novelapdf Chapter 71 Dao Sect
Chapter 71 Dao Sect
An absurd idea quietly sprouted in everyone's minds, only to be ruthlessly extinguished by themselves.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" a monk muttered in disbelief. "How could such a genius exist in this world!"
These words immediately resonated with the crowd.
Countless eyes were fixed on the two figures walking effortlessly along the road to heaven, their gazes filled with envy.
The cultivator who had just been eliminated due to a loss of composure shouted indignantly:
"They must have used some shady methods!"
However, before he could finish speaking, a magnificent and ethereal voice descended from the clouds, as if from the heavens.
"The Daoist Grand Competition only considers innate talent and temperament. You have neither talent nor temperament, so how dare you speak presumptuously here?"
His voice paused, carrying an undeniable air of authority:
"Each person shall strike himself a hundred times, as a warning to others to follow suit."
As soon as the words were spoken, the eliminated cultivators were horrified to find that their arms were raised uncontrollably.
Their faces were filled with terror when they realized they could no longer control their bodies.
Snapped!
Snap snap snap snap snap snap!
The first crisp slap rang out, followed by the second, the third...
"Senior, spare my life! I know I was wrong!"
Some timid cultivators knelt down and begged for mercy on the spot, but their hands still fell mercilessly, leaving bright red finger marks on their cheeks with each slap.
For a moment, the crisp sound of slaps echoed at the foot of Lingtai Mountain, creating a strange rhythm.
The cultivators who were still persevering on the path to heaven and had never voiced their opinions felt a chill run down their spines as they looked at the bizarre scene below, and secretly rejoiced.
Li Qingyi was also taken aback by this sudden development.
"This elder... is quite fair."
It has to be said that the number of steps on this road to heaven is truly outrageous.
He composed himself and continued climbing.
The surrounding fog thickened, and the dampness soaked his clothes.
There were fewer than five cultivators still persevering beside him, each of them pale-faced and struggling to walk.
When he overtook the extraordinary young man at the front, the other man actually gasped and exclaimed in admiration.
"Fellow Daoist's profound foundation is truly enviable."
Li Qingyi paused slightly.
Along the way, I've mostly heard doubts and ridicule, so this is the first time I've received such humble and polite praise.
He returned the greeting somewhat awkwardly: "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. It was merely a stroke of luck."
As he spoke, he unconsciously touched the tip of his nose.
He felt inexplicably embarrassed by the praise.
Ultimately, it was because someone gave him special treatment.
He turned around and saw that although the other person was sweating profusely and panting heavily, he still maintained a gentle demeanor, with a jade-like face and a composed air. He was clearly no ordinary person.
Seeing Li Qingyi stop, Ling'er also stopped.
Since the scene of Li Qingyi embarrassing herself that she had expected did not happen, she was quite unhappy.
"Li Xuanwei, a member of the Xuan Kingdom's royal family." Even under the oppressive aura, the young man still managed a forced bow. "May I ask your esteemed name, fellow Daoist?"
"My name is Li Qingyi." Li Qingyi replied politely.
When Li Xuanwei turned his gaze to Ling'er, he was slightly taken aback, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes.
Could there really be such a beautiful and intelligent woman in this world?
"Zhao Ling'er," Ling'er replied calmly.
"Brother Li, we will take our leave now and wait for you upstairs." Li Qingyi did not wish to linger and bowed to take his leave.
Li Xuanwei nodded and watched them go, his gaze deep as he watched their figures gradually disappear into the distance.
"Such a genius exists in this world. Zhao Ling'er... is she from the Zhao family? As for Li Qingyi... besides the royal family, are there any other prominent families with the surname Li?"
He took a deep breath, focused his mind, and took another step forward.
Li Qingyi and Ling'er moved with light steps, faster and faster, their clothes fluttering in the clouds and mist, until their figures finally disappeared completely into the swirling sea of clouds, no longer visible from below.
Finally, as the last stone step was placed underfoot, a breathtaking view opened up before me—
A huge white jade platform appeared before us, filled with spiritual energy, as if we were in a fairyland.
At the end of the platform stood a magnificent jade gate, carved with mysterious runes. Behind the gate, ethereal light shone faintly, and the outlines of pavilions and towers could be vaguely seen.
Li Qingyi let out a long sigh of relief. Along the way, he had considered using his qi to travel several times, but considering the reputation of the Dao Sect, he ultimately decided to take it one step at a time.
"Brother Qingyi, do you want to join the Dao Sect?" Ling'er asked softly.
Li Qingyi did not answer directly, but gave a meaningful smile, and then stepped into the magnificent jade gate that shimmered with light.
The runes on the door glowed faintly as he passed by.
As you pass through the door, the surrounding scenery suddenly changes.
What comes into view is a huge, flawless white jade stele. The stele is as warm and smooth as jade, and the two characters "Dao Zong" on it flow like clouds and water, with a natural Daoist charm. Just one glance is enough to stir one's heart and soul.
The plaza, paved with bluestone, is incredibly spacious. The surrounding mountains resemble dragons coiled and tigers crouching, and vast spiritual energy gathers from all directions, forming a faint mist above the plaza.
With each breath, rich spiritual energy flows into the body, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.
"This is... the Dao Sect?" Li Qingyi exclaimed inwardly.
Ahead, an even longer stone staircase extends upwards, disappearing into the depths of the clouds and mist. Ancient trees tower on both sides of the staircase, and cranes fly gracefully. It seems that the core area of the Dao Sect is located above that.
Li Qingyi knew that she probably wouldn't be staying here for long.
Sure enough, an old man with white hair and beard, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom, stood quietly in front of them. He was dressed in a plain white Taoist robe and emanated an aura of awe.
He was extremely respectful, his sleeves fluttering gently in the breeze:
"Junior Li Qingyi greets Senior."
The old man smiled kindly, his sharp eyes scrutinizing him: "Sixteen years old, Qi Refining Level 5, truly a gifted individual."
His voice was gentle, "Even within the inner sect of the Daoist sect, there are only a handful of people who have achieved your level of accomplishment."
"You flatter me, senior." Li Qingyi bowed slightly, her attitude humble.
With a flick of his sleeve, the old man conjured two wooden stools carved with cloud patterns beside Li Qingyi, the stools radiating a faint spiritual light.
"Please sit down for a moment."
His gaze then turned to Ling'er, and he asked familiarly, "How is your master, Ming Hao, doing lately?"
"Reporting to Senior, Master is well." Ling'er replied obediently.
The old man stroked his beard and chuckled softly, a hint of reminiscence in his voice.
"When I first met Minghao, he was just a greenhorn who had just established his foundation."
He gazed at the distant sea of clouds, his eyes distant, "Three hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. He is at the height of his power, while I am already old and frail... Truly, the world changes like the shifting clouds."
"Senior, your Dao heart is clear and your experience is vast. You will surely be able to attain the Golden Core Dao and reach a higher level," Ling'er said sweetly.
"Little girl, you know how to talk, just as cunning as your master. Sit down." The old man chuckled, then gazed into the depths of the sea of clouds, a fleeting hint of melancholy crossing his expression. "The Great Dao is hard to find, so very hard to find..."
Li Qingyi sat quietly to the side, feeling the warm touch of the wooden stool beneath her.
He knew that simply sitting idly and waiting to be "asked to leave" would be too passive.
His mind raced, and suddenly an idea came to him.
A look of hesitation and struggle crossed his face. His fingers rubbed his sleeve. After a moment, he slowly spoke:
"Senior, please forgive my intrusion... Is Senior Xianmi of your esteemed sect still within your sect?"
Upon hearing this, the white-haired old man's eyes flashed with a sharp light, but his face remained expressionless: "What brings you here to see him?"
"This junior... was fortunate enough to receive the inheritance of Senior Youhuang."
Li Qingyi's voice was respectful, "Before your remnant soul dissipated, you entrusted me with a message to Senior Xuanmi."
Upon hearing the words "secluded bamboo grove," the old man's face finally showed a clear expression of emotion.
His hand holding the whisk paused slightly, and a subtle fluctuation appeared in his aura.
"So... you are his successor." He looked at Li Qingyi deeply, his tone complex. "Speak, what message does he want you to convey to me?"
"Senior...you must be me?"
This time it was Li Qingyi's turn to be surprised. He really didn't expect that the old man in front of him was Xuanmi.
"Since he has passed on his teachings, he is considered half my disciple."
Genya's expression grew increasingly complex, a mixture of reminiscence and sorrow flashing in his eyes. "What...what does he want you to tell me?"
Ling'er, who was standing to the side, blinked and her long eyelashes trembled. She hadn't expected that Li Qingyi would come to the Dao Sect just to deliver a message.
"I am merely a successor to Senior Youhuang, and cannot be considered a formal successor."
Li Qingyi felt it necessary to clarify things; he didn't want to get too deeply involved because of the misunderstanding.
Genmi simply nodded slightly. "It's alright, continue."
"Senior Youhuang said... his path is not wrong."
Anger instantly surged across Xuanmi's face, his robes fluttering even without wind, and he coldly snorted:
"Hmph! They never learned their lesson, even in death!"
His gaze was sharp as a sword as he looked at Li Qingyi: "Bring me that damned corpse-refining technique of his!"
As instructed, Li Qingyi took out the scroll of "Nine Netherworld Supreme Corpse Refining Method" from her storage ring and handed it over.
Xuanmi quickly flipped through the pages, his fingertips tracing the surface, then he sneered and tossed the book to Li Qingyi as if discarding something filthy.
"That's utter nonsense!"
He stared intently at Li Qingyi, his gaze deep and unfathomable, and an aura of power unconsciously emanated from him.
"You wouldn't happen to... want to try this too?"
Li Qingyi had already anticipated this situation.
In this cultivation world, apart from him who possesses the simulator, there is probably no one else who can truly master this corpse refining technique.
At this moment, he really wanted to say, "Senior Youhuang was right! I've succeeded!"
But he stopped himself from speaking, saying, "This junior... cannot bear to see the senior's hard work buried like this."
"No wonder you were able to inherit his legacy; this stubborn nature is truly just like his."
Xuanmi pointed at Li Qingyi, feeling both annoyed and amused, and finally let out a long sigh, "Fine, go as you please, just remember this."
His tone suddenly turned serious, "Never attempt this lightly before reaching the Purple Mansion Realm!"
Li Qingyi was certain that her seemingly casual move had been the right one.
He bowed respectfully and said, "This junior will remember."