The Eternal Way-Chapter 222 - 226: This is a bit...

In front of Li Qi were two severed heads, which startled him.

Not because of the heads themselves—after all, he had seen countless dead bodies and could chat casually on a battlefield—but due to the oppressive aura emanating from these skulls.

Even in death, they made Li Qi feel as if he were facing a falling planet, ready to be annihilated by its collision with the earth. Thankfully, it was just a feeling... and such sensations have limits.

Li Qi had faced a sixth-rank demon king before reaching his own rank, a fifth-rank Green Mountain God at ninth rank, and just witnessed a battle between third-ranks while conducting the grand ceremony. He was almost getting used to it. People do get desensitized; no matter how intense the feeling, experiencing it multiple times makes it less impactful.

At that moment, Zhu Fengdan spoke up. Apologetically squatting down, he patted Li Qi's shoulder, "Sorry, disciple. I promised you three heads, but their resistance was fierce, and that Earth Immortal wasn't easy to deal with either. One got away. Consider it a debt I owe you, and I'll make it up to you later."

Hearing this, Li Qi felt a cold sweat break out. Even though he was quite brave, hearing those words still sent chills down his spine. He quickly stood up from Shen Shuibei's trembling embrace, only to realize something odd about his body—it felt like it contained an entire Guangyang Prefecture.

His small inner universe had expanded to match the size of Guangyang Prefecture, with mountains and rivers converging, and mountain gods and water deities naturally forming. Under the coordination of his primordial spirit, the power from the grand ceremony had completed the construction of celestial gods and terrestrial prayers. His divine bodies were now complete, making him an eighth rank.

Moreover, he had never felt so clear-minded before—he had already touched upon the path of seventh rank. With his divine bodies complete, the next step would be gradually constructing his own small inner universe. Besides spirits, there should be other elements to perfect, creating a Guangyang Prefecture within himself, thus achieving seventh rank.

Normally, despite not having bottlenecks, completing these tasks might take decades or even centuries. But now, everything was set up for him, allowing him to advance directly to seventh rank without any hindrance.

Using Chan Zhi Monk as an example, to ascend from seventh to sixth rank, he needed to build a seven-tiered pagoda. For the fifth tier alone, Chan Zhi collected the karma of tens of thousands of households to construct the framework and then slowly filled it in. Each tier required different methods. Li Qi was supposed to go through this long process, but now all preliminary preparations were done, and he had surpassed eighth rank with no obstacles left for seventh rank, needing only accumulation.

However, after briefly sensing this, Li Qi immediately bowed deeply, "Master..."

"Relax, don't be so stiff. I've never been one to adhere to formalities," Zhu Fengdan said cheerfully, patting Li Qi, who couldn't help but straighten up. Nodding, Li Qi then greeted the other elder, "Greetings, senior, thank you and Master for coming to our aid."

While speaking, Li Qi observed his surroundings. Shen Shuibei hid behind him, head lowered, clearly more frightened than him. She knew more, and the more she understood, the more afraid she became. The people before them were each comparable to Lady Luofu, with Zhu Fengdan being even stronger. As a former fifth-rank herself, she recognized the terror better than Li Qi. Now, using Li Qi as cover, she hid behind him.

Fortunately, neither Zhu Fengdan nor Yun Fang paid her much attention, focusing instead on Li Qi. Yun Fang appraised him: well-proportioned, sharp eyes, radiant spirit—a likable young man. Moreover, considering his actions, he was intelligent, courageous, decisive, and fair. Although lacking combat talent, this wasn't important for witches and wizards.

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Such a good boy, why did he follow Zhu Fengdan? Sensing Yun Fang's thoughts, Zhu Fengdan glared, "Hey, Old Yun, what are you thinking?"

"Cough, nothing, I just think this kid is really good," Yun Fang replied awkwardly.

Zhu Fengdan laughed proudly, "Of course, how could my choice be wrong?"

He then urged Li Qi, "Come on, disciple, collect your gift." Realizing what was meant, Li Qi hesitated. Seeing his confusion, Zhu Fengdan explained, "These heads are valuable, albeit only fifth-rank, but they carry some essence of third-rank. Keep them; you likely have a mustard seed bag, just store them there."

"Eh... Thank you, Master," Li Qi chuckled uncomfortably, collecting the heads.

Though initially uncomfortable, knowing they were valuable changed his perspective. Then Zhu Fengdan added, "I still owe you one, will make it up later."

Li Qi noticed the stillness outside the altar. Yun Fang explained, "This space is enveloped within my small inner universe, where time flow has been adjusted to avoid external interference."

Adjusting time flow? Astonished, Li Qi listened as Zhu Fengdan changed the subject, "Alright, let's relax. What would you like to drink, Rabbit? And you, disciple?"

"Tea for me, and plum juice for Miss Shen," Li Qi responded.

"Strange tastes... Whatever," Zhu Fengdan waved, and the scene transformed into a setting with chairs, tea, pastries, and plum juice. They sat opposite Zhu Fengdan and Yun Fang, who held scrolls.

Shen Shuibei nervously clung to Li Qi's sleeve. Li Qi knew serious discussion was about to begin. Taking a sip of tea, he felt its effects: healing injuries, enhancing his small inner universe. This was no ordinary tea—it was medicinal!

Comfortably closing his eyes, Li Qi quickly composed himself. Yun Fang smiled kindly, "Good, isn't it? Your master stole it from Penglai. Several Earth Immortals chased him for twenty years until Wushenshan intervened. Later, we sold this tea, albeit at a high price."

Li Qi pretended not to hear, bowing his head. Zhu Fengdan interrupted Yun Fang, "Enough chatter, let's talk business."

"Why are we here?" Zhu Fengdan asked, holding the scroll.

"I don't know, was someone trying to attack me?" Li Qi guessed, genuinely unaware of the reason. From his perspective, during the grand ceremony, third-rank enemies appeared suddenly, followed by his master arriving to dispatch two of them.

Curious about the underlying reasons, Li Qi wondered if he had inadvertently become involved. Just then, Zhu Fengdan mentioned, "This starts with the rabbit. Tell me, why did you give away the Chenji Golden Pill Method?"

Pointing at Shen Shuibei, Zhu Fengdan seemed puzzled. Trembling, Shen Shuibei remained silent until Li Qi interjected, explaining her motivations and exchanges. Yun Fang reassured them, mentioning there were indeed restrictions but also acknowledging the misunderstanding.

Finally, Yun Fang began explaining the situation involving the Sun and Moon True Lead Cauldron, noting its connection to ascending to first rank. The story unfolded, revealing the complex relationships and powers at play, including the involvement of the cauldron and its Dao companion, Lady Luofu.

"The Sun and Moon True Lead Cauldron holds the key to ascending to first rank," Yun Fang concluded.