203: The emperor cultivated the Dao and refined his own body

Every word Xu Weixiong spoke was like a red-hot iron nail, driven deep into Jing Tian's heart.

“Useless.”

“Can't protect the people around me.”

These two words buzzed in his mind, making his head throb with pain.

He looked up, his bloodshot eyes first landing on Xu Changqing, who was already pale and sweating profusely from forcefully suppressing the Demonic Sword.

“White Tofu...” He was always like this, shouldering everything himself, always appearing righteous and as if he could hold up the sky if it fell. But Jing Tian knew he was about to collapse.

He then saw Tang Xuejian nearby, who was usually boisterous but was now red-eyed with anxiety, biting her lip tightly, not daring to cry out loud.

This spoiled, troublesome Young Miss seemed to have done nothing but cause him trouble. Yet now, her eyes were filled with worry as she looked at him.

Was what he feared truly that sword?

No.

Xu Weixiong was right.

What he feared was himself.

He was afraid he would no longer be the Jing Tian who, in Yongan Pawnshop in Yuzhou City, spent his days thinking about how to slack off, how to earn a few more coppers, and how to afford a three-copper bowl of tofu pudding at night.

He didn't want to be a General Fei Peng, nor did he want to bear the responsibility of saving the common people.

That was too tiring.

But if being useless meant watching “White Tofu” exhaust himself to death for him, watching this spoiled Young Miss worry and cry for him... Jing Tian's heart felt as if it were tightly clutched by an invisible hand, the pain making him gasp for air.

“I...”

He opened his mouth, his throat too dry to make a sound.

“Buzz—buzz—buzz—”

The Demonic Sword, suspended in mid-air, trembled even more violently. Dark red demonic patterns on its black blade flowed like living things, and the buzzing sound it emitted was sharp and piercing, as if urging him on, yet also mocking him.

It was mocking his cowardice.

“You don't have much time to hesitate,” Xu Weixiong's voice rang out again, cold and devoid of emotion.

She walked to the Demonic Sword and lightly touched its violently trembling blade with a slender finger.

A strange scene unfolded.

The Demonic Sword, which even Xu Changqing, a high disciple of Shu Mountain, could barely suppress, miraculously quieted down the moment it touched her finger.

Although the demonic patterns on the blade still flickered, the violent will to break free from all restraints was soothed by a more composed and profound power.

Xu Changqing watched, dumbfounded.

How... how did Consort Liang do this? She was clearly not a cultivator; there wasn't a trace of spiritual energy fluctuation on her.

“This sword, it has its own will,” Xu Weixiong said calmly, looking at the Demonic Sword, as if stating the most ordinary thing.

“It craves battle, it craves a master worthy of it.”

“It has slept in your body for too long. Now, it senses another power of the same origin about to awaken, so it's eager to emerge.”

“It is choosing you, and it is also testing you.”

Xu Weixiong withdrew her finger, turned around, and looked back at Jing Tian, who was still slumped on the ground.

“Jing Tian, I ask you, do you want to be a useless person your whole life, or do you want to be a hero... even if only for a moment?”

Hero?

Jing Tian was a bit stunned by the word.

He had never thought he could have any connection to that word.

He looked at Xu Weixiong's terrifyingly calm eyes, which held no disdain, no encouragement, only a pure statement.

It was as if she was merely telling him a fact, a choice he had to face.

He suddenly remembered what Li Chengqian had said to him on the way to Chang'an.

“I do not keep useless people by My side.”

Yes, what did that Your Majesty want by bringing him to Chang'an, providing him with good food and drink, and even sending “White Tofu” to teach him cultivation?

Did he want the “General Fei Peng” within him? Did he want this Demonic Sword?

If he continued to live in a daze, being a useless person, how would that seemingly benevolent but in reality more domineering emperor treat him?

Jing Tian shivered.

He didn't dare to think further.

He slowly got up from the ground, patting the dust off his body.

First, he forced a strained smile at Tang Xuejian: “Hey, don't cry. You look even uglier when you cry.”

Tang Xuejian was stunned for a moment, then tears truly fell, and she punched him in the chest: “You're the ugly one! You bastard! You scared me to death!”

Jing Tian grinned, not dodging.

Then, he walked up to Xu Changqing, looked at his pale face, and chuckled: “White Tofu, thanks. But this thing, I'll handle it myself.”

“Brother Jing! No!” Xu Changqing cried out in alarm, trying to stop him, “The Demonic Sword's power is spiraling out of control. If you touch it now, your Heart-Nature will be completely devoured!”

“Devoured, then be devoured,” Jing Tian shrugged indifferently, “It's better than being a useless person who watches his brother exhaust himself to death and women cry for him.”

With that, he ignored Xu Changqing's pleas and resolutely walked towards the Demonic Sword, which had begun to hum again.

He took a deep breath and extended his right hand.

His hand trembled.

Not out of fear, but because... of excitement.

An excitement he couldn't even describe, originating from the depths of his Soul.

As if he was born to wield this sword.

“Come on, old friend.”

He murmured.

Then, he grabbed the hilt of the Demonic Sword!

“Boom—!”

The moment he grasped the Demonic Sword, an indescribable, terrifying power erupted from within it like a breaching volcano, surging wildly into his body!

“Ah ah ah ah ah—!”

Jing Tian let out a heart-wrenching scream.

Countless memory fragments, countless battle scenes, flooded his mind like a tide!

Divine Realm! Demon Realm!

Slaughter! Battle!

A General Fei Peng, clad in silver armor, holding a halberd, standing proudly before the South Heavenly Gate.

A Demon Lord, with red hair and a pair of wings on his back, laughing wildly and uninhibitedly.

“Fei Peng! Come fight me again!”

“Zhonglou...”

Jing Tian's eyes widened sharply; the pupils that once belonged to a Mortal now turned a brilliant silver!

A similarly proud and powerful Divine Might surged from his body, clashing fiercely with the Demonic Sword's violent Devilish Qi!

The power of the Divine and the Demonic intertwined, collided, and underwent Fusion wildly within his body!

“Bang!”

The entire ground of Tingfeng Courtyard shook violently from the clash of these powers, and countless cracks spread wildly outwards from Jing Tian as the center!

Xu Changqing and Tang Xuejian were both thrown back by the Qi wave, falling heavily to the ground.

Only Xu Weixiong remained standing still; her clothes flapped in the violent airflow, but her body was unmoving.

She looked at the young man who was roaring in pain amidst the intertwining Divine and Demonic powers, and a satisfied smile finally appeared on her exquisite face.

She knew that her most important chip had finally been activated.

Inside the Imperial Study, the air was quiet and somewhat oppressive.

Li Chengqian had just seen off Commander of Bad Boys Yuan Tiangang.

This old monster, who had lived for hundreds of years, had brought him much useful information and given him a clearer understanding of how “deep the waters” of this world were.

West Mausoleum Divine Hall, Haotian, the Academy... one by one, mysterious and powerful forces, like icebergs beneath the surface, began to reveal their colossal outlines.

“Interesting, it's getting more and more interesting.”

Li Chengqian's fingers lightly tapped the table, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

He felt no pressure; instead, he found the game becoming more enjoyable.

The stronger the opponent, the more fun the player would have.

If it was just a straightforward push-through, what was the difference from playing a single-player game with cheats?

“Your Majesty,” Li Junxian's voice came from outside the hall, interrupting his thoughts, “Sect Head Qing Wei of Shu Mountain, accompanied by several Elders, seeks an audience outside the hall.”

“Oh? These old Daoists are here again?”

A playful smile curved Li Chengqian's lips.

He knew exactly why they had come without even thinking about it.

It was nothing more than the trivial matter of the Demon Lock Tower.

“Let them in,” Li Chengqian leaned back on the Dragon Throne, shifting to a more comfortable position, “I want to see what new tricks they can come up with.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Soon, Qing Wei, accompanied by several Shu Mountain Elders with similarly solemn expressions, walked heavily into the Imperial Study.

As soon as they entered, they performed a perfectly standard Daoist kowtow to Li Chengqian.

“This humble Daoist Qing Wei, greets Your Majesty.”

“Daoist Qing Wei and the Elders may dispense with the formalities,” Li Chengqian raised a hand, his tone neither warm nor cold, “Instead of staying in your Shu Mountain and watching over the Devil Head that's about to escape its cage, what urgent matter brings you to My Imperial Study?”

Li Chengqian's words were spoken lightly, but to Qing Wei and the others, they were no less than a clap of thunder.

Qing Wei's heart sank sharply.

He detected the displeasure and... mockery in His Majesty's tone.

It was over. His Majesty was indeed still angry about the previous incident.

But he had no retreat.

As the Sect Head of Shu Mountain, as one of the leaders of the Righteous Path in this world, he had to make this last effort.

Even at the risk of incurring the Dragon's wrath, he had to speak.

“Your Majesty!”

Qing Wei stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.

“This humble Daoist's visit this time is precisely for the matter of the Demon Lock Tower!”

“Your Majesty, the Devilish Qi of the Heavenly Demon beneath that tower is growing stronger by the day. It has now broken through the Seal and permeated the skies above Chang'an!”

“The common people within Chang'an City, corrupted by the Devilish Qi, have undergone a great change in their Heart-Nature, leading to frequent disputes and troubles. If this continues, the people's hearts will surely fall into great chaos, and Chang'an City may be in danger of collapse!”

Qing Wei spoke with tears in his eyes, and the Elders behind him also wore expressions of sorrow and worry.

They had been staying in Chang'an City these past few days, witnessing firsthand how this once prosperous and peaceful imperial capital had gradually become chaotic and violent under the erosion of Devilish Qi.

They were burning with anxiety.

“Oh? Is that so?”

Li Chengqian merely responded indifferently, his face showing no emotion.

It was as if what they were talking about was something from another world, unrelated to him.

“Within Chang'an City, there are 300,000 Tiance Manor troops, and Bad People patrol day and night. Can mere squabbles between ruffians be called a danger of collapse?”

Li Chengqian's tone was full of disdain.

“Daoist Qing Wei, have you perhaps stayed in the mountains for too long, and your courage has dwindled?”

“Your Majesty!” Qing Wei grew anxious. He suddenly looked up, directly at the emperor on the Dragon Throne, “Those are not ordinary disputes! That is Devilish Qi corroding human hearts! It is the power of the Chaos Demon God polluting this Heaven and Earth!”

“This Demon is an ancient Chaos Demon God, its nature is bloodthirsty, its power boundless! It is different from all the demons we have encountered before!”

“It represents the purest Chaos and destruction! Once it fully descends upon the human world, wherever it passes, all things will wither, and Life Qi will be severed! By then, it will truly be a catastrophe for all living beings, with rivers of blood!”

Qing Wei's voice grew louder and louder, and his emotions became increasingly agitated.

“This humble Daoist knows that Your Majesty possesses unmatched Divine Might and profound Daoist techniques, and does not take this Devil Head seriously.”

“However, this Devil Head concerns the safety of all living beings in the world, so please, Your Majesty, prioritize the common people and think thrice before acting!”

After speaking, Qing Wei bowed deeply to Chengqian.

The Elders behind him also knelt down in unison, their voices filled with sorrow.

“Your Majesty! Please consider the common people and think thrice!”

The entire Imperial Study echoed with their earnest and desperate pleas.

They placed their last hope on this young Emperor.

Hoping he would change his mind and retract that insane decision.

Chengqian looked at the old Daoists kneeling below, snot and tears streaming down their faces, earnestly trying to persuade him, but his expression remained unchanged.

He just found it a little funny.

And a little…annoying.

Even at this point, these people’s thinking was still stuck at the level of “blocking.”

Truly laughably pedantic.

The common people?

What I want is to use these common people to forge a truly strong Heart-Nature!

A nation that trembles at the sight of demons, a Dynasty that only knows to pray for the protection of gods and Buddhas, what right does it have to conquer the heavens with me?

Chengqian picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew on the hot Qi, then slowly took a sip.

He didn’t immediately tell them to get up, letting them remain kneeling.

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study was extremely oppressive.

Qing Wei and the others knelt on the cold ground, their hearts sinking little by little.

They could feel the cold, undeniable will emanating from the Emperor on the Dragon Throne.

They knew that their pleas today would probably be…in vain.

Time passed minute by minute.

Inside the Imperial Study, it was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Qing Wei and several Shu Mountain Elders knelt on the cold floor tiles, every second feeling as long as a century to them.

On the Dragon Throne, Chengqian’s calm gaze was like an invisible mountain, pressing down on them, making them breathless.

The hope in their hearts was being extinguished little by little.

Finally, just as they were about to give out, Chengqian put down his teacup, and the crisp clinking sound was particularly jarring in the dead silence of the hall.

“Daoist Qingwei, you’ve been kneeling for so long, don’t your knees hurt?”

Chengqian spoke, his tone betraying no emotion.

“This humble Daoist wouldn’t dare.” Qing Wei lowered his head, his voice hoarse.

“Get up.” Chengqian waved his hand, “My Imperial Study is not for you to kneel in.”

“Thank Your Majesty.”

Qing Wei and the others shakily stood up, but still dared not raise their heads.

“Daoist Qingwei, I ask you.” Chengqian’s voice rang out again, this time with a hint of scrutiny, “How many years has your Shu Mountain suppressed that Devil Head?”

Qing Wei’s heart tightened. Your Majesty had asked this question before.

But he could only answer honestly: “Replying to Your Majesty, it has been over three thousand years since Shu Mountain’s Ancestral Master founded the sect.”

“Over three thousand years.” Chengqian nodded, leaning slightly forward, his deep eyes like two bottomless abysses, staring directly at Qing Wei.

“Then I ask you again, in these three thousand years, has your Shu Mountain’s Seal ever loosened?”

Qing Wei’s face instantly turned somewhat grim, his lips moved a few times before he spoke with difficulty: “Replying to Your Majesty…it has, several times. Each time, it was our Shu Mountain’s Seniors who, at the cost of their own lives, barely managed to reinforce the Seal.”

“Then that’s it.” Chengqian spread his hands, a hint of undisguised mockery on his face.

“You’ve been blocking for three thousand years, sacrificing generation after generation of Shu Mountain experts, and what’s the result?”

“The result is that the Devil Head’s power is growing stronger, and the Seal is growing weaker. Until today, it’s about to come out on its own.”

“What does this indicate?”

Chengqian’s voice suddenly rose, like a clap of thunder exploding in the ears of Qing Wei and the others!

“It indicates that your method, from the very beginning, was wrong!”

“Blocking! It cannot be blocked! The flood will only rise higher and higher until one day, it will accumulate enough power to break through everything, turning all your efforts into nothing!”

Chengqian stood up and walked down the Imperial steps, one by one, until he stood before Qing Wei.

He was much younger than Qing Wei, and not as tall, but at that moment, in the eyes of Qing Wei and the others, he seemed like a towering Divine Demon, emanating an endless Domineering that left them without the courage to even look directly at him.

“Therefore, I want to change the game.”

The corner of Chengqian’s mouth curved into a cold and mad arc.

“I want to release it.”

“I want to drag it completely out of that dark and damp hole, into the sunlight.”

“Then, in front of everyone in the world, in front of those self-righteous light-wielding charlatans from the West, with my own hands!”

“Slaughter it!”

Chengqian’s last word was filled with bloodlust and murderous Qi, making the temperature of the entire Imperial Study seem to drop by several degrees.

Qing Wei and the Elders were so shaken that their heads buzzed. They stared blankly at the young Emperor on the Dragon Throne, who radiated endless Domineering and madness, unable to utter a single word.

Madman!

This Emperor is absolutely a complete and utter madman!

They finally understood.

This Your Majesty was not unaware of how terrifying that Devil Head was.

He simply didn’t take the Devil Head seriously.

What he wanted was not to solve a crisis.

What he wanted was to use this crisis to offer the first, and most bloody and shocking, sacrifice for his so-called glorious grand era!

At this moment, the Dao that Qing Wei and the others had upheld for thousands of years was completely shaken.

They looked at Chengqian, as if they saw an existence even more terrifying and insane than the Heavenly Demon beneath the Demon Lock Tower.

They didn’t know whether they were following a wise ruler who would save the world.

Or a peerless madman who was about to destroy this world.

Seeing their crestfallen appearance, the madness on Chengqian’s face gradually receded, returning to his imperial calm.

He knew that the time was ripe.

After a slap, it was time for a sweet date.

Although Shu Mountain, this knife, was a bit old and dull, it still had some use after all.

“However…” Chengqian’s tone shifted, softening, “I also know that you Daoists care about the common people, and I appreciate that sentiment.”

Qing Wei and the others suddenly snapped back to attention, looking at him blankly.

“That Devil Head, after all, is an ancient Chaos Demon God. Although in my eyes it’s just a worthless chicken and dog, for Mortals, it is indeed no small threat.”

“How about this.” Chengqian pondered for a moment, as if granting them a great favor.

“I can give your Shu Mountain a chance.”

“A chance for you to personally end this three-thousand-year-old grudge.”

“What chance?” Qing Wei asked subconsciously.

“Three days from now, I will set up a ‘Demon Slaughtering’ altar outside the Vermillion Bird Gate of Chang’an City, announcing to the world and inviting heroes from all directions to join in the grand event.”

“At that time, I will personally act to draw out the Devil Head.”

“And what your Shu Mountain needs to do is, after I have severely wounded the Devil Head, set up your Shu Mountain’s strongest ‘Great Heaven and Earth Star Formation’ to completely trap it, and then I will deliver the final blow.”

Chengqian’s voice was full of temptation.

“How about it?”

“I will give half of this first credit for slaying demons and monsters, which will be recorded in history, to your Shu Mountain. This, surely, fulfills your wishes, does it not?”

Qing Wei and the others were stunned after hearing this.

Did Your Majesty mean he agreed to join forces with them?

Although the method was completely different from what they had imagined—not reinforcing the Seal, but actively attacking.

But this…seemed to be the only acceptable outcome for now.

At least, they could participate, contribute their strength, instead of helplessly watching the Devil Head emerge.

“This humble Daoist…this humble Daoist, on behalf of all of Shu Mountain, thanks Your Majesty for your great benevolence!”

Qing Wei no longer hesitated and immediately bowed in salute.

He knew this was their only choice.

“Mm.” Chengqian nodded with satisfaction, “Then go back and prepare. I do not wish to see your Shu Mountain’s three-thousand-year-old Formation fail at that time.”

“Your Majesty, rest assured! We will do our utmost and not fail Your Majesty’s trust!”

Qing Wei and the others bowed again, then, with extremely complex feelings, exited the Imperial Study.

Watching their departing figures, the corner of Chengqian’s mouth once again curved into a smile that no one could understand.

Great Heaven and Earth Star Formation?

Do I need your Formation?

I just need you so-called “Righteous Path leaders” to stand by my side as witnesses.

Witness how I, in the most domineering way, usher in a brand new era.

Witness how you remnants of the old era become…insignificant in the tide of this new era.

Qing Wei and the others left.

They left the Imperial Study with extremely complex feelings.

On one hand, they felt a tremor of fear at the young Emperor’s madness and domineering nature. It was an absolute will that completely disregarded any rules, making them, cultivators accustomed to following the Heavenly Dao and emphasizing gradual progress, feel incredibly unfamiliar and terrified.

On the other hand, they had to admit that Your Majesty’s proposal seemed to be the only way to break the deadlock at present.

Blocking, it could no longer be blocked.

So, rather than passively waiting for the dam to collapse, it was better to actively open the gates and release the flood, perhaps gaining a glimmer of hope.

“Senior Brother, are we…really going to do this?” After returning to Shu Mountain’s station in Chang’an, an Elder couldn’t help but voice his worry, asking.

“Actively luring out the Devil Head, this…this is simply unheard of! What if…what if Your Majesty’s plan fails, and the Devil Head goes on a rampage in Chang’an City? Wouldn’t we all become eternal sinners?”

“That’s right, Senior Brother, this matter is of great importance. We cannot place all our hope on Your Majesty alone!”

Qing Wei listened to his Junior Brothers’ discussions and sighed deeply.

How could he not know the risks involved?

This wasn’t gambling; this was practically walking a tightrope with the fate of the entire world!

But did they have any other choice?

He recalled Chengqian’s unfathomable eyes, and the undeniable imperial majesty emanating from him.

In the face of absolute power and authority, Shu Mountain’s will seemed so insignificant.

“We have no other choice.” Qing Wei’s voice was filled with bitterness and helplessness, “From the moment our Shu Mountain chose to pledge allegiance to the Great Tang, our destiny has been firmly bound to this Your Majesty and this Dynasty.”