Chapter 92: The Road, a Person of Great Merit

Qi and Taiyi joined forces, opening a spatial passage above Cloud Dream Marsh; after entering it, the passage closed and quickly collapsed after Qi and Taiyi passed through.

At the other end of the passage, the two quickly emerged, though they looked a bit disheveled.

"This spatial passage, while quick and convenient, consumes too much, its duration is too short, it's not very useful, and the risk is still high."

Taiyi heard Qi's complaint, recalling the spatial storm after the passage's collapse also made him a little apprehensive; he had not expected that the storm brought by the passage's collapse would be greater than that of tearing space.

It feels that once swept up in it, although under the protection of the Numinous Treasure there would be no threat to life, that's merely the absence of a threat to life.

Where one would finally be transferred, and what multiple injuries one would sustain, are all unpredictable.

"It seems this spell still needs some refinement; after I return and improve it, the risk should not be so great."

Taiyi said he would improve this technique, trying to reduce such situations as much as possible.

Qi recalled his earlier experience in the spatial passage, feeling his hair stand on end; inside the passage were spatial rifts everywhere, and through those rifts he even saw Chaos and the place of nothingness.

Especially after the passage began to collapse once the two had passed through, those spatial rifts surged toward Qi, countless times nearly swallowing them both.

In Qi's view, this technique is nothing short of gambling with his own life; if the two had made even the slightest mistake earlier, they would now be searching for where the Primordial Wilds lie.

"Better to set your technique aside for now; we should first regulate our breath, then tear open space normally and go."

Qi swore that, until Taiyi's technique could be maturely applied, he would absolutely not try it again; this is not a technique for rushing along the road, but clearly a trap to lure someone into an urn.

Taiyi knew he was at fault, having Qi accompany him in experimenting with the new technique; he said nothing, merely sitting cross-legged beside him to regulate his breath and restore his divine power.

Qi could only resign himself to forgive; there was no help for it—he had to accept the friends he had made.

The two set out again; this time they did not make a grand spatial teleportation, merely tearing open a space enough to shelter in, fearing someone might see.

A thousand years of scenery passed in an instant; when Qi and Taiyi truly set foot in the Hundred-Thousand Great Mountains, they were also stunned speechless by the sight in the sky.

Only see no flat ground; everywhere are lofty mountains and steep ridges, the mountain forms varied a thousand ways, cliffs rising and waterfalls flying.

Everywhere are deep mountains and valleys, silver chains dotted about, the water currents rapid and perilous.

The mountain hues varied endlessly; countless blossoms could stretch across many great mountains, various insects and beasts weaving through the branches; gazing out, everything was a scenery rarely seen in the Primordial Wilds before.

"Truly vast, a blessed land and cave-heaven!"

Such scenery made Qi praise without end.

Taiyi was likewise; his divine power gathered in his eyes, yet he could not see the end of this forest of peaks, and he couldn't help sighing:

"This truly is the world's supreme beauty, perilous and exquisite, lovely and handsome; the mountain colors of the Primordial Wilds are all here."

At that moment, Qi and Taiyi saw a sturdy man covered in totems, wearing short garments and stepping through the void, only hearing him say:

"You two esteemed Daoists overpraise; however, in this land of poor mountains and evil waters, only such mountain scenery is worth speaking of; I hope you Daoists will not disdain it."

This man's words were humble, yet his pride showed unmistakably; indeed he had cause for pride, for the scenery of the Hundred-Thousand Great Mountains is truly a singular marvel of the Primordial Wilds.

"I am Poor Daoist Pangu; having received the affection of the mountain's spirits, I have been given the title of Pan King; you two Daoists have visited, I failed to greet you from afar, please forgive."

Pan King's broad and warm voice came forth, and Qi and Taiyi repeatedly said they dared not.

"Qi, Taiyi, I have made your acquaintance, Pan King Daoist."

Qi and Taiyi bowed with clasped hands in greeting; after Pan King returned the salute, Qi then questioned:

"Do you Daoists usually dress like this? Is it perhaps somewhat lacking in decorum?"

Qi was a little curious; as an innate deity, most like fine and splendid attire, even if they favor simplicity, it is only about color and style.

Although Pan King is enthusiastic, dressing thus to receive guests inevitably makes some think him negligent, which is also why Qi is curious.

"You Daoists do not know; I, Poor Daoist, naturally have other ceremonial robes for daily use, but since I often go out to open mountain paths, although it does not hinder movement, I also feel it binds myself."

"So I simply wear this when opening mountain paths in ordinary times; it is also more comfortable."

The Six-Winged Golden Cicada in Pan King's ear kept scratching, feeling that Pan King's attire was too embarrassing, making it ashamed to come out and show itself.

Pan King paid no heed to the Six-Winged Golden Cicada's movements, but instead said to Qi and Taiyi:

"The matter for which you two Daoists have come was already told to me by Daoist Yuanfeng; first follow me into my cave abode to rest a moment, drink two cups of turbid wine; after I recuperate a bit, I will bring you two Daoists to select the needed mountain peak."

Qi and Taiyi spoke at the same time:

"Good."

Pan King did not dawdle; he immediately flew off in a direction, with Qi and Taiyi following behind, and only then did they discover that among these great mountains there are always several winding, twisting little paths that meander and intersect within the mountains.

Until they flew into a spirit mountain, this little path still had no visible end.

Qi's face showed shock; what kind of perseverance and endurance would be needed to, within these endless great mountains, step by step carve out these mountain paths with divine power, so that living beings may pass.

Opening a path at mountains, building bridges at waters—how long would it take for the two to see as far as the winding little path on the right side of the street?

If it were Qi, he would likely use his authority to move these great mountains aside, then leave a way among the mountain ranges.

This, while also counting as an abuse of authority, would not actually cause any negative effect, but in the end it would violate divine Dao rules.

Although Pan King is an earth deity, he opens roads for all beings in a human way, allowing the mountain ranges to connect with one another.

In the course of his flight, Qi saw various tribes; where the mountain terrain eased slightly, they built houses and animal pens, conducting material trade.

Some tribes even numbered only a few thousand, dwelling in mountain caves and tree hollows, yet they also had a small path linking them, enabling contact with the outside world so they would not be forever sealed within the great mountains.

These mountain paths linked the entire Hundred-Thousand Great Mountains together, like a spider's web; at the intersections of the threads formed tribes and markets, linking all the living beings of the Hundred-Thousand Great Mountains.

Taiyi praised Pan King, saying:

"You Daoist truly possess great perseverance; only someone like you could accomplish this great merit, and Taiyi admires you."

Pan King, however, laughed and waved his hand, saying:

"The roads of the Hundred-Thousand Great Mountains are rugged; compared to the outside world, communication is difficult, overly closed off; to let them communicate, we can only use such a clumsy method."

"Fortunately I have plenty of time, so I have done a few trifling things; I suppose any Daoist here would likewise do the same."

"Moreover, this is not solely my achievement; the innate deities of the Hundred-Thousand Great Mountains also often provide help and participate."

Qi and Taiyi bowed in reverence.

(End of Chapter)