Chapter 502 - 501 Birds and Swallows, the 6th Origin

The main gate of the Immortal Music Palace.

Tong Rou, along with several female disciples of the Immortal Music Palace, waited with great anticipation.

With the passage of time, the present moment seemed especially agonizing.

The crucial thing was they didn’t know the current situation of Li Jing and Yuan Hai.

Who occupied the peak?

And when could the victor be decided?

One question after another strained the hearts of all the female disciples of the Immortal Music Palace, including Tong Rou.

But, they understood.

The outcome probably wouldn’t come in a short time.

If Li Jing dared to challenge Yuan Hai, then he must possess the cultivation level of the Venerable Realm.

When two Venerables crossed hands, unless the gap was enormously wide and both parties used all their means and risked their lives, it would be very tough to conclude the battle in a short time.

As the master of the Immortal Music Palace, Tong Rou was naturally extremely worried at this moment.

Whether Li Jing could win or not not only related to whether the matter of Yuan Hai could be resolved, but also directly affected his personal safety.

Never mind Yuan Hai’s prior agreeable words, they would only go so far.

People of Buddhism were notorious for their hypocrisy when fighting others and were extremely ruthless.

What bewildered Tong Rou was.

Li Jing had already challenged Yuan Hai, so why was Li Lingyin still in her palace and not caring about anything?

Could it be that she didn’t notice what was happening outside?

How big must her heart be!

Just as she was hesitating whether to notify Li Lingyin or not, two figures suddenly appeared at the main gate without warning.

The ones that appeared at this moment were naturally Li Jing and Yuan Hai.

Upon suddenly seeing the two appear, Tong Rou and the other disciples present were stunned.

They...

How did they come out?

Had the winner been decided?

Was it so fast?

Furthermore, seeing Li Jing’s robe spotlessly clean, standing calmly with hands behind his back, while Yuan Hai stood beside him, pale-faced, and extremely respectful, every disciple in the palace widened their eyes in disbelief.

Who won and who lost was obvious at a glance.

And surely enough.

Yuan Hai could almost be said to have been "insta-killed"...

From the time they departed till now, it couldn’t have been more than two to three minutes.

Li Jing used so little time to defeat Yuan Hai, a veteran Venerable?

This kind of thing.

Even the three presiding over the Immortal Music Palace wouldn’t be able to achieve that.

Surely enough.

Given Yuan Hai’s level, any one of the three presiding over the Immortal Music Palace could easily take him down. This was the foundation of the Immortal Music Palace being a top power in the Cangming Realm.

But of course, a certain amount of compromise would have been needed...

Even under the worst case scenario, it wouldn’t have been easy for Yuan Hai, being in the Venerable Realm, to fall into defeat.

The fact that Yuan Hai was swiftly dealt with by Li Jing, and now stood next to him like a submissive child, not even daring to gasp for air, stunned everyone present.

Having frequently interacted with Li Jing recently, Tong Rou was utterly astounded.

She couldn’t imagine in any way.

The Artifact Refinement Guru she met at the Phoenix Sun County could be so powerful...

Chen Tang City, a fifth-level power?

Are you serious?

The leader, Li Jing, is an Artifact Refinement Guru who is also unmatched in battle and capable of suppressing a veteran like Yuan Hai instantly.

With him alone, Chen Tang City could already be described as a top power equal to the Immortal Music Palace!

While the disciples of the Immortal Music Palace were still stunned, Li Jing turned his head and said indifferently.

"Apologize to Master Tong, and then you can get lost. After today, I don’t want to see or hear about you coming to the Immortal Music Palace to stir up trouble."

Could Yuan Hai dare to utter a ’no’ at this moment?

The person in front of him, could be considered a being comparable to an emperor.

He shouldn’t even exist in the Eastern Immortal Domain, with his strength he could walk sideways even in Zhong Shen Zhou, and the only ones that could rival him were the Four Emperors.

Of course.

This was what Yuan Hai was thinking.

He didn’t know.

Outside.

Not to mention defeating Yuan Hai, even if Li Jing went all out, he might not be able to withstand Yuan Hai’s casual blow.

Following Li Jing’s word, Yuan Hai felt as if he had received a pardon. He immediately bowed deeply to Tong Rou as a show of respect.

"Master Tong, I truly have offended you this time. If it weren’t for Master Li’s intervention, I may have committed a great mistake today. I sincerely apologize to you, Master, I hope you will forgive me."

At Yuan Hai’s words, Tong Rou snorted coldly, expressing her disdain but feeling baffled in her heart.

Exactly what had Li Jing done to Yuan Hai?

At this moment, Yuan Hai’s condition seemed not so much that he was convinced in his heart, but that he had become completely submissive after being beaten up.

A powerful Venerable bowed to her, a Twelfth Realm cultivator, and apologized in front of so many people without showing any signs of humiliation. Instead, it seemed like he wanted to leave immediately.

While Tong Rou was totally confused.

On the other side, after Yuan Hai had apologized, he looked at Li Jing with a flattering smile on his face.

Li Jing waved his hand, indicating that he could leave.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Hai, feeling like he had received a pardon, immediately turned into a golden Buddha’s light and disappeared in an instant.

He left.

So simply.

And at an unusually fast speed.

Probably a regular Venerable would only manage to bolt away at such a speed when trying to save their lives.

Seeing Yuan Hai fleeing in a sorry state, the female disciples of the Immortal Music Palace, with their wide eyes, looked at Li Jing. Each person was smitten.

The Immortal Music Palace was a sect solely for female cultivators and to a certain extent, they repelled male cultivators.

However, this didn’t mean that everyone in the Immortal Music Palace truly detested males.

And the truth was.

There were quite a few disciples within the Immortal Music Palace who had become Taoist companions with outsiders.

The repelling of male cultivators.

Mainly because being a sect with only female cultivators, they easily attracted the covetous gaze of male cultivators or were looked upon with colored vision.

If it were a small sect that people could insult at will, that would be one thing, but how could the vast Immortal Music Palace tolerate such a thing?

At this moment, looking at Li Jing in his green robe, his real face hidden under the Smoke Eye mask, the female disciples of Immortal Music Palace had their eyes full of little stars. Many of them even imagined that underneath the mask of this mysterious and powerful being was a very handsome face.

Adoring the strong.

That was human nature, and more so the nature of women.

For the moment, Li Jing had succeeded in holding their attention, and they were thoroughly impressed.

The disciples of the Immortal Music Palace couldn’t help drooling...

Cough!

They couldn’t help but become smitten.

Not to mention the countless female disciples of the Immortal Music Palace, even Tong Rou, at this moment, didn’t know how to strike up a conversation with Li Jing...

Had she not been aware of Li Jing’s "true strength", she might have done so.

She’s the Master of the Immortal Music Palace.

With high power and status.

Whereas Li Jing was just the leader of the fifth-level force Chen Tang City.

He was supposed to be inferior to her.

But now...

Here...

Li Jing was being stared at by a flock of girls from the Immortal Music Palace, feeling a little uneasy.

Everything else was fine.

But among the many fan girls’ gazes, a few aggressive ones gave a terrible feeling.

Li Jing nodded at Tong Rou and said.

"Master Tong, the matter is settled. I’m going to your palace to rest."

After saying that, he stepped into the torn space and quietly disappeared.

The disciples of the Immortal Music Palace, who were collectively behaving like fan girls, couldn’t help but be disappointed.

He... he left just like that?

Do these fan girls who make up the disciple group of the Immortal Music Palace not smell good or something?

At least he could have stayed and chatted a bit more, right?

Or get to know everyone a bit?

They’re not going to eat him or anything...

The disciples turned to where the palace of Tong Rou stood, then turned back to look at their master.

Upon seeing this, the corner of Tong Rou’s mouth twitched, saying.

"All of you save it. Li Immortal Lord has Taoist companions, and he has more than one. Even if his companions were from our Immortal Music Palace, you all would have to..."

Halfway through, Tong Rou felt like something was amiss.

Why was she telling her own disciples this?

Nobody has said they have a crush on Li Jing, right?

Coughing, Tong Rou changed the topic.

"Everyone scatter, I must thank Immortal Lord Li for today’s events. In the coming days, Immortal Lord Li will stay temporarily in the Immortal Music Palace, and you disciples must remember not to be presumptuous."

After saying that, she flew straight to her palace.

Right in front of Tong Rou, the disciples of the Immortal Music Palace would never dare to be presumptuous.

As soon as she left, the cheerful group of girls suddenly burst out into excited chatter.

"Ah! What a pity! So, Immortal Lord Li has a Taoist companion!"

Someone in the crowd suddenly sighed.

Then another female disciple humphed,

"What’s the big deal if he has a Taoist companion? It would be abnormal for a great being like Immortal Lord Li to not have one!"

After saying that, she continued.

"Our Master just said, Immortal Lord Li has more than one Taoist companion, they are probably all stunning beauties."

"Tch, Sister, you’re just raising others’ morale with your words, aren’t you?"

Another female disciple interjected, her face full of dissent.

"Stunning beauties, which of us in the Immortal Music Palace is not one? Don’t dare say we’re any less attractive than them."

As soon as she finished her sentence, another female disciple laughed out loud.

"Does this mean, dear sister, you want to compare looks with Immortal Lord Li’s Taoist companions?"

"If I get the chance, why not compare?"

The speaking female disciple proudly thrust out her ample chest and giggled.

"But, judging from the Master’s demeanor, I guess it will never be my turn."

As soon as the words came out, the disciples of the Immortal Music Palace were taken aback, then all of them excitedly started discussing potential opportunities between their Master and Li Jing.

You know how women talking in groups go!

The atmosphere in the Immortal Music Palace was quite good.

Thanks to the gossip, the girls were all stirred up.

If anyone actually had fallen for Li Jing just now, there wouldn’t be one.

The disciples of the Immortal Music Palace were all proud, and none of them were naive.

This kind of thing could never happen in the Immortal Music Palace.

The main reason is someone expressed unusual strength, arousing their curiosity.

...

Meanwhile, at Tong Rou’s palace.

When Li Jing returned through the torn space, Li Lingyin was sitting by the window, holding a gourd of wine and enjoying herself.

Upon seeing that he had returned, she blinked her beautiful eyes twice and asked.

"Is something outside finished?"

"Yes."

Li Jing nodded and said.

"It was just an old monk from Prajna Monastery, who was a venerable one. He was targeting me for no reason. I took care of him and made a big profit."

?

Li Lingyin was genuinely unconcerned about the external situation.

As she said in advance.

Prajna Monastery does have the power to rival the Immortal Music Palace, but unless they unhatch their trump cards, causing a full-scale attack on the Immortal Music Palace, trying to mess around in the Immortal Music Palace’s main base is tit for tat.

She was sure the matter could be managed, so why should she worry?

The fact that the visitor was a venerable one from Prajna Monastery surprised Li Lingyin.

This is not an ordinary provocation by a venerable being.

If it escalates, the two sects are very likely to break up completely.

Even more surprising to Li Lingyin was...

Li Jing actually made a move, and he managed to resolve it.

He...

defeated a venerable one...

Other people may not know Li Jing’s background, but Li Lingyin is very clear about it now.

In essence, Li Jing is only at the tenth realm.

Under various influences, he can try his luck against a rival two realms higher.

But confronting a venerable one head-on, three realms higher, is unthinkable.

Unless...

Seeing Li Lingyin’s face change from surprise to puzzlement, Li Jing giggled innocently and made a shushing gesture with his hand.

Seeing this, Li Lingyin was speechless and didn’t know what to say.

The only thing that would allow Li Jing to face a venerable one and easily win is if someone were to foolishly follow him into the Little Universe.

Judging by Li Jing’s demeanor, it seemed like she had guessed correctly.

So...

The one who came from Prajna Monastery... was he incapable of thinking or something?

Unless he was capable of shattering the heavens and the earth, or had his own heaven and earth, any powerful venerable one entering the Little Universe would only end up carrying water and chopping wood for him.

This, very much, had changed.

But given Li Jing’s current strength.

He was still far from being able to open the Little Universe to make the heaven and earth coincide and form a realm, forcibly pulling the opponent into it to serve himself as a "grandson".

Anyone with a bit of precaution would not be dragged into the Little Universe.

In the midst of silence, Li Lingyin noticed Tong Rou’s return and restored her expression.

She was a smart woman.

The existence of the Little Universe was arguably the biggest trump card and secret she had.

Before he was strong enough, it was better not to let other people know.

Li Jing was willing to let her know about the Little Universe and go in and "view" it, all because he trusted her.

And that trust she must not betray.

Unlike Li Jing, who directly tore through space, Tong Rou entered through the front door.

After coming into the palace and seeing Li Jing, she hesitated a moment before coming over and politely speaking.

"Master Li, I have to thank you for what happened today."

"We are all family, there’s no need."

Li Jing smiled and said.

"Let’s not mention that I gained quite a bit from this experience, essentially I was just butting in. I believe even if I hadn’t stepped in, Master Tong would have had the ability to deal with this...

Before he finished speaking, Tong Rou raised her hand to interrupt him.

"Master Li, you said we’re family, there’s no need to be so formal. If it weren’t for you stepping in today, I’m afraid it would’ve been difficult to resolve smoothly. The three venerables of the palace are at a crucial point in their integration, they can’t be disturbed. I, Tong Rou, am only in the Twelfth Realm, I couldn’t possibly handle a Venerable Rank Yuanhai."

With that, she bit her lip slightly.

"Master Li, do you have any requests? Feel free to let me know and I’ll do my best to fulfill them."

Needless to say, Tong Rou was very straightforward.

This time, not a hint of falsehood.

She said thanks and asked directly if he had any requests.

This made Li Jing slightly embarrassed.

As for gratitude, he really didn’t intend to accept any.

He had guessed in advance that the Venerable Beings of the Immortal Music Palace would not be able to leave.

But he knew very well.

If Yuanhai had seriously crossed the line, someone would have come out.

Looking back.

If Yuanhai hadn’t been so arrogant to target him out of nowhere, he wouldn’t have interfered at all.

Essentially, he intervened for his own piece of mind.

What kind of reward are we talking about here?

But when someone puts it that way, if he declines it would seem pretentious.

Just as he was hesitating, Li Lingyin on the side took a sip of wine and said.

"Li Jing, you don’t need to be polite with Master Tong. Not to mention, she sincerely wants to repay you, and indeed, you did help her solve a big problem today. We’re all family here, there’s no need to be distant. If you want something, you can just take it."

At her words, Li Jing let out a bitter laugh.

Tong Rou laughed softly.

"Master Li is right, there’s no need to be distant as we’re family. With Master Li just arriving in the Immortal Realm, there must be many things you need. Our Immortal Music Palace might not be top-tier among the Nine Great Immortal Gates, but we do have some solid resources."

With that, she added.

"If Master Li keeps being polite with me, I’m afraid I’ll just have to prepare a large gift as repayment. Whether or not Master Li will like it, I can’t guarantee."

Hearing Tong Rou say that, Li Jing didn’t continue to insist, he thought for a moment and said.

"I’m currently lacking a suitable Control Objects Skill for the guzheng. I wonder if Master Tong could..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tong Rou spoke up.

"A Control Objects Skill suitable for the guzheng is no problem. We in the Immortal Music Palace may not have other types of Control Objects Skills, but we should have plenty for musical instruments. However, compensation with just one Control Objects Skill is a bit too casual."

After saying that, she hesitated a bit and said.

"Earlier, Master Li mentioned that he was interested in the field of vocal music, so I roughly guessed that you were also refining a half-step Taoist Artifact for Feng Xie, and now it seems indeed that is the case."

While speaking, she took out a blue Jade Scroll and handed it over.

"This Jade Scroll records my Immortal Music Palace’s guzheng heritage, Master Li can try to comprehend it. If you’re able to comprehend its essence, it’s much more valuable than learning a targeted Control Objects Skill."

"Ah, this..."

Li Jing blinked.

He had never thought of the inheritance of the Immortal Music Palace.

What he needed was just a Control Objects Skill.

Who would have thought that Tong Rou would take it out immediately?

Looking at the Jade Scroll handed to him, Li Jing looked up hesitantly.

"The Immortal Realm values the passing down of laws, wouldn’t it be improper for Master Tong to pass down the guzheng inheritance of the Immortal Music Palace to me..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Tong Ruo smiled.

"I am the palace owner of the Immortal Music Palace, no one can blame me."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing was speechless then nodded.

"If that’s the case, I won’t decline."

While speaking, he accepted the Jade Scroll and said.

"The inheritance of the Immortal Music Palace must be extraordinary, I can’t just take advantage of Master Tong. In the future, if Master Tong needs to cultivate in seclusion, you can come to our Chen Tang City. I have a Zhenyuan Tower that can change the speed of time to accelerate cultivation. Cultivating in the tower for a day is equivalent to three months of hard cultivation in the outside world, though the process is a bit boring."

Hearing Li Jing say this, Tong Rou’s eyes lit up.

As soon as she heard about the initial establishment of Chen Tang City being recognized by Donghua Immortal Palace, she never underestimated Chen Tang City.

After interacting with Li Jing, this feeling became even stronger.

She never thought that...

Li Jing even had such a treasure...

A treasure that can change the speed of time to accelerate cultivation is very rare.

The top three of the Nine Great Immortal Palaces, including Star God Temple, all have one.

The reason they are able to be in the top three has a lot to do with such a treasure that can accelerate cultivation, among other reasons, of course.

And to talk about the effect.

Li Jing’s Zhenyuan Tower’s effect where one day is equivalent to three months in the outside world.

This effect was much stronger than the similar treasures possessed by the three major forces.

Taking the Star God Temple as an example.

They have an unidentified Time Anomaly.

The specific quality of it is hard to say.

What can be clearly stated is that practicing near this time anomaly can enjoy an amplification of one day equivalent to an entire month outside, which is very efficient.

Zhenyuan Tower, the efficiency is three times that of the Time Anomaly of the Star God Temple!

With such a thing, the foundation of Chen Tang City is really terrifying...

The most crucial point is.

From the name Zhenyuan Tower, it can be known that it is a kind of artifact that controls the rules of time and can be precisely controlled, not an anomaly that cannot be manipulated by humans and can only naturally produce effects.

This is much more desirable than the Time Anomaly of the Star God Temple...

With a slight nod, Tong Rou smiled softly.

"Thank you for Master Li’s kindness."

With that, she continued to say.

"Indeed, I have recently gained some enlightenment in the aspect of vocal music and am on the verge of stepping into the Thirteenth Realm. Not to conceal anything from Master Li, the issue with the Lord of the Star God Temple actually arose because I wanted to use the Time Anomaly of the Star God Temple for some cultivation in seclusion. Now with Master Li’s invitation, I don’t have to think about the Star God Temple. If Master Li doesn’t mind, after the matter of the Lord of the Star God Temple is over, I will pay a visit to Chen Tang City."

"Sure."

Li Jing nodded.

Just as Li Jing was about to say something, Tong Rou cut in.

"I have some matters to attend to. Immortal Lord Li, why don’t you study the guzheng heritage of my Immortal Music Palace first? Later on, I’ll take you to the Sky Music Pavilion as I promised."

Hearing her remark, Li Jing guessed that she was about to deal with the Prajna Monastery.

The situation had already been resolved indeed.

But having being humiliated, the Immortal Music Palace would not let things end just like that.

The key thing was that the Immortal Music Palace was not easily bullied—it was only that their opponent had seized a chance to stir trouble.

Revenge was definitely on the cards.

Without pondering much, Li Jing replied.

"Okay, Master Tong, you do your tasks. There’s no hurry on my end."

On receiving this response, Tong Rou nodded and then turned to look at Li Lingyin.

Seeing this, Li Lingyin shrugged.

"No need to worry about me, as long as I have wine."

Caught off guard by these words, Tong Rou was momentarily stunned before breaking into laughter.

"Understood, I’ll have our disciples serve Immortal Lord Li some of the unique fine wine of our Immortal Music Palace."

Hearing this, Li Lingyin’s eyes lit up.

The "Lady’s Army" of the Immortal Music Palace was known for their skillful craftsmanship.

Playing all sorts of musical instruments was their strong forte, but at the same time their expertise was extremely diverse. Each one could handle both the halls and the kitchen.

When it came to making wine, the Immortal Music Palace was still unique.

Their unique fine wine, "Drunken Life, Dreaming Death," was extremely potent and valuable, not a drink ordinary people could afford.

During this visit to the Immortal Music Palace, Li Lingyin had been thinking about it.

And now that Tong Rou mentioned it, why would she be polite?

Coughing lightly, Li Lingyin put away her wine gourd and said.

"No need to trouble your disciples, I’ll go with Master Tong to get it. Just in time, Li Jing needs to explore the heritage of the Immortal Palace—I might as well wander outside to avoid disturbing him."

Li Lingyin was an ultimate wine lover, that was definite.

Clearly she couldn’t wait to taste the "Drunken Life, Dreaming Death," to which Tong Rou graciously agreed.

"Alright, Immortal Lord Li, please follow me."

Upon saying this, she nodded to Li Jing, turned around and led the way.

Li Lingyin hastily followed, yet making a salute gesture to Li Jing indicating to him ’I’m off, feel free.’

Li Jing helplessly chuckled at her excitement.

Watching the two leaving, Li Jing picked up the jade scroll in his hands and, crossing his legs to sit down, immersed his thoughts into it.

Next,

A vast amount of complex and difficult information flowed into Li Jing’s mind, making his head spin.

Without a doubt,

The Immortal Music Palace’s guzheng heritage was something interesting.

It might have been because this heritage was not a standard cultivation technique but related to music.

Li Jing could understand each word.

But when combined, he didn’t understand...

What to do now?

Just having the guzheng heritage without understanding it was meaningless.

Comprehend?

Was this a joke?

With an ’it’s worth giving a try’ attitude, Li Jing silently attempted to log in.

Since obtaining the Controller status, the system no longer automatically prompted him to log into certain cultivation techniques or items.

Therefore, Li Jing didn’t know what he could log into.

In return,

He could choose to attempt logging in on his own.

For this attempt, Li Jing didn’t hold much hope.

He had come across ancient heritages before.

But all of them, including the Qingyuan Fairy Palace’s heritage, required him to comprehend on his own—cheating was not possible.

If everything went as expected, there would be no exceptions.

However, as Li Jing attempted to log in silently, suddenly a prompt appeared in front of his eyes.

"Login successful, obtained Second Breakthrough Skill, ’Eternal Solo.’"

?

Li Jing typed out a question mark in his mind.

Not only did this prompt come as a surprise, but he also obtained a Second Breakthrough Skill.

This was...

Astoundingly shocking!

Checking his status bar, Li Jing exclaimed in amazement.

’Eternal Solo’ (0/100).

Skill Points were required!

Was it planning to exhaust all his Skill Points at once?

But after thinking, Li Jing understood.

The second breakthrough itself needed three Limit Breakthrough Skills and 25 Skill Points, totalling 100 points, so this made sense.

Should he add it?

Was there a need to think about it?

For the Unnamed Taoist Tool, brute force could be relied upon, but having appropriate playing methods for a musical instrument like the Snow Sound was a different thing.

Without second thoughts, Li Jing promptly assigned all his Skill Points to it.

’Eternal Solo’ was maxed.

Before he could comprehend it, Li Jing suddenly found that he could understand the contents of the jade scroll.

Subsequently, there was a huge change in his cultivation pathway.

?

Li Jing was puzzled.

If it could be logged into the system, it certainly had nothing to do with the cultivation method.

So it was easy to conclude.

What he logged into was not the guzheng heritage of the Immortal Music Palace but a top-tier Control Objects Skill hidden in the heritage for manipulating instruments like the guzheng.

But what he never expected was,

After maximizing ’Eternal Solo’, not only could he understand the contents of the jade scroll, but he also easily understood the profound essence of the heritage.

Just as he was astonished, the Snow Sound in the Little Universe unexpectedly made a sound.

"Master!"

Hearing this, Li Jing was slightly taken aback; and then his eyes glowed brightly.

Now that he had the cultivation pathway, did it mean that...

Without thinking further, he waved his hand to bring out Snow Sound, and then softly said,

"Activate the Sixth Origin."

The next second, a prompt appeared on the status bar.

"The Sixth Origin activated, the status of the Taoist Snow Sound has changed to Lifebound Magic Instrument."

Thereafter, Li Jing’s body shook violently.

The appearance of the Sixth Origin caused a remarkable power whirlpool to condense in his body’s lung, with the Power of Thunder Punishment gathering there, transforming into an indescribable force.