Refining the True from the False: Becoming a God Starting with Devouring a True Dragon

Chapter 98: The Heroine Crossing the Water Enters the Earth River Sect with a Single Sentence? A Battle of Dragons and Tigers Among Qi Cultivators! (5.4k)

"Using oneself as bait?"

"The organization's subordinates locked the demon cave?"

Peng Yunfan was both amused and exasperated upon hearing Wang Qi's suggestion.

This Master Wang is incredibly audacious.

"Is it really necessary to go that far?"

"Isn't this going too far?"

Peng Yunfan asked again, expressing his skepticism about Wang Qi's crazy idea, as the risk was too great.

"I was just thinking about those people from the exorcism guild."

"Their existence makes me feel nauseous just thinking about it."

"If another wave of people comes along who are constantly trying to kill me—and my own kind—then they'll be no different from the Exorcism Guild."

"So, the sooner we kill them, the sooner we'll have peace and quiet."

Wang Qi paused for a moment, then looked at Peng Yunfan and said.

"Besides—can't we be considered to have cleared the way for that Master Huang?"

"There might even be an unexpected surprise."

"That makes sense." Peng Yunfan nodded; he was certainly able to think of these things.

I just feel it's not worth it.

If it were before Wang Qi went down into the Demon Locking Cave, I would have just tried to persuade him, and if he really wouldn't listen, then so be it, everyone has their own fate.

But it's different now.

Wang Qi's performance in the Demon Locking Cave completely won him over.

It's not just about combat strength, but also about that kind of power.

Who would dare to volunteer to hold off the fiercest enemy in enemy territory, where their life hangs by a thread?

In any case, Peng Yunfan felt that he wouldn't be able to make that kind of decision unless he was truly in a desperate situation. At least, he wouldn't dare to make such a decision on his own initiative.

Therefore, he now has extraordinary admiration for Wang Qi.

"I think—should we ask the Holy Maiden of the Earth River Sect about this?"

"I think that woman is a good person. She's also an inspector, someone who came here specifically to handle this matter in Pingdushui County."

Peng Yunfan said, "Let's ask her opinion."

"They might even send a couple of guardians to protect you from the shadows."

"Alright."

Wang Qi nodded.

He also wanted to ask about the demons in the Demon Locking Cave.

You can't go wrong by finding this Holy Maiden of the Earth River Sect.

"I'll go find the saintess later."

Wang Qi glanced at the sky; the sun was about to set.

"I'll go with you."

Peng Yunfan spoke up, "I don't know if you've heard, but recently a lot of experts in the city have died suddenly, including some from wealthy families."

"Know."

Wang Qi casually remarked, "I heard from the diners that the exorcism guild thinks it's going to collapse, so they hired people to cause trouble, trying to confuse the situation and buy time."

Peng Yunfan shook his head, looking disgusted.

"What do they know?"

"The leaders of the exorcism guild are all being watched one-on-one by the city guards, so they can't cause any trouble."

"As far as I know, the dead were either notorious thugs and hooligans, or they appeared respectable on the surface."

A ruthless and wicked tycoon in secret.

"They are all the kind of cases where you wouldn't know unless you investigated, and what you find out is quite surprising."

"So, the murderer was a chivalrous hero?"

Wang Qi frowned slightly, feeling that it was not very reliable.

"Where did you get this information?"

"Hehe." Peng Yunfan laughed smugly, "To tell you the truth, I am a nominal ninth-rank military officer in the City Guard."

"In terms of rank and status, I am an official, and you are a clerk."

"I am a ninth-rank official, while my brother is of low rank—you should address me as 'Sir'."

"Greetings, Lord Peng!" Wang Qi cupped his hands in greeting, not wanting to spoil the mood. "I hope you will mentor me in the future."

"No problem, no problem."

Peng Yunfan tilted his head slightly, looking smug.

Wang Qi brought the topic back on track, saying, "If there really is such a great hero, that would be a good thing."

"yes."

Peng Yunfan nodded, "It's those old men; they're all very anxious right now."

"I wish I could tear this great hero to pieces."

"All day long, the three shifts at the yamen and our city garrison are out there catching murderers, but everyone's just going through the motions."

I also want to see just how many other treacherous people there are.

"This hero is a genius; he never kills a single innocent person."

"At first glance, the dead person seemed like an honest and upright official, but upon closer inspection—good heavens, he was quite extraordinary."

"I heard that this hero wears a red-faced mask and his eyes glow white—similar to our Holy Maiden's white pupils, but even brighter."

"From a distance, it looks like a statue of a god has come to life."

"After this happened, the business of all the martial arts schools improved."

"What do you mean by that?" Wang Qi asked in return.

"Hire us as temporary bodyguards."

Peng Yunfan held up five fingers. "The current market price is five taels a day for a Blood Realm cultivator!"

"Okay!"

Wang Qi smiled and shook his head, then suddenly realized something.

"Then you definitely don't need to come with me!"

"Hahaha—. Is it really that frank?" Peng Yunfan laughed loudly.

"Of course."

Wang Qi's voice was steady.

Shuiyi Pavilion.

As soon as the sun set, Wang Qi rushed over without stopping.

The guards at the gate already recognized Wang Qi and respectfully gestured for him to enter.

Go up to the second floor.

Wang Qi knocked on Grandma Yao's door.

"Master Wang," Granny Yao said with a smile, looking at Wang Qi, "I heard from the Broken Tendon Hand lineage that you killed a fourth-tier Dan Gun Rat Demon in the Demon Locking Cave?"

"It was just luck."

Wang Qi is modest.

"Anyone capable of slaying a fourth-tier demon is truly skilled." Granny Yao was unimpressed by Wang Qi's modesty.

"Are you interested in joining my River Sect?"

Wang Qi was taken aback.

Unexpectedly, Granny Yao sent a generous gift right from the start.

"I am currently unaffiliated with any sect or faction, and I have no idea what rules or regulations exist within a sect."

"May I humbly ask you a few questions?"

Wang Qi replied.

Granny Yao chuckled, "There aren't many rules, but having a powerful backer makes you rise quickly, and others will have to think twice before causing you trouble, considering our Earth River Sect."

"There is also a monthly stipend for disciples."

"For example, if you want to buy a house in Dushui County, you can buy it on land in our Dihe Sect. We'll give you prices close to cost."

"You know Xiaoshi Street in Nanfang City, right?"

Wang Qi nodded, "It's located in the central area of ​​Dushui County, and it's also right next to Shaoshu Academy."

Do you know how much the house prices are there?

Grandma Yao asked.

"Most of the houses over there are large mansions, and each one must cost at least five thousand taels of silver, right?" Wang Qi wasn't sure. He had heard a lot of information from the diners at Song Yue Lou restaurant.

There are all sorts of gossip about unofficial rankings, officialdom, and even issues related to people's livelihoods and housing prices.

He knows a little bit about all sorts of things.

One reason why they didn't move out of Songyue Tower was that Songyue Tower was a natural intelligence station, allowing Wang Qi to keep abreast of changes in all aspects.

Grandma Yao slowly extended three fingers.

Three thousand taels.

Before Wang Qi could gasp, Granny Yao continued, "Of course, these are all petty gains."

"The real big prize, besides the sect's protection, is all sorts of miraculous elixirs and rare treasures."

"Aura diagrams that can cultivate imposing power, Purple Blood Pills that cleanse the marrow and strengthen the body, top-tier cultivation techniques, top-tier magical artifacts...

"Too many to be true."

"Then what do I need to do?" Wang Qi asked.

"What do you need to do?"

Grandma Yao suddenly froze.

What do you need to do to join the Earth River Sect?

This sounds a bit absurd, like an ordinary student asking a teacher at Dushui Academy, "What do I need to do for the academy after I enter it?"

Who would dare to ask that question?

but.-

The Wang Qi before me is different.

He figured out his own way of exorcising evil spirits through fists and feet.

This alone is shocking enough.

This matter seems simple, but it's just a matter of understanding the underlying principles.

But over the years, who has ever broken through this barrier?

By comparison,

It took him less than a year to go from his first cultivation practice to single-handedly killing a fourth-tier demon.

Instead, it didn't seem so outstanding.

What level is Wang Qi at?

She really didn't know.

Why did I let Wang Qi join the Earth River Sect?

Grandma Yao suddenly smiled with relief.

"I want you to storm the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain and plant the Earth River Sect's banner atop the Lock Mountain Pass."

"My name is Zhang Yao, the Second Elder of the Earth River Sect. I can promise that I will unconditionally support you until this goal is achieved!"

"How are these terms?"

Wang Qi immediately became serious. "Since Elder Yao has said so, what reason do I have to refuse?"

"good!"

Grandma Yao's face immediately lit up with joy.

"From this moment on, you are a disciple of my Earth River Sect."

"Tomorrow, tomorrow I will prepare for your entry into the sect. I will have someone send over your clothes, tokens, and everything else."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Elder!"

Wang Qi smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

He hadn't expected that he had only come to discuss plans with the saintess.

never thought,

In the blink of an eye, he was promoted to a disciple of the Earth River Sect.

The only two major clans in Beiting Prefecture.

Did I just let myself get involved like that?

Wang Qi felt somewhat bewildered.

As far as he knew, there should be some kind of assessment or sect-wide trial in between, held once every three years or something like that—

"By the way, what brings you here today?"

Grandma Yao saw Wang Qi standing there dumbfounded, and then she remembered.

"I have come to see the Holy Maiden, hoping to discuss an important matter."

"However, since the Second Elder has already promised to let me join the sect, it's the same if I tell you."

Wang Qi immediately told Granny Yao about the plan.

After a while.

Granny Yao looked at Wang Qi with a complicated expression. "You really aren't afraid of death, are you?"

"You actually came up with a plan like this?"

"Taking such a risk—I really don't know whether to say you're reckless or just incredibly skilled and daring."

Grandma Yao looked at Wang Qi's calm face.

"Okay, I'll personally act as your bodyguard then."

boom!

There was another noise outside the window.

Wang Qi activated his Dark Night Vision and looked outside.

A figure emanating a red aura was climbing towards the third floor.

After what happened last time...

Wang Qi already knew that this person was the Holy Maiden.

"Doesn't the saintess like to use the main entrance?"

Wang Qi asked.

Grandma Yao smiled slightly awkwardly, "She really doesn't like to use the front door."

"My mother was right to say that I should go out and see more of the world."

Soon,

Outside the door came the sound of Su Gantang, the Holy Maiden of the Earth River Sect, complaining.

"A supposedly upright official, praised by everyone, turned out to be the leader of dozens of thugs and bullies in private. When I first met him, I also thought the intelligence was wrong."

"Until I saw that the mattresses in his house were made of human skin."

"They say this creates a sense of family reunion and a lively atmosphere, which is beneficial for cultivation and rest!"

"Is this something a human being should say?"

Bang·.·

The door was kicked open by the white-eyed girl.

Their eyes met, and Su Gantang's expression instantly turned cold.

"Why is it you again?"

"Why do you always come at night?"

Wang Qi smiled helplessly, "The Holy Maiden is also an inspector, and she's extremely busy during the day—I thought I'd only see her at night."

"Holy Maiden," Granny Yao said, "Wang Qi is now a disciple of our Dihe Sect, not an outsider."

"oh."

Su Gantang's cold expression softened slightly. "Wait, hasn't our Earth River Sect's sect examination started yet?"

"I'll make an exception and accept him. I'll handle the rest of the procedures—the disciple's spot will be registered under my name, so there won't be any delays."

"it is good."

Su Gantang nodded.

There are generally two paths to becoming an apprentice of a high-ranking official.

One option is to participate in the sect's grand examination and pass it.

Then, from the outer sect to the inner sect, then to the elder's personal disciple, then to the core disciple—and then either to be promoted to Holy Son or Holy Daughter, or to become a steward or elder.

The second option is to directly become an apprentice of an elder, starting with personal instruction.

The latter naturally has fewer rules and regulations.

However, the requirements for being accepted by the elders are extremely stringent.

However, this was not so difficult for Wang Qi, who had become famous in Dushui County and had carved out his own path to exorcise evil spirits.

"Just keep it to yourselves. Don't tell anyone you hear this tonight."

Su Gantang gave instructions.

"clear."

Wang Qi nodded.

He now knew who the great hero Peng Yunfan had mentioned was.

It turns out to be the Holy Maiden of the Earth River Sect.

The holy maiden, born into a prominent family, enjoys being a masked chivalrous hero.

Isn't this just Waterloo County's own Batman?

After Granny Yao explained Wang Qi's purpose for coming tonight, the coldness in Su Gantang's eyes lessened.

"That's a good idea."

"I'll go with you then!"

Wang Qi decisively shook his head and refused.

"If the Holy Maiden goes, then some people will not dare to go."

"Too."

Su Gantang looked regretful.

"But you did give me an idea."

"What inspired you?"

Wang Qi was curious.

"I can go fishing too!"

Su Gantang began to get excited.

"I'll release a preview tomorrow!"

"Give me a heads-up about which tyrant and corrupt official I'm going to kill tomorrow!"

"Lure all those corrupt officials who hate me to the bone here, and slaughter them all!"

"Huh?"

Upon hearing this, Granny Yao's expression immediately changed. "This is absolutely unacceptable!"

"If this gets exposed, wouldn't that mean—"

"What do you want?"

Su Gantang looked at Granny Yao, "Are these corrupt officials and tyrants going to the Northern Court to accuse me of wrongfully killing innocent people?"

After she finished speaking,

He then looked at Wang Qi, "Perfect, you deal with the traitor, and I'll deal with the corrupt officials and bullies."

"A two-pronged approach!"

"The best of both worlds!"

The two of them exchanged a few words, and a tacit understanding had already begun to emerge.

Grandma Yao, who was standing to the side, looked at the two of them and sighed.

"None of them are easy to deal with."

Early the next morning.

Wang Qi then took out the Dragon-Tiger Pill, cooked it, and ate it.

Subsequently,

He then continued to refine the demonic energy within his chest.

Wang Qi peered inward, observing the changes within the Golden Dragon Refining Cauldron.

Boom!

I don't know when.

The blood tiger, formed from killing intent and which had been repelled by the golden dragon in the past, rushed in.

The roars of dragons and tigers rose together.

The two engaged in a fierce battle, using Wang Qi's body as their battlefield.

The golden dragon diverted most of its power to maintain the cauldron, locking away the dense demonic energy within.

A small golden dragon emerged to fight.

The remaining space inside the body.

It all turned into a battlefield between the golden dragon and the blood tiger.

Wang Qi knew,

This is when the Dragon Tiger Pill starts to exert its power.

Blood Tiger was clearly outmatched and was defeated in just a few moves.

But soon,

New Blood Tigers emerge and continue to launch challenges.

The murderous aura was dispersed, turning into raindrops that caused a blood rain to fall inside the body.

The golden dragon's indestructible golden body also seemed to have cracks, as it was scratched by what appeared to be an endless stream of blood tigers.

Golden "blood" seemed to seep into its tiger claws.

Wang Qi watched the changes in both of them with bated breath.

But it was soon discovered that...

The battle between these two will not affect one's normal cultivation.

Wang Qi ignored it.

He began cooking the meat, practicing the second level of his Dragon Elephant Secret Martial Arts.

middle,

Wang Qi summoned Li Gangfeng and his brother, Peng Yunfan, and instructed them to spread the word that he would retaliate in kind against the demon race's bounty. He would be gathering a group to descend into the Demon Lock Cave and attack the underground world.

Almost simultaneously.

A notice appeared throughout the city, hanging all over the streets and alleys.

The target is the leader of a certain gang, and the document lists his numerous crimes and the timeline for his execution.

For a time,

The city was bustling with activity because of these two events.

Fifth-Rank Vegetarian Restaurant.

In the spacious meditation hall.

Redwood flooring covered the entire area, creating a seamless blend of color between heaven and earth.

Yang Xiuchen, dressed in white, sat cross-legged on a futon in front of a large cauldron.

To the left and right of the futon, two celadon incense burners slowly emitted wisps of smoke, as if they were sentient, circling around Yang Xiuchen.

It rose and fell with the rise and fall of its breath.

From a distance,

Humans and Qi (vital energy) are integrated into one.

It was as if an immortal had appeared here, riding the clouds and mist.

before,

It was Chu Yutang, who was sitting cross-legged at the bottom of the steps.

He had nothing around him; there was neither celestial aura nor a futon.

Like a mortal devoutly seeking the Tao. The two are of different levels, one high and one low, one celestial and one mortal.

This further highlights Yang Xiuchen's extraordinary qualities.

a long time,

Yang Xiuchen slowly opened her eyes. "Yutang, have you gained any insight?"

Chu Yutang shook his head.

"Anger can entangle you, but power cannot."

"I believe I'm already calm and composed, so why can't I achieve harmony between my emotions and my actions?"

"Please enlighten me, Master."

The path of Qi martial arts requires practitioners to cultivate their own aura in order to be considered talented.

The hallmark of being a master of Qi cultivation is the ability to combine Qi with momentum, truly unleashing the power of Qi and momentum.

in this way,

It can give those with relatively weak physiques a stronger offensive capability.

in this way,

Only then can one be considered capable of standing on one's own.

Yang Xiuchen extended her palm.

A stream of "immortal energy" condensed in his palm.

slowly,

A snow eagle the size of a palm materialized.

The patterns on its feathers and the expression on its face seemed almost alive.

It chirped incessantly in Yang Xiuchen's hands, making it impossible to tell if it was real or fake.

Chu Yutang watched this scene from the side, his eyes revealing a deep sense of shock.

next moment,

Yang Xiuchen suddenly threw the snow eagle in her hand.

boom!

In a flash,

The snow eagle's body swelled up, instantly filling the entire hall.

A sudden gust of wind arose, and the temperature inside the main room plummeted.

It was as if a heavy snowfall was falling, instantly covering Chu Yutang's eyebrows with frost.

And the next second,

Yang Xiuchen clenched her fist and pulled her hand back.

The strong winds suddenly stopped.

Everything returned to calm.

"I call this step the transition from falsehood to truth, from the abstract to the concrete."

"Therefore, he is a master of Qi cultivation."

"A Qi cultivator who has mastered Qi is not even in the same league as a so-called Qi Master at the fifth or sixth level."

"There's no point in saying more. You'll understand when you actually reach that threshold one day."

Yang Xiuchen said calmly.

"Then may I ask, Master, how can one achieve authenticity?" Chu Yutang humbly sought instruction.

"How to achieve authenticity—"

"Actually, the answer is very simple: just observe its form and spirit."

"The techniques of traditional martial arts were derived from observing the battles between demons."

"Our path is the same."

"It's just that we Qi Masters place more emphasis on comprehension."

"Go out more often."

Chu Yutang bowed, "Thank you for your teachings, Master."

"Go."

Yang Xiuchen waved his hand, then suddenly called out to Chu Yutang, "That Master Wang from Song Yuelou seems to be going down into the Demon Locking Cave?"

"Yes."

Chu Yutang spoke up, "I also intend to follow."

"What Wang Qi said makes sense."

"We humans demand an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."

"How can we just stand by and do nothing while they offer bounties?"

He stared intently at his master as he said this.

"Go."

Yang Xiuchen didn't say anything more.