Dark Dao Path

After bidding farewell to the Jing family, Li Qi continued on his journey.

On the way, he chatted with Shen Shuibi.

"Tell me, after meeting you twice, what will her Dao Path?" Li Qi asked.

"Difficult." Shen Shuibi shook her head.

It is indeed difficult.

Jing Yan was sincere in his heart and diligent in his actions. This was both his success and his failure. Being too sincere and too diligent made him a blockhead. Once he grasped the technique, Qi Cultivation with all his might.

In the future, once she grasps the Martial Way Divine Intent, she will surely become obsessed with its intricacies.

This made Li Qi reflect on his actions.

Can we really criticize someone like Jing Yan?

Even in the Tang Kingdom and Wushen Mountain, Li Qi had never seen anyone more diligent than her. At the ninth rank, she could sense Li Qi's aura, which, in a way, could be considered genius.

But...

Shen Shuibi has already said that her future Dao Path will not go very far, and Li Qi's judgment is almost the same.

"Being too diligent won't work, being too lazy won't work, being too stupid won't work, and being too cunning won't work either." Li Qi looked up at the sky.

That's really difficult.

He is very smart. Zhu Fengdan's evaluation of him is. "Too smart."

Jing Yan is very diligent and upright, but the evaluation she received was. "Too diligent."

That's really difficult.

The Dao Path ahead is fraught with danger; one wrong step could mean the end of your chance. But what difference is there between not moving forward and having no chance at all?

Have the courage to move forward, the wisdom to judge whether you've stumbled or not, the confidence to believe you're on the right path, and the perseverance to keep going even without tangible results.

For example, Jing Yan doesn't actually know that she's on the wrong path. So how can she distinguish between "I've taken the wrong path" and "I haven't tried hard enough"?

The answer is, it's impossible to tell the difference.

Nobody knows if it's right or wrong, nobody knows if they're working in the wrong direction, or if it's just the darkness before dawn.

As the saying goes, "He who travels a hundred li is only halfway there at ninety." But who knows if they have already traveled ninety li, or if they have simply gone the wrong way?

How could Li Qi possibly know whether his current caution was a good thing or a bad thing?

Courageous? Or reckless?

Caution? Or cowardice?

Confidence? Or arrogance?

To persist? Or to be foolish?

Was Zhu Fengdan right? And was his own judgment correct?

Li Qi suddenly felt that after seeing Jing Yan's experience, he seemed to have gained a new understanding.

At that moment, in a daze, he recalled the time when he first embarked on his cultivation journey. When he received the book "Blessing," he felt as if a smooth road to heaven had appeared before him, and all he had to do was follow it.

At that time, he felt that there were no bottlenecks in his cultivation, and everything seemed very easy. After all, he had already read through all the steps of advancement and the signs of each level.

But now, all I feel is that this road has countless forks, is overgrown with thorns, and all I see is darkness.

The entire Dao Path was a vast, endless dark land. Although there was no dramatic fighting or killing, it was far more terrifying than any battles along the way.

Your knowledge, your foundation, your diligence, your talent, and your teachers are like a lamp in the darkness, illuminating a limited area and allowing people to make a small prediction about the path ahead.

The more knowledge, diligence, and other valuable qualities you have, the brighter your light will be, and the more you'll see the path ahead.

But these lights can never illuminate the entire dark earth.

Perhaps no being can understand what the path is like. All beings, in the darkness called the 'Dao Path,' are tragic, blind Worms.

So small, so insignificant, in the darkness and unknown of the world, countless dangers lurk, and every exploration of the outside world is a journey between life and death.

The Worms itself has no idea whether its next step into the darkness will lead it to food, a predator, or even something far more indescribable and terrifying.

Li Qi named the True Knowledge Dao Charm Zhenzhi (真知) after it, but he discovered that even Zhenzhi could not see anything in the face of true, profound darkness.

Is this the truth of the Dao Path exploration? Despair, and profound.

The Dao Path we have now is the clear path that countless predecessors explored in the Dark Continent. It is a relatively safe path, which is much, much better than starting from scratch.

However, for individuals, the situation remains fraught with crisis.

Li Qi suddenly felt that even someone as strong as a first-rank expert was probably no different from him, right?

The essence of the Shaman Path's pursuit of coexistence with the entire world is to fully see through, or even illuminate, this dark continent of the 'Dao Path', right?

The future that Human Path pursues, Man replacing Heaven, should mean completely controlling this dark continent and becoming the masters of it.

The freedom that Daoism seeks is absolute safety in this dark continent, free from any danger.

What about Buddhism? Judging from their ideas and propaganda, it's about 'awakening all sentient beings,' which is the so-called great work of the Tathagata, 'the Tathagata Awakening the World.' Do they want everyone to be able to awaken and recognize the true nature of this dark continent?

Or perhaps, what they want is for all living beings to understand more? After all, Li Qi knows that there are still many truths he doesn't understand, and what he knows now is all obtained through existing clues and knowledge.

So, having understood these things, what should we do next?

Understanding something without doing it is the same as not understanding it at all.

What should we do next?

Riding on his Old Ma, Li Qi pondered the matter on his way to visit the Trumpet Flower God, and finally came to a conclusion.

He felt that since no one knew what lay ahead on this dark continent, or whether they were heading in the right direction, or even whether they were going in circles or going the wrong way, he was in no position.

Therefore, the role of teachers is very obvious. For example, Li Qi was able to use his knowledge to see Jing Yan's shortcomings, while Zhu Fengdan also pointed out Li Qi's cowardly behavior and tried to provoke him.

How do your teachers and seniors see your path clearly?

It's very simple: their 'lights' are brighter, so they can definitely see farther.

Li Qi made his decision.

He will focus his energy on the next four or five hundred years. He needs to see his future path clearly. If he finds his future path and knows how to act, then Zhu Fengdan will not force him.

Zhu Fengdan didn't pressure him, Shen Shuibi naturally didn't need to go to the most dangerous front line.

So, the next step is to go back and spend some time in the library of Wushen Mountain, let knowledge nourish you, and find possible paths in the process.

If they can't find it, they should try their best to improve their own strength and influence to help Shen Shuibi get the best possible support on the front lines.

Having made up their minds, they flew another hundred thousand miles and arrived at the Lingxiao Kingdom.

Having arrived in the Lingxiao Kingdom, there was no need for such trouble. Li Qi simply cast a Technique Method into the sky.

The Technique Method unfolded, transforming into vital energy that slowly expanded, like clouds continuously releasing life force.

These energies will slowly release, improving the weather in the Lingxiao Kingdom to some extent, making it favorable for crops, and this will probably last for about a year.

This level of Technique Method was quite taxing for Li Qi, but he still did it.

There are two main points. First, with such a commotion, the Trumpet Flower God would definitely notice. This can be seen as a friendly way of knocking on the door, and also as a gift of a sudden visit.

Secondly, Li Qi saw the situation below, so he took action to alleviate the suffering of the people with a small act of kindness.

The Lingxiao Kingdom was actually saved once by the Trumpet Flower God. In Chang'an, the Trumpet Flower God used the national fortune of the Lingxiao Kingdom to shield herself from a calamity.

That time, Li Qi knew that Lingxiao Kingdom would inevitably suffer many calamities in the future, with no rain, constant earthquakes, rampant plagues, and frequent disasters. After all, the decline of the nation's fortunes would certainly come at a price.

For the people of a nation to shield their ruler from calamity is a classic example of a wicked Human Path Evil Method. In true Human Path, such methods are absolutely forbidden.

Drawing upon the nation's fortune, devouring the power of the masses, and even forming something like a 'company' that uses the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people as resources for cultivation—from the perspective of orthodox Human Path, this is an operation akin to digging up the roots, Evil Method that must be completely eradicated.

Because doing so deviates from the essence of Human Path.

To those in positions of power in the field of Human Path, they themselves are also part of the 'human being'.

This is the essence of Human Path. Whether they are in high positions or ordinary people, they are all part of a whole and cannot be separated. When those in high positions help those at the bottom, they are also helping themselves. When those at the bottom contribute to those in high positions, they can also benefit themselves.

"Everyone for me, and I for everyone" – this "for" not only means "for the sake of" but also includes the meaning of "becoming". There is no essential difference between "everyone" and "I". We are all a whole. Therefore, the position of Human Path official can draw on the strength of the masses and enable all Human Path officials to have a dual status.

If one were to absorb the nation's fortune like the Trumpet Flower God of the Trumpet Creeper, then the two would be completely separated: the ruler is the ruler, and the people are the people. I do not serve the people, but the people must serve me. The purpose of the people's existence is to serve as nourishment for the ruler.

In that case, what Human Path is there to speak of? It would only make it more similar to the various sects of Shintoism.

The difference is probably just that Human Path are more efficient at extracting nutrients and faster at digging deep into the roots.

Furthermore, even within the Shinto path, a lineage that relies entirely on believers for power is the Lower Vehicle of the Lower Vehicle. The true Innate Spirits exist on their own; it is the believers who need them, not the other way around. The act of leeching off believers is considered the behavior of insects in the eyes of high-ranking deities.

Human Path does not approve of this practice. It seems that when the Trumpet Flower God used this method, she had already decided to completely break away from Human Path.

Li Qi didn't really approve of this method and wouldn't use it himself, but everyone has their own methods, and he didn't think there would be a problem if others used them.

Shaman are like that, anything goes, they're all acceptable, since your existence is part of this world anyway.

As the Technique Method in his hands evolved, Li Qi's expression became slightly serious. After all, this matter was not so simple and could not be done casually.

The vitality is growing stronger, but the true source of vitality lies in the overall trend, like the shape of the earth, sometimes hidden and sometimes unassuming.

These organisms will enter the atmospheric circulation and gradually flow into the entire Lingxiao Kingdom over several years, which should reduce the number of diseases in the entire Lingxiao Kingdom by about 10%.

Lingxiao Kingdom is not small, with a population of over one billion. To reduce diseases by more than 10% is already a remarkable Technique Method. It is only thanks to Li Qi being Shaman that he was able to accomplish such a thing.

If Shen Shuibi were to do this, it wouldn't be as convenient as Li Qi. She would probably have to manually plant arrays in various ley lines, then activate the earth's energy to transmit life force, and it would take three or four months of hard work to see any results.

Of course, the effect will be better.

The methods used by different Dao Lineage are still different.

It is said that in Buddhism, all that is needed is a Jade Pure Bottle, sprinkled with water by dipping a willow branch, to cure a country of disease; that is another method altogether.

As Li Qi's Technique Method gradually unfolded, several Chen later, this cloud of life finally took shape and then quickly joined the atmospheric circulation.

These few Chen have been enough for the Trumpet Flower God to react.

But after the clouds of life dissipated, a figure drifted over.

A single fragrant flower, its scent filling the road, suddenly a sigh is heard. A moment later, a glimpse of a curtain is seen, and a figure stands there, glancing sideways, a hint of melancholy in the delicate fragrance.

The newcomer was a beauty, a noble lady, and a celestial being; her shadow fluttered gracefully, and her steps were slow and hesitant.

With her arrival, suddenly, one felt a misty haze, and the air was filled with fragrant blossoms. With her light makeup and elegant demeanor, she lingered by the flowers, her gaze lingering for a moment, making it impossible for one to take a step.

Shen Shuibi frowned and looked at the other person.

But there's nothing wrong with it.

Having heard of the Flower Goddess's fame, she truly lives up to it... her beauty is almost unpleasant.

Li Qi, however, was used to it and took the initiative to cup his hands in greeting. "Li Qi am ashamed that Your Majesty has come from afar to welcome us. By the way, this is my wife. We have just returned from Penglai and happened to be in the Lingxiao Kingdom, so we came to visit and see our old friends."

"It is truly impolite of the Sovereign of Lingxiao Kingdom to have his esteemed guests arrive with gifts beforehand. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by your presence. We would be honored if you were to come to my palace where a banquet will be prepared to welcome you."

His words were very distinct, and he didn't mention Li Qi's name at all. He treated the two of them as one, which was extremely appropriate and made Shen Shuibi's expression relax a bit.

The Flower Goddess, having come from a place like the Imperial Garden, naturally knew how to speak and act with propriety.

As for the incident with Liu Donghe in the past, clinging to Li Qi and dragging him down to support himself, that was purely out of personal feelings.

Otherwise, how could the Trumpet Flower have such a reputation?

"No need, no need. I just happened to be passing by and came to check on things. How is Your Majesty doing lately? I see that your injuries seem to be mostly healed." Li Qi decisively waved his hand to politely decline.

Forget it, drinking with the Sovereign of Lingxiao Kingdom, who knows what kind of trouble that might happen.

"So, young master still cares about me, and even brought his wife to visit, making a special trip to cure the diseases and eliminate disasters for the millions of people in the Lingxiao Kingdom. This is truly a great act of kindness," said the Sovereign of Lingxiao Kingdom.

Li Qi didn't want to talk about these things anymore, otherwise Rabbit would get angry. So he waved his hand and said, "I didn't come here for these things, but to ask the king about Buddhism."