Outsider Forces

To be honest, Zhang Lan meant well, and Li Qi had considered this suggestion many times.

However, Li Qi ultimately put this option aside for the time being and did not bring it up.

Now that the matter has been brought up, Li Qi replied, "No, the Righteous Sword Palace has important matters to attend to. If the grand plan is ruined because of this matter, it would be undesirable, and the responsibility would fall on my shoulders."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lan was completely confused. He scratched his head and asked, "A grand plan? How come I don't know about it? Brother Li, you're not from the Righteous Sword Palace, so how did you make that judgment?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qi immediately realized that Zhang Lan was unaware of the Righteous Sword Palace's major operation.

That's quite normal.

The Palace Master of the Righteous Sword Palace is currently plotting with many of their elders to intercept and kill one of the Six Heavenly Demon King when the Sky Swallowing Demon Lord goes to the outer realm, thus severing one of the Sky Swallowing Demon Lord's arms.

The Six Demon King of Heavenly Filth form their own formation, based on the Six Qi of Heaven, and can gather into true 'Heavenly Energy,' making them extremely powerful when they join forces.

Before Li Qi arrived, the Green Mountain Kingdom Lord had told him that the Sky Swallowing Demon Lord had gone to the outer realms for some unknown reason, Righteous Sword Palace was taking this opportunity to intercept and kill one of the Six Demon King, completely severing the Six Afflictions Divine Abilities that the Six Demon King were using together. (See Chapter 160)

That's a battle between sixth-rank officials. If a sixth-rank official were to be transferred over there and cause the main battlefield to collapse, then Li Qi would be guilty of a heinous crime.

However, telling Zhang Lan about this secret is also not an option; if it were leaked, the problem would be even bigger.

It's not that Li Qi is inferior to Zhang Lan, but sometimes, your subjective will isn't that strong, and some people want to pry open your mouth, so you can't resist no matter what.

Therefore, the best way to keep a secret is to simply not know.

So Li Qi instructed, "Don't worry about this matter for now. It would be bad for you to talk about it. But you should know that you shouldn't go to your palace master unless it's absolutely necessary, or you might ruin things and end up selling yourself to make up for it."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lan understood Li Qi's meaning.

Li Qi probably knows something that I don't, but he can't tell me.

So he asked, "Brother Li, I have a question."

After Zhang Lan finished speaking, she stared intently at Li Qi: "How do you know all this?"

Li Qi knew too much and acted too mysteriously. From their initial chance encounter to all the subsequent events, Zhang Lan herself didn't even have time to process it all, but Li Qi handled everything with ease.

Not only did he arrange everything Zhang Lan needed to do, but he also subdued the underground forces in Guangyang and personally investigated the whereabouts of the Chanzhi.

How did he manage to do something so incredible? What is his background?

Li Qi, on the other hand, shrugged and said quite simply, "I come from Wushen Mountain."

Okay, Zhang Lan's question has been answered.

The name alone is enough to dispel all doubts and cover up everything abnormal about Li Qi.

"Wushen Mountain, Foreign Affairs Office?" Zhang Lan asked cautiously again.

Li Qi didn't hide anything; since they had already laid their cards on the table, he simply uttered two more words. "Young Master."

Zhang Lan lost her balance and bumped into the wall. Her Qi and Blood rushed to her head, she saw stars, and she stammered, wanting to say something but unable to utter a single word.

Righteous Sword Palace is considered a major sect. Although its main sect is located in the Baiyue region, it is actually considered a mid-level sect in the Baiyue region.

So, he was frightened.

After a long while, he regained his composure, a wry smile on his face, "Then I am indeed honored to be associated with Brother Li. But if you have such a background, why are you agonizing over these things here?"

"Just treat it as an exam..." Li Qi said helplessly.

He also found it difficult to explain, since he had no idea whether his situation was normal or not.

Would a normal disciple of the Great Shaman be like me?

The teacher gave him two books and then told him to travel three million miles back to Wushen Mountain.

I always felt that a teacher with even a slightly average brain wouldn't do something like this.

However... back in the Earth Oil Realm, another man named Bo Yue from Wushen Mountain once told Li Qi that Li Qi's teacher was notoriously abnormal.

So it seems normal for me to encounter these strange things?

It is normal precisely because it is abnormal.

That's a good idea, but that's roughly the general approach.

However, after Li Qi said that, Zhang Lan understood all the reasons.

Take an exam.

The Righteous Sword Palace also has something similar.

Throw elite disciples into a demon's lair and let them fight their way out, or something like that.

Only...

The disciples of the Righteous Sword Palace are usually placed in demon caves of equal ability to their disciples, where they can train them while slaying demons and monsters.

They wouldn't do something like sending a ninth-rank disciple to confront a seventh-rank disciple.

That's not an exam, that's suicide.

However, considering the other party's identity.

Perhaps it is precisely this level of difficulty that qualifies it as a test for the other party.

Zhang Lan took a deep breath, calmed down, and remained neither humble nor arrogant. He did not change his attitude because of Li Qi's identity. He simply said, "Then, Brother Li, why did you go to so much trouble to find me and bring me back?"

Li Qi, however, did not put on airs. He pulled Zhang Lan to sit in the courtyard and said to him, "I called Brother Zhang here because I have something important to ask of you."

"Please speak, this concerns the lives of countless people in Guangyang. If I can help Brother Li, I will do everything in my power." Zhang Lan also became serious and listened carefully to what Li Qi had to say.

"Brother Zhang, please let me analyze the current situation in Guangyang."

Li Qi his finger in tea, using the teacup as a marker, and began to make marks on the stone table.

"First of all, we must realize that the reason why Guangyang has deteriorated to this extent is entirely due to the Chanzhi."

"We have found out this person's purpose. He came for the Shaman Path method. He is currently suffering from demonic possession. It is estimated that a master told him that the Shaman Path method can alleviate his condition, so he came here."

"But he was faced with a very awkward situation. For many orthodox Shaman Path traditions, the tradition itself is protected, and he did not have the ability to break through such protection."

Zhang Lan nodded in agreement.

Many traditions are like this; many Cultivation Method have abilities such as mind reading, absorbing memories, or directly devouring the power of others. But to obtain Higher Vehicle techniques through such methods is pure wishful thinking.

Almost all orthodox traditions have methods to protect them. Some require a key catalyst to cultivate, making it meaningless to simply obtain the Cultivation Method. Others are even more brutal, killing those who steal the technique.

For example, the core techniques of the Righteous Sword Palace require one to begin practicing in the center of the mountain gate. If one learns and practices the Cultivation Method elsewhere, the Sword Qi produced will go out of control. At best, it will be a waste of time, and at worst, one will explode and die.

Zhang Lan had even heard of a magical Cultivation Method called the "Eating Scripture," a method from a major sect with a fifth-rank expert in charge. This Cultivation Method was impossible to memorize; it would automatically be forgotten every day, and it could not be copied. Even if it was copied, it would disappear the next day, turning into a blank sheet of paper.

Therefore, spiritual practice can only be done at the original scriptures at the mountain gate. One can study and practice each day, practicing while looking at the book. If one forgets something, one can study it again the next day, until one has achieved spiritual success.

Even after mastering the technique, it only grants one more Divine Ability; the cultivation method remains unremembered.

As for what methods Wushen Mountain has to protect its Cultivation Method from being stolen, that remains unknown, but after all, it is Wushen Mountain... Just thinking about it sends chills down one's spine.

Li Qi, of course, had no idea what Zhang Lan was thinking; he simply continued speaking:

"Therefore, since Chanzhi could not truly seek out those profound lineages, he set his sights on Guangyang. The governor and the military commander of Guangyang were both seventh-rank Shaman Path, and Chanzhi was confident that he could break the restrictions on their lineages."

"This is why the situation in Guangyang is in such a state of disarray. After the Chanzhi arrived, he first took advantage of the popularity of the Wan family here, and then used karma to build the framework of his fifth-level pagoda. Then, he fought against three people at once, killed the Guangyang Sima, drove out the prefect, and suppressed the Sikong underground, so that he dared not show his face."

"As for the Guangyang Situ, he was easily turned into a puppet by him afterward using the Heart-Eating Method. From then on, the Guangyang political situation became his personal domain. He remained behind the scenes, using the power of the Situ and Sima to slowly explore the methods of Shaman Path inheritance for him."

"However, Situ and Sima were both devoured by him, and their memories were also consumed. After he deciphered the Shaman Path techniques within, he began to gradually try them out. This is our opportunity."

Li Qi said.

Zhang Lan, who had been listening to the situation, was taken aback upon hearing this.

How come there's suddenly an opportunity? Aren't we still talking about the situation of Chanzhi Zhi?

"Brother Zhang may not know, but I do know that whether it's the Sima of Guangyang or the Minister of Works, the Shaman Path methods they use are all Witchcraft and Poison Arts!" Li Qi said with certainty.

He was certain of this. At the original node of the Mountain and Water Grand Array, where Lord Huangshan was, he clearly saw that the way the Mountain and Water Grand Array was constructed was completely Witchcraft and Poison Arts.

This has already been confirmed.

"The Witchcraft and Poison Arts has completely gone astray, and has basically abandoned the principles of the balance of the Heavenly Dao. Therefore, it is of no use to him in removing the demonic thoughts in his heart. That is why he has his eye on me."

"I have done good deeds everywhere I have gone, and I have made too many names for myself through sacrificial rituals. I have been too high-profile, so the Chanzhi discovered me long ago. He pinned his hopes on me, hoping to obtain the orthodox methods of Shaman Path from me to balance his Buddhist and demonic hearts. For this reason, he planned the scene of Zhenguan and gradually lured me to create the methods for him. In fact, Brother Zhang was implicated by me and got involved in it."

Zhang Lan shook his head. "This man put hundreds of thousands of people to death for his own selfish reasons. He deserves to die! As for whether he is implicated or not, let's not talk about that. Even without you, I would have gone up in that situation. There is no such thing as implicating or not implicating. It's just that you haven't told us where our opportunity lies."

Li Qi then got to the point. "The opportunity Witchcraft and Poison Arts, which has no ritualistic methods!"

"The ritual methods of Witchcraft and Poison Arts have been distorted into a means of raising and feeding monsters, and are no longer orthodox rituals. In other words, Zen Chanzhi himself is not capable of performing a ritual."

Li Qi, seeing Zhang Lan's completely bewildered expression, began to explain:

"Brother Zhang, do you still remember when we confronted those two eighth-rank officials who wanted to abduct the people?"

Zhang Lan recalled for a moment and said, "Of course I remember. I think I mentioned it later. You said that was something like... Rat Soil Tomb."

Li Qi slammed his fist on the table. "That's right, it's the Rat Soil Tomb!"

"Brother Zhang, are you familiar with the legend of the Rat Soil Tomb?"

Zhang Lan shook her head blankly. "Of course I don't know, what is it?"

"The Rat Soil Tomb is a strange beast from the Buddhist Kingdom. It likes to offer incense and sacrifices. According to my speculation, it was brought by the Chanzhi. However, the Rat King in the Rat Soil Tomb is at least a seventh-rank animal, so it is impossible for it to belong to the Chanzhi. It is more likely that it came with Chanzhi to the place where the Shaman Path is."

According to legend, the Rat Soil Tomb were extremely fond of being worshipped. The Records of the Western Regions states, "Therefore, from kings to commoners, everyone performed sacrifices to seek blessings. When they arrived at the graves, Lower Vehicle and hasten to pay their respects and offer sacrifices to pray for blessings. They would offer clothes, bows and arrows, or incense, flowers, and food, all to show their sincerity and receive many blessings. If no sacrifices were offered, disasters would occur." This shows their nature!

Offering sacrifices to pray for blessings and good fortune.

If there is no sacrificial offering, disaster will occur.

These two sentences alone have clearly explained the nature of the Rat Soil Tomb.

Shen Shuibi told him all this knowledge, so it's unlikely that Chanzhi could have known in advance that Li Qi would also know this!

Upon hearing Li Qi's words, Zhang Lan suddenly realized the truth!

He stood up in surprise and clapped his hands with delight. "The Chanzhi has no power of sacrifice, but Brother Li does! You want to use the power of the Rat Soil Tomb to make that evil monk suffer the consequences?! Brilliant plan, brilliant plan! But how does Brother Li plan to carry this out?"

Li Qi waved his hand, signaling him to calm down and sit down to listen.

Zhang Lan suppressed his excitement and doubts, sat down and continued to listen to Li Qi speak.

He realized that this young master of Wushen Mountain was probably not good at martial arts, but he was ten times better than him in intelligence and strategy!

He went to Guangyang and even wrote him a letter on his way back, which shows that the Chanzhi Chanzhi's reaction was exactly what he had planned.

Now, they have easily taken over two major forces in Guangyang City, the Grain Alliance and the Lower Nine Gates, which basically encompasses more than 80% of the underground forces in Guangyang.

Although it seems that none of the officials on the official stage have anything to do with him, who knows if one of his people will suddenly pop up?

He accomplished all of this easily in just ten days since arriving, without using any of the resources of Wushen Mountain.

His goal was even to entangle with, or even kill, a terrifying seventh-rank expert.

Are all the young masters of Wushen Mountain like this?

Only people like this can be selected?

While Zhang Lan was excited, he also couldn't quite understand Li Qi, who had always treated him like a brother and was completely unpretentious.

However, Li Qi seemed not to notice this change, and continued, "This is the purpose of calling you here, Brother Zhang. Let's continue discussing the situation in Guangyang."

"At this moment, the Guangyang Sima and Guangyang Situ are still officials. I strongly suspect that these two identities are still monitoring the situation in Guangyang. Therefore, they have been using underground forces most of the time recently so as not to be detected by the authorities."

"Therefore, I need an official figure, someone who can speak openly in Guangyang, and that is you, Brother Zhang. You are the Sword Master of the Righteous Sword Palace, chivalrous and upright, with a respectable identity, and you are perfect for this task."

"Take some martial arts practitioners with you, along with some official forces, preferably the army, and head to the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest!"

I want you to help me—

"Contact the Rat Soil Tomb! Tell them that the one who truly understands rituals is not the Chanzhi, but me."