Chapter 29 - 29: Eight-year-Old A’wei
The snow last night covered up all the blood that had been spilled.
When Little Nine woke up and saw the sea of white snow, she felt at ease.
She had had a stress-free sleep all night, and now she was relaxed. After quickly washing up, she went out without any makeup on. She smiled when she saw Li Qingshan.
He stood by his porch. He looked at the land covered in snow and asked her, “When are you leaving?
Little Nine leaned over the railing of the porch. She extended her hand to catch the falling snow as she said, “I will leave in a bit. The Yuhua Sect will be welcoming a batch of disciples from the Changhen Demonic Sect. Master told me that I had to be there.”
“The Yuhua Sect will be welcoming disciples from the Changhen Demonic Sect?” asked Li Qingshan. He found this very strange.
This was a rare event. The Yuhua Sect was one of the top major sects among the righteous sects. Although it could not compare to the Heavenly Path Sect, it was still considered powerful.
Among those of the Demonic Path, the Changhen Demonic Sect was also famous. Their heritage spanned back tens of thousands of years.
A righteous sect and a demonic sect are actually coming into contact. If word of this got out, it would definitely surprise many people.
Li Qingshan was one of them.
Little Nine said in a low voice, “The Heavenly Path Sect has been pressuring us from all sides. The Yuhua Sect has been suffering, and internal fighting has been going on for a long time as well. Three months ago, when I gave the Elder of Inheritance the Immortality Method, he instructed Master to take a step back from the conflict between the righteous sects and demonic sects and see the world in a different light. That way, he will find a way to break this stalemate.”
She continued explaining, “The way the Heavenly Path Sect does things is even more demonic than the demonic sects. Hence, Master made his decision. For the past three months, he has been communicating with the Changhen
Demonic Sect. He wishes to establish a mutual relationship. This time, the
Changhen Demonic Sect is sending their disciples over for this very reason. Which is also why Master places great importance on this and wants me to attend the ceremony.”
Li Qingshan exclaimed in astonishment, “The Elder of Inheritance has great foresight. He can see through the root of the problem. He is truly incredible.”
The conflict between the righteous sects and the demonic sects was, in essence, a power struggle over the greater good, personal benefit, and territory.
Were righteous sects necessarily good?
Were demonic sects necessarily evil?
Only extremists would categorize a powerful sect using the terms of good and evil.
“Brother, I shall take my leave now. I will come to visit you again when I am free,” said Little Nine as she waved goodbye.
Li Qingshan watched Little Nine as she left. He couldn’t help but applaud the
Yuhua Sect’s actions. The Heavenly Path Sect was exerting pressure on them. In order to survive, the Yuhua Sect has decided to collaborate with the demonic sects. Since the Heavenly Path Sect was currently occupied with the Monster Refining Tower, how could they stop the Yuhua Sect?
This move could alleviate some of the pressure on the Yuhua Sect.
Of course, it would also bring about even greater suppression from the Heavenly Path Sect. But for the Yuhua Sect, what was done was done, and there was no regretting it.
Just as Li Qingshan was deep in thought, Little Fox came running over toward him. She climbed up his leg to his shoulder. She then pointed toward the Stele Forest in the distance.
She wanted him to go clean the steles.
He patted her, and they headed to the Stele Forest together.
Regardless of how the Yuhua Sect was, all was well as long as they endured and did not disturb his peaceful cultivation.
This endless Stele Forest was where he had to go.
In the Yuhua Sect, Feng Baiyu was well-dressed today. Behind him stood Little Nine, with an indifferent expression. She looked elegant in her outfit.
In the eyes of others, Little Nine was an aloof genius girl. She appeared ethereal, and she did not mingle much with others.
The rest of the elders stood behind Feng Baiyu. Among them was the Elder of Justice, who sided with Feng Baiyu once again.
Feng Baiyu managed to suppress the conflict stirred up by the Elder Council.
Since both the Elder of Justice and the Elder of Inheritance supported him, any riot initiated by others would not do him much harm.
The Elder of Justice asked in a low voice, “Sect Leader, are we really joining forces with a demonic sect? Our reputation will plummet after today. The Heavenly Path Sect will also pressure us even more.”
Feng Baiyu’s eyes shone with determination. However, his facial expression remained unchanged as he replied, “The sanctions imposed by the Heavenly Path Sect have pushed us into a dead corner. Are you suggesting that we should kneel before them and beg for their mercy so that they will spare us?” The Elder of Justice shook his head and said, “I am merely reminding you that we will have no way out after we take this step.”
“We have to take this step,” said Feng Baiyu firmly.
“With the Immortality Method, the Yuhua Sect will surely be able to rise again,” said Feng Baiyu with gritted teeth. Only the Elder of Justice and Little Nine heard him.
The Elder of Justice said nothing more upon hearing this. Collaborating with a demonic sect was indeed the best course of action for them at this stage.
The Yuhua Sect was willing to sacrifice their reputation in order to survive.
They needed to endure this difficult time before they could utilize the Immortality Method to restore the sect to its former glory.
Currently, only a few people in the sect knew about the return of the Immortality Method. No one dared to breathe a word about it.
“All right. The members of the Changhen Demonic Sect are here,” announced Feng Baiyu as he noticed a sudden dark cloud churning in the distance. More than ten horses were drawing a chariot. Behind it was a large group of people.
This was the lineup from the Changhen Demonic Sect.
The leader of the group was Young Master Langyan. He was the eldest son of the Changhen Demonic Sect Leader.
“Greetings, Yuhua Sect Leader.” As the troops came closer, Young Master Langyan got down from the chariot and greeted Feng Baiyu politely.
Feng Baiyu revealed a smile. He stepped forward and personally shook hands
with Young Master Langyan. He said, “I have long heard of your reputation as a
genius. Now that I have met you in person, I can confirm that the rumors are
true. You are so young, yet your cultivation is already at the Ascension Plane.”
Feng Baiyu welcomed the others with a smile, saying, “Everyone, welcome. I have prepared a feast for you. We shall have our discussion over a nice meal.”
Little Nine stood far away as she observed everything coldly. She did not pay attention to Young Master Langyan. Instead, her gaze was focused on a short and fat kid standing among the troop.
This short fatty was young. He appeared innocent and was dressed in beautiful clothes. He stood behind Young Master Langyan but did not seem to be a servant.
Little Nine observed him with great interest. To her surprise, the short fatty felt her gaze and raised his head to glance at her.
She thought, “He has such acute senses. My cultivation is at the peak of the Ascension Plane, and I am standing among the crowd. Yet, he noticed me immediately when I paid slightly more attention to him.”
Laughter and lively chatter could be heard throughout the feast. The stances of both parties were clear. They were eager to join forces, so no one stirred up any trouble.
However, after a few rounds of wine, Young Master Langyan suddenly said,
“Uncle Feng Baiyu, I need to trouble you with a matter.”
“My good nephew, speak your mind,” Feng Baiyu said with a smile.
Young Master Langyan pleaded, “This is my brother. He is a pea-brain. He had a hard time growing up in the Changhen Demonic Sect since the competition there was fierce. Therefore, I hope you will agree to accept him as one of your disciples and allow him to stay in the Yuhua Sect.”
Many thoughts flashed past Feng Baiyu’s mind. Could it be that the other party was testing their sincerity?
He agreed to this request decisively, saying, “Nephew, rest your worries. I will accept your younger brother as my disciple right here, right now.”
Young Master Langyan was exhilarated. He called out, “A’wei, come and greet your master.”
The honest-looking, short fatty walked out. He knelt and bowed his head in greeting, “Master.”
“All right. This is your Senior Sister,” said Feng Baiyu as he pointed at Little Nine.
The short fatty bowed and greeted her too. “Senior Sister.”
Little Nine immediately replied, “Junior Brother, there is no need for formality between us.”
Feng Baiyu raised his cup and declared loudly, “Good! To celebrate my gaining a new disciple, let us drink.”
The banquet hall was filled with laughter once more.
After everyone had their fill, they slowly left the scene. Finally, only the main figures from both sects remained to discuss the details of the collaboration between the Yuhua Sect and the Changhen Demonic Sect.
Little Nine was tasked with bringing her Junior Brother on a tour around the
Yuhua Sect.
The two of them walked leisurely amidst the snow.
“What’s your name?” asked Little Nine.
“A’wei, ” he replied.
“How about your full name? Not your nickname,” Little Nine asked resignedly.
“I don’t remember it,” A’wei replied seriously while shaking his head.
Little Nine was stunned. How could someone his age not be able to remember his own full name?
“Then, how old are you?” Little Nine continued asking as she took a deep breath.
“I am eight years old,” A’wei replied seriously, after thinking for a second.
Little Nine had a strange expression. She sized A’wei up. She really wanted to ask him something.
How can he be eight years old?
“Are you lying to me?” Little Nine could not help but ask.
“Senior Sister, my brain can’t remember a lot of things. If you ask me so quickly, I cannot think straight,” said A’wei as he shook his head. He seemed impatient.
“Senior Sister, I want to go over there,” A’wei suddenly said, seriously, pointing his finger.
Little Nine turned toward the direction where he was pointing. It was at Repentance Cliff.
“Why do you want to go there? Ordinary people aren’t allowed there.” Little Nine immediately turned him down.
She would not bring a pea-brain to see her brother.
“Something is drawing me there,” said A’wei. He then bent his legs and, with a rumble, leaped to the other side of Repentance Cliff.
Repentance Cliff was very, very far away from where they were standing.
Little Nine blinked.
Was that something an eight-year-old pea-brain could do?
“Oh no. Brother!” cried out Little Nine as she immediately rushed after him.
On Repentance Cliff, Li Qingshan was comprehending a stele. Just as he was meditating on it attentively, he sensed something charging toward the cliff straight toward him.
It was very fast, and its aura was expanding. The aura was mighty and covered a vast area.
“Is this aura at the Venerable Plane?”
Li Qingshan raised an eyebrow. He immediately lifted his hands. Then, with a dong, he struck out with a palm strike.
[Dong!]
Behind him, three Buddhas appeared. They were huge and blocked off the person who was charging toward him.
The person was immediately suppressed by Li Qingshan, falling on the snow in pain.
“Why have you infiltrated Repentance Cliff?” asked Li Qingshan with a frown.
“Because of you,” answered A’wei with some difficulty. He had been suppressed, and his entire body was aching.
“Because of me?” replied Li Qingshan, shocked. He thought he had been exposed.
“I sensed your spiritual consciousness, so I came looking for you. I am in pain and wish to seek your help. How do you control such a gigantic spiritual consciousness?” asked A’wei excitedly.
“Spiritual consciousness?” replied Li Qingshan with a frown. He had just noticed that this person’s spiritual consciousness was very thick. It was several hundred times richer than that of an ordinary person. It was also seeping out of him uncontrollably and was dazzling to behold, just like the sun at night.
“You cannot control your spiritual consciousness?” asked Li Qingshan.
“Yes. Ever since I was born, I have been able to absorb world spiritual Qi. Even before I was six months old, I began cultivating automatically. By two years old, I had reached the Body Refinement Plane. I reached the Innate Plane at age three, the Grandmaster Plane at age four, the Ascension Plane at age five, the Distant Shore Plane at age six, and the Venerable Plane at age seven.”
“As I cultivated, my body also continued to grow larger, resulting in my current appearance.
“However, my intelligence and abilities clearly cannot control such incredible cultivation. This makes me very anxious.
“I discovered that my mental development cannot keep pace with the growth of my cultivation.
“In other words, my cultivation is increasing too rapidly.
“Before I was eight years old, I was already at the Venerable Plane. However, all my energy is spent on controlling my cultivation. Hence, I have no energy left to remember anything else.
“For me, my cultivation is like a burning piece of coal.
“My intelligence cannot control my cultivation.
“If one’s virtue does not match one’s status, it will bring forth disaster. The same goes for one’s cultivation.
“For the past year, I have sealed myself away. I did not dare absorb any more spiritual Qi. I fear that if I am not careful, I will break through to the Great Venerable Plane.
“I fear I will die from overconsumption of spiritual Qi.
“Hence, I sought to find someone like me who was born with a rich spiritual consciousness but who could also control it.
“From him, I want to learn how to control my overflowing spiritual consciousness. And that person is you,” A’wei said rapidly.
He looked at Li Qingshan, his eyes burning with passion..