163: Chiaki

Inside Black Ridge City, within the City Lord's Mansion.

Wang Teng stood at the entrance, leaning against the wall, looking at the bright moon hanging high above, a look of emotion on his face.

What the hell was this? He had been diligently acting as a Protector just now, only to be unceremoniously pushed out.

It wasn't Shen who acted, but the power unleashed by this Bitter Bamboo Forest Magical Artifact.

This power was incredibly overbearing, giving no one any chance to explain.

Fortunately, Prodigy Wang's methods were skillful, so he didn't fall flat on his face.

At this moment, everyone who had noticed something was amiss had already gathered.

Sun Xiuqing.

Inviting Moon Reaching for the Stars.

Sun Dashan.

Sun Xingtu.

General Wushuang.

Ruo Liuli.

Their eyes were fixed on the grand hall, which had been ruined beyond recognition by the Bitter Bamboo.

And on Wang Teng, the only one who might know what was happening.

Their eyes were filled with anxiety.

Wang Teng looked at the crowd and cursed.

"What are you looking at? Shen is cultivating, damn it. He just kicked me out for no reason, that dog. Just now, he was testing a fire technique, using people when he needed them and discarding them when he didn't!"

"Damn it, and I still have to be his Protector here. Who did I offend?"

"Still looking? If you keep looking, I'll take care of you!"

Seeing that the crowd dared not retreat, Wang Teng waved his hand and said.

"Go, go, go, get lost."

"Just looking at you is bad luck. What the hell do you know about Cultivator matters?"

Sun Xiuqing weakly said.

"Um... we are Cultivators too, Young Master Wang Teng."

Wang Teng glanced at the little girl and said impatiently.

"When did Qi Refining first layer count as a Cultivator? Isn't it just a path?"

"Say two more words, and I'll let you taste a fire technique."

"Go, go, go!"

Seeing this, everyone exchanged glances and could only reluctantly retreat from the hall.

Only the two Extreme Martial Warriors remained, one on the left and one on the right.

"What are you doing? Not leaving yet? Nothing to do?"

"If something happens in Black Ridge City while he's cultivating, you'll be held responsible!"

Only then did the two Extreme Martial Warriors reluctantly leave.

Wang Teng watched the door slowly close, his expression returning to normal. He turned and stared intently at the main hall.

He didn't say a word.

Meanwhile, inside the hall, a strange conversation was unfolding.

Shen Li sat on the table, his eyes fixed on the figure before him.

A figure condensed from water mist slowly emerged.

It was an old man.

His hair was tied up with bamboo branches, and he wore a long green robe.

On his thumb was a jade thumb ring.

Seeing Shen Li, he smiled slightly. The Bitter Bamboo Forest swayed with his smile, then gradually returned to normal.

He slowly raised the teapot, not caring about the scalding heat within. With a slight gesture, three or two tender leaves drifted down from the tallest bitter bamboo in the Bitter Bamboo Forest.

They fell perfectly into the teapot, and a fresh, slightly bitter aroma gradually wafted out.

As it slowly poured into the teacup, as if knowing Shen Li's endless confusion, the old man said faintly.

"Life and death, each has its own destiny."

Shen Li spoke, his words like a thunderclap.

"Great Ancestor, you knew all along?"

Shen Li had only seen this phantom before him once since birth.

After that, he could only glimpse his true appearance in portraits.

Who else could this person be? Naturally, it was Shen Qianqiu, the Great Ancestor of the Shen Family, who often resided in Qingchi Mountain and never returned home.

This Bitter Bamboo Forest seemed to contain Shen Qianqiu's hidden preparations. This undisputed protagonist of the celebration slowly said.

"The higher one goes, the deeper one's understanding and perception of the unseen will become."

"Premonition...?" Shen Li countered.

Shen Qianqiu's water mist phantom nodded.

"If you call it a premonition, that's also correct. Spiritual Qi is the most mysterious thing in this world, and Cultivators, who exist by relying on Spiritual Qi, are naturally the most mysterious vessels. Sometimes, what one feels truly comes true."

"But why didn't Great Ancestor stop it?"

Shen Qianqiu said calmly.

"Willing but unable."

Shen Li was so angry he laughed.

"You are an Immortal Master, a Perfection Immortal Master, an Immortal Master about to Breakthrough into the Purple Mansion. You say you can't do anything?"

Instead of getting angry at such a direct question, Shen Qianqiu comforted him.

"I am already caught between life and death; I am truly powerless."

He enjoyed talking to his juniors. The Shen Family's Family style, starting from Shen Qianqiu, had always been like that of a gentle Young Master.

This was influenced by the Great Ancestor's way of dealing with people.

Shen Li's voice abruptly stopped, and he asked in disbelief.

"The celebration has already begun?"

"Yes."

"Great Ancestor..."

Shen Qianqiu seemed to know what the junior before him wanted to ask and said.

"Nine deaths, one life."

"But you are an Immortal Master, it shouldn't be like this!"

"An Immortal Master with both water and wood techniques, in a fighting celebration..."

"But you are here, your Divine Soul vibrant. Clearly, you've severed a part of your Divine Soul. Why? This will further weaken your strength! Why?"

"Even at full strength, you were at a disadvantage, let alone now?"

Shen Qianqiu sighed and said.

"Because I can't let go."

"Since it's nine deaths and one life, why not leave some legacy? If I die, with the help of this remnant soul, the chance of the Shen Family producing a second Foundation Establishment True Person will be greater and faster in the future."

"Bo Shu, that child, appears to be composed on the inside, but in reality, he is weak and lacks resolve. He won't be of much use. I can only place my hopes on the new juniors, at least enough to hold up my side and prevent the Shen Family from declining and being devoured by various immortal sects."

"At the very least, they can stabilize it."

Shen Li's mouth was dry.

"Great Ancestor, the person you're thinking of is me?"

Shen Qianqiu nodded, then shook his head.

"I don't know."

"What exactly is the celebration?" Shen Li asked.

Shen Qianqiu continued to shake his head.

"I don't know. This celebration involves some secret, related to the Qing Kingdom's imperial Family. If you can achieve Dao Foundation, you will naturally come into contact with it. Otherwise, all will be for naught."

"Is there no other way?" Shen Li still asked, unwilling to give up.

Shen Qianqiu gestured for Shen Li to continue drinking tea and casually said.

"Immortal Masters are pawns, and how is someone like me any different?"

"It's just that I, as a pawn, have more say and more freedom."

"Of course, I also actively agreed to this matter."

Shen Li pondered for a moment, then said in a hoarse voice.

"Great Ancestor, if you don't Breakthrough soon, your lifespan will end?"

Shen Qianqiu nodded calmly.

"Before the Shen Family existed, I was a Loose Cultivator. Thirty years to enter the Dao, twenty years for Qi Refining, a hundred years for Dao Foundation—each step was difficult."

"But fortunately, I seized the opportunity of Qingchi Mountain's wild rise and finally gained a foothold."

"However, maintaining this foothold is difficult. If I cannot advance, the next Purple Mansion celebration, who knows how long it will be."

"My name is Shen Qianqiu."

"But I've only lived for a hundred autumns."

"If I can Breakthrough to the Purple Mansion, I will usher in my first thousand autumns."

"I will also let the Shen Family usher in its first thousand autumns."

"I will not escape, nor will I live a life of ignoble ease."

"I will do it."

"That child Qing Shu is also like this. The Family is his Dao. For his Dao, he doesn't fear danger. Even knowing this place is not peaceful and dangerous, he still came!"

"You, I, and he are all like this."

"Qianqiu is my Heart Demon. I have already gone to face it."

"Qing Shu has achieved the Dao."

"So what about you?"

Shen Li solemnly stood up, cupped his hands, and said.

"I will break the Sword of Cloud Sea."

"And bring the head of that Cloud Sea Immortal Master to drink with."

Shen Qianqiu finally asked.

"Is a Heart Demon a demon?"

Shen Li respectfully replied.

"A Heart Demon is the Dao!"