Chu Ge was stunned: "Really?"
"Yes, just now. He left a moment ago, and you two just happened to arrive." Little Flame recounted the events in detail. Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji exchanged bewildered glances; neither of them had expected such a coincidence.
It was as if they had planned it.
Within two days, Qiu Wuji and Yan Qianlie had encountered this person, while for so many years before, he had remained completely silent. It seemed that this person had only recently begun to act on a large scale, perhaps having only recently gained some understanding of the methods to "obtain the Heavenly Dao's authority"?
And by sheer coincidence, they encountered him at this very moment, and the duel took place within the book, allowing them to solve the case directly without having to rack their brains outside trying to figure out who it was.
If they hadn't come in and taken a look, how could they have encountered such an interesting thing?
"There's something to it," Little Flame said with a grin, arms crossed, "You know yourself, Qiu Wuji and I can see through illusions, so naturally other powerful figures will follow one after another. Unless you kill all the cultivators who have reached the Tribulation Transcending level, this matter will never end."
"Don't try to persuade me," Chu Ge glanced at it sideways, "First, you need to know one thing… it's not that others will appear one after another after you and Qiu Qiu awaken. According to my analysis, this person's awakening was earlier than yours." Little Flame paused for a moment, then jumped up in anger: "Not only am I earlier than this…" "Slower than this unknown powerhouse? Did you portray me as weak? A peerless demon lord, my foot! Is this even fair?!"
"Hey!" Qiu Wuji couldn't hold back any longer: "He just led the enemy in, and now he's calling me a woman. I haven't treated you badly these past few days!"
"Huh?" Yan Qianlie chuckled: "I thought you'd maintain a cold, aloof demeanor in this world, unlike in the mortal realm. Looks like you can't maintain that here either?" Qiu Wuji paused, quickly straightening his face and falling silent.
I didn't expect that even in this world, his affairs would still take precedence. Subconsciously, I've put myself in the position of his assistant again. Look at me standing beside him, silent, it's overlapping with the mortal realm, so infuriating! Shouldn't I be in charge here?!
But then Chu Ge laughed: "What, you want me to portray you as stronger, instead of you being stronger yourself?" Little Flame also paused, similarly falling silent.
Something seems off…
"Your awakening wasn't as early as Qiuqiu's or that person's, but that doesn't mean you're weaker than them. It just means your mind might not be as sharp as theirs. Personality has nothing to do with strength," Chu Ge muttered to himself. "I don't care about the pursuit of truth and illusion by those who reach a certain level. What matters to me is what his so-called Deceiving Heaven Technique is all about, and why he can gain abilities similar to modifying the Heavenly Dao. That's what's crucial." Little Flame asked curiously, "He has this kind of ability? That's amazing…"
"Hmm… Do you have any guesses I can use for reference?" Chu Ge asked. "For example, how did you cultivate your White Flame back then? Or how did you perceive the existence of the Heavenly Dao? Give me some examples."
Little Flame thought for a moment: "Back when you two tricked me into signing some Heavenly Dao contract… wait, don't look at me like that. I'm just faithfully recounting the scene."
The two of them crossed their arms and said coldly, "Okay, continue."
"Back then, I hadn't yet perceived the existence of the Heavenly Dao, and I even laughed at Qiu Wuji." Little Flame finished.
The atmosphere turned cold.
"Is this the scene you recreated?" The adulterous couple shoved the little flame aside, pinning it to the lava and beating it.
"Wait, wait a minute, I was just going through my memories!" The little flame struggled in the lava. "I remember now. The first time I sensed the existence of the Heavenly Dao was when I was cultivating in seclusion, and suddenly the flames around me felt more real and vibrant… At that moment, I realized that our world seemed to be undergoing a process of transformation from false to real; that feeling is indescribable." More real…
Does this refer to when his achievements were better, or when he described the scenery and human emotions in more detail?
Chu Ge pulled the little flame out of the lava and asked, "Anything else?"
"At that time, I also had a faint feeling, as if a pair of indifferent eyes were looking down upon the world, and all living beings were like ants."
Chu Ge remembered.
This must have been the first time he was distracted and used two different things to perceive the universe within the book.
His observation gave these outstanding individuals a mysterious connection, allowing them to perceive the Heavenly Dao at that moment.
The world seemed to become increasingly vibrant and real, coinciding with this period. It was around that time that Qiuqiu suggested he write more about local customs and landscapes to refine his worldview and make the world feel more real. (Note: Chapter 57) Yan Qianlie sensed the existence of the Heavenly Dao around this time; presumably, others were around the same time… This should be an inevitable result after the world began to feel real.
The little flame continued, "As for my white flame, I thought back then that if my fate is ordained by Heaven, then I must possess abilities beyond Heaven's knowledge to possibly contend with it in the future. Even in the immediate future, in my duel with Qiu Wuji, if Heaven has decreed my defeat, what if I have unexpected means? The outcome is still uncertain; this is defying fate." Chu Ge was somewhat impressed and asked in a low voice, "How did you do that?"
"I was thinking, I, Yan Qianlie, am inherently violent and arrogant; I wouldn't use silent methods, like fire that silently annihilates everything. That doesn't suit my nature; it's more suitable for those sneaky, cunning people. But I did it anyway... Heaven knows..." "No?" Little Flame's expression grew arrogant. "Even if Heaven knows, does Qiu Wuji know?" Qiu Wuji pursed his lips. "I don't know. You succeeded." Little Flame put his hands on his hips, then sighed. "But last time you all... I thought of this, but I forgot you could have tricks beyond my expectations. The final result might indeed be my loss... but I'm still not convinced. This is the result set by the Heavenly Dao, not necessarily a reflection of our strength. One day I will fight you again. Don't worry about the Heavenly Dao, let's see who wins!" Qiu Wuji smiled slightly. "Alright." Chu Ge put his hands on his hips. "He keeps calling me the Heavenly Dao, and you too!" Qiu Wuji rolled his eyes at him and ignored him.
In a sense, you are the Heavenly Dao. You don't even know how to settle the score for betraying your master and ancestors in that little essay a couple of days ago. What's wrong with the characters in our book calling you a dog?
Chu Ge didn't argue with them, lost in thought.
Yan Qianlie's experience can only be used as a reference. This is Yan Qianlie's perspective, not someone else's.
For example, if Yan Qianlie wants to defy the Heavenly Dao, wouldn't some people think the opposite, believing they should follow the Heavenly Dao's lead, searching for its flaws, finding its loopholes, and even replacing it?
The Heavenly Dao in this world has flaws, it's obvious.
One's control over it has never been absolute; it's always been a process of exploration and strengthening—that's one point.
Secondly, this world itself has undergone "fragmentation and reconstruction" because the original setting was changed. Readers know the style is inconsistent, so there will inevitably be some inconsistencies in the world. To put it bluntly, even the protagonist's shift in mindset from a harem to a harem of beauties is somewhat contrived. If a powerful figure like Qiu Wuji, after years of observation and reflection, discovered some loopholes and exploited them, it wouldn't be difficult to understand.
Then this person isn't deceiving the Heavenly Dao; they are seizing it.
Seeing Chu Ge deep in thought, Little Flame asked curiously, "What are you thinking about? Since this person has come knocking on our door and is even begging me to capture you like a madman, why don't we put on a show and meet him, then swarm him and take him down? Can he really withstand me and Qiu Wuji working together, plus your corrections? I don't believe there's anyone that strong in the world."
"Because he has countless puppets, the one we meet might not even be his true self, so capturing him might not be useful." Chu Ge smiled brightly, "I'm asking these questions to deduce his personality from his current abilities, to see who fits better... After all, I'm your father, no one understands you better than me."
Qiu Wuji: "..."
Little Flame: "..." Both of them wore stern faces. "So, Dad, who's on your mind?" she asked.
"I have some ideas, but I haven't decided yet. I'll try to find out more after another meeting. Has he asked you when you'll meet?"
"No," Little Flame smiled. "But I know how to meet him."
Chu Ge nodded. "He directed you to find the Crimson Flame Dragon Bone, which implicitly indicated the meeting place. You captured me and took me to the Dragon Bone Land; he must be there."
The father and son exchanged a smile.
Qiu Wuji remained expressionless. She realized she was the only one who hadn't thought of this.
These subtle hints, like slits, are something we righteous people can't handle. It's you demonic cultivators who are so cunning, yet you dare to be so violent and arrogant! And you, Chu Ge, why are you so knowledgeable too!