Ling Ning's eyes were filled with white light. He walked forward, and then the white light suddenly disappeared. There were two people standing in front of him, two old men to be precise.
"Immortal Golden Toad, and Immortal Zhiyi? Are you...are you here to send me out?"
The two immortals smiled slightly and shook their heads.
Immortal Golden Toad said: "You are very good. I feel relieved to leave the Buddha treasure to you."
Immortal Zhiyi said: "We are convinced that you are the true heir of Xuanyuan Sword! Bai Phosphorus, you think so too, don't you?"
The figure of Immortal White Phosphorus appeared behind him. She nodded and said: "Although I once said that only those who dedicate Buddha treasures to me can be recognized by me, but..." She sighed, "But I changed I have an idea, you are qualified to get the Xuanyuan Sword."
Ling Ning was completely dumbfounded and murmured: "But...but I gave up! I don't want...I don't want the mainland to lose the sword formation..."
The three immortals laughed when they heard this. The Golden Toad Immortal said: "I'm sorry, everything just happened is just a test for us. Only those who really give up on it are worthy of owning it! You have done a very good job in this regard. As for the other shortlisted person, Or... it’s much inferior.”
"You mean Xuanyuan Jue?"
"Yes, he has been lost. It's a pity." Immortal Golden Toad shook his head, feeling very sorry.
Ling Ning's head was still a little dazed, and he couldn't tell which ones were tests and which ones were real.
Immortal Zhiyi clearly saw his confusion and said: "Although the monks who enter the Xuanyuan Secret Realm every time are the elites among the elites, but... alas... but they are all too selfish. The successors we expect will not only have the due Strength, and a kind heart, you have passed the test without a doubt."
Immortal Golden Toad also laughed and said: "Many people think that the conditions for the successor of Xuanyuan Sword will be very harsh, but they never imagined that the things they abandoned are the focus of our assessment."
"Although you say so, I always feel that many people can do what I have done... My friend Xia Shiqing..." Ling Ning still couldn't believe that this luck really happened to him. For him, He just did what he was supposed to do, no big deal.
"Courage, wisdom, kindness, strength and luck, you have them all. So there is no need to be confused anymore, you are the heir." The tone of the White Phosphorus Immortal was still calm, but her eyes were extremely firm.
Ling Ning looked into her eyes, finally convinced that this was no longer a test, but a real reality.
Immortal Zhiyi waved his sleeves and said, "Okay, let's go! I'll take you to see the real Xuanyuan Sword!"
The Xuanyuan Sword is placed in another mysterious space, which can only be opened by the three immortals using Taoism at the same time. This is a pure white space, where you can't tell up, down, left, and even the passage of time. The Xuanyuan Sword floats quietly in mid-air, with densely packed golden arrays spreading out from the center. Its complexity makes people dizzy just by looking at it. This may be the legendary Xuanyuan Sword Array. .
The Xuanyuan Sword was exactly the same as the one he saw before, except... the sword in front of him had been broken, leaving only a hilt and half of the broken sword.
"Xuanyuan Sword... why is it broken?" Ling Ning asked in confusion.
"Have you forgotten the content on the mural? After the last Human Emperor used it to divide the continent into two, it broke. But the remaining sword power can still maintain the entire Xuanyuan Sword Formation and maintain the order of the continent. "The White Phosphorus Immortal explained.
"Go ahead and put your blood on it. If it recognizes you, you will be its new owner." Immortal Zhiyi said.
Ling Ning nodded. After experiencing the "fake Xuanyuan Sword", his heart was much calmer. Although he was no longer as excited as before, he was still very nervous. He could clearly feel the energy emanating from the sword in front of him. It was an existence as turbulent as the Yangtze River. Can this power really recognize him? He couldn't help but start to doubt.
When he dripped blood on the hilt of the sword, Xuanyuan Sword emitted a burst of dazzling golden light, and pictures suddenly appeared in front of his eyes. A man turned his back to him. He looked at countless people being brutally slaughtered by the monks. He finally opened his arms, and a long sword suddenly came out, emitting a dazzling light!
"Those who inherit my will, accept my gift!"
The golden shadow put a finger on his forehead, and then a warm energy enveloped his body, and he suddenly felt that his true energy was back. That warm energy, along with his true energy, was injected into the sea of qi, dyeing his sea of qi with a layer of gold. He quickly used the Divine Transformation Art to absorb this power. He could feel his Qi sea expanding rapidly, and it was filled up in just a few breaths! You must know that his current Qi sea can be said to be vast, and it can be filled up in a few breaths, which shows how strong this power is!
His cultivation has also advanced to the late stage of Dan Formation. It's a pity that the palace master of the next level of the Soul Transformation Art didn't tell him, so all these powers could only be piled up in the sea of qi and could not be fully digested. Otherwise, he would definitely be able to break through the pill formation and reach the Yuanshen stage.
"It seems that we still need to settle down with the Palace Master." Ling Ning thought silently in his heart. Without her guidance, he could only change one of his skills, otherwise he would have to let her go and reconcile with her, but even if he was willing, would the palace master fulfill his wish?
When the three great immortals saw that the golden light on his body disappeared, they knew that he had succeeded.
Golden Toad Immortal said: "Is there something wrong with your technique? Otherwise, you should be able to break through to the Yuan Shen stage directly."
Immortal Zhiyi also said: "What is the name of the technique you practice? It can expand your meridians and Qi sea so amazingly. This is really something I have never seen in my life."
Ling Ning said: "My technique is called Shenhua Jue. I wonder if the three immortals know about it?"
The three great immortals shook their heads to express their ignorance. There are so many techniques in the world, it makes sense that they don't know about them.
The White Phosphorus Immortal said: "You should be able to control the Xuanyuan Sword Formation now, give it a try."
Ling Ning felt that a mysterious picture was inserted into his mind. This picture not only contained a diagram of the Xuanyuan Sword Formation but also various descriptions of authority. Now he finally understood why Xuanyuan Jue could control this sword formation. It was because the rules of the sword formation allowed descendants of the Xuanyuan family to use it. The first thing he did was to erase the usage rights of the descendants of the Xuanyuan clan. From then on, the Xuanyuan clan, like ordinary monks, could only be restricted by the sword formation and could no longer control the sword formation.
After a while, Ling Ning became familiar with the sword formation. He pointed his finger, and a golden sword energy suddenly flew out. Then he "swish" a few more times, and seven or eight sword energy formed a sword net in the air, which was quite magical. .
Immortal Zhiyi said: "You can operate the sword formation now, which means you have obtained the approval of the Xuanyuan Sword. You can take the Xuanyuan Sword away, but you know the consequences. The Xuanyuan Sword Formation will disappear. You can also adjust the sword formation. , but remember, you only have one chance to adjust, and you need the consent of our three great immortals! This is also a measure to prevent future generations from causing chaos."
Ling Ning nodded to express his understanding. He could clearly feel that the three immortals were "locked" to the mortal world by an invisible chain. This is probably why the White Phosphorus Immortal feels uncomfortable. In addition, this chain gave him a feeling similar to a rein. If he wanted to "enslave" the three immortals and let them do something, it would be easy. But the words of Immortal Zhiyi just now seemed to hint to him that the Immortals also have the right to "veto" the sword formation, and they are not just sitting on their hands and being slaughtered by others. But this kind of check and balance is simply worthless to those who intend to take advantage of them.
He looked at the White Phosphorus Immortal, thought seriously for a moment, and said, "The three Immortals have been imprisoned in the Mortal Continent for a long time, right? I want to untie the three Immortals, so that from now on, the three Immortals will no longer be bound by the sword formation."
Immortal White Phosphorus looked extremely nervous and said excitedly: "You...are you telling the truth?"
Ling Ning smiled and said: "Of course it's true. I only regard these three as my seniors, and I don't dare to be disrespectful at all!"
As he spoke, he manipulated the picture in his mind. With just one thought, the chains on the three immortals disappeared.
The three immortals all stared wide-eyed, obviously unable to believe that he had given up the great opportunity to enslave them so easily.
Immortal Zhiyi said: "Young man, you are very courageous. Now I feel that I was right to choose you, hahaha!"
Immortal Golden Toad also twirled his beard and said: "Although we are no longer bound, I and my eldest brother will still stay on the mainland to guard the sword array... But third sister... you finally got what you wanted."
"How many years! How many years! I...I am finally free! Free! Hahahahaha!" The White Phosphorus Immortal suddenly looked up to the sky and smiled, tears falling from the corners of his eyes as he smiled. She met Ling Ning's eyes, put away her smile and bowed deeply, saying: "Thank you... thank you, Xiao Ning! I was thinking how great it would be if I really was Zora, but unfortunately... I still have to Thank you, thank you for giving me freedom!"
Ling Ning said happily: "You're welcome, you deserve this. Both immortals said they would stay on the mainland, but what about you? Are you going to ascend to the upper world?"
Immortal White Phosphorus unconsciously stroked his belly and said, "Yes, I want to ascend to the spiritual world. Big brother, second brother, I really hope you can come with me."
Immortal Zhiyi said: "We two old guys have been in the mortal world for a long time and no longer have the courage to ascend. Third sister, eldest brother is really happy for you."
Immortal Golden Toad also said: "I'm afraid the two of us will die of old age here. Third sister, you still have a long way to go. I wish you a safe journey."
Although the three immortals don't seem to have much communication with each other, they are really as close as brothers and sisters. Seeing that the White Phosphorus Immortal is about to ascend, I can't help but feel sad.
Immortal Zhiyi sighed heavily and said to Ling Ning: "Okay, finally, what do you want to do? How to adjust the sword formation? Remember, you only have one chance!"
"I want..." Ling Ning looked into the distance, as if thinking about something, "I want to meet someone first."
Zhao Guo, White Horse Temple, full moon in the sky.
Ling Ning stared blankly at the Qiyun Tower behind him. He clearly remembered that there was no such tower when he first came here. In the toad pond, big toads, small toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, medium-sized toads, and medium-sized toads continued to scream towards the moon.
Immortal Golden Toad said: "Why, you feel surprised?"
Ling Ning nodded and said: "Isn't this Qiyun Tower in the Xuanyuan Secret Realm? How come it appears here? Has it always been here? Could it be that I was deceived by the illusion again last time?"
Golden Toad Immortal looked at him, smiled, and saluted: "Amitabha. All conditioned dharmas are like bubbles in a dream, like dew or lightning, and should be viewed as such."
Ling Ning was stunned for a moment, then bowed deeply and turned to leave.
He suddenly remembered what Master Daolin said to him: "Everything in this life is the cause and effect of the previous life. Dependent origins will be destroyed, and the predestined life will be empty. Don't be too attached."
Maybe this world is really a false world, and everything is destined. When conditions arise, it also means that conditions cease. All things are caused by the combination of causes and conditions. When conditions gather, they come into existence, and when conditions disperse, they perish. Since everything is "empty" and "virtual", why should we care about the life and death of the people on the mortal continent?
Ling Ning noticed a dilapidated Buddha statue in the grass. The Buddha statue fell quietly to the ground, letting the weeds entangle it. Legend has it that Sakyamuni was originally a prince who lived a carefree life in fine clothing and fine food. It was not until he saw the poor life of the people that he decided to become a monk and pursue the true meaning of life.
Perhaps the Buddha said "emptiness" to let us let go of our attachments, become "selfless" and "have others", instead of living passively. When Sakyamuni became a Buddha, he did not choose to live in seclusion, but to save all sentient beings. This was his great compassion.
"There are countless sentient beings that I vow to save, endless worries that I vow to put an end to, there are countless Dharma doors that I vow to learn, and the Buddha's path that is supreme, I vow to achieve."
Suddenly, a disembodied song floated in Ling Ning's ears, and she didn't know who was singing in a low voice.
The early morning sun shone on the city wall of the capital of Zhao State, the gate slowly opened, and countless merchants began to flow in. Ling Ning followed the crowd into the city, and the war-torn capital gradually came back to life, no longer looking as lifeless as before. The streets are very clean and tidy, and there is no longer the miserable situation of "bones frozen to death on the road" like a purgatory on earth. From time to time, he could see soldiers patrolling the streets. These soldiers were neatly dressed and full of energy. Ling Ning saw in them the long-lost optimism.
The extravagant Princess Mansion has also been transformed into the "Imperial Imperial College". Many students sat in front of the desk early and began to "shake their heads" and memorize "Learning and practicing from time to time, it doesn't matter." The sound of Lang Lang reading made Ling Ning deeply feel that the entire capital was glowing with new life like the rising sun, and even every breath of air he breathed was so fresh.
The royal city is no longer as solemn as before, but the gates are open, allowing people to come and go. Many functional departments were moved into the outer city of the royal city, such as the Yamen, the Patrol Office, and even the six departments of officials, households, workers, soldiers, rites, and punishments. The inner city of the royal city is guarded by elite soldiers, and many officials come and go. It is assumed that Qin Fei's brother and sister must live there.
The people responsible for guarding were all Qin Fei's personal soldiers, so they naturally knew Ling Ning. They were overjoyed to see him coming, and quickly informed him and took him into the inner city. The inner city has changed from its former prosperity and has become much simpler. According to these guards, Qin Fei sold most of the treasures in the city and used all the money in exchange to improve people's livelihood. Now the people's lives are simply poor compared to before. One is in the sky and the other is on the ground.
Qin Fei led a group of people to walk towards him excitedly. Ling Ning saw him from a distance and saw that he was still energetic but had a lot of white hair on his temples. He hurried up to meet him. Suddenly, he was keenly aware that there was something wrong with the expressions of several palace people around him. Their eyes were all focused on Qin Fei, who exuded evil murderous intent. Qin Fei walked a little faster because he was too excited, and had already separated from the guards behind him. At this moment, seven or eight palace people suddenly stood up, throwing hidden weapons at Qin Fei, and at the same time, they rushed towards him with both hands. Keep making fingerprints!
Everyone was shocked and it was too late to rescue! Qin Fei was also shocked, but he had long been on the battlefield and noticed the abnormality early, so he quickly stepped aside! Although the hidden weapon was avoided, the spells that filled the sky next could not be avoided no matter what!
At the critical moment, golden light suddenly burst out, and all the magic spells in the sky were blocked by a golden barrier. Then the assassins of the palace were decapitated by several golden rays of light at the same moment, and their heads were missing. Before the body realized that the head had left the body, it ran forward for several meters before falling to the ground with a "thud".
Even Qin Fei, who was used to seeing life and death on the battlefield, opened his eyes wide in disbelief at this strange scene.
This was the first time that Ling Ning used the Xuanyuan Sword Formation to fight against an enemy. The power of this sword formation was more powerful than he imagined, and he was able to control it with ease without any awkwardness.
At this time, the guards around him finally came to their senses and shouted to protect him.
"Brother Qin, you're fine." Ling Ning smiled and pulled Qin Fei up from the ground.
Qin Fei's face had a lot of wrinkles and was full of fatigue, obviously because he had worked too hard recently. He was overjoyed to see Ling Ning. He reached out and patted his shoulder and said, "Brother Ling, it's so great to see you! You saved me again!"
He turned back to the official behind him and said, "That's it for today. I want to accompany Brother Ling for a walk."
The two of them walked into the main hall. The grand long desk was covered with memorials, which showed how busy he was on weekdays. After coming to the inner room to sit and drink tea, Ling Ning asked about Qin Xi's situation. Qin Fei said happily: "Xie'er's cultivation has progressed very quickly, and her whole person has changed. I mean, the change in temperament is almost the same. The crazy girl from before is completely different. Although I don’t know much about the realm of monks, she gave me the feeling...well...very powerful. A few days ago, she felt that she was about to break through, so she went out to retreat alone. I don’t know where she is going.”
Ling Ning nodded and said: "She is talented and willing to work hard. As a master, I am really derelict in my duty by leaving my apprentice here and not taking care of her."
Qin Fei smiled and said: "Master, let me in. Cultivation depends on oneself, so Brother Ling doesn't have to blame himself. When you come back this time, Jiuyou's affairs have been finished?"
Ling Ning said: "Well... that's right. But there are still some things that haven't been dealt with. In fact, I came here this time to talk to you, Brother Qin. There is a question that I still can't find the answer to. Maybe you can help me answer it."
Qin Feidao: "Oh? What's the problem? You might as well talk about it."
Ling Ning smiled mysteriously and said, "Don't worry, I want to see what Zhao Kingdom has become now. Brother Qin, can you take me around?"
Qin Fei laughed and said, "What's the problem? Come on, I'll take you around."
The two of them changed into casual clothes and wandered around the city. With Ling Ning, the "immortal master" by his side, Qin Fei didn't need to bring any bodyguards. The two of them walked around, and Qin Fei pointed out to him the scenery in the city and the deployment of the city's defenses. He had been busy with government affairs, but now he had a rare rest, and he became more energetic. It can be said that the royal city is prospering under his governance, and the people have smiles on their faces, and they are no longer as miserable as before.
The market in front was noisy, and only after the two passed by did they realize it was a woman. She was holding a two-year-old girl in her arms. The little girl had her eyes closed and looked in pain. She was obviously seriously ill. The woman was knocking on the door from door to door, begging for a grain of rice. She was accompanied by two guards who helped her beg.
Qin Feidao: "The woman's child is seriously ill, and the imperial doctor in the palace is helpless. I heard that Baijiami can save the child's life, so I am asking for it from door to door. I wanted to help her, but she insisted in person. I had to send someone to follow her. By the way, do you have any way to save the child? "
Ling Ning sighed and shook his head.
Using his pupil technique, he could see at a glance that the girl's lungs were white, as if she was being devoured by a certain kind of germ. If it had been in the early stages of the disease, it might have been possible to save it, but now there is no way to save it and I can't survive today. Perhaps we can only pray that Baijiami is really effective, and that God can send a miracle for the sake of her maternal love and save the child's life.
In the afternoon, the two left the city again and visited nearby villages. Compared with the desertion of Jiuyou Village, Zhao Guo's village was peaceful. At dusk, smoke curls from cooking stoves, dogs bark from time to time in the village, and children are called home by their parents for dinner. These are probably the days that people long for.
Back in the city, it was already dark. Under the city wall, Ling Ning saw the woman. Her face was as white as frost, her eyes were red and swollen from crying, and blood and tears were flowing down her cheeks and had dried up. She stared blankly at the lifeless girl in her arms, her hands filled with rice.
It seems that her maternal love failed to bring back her child, and God did not send a miracle.
Ling Ning and Qin Fei had seen too much death, and their numb hearts actually felt a little sad at this moment. But they didn't know how to help her. Maybe she was dead, and the moment the child died, she died too.
After a long silence, Ling Ning said: "Brother Qin, tell me...are there really miracles in this world?"
Qin Fei shook his head and said, "I don't believe that anymore."
Ling Ning nodded and laughed at himself: "Yeah...yeah, I'm so stupid to believe those things...Brother Ling, do you have any wine?"
…
Qin Fei and Ling Ning drank side by side on the roof of the Huangji Palace, the core of Zhao State and the symbol of power. The moonlight was very bright tonight, but it could not dispel the gloom in their hearts.
Ling Ning said: "Brother Qin, I heard that you haven't proclaimed yourself emperor yet? You just took the title of King Qin."
Qin Fei smiled bitterly and said: "Yes, they all advised me to proclaim myself emperor... I also know that I overthrew the State of Zhao. Now calling myself King of Qin is inexplicable and unfair... but to be honest, I am hesitant. , hesitating whether to proclaim himself emperor. The State of Zhao is located in the cracks between the three empires of Xiyue, Nanxiang, and Zhongsheng. Now the three kingdoms have sent envoys to bring Zhao State into the territory without bloodshed. Today's assassination is not the first time. It happened once..."
Ling Ning said: "Why, are you afraid?"
Qin Fei sighed and said: "I'm afraid. I'm afraid that if I die, the State of Zhao will cease to exist and the people of the State of Zhao will be enslaved again...Brother Ling, it's good that you are here today. I believe in me." The soldiers are not inferior to any country's elite, and I believe that my commanding ability is not inferior to any general, but...but when those monks threw magic spells at my army, I didn't know what to take. Resist. The big countries have the support of the sect behind them, so they can sit back and relax, but what about small countries like us? Expecting miracles? Expecting charity from God? Hey, those don't exist at all."
Ling Ning took a deep sip of wine. At this moment, he seemed to have found the answer he wanted.
"Brother Qin, do you know why the miracle didn't happen?" The woman's grief-stricken look seemed to appear in front of Ling Ning's eyes.
"Why?"
"Because the gods don't have time to listen to a mortal's cry. They are too far away and can't hear it." Ling Ning slammed the empty wine jar in his hand into the sky, as if to vent his dissatisfaction.
"Haha, yes, what do you think I should do?"
"What should we do?" Ling Ning's eyes were firmer than ever before, "Then let us be gods! Maybe we are not omnipotent, but...but at least we must work hard to make everyone happy, and even if they die, they can still smile. This life is worth living.”
Qin Fei's eyes also brightened, and he threw the wine bottle in his hand and said loudly: "I want to be emperor! I want to build a country like this! I want my people to be able to spend their whole lives smiling! "
The two looked at each other and smiled. They both understood that everything they said was just a fantasy, but this still did not hinder their determination. If you give up the pace of progress because it is unrealistic, it will be the biggest betrayal of your dreams.
"Brother Qin, listen carefully..." Ling Ning said seriously, "Within three months, all the monks on the Mortal Continent will evacuate, and there will no longer be sects controlling the country. I will return the Mortal Continent to you. Use your hands to fulfill your promise! Start your own era!"
