The Eternal Way-Chapter 181: Lord Huangshan

In Li Qi's perspective as a shaman, he could clearly see a thread connecting the butterfly, continuously siphoning off her essence energy.

This technique, Li Qi knew well—it was one used to set up a landscape grand array.

Most shamans were almost clueless about Yin-Yang numerology arrays because they were too difficult. However, they were quite proficient in another type of landscape grand array.

The so-called landscape grand array essentially harnessed the power of mountains and rivers, using various mountain and water deities as nodes, with mountain qi and water qi as meridians, forming an integrated whole.

These landscape arrays lacked the mystical intricacies of Daoist Yin-Yang numerology arrays, which could reverse heaven and earth, invert Yin and Yang, and accomplish incredible feats with minimal cost.

However, the advantage of landscape arrays lay in their immense scale. The interconnected forces of numerous mountain and water deities, overseen by shamans, though not refined, were vast, capable of mobilizing significant power. Once formed, they were nearly indestructible unless a powerful deity intervened, directly destroying the entire mountain range and waterways.

Of course, dismantling the connections between individual nodes required meticulous work.

All this had one prerequisite: the shaman needed to mediate, persuading these mountain and water deities, spirits, and factions to willingly contribute their power.

"Someone made a deal with you? Your essence energy was clearly forcefully extracted. What exactly happened?" Li Qi's voice carried a hint of sternness.

Hearing her benefactor's words, the young girl was terrified. Butterflies were naturally skittish creatures, and being scolded by her benefactor made her tremble even more, despite only wearing Li Qi's robe.

Old Horse glanced over but continued eating. He was used to Li Qi meddling in others' affairs; as long as it didn't interfere with his meals or rest.

Li Qi took a deep breath, calming himself down, and sat on a large rock, patting the space beside him. "Come, sit here and tell me what has been happening recently."

"Benefactor... are you angry?" the butterfly asked timidly. "I dare not sit with you; I'll just kneel here."

Li Qi couldn't help rolling his eyes and lifted her to sit beside him. "Forget that. You haven't noticed that something is draining your essence energy. Before your transformation, your body should have been perfect, but now there's this thread, which caught my attention."

"Thread?" the girl looked puzzled, her tension easing as she tried to recall past events. Despite her age, she was still immature and found it hard to think and be nervous simultaneously.

"Before, the Mountain Lord gathered all enlightened spirits and demanded a portion of our essence energy to forge a magical artifact. In return, he gave us some spirit fruits," the butterfly explained. "Everyone feared retaliation, so we complied. Was it him?"

"Mountain Lord? The mountain deity?" Li Qi asked.

"Yes... he calls himself Lord Huangshan. Did he steal my essence energy?" the butterfly asked hesitantly.

"Perhaps. Let me sever it for you. Just guide me to him," Li Qi said, reaching behind her neck through the gap in the robe to find the thread easily.

Focusing, Li Qi traced the thread along her spine to the third vertebra, corresponding to the throat where vital energy flows.

"The back of the head is the Wind Gate, and the third thoracic vertebra is the Lung Shu point, both prone to wind invasion," Li Qi advised, "Breathe deeply, relax, and focus inward."

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He then forcefully struck with martial qi, which is pure and assimilates different sources of qi, making it effective against most spells since all magic utilizes the boundless 'qi' of the universe.

The strike severed the thread, revealing a small hole in her personal microcosm, allowing external qi to invade, causing dizziness.

Li Qi sealed the hole with his fingers and channeled healing energy to mend it. "Now it won't drain your essence energy anymore. Where is Lord Huangshan?"

Feeling refreshed, the butterfly realized how much Li Qi had helped her in such a short time and immediately knelt to express gratitude.

Li Qi, eager to confirm the existence of the landscape grand array, prepared to follow her. "Old Horse, keep eating. If I don't return within an hour, continue resting." Old Horse neighed in acknowledgment.

Following the butterfly into the mountains, Li Qi noticed her hesitation. "Are you worried about retaliation? Don't worry; I won't let them harm you."

"No, I just need a name," the butterfly admitted.

"Names are important. Since you like fragrant flowers and grass, let's call you Zhu Fang, meaning pursuing fragrance, hoping you avoid filth and embrace beauty," Li Qi suggested.

"Thank you, Benefactor. May I know your name?" Zhu Fang asked.

"I'm Li Qi. And please, no more kneeling!" Li Qi replied.

"Then, I shall be called Li Zhu Fang!" Zhu Fang exclaimed joyfully.

"You want to take my surname?" Li Qi frowned, knowing the significance of adopting someone else's surname.

Zhu Fang insisted, "Without your help, I wouldn't have survived or transformed. Naming myself after you is the least I can do."

Li Qi, uncomfortable dealing with children, decided to be firm. "Just guide me to Lord Huangshan; that's enough repayment."

They proceeded cautiously through the narrow paths and dense forests, noticing signs of decay caused by the landscape grand array drawing out the mountain qi. They encountered a giant fish, also drained of essence energy, but its robust constitution merely left it exhausted rather than severely harmed.

After three miles, they reached a high peak where the wind roared incessantly, forming a wind cave. Zhu Fang stopped at Tiger Roar Cliff, hesitant to proceed.

"Tiger Roar Cliff, fitting name," Li Qi observed the roaring winds and occasional tiger roars. Assessing the situation, he concluded the local mountain deity was a ninth-rank tiger demon who had taken the path of divine cultivation.

"Wait here. I'll go down and be back soon," Li Qi instructed, carefully climbing down the cliff face instead of jumping due to its height.

At the base, he sensed a murderous aura and saw a massive tiger glaring at him from below. The tiger spoke, "Who dares disturb my peace!"

Li Qi jumped down, landing a few meters away. "Lord Huangshan?"

The area was filled with malevolent and deathly auras, surrounded by bones—human and animal. Li Qi noted the arrangement of bones and recognized it as witchcraft, specifically bone demon creation techniques, requiring sacrificial offerings and landscape qi.

"Why would you need blood sacrifices if the landscape grand array doesn't require them?" Li Qi pondered. Could Wang Baisan's mention of blood sacrifices be a ruse to provoke him? Or was there another purpose behind these preparations?