Chapter 651: Man-eating Ominous Star Flower
Qing Yu became more and more unreasonable, to the disapproval of Madam Zi Yan. Li Qiye was an honored guest of the country, yet Qing Yu was humiliating him like this. This was a deliberate act challenging her. If it wasn't for Li Qiye stopping her just a moment ago, she would have personally taken action.
Li Qiye gently sighed and put on a helpless appearance, but the shots had been fired so he let it go and said: "If you really want to bet, then I can't do anything about it. Let's do it and let it be up to fate."
Qing Yu couldn't help but sneer after seeing Li Qiye's appearance. At this time, he felt his victory was assured, and Li Qiye was pretty much a dead man in his eyes.
"Don't worry, fueling a Fire Source isn't a painful death, you will be burnt into ashes in a split second." Qing Yu coldly said with a clear gloating look.
Li Qiye said: "If this is how it has to be, then start. Just make a screaming sound."
Qing Yu sneered while looking at Li Qiye to say: "Since you are anxiously waiting to reincarnate, I'll send you off."
With that, he let out a long scream with a considerable sharpness. The moment the scream came out, there was no change in the dormant Ominous Star Flower. Qing Yu then let out a loud laugh and pointed at Li Qiye to say: "Li, now it is your turn to fuel the Fire Source…"
"Ohh…" But at this second, before Qing Yu could finish, the flower suddenly rushed forward. The pistil of the flower opened its mouth like a bowl of blood and swallowed half of Qing Yu's body in an instant.
"Noo…" Qing Yu's wail came from inside the flower, but it was too late. The flower was like a hungry beast with a growing stomach and swallowed him entirely. In the blink of an eye, Qing Yu was nowhere to be found. The only thing that was left was the sound of chewing as the flower gorged on its hearty meal.
After it finished chewing, the flower let out a popping sound like a belch. It didn't do anything afterward and acted just like before as if nothing had happened.
This sudden development left all the alchemists present aghast since it happened too quickly. They were sure of Qing Yu's victory and how nothing would happen, so who would have thought that Qing Yu would be swallowed whole by the flower where not even his corpse would be left behind?
Such a scary and unexpected scene would, of course, leave all the alchemists in fear.
"Oh god…" Eventually, all the alchemists calmed down and retreated with horrified and blanched expressions as if they had just seen a ghost. Suddenly, all of them stayed far away from the Ominous Star Flower. Even Qing Yu was swallowed in one gulp by this flower, so if they were close, perhaps they would be next and get devoured by the flower without leaving behind a body.
Even Huangfu Hao was shocked by this development. Although he supported Qing Yu, he essentially didn't care for Qing Yu's outcome. Huangfu Hao only wanted to use him to test Li Qiye.
He didn't expect for Li Qiye to be right — for the flower to swallow Qing Yu whole. Of course, he couldn't care less about Qing Yu, he only wanted to learn more about Li Qiye's abilities.
As for a Demon King like Madam Zi Yan, she stood there unperturbed. With her power, she was definitely able to save Qing Yu. However, he was courting death, so why would she do so and offend Li Qiye, causing him to be unhappy?
Li Qiye couldn't help but laugh a bit. How could anyone in this world be more knowledgeable about spirit medicines and grasses than him? The flower was extremely sensitive to shrieks; the moment someone screamed, it would immediately attack the creature that emitted the sound! There were alchemical reasonings behind this that someone of Qing Yu's level couldn't understand.
"Aizz, you got the worst out of it since you didn't listen to the wise. Like I said, it was better not to bet, but you didn't trust me. Look what happened now, you've even thrown your life away, a sad death with no burial." Li Qiye smiled and calmly said while waving his hand dismissively.
It would be strange if Li Qiye would forgive Qing Yu after his malicious actions. Only death awaited him the moment he wanted to kill Li Qiye.
At this point, the alchemists present couldn't help but take in deep breaths while looking at the Ominous Star Flower before them, overwhelmed by a creepy sensation. At this time, flashing starlight still came from the flower in a beautiful fashion as if nothing had happened.
But now, none of the alchemists dared to approach it. They understood that its vicious nature had not changed and would still hunt its prey.
Just like Li Qiye had said, this was only an act, and the flower only wanted to absorb the sacred water for its nutritious properties.
The other alchemists were not only anxious, they were also dumbfounded. Earlier, they thought that Qing Yu had won for sure and that his logic was sound since it was based on common knowledge privy to all alchemists. They didn't expect that the truth was far from it.
At this moment, the common sense that they were used to had been shattered by Li Qiye, leaving them in disbelief.
The entire scene inside the alchemy garden was now silent besides the howl of the gentle breeze. Many alchemists here couldn't help but glance at Li Qiye.
Even if these alchemists were annoyed with Li Qiye earlier, at this moment, they were aware that Li Qiye was someone who was actually capable. Otherwise, the Giant Bamboo Country wouldn't have chosen him so easily. Those who sneered at him earlier shuddered and felt fortunate to not have been the one who tested the waters. Otherwise, they would have taken Qing Yu's place and end up being devoured by the flower.
The only person who was calm, perhaps, was Madam Zi Yan since she saw Li Qiye's peerless alchemy skill with her own eyes. Qing Yu couldn't compare to Li Qiye, so his end was within expectations.
"One can only say that with such low alchemy standards, being eaten by the Ominous Star Flower is no surprise." Li Qiye smiled and looked at the seemingly calm flower while leisurely saying: "It seems that the flower won't need to eat for some time now."
"You tricked him!" At this time, a cold voice came from Huangfu Hao: "You already knew this would be the result, so you urged him to his death!"
Li Qiye turned around to look at him with one eye and nonchalantly said: "So what? I only killed one person, what is there to be alarmed about? Those who provoke me should come to understand that they are being suicidal."
Li Qiye's domineering reply caused many alchemists to shudder, especially those who sneered at him earlier. They subconsciously took several steps back to create some distance between themselves and Li Qiye. They didn't want to die a miserable death like Qing Yu.
"You are too cruel…" Huangfu Hao's expression sank as he coldly said: "Someone who kills their peers like this will not be tolerated by the world!"
Huangfu Hao's rhetoric carried an air of righteousness. He simply wanted to use this chance to propel his own agenda.
At this time, Li Qiye was too lazy to look at him again. He looked around the garden and slowly spoke: "Don't pretend to be a defender of justice in front of me. While my mood is still good, instantly scram back to your Huangfu Clan with your tail tucked between your legs before I paint this paradise with blood. If you truly provoke me, then you won't be the only one dead, your entire Huangfu Clan will disappear from this world!"
Everyone gasped after hearing this declaration. It was truly too bold and caused the alchemists here to glance at each other. They didn't expect for Li Qiye to dare say such a thing to Huangfu Hao.
Huangfu Hao wasn't only the fifth alchemy prodigy, he was also a brilliant cultivator. He had reached Heavenly King, allowing him to look down upon the younger generation.
Moreover, he was also the First Young Noble of the Huangfu Clan, thus his prestige rang far across the Alchemy Realm.
But right now, Li Qiye didn't care for Huangfu Hao and opened his mouth to declare his murderous intent. Moreover, he even announced his intention of eradicating the Huangfu Clan to the roots — such a claim was far too arrogant.
A few alchemists here felt that Li Qiye didn't know the immensity of the heaven and earth and could even be described as ignorant. Of course, some alchemists also gloated with cold smiles. Li Qiye provoking Huangfu Hao in such a suicidal manner was a good thing for them.
Even Madam Zi Yan, standing by his side, had to smile helplessly. She herself thought that Li Qiye's words were too outrageous.
Killing Huangfu Hao was not difficult, but wanting to destroy the entire Huangfu Clan was far more challenging. Even their Giant Bamboo Country couldn't do so.
Huangfu Hao's expression quickly turned extremely ugly upon hearing this. He was the heaven's proud son of the Alchemy Realm, a prodigy respected by everyone no matter where he went! Their Huangfu Clan was a top ranked great power that had an alliance with the Alchemy Kingdom. Not too many existences dared to touch their clan in the Alchemy Realm!
"Well…" Huangfu Hao was enraged and replied with a cold smile: "Naive fool, I want to see what you can do! Today, I will personally skin you and pull out your tendons!"
Having said that, he took a step forward. Earlier, he wanted to find an excuse to teach Li Qiye a lesson, but he didn't expect Li Qiye to be so bold and choose to meet the blade's edge head on. This was actually perfect for Huangfu Hao.
With a sneer, he raised his foot and instantly stepped over towards Li Qiye's direction. As a Heavenly King, his stomp carried an untouchable momentum like a gigantic mountain crashing down. He wielded an attitude as if Li Qiye was an insignificant ant in his eyes that couldn't reach the apex. One foot alone was enough to crush Li Qiye to death.
However, Li Qiye didn't even bat an eye. He slightly stomped on the ground with his foot and shouted: "Scram!"
The moment his words came out, a series of rumbles appeared. It was as if there was a dragon underground. One could hear a crash, and suddenly, the muddy soil seemed to turn into a dragon that soared into the sky. In an instant, a shadow snapped forward like a long whip.
651 TeaserQing Yu became more and more unreasonable to the disapproval of Madam Zi Yan. Li Qiye was an honored guest of the country, yet Qing Yu was humiliating him like this. This was a deliberate act challenging her. If it wasn't for Li Qiye stopping her just a moment ago, she would have personally taken action.
Li Qiye gently sighed and put on a helpless appearance, but the shots had been fired so he let it go and said: "If you really want to bet, then I can't do anything about it. Let's do it and let it be up to fate."
Qing Yu couldn't help but sneer after seeing Li Qiye's appearance. At this time, he felt his victory was assured, and Li Qiye was pretty much a dead man in his eyes.
"Don't worry, fueling a Fire Source isn't a painful death, you will be burnt into ashes in a split second." Qing Yu coldly said with a clear gloating look.
Li Qiye said: "If this is how it has to be, then start. Just make a screaming sound."
Qing Yu sneered while looking at Li Qiye to say: "Since you are anxiously waiting to reincarnate, I'll send you off."
[collapse]Chapter 652: Green Bamboo
"Pah!" Huangfu Hao, who seemed to be a gigantic mountain stomping down, was suddenly smashed into a bloody pulp. "Ah!" Before he could react, his entire body was slapped away by this whip-like shadow. He was blown out of the capital and sent all the way towards the horizon before eventually disappearing in the farthest reaches of the sky.
His shrill scream filled the sky after being whipped and blown away. Even if he didn't die, he would still be at death's door!
After blowing Huangfu Hao away with one blow, both the dragon-shaped soil and the item that resembled a whip disappeared underground without a trace.
"That was…" After seeing this whip-like item, Madam Zi Yan was astounded. Amidst its action, she noticed that the whip was actually a bamboo root. To be more exact, it was a branch connected to the root. Madam Zi Yan herself used to be a violet bamboo tree, so after seeing the bamboo root, she immediately thought about many things.
The other alchemists didn't know what was going on since they were scared silly. They actually thought that there was a dragon hiding underground. They couldn't calm down as they shuddered at the thought of Huangfu Hao, a heaven's proud son at the Heavenly King realm, being swatted away like a fly by the shadow underground. How could they not be shocked by this development? Was there really a dragon underground?
Of course, there was no dragon beneath the soil. This earth was personally sealed by Li Qiye and strengthened by many wise sages, including Godkings. An extremely formidable law suppressed the area below.
After stepping into the garden, Li Qiye seemed to be enjoying the spirit grasses, but the truth was that he was measuring this land and calculating the changes to once again take complete control of the gigantic seal underground!
At this location, Huangfu Hao causing trouble was akin to courting death. Li Qiye didn't even have to do anything and could still easily kill him.
"Could that have been…" Madam Zi Yan regained her composure, but she still carried a shocked expression. She lifted her head up to look at the giant bamboo that pierced the firmament.
"You guessed correctly." At this time, while looking at the madam, Li Qiye slightly raised his brows to say: "That was a branch of the bamboo's root, just a tiny one."
This answer left the madam frozen. Although the giant bamboo tree was their Divine Guardian, for millions of years, no one had seen it take action. From the time she became a disciple of the country, she had never witnessed any movement from the tree.
The giant bamboo tree had always been the same, staying high above the clouds without any changes as if it would forever be this way for many more millions of years to come.
However, today, an outsider like Li Qiye came and spurred the giant bamboo deity to take action. Under Li Qiye's control, a small root actually came and swatted Huangfu Hao away to the ends of the earth. This was simply unthinkable!
While she was still in a daze, Li Qiye moved forward and instantly crossed the alchemy garden. At this moment, he was standing at the end of the garden, and in front of him was the path towards the Bamboo Garden.
Even though the two gardens were connected, the Bamboo Garden was currently full of rippling radiance. The giant bamboo in the sky poured down little specks of light that came together to form an extremely realistic ward and sealed off the entire Bamboo Garden. No one could cross this barrier to enter the garden.
Li Qiye looked at this barrier ahead and then the giant bamboo in the sky. He couldn't help but laugh as old scenes started to play out in his mind.
At this time, the endless sea of memories in his forehead shot out a golden law. "Bang!" This law struck the barrier and dissolved it before swiftly turning these flashing runic lines into a door.
The door opened as Li Qiye stepped inside the barrier and into the Bamboo Garden. After he entered, the door disappeared while the barrier remained without any changes, prohibiting entry for anyone else.
"Impossible…" After seeing this scene, Madam Zi Yan was horrified and had to take several steps back from the shock.
How could she not be shocked? This Bamboo Garden had always been a forbidden ground in her country. For millions of years, besides the progenitor, she had never heard of anyone else being able to enter the garden.
However, an outsider like Li Qiye could easily walk inside without using force. It was as if the Bamboo Garden specifically allowed him entry. It became even clearer to the madam after seeing the door formed on the barrier. This meant that the garden accepted Li Qiye, and more importantly, the deity of her country accepted Li Qiye.
For tens of millions of years, the Giant Bamboo Country had produced many brilliant geniuses along with wise rulers. However, outside of their progenitor, none of these people had been accepted by the garden and the deity. Despite all of this and to the dismay of the madam, an outsider like Li Qiye was accepted. She even saw it with her own eyes!
As for the other alchemists in the alchemy garden, they didn't know what was going on. They actually thought that Li Qiye was a disciple of the Giant Bamboo Country.
"Fellow guests, today was truly a grand event where everyone took the time to join us here." The madam composed herself and immediately told all the alchemists in the garden: "However, some unexpected events happened and there was a misunderstanding, resulting in spilled blood, so we can't do anything except end the party before the appointed time."
At this moment, she formally ended the party. After all, this sudden development caught even a Royal Lord like her unprepared.
The alchemists here didn't dare to say anything else. Qing Yu was dead and Huangfu Hao's fate was unknown. They knew a storm was brewing after such a big event occurred, so at this time, many of them quickly left the party.
After all the alchemists were sent out, Madam Zi Yan immediately went to the end of the alchemy garden and stood in front of the entrance, the barrier to the Bamboo Garden.
She took a very deep breath and reached out towards the barrier. She wanted to see if she could enter the Bamboo Garden or not. Unfortunately, with a bang, she was immediately repelled by an extremely powerful force from the barrier.
After she regained her balance, she took another deep breath and sent out a command: "Summon all eighteen Demon Monarchs here without delay!"
Meanwhile, Li Qiye had entered the Bamboo Garden and only saw an indistinct scene. The entire garden was immersed in a worldly energy so thick that it had nearly condensed into fog.
Such thick worldly energy was frightening. This level of density couldn't be found even in the ancestral grounds of the great powers. Anyone would feel relaxed in this place; all of their pores would open as if they were about to flutter away into the sky like an immortal.
By standing in this location, even those with the most ordinary of talents would be able to feel the laws of this ground. Those who were more talented could resonate and become close with the grand dao, and the dao would answer back.
This place could only be described as a treasure ground, one great enough to be coveted by all great powers!
"So tens of millions of years of saturation could turn a regular location into a sacred ground…" Li Qiye stood amidst this fog and felt the beat of the earth as well as the Elegant Azure Grand Vein beneath the ground. It was as if this earth was hiding a dragon, and it caused him to become sentimental.
Long ago, this land was only an ordinary location, but after a certain era, Li Qiye planted a green bamboo here. At that time, the kings heeded his call; Virtuous Paragons and Godkings all gathered here just to strengthen this ground. Many invincible existences created a supreme seal at this place.
In that year, Li Qiye used an extremely heaven-defying method to alter this land. He gathered the worldly energy from the Elegant Azure Grand Vein and moved it here so that the entire vein would cultivate the green bamboo planted by him.
As he walked around the garden, it appeared to be a forest with splashing rivers. Many flickering shadows were cast from the tree. Flowers and grasses were silently blooming with new green sprouts growing everywhere.
This place was full of life and vitality. Here was a scene of tranquility like a paradise amidst this vast world, an escape from the rowdy and mundane world.
Walking in this place allowed one to be immersed in the worldly energy, giving birth to the illusion that this was a land of immortals.
Li Qiye took a leisurely stroll through the garden and eventually found himself standing before a bamboo tree. This tree was beyond gigantic, and after millions of years, he had finally seen it once again.
It had a lush green color like jade. At a glance, it had a green and glossy glow just like a supreme immortal piece of jade.
As the flow of time raged on, this bamboo was still as shiny and moving as before. There was no sign of aging as if it could live for millions of more years without any problem.
When one stood before this unreasonably large tree, they would feel that there was a gigantic wall before them. One couldn't calculate how many people it would take to surround such a huge tree.
Li Qiye couldn't help but reach out with his hand to gently stroke the jade-like bamboo tree's trunk. He sighed before murmuring: "How many years have passed… When I brought you out from that Ominous Ground, you were only a seedling, but now you have become a deity."
The bamboo tree's shadow swayed while rustling its leaves high in the sky. Its branches fluttered back and forth gently as if answering Li Qiye.
Since Li Qiye used a law from his sea of memories to open the barrier, the bamboo tree that had turned into a deity naturally knew what had happened and who was coming.
Chapter 653: Your Disappearing Fragrance
Li Qiye gently caressed the giant bamboo and couldn't help but gently sigh in his mind. He suddenly became sad for no reason and murmured: "Not everything in this world can be perfect. Although you can't turn your dao into sentience, why is it not a good thing for you? Tens of millions of years would only be a blink of an eye. You can watch the seas turn into mulberry fields, and all the grievances and feuds in the mundane world are just ephemeral clouds and puffs of smoke."
The green lights coming from the tree slightly shifted as if it was listening and responding to Li Qiye.
He gently leaned against the tree and closed his eyes. At this moment, he felt relaxed and carefree; at this second, his mind gained a rare moment of serenity. Many things had happened in the past millions of years. Although he could cause a storm in the Nine Worlds with a simple sway of his hand, although a simple gesture from him could massacre myriad realms, although his anger had caused the world to tremble, although the state of his eyes could change day and night… For the past millions of years, he had too many things to do: kill, battle, scheme, venture, train talents…
For millions of years, besides his deep slumbers, it was as if he had never slept before. His time seemed to pass by slowly as if each moment was an eternity.
At this time, he was sitting comfortably with peace of mind. Here, he didn't need to think too much; he didn't need to be vigilant against anything. Although he had countless secrets, he was able to relax at this time.
The giant bamboo seemed to be very quiet as well. Its green light became gentle as if it was quietly protecting Li Qiye.
After a long period of time, Li Qiye opened his eyes and reorganized his thoughts. He couldn't help but smile while slowly walking around the bamboo tree.
The moment he made it halfway around, he saw a pond before him, emitting a gentle light. Before one even got close, they would feel the approaching water vapor permeate deep into their body.
The water in the pond was a collection of dew that dripped down from an old root of the tree. It took a very long time for this old root's dew to slowly accumulate into an entire pond.
"People in this world always talk about the Immortal Nectar, but how many of them have actually seen it? How many of them know that ‘Immortal Nectar’ is merely a name?" Li Qiye chuckled after seeing the pond.
This was the Giant Bamboo Country's Immortal Nectar. For many generations, many people of the country had tried to find the legendary Immortal Nectar, but all had failed. Every single location in the country had been searched, but no one was able to find it.
The Immortal Nectar was merely a name. Only those who were unaware would call this water Immortal Nectar. In fact, there were many types of Immortal Nectars, and the difference in rankings was quite great.
Li Qiye didn't linger by the pond. He continued to tread forward around the pond of nectar and finally stood before a small cabin.
This cabin was not big and was also very simple. However, after millions of years, it was as if it hadn't changed at all; it was still as clean and bright as before.
Countless images appeared in his mind while gazing at the little cabin ahead. The graceful and lively young girl that was as gentle as water and oh-so considerate… As he found himself lost in this scene, it felt as if all of it happened just yesterday, even though millions of years had passed.
"Squeak." He opened the door and, amidst his daze, he could still hear the two words "young master" being tenderly cried out just like that year. The two words "young master" made his heart so happy!
This room was still clean, and the table and chairs inside were still the same. The bookshelf by the wall was still stocked neatly with old scrolls and trunks of books.
"Yan'er… you were not able to let go back then." Li Qiye couldn't help but let out a light smile. In the end, he could only sigh softly with a sad and helpless sensation while saying: "Those years lasted for ages… I once ruled myriad worlds, and some people even said that there was nothing I couldn't do. However, the truth is, since time immemorial, frustration arose countless times. Countless people left my side, and I couldn't keep them even if I wanted to."
In the quiet little cabin, Li Qiye's eyes were like a flowing river running across each corner of the room. This place was once filled with his presence.
Before he knew it, he was standing next to the bookshelf that housed many old scrolls. He couldn't help but open some of them.
He easily read the words they contained as old scenes appeared right before his eyes. It was as if the past had struck him, as if it were yesterday, as if he was reliving past events.
If Madam Zi Yan saw these old scrolls, her soul would be scared away from her body because all of these things were secrets of the Giant Bamboo Country that were never passed down. Some of them were merit laws and techniques that even her country didn't have.
Li Qiye only casually flipped through these secrets; they were not much to him. The merit laws and techniques that belonged to the Giant Bamboo Country mostly came from him. Only a small portion was created by its progenitor.
Back in that time, its progenitor was only an ordinary girl. Li Qiye let her stay by his side and led her down the path of the grand dao while teaching her supreme arts.
Due to various restraints, Li Qiye didn't train her as a potential Immortal Emperor. Nevertheless, she stayed by his side as his maid and took care of his daily needs. Li Qiye, at the same time, gave his all and taught her the best techniques.
Although she couldn't become an Immortal Emperor, her life and skill were extremely frightening and completely heaven-defying.
Li Qiye gently went through all of the scrolls on the shelf once before putting them back.
By the window, a guqin could be found. The sight of it caused Li Qiye to gently sigh. He sat before it and took a deep breath to calm his emotions before lifting his hands to play a melodious song that carried a free and relaxed temperament. 1
The melody was enchanting, and the tune seemed to be taking Li Qiye back to the past. Back then, Yan'er's musical skill was also taught by him. Whenever he had something on his mind, Yan'er would play a tune for him. Now, when he played that old song again, he couldn't help but think about the unforgettable past more and more.
Some time passed and the song finally ended. At this time, Li Qiye paused and was lost in his nostalgia. The scenery remained the same, but the people were gone…
Outside the Bamboo Garden, Madam Zi Yan summoned all eighteen Demon Monarchs. The moment they received the urgent order, they immediately came running.
At the same time, she ordered that besides her and the monarchs, no one else could enter the alchemy garden. It could be said that at this time, the entire garden was barricaded completely.
"That… that can't be real!" After hearing the madam's words, the Eagle Demon Monarch couldn't help but take a deep breath and display a shocked expression.
In fact, all the other monarchs were aghast as well. To them, this was an impossible matter.
"How can this be? For millions of years, the legends stated that besides the progenitor, no one else has been able to enter the Bamboo Garden." Ancient Pine emotionally stated.
Although they knew that Madam Zi Yan was absolutely not lying, they still found such a matter hard to believe and couldn't accept it in a short period of time.
For many generations, even invincible Virtuous Paragons from the Giant Bamboo Country had tried to enter the Bamboo Garden, but they couldn't successfully do so. And yet, an outsider like Li Qiye, a nameless junior, was able to enter as easily as flipping one's palm.
If such words didn't come from Madam Zi Yan, then the monarchs would have never believed it.
"He didn't forcefully enter and instead went through a portal — this means that our deity has accepted him." Madam Zi Yan said in a solemn tone.
The monarchs glanced at each other in astonishment. One of them said: "This is incredible… Our country has produced many wise rulers and geniuses, but none were accepted by our bamboo deity. Yet now, an outsider was able to enter. I just can't believe it!"
"Your Majesty, what should we do now?" Another monarch had to ask.
At this point, all the monarchs looked at Madam Zi Yan and awaited her orders. They felt a bit helpless when an outsider had been recognized by their bamboo deity.
Madam Zi Yan looked at the monarchs in a serious manner and said: "Do fellow monarchs have any opinions? Go ahead voice them."
Ancient Pine pondered for a bit before speaking: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, this is a good thing and is killing two birds with one stone. Young Noble Li's dao of alchemy is peerless, so it is extremely hard for us to keep him. But now, with the acceptance of the deity, maybe we can keep him here."
"Your Majesty, I feel Brother Ancient Pine's opinion is right." The alchemist monarch added: "Since no one from our country was able to obtain the deity's acceptance for so long while Young Noble Li was able to, this means that he has fateful ties with our Giant Bamboo Country. Perhaps this is the will of the heavens, perhaps our progenitor in the heavens is answering our call so that we can have a chance to stand proudly on top of all the races…
"… Imagine Young Noble Li's alchemy skill on top of being recognized by our deity! Maybe this means that our country will be led by Young Noble Li to a new glorious peak. Your Majesty, in my opinion, this is an extremely good omen and a reason for our country to rejoice."
A guqin is a seven-string Chinese musical instrument that belongs to the zither family. This type of instrument has traditionally been favored by scholars and literati as an instrument of great subtlety and refinement. ↩