Zhu Fengdan Knocks on the Door

Unlike Li Qi's unwavering resolve, the Little Heavenly Master felt as if his brain was about to explode.

He was alright in front of Li Qi; he could still manage to keep a straight face and force a smile while drinking tea.

After all, he couldn't afford to lose face; he couldn't bear the humiliation.

But the moment he stepped out of Li Qi's flying boat after saying goodbye, his breathing became disordered.

Then, the Little Heavenly Master spent two quarters of an hour, at a speed ten thousand times faster than the Heavenly Way Limit, quickly finding a deserted dead zone in the world, then carved out a Dao Field and sat down inside.

There was no way around it; he was fixated on the idea that he could only meditate in a clean and refreshing Dao Field.

In Li Qi's words, this is obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the Little Heavenly Master calls it an obsession.

After he sat down in the Dao Field, he transformed the area within a hundred miles into a white jade palace. There were jade platforms and pavilions all around, and the air was filled with fragrance. Within a hundred miles, everything was pure white, and countless strange phenomena appeared in the void, as if a White Jade Capital was floating in the void.

If the native world could see this, perhaps it would be an Outer Heaven realm with a cave abode.

Of course, it really is cave abode.

The Little Heavenly Master sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to think.

Li Qi firmly believed that his spirit existed and was equal to that of the powerful.

But the Little Heavenly Master couldn't do that.

Unlike Li Qi, the Little Heavenly Master could not firmly believe that his existence was always real.

This directly led to his Dao heart after he realized the world was illusory.

Why would they waver?

Because the Little Heavenly Master Zhang Zong is a very intelligent person, he can immediately deduce that his existence is illusory.

First, it is known that backtracking does indeed exist.

In other words, the future is the present, and the past is also the present.

Has the future ever happened? Does the future really exist?

It is obvious that the future has not happened; in other words, the future does not exist.

If the future does not exist, then how did the powerful beings obtain information about something that does not exist?

Since the future exists and I can communicate with it, doesn't that mean the future is the present?

If the future has already happened, then by looking back, the information from the future will naturally have reached the present.

Information about the future exists alongside information about the present; therefore, the future is also the present.

When you have the means to interfere with the future, the future essentially exists simultaneously with the present.

Similarly, when you can go back to the past, it means that the past can also become the present.

In other words, the past, present, and future are all integrated into the present.

Therefore, it can be deduced that the future does not actually exist; the future and the present are one, because you can communicate with the future anytime, anywhere, and you can also travel to the past anytime, anywhere.

This leads to another conclusion—

A being with reality can do this, while a being without reality cannot.

So...

A most terrifying truth has emerged...

How can you be sure you are authentic?

Is it possible that time itself does not exist, and therefore there is no history, present, or future, so that facts are no longer 'solid' or 'real'?

Does reality truly exist? Were we not created by some powerful being from just a moment ago?

The universe was just born from this moment. All your memories, experiences, life, ideals, emotions, and passions before that moment are actually nothingness.

Did anything really happen in the past?

Does the past really exist?

The universe was only born a second ago. Everything we experience is just what we think we've experienced; in reality, we haven't experienced it at all, and our memories are completely false.

How can you be sure that you weren't just born a second ago?

You cannot confirm it, therefore you have no reality.

You are not real; you are a very ethereal thing, appearing out of thin air one second and disappearing out of thin air the next.

All the memories and experiences you have during that one second of your existence are merely what you 'think' about.

This is the True Intention of 'reality'.

If one no longer possesses any real existence, it means that one might have been created one second ago and disappeared the next.

Faced with such immense terror, Li Qi chose to simply give up. He believed that he already existed, so whatever happened, his existence was not based on things like the 'past' or the 'future'. His thoughts existed, therefore he existed.

This is actually... very close to the ideas of the demonic path, and this is also the part of Li Qi 'Dao Path that leans towards the demonic path.

Therefore, the Little Heavenly Master would not have such thoughts.

He must find other ways to convince himself and provide a suitable, self-consistent logic to explain his own existence; otherwise, his cultivation will gradually disintegrate and he will find it difficult to make further progress.

Just as the Little Heavenly Master was in seclusion, trying to stabilize his cultivation, a voice suddenly came from the side. "Young man, don't be in such a hurry."

The Little Heavenly Master suddenly opened his eyes. Who was it?!

Magic thoughts!?

But when he opened his eyes, he saw something completely unexpected.

A young man, around twenty or thirty years old, dressed in a fashionable robe commonly seen on the other side of the Human Path, looked at the Little Heavenly Master with a nonchalant smile.

The Little Heavenly Master recognized this person. When he came, his master specifically reminded him to be respectful when he encountered this person while looking for Li Qi, and not to cause any conflict with him.

The Great Shaman – Zhu Fengdan.

But why is Zhu Fengdan here?

The Little Heavenly Master was puzzled, and at the same time, he became wary.

Is this really Zhu Fengdan?

This is very suspicious...

Just as this thought popped into his head, the other party suddenly reached out and smacked the Little Heavenly Master hard on the head.

The Little Heavenly Master clearly saw the other person's hand swing down.

But... there's no escaping it.

He could only watch helplessly as the fingertip fell, breaking through the protective energy, and then struck his head with a crisp, light sound.

It hurts.

"Kid, don't think too much. You definitely can't understand this kind of thing right now. Just know that no matter what happened a second ago or a second later, as long as you exist now, isn't that enough?" Zhu Fengdan tapped the Little Heavenly Master and said this.

"Senior." The Little Heavenly Master immediately stood up and bowed. "Let's set aside other matters... and just talk about this one thing: why did you come to see me, Senior?"

"I need you to replace Xia Li Qi and help him complete the task of controlling the slaughter, because I need to take him to another place, but you need to show signs of staying in the same place during this period and not disappear."

"My disguise will probably be exposed soon," the Little Heavenly Master said hesitantly.

"No, the Witch God and the True Immortal will personally intervene to cover up your situation. All you need to do is carry out the task of controlling the slaughter. Your combat strength is similar to Li Qi's, making you the most suitable candidate," Zhu Fengdan said.

"I'm afraid I can't refuse. Where Li Qi is going is not something I can ask. So... can I ask for some compensation?" the Little Heavenly Master said, seizing the opportunity.

"I can't fool you with my teachings, since your master is stronger than me. So... as for the reward, I'll let you have a good deal. I'll have Li Qi do two things for you, and then Li Qi will help you solve the problem of your Dao heart that you're currently facing. How about that?" Zhu Fengdan held up two fingers and made a V-sign.

"Let Li Qi?" The Little Heavenly Master's expression was subtle, as if he wanted to complain, but he still paid attention to etiquette and did not say it.

"What, you think he'd dare refuse if I asked him to? Or do you think you look down on his skills?" Zhu Fengdan chuckled, "By the way, I heard you're good at making tea. Come on, brew me a pot."

The Little Heavenly Master's expression was subtle.

Well...

This division commander seems to be acting somewhat disrespectfully of his age; I don't know how to describe him...

That's fine, let it be.

He nodded and said, "Since the Great Shaman wishes to do so, I shall comply. However, I wonder how long it will take to impersonate Li Qi? I'm afraid that if it takes too long, I will be exposed."

"Not long, at most a hundred years, but during this period, you must fulfill your duties as the Chief of the Slaughter, and also be responsible for maintaining Li Qi's daily relationships. Most importantly, you must take responsibility for Li Qi's karma with your own consciousness. That is the reason you were chosen," Zhu Fengdan said.

"Bear the consequences? Wait, you want Li Qi to be 'all alone'?" The Little Heavenly Master's expression turned serious.

"It's not you, it's us," Zhu Fengdan said with a light laugh as she looked at the Little Heavenly Master.

At this moment, the Little Heavenly Master suddenly remembered.

This great shaman just mentioned 'shaman god and True Immortal,' wait, does being chosen mean it was the will of his own True Immortal?

The Little Heavenly Master coughed out immediately.

Damn it, these bastards, they never show up normally, but when they do, they give us a huge beating.

"Indeed, these bastards are really good at causing trouble for me. If this weren't a good thing for Li Qi, I wouldn't put up with them." Zhu Fengdan curled her lip.

This gave the Little Heavenly Master a cold sweat.

Hey, hey, hey, those are True Immortal and witch gods! Won't you get beaten up for spouting such nonsense? You'll really get into trouble.

But Zhu Fengdan clapped her hands at this moment. "Alright, what about making tea? Why are you still standing there? Hurry up, you don't want me to prepare tea leaves, do you?"

"Uh... Great Shaman, you seem to have a tea tree from Penglai Immortal Tea, right? I don't have any of the highest quality tea leaves from it. Could you...?" The Little Heavenly Master reached out his hand.

"It's already been brewed and drunk, it's pointless," Zhu Fengdan waved her hand and said casually.

The Little Heavenly Master's pupils dilated, and his fingers trembled.

Wow, that stuff only produces one leaf every 100,000 years, and it takes fifty leaves to brew one pot!

"How... how did you get him?" the Little Heavenly Master said through gritted teeth, even forgetting to use a respectful title.

"How else can you brew tea? Just pick them and steep them in water." Zhu Fengdan propped her chin on her hand, not caring about the Little Heavenly Master's rudeness.

If we're talking about being rude, there's probably no one in the world more rude than him.

Upon hearing this answer, the Little Heavenly Master felt his heart stop and his lips tremble uncontrollably.

The most tender buds from the branches and leaves of the Penglai Immortal Tea Tree only sprout once every 100,000 years. They need to undergo 72 processes of roasting and fermentation to cultivate the ultimate aroma and fully unleash the Daoist essence. Finally, they are brewed using a special water method, steeped in Spirit Spring water of grade four or above from Penglai. It is absolutely forbidden to let them be contaminated with Fire Qi in order to preserve their flavor.

But the person in front of me is simply, simply...

"Alright, are you going to soak or not? If not, I'm leaving," Zhu Fengdan urged impatiently.

The Little Heavenly Master looked at the other party with trembling eyes, and after a long while, he hung his head dejectedly and said, "Please wait a moment, Great Shaman."

However, without realizing it, his mind had strayed from the practical issues and he began to mentally criticize the unreliable shaman in front of him.

Let's not even talk about what happened with the Little Heavenly Master.

After Li Qi finished clearing another battlefield, he suddenly received an order from the 'Alliance'.

The order came directly from the Ranked Shaman; there was one thing only he could do.

Someone will take over Li Qi's current task, so he doesn't need to worry and can head directly to the nearest Liesu.

"A new mission?" Li Qi frowned slightly.

Moreover, it was an order directly issued by the Ranked Shaman.

This gave Li Qi a headache, as if he had a PTSD attack. Just thinking about the minds of the powerful beings made him feel dizzy.

To be honest, Li Qi had been trying to understand how to determine the winner in this kind of war.

When reality can be constantly erased and rebuilt, how can such a war possibly determine a winner?

Unable to understand, he could only follow the instructions, hoping to contribute a little to the war and tip the scales in his favor.

If he tries his best within his understanding, Li Qi can work calmly, even if he is almost exhausted.

But this was something he couldn't comprehend, so he became somewhat frightened and, sitting on the flying boat, didn't reply for a moment.

Because it's really terrifying.

Even now, Li Qi is still forcing himself to accept his own nihilism, using demonic methods to hypnotize himself into believing that he possesses reality and that his thoughts are unique.

I think, therefore I am; even if the memories are false, 'I' still exist.

If he were to experience a few more such shocks, he reckoned his Dao heart would collapse.

But at that moment, Li Qi suddenly realized...

The airship stopped.

Not only did the airship stop, but everything around it stopped.

The air, the sound, and even the various formations, mechanisms, Law Treasure inside the flying boat all came to a standstill.

It was as if... the light of space had stopped.

Li Qi had witnessed this situation once before.

The time the Heavenly Demon descended in Chang'an.

So, Li Qi took a deep breath, stood up abruptly, and wanted to join the alliance!

Someone capable of such a thing is definitely no match for you in a fight. Call for backup!

However, when he turned around, he saw Zhu Fengdan instead.

Is it Zhu Fengdan?

Could it be a demon in disguise?

Li Qi secretly became vigilant.

But the next moment, he saw Zhu Fengdan.

But he did not lower his guard; on the contrary, he became even more terrified.

Is the person in front of me really Zhu Fengdan?

However, the next moment, Zhu Fengdan sat down, laid out a pot of tea, and beckoned to Li Qi: "Come, come, disciple, this is the top-grade immortal tea I just got from Little Heavenly Master. This stuff is grade three, and Little Heavenly Master only has one pot. Come and have a taste!"

Li Qi a long sigh of relief.

This must be true.

But... why did the teacher come to see me?

Could it really be tea tasting?