Conversation

On the streets of the Tang Kingdom, the Great Shaman and Li Qi walked one after the other.

Moreover, no one noticed them. Li Qi could even see many people passing through their bodies. No one could see themselves, and they could not touch each other.

It's as if I don't exist in this world.

However, this should be the work of a high shaman, so there's no need to make a fuss about it.

Let's focus on the one-on-one conversation with the Great Shaman; this could be a great fortuitous opportunity.

Did Senior Yun Fang speak of himself to this great shaman?

Li Qi thought to himself with a puzzled expression.

However, he was a smart man and quickly figured out the underlying reasons.

It's likely that Senior Yun Fang found out that this great shaman would be leading the delegation, so he contacted the great shaman in advance to ask for his assistance.

It's not hard to guess the other party's motives; they're probably just like Senior Yun Fang claimed—that he really resembles his disciple.

To be honest, Li Qi always felt quite burdened and uncomfortable with the care he received in this way.

Never mind... Just remember it in your heart.

Moreover, normally, this kind of thing should be done by one's own teacher...

Unfortunately, given his teacher's carefree nature, he probably wouldn't have remembered this, so in the end, Senior Yun Fang had to do it for him.

Therefore, Li Qi immediately asked, "Senior Yun Fang... what did he say?"

"It's nothing, just some things about you, to give me a basic understanding of you so I won't feel like a complete stranger," the Great Shaman said calmly, his tone flat.

That's true, and it's unlikely that there will be any significant ups and downs in such matters.

So Li Qi changed the subject. "Well, since you address Senior Yun Fang as 'senior,' is it because he is very strong?"

"We Shaman don't determine the order of events based on strength. Battles are secondary to us. How could someone be called a senior just because they are strong? If we're talking about strength, your teacher Zhu Fengdan is the best among the third-rank cultivators. Do you think I call him a senior?"

Li Qi immediately said, "That's right, but Great Shaman, could you tell me about my master and Senior Yun Fang? You know my master's personality..."

Zhu Fengdan's personality, she certainly wouldn't talk about useless trifles. In fact, even if something were useful, she might not say it; it probably depends on her mood.

"As for your master's affairs... let him tell you himself. After all, it's a matter between you and your master, and I shouldn't interfere. He'll tell you when he's in a better mood." This great shaman seemed very unwilling to involve Zhu Fengdan.

But he immediately added, "However, it wouldn't hurt to tell you when it's time for Senior Yun Fang."

Li Qi immediately straightened up and listened attentively.

We should still show basic respect for such matters.

"The reason he is addressed as a senior is quite simple: he truly is a senior. Those of the same generation as Senior Yun Fang have either already reached the second rank or are already dead. Only he has maintained the cultivation of the third rank and has lived to this day," the Great Shaman said.

Li Qi remained silent and listened quietly.

The reason is something he can guess himself.

Senior Yun Fang's disciple, who was also his inner demon, had been sealed within him all along.

As long as his inner demons remain, his cultivation will never improve, and he will always be stuck at that point.

For such beings, demons are easy to destroy; those so-called inner demons can be reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye.

With just a wave of his hand, he could destroy the 'demon' that was entrenched in the microcosm of his body, freeing his cultivation from being imprisoned.

But that's what makes inner demons so terrifying.

The real inner demon lies not in the demon itself... but in your inability to bring yourself to strike.

With this single swing, he could truly kill his disciple, and there would be no way to bring him back to life.

Therefore, even though his own cultivation had stagnated, and even though his disciple was trapped inside and had gone mad, Senior Yun Fang still did not free him.

He didn't exonerate himself either.

This made Li Qi sigh with emotion.

Even a third-rank powerhouse who seemed omnipotent to him had things he couldn't solve...

But the great shaman continued, "Senior Yun Fang is too old, so he knows too much. Therefore, we all respect him. If we encounter something we don't understand, we will ask him. He is like a teacher to everyone in the third rank. Everyone treats him with the respect due to a half-teacher and calls him senior."

"Because besides being knowledgeable, he is also warm-hearted, kind-hearted, and always willing to help others. He often takes the initiative to help others without asking for anything in return. You should know that, right?"

Li Qi wholeheartedly agreed with the Great Shaman's words.

Just the fact that he had come to the Tang Kingdom was enough for Senior Yun Fang to remember to send someone to give him some advice, which really made Li Qi feel flattered.

The great shaman sighed, "He is old, respected, and his character and virtue are convincing to all. Naturally, he can be called a senior. Moreover, Senior Yun Fang has done another great thing that has earned him the praise of all the shaman gods."

"What is it?" Li Qi asked.

With a casual stroke, the great shaman created a map-like image before Li Qi's eyes.

But it's not a two-dimensional map; it's a three-dimensional map that marks a portion of the sky controlled by Wushen Mountain.

He pointed to one of them and said, "There is a region outside the domain with 4.26 million worlds. It was previously unclaimed because its native inhabitants were fierce and there were several third-grade worlds guarding it. However, it was later integrated by Senior Yun Fang with his own strength and condensed into a star sector. He Heavenly Dao the Heavenly Dao with the Shaman Path. Now that region is peaceful and its foundation is solid. It faces another region outside the domain and has stopped the momentum of the Arctic Heavens from approaching. It has drawn a line for the northern Heavenly Domain of Wushen Mountain, and the Spiritual Dao can no longer spread naturally from there."

"Most importantly, Senior Yun Fang did not use force or coercion. Instead, he spent years preaching and resolving doubts in that place. He accomplished this task purely through his personal charisma, persuading that star sector to become a part of the Shaman Path without firing a single shot. Therefore, the witch gods greatly admire him."

At this point, the Great Witch sighed deeply, "Alas, it's a pity. After this matter was completed, he should have already advanced to the second rank. If it weren't for the shackles of his inner demon, how could Senior Yun Fang have stopped here? But if he had really given up that inner demon, he probably wouldn't be the Senior Yun Fang that everyone knows."

Li Qi shared the same sentiment.

Yes.

If one were to truly abandon that inner demon, forsake one's disciples, and only seek one's own advancement... even Senior Yun Fang probably couldn't do such a thing.

That's how things often are in this world.

After expressing his amazement, Li Qi immediately asked another question that concerned him, "By the way, the Great Shaman just mentioned the Northern Spiritual Path? What is that? Why did the records in the books mention the Northern Demonic Tribes? Is the book wrong? Or are there two forces in the north?"

He had heard of the Northern Demonic Tribes before, but since there were also Demon Race in the southeast of the world, he assumed that the Demon Race were powerful and occupied both sides.

How come another Northern Spiritual Path has appeared?

When the topic was brought up, the Great Shaman pondered for a moment and said, "Well... it's a bit of a secret, but I won't mind telling you."

"The Northern Demonic Tribes are different from the Southeast Demon Race. We are Human Race Human Path, but even though we are the same race, the Dao Path we take are different."

"The Northern Demonic Tribes and the Southeast Demon Race, the Southeast faction calls itself the 'Demon Path,' and the Arctic faction calls itself the 'Spirit Path.' Apart from both being Demon Race, they have virtually nothing in common."

"The sorcerers of the Southeast worship that all things are demons. Demons are a complex entity, and even humans are one of them. Their Great Sage is dedicated to turning the entire universe into a demon."

"To this end, they even developed the Imperial Flowing Sap, using it to continuously Demon Transformation, aiming to transform all unawakened creatures into demons, believing that they inherently possessed intelligence and were born to awaken, only to be hindered, and that other awakened beings had an obligation to help them awaken."

"Their research has now catalyzed the creation of many naturally born demonic creatures, including quite a few of the fourth grade and even one of the third grade."

"Wait, born with a third-grade rank? What can be born with a third-grade rank?" Li Qi asked in astonishment.

The limit for mortals should be the seventh grade, and at most the fifth grade. How can they be born with the third or fourth grade?

"Ordinary things are impossible, of course, but that time they Demonization a Void Returning to Nothingness," the Great Shaman said.

Li Qi was horrified!

Return to the Ruins...

That is, a black hole!

They turned black holes into monsters?!

In other words, they believe that all things have spirits, not just cats, dogs, lions, tigers, flowers, and plants.

Rocks, soil, mineral veins, and rivers are all part of the awakening process, and even various celestial bodies, such as comets, are included, as well as stars and black holes!

Then... Li Qi suddenly realized something!

He subconsciously looked down at the ground.

Seeing this, the Great Shaman smiled and said, "That's right. They have been trying to awaken 'the world' itself, but now it seems that the hope is slim."

"What benefit do they get from doing this?" Li Qi couldn't understand.

Is it necessary to keep turning other things into demons like this? What is the motivation?

Hearing Li Qi's question, the high shaman shook his head and asked Li Qi in return, "What benefit would it bring to us shamans to transform the world into a state of peace and tranquility, a state of natural harmony?"

This made Li Qi think.

Yes, what good does it do to uphold justice and righteousness for oneself?

It doesn't seem to offer any benefit, so why should I do it?

Then, the great shaman said, "I don't know your answer, Young Master Li Qi, but for me, it's simply because I want to do it."

"I want to use my wisdom, my abilities, and my knowledge to transform the world into the way I want it to be, or, in some people's words, to develop a worldview."

"I want to shape this world into the way I see it, not just one world, but all the worlds within my sight. I like the world the way it is, and I want to make it that way."

"I feel most comfortable living in a place that aligns with my worldview; that's my answer."

"Young Master Li Qi, you will also have your own answer, or your answer may be similar to mine, or it may be different from mine, but this is your path, and no one can question it. However, you must think carefully and act prudently."

"But you need to know one thing: don't let your current perspective limit you. Not everything should be about pursuing 'benefits.' For many people, benefits and advantages are not important; they are pursuing other things."

After listening, Li Qi respectfully bowed and said, "Thank you, Great Shaman. Li Qi will remember this."

After seeing Li Qi agree, the Great Shaman nodded slightly and then said, "Well, let's continue talking about the Northern Demonic Tribes."

"This branch of the Demon Race, to be precise, does not consider themselves to be Demon Race."

"They abandoned their original physical bodies, believing that this was the only worthwhile pursuit."

"This group of Demon Race lived in a harsh and cold land. They were originally known for their physical bodies, but later they believed that the physical body was just a shackle."

"After reaching this consensus, they transformed themselves into spirits through the Great Sage's Secret Method. Their originally terrifying physical bodies were completely transformed into energy bodies, which allowed them to completely get rid of the bitter cold and all material desires."

"Wait a minute, if that's the case, isn't that similar to the Great Shamans?" Li Qi realized something and asked.

Because Li Qi learned from books that this lifestyle, which is completely detached from the physical body, can also be achieved through Shaman Path.

After reaching the highest level of the Shaman Path, one's body merges with heaven and earth. The body can be created at will and dissipated when not desired. Self-awareness does not exist because of the body, but is free, constant, and eternal.

The great shaman explained, "Yes, but that's something that happens after the third rank. If you join the Spirit Path, you can do that at the ninth rank."

"After becoming a pure energy body, one can greatly extend their lifespan, no longer be bound by a physical body, and greatly enhance both their destructive power and survivability. Moreover, they can truly possess 'their own will'."

"Think about it, once you're free from material desires, you won't be influenced by most of them. You'll be able to think about what you really want without being disturbed, focus on your true will, and not be bothered by anything from the outside world."

"That's why, apart from spreading naturally, the Spirit Path is basically uncontested by the world. They have no conflicts with other Dao Lineage, live peacefully in their own corner, and do not pursue changing the material world. The Spirit Path focuses only on the study of pure thought. In the field of divination, the Spirit Path is unparalleled in the world. I heard that they and one of the branches of the Daoist sect are studying the mathematical universe... but I don't quite understand it and can't comprehend it, so I can't tell you."

As he spoke, he expressed some regret that he couldn't go into too much detail, because he didn't understand anything about spiritual matters.

Even someone at the third rank couldn't possibly know everything.

"The boy has already benefited greatly, Great Shaman, there's no need to blame yourself," Li Qi quickly said.

"I don't feel guilty either," the high shaman replied.

Li Qi was embarrassed.

But the great shaman didn't care about these things, and instead led Li Qi through a large mountain.

"Alright, get ready, we're here. This is where I'm going to be tonight. Remember, follow me, don't talk, and don't wander off. Stay close to me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Qi suddenly felt a bright hole appear in the dark mountain.

Within it, countless threads spread out.

Li Qi decisively opened the True Knowledge Dao Charm.

"Wait, this is the aura of Dragon Vein?!" Li Qi exclaimed in astonishment.