in the end it all depends on whether [Thunderclap] and [Divine Thunder] can break through to the Purple Mansion Realm."
"That's true." Zhang Qingyuan nodded slightly.
"As long as three Thunder-attribute Purple Mansion True Persons appear and open the Jade Pivot Hall, the world's atmosphere can be reversed in an instant."
Su Wan'er also spoke up:
"I heard that in the [Tai Xu] secret realm, the [Zhen Lei] and [Shen Lei] cultivators slaughtered most of the cultivators from the four kingdoms, with only a few surviving."
"Good riddance!"
Zhou Xuandu snorted coldly and said:
"If it weren't for Uncle Shangqing preventing us from entering the [Tai Xu] Secret Realm, I would have killed them with my own hands."
To them, those cultivators who improved their cultivation by consuming human pills were all thoroughly demonic cultivators.
"Senior brother, don't worry. When the Jade Pivot Palace reappears in the world, it will be the end of those demonic cultivators."
Su Wan'er held the teacup, her brows slightly furrowed, and said in a low voice:
"But behind those demonic cultivators stand the Purple Mansions of the Four Kingdoms. If the Jade Pivot Palace opens, cutting off their cultivation path, I'm afraid..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone understood.
The reason why the Four Kingdoms Purple Mansion True Man tacitly approves or even condones his disciples' practice of "consuming human pills" is ultimately because this quick-fix method can produce a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in a short period of time.
If the Jade Pivot Palace opens, all cultivation techniques and spiritual objects in the world can be obtained through merit, and those crooked and evil methods that rely on cannibalism to improve their abilities will naturally be ignored.
But this also means that the "crash course system" painstakingly built by the four countries will completely collapse.
By then, it will probably no longer be a battle at the Foundation Establishment level.
Zhou Xuandu put down his teacup, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable firmness:
"Since our senior uncle has already intervened to protect the Qin Kingdom, he is prepared to turn against the four kingdoms' Purple Mansions. We only need to protect the Qin Kingdom and wait for the Jade Pivot Palace to open."
…………
In the days that followed, the Qin border was unusually quiet.
The four countries stopped sending troops to invade their borders, and even small-scale harassment ceased.
Ying Zichu did not relax his efforts because of this; on the contrary, he increased the patrol efforts of the city defenses in various places.
"It's just the calm before the storm," he said at the court assembly.
Qi Yu wholeheartedly agreed with this.
The arrival of the four disciples from Sanqing Mountain greatly increased the Qin Kingdom's Foundation Establishment level combat power, but the real determinant of victory or defeat has never been the Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Purple Mansion.
That was the real watershed moment.
That evening, Qi Yu was practicing the Longevity Qi Cultivation Technique in the courtyard. The spiritual energy in his body flowed slowly along his meridians like a gentle stream, nourishing his internal organs.
Unlike other Taoist traditions, the Longevity Qi does not emphasize killing and warfare, but focuses on nourishing the body and prolonging life.
At the deepest level of cultivation, one can even sense the length of one's own lifespan and touch the thin veil between life and death.
Qi Yu finished his breathing exercises and opened his eyes; it was already dark.
A soft knock came from outside the courtyard gate.
"Young Master Qi, Her Highness the Princess has sent a letter."
Qi Yu was slightly taken aback, got up, opened the door, and took a plain white letter.
Upon opening it, the handwriting was neat and legible, containing only a few words:
"Tomorrow morning, at Cuiwei Pavilion in the south of the city, let's play a game of Go, no helpers allowed."
Qi Yu stared at the last four words, his lips twitching slightly.
The white jade tortoise in the sleeve shrank even tighter.
"I told you she wouldn't be easily fooled," Bai Yugui said in a muffled voice.
Qi Yu folded the letter and put it in his sleeve. After thinking for a moment, he took it out and looked at it again.
No helpers.
Is this a fair and square victory?
The next morning, Qi Yu changed into a blue robe and left the Qi residence alone.
The Cuiwei Pavilion in the south of the city is built on a small hill, surrounded by lush bamboo. The mountain breeze blows through the forest, rustling the bamboo leaves, making it a tranquil place.
When he arrived, Ying Yu was already sitting in the pavilion.