Chapter 179

The Mystery of Fate

Although everyone inside and outside the Shangqing Sect was likely hoping for the Sword Envoy to draw the sword, firstly, cultivation is a matter of following one's heart. In terms of the years of seclusion for a cultivator, taking a few years to travel and play is not a big deal. Secondly, with the cover of the Heavenly Fate Cloud Child, before Ruan Ci officially revealed her identity, I fear even those in the sect could not be entirely certain whether the Donghua Sword Envoy with twelve Dao foundations was Ruan Ci or Ruan Rong. Thirdly, True Person Wang had always disliked others teaching his disciples for him. Therefore, although Ruan Ci's group heading to Moon-Catching Cliff in a grand manner attracted many sidelong glances, there were no more chess pieces like Chi Pengpeng pushed out to test Ruan Ci's quality at this time.

This was also because once a cultivator reached the Jin Dan stage, achievements were a bit harder to come by than in Foundation Establishment, and they were no longer as prone to falling as in Foundation Establishment. Each also cherished their own Dao path. Figures like the Ruan sisters would surely be inner-sect disciples in the future, and ordinary disciples, considering their own foundations, did not dare to come and confront them. According to Lu Huangning, at this time, besides the dozen or so inner-sect disciples, there were only those dozens who had hopes of entering the inner sect who were qualified to compete with them.

As for the other flourishing sects, Ruan Ci did not know, but to be an inner-sect disciple of the Shangqing Sect, among the countless sect members, to have a clear ranking, having hope for the Grotto-Heaven was only the most basic requirement. Below the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment and the eighth turn of Jin Dan, one didn't even need to think about it. Disciples like Qin Fengyu, who were at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment and the ninth turn of Jin Dan, could only be said to have some hope, and were not the only ones in the sect. To become an inner-sect disciple, one also needed the support of a Grotto-Heaven behind them. For example, in the Changyao Baoguang Heaven lineage, with Chen Jun as the Second Senior Brother, if they wanted to support Zhou Yanqing as an inner-sect disciple, they needed the Sect Master's lineage to exert force behind the scenes; otherwise, they could only let Chen Jun step down and have Zhou Yanqing take his place.

However, with Chen Jun's current cultivation, he could not do without the massive annual offerings for inner-sect disciples. True Person Qiu had previously treated Ruan Ci differently, likely because he valued her status today. Perhaps no one could have calculated the twelve layers of Foundation Establishment, but the weight of the Donghua Sword Envoy's words was extremely heavy. Plus, there were True Person Chu, the Sect Master, and True Person Wang; it would not be difficult for them to promote Zhou Yanqing. It was just that at the time, no one knew that True Person Chu would pass away so suddenly. At this moment, True Person Qiu should be hoping more than anyone that Ruan Ci would draw the sword as soon as possible to stabilize the momentum of the Sect Master's lineage, and perhaps even take it up another level.

It was also because of this that not long after Ruan Ci left the house, the maid of Changyao Baoguang Heaven was already waiting at Moon-Catching Cliff. It was the mermaid Lin Ji. Four hundred years had passed, and her appearance had not changed in the slightest. When Ruan Ci saw her, she thought of Hua Lang and thought to herself, "Four hundred years for a mermaid is probably like four months."

The two had known each other since they were humble, so naturally, it was different from others. Ruan Ci held her hand and smiled, "Sister Lin Ji, do you still want to hold me now?"

Lin Ji laughed, "I can still hold you now, but if it were a few years later, when Miss Ci becomes a Nascent Soul True Person, I really wouldn't dare to hold you."

Her cultivation was already infinitely close to Nascent Soul, but she had not been able to break through. Because she had made a vow to become human, her cultivation would not make any progress until it was completed. Although mermaids had long lifespans, Ruan Ci felt in her heart that Lin Ji could not wait like this. If she lived past the lifespan of a human cultivator, would this grand vow never come true? Then she could only be trapped and die in this Jin Dan perfection realm.

She was also curious in her heart, wondering why Lin Ji had made this vow at the time, but she was anxious to see Wang Panpan, so she didn't pursue it, only mentioning Hua Lang and asking Lin Ji if she had received the news. Lin Ji laughed, "I have already received a message from your subordinate. Also, due to the blockade of Hanyu Marsh, our mermaid tribe has migrated as a whole. I originally wanted to go back and take a look, but over these hundreds of years, the general trend of the continent has been turbulent. Both young masters and even the True Persons have been in seclusion, and there are many complicated affairs in Baoguang Heaven, so I couldn't leave. It was hard to get away, and then there were those tribulation thunder clouds pressing down, which delayed me even more. After seeing Miss Ci today, I will probably have to pack my bags and go back."

She added, "That kid Hua Lang, he was just born when I left, and he actually still remembers me, this sister."

The two hadn't seen each other for a long time, and they talked about the disciples who came together from South Zhuzhou. Many had fallen over these hundreds of years, and the remaining ones had almost all turned into outer-sect stewards. Only Lin Xianen had been accepted as a disciple under Zhou Yanqing, and now had a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, but she was representing Changyao Baoguang Heaven on an errand and had not returned. As for Chi Pengpeng, Ruan Ci also asked a few questions. Lin Ji said, "She couldn't return after she went out. Even the silkworm beside True Person Ouyang went to guard the branch courtyard. She should have formed her Jin Dan at the branch courtyard by now. I haven't heard that she has fallen, so she should be quite safe."

Chi Pengpeng was also quite favored by True Person Ouyang, otherwise it would have been difficult for her to go to Wan Diegu to handle affairs. Hearing Lin Ji mention it, it sounded as if she had been treated coldly and sent to the frontier. Ruan Ci was quite surprised for a moment. Wang Panpan jumped to their side and sneered, "What's so strange about that? You are also easily surprised. She had several opportunities when she was in Foundation Establishment, but she didn't have the courage to grasp them. She couldn't be your rival, nor could she be your wing, and she leaked her little thoughts to the teacher. Naturally, no one paid attention to her. After forming the Jin Dan, if there are no other opportunities, I fear there is no hope for Nascent Soul. As for that silkworm, it didn't work hard, so it was just sent to accompany her."

These few words were very thorough. Ruan Ci bent down, held Wang Panpan on her lap, and stroked her a few times, smiling, "Panpan, are you not angry with me anymore?"

She was already at the twelfth layer of Foundation Establishment. Throughout history, it had never been heard that a tool cultivator could do this. And if Ruan Ci were truly a tool cultivator, after forming the Jin Dan, refining the Donghua Sword would probably only take a few years. There was no reason why she would want to go to the Nine Kingdoms to find someone at this point. Furthermore, the Donghua Sword would receive feedback from the tool cultivator, and its momentum should be even stronger. Wang Panpan was the most cunning and strange cat; how could she not know that Ruan Ci had ultimately kept a secret and was not truly a tool cultivator, and True Person Wang was also turning a blind eye? As the most powerful great monster in North Youzhou, she had ultimately been deceived by the little girl who hadn't even opened her meridians at the time.

With such a narrow mind, how could she let it go easily? When Ruan Ci came to Moon-Catching Cliff, she first looked for her but couldn't find her. Later, she found her on a tree in the courtyard. Wang Panpan had been flicking her tail with her back to her for a long time. No matter how she called, her ears were pressed to the top of her head, as if she didn't have ears at all. Her round head was buried in her chest, and she didn't pay any attention at all. Only until this moment did she temporarily stop being angry, but she still refused to be held by Ruan Ci. She struggled down, circled around her, sniffed, and said with disgust, "This Dao rhyme smell is really stinking to death!"

Lin Ji couldn't help but laugh, "What kind of smell is this? I can't smell it."

Wang Panpan said, "I don't know about that. Which Dao she combined with, you can only ask her yourself. If she had been combined with by someone, or if there is a Grotto-Heaven True Person who cultivates this Dao, perhaps they could still recognize a little."

Lin Ji said, "Miss Ci has the Heavenly Fate Cloud Child, which is enough to cover it."

She also said to Ruan Ci, "The Great Master also mentioned this matter. Generally, those who can comprehend Dao rhyme are Grotto-Heaven True Persons, and they have their own ways to cover the inner landscape. Now Miss Ci can only rely on the Heavenly Fate Cloud Child, and True Person Chu is hidden between reality and illusion, so I fear the power of the Heavenly Fate Chessboard has also been weakened. If Miss Ci has any inconvenience, just say it. The True Person also ordered me to bring some gifts this time, which I think will be of some benefit to Miss Ci's cultivation. I have already handed them to your subordinate."

In the Jin Dan stage, precious materials to improve cultivation were not as easy to get as in the Foundation Establishment stage. Because above Jin Dan, cultivators all breathe spiritual energy, which is no different. The spiritual energy used below Foundation Establishment is much lower in purity than spiritual energy and is very easy to get. Elixirs that can fill a tier of magic power, for a Grotto-Heaven True Person, do not consume spiritual energy, but rather mysterious things like causality and fortune. If the disciple's own fortune is prosperous enough, a Grotto-Heaven True Person can point a finger and likely catalyze a disciple in the early stage of Foundation Establishment directly to perfection. It's just that such pulling of seedlings to help them grow ultimately hinders the disciple's Dao path, so this is not done. At most, they will give one or two pills. Ruan Rong formed the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment in just four hundred years. I think that besides some miscellaneous cultivation methods that might exist, she hasn't taken fewer of such pills.

Since Lin Ji said so, it shows that the gift from True Person Qiu is extremely generous. Ruan Ci hurriedly declined, "I haven't had the slightest return, but I have made the True Person worry again and again."

Lin Ji laughed, "Many people want to send things in now but can't. Miss Ci is tied to the fortune of the Zhou Heaven and is destined to stir up the wind and clouds. It's just that the time is still short, and nothing can be seen yet. That the Great Master could have dealings with Miss Ci at the beginning of her Dao path is already a great opportunity. If Miss Ci has any difficulties, just speak to our Changyao Baoguang Heaven. When the True Persons leave seclusion, be sure to come and sit again."

After all, the cultivation base is different. Although she is showing favor, she will not completely ignore status and propriety. Ruan Ci understood and said, "When the Master returns, I will also ask her to come and play with me."

Although she was not a vain and complacent person, she originally thought True Person Qiu would be anxious and dissatisfied. Unexpectedly, he still sent a heavy gift, and his words could even be called humble. Being a little proud was human nature. After sending Lin Ji away, she was still smiling like a flower, standing under the tree happily for a long time, before saying to Wang Panpan, who disapproved, "I know this is just polite talk, but it still feels very comfortable to hear."

Wang Panpan didn't laugh at her, but said, "What she said is not false. You have reached the twelfth layer of Foundation Establishment and achieved the fruit status of a future Dao Ancestor, stirring up the wind and clouds of the Zhou Heaven. It is like a great wind vortex centered on you. This vortex is large enough to wrap the entire Shangqing Sect within it. Therefore, everyone in the sect can—and should—all follow you, suppressing the eye of the wind, and everyone will benefit. As long as you successfully draw the sword, then no one in the sect will ever go against you. True Person Xu and True Person Ouyang, who made things difficult for you before, should be both regretful and fortunate now. They went against you before, so naturally they couldn't occupy a very good position in this game, but they didn't go too far, so they still have a place after all. This is already much luckier than other sects."

Her tone was a bit sour. Clearly, Ruan Ci reaching the twelfth layer of Foundation Establishment and still being perfect was not in Wang Panpan's calculations. Ruan Ci couldn't help but ask, "Panpan, Sister Xie is waiting for me in South Zhuzhou. Does she know it's me? How much does she actually know?"

Wang Panpan was a white cat today. She turned her head and looked at her for a while. Her pupils were blue, like the nether fire drifting over the North Ming Continent. After a moment, she didn't shirk, but shook her head, "She doesn't know it's you, but she once received guidance from a great power, knowing that the person she was looking for would appear within that hundred years, on that continent."

She added softly, "I fear she is the most outstanding figure in the Langhuan Zhou Heaven for ten thousand years, with fortune gathered in one body. Everyone thought she was the one to break the game, and she planned and plotted based on this. But now it seems that even she was just a lead, leading to a figure like you, who is unique in the universe. The changes in causality and fortune, the mystery of fate, even the Dao Ancestor can hardly see through, let alone those below the Dao Ancestor?"

Ruan Ci had been crossing the tribulation for more than seventy years. Wang Panpan had naturally digested all the surprise by now. But all cultivators on the Central Continent had extremely resilient personalities. She didn't complain or complain because of this, but said in a low voice, "How this game will end, I fear no one in the Zhou Heaven today can see clearly."

Xie Xie Yan Huan received guidance and began her layout seven hundred years in advance, finally breaking through the air. She must have a complete plan in her heart that could lead to the desired result. But such a game spanning the universe and void, not knowing how many tens of thousands of years it would take, could never have all the details calculated in advance. If Ruan Ci was the true child of fortune, Xie Xie Yan Huan might not even be able to return. But as long as Ruan Ci could fulfill her wish in the end, it wouldn't be considered a total defeat.

Ruan Ci had already probed True Person Chu's last words and knew that he had passed away happily, so she understood that Sect Master Lin, True Person Chu, and even Wang Panpan and others following Xie Xie Yan Huan were naturally not because of any deep affection, but just because they were like-minded. If she did better than Xie Xie Yan Huan, these people would naturally help her. Wang Panpan no longer treated her as a child or a chess piece and began to tell her secrets, which was the best example. It was just that there were some things Wang Panpan herself might not be clear about, or the time was not yet ripe, or it was difficult to speak of, so she nodded, "I only hope that all paths lead to the same destination, and Sister Xie and you can get what you—"

Before she finished speaking, Wang Panpan suddenly reached out a cat claw and sealed Ruan Ci's lips, slightly angry, "You are already a future Dao Ancestor now. Although it is not said that every word is effective, perhaps you will speak and it will come true? Even if you are just saying it casually, who knows if your enemies will use this sentence as a basis to be unfavorable to you? Cultivating to this point, you really don't know how to be careful, and don't understand the weight of causality. It's fine if I get my wish, but do you know what Xie Xie Yan Huan's wish is? If her wish is unfavorable to your master, which side will you stand on?"

Ruan Ci didn't expect Wang Panpan to say such things, and couldn't help but be shocked, thinking, "How could that be? At most, it's that different paths don't conspire. Could it be that Sister Xie is plotting something against the Master? And Panpan knows this, yet she still joins forces with her? This, this..."

Immediately, she remembered what the remnant soul said in the North Ming Continent, every word was full of guilt, but there was no regret. That sentence, "I didn't do anything wrong, and I never regretted it, but when I think of the Master, my heart hurts very much." A great shock arose in her heart, and a sense of pity for True Person Wang suddenly arose. She said without hesitation, "Regardless of any grievances or causality, I like the Master in my heart more than I like Sister Xie. Naturally, I will stand on his side."

Wang Panpan licked her claws, stared at her for a long time, her cat eyes shining, and nodded, "You are indeed good to him."

She stood up and stretched greatly, as if she had lost interest in these heavy topics, and said casually, "Speaking of which, after that person surnamed He went missing, the personnel in your mansion were a bit chaotic. Has anyone told you that the two sword cultivators you befriended in South Zhuzhou came to visit a few years ago and left a visiting card? That Dong Shuangcheng has already formed her Jin Dan, and Huan Changyuan is still a breath away. By chance, they came to the Central Continent, but they couldn't stand firm, so they came to find you to ask for a favor."

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Updated, sorry for the wait, everyone. I'll send everyone a red envelope in a moment.

The article I've been reading on Weibo mentioned it. Because I've been reading it at my mother-in-law's place recently, I feel it's not very good to talk too much about it here... It's been a long, long time since I've read an article where the relationship between men and women develops normally and can be assumed to have a car, so I've felt very fresh recently.

I don't know if my Oysho loungewear was ruined by me drying it. I feel like the pants have shrunk, and the elastic band has no elasticity. The result is that while the pants are getting tighter and shorter (if they weren't getting shorter, I might think I was fat), the waist is always falling down... Ah ah ah, so annoying!

. Thanks to the little angels who cast overlord votes or irrigated nutrient solution for me during the period 2020-12-13 12:03:26~2020-12-14 12:09:08~

Thanks to the little angels who cast rocket launchers: Fu Lu (1);

Thanks to the little angels who cast landmines: Yan Yan (9); momo (7); Ban Mu Fang Tang (2); Xiao A Mi, Yu Yu Wan Yao, I am Little Fa Fa (not), hey approaching you in the next second, Ye Se Ru Mo (1);

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Yue Xia Yu (50 bottles); Oh Good (40 bottles); LUCY, A Pu (20 bottles); Ye Ye Ye Ye, Tail Mao Er (10 bottles); Fu Lu, shaw, Li Jiaxi, 45823084, river (5 bottles); Su Huo (2 bottles); Han Xiao De Liu Xing, Li Li, Yisheng Da Junjun, mandy ya, Mo, PandaL, Yihong Academy (1 bottle);

Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!