As soon as Qin Xi spoke these words, the scene fell silent.
Mei Feng was startled. True Person Yuan Mu, Venerable Wuming, and the others exchanged glances but said nothing.
The term 'Dao Companion' held profound meaning for cultivators. A Dao Companion was a partner on the path of seeking immortality and enlightenment—essentially, what cultivators called husband and wife. In this world of cultivation, no relationship was entirely reliable, but a Dao Companion was undoubtedly the closest bond one could have.
This was because, generally speaking, a Dao Companion was a relationship one chose for oneself, the only one of its kind. Blood ties were not a matter of choice; master-disciple relationships were often fraught with interests. While Dao Companions could also unite for mutual benefit, such cases were far less common than other possibilities. For most people, a Dao Companion was the companion they chose to walk the immortal path alongside.
Cultivators were often deeply wary. Since a Dao Companion was a chosen partner, they were, relatively speaking, the most trusted person. Over the long years, as two people journeyed together, their bond often became the deepest.
From this perspective, harming someone's Dao Companion was no different from harming that person themselves.
Therefore, as soon as True Person Yuan Mu and the others heard Qin Xi's words, they had no intention of intervening. If a Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator did not seek redress after his Dao Companion was hunted down, what face would he have left? Besides, as long as that little girl recognized by the Fusheng Sword was unharmed, what did it matter to them if others fought to the death? It would simply mean one less competitor for the opportunity.
However, they had originally thought that although this Core Formation junior was likely a disciple of a major sect or great clan from the Outer Sea, she had no foundation in Yunzhong and thus required no consideration. But now, her Dao Companion had also come to Yunzhong, and this person was actually at the Mid-Nascent Soul stage.
True Person Yuan Mu couldn't help but glance at Lady Miaoying. Just moments ago, Lady Miaoying had said that although this Fellow Daoist Qin was only at the Mid-Nascent Soul stage, his methods and supernatural powers were extraordinary, likely not inferior to those of Late-Nascent Soul cultivators like themselves. If that was the case, this person could not be ignored.
Scholar Yu clearly shared the same concern. He glanced at Qin Xi, then turned to True Person Yuan Mu, transmitting his voice in a low tone: "Fellow Daoist Yuan Mu, this situation..."
True Person Yuan Mu sighed faintly and transmitted back: "What are Scholar Yu's thoughts?" This Scholar Yu, though not as socially adept as himself, was resourceful and wise, his considerations often hitting the mark. This time, the Three Sects' joint search for the Five Sages' legacy had relied heavily on his counsel.
Scholar Yu said, "As long as our Three Sects remain united, and with Fellow Daoist Miaoying, Fellow Daoist Guo, and others certain to stand with us, a single Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator need not be overly concerning. However..."
"However, this means we can no longer control that junior."
Scholar Yu sighed and nodded. After a moment's thought, he added, "Actually, from the incident at Yiyi Island, we could already see that this junior is not one to be controlled willingly. A single person actually dared to negotiate terms with our Three Sects. With Senior Fuyaozi's guidance, she has likely long prepared an escape route. We may not be able to do much to her."
"Scholar Yu speaks reason," True Person Yuan Mu pondered briefly. "In that case, let's leave her be. As long as she obediently opens the space and doesn't cause us trouble, that's enough."
The private voice transmission between True Person Yuan Mu and Scholar Yu was unknown to the others, but their detached attitude was clear for all to see. In truth, the other cultivators were eager for these two to fight. Among these Nascent Soul cultivators, many held grudges against each other, but considering the imminent opening of the space and the rarity of the opportunity, everyone tacitly agreed not to bring up old grievances. If these two fought, two Mid-Nascent Soul cultivators would likely end up mutually wounded. Then, upon entering the space, they would have two fewer formidable rivals.
Mei Feng was well aware of this. Over the years, he had hidden away to cultivate the Origin Demonic Qi Great Method, not daring to show his face, precisely because he had offended Demon Lord Yeshuang, the City Lord of Night Owl City. However, when news came that the Guixu Sea secret realm was about to open, he could no longer sit still. What did offending Demon Lord Yeshuang matter? If Demon Lord Yeshuang truly tried to subdue him before the space opened, he would also expend his own strength. Then, upon entering the secret realm, he would be immediately suppressed by other Late-Nascent Soul cultivators. As for what happened afterward, who knew the outcome? Perhaps he would obtain a heaven-defying opportunity; perhaps he would perish within. The same applied to Demon Lord Yeshuang. That was why he dared to swagger over directly.
But this Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator before him didn't seem to think the same way. Mei Feng felt puzzled. Which cultivator in Yunzhong would be willing to miss the Guixu Sea secret realm? It was related to the legend of the Five Sages attaining Spirit Transformation.
Moreover, judging by this person's cultivation and supernatural powers, he should have heard of him before, yet he never had. Could it be that during the fifty-plus years he had hidden away in seclusion, this person had made great strides in cultivation? Or perhaps the other party wasn't a Yunzhong cultivator at all?
Thinking this, Mei Feng sneered inwardly. Whether from Xiaoyang or Yuanzhou, the standard of cultivation was somewhat lower than in Yunzhong. If this person was a cultivator from either of those places, then he was likely all bark and no bite. If this person was a Yunzhong cultivator who had just advanced to the mid-stage, that was even better. He had great confidence in his Origin Demonic Qi Great Method; a same-stage cultivator who had just advanced was no match for him.
"How should I address you, Fellow Daoist? And which major sect are you from?" Mei Feng asked. He only worried about one thing: if this person was a newly promoted Supreme Elder of some major sect, he would have to consider the power behind him.
Qin Xi replied indifferently, "My surname is Qin, my Dao title is Shoujing. As for my sect, there's no need for you to worry. If you have the skill to kill me, any who come for revenge will have to travel thousands of miles."
Hearing this, a fierce light flashed in Mei Feng's eyes, but he still said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Qin, if you are not a Yunzhong cultivator, perhaps you don't understand the significance of the Five Sages' secret realm in the Guixu Sea. Within lies the opportunity for Spirit Transformation."
Qin Xi smiled. "Are you afraid, then?"
"You—" Mei Feng's face showed anger. He was merely regretting missing this opportunity. Since this person was so unreasonable, he could only expend some strength to eliminate him. Otherwise, if he entered that secret realm and was ambushed later, wouldn't that be troublesome?
Thinking this, Mei Feng flicked his sleeve, raising his Origin Demonic Qi as he said coldly, "Since that's the case, Fellow Daoist Qin, please."
Mei Feng's thoughts happened to coincide perfectly with Qin Xi's.
After discovering Tian Ge's traces in Yunyi City, he had originally planned to set out immediately to find her. Lady Miaoying, learning of his intention, did him a favor by having disciples of the Jingxu Sect investigate the whereabouts of "Ye Xiaotian." Later, the Jingxu Sect disciples reported that "Ye Xiaotian" was heading north, possibly passing through Nanzhou Country to reach the Guixu Sea. Lady Miaoying then invited him to travel together.
Qin Xi had initially intended to refuse, but from Lady Miaoying, he learned that this matter was actually related to "Qin Wei." The Three Great Sects wanted to gather the five sacred objects to open the Guixu Sea mysterious space, and "Qin Wei" possessed the Fusheng Sword, one of those sacred objects.
Connecting the two matters, Qin Xi guessed the course of events. Only he knew that "Ye Xiaotian" and "Qin Wei" were the same person. "Ye Xiaotian" heading to the Guixu Sea must be related to this. And Lady Miaoying, invited by the Three Sects, was going to the Guixu Sea for the same purpose. Thus, traveling with Lady Miaoying was actually more appropriate.
As for this Guixu Sea secret realm, Qin Xi was naturally interested. The opportunity for Spirit Transformation—where in Tianji could one find such a thing? He had not long advanced to the Mid-Nascent Soul stage, and his recent cultivation had slowed. Coming to Yunzhong, first, because Tian Ge had been away too long and he couldn't set his mind at ease, and second, to seek some opportunities for himself. Moreover, since Tian Ge was involved in this matter, his going would allow him to look out for her.
But he hadn't expected that upon arriving, he would find Tian Ge being hunted by a Mid-Nascent Soul demonic cultivator.
From the reactions of the several Late-Nascent Soul cultivators, it wasn't hard to guess that this demonic cultivator had no powerful backing. In that case, it was better to eliminate him before the secret realm opened, rather than be constrained by him after entering. Besides, this person had repeatedly stated his desire to kill Tian Ge to vent his hatred. If he wasn't removed, he would always be a hidden danger.
"Senior Brother," Tian Ge whispered behind him, "the cultivation method this person practices is the same as Songfeng Shangren's. Are you confident?"
Qin Xi had already noticed this. What Songfeng Shangren's cultivation method entailed, perhaps others didn't know, but he knew very well. He smiled slightly. "Don't worry. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be so confident."
Mo Tiange was taken aback, then reconsidered. Songfeng Shangren was a great enemy to their master and disciple; they would have to face him sooner or later. After Senior Brother formed his Nascent Soul, he had probably devised some method to counter him. She relaxed slightly and stepped back. "I understand."
The Origin Demonic Qi around Mei Feng grew denser, almost enveloping his entire body, but compared to Songfeng Shangren's black clouds, it was still inferior.
Qin Xi flicked his sleeve. The Three Yang True Fire Sword, which had been circling around him, let out a clear cry, transforming into a sword aura that had form but no substance. The sword aura was golden in color but suffused with red throughout, tightly enveloped by the Three Yang True Fire.
Seeing this, True Person Yuan Mu raised an eyebrow and said to Lady Miaoying, "Sword transforming into the formless. This Fellow Daoist Qin truly possesses extraordinary strength."
A cultivator's sword was originally a magic treasure, and all magic treasures had form. Transforming a tangible object into an intangible one required not only profound cultivation but also a deep understanding of the essence of spiritual energy. The former was manageable; cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage could meet that requirement without difficulty. But the latter—unless one had exceptional comprehension and understood the ways of heaven and man, it was absolutely impossible.
Lady Miaoying smiled. "If it weren't so, why would I, your little sister, hold Fellow Daoist Qin in such high esteem? Transforming a sword into the formless—in all of Yunzhong, probably only us old folks can do it. And this Fellow Daoist Qin is only around three hundred years old..."
"What?" Hearing this, True Person Yuan Mu was shocked. The sword transforming into the formless was one thing; it only meant Fellow Daoist Qin had earned the right to speak as an equal with them, these Late-Nascent Soul cultivators. But his lifespan being only three hundred years was rather astonishing for a Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator of considerable strength.
Lady Miaoying continued with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Yuan Mu, you are one of Yunzhong's top geniuses. As far as I know, you advanced to the late-stage after five hundred years, right? And I, your little sister, am even more inferior, advancing to the late-stage only at seven hundred years."
True Person Yuan Mu drew a deep breath, gazing at Qin Xi with a meaningful look in his eyes. "I always thought Yunzhong had the highest level of cultivation among the continents. Now it seems I've underestimated others."