Sisters' Conversation

In the Sacred Flame Realm, in the secluded cave where Li Qi lived, Yang Ning was idly pecking at the seeds of a plant.

Those were native plants of the Sacred Flame Realm. Li Qi didn't know what they were called, but Yang Ning seemed to like them very much. She often put a bunch of them on the table, then transformed into a bird and, like a woodpecker, pecked open the seeds to eat the nuts inside.

While pecking at the nuts, she said to Shen Shuibi beside her:

"I don't quite understand why you're making things so complicated. You refine the Heavenly Dao of this place, then spend more than ten years making the new generation voluntarily reproduce and worship, multiplying in large numbers. After that, you turn all entertainment activities into Dao Field and use illusion magic to help them condense holy flames. This is much more efficient, easier to manage, and won't cause so many casualties."

"That would be against the natural order," Shen Shuibi said softly as she wove the array.

Creating formations and designing formation diagrams is what she's been doing recently, and it's something she'll likely be doing for the next few decades or even centuries.

Hearing Shen Shuibi's words, Yang Ning tilted her head back and swallowed a seed, saying disdainfully, "What's against the harmony of heaven? Cultivation is inherently defying the heavens, and our cultivation is seizing the creation of heaven. What is harmony of heaven?"

"Those who defy the heavens are born of the innate way and do not go against the Dao. Because of the innate Dao, they can defy the heavens. Those who do not obey the heavens always escape the mystery. It does not mean that they must go against the heavens." Shen Shuibi immediately corrected.

Those who defy Heaven are born of Heaven and do not deviate from the Way.

With a single, gentle word, Shen Shuibi revealed the core principles of Daoism. If she were to preach Daoism outside, just this one sentence could enable countless people to break through their cultivation levels.

Daoist practitioners temper themselves with external things and absorb the vital Primal Qi of heaven and earth, which is indeed going against the natural order. However, the key point is to "be innate and not violate the Dao".

The Dao is more essential than any 'heaven'.

The act of defying the heavens through cultivation is itself an attempt to become a person of innate nature.

This is the goal of Daoism: to be carefree, liberated, and unbound by anything.

Lifespan, suffering, and even this world, the universe itself, all things in the world, and all existence will not become a constraint.

Entering and exiting the realm of life and death, roaming freely within and beyond the heavens and earth, following only the Tao within one's heart, doing as one pleases, no longer bound by any constraints.

Immortals live for their reputation like morning dew, treading on blazing storms without being scorched, treading lightly on dark waves, spreading their wings to clear away dust, riding the wind and riding in cloud-piercing carriages, looking up to the Purple Palace and down to Kunlun Mountain. Their only code of conduct is themselves.

For example, situations like Gaga's are what Daoists dislike the most.

Pushed along by fate, bound by 'destiny,' becoming practitioners of 'destiny,' their seemingly magnificent lives are merely farces performed on a predetermined path, each scene with a pre-written script.

However, being unrestrained does not mean that one must be an enemy of Heaven. What immortals are good at is ignoring it and leaving directly, which is the so-called "escape". The Dun Jia and the concept of escape refer to this.

"But there's no need to care so much about the harmony of heaven. We've wasted too much time on this so-called harmony of heaven," Yang Ning said.

She didn't blame anyone for causing too many casualties, because Yang Ning knew it was all to save more lives. Sometimes you have to make choices, just like the predecessors who stayed behind at Mount Luofu to cover the retreat.

"Li Qi is Shaman; he always tries to do things well so as not to rebel too much," Shen Shuibi said.

"That's why I don't like him. I don't understand what you're thinking. Shaman's cultivation is all about harmony, but in the end, he will never achieve transcendence." Yang Ning flew up and circled twice in the air, as if digesting her food.

"Following the will of Heaven brings good fortune, following the will of Earth brings assistance, following the will of people brings harmony, following the will of the benevolent brings no loss, and following the Way brings virtue. There is nothing wrong with that. Since everything is in harmony, what difference does it make whether one is detached or not?" Shen Shuibi replied.

"The difference is huge. Whether you have the choice or not makes all the difference." Yang Ning landed on Shen Shuibi's shoulder and pecked at her face with her beak.

"So, do you want to Discussing the Dao with him?" The rabbit didn't continue the argument but instead asked directly.

"He can't argue with me. He's still young, only a seventh-rank. Yes, that's something I find strange too. You should have found a husband, not a son. The way you treat him now is like a mother treating an infant. You even have to constantly control your power so as not to hurt him." Yang Ning returned to the table, bored.

"He only spent less than five years," Shen Shuibi said. "Moreover, he is a qualified husband. Don't forget the world you are in now. He was the one who broke through the bottleneck of Mount Luofu in the outer realm. He did all this for Mount Luofu."

"Yes, I admit it's amazing that a seventh-rank cultivator could do these things, especially considering that his cultivation level went from nothing to something in just a few years. But you don't need to marry him. Mount Luofu doesn't need such a sacrifice from you!" Yang Ning seemed somewhat annoyed.

"This is not a sacrifice, Yang Ning, he is the one I love." Shen Shuibi said frankly, her hands continuing to weave the array, runes popping out from her nimble fingers and engraving them on the base of the array diagram.

Then she continued, "I cherish him only because he still needs time to grow, just as he waited for me to recover. At that time, he could have easily killed me too, but he didn't."

"With his talent, it won't be long, at most two or three thousand years, before he reaches the fifth rank. In fact, when he's climbing to the fourth rank, you and I might still be standing still."

"Hey, you and I were born with the rank of seventh grade." Yang Ning interrupted Shen Shuibi's words with displeasure.

"Yes, he was born at the seventh rank and it took him nine thousand years to reach the fifth rank. This was with the Your Highness's wholehearted education and assistance. Not to mention that we directly inherited a part of the sect leader's Daoist essence... And he, in his mortal form, could very well have achieved this in two or three thousand years. Isn't that enough to illustrate the situation? Don't judge people by their cultivation level. If that's the case, what right do we have to stand beside the Your Highness and speak? What does our cultivation level mean to the Your Highness?" Shen Shuibi retorted.

"But how do you know? Everything you've said is just speculation. He's just a mortal, and a lecherous one at that. He took advantage of the situation, even forcibly stormed the mountain gate, causing chaos!" Yang Ning spread her wings and transformed into a woman with long golden-red hair. She sat at the table and slapped the table as she spoke.

"Furthermore, I admit his talent is extraordinary, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like he's doing you a favor. After all, he didn't even have any cultivation when he first met you—"

"Cultivation is accumulated. Just as a mountain is formed by accumulating stones and a sea by accumulating water, there is no one in the world who can achieve something without accumulating it. Those who accumulate virtue will be blessed by Heaven, aided by Earth, and supported by spirits and gods. Phoenixes will soar in their courtyards, Flood Dragon will roam their suburbs, and dragons will dwell in their marshes. Therefore, the Way governs the world. The Way is the origin of virtue, the root of Heaven, and the gate of fortune. All things depend on it for birth, for completion, and for peace. Have you forgotten what the title of the Dao Ancestor is? How can you refute people in this way?" Shen Shuibi said.

These words left Yang Ning speechless.

The title of the Dao Ancestor.

All Daoist practitioners in the world know about the introductory course.

Heavenly Venerable of Morality.

This is not the 'morality' that ordinary people talk about; that kind of morality should be called 'custom' instead.

This honorific title represents something even greater.

That which pervades all things is the Way.

That which is in harmony with Heaven and Earth is virtue.

The significance of this honorific title is self-evident.

Shen Shuibi even brought this up, so what could Yang Ning say?

Seeing Yang Ning speechless, Shen Shuibi put down her tools, moved to sit next to her.

"Moreover, I know your concerns... Yang Ning, this is not a transaction, nor is it an exchange of benefits. I did those things for him because I was willing, and he took on these debts for Mount Luofu only because he was willing."

"Let everything take its natural course, let things happen naturally, do not do anything yourself, do nothing and create nothing, let all things govern themselves, let it come from the heart and express feelings, it's not a big deal, don't think about it so complicatedly." Shen Shuibi said, and picked up her tools again to start making the array.

There's nothing special about it; it's just that we both wanted to do it. There was no transaction, no exchange of benefits, and certainly no sacrifice.

The rabbit remained calm and composed, calmly going about its business.

Compared to her helplessness when Mount Luofu was first destroyed, she now appears much calmer.

However, Yang Ning stared at her back and grumbled unhappily. Suddenly, she sprouted wings, transformed into a small golden-red bird, and flew out of the cave abode in an instant.

Meanwhile, Li Qi was writing a business plan.

Not everything can be thought out clearly in one's mind, especially when it involves the cooperation between many forces in a world. Even Li Qi has to make a detailed plan and then make minor adjustments little by little.

Help the Child of Destiny walk his destined path, and once the Child of Destiny reaches the top, the contract made at the beginning will take effect.

At that time, no one could go back on their word. This was a contract reached through the sacrificial ceremony and the Heavenly Dao, and the fate of the Sacred Flame Realm was already sealed at that moment.

Therefore, Li Qi must ensure that Gaga can successfully fulfill his destiny and become a true 'Child of Destiny'.

However, he himself felt somewhat saddened by this.

The Child of Destiny receives tremendous assistance; the entire world is helping him. However, he must fulfill his destiny—this is the price of the help from Heavenly Dao.

Heavenly Dao is without knowledge or understanding, yet it possesses a spirit. It knows what it desires and will instinctively bestow a 'destiny' upon a person. This person will then the Unseen embark on a predetermined path, during which they will receive numerous investments from the world. Ultimately, however, all of this is for the sake of the world itself.

But for a 'free' person like Li Qi, this destiny is truly a joke; he loses more than he gains.

Of course, for many more people, becoming the Child of Destiny they would love to do, because it would bring them a life of luxury and allow them to quickly improve their cultivation.

Having seen the world, they have a high opinion of themselves and are used to living a life of almost effortless wealth. This lifestyle often makes others envious, which makes them feel that there is no need to liberate themselves.

Everyone has different pursuits.

Just as Li Qi was busy doing this, he looked up in astonishment as a flame descended.

"Ah, Yang Ning?" Li Qi stopped what he was doing and looked at the descending golden crow.

No matter how you look at it, it's a very beautiful bird.

Its feathers were ablaze with fire, its entire body glowed with a golden-red hue, and it was agile, nimble, and incredibly strong.

She is much better than Shen Shuibi.

Li Qi had heard that rabbits were very curious, good at research, and very peaceful. They had studied medicine, alchemy, formations, and Dun Jia, and were also dabbling in musical instruments, painting, etiquette, history, and even weaving and silkworm raising.

But Yang Ning wasn't interested in any of these things.

From childhood to adulthood, Yang Ning has only been interested in one thing: becoming stronger.

She studied martial arts intensively, focused on improving her cultivation, and liked to fight with others. Shen Shuibi had been beaten by her since she was a child.

Of course, Lady Luofu will retaliate afterward. Rabbit had specifically mentioned this to Li Qi before, shortly after leaving Clear Mist City.

The result... naturally, was that Yang Ning was extremely strong in a fight, and there were very few opponents among the fifth rank.

Li Qi had no doubt about this; he had been beaten up several times himself.

I really hope this sister-in-law will have a better temper in the future.

But Li Qi's hopes were clearly dashed.

The moment Yang Ning landed, the shockwave twisted the air into a wall, and Li Qi was caught off guard and knocked down by this wall, flying away!

This immediately caused him to feel chest tightness, dizziness, and seeing stars.

But the next second, Yang Ning, who had already transformed into human form, gently waved her hand, and Li Qi felt a tremendous force strike him, pulling him towards Yang Ning's direction.

The hilltop collapsed under this impact, and Li Qi ultimately stood unharmed in front of Yang Ning.

I feel a little dizzy and nauseous.

Li Qi knew what was going on.

Yang Ning seemed to really want to beat herself up, but she also knew she couldn't, since Li Qi could easily be beaten to death by her.

So, in her anger, this was the only way she could vent her frustration?

Li Qi smiled wryly. Oh well, a sister-in-law is always a little uncomfortable. No one would be too comfortable if their older sister was kidnapped, unless it's something out of those unspeakable books.

That would be utterly shameless.

"Okay, what's up, Yang Ning?" Li Qi looked at Yang Ning, took a few deep breaths, and returned to normal.

After all, he was a seventh-rank cultivator and didn't have any real injuries. Although his body was considered weak among seventh-rank cultivators, he could still consider this kind of behavior as a 'joke'.

What really made Li Qi nervous was Yang Ning's face.

My sister-in-law looked very unhappy.

However, Yang Ning soon breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your plan requires the participation of people from Mount Luofu, right? I'm just the first step. Next, you plan to set your sights on other world groups, expand your business, accumulate wealth, and then pay off Mount Luofu's debts. That's your plan," Yang Ning said, looking at Li Qi.

"Uh, that's exactly what I've prepared for. In fact, I've already done some preliminary work, and a lot of preparations have been made," Li Qi said uncertainly.

Does Yang Ning have any questions about this plan? Or is she against it?

If that's the case, then things will be difficult.

But to Li Qi's surprise, after letting out a long sigh, Yang Ning said to Li Qi, "Then, if you need anything, feel free to order me around."

After speaking, she disappeared from the spot.