Farewell Gift

Saving Yu Shuying allowed Zhu Hao to successfully unleash his ultimate move. Considering Zhu Hao's current injuries, if this attack were to be withdrawn, he might not be able to perform it a second time.

Interrupting Lin Qingtong, he rescued Si Ming from the predicament. As long as Si Ming doesn't act rashly, he won't fall for the trap a second time. As the only one among them who isn't greatly affected by the poison, his combat strength is even stronger than Zhu Hao's.

The two things Liu Qingqing did were not difficult; most people her age could do them, but 99% of people would not succeed, as they neither seize the opportunity nor have the courage to do them.

After sorting out her thoughts, Lin Qingtong looked at Liu Qingqing in surprise and said, "I really didn't expect that my plan would be ruined by you in the end. It's not that I didn't expect there would be variables during the execution of the plan, but the variable is you. This is really beyond my expectations. Could it be that there are secrets in the 'Illusory Moth Killing Art' that I haven't discovered yet?"

In her eyes, Liu Qingqing was nothing more than a pawn that could be manipulated at will. For example, she tricked Liu Qingqing out of her home and then secretly taught her the "Illusory Moth Killing Art," doing almost everything according to her wishes.

Lin Qingtong never regarded Liu Qingqing as an opponent; perhaps subconsciously, she still saw her as the little girl who used to follow her older brother around.

Liu Qingqing said, "I don't really understand why my second sister and eldest brother value the martial arts left by our father so much. It's as if practicing it makes one invincible, while not practicing it makes one utterly useless. My second sister always says that martial artists should pursue strength, but does that mean people with weak martial arts skills are not qualified to be martial artists?"

Lin Qingtong sneered, "That's just the mindset of a mediocre person, content with mediocrity and lacking ambition. What's the difference between living and dying for someone like that?"

Liu Qingqing shook her head and said slowly in a calm tone, "Great figures have their legends, and ordinary people have their stories. Perhaps you never take me seriously, but that's not a reason for me to deny myself. Even if my martial arts skills are weak, there are still things I can do."

Normally, Lin Qingtong could have countered with, "What can you do with your meager martial arts skills?" But now that Liu Qingqing has proven that she can indeed do many things, she couldn't bring herself to ask that question.

"There's nothing wrong with pursuing power, but I don't understand why you're in such a hurry, Second Sister. Wouldn't it be better to take it one step at a time? Did all those established Spirit Transformation Grandmaster succeed by resorting to any means necessary, just like you? If you can succeed by taking the righteous path, why choose the Evil Dao? If you encounter any trouble, Second Sister, you can come to me and Eldest Brother. We'll help you."

Lin Qingtong remained silent for a while before sighing and saying, "That's the kind of thinking only young people have. I used to be as naive as you, believing that as long as I worked hard, I could succeed. Unfortunately, reality isn't such a wonderful thing. Do you know what the ceiling phenomenon is? When you reach a certain height, you'll find that no matter how hard you try, you can't break through that limit. That's the limit for ordinary people... no, even geniuses are the same."

I was once praised as a genius with unlimited potential, immersed in the sense of superiority of constantly surpassing others. But as I gradually approached my ceiling, the pace of progress slowed down. Doubling my efforts only led me to a dead end even faster. Can you understand this feeling? No matter how hard you try, you can't take a single step forward, and you can only watch others surpass you. This is a feeling more painful than suicide, like being diagnosed with a terminal illness and all you can do is count the days until death.

Zhu Hao sighed, a look of self-reproach on his face, and said, "It's my fault. If I had discovered your inner demons a day earlier, with your talent, Qingtong, even if you had followed the righteous path, you would still have had a chance to break through to the Spirit Transformation."

Lin Qingtong scoffed. "How much of a chance is there? One percent or two percent? Is it a chance of breaking through before fifty, or before you die? The idea of 'having a chance to accomplish something' is the most terrifying deception in the world, because it's not a lie, it has a certain truth to it, so it can tempt people to keep moving forward, like a carrot that's always out of reach of a donkey."

School textbooks often use stories of Spirit Transformation Grandmaster to educate students, subtly instilling the wrong idea that anyone can become Spirit Transformation Grandmaster simply by working hard. If others can do it, why can't they?

However, there are many things in this world that others can do but you cannot. Anyone with a basic understanding of mathematics can understand this. The Su State has two billion citizens, but fewer than one hundred are Spirit Transformation level experts. That means only one in twenty million people can become a Spirit Transformation expert. Many people can't even be the best in their village, yet they think they can become Spirit Transformation level expert. Isn't that ridiculous?

She pointed at Lin Qingxiang and said in an icy voice, "Look at my brother. He's known as a young prodigy, he's mastered Higher Vehicle Cultivation Method, and he's personally taught by Spirit Transformation Grandmaster. Can he break through to the Spirit Transformation?"

Before anyone could answer, she continued, "No! I can say with certainty that he will never break through to the Spirit Transformation in his lifetime. Perhaps his strength might increase a bit with age, but he will never cross the Spirit Transformation Threshold! He has no shortage of talent, Cultivation Method, or renowned teachers, but it's still not enough. He remains at the level of a mortal, lacking a characteristic that can defy common sense. I consider myself exceptionally talented and intelligent, but I don't believe I'm the only one among twenty million."

Lin Qingxiang remained expressionless and did not get angry despite being looked down upon.

"See? He actually knew about this too, but he accepted his fate. I didn't, and neither did Father." Lin Qingtong smiled knowingly. "As the founder of this Cultivation Method, didn't Father know about the hidden dangers in the 'Illusory Moth Killing Art'? I think he had some premonition, but he still decided to take the gamble, because without gambling, there was no chance of winning. Unfortunately, he failed at the last minute."

Lin Qingxiang couldn't help but say, "Even if you don't fail when practicing that kind of evil art, you'll eventually lose yourself. What's the point of such success?"

"What is the self? Is it compromising with the will of the masses? Forcing oneself to abide by the moral rules set by others—what kind of self is that? Success is the greatest meaning. When I first secretly learned the 'Illusory Moth Killing Art,' I understood the words my father wanted to leave me—'No madness, no life!'"

Lin Qingtong's eyes revealed a piercing gaze, the kind of gaze that, once set on a goal, would never give up, even if it meant falling into demonic ways, she would still forge ahead without hesitation.

Before Liu Qingqing could speak, Lin Qingxiang stopped her, saying, "Can't you see? She can't turn back now. No matter what we say, it's useless."

Si Ming rubbed his hands together and said, "Words are powerless. The most effective way to make someone turn around is to grab their head and twist it forcefully!"

He had been completely outmaneuvered, almost causing his untimely death, and now he desperately wanted to avenge himself.

Wei Chunxi secretly channeled the Calamity and Disease Sword Art, but the toxins in Si Ming's body had long since disappeared as his power was exhausted, and the mere Calamity and Disease Sword Intent had little effect on him, almost like scratching an itch through a boot.

Lin Qingtong channeled her inner energy to recall the Collapse Sword, assuming a fighting stance once more.

Seeing that the two sides were about to clash, Yu Shuying suddenly spoke up, "If I were you, I would retreat now."

Wei Chunxi sneered, "Even after I exposed your true colors, you haven't lost heart. Your character deserves praise. I understand now why I've been paying extra attention to you. Do you have any suggestions for the current situation?"

Yu Shuying remained unperturbed, staring coldly at the other party and saying, "You have no advantage in combat strength. The reason you refuse to leave is simply because you're hoping for reinforcements. Well then, I'm officially informing you now that your reinforcements are not coming."

Wei Chunxi asked leisurely, "Do you know who our reinforcements are?"

Yu Shuying didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "Look around the scene, have you noticed anyone is missing?"

"Is there someone else with just as low profile as this girl?"

Wei Chunxi chuckled, but his expression immediately changed. He hurriedly looked around and, sure enough, found that one "person" was missing.

"... It seems he did indeed slip away, but he might have gone to tip off someone."

Yu Shuying countered, "Even if he obtained a copy of the 'Sea-Upholding Demon Dragon Art'?"

Wei Chunxi was taken aback and questioned, "Impossible! Where did you get this rubbing? I've never copied the original."

Si Ming suddenly spoke up, "Have you forgotten? Didn't you entrust the Cultivation Method to me for safekeeping at the auction? I even looked through it back then."

"But you only flipped through it once... and you have a photographic memory?"

Wei Chunxi filled with doubt and uncertainty. Although the ability to remember everything at a glance is rare, it is not uncommon. In the end, it is just a matter of having a strong memory. Many people can do it after reaching a certain level of cultivation. There are also many people who are born with the ability to remember everything at a glance. At least in terms of numbers, they are far more numerous than Spirit Transformation Grandmaster. It is not like only one in twenty million miles can appear.

Yu Shuying revealed her usual mocking sneer, "Now, whether to fight or retreat, you can make your decision. Perhaps you can trust the integrity of the Demon Race; maybe after they obtain the Cultivation Method, they will still abide by the agreement and come to our aid."

Chapter 259 Farewell Ceremony

Would the Demon Race care about agreements with humans?

Whether others believe it or not, Wei Chunxi certainly doesn't believe that he used the Cultivation Method as leverage to persuade the Demon Race to help. But now that the Demon Race has already obtained the Cultivation Method, they are unlikely to get involved in this mess again; at least, they have lost their motivation.

In civil wars between humans, regardless of who wins or loses, the Demon Race will only applaud and cheer.

"The Demon Race is indeed my reinforcement, but that doesn't mean my reinforcements are only Demon Race. Don't forget, I have another organization behind me..."

"Blustering is pointless," Yu Shuying interrupted. "Your accomplice has already confessed. She approached me and Si Ming because she thought we weren't capable of completing the mission in a short time. Her expectation was two to three years, but my defeat of the Thousand Ren Society in just five days undoubtedly exceeded her expectations. Under these circumstances, in order to prevent us from discovering the truth about the Rust Disease, she could only hastily arrange today's situation and didn't have time to invite helpers, including you. Moreover, as far as I know, the relationships between members of your Remote Heaven Society have never been good. In an unfamiliar environment, who are you going to ask for help? The Crimson Eye Society?"

"Well, it seems I really can't find any reinforcements, cough cough..."