370 Returning to the Nine Villages (1/2)

Progenitor Doumu… Meng Qi's heart dropped. It was Progenitor Doumu who became the pinnacle of the Exterior more than a decade ago?

In the Great Buddha's Hall of the Shaolin Temple, Xuan Yuanzi, the Zhenwu Sect's President of General Affairs had once mentioned his accidental encounter with Progenitor Doumu of the Immortals. After a fierce battle with Progenitor Doumu, he was forced to flee in defeat.

A great master in his own right, Xuan Yuanzi was ranked amongst the elites of the Terrestrial Rankings. Thus, it would be safe to hazard that Progenitor Doumu had reached the supreme levels of the Exterior. Given that the fight was more than a decade ago, he might even be just a half-step away from attaining Dharmakaya at the moment. Even if Progenitor Doumu had yet to achieve a breakthrough, he would still be stronger than his master, his uncle. He might be one of the top three masters in the Immortals who paled in comparison only to Primogenitor Lingbao.

Meng Qi was caught off guard to unexpectedly encounter such a prominent figure of the Immortals.

Progenitor Doumu was clad in a simple light green dress. The hems of her dress were designed to cling to her legs, making her look more aggressive than if she was in a conventional lady's garb. Her imposing presence impressed them all.

She was reading the notice on the jade pillar when she sensed Meng Qi and Bluecloud Progenitor approaching. She turned around slowly, surveying Meng Qi closely from behind her mask. In a clear and melodious tone, she said, ”Finally, someone has chosen to inherit the legacy of Heavenly Primogenitor.”

Her eyes were dark and distant, like a well of unknown depth filled with melancholic memories.

”My respects to the Primogenitor.” Meng Qi greeted her cautiously with a bow.

Progenitor Doumu nodded in response and said, ”I hope I'd have the pleasure of witnessing the Infiniteness, the First Dao, and the Heaven Opening Seal one day.”

She then turned and left without another word to him.

”Progenitor Doumu seems a little odd...” Meng Qi murmured to Bluecloud Progenitor through the Secret Voice-Sending technique.

Bluecloud Progenitor smiled. ”Being a strong and powerful person of noble rank, it's only natural that she can see 'things' that mere commoners can't.”

Really? Meng Qi stared at Progenitor Doumu as she left in silence. Her breath was light and quiet. Like the center of the universe, sparkles of stars seemed to trail from her body and surrounded her.

”With her level of powers and skill, using Secret Voice-Sending technique is just like speaking loudly in front of her...” Bluecloud Progenitor mocked.

And he had just foolishly commented on her oddness... Meng Qi's expression stiffened. Since his arrival, he had picked a title that the others mocked and heckled about. Now he even had the impudence to babble behind the back of an important figure...

But wait, Jiang Niang was the first to use the Secret Voice-sending technique!

But she hadn't spoken ill of anyone yet. She was an expert of the Exterior. She… she induced him to use the Secret Voice-sending technique!

What a vengeful woman!

With the glow of contentment in her smile, the Bluecloud Progenitor pointed to the jade pillars. ”You can choose your own tasks but you have to finish them within a year. Otherwise, you'd be violating the contract. After you finish all three tasks, you can apply for the test to become a full member.”

Having completed the Death Task and having the required skills and power, Meng Qi was qualified to take the test to become a full member. But, being a new admission to the organization, he'd like to have a closer observation before making his decision.

Being the center of public scrutiny within the organization, Meng Qi attracted the stares of different parties bearing hidden intentions. He wandered around slowly in the Immortal-Tracking Alley to glance at the notices put up around him, trying to find tasks related to the Nine Villages so that he could finish his tasks simultaneously without making another trip and spending more effort.

There were many redeemable objects that piqued Meng Qi's attention. It was a shame that most of his skills and inventory have been redeemed for Karma points while the rest were indispensable. He didn't have any left to spare for exchange. Disappointed, he pinned his hopes on the future of his attainment of the Buddha's Palm.

His eyes suddenly lit up at the sight of two words: 'Nine Villages'.

'Urgent task: a woman from our team was embroiled in an emotional conflict with the master of the Heavenly Village in the Nine Villages World. He detained her in the Heavenly Village and barred her from leaving. Without knowing when she'd be released, our main task has been delayed indefinitely. We sincerely plead assistance from the senior members.'

'Rewards: a 500-year-old Qinghua Fruit.'

'Task Assignee: the North Underworld reserve team.'

Qinghua Fruit? The main ingredient of the Immortality Elixir of the East Pole? Meng Qi was lost in thought for a moment.

Noticing that Meng Qi's attention on the particular task notice, Bluecloud Progenitor elaborated in detail, ”The North Underworld is one of our reserve teams but none of them passed the test and selection to be a probationary member.”

”With their strength, they shouldn't have been involved with a master of the Nine Villages in their main task.” Meng Qi found it amusing. Things seemed to have developed into a ludicrous love affair?

They weren't even probationary members and none were strong enough to be ranked within the top 25 of the Ranking List of Young Masters. On the other hand, there were surely Exterior masters in the Nine Villages World. The master of the Heavenly Village would be a Half-Step of the Exterior Scenery at the very least. With the team's current strength, there was no way they would be able to defeat enemies of such levels even if they attacked in unison. Meng Qi reasoned to himself silently.

”Of course not,” Bluecloud Progenitor answered confidently. ”It was likely that they were foolishly sidetracked halfway and became involved in the affairs of the Heavenly Village.”

She laughed. ”It was said that there's no time limit for their main task. They would have to remain in the world of the Nine Villages indefinitely until they complete their main task. So they're resorting to enlisting the aid of other Samsara teams to submit this task listing.”

”Isn't it better to stay there? It'd take mere seconds to return to the main world. They can concentrate on training to reach the Half-Step of the Exterior Scenery since it'd never be late for them to save their teammate,” Meng Qi replied, puzzled.

That was unless the woman was close to the team and they couldn't bear to see her suffer.