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Over the next half year, the four of them often sat here discussing the Dao.
Through such exchanges, their Daos gradually merged, and each of them gained insights in their hearts.
During Qin Yi's daily Dao discussions and habitual Dao Comprehension, he no longer deliberately forced an increase in cultivation, but instead let things take their natural course.
Daoist cultivation is meant to be "action through non-action"; if done deliberately, it becomes inelegant.
But even so, his Talent Endowment, his Life Source Talent, continued to exert its effect, raising his cultivation to the Seventh Level of the Nurturing the Dao realm. His sword intent grew even stronger, and he even cultivated the Heavenly Sword, achieving the state of Human and Sword United.
In addition, he had begun studying the Talisman Method. Compared to the Sword Skill, the Talisman Method was much easier. In Qin Yi's view, it was somewhat similar to Ninjutsu in Hokage, though more intricate than the latter.
The Talisman Method included properties like sealing and restriction, specialized for restraining demons and monsters.
By the tenth month of their stay in the Sword Immortal Realm, the four of them separated, leaving only Qin Yi alone.
Jiang Qing had grown strong enough to represent Mount Shu, descending the mountain to slay demons. He enjoyed this greatly and liked refining his strength through battle.
Dugu Yuyun stayed by Xu Zhangqing's side, performing tasks and listening to the Sect Lord's teachings.
Situ Zhong remained lazy as ever, occasionally showing up near Qin Yi to report his presence.
In the twelfth month, Qin Yi's cultivation rose once more, reaching the Eighth Level of the Achieving the Dao realm.
Within Mount Shu, the Achieving the Dao realm was already a strong cultivation level, enough to grant the qualification to descend the mountain, and even enough to serve as an Elder.
But Qin Yi did not leave the Sword Qi Platform. He continued his cultivation, occasionally taking the Medicine Pills given by Xu Zhangqing to refine his spirit and Qi.
Qi Refining, Soul Refining, Essence Refining, by this point, Qin Yi had already formed a general understanding of this world's cultivation system.
Jin-Qi-Shen (Essence, Energy, Soul), in the Legend of Sword and Fairy games, these existed as numerical stats. Here, however, they represented a person's overall quality, which corresponded to their realm. Growth did not come from leveling up or killing monsters, but from cultivation. Naturally, this made progress much slower.
One month later, Qin Yi slowly rose to his feet.
During this month, he had consolidated the Eighth Level, and he also realized that from here onward, cultivating further would not be easy.
The next realm after Achieving the Dao was called Forgetting the Dao! Such a paradoxical realm name left Qin Yi perplexed.
He examined Qinghui's notebook, but could only see fragmented and incomprehensible scribbles.
"Forget! Forget! Forget!"
"How can one forget without first experiencing?"
"Only by Achieving the Dao can one Forget the Dao. Without joy, how can there be pain? Only by forgetting pain can one find joy!"
Words like these were probably incomprehensible to anyone.
Qin Yi shook his head. In the end, he stood up and headed toward the Everlasting Pavilion. He needed to consult Xu Zhangqing.
When Xu Zhangqing saw him, the first glance he gave was one of astonishment.
"You actually reached it?"
"Fortunately, I did not disappoint. It seems Sect Lord Senior Brother intends to give me the position of Laws and Morals Elder."
Qin Yi said with a smile.
Xu Zhangqing straightened his expression, then nodded. "Since you possess this level of talent, I naturally won't be stingy."
"From today onward, you are Mount Shu's Laws and Morals Elder, responsible for overseeing and managing the disciples' conduct."
Qin Yi cupped his fists. "Chang Yi obeys Sect Lord's decree."
Just as Qin Yi was about to ask Xu Zhangqing how to reach the Ninth Level, Forgetting the Dao, the other party spoke first.
"Junior Brother, it's time for you to descend the mountain."
Qin Yi was stunned.
"As for matters within Mount Shu, I've already arranged for Nangong and the others to handle them. Mount Shu is now stabilized. Once they come out, there should no longer be any hidden threats."
"That lets me rest easy."
"And now… you are the matter I care about most."
Xu Zhangqing said slowly.
"Your talent is unmatched. Had you begun cultivation fifty years earlier, you would likely already be an immortal. Even I cannot compare to you. Even Venerable Devil Chong Lou praised you, he wouldn't be wrong."
"To possess such talent is your blessing. And for Mount Shu to have you is also Mount Shu's blessing. Achieving the Dao is good, but still not enough."
"Furthermore, relying on Dao Comprehension and others' guidance is nearly the limit of what you can learn from others. The path ahead… you must walk it yourself!"
Hearing these words, Qin Yi understood.
Xu Zhangqing wanted him to descend the mountain. After the Achieving the Dao realm came the Forgetting the Dao realm, and the realms beyond were even more profound and complex. Relying on seclusion and personal comprehension alone would never be enough to reach them.
Thus, he had to descend the mountain, experience the myriad events of the mortal world and comprehend the vastness of the Dao.
This was different from simply living as a mortal. The realm height of someone on the Cultivation's Way was different from that of ordinary people. Their understanding of nature, of all things, of human relationships, was naturally different.
"But remember this, do not sink too deeply and lose yourself."
"My Senior Brother did, back then."
At this point, Xu Zhangqing let out a long sigh, his eyes turning distant as he gazed into the far horizon.
After a long moment, the Sect Lord looked back at Qin Yi, his eyes filled with memories.
"Go. Make your preparations."
"When you return… I should be stepping down as Sect Lord."
Qin Yi's expression changed. "Sect Lord Senior Brother!"
Xu Zhangqing had cared for him in many ways. He himself was upright and generous, a truly exceptional man. Whether in character or in strength, he was impeccable. Even a man would admire him.
Having such a Sect Lord made Qin Yi's path much easier. Although they hadn't spent much time together, Qin Yi could clearly feel Xu Zhangqing's care and support.
"Go, Junior Brother. When you return, I hope you will have taken yet another step forward."
Xu Zhangqing smiled and waved his hand.
Leaving the Everlasting Pavilion, Qin Yi's heart was a tangled mess.
Reaching the Achieving the Dao realm meant being able to see many things lightly. But when it came to this Sect Lord Senior Brother, he still could not let go.
Even though he had experienced several worlds, Qin Yi, at his core, was still just a man in his twenties. He had not seen much, nor experienced much. To him, this Sect Lord felt like an elder brother.
During the Mount Shu incident, though he had been strict and scolded him harshly, he had still protected him, not letting him encounter any real danger.
After that, he arranged for Dugu Yuyun to stay by his side and assist his cultivation, giving him plenty of time to grow. Medicine Pills had never stopped coming.
Xu Zhangqing had helped him tremendously. Qin Yi understood this well.
Facing this Sect Lord, Qin Yi truly felt a sense of elder brotherhood, fear and closeness interwoven.
"You're only going to step down after I return?"
Taking a deep breath, Qin Yi suddenly faced the figure inside the Everlasting Pavilion. A smile curved at his lips as he shouted loudly,
"Then Junior Brother simply won't return!"
Finishing those words, Qin Yi turned and strode away without hesitation, heading straight down the mountain.
Inside the Everlasting Pavilion, Xu Zhangqing froze. His body trembled as he stared at Qin Yi's departing back, unable to speak for a long time.
His right hand shook, and a letter appeared. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it forward, it shot straight toward Qin Yi.
Qin Yi caught it and gave it a quick glance. Seeing the two characters "Jing Tian" on the envelope, he immediately understood.
"You're not a child, don't throw childish tempers."
"Take good care of Mount Shu."
"There is going, and there must be returning!"
Just two simple, calm sentences, yet they filled Qin Yi with a sorrow so deep he almost wanted to cry.
He knew that Xu Zhangqing had already sensed something… and was already prepared to face it.
(End of chapter)