Poor Taoist Qiu Chuji

Chapter 168 The Soul Reflects Him and Me

Time passed by little by little, the sky became darker than ink, and the soul flew out of the spirit platform.

Man and the mountain are in harmony, the soul and the celestial phenomena are in harmony, and from the perspective of the primordial spirit, with Qiu Chuji's talent for time and space, a deep and messy crack can gradually be seen in Mount Hua.

This crack "grew" in the mountain, but was not imprinted on the rock.

It is actually a rift in time and space, leading to parallel worlds of the same origin but in different locations.

Qiu Chuji tried to split out a strand of his mental power and put it into the crack, but in a moment he lost the sense of this mental power.

Pure mental power is far less closely connected than the soul and the body, but Qiu Chuji was very hesitant to directly use his soul to test it.

After cultivating the golden elixir of martial arts, the soul and the flesh became one. The origin of Qiu Chuji's soul was always retained in the body. Even if the original spirit was annihilated, his soul would not be scattered. But if the original spirit was really damaged, not only would all the practice during this period be in vain, but his soul would also be severely damaged. I'm afraid it will take a long time to recover.

Qiu Chuji couldn't help but ask himself again whether Yang Kang was the only choice.

In all the heavens and worlds, even if it is limited to the low-level martial arts world, there are countless people who still have a conscience and often waver and struggle between good and evil.

Among them, some are strong-willed, some are cunning and despicable, and there are even more who are dedicated to doing good but are played back by fate. Aren't they suitable for guidance?

Many names flashed through his mind, and there were some related worlds. Perhaps Qiu Chuji only needed to wait a little longer, until the right opportunity and the right person opened the door and led the way, he would be able to enter the new world and show his talents.

But this is just a completely rational consideration. Based on cause and effect, emotion, and a touch of throbbing in the dark, Qiu Chuji still chose Yang Kang.

It was clear that they did not really know each other and could only be considered as nominal master and disciple in a sense.

However, some things are just like this, once the thoughts come together, there will be ties.

When it comes to spiritual practice, being in accordance with one’s heart is far more important than being in accordance with reason.

Human hearts are changeable, while the laws of nature are cyclical. The so-called spiritual practice that goes against the will of heaven does not necessarily mean that one must cultivate a "stability" in the human heart, so that the human heart can overcome the laws of nature. Even if the world changes, there is still persistence that can overcome the sea and the rocks.

The thought in his mind gradually took root, and Qiu Chuji's soul stepped into the crack.

The disconnection of time and space made the connection between the soul and the body intermittent, but the situation was much better than Qiu Chuji had originally expected.

The Yuxu Bell, a supreme treasure, sits above time and space, possessing the uniqueness of time and space in the heavens. This uniqueness unifies Qiu Chuji's body and soul, just like a unique signal transceiver, allowing Qiu Chuji to always sense the soul and control him.

The soul in the crack was floating in the void, unable to find a way out.

At this moment, Qiu Chuji realized that although his ethereal soul could travel through the cracks in time and space, it also needed a receiving body in the corresponding time and space reality.

Without this receiver, his soul would continue to float in the void until time and space violently vibrate by chance, randomly throwing him down or directly crushing him.

······
On the long street, in front of the city gate, the two sides faced off.

Two bodies, a man and a woman, fell to the ground, their blood was dark red. Even though they were dead, their hands were still tightly clasped. They met again after many years, and even death could not separate them.

The wind was whistling, blowing everyone's clothes and hair, and everyone looked gloomy.

No matter who was on either side, there was no sign of joy.

Obviously, there is no winner in this game.

Looking at that young, handsome, and somewhat numb face, Qiu Chuji shouted sternly, "Kang'er, what do you mean?"

Wanyan Kang did not answer, nor did he walk with Peng Lianhu and others. He turned the corner by himself.

Qiu Chuji was in a trance for a while, bowed to Ke Zhenwu, Zhu Cong and others, and said, "If the six heroes had not come to rescue us today, my three brothers would have been dead. Besides, my evil disciple has such a bad character, and is far inferior to your virtuous disciple. For those of us who learn martial arts, character and mentality are the most important, and martial arts skills are secondary."

"I am ashamed to accept such a disciple. The duel at Zuixianlou in Jiaxing has ended today. I admit defeat and will spread the word in the martial arts world that Qiu Chuji was defeated by the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan. I am convinced."

As soon as these words were spoken, Qiu Chuji felt a tightness in his chest, yet it was as if a heavy burden had been thrown off. He had been extremely strong-willed in his entire life, and asking him to admit defeat and surrender in front of others was like asking for his life. However, things had come to this point... He had nothing more to say.

When the Six Freaks of Jiangnan heard him say this, they were extremely proud, thinking that after spending eighteen years in the desert, they had finally achieved a satisfactory result.

At that moment, Ke Zhenwu said a few humble words.

But the six monsters immediately thought of Zhang Asheng who died tragically in the desert, and they couldn't help feeling sad. It was a pity that they couldn't hear Qiu Chuji's words of surrender with their own ears.

Afterwards, everyone collected the bodies of Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo and transported them outside the city for burial. After they had some free time, they discussed the cause and effect.

Listen to what Qiu Chuji said: "It is a coincidence. After I made an appointment with you, I went everywhere to look for news about the Guo and Yang families. For several years, there was no news at all. But I never gave up. This year, I went to Niujia Village in Lin'an Prefecture to investigate. I happened to see a few officials moving things to Brother Yang's old residence."

"I followed them and eavesdropped on their conversation. These people were quite important. They were actually soldiers of the Zhao Palace of the Great Jin Kingdom. They were ordered to take all the household items in the old residence of the Yang family. They said they were broken stools and chairs, iron spears and plowshares, and nothing was allowed to be missing. I became suspicious and knew there was something fishy going on, so I followed them all the way to Zhongdu." "I went to the palace at night to see why the Zhao prince had moved these broken things from a long distance. After the investigation, I couldn't help but feel angry and uncomfortable. It turned out that Brother Yang's wife, Bao, had become the princess. I was furious and wanted to kill her with a sword, but I saw her living in a small brick house, stroking Brother Yang's iron spear and crying all night. I thought she had not forgotten her ex-husband and was not completely heartless, so I spared her life."

At this point, Qiu Chuji paused for a moment, as if recalling something, his expression a little dazed.

The crowd did not rush, but just waited quietly for what was to come.

"Later, I found out that the little prince was actually Brother Yang's blood. After a few years, when he was a little older, I began to teach him martial arts."

Ke Zhenwu couldn't help but ask, "That kid has never known his own life experience?"

In fact, there is a hint of questioning in these words.

If Wanyan Kang had known his identity earlier, perhaps things would be different now.

This is true for Yang Tiexin, Yang Kang, or Bao Xiruo.

Qiu Chuji's expression became more complicated upon hearing this, and he sighed, "I have tried to persuade him several times, but I saw that he is greedy for wealth and fame, and is not a man of character, so I never pointed it out."

"I have taught him several times how to conduct himself, but he just gave me a perfunctory response with his slick words. If I hadn't made an appointment with the seven of you, how could I have the patience to waste time with him?"

"I was going to let him compete with the young master of the Guo family. No matter who wins or loses, we will make peace with each other, explain his life story to the boy, bring his mother out, and choose a place to live in seclusion. Unexpectedly, Brother Yang is still alive, and I and Brother Ma were plotted against by traitors. In the end, we couldn't save the lives of Brother Yang and his wife. Alas!"

When Mu Nianci heard this, she covered her face and sobbed again.

However, Qiu Chuji's words made the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan feel somewhat dissatisfied.

These words sounded harsh and rather cold; in comparison, what were the eighteen years they had spent in the depths of the desert?
It was late at night and everyone was asleep, but Qiu Chuji's heart was restless for a long time.

He said it lightly during the day, only referring to Yang Kang's natural greed for wealth and fame. In the end, he was just trying to save face and be tough. In fact, didn't he regret it?

If he had thought of more ways to rescue Bao Xiruo and her son from the palace, Yang Kang would have become a righteous young man under his guidance. How could he have become what he is today?

In life, it is inevitable to be burdened by fame. Although Qiu Chuji was a monk, he could not see through it.

The reputation of Quanzhen Sect as the best in the world and the orthodox Xuanmen sect has long made him feel helpless.

With so many worries, he loses his loyalty and gentlemanly demeanor.

"If I could start over again, what would I do?" Before entering into meditation, Qiu Chuji thought to himself.

Someone seemed to respond to him: "Flowers may bloom again, but people can never be young again."

"Those who leave me should not be allowed to stay, those who disturb my heart will cause me more worries, if I make mistakes, I should correct them, if I make mistakes, I should pay for them, that's all!"

Qiu Chuji opened his eyes, got up from the bed with a start, and asked, "Who is talking to me?"

"I am Qiu Chuji! Greetings, fellow Taoist!"

"You are Qiu Chuji, then who am I?" Qiu Chuji shouted angrily with his eyes wide open.

"I am you, but you are not me. Give me three years and I will give you a brilliant and 'good' disciple." said a voice from the dark.

"Monster! How dare you talk nonsense? Come out and fight me!" Qiu Chuji just scolded, but he didn't realize that the noise he made didn't wake up his fellow disciples next door, nor the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan.

"You owed him eighteen years, and now you can't even give him three years?"

"Qiu Chuji! Qiu Chuji... If I become you one day, I would rather die in the joyful youth." The voice continued, but it made Qiu Chuji feel heartbroken.

"Okay! Three years is three years, what do you think?" Qiu Chuji originally planned to go with the flow and lure the person out first, but as soon as he finished speaking, his consciousness became dizzy, and in an instant he seemed to have entered the deepest level of meditation, and his perception of everything was vague and hazy.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew and opened the closed window, and the moonlight poured in and illuminated the bed.

Qiu Chuji finally opened his eyes at this moment, with light and dark flickering in his eyes. Gradually, his pupils stabilized and his mind and intelligence returned to unity.

"It is so mysterious. The soul travels through time and space, senses others and me, and cultivates myself through others. After this experience, even though the demon fetus is difficult to tame, I have benefited a lot in my cultivation." Qiu Chuji stood up and sensed the true energy in his body. The true energy was quite good, but compared with his original body, it was like a stream compared to the sea, not worth mentioning.

The primordial spirit is mighty and rushes into the heart. The Heart Lake Qi starts to operate naturally and quietly reaches perfection.

Afterwards, Yuexia swallowed a mouthful of the Qi of heaven and earth, circulated the Longmen Qi, strengthened his body and tendons, and completed the strengthening of muscles and bones in an instant. The total amount of true Qi increased by more than three times, and there was a trend of slowly transitioning to true Qi.

(End of this chapter)