Chapter 155: The Calculations of Venerable Yeqiong

Chapter 155: The Calculations of the Ye Qiong Venerable

Qi Yuan sat in his chair, calmly awaiting the outcome.

He had to admit, the feeling of pulling strings for the first time was rather pleasant.

Now, the great cultivator Feng Lan had already transmitted the information upward.

...

In the Heaven-Earth Cave, a gust of eerie wind howled.

A tall man stood outside the cave entrance, his face filled with reverence. He spoke angrily: "This Blood-Robe Sword God has gone too far, slaying Mir without cause, spouting arrogant words at the Divine Flower Gathering, and provoking the Venerable—all because he has the Wind Lord Venerable as his backing, doesn't he?

Now he dares to meddle in the Eastern Land Prodigy Battle, seeking to obtain a spot directly—this is utterly disregarding the three Venerables!"

The tall man was a great cultivator at the late Purple Mansion stage, always serving the Ye Qiong Venerable.

Upon receiving the message from Feng Lan, his heart was filled with rage.

In the Heaven-Earth Cave, gusts of yin wind swirled.

A childish voice came forth: "What do you think should be done?"

The tall man frowned in thought upon hearing this: "First, there is the Wind Lord; second, the great calamity is approaching. The Venerable must preserve his strength and cannot easily make a move against the Blood-Robe Sword God."

He pondered how to deal with the Blood-Robe Sword God.

But after thinking for a while, he could not come up with a way to handle him.

Was he truly to let the Blood-Robe Sword God have his way, disrupting the Eastern Land Prodigy Battle and entering the Moon-Viewing Continent?

Suddenly, the tall man's brow twitched, and joy lit up his eyes: "Then let him obtain a spot in the top twenty of the Eastern Land Prodigy Ranking.

The Blood-Robe Sword God's move is surely to enter the Moon-Viewing Continent.

The Moon-Viewing Continent's Heavenly Dao is fractured, its strong scattered. Not only do we from the Canglan Realm covet it, but the Mara Clan as well.

The Mara Clan possesses a supreme treasure; any cultivator at the Fifth Realm or above will be sensed by it.

Once the Blood-Robe Sword God enters the Moon-Viewing Continent, he will surely be discovered by the Mara Clan. Given the Mara Clan's unruly nature, they will certainly hunt him down.

The Blood-Robe Sword God, upon entering the Moon-Viewing Continent, will surely fall!"

Now, the Moon-Viewing Continent stood as a tripod of three powers.

The weakest were naturally the natives of the Moon-Viewing Continent.

The strongest was the Mara Clan.

The Yin Gods of the Mara Clan were so fearsome that even the three Venerables were deeply wary.

The Blood-Robe Sword God entering the Moon-Viewing Continent was like a lamb walking into the tiger's den.

In the Heaven-Earth Cave, there was a long silence. Finally, the childish voice came again: "Let it be as you say."

The tall man's eyes sparkled with delight upon hearing this.

And then, from the Heaven-Earth Cave, another childish voice emerged.

"If convenient, look into his origins."

"Based on the clues we have so far, it can be basically judged that the Blood-Robe Sword God, the Mad Daoist, the Seven Desires Demon Lord, and others are one and the same.

They all hail from the remote Hundred Kingdoms." The tall man bowed his head to report. "More information cannot be found. According to my subordinate's speculation, the Blood-Robe Sword God may not... be a being of the Canglan Realm."

The Heaven-Earth Cave fell silent, only the howling of the yin wind could be heard.

"Investigate which members of the Divine Flower Gathering remain in the Hundred Kingdoms."

After a long pause, the childish voice spoke again.

"As you command!" The tall man bowed his head, but a troubled expression crossed his face.

This matter was somewhat difficult to investigate.

...

In the Cloud City, Feng Lan sat on pins and needles, yet forced a smile on his face.

"Blood-Robe Sword God, senior, why are you so fixated on entering the Moon-Viewing Continent? Why not simply join the faction of some prodigy and gain the qualification to expand territory in the Moon-Viewing Continent?"

Qi Yuan, upon hearing this, said lazily: "The Moon-Viewing Continent is my home; I need to go home."

The Heavenly Dao of the Moon-Viewing Continent had been taken by him to build his foundation.

Wasn't the Moon-Viewing Continent then his home?

Feng Lan gave an awkward smile upon hearing this.

The energy level of the Moon-Viewing Continent was not high; it could not possibly sustain a powerhouse like the Blood-Robe Sword God.

Thus, he naturally assumed the Blood-Robe Sword God was joking.

"Once I enter the top twenty, when will I be eligible to enter the Moon-Viewing Continent? I'm in a hurry." Qi Yuan was eager to enter the Moon-Viewing Continent.

He wanted to see if that Moon-Viewing Continent was the world he had once inhabited.

He also wanted to know if the woman he had never met before... this time, there might be a chance to see her again.

"After the Eastern Land Prodigy Battle ends, the entrance to the Moon-Viewing Continent will briefly open. Senior can enter then."

"Good." Qi Yuan nodded.

At that moment, Feng Lan's communication jade slip suddenly lit up brightly.

Qi Yuan's eyes fixed on him: "A message?"

Feng Lan was somewhat nervous, afraid to look.

He feared that the Venerable above would react strongly, not only refusing the Blood-Robe Sword God but also being overbearing, angering him.

The Blood-Robe Sword God might not dare to kill a Venerable, but he dared to kill him!

His divine sense entered the jade slip, and his eyes lit up with surprise: "Blood-Robe Sword God, the higher-ups have agreed. They will allow you to obtain a spot in the top twenty of the Eastern Land Prodigy Ranking without examination, and also grant you the qualification to enter the Moon-Viewing Continent."

Feng Lan breathed a sigh of relief.

He had been afraid that the higher-ups would refuse this matter.

Qi Yuan beamed with joy upon hearing this: "Your higher-ups are quite generous and magnanimous. When you have time, I'll treat them to a meal."

Feng Lan gave an awkward smile.

He certainly would not pass this remark up to the higher-ups.

He knew well about the Blood-Robe Sword God's provocation of the Ye Qiong Venerable at the Divine Flower Gathering not long ago.

If the two were to meet, a confrontation would surely be unavoidable.

"Now that I'm in the top twenty of the Eastern Land Prodigy Ranking, do I have the chance to choose the prodigy's rewards?" Qi Yuan looked at Feng Lan and asked.

He remembered the sect master's instructions clearly.

The great cultivator Feng Lan was taken aback, wondering if his ears were playing tricks on him.

Those in the top hundred of the Eastern Land Prodigy Ranking did indeed receive rewards.

The treasures awarded were mostly powerful Divine Infant artifacts.

For a young prodigy, it might be of some use, but for a powerhouse like the Blood-Robed Sword God, what purpose does it serve?

“Naturally, there is.” Though puzzled in his heart, the Great Power Feng Lan dared not hesitate. With a wave of his hand, a storage pouch flew from the depths of the palace into his grasp.

“These treasures—the Blood-Robed Sword God may choose any one, or even two.”

The storage pouch opened, revealing a dazzling array of artifacts.

If Qi Yuan were still in the Qi Refining stage, his eyes would have lit up at the sight.

Now, having reached the Stellar Golden Core, he looked down on them.

He fixed his gaze on the small purple-gold gourd: “This… I’ll take it.”

This little gourd was the treasure the Sect Master had entrusted Qi Yuan to retrieve.

“The senior has excellent taste.” The Great Power Feng Lan examined the gourd closely and discovered its secret. “This gourd is actually a Zifu magical artifact.”

No sooner had he spoken than Feng Lan regretted it.

An ordinary Zifu artifact meant little to the Blood-Robed Sword God.

The ruthless one who had annihilated the Brightness Palace would hardly lack such things.

At that moment, the usually taciturn Lord of Cloud Court glanced at the purple-gold gourd and boldly asked, “May I ask, senior, if you have some connection to this gourd?”

“Mm.” Qi Yuan looked at him and said, “This is a treasure from the clan of an elder of mine. Now… it should return to its rightful owner.”

“I see.” The Lord of Cloud Court continued, “Senior, could you leave a means of contact?”

“This.” Qi Yuan did not refuse, casually showing the Lord of Cloud Court a jade slip for communication from the Zifu realm.

“All is well. Court Lord, Feng Lan, Nose-Pick Fairy, farewell.” Qi Yuan transformed into a streak of blood light and vanished.

Feng Lan, seeing this, breathed a sigh of relief.

The Lord of Cloud Court’s gaze grew deep, as if pondering something.

The Moon Wind Fairy wore a look of grievance, speechless and choked with emotion.

…

When he returned to his cave dwelling, Kang Fulu’s figure had already disappeared.

Jiang Ya still stood atop the Bodhi tree, contemplating her techniques.

Qi Yuan glanced at Jiang Ya and called out, “I’ve successfully pulled strings. I won’t be participating in the Eastern Land Prodigy Battle.

I’m going into seclusion for seven days to study my techniques!”

Jiang Ya looked at Qi Yuan with a baffled expression: “Alright.”

Given Qi Yuan’s strength, joining the Eastern Land Prodigy Battle would indeed be cannon fodder—better not to go.

After entering his cave dwelling, Qi Yuan hung a sign outside.

“In seclusion for seven days. Do not disturb. Violators will be killed!”

With the Golden Core path at stake, he naturally took it seriously.

He even placed the cleaver and the blood-colored soul sword inside the door as guards.

Two days later, Kang Fulu stared at the words outside Qi Yuan’s cave with a strange expression. He couldn’t help but sigh: “Junior Brother’s talent… is even stronger than mine. What a pity—if the Eastern Land Prodigy Battle hadn’t been moved up, he might have actually made it into the top hundred of the Eastern Land Prodigy Ranking and retrieved the Sect Master’s clan treasure.”

But now, Junior Brother hadn’t even formed his Golden Core; joining the battle would be nothing but suicide.

Jiang Ya’s expression remained calm: “Let’s go. The Eastern Land Prodigy Battle has begun.”

The two turned into streaks of light, heading deep into Cloud Court.

Amid the great mountains, a secret realm opened, light streaming in all directions, and the spiritual energy in the air grew abundant.

Jiang Ya looked at the young prodigies ahead, her expression turning serious.

Kang Fulu wore a grimace: “Alas, my titles—son-in-law of the Divine Light Sect’s Sect Master and closed-door disciple of the Five Radiance Peak’s Peak Master—don’t work well here.”

He sensed too many auras of powerful beings.

Looking around, he saw countless opponents he couldn’t defeat.

His once-proud First-Rank Golden Core now seemed utterly ordinary here.

“Sigh, Junior Brother was right—if I had forged my Golden Core bigger, I wouldn’t feel so inferior.”

He stood among the crowd, quite inconspicuous.

Just then, a vast voice reached everyone’s ears.

“This Eastern Land Prodigy Battle has a rule change.

For the top twenty, there are only nineteen slots. Everyone… make no mistake.”

All the prodigies’ expressions shifted slightly upon hearing this.

“Top twenty… only nineteen slots? What does that mean?”

“At such a grand event as the Eastern Land Prodigy Battle, someone dares to pull strings so blatantly!”

“How infuriating!”

“How enviable!”

The prodigies buzzed with discussion.

Those originally ranked around twentieth wore especially grim faces—one fewer slot meant greater competition pressure for them.

“Damn it, which god’s descendant is so cowardly that they dare not join the battle and instead pulled strings?”

At this moment, Kang Fulu was stunned. He looked at Jiang Ya: “Didn’t Qi Yuan say he was going to pull strings?”

“Mm.” Jiang Ya nodded, her expression odd. “He also said he succeeded.”

Kang Fulu fell silent, unable to comprehend.

Coincidence… or something else?

“It shouldn’t be this little… this senior, right?” Kang Fulu muttered to himself.

… “I’m doomed.”

Inside the cave dwelling, cold sweat broke out on Qi Yuan’s forehead.

“Have I strayed down the wrong path?”

While continuing the Qi Yuan Sutra’s techniques, Qi Yuan realized that the techniques he had obtained were utterly insufficient.

Because, some time ago, he had already decided to pursue both the Golden Core path and the Divine Infant path.

But the Golden Core path was truly endless, with no end in sight.

Qi Yuan estimated that to reach its end, his little sun would have to devour that entire universe.

That was still far off.

“Thus, the Qi Yuan Sutra should be divided into the Stellar Golden Core Chapter and the Advanced Divine Infant Chapter.”

The Stellar Golden Core Chapter focused on strengthening the Solar True Fire and devouring stars.

The Advanced Divine Infant Chapter was about ordinary cultivation, ultimately stepping into the Divine Infant realm.

"If I step into the Divine Infant realm, does it mean I will be both a Primal Core cultivator and a Divine Infant cultivator?" Qi Yuan murmured, feeling his head spin slightly.

"The cultivation methods I need are growing more numerous by the day; I am so poor!"

The Golden Core stage required the creation of two separate techniques, so the demand for formulas was naturally far greater.

If it were not for the justice in his heart, and the fact that he was a law-abiding citizen, he would have long since contemplated becoming a rogue cultivator.

"Oh, destined benefactor, where art thou?"

"Exalted Poverty, why can you not just plot against me for once?"

Qi Yuan sighed in resignation.

He stepped out of his secluded cavern dwelling.

The inn, once bustling, was now rather deserted.

Those people had all departed for the secret realm to participate in the East Earth Prodigy Tournament.

Just then, Qi Yuan produced his jade communication slip, a flicker of surprise flashing across his eyes: "The Master of the Cloud Pavilion?"

He had not expected that while he was in secluded cultivation, the Pavilion Master would send a transmission seeking him.

With a sudden flicker of his form, he materialized anew within the Palace of Clouds.

Clad in a robe of blood-red hue and possessing a countenance of peerless nobility, his appearance instantly drew a multitude of gazes.

"Master of the Cloud Pavilion, what business do you have with me?" Qi Yuan inquired, his gaze tranquil.

He could sense that within this Cloud Pavilion, there was remarkably one cultivator at the late stage of the Violet Mansion, seven at the mid-stage, and several at the early stage.

Could it be that some destined benefactor had finally taken notice of him and come to deliver cultivation techniques?

These individuals, after all, were high-quality elders of the human race.

"Salutations to the Blood-Robed Sword God!"

"Salutations to the Blood-Robed Sword God!"

Over thirty Violet Mansion cultivators stepped forward in unison, bowing respectfully toward Qi Yuan.

Among them was Xu Yeli, an old acquaintance of Qi Yuan's.

Yet at this moment, Xu Yeli feigned ignorance, acting as though they had never met.

These Violet Mansion experts could be said to represent the pinnacle of power within the Jade Cloud Continent today, all assembled here in one place.

Any single one of them venturing outside could throw a city or a nation into utter chaos.

But facing Qi Yuan, their eyes held nothing but profound awe and reverence.

Qi Yuan glanced at the Pavilion Master, his expression placid: "What is your purpose?"

The Master of the Cloud Pavilion was not the strongest among this group of Violet Mansion cultivators, yet he seemed to subtly act as their leader.

"Senior has annihilated the Bright Palace, ridding the Jade Cloud Continent of a great scourge!

Now, the continent stands leaderless, and we are willing to collectively elevate Senior to the head of the Jade Cloud Continent!" the Pavilion Master declared solemnly.

The late-stage Violet Mansion cultivator also bowed his head: "We are willing to promote Senior as our leader."

Hearing this, Qi Yuan found it rather amusing.

Was this an invitation for him to become the chief of the martial alliance?

"I prefer things simple and direct; do not beat around the bush," Qi Yuan stated.

A group of Violet Mansion experts pushing him to be their head was essentially finding themselves a master to govern them.

Unless there was an extraordinary circumstance, who would willingly do such a thing?

The late-stage Violet Mansion master stepped forward and spoke: "Does Senior know that a great tribulation draws nigh?"

Qi Yuan shook his head.

Utter nonsense about a great tribulation; he had only heard the Pavilion Master mention it briefly, and as for the specifics, he was entirely in the dark.

Presumably, these Violet Mansion cultivators were just as ignorant about the details, which only a Yin Spirit would truly comprehend.

"A few centuries from now, the great tribulation will arrive, and the world is bound to fall into catastrophic peril.

Every cultivator lives in fear for their own safety; even we, despite being of the Violet Mansion, will find our lives precarious in the face of this tribulation.

It was precisely for this reason that the Bright Palace initiated the Blood War of a Hundred Nations, desiring to completely restore the Imperial Dragon Crown to mitigate the calamity.

Only power at the level of a Yin Spirit holds a sliver of hope to withstand the tribulation, allowing us to survive in degrading obscurity."

"So, you wish for me to... shield you?" Qi Yuan understood now.

The Imperial Dragon Crown was gone, and the Bright Palace was no more.

The Yin Spirit foundation of the Jade Cloud Continent had vanished.

Confronting that illusory and intangible tribulation, the continent stood utterly defenseless.

Consequently, these Violet Mansion cultivators had come in succession to throw themselves at Qi Yuan's feet.

After all, Qi Yuan had destroyed the Bright Palace, possessing the true strength of a Yin Spirit.

"Precisely so," the late-stage Violet Mansion expert admitted.

Everyone looked toward Qi Yuan with bated breath and reverence.

The Violet Mansion master continued: "We are willing to form the Blood-Robed Alliance and elevate Senior to the position of Alliance Leader.

We are ready to be driven by Senior's command!

Whatever Senior wishes to accomplish, we shall serve as Senior's right hand.

Should Senior require magical treasures, cultivation techniques, or precious materials, we can procure them all for you."

Upon hearing these words, Qi Yuan's eyes reflected deep thought.

It had to be said, he was somewhat enticed.

For he indeed stood in dire need of cultivation techniques.

And having these old fellows of the Violet Mansion search for techniques on his behalf would be vastly more convenient than seeking them out himself.

In truth, if he became the righteous leader of the Jade Cloud Continent, would not all the secret arts of the continent belong to him?

At that moment, the Master of the Cloud Pavilion stepped forward: "Senior, please look, who might this be?"

Following the Pavilion Master's voice, an elder with a frail aura was escorted into the arena.

The elder's eyes were filled with terror, beneath which lurked a trace of deep-seated resentment.

The aura emanating from this elder was unmistakably that of the Violet Mansion.

Qi Yuan shook his head: "I do not recognize him."

The Master of the Cloud Pavilion continued: "Some time ago, Senior was entrusted by an elder to seize the Purple Gold Gourd.

The Purple Gold Gourd originated precisely from the clan of Hong Lian.

Two thousand years ago, that old rogue Hong Lian took a fancy to the Holy Queen of the Wood Clan, intending to take her as a concubine.

The Holy Queen of the Wood Clan chose death over submission, hanging herself to preserve her honor."

In the end, the old scoundrel Hong Lian, enraged and humiliated, slaughtered the entire Wood Clan, leaving only one or two survivors to flee!

The Purple-Gold Gourd was obtained by Hong Lian from the Wood Clan.

That elder of yours, senior, must have been a member of the Wood Clan.

We have already captured that old villain Hong Lian, and he is at your disposal!"

Hong Lian glared at the Lord of Cloud Court, fury blazing in his eyes: "I have already pledged allegiance to Water Immortal Isle. By taking me captive, do you intend to wage war against Water Immortal Isle?"

Water Immortal Isle, neighboring Verdant Cloud Isle, was slightly stronger than Verdant Cloud Isle, which housed the Radiant Palace, but not by much.

Qi Yuan looked at Hong Lian.

He roughly understood the situation.

So this was the clan-annihilating enemy of the Sect Master and Elder Xuan Chong?

Back then, Elder Xuan Chong, though ill-tempered, had shown him considerable kindness.

Qi Yuan gazed at Hong Lian, a smile on his face: "If Water Immortal Isle is filled with such Purple Mansions as you, what of it if we go to war?"

He would welcome a bit more moonlight.

That late-stage Purple Mansion expert chuckled awkwardly, not daring to speak.

At this moment, Qi Yuan spoke: "In that case, I shall act as the master of Verdant Cloud Isle.

As for you, you will gather techniques for me—the more, the better."

Hearing this, the Purple Mansions all broke into smiles.

The Blood-Robed Sword God had agreed, and the weight lifted from their hearts.

In the great calamity several hundred years hence, they would not be left helpless and alone.

Then Qi Yuan added: "Xu Yeli, and you as well, I have a task for you."

That Purple Mansion expert tensed: "As you command, senior. You may call me Meishan."

"Mm. You two, take Hong Lian to..."

Qi Yuan swept his gaze over the assembled Purple Mansions.

They took the hint and departed.

Only then did Qi Yuan continue: "To the Great Shang, the Divine Radiance Sect—deliver them to the Withered Wood True Lord."

Meishan and Xu Yeli stiffened: "As you command."

Knowing such secrets, they understood that their bond with the Blood-Robed Sword God could no longer be severed.

"This Purple-Gold Gourd, give it to him as well," Qi Yuan said with a smile.

Within the Purple-Gold Gourd, he had left a primal divine ability and a wisp of Solar True Fire.

He had no fear of these two harboring treacherous thoughts.

With that, Qi Yuan's form dissipated into nothingness.

Only Meishan, Xu Yeli, and Hong Lian remained.

Xu Yeli looked at Meishan, a puzzled expression in his eyes: "Senior, I am truly curious—why did you choose the Blood-Robed Sword God?"

Xu Yeli had only recently learned of the impending great calamity.

Only then did he realize how close they, this group of Purple Mansions, were to death.

"You mean to say that the Blood-Robed Sword God has offended the Venerable Ye Qiong and will soon die?" Meishan spoke, his voice desolate.

"No... that is not what I meant."

"Aside from the Blood-Robed Sword God, do we have any other path?

Let us hope that the Venerable Ye Qiong, mindful of the great calamity, refrains from striking against the Alliance Master in these coming centuries.

Only then, under the Alliance Master's protection, when the great calamity descends several hundred years hence, will we have a chance to survive."

ps: Not in good form, taking a day off. No update at six in the morning. My sincerest apologies.

Perhaps starting tomorrow, I will post two chapters around six in the morning (the time may shift as I gradually adjust to a normal schedule) and refrain from posting at midnight, so everyone can wake up and read together.

(End of this chapter)