Chapter 354: I Am Who I Am, True and Without a Past Life

Chapter 354: I Am What I Am, True, No Past Life

The mission issued by this stronghold was rather peculiar.

It bore some resemblance to the tale of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, but in truth, only the relationships were somewhat similar.

The goal for these task-takers was to protect "Zhu Yingtai" from being killed by "Ma Wencai."

At the same time, they were to find Ma Wencai.

The reason Qi Yuan likened this "love triangle" story to Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai was because, in this tale, Ma Wencai was a horse demon.

Upon entering the game world, the first thing Qi Yuan did was to arrest "Zhu Yingtai."

To avoid trouble, Qi Yuan simply knocked the person unconscious and stuffed them into a cloth sack.

Of course, Qi Yuan was still kind-hearted and considerate of the captive's feelings, never forcing them to do anything unwilling.

Thus, before knocking "Zhu Yingtai," Wang Yuanyu, unconscious, he thoughtfully took out several cloth sacks and asked Wang Yuanyu which color she preferred.

One could say he was quite democratic and considerate.

In the end, after Wang Yuanyu chose a black hemp sack, Qi Yuan carried the unconscious Wang Yuanyu and traveled a thousand miles.

He killed and killed, nearly slaughtering all the demons and monsters in this world.

Once the demons were wiped out, Qi Yuan went to the final horse demon lair.

The horse demon lair was naturally no match for him, and he slaughtered them all.

As for the demon clan where "Ma Wencai," Ma Longhun, belonged, Qi Yuan exterminated the entire family.

The only regret was that Ma Longhun had vanished without a trace.

To find Ma Longhun, Qi Yuan acted on two fronts.

First, he had someone impersonate him, establishing the Demon-Suppressing Court to search for Ma Longhun.

On the other side, Qi Yuan secretly arranged for someone to bury Ma Longhun's family under the name of the "Holy Reason Church."

The Holy Reason Church was a small religious organization.

This church advocated for coexistence between humans and demons, natural harmony.

Hmm... the members of this church were mostly humans.

During the war between demons and humans, when humanity was weakening, they preached that humans should abandon resistance to achieve peaceful coexistence with demons.

After the Holy Reason Church buried Ma Longhun's family, Qi Yuan applied through special channels to become the cemetery's caretaker.

He sat there, waiting for Ma Longhun to come and pay respects to his clan and parents.

Unfortunately, three years passed, and Ma Longhun remained untraceable.

The Demon-Suppressing Court also found no clue to Ma Longhun's whereabouts.

"Exterminating a family is truly a craft. I had such a good strategy before coming, yet I still can't find a single person," Qi Yuan sighed.

Just then, faint footsteps approached from not far away.

"Sir, it's time to eat."

Wang Yuanyu wore a wide-sleeved green silk robe, a white jade belt at her waist, with a peculiar bird embroidered on the belt.

Looking upward, her head was covered with a black hemp sack, revealing only her eyes and mouth. From a distance, one could not see her face.

This black sack was also a result of Qi Yuan's magnanimity and consideration for the beauty; he had specifically asked her which color she liked before covering her.

Qi Yuan did this to protect Wang Yuanyu's safety and to avoid scaring off Ma Longhun.

Wang Yuanyu carried three plates of food and handed them to Qi Yuan.

A faint fragrance wafted through the air, and on the plates were various strange dishes.

They were stir-fried old cicadas, fried dung beetles, and steamed crawling insects.

Looking at these dishes, Qi Yuan's eyes showed helplessness: "Are you a bird, making these insect feasts every day?"

Wang Yuanyu replied reluctantly, "It suits your identity."

"Alas, I imprison you for your own good," Qi Yuan began to morally blackmail Wang Yuanyu.

As a person from Blue Star, Qi Yuan was adept at the skill of moral blackmail.

I do this for your own good.

You're so rich, why don't you donate more?

Wang Yuanyu's eyes were complex: "Why did you knock me out and bring me here?"

She was also puzzled.

A few years ago, she had gone on an outing with her close friends, only to encounter a strange man.

That strange man was Qi Yuan.

At the time, Qi Yuan held a dozen hemp sacks in his hands and asked her which one she liked.

She found it bizarre but still chose one.

Then, she fainted.

When she woke up, she was in this cemetery.

"I was entrusted by an old acquaintance to protect you," Qi Yuan said softly. "The outside world is too dangerous. Once I ensure your safety, I'll let you go."

Wang Yuanyu glanced at Qi Yuan, her expression shifting several times, but in the end, she said nothing and slowly walked away.

About a quarter of an hour later, Wang Yuanyu arrived at her bamboo hut.

This hut was deep within the cemetery.

Wang Yuanyu entered the bamboo hut, and suddenly, a flash of light passed, and a shadowy figure appeared.

Seeing this shadow, Wang Yuanyu's expression remained unchanged.

"Lady Wang, have you investigated clearly?"

This shadow was an old woman, her mouth somewhat pointed, resembling a bird's beak.

"Miss, this caretaker's identity should be... a bloodline bearer from the World of Death Qi?"

"World of Death Qi?" Wang Yuanyu was surprised, hearing this name for the first time.

"To avoid the Dawn Cry, the martial lords of the Origin Land joined forces to pull the fated ones from the End Land into the World of Death Qi for missions.

Their mission should be to protect Miss.

Thus, this man brought Miss to his side.

Now that this Scroll of Mountains and Seas is turbulent with undercurrents, and the Origin Land is fraught with danger, Miss might as well stay here. Once the master recovers his strength, it won't be too late to return."

The old woman spoke quickly.

On the surface, Wang Yuanyu was an ordinary member of the Scroll of Mountains and Seas, but in truth, she was the bloodline of a powerful martial lord from the Origin Land.

Lady Wang had come from the Land of Origin to shelter Wang Yuanyu.

“Mm.” Wang Yuanyu nodded.

With Lady Wang present, her memories were also steadily awakening.

“Miss, I have found Tu Kongming’s whereabouts. He is deeply worried about your safety. Shall I bring him to see you?” Lady Wang mentioned.

This Tu Kongming was the Liang Shanbo in Qi Yuan’s eyes.

He was Wang Yuanyu’s classmate and close friend, and had been pursuing her.

Wang Yuanyu was momentarily stunned at the name.

Seeing her mistress hesitate, Lady Wang continued: “Tu Kongming, like you, is one of the only two in this realm with direct bloodline of the Martial Lord, and can enter the Land of Origin.

This man is worth befriending; the rest are but false.”

In the Scroll of Mountains and Seas, all is false.

Only Wang Yuanyu and Tu Kongming are real, able to enter the Land of Origin.

Wang Yuanyu frowned: “So he too is of the Martial Lord’s direct bloodline—I never expected that.

By the way, what about Qi Yuan? He is a bloodline bearer—can he enter the Land of Origin?”

At this, Lady Wang’s eyes flickered with wariness, then she said: “Among bloodline bearers, some are also of direct descent and may see the Land of Origin.

But most are mere mortals. Qi Yuan bears no mark of the Martial Lord and cannot enter the Land of Origin.

Even if taken as a servant, I fear it would not be possible.”

Hearing this, disappointment flickered in Wang Yuanyu’s eyes. She understood that aside from those like her with the Martial Lord’s direct bloodline, no one else—not even a Martial King—could enter the Land of Origin without becoming a Martial Lord.

In the Scroll of Mountains and Seas, those who do not become Martial Lords are ultimately false, unable to turn falsehood into truth and enter the Land of Origin.

“Speaking of which, the master of the Demon-Suppressing Court, who slaughtered all demons in this realm, has remarkable talent.

With such strength, he should have been marked by a Martial Lord and could be brought into the Land of Origin.

However, he likely belongs to another Martial Lord and cannot be taken as a servant.”

Lady Wang, being at the Martial King realm, spoke of the Demon-Suppressing Court’s master with pride, unafraid.

After all, she came from the Land of Origin and possessed Martial Lord-level martial arts.

The Martial King of that court seemed fragile and insignificant in her eyes.

“What a pity,” Wang Yuanyu remarked casually, unsure whether she meant Qi Yuan or the master of the Demon-Suppressing Court.

“Miss, we are weak and alone now and need external help.

Tu Kongming is a great asset. This old servant suggests you maintain good relations with him.

According to our calculations, he should be the chosen one of this Scroll of Mountains and Seas.” Lady Wang continued to persuade.

“But… would Mr. Qi Yuan object to his coming?” Wang Yuanyu asked in confusion.

Lady Wang paused, then said: “Miss, why care about the feelings of a lowly bloodline bearer?

This world belongs to us of direct descent, to the Martial Lords.

Other lowly bloodline bearers are but… drops of blood, not even worthy of entering the real world.”

The Scroll of Mountains and Seas is a fabricated world.

The real world is, naturally, the Land of Origin.

“Lady Wang, do not speak such words. He has sheltered me and is my benefactor.

As for Tu Kongming, I will ask his opinion myself.”

Wang Yuanyu’s voice carried a hint of anger, with some authority.

Lady Wang immediately bowed her head, her body trembling.

Clearly, though her strength surpassed Wang Yuanyu’s, the pressure of bloodline still existed.

…

Seven days later, rain fell in a steady drizzle.

Wang Yuanyu sat in the pavilion, gazing absently at Qi Yuan outside.

Strange and bizarre sounds came, but she had long grown accustomed to them.

“You have consumed 100 drops of demonic essence blood and gained 100 days of cultivation.”

“You have consumed 1000 drops of demonic essence blood and gained 1000 days of cultivation; your power has greatly increased.”

Thinking of something, Wang Yuanyu leaned over and asked Qi Yuan: “Mr. Qi, may I ask you a question?”

Qi Yuan, who had been cultivating, opened his eyes and looked at Wang Yuanyu beneath the black sack.

“I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll answer this NPC’s question.”

Indeed, he was in a good mood—by his reckoning, today was the anniversary of his marriage to Xiao Jia and Jinsi Que.

“If one day you suddenly discovered that this world is all false, meticulously designed and constructed… what would you do?” Wang Yuanyu voiced her doubt.

“Ah, so this NPC has finally awakened, realizing this world… is false. Not bad, not bad—some progress!” Qi Yuan regarded Wang Yuanyu with newfound respect.

In all the games he had played, none of the NPCs had ever realized it was just a game.

Hearing this, Wang Yuanyu was caught between laughter and tears.

She, with the Martial Lord’s direct bloodline, was the real one.

Those like Qi Yuan, bloodline bearers, and everyone else in the Scroll of Mountains and Seas—they were the false ones.

“The world has always been false; in this world, only I am real, and… whoever I deem real, that person becomes real.” Qi Yuan looked at Wang Yuanyu, his expression calm. “This has always been my way of dealing with the world, and it works well.

When I see a villain or an enemy, I just say straight out: ‘Beast, I can tell at a glance you’re not a real person!’”

Wang Yuanyu fell into thought at these words.

In recent days, her past memories had been steadily resurfacing.

She felt lost.

In those past memories, she and Tu Kongming had been a perfect couple in a former life, mutually in love—until they encountered a horse demon that brutally tore them apart and killed them.

Later, her ancestor and Tu Kongming’s ancestor placed their true spirits into the Scroll of Mountains and Seas, hoping to revive them.

If the three of them could retrace that original path, they could truly turn falsehood into truth and be resurrected in the Land of Origin.

But now, when she thought of Tu Kongming, she felt nothing.

Tu Kongming was indeed quite handsome, but compared to Mr. Qi Yuan, he was like a celestial maiden versus a toad’s head.

Having grown accustomed to Qi Yuan’s handsome, refined face, recalling Tu Kongming stirred not a trace of affection in her.

Now, she wondered: had she truly loved Tu Kongming in her past life?

“Mr. Qi, do you believe in your past life?” Wang Yuanyu asked again.

Qi Yuan shook his head, his expression resolute: “I am myself, the self since I became conscious. I have no past life.”

How could he possibly have a past life?

He had traveled with his body, not just his soul.

Moreover, he looked at himself every day, and his eyes could also obtain useful information, all of which showed that he was just an ordinary Blue Star traverser, with no powerful background or formidable past life.

Wang Yuanyu was slightly stunned and continued to ask, "I have awakened some memories of a past life. In those memories, I was in love with someone.

But now, when I see that person, I feel no flutter in my heart.

Does this mean that I... have fallen for someone else?"

Wang Yuanyu was somewhat anguished.

With Qi Yuan's handsome face right before her, she still felt no attraction.

Tu Kongming was just... that kind of pathetic—how could she possibly be attracted to him?

At this moment, Qi Yuan glanced at Wang Yuanyu and said, "Do you have a new love interest?"

"No."

"Since that's not the case, then it's not a change of heart. It means... you didn't love him in your past life either; it's merely false memories," Qi Yuan said seriously.

For instance, Ning Tao awakened memories of a past life and instantly felt a tidal wave of love.

In Qi Yuan's view, true feelings, even after enduring the vicissitudes of time and the erosion of endless ages, would not fade but instead grow stronger.

However, Qi Yuan felt that such feelings were extremely rare and also very unrealistic.

"False memories?" Wang Yuanyu was taken aback.

"The reason you're so troubled now is simply because... you are not strong enough.

As long as you are big enough, strong enough, omniscient and omnipotent, no troubles will exist.

Young lady, I see you have good talent. How about I give you a grandma to help you cultivate?"

Qi Yuan blinked his eyes.

This Wang Yuanyu had considerable talent.

Moreover, Qi Yuan vaguely sensed that she seemed somewhat extraordinary.

So he thought about whether to place his daughter's Divine Infant on her.

"Become stronger?" Wang Yuanyu was puzzled.

"Yes, as long as you are big and strong enough, all problems in the world are no longer problems," Qi Yuan said earnestly.

"Well... I can understand 'strong,' but this 'big'... I don't quite get it."

"Oh, this involves a very profound cultivation insight.

For example, to mortals, the ultimate manifestation of power in the world is omniscience and omnipotence.

But I think it's not that—it's 'big.'

As long as you are big enough, you are the strongest."

"??" Wang Yuanyu was bewildered.

Suddenly, Qi Yuan recalled a meme from Blue Star: "Sis, show me your inner layer, let me avoid the pitfall."

After talking about the universe and stars, shouldn't we take a look at the legs?

(End of chapter)