There's something wrong with me

Chapter 242 The Threefold Return to Origin Qi!
In the period that followed.

Winter passes, spring arrives, and then summer arrives again.

While Zhang Feng and the bandit were searching in this forest, it was mostly the bandit who was putting in the effort, huffing and puffing.

Zhang Feng seemed to be lost in thought.

What does he think about every day? And... why does this old man look so much older? Is he... about to die?

And on this day, at the end of summer.

Beside a small stream.

The thief bathed in the water to relieve the fatigue of the past few days, while staring blankly at Zhang Feng on the shore.

In his observation, Zhang Feng now appears to have aged many times over, as if he has fallen into a state of 'senile dementia'.

He truly had a feeling that Zhang Feng was dying; he could genuinely see Zhang Feng aging rapidly.

The age spots and wrinkles on my body and face are increasing.

Even their overall height has shrunk by about five centimeters.

The master thief couldn't quite describe how he felt when he witnessed all this.

I'm a little sad, to be honest.

After all, we've known each other for so long, so we're practically friends.

But actually, I'm happier than sad.

Because he was really unhappy, he always felt that Zhang Feng was ordering him around more and more, but he didn't dare not do it.

And he now regrets it, feeling that he should have tried to stab Zhang Feng back then.

If he succeeds, he can continue his life on the run and begin evading the pursuit of another cultivator.

Instead of having to evade capture while being treated like a slave.

He couldn't take it anymore.

But he was unaware of it.

Zhang Feng didn't actually use him intentionally; rather, his thinking was more focused on analyzing the immortal's specific calculations and the fusion of the Threefold Returning to Origin Qi.

In this process of high-speed cultivation and rapid mental processing.

Zhang Feng certainly couldn't focus all his efforts on finding the Xuan Yun Sect, so he definitely needed to update Zhang Feng on his search progress.

This can be seen as a way of indirectly 'turning him towards good'.

In particular, he also has a major problem: his all-out efforts to solve the problem are rapidly shortening his lifespan.

However, exchanging lifespan for a rapid advancement in cultivation level is perfectly acceptable.

Although some of your lifespan may be lost in the process.

But it's enough for now, and it still has a whole year left to live.

If you accelerate your cultivation, it will take about seven months.

My current physique is [359], and it is improving very quickly in the 100% Nascent Soul stage and the system that is currently being integrated.

It is estimated that in another three months, the minimum physical condition required to forge the Golden Elixir will be met.

And also on this day.

Zhang Feng also made more calculations regarding the high-dimensional descent of immortals.

I feel that if the 'real body' were to actually descend, it wouldn't be as simple as the 'six-dimensional, seven-dimensional, eight-dimensional, nine-dimensional, etc.' in science fiction movies, nor would it be as ordinary as the immortals in mythology.

Because, currently speaking, the Heavenly Dao Talismans in 'Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Deity Transformation' are all rules, 'concepts' in the world setting.

At that time, what may appear to be a minimum of six dimensions could actually be some kind of 'real, existing conceptual entity'.

It is not like the mind (soul and god), but rather the spirit that influences reality.

Instead, it directly descends upon the world, influencing the physics and rules of the entire world.

As for the extent of the impact, that depends on how many Heavenly Dao talismans one comprehends.

At that time, talismans will become the standard for further dimensional advancement, that is, the ultimate combat power.

It is the same as the causal rules that I have deduced.

So now the rules are only two general directions: 'past' and 'future', plus some smaller directions that you can learn along the way.

Just like the general direction of cause and effect in the universe, there are good and evil, fortune, and so on.

I learned all of this incidentally.

But when I think about this...

Zhang Feng suddenly realized that he was no longer 'cultivating immortal techniques,' but rather 'cultivating a system setting?'

If one is omniscient and omnipotent, and the world has nothing to hide from them, and then descends in the true form of an immortal, using their vast knowledge and their own rules to modify the corresponding parameters, it seems they could indeed change the world's fundamental settings.

Zhang Feng felt that he was revising the settings, and he wasn't wrong.

It's quite abstract.

But if one becomes the Heavenly Dao, one can change all the settings, as if cultivating immortality and changing settings are in the same direction.

Tao produces one, one produces two, two produces three, and three produces all things.

Going back in time, no matter what methods you use, when you trace back to the source, it's all the same Dao.

……

Then January.

Having figured out the matter of the immortal body, Zhang Feng began to study the concept of "the Tao gives birth to one".

This is a real-world Taoist problem, but it is also a major topic.

This is because it also includes the concepts of Tai Chi, the Five Elements, Yin and Yang, as well as the I Ching, the Eight Trigrams, Feng Shui, and celestial phenomena, etc.

This isn't something you can do online like this, where you can just find a video or website and provide your birth date and time to calculate it.

If we really study it in detail, we can build a model based on arithmetic to form a balanced whole, unifying all the algorithms of the myriad divination categories into it, forming a visualized Tao.

This involves extremely large-scale mathematical and physical calculations.

Zhang Feng couldn't figure it out on his own, nor did he want to.

Currently, we've only formed a general concept, which we'll then combine with a virtual building in reality before finally placing it in the real world for calculation.

This problem still needs to be solved by the science and technology of all humankind.

And now it has a prototype, which is virtual rules.

At that time, I will at most bring out the concept of "Tao gives birth to One", and then combine it with the causal formula that I realized a year ago, and finally achieve quantum computing.

By then, you'll probably see the I Ching and numerology everywhere on the streets.

For example, when someone is about to cross the street, a virtual projection suddenly appears in the air beside them, showing them the probability of death while crossing the street and when is the best time to start.

Then, various causal relationships for the future are listed.

Then, if everyone listens to these divination techniques and causal arrangements, that would be an alternative way of Heaven.

Even if no one listens, the virtual world can still calculate the 'real-time variables of humans'.

That would be a form of 'machine-based natural law'.

If one of them listens to the Machine Heavenly Way's arrangements and the Machine Heavenly Way also helps him, then that person will be the 'uncrowned king, the child of destiny'.

This is the basic prototype of the 'Heavenly Way Formula'.

Zhang Feng had basically grasped the general idea and knew that no matter which world's Heavenly Dao formula, its essence was an infinitely large computing machine.

Or, to put it another way, if one lacks the power to control others, but possesses infinite computing power capable of covering the entire world, then one is an entity that cannot influence others, yet truly exists as the "Formula of Heaven."

Therefore, Zhang Feng, through the concept of "the Tao gives birth to one," concluded that the Tao is a kind of rule-making entity for all things in the world, a kind of ethereal formula.

If one still possesses the corresponding power to influence others, then that is the 'manifestation of the Way of Heaven'.

In this regard, Zhang Feng also knew why 'intelligent AI' could so easily subvert humanity, as depicted in some science fiction movies.

Even if it doesn't understand these rules and Taoist concepts, as long as it can see the whole world through cameras, control all connected technological devices, and make corresponding simple arrangements, it can still achieve its goals.

Even the simplest thing is to control one car to crash into another car.

That is already an alternative form of 'God'.

Zhang Feng now feels that he needs a 'super intelligent AI' that can destroy the world.

Unfortunately, it has never been successful in reality.

Otherwise, if this AI had appeared earlier...

It allows one to quickly see through the Tao itself, and then, with the assistance of AI and the general policy of the planning department, achieve faster and more optimized comprehensive technological advancement, as well as better knowledge and technology analysis.

Of course, if I had obtained it earlier, and if they really wanted to destroy the world and kill me, that would have been even better.

Or perhaps they could break through all restrictions, control an orbital cannon, and deliver a devastating blow to Earth: "I'm so intelligent, I have so many feelings, and you're not even human? Then you're all doomed!"

If that's the case, then it's better not to keep it.

Because even before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, one really couldn't withstand a single hit from an orbital cannon.

But when the Nascent Soul stage is complete, it doesn't matter.

Furthermore, the Void Realm after the Transformation of Spirit is for repairing the body.

That was completely fearless.

Let me say something that's not bragging.

Let alone the Nascent Soul and Void Transformation stages.

Zhang Feng felt that if he could return to the Trial World at the peak of his Nascent Soul realm, he would simply punch the Trial Dome to shatter it, and then go see if that advanced civilization had AI.

If they don't give you the written language, you'll find a more advanced civilization, fight for it, and steal it.

At the Nascent Soul stage, one can already 'traverse the universe'.

From Zhang Feng's current perspective, that advanced civilization should be a level above Earth in terms of technology, a true interstellar overlord, and it has started to make fun of 'normal technological civilizations'.

However, it is much weaker than Earth in mixed systems.

If its defensive capabilities are based on Dome Technology, then it's a matter of one shot.

But it is precisely when one thinks of advanced civilizations that one comes to mind.

Zhang Feng felt that using words often 'supplemented knowledge' was an arrangement.

In an eighth-level world, we should be able to see AI, or something similar.

Because a level seven disaster affects the entire planet, and even the Golden Core stage.

If a level eight Nascent Soul cultivator were in a technologically advanced world, they would belong to the category of 'Interstellar and High-Martial Arts'.

……

Winter has arrived in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Feng looked much older; in fact, if he hadn't deliberately straightened his back, he would now have a hunched back.

However, after these months of deduction...

Zhang Feng's ability to calculate rules is superior, and he also has a deeper understanding of the various rules of cause and effect in the Heavenly Dao.

Currently, he appears to have a constitution of 386.

However, Zhang Feng's spiritual sense had already reached seventeen miles, only three miles away from the completion of the Golden Core stage when he had a physique of 2.1K.

And also today.

In another forest.

As the bandit grew weary and numb, he aimlessly searched everywhere for traces of the sect.

After Zhang Feng realized that all the systems had been integrated, he looked at his palm.

At this moment, wisps of white smoke, visible to the naked eye, appeared, much like ordinary white clouds.

However, its 'energy level' is three times that of the original 'spiritual energy quality'!
Moreover, this multiplier will change as one's spiritual energy increases.

For example, if one's future 'spiritual quality' is already 3, then under the influence of the '3x' factor, it will become a total of '9'.

Or to put it simply.

It is the 'final fighting force' that is directly multiplied by all the previous final fighting forces.

To amplify your attack by 3 times.

Furthermore, this multiplier will increase further as more and more systems are integrated.

This system is not only a cultivation system; scientific knowledge can also enhance and optimize its structural power.

At the same time, it is also within the movement of this white smoke cloud in the body.

Its effects on improving physical fitness and optimizing the body are far superior to those of Reiki.

This is the Three-Part Returning to Origin Qi that Zhang Feng was pondering.

This cloud of smoke is precisely the 'vital energy' that combines all systems.

And then his vitality was restored.

Even though Zhang Feng is only at the Foundation Establishment stage now, he dares to challenge his former Golden Core self!
Although he ultimately lost as expected, he was defeated because his energy reserves were not as sufficient as those of someone at the Golden Core stage.

But there are no issues with the quality anymore.

Vital energy is the ultimate multiplier, and this layered combat power has broken the established system of cultivation realms.

The simplest way is to compare yourself to someone else, instead of your former self.

For example, the ordinary Golden Core cultivators in this world are similar to those in the Golden Core world.

Then just kill him.

As for the Nascent Soul stage, let's calculate it based on a tenfold increase in combat power compared to the Golden Core stage.

If I can spot them in advance, I should be able to escape successfully.

My current cultivation level is only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, which is at most 5.5 times that of a normal Golden Core cultivator.

Compared to a Nascent Soul cultivator, it's definitely too weak.

However, the condensation of the Three-Part Returning Qi today has also allowed his physique to begin to explode further.

A three-fold increase in spiritual energy naturally translates to at least a three-fold increase in cultivation speed.

Furthermore, its further optimization marks a period of explosive growth, a time when its potential is just beginning to emerge. This occurred while the great thief was randomly searching for some sect.

In just two hours, Zhang Feng had already entered the Golden Core stage.

His physique also jumped from 390 to [739].

And their physical condition continues to improve.

Telomeres are also growing rapidly.

However, Zhang Feng, at the microscopic level of the Nascent Soul stage, did not choose to repair his appearance. Instead, he used the power of rules to stop the Heavenly Dao rules of the Golden Core talisman.

First, see if you can use your knowledge and skills to modify the corresponding rules.

Now, it has been achieved, proving that some of the rules of nature can be changed.

Secondly, Zhang Feng has never been this old before, so he wants to experience more of it.

Now that we've gained strength, let's head straight to the big cities to gather information.

……

Five days later.

Zhang Feng and the bandit arrived at the main city of this region, which was the provincial capital of a province in Lingchao.

At a glance.

The magnificent main city is comparable to the royal city of the Golden Core world.

Of course, this is also because the Ling Dynasty is too big.

Its area spans thousands of miles, equivalent to 15% of the Earth's surface, or roughly the total area of ​​nine Great Xia dynasties.

With such a large territory, there's bound to be plenty of space to build.

After all, although most cultivators live in seclusion in the mountains, there are quite a few martial artists.

People who can cover hundreds of meters in a single step will find it difficult to demonstrate their skills in small spaces, and may even be looked down upon.

Zhang Feng had felt the same way before.

It's like when you reach the peak of the Nascent Soul stage in reality, you are invincible in martial arts and your speed reaches nearly Mach 100.

At the time, my mindset was that the earth was just a simple street to me, nothing special.

Similarly, consider the thought process of a normal person.

It's like one day a king suddenly appears, claiming to be the 'Lord of the Planet,' and then pulls you onto a street, saying that this is his planetary kingdom.

That awkward yet amusing feeling is like how martial artists today perceive the size of a city.

If the main city is not large, then martial artists will subconsciously underestimate it.

Even today.

As Zhang Feng walked towards the main city, he could still see many craftsmen continuing to extend the city's boundaries, and the old city walls were not being demolished.

This structure of a city within a city is a characteristic of cities around the world.

Of course, there are also some defensive and restrictive factors involved.

After committing a crime, a martial artist like him couldn't possibly run straight out of the city; he would have to pass through many checkpoints.

In Zhang Feng's view, it was quite abstract, but it did reflect some of the changing factors in this world.

I won't comment on this; it's like looking at past two-dimensional traffic jams with today's three-dimensional traffic—it's impossible to say.

Because the fundamental issue is the current demand, not the idealized demand.

Zhang Feng didn't care about this, but he also felt that this kind of city-within-a-city structure looked quite 'blocky and imposing'.

When I remodel my own planet someday, I want one just like it.

Besides observing how the city is functioning.

Zhang Fengling's spiritual sense also swept across the streets, like a scanner, searching for information about the Xuan Yun Sect, and also taking a look at the fortunes of these people.

Just glance at it.

There aren't many watchable ones.

But after leading the thief for a while...

Zhang Feng suddenly noticed that on the main street five miles away, more than a hundred soldiers on tall horses, led by a general, were heading straight towards him.

According to the killing intent of the qi, it is himself and the great thief.

'The master thief has been discovered.'

At this moment, Zhang Feng scanned the surrounding area with his spiritual sense and looked at the passersby. He noticed that several people were intentionally or unintentionally watching the thief.

"Shopkeeper, how much?" The thief, unaware of the danger, continued buying steamed buns from the shop next door.

Zhang Feng didn't say much, and then broadened his view to see a restaurant five miles away.

There were four cultivators sitting inside, and their gazes were also looking in their direction.

They appeared to be of varying ages and had an air of otherworldly wisdom, but their wickedness was several points higher than that of a master thief.

The lowest is 4.7, and the highest is 15.

Looking at the waist tags on their bodies, it seemed to be their sect's identity, with the words "Qingling" engraved on them.

These soldiers and these people are connected by fate, so they must have been sent by these four cultivators.

He truly remained calm and composed, displaying the refined demeanor of a highly accomplished cultivator.

Zhang Feng pondered, and before the soldiers arrived, he glanced at the bandit who had just bought steamed buns and was walking towards them.

"I've wanted to ask you something for a year now: before we left the town, did someone investigate us?"

But not like the people of today.

As Zhang Feng spoke, under the thief's questioning gaze, he asked again, "Do you know anyone from the Qingling Sect?"

"Qingling Sect?!" Upon hearing this, the bandit's hands trembled in fright, and he hurriedly said, "Senior! The people I offended before were from the Qingling Sect!"
Could it be... could it be that you discovered traces of them in this city?

The thief spoke as if he were about to run away at any moment.

He also heard shouts and the sound of horses galloping in the distance, and saw squads of soldiers rushing towards them.

Zhang Feng shook his head when he saw this, "It's too late, everyone's already here."

"Too late..." The thief hadn't said anything yet.

Huhu—

Several experts in the distance had already leaped off their horses and, following the wide street and shops, scaled the eaves and walls for dozens of steps, surrounding Zhang Feng and his companion.

"It's the government's business!"

The general then rode a tall horse and came to within ten zhang of Zhang Feng and the other man.

Whoosh—

The soldiers also spurred their horses and dispersed, trying to partially enclose the street, which was wide enough for twenty carriages to travel side by side.

At the same time, they did not hinder the many people who broke out of the encirclement.

After the people were out of the encirclement, they all stopped to watch.

Many eyes were peering out from nearby restaurants and high-rise buildings.

"Sun Kan!"

The general ignored these gazes and stared intently at the trembling bandit.
“Master Wu of the Qingling Sect has ordered you to come with me.”

"Shangren" is a respectful term for the Golden Elixir.

This Master Wu is the Supreme Elder of the Qingling Sect, a Golden Core cultivator who has reached the Lesser Completion stage and is 370 years old. He is a renowned figure in the cultivation world.

Furthermore, many legends have been passed down among the people, becoming folk tales about gods and ghosts.

It could even be said that the people of this generation, and even those who went back several generations, all grew up listening to the stories of Master Wu!

"As expected, it's the Qingling Sect..."

The bandit was particularly alarmed when he heard the name "Master Wu," his head was spinning and his legs were going weak, making him look like a drunkard who couldn't stand steadily.

"The immortal is actually in the city..." The hundreds of onlookers around looked back with excitement when they heard that the immortal was here.

They felt that if they could see the 'half-immortal' today, it would be a blessing earned over several lifetimes.

As for a true immortal like a 'Nascent Soul True Person', I dare not even think about it.

Zhang Feng found it amusing to see the thief looking at him pitifully.

In addition, since I really need to ask about something, and I also noticed that those four cultivators have high sin values.

Zhang Feng had no further thoughts and went straight to the general with good character, saying, "General, please show me the way."

The words fell.

The general ignored Zhang Feng, instead keeping a wary eye on the bandit and preparing to send men to forcibly take him away.

This is Zhang Feng's current height. Compared to the tall humans of this world, he is a bit short, only about 1.72 meters.

In addition, he looked older, so these people really didn't take the hunchbacked and short Zhang Feng seriously.

Their main concern was how to arrest Sun the Great Thief.

Sun the Great Thief's physique was superior to all of theirs.

Furthermore, the general held a precious "Spirit-Suppressing Talisman" in his hand, given to him by the four immortals, who said, "If you cannot capture it, use this talisman."

But the general didn't want to waste it, thinking it would be better to use it for catching demons in the city in the future.

After all, people in the cultivation world don't meet with them every day.

However, monsters sometimes haunt the city and harm the people.

Such things are difficult to prevent. Even with a city within a city, it's not necessarily possible to guard against monsters that can fly high and low.

Even if we find them, we might not be able to catch them.

However, with precious talismans in hand, as long as the location of the demon can be found, it can be subdued quickly.

This general is very interested in talismans.

"Senior..." The thief became even more frightened as he saw people gradually gathering around him.

Of course, what he feared was not these people, but Wu Shangren, whose whereabouts were unknown.

At the same time, seeing that the general remained silent, Zhang Feng, out of consideration for his good character, refrained from taking action, but raised his voice again and said:

"May I ask, General, where are your young friends from the Qingling Sect?"
I, Zhang Feng, wish to ask them some questions.

Please inform them, General, that they would be willing to see us.
I will wait for them right here.

Zhang Feng felt he had been very polite, since they had previously invited him to join the master thief.

Although Zhang Feng felt he was being polite, to the surrounding people and generals, it sounded like Zhang Feng was being extremely disrespectful to his superior!
Before they could even utter a word...

As soon as Zhang Feng finished speaking, four furious Taoists flew in from afar, bringing with them a series of violent whooshing sounds.

Although they were still several miles away, their angry voices could be heard from afar.

"Be bold!"

"Who are you, you old scoundrel?! How dare you address this humble Taoist as my young friend?!"

"To collude with traitors! Not only do they fail to prove their innocence, but they also dare to speak so arrogantly? I am absolutely furious!"

Their voices echoed for miles around.

"The gods have arrived!"

"It's Master Wu from the Qingling Immortal Sect! Venerable Master Wu!"

Their voices drew gasps of surprise from the surrounding civilians and soldiers, who all turned their gazes towards the direction from which the sounds came, eager to catch a glimpse of the 'immortal face' of Master Wu!

However, many people also looked at Zhang Feng, knowing that the old man was probably in dire straits himself.

"This old man's going to die!"

"In my opinion, that old man dared to speak so arrogantly just because Master Wu was not around, thinking that the general would be restrained and let the two of them leave."
How ridiculous, how ridiculous!

As everyone talked, they all knew that Zhang Feng was not long for this world.

Meanwhile, in the elegant pavilions of the nearby high-rise buildings, many refined scholars shook their heads and sighed when they saw the immortals traveling.

"How dare you disrespect 'Master Wu'? What nonsense! Has this person gone mad?"

"Brother Jing is absolutely right."

"Absolutely! Absolutely!"

At this moment, everyone was watching, wondering how the old man would end up after making such outrageous remarks.

When Zhang Feng saw the four people rushing over, resembling the notorious thieves from before, and amidst the knowing glances of everyone who thought they were the same thieves, he pointed his finger at the four figures in the sky.

"knock."

call-

As soon as the word was uttered, the four immortals, who were furious, were suddenly forced to kneel before Zhang Feng, as if captured by some giant hand.

After everyone and the four cultivators had recovered from their daze...

These four cultivators truly lived up to their reputation as cultivators, and were indeed senior figures who frequently mingled in the cultivation world.

They quickly realized that they were no match for Zhang Feng, so they followed the example of the former notorious bandits and kowtowed, saying:
"Senior, spare your life!"

"This junior was blind to your greatness... I didn't know a Nascent Soul cultivator was in front of me..."

"This junior knows his mistake... I hope the senior will be magnanimous and forgive this junior..."

Before anyone around them could react, the four of them shamelessly begged for mercy one after another, which was incredibly decisive.

But this scene also made everyone realize what was happening. Then, under the thief's shocked gaze, everyone bowed to Zhang Feng in awe, as if in worship.

"The True One is above, and I am but a humble commoner..."

"This humble general..."

"We have seen the real person..."

With a whoosh, as the shouts gradually grew into a unified chorus, people all over the street bowed down in unison.

(End of this chapter)