Qin Liuxi described her encounter with Si Luo with a calm expression.

Feng Xiu frowned: "So you mean to say, as you mentioned, he knew you had already inspected that Barrier, and he didn’t deny the use of the Array Eye. Yet, even though we destroyed two, he didn’t seem urgent or concerned."

Qin Liuxi recalled Si Luo’s behavior and said, "Yes, that’s correct."

"If he doesn’t care, then what’s the purpose of setting up these small formations? Destroying them would mean it’s all for naught." Feng Xiu grew increasingly puzzled, "In that case, why expend Spiritual Power? Instead, he could conserve it for the upcoming Heavenly Tribulation."

"Unless he holds a greater trump card, saving it for later," Qin Liuxi gently patted the swaddled infant and said, "These small formations aren’t entirely useless. Their existence brings disaster akin to a plague across the whole area. For instance, there’s flooding on the Nanshan Town side while here in the northwest, wars are brewing. When we destroyed the Ghost Tower, the evil aura spread and affected these soldiers, who died without fighting, appearing mad. This child was also born prematurely due to the Yin Evil affecting the mother, and he himself carries the Yin Evil."

The Array Eye here, Qiongqi, truly acted like a fierce beast, constantly devouring living beings. If they remained oblivious and let it continue to exist, the evil aura would keep spreading, turning many places into ghostly wastelands.

Feng Xiu followed this line of thought, considering so many Array Eyes and not knowing their distribution, fearing if it turned out like the Ghost Tower, the whole world would be thrown into chaos.

Is this not just another form of sacrifice?

"What truly is his backup plan?" Feng Xiu muttered.

Qin Liuxi said, "The mystery will eventually be revealed. We have to continue searching for these Array Eyes. If there are more like the Ghost Tower, many people will likely die. Moreover, this year will be an even harsher winter than the last, with severe snowstorms, perhaps related to these Array Eyes."

"He’s really insane," Feng Xiu paced inside the tent, then looked at her and said, "He knows that Buddha Bone is with you, yet he doesn’t take it. What’s his plan?"

Qin Liuxi looked at her index finger and said, "Indeed, except for the destroyed ones, there are only three left. He’s not in a hurry, but clearly hinted that his day of becoming a god isn’t far off."

This implies that chaos will soon come because the signs have appeared.

Feng Xiu felt a heaviness in his heart.

"There’s nothing more here; focus on your duties," Qin Liuxi said, "Just concentrate on finding these Array Eyes. As for other matters, don’t dwell on them too much. The outcomes may not be perfect, but it shouldn’t be destructive."

Feng Xiu was momentarily stunned, "Why?"

Qin Liuxi nodded at the child’s spiritual platform, "Because I glimpsed the Heavenly Secret from his Life Chart. At fifty years old, he will likely govern this world."

If the world ends, what knowledge of destiny would this child have?

Feng Xiu saw her smile brightly like flowers, yet instead of sharing in her joy, he felt a heavy burden.

Under what circumstances wouldn’t it be destructive? Sacrifice, a great deal of sacrifice, perhaps him, or her, or the Buddhist Path and all cultivators.

Protecting the world but not oneself.

Feng Xiu left.

Qin Liuxi cradled the swaddled infant and softly spoke, "He always says the current era lacks the spiritual energy of five thousand years ago. As a result, we cultivators are ultimately only wasting our efforts. But he only sees this point; has he considered that times have changed? During a time of abundant spiritual energy, he could call the wind and rain, requiring the union of Buddhist Path to overcome. Now in this era of sparse spiritual energy, when he needs to rely on others even for his Physical Body to become a god, how can it be so easy?"

The logic remains the same. In an era of abundant spiritual energy, he’s a mighty being; in an era lacking it, even a mighty being’s realm would suppress downward. Otherwise, why go to such lengths? Why wait after escaping the Nine Netherworld?

This is the suppression of the Heavenly Dao’s rules.

Thus, ultimately, it’s a matter of life or death together, mutual destruction!

"Am I right, Little Quan Xi?" Qin Liuxi chuckled, her heart feeling much more at ease than before.

As her mind relaxed, sparse spiritual energy swirled around her, and the Daoist intent within her leapt like twinkling stars.

In her arms, Little Quan Xi’s eyelids gently fluttered as he tried to open his eyes, seeing eyes that seemed to contain a vast starry sky. He didn’t comprehend what it was, only felt that this starry sky was so beautiful, causing him to grin widely.

The spiritual energy was absorbed by him, Qin Liuxi chided gently, "You seem destined with me and the Dao."

Just like Feng Xiu, she pointed at his spiritual platform, inserting a Spiritual Sense. Given her powerful cultivation now, this degree of Spiritual Sense provided body protection stronger than many Protective Dharma Treasures, keeping one safe from all evils and turning misfortune into fortune, though he must still rely on his own efforts and avoid reckless actions.

Qin Liuxi sat the child on her knees, forming a Spell with her hands, initiating the Grand Circulation, guiding the Five Elements Qi through her body. The sparse spiritual energy enveloped her and the child quickly entering meditation.

The next day, Qin Liuxi took Little Quan Xi to Xi Zheng, who had just awoken and had breakfast. Upon seeing her, his eyes lit up.

"Young... No, I should now address you as temple master." Xi Zheng’s eyes held a trace of pity, feeling sorry for Qin Liuxi, thinking she must be feeling troubled.

Qin Liuxi smiled gently, saying, "It’s merely a title; use it however you please. You look quite spirited."

Xi Zheng said, "I’ve heard from Ma Ying. She said you performed acupuncture on me. Temple master, you’ve saved me once again."

She intended to rise and offer a grand salute, but Qin Liuxi stopped her, "Don’t move, don’t waste my acupuncture efforts. Hold the child."

Xi Zheng reached out, taking the swaddled infant, but was taken aback, "This, is this my child?"

Ma Ying glanced over, exclaiming, "That’s not the young master; did you switch our young master?"

"Ma Ying, watch your words." Xi Zheng raised an eyebrow and reprimanded, "Look carefully at the child’s appearance."

Ma Ying looked again, feeling a bit embarrassed and awkward. The infant within the swaddling cloth had fair skin; although his eyes were closed, the long-eyed fox-eye inherited from Xi Zheng was evident, while the rest of his features, the three facial regions and five eye settings were evenly distributed, mirroring Quan Ji exactly.

Indeed, the young master inherited the best qualities of his parents.

They were astonished because the child they saw last night was frail and tiny like a wet kitten. But after one night, the child seemed to flourish, the redness fading, his features becoming refined and lively, not at all like a premature baby.

Ma Ying knelt down, "I apologize for my careless words, temple master."

Xi Zheng echoed, "Her nature’s just brash and not particularly thoughtful, more brute strength than anything. I apologize."

Qin Liuxi waved it off with a smile, saying, "All soldiers who guard the nation are commendable, rise." She examined the child and said, "It’s no surprise you are startled. Last night, I took the child to meditate in cultivation. With spiritual energy infusion and nourishment, he grew into this. Little Quan Xi, he’s destined with me and the Dao."

"What, are you planning to turn my son into a Taoist?" A hoarse and anxious voice abruptly cried out, the tent flap swung open forcefully, and someone entered, bringing in cold air.