The Eternal Way-Chapter 164: An Encounter

Shen Shuibei was dozing off by the roadside.

However, she wasn't really sleeping; she simply hadn't told Li Qi what she was doing.

In reality, her Yin Spirit was on a distant journey, observing the situation at the border.

Yes, her Yin Spirit had recovered to Rank Eight.

After that night, she and Li Qi talked through the night, discussing many things which greatly improved her mood.

The next day... she dismantled and consumed the Moon Essence that carried her memories.

Since she had shared those memories, they were no longer hers alone. Therefore, keeping the Moon Essence no longer made sense.

Shen Shuibei clearly understood this, so she decisively consumed the Moon Essence fragment, using its rich Yin energy to mend some of the cracks in her body, paving the way for her recovery to Rank Eight.

She also knew this was Li Qi's intention all along—the Moon Essence could help repair her body, but only up to this point. Afterward, such a material would become useless.

If she didn't use it now, she would be wasting Li Qi's goodwill, something Shen Shuibei did not want.

It was unclear where he had learned about it, but he seemed to have seen through this, hence finding the Moon Essence fragment for her.

Since then, their relationship had grown much closer. In Shen Shuibei's view, Li Qi was the only one besides the Moon Essence who inherited her memories from Luo Fu Mountain.

After recovering to Rank Eight, there weren't any particularly significant events on their journey. Li Qi progressed very quickly, seemingly naturally adept at mediating among people.

However, they were about to reach the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest. It was rumored that within Ming Lake there, a treasure existed that could help Li Qi refine his Primordial Spirit.

Primordial Spirit was also present in Daoism, but it differed significantly from Wu Dao's concept.

"Yuan" originally meant "human skull," evolving into a symbol representing "first," "primary," or "beginning."

Thus, Daoism had the concept of "Primordial Beginning," meaning the first cause of creation, the driving force behind all outcomes.

This led to phrases like "Yuan is the beginning of Qi," "Qian Yuan is the beginning and prosperity," and "Regarding One as Yuan means looking at the great beginning and desiring to correct the origin."

When applied to cultivation, "Yuan" generally referred to the primary, crucial part.

Therefore, Daoism's "Primordial Spirit" represented the start of one's cultivation, the initial stage of the Three Treasures—Spirit, Qi, and Essence. These are collectively known as the Three Yuans.

When these Three Yuans converge, it creates an ability described as "Originally, Dao originated from nothingness, leaving traces responding to inspirations, born from the subtle One. From the subtle One, it divides into Three Yuans, then from Three Yuans transforms into Three Qi, and from Three Qi generates Three Talents. When the Three Talents flourish, myriad things are prepared." This is the root of Daoist microcosms, extending to everything in the world.

Reflecting this onto the microcosm of the human body and the macrocosm of the universe, the Three Yuans manifest as the three lights of sun, moon, and stars in heaven; water, fire, and earth on earth; and essence, qi, and spirit in humans.

This viewpoint and cultivation method have little relation to Wu Dao basics. If someone doesn't understand the principles and merely starts practicing based on books, mixing them together will surely lead to errors and potentially fatal consequences.

For instance, the Ghost God Li Weng encountered in Daliu Kingdom, despite being Rank Eight, died in his fifties or sixties.

Wu Dao's Primordial Spirit is more pure, referring directly to the "spirit within the skull."

Given that "Yuan" originally meant skull, the term "Primordial Spirit" naturally refers to the spirit of the skull, responsible for controlling the brain and acting as the central dispatch for all spirits within the body, akin to how the brain controls the rest of the body.

The first spirit refined represents different focuses during the Rank Eight stage.

If one prioritizes refining the Sun and Moon Celestial Spirits, their eyes become bright, enhancing their sixth sense, occasionally sensing omens.

Diviners typically choose this path first.

Refining the Five Great Mountains Spirits first makes the body more robust, increasing physical strength and endurance, making the microcosm of the human body tougher, and granting various earth-related abilities like earth tunneling.

This was Li Qi's original choice since he belonged to the Earth Deity branch, making travel easier.

Choosing to refine the Four Rivers Water Spirits allows the microcosm to accommodate more incompatible energies, strengthening a witch's magical abilities and providing water manipulation powers.

Refining the Primordial Spirit enhances hearing and sight, sharpens the mind, and improves overall bodily coordination, enabling better control over all inner spirits and increasing reaction speed.

Li Qi decided to prioritize refining the Primordial Spirit, likely aiming to perfectly control the two streams of Metal Qi even at Rank Nine. However, refining the Primordial Spirit is challenging, and if he had chosen another spirit first, he might have already succeeded within half a year.

The first spirit refined indicates preference rather than superiority, depending solely on personal inclination.

Shen Shuibei fully supported Li Qi's decision, thus following him for half a year until they were about to enter the territory of the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest.

Crossing the border of Hundred Forests (Bailin) Country would bring them to the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest.

Shen Shuibei's Yin Spirit traversed hundreds of miles, observing the border area.

Suddenly, she felt someone shaking her body.

"Hmm? Li Qi is back?" Sensing this, Shen Shuibei allowed her Yin Spirit to return to her body without resistance.

Covering a hundred miles in an instant, her Yin Spirit returned to her physical form.

"Welcome back~." Shen Shuibei opened her eyes, smiling at Li Qi. "Did you finish everything? Are we ready to leave?"

Li Qi nodded. "Everything is done. Let's head to the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest."

Their conversation brief, Li Qi mounted Old Horse, with Shen Shuibei sitting behind him, heading towards the border.

Discussing trivial matters along the way, they soon reached the border.

Thanks to Old Horse's enhanced abilities, now considered a demon albeit unranked, its dragon blood activated, boosting its speed several times over. Now capable of traveling two thousand miles a day, covering four thousand miles around the clock, it moved incredibly fast.

No wonder Young Master Zhu said it wouldn't take ten years.

As long as Li Qi kept progressing, the three million miles didn't seem so far.

"Oh, Li Qi, when my Yin Spirit was out, I noticed the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest area seemed unusually quiet, with nothing special happening, very peaceful."

"Quiet?" Li Qi was stunned.

How could it possibly be quiet?

"A war zone at the border, quiet? No fighting?" Li Qi asked.

"No, it seems there aren't even any troops stationed there. The city is empty," Shen Shuibei replied.

Hearing this, Li Qi broke into a cold sweat.

Damn, could it have fallen? What's going on, discovering an empty border town right upon arrival?

"Well, I saw people evacuating on the road, probably soldiers, but they looked orderly and calm, suggesting a peaceful evacuation. Should we ask around?" Shen Shuibei suggested.

"Sure, let's ask. Which direction?" Li Qi said.

"West." She pointed out the route.

Without further ado, Old Horse took off, stepping on auspicious clouds, running swiftly towards the west.

Within roughly fifteen minutes, Li Qi spotted a legion ahead.

The legion marched in formation, disciplined, well-armed, and spirited, with banners bearing an eagle emblem.

Most were unranked mortals, but almost all possessed cultivation techniques. Battalion commanders appeared to be Rank Nine.

Not seeing the highest-ranking officer directly, but noticing flags and carriages, Li Qi couldn't discern the commander's cultivation.

This legion consisted of about ten thousand soldiers, not a large force.

These soldiers moved orderly, without casualties or abandoned supplies, giving an impression of routine marching rather than chaos.

However, as Li Qi passed by, the army noticed him.

Currently, Li Qi was quite conspicuous.

Tall, handsome, dressed neatly, riding a flying dragon horse with clouds and lightning surrounding it, his presence was hard to ignore.

Flying overhead, accompanied by thunderous sounds like airplanes passing by, even visible to keen eyesight, showing a beautiful woman sitting beside him, appearing like a young nobleman on a leisurely outing.

Such a scene naturally caught the army's attention.

Seeing himself noticed, Li Qi told Old Horse, "Land, I need to talk to them."

Old Horse descended, neighing loudly, causing lightning to flash around, startling the soldiers into raising their spears defensively.

"Wait here, I'll go inquire." Li Qi whispered, dismounting and approaching the army slowly.

Walking about a mile away, Li Qi greeted the vigilant soldiers, "Brave warriors, is this the Hundred Forests' Frontier Garrison?"

Whispers erupted in the ranks but were quickly silenced by officers, maintaining their defensive formation.

Under the formation, a visible aura of martial energy enveloped the banners, forming a phantom giant eagle with claws like blades, watching Li Qi closely.

Soon, a battalion commander stepped forward, Rank Nine, quite formidable.

The commander held a spear, addressing Li Qi, "Ahead lies the Hundred Forests' Frontier Garrison. Sir, may I ask your purpose?"

"That's good, I feared I'd taken the wrong path. I am Li Qi, intending to visit the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest to slay demons as practice. Finding the garrison deserted, I was puzzled. Since this is indeed the right place, I shall continue." Li Qi bowed, preparing to leave.

However, as expected, the battalion commander called out, "Young hero, please wait!"

Li Qi anticipated this response.

An army withdrawing its defense zone would naturally react if someone headed towards a conflict zone without concern.

Had the commander not stopped him, Li Qi would have followed the army to investigate further.

Turning back, Li Qi asked, "May I know why, sir?"

"Young hero, are you aware of recent changes at the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest?" the commander shouted.

"Changes at the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest?" Li Qi frowned, moving closer to the army.

Soldiers raised their weapons nervously but remained still awaiting orders.

The commander also grew cautious, preparing to stop Li Qi from getting too close to avoid misunderstandings.

Could this cultivator be a disguised demon? The general hadn't spoken yet.

At this moment, a voice from the carriage interrupted, spreading across the surroundings, "You say you're Li Qi? The renowned witch Li Qi?"

"Huh? Renowned?" Li Qi was surprised, unaware of his fame.

But understandable, given he hadn't returned home during his travels.

"Our general has heard of you—a famous witch, Li Qi, known for righteous deeds without seeking rewards, traveling elegantly. Unbelievable that your ultimate goal is to slay demons at the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest. Truly admirable." A general emerged from the carriage, clad in armor, towering over nine feet tall, dwarfing Li Qi.

Towering and muscular, with veins like snakes beneath his muscles, exuding strong Martial Qi.

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Instantly recognizing him as a Rank Eight Martial Dao practitioner, Li Qi was amazed—he had never met a living Rank Eight before.

Martial Dao's path was notoriously difficult.

Honestly, Li Qi planned to abandon his Martial Dao cultivation after refining his Primordial Spirit—it was too arduous.

Daily training, with regression if skipped, requiring immense insight, truly a grueling path.

Later stages conflicted with Wu Dao, prompting Li Qi to abandon it altogether.

Thus, encountering a living Rank Eight Martial Dao practitioner left him astonished.

Who was this mighty... ah, esteemed individual?

Respecting a Rank Eight practitioner, Li Qi immediately bowed, "I dare not boast before the general. Why did you call me back?"

"Nothing, just wanted to meet the famed young hero and advise caution regarding the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest, as entering recently might not be wise."