Chapter 109: A Fallen Immortal Amidst the Mortal World

Ji Feichen carried the items, feeling somewhat as if he were accompanying a girlfriend on a shopping trip in his past life.

Recalling that life, he watched the mysterious figure weave through both sides of the street, occasionally feeding him something.

"Hmm... these fresh fish buns are quite good." The mysterious figure quickly stuffed another steaming hot bun into Ji Feichen's mouth.

One fed, the other ate. In this relaxed atmosphere, Ji Feichen gradually lowered his guard. Immersed in this mood, he cast aside various schemes, his state of mind rising in sublimation.

Seemingly sensing the shift in his mindset, the mysterious figure suddenly asked, "In your heart, what is an immortal?"

"Companionship with white cranes, a partner in the ancient pines, living in a blessed land with laughter. Drinking a pot of cloudy wine, eating half a basin of mountain fruits, and discussing the profound laws with fellow immortals."

In his past life, Ji Feichen had been fascinated by myths, yearning for those legendary immortals who possessed eternal life and roamed the world freely.

Hearing his words, the mysterious figure shook his head. "Watering flowers and planting trees—elegant, yes, but in truth, a practitioner's obsession. Once you cling to a thought, you fall into the path of 'doing,' which is the lowest of methods."

The person flicked their sleeves like rolling white clouds, displaying effortless grace. Yet, their appearance—munching on a candied hawthorn while speaking indistinctly—contrasted sharply. "The so-called pursuit of the Dao: the moment you begin the act of 'seeking' itself, it becomes an obsession. It is a path of deliberate action. How can it compare to the non-action of nature, acting according to one's true, unconstrained heart?"

"To cultivate immortality while obsessed with the very word 'immortal' implies a demonic barrier." The mysterious figure, perhaps struck by a thought, looked up at the sky as if speaking to someone else.

Ji Feichen pondered: This person acts without reliance on external objects, following their heart—could this be the unique philosophy of the Tai-Shang lineage?

Just as he was about to ask more, the mysterious figure dragged him along to continue exploring the peach blossom street.

By the time dusk fell and red and orange clouds painted the firmament, the two returned to the Temple of the Heavenly Mother.

"Fairy, can we talk about serious matters now?" After a whole day, Ji Feichen could no longer contain himself. Although playing with this person was pleasant, he was deeply concerned about his fundamental path and the nature of the dragon scale on his body.

The mysterious figure’s expression shifted, the smile vanishing. They sat on a nearby bluestone, legs swinging, the hem of their robe fluttering.

"Serious matters? What serious matters? The origin of this dragon scale, or your own issues?" The mysterious figure rested their chin on their hand, frowning, seemingly troubled by something.

Dragging Ji Feichen ashore to wander had essentially been a test of his character and actions, a way to decide how to proceed.

"I cannot say much about the situation. What I can tell you is that the owner of this dragon scale is a friend of mine. He gave it to you to shield you from the heavens, and out of respect for him, I won't kill you. But once another person returns from overcoming their tribulation and discovers you, it will be troublesome. If he learns I spared you, he will likely complain to me."

The Tai-Shang immortal's words were cryptic, but Ji Feichen managed to grasp a thread of clarity. The dragon scale appeared to be a treasure shed by some great power, and he seemed entangled with another entity of immense divine capability. Was this person before him worried about a conflict between the dragon scale's owner and that other great power?

"If only you were a demon cultivator," the person sighed with regret. "If you were a demon, I would just slap you dead, and when I saw them later, I would have an explanation."

If Ji Feichen were a demon cultivator, the mysterious figure could return the scale to its owner later and dismissively claim he had accidentally raised a demon. They could even mediate to prevent the two powers from turning against each other.

But as it stood, Ji Feichen practiced the path of the Qi Refiner. Although his roots were slightly skewed, the mysterious figure’s "Heavenly Eye" revealed no major evils; those he had killed were all rogue demon cultivators with records of wickedness.

Given this, the mysterious figure found it difficult to seize the dragon scale.

Yet, when that other great power returned from their tribulation and discovered Ji Feichen and the scale, the owner of the scale would likely face a dire situation.

"After wandering with you for a day, I have a temporary understanding of your character. Therefore, I will spare you for now. But whether you can escape that person's hand in the future depends entirely on what you do from here on out."

"What do you mean?"

"I looked into the past and saw something very interesting. You seem to want to reopen a path of upward progression within the Demonic Sect?"

This referred to the matter of Yuan Chuping. Ji Feichen had met like-minded comrades within the Demonic Sect who intended to reform it. It was because Ji Feichen had gone out of his way to save him that he was being hunted by Wei Feng.

The mysterious figure reached out, and the Nine Heavens Profound Gold Dragon God Pagoda flew out of Ji Feichen’s body on its own. Seeing the pagoda, the mysterious figure sneered and flicked a finger, causing the Nine-Fragrance Jade Tree to land in their palm.

"This item emerged in response to the demonic blood oath. In the future, a person of great wisdom will emerge, holding this marvelous tree to develop a new lineage, refining the demonic into the path of the Dao."

Ji Feichen did indeed have this plan: to find those in the Demonic Sect who had not lost their conscience and help them study the methods of the Qi Refiners, so they might compete with the Sacred Grounds in the future. Feng Qianli had left him in the Demonic Sect with this very notion in mind. Hadn't the Golden Silkworm Lady been saved by the Drought Demon Fairy for this same reason?

"The decline of the ancient methods was not due to the schemes of others, but because the times dictated it; the ancient ways have gradually become ill-suited for this world. Thus, the separation of clear and turbid energies was enacted to delay the tribulation and quell the wrath of heaven and earth. I see your fate is entangled, and you have a great causal link with the Qi Refiners. If you do not seek progress in the future and cling stubbornly to the ancient traditions, you will only become a stepping stone for the path of the clear and the turbid."

Thinking of the destruction of the Dragon-Beard Fan years ago, Ji Feichen had a moment of realization.

"The ancient methods cultivate primordial energy; the clear and turbid paths cultivate immortals and demons. These are merely different approaches to cultivation. As long as practicing the ancient methods does not invite the jealousy of heaven or rejection by the Heavenly Dao, what is the harm?" Ji Feichen pondered before saying cautiously, "The Demonic Sect cultivates turbid energy and explores the physical body; it is also a legitimate path of progress. However, because turbid energy clouds the mind, there is much wrongdoing. If I use the Nine-Fragrance Jade Tree to stabilize the fortune, gather like-minded people from within the Demonic Sect to cleanse it, and establish a righteous path, can I not also revitalize the Qi Refiner lineage?"

The person rested their chin on their hand, looking noncommittal. "It is possible. But what will you do about the Great Annihilation Tribulation ten thousand years from now?"

"Immortals reside in the world, eternal through ten thousand tribulations. Beings like myself can perceive the past and future. Thousands of years ago, immortals foresaw that if the scale of Qi Refiner cultivation continued as it was—with only heavenly tribulations and no human tribulations—it would drain the world's primordial energy dry within ten thousand years, leading the entire world to death. Although the various Heavenly Immortals could escape the tribulation and create a new world, what of the innocent sentient beings?"

In those days, heavenly tribulations could no longer challenge the Qi Refiners. As generation after generation succeeded, the mysteries of the tribulation were thoroughly analyzed. From the initial one percent to the later twenty percent, becoming an immortal or an ancestor had become effortless. Therefore, the operation of the Heavenly Dao prepared to increase the tribulations, using the 'Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation' every few hundred years to control the number of Qi Refiners.

"The so-called 'killing tribulation' arose precisely because certain immortals would not allow the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation to be established. They intended to use the killing tribulation to reduce the number of Qi Refiners as a means to deceive the heavens." The mysterious figure looked up, their gaze falling into the history of thousands of years ago.

In that era, many feared the great destruction. Various immortals had their own ideas: some wanted to take their disciples and leave the world to its doom, while others chose to actively save the world, preparing for the Great Annihilation. The final choice was the path of the clear and turbid immortals and demons to delay the tribulation.

"To promote the killing tribulation, the distinction between immortals and demons was born. Later, through the mutual strife between immortals and demons, the number of tribulations was increased. Regardless of which side dies, the immortal energy and demonic energy return to heaven and earth, recycling into primordial energy. This was the contribution of the Taiyuan Palace in opening the path; thereafter, the Taiyuan lineage flourished, leading the way for the clear-spirit immortal path, and the Great Annihilation was delayed by thirty thousand years. If you propagate the ancient Qi Refiner methods, won't the consumption of energy by the Qi Refiners cause the great tribulation to arrive sooner?"

"Those who follow the Dao receive much support; those who oppose it find little," the mysterious figure said. "Is it so easy to act against the heavens? If I were you, I would abandon this notion early and seek another path."