12dz Chapter 16: You didn't want this either...
Chapter 16: You didn't want this either...
After watching Qi Qianmo leave, Wei Wuxian's expression gradually became serious.
It's going too smoothly, it's just too smooth.
Based on his understanding of the game.
Something's not right. Something's extremely wrong.
The more he verified that Qi Yuncheng wasn't lying, the more panicked he became.
Although it's unlikely to be a trap set by some Purple Mansion True Person or Golden Core True Monarch, it's not something he, an incarnation with no power, can easily touch.
If they're still playing games, that's fine, but let's find someone who can handle things!
Headed straight to the former residence of the Imperial Preceptor.
"Sister Wei!"
After exchanging pleasantries with Wei Zhixi, Wei Wuxian got straight to the point, recounting the gathering of sects from the Eastern Continent to storm Phoenix City and break out of prison, as well as Qi Yuncheng's defection, and of course, Qi Qianmo's response.
"Jingming, you've really given me a wonderful surprise!"
Although he expressed his surprise, Wei Zhixi's smile wasn't that genuine.
Seeing this, Wei Wuxian could easily understand that his family's Imperial Preceptor's Mansion had anticipated this matter.
After a moment's thought, Wei Wuxian felt relieved.
His cheapskate father was a saint; he probably foresaw the day when these disciples of the Great Wei who joined the sect would become enemies of the Great Wei when he founded the Daoist Academy decades ago.
Or there is another possibility.
Wei Zhixi knew perfectly well what he had done and who he had met in Phoenix City these past few days.
However, Wei Wuxian still said seriously, "Sister Wei, this matter is probably not as simple as it seems on the surface."
Wei Zhixi frowned slightly: "You mean, Qi Yuncheng and the other sect disciples will feign surrender?"
"I don't know."
Wei Wuxian didn't say that his judgment on the truthfulness of Qi Yuncheng's words was meaningless; Wei Zhixi would make her own decision.
"If Sister Wei intends to accept these people's surrender, she'd better take precautions in advance."
"I see."
Wei Zhixi solemnly agreed, then her expression became complicated, and she changed the subject.
"Actually, Jingming, my younger brother..."
Wei Wuxian waved his hand to interrupt, smiling indifferently: "I know what Sister Wei wants to say. Although I have my younger brother's guarantee, my origins are ultimately unknown. Actually, this is what I'm thinking: the kindness I showed to Qi Yuncheng and the others..."
Even if it's on Wuxian's head, so what?
After I finish meeting with Qi Yuncheng, Sister Wei will take over the rest of the business. Afterwards, just say I'm working for the Third Young Master of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion, okay?
"How can that be?" Wei Zhixi shook her head.
"Giving me these people's favors would be a waste. Besides, I have another favor to ask of Sister Wei."
Wei Zhixi wasn't one to mince words, so after thinking for a moment, she nodded earnestly: "Then I will thank you on behalf of Wuxian. As for what Brother Jingming is asking for, please feel free to speak."
"I will be going into seclusion with Sister Wei later, so I will need to trouble Sister Wei to protect me and perhaps also help cover things up."
"No problem! Sui Juanke, who spoke with Jingming the other day, is now a guest elder of our National Preceptor's Mansion. I'll have him guard outside Jingming's courtyard later. As for the outer courtyard, I'll personally lead people to guard it."
"it is good."
I made another trip to Yuxianlou.
As soon as Wei Wuxian pushed open the door to the private room, Qi Yuncheng stood up abruptly, panting heavily, staring intently at Wei Wuxian.
"Li Jingming, you actually went to see my sister!"
"Heh~ Now you're getting anxious?"
"She's only fourteen!"
Wei Wuxian acted as if he hadn't heard: "Brother Qi, I told my sister that you gave her to me as compensation, but she didn't believe me at first and was unwilling. Guess what I said?"
"What did you say?" Qi Yuncheng said through gritted teeth.
"I'm telling you, you don't want anything to happen to your brother, do you? Hey, just like that, she agreed with tears in her eyes."
"I--"
Qi Yuncheng made a move as if he was about to pounce on Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian calmly sat down and poured himself a glass of wine: "Brother Qi, you wouldn't want your sister to have an unhappy life, would you?"
Qi Yuncheng stopped in his tracks instantly.
"Li Jingming, I mistakenly thought you were a virtuous gentleman!"
"If you consider me a gentleman, why should even a gentleman be treated with suspicion?"
"hiss!"
Seeing Qi Yuncheng's expression—wanting to get rid of him but utterly helpless—Wei Wuxian finally felt relieved.
He only borrowed a set of clothes, which forced his avatar to cultivate the old version of the game's classical immortal techniques, which had a level cap, in order to save his life.
What's a younger sister?
Ten younger sisters wouldn't be too much!
Slumped into a chair, Qi Yuncheng suddenly whispered, "Thanks."
"The Imperial Preceptor's Mansion has already agreed." Wei Wuxian put down his wine cup, his expression becoming more serious. "So, if you really want to thank me, then find a way to survive, and so will your sister."
Qi Yuncheng gave a wry smile and remained silent.
Seeing that Qi Yuncheng also felt something was wrong.
Yes, putting yourself in their shoes, they're fighting to the death against the Great Wei, yet the sect gave them time to move freely before they assembled...
Wei Wuxian shook his head and didn't think about it anymore.
"I will not show myself again. Others from the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion will contact you. I am the Third Young Master's man, so you can rest assured."
"The third...which third young master?"
Wei Wuxian stood up and asked with a smile, "Which other Third Young Master is there within the territory of Great Wei?"
"I knew it..."
Qi Yuncheng's pupils contracted slightly, and he murmured something.
Wei Wuxian had already stood up, waved his hand, and turned to leave.
Returning to the former Imperial Preceptor's residence, Wei Wuxian entered a secluded courtyard under the personal guidance of Wei Zhixi.
[Multiple stages of side quests have been accepted.]
[World Travelogue: The Black and White Side Quest (Phase 1): Investigate Qi Yuncheng's true identity.]
[Task completed, reward being distributed.]
Please choose from the following: cultivation methods, spiritual energy, equipment, and Dao traces.
Wei Wuxian glanced at the reward selection panel, which, as previously described, contained the rewards he had collected based on his life journey as the character Li Jingming.
Having already made his choice, Wei Wuxian did not hesitate.
Congratulations on obtaining the Ninth-Rank Golden Immortal Technique, "The Five Elements Yin Yang Great Luo Golden Immortal Scripture"
[World Travelogue: The Indistinguishable Side Quest (Phase Two): You hear Qi Yuncheng recount the past of his sect. Though you feel a pang of sympathy, your naturally cautious nature compels you to investigate. You will spend three days in Phoenix City and even the Great Wei Dynasty gathering intelligence. (Rewards will be given based on the quantity and content of the intelligence.)]
[The mission is complete. You have been granted two choices.]
Seeing the two options available, Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow.
The classical immortal technique it chose is the most advanced technique that leads directly to the Golden Immortal realm. It follows the path of unifying the five elements and achieving perfect balance between yin and yang.
It is called the top level because in the old version of the game, 90% of the cultivation techniques determined the items required for subsequent upgrades from the very beginning of cultivation.
In other words, the Dao-merging status is fixed when advancing to the Purple Mansion realm.
Even if someone already holds a position on this path, they can only stubbornly persist in that position until they die.
The corresponding Twenty-Eight Mansions positions in this cultivation method can affect any of the positions within the Purple Mansion realm.
Simply put, all twenty-eight constellations can be considered as attainments of the Dao.
Furthermore, due to the transformation of causal potential, there is no possibility of it being restrained.
As for the Five Elements returning to oneness, Yin and Yang are without deficiency.
Classical immortal techniques differ from modern cultivation methods that directly absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. When one first embarks on the path of cultivation, they seek spiritual energy that has different grades and attributes.
Similar to other games, Foundation Building is divided into Heavenly Foundation Building and Earthly Foundation Building, etc.
That is to say, it requires rare and precious materials.
The best materials for breaking through from the Void Condensation stage to the Qi Refining stage in the "Five Elements Yin Yang Great Luo Golden Immortal Scripture" are one of each of the five elements of heaven and earth at the ninth grade level, and one of each of the ninth grade solar radiance and lunar essence.
There are seven streams of spiritual energy in total.
The next level is to gather all five elements of spiritual energy and the Yin and Yang energies, without caring about the grade of the spiritual energy.
The lowest level is finding only a special spiritual energy from heaven and earth.
There is only one way. It doesn't mean that it's impossible to break through, but that the path of cultivation will become biased, and the Dao Fruit of the Purple Mansion cannot be changed at will.
Wei Wuxian thought he would only have one chance to choose, and he planned to choose a ninth-grade spiritual energy from among metal, fire, sun, and moon for his breakthrough.
After all, these four have the strongest attack power.
The other six missing items can be obtained later by finding corresponding Purple Mansion-level spiritual objects or by "consuming" a few people who practice ancient cultivation methods.
But now that there are two opportunities to choose, that's a completely different story...