The Eternal Way-Chapter 200: The Second Group

This Dao Resonance was fake, deliberately given to him by Chan Zhi with some ulterior motive.

Li Qi actually thought the probability of this being true was low.

It was unlikely.

If Chan Zhi truly had a method to directly remove demonic thoughts—even if it was just a temporary suppression shown to Li Qi—his situation wouldn't have deteriorated so badly.

So, Li Qi temporarily dismissed this possibility.

But what if this thing really came from Paranirmita-vaśavartin Māra?

Just thinking about this possibility made Li Qi tremble and his heart race.

The Paranirmita-vaśavartin Māra had actively given him something he couldn't discard.

If this were true, Li Qi felt as if he had been sentenced to death.

But it also seemed improbable.

What merit did Li Qi possess for a first-rank entity to give him something? And that entity would need to carefully control its power to avoid killing him outright.

Li Qi didn't think his face was that significant.

What if it was something else? Like encountering another unknown existence instead of the Paranirmita-vaśavartin Māra?

But clearly, he had interacted with that terrifying entity through demonic thoughts.

Moreover, it had immense control over these lesser demons and demonic thoughts, even more than Seventh Rank Chan Zhi could manage.

Incomprehensible.

Li Qi pondered for a long time but couldn't figure it out. He simply gave up on thinking.

That strand of Dao Resonance must be suppressed, never to be used or even looked at. Best not to think about it!

Pretend it doesn't exist.

After all, it was an accidental find. Once things settled down here, Li Qi would find a way to understand it better.

Unfortunately, Master hadn't left any contact information, only tasks, leaving him to fend for himself.

If Young Master Zhu had told him how to contact him, Li Qi would have sought help immediately.

Facing a seventh-rank opponent alone, Li Qi had endured without calling for help, trying to solve problems himself.

But this mysterious strand of Dao Resonance genuinely frightened him.

However...

There might be another way.

Like calling in reinforcements.

——————————

Another day passed.

Li Qi's main body suppressed the Heavenly Demon Dao Resonance and took a well-deserved rest, starting to sleep.

Actually, it was just pretending to sleep; as long as his clone remained awake, his consciousness couldn't truly rest.

He had been working overtime recently.

During this day, Li Qi's clone finally found another seventh-rank expert in Guangyang City.

One of the Three High Officials, Guangyang Sīkōng.

The last remaining local power in Guangyang City still usable.

Since Li Qi decided not to hide anymore, revealing his identity, he intended to utilize his connections to rally all native forces.

Sīkōng oversaw water and wood matters, managing hydraulic engineering and civil construction—a crucial position.

City planning, water flow, and other such responsibilities fell under his jurisdiction.

Now, Li Qi stood within an underground hydraulic regulation array outside Guangyang City.

This array, located four hundred miles west of Guangyang, connected a four-thousand-mile radius of mountains and rivers, helping regulate mountain and water qi to ensure favorable weather conditions in Guangyang.

Guangyang had three such arrays, covering over eighty percent of the area.

Li Qi surveyed the surroundings.

This place was ten miles underground; without Wang Baisan's help, he'd never have found it.

Surrounded by a karst cave, dark and sightless, echoing sounds louder than above ground, dimly lit passages adorned with stalactites and columns, the cave walls shimmering with crystal formations, creating a surreal and magnificent scene.

A gusty wind roared through the cavern.

Here, Guangyang Sīkōng, the seventh-rank expert, nervously awaited Li Qi.

Upon sensing someone approaching, Sīkōng rushed over immediately.

After Li Qi displayed Grand Invoker's aura, Sīkōng changed his attitude.

"Lord Sīkōng, why are you reduced to this state as a seventh-rank?" Li Qi sighed, shaking his head. "In this dark chamber, hiding here, have you truly been cornered?"

Guangyang Sīkōng bowed deeply. "Chan Zhi's demonic monk tyranny is overwhelming. My two colleagues are dead or fled. I, practicing the Way of Principle, am unsuited for combat, thus hid here to preserve my life!"

Indeed, that was the situation.

This seventh-rank expert had been driven to hiding by Chan Zhi, fearing exposure and being turned into a puppet.

Li Qi understood.

Chan Zhi was indeed terrifying.

Looking back, he hadn't fought two opponents but three!

Facing Guangyang Sīmǎ, Sīkōng, and the Prefect, resulting in one death and two escapes.

Chan Zhi fought while in poor condition due to demonic thoughts invading his mind, seeking balance which brought him to Baiyue.

The disparity was frightening.

Almost like the gap between Li Qi and ordinary ninth-rankers.

"Sīkōng, you needn't hide anymore. I've come specifically to deal with Chan Zhi," Li Qi said, stepping forward to assist what he considered his strongest ally currently.

Helped up by Li Qi, Guangyang Sīkōng quickly responded, "With Young Master here, even this dark room feels bright! Guangyang will surely see divine intervention, with the sun and moon shining upon it. The demon monk's plague will end!"

His words almost brought tears, showing relief akin to seeing a savior.

Li Qi frowned but said nothing, leading him to sit in the cave. "No need for such praise. Why else would I come personally? However, being new here, many things remain unclear. I need your assistance."

Sīkōng eagerly agreed, "Young Master's presence means I'll do everything I can. Whatever you command, I'll follow faithfully. But why did you come alone? Are your attendants waiting outside?"

Li Qi smiled, shaking his head. "Sīkōng, you misunderstand. I came alone, without attendants."

Hearing this, Guangyang Sīkōng paled.

Trembling, his earlier courage vanished, contemplating escape.

Was this Young Master insane? Alone as a ninth-ranker, what could he achieve? Was he expecting Sīkōng to fight Chan Zhi alone?

Didn't he understand the difference?

Without needing to look closely, Li Qi knew Sīkōng's thoughts.

The man had already started inching backward.

Li Qi sighed, understanding why Guangyang's situation had deteriorated.

With officials like these, no wonder the lower ranks were corrupt.

Using a sinister smile, Li Qi asked, "Sīkōng, don't tell me you're planning to run?"

Startled, Sīkōng froze awkwardly in place.

Unable to voice staying, he remained rigid.

Li Qi sternly continued, "Don't you feel humiliated, Sīkōng? A seventh-rank hiding underground like a worm, seeking only a night's peace. Is this how you achieved your rank?"

Sīkōng internally disagreed.

Survival was human nature. Was this Wu Shen Shan's Young Master too foolish, expecting him to risk his life?

But timid, he dared not refute Li Qi, bowing repeatedly in agreement.

However, Li Qi knew his thoughts, so his previous words were just the beginning.

With a wave, earth and stone formed tables and chairs. Li Qi sat down with Sīkōng. "Do you know why I sought you out?"

Sīkōng immediately replied, "I don't know."

Internally, he scoffed, "He wants my strength to fight Chan Zhi. It won't be that simple."

Having hidden for safety, finding Li Qi alone meant he wanted Sīkōng to confront Chan Zhi.

"Do you really think Chan Zhi doesn't know you're hiding here?" Li Qi asked further.

He didn't intend to force Sīkōng, who, though cowardly, would fight back if pushed to the brink. If forced to certain death, Li Qi bet Sīkōng would kill him first and flee.

Success uncertain, but Li Qi would definitely die.

To handle Wang Baisan, prospects were enticing, but for someone like Sīkōng, neither wealth nor threats worked. Another approach was needed.

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Thus, Li Qi prepared another set of arguments.

"He definitely doesn't know. This array conceals your presence and regulates the mountain and river networks to shield you. Even if discovered, it offers protection. Holding here, he can't breach it in years, giving time for reinforcements. The danger here will naturally resolve."

Upon hearing this, Guangyang Sīkōng suggested, "If you conflict with Chan Zhi, stay here. I'll protect you!"

"A noble should not risk himself. Stay here safely, call your attendants, and resolve this sooner."

Well, before Li Qi could persuade him, Sīkōng tried persuading Li Qi.

"Wait, do you know why I came alone?" Li Qi interrupted.

"I don't know," Sīkōng replied, puzzled.

Why would this Young Master seek death?

Clearly unreasonable. Following the path laid out, Wu Shen Shan's Young Master could easily become a world-renowned hero.

Why take such risks here?

So, Li Qi stood tall, raising his head. "Because I saw an opportunity!"

His voice grew passionate. "I am a prodigy! With unparalleled prowess and grand strategies, isn't Guangyang's crisis the perfect chance to prove myself? Facing a ninth-rank challenge, stabilizing Guangyang, purging Bai Lin, cleansing the demon's nest—how glorious!"

"To turn the tide is my duty, a roar splitting the heavens! That demon monk is my target, his head mine to claim, not for attendants!"

Li Qi's heroic stance seemed mighty.

Yet, Guangyang Sīkōng merely sneered.

These prodigies treated everyone as fools? If brave, why not fight a seventh-ranker yourself?

Admiring their spirit, he cared little for their ambitions.

Li Qi knew his mindset, not expecting persuasion.

"So, now you understand my purpose, let's continue. Chan Zhi's background is clear—he belongs to Mahākāla's Tāraka lineage, notorious for demonic monks. His cultivation has gone awry, demonic thoughts disrupting his balance. Though not fatal, a wrong step could lead him to ruin."

"Do you understand his state now?" Li Qi glanced at Guangyang Sīkōng.

Without waiting for a response, he continued rapidly.

"So, do you really think he doesn't know where you hide? Why hasn't the escaped Prefect been heard from? Can this place truly hold him off?"

"You're alive, hiding here, because he lacks the energy to deal with you."

Li Qi spoke calmly, as if discussing trivial matters.

Yet, this tone made Guangyang Sīkōng frown, shocked.

"Is what you say true?"

Never having heard of the monk's movements, he now feared.

Li Qi smiled. "I rely on no attendants, coming alone to Guangyang, starting from scratch to eliminate a seventh-rank demon monk. This is my trial. Do you think I'm here to throw my life away?"

Guangyang Sīkōng frowned but said nothing.

Knowing these prodigies' tendencies, they always carried protective items. As mere followers, they faced death if needed.

Just then, Li Qi stood. "Enough said. I have other matters. Since you've made your decision, farewell."

Turning to leave, Sīkōng called out, "Young Master, wait!"

Ignoring him, Li Qi walked away.

Outside, Wang Baisan awaited.