"There were cultivators here 20 years ago? Is he still here?"
Upon seeing this, Li Xingkong turned to look at Zhang Yumeng.
Zhang Yumeng nodded, but when she spoke of this person, her expression clearly changed.
"Yes, he is, but he's not in very good shape right now. However, since we need to understand the current situation on Earth Star, it's best to meet him."
"Please wait a few minutes, I'll make the arrangements."
After saying that, Zhang Yumeng quickly began to coordinate the relevant matters. Her Divine Sense expanded, and the entire office was filled with documents and light screens that moved automatically without wind, which seemed a bit overwhelming.
"Speaking of which, you've been gone for so many years, where have you been traveling and sightseeing?"
While dealing with her work, Zhang Yumeng took the opportunity during the waiting period to ask a question.
"I went for a walk in space and witnessed what an advanced civilization looks like."
Li Xingkong smiled. Although his trip seemed to have taken a long time, in reality, most of the time was spent on the road.
"So? Is it any different from what we expected? Advanced civilization or lowly civilization, it's nothing more than a replay of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods... These civilizations, one after another, are still the same ghastly creatures."
Zhang Yumeng made a few complaints, clearly indicating that Divine Land's development over the years has inevitably involved interactions with other civilizations.
Li Xingkong, and it did seem different.
For the Zerg, there seems to be a watershed in the hierarchy of Zerg. Below this watershed, they are still fighting to the death for resources, space, territory, and ambition.
Above the watershed, they are already pursuing the truth of the universe and seeking harmony between body and Tao.
Although their ultimate goal may still be to dominate the universe, their strategic vision and methods are clearly worlds apart.
"There probably are..."
"Speaking of which, it's quite strange that you didn't immediately ask where Old Tang and the others went this time."
" Divine Land is expanding, so it's common for them to be extremely busy. With Divine Land's territory so vast now, it's normal to not be able to find anyone."
"Hahaha, that's true, Divine Land isn't what it used to be. But you're really wrong about that."
" Old Tang is truly retired now. Many years ago, he also set off on a journey. Besides Old Tang, a large number of other senior figures have also given way to the younger generation and gone on their own."
"Travel?"
"Yes, they said that after a lifetime of hard work, it was time to enjoy life. Basically, during those few years, many people passed away one after another."
"But..."
They can't be blind to the threat posed by the Holy Church of Truth. Given that such things are happening in Divine Land, how could they make such a choice?
Do you also think they're running away?
Zhang Yumeng gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"How could this be? Old Tang and the others have endured so much hardship, how could they possibly do this now..."
Li Xingkong obviously wouldn't think that way.
"Yes, it's called traveling, but in reality, there's no way to do it."
The path of cultivation is smooth, but it takes too long. We can afford to cultivate, but the people on Earth Star cannot wait.
When existing methods prove ineffective, we can only turn to external resources, hoping to find a solution in the vast universe.
"But after all, the enemy is the Holy Church of Truth, and such hope is extremely slim. But even if the hope is small, we still have to try, don't we?"
Li Xingkong also fell silent for a moment. That's how Divine Land People are; no matter what situation they face, they will always seek a glimmer of hope.
"That kid Tang Cheng is currently on the front line of defense near Earth Star, keeping an eye on those people's every move. He hasn't been back for many years."
"My uncle and aunt are still researching spiritual plants; they are already leading figures in the entire spiritual plant community of Divine Land."
Hearing news of his family and friends from Zhang Yumeng brought Li Xingkong a slight sense of relief.
"Everything's arranged, let's set off now."
As she spoke, Zhang Yumeng withdrew her Divine Sense and stood up from her desk.
"Walk?"
"Lead the way."
Li Xingkong stopped lamenting; business was more important.
"The cultivator who emerged from Earth Star 20 years ago was named Ji Qiu. He was a mechanic and a scholar from Earthly Capital. Based on his resume, you should know him."
Hearing a familiar name again, Li Xingkong's heart tightened.
Ji Qiu, how could he not recognize him?
The guy following behind Ge Baoqi was a scholar with a wildly imaginative mind.
They speak directly and bluntly, without any attempt to beat around the bush.
Li Xingkong hadn't expected that the cultivator who emerged would be him.
"We know each other, and we're quite close. So, what's his situation now?"
"It's hard to say, you should go and see him for yourself."
The two of them, one in front of the other, headed towards the next higher level of heaven.
" The Thirty-First Heaven is the core of the entire Heavenly Court's calculations. We've completely replicated the Hexagram Server you set up on the moon. Thanks to the assistance of Baili Qiu from the Sihali Kingdom, the server in the Thirty-First Heaven is several times more powerful than before."
"And Ji Qiu... he's on this floor right now."
As they spoke, the two flew to the Thirty-First Heaven, their journey proceeding smoothly, clearly a result of Zhang Yumeng's prior arrangements.
Above the Thirty-First Heaven, there was only one huge palace building. The two entered through the door and saw a huge sphere slowly rotating in the center of the palace. Beneath the sphere, a figure sat quietly cross-legged on the ground, motionless.
" Ji Qiu?"
Zhang Yumeng called out.
What do you want with me?
The voice was indeed familiar, but to Li Xingkong, it lacked a certain something.
"Someone wants to talk to you about the situation on Earth Star."
"Okay, come on."
Ji Qiu stopped sitting cross-legged, shook his body, and stood up.
He slowly turned around and saw Li Xingkong.
"Oh, it's you. What do you want to ask?"
As he spoke, his expression remained calm and composed, as if he were looking at a complete stranger. Yet, it was clear from his words that he recognized him.
" Ji Qiu? You... how did you become like this?"
Li Xingkong sensed him with his Divine Sense and found that there was not a trace of emotion on his body, just like... a robot.
"It's just spiritual practice, just spiritual practice."
Ji Qiu walked over slowly. He had lost a lot of weight and now looked somewhat like a celestial being.
" The Myth speak of this, and ancient texts speak of it; I wonder if Senior Li has ever heard of the method of Severing the Three Corpses?"
" Severing the Three Corpses?"
Even in the Myth, this is a method to achieve sainthood; how could Li Xingkong not have heard of it?
"These three corpses are not the three corpses and nine worms, but merely metaphors. The heavenly demons are causing chaos in the world, and the ruler is causing chaos in people's hearts. If one wants to find a way out, one can only sever the Good Corpse, cut off the Evil Corpse, go to one's true self, and achieve the Dao self."
"Now I am Ji Qiu, but Ji Qiu is not me."
Li Xingkong sank. What kind of "Severing the Three Corpses " was this?
This means stripping away all one's human emotions, leaving only a person devoid of feelings and self.
Or rather, all that remains is a ruthless machine for Seeking the Dao.
No wonder he chose to stay on this server for a long time; Divine Land is also at ease letting him stay here.
Now, he has no other desire than to Seeking the Dao; he's just a Seeking the Dao machine. What could he possibly worry about?