Li Junzi showed a slightly warm smile, indicating to the surrounding crowd not to worry.
"I'm not a fool, I know what I can and cannot do."
Yunchuan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. His slightly intense reaction was purely because this Li Junzi sometimes had too much courage. As a Golden Core cultivator, he wouldn't dare leave any backup, yet this mere Great Confucian scholar dared to stay.
This Li Junzi never gave up easily if there was any possibility. She truly threw herself into danger and never shirked responsibility. Her actions were upright and open; she would explain the risks before acting, allowing willing companions to join while understanding those who declined.
It could only be said that her character matched her name—though a woman, she was a true gentleman. Li Junzi said in a calm, gentle tone:
"Before entering here, I also investigated the situation. The Zhongzhou Buddhist sect is based at Zhengyin Temple."
"After all your hard work, you should rest. We need to head toward Zhengyin Temple next."
"Our capabilities can only take us this far. I also have someone I want to return to see. Here, I thank everyone for their care along the way."
Yunchuan grinned and said:
"These words are too formal. I truly consider you a friend. We people from Xiniuhezhou never like hearing such soft, polite words—they always sound like perfunctory remarks."
"People of Xiniuhezhou are rough folk with few Confucian scholars. I used to think Confucian scholars were just ordinary people who spouted big theories."
"Meeting you, I understand that Confucian scholars are more upright than cultivators, with skills that match any cultivator. It's my honor to befriend you, one who risks danger just to save others."
Hearing this, Li Junzi didn't decline with any modest words. The group felt they could temporarily retreat from this dangerous area, and their tense nerves began to relax. They started chatting casually about their destinations, future plans, and past embarrassing moments.
Li Junzi occasionally chimed in but mostly listened quietly. Something occurred to her, and her gaze suddenly lifted to the bright moon. The final debate on Junzi Mountain had lasted two days, ending under a moon just as bright as tonight's.
She had won by a narrow margin, greatly advancing her Great Confucian realm. Junzi Mountain had even established a lecture hall specifically for her somewhat unique teachings. On that day, she was happy, but lacked someone to share her joy with.
On that day, she also felt some confusion—already a top Great Confucian, yet the path to Sub-saint remained distant and unclear. At Junzi Mountain's request, she lectured on her doctrines for a time in the lecture hall. Li Junzi had also let go, planning to return to see Luoyu after completing Junzi Mountain's mission, making up for their missed meeting.
After all, she had promised Chu Xichen that she would return when she had the chance. But on her journey, Li Junzi saw many people from Xiniuhezhou fleeing toward Nanzhanbuzhou. Seeing adults and children dragging their families, with sallow faces too thin to even shed tears.
Li Junzu asked for the reason and learned the truth. Books are for oneself, but one must also understand the compassion within them. If cultivators can face great disasters, why should Confucian scholars retreat?
Li Junzi didn't believe this world belonged only to cultivators. With the situation unclear, Li Junzi decided to first head to Xiniuhezhou alone to see the situation for herself. But she never imagined the chaos and devastation in Xiniuhezhou.
Arriving, she found she couldn't do much, and leaving wasn't easy either. Confucian scholars in this world were indeed just a small thread; the principles in their hearts weren't always heard, and not every life would listen. Li Junzi felt a sudden clarity—she had once lived in her own small world, believing what she thought right was right, and what she thought wrong was naturally labeled wrong.
Luoyu choosing cultivation back then had been the right path. At least if she had come, she might have done better than today's Li Junzi. The principles spoken by cultivators in this world might not be the most correct, but they were certainly the loudest.
The path to Sub-saint was too far, seemingly so distant that even Li Junzi couldn't see the way forward. But fortunately. Luoyu hadn't been delayed by her and had pursued cultivation.
Li Junzi retracted her gaze. Regarding Xiniuhezhou, even with limited power, she would contribute what she could. Upon reaching Zhengyin Temple, she would use her own methods to find ways to support Xiniuhezhou.
————————
Golden Mountain Illumination. Chu Xichen landed, but before he could find his disciples to see if they were still causing trouble, Yan Yun, who had been waiting there, intercepted him. Yan Yun glanced at the lone Chu Xichen returning and asked with a frown:
"Not finding Xu Jin is one thing, but how did you lose your Shishu Bai as well?"
"I don't have the ability to lose your Shishu Bai. I should be thanking the heavens she didn't lose me on the way." Chu Xichen waved his hand and set up a soundproof barrier.
"Pusa Man discovered something alarming."
Hearing this, Yan Yun became alert, his gaze questioning. Chu Xichen then explained the general situation from beginning to end.
Bai Xueling's plan to enter the tomb alone was of course rejected—who knew what sinister things might be inside to disturb the mind? Although it was somewhat restrictive, they would enter together. The situation inside was unexpected but still normal—inside was just an empty tomb with only the ritual to open the great doors remaining.
Even the floor bricks hadn't been taken. Along the way, there were no traps or people, and even spiritual energy was nearly depleted. The three traveled together, and before Chu Xichen could finish asking Xu Jin for his opinion on grilled rat tasting methods, they reached the deepest part.
Naturally, he didn't finish asking—Chu Xichen felt at least 70% was because Xu Jin was stubborn, and 30% was because he was stingy. But upon reaching the end, the topic had to be set aside. It was an extremely unique tomb chamber.
No coffin, only scattered bones crushed to dust. Unique formations were arranged around it, which later investigation revealed connected directly to the ritual barrier on the Endless Sea. The ritual was ingeniously designed, so much so that both Bai Xueling and Xu Jin wanted to copy it for inclusion in the sect's classics.
Although Bai Xueling wanted to copy it, she didn't. After all, as a Tribulation cultivator, some things were beneath her to do personally. Chu Xichen, recognized as the savior of Xuanqing Tian Sect, also felt it was beneath him to copy it.
Thus, the utterly ordinary Xu Jin—only a core disciple of Xuanqing Tian Sect—copied three copies himself. The formation was ingenious. But at the formation's eye, the core was missing.
However, the remaining undispelled Dao rhyme of the core allowed the three to understand what the missing core was simply by feeling it. The Heavenly Dao's lost Rule Crystal. As a Tribulation cultivator, Bai Xueling had the deepest understanding of the Great Dao and also judged the attributes of the missing core.
Flesh and Spirit. The master of this secret realm had intentionally set the entrance to require both blood energy and spiritual energy to open. In reality, it was just a disguise and deception.
All spiritual energy and blood energy fed into it would be absorbed by the formation, converging at the formation's eye to supply the Rule Crystal for this fallen Tribulation cultivator to reshape his body and spiritual essence. Through this, he would be reborn. Ordinary cultivators sought treasures in secret realms; this Tribration powerhouse coveted their blood energy and spiritual energy.
Bai Xueling even judged that if successful, this person might obtain a body most aligned with the Great Dao. The idea was bold, yet the logic seemed perfectly connected.
[
Dear Readers,
I post multiple high-quality, human-polished chapters every day. If you enjoy the story, consider supporting the release schedule to unlock massive advanced chapter buffers!
Support Options:
$6 — Read 20+ Chapters Ahead (High-speed daily updates!)
$8 — Read 40+ Chapters Ahead + Exclusive Character Images
$10 — Read 60+ Chapters Ahead + Character Images + Patreon Community Chat
(Note: These chapter counts are guaranteed minimums. Because of my rapid update schedule, you will often get even more!)
⚠️ Apple Users: Please subscribe via your web browser (Safari/Chrome) instead of the Patreon App to avoid a 30% fee and massive payment delays.
Thank you for reading and keeping these daily releases going!
Support Here: patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
]