The Eternal Way-Chapter 132: The Unexpected

Li Qi suddenly found himself in grave danger.

An ethereal shadow was relentlessly attacking him!

It was invisible, even inaudible and odorless, as if it didn't exist within this world.

But the attacks were real!

A sharp buzzing sound came from behind him!

Li Qi's pupils contracted; he ducked his head and rolled on the ground.

An invisible force field passed through where he had been standing, cutting through the earth, shattering rocks, and deeply embedding itself into the desert.

The sheer power of the attack made it easy to achieve the level of breaking stone slabs and slicing through metal.

Reacting instantly, Li Qi channeled his internal qi and pointed outward!

Wood and fire intertwined, enhancing each other's brilliance.

Azure Dragon Divine Qi ignited, Vermilion Bird Divine Qi transformed into a blazing fire, releasing immense power!

The intense heat created wisps of air, making it seem like a star appeared in the night sky above the barren desert. A massive flame storm swept everything away, turning arid land into molten lava and withered wood into ashes!

Even the stones seemed to ignite easily, burning, melting, and then merging into the lake of lava before solidifying again, as if they had never existed.

This was Li Qi's strongest attack at present!

It was a combined strike of Vermilion Bird Divine Qi and Azure Dragon Divine Qi, tearing open a rift in the earth, forming a small river of lava.

After executing this attack, Li Qi immediately turned around.

Another black figure was approaching!

Previously invisible, the transparent figure now split into two, one white and one black, both attacking him simultaneously!

The white figure emitted some sort of burning yang energy, trailing a long tail behind it.

The black figure carried an aura of darkness, extending two black wings from its back, with two fiery red eyes that contrasted sharply with the white figure, filled with agitation and aggression, constantly assaulting Li Qi.

"Didn't hit?" Li Qi frowned.

Such a powerful attack should have left even a Ninth Rank warrior damaged, but not unscathed.

But in the next second, Li Qi understood why.

"To divide oneself into yin and yang energies? Impressive," Li Qi praised while dodging another wave of attacks.

Though Wu Dao at the Ninth Rank didn't offer any special techniques, it granted superior physical abilities and reaction speed. Thus, although the Heavenly Mandate Child was pushing him to the brink, there was no immediate threat to his life, giving him time to speak.

Li Qi also noticed that this person could transform their qi into a form seemingly composed entirely of pure shadow and light, using it to evade his energy strikes.

This put Li Qi on the defensive, forcing him to dodge continuously.

Moreover, the woman's attacks were peculiar. Her movements were extremely agile, frequently splitting her body and disappearing to launch surprise attacks, attempting to leave wounds on Li Qi.

As the battle progressed, Li Qi realized her assault speed was increasing!

Li Qi struggled to fend off the attacks.

But he wasn't worried; instead, he sighed, "Miss, you don't stand a chance."

She remained silent, continuing to circle and attack him.

Li Qi also stayed quiet, defending himself while leaving marks on the ground with his internal qi during his evasive maneuvers.

This standoff lasted about two minutes.

Finally, the attacker paused.

Li Qi finally got a moment to breathe without having to roll around desperately.

Then, the figure stopped, clasped her hands together, and whispered, "Rise!"

Nothing happened.

Li Qi took advantage of the break to explain, "Miss, you used your yin and yang embodiments to repeatedly attack me, secretly setting up a Yin-Yang Annihilation Array. It was a good idea."

Another wave of attacks came.

However, prepared this time, Li Qi dodged again and continued:

"But yin and yang transform, yang gives birth to yin, yin dies as yang is born, circulating in cycles. The transformation between them is like a mother giving birth to a child, who grows up while the mother ages and dies, a natural process."

"I used Vermilion Bird Fire to bombard Wood Qi. Although it seemed explosive, it actually severed the roots and branches of the Wood Qi, making it deadwood, which carries deep cold yin energy. By combining it with my vigorous Great Forest Wood Qi, I ensured your yin energy couldn't be extinguished, hindering your yin-yang exchange and breaking your array."

Li Qi explained his technique.

In reality, fighting involved comparing who knew more and who mastered more techniques.

Could a local Heavenly Mandate Child know more than Li Qi, who spent all day studying books?

Her supposed secret killing move had been exposed from the start because as a Wu Zhu of the Wu Deity Mountain, Li Qi's ability to perceive qi revealed her presence, rendering her stealth ineffective.

The attacks paused.

Seeing this, Li Qi bowed and said, "Now, can you listen to me, Miss? I truly have a way to make this world better."

Yin and yang energies merged, making the figure transparent and invisible. Only her voice echoed, "Can you make the Celestial Immortal give up this world?"

"No," Li Qi shook his head. After sobering up, he knew his limits. He had no say in the decisions of the ruler of the Great Deer Kingdom.

"Then we have nothing to talk about." She prepared to attack again!

Even though the prince was stronger.

"Hold on! You don't stand a chance!" Li Qi shouted again, "You don't understand the gap between you and the Celestial Immortal!"

But his words failed to stop her next attack.

Sighing, Li Qi thought, "This Heavenly Mandate Child struggles against me, yet wants to rebel against the Great Deer Kingdom?"

Thinking so, Li Qi bowed, "Please let Senior Apprentice handle this."

Just as he spoke, the Heavenly Mandate Child fell straight down, powerless, landing heavily on the ground.

It was a girl, her face flushed as if something was choking her throat, losing all ability to move!

Li Qi was secretly shocked since he felt nothing.

Was this the curse technique of a diviner? One of the two deadly traps set by the diviner?

Then, a mirror appeared in the air.

It was a divination mirror, showing the senior apprentice was skilled in such techniques.

The mirror could project distant scenes, including human figures.

A phantom figure appeared in the air, the senior apprentice.

Meeting again, he chuckled, "Junior apprentice, do you see? We have irreconcilable differences with these natives. Your desire to improve this world is righteous and just, but in my view, it's unwise."

"This world desires freedom from the Great Deer Kingdom, but they can't achieve it, no matter how hard they try. Such actions are futile and unwise, hence I despise this world."

"Your path is righteousness and justice, mine is wisdom and strength. This is our difference, but it seems mine fits reality better."

The senior apprentice said, waving his hand lightly, binding the Heavenly Mandate Child with shadows, immobilizing her.

Li Qi smiled bitterly, "Senior apprentice misunderstands; I'm not acting out of kindness to save this world."

"Oh? Then what do you think, Junior apprentice?" the senior apprentice asked curiously.

Both understood a principle:

Whether righteousness or justice, it should be based on equality. However, no matter what, Diyou World cannot be equal to the Great Deer Kingdom.

Righteousness means impartiality, not favoring one side over another. Absolute fairness isn't possible here.

Li Qi earnestly said, "My understanding of righteousness doesn't ignore individual differences, seeking absolute equality, which would be unfair to the strong."

"Though somewhat flawed, it's not entirely wrong," the senior apprentice commented.

Ignoring the comment, Li Qi continued, "However, the Great Deer Kingdom deprives Diyou World of opportunities it should have."

"True fairness isn't absolute equality but equal opportunities. The Great Deer Kingdom's control stifles growth here, severing life. Governing Diyou World isn't unjust, but denying its people opportunities is."

"Yes, the Great Deer Kingdom intentionally suppresses cultivators here, but eliminating threats is justified," the senior apprentice said.

"So, the Great Deer Kingdom's actions benefit the wolves but harm the sheep, leading to their eventual extinction. Is this beneficial for the cosmic order? Weak ones perish, strong ones weaken, benefiting neither the world nor the cosmos," Li Qi asked.

"To uphold righteousness, I must ensure the survival of the sheep, allowing them to thrive while keeping the wolves strong. This maintains cosmic balance, true righteousness," Li Qi concluded.

The senior apprentice pondered, clearly inspired by Li Qi's words.

After thinking, he formally bowed to Li Qi, visibly convinced.

He continued, "Your argument makes sense, but I have one question. If wolves always give sheep chances, won't the sheep eventually grow strong enough to retaliate?"

Li Qi replied, "Wolves aren't defined by eating sheep."

"The Great Deer Kingdom rules numerous outer worlds due to its strength."

"As long as the Great Deer Kingdom remains strong, sheep can flourish, and wolves remain wolves. If the Great Deer Kingdom weakens and Diyou World strengthens, roles switch naturally. As long as new sheep have opportunities, the cycle continues, preventing stagnation."

"Yin transforms into yang, yang into yin. Vermilion Bird Fire's intense yang and Azure Dragon Qi's vibrant life, when combined, produce Wood Qi with intense death yin. This is the cycle's essence."

"Thank you for your teaching," the senior apprentice bowed again, thoroughly convinced.

"If this is righteousness, though not merciful, it aligns with cosmic principles. Your understanding surpasses mine," the senior apprentice acknowledged, bowing in gratitude and admiration.

"My name is Bo Yue, may I ask yours?" Bo Yue asked.

"I am Li Qi," Li Qi answered.

"Our meeting has been enlightening. Perhaps this is why our master sent us here," Bo Yue reflected, "Gaining such insights makes this journey worthwhile."

"Please release the Heavenly Mandate Child; I wish to speak with her," Li Qi requested.

"Though we understand each other, those in smaller worlds might find it hard to grasp our perspectives."

"Maintaining justice is part of our path, not for others' approval but to fulfill our duty," Li Qi smiled, unperturbed.

Afterward, the two disciples of Wu Deity Mountain exchanged glances and laughed, bowing toward the horizon, saying in unison, "Please reveal yourself, esteemed elder. Our words may seem presumptuous, but from Wu Deity Mountain's perspective, they deserve the ruler's consideration."

Their voices resonated through the dome, their combined qi amplifying the sound.

Yes, both were intelligent, knowing someone must be watching.

Bo Yue released his bindings.

Li Qi addressed the Heavenly Mandate Child, "Miss, watch carefully. This is why I told you there was no chance of victory."

As he spoke, a giant hand descended from the sky!

A Dharma Body emerged, vast and powerful, filling the entire sky!

If one looked far enough, the entire planet seemed miniature compared to this Dharma Body.

Except for specific individuals, others couldn't perceive its existence.

Bo Yue was startled, "Such a Dharma Body! Definitely Fifth Rank, the ruler of the Great Deer Kingdom!"

Li Qi was even more stunned, recognizing the small figure behind the Dharma Body.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"Master!"