Volume 1 Volume 7 Chapter 111

Volume 7 Chapter 111: Meeting, Coming Down From the Mountain, Taking Charge

At the top of Ronghua Mountain, inside Qingxu Hall, the human masters gathered together, and everyone looked serious.

"The ‘Spirit Eater’ has returned."

After a long time, Immortal Zizhen said something that seemed obvious, but everyone felt a shiver.

"How did he escape from the ‘Ultimate Spirit Formation’? He should not have been able to grow there, and he certainly shouldn’t have had the power to break through the ‘Ultimate Spirit Formation’…"

Mr. Liu, who had been in contact with Xu Qingfan, the only one among them who guessed part of the story, suddenly looked at Zhang Xusheng and said coldly, "Speaking of which, Taoist Friend Zhang seemed to know that the ‘Spirit Eater’ would return. Back then, he would rather be sealed in the ‘Azure Crystal Treasure House’ for six hundred years than return to Shenzhou Continent…"

In recent days, the gentle and somewhat delicate smile that used to appear on Zhang Xusheng’s face had become rarely seen. He remained calm, but his demeanor shifted from "laughing, and the ships turn to ash" to "still as a mountain, moving makes the earth shake" – serious and intense. The sense of authority and pressure he carried even made Mr. Liu feel uncomfortable, and before Zhang Xusheng, he was no longer as composed as before.

"Taoist Friend Liu, are you doubting me?"

Zhang Xusheng glanced at Mr. Liu lightly and asked softly.

"Not just me, everyone is asking you!"

Mr. Liu quietly looked at Zhang Xusheng and answered.

Zhang Xusheng turned his head and saw all the masters looking at him with confusion, their eyes full of doubt and hostility.

Zhang Xusheng smiled slightly and said without any change in his voice, "Let’s not even talk about the fact that there are coincidences in this world. We all know nothing about a ‘Spirit Eater’; we only hear things. The chance of it breaking free is likely to be very high…"

As Zhang Xusheng spoke, some people stopped looking at him with doubt and hostility, seeming to accept his explanation, but others still stared at Zhang Xusheng with caution and hostility, their thoughts unchanged by his calm words.

Zhang Xusheng smiled faintly, unconcerned, and suddenly said, "Instead of doubting me, you should think about how to handle the coming crisis."

"Crisis? Are you referring to the ‘Spirit Eater’? It is indeed a huge threat. If we allow it to grow, the whole world will eventually be destroyed because of it, but…"

A master said with worry.

However, Zhang Xusheng shook his head, showing his disdain clearly in his eyes.

"I am not talking about the ‘Spirit Eater’. It is indeed frightening and unstoppable, but it moves slowly. To crawl from You State to You State, it would take at least half a year. In fact, if we only focus on escaping, this ‘Spirit Eater’ won’t be able to deal with us for a hundred years. But a hundred years later, when the ‘Spirit Eater’ grows as big as the ‘Black Emperor Cliff’ from ten thousand years ago and can cover dozens of miles with one step, moving faster than us, we will have no chance of survival left. However, right now, while the ‘Spirit Eater’ is scary, it is not our most urgent crisis. Our upcoming crisis is the final battle with the Shura Clan!"

"What does that mean?"

Upon hearing Zhang Xusheng’s words, everyone was slightly taken aback, including Immortal Zizhen and Mr. Liu. For a moment, they did not understand why the topic suddenly shifted from the ‘Spirit Eater’ to the final battle with the Shura Clan.

"I ask you, isn’t it better to get rid of the ‘Spirit Eater’ while it hasn’t become unstoppable?"

"Though we haven’t found a way to kill the ‘Spirit Eater’, we should indeed experiment and find a method while the ‘Spirit Eater’ is not yet more powerful."

"We want to kill the ‘Spirit Eater’, and the ‘Shura Clan’ also wants to kill the ‘Spirit Eater’, both wanting to act quickly, right?"

The masters nodded, and Mr. Liu and Immortal Zizhen exchanged a glance, a look of understanding flashing in their eyes.

But Zhang Xusheng continued to ask, "However, neither we nor the Shura Clan can guarantee that we can kill the ‘Spirit Eater’. Even just a few attempts might lead to heavy losses, right? If the Shura Clan goes after the ‘Spirit Eater’, you would think of sneaking an attack to resolve the Shura Clan. And if we confront the ‘Spirit Eater’, we would also worry that the Shura Clan would take the chance to ambush us. Out of mutual caution, both we and the Shura Clan would quietly wait for the other to strike first until the ‘Spirit Eater’ becomes too strong for us to resist, and we cannot even escape, right?"

"Yes."

Some masters answered instinctively.

Unknowingly, Zhang Xusheng slowly became dominant, and at this moment, the meeting unfolded according to Zhang Xusheng’s rhythm. It is worth noting that a few masters had previously discussed how to deal with Zhang Xusheng in this meeting, but now, under Zhang Xusheng’s strength, they had completely forgotten their initial purpose.

Under Zhang Xusheng’s continuous questions, everyone turned pale, finally understanding the problem.

"In this situation, what will you do when you realize the issue?"

Zhang Xusheng asked in the end.

Everyone fell silent, and finally, Immortal Zizhen answered, "Better to end the pain quickly than to endure a long one. We should face the Shura Clan in a final battle."

Zhang Xusheng nodded and said, "With the Shura Clan’s fierce and battle-loving nature, they are likely to do this. In fact, at this point, they should have already started preparing."

"What should we do then?"

A master couldn’t help but ask.

"First, send skilled people to watch the movements of the Shura Clan and the ‘Spirit Eater’, and report at any time. Second, prepare a full mobilization across all of humanity, always ready for a final battle with the Shura Clan! Third, contact the powers of the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands. The appearance of the ‘Spirit Eater’ is a matter of the world’s destruction; hiding beyond the East Sea won’t help them."

Zhang Xusheng calmly said, then suddenly turned to Mr. Liu and asked, "Xu Qingfan, he is not dead, is he?"

Hearing Zhang Xusheng’s question, Mr. Liu hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.

With Mr. Liu’s nod, all the masters gasped in shock. After all, they had seen Xu Qingfan use the "Disintegration Method" and die right before their eyes!

Knowing that Xu Qingfan was not dead, Immortal Zizhen’s face suddenly showed a look of regret. If he had known this, he should have never allowed the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands to take so many cultivators from the Human Alliance. A Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands without a leader wouldn’t matter how many cultivators joined. After all, the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands was still a backup for humanity, but if it was still led by Xu Qingfan, that made a difference.

If Xu Qingfan were a righteous cultivator, that would be fine, but over the years, Xu Qingfan’s way of doing things looked like he was the next Zhang Xusheng.

Immortal Zizhen couldn’t help but frown.

Zhang Xusheng, however, seemed unbothered and simply asked, "I guess he used blood to trick them. So how did Xu Qingfan open the ‘Azure Crystal Treasure House’ back then?"

"World Crafting Cauldron."

At this point, Mr. Liu spoke honestly. He told the whole story about the origin of the World Crafting Cauldron, its functions, and its taboos.

When everyone heard that the "World Crafting Cauldron" could freely open the "Azure Crystal Treasure House," they all showed a crazy look on their faces. Even after hearing about the side effects of the World Crafting Cauldron, their expressions did not change at all.

"Because Kid Xu has sworn never to let the World Crafting Cauldron appear in the world, to prevent the situation with Lord Xing Tian from happening again. Kid Xu believes that after sealing us, the Shura Clan will surely attack the Human Alliance’s main base; we cannot delay. The appearance of the ‘World Crafting Cauldron’ will inevitably cause chaos among us… even a fight. So we used the Art of Blood Escape along with the World Crafting Cauldron to disguise it as ‘Broken Void’ to deceive everyone. The events that followed, you all know."

In the end, Mr. Liu explained.

Mr. Liu’s words made sense, and for a moment, the masters could not find any faults. However, remembering how Xu Qingfan had deceived them for so many years, their expressions were somewhat unusual.

Zhang Xusheng nodded, showing no signs of being disturbed by the emergence of the "World Crafting Cauldron." He calmly said, "In that case, this isn’t a bad thing. I think we can invite Xu Qingfan back into the Human Alliance at this time. After all, the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands he leads is an essential part of the human forces. Also, within the Human Alliance, the decision-making circle that originally consisted of me, Taoist Friend Liu, and Taoist Friend Zizhen, will expand to five members after the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands joins, and Xu Qingfan will be included. However, Xu Qingfan must give up ownership of the ‘World Crafting Cauldron’ and hand it over to be co-managed by the entire Human Alliance. What does everyone think?"

Upon hearing Zhang Xusheng’s suggestion, everyone nodded. This was the best way to handle it right now. Mr. Liu’s eyes showed a hint of surprise. Zhang Xusheng seemed to have changed, appearing more righteous than Immortal Zizhen and more objective than himself, along with his usual careful thought…

Is this Zhang Xusheng, who seems to think only of humanity, really the Zhang Xusheng I know?

For some reason, at this moment, Mr. Liu felt a strange sense of unease. But he could not pinpoint what the problem was, and he had no reason to object.

Immortal Zizhen was also thinking about the same question. Although he did not want Xu Qingfan to take control of the Human Alliance, there was really no better solution.

Suddenly remembering something, Immortal Zizhen asked, "You said the decision-making power of the Human Alliance changed from three people to five; besides me, Mr. Liu, you, and Xu Qingfan, who is the fifth?"

Hearing Immortal Zizhen’s question, Mr. Liu also looked alertly at Zhang Xusheng. Could Zhang Xusheng’s hint be here?

"The number of people in the decision-making circle must be odd to resolve disagreements as quickly as possible," Zhang Xusheng calmly replied. "As for the fifth person, I choose Xu Qingfan’s disciple—Chou!"

Upon hearing Zhang Xusheng’s answer, there was an uproar among the masters.

Chou? Although he had gained a lot of fame and was very strong over the years, he was too inexperienced. Most people present had higher status than his master, Xu Qingfan, and lacked enough prestige.

More importantly, Chou would definitely follow Xu Qingfan, who was well known to cooperate with Mr. Liu. They had supported each other over the years, so wouldn’t the entire Human Alliance be completely influenced by Xu Qingfan’s opinions?

Why was Zhang Xusheng being so generous as to give such great power to Xu Qingfan? Wasn’t it said that they were usually at odds?

"No way!" Immortal Zizhen immediately opposed. He would not allow the Human Alliance to be handed over to Xu Qingfan so easily. He said, "Chou has a mysterious background and unusual skills; he is not like the righteous path. Moreover, his prestige is too low to enter the highest decision-making level of the Human Alliance!"

"I have my reasons. First, we are the Human Alliance, not the previous Righteous Alliance. No matter what someone’s background is, it should not stop them from joining the decision-making group. Second, in the cultivation world, strength is what matters most, especially at this time. Chou’s strength is equal to ours, and he should be in the decision-making group. Lastly, and most importantly, although Chou has only been in this world for eighty years, his experience in dealing with the Shura Clan is richer than any other human cultivator’s, and our upcoming battle needs his experience. If you have a better candidate, I can give up my nomination."

Zhang Xusheng became the embodiment of reason and calmness in this meeting. He was fully dedicated to thinking about humanity. Almost everyone began to doubt if they had wronged Zhang Xusheng before, or deep down, was Zhang Xusheng truly the one who cared about the future of humanity?

Upon hearing Zhang Xusheng’s words, Immortal Zizhen found no reason to argue back.

"In that case, shall we consider this approved?"

Zhang Xusheng looked around at the masters, and no one could refute him; they all silently agreed. A hint of happiness flashed across Mr. Liu’s face.

"Now let’s discuss one last thing: who will contact Xu Qingfan?"

Almost everyone’s gaze turned to Jin Qinghan, who had been silent all along.

…

When the meeting ended, all the masters left with somewhat dazed expressions.

Is the person attending the meeting today really Zhang Xusheng?

Everyone was thinking about this question.

Zhang Xusheng left first; he needed to arrange who would watch over the Shura Clan and the "Spirit Eater." Although he had the most dangerous job, Zhang Xusheng had no complaints at all.

"You are the organizer of this meeting."

When only Mr. Liu and Immortal Zizhen were left in the room, Mr. Liu looked at Immortal Zizhen beside him and suddenly said.

"I know, but he does it better than I do."

Immortal Zizhen said slowly.

"These arrangements are all correct, but why do I feel a bit uneasy?"

"Me too…"

When Mr. Liu also left, Immortal Zizhen looked at Mr. Liu’s back with a hint of gloom in his eyes.

Perhaps Mr. Liu did not notice that, at the moment he decided Xu Qingfan would lead the Human Alliance, in a way, he had completely broken with Immortal Zizhen. After all, from then on, Mr. Liu would team up with Xu Qingfan to take away the power that Immortal Zizhen had held in the Human Alliance for many years.

Immortal Zizhen shook his head, trying to throw away the strange feelings in his mind, but no matter what, this uncomfortable feeling just wouldn’t go away.

…

Two months later.

Deep in the East Sea, on Yuheng Island of the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands.

Xu Qingfan looked troubled, his brows furrowed, and after a long silence, he finally shook his head helplessly, dropping the piece he held onto the board, and sighed at Zhang Ningmei, "I lost."

"That’s thirty-one in a row."

Dongfang Qingling, who was watching nearby, covered her mouth and laughed.

Xu Qingfan smiled wryly and said, "Actually, I think I am pretty good at chess, but Ningmei’s talent for the game is truly incredible. She is a natural born player and her skills have already surpassed many great masters. It’s normal for me to lose to her."

"But you lost thirty-one games in a row, and each time by a lot. Is that really normal?"

Xu Qingfan nodded and said, "I’ve said it before, Ningmei’s talent in chess is very high. Even a great master would lose by more than twenty points. Reaching this level is already very strong for me."

"Really?"

Dongfang Qingling’s eyes brightened as she asked.

Xu Qingfan nodded again; at this moment, he could only raise Zhang Ningmei’s skill to cover up his own defeat.

Then Dongfang Qingling sat down in front of Xu Qingfan, in the position where Ting’er had been.

"Do you know how to play chess?"

Dongfang Qingling nodded and said, "I didn’t know how before, but watching you play these days, I’ve learned the basic rules."

Then, after about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, Xu Qingfan gave up again, shaking his head and sighing, "I really have no talent for playing chess."

This time, even the onlookers like Tian Zhenxian, Tian Zhenling, and Bai Yu could not hold back their laughter, forgetting their master’s authority, and began to laugh out loud. Except for Chou, whose expression remained hidden in the shadows under his hood, even Ting’er showed some unusual reactions.

Although he lost face in front of many disciples, and there were only a few students besides Dongfang Qingling, Xu Qingfan didn’t mind and instead, a trace of something unexplainable flashed in his eyes.

If he guessed correctly, this was probably the last time everyone would be so happy together.

After the game ended, Xu Qingfan did not return to his room to practice as usual. In fact, he hadn’t practiced at all since coming out of seclusion.

At this moment, Xu Qingfan was strolling on the beach of Yuheng Island, with Ting’er following him as always.

"Uncle, is it really okay that you haven’t practiced for a day all these years?"

Ting’er suddenly asked.

"When you reach my level, you will understand. Sometimes, simple practice becomes useless. What I seek has shifted from the accumulation of Spirit Qi and the understanding of the Heavenly Way to ‘seeking the path.’ This path is not the ‘Heavenly Way’, but the ‘path’ around us, like the path of chess, the path of painting, and so on. Through these seemingly insignificant aspects, I transform my state of mind and integrate all my previous understandings of the Heavenly Way into these principles, reclassifying and combining my abilities to reach a new level."

Xu Qingfan explained slowly.

Ting’er remembered that Xu Qingfan often looked at a book of chess moves these days, and asked, "Is the rule you chose, Uncle, the way of chess?"

Xu Qingfan nodded and said, "It is about expectation. The balance and changes between the black pieces and white pieces match with my study of the ‘Formula of Life and Death.’ The control and competition for space on the board by the black pieces also correspond with my ‘Substitute for Heaven.’ Nothing suits me better than this."

Speaking of this, Xu Qingfan shook his head in regret, "Unfortunately, I lack talent in chess. While others think three steps ahead with every move, I can only see one step at a time. Others see the whole game, while I can only see one area and often make mistakes…"

Ting’er suddenly shook her head very seriously and said, "Uncle, you are not bad at chess; it’s just that you often have to think many steps ahead in everyday life. This takes up almost all your time besides practicing, so when you play chess, you don’t want to think too much. Every time you need to calculate more during a game, you instinctively let your pieces fall without thought. That’s the reason."

Xu Qingfan was slightly stunned, not expecting Ting’er to see it so clearly.

Just then, Shen Gang walked quickly towards Xu Qingfan and respectfully said, "Master, Martial Uncle Jin has arrived."

"Those who should come have finally come…"

Xu Qingfan sighed softly and murmured.

…

When Xu Qingfan and Jin Qinghan met, they looked at each other for a moment, then suddenly smiled at the same time, understanding what was in each other’s eyes.

"I asked you to return to the Human Alliance to help them through tough times, and you always said the time was not right, the opportunity was not here, and now what?"

Jin Qinghan asked.

"The time has come, the opportunity is still not here, but the situation is urgent, we can’t think about that now." Xu Qingfan shook his head with a sigh, then asked, "Did those people agree to my return?"

"They agreed, but the conditions are beyond your imagination. The decision-making group has changed from three to five, adding you and Chou. However, you must hand over the ‘World Crafting Cauldron’ to be jointly managed by the Human Alliance."

Jin Qinghan said.

"It was Mr. Liu’s suggestion, right? Zhang Xusheng and Immortal Zizhen actually agreed?" Xu Qingfan was slightly surprised; he had thought of every situation but this one.

"Immortal Zizhen did not agree, but Mr. Liu did. You won’t believe it, Zhang Xusheng proposed this."

As he spoke, Jin Qinghan frowned and slowly repeated Zhang Xusheng’s actions from that time.

After finishing, he looked at Xu Qingfan, only to find Xu Qingfan’s brow furrowed even tighter.

After a long time, Xu Qingfan still could not guess Zhang Xusheng’s true thoughts. The situation always felt strange; Zhang Xusheng’s previous plans were incredibly clever, but there were usually some clues to follow. This time, however, Xu Qingfan only felt confusion in his heart.

The only possible explanation seemed to be that Zhang Xusheng was truly starting to think about humanity this time, but for Zhang Xusheng, who acted on a whim, this explanation seemed impossible.

After a long while, Xu Qingfan shook his head and decided to return to the Human Alliance to investigate further. Imagining things now would lead to no results.

However, thinking of Zhang Xusheng’s various actions, a sense of unease quietly arose in Xu Qingfan’s heart.

"Shen Gang, gather Tianzuo Camp, Tianyou Camp, Tianxin Camp, and the Seven Guardians, all those at the Condensed Core Stage on the island, to join me in returning to the Shenzhou Alliance. Come with me to lead the Human Alliance!"

At that moment, an indescribable light shone in Xu Qingfan’s eyes, a light that even he did not notice.

It was a feeling of excitement.

Although it was hurried, Xu Qingfan had waited too long and prepared too much for this day.