Chapter 233: One Cannot Entirely Believe What Is Written in Books

Women truly are fickle; this was the conclusion Long Qi had just reached.

One moment she was wearing a sorrowful face, but after the effort of a single nap, she was once again beaming with joy and full of life.

It wasn't that one had to wear their troubles on their face, but Long Qi had seen Lingxiang's distress and intended to show some concern, so he had risen early to go out and find some curious trinkets. Upon returning, however, he discovered that she was actually in high spirits, playing happily with those little spirit beasts, without the slightest intention of paying him any mind.

Although Long Qi was very happy to see Lingxiang able to let go, for some reason, he felt a sense of loss in his heart, and even a bit of inexplicable irritation...

And so, Long Qi was currently gloomily gnawing on the fruit he had gathered, his face full of frustration. The fruit tasted sweet and juicy in his mouth, but Long Qi only felt it was as tasteless as chewing wax. Yet, he could do nothing about Lingxiang, so he could only vent all this pent-up anger on the fruit.

In truth, such a temperament in Lingxiang might perhaps be a matter of habit. Although she was very sad after learning the truth, since things had reached this point, why dwell on it? What had happened had happened; fretting over it further would be of no help. Rather than sinking into the past, it was better to focus on the present.

To live, one must always look forward.

For some reason, Yunzhongjun had also graced Yaoji Xianzi's cave dwelling with his presence. By rights, given his temperament, he should be the one least fond of associating with others. As soon as Banxia heard that he was the Lord of Yunmeng, she was so startled that she busied herself serving tea and water, handing him a fan, and kneading his shoulders, never letting her feet touch the ground, acting very obsequiously.

Yunzhongjun, however, accepted it with ease, calling Banxia here and there, either ordering her to fetch this or directing her to do that, fully adopting the demeanor of a superior; even his voice seemed to be hummed out through his nose.

Ah! Thousands of years! It had been thousands of years since anyone had served him! This feeling was truly...

So comfortable!

Xinyi and Liu Xia had exchanged thoughts on the Innate Qi that Lingxiang had spoken of, but the two of them were in no rush to seek the Qi. It was not that they did not want to improve their cultivation, but given the current situation, this method was not very applicable. If one were lucky, they might succeed in a short while, but if one were unlucky, heaven only knew how long it would take.

Improving cultivation is not limited to just this one method, is it?

Furthermore, even though there was no danger right now, based on their understanding of Lingxiang, although she looked as if she didn't care at all, she was likely racking her brains right now, calculating how to obtain what she sought.

Moreover, Zhao Wuyang had not yet awakened. If the two of them were to sit in meditation to seek the Qi, who knew what time it would be in the outside world by the time they finished.

The deadline given by the sect was not long; after all, this was a trial to settle one's worldly heart and decide on one's future, not a trial for improving cultivation. When to do what also required careful consideration.

Whenever Zhao Wuyang was mentioned, Xinyi was very worried. Long Qi, who had sought the Qi with him, had long since awakened, but Zhao Wuyang had entered meditation again after the incident with Huiwu, and no one knew when he would be able to wake up.

However, Lingxiang did not seem to care much about this, only saying that seeking the Qi required not only facing one's inner knots but also facing oneself, and the complexity of it was immeasurable. In her view, Zhao Wuyang was young and had a simple mind, and having not yet seen much of the world, it was only natural for him to feel hesitant when facing confusion in his heart. Waiting for him was perfectly reasonable; there was no need to worry too much on his behalf.

Even the old antiques of Yuanqing had their bewilderments, let alone him.

Besides, he had Ajin to accompany him, and the Ancient Vault of Heaven would not let him fall into Qi Deviation. Regardless, Zhao Wuyang was in meditation now, so being anxious would be of no use; why trouble oneself? Just let nature take its course.

However, to Lingxiang's surprise, Yaoji Xianzi, who looked so dignified, did not get along with Yunzhongjun at all. She had not expected that even among high gods, there would be arguments and bickering just like among mortals in the world.

Although one shouldn't speak ill of ancient high gods behind their backs, in Lingxiang's view, Yunzhongjun really was like a playboy of the mortal world.

No! Not like! He was one!

Originally, Lingxiang had thought that enlightened immortals should be extremely steady, but Yunzhongjun looked very dissolute and unrestrained, completely lacking the steadiness of the old immortals described in storybooks; on the contrary, he was a match for the Ancient Vault of Heaven inside Zhao Wuyang.

Could it be that all old immortals were like this? She remembered the old mountain god of Fengwu Mountain seemed to be just as improper.

How should she put it? Lingxiang didn't actually dislike immortals being like this; she herself was an unconventional person by nature.

Although she often said that what was written in books could not be entirely believed, she had been accustomed to what the books said since she was a child and had always thought so from beginning to end, so for a while, it was truly hard to accept.

However, she did learn a few things from the bickering between Yaoji Xianzi and Yunzhongjun.

It turned out that in ancient times, the Great Flood was rampant, and many spirit beasts had long been accustomed to the marshes and streams. Later, Yu Di tamed the floods, using breathing soil to divert the currents and pack the earth. Although he controlled the great waters, the breathing soil was a divine object, and afterward, it grew wantonly and became difficult to control.

As a result, the land rose and the waters receded, and many spirit beasts lost the places they relied on for survival; within a few short years, many became extinct.

Yunzhongjun could not bear to see this, but his divine power was insufficient to maintain Yunmeng. Thus, he sought out Yaoji Xianzi, who was skilled in the Dao of water, and with their combined strength, they moved Yunmeng away.

But this was only one of the reasons why Yunzhongjun sealed Yunmeng Marsh into the Water Mirror.

As stated above, sealing Yunmeng into the Water Mirror was for the sake of the multitude of creatures born of the water; this was the primary reason, but there was another reason, which was for the sake of Xiangliu.

How ancient scrolls speak of Xiangliu is just like how history books speak of history; however, what is said in the books cannot be verified. Only through careful analysis and discernment can one arrive at a conclusion.

People of the world have not personally experienced history, so they can only take what their predecessors wrote as evidence. Just as Lingxiang had always thought that a high god should be like the mountains and deep pools described in storybooks, with a refined and elegant appearance, yet looking at Yunzhongjun, he had not a shred of that classic, handsome demeanor.

Therefore, when Lingxiang heard what Yaoji Xianzi said, she was so surprised that she blurted out that indeed, one cannot entirely believe what is written in books.

It is said that when Gonggong and Zhuanxu fought in those days, the former was defeated and fled to Buzhou. In shame and anger, he struck the Pillar of Heaven, triggering a monstrous water disaster, and Xiangliu was his assistant.

This is what the books say, but what is the truth?

Although Xiangliu was powerful, he had a simple mind. Even to this day, his consciousness had not been enlightened, and he was like a child. Gonggong, however, was glib and a person who acted in one way but meant another; he used honeyed words to bewitch Xiangliu into serving him, committing many heinous acts.

Later, Xiangliu was captured by Yu Di, who was about to execute him to uphold the Heavenly Dao, but thanks to Yunzhongjun arriving in time, he was saved.

However, Xiangliu had ultimately done wrong. If he were not punished, it would truly be impossible to answer to the people of the world. Therefore, Yu Di severed one of his nine heads as a warning.

But Xiangliu was indeed a fierce god. The moment that head was severed, the gushing demonic blood turned into the Xin Shui, which could neither grow grain nor be dammed, which was why the later Wudi Tai came to be.

And the reason Yunzhongjun had spoken up to stop them earlier was not only because of Ajin's request, but also because of the object in Long Qi's hand.

The sword that had severed Xiangliu's head back then was the Seven-Star Longyuan.

Furthermore, after Yu Di punished Xiangliu, Yunzhongjun brought him into Yunmeng, where he had spent a thousand years purifying and carefully teaching him, and he had indeed become much more docile. If Lingxiang and the others hadn't led those demonic creatures in, he would likely still be sleeping peacefully beneath the marsh.

"What?" Hearing what Yaoji Xianzi said, Lingxiang looked incredulous. "That Xiangliu's intelligence is like a child's?"

Thinking of the fierce and menacing appearance of Xiangliu she had seen earlier, Lingxiang found it truly hard to associate him with a child. Yet, although Xiangliu looked terrifying, he had indeed never attacked them.

However, what surprised Lingxiang even more was what Yaoji Xianzi said next.

"Yes, if not for that, he wouldn't have been tricked out of his poison fang by the E-Beast back then, would he?"

"Hiss!" Lingxiang drew three sharp breaths in a row, nearly unable to recover. "The E-Beast actually tricked Xiangliu out of his poison fang?!"