Volume 1 Volume 7 Chapter 14

Volume 7 Chapter 14: Secret Discussion (Part 3)

The monster Xu Qingfan mentioned was the spirit that transformed after the Zhong family master died, filled with too much resentment and negative energy.

Although this monster was not as exaggerated as the "Spirit Eater," it could still absorb most of the Spirit Qi from the entire Shenzhou Continent. Its evolution was not as fast, but it relied on absorbing others’ Spirit Qi energy for evolution. What made it even stronger than the "Spirit Eater" was that it could not only absorb Spirit Qi but also take in others’ abilities, turning into a strange eye that spread all over its body.

After Xu Qingfan finally managed to kill this monster, its body exploded, leaving behind something that looked like an eyeball. Through his observations over the years, Xu Qingfan discovered that this eyeball still contained some strange life energy. As long as it was fed negative energy and beings to consume, it could transform back into the monster it once was.

Because this monster was too terrifying, Xu Qingfan found a way to control it, but he chose to seal the eyeball in a hidden place on Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands. However, after hearing the news about the "Spirit Eater" reappearing, Xu Qingfan had a nagging feeling that the "Spirit Eater" would inevitably break free from human restraints. He didn’t know if someone would release it or if it would break free on its own.

To be safe, Xu Qingfan decided to let this monster return to the world. A monster like the "Spirit Eater," which absorbs everything for evolution, could likely only be dealt with by another monster of equal power.

The good news for Xu Qingfan was that the "Spirit Eater" was sealed by humans and hadn’t evolved at all in the past thirty years. It remained at the late Nascent Soul stage. Xu Qingfan could take this time before it reemerged to make his own monster stronger. After all, the "Spirit Eater" was one of the most terrifying creatures ever created since the beginning of the world. Xu Qingfan did not expect his monster to defeat it at the same power level, but if his monster became even stronger, there was a chance they could potentially destroy each other while consuming each other’s energy.

Of course, there was also the possibility that either the "Spirit Eater" or the monster would completely overpower the other, absorbing it and becoming even more powerful.

To prevent this possibility, Xu Qingfan needed to proceed with extreme caution.

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After discussing the future plans for Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands with Wang Zegang, Bai Qingfu, and others, Xu Qingfan took Bai Qingfu and Wang Zegang and left "Clear Heart Hall."

This secret meeting unknowingly took nearly two hours. After Xu Qingfan left "Clear Heart Hall," he found that the houses of Liu Ziqing, Wang Yuxian, Dongfang Quan, and others were already built. They stood tall near the small hills and lakes in the center of Tianshu Island. From a distance, Tianshu Island finally had some liveliness, breaking the loneliness of the past thirty years.

Just as Xu Qingfan was showing Bai Qingfu and Wang Zegang the new look of Tianshu Island, Dongfang Qingling hurried over to report to Xu Qingfan about the arrangements for the more than a hundred mortals.

According to Dongfang Qingling, besides leaving more than twenty clever and smart people to take care of the daily lives of the cultivators on Tianshu Island, she assigned nearly a hundred mortal boys and girls to the now-unused "Kaiyang Island." These mortals had already started building houses and making fishing nets, preparing to live by fishing in the future.

In addition, Dongfang Qingling grouped the seventeen gifted young people, led by Shen Gang, separately to live on the edge of Tianshu Island. They would practice cultivation together, and with the help of the alchemy masters from Scholar Beihai and guidance from others, it wouldn’t be difficult for these seventeen to reach the Fake Golden Core Stage. However, besides Shen Gang, the other sixteen would find it very hard to continue breaking through.

After hearing Dongfang Qingling’s account, Xu Qingfan nodded in satisfaction and smiled at Dongfang Qingling, saying, "Thank you for your hard work. By the way, how is that boy named Wang Li doing now?"

Dongfang Qingling shook her head and said, "Since you said he couldn’t cultivate, he has been very silent. Shen Gang has been comforting him, but he hasn’t replied at all. When Shen Gang and the other sixteen left with me, his expression became very poor."

Hearing Dongfang Qingling’s words, Xu Qingfan sighed. To be honest, he really wanted to help Wang Li, but unfortunately, every person’s fate is different. Ambitions can be high, but life can be fragile—that is the truth.

Bai Qingfu said, "It might be a good thing that Wang Li cannot become a cultivator. His personality is too extreme. If he achieves something in the future, he might become a violent and bloodthirsty person."

Xu Qingfan nodded in agreement. From Wang Li’s eyes, Xu Qingfan could see that his heart was completely filled with hatred. He was focused only on revenge and completely ignored the care that Shen Gang and the others showed him. He didn’t realize that after successfully avenging himself, without a purpose in his heart, he might not know what he would become.

Then, Xu Qingfan stopped thinking too much and led the three of them toward the group of cultivators who had just settled on Rainbow Spirit Island. After greeting them one by one and chatting for a little while, Xu Qingfan said goodbye to everyone and flew away with Dongfang Qingling toward Yuheng Island.

Xu Qingfan went to Yuheng Island to train, while Dongfang Qingling was going to take care of Ting’er.

On the way, Dongfang Qingling was a bit quiet.

"Junior Martial Sister Dongfang, what’s wrong?" Xu Qingfan wondered and turned to ask.

Dongfang Qingling looked at Xu Qingfan and suddenly asked, "Senior Brother Xu, were you just discussing future plans with Senior Brother Bai and Taoist Friend Wang?"

Xu Qingfan nodded and asked, "What about it?"

Dongfang Qingling looked deeply into Xu Qingfan’s eyes and asked, "Senior Brother Xu, you know my abilities. Why have you never shared your plans with me over the years, only discussing them with Senior Brother Bai and Taoist Friend Wang?"

Xu Qingfan suddenly realized that Dongfang Qingling felt she was being treated like an outsider.

After a long silence, Xu Qingfan said, "Junior Martial Sister Dongfang, do you remember how we first met?"

Dongfang Qingling looked at Xu Qingfan in confusion, not understanding why he asked that.

Xu Qingfan said, "To be honest, at that time, you were a bit headstrong. You used words to put me in a tough spot. Though being headstrong may not be liked by others, you were truly carefree back then. Now, you have lost that carefree spirit; you have become mature, graceful, and knowledgeable. While this may be a good thing, it also comes with great pressure that has caused this change in you. Honestly, my next plan is somewhat dark, and I don’t want you to be part of it. You have had a good life over these years, and I don’t want to pull you into those tricky affairs. Do you understand what I mean?"

Dongfang Qingling looked deeply at Xu Qingfan and after a long time softly said, "I understand. Thank you, Senior Brother Xu, but I really want to help you, not like this…"

Xu Qingfan smiled and said, "You are helping me now, so don’t worry. There will be many opportunities in the future."

During Xu Qingfan and Dongfang Qingling’s conversation, Yuheng Island was already in sight. After saying goodbye, Xu Qingfan returned to his room to practice, while Dongfang Qingling went to Ting’er’s room to take care of her. Xu Qingfan suddenly realized that all the actions at that moment, including their farewell gaze and smile, and their caring words, felt so familiar; this scene has unknowingly repeated for thirty years.

Back in his room, Xu Qingfan reflected on Dongfang Qingling’s words from earlier, and his heart felt warmer, but in an instant, he shifted his emotions to prepare for deep meditation.

However, at that moment, Liu Ziqing’s voice suddenly came from outside the house.

"Dear Taoist Friend Xu, may I have a word with you now?"