Becoming a Deity from Planting the Bodhi Tree-Chapter 953 - 346: Taoist Qinglian, True Saint Undying (3)

"From this perspective... indeed, the True Saints of All Realms owe them a favor."

Ji Jingqiu asked, "01 knows, and you don't?"

Hel sneered, "Even if I knew, I'd definitely wipe them out completely. What's the point of keeping them, to preserve a sliver of hope for them?"

Ji Jingqiu was momentarily speechless.

He pondered, from this angle, whether Master He or Master Mu could be considered truly dead?!

Guessing what he was thinking, Hel said,

"Although the Eight Realms claim to be immortal, they have yet to transcend, and they are not free. Tribulations descend regularly."

"The stronger they are, the stronger the tribulations. For a True Saint, each tribulation could be a life-or-death ordeal. Shouzhen at the Heavenly Saint Lake is not far from the next great tribulation."

"And the True Saints who perish in a great tribulation do not truly die; they simply go dormant. Without external intervention, they will eventually return."

Ji Jingqiu asked, "What about this guy?"

"In theory, he shouldn't be able to return, dead as can be..."

Just then,

the man scrutinizing Ji Jingqiu squinted and said, "Have we met before? Your aura feels inexplicably familiar to me."

Ji Jingqiu was about to shake his head in denial.

On the other side, Elder Ke smiled and said, "This is Ji Jingqiu, the greatest genius our Federation has seen in ten thousand years, disciple of Marshal He and Marshal Mu. If we must say we've met, he did attend the Flower Blooming Ceremony years ago, and you unconsciously guided him. We hope you will take care of him in the future."

Ji Jingqiu's mouth twitched.

"No wonder," the man nodded as if nothing were amiss, "I remember now."

Then, as if he bore no grudge from the past, he looked at Ji Jingqiu in a way that made him seem like a rare sight, speaking with slight surprise:

"He Donghuang actually took a liking to you?"

"What does he see in you?"

Ji Jingqiu replied calmly, "Senior, I've offended you in the past. This time, it concerns the Federation's survival, and time is of the essence. Please do not dwell on past recklessness."

Ke Tianjin was momentarily dazed, past recklessness?

When did Ji Jingqiu offend this person?

The man, surprised that Ji Jingqiu would bring it up, replied with a half-smile, "You brought down the Bitter Sea Water on me. If it weren't for my past dealings with the All Worlds Suffering Sea, you would have caught me off guard that day."

"Had it been anyone else, I would have sent them to the Sea Eye as soon as I emerged."

Ji Jingqiu examined this person seriously and said sincerely, "I'm glad you dismissed the notion, Senior."

"Oh?" The man was intrigued, "What do you mean?"

He could tell Ji Jingqiu's words were devoid of any plea or retreat.

"Although I'm still one Thunder Disaster away, there shouldn't be any enemies of mine in the Great Universe now." Ji Jingqiu was calm.

The man nodded slightly, "Now, I believe you're He Donghuang's disciple."

"Senior's ability to discern people is indeed unparalleled."

The man said casually, "My name is 'Qinglian', and you can just call me by this name in the future. I owe Qingxiu a favor, so I'll protect your path once as repayment."

Ji Jingqiu probed, "What is the relationship between Qinglian Mountain and you, Senior?"

"It used to be my dojo." Taoist Qinglian smiled, "As for what happened later, let's not mention it."

Ji Jingqiu was speechless.

Marshal Ke destroyed this person's former dojo, yet he claimed to owe Marshal Ke a favor...

It seems there are hidden secrets within.

Ji Jingqiu asked, "May I ask what realm you are in now, Senior?"

"A Boundaryless Man, no need to worry." Taoist Qinglian said casually.

In the Inner World.

Hel suddenly said,

"I finally know where Ke Qingxiu learned the 'Void Return to Netherworld' from."

"His current situation is rather mysterious, similar to a Boundaryless Man, residing in the 'Outer Heaven Void.' To put it simply, he cannot harm anyone, but no one can harm him either."

Can it really be like this?!

Taoist Qinglian said lightly, "Alright, let's be on our way. Time is indeed quite short."

With that, he said with a playful expression, "Taiyin Divine Palace, Heavenly Saint Lake, Ten Thousand Tribulations Mountain — pick one and we'll set off."

Considering Ke Qingxiu, he still left a sliver of hope for this young man and didn't give him three dead ends.

Of course, a dead end might not mean literal death, but it certainly wouldn't be pleasant.

For instance, if he went to Taiyin Divine Palace, given his identity as He Donghuang's disciple, Ji Jingqiu would certainly receive special attention.

Ji Jingqiu pondered the options given, truly saying,

"Senior's choices are excellent! Then... let's first head to Taiyin Divine Palace."

He's avoiding Heavenly Saint Lake for caution's sake.

Taoist Qinglian smirked, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Taoist Qinglian didn't waste words, lifting his hand to grasp Ji Jingqiu's shoulder, and with one step, they were in a mystical place.

Here, the depths were boundless, and Ji Jingqiu heard the sound of waves approaching from ahead.

Through spiritual sensing, he vaguely saw two broad and unending rivers, straddling between illusion and reality.

Could this be... Time and Destiny?!

"This is the Void."

Hel whispered,

"A place harboring the Rivers of Time and Destiny."

"After failing his breakthrough, this guy managed to reside here indefinitely. Whether it's fortunate or unfortunate is unknown."

Ji Jingqiu stared intensely at these silent, trajectory-bound rivers.

"Keep an eye on your gaze," Qinglian suddenly reminded him. "If something happens, Qingxiu would blame me."

Hel also advised him to be cautious, as at his realm, he wasn't yet capable of seeing the true form of these two rivers.

"Is Senior very close to Marshal Ke?" Ji Jingqiu asked casually.

"Fairly close," Qinglian urged, "We've arrived, let's go."

Bringing Ji Jingqiu along the Void, they unexpectedly reached the Taiyin Divine Palace's territory in the Nine States within a short time.

In the end.

He seemed to kindly remind, "He Donghuang gets along well with Taiyin Divine Palace, so later, you should announce your identity."

Ji Jingqiu glanced at him without comment.

Moments later,

the Taiyin Divine Palace started to quake from the middle to the upper levels. A grand and mighty aura awakened from the depths of the palace, stirring the Taiyin True Saint, who then emerged from seclusion to take Taoist Qinglian away, causing a constant uproar throughout the palace.

Ji Jingqiu was left in his original spot and was soon discovered by the high-ups of the Taiyin Divine Palace.

...

Deep within the palace, Taoist Qinglian and the Taiyin True Saint sat across from each other, enjoying tea.

Soon, Taoist Qinglian frowned, because although Ji Jingqiu did announce his identity, no one from Taiyin Divine Palace bothered him.

The acting Palace Master, Ruishui, personally came out to greet him, treating him grandly as a distinguished guest.

Taoist Qinglian pondered, "Taoist Friend, this child needs tempering, I've already mentioned. For my sake, just don't damage his Dao Foundation, no need for such courtesy."

The Taiyin True Saint, having received reports from his disciples, appeared slightly odd and helpless, "Taoist Friend, you jest."

"My Taiyin Divine Palace continues the Nether Ruins Lineage, and this child is an Elder of the highest rank, endorsed by the main line of the Nether Ruins. Reasonably speaking, my Taiyin Divine Palace should treat him with courtesy."

Taoist Qinglian looked astonished.

An Elder of the highest rank?

Ji Jingqiu?