Opportunity

This was indeed another Yuan Shi, identical in nature to the one Li Fan had hidden under the tea table cushion.

Of course, not identical in content, but in nature.

Unfurled by Qin Jianshi and presented to Li Fan, it wasn't a specific picture or image, but densely packed text. Though since his transmigration, likely due to the passive effects of being a transmigrator and system assistance, he could understand any scripture or cultivation method at a glance, Li Fan truly couldn't comprehend the text in this Key Scroll for Exposing Evil. Upper Volume.

Because it wasn't an actual article, just a jumble of characters written together without any actual poetic or literary meaning. There were no punctuation marks either, so he didn't know if he should read it vertically or horizontally. How could he understand it?

Real Person Liang's Yuan Shi was also like this. He hadn't drawn any specific Demons and Devils for research and judgment, just an ordinary landscape painting. Literally, a painting of mountains and a river.

Both scrolls were like decryption games, truly heavenly texts.

Or perhaps, the so-called Yuan Shi was precisely because the author himself couldn't understand the information he perceived, and could only directly record this meaningless data in the form of pictures or text.

This was much safer than Bai Yue's direct contact, but with a person's senses in between, the difficulty of understanding increased a thousandfold.

Perhaps only a madman whose brainwaves were aligned could understand it?

However, from the sound of Profound Heaven Sword Intent's meaning, it must have obtained the lower volume of this Key Scroll? Sword Intent?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states, heh heh heh, hahaha, ho ho ho hahaha'

...Fine, this guy would probably be in this semi-insane state for a while.

Li Fan, completely bewildered, had no choice but to ask Qin Jianshi, who looked like he was afraid of needles and didn't dare to look at them, "Master, I saw it. Is this the Yuan Shi of that Luo Sect? Do you want me to look at what's inside? Should I copy it down?"

Qin Jianshi quickly rolled up the scroll again, clutched it tightly, and hid it in his embrace, not revealing any of the writing. Then, he turned back, panting, and glared, "You can copy it down? Remembered it in one go? Did you really not see this kind of thing before?"

"Indeed, I have never read this scripture."

Li Fan shrugged. His super memory and comprehension were definitely not from his original body; they were probably a free gift from the system. But the system hadn't given him the memories of the previous body.

As a result, Li Fan was abducted the moment he transmigrated, completely clueless. He had no inheritance of the previous body's experiences or memories. He had no impression of his relatives or family, didn't even know if his parents were still alive or where his hometown was. The three Ink Bamboo Mountain disciples who abducted him were wearing 'faceless masks,' making it impossible to trace anything.

Qin Jianshi could also tell he wasn't lying. He shook his head, "I heard that the first time you saw Bai Yue, you immediately saw the Dao Ancestor Empty Star, and I suspected this was the case.

This Yuan Shi is the heavenly text written by Luo Sect's Patriarch Luo after observing Void Star Dao Ancestor, compiled into a classic by Luo Sect disciples.

That Patriarch Luo was also an Ascended-level great cultivator, a peerless devilish overlord. If he hadn't suddenly gone mad after observing Empty Star, perhaps Luo Sect could have risen like God Sect in the past and become the fourth major power in the world.

But with his madness, Luo Sect lost its leader, and its affiliated forces were naturally annihilated by the joint efforts of the three major sects. The suppression of the Black Lotus Sect rebellion in Li Country back then was just a small skirmish during the three major sects' encirclement and annihilation of Luo Sect.

After that battle, the three major sects had also lost many men, naturally leading to peace in the world and little bloodshed."

"So that's how it is..." So this wasn't even the first-hand Yuan Shi, and who knows how many people were in between passing it down. How could anyone understand it... Sword Intent, can you understand it? Didn't you get the lower volume? Recite it for me to hear.

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states, of course I can't understand it! After so many years, how can I still remember it! Ah--hahaha! Ahaha! Ahahahahaha!'

If you can't understand it and can't remember it, isn't that the same as the upper and lower volumes being empty? Then what are you laughing about...

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states, so what if I don't understand! Who wants to practice Luo Sect's cultivation methods! I want to let the world know that even Empty Star's heavenly text is not as good as my Beichen Sword Sect! See! How many people died fighting for this heavenly text back then! And now it's still in my hands! See! My Beichen Sword Sect is invincible in the world! Ahahaha!'

Alright, this guy's gone mad, I can't count on him for now...

Seeing that Li Fan still had no reaction, Qin Jianshi took a sip of tea and thought for a moment before speaking, "Qingyue, actually, I initially suspected you were a reincarnation of a Luo Sect disciple."

Huh?

Qin Jianshi explained, "I guessed that you were previously a great cultivator reincarnated from Luo Sect's Liberation by Violence, which is why you could resonate with the Yuan Shi in my hand, and why you saw Empty Star the first time you encountered Bai Yue. However... I think I was probably just overthinking it."

Why?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent states, nonsense! Patriarch Luo went mad after seeing Empty Star! I barely escaped death by merging with my sword! And you're fine! How could you be a reincarnated piece of trash I casually killed! Who can reincarnate from my hands! I don't believe it! Impossible! Impossible! Hee hee hee hahaha ho ho ho ha!'

...Is this system really okay?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent has achieved a small goal, filled with joy and excitement, unable to contain itself. Host, please be understanding.'

Oh, now I get it. If I could earn a small goal, I'd be laughing like this too.

Qin Jianshi also smiled, "Luo Sect's remnants are still being hunted by the three major sects, causing countless families to be wiped out. A reincarnated person would probably wish they could feign madness and act foolish, not boldly encounter Bai Yue in front of me and reveal themselves.

Either you're a natural Dao seed, or you're just a plain idiot."

Li Fan, "..."

"Of course, I'm more suspicious of your Human Dao family background. It might be remnants of Black Lotus Sect, or Luo Sect. If you were truly a reincarnated Luo Sect disciple, you would at least have some foundation from your sect. It's impossible to see Luo Sect's heavenly text and have no reaction of Daoization and breakthrough."

Qin Jianshi began to wrap up the Key Scroll for Exposing Evil. Upper Volume in his hand with silk cloth, banners, and a paper box, truly only showing it to him for a glance. "Qingyue, don't blame me for intentionally testing you. It's just that our The Mountain Lord lineage has always been sparse. Suddenly, one with a bright future died, and you might have some unspeakable connection with past enemies. So I came to see you."

"Oh... Oh, oh!" This time Li Fan finally reacted, "So you suspect I'm a spy from Luo Sect and that I harmed Senior Brother Lu?"

Qin Jianshi nodded frankly, "Precisely."

Li Fan froze, and cold sweat seeped from his back.

These people are so calculating!

It made sense. In the eyes of Bamboo Mountain, it was indeed possible for him, Li Fan, to be a reincarnated Luo Sect disciple since he saw Empty Star at first sight. And it was him who temporarily joined Senior Brother Lu's Mu Long's team, only for something to happen that same day! Moreover, how could a Qi Refining cultivator like him kill a Golden Core cultivator! The suspicion was even greater! If he was a reincarnated Luo Sect remnant, it would all make sense!

Furthermore, if Ink Bamboo Mountain was ruthless and judged by signs rather than intentions, they might have simply eliminated him!

Leaving him alone for so many days might have just been them testing and monitoring him!

Even Fuling and Xuan Bao, did they go to fight each other on their own, or were they lured away in advance, playing a game of "feigning disinterest to lure the snake out of its hole"?

What about the Kun? Profound Heaven Sword Intent? The flying dog disc? The system? Have all his trump cards also been exposed?

What was the meaning of this old man jumping out now and showing him the secret scroll and heavenly text in his hand?

Is it time to reveal the dagger and cast the net!?

Li Fan felt his mouth go dry, goosebumps prickling his neck. He was sitting on pins and needles, almost wanting to bolt.

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, don't move!'

"Calm yourself and drink some tea," Qin Jianshi's voice boomed.

Startled by the two voices, Li Fan unconsciously picked up the tea and took a sip, feeling inexplicably calmer.

"Don't overthink it. The Abbot's intention was just for me to be prepared, and to personally check on you. If you were truly a spy from the Luo Sect, why would you help The Mountain Lord and Wangshu cultivate, doing such conspicuous things?"

Qin Jianshi carefully wrapped the scroll, placed it in a jade box, and put it into his jade pendant. He then took out a purple jade gourd with a golden lid and narrow mouth, placing it before Li Fan. The gourd was inlaid with gold thread, depicting branches of golden plum blossoms. Between the branches, clouds seemed to drift and mist unfurl, with a gentle breeze flowing, making it exceptionally beautiful.

"The Abbot also instructed that if you are indeed fine, Bamboo Mountain will naturally not let a disciple with your potential go unrewarded, nor will it delay a naturally born Dao seed.

This gourd contains two hundred Nine Revolutions Returning Qi Purple Golden Cores. ('Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, holy crap, Nine Revolutions!') Not only are they highly beneficial for cultivation, but they can also regenerate blood, restore breath, and bring back the soul to save a life.

Oh, right. You probably haven't used a Golden Core before, have you? These aren't meant to be swallowed whole. One method is to get a portable hand furnace. Place a Golden Core in the furnace and refine it with true fire, inhaling the pill's essence. This way, it can be used repeatedly without wasting its power.

Another method is to split it in half and hold it under your tongue, letting your saliva dissolve it. However, the medicinal power is usually too potent and difficult to digest. You'd have to spit it out after a while to avoid poisoning, and it's only for emergencies.

These top-grade pills, refined to Nine Revolutions, can save you even if you have only a breath left, as long as your skull isn't damaged. It's no exaggeration to call them immortal pills."

No, no, isn't that overstating it a bit?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, impossible! Even giving Foundation Establishment disciples a Three Revolutions pill is generous! Where did Ink Bamboo Mountain get so much money to splurge!'

...Wait a minute, so it can really save me?

Qin Jianshi casually said, "The Purple Xuanpin Golden Core is truly an excellent pill. These were refined by the Abbot when treating your injuries. They can even be taken during the Golden Core stage. However, it's a shame to use them for cultivation; it's better to save them for emergencies.

Of course, your injuries seem to have healed sufficiently for you to withstand the Golden Core's medicinal effects, so you can use them as you wish. But remember, even medicine has its toxicity; don't treat them like candy and pop them continuously."

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, Bamboo Mountain can actually nurture such a powerful alchemist...'

"This... Thank you, Abbot, for saving me. Thank you for your appreciation." Li Fan swallowed hard. Did he almost have a flying sword circle his neck again? What is this? A carrot and stick approach? Wielding a flying sword and then bestowing immortal pills?

Then Kun swam back with the plate, glanced at the gourd, and patted Li Fan's hand with its fin.

'Kun says, give me one.'

I almost died again, and you're thinking about food! Go drink some water!

Li Fan flicked his hand and threw the dog's plate away again.

Kun, tears streaming, chased after the plate.

Qin Jianshi, sensing his annoyance, chuckled, "No need to be like this. Just consider it a visit. After all, spies from various sects are rampant these days. This is just routine; anyone would be treated the same. Don't take it to heart.

Heh, if any sect were truly willing to send a prodigy like you as a spy, I'd say they've gone mad."

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, hahaha, you think he's not a spy! But he already bowed to Xuan Girl and is the successor of my Beichen Sword Sect's sect master! Didn't expect that, ahahahahaha!'

Damn it, speaking of which, he's not entirely wrong...

Li Fan, sweating profusely, bowed, "Qingyue thanks the esteemed master for your praise, and thanks the Abbot for his appreciation..."

Qin Jianshi nodded with a smile, about to say something more, when his left eye twitched to the left. He closed it and sat upright, addressing the outside of the door, "Little Crane, are you here to visit Wangshu?"

Little Crane?

Li Fan couldn't help but turn his head to look. He saw a golden light descend into the courtyard. Zhang Jiugao sheathed his flying sword and respectfully bowed, "Greetings, esteemed master."

Pfft, Little Crane.

"Disciple is looking for Qingyue," Zhang Jiugao replied respectfully. "Something has happened at Tiantai Mountain. Disciple was worried he might have left the mountain without permission upon hearing the news, so I came to investigate."

"Tiantai Mountain had an incident!" Li Fan's head buzzed, and he jumped up from the meditation cushion. "How many people died!"

"There were dozens, maybe hundreds... Oh, no, no, not our casualties... at least not yet..." Zhang Jiugao quickly explained as he saw Li Fan draw his mace.

"Calm down!" Qin Jianshi's voice boomed, stopping him. "Don't be so jumpy. Weren't you going there to plunder in the first place? If you were defeated, it means you were outmatched. Just get it back! Little Crane, explain clearly, what happened?"

Seeing Qin Jianshi's inquiry, Zhang Jiugao frankly explained, "Replying to the esteemed master, we initially won. But Tiantai Mountain invited the Immortal Palace to intervene. They used a divine artifact to trap all our disciples in the dojo, preventing their escape.

Now, the Immortal Palace has sent many people, seemingly intending to make a big deal out of this and pressure our sect. So, the true person secretly watching has sent a talisman back to the mountain, requesting the Abbot to send reinforcements..."

"Immortal Palace? Is Nangong Xianjia personally involved?" Qin Jianshi also stood up. "Could it be..."

Zhang Jiugao nodded.

Kun brought the plate back and, sensing the tense atmosphere, quickly burrowed into Li Fan's sleeve.

"This might be..."

"It's really time for a sword fight."

Qin Jianshi and Zhang Jiugao exchanged glances, a moment of silence, then burst into hearty laughter.

Li Fan stared at the two old men, dumbfounded. What were they laughing about? Tiantai Mountain might be a river of blood right now, what was so funny?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, you don't understand, kid, this is a tribulation of slaughter! The easiest way to achieve enlightenment in the Taiji Immortal Path is through combat! It's been so long since a major fight, and so many people are stuck in their realm, unable to break through. They're all waiting! Hahahahaha!'

Slaughter can lead to enlightenment... So, are butchers the most powerful?

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent says, stop joking, this is about seizing an opportunity! Sigh, words are useless. You'll understand when you personally go and kill a few. Yes, yes! Beg them to take you along! This is a rare opportunity! Heeheehee!'

Even if Profound Heaven Sword Intent hadn't said it, Li Fan would have asked. Fuling and Xuan Bao were likely trapped at Tiantai Mountain, and it was a "tribulation of slaughter," which sounded incredibly dangerous. How could he sit by and wait for news?

"Master, Venerable, please take me with you to Tiantai Mountain for the sword duel!" Li Fan immediately bowed.

The two old men exchanged glances. They didn't refuse on the spot, which meant there was a chance.

Qin Jianshi asked again, "Do you know who the Abbot has sent to lead the sword fight this time?"

Zhang Jiugao replied, "It's Venerable Yao, under the Abbot's command."

"Yao Xuanzhou? Then he's going to establish his authority. In that case, I won't go," Qin Jianshi pointed at Li Fan. "Little Crane, why don't you take this kid along to gain some experience?"

Zhang Jiugao replied, "As the Master commands."

Qin Jianshi nodded and handed the crimson sword he was holding to Zhang Jiugao. "My old wounds haven't healed, and Crimson Dragon has been hungry for a long time. Take it to have a good meal."

"I obey your command." Zhang Jiugao took the crimson magic sword with both hands. He bowed with Li Fan, and watched Qin Jianshi flick his sleeve and fly away.

"Venerable Zhang, are Fuling and Xuan Bao alright?" Li Fan asked anxiously.

Zhang Jiugao shook his head. "I don't know. How could the urgent messages possibly detail the safety of so many disciples one by one?

But don't worry, our side didn't suffer much. At least the soul lamps are just flickering in the wind, not many have been extinguished. Fuling is probably fine. It's just that we fell into an ambush this time, and Immortal Palace acted as the mantis stalking the cicada, with the oriole behind, capturing a group of people we couldn't rescue. Now both sides are at a stalemate on Tiantai Mountain. At least Nascent Soul Venerables will have to come out to duel and fight it out.

... I suspect if you knew, you would have slipped away. Since the Master values you so much, you'll come with me. After all, it's a rare occasion to witness a grand sect sword duel. Venerable Yao is the number one expert in our sect's Nascent Soul Realm. He will either be The Mountain Lord or the Abbot in the future. Being able to observe from the side is a rare opportunity."

"Is the number one Nascent Soul expert from Ink Bamboo Mountain leading the team? That sounds amazing!" Seeing his confidence and eagerness, Li Fan's unease eased a little. "Shall we leave now?"

Zhang Jiugao held the Crimson Dragon sword in one hand and calculated with the other. "No rush. Since it's a formal invitation for a sword duel, all fellow disciples should be invited to attend. This sword fight is three days later. Ink Bamboo Mountain and the Nangong family's Nascent Soul experts will fight first to determine the victor. No one else will make a move before then.

Let me calculate. It only takes a day to fly there by airship. If we leave now, we might have to travel at night, which isn't ideal. We'll just arrive a day early. This is a rare opportunity, so I'll find some fellow Daoists and pick a couple of promising disciples to watch the fight with us. More people will add to the momentum. You should prepare yourself. We'll meet under the Louguan Tower at Mao Shi tomorrow."

Wait, are you guys going on a date or a spring outing?!

Sigh... But getting a ticket to Tiantai Mountain is good. I'll wait a day. This isn't something that can be rushed. Who knows, when we get there, instead of helping rescue people, we might have to prepare to collect the bodies of our friends and seek revenge.

Alright, monkeys can't always be trusted. He might not be able to avoid a real fight this time. So, it's indeed necessary to spend some time preparing in advance.

Whether it's psychologically, physiologically, or... physically.