Competing for It
"No, you have performed a great service this time. It would be against the rules not to reward you. Although I cannot give you the reward on your behalf, I still have to show my appreciation," the star said.
"Although you have exceptional talent, you are still young, only in your early twenties, and your cultivation is still shallow. You are not suitable for a generous reward. I can't think of anything good right now. Why don't you tell me what you want?"
Da Bu handed the choice to Li Qi.
He seemed quite relaxed.
But Li Qi Qihan has already come out.
If I say something that upsets the other person, will I die?
However, you should answer immediately at this point. If you hesitate for too long, the other party might think that you are not speaking from the heart, but rather that you are trying to please them after careful consideration.
Therefore, Li Qi only hesitated for a moment before bowing and saying, "I have no other wish but to trouble you, Master, to inform my teacher that I have successfully found Lady Luofu. That would be good."
After saying this, Li Qi glanced at the fortune teller.
Unfortunately, the other party is currently just a star, with no expression whatsoever, making it impossible to read between the lines.
"Okay, what's your teacher's name?" Da Bu asked.
This is bad.
Li Qi's forehead was sweating.
What was Young Master Zhu's name again?
I don't know.
However, he immediately realized what was going on and presented the willow branch. "I dare not ask or call you by your name, but this willow branch was a gift from you, and I believe you can tell."
Da Bu, however, glanced at Li Qi's willow branch and shook it. "Oh, it's this kid. He actually took on a disciple? Are you an apprentice or a close disciple?"
"Naturally, I am an apprentice," Li Qi replied.
"That's true. This kid has never had a disciple before, not even an apprentice. You've made an example of him. Alright, I've already informed him. Now, I'll take Luo Fu with me."
Before leaving, he asked Shen Shuibi one more time, "Yuejing, do you... do you want to go back with Luofu?"
"Your Highness should be... alright now, right? I hope the diviner can tell me how long it will take for Your Highness's spirit to recover." Shen Shuibi asked in return upon hearing this question.
"Of course there's nothing to worry about. Do you really think that my Wushen Mountain can't even protect Luofu? As for the revival of the true spirit, it will take at least ten years, and at most a hundred years. We'll have to go back and figure it out later," the Great Diviner replied proudly.
Upon hearing this answer, Shen Shuibi glanced at Li Qi and whispered, "Li Qi, do you want to go back to Wushen Mountain to cultivate as well?"
"My cultivation has been scattered, and I'll have to start all over again anyway, so it doesn't matter where I cultivate." Shen Shuibi said softly, glancing at Li Qi as she spoke. "If you want to go back to Wushen Mountain, we'll go back together. If you don't want to go, then I... still want to stay by Her Your Highness's side and wait for her to awaken."
What else could Li Qi think when he heard this?
If we don't go to Wushen Mountain now, are we going to wait until we die to go?
Having become an apprentice myself, isn't it normal to return to my master's school?
Li Qi quickly said, "Great Diviner, could you please take me back to our sect with you?"
"It doesn't matter, you can decide for yourselves." Da Bu seemed very casual and unpretentious.
But at that moment, a voice came.
"Who said you can go back? Is he your teacher, or am I your teacher?" Young Master Zhu's body emerged from the void, still in his scholarly appearance.
Da Bu had just informed him, and he actually showed up here.
"Young Master." Li Qi immediately bowed.
He dared not call him teacher, so he still addressed him as young master.
"You've done a great job on the mission, but it's a bit pathetic of you to want to go back to the mountain right now," Young Master Zhu said to Li Qi as he appeared.
As soon as he appeared, everyone present turned their attention to him.
Before anyone could reply, Young Master Zhu looked at Da Bu and said with displeasure, "Old man, what do you mean? Are you trying to ruin my student's future by bringing him back to the mountain now?"
"You sharp-tongued brat, I won't argue with you. Anyway, you're my student, so do whatever you want." But Da Bu, seeing Young Master Zhu arrive, simply left.
Gone...
Hey, you've left Shen Shuibi and Yang Ning behind! And what do you mean by ruining my future?!
Li Qi, Shen Shuibi, and Yang Ning were all completely bewildered.
Is he really that unreliable? Why did he just leave like that!
"Alright, you two idlers, leave. I need to speak with my student alone." With a wave of his hand, the suddenly appearing Young Master Zhu caused Li Qi to feel his body slip out of his control.
In an instant, the surrounding scenery changed drastically, transforming into a chaotic space like the altar.
Shen Shuibi and Yang Ning were both gone, leaving Xia Li Qi and the smiling Young Master Zhu.
Li Qi then bowed his head respectfully, waiting for the other party to speak.
"Hmm, well done. Although you are an Outer Dao, I can't guess what you've been doing all this time, but you were able to find Lady Luofu and summon the Great Diviner while facing two sixth-rank demons. It's clear that you've put your heart into it and your abilities are not bad. No, you haven't even reached the rank yet, you should be said to be very Xiucai." Young Master Zhu said to Li Qi with a smile.
"You flatter me, sir," Li Qi replied modestly.
"You don't need to call me Young Master, you can call me Teacher now," Young Master Zhu said.
"Disciple greets Master!" Li Qi immediately bowed and shouted without hesitation.
We've finally managed to latch onto this powerful figure!
After accepting Li Qi's bow with composure, Young Master Zhu continued, "Do you know why I didn't let you go directly back to Wushen Mountain?"
Li Qi, of course, did not know, so he truthfully replied, "This disciple does not know."
"Now that you're going back to Wushen Mountain, because of my seniority, you won't be able to cultivate slowly like ordinary disciples. Instead, you'll be forced to enter the mountain directly. And with Yuejing Shen Shuibi by your side, you'll attract a lot of attention. Your cultivation level isn't high enough right now, and you'll be beaten to death when you go back. Even if you don't die, you might lose your Dao heart and become a cripple," Young Master Zhu explained.
Li Qi felt ashamed and dared to ask, "Teacher, may I ask... are you not popular with people?"
Young Master Zhu's expression remained unchanged. "There are too many mediocre people on Wushen Mountain, so it's normal that I don't get along with them."
Li Qi wiped his forehead.
Okay, I got it.
You've offended too many people. As your student, I'm not up to the task; I'm likely to run into trouble if I go back...
"After that? What are the teacher's plans for me?" Li Qi asked.
As a teacher, I have to make some arrangements.
"Of course! This place is about three million miles away from Wushen Mountain. I will give you a magic book. You can walk back to Wushen Mountain from here and learn the magic book along the way. After you get back, you will naturally not be afraid of them!" Young Master Zhu clapped his hands and said very proudly, "With this arrangement, you will be very safe."
Li Qi was stunned after hearing this.
Officer, walking 1.5 million kilometers, while Old Ma travels 800 li a day, it would take him ten years to complete.
Do you want me to die?
"Why are you looking at me like that? Are you destined to travel only 800 li a day forever? Can't you improve? Alright, it's settled then." Seeing Li Qi's expression, Young Master Zhu immediately made the decision.
"Don't worry, how could I really let you walk for ten years? If nothing unexpected happens, after you reach the eighth rank in the first year, you will be able to ride the wind. You will be able to cover this distance in one or two years after you reach the eighth rank."
"Teacher, do you think I can reach the eighth rank in two or three years? I've heard that some people are stuck at the ninth rank their whole lives..." Li Qi was speechless for a moment, and then said this to Young Master Zhu.
"That's some people, not you. With the help of the Outer Way Dao Charm, what difficulty is it for you to reach the eighth rank?" Young Master Zhu raised his eyebrows, unconcerned.
Li Qi, on the other hand, felt like he was about to dehydrate.
"Outer Dao... Daoist rhyme?" he repeated in a somewhat hoarse voice.
"What? You didn't notice? I can feel it." Young Master Zhu leaned closer and reached out to grab it.
Li Qi suddenly felt snowflakes appear in front of his eyes.
The progress bars that I had grown accustomed to suddenly started flickering violently!
Then, it was forcibly pulled out of his field of vision!
"Do you feel any change? Look, this is your Outer Way Dao Charm, a trace of innate Innate Dao Rhyme that you accidentally obtained while traversing the vast world. It generally exists in a way that aligns with your own thoughts. It can be considered a pretty good fortuitous encounter. It can be quite effective for those below the sixth rank. Once you reach the fifth rank and can cross realms, this kind of thing will be nothing special, and you'll be able to obtain it at will." Young Master Zhu said casually, holding a clump of something that Li Qi couldn't see at all.
Then, he slapped forward, and Li Qi felt a moment of dizziness again. When he opened his eyes, he was back to normal.
Yes, it's confirmed.
My own "golden finger" (a term used to describe a person's ability to manipulate or exploit others) is really nothing, so it can be easily manipulated.
So what happened to the idea that everyone else's cheat codes were the kind that even the top experts couldn't resist? How come my own cheat codes were analyzed down to their very essence, and even my teacher commented that they were 'easily accessible'?
A serendipitous encounter... the hidden cheat code he had was actually just an ordinary serendipitous encounter.
Indeed, there are no real protagonists in this world.
"I will obey your instructions, Master. I will set off from here for Wushen Mountain," Li Qi replied respectfully.
"Don't panic, I haven't given you your reward yet." Young Master Zhu stopped Li Qi.
"Although I don't know what you went through on the way, you actually faced two sixth-rank Demon Kings and held on. Not bad, you did a very good job. You are worthy of being my student," Young Master Zhu praised.
You talk as if you taught me...
Li Qi thought to himself.
Thump! A rock suddenly hit Li Qi on the head, making him dizzy and almost causing him to lose his balance.
However, they were not injured.
"You deserve a beating for harboring resentment towards your teacher. Although I didn't teach you, you can't say it out loud, not even in front of me. Don't you know that to cultivators of the seventh rank or above, your thoughts are like shouting in my ear? If you dare to think like that in front of people of the seventh rank or above again, you might not be able to return to Wushen Mountain. Consider this a lesson for you." Young Master Zhu said in a nonchalant manner.
As he spoke, he extended his hand.
Instantly, the chaotic space split apart!
"In the beginning of time, there were no humans or beings in the world, hence the term 'chaos'."
"Afterwards, the light and clear air rises, and there is the sun, the moon, the stars, and the constellations. Therefore, the sun, the moon, the stars, and the constellations are called the Four Symbols," Young Master Zhu said in a low voice.
As soon as he finished speaking, the primordial, chaotic sky around them suddenly cleared up, and the sun, moon, and stars hung in the sky, circling the earth!
Then, the sun, moon, stars, and celestial bodies collapsed again, each transforming into a wisp of pure energy that fell into his hand.
"I bestow upon you the Four Symbols of the sun, moon, stars, and planets, each with its own unique uses. Study them carefully, and you may gain something from them. You can also use them directly when you encounter danger, which can help you escape four life-or-death crises and provide some protection for your journey," Young Master Zhu said to Li Qi, and then waved his hand.
Four wisps of pure energy surged into Li Qi's body and lay dormant within him.
After doing all this, Li Qi saw Young Master Zhu drift away, leaving behind only his back view.
They left without even saying goodbye.
Li Qi stood in the chaotic space, respectfully bowing to the figure behind him, and stood there for a full five minutes.
Then, he looked up, and the words that had been bottled up inside him for so long finally came out.
Damn it, there's a reason why you're not popular!
They should have left by now, right? Didn't you hear me?
This teacher is really unreliable!
But.
Young Master Zhu isn't entirely unreliable.
As a reward for Li Qi's successful handling of the matter, and also to ensure his smooth journey, Young Master Zhu gave Li Qi four strands of divine energy, originating from the sun, moon, and stars, which should be quite powerful.
Then, along with these four wisps of divine energy, Li Qi also received his own master's Technique Method. The spells given to him by Young Master Young Master Zhu added a new book to his mind, filled with different Technique Method, a total of one hundred and twenty kinds, which he estimated he would need to learn for the next ten years.
Afterwards, Li Qi left the chaotic space and returned to White Snake Mountain.
Standing on the mountain, there was no one around.
It seems that Shen Shuibi and Yang Ning have both gone back, right?
"But... it's also a good thing, isn't it?" Li Qi said to himself with a wry smile.
Compared to those lofty, divine figures, I am truly as insignificant as dust. I have to thank that cheap teacher, Young Master Young Master Zhu, for allowing me to get involved.
It seems he hasn't told me his name yet.
Fine, I'll just call you teacher.
After that, I had to walk to Wushen Mountain by myself.
No, there's also Old Ma. It has to be a brother who's reliable, unlike a woman who can just leave at any time.
Wait, where's Old Ma?
Damn it, where's Old Ma?!
Li Qi panicked. He looked around and realized that Old Ma was really gone!
This is bad.
Is he really going to walk 1.5 million kilometers?
Damn it, the distance between the Earth and the Moon is only 300,000 kilometers. Do you think we'd have to walk between them five times?
Li Qi hurriedly searched everywhere for Old Ma, wondering if he had fallen.
However, just as he looked down, he saw Old Ma carrying Shen Shuibi slowly walking down from below.
Shen Shuibi remained the same, looking dazed, with an air of ethereal uncertainty, as if she didn't belong to this mortal world.
Li Qi glanced at Old Ma, then at Shen Shuibi above.
The two looked at each other in bewilderment.
Then Old Ma ran over with a burst of energy, nuzzled Li Qi, and snorted, seemingly very happy that Li Qi was alright.
Li Qi also noticed that Old Ma seemed to have grown some scales on his mane.
But that's not important. What's important is that Shen Shuibi is still here.
"Miss Shen... why didn't you return to Wushen Mountain with Miss Yang Ning?" Li Qi suppressed his emotions and asked Shen Shuibi politely.
"Ah... well, I asked that Great Shaman what he planned to do with you." Shen Shuibi seemed a little embarrassed as she twirled her hair with her fingers while sitting on her horse. "He said he plans to make you walk back to Wushen Mountain as a form of training."
"I just asked, how long will it take to walk?"
He said, "About four or five years."
"Then, he said that it doesn't seem to be long, and the Your Highness will not wake up for another ten to a hundred years. So, he suggested that I not go to Wushen Mountain for the time being, but simply walk back with you. It doesn't seem to delay anything." Shen Shuibi didn't know how to say it, so her logic was a bit confused.
"I thought about it and it seemed to make sense, so I agreed."
After Shen Shuibi finished speaking, she looked at Li Qi.
"I see." Li Qi, after listening, calmly nodded. "Then let's go."
Calm my foot! It was my fault for thinking badly about the teacher earlier! You're truly my benefactor! Anyone else who's against you is definitely their fault!
"Hmm!" Shen Shuibi nodded, and the two looked at each other in silence.
However, he then smiled, and Li Qi led the horse while Shen Shuibi sat on it, and the two of them went down the mountain together.
Li Qi didn't know what to say. He felt his mind was in a daze, probably because he had been stunned by Young Master Zhu's beating. All his usual quick wit and intelligence had vanished.
He didn't even ask why Old Ma had gained some scales, but he figured he must have gotten something out of it too. Young Master Zhu probably wasn't that stingy, was he?
No, right?
We continued down the mountain, and halfway down, we saw flags waving in the distance—it turned out to be a convoy of vehicles!
The carriage was extremely magnificent, with four horses, all eight-foot-tall Dragon Steeds, and decorated with ribbons, cinnabar, lacquer, silk, cotton, large bamboo, small bamboo, and gold.
The saying "four horses make a carriage" refers to a carriage with four horses, which is considered a ritual for officials.
A whole carriage lined up behind them, forming a complete ceremonial procession, seemingly waiting specifically for the distinguished guest.
"What is that?" Li Qi raised his head, his eyes regaining their clarity.
With such an external stimulus, his lost intelligence immediately regained its dominance.
"Look at that flag, it looks like the carriage of a prefect. Wait, the prefect of White Snake Prefecture?" Li Qi frowned, unable to make up his mind for a moment.
But before he could make a decision, a voice suddenly rang out.
The voice suddenly rang in my ears, saying, "This humble servant has come to welcome the young master. I am deeply ashamed that the two great diviners and Great Shaman have graced our humble state with their presence. The food and wine are crude, and the welcoming ceremony is inadequate. I have no face to keep you here. However, seeing that the young master is still here and has not left, I suppose that the young master must be kind-hearted, benevolent, and magnanimous. I trust that you will not be offended by this. Therefore, I have prepared this humble feast and dare to welcome the young master and lady to their seats!"
Upon hearing this, Li Qi understood.
Well, the teacher really has a lot of influence.
He was just passing by and didn't even stay, yet he had already terrified the governor of White Snake Prefecture. He probably rushed here in a frenzy to greet him.
Therefore, Li Qi said, "Prefect, there's no need for that. We are just passing through, so let's skip the banquet!"
He had barely finished speaking when Shen Shuibi suddenly bent down and said to him, "This kind of banquet will have many heavenly materials and earthly treasures..."
Upon hearing this, Li Qi blinked.
Just then, the voice said, "Young master, there's no need for you to be so modest. I imagine you are heading to Wushen Mountain. Why not ride with me? It will not only be faster, but I can also show you some hospitality and express my good wishes!"
Listening to the other person's tone, Li Qi couldn't help but sigh.
Is this what it feels like to have someone backing you up?
Although it seems that Wushen Mountain is at war with the Tang Kingdom, which makes me very scared, in this land under the rule of Shaman Path, no matter what, I have a Grand Teacher Zhu, so my seniority is instantly different.
However, Li Qi was also very self-aware, knowing that the other party respected him not because of him, but because of his powerful backing.
Therefore, he didn't dare to be too arrogant. In addition, Shen Shuibi reminded him, so he softened his tone and said, "Since the prefect was prepared in advance, then this young man can only accept the offer!"
"Haha, young master, what makes you say that? It is my good fortune to be able to travel with you." The prefect's voice came.
Li Qi curled his lip.
Just a moment ago I was a lowly servant, and now I'm an old man. These people really know how to push their luck.
However, now that the decision has been made, there's no need for further formalities.
Li Qi waited where he was.
Before long, the vehicle frame was up the mountain.
At this moment, Li Qi realized that the frame of the vehicle was really... huge.
It was less like a horse-drawn carriage and more like a small single room of fifty square meters being carried up the mountain.
Four Dragon Steeds, slightly shorter than the Old Ma, pulled the carriage, with pack animals below them. The carriage frame was decorated with floral runes, seemingly guiding some kind of 'qi' to make this luxurious little private room very secure.
Following behind was an honor guard, orderly and disciplined, with camps and tents set up. Some carried flags, some held musical instruments, some held umbrellas, and some danced with fans. They prepared banners, dragon umbrellas, and clothing. Banners, flowers, drums, and greetings were displayed along the road. They were adorned with pearls and brocade, and their costumes were exquisite. They sang elegant songs, and the whole procession was bright, beautiful, and orderly.
Behind them were soldiers, armed with bows, arrows, knives, spears, crossbows, and axes. They wore lacquered leather armor and used bone for arrows and darts. Each soldier was nine feet tall, with a heroic face. They stood upright, and their movements created a thick fog of dust, making them awe-inspiring.
One glance was enough to tell of the prefect's imposing presence and the extent of his wealth and glory.
Another official led the way, stopped the carriage in front of Li Qi, lowered it, and opened the door. "Please, young master and lady, aboard the carriage and travel with the prefect!"
Li Qi asked, "What about my horse?"
"The young master's mount will be handled by the stable boy, there is no need to worry."
Upon hearing this, Li Qi helped Shen Shuibi dismount, and without taking any luggage, he walked into the carriage with his head held high.
Once inside, Li Qi felt a moment of dizziness.
Damn, this isn't a small single room, it's a huge villa!
The carriage was much larger inside than outside. From the outside it looked like a 50-square-meter single room, but from the inside it was a magnificent carved building.
Inside, the crystal light was dazzling, and Li Qi felt as if he had stepped into a grand hall. Inside, there was a ten-meter-tall redwood tree with branches adorned with pearl flowers, magnolia flowers, and agate flowers, a dazzling array of ornaments.
Looking around, one sees windows partially obscured by railings, glittering with iridescent colors, and jewels of various kinds, each displaying its unique charm.
The greenery is layered and layered, with all sorts of flowers and plants, a breathtaking sight that stretches as far as the eye can see.
As he walked in, a dozen or so maids bowed respectfully and called out, "Welcome, young master!"
A dozen or so beauties, each with a unique and elegant appearance, cherry-like lips, smiling faces, red skirts and blue shawls, exuding fragrance, their eyes sparkling as if flowers were everywhere.
Looking into the hall, there was a long table that was already full of people. Some were civil officials, some were military generals, and some did not seem to hold official positions; they were probably from cultivation sects.
On the long table, a variety of delicacies were laid out, their aroma filling the air, and maids served them gracefully.
Above all this, there was a desk, and a middle-aged man with a dignified face, dressed in official robes, sat at the head of the long table, gesturing to invite Li Qi: "Come, young master, please sit down!"
Li Qi remained where he was, without moving.
To be honest, he was stunned by the scene.
However, Li Qi had seen countless CG movie special effects and had a slight resistance to such fantastical scenes. He was only dazzled for a moment, and he returned to normal the instant the governor of White Snake Prefecture spoke to him.
"Thank you for the invitation, Prefect." Li Qi cupped his hands in greeting, then led Shen Shuibi to sit on the other side of the long table, facing the Prefect across the table, appearing very natural.
Li Qi sat down, and the others followed suit:
"We are overjoyed that you, young master, can personally attend this banquet!"
"I have read about the power and majesty of the Great Shaman in ancient texts, and seeing it today is truly awe-inspiring!"
"That cursed demon, Xiong Sha and the two demons, had been entrenched in White Snake Mountain for a long time. Fortunately, our esteemed master eliminated the two demons, truly relieving the dire situation of millions of residents in White Snake Prefecture!"
Flattery poured down on Li Qi.
The scene resembled a mayor visiting a neighborhood committee.
Fortunately, Li Qi was able to handle the situation. While exchanging pleasantries, he said, "I am new here and do not know the names of the gentlemen of White Snake Prefecture. Could you please tell me so that I can visit you in the future?"
"Why do you address me as 'young master'? How are we supposed to put ourselves in your place? I am Tan You, the bandit chief of White Snake Prefecture," one of them said first.
"That's right. If you all step down, young master, how can we possibly have the face to sit here? Wouldn't it be even more awkward for someone like me who has no official position? My Northern Gate Gang is nothing more than a bunch of opportunists." Someone chimed in, awkwardly pointing out their identity.
In an instant, Li Qi was besieged by even more enemies.
He mediated and spoke tactfully, and even when he occasionally made a rude mistake, no one seemed to care.
With everyone contributing, the sedan chair was carried by many, and with everyone's help, the flames burned brighter. In such a scene, even though Li Qi was a worthless nobody, he seemed to have truly become a noble person.
Shen Shuibi shrank to the side. She had lost all her martial arts skills, and without sufficient eyesight or unique detection techniques, it would be difficult to discover that her true nature was as high as the fifth rank.
She was beautiful, but at this moment she looked timid and unassuming, without any adornment or makeup. Therefore, compared with those beautiful maids, she was not eye-catching and was only regarded as a maid of Prince Li Qi.
So no one paid attention to her, just like no one paid attention to the maids around her.
This gave her the opportunity to look around.
However, the one I saw the most was Li Qi.
Although Li Qi was surrounded by a crowd and seemed to be floating on air, Shen Shuibi could tell that Li Qi was very self-aware. Although he seemed to be being praised, he always kept his eyes clear and was not blinded by his own arrogance.
This made Shen Shuibi quite happy.
At least it looks better than before, when it looked like it had been hit by a rock.
However, Shen Shuibi would still glance at the White Snake Prefecture Prefect's portrait from time to time.
Aside from initially inviting Li Qi, he did nothing else but watch the small talk from above.
Hmm, Li Qi still lacks experience. Now people are looking down on him, aren't they? If Li Qi cares too much about his subordinates, he will appear somewhat frivolous.
These things were on Shen Shuibi's mind.
But it doesn't matter, there's no need to have any interaction with these people anyway.
After chatting for a while, Li Qi felt a little tired.
These people were very enthusiastic in trying to build relationships, but despite their enthusiasm, no one actually spent money to give gifts or anything like that.
It's fine to just chat, but when a bunch of people keep going on and on, it's really annoying.
Fortunately, everyone here was shrewd and quickly let Li Qi off the hook, preventing themselves from becoming the one who attracted dislike.
Seeing this, the prefect clapped his hands and said, "How can we keep chatting like this? Let's eat first and talk while we eat!"
Everyone agreed, and then the banquet began.
As soon as the prefect made a gesture, the maids attending him sprang into action, serving food and wine to their distinguished guest.
Besides the maids, a row of young women emerged, dressed in their finest attire and adorned with makeup, like willow branches and falling blossoms. As far as the eye could see, they were all beautiful, as if they were celestial beings.
Dozens of dancers bowed and danced in unison, their postures respectful. Then they stood in groups, each dressed in long-sleeved palace attire, graceful and elegant, with delicate features, moving with light steps and melodious voices.
After settling down, they began to slowly compose music and dance. Seven or eight young women, like butterflies flitting among flowers, each went about their own business.
First came the musicians, then a row of beautiful women, some playing instruments, others blowing wind instruments. With their sleeves neatly arranged, they slowly extended their slender hands to Jade Flute, tap the sandalwood clappers, and hold the zither. The melodious songs and harmonious tunes blended together, and the seductive sounds never ceased to be heard.
Then there were dancers, who, upon hearing the elegant music, were delighted. The dancers, with their flowing skirts, lifting their sleeves, appeared and disappeared, their laughter ringing out.
Occasionally, Azure Bird would sing, its elegant music harmonizing with the music, and then one could see young girls dancing gracefully, as if carried by the wind.
When the young dancers get close, they sometimes send a chill down your spine, like ice jade in the height of summer, helping to quell the fire burning in your lower abdomen. But the cooler they are, the bigger the fire becomes.
Sometimes, the skin feels so warm, like springtime, that it makes one's Fire Qi flare up.
The girls danced like seagulls flitting among flowers, while Wanbao shone brightly, dancing alongside them. Under the lights, countless colorful Ten Thousand Paths rippled and swayed, creating a breathtaking spectacle, like stars hanging down or colorful clouds twinkling and shimmering.
Then music blared again, and the beauty and the countless treasures that had been placed before were activated simultaneously, like a crystal sheet, dazzling and overwhelming, making it difficult to know where to look.
Suddenly, the huge coral in the center of the hall began to shake, and countless flower buds grew on it.
The flowers bloom brightly, displaying five colors, and are as large as a bushel.
Within the blooming flowers, a beautiful woman appears in the heart of each flower, in various poses, playing the jade flute, the zither, or the Jade Flute. In an instant, the fragrant breeze spreads, and flowers bloom everywhere. Among them, butterflies and orioles flutter among the flowers, creating a scene as splendid as brocade.
In an instant, the entire hall seemed to be enhanced with special effects, with sparks of light dancing, petals scattering, and butterflies flitting among them.
Upon closer inspection, these butterflies are all tiny beauties, each one exquisitely crafted. Apart from their size and butterfly wings, they are no different from humans, and are incredibly beautiful. Completely naked, they flit and hide in the air, making them difficult to see clearly, which only arouses the desire to catch them, hold them in one's hand, and examine their bodies closely.
Li Qi was extremely surprised.
At this moment, the maidservant beside him said, "Young master, please look. This item was made by the Reason Way of the Tang Kingdom. It comes from the East Sea and is called the 'Shen Tree.' It can emit phantom images that look like True Person. It is perfect for entertaining guests at banquets."
Li Qi nodded, indicating that he understood.
If this thing were used on the battlefield, wouldn't it be like holographic invisibility?
It's a bit of a waste for the governor to use this for banquets and amusement.
Besides these, the many delicious dishes on the table also dazzled him.
This made Li Qi sigh.
The boatmen and those in power certainly didn't live the same kind of life.
Enjoy the song and dance performances while savoring delicious food.
Li Qi noticed that he had never seen most of the food on the table before...
Long before the banquet began, the servants had already set out the tableware in a very ancient style. The dishes were not the usual plates, but rather the wine vessels, wine cups, and wine cups that Li Qi had seen in sacrificial rites.
In front of each person's table was a small bronze cauldron, in which an unknown meat was being cooked, emitting a tantalizing aroma.
The table was covered with gold and lacquerware.
The wood is decorated with intricate carvings and lacquer, with exquisite workmanship, a red wooden base, and gold accents.
As for the food, it was truly a feast of delicacies and rare dishes.
Li Qi knew all kinds of meat, such as beef, mutton, chicken, duck, pork, fish, donkey, and horse.
Besides these, there are many other things that taste even better but are hard to identify; these must be rare ingredients.
But just looking at the organs on these creatures, with wings, feet, fins, and scales, it is clear that they come from all kinds of habitats.
This banquet clearly gathers everything that flies in the sky, runs on the ground, and swims in the water, combining the finest things from all corners of the world into delicious dishes.
The food was indescribably delicious, with maids taking turns serving wine, wine and fruit arranged in abundance, fine wines filling the table, and melodious songs and dances playing—it felt like a life of paradise.
However, Li Qi politely declined the maids who tried to get close to him and serve him wine and food.
He still felt uneasy, especially since Shen Shuibi was right there beside him.
Seeing his expression, the maid understood perfectly and quickly withdrew, making room for Shen Shuibi.
Shen Shuibi didn't stand on ceremony and sat down next to Li Qi, then began to instruct him on how to eat.
Li Qi picked up a piece of meat that he didn't know what it was, and she explained it to him.
"This is a Fei Yi, which looks like a quail with a yellow body and a red beak. Eating it can kill the Gu worms in the body. You've been walking in the mountains, so you've gotten some on you. Eating some will help to get rid of your hidden ailments."
"Don't eat that. That's cinnabar wood. It tastes good, but one piece will keep you full for three days. Save it for last."
"This is a sauce made from sage. You can dip it in and eat it. It can make you feel less sad. It's served at the banquet in case anyone is in a bad mood. But don't eat too much, or you might lose your composure."
"This is a quail. Eating its meat can prevent nightmares and ward off evil spirits. Eat more. You've been possessed by the Evil Qi of those two sixth-rank demons. I'm afraid there might be some aftereffects."
"That round one, yes, that one, that's the fruit of the cup tree. If a person eats it, it will increase their strength. Since you have martial arts cultivation, you can eat more of it."
Li Qi listened as he ate, sometimes using a knife and fork, picking out only the useful bits and pieces.
He not only ate for himself, but also served Shen Shuibi what she wanted, which earned him praise from everyone at the table for his kindness towards his servants and for Shen Shuibi's beauty and thoughtfulness.
Hearing these praises, Li Qi looked at them again and found that, sure enough, the maids were serving them but didn't eat a single bite.
Although Li Qi's act of sharing food with those around him was praised as benevolent, it seemed that no one followed suit, indicating that they did not take it seriously.
After the meal, there was another round of small talk.
After so long, Li Qi began to grow tired of this endless pretense and pretense.
Don't these people need to cultivate?
How did they get their products approved?
This continued for a while, about a Chen later, when Li Qi suddenly felt the carriage stop.
"Alright, we've arrived at our destination, and our fortuitous opportunity has come. Young master, would you like to travel with us?" At this moment, the prefect suddenly said with a smile, looking at Li Qi.
"Naturally, we'll go together." Li Qi cupped his hands, looking at the guests, who suddenly seemed to disregard the beautiful women and delicious food. They all stood up and hurried outside.
Even the prefect stood up and walked alongside Li Qi, saying, "Young master is so generous, granting us this fortuitous opportunity. Alas, we all owe you a favor."
Ah?
Li Qi was puzzled.
However, when you don't understand something, you should pretend to be innocent.
He immediately replied, "Prefect, you needn't be so polite."
"Haha! Young master, you are indeed a person from a great sect, so generous! I will express my gratitude when I return. I won't linger here any longer. Young master, you can wait for us here. Afterwards, we will head to the city together!" The prefect laughed heartily, then hurriedly ran out and disappeared from Li Qi's sight.
Li Qi was somewhat confused.
However, he also got out of the carriage.
Then he understood.
Why are these people so attentive? Why is the prefect trying to curry favor with him?
Because the place where it appeared was not a city, but the former battlefield!
On the battlefield, there was a round mirror, spanning a radius of a hundred miles.
These are the traces left by the great diviner who suppressed the cursed bear and killed two Demon Kings. This one finger pressed a hundred miles of land into a smooth mirror, but upon closer inspection, fingerprints can be seen on it.
Now, those big shots that Li Qi once thought were high and mighty are all bent over, desperately examining the fingerprints on them, and even fighting over them, discussing them with each other, extremely excited.
The pleasantries she exchanged with Li Qi just now suggested that she had been suppressing her feelings for a long time.
"Ah! So that's how it is!" Shen Shuibi, who was standing next to her, suddenly tapped her head and realized what was going on.
"Those with profound cultivation naturally possess Daoist charm in their bodies. They came for the fingerprints left by the Great Diviner!" Shen Shuibi also realized this.
Wow, for these people of the sixth, seventh, or eighth rank, even a fingerprint left by the great fortune teller is probably an extraordinary encounter and resource that they would never find in their lifetime!
However, they were afraid that coming without permission would anger the Grand Diviner, so they brought Li Qi along. That way, even if the Grand Diviner sensed something, he wouldn't cause trouble.
Li Qi smiled wryly. He thought these guys were just sycophants, but it turned out they were all prepared. He was... being dragged along again.
Sigh, I've suffered because I'm uneducated.
"... Forget it, we probably can't get rid of them now. We might as well try to salvage the situation. Miss Shen, you are also a fifth-rank official, why don't you go and consult with them?" Li Qi immediately decided to cut his losses.
You can use fingerprint scanners, but I can't?
"I don't need it. That great diviner's cultivation is weaker than Your Highness's. I have studied Your Highness's Dao aura day and night in detail. This fingerprint is of no use to me."
As she spoke, Shen Shuibi began to explain.
For Lady Luofu or that unknown diviner, their very existence is enough to alter the 'Dao' of a region; their personal microcosms are already capable of tampering with reality.
Every hair and beard of theirs, even a fingerprint, is an outward manifestation of this 'Daoist charm'. Although it is only a very shallow point, less than one trillionth of their true inner meaning, even a glance at it can greatly benefit those with low cultivation levels, and may even lead to a rapid advancement in their cultivation.
These officials and governors in front of me are probably all Shaman Path, so the divination fingerprints are very useful to them.
But as a legitimate member of the Xuanmen sect, and with the original Lady Luofu available for her to consult for thousands of years, these things were meaningless to Shen Shuibi.
It's like... owls will fight over dead mice, but phoenixes only eat prawns.
That's the difference.
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