Chapter 620: Giant Bamboo Country
Of course, for Li Qiye, who had seen countless treasures, no matter what Ancient Pine's gift was, it wouldn't enter his sight. Li Qiye said: "Take it, maybe you will have a use for it."
Shi Hao calmed down. He obediently listened to Li Qiye and accepted the box.
Li Qiye added: "Take whatever you can with you. Perhaps you will stay there from now on after this trip. As long as you work hard, the Giant Bamboo Country will not mistreat you."
Shi Hao respectfully replied: "I will remember Brother Li's words." He engraved these words into his heart.
Outside of those close to him, Li Qiye wouldn't easily pass down merit laws or his alchemy dao to just anyone. His decision to teach Shi Hao was not only because he held high regards for Shi Hao, he also wanted to train him out of love for the Giant Bamboo Country so that it could have an alchemist with high potential later on.
Shi Hao went to gather his luggage. He was a bit unwilling at first, but in the end, he made up his mind and decided to go with Li Qiye to the capital. He was still young and couldn't contain his excitement.
The group followed the monarch to the capital. Ancient Pine was very attentive and acted respectfully as if he was a servant. This was quite a fascinating scene since the monarch was one of the eighteen demon monarchs of the Giant Bamboo Country, a great character who presided over an entire domain. But now, he was someone else's servant — this was quite difficult to believe.
However, the monarch was clear on the fact that he was allowed to attend to Li Qiye because Li Qiye liked him. Otherwise, he would not even be qualified to act as his attendant.
Meanwhile, Bai Weng played second fiddle to the monarch and took care of the menial tasks.
The Giant Bamboo Country's capital was a big and extremely prosperous city where demons and golems gathered.
The moment one set foot inside, they would see a gigantic tree growing from the depths of the imperial palace, a tree that towered all the way up into the clouds and covered half of the sky.
The capital was enveloped by the shadow of this bamboo tree, creating quite a scenic picture. The lushful green shade of the tree would amaze any new visitor to the city.
The name of the country came from this huge bamboo tree. Rumor has it that the country would remain strong for as long as the tree continued to live; some people believed that the tree was also a lot older than the Giant Bamboo Country.
No one in present times could state the origin of this tree, and there were very few writings about it even in the imperial palace. Another legend dictated that this was the Divine Guardian of the country, that the tree itself was an invincible god that had always protected the country. This was the reason why this country continued to exist for millions of years.
Despite this speculation, no one had ever seen the Divine Guardian take action before. For the past millions of years, the country enjoyed peace free of large-scale wars since no one ever attacked its capital.
It was a haven for demons. Although there were many golems here as well, it was still dominated by the demon race.
However, the progenitor of the country was neither golem nor demon. Those who didn't know about this particular piece of history would be shocked after learning this fact.
The old tales stated that the progenitor was the most amazing goddess or marvelous immortal fairy. It didn't matter whether she was a deity or an immortal, the progenitor was extremely powerful during that era.
Although the written records about the progenitor were scarce, it was a huge event in the entire Nine Worlds when she founded the Giant Bamboo Country.
At its inception, countless sects and tribes from all over the Nine Worlds came to celebrate the occasion, including the monstrous existences in the Stone Medicine World like the Alchemy Kingdom and the Jianlong Clan. The most popular rumor was that even the Immortal Emperor of that generation personally came!
Future generations were very skeptical of this matter. They felt that these records belonging to the Bamboo Country could have been embellished to flatter itself.
However, this was not only limited to the country's records, even the Alchemy Kingdom had the same tales in their historical annals.
These few words were shocking enough. All the races and Godkings and even an Immortal Emperor from all over the worlds came to visit!
The writings about the progenitor herself were very scarce as well. Some wrote that she was an immortal while others believed that she was a goddess.
Her origin and background remained a mystery and was without any records. What kind of existence was worthy of such respect that all the great existences over the Nine Worlds came to celebrate?
There were some debates regarding the personal arrival of an Immortal Emperor. This was written in the Giant Bamboo's records, but other lineages believed that the emperor only sent his congratulations and did not personally attend. Nevertheless, it was clear that even an Immortal Emperor was alerted of the founding of the Giant Bamboo Country.
Such a history was heavily debated in the Giant Bamboo Country and even throughout the Alchemy Realm. All were confused by why the Giant Bamboo Progenitor establishing her own country was such a big deal.
Despite the commotion of its founding, the country had never been powerful enough in the past millions of years to compare to any imperial lineage. In fact, it didn't even belong in the top rankings for great powers, but it had always been at peace. Even until now, no great powers or imperial lineages had dared to attack the Giant Bamboo Country.
This always-peaceful country followed the system where its royal lord position would be passed down to the most capable person. Thus, despite not being a strong country, it was heaven for those desiring a mundane life, especially for ordinary mortals.
Li Qiye and his group entered the capital. The four of them harbored different emotions and thoughts.
Shi Hao, the youngest of the group, was especially excited for his first visiting the capital. He looked around like a country bumpkin visiting a city for the first time and was especially shaken to see the huge bamboo tree that pierced into the clouds.
Of course, the boy was ecstatic since his dream was to visit the capital. Today, it had been fulfilled, so how could he not be overwhelmed with joy?
As for Li Qiye, complex emotions ran rampant as he looked at the huge bamboo tree up in the clouds and the capital below.
After so many years, the Giant Bamboo Country was still here. The bamboo tree was still here, but his old acquaintances were gone. After Yan'er left, Li Qiye still visited the Giant Bamboo Country very often. However, in future generations, every time he came to the Stone Medicine World, he only stayed outside to look at this old city from afar as well as its vast scenery instead of entering the capital.
To Li Qiye, this was a place that contained many memories that would evoke sadness upon remembrance.
In this life, Li Qiye had finally stepped inside the capital. Although the people living here were no longer the same, Li Qiye still wanted to see this country established by Yan'er as well as visit a few places from so many years ago.
Since Li Qiye was silent, Bai Weng and Ancient Pine next to him especially didn't dare to speak. Only the young Shi Hao was excited and found interest in everything within his gaze.
It was already nighttime when they reached the capital. Ancient Pine had his own mansion in the capital so he invited Li Qiye to his place, saying: "Young Noble, you must be tired from the long trip. It is now dark, so how about you stay here and rest?"
Li Qiye wanted to stay at the capital for a while, thus he was not in a hurry and nodded his agreement.
After arranging a place for Li Qiye as well as telling the servants to treat him with the utmost care, Ancient Pine quickly entered the imperial palace to seek an audience with the Demon King.
"Demon Monarch, what matter requires that you need to see me at night?" Madam Zi Yan curiously asked after the monarch asked to see her at this time of day.
Ancient Pine quickly said: "Your Majesty, I want to introduce to you an alchemist. You must get him to stay!"
In addition to being very humble and open-minded, Madam Zi Yan was a wise king and always searched for talents. After hearing this, she shook her head and said: "Elder Pine, recently, all the monarchs have been recommending me alchemists. A few of them aren't bad, but you don't need to be so hasty like this." 1
"No, Your Majesty, Young Noble Li is peerless. Those other alchemists can't compare to him! I wouldn't be in such a hurry if it was an ordinary alchemist." Ancient Pine quickly added: "It is more apt to say that we need to beseech such a supreme alchemist like Young Noble Li."
Madam Zi Yan was quite surprised and asked: "He is that great? How does he compare to the four alchemy prodigies?"
"Those four are nothing compared to Young Noble Li." Ancient Pine quickly answered: "The future Alchemy Emperor will be Young Noble Li for sure!"
"Elder Pine, you have to consider carefully before saying such words." Madam Zi Yan was stunned and had to speak in a serious tone. All eighteen demon monarchs were experienced and were not the impetuous type. However, Ancient Pine's words just now were very grave, so Madam Zi Yan had no choice but to act with discretion.
620 TeaserOf course, for Li Qiye, who had seen countless treasures, no matter what Ancient Pine's gift was, it wouldn't enter his sight. Li Qiye said: "Take it, maybe you will have a use for it."
Shi Hao calmed down. He obediently listened to Li Qiye and accepted the box.
Li Qiye added: "Take whatever you can with you. Perhaps you will stay there from now on after this trip. As long as you work hard, the Giant Bamboo Country will not mistreat you."
Shi Hao respectfully replied: "I will remember Brother Li's words." He engraved these words into his heart.
Outside of those close to him, Li Qiye wouldn't easily pass down merit laws or his alchemy dao to just anyone. His decision to teach Shi Hao was not only because he held high regards for Shi Hao, he also wanted to train him out of love for the Giant Bamboo Country so that it could have an alchemist with high potential later on.
[collapse] Pine = Song. I believe the more accurate translation here would be, Elder Song, since Song might actually be his name too, but Pine is okay I suppose. ↩Chapter 621: Recruiting Talents
"I am absolutely certain. Here, this is a pill refined by Young Noble Li where I watched the process with my own eyes. Please have look, Your Majesty." The demon monarch hurriedly handed a pill over.
Madam Zi Yan's expression greatly changed as she got up from her throne after seeing the six transformations pill. She cried out: "Impossible!"
"This fate pill is real." The Demon King's reaction was within his expectations. If he didn't see it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it either.
Madam Zi Yan exclaimed with a pale countenance: "Ninety percent purity, golden color… This is the most amazing and peerless six transformations pill! The one and only of this generation!"
Ancient Pine spoke: "This situation should only occur in nine transformations pills, but Young Noble Li was able to do so for a six transformations pill. It is not an exaggeration to say that no one in the contemporary times can match him."
After a long while, Madam Zi Yan took a deep breath and slowly sat down, then she skeptically asked: "Did Young Noble Li really refine this pill?"
Ancient Pine immediately replied: "I am one hundred percent certain. I swear with the life of my entire family! Your Majesty, this is Young Noble Li holding our Giant Bamboo Country in high esteem."
Then, the monarch retold Li Qiye's dan refinement process.
Even a Demon King like her couldn't help but gasp after hearing the monarch's story. After some time, she solemnly said: "This is completely unbelievable… If this is true, then isn't he comparable to an Alchemy Emperor?"
Ancient Pine responded: "Even if he isn't one right now, he will definitely become an Alchemy Emperor in the future; the four prodigies can't compare to him. If our Giant Bamboo Country can keep a talent like this, then we'll rise sharply in the future!"
Madam Zi Yan remained quiet. As a Demon King and the ruler of a country, she understood the significance behind an Alchemy Emperor. If they had one in the future, then guests would come nonstop with an endless supply of people asking for medicines. Virtuous Paragons and Godkings would gladly stay in the Giant Bamboo Country. If this became reality, then the Giant Bamboo Country would be prosperous just like the golden age of their founding.
A supreme Alchemy Emperor could change one's fate and prevent death. Even if they couldn't reign over the Nine Worlds like Immortal Emperors, their prominence remained strong.
Madan Zi Yan calmed down and asked with a serious tone: "What is the background of this Young Noble Li?"
Ancient Pine answered: "Young Noble Li is a human, a vagrant cultivator that doesn't belong to any sect."
"How could that be?" Madam Zi Yan pondered for a bit before stating: "All four alchemy prodigies are from famous heritages. If Young Noble Li is this amazing, then he shouldn't be so unknown."
Her skepticism was not without merit. Alchemists had a higher status in the Stone Medicine World than any other world, and a peerless alchemist was even more valued. All the imperial lineages would compete for them.
Ancient Pine quickly brought up Bai Weng's point of view: "We can't speculate the thoughts of extraordinary people. In my opinion, Young Noble Li doesn't care for fame since he could easily gain prestige, power, and treasures whenever he wants."
"But why would such a supreme alchemist stay at our country?" Madam Zi Yan asked with doubt.
Ancient Pine told her Shi Hao's situation: "I think Young Noble Li has some sentiment for the Giant Bamboo Country. He is also training a disciple who is currently an envoy of ours."
Madam Zi Yan contemplated again before eventually saying: "It would be best if such a supreme alchemist could stay at our Giant Bamboo Country; this is an opportunity granted by the heavens. However, we need to discuss this further and see if we can find out more about his background."
"Your Majesty's worries make sense." Ancient Pine said: "But we might miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"I understand." Madam Zi Yan nodded and said: "Keep Young Noble Li here for now. The ancestors and I will discuss this. We need to draw a bottom line if he wishes to stay. As long as we don't have to cross that line, then we'll do all we can to keep him here. I will send people to investigate his background."
"Your Majesty's decision can't be any better." Ancient Pine praised: "It is best if Your Majesty made a decision now and discussed further details later. I will try my best to hold him back, but don't expect more than three days. If we cause him to feel unpleasant, then everything will go down the drain."
Madam Zi Yan nodded and said: "Elder Pine can worry about treating him well. If the ancestors give permission, I will go see him tomorrow."
Ancient Pine agreed and was about to leave before Madam Zi Yan spoke once more: "Regarding the Alchemy Conference, you and the other monarchs can discuss it a bit. Try to delay picking the second participant for now. We can decide on the Qing Clan right now, but give the decision on the Lie Clan more time."
"Your Majesty wants to use the boy from the Lie Clan as a participant for the conference?" Ancient Pine was taken by surprise: "The boy's skill is much worse than the Qing boy."
"I'm still thinking about it." Madam Zi Yan shook her head and said: "We don't have a better option. Although the Lie Clan's inheritor has flaws regarding his alchemy dao, we don't have many who are better than him. More importantly, the Lie Clan has a Fire Source so they will always have a good Heavenly Cauldron. If the Lie boy joins, then he will surely bring his family’s heirloom, giving him a great advantage."
At this point, she paused a bit before continuing: "What's more, the Qing Clan still strongly recommends the Lie Clan's inheritor as the second candidate. Although the two clans are related, I suppose the Lie boy's conditions are not that bad. The Eagle Demon Monarch had pushed for this several times already."
Ancient Pine could only sigh. Although the country was always peaceful, there was no lack of internal political maneuvering. He replied: "If Young Noble Li stays and participates in the conference, then we can relax and won't need the Qing Clan. The Qing boy is far worse than the four prodigies, but the four are nothing compared to Young Noble Li."
Madam Zi Yan slightly nodded in agreement: "It would be best if Young Noble Li agreed to stay and represented us. However, the important part is whether we can accept his conditions or not."
Both Ancient Pine and Madam Zi Yan believed that a promising alchemist would have astonishing conditions required for them to stay at the Giant Bamboo Country. If one couldn't afford to pay the price, how could they hold onto a supreme alchemist?
Ancient Pine remained silent. The Giant Bamboo Country was not comparable to an imperial lineage, so if Li Qiye's conditions were too high, then they wouldn't be able to accept them.
At this point, Madam Zi Yan said: "Elder Pine, you can return now, and treat Young Noble Li well. I will report this to the ancestors and see their decision."
A Demon King like her couldn't decide such a grand matter alone.
Ancient Pine bowed his head and left the imperial palace.
While all of this was taking place, Li Qiye was currently staying at the mansion with many servants at his beck and call. Under the command of Ancient Pine, none of the servants dared to slack off, treating Li Qiye as their most esteemed guest.
After washing his face, he dismissed all the servants. All alone in the room, he absorbed the worldly energy and began to activate his merit law.
He was cultivating a law from the Death Scripture. With the channeling of the law, a white flower floated inside his sea of memories. The sea had eighteen petals that had just finished being refined. However, the petals were bleak as if they were made from paper.
This white flower was the Death Record, one of the four techniques in the scripture.
After successfully creating the Death Record, each time the user died, one of the flower petals would be activated.
At the same time, a huge seal floated inside his body. This seal was formed from extremely complex laws. It was the Death Seal, another of the four techniques.
When this seal is completed, if the body suffered any injury, then this seal would carve a supreme law that redirected all the damage to the seal instead, then it would transform this injury into an energy of death!
As for the last of the four techniques, the Death Chapter, Li Qiye couldn't finish it at this time because it required a huge amount of death energy!
After a lot of hard work, the Death Seal and Death Record had been completed. Li Qiye then heaved a sigh of relief and stood up.
He left the room to gaze at the tranquil night sky with luminous stars. Being at the capital of the Giant Bamboo Country made his mind quite heavy with thoughts.
On this quiet and solitudinous night, Li Qiye couldn't help but think of a certain person, a person who had followed him by his side as his friend.
He eventually calmed his sentimental mood and wanted to go to a certain location. Many years had passed and he wondered if it was still there. Without much further thought, he flew there to take a look.
In the outskirts of the capital, there was a very small village to the eastern mountain range.
This village was very inconspicuous and was under the Giant Bamboo Country's jurisdiction.
There were only around ten families in the village — a few dozen people. It was very ordinary looking and there was a big old house at the end of the village. This old house had lost its splendor, but the architectural style indicated that it was once quite majestic.
It was indeed surprising to see such an ancient house in this little village.
Chapter 622: Most Arrogant Throughout the Eons
This house was the property of the Giant Bamboo Country, so although no one was staying here, the country maintained this house carefully so that it remained intact.
It was the dead of the night so all the villagers were sleeping. There were only one or two flickering lights.
In the dark, Li Qiye stood before the old house at the end of town that had lasted for millions of years with his emotions running rampant. It was still here…
He looked at it and past images resurfaced in his heart. The events of old still lingered in his mind as he stepped inside. After tens of millions of years, Li Qiye finally came back as if it was just yesterday. Some things were hard to forget; Li Qiye had assumed that with the passage of time, he wouldn't be able to remember, but everything was still the same.
In this house, he walked from corner to corner. There were no changes inside compared to what he remembered. The scene remained the same, but the people were no longer there.
He lit up all the lamps around the house and laid down in the tallest chair in the hall. He slowly closed his eyes and became lost in the past.
In the present times, how many people knew that back in the old era, countless strategies that affected the entire Nine Worlds came from this ordinary old house?
How many knew that in the old era, countless orders that were obeyed by the rest of the world came from this house?
How many knew that in that old era, numerous Virtuous Paragons and Godkings stood in this very room, awaiting their next order?
Although this was an ordinary house, back in that time, even invincible Godkings had to wait by the door for permission before entering.
Li Qiye gently sighed with his eyes closed. That year, Yan'er was only a little girl with a humble origin, but her personality was quite commendable so Li Qiye decided to train her.
After being immersed in the past for a long while, he suddenly opened his eyes and looked outside the door with a serious glare.
A shadow flickered right outside. Someone was entering, a woman. Her beauty was quite alluring, shaming even the flowers and the moon. An elegant and noble air emanated from her body. With a single glance, it was clear that she held great authority.
The woman was stunned to see Li Qiye relaxing in the main hall, but very quickly, she regained her leisurely elegance and slowly walked inside and sat down next to a table.
Li Qiye only gave her a glance before closing his eyes again as if nothing had happened.
After sitting down, she took a look at Li Qiye, immediately recognizing him as a human. A body of flesh and blood without visible blood energy or cultivation — only a human could have these characteristics.
She carefully gauged him once more. As someone who had weathered countless storms and met many great characters, she still hadn't met anyone as arrogant as Li Qiye.
He sat in his high chair not putting anyone in his sight. He was too lazy to even care for the heaven and earth with his supercilious demeanor. However, on this second attempt at judging this arrogant young man full of hubris despite his ordinary appearance, an indescribable temperament could be found.
The woman noticed that the little man sitting on his throne didn't emit a terrifying aura, but he had a monstrous blood energy. His leisured pose as he rested with his eyes closed was as calm as the water in a well.
This little man before her seemed to be sitting above the nine heavens as the lord of myriad worlds. Even a Godking would need to stand aside with their head hung low.
This little man, at first, seemed to appear conceited, but a closer look would reveal that he had an unrivalled style that encompassed the Nine Worlds.
At this moment, when he closed his eyes to rest, he gave off the feeling that the world would be dark when his eyes were closed, and the world would be bright when his eyes were open!
After observing this little man for a while, the woman secretly chuckled and shook her head. How could that be? How could this young man be above the nine heavens and order the Nine Worlds?
She also found the whole thing to be quite strange. This place was quite remote and only had mortals around, so why did this young man come to this old building? His relaxed appearance would hint that this was his own home, and he didn't look like a homeless beggar either.
After a long silence, the woman finally broke the serene scene: "Do you know where this place is?"
Li Qiye opened his eyes and answered with a question: "Where is this place? You tell me."
The woman smiled in response: "I want to hear your opinion." Her voice was very pleasant; it was clear with a touch of gentleness.
Li Qiye laughed then closed his eyes again before answering while laying down: "This is the place where one orders the Nine Worlds, controls the gods, and reigns over myriad realms. The world trembled before any order from this place and myriad races obeyed every single word. Although this place is small and crowded, it is the frontier of the Nine Worlds, the aspiration of all the races and sects, even though they didn't dare to disturb this quiet place."
The woman couldn't help but feel like laughing, but she didn't laugh. She looked at the little man ahead and felt that he was too immersed in his own play, how he thought that he was the ruler of this world. Nevertheless, she did find it odd the way he nonchalantly uttered each word. They didn't resemble the words of a boastful liar at all.
"But that is not the case in my knowledge." The woman spoke: "As far as I know, this is the place where the Giant Bamboo Progenitor used to meditate. Rumor has it that whenever the progenitor needed to think about something, she would come here and come up with a solution."
"That was indeed the case as well." Li Qiye said with a smile: "But this place was also the commanding throne of this world, a location admired by countless races."
"Really?" The woman jokingly replied after seeing Li Qiye's serious demeanor: "If this was the location that commanded the world, who are you to sit in such a high and mighty seat? Are you the king of gods? Or maybe the Immortal Emperor of a generation?"
Li Qiye only smiled to see the woman's doubtful appearance. Of course, it was already good enough that she didn't consider him as someone insane, so he also laughed at her joke before answering seriously: "No, what is so good about being the king of gods or an Immortal Emperor? That would be very boring. Since time immemorial, there have been many Immortal Emperors, so there is nothing new about being one. It would be very meaningless."
The woman was speechless after hearing this response. This was the most arrogant thing she had ever heard in her life.
Who were Immortal Emperors? They were invincible existences that ruled the Nine Worlds and all its inhabitants. For millions and millions of years, countless geniuses, both old and young, aspired and dreamed of the day where they could shoulder the Heaven's Will and become an emperor.
Yet this young man said that it was very boring being an Immortal Emperor. Anyone would think that he was crazy upon hearing this.
However, the woman was an open-minded person on top of having great knowledge, so after hearing his reply, she didn't laugh at Li Qiye but found it rather interesting instead, so she asked with a smile: "If it is boring to be an Immortal Emperor, then who do you want to be? Or rather, what position do you find interesting?"
"The dark hand behind the curtains." Li Qiye couldn't help but smile after noticing her interest and continued: "The person behind the countless eras, the one who controls the scenes for millions of years, manipulating the direction of the Nine Worlds — now that is interesting."
"The dark hand behind the curtains? The one who controls the scenes and manipulates the direction of the Nine Worlds?" The woman jolted after hearing his answer, repeating his words while in a daze. This kind of thinking was quite surprising and interesting. To be the person behind the curtains instead of an Immortal Emperor.
The woman calmed down and began to playfully joke with the little man: "Then would even Godkings have to serve this person behind the curtains?"
Li Qiye couldn't help but take another look at this patient woman playing along with him: "Godkings? They are nothing. If I was the person behind the curtains, then even Immortal Emperors would come from my tutelage. Training one or two Immortal Emperors would be very ordinary."
The woman was at a loss for words once again since this one phrase was more outrageous than the previous. Throughout history, who would dare to utter such arrogant words? Teaching one or two Immortal Emperors? The woman felt that one couldn't surpass the haughty attitude embedded in such a phrase.
However, how could she know that Li Qiye was simply telling the truth? For tens of millions of years, Li Qiye had been the Dark Crow behind the curtains; how could anyone know of his past deeds unless they were his followers?
The woman broke into a smile and said: "So to say, anyone who could sit in this room would all be unbeatable Godkings, peerless True Gods, or Immortal Emperors?" She didn't sneer at him since she found his ideas to be very interesting. No one would dare to say what he had said.
In fact, in her eyes, she felt that although there were many geniuses right now in the Stone Medicine World, no youth would dare to declare such bombastic rhetoric, outside of the young man in front of her.