The peach blossoms at Qingxu Temple had bloomed and withered again. In the blink of an eye, three years had passed. During these three years, the cultivation world welcomed a rare period of peace and tranquility. All sects devoted themselves to recovery and rest, while young disciples emerged like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. At the foot of Qingxu Temple's mountain, a bustling market had even risen, where cultivators from various sects gathered to trade and discuss the Dao, becoming a new sacred ground for cultivation.
On this particular evening, Xiao Qi strolled leisurely along the mountain path. The setting sun stretched his shadow long across the ground, and passing disciples bowed respectfully as he passed. Over these three years, he had seldom meddled in sect affairs, dedicating most of his time to comprehending the realm of Spirit Transformation. His Senior Brother managed the sect's operations flawlessly, his Third Senior Sister presided over the Law Enforcement Hall with fairness and strictness, his Second Senior Brother's Spirit-Demon Engine had been implemented across every peak, and even Zhao Tiezhu's Body Cultivation Academy had produced more than a dozen Golden Core stage body-cultivation experts.
Everything was developing in the best possible direction.
Returning to his cave dwelling, Xiao Qi began his evening practice as usual. The Nirvana Crimson Flame Sword floated on his left, its blade radiating a warm and lustrous glow. The Creation Cauldron rested on his right, the Taiji diagram at its base rotating slowly. Over three years, these two quasi-immortal treasures had deepened their connection with his will, becoming almost an extension of his physical form.
As night deepened and the bright moon hung in the sky, Xiao Qi immersed himself in deep meditation. His spiritual sense merged with heaven and earth. He could perceive the bustle of the market a hundred li away, hear the sleep-talking of newly admitted disciples, sense the gurgling flow of the spiritual veins beneath the earth. This feeling of connection with all things granted him deeper insight into the realm of Spirit Transformation.
In this moment of absolute silence, an extremely subtle voice, as delicate as a spider's thread, brushed lightly across his sea of consciousness.
"Was it worth it?"
Xiao Qi's heart stirred slightly, yet he remained composed. This voice was very familiar to him—it was none other than the demonic entity's origin sealed beneath the Green Lotus. Over these three years, this was already not the first time.
"For the sake of these ants, was it worth giving up your chance to ascend?" The voice carried a seductive undertone. "With your aptitude, you should have broken through Spirit Transformation long ago and ascended to the upper realm. Why torment yourself for these flesh that will ultimately decay, lingering in this small world?"
Xiao Qi closed his eyes in concentration, the Green Lotus origin slowly rotating in his dantian, keeping that demonic thought at bay.
"You think that sealing me will save this world?" The demonic entity's voice slithered like a venomous serpent. "Look at this world! Greed, jealousy, hatred... these negative emotions can never vanish. As long as these emotions exist, I will never truly perish."
Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting flickering shadows across Xiao Qi's face. He could sense that this demonic thought was stronger than any before. It seemed that three years of peace had allowed the demonic entity to recover much of its strength.
"What exactly are you protecting?" The demonic entity's voice suddenly turned sharp. "Those people who profess to address you respectfully as Temple Master, aren't they scheming for benefits in private? Those sects that appear united, aren't they engaged in intrigue behind the scenes? Is this the human nature you wish to protect?"
Xiao Qi's brow furrowed slightly. These words were like fine needles, precisely piercing the softest corners of his heart. Over three years, he had indeed witnessed much darkness in human nature. For resources, former allies who had fought side by side could turn against each other; for power, fellow disciples could scheme against one another.
"Give up..." The voice softened, like an old friend offering comfort. "Ascend to the upper realm and pursue the true Great Dao. Why waste your talent on these unworthy lives?"
Just then, several images flashed through Xiao Qi's sea of consciousness: his Senior Brother staying up late to handle sect affairs, his exhausted figure; his Third Senior Sister standing firm in defending sect rules even at the cost of offending elders; his Second Senior Brother's unwavering determination after dozens of failed experiments; Zhao Tiezhu patiently teaching disciples hand by hand...
Then there were ordinary disciples: the young men sweating profusely on the martial training grounds, the young women studying diligently in the scripture library, the merchants conducting fair trades in the market...
"You see..." The demonic entity's voice carried a mocking tone. "You wavered."
Xiao Qi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as clear as water. "No. I have become even more determined."
He stood up and walked to the window. Moonlight poured like water across the serene mountain forest.
"You are right. There is darkness in human nature." Xiao Qi's voice was calm yet firm. "But precisely because of this, we must guard the light even more. Senior Brother's sense of responsibility, Third Senior Sister's fairness, Second Senior Brother's perseverance, Tiezhu's sincerity... aren't these the most precious aspects of human nature?"
The demonic entity fell silent for a moment, its voice turning cold. "You will regret this."
"Perhaps." Xiao Qi gazed at the distant starry sky. "But if I had to choose again, I would still choose to protect."
He activated the Green Lotus origin, the pure purification power flowing around him. The demonic entity's whispers receded like an ebb tide, but Xiao Qi knew this was merely the calm before the storm.
The next morning, Xiao Qi convened the sect's senior members. When he spoke of last night's experience, everyone wore grave expressions.
"The demonic entity is recovering faster than we anticipated." His Senior Brother spoke with a heavy voice.
Third Senior Sister's fingertip flickered with sword energy. "It seems peaceful days are numbered."
Second Senior Brother produced the latest improved design for the Spirit-Demon Engine. "We need to accelerate our progress."
Zhao Tiezhu clenched his fists. "My Body Cultivation Academy has trained a batch of capable fighters. We're ready for battle at any time."
Xiao Qi looked at these united people and felt the last trace of gloom in his heart dissolve. Indeed, this was what was worth protecting.
However, in the depths of his heart, the demonic entity's whispers lingered like a shadow. Those words had taken root in his heart like seeds. At some point in the future, these seeds might grow into inner demons, becoming the greatest obstacle when he broke through Spirit Transformation.
But at this moment, Xiao Qi's gaze remained firm. He looked toward the rising sun in the east and softly said:
"What is meant to come will always come."