Chapter 53: The Wuji Sect, the Earthly Body is Abandoned!

  Not pursuing, not forcing, not refusing.

  Since he accidentally injured Shangguan Xue, a hint of guilt emerged in his heart. Tang Qing had to dissolve this guilt in order to feel at ease, but what he didn't expect was that the next morning, Shangguan Xue, despite her severe injuries, insisted on going to the Wuji Sect. As for the matters within the sect, she temporarily handed them over to the Great Elder. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Tang Qing also secretly handed over his own copy of "Shengmu Yuangong" to the Great Elder.

  Tang Jing was neither extremely evil nor extremely good. He never believed in the concept of karma or retribution. He did things solely based on his own preferences and feelings. If he felt something was right, no matter how much it provoked public outrage, he wouldn't care.

  Dada Dada Dada——

  A white tall horse led the way, with two bright red horses on either side as its left and right wings. The three horses pulled a carriage that galloped swiftly along the road, kicking up waves of neighs and long whinnies.

  Tang Qing sat in the front of the horse-drawn carriage, narrowing his eyes to scan the scenery around him. Feeling bored after a while, he let out a yawn and then leaned back, breathing in and out carelessly.

  Inside the carriage, Shangguan Qiyue sat cross-legged with her slender hands placed on her knees. She had closed her eyes and was recovering from her injuries. Since she made a huge mistake that led to everyone turning against her, she no longer cared about her cultivation. If it weren't for Ling'er, she would have given up long ago. After taking a Foundational Pellet, she temporarily stabilized her foundation, but only just. Her foundation had been severely damaged, making it impossible for her to engage in combat, and her body was extremely weak.

  "He..."

  She opened her eyes, and through the swaying curtains, Shangguan Qiyue saw Tang Jing's thin figure. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, gradually falling into deep thought. She knew that Tang Jing was not as simple as he seemed on the surface, but that was all she knew. As for anything else, she had no idea.

  She had tried to guess that Tang Qing might have been a master before, and for some reason, he lost his cultivation. However, this was simply not convincing. Even if the cultivation was high, after losing it, the muscles, bones, and skin in the body would still have the marks of tempering, and it was also impossible to be reborn.

  Moreover, Tang Jing's age didn't seem to match either, looking at most around twenty years old. As one's cultivation increased, their lifespan would only grow longer, but they wouldn't remain youthful forever unless they could transcend mortality and become an immortal.

  Immortal?

  It's obvious even with just a toe that Tang Jing can't be an immortal.

  What secrets does Tang Jing have? What is that black smoke after all?

  How can it be so powerful?

  Is it a monster? Is it a demon? Is it a ghost? Or is it a freak?

  In this world, demons and monsters have always been hiding among the secular. Some of them can transform into human form, but most of the time they possess ordinary people. Shangguan Qixue has encountered many demons and monsters, but she also knows that some highly cultivated demons and monsters know how to hide their aura, so she cannot judge what the black smoke on Tang Jing is.

  Apart from evil spirits and ghosts, there is another possibility for Tang Jing's black smoke - a guardian.

  There are too many mysterious beings between heaven and earth, such as the Tian Di Bao Ti, if one can successfully cultivate it, they may obtain a kind of protection. Apart from this, some ancient families also have their own guardians. As for others, those who emphasize inheritance are mostly heretical sects that pass down their guardianship through single transmission.

  Huh?

  As she thought of this, Shang Guan Xue suddenly remembered Tang Qing's identity. According to Ling Er, he seemed to be a Jianghu practitioner, and Jianghu practitioners were also unorthodox. She just didn't know which sect Tang Qing belonged to. If he was a famous figure in the unorthodox school, it was possible that he had inherited the guardian position.

  However, the famous Taoist masters have rarely entered the world since the end of ancient times and have always been the target of the Holy Church's attacks. It seems that Tang Qing is also unlikely to be one.

  Shang Guan Xue still felt uncertain, now he just hoped that Tang Qing could successfully enter the Wuji Sect and then enter the Grand Sect. Only by entering the Grand Sect would everything be alright.

  I hope so.

  All the way, Guan Qixue didn't say a word, and Tang Qing was also carefree and at ease. He looked like he was floating on air, with a careless and nonchalant attitude, just like a rogue, as if everything in the world didn't matter to him.

  On the second day at noon, the two finally arrived at Wuji Sect.

  Rather than saying it's the Wudang Sect, it would be better to say it's a mountain. This mountain is truly majestic and vast, with a single glance seeming to stretch on endlessly, giving off an aura of boundlessness. The entire mountain appears shrouded in mist, sometimes visible, sometimes not, giving people a hazy feeling. From time to time, a layer of white light emerges, telling everyone that this is a 'fairy mountain'.

  Shangguan Qixue held a pure white jade token, unimpeded in the Wuji Sect. Tang Qing followed behind, looking around, and as they passed by, birds chirped and flowers bloomed, with spiritual energy filling the air. Occasionally, one could see flying spirit cranes in the sky. This place was indeed extraordinary, and after walking for over an hour, Shangguan Qixue led him to a manor. Tang Qing waited outside while Shangguan Qixue entered the hall. Not long after, she came out with an elderly man by her side.

  The old man looked grey-haired, slender and tall in stature, with a spirited and sharp gaze, a square-shaped face, looking very majestic. He pointed at Tang Qing and asked, "Is it him?"

  Shangguan Qixue nodded beside him.

  The old man twirled his whiskers, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light as he stared intently at Tang Qing.

  Tang Qing stood casually with his eyes narrowed, staring at him.

  "Vast and endless, still as a rock, with the same lifespan as heaven...". The old man said a long passage in one breath, then took a deep breath and said complicatedly, "Indeed, it is the body of the earth." Then shook his head regretfully, "What a pity! It's really too much of a pity!"

  "Mr. Li, please..."

  Elder Li stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, "Qī Xuě, since I promised you, I naturally won't go back on my word. However, whether or not to accept him depends on the will of the Wuji Sect Master."

  "Thank you, Elder Li!"

  "Gui Xue, I see you don't look quite right, is it...?" Li Zhanglao hadn't finished speaking when Shangguan Gui Xue shook her head to interrupt him. "Li Zhanglao, I'm fine, please trouble yourself to take us to meet the leader of Wuji Sect as soon as possible."

  "Alas... You used to be a respected figure, holding an important position in the law enforcement, with a noble status. Now, you've actually come to our sect seeking help. If it weren't for that great mistake back then, how could this have happened..." Elder Li sighed and shook his head, leading Shangguan Feixue and the others away.

  Wuji Pai, on top of the great hall.

  There are eighteen stone chairs on both sides, and at this moment, fifteen people have already taken their seats. They are the elders of the Wuji Sect, each with profound cultivation that cannot be measured. On the high platform in the great hall is a throne made of white jade, its entire body milky white, shining with flowing light and colors. A middle-aged man sits on the throne, wearing a silver crown on his head and dressed in a luxurious purple robe, with intricate patterns of the Wuji diagram embroidered on it.

  This person is precisely the leader of Wuji Sect.

  Just as Shangguan Qixue brought Tang Qing in, the eyes of all the elders fell on Tang Qing. They had almost the same expression as Li Lao just now, first surprised and delighted, then disappointed and finally shaking their heads and sighing.

  "What a waste of talent! What a pity!"

  Such feelings of nostalgia have been expressed continuously from the mouths of all you elderly people.

  Wuji Sect Master also looked at Tang Qing with a gentle gaze, and said calmly, "Qixue, I didn't expect that you would bring out a Tian Di Bao Ti in just a few years as the master of Qing Yu Men. Hehe... it's really incredible, congratulations to you." His voice was as warm and calm as his person, unable to detect any surprise or other emotions, and he smiled slightly, "I've already heard about this from Li Changlao, I don't know what you want me to do?"

  "Humbly request that the leader of Wuji Sect accept Tang Jing as a disciple of Wuji Sect."

  "Oh?" The leader of the Wuji Sect looked somewhat surprised, and also seemed a bit puzzled. He smiled faintly, glanced around at both sides, and asked, "I wonder how the various elders see this?"

  "The body of the earth is also a precious treasure, but this kind of precious body has meridians and acupoints that are as solid as rocks, making it difficult to move... Since ancient times, through the ancient era, until now, there have been many bodies of the earth, but without exception, no one has been able to break through the boundary of qi. Until today, the body of the earth has become useless, not even comparable to ordinary innate talent."

  The elder said is also true, and other elders all agree.

  At this time, Li Zhang stood up and said, "Although the body of the earth has already fallen to the point where it is useless, no one has been able to break through. In the past hundred years, two people with the body of the earth have appeared, but they were rejected by the Xuan Yang Sect, the Tai Xu Sect, and other top eight sects when they tried to join. The Wuji Sect has always treated others with benevolence and righteousness, and governed itself with fairness and justice. If we can take in a person with the body of the earth, the reputation of the Wuji Sect will also greatly increase."

  "Elder Li considers the reputation of our Wuji Sect, and we respect that. However... do you know how vast a resource it takes to cultivate a single disciple in our Wuji Sect? The body of the earth is basically a useless body, our sect's resources are scarce year after year, not only do we need to cultivate disciples within the sect, but also distribute resources to over thirty lower-ranking sects. In such a tight situation, knowing that he can't break through, would you still want to waste our sect's resources?"

  Elder Li's eyebrows furrowed slightly and he said, "The body of the earth is not a useless body, it's just that no one has cultivated it to completion yet."

  "Oh? Elder Li's meaning, can this child cultivate the Great Earth Body? Hehe... If I remember correctly, in ancient times there was a genius with exceptional talent, extremely intelligent and wise beyond his years. At the age of 12, he had already formed the Great Earth Body, but unfortunately, for decades afterwards, he remained stuck at the Qi Realm and couldn't break through. Let's not talk about ancient times, let's just say it's a rare occurrence even in our great sect."

  "Two hundred years ago, the Haotian Sect took in a Body of the Earth to cultivate him to break through the Qi boundary and become the greatest person in history. The Haotian Sect spared no expense in resources on him, but what was the result? In the end, that Body of the Earth stayed at the Qi boundary for two hundred years, not even breaking through to the Post-Heaven stage before dying of old age. The richness of the sect's resources is far beyond what my No Extremes Sect can compare to. If the Haotian Sect was like this, does Elder Li want our No Extremes Sect to waste all its internal resources on cultivating a Body of the Earth?"

  Li Zhang sighed and looked at Shangguan Qixue. He shook his head slightly, having done his best but to no avail.

  At this time, the leader of the Wuji Sect said, "Qī Xuě, I suppose you also heard what the elders meant..."

  Shangguan Qixue slightly bowed her head, bent her body to salute, and pleaded, "Please consider my master's face..."

  Shangguan Qixue's courtesy was a great surprise to the elder, and even the master of Wuji Sect was slightly moved, because they all knew what kind of noble status Shangguan Qixue had before. If she hadn't made a big mistake back then, it would be the elders present who should be bowing to her.

  "Qīxuě, why must you make things difficult for me," said the leader of the Wújí sect with a sigh. "Alright, I'll give him 200 years' time. If after 200 years he can break through to the post-heavenly stage, then I'll take him in as a disciple."

  Everyone in the arena understood that Shangguan Qiyue's courtesy had brought out her master, making the host of Wuji Sect somewhat embarrassed and unable to refuse. As for the 200 years, it was just a way to cope with the situation. In the acquired stage of the Qi boundary, one needs to open up the Ren and Du meridians to enter the innate stage. Even an exceptionally talented disciple would find it extremely difficult to break through, let alone someone like Dadi Zhi who had a crippled body. The Dadi Zhi cultivated by Haotian Sect hadn't been able to break through the acquired stage in 200 years. What could be expected of him? A poor and white-haired young man, even if he were given 500 or 1,000 years, it would still be considered a miracle if he could break through the Qi-refining stage.

  Shangguan Qixue wasn't stupid, how could she not see that the leader of the Wuji Sect was just putting on a show for her? She lightly bit her lip and didn't say anything, but with a "pu" sound, she knelt down to the ground.

  At the side, Tang Qing saw Shangguan Qixue kneel down, his sword eyebrows raised involuntarily. Originally, he was prepared to be a spectator this time, quietly observing the changes. As for whether Wujipai would accept him or not, he didn't care. He only cared about Shangguan Qixue's injuries. As long as Shangguan Qixue's injuries recovered, he would leave immediately. Unexpectedly, Shangguan Qixue actually knelt down for him.

  "They won't accept it if they don't want to, why do you need to kneel? Get up quickly!" Tang Jing supported Shangguan Qixue, but Shangguan Qixue insisted on kneeling. Tang Jing immediately used force and directly pulled her up.

  Shangguan Qixue rebuked him for being rude, but unexpectedly Tang Qing just smiled lightly and looked at the master of Wuji Sect, saying: "The vision of this sect's master is really poor. Two hundred years have passed, and it's enough to transcend tribulations and become an immortal. A mere earthly body is nothing to me, let alone breaking through the Post-Heaven stage. If I, Tang Qing, can't even break through the Realm of Qi within a year, then this life will be lived in vain."