Chapter 1207 - 314: Returning Home, Primordial Spirit Reincarnation (5k)
Yu Ziqing scratched his head; he'd just been immersed in research recently, so why had so many things suddenly happened.
First, Old Emperor Qian underwent another tribulation-crossing, followed by a great fall from Cliff Divine King. Though the former was expected, Yu Ziqing felt puzzled by the latter.
The traps laid before were not something he thought would yield such great results.
It seemed that the Cliff Divine King not only managed to tread the crooked path but also incorporated it into his own path.
This gave Yu Ziqing great insight; he'd seen many perish from foolishness, but this was the first time he'd seen someone take such a great fall due to being too strong.
Cliff Divine King not only gained nothing but also lost part of his own path.
It's unclear who will be blamed, but Yu Ziqing recalled that he never fully explained some things to New Five, who, understanding the situation, chose not to clarify because he wanted direct contact with Cliff Divine King.
Just knowing could potentially reveal flaws.
Back then, New Five indeed contributed excellent dharma methods. Even if overstated, they were indeed good methods, and New Five's own understanding was not in question.
This burden surely can't be dismissed onto the White Water Egg, so it can only be shifted to Old Emperor Qian.
If Cliff Divine King is meticulous, he might also feel that his failure isn't connected to the dharma method—it was purely a wrong path.
Despite such thoughts, preparations still needed to be made. Yu Ziqing subtly mentioned something to New Five, not explicitly stating it, but with New Five's capability, during a crisis he would certainly keep things clean—explaining plainly would instead be unfavorable.
After finishing these tasks, Yu Ziqing smiled and appraised Zhong Shouzheng's youthful face.
"You, elder, are an understanding person. It's best not to cultivate for a while,"
"if one's realm is lower, it's nothing serious; but your realm is too high, which is not good."
"Alright, I understand," Zhong Shouzheng couldn't see what Yu Ziqing could, yet he trusted his own intuition and also trusted Yu Ziqing's suggestion.
Having faced numerous hardships, while others' graves would be full of weeds by now, he still lived.
Realm, strength, magical treasures, and conduct were not his strongest reliance—the greatest was his ability to tend to the good and avoid the evil.
Hiding in Jinlan Mountain wasn't for nothing—it's just too suitable for lying low; not once had he felt a dangerous sensing.
Back in the day, he hadn't even had a fixed lair, moving location every so often.
Staying this long in one place while remaining at ease was already quite rare.
"Indeed, you can take the time to recuperate. After so many years of rushing about or nursing wounds, it's rare to have downtime, some resting will do good."
Yu Ziqing spoke casually with politeness, making Zhong Shouzheng feel a bit awkward. Living off others felt like he'd slightly lost face.
"Maybe instead of idling, could you see if anyone in Jinlan Mountain seeks to refine God? I could teach, or if there are other matters I could assist with, I'm ready to help."
Yu Ziqing, hearing this, immediately chuckled.
"It's perfect; I didn't know how to ask before, but indeed, there are matters needing your assistance—none but you can do."
Zhong Shouzheng understood this was Yu Ziqing giving face; truly having something to do put his mind at ease.
Though calling it helping, it was merely inspecting the outskirts of Jinlan Mountain's Mountain Protection Array.
Formations require upkeep. If not maintained over time yet still functioning, they either must be natural arrays or high-end goods.
Like Mountain Protection Arrays, they're clusters and unlikely just one big array set in place.
If one array could encompass a two-thousand-mile range, the resources and upkeep cost would soar sky-high.
Zhong Shouzheng, as a Primordial Spirit Realm cultivator, although not of high Array Dao level, was competent enough for inspection and maintenance.
The remainder would be seeing within Jinlan Mountain who might be suitable for refining God. Anyone truly gifted could slightly dual-cultivate without issue.
After all, Jinlan Mountain's current ethos doesn't heavily emphasize advanced speed; rather, there's a conscious suppression of such speed.
With examples like Yu Ziqing and the village chief, those anxious to advance in Jinlan Mountain were regarded as fools.
Moreover, among those on external training, everyone knows who fared well, who was strong, who, in the same realm, was markedly weaker.
And while in the village, everyone noticed who strengthened their foundations without hurrying to advance and who was eager to advance and leave.
With such precedents and the mountain being secure, no one rushed.
In peaceful days, over a decade passed. Walking through the village, Yu Ziqing saw at the entrance an old man with a white beard relaxed in a rocking chair, listening to news from the Jade Tablet—the border strife again between Dali and Daqian, munching on dry-roasted peanuts, clicking his tongue.
This old man appeared with gray hair, white beard, yet in fact was two cycles younger than the village chief.
Even so, he was already considered rare among the village's elderly, with talent somewhat inferior to the village chief, yet far better than those arriving later.
Uninterested in managing affairs, he kept a low profile and didn't argue with others. Perhaps it was such traits allowing him to survive decades here.
Later starting body refinement proceeded with the same leisurely manner—cultivation speed neither quick nor slow, steady and solid—and miraculously, from First-tier to newly advanced Seventh Tier maintained the same pace.