527 Practicing Qi to Achieve the Heaven-Connecting Realm (1/2)
The group of martial artists carrying swords and sabers circuited the Courier Hostel, waiting anxiously. They hoped Darkness Palace and several of the large Divine Sects would confirm Mr. Su and Lady Jiang's identities as Qi Practitioners as soon as possible. That would give them the courage and hope to risk their lives.
The five of them were not in the mood to talk, all of them crushed by the restrained atmosphere. Just before the young man with a scar on his forehead was about to lose out to such a feeling and storm the hostel, they felt a crushing pressure descending upon them. It was so terrifying that they were shuddering physically and mentally. Their vision darkened and their mind froze as they contemplated the breath.
The five of them were not in the mood to talk, with all of them being crushed by the restrained atmosphere. Just before the young man with a scar on his forehead was about to lose out to such a feeling and storm the hostel, they felt a crushing pressure descending upon them. It was so terrifying that they were shuddering physically and mentally. Their vision darkened and their mind froze as they contemplated the breath.
The golden yellow mechanical dragon glittered with reflected sunlight. Divine Sun Stones were its eyes; the essence of Chinese Astrology Jin were its claws. It had stiff, elaborate joints, looking partially dead and partially withered.
”Crimson Dragon!”
”It's a wyrm automaton!”
”It's one of the 36 Secret Devices of Darkness Palace!”
The shocked exclamations came one after another as they watched the golden dragon landed inside the Courier Hostel with their mouths open.
”Su and Lady Jiang, my name is Zhu Kui. I'm here to pay you two a visit,” said an emotionless and aged voice, the sound coming from behind the wall. It was neither courteous nor arrogant as if it was a cold and unfeeling stone speaking.
”Zhu Kui?” The group of martial artists exchanged glances and saw the horror reflected in each other's eyes.
”P-Principal Zhu has personally come!”
”No wonder Crimson Dragon is here...”
They began to discuss in low voices, unable to control their emotions.
To them, the Principal was an Immortal-like figure that had zero connection to mere mortals. It would still be acceptable if it was an Earl who came. Even if Earls were capable of altering mechanisms into Sky-destroying Cannons, the destruction would be confined to a cannonball destroying a house. It was still something that the martial artists could grasp!
There were fewer than 20 Principals in the entire Darkness Palace and every single one of them was promoted as exceptionally outstanding Earls. Each of them was taught a unique impartation of one of the 36 Secret Devices of Darkness Palace. Those devices were either capable of destroying entire cities and causing the collapse of mountains, mysterious and arcane, or terrifyingly powerful. In short, the Principals were similar to the Divine Masters of Divine Sect. They were no longer ordinary humans after obtaining a slice of heavenly power!
To think that such a big shot would come here in person!
Did the impartation of ancient Qi Practitioners pique his interest or was he here with plans of suppressing this incident and put a neat end to things?
Witnessing Meng Qi flicking the flying sword had left them in awe and shock as if they had seen a monster. Even so, the glory of the Principals spanned over tens of thousands of years and was rooted deep in everyone's hearts. They could not help shuddering when they saw Zhu Kui arrive at the hostel, thinking that disaster was likely in store for Mr. Su and Lady Jiang.
Suddenly, they saw a puff of white cloud floating down, descending in front of the hostel entrance. The person was wearing a bamboo crown and a blue robe that was elegant in its simplicity. The cuffs were lined with unique patterns of the cloud. He was a person who would leave a lasting impression on anyone who saw him.
The Taoist had the air of a destitute yet dignified scholar. Under his jet-black hair was a pair of wizened eyes.
”D-Divine Master Guo is here as well!” the boorish-mannered woman cried.
Divine Masters, like Principals, could call for wind and rain as well as make soldiers out of ordinary items. Divine Masters who could summon lightning and thunder were also Immortal-like figures in their eyes!
Even if martial artists could connect with the heaven, surely there would still be a gap between mere mortals and Immortals?
Divine Master Guo grinned at the guards at the entrance, saying, ”I'm Guo Feihu, here to pay my friends, Su and Jiang. Can you please pass on the message?”
His manner was relaxed without the slightest hint of shame over having to visit in person. Furthermore, he was even observing all the rituals and norms as a sign of goodwill for Zhu Kui.
Zhu Kui's cold and indifferent voice came from within, saying, ”Guo Feihu, just come in if you're here for a visit. Why bother putting on a show?”
The entrance creaked open to reveal the scene inside the hostel.
The main entrance opened directly into a large square paved with stones as the hostel often had to host a variety of large mechanical objects. It was a clean and neat place. To put it in Meng Qi's words, it was a 'parking lot'...
The golden dragon was lying in the middle of the square. 'Crimson Dragon' Zhu Kui remained seated on the back of the dragon, while Chang Huan, the Earl, had already stepped down from it. Meng Qi and Jiang Zhiwei were seated on a platform that came out of god-knows-where, allowing them to be on eye-level with Zhu Kui.
The golden dragon unleashed its might with its eyes, made out of Divine Sun Stone, staring at Meng Qi. There was a suffocating heat swirling in the air. Zhu Kui waited calmly without speaking. If not for the arrival of Guo Feihu, the scene would have looked as if it was frozen in time.
Meng Qi was no stranger to such a move. Some would call it displaying one's power to offset future conflicts. Some would call it demonstrating one's might to suppress the opponent's momentum, as a way of gaining an advantage in the negotiations. The interests of a weak-looking person would, after all, be placed in the back of one's mind.
It was the same scenario as with the rest of Meng Qi's battles. He would push his momentum to its peak and engage in a mental war with his opponents in an attempt to suppress their minds!
Guo Feihu, with his feet on the puff of cloud, cupped his hands and bowed. He floated to the platform and smiled widely at Zhu Kui.
Unable to maintain his stance due to Guo Feihu's interruption, Zhu Kui finally opened his mouth to say, ”My two friends, did you say that you've received the impartation of ancient Qi Practitioners?”
”Yes. We've had obtained it in a certain isle in the South Sea but the tide had swallowed the isle after,” Meng Qi replied, lying blatantly with a sincere expression.
He was seated cross-legged on the platform, with the sleeves of his green robe fluttering with the wind. Paired with the lovely, eye-catching Jiang Zhiwei beside him, he looked like someone who had stepped out of a painting.
With the entrance wide open, the group of martial artists outside was finally able to peek into the square. The guards were also so curious that they forgot to close the door and kept a close eye on what was going on.
Zhu Kui continued to question them. ”The orthodoxy of Qi Practitioners has been lost for many years. How can we be sure that you're not swindling us?”
”Swindling?” Meng Qi chuckled. ”With enough power, one wouldn't need to claim to have an impartation of Qi practitioner to be well-regarded. What reason is there for us to lie? We can just use any one of the dead sects as our shield.”
”Good point.” Zhu Kui's expression was calm as he slowly nodded. ”With enough power, huh. Darkness Palace had always treated everyone equally but only if you have enough power.”
He reiterated the words 'with enough power' twice in the tone of a person who had occupied the top spot for many years.
He paused momentarily before saying indifferently, ”Why don't you two try attacking me with your strongest power? Show me the strength of ancient Qi Practitioners.”
Zhu Kui appeared calm and poised riding on the back of the dragon. His words and manner all carried an air of confident matter-of-factness.
”Tsk, trying to show off in front of me...” Meng Qi stared at him without a change in his expression.
”Principal Zhu, are you sure you want me to attack you with full strength?”