Opening a Manor

Zhu Fengdan was right; her judgment of Li Qi was spot on.

Li Qi was a smart man, but unfortunately, too smart.

In the wild, silverback gorillas are far heavier and have more muscle mass than leopards. Based on the data, silverback gorillas should be stronger than leopards.

In fact, leopards often prey on silverback gorillas, using them as a common food source.

Because silverback gorillas are so intelligent, their senses are very sharp, and they can sense danger and want to retreat as soon as they are slightly injured.

A leopard, with half the weight of a gorilla, can pounce on it and kill it.

Li Qi is this silverback gorilla.

Intelligent and perceptive, able to clearly discern danger, yet this makes him cowardly and weaker than even a leopard.

Therefore, we need to make Li Qi do something that isn't so smart.

Since Li Qi cares so much about Shen Shuibi, let's put Shen Shuibi first. That way, Li Qi will naturally be forced to rush out.

Whether it's voluntary or forced, it's all the same.

After Zhu Fengdan left, the two sat facing each other at the dining table and recounted what had happened.

Feeling Shen Shuibi's gaze, Li Qi felt a surge of anger and regret.

What's infuriating is that the matter has already been decided, and what's regrettable is that Li Qi himself was not up to the task and failed to seize the last opportunity.

Li Qi himself knew, of course, that if Li Qi had stood up straight and faced Zhu Fengdan the moment she revealed her Dharma form, Zhu Fengdan might have changed her mind.

So at that moment, Li Qi was ready to show himself, demonstrate his courage and boldness, and impress Zhu Fengdan.

However, the moment the Dharma image truly descended, Li Qi realized that some things cannot be changed by 'determination' or 'will'. Subjective consciousness can do many things, but it cannot change objective reality.

What's etched in your heart will always remain etched in your heart. No matter how brave you pretend to be, you're not truly brave, and you'll eventually be exposed.

In that instant... Li Qi, who was prepared and determined to perform well, saw the emptiness of the demonic path in Zhu Fengdan's Dharma form.

The emptiness of the demonic path! What does this represent?

Countless thoughts, ideas, plans, and countermeasures surged through Li Qi's mind in an instant. Ultimately, the fear from the Heavenly Demon and Zhu Fengdan swept over his soul and brain.

As the Demon Prince once said, the first reaction of the weak is to run away.

Without a doubt, Li Qi fled at that moment.

Holding Shen Shuibi tightly, he couldn't help but wonder, if it were the Demon Prince, would the Demon Prince have retreated at that moment?

Probably not.

He possessed a strong will that Zhu Fengdan lacked, which was also what Zhu Fengdan hoped Li Qi would have.

"Do we really have to push you?" Li Qi asked.

Shen Shuibi replied, "I don't know... but Great Shaman's actions must have a deeper meaning. He doesn't need to tell you all his purposes. The fact that he informed you in advance is already because you are his disciple."

Li Qi remained silent.

That makes a lot of sense, but it's always a bit hurtful to say it out loud.

"Don't worry, he wouldn't harm you. Besides, I have some ways to protect myself, so it's unlikely anything will happen to me," Shen Shuibi said.

"No, I need to think of another way, but... it's not convenient to talk here, let's go first." Li Qi let go of her hand, stood up, and decided to find a solution later.

Shen Shuibi asked in confusion, "Go? Where to?"

"We can't stay here forever. Let's go to the Ancestor Temple, apply for a cave abode, and then... we can live there. That way, we'll have a home." Li Qi sighed and said.

No matter what, we have to face it. Even if we are afraid, we have to find a way. Let's take it one step at a time.

"Settle down... Oh right, it seems this is the first real home. Perfect, then so be it. You go to the Ancestor Temple, and I'll go look for furniture and other items." Shen Shuibi clapped her hands, suddenly realizing that Li Qi was planning to establish his own residence.

She completely forgot about what Li Qi had been struggling with earlier; to be honest, she didn't care about it at all.

Li Qi was extremely conflicted before she went online, with countless thoughts swirling in his mind, unsure of what to do. But for Shen Shuibi, there was nothing to think about at all.

Whether she is a disciple of Mount Luofu, a descendant of the Sun Moon True Lead Cauldron, or Li Qi's wife, all three identities lead to the same conclusion: she must participate in the war.

For the sake of the survival of Mount Luofu, for the sake of preventing the Sun Moon True Lead Cauldron from being stolen, and for the sake of Li Qi's Dao Path, this is how it should be done. Since this is how it should be done, then naturally we should just do it. Why bother with so many other considerations?

Is it because they might die that they're not going?

You still have to go, so why worry about it?

Neither good nor evil, true nature resides in the heart—this is how Shen Shuibi considers things.

Therefore, she was more concerned about the cave abode than participating in the war, since the cave abode indicated that the two of them had truly established themselves.

To establish one's own residence is a major event.

This means you have completed your apprenticeship, are no longer required to live in your master's cave abode, have the ability to travel independently, can establish your own cave abode, and are qualified to be someone else's master.

Once you've opened your own cave abode, you're no longer a child. From then on, you walk the world alone and take on your own responsibilities.

The Daoist sect attaches great importance to this. When opening their own residence, they usually hold a ceremony, invite guests, and celebrate the completion of the cave abode. This also represents that they have now taken on a responsibility for their own destiny, growing from a sapling into a large tree, lush and verdant, supporting and protecting the residence below.

In the Human Path, the opening of a government office is a much grander affair, and not everyone can do it. A "government office" is an administrative body, and opening a government office means that you have become the official in charge of a region, truly in control of a local area, and have become the highest decision-maker in the area.

This demonstrates the importance of the term "establishing a government office".

Therefore, Shen Shuibi attached great importance to this point and immediately began to prepare the necessary items for the cave abode.

Li Qi understood this point, but he simply couldn't muster the interest to do those things right now.

If going to the front lines is inevitable, then we must find other ways to ensure Shen Shuibi's survival.

Compared to this, cave abode dwelling is merely a place to live.

After they finished eating, they cleared away the dishes and left them quietly in place before parting ways again.

Shen Shuibi excitedly went to prepare all the things needed for opening the mansion, while Li Qi went to prepare the cave abode dwelling itself.

There are actually quite a few requirements for establishing a residence in the Wushen Mountain area. Not everyone is qualified to have a formal cave abode in this place. After all, a formal cave abode is not as simple as just a mountain.

The protective array is equipped, the spiritual source is well-constructed, and then there's the reason why it's called a 'cave abode'. Generally speaking, there are many cave heavens inside as an internal space expansion. The cost of a cave abode is not low.

If you have the money to build cave abode, then you can indeed say you're independent.

But things are different inside Wushen Mountain. These cave abode have already been built and are ready to move in. All that's needed is to assign them. As a sixth-rank official and a young master of Wushen Mountain, Li Qi has basically met all these requirements. He just needs to apply to the Ancestor Temple and the clan members in charge of this area, and then wait for approval.

Li Qi arrived at the Ancestor Temple. The decorations here were not luxurious, because luxury would be useless. However, Li Qi could still notice that the floor tiles here were all of the fourth-grade divine gold, and this was only the outermost layer.

The decor isn't luxurious, but this place is actually a large fortress. After all, it's the Ancestor Temple, which stores information on all the disciples of Wushen Mountain. If this place is breached, the identities of most of the disciples of Wushen Mountain will be firmly exposed.

It's better to be on guard.

"Hello, I'm here to apply for cave abode. Here is my information." Li Qi walked to the Registry Office, took out a wisp of Literary Qi, which recorded his information and his unique Dao Path.

"Alright, just a moment." A clansman with dead fish eyes put away Li Qi's Literary Qi and began to read.

It was quiet here. There were quite a few people around who were there to do business, but everyone was quite silent. Even when they spoke, they did so cautiously, and no one made a loud noise.

Because this is an important facility for the clan.

As one of the three main lineages of the Shaman, the Zongren is known for its great power. Moreover, the Zongren is in charge of the internal affairs of the entire Wushen Mountain and belongs to the management level.

The diviners don't handle affairs; they mainly serve as advisors and consultants, and occasionally take on some tasks. The Shaman, on the other hand, are responsible for external affairs, such as conquest and mediation. The division of labor is very clear.

While waiting, Li Qi looked around. The people at the Ancestor Temple were not enthusiastic, but they did not make things difficult either. Everything was handled officially and in accordance with regulations.

The clansmen were very quick; Li Qi only waited for about fifteen minutes before an address and a key-shaped Law Treasure were delivered to him.

"This mountain has no name. It's a sixth-grade cave abode, containing three fixed Sixth-Rank Grotto-Heaven. One produces medicine, and the other two are empty. You can dispose of them as you see fit. However, if you arrange for anything dangerous, such as raising ferocious beasts or cutting off a piece of hell to put inside, please report it in advance and have a safety assessment conducted," the sect leader said calmly.

Li Qi wiped his sweat and said, "Has anyone done this before?"

"This happens every year, so safety assessments are very important." Zongren cautioned, "There have been cases before where people secretly raised Iron-Eating Beast cubs, resulting in the loss of two Grade 4 Grotto-Heavens, which were completely devoured. You have to bear all these losses yourself, so you must be careful."

"I will definitely pay attention." Li Qi nodded.

Which deity is so brave?

Never mind, it doesn't matter. As long as I get the address of my cave abode, that's fine.

Next, he used Technique Method to send a message to Shen Shuibi.

Li Qi stomped his foot, and a special fluctuation emanated from the earth's veins, which Shen Shuibi could sense with just a little attention.

Then I'll go over there first, open up the cave abode, and clean it up.

After a long flight, we arrived at our destination quickly.

This place is about 40,000 li away from the Ancestor Temple, and it is considered a relatively central part of Wushen Mountain.

This is a seemingly ordinary mountain, but it covers a considerable area, extending for hundreds of miles around. The highest point is where the cave abode is located. It is the convergence point of the mountain and water energy of the hundred-mile mountain range, a place of spiritual beauty and divine charm, with an atmosphere of an Immortal Mountain.

The mist is thick, and standing here, you can feel the Spiritual Qi rushing towards you. Not only that, you can also feel the vitality of life. There are ordinary mortals, ordinary wild beasts, and normal Mountain Spirits and Wild Monsters living all around.

Li Qi sat atop the mountain, took out the key-shaped Law Treasure, and gently activated it.

But then they saw a cave on the mountaintop. A large rock at the entrance had fallen down, revealing the cave inside. The cave walls and cave abode were adorned with mountains, stars, the sun, and the moon, and the scenery was mysterious and inscrutable, yet it looked just like a scene from the human world.

Among them are three Sixth-Rank Grotto-Heaven, each operating independently, as if following the Heavenly Principle order.

This thing is very valuable, but unfortunately it's already fixed here and belongs to the public property. It's just temporarily given to Li Qi.

However, this 'temporary' period is very long, seemingly an era, and it can be extended at any time. As long as Li Qi is alive and applies for an extension every era, it will always be his.

If he dies or is missing for a long time, this cave abode will still be used by others in the future. After all, although there are many mountains near Wushen Mountain, the number is limited. A cave abode covering a hundred miles cannot be wasted like this.

Looking at the cave abode, Li Qi entered and found a rock to sit on.

The place was empty except for the scenery Shen Shuibi was entrusted with procuring all the necessary items and equipment, and it should be done in two or three days.

But at that moment, Li Qi saw a thumping sound coming from the entrance of the cave.

It wasn't the sound of falling rocks; there was the presence of people outside.

"Hmm? The door isn't closed. Please come in," Li Qi said.

I just arrived and someone's already visiting? Is it a neighbor or something?

Just then, an old ox walked in from outside.

That was truly a magnificent and extraordinary bull, three zhang long and one zhang tall, with white skin all over its body, black and gold horns, and bulging muscles. With each movement, it exuded a sense of oppression, and it looked to be around the seventh rank.

The old ox remained in its original form, head bowed, and cautiously entered. Then it loudly proclaimed, "This humble god is the mountain god of Xuanjing Mountain, named Niu Huang. Shaman!"

"When Shaman opened the mountain, I learned that Shaman had come to guide me to the cave abode. So I came to pay my Shaman."

As he spoke, the old ox immediately knelt down, and a wisp of energy drifted over. It was actually a refined Heavenly Dao, which should be the control of an extraterrestrial world.

The gift he mentioned must be this otherworld; he's probably feeling the pinch.

But Li Qi didn't accept it; he just couldn't help but smile.

This name... calling someone "Niu Huang" is serious.

He only managed a brief smile before his smile faded; he couldn't help it, he had something on his mind.

Li Qi waved his hand and said, "Niu Huang, I've only come to establish my residence. There's no need for a formal visit or gifts. I'm already delighted that you've come to congratulate me. Please take back the gifts. I'd just trouble you to inform the spirits and beasts in the mountains who have entered the path of cultivation to come and have a drink to celebrate with me."

"I accept the decree of the Shaman!" The old ox quickly bowed, but did not leave immediately.