People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 367, People from the Heavenly Sect Arrive

“Merit is merit. Farmers have always been fair in their rewards and punishments. This time, you will come along to Mount Taiyi to observe the ceremony,” Tian Guang said slowly.

"Yes," Situ Wanli said with a smile.

Although going to Taiyi Mountain with him wasn't a reward, it meant that Tian Guang regarded him as a core member of the Six Halls of the Farmer's Family, rather than an outsider like the Hidden Dragon Hall.

This also means that, based on his achievements in the Hidden Dragon Hall, he has a chance to compete for the position of manager or even head of the Six Halls of the Farmer's Family.

If it were the old him, he would have been overjoyed by this, but now he has latched onto an even bigger benefactor.

There was nothing wrong with mingling in the Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws) in the Six Halls of the Farmer's Family, but following Xu Qing and the King of Qin to serve as officials and politicians in Qin would have given him a much wider world to explore.

Upon hearing this, Tian Meng frowned slightly, his gaze toward Situ Wanli filled with apprehension, but he quickly regained his composure.

Now that the six elders are preparing to step down, Tian Guang is taking Situ Wanli to Taiyi Mountain to elevate his status, thus paving the way for him to compete for the position of the head of the six halls and to balance the interests of the six clans within and outside the Farmer's Family.

Zhu Jia naturally understood this principle as well, and his eyes were full of joy as he looked at Situ Wanli. It was advantageous for him that the other party could be selected as a candidate for the hall master.

His status as the future leader of Shennong Hall is already a foregone conclusion, and Chen Sheng's Kuiwei Hall is also basically secure. If he were to have another Situ Wanli, both Gonggong Hall and Siyue Hall would be of great help to him.

Tian Guang naturally noticed the changes in Tian Meng and the Zhu family's expressions, but he didn't say anything. He did bring Situ Wanli to Taiyi Mountain with the idea of ​​balancing the Tian family and outsiders, but it was mostly because of Xiong Qi.

Around the time he received the invitation from the Taoist Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect to the Heavenly Man Agreement, Xiong Qi also sent him a letter, specifically instructing him to take Situ Wanli to Mount Taiyi.

Although Xiong Qi did not explicitly state what he intended to do, Tian Guang had some idea of ​​what he was planning, which is why he brought his men to the Qianlong Hall in Xinzheng.

"The covenant between heaven and man still has some time left. You can rest at Qianlong Hall for the next few days. You can look around, but don't cause any trouble."

Tian Guang glanced at everyone and said seriously.

"Yes."

The dozen or so people present all cupped their hands in greeting.

Seeing that Tian Guang had spoken, Situ Wanli warmly led everyone to a place to rest, while also introducing them to the food, drinks and entertainment options in Xinzheng along the way.

Besides a few important sects, the other hundred sects that accepted the invitation and the seven kingdoms also responded to the invitation from Taiyi Mountain, preparing to send people to Taiyi Mountain to attend the ceremony.

At the same time, Xu Qing, one of the protagonists of the Covenant between Heaven and Man, also walked out of Zhangtai Palace.

Looking at the lingering afterglow on the horizon, Xu Qing stretched his neck.

Xu Qing chatted with Ying Zheng for half a day, and before they knew it, it was dusk. After glancing back at the majestic and solemn Zhangtai Palace, Xu Qing boarded the carriage.

The coachman drove the carriage toward the mansion and soon brought Xu Qing home.

As soon as Xu Qing stepped down from the carriage, he noticed someone walking towards him from the alley entrance. After seeing the person's appearance clearly, Xu Qing's pupils dilated.

"Senior Brother Qing Xiaozi, what brings you here?!" Xu Qing said in surprise.

The newcomer was none other than Qing Xiaozi, who had witnessed him entering the Taoist Heavenly Sect in Xinzheng. He was still wearing the same plain Taoist robe, his black and white mottled hair was held in place by a wooden hairpin, and he held a long sword in his hand, looking somewhat like a Taoist immortal.

Qing Xiaozi walked up to Xu Qing, looking at this exceptionally young junior brother who had repeatedly stirred up controversy, and a peaceful smile appeared on his face.

“Junior brother, I’ve come here for you. The Heavenly Alliance is on the first day of next month. Invitations have already been sent to all the Hundred Schools and countries. As the main character, you naturally can’t be absent,” Qing Xiaozi said with a smile.

Xu Qing naturally remembered the pact between heaven and man; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so focused on practicing these past few days.

"I certainly wouldn't forget the covenant between Heaven and Man. I originally planned to go to Mount Taiyi after things in Qin were temporarily resolved, but I didn't expect Senior Brother to arrive first." Xu Qing smiled helplessly and said to Qing Xiaozi.
"Senior brother, this is not the place to talk. Come inside with me and we'll discuss this in detail."

"That's perfect, it'll give me a chance to see what the Grand Chancellor's residence looks like," Qing Xiaozi joked.

"Senior brother, please don't make fun of me. Just don't mind the simplicity. Please come in."

Xu Qing gestured for Qing Xiaozi to enter the mansion. This was not his Grand General's residence, but a temporary dwelling, and there were only a few maids and servants sent by Ying Zheng.

Xu Qing originally didn't want these people, since they were probably spies for other people.

However, he was no longer in South Korea. If someone came to visit him, it would be too much to not even offer him a cup of hot tea. So Xu Qing kept a few people with him.

With Jing Ni and Yan Ling Ji around, he wasn't worried about these people doing anything in secret. He would accept it if they were able to steal information or poison him right under the noses of the Luo Wang's top-tier assassins.

Upon seeing Xu Qing return with guests, the maid served hot tea, closed the door, and left.

"Please, senior brother," Xu Qing said, picking up his teacup.

Qing Xiaozi didn't stand on ceremony; he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then put it down.

“Junior brother, I am here on the orders of our sect leader to bring you back to Mount Taiyi. The Heavenly Mandate, which takes place once every five years, is of great significance as we observe the sword at the Guanmiao Terrace. It concerns the fate of Xueji.”

"In the last Heavenly Alliance, our senior brother, the sect leader, won. If he continues to fight this year, then Xueji will likely remain under the control of the Heavenly Sect. The Human Sect originally planned to have their sect leader continue to fight; the previous suggestion to have Xiaoyaozi fight was just a false rumor."

"But after we informed the Human Sect that you would be going to the Guanmiao Platform this year, the Human Sect changed their decision and sent Xiaoyaozi to fight."

"Xiaoyaozi has been famous for a long time, and after joining the Human Sect, he went into seclusion for many years, making his strength unfathomable. In order to prevent you from being no match for Xiaoyaozi, we have decided to send you back to Taiyi Mountain ahead of schedule to receive guidance from our senior brother, the sect leader."

Qing Xiaozi looked at Xu Qing and explained the purpose of his visit.

Xu Qing nodded solemnly. He naturally understood the significance of the Covenant between Heaven and Man. Xue Ji's allegiance would determine whether the Heavenly Sect or the Human Sect was the true orthodox Taoist sect and who would be the leader of Taoism, much like the dragon head staff in a gangster movie in his previous life.

Although the Heavenly Sect believes that cultivating the Great Dao requires selflessness, merging with heaven and earth, forgetting all emotions and being emotionless, one should be neither sad nor happy about anything in this world.

However, the covenant between Heaven and Man is an exception, as it concerns whether the Great Dao as believed by the Heavenly Sect is correct.

Moreover, whether he can be recognized by the Heavenly Sect and have the Heavenly Sect openly support the Qin State depends on whether he can fight to a draw or defeat Xiaoyaozi in this Heavenly Man Agreement.

"Don't worry, senior brother, I won't let everyone down," Xu Qing said seriously.

Although defeating Xiaoyaozi would be difficult, he had a compelling reason to do so. Once he broke through to the sixth level of the Evergreen Skill and transformed his inner strength into true qi, the outcome would be uncertain.

Looking at the serious-looking Xu Qing, Qing Xiaozi smiled and shook his head, saying...
"Junior brother, there's no need to be nervous. The covenant between heaven and man is not as you think, where everything is determined by the outcome of a sword fight. The skill level is just the surface; what matters is your and Xiaoyaozi's understanding of the Dao."

"road?"

Xu Qing frowned slightly.

It would be better to let him and Xiaoyaozi prove their skills against each other. He doesn't have much of a clue about the Yin-Yang Taiji Dao he cultivates right now; everything is up to fate.

Compared to the clear Dao of the Xiaoyaozi Human Sect, which treats all things and all beings equally, his half-complete Tai Chi is not much better in a real contest.

"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. Relax for now, and you will know everything when you return to Mount Taiyi," Qing Xiaozi said.

(End of this chapter)