Chapter 170: A New World, the Mortal Heart Realm

Chapter 170: A New World, the Mortal Heart Realm

“The one behind the great calamity—is it that sun?” Qi Yuan gazed at the sun, lost in thought.

“Now, over the Canglan Realm, two suns hang in the sky.”

Old Man Wutian sat in his wheelchair, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

“A pity the second sun is too small. Otherwise, if the two clashed, our Canglan Realm might yet have a chance to break free from the calamity.”

Qi Yuan was speechless. He looked at Old Man Wutian and said, “You’re the one who’s small!”

He had never liked being called small.

Old Man Wutian seemed not to hear Qi Yuan’s words, murmuring instead, “Born in the Canglan Realm, we are too shackled by the great calamity.”

“If we shatter that sun in the sky, wouldn’t the calamity be gone?” Qi Yuan asked earnestly.

Old Man Wutian chuckled. “The great calamity itself is already invincible under heaven. Even if all the great venerables of this realm joined forces, they could not defeat it.

And… to kill that sun in the sky, one would need at least the Yang God realm.

Without ascending to the upper realm, it is utterly impossible to break through to Yang God.

But once we ascend to the upper realm, we of the Canglan Realm become meat on their chopping block.”

Generally speaking, cultivators at the Yin God realm already have the chance to ascend to the upper realm.

The upper realm has more complete heavenly laws and richer world essence.

To advance to Yang God, one must be in the upper realm.

The lower realm cannot allow such a breakthrough.

“I have sat here in endless solitude, and at last I have found a path to survival.” Old Man Wutian’s wheelchair rolled forward. He stopped before a jade slip and picked it up.

“What path?”

“We… become nourishment for the great calamity, marked by that sun, all because our cultivation techniques… are flawed.” Old Man Wutian spoke heavily.

Qi Yuan heard this and showed a look of surprise.

That the techniques were flawed—Qi Yuan had known this long ago.

But this was the first time he had heard it from a native of the Canglan Realm.

The Yin Gods he had encountered before had never mentioned it, and Qi Yuan had also discovered that the techniques they cultivated were likewise flawed.

That a Purple Mansion cultivator would bring this up was indeed interesting.

“If one creates a new technique, cultivates it to the Yin God realm, and then ascends to the upper realm, one can… evade the great calamity.” Old Man Wutian spoke, his voice hoarse. “But a new technique is far, far too difficult.”

Qi Yuan had a sudden inspiration. “If a technique left behind in the Canglan Realm from the upper realm were cultivated, wouldn’t it be free of problems?”

“Not so,” Old Man Wutian said. “According to ancient records, a certain supreme powerhouse once received a technique imparted in a dream by a Yang God, and cultivated all the way to the Great Venerable realm.

Yet he still… became nourishment for that sun.

The great calamity has even influenced the Heavenly Dao’s will of the Canglan Realm. Even techniques obtained from the upper realm, when cultivated, will inadvertently become nourishment.”

Hearing this, Qi Yuan was inwardly astonished.

This great calamity sounded truly inescapable.

Fortunately, although his *Qi Yuan Sutra* had some minor issues during cultivation, it would not turn him into real nourishment.

“Alas, I have wasted away until now, yet I have failed to create a new technique that can truly escape the great calamity.” Old Man Wutian let out a long sigh, his voice infinitely desolate.

The purpose of his founding the Ascension Pavilion had been to create a new technique, to avoid the great calamity.

Qi Yuan, however, said, “Even if you create a new technique, at most one or two cultivators could evade the calamity.

If the new technique spreads and the great calamity and that sun above learn of it, wouldn’t the Canglan Realm still… sink into ruin?

So I believe the great calamity cannot be avoided. Evasion will not solve the problem.

We must face the difficulty head-on, take the initiative, and resolve the great calamity!”

Qi Yuan spoke with fervor and passion.

With his strength increased, he had swept through a series of Yuan Dan and Divine Infant cultivators in the Eastern Lands.

At the Divine Flower Assembly, countless people had flattered him endlessly, and he had grown somewhat conceited.

He felt a sense of commanding all under heaven, with none daring to disobey.

Old Man Wutian looked at Qi Yuan and pointed into the distance.

“The great calamity should be in that direction. A three-month journey will reach it. Does Wangyue the Great Venerable truly wish to go and see the great calamity?”

Qi Yuan immediately looked in that direction.

Instantly, his right eye’s brow began to twitch wildly.

Left eye twitches for wealth, right eye for disaster.

If the right eye twitched only slightly, it might still be wealth.

But it twitched too violently!

Qi Yuan could not deceive himself.

“Forget it, I’ll spare the great calamity for now.” Qi Yuan decided not to seek trouble with the great calamity until he broke through to Divine Infant.

“I’ll back up all the techniques here. That’s fine, isn’t it?” Qi Yuan asked.

Once he emptied the Ascension Pavilion’s techniques, he could return to Seven Colors Peak in peace and play games in peace.

The game icon was almost fully loaded; only a few days of preparation were needed before he could enter.

Qi Yuan now planned to memorize all the techniques, so that when he entered the game, he could continue deducing the *Qi Yuan Sutra* in his spare time.

Otherwise, if he didn’t obtain enough techniques to advance the *Qi Yuan Sutra*, his strength would increase in the game, but lacking sufficient techniques, his real-world cultivation would not be able to improve quickly.

“Wangyue the Great Venerable may do as he pleases.” Old Man Wutian said this, then pushed his wheelchair away.

Qi Yuan remained in the Ascension Pavilion, collecting all the techniques.

…

Seven days later.

On a spirit boat, Kang Fulu looked smug. “At the Eastern Lands Genius Battle, your senior brother here stood firm against the crowd and did not disgrace the Five Radiance Sacred Art!

Several geniuses from great sects stood before me, and I showed not a trace of fear, defeating them fair and square.

Now, I am ranked four hundred and ninety-eighth on the Eastern Lands Genius List.

It’s a pity you didn’t participate in the Eastern Lands Genius Battle, or you would have seen your senior brother’s heroic bearing.”

Qi Yuan looked at the few extra white hairs on Kang Fulu’s head and knew that he had worked hard to achieve this result in the Eastern Lands Genius Battle.

After leaving the Ascension Pavilion, Qi Yuan briefly instructed the Blood Robe Alliance, announced his seclusion, then resumed his identity as Qi Yuan and brought Qi Jianjun back to the Divine Light Sect.

On the way back, he happened to encounter Kang Fulu and traveled together.

“It’s a pity I couldn’t break into the top hundred of the Eastern Lands Genius List and bring back the treasure the Sect Master needed.

All this time, I’ve been secretly investigating, trying to find out who took that treasure, but I’ve found nothing.” Kang Fulu looked deeply disappointed.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan smiled.

If Kang Fulu could actually find out, that would be a real problem.

“Ah, you rascal—you disappear for a while, and suddenly you have a daughter this old?” Kang Fulu stared at Qi Jianjun beside Qi Yuan, his face full of curiosity.

Qi Jianjun was playing chess with another little girl on the spirit boat; she seemed to hear Kang Fulu’s voice and turned her head to glance over.

“The past cannot be chased.” Qi Yuan couldn’t be bothered to explain.

Qi Yuan looked at the approaching mountain gate ahead and said to Kang Fulu, “Senior Brother, I won’t go with you to see the Sect Leader. I need to return to my mountain.”

He waved his hand, and Qi Jianjun ran over.

Kang Fulu replied, “I understand, I understand.”

He patted Qi Yuan on the shoulder and said earnestly, “Junior Brother, don’t blame yourself. There are gaps between people. Give yourself some more time, and you’ll surely make it onto the Eastern Land Prodigy List.”

Kang Fulu was thrilled.

Making it onto the Eastern Land Prodigy List this time was already an extraordinary performance.

Once back at the sect, he would surely dazzle the Master and the Sect Leader, wouldn’t he?

After all, a poor place like the Great Shang Kingdom had finally produced a true dragon like him.

…

On Seven-Colored Peak.

Qi Jianjun held Qi Yuan’s hand, her eyes filled with curiosity: “Is this Daddy’s home?”

“Mm.” Qi Yuan returned to Seven-Colored Peak, feeling a wave of peace in his heart.

Raising storms in the outside world was certainly carefree, but home was the harbor of the soul.

“The scenery looks quite beautiful—suitable for seclusion,” Qi Jianjun said.

Qi Yuan shot his daughter a glare—wasn’t she just saying this place was remote?

Qi Yuan and Qi Jianjun landed in front of the brick-and-tile house.

He glanced at the wooden cabin next door, his expression strange: “Where is Junior Sister?”

Suddenly, his face changed.

Because he sensed a dense aura of frost emanating from Junior Sister’s wooden cabin.

As he stepped inside, several talismans instantly ignited, forming a formation to block Qi Yuan.

When Junior Sister cultivated, she often used talismans to guard her surroundings.

These talismans unleashed power close to that of a Purple Mansion cultivator.

In the Great Shang Kingdom, they were considered top-tier protective talismans.

Qi Yuan’s gaze swept over, and the top-tier protective talismans shattered.

His figure turned, and he immediately saw Jiang Lingsu lying on the bed, thinly clad.

A layer of thin gauze covered her body, and her exposed arms, white as lotus roots, along with her snow-white neck, were coated with a faint frost.

She frowned, as if enduring some pain.

“Junior Sister?” Qi Yuan’s heart tightened.

He had always known that Junior Sister had a problem with her body, one that could only be solved by a Water-element Heavenly Spiritual Root Purple Mansion cultivator.

Unfortunately, even after founding the Blood-Robe Alliance and dominating the Eastern Land, he had never found a Water-element Heavenly Spiritual Root Purple Mansion cultivator.

He reached out and grasped Jiang Lingsu’s arm.

A scorching aura surged in that moment.

Qi Yuan cultivated using the Five Elements Qi; though he couldn’t eradicate the root of Jiang Lingsu’s ailment, he could alleviate her pain.

Heat waves swept through the wooden cabin. Jiang Lingsu, who had been covered in frost, now had sweat forming on her forehead, and the frost had long vanished.

She opened her eyes weakly, a hint of sorrow in her gaze: “Senior Brother…”

She seemed to be thanking Qi Yuan.

“Don’t speak.” Qi Yuan continued to transmit spiritual energy, using this crude method to help Jiang Lingsu dispel the cold within her body.

Jiang Lingsu’s eyes were open; her slender arms wanted to move, to grasp something.

“Don’t move recklessly.” Qi Yuan grabbed Jiang Lingsu’s arm to stop her.

This wealthy Junior Sister had helped him too much; he needed to take good care of her to repay her kindness.

“What do you want to do? Tell Senior Brother, and I’ll help you,” Qi Yuan said with a strong sense of responsibility.

A blush crept onto Jiang Lingsu’s snow-white face; she turned her head away, unwilling to look at Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan looked puzzled.

What was wrong with Junior Sister?

“Daddy, this big sister probably wants you to help her pull up her clothes,” Qi Jianjun said from the side, her tone teasing.

Jiang Lingsu lay on the bed; the skin beneath her pink gauze was faintly visible. Even lying down, she couldn’t hide her graceful figure, like branches bearing heavy fruit. At that moment, one fruit had half escaped its restraint, dazzlingly white.

Seeing this, Qi Yuan gave a gentle blow, and Jiang Lingsu’s clothes shifted upward to cover it.

Feeling the warmth of Qi Yuan’s breath, Jiang Lingsu’s blush deepened.

How could anyone help pull up clothes like that?

But Qi Yuan was quite pleased, thinking he had another day of high emotional intelligence.

As the saying goes, men and women should not touch directly. He hadn’t used his hands, avoiding touching anything he shouldn’t, and instead chose a gentle blow.

“Junior Sister, no need to thank me.” Seeing Jiang Lingsu’s complexion improve, Qi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

At that moment, Jiang Lingsu seemed to have recovered somewhat. Her hand covered her chest, and her eyes still held the frailty of a sick beauty: “Senior Brother, thank you.”

“Your condition is getting worse.” Qi Yuan looked at his Junior Sister.

When he had just dispelled the cold within her, he sensed that the frost that had appeared had accumulated over half a month.

Clearly, Junior Sister Jiang Lingsu had endured half a month of pain.

For those fifteen days, she had lain alone on the bed, suffering in silence, with no one to talk to.

This made Qi Yuan sigh—even a wealthy woman had her own troubles.

“It’s fine, I’m used to it.” Jiang Lingsu seemed to take it lightly, her expression relaxed. “Senior Brother, how did the Eastern Land Prodigy List go?”

“I didn’t disgrace my mission—I made it onto the Eastern Land Prodigy List.”

“Really?” Jiang Lingsu’s face lit up with surprise. “Senior Brother truly lives up to his name!”

Making it onto the Eastern Land Prodigy List meant truly stepping onto the stage of the Eastern Land.

Even if Senior Brother went to her Jiang family, he would be treated with the utmost respect by a great clan like theirs.

If it were the old Senior Brother, presenting a visiting card to the Jiang family would probably not even get him past the gate.

“Has anything major happened recently in the Divine Light Sect or the Great Shang Kingdom?” Qi Yuan asked.

“If we’re talking about major events, there are two.” Mentioning this, Jiang Lingsu looked at Qi Yuan with a strange expression. “Two Purple Mansion cultivators from the Blood-Robe Alliance came to our Divine Light Sect and killed an elder of the Red Sword Sect.”

Jiang Lingsu had always thought the Blood-Robed Sword God was the alt account she had given her senior brother.

But later, she discovered the Blood-Robed Sword God was far too powerful.

The two could not possibly be the same person.

Now, the Blood-Robed Alliance, founded by the Blood-Robed Sword God, had sent people to the Divine Radiance Sect. When her senior brother had messaged her saying two subordinates were coming, it made her imagination run wild.

Yet, recalling how her senior brother had just spoken to her—approachable, without the overwhelming might of a great demon, and even reacting normally when she threw a little tantrum—

She felt she was overthinking.

But there was definitely a deep connection between her senior brother and the Blood-Robed Sword God.

Could it be that the Blood-Robed Sword God was their master?

Only that would explain it better.

Of course, a sliver of doubt remained in her heart that her senior brother was the Blood-Robed Sword God.

“And what about the other major matter?” Qi Yuan asked.

He already knew about the Blood-Robed Alliance.

“The Demon Desire Sect had an internal conflict. The Shen clan suddenly struck, suppressing the Ji clan, and all Ji clan disciples were slaughtered.

Now, the Demon Desire Sect is ruled by the Shen clan,” Jiang Lingsu said seriously.

Qi Yuan was somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

He had been thinking that on this return trip, he would take care of the Ji clan of the Demon Desire Sect.

Now, without him lifting a finger, the Demon Desire Sect’s enemies were gone?

Truly, the world is full of unexpected twists and turns.

“Senior Brother, this is…” Jiang Lingsu finally took a good look at Qi Jianjun, curiosity in her eyes.

Earlier, she had vaguely heard this little girl call her senior brother “Daddy.”

“This is my daughter, Qi Jianjun.”

“Daughter?” Jiang Lingsu’s eyes widened. “Senior Brother, if I remember correctly, you’re not even twenty this year. How do you have such a big daughter?”

“I have a game. She’s my daughter in that game,” Qi Yuan said.

Jiang Lingsu was dumbfounded.

She recalled that in her clan, some people played game jade slips and would claim brothers, sisters, or even fathers and daughters.

But those were… for fun.

Such a young Qi Jianjun… what was going on?

“Alright, Junior Sister, since you’re awake, I’ll head back. I still have a game to play.

It’s been too long since I last played; I’m itching to get back to it,” Qi Yuan said, then hurriedly left.

The room was left with only a bewildered Jiang Lingsu.

“Could it be that little girl is an orphan, adopted by Senior Brother?

How pitiful.” Jiang Lingsu felt a surge of maternal instinct.

She stood up; having been still for so long, her body was a bit stiff.

But as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the discomfort vanished instantly.

Suddenly, she thought of something and wore a strange expression.

“Where are the talismans I placed at the door?”

Every time before going into seclusion, she would set up some talismans around her to protect her safety.

Now, the talismans were gone.

“How did Senior Brother avoid my talismans?” Jiang Lingsu wondered, looking baffled.

……

The Mortal Heart Realm.

Green Water Village.

The gaunt, sallow villagers trudged back in a crowd, bearing visible injuries.

The village chief, Yu Lei, was a small, hunched old man with his trousers rolled up to his knees, revealing legs as thin as reeds.

“We lost the village battle. What a disgrace!”

A fat man wore a mournful face, looking especially grieved.

“Stone Family Village has no martial honor—they actually worship a new god!” a scholar-like man said, sneering at Stone Family Village’s new god.

At the mention of the new god, the faces of everyone present darkened.

For these villages to have good weather and bountiful harvests, they had to offer sacrifices to the gods.

The god Green Water Village worshipped, the Dogtail Grass God, had not responded for decades.

According to the priest Shen Tu, the Dogtail Grass God had likely starved to death.

It sounded absurd, but it was also understandable.

After all, Green Water Village had always been dirt poor, with nothing to offer the Dogtail Grass God.

“Without the god’s blessing, we can’t beat Stone Family Village!” a man said.

Green Water Village’s overall strength surpassed that of Stone Family Village.

But Stone Family Village had a new god who could bless the villagers, which made them far stronger than Green Water Village.

In the recent fight over water sources, Green Water Village had suffered heavy losses.

“Even if the Dogtail Grass God blessed us, we still couldn’t beat Stone Family Village. Their new god is too powerful!”

At the mention of the new god, fear flickered in the villagers’ eyes.

“What if we also worship a new god?” a villager asked tentatively.

“No!” the usually silent village chief Yu Lei spoke. “No matter what, Green Water Village must not worship a new god. Absolutely not!”

The crowd fell silent.

They all knew why the chief reacted so strongly.

The difference between new gods and old gods was that new gods required human sacrifices!

Stone Family Village’s new god devoured a child every month.

Such a thing was utterly unacceptable to the people of Green Water Village.

“Besides, we are descendants of the Ancient Clan. How could we worship a new god?” Yu Lei said.

At the mention of the Ancient Clan, pride shone in the villagers’ eyes.

The Ancient Clan was known for its unyielding spirit.

Once, when heaven was blind, the great god of the Ancient Clan dared to challenge the heavens above.

Now, in this chaotic age of new gods, how could they ever submit to these new gods and live out a base existence?

"We, the Ancient Clan, dare to challenge the gods. Even if we decline, our spines must never bend!"

"We dare to fight Heaven, dare to right the world's wrongs. The Ancient Clan cannot be humiliated!"

"Wuwu, I'm so hungry. Dog Egg, give me a cornbread to eat!"

"You, of the Ancient Clan with pure blood, have the nerve to ask me for a cornbread?"

(End of this chapter)