The Eternal Way-Chapter 202: Outsider Forces

Honestly, Zhang Lan's intentions were good, and Li Qi had considered this proposal many times himself.

However, Li Qi ultimately set aside this option for now without bringing it up.

Now that it was mentioned, Li Qi responded, "No, the current affairs of the Righteous Sword Palace are too critical. If this matter disrupts their grand plan, it would be disastrous, and I would bear the responsibility."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lan was puzzled and scratched his head, "Grand plan? How do I not know about this? Brother Li, you're not part of the Righteous Sword Palace, how can you judge this?"

Li Qi understood that Zhang Lan wasn't aware of the major operation of the Righteous Sword Palace.

It made sense.

The palace lord and several elders were currently planning to ambush one of the Six Fiend Kings of Tianhui during Swallowing Heaven Demon Sovereign's absence in the outer realms, aiming to cripple the demon sovereign by severing one of its arms.

Six Tainted Heavenly Demon Kings each wielded powers derived from six aspects of heaven qi, capable of forming true 'Heavenly Qi,' making their combined strength formidable.

Before coming here, the Green Mountain Country Lord told Li Qi that while the Swallowing Heaven Demon Sovereign was away on an unknown mission, the Righteous Sword Palace was taking advantage of the opportunity to try and assassinate one of the Six Fiend Kings, thereby disrupting their combined power known as the Six Maladies Technique (refer to Chapter 160).

This battle involved sixth-rank combatants; diverting a sixth-rank warrior here could jeopardize the main battlefield, making Li Qi culpable for a grave mistake.

Such confidential information couldn't be shared with Zhang Lan either, as leaking it would cause even greater problems.

It wasn't that Li Qi didn't trust Zhang Lan, but sometimes, no matter your willpower, some people have ways to pry secrets out of you.

Thus, ignorance is the best way to keep secrets.

So, Li Qi advised, "Forget about this matter; discussing it could harm you. But remember, avoid involving your palace lord unnecessarily, or you might ruin something significant and regret it."

Zhang Lan understood Li Qi's point.

Clearly, Li Qi knew something he didn't but couldn't share.

Thus, he asked, "Brother Li, I have a question. How do you know all this?"

Li Qi seemed to know too much and acted mysteriously. From their initial encounter to subsequent events, Zhang Lan hadn't reacted as quickly as Li Qi, who handled everything effortlessly.

Not only did Li Qi arrange things for Zhang Lan, but he also subdued the underground forces in Guangyang and personally investigated Monk Chan Zhi's background.

How did he achieve such astonishing feats? What was his background?

Li Qi simply replied, "I come from Wu Deity Mountain."

That answer sufficed to dispel Zhang Lan's doubts.

"An envoy from Wu Deity Mountain?" Zhang Lan cautiously asked.

Li Qi didn't hide anything further, revealing, "Young Master."

Stunned, Zhang Lan stumbled into a wall, dizzy and speechless.

Righteous Sword Palace was a prestigious sect, albeit located in Bǎi Yuè territory where it was considered a mid-tier sect.

He was shocked.

After regaining composure, Zhang Lan smiled bitterly, "Then I've overstepped myself, Brother Li. But if you have such a background, why are you dealing with these matters here?"

"Consider it an exam..." Li Qi said helplessly.

It was hard to explain whether his situation was normal.

Would a typical Grand Invoker disciple face similar circumstances?

His teacher gave him two books and tasked him with traveling three million miles back to Wu Deity Mountain.

It seemed unlikely that an ordinary teacher would assign such tasks.

However, in Dì Yóu World, another Wu Deity Mountain Young Master, Bo Yue, mentioned that Li Qi's teacher was notoriously unconventional.

Thus, encountering these peculiar situations seemed plausible.

Because of being unconventional, it became normal.

Complicated, but essentially the reasoning behind it.

With this explanation, Zhang Lan understood the rationale.

An exam.

The Righteous Sword Palace had similar practices.

Elite disciples were sent into demonic lairs to hone their skills.

But...

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These trials matched the disciples' rank, ensuring they fought demons within their capabilities.

Assigning a ninth-rank disciple to confront a seventh-rank foe would be suicidal.

Yet, considering Li Qi's identity,

Perhaps such challenging tasks qualified as his exams.

Zhang Lan took a deep breath, calming down, and maintained his demeanor despite Li Qi's status, asking, "Brother Li, why did you go through so much trouble to bring me back?"

Li Qi didn't put on airs, pulling Zhang Lan to sit in the courtyard, saying, "I needed your help with something important."

"Please tell me, concerning the lives of countless people in Guangyang, I will spare no effort to assist you," Zhang Lan earnestly listened.

"Let me analyze the current situation in Guangyang."

Using tea water and cups as markers, Li Qi began explaining on the stone table.

"Firstly, we must recognize that Guangyang has deteriorated due to Monk Chan Zhi."

"This person seeks the Wu Dao teachings. Currently plagued by demonic thoughts, someone informed him that Wu Dao could alleviate his condition, leading him here."

"But he faces a dilemma. Many orthodox Wu Dao lineages are protected, beyond his capability to breach."

Pang Lan nodded in agreement.

Many traditions were guarded. Some required specific triggers to practice, others killed those who tried to steal them.

For instance, the core technique of Righteous Sword Palace required practicing at the central mountain gate; practicing elsewhere led to uncontrollable sword qi, potentially fatal.

Even more bizarre, there was a technique called "Feeding Scripture," which couldn't be memorized or copied; texts disappeared overnight.

Practitioners had to study daily from the original text until mastering it, retaining only the technique itself.

As for Wu Deity Mountain's protections, they were equally formidable.

Li Qi continued:

"Therefore, Monk Chan Zhi targeted Guangyang, knowing the governor and Sigu both practiced Wu Dao at the seventh rank, and he believed he could break their protections."

"That's why Guangyang fell into chaos. After arriving, Chan Zhi leveraged the city's energy to build his Fifth Level Pagoda, defeated Sigu, expelled the governor, and suppressed Sikong underground."

"The eighth-rank Situ was easily turned into a puppet using heart-devouring techniques. Since then, Chan Zhi controlled Guangyang's politics through Situ and Sigu, slowly exploring Wu Dao."

"But since both Situ and Sigu had their hearts devoured, their memories absorbed, once Chan Zhi deciphered Wu Dao, he began experimenting, giving us our chance."

Hearing this, Zhang Lan was confused.

"How is this an opportunity? You're still talking about Chan Zhi!"

"Brother Zhang, the Wu Dao techniques held by Sigu and Situ are actually witchcraft!" Li Qi firmly stated.

Certain from observing the landscape formation at Huangshan Jun, he confirmed it was witchcraft.

"Witchcraft has strayed far from Daoist balance, useless for dispelling demonic thoughts. That's why Chan Zhi targets me, hoping to obtain genuine Wu Dao to balance his inner turmoil."

"I've been too conspicuous, leaving traces everywhere, drawing Chan Zhi's attention. He hopes to use me to create a path, leading to my involvement and inadvertently dragging you into this mess."

Pang Lan shook his head, "To sacrifice tens of thousands for personal gain deserves death! As for getting involved, regardless, I'd intervene anyway. But where's our opportunity?"

Li Qi emphasized, "The opportunity lies in witchcraft lacking proper sacrificial rituals!"

"Witchcraft rituals have evolved into nurturing monsters, not traditional sacrifices, meaning Chan Zhi lacks the ability to perform a true ritual."

Seeing Zhang Lan's confusion, Li Qi explained:

"Do you remember when we confronted those two eighth-rank foes trying to abduct civilians?"

Pang Lan recalled, "Yes, later you mentioned it was something like... Rat Mound."

Li Qi clapped, "Exactly, Rat Mound!"

"Do you know about Rat Mound?"

Pang Lan shook his head, "No idea, what is it?"

"Rat Mound is a beast from the Buddhist realm, craving sacrificial offerings. My guess is Chan Zhi brought it, but its rat king is at least seventh rank, likely partnering with Chan Zhi rather than serving him."

"Records describe Rat Mound's love for sacrifices. According to the Western Records, 'From kings to commoners, all offer sacrifices seeking blessings. Passing by its lair, they bow respectfully, offering goods for blessings. Without offerings, calamities follow.' This reveals its nature!"

Offerings for blessings, calamities without.

These words clearly depict Rat Mound's nature.

Shen Shuibei taught Li Qi this, unlikely for Chan Zhi to anticipate this knowledge!

Realizing this, Zhang Lan exclaimed excitedly, "Chan Zhi lacks sacrificial abilities, but you don't! You intend to use Rat Mound against him? Brilliant! How do we proceed?"

Li Qi gestured for calm, inviting Zhang Lan to sit and listen.

Suppressing excitement, Zhang Lan listened intently.

He realized Li Qi, though not a martial powerhouse, excelled in intelligence and strategy.

In just ten days, Li Qi had gained control over most of Guangyang's underground factions without using Wu Deity Mountain resources.

Even facing a terrifying seventh-rank opponent, Li Qi planned to entangle and possibly eliminate him.

Were all Wu Deity Mountain Young Masters like this?

Only such individuals qualified?

Excited yet bewildered, Zhang Lan listened as Li Qi continued:

"This is why I summoned you. Let's discuss Guangyang's situation."

"Currently, Sigu and Situ still hold official positions, likely monitoring Guangyang. Thus, we mainly operate through underground forces to avoid detection."

"So, I need an official figure, someone influential in Guangyang, that's you, Brother Zhang. As a Righteous Sword Palace Swordmaster, your reputation is spotless, perfect for this task."

"Lead some Jianghu warriors and official forces, preferably troops, to the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest!"

"I want you to—"

"Contact Rat Mound! Tell them the true master of sacrifices isn't Chan Zhi, but me."