Chapter 353 - 352: Where the Heavenly Path Qi Goes, Borrowing the Way of the God Kingdom

With a hint of doubt, Li Jing chose to introspect.

Within the spiritual platform.

The Unnamed Taoist Tool floated quietly, showing no signs of abnormality.

Making this confirmation, Li Jing frowned.

The Heavenly Path Qi, seemed not to have been absorbed by the Unnamed Taoist Tool, as he had thought.

The Unnamed Taoist Tool now had an established link with him.

If there were any changes, he would be able to sense them immediately.

If the changes were really subtle or beyond his knowledge, he would also be able to sense the signs under introspection.

At this moment, the Unnamed Taoist Tool appeared just as it always had, which confused Li Jing.

The Heavenly Path Qi had been triggered and absorbed by something, Fu Yao had no reason or need to lie to him.

Not to mention the other things.

This was not a power he could control.

Nor could Fu Yao.

If neither of them could control the power, naturally, the notion of "stealing" it for themselves would not arise.

So the question was.

What had absorbed the Heavenly Path Qi in him?

Qingfeng?

Or Linglong?

Li Jing chose to introspect both.

But the result was still nothing abnormal.

Qingfeng and Linglong, one at his heart and the other at his Dantian, floated quietly like the Unnamed Taoist Tool, carrying his spiritual power within them.

Hiss!

What was going on?

Where had the Heavenly Path Qi gone?

Li Jing was completely confused.

While baffled, he attempted to summon the panel.

Upon doing so, he immediately identified the problem.

The panel did not appear before his eyes as it usually did.

Not only that.

A prompt sounded in his ear.

"System upgrade in progress, please try again in twelve hours."

Upon hearing the prompt, Li Jing was partially stunned.

System upgrade?

Those four words were easy to understand.

His cheat code was going through an update.

Li Jing was taken aback.

Since he noticed the existence of the panel, it had indeed changed a lot as he grew, opening many sections that were not originally there.

But an upgrade like a computer system’s? This was truly the first time.

So it turned out that the panel could be upgraded?

Li Jing found it unbelievable.

Out of the blue, he couldn’t summon his panel, and it started to upgrade.

This was obviously due to the Heavenly Path Qi.

So, the Heavenly Path Qi was absorbed by the panel!

It had to be said.

His panel was indeed amazing...

But the fact that such a game-like status bar panel could absorb the Heavenly Path Qi for upgrades was a bit too much.

What would it look like after the upgrade?

Meanwhile.

Fu Yao had a clear view of Li Jing’s changing expressions.

From his initial anticipation to doubt, then to surprise, she understood a lot.

It was clear.

There was more than one extraordinary thing inside Li Jing.

And the thing that absorbed the Heavenly Path Qi was not what he expected, he had no idea such a situation would occur.

After a little consideration, Fu Yao hesitated before speaking.

"Son Li, would it be convenient..."

Before she could finish, Li Jing looked up.

"No, it wouldn’t."

"..."

Fu Yao froze, and with a small face said.

"Then our trade..."

"The trade cannot continue."

Li Jing shook his head, saying.

"I have a general idea of what exactly absorbed the Heavenly Path Qi, but I can’t take it out. I don’t quite understand why this is the case, but for now, that’s all."

Faced with Li Jing’s words, Fu Yao was slightly unhappy.

But she could see it.

Li Jing wasn’t lying.

He didn’t understand what was happening either.

At this moment, Fu Yao couldn’t detect any remaining Heavenly Path Qi in Li Jing, and there was no way to suggest trying again.

Given the current situation, they could only stop there.

After a brief silence, Fu Yao said.

"If that’s the case, let’s stop here. But Son Li, you owe me one day, you must remember that. Should you be graced by the Heavenly Path again in your future cultivation, let’s continue our trade."

"Sure."

Li Jing agreed without hesitation.

The "grace" of the Heavenly Path, to be honest, he didn’t want to experience a second time.

It was too scary.

But if a similar situation occurred, he wouldn’t mind consulting the counselor in front of him.

After all, on his own, he didn’t even have the ability to trigger the Heavenly Path Qi, and could only let it dissipate with time, unable to do anything.

Upon agreeing, Li Jing turned to Xiaoyu.

"Xiaoyu, we should go."

"Mhm."

Xiaoyu nodded, instinctively reaching out to take his arm but withdrew it midway.

Seeing this, Li Jing remained outwardly calm, but felt a bit helpless inside.

Hadn’t someone previously said that what happened in the state of Primordial Spirit Leaving the Body was just a dream?

Li Jing isn’t the type to change his tune because of his circumstances.

Some things, once they happen, can’t be undone.

Like his counter-question to Yulian just now.

He can’t dismiss it as a mere dream.

However, he really doesn’t know what to do about Yulian.

He doesn’t have the awareness to cross the line between human and monster.

At least not right now.

In his emotional life, there’s also the issue of Chen Yuran he now needs to face.

He hasn’t even solved one problem, and another arrives, he truly doesn’t know what to do.

Ultimately, the only person in his life right now is Liu Sisi.

And she isn’t even someone he courted, but someone who boldly took the initiative.

He has always been the passive one.

When it comes to cases, he can handle it.

After all, his experience has accumulated quite a bit to this day.

But as far as his love life is concerned, he’s still a complete novice.

Knowing that he needs to deal head-on with Yulian’s duplicity, Li Jing knows that he needs to think it over, but now’s not the time.

He needs time to think it through.

And so does Yulian.

Both of them, need a cooling-off period.

Turning his head to look at Fu Yao, Li Jing said.

"Clan Chief Fu, we’ll be leaving now."

"Sure."

With a knowing smirk, Fu Yao glanced at Yulian.

"Little Jade, we’ll meet again if fate wills it."

He knew what would happen when the two entered the state of Primordial Spirit Leaving the Body.

Originally, she didn’t think much of it.

A couple experiencing "special fun" in the state of Primordial Spirit Leaving the Body, what’s wrong with that?

But the awkwardness between Li Jing and Yulian just now didn’t escape her sharp gaze.

Seeing this situation, how could she not understand?

The couple before her are fake husband and wife.

In front of them, Fu Yao naturally wouldn’t be so foolish as to expose this fact.

Sometimes it’s better to turn a blind eye to things like this, or she’ll end up shouldering the blame.

Yulian is clever.

Meeting Fu Yao’s cryptic glance, she realized that Fu Yao had been feigning ignorance, and silently tagged her as unreliable.

Thinking that it wouldn’t do to keep acting stiff with Li Jing, and even Fu Yao, a complete outsider, could discern their awkwardness, Yulian hesitated before reaching out to link arms with him, just like she used to.

"Fu elder, we’ll meet again if destiny allows it."

After bidding Fu Yao goodbye, Yulian nodded at Li Jing for confirmation.

Seeing this, Li Jing understood and turned to leave the place with her.

...

A moment later.

They left the realm of Yun Cheng.

On Li Jing’s spirit soldier, Yulian noticed that he was headed to the heartland of the nature reserve, not to the God Church Country, and her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"You’re planning to drop me off and then go to the God Church Country alone?"

Li Jing turned his head upon hearing this.

"You want to go back?"

"..."

Yulian.

This blockhead...

What’s she supposed to say?

She’s already asked that, clearly indicating she doesn’t want to go back, right?

If she nods now, won’t that make her seem clingy for some reason?

Yulian isn’t one to care about trivial details.

But face, she still needs to save.

Pressing her lips together, she said.

"Answer my question first."

Li Jing isn’t essentially a straight man, he just occasionally has lapses in judgement.

Facing Yulian’s displeased tone, he instantly realized that he might have just stepped on a personal boundary.

After a moment of reflection, Li Jing cleared his throat.

"The shrine created by the Fox Master and her fox monsters is located on the border between the God Church Country and the Northern God Country. If we were to go from the Longyu border, we’d have to cut across half of the God Church Country. It’s difficult for the two of us to cross like that without being discovered, so I plan to take a detour through the Northern God Country."

Continuing, he said,

"If you don’t want to accompany me, I can go on my own. If everything goes smoothly, I should be able to capture a lot of monsters. You’ve been a great help to me in Yun Cheng, and also...I won’t forget the part about the monster meat."

Listening to his words, Yulian initially didn’t find anything wrong, but by the end, she couldn’t help but cringe.

Looking at him, she absently said,

"In your eyes, all I know is how to eat meat?"

"..."

Li Jing.

He had just cornered Yulian with his question.

But now, the tables have turned.

What’s he supposed to say?

Yulian was definitely fond of that piece of monster meat, that’s for sure.

But if he were to nod in agreement now, wouldn’t he be labelled as a straight man?

"Ahem, that’s not what I meant."

Li Jing coughed, muttering,

"I just thought..."

Before he could finish, Yulian cut him off.

"Even if we take the detour through the God Country, it’s not appropriate for you to go to the God Church Country alone. I’ll go with you. Although my strength is weak, it doesn’t mean I can’t help."

"Alright."

Li Jing laughed awkwardly.

Seeing his embarrassed smile, Yulian couldn’t help but smile as well.

She regretted those absurd words she had just blurted out.

She thought she could brush it off.

But in reality, she was far from okay.

This unsettled her more than she had anticipated.

Regarding this, Yulian felt incredibly frustrated.

The crucial fact indicated that she seemed unable to go back anymore.

Regarding inappropriate relationships between humans and monsters, neither Li Jing nor she had such an enlightened mindset.

Lack of enlightenment was still a lack of enlightenment.

The unusual accommodating tone of Li Jing made her feel good.

Although Li Jing was quite a gentleman type on normal days, and he would likely agree if she made any demands.

But the situation has changed, actively demanding and being accommodated are two different things.

Ahead of her, was a road of no return.

Yulian was fully aware of this.

But for some reason, she wanted to try and take this path.

After stealing glances at Li Jing, who was driving the Spirit Soldier and looking ahead, the impulse in Yulian’s heart grew stronger, but she quickly suppressed it.

She has always known how to judge the situation.

Impulsiveness would lead to punishment, this she understood even better.

Even if she wanted to try walking the path of no return, it was not the right time now.

...

This time they’re heading to God Church Country.

If he could bring Yulian, Li Jing would certainly take her with him.

Being alone might be convenient, but Yulian’s talent was just too useful!

This trip was not as casual as the previous one to White Hawk.

He couldn’t keep a low profile anymore.

Firstly, he didn’t want to waste too much time in God’s Capital, and just wanted to get things started as soon as he arrived.

Secondly, God Church Country was way more tricky than White Hawk in certain aspects, any delay could cause issues, he couldn’t afford to waste all his efforts and come away empty-handed.

If he were to encounter individuals from God Church Country, to avoid causing an international dispute, he only had the option to retreat.

Get things done and run away as soon as possible seemed to be a better choice.

Having Yulian by his side could serve as an insurance to avoid certain troubles.

Yulian was not exactly sincere, and even started showing her small temper, which made Li Jing feel a little helpless.

Despite being helpless, he had to endure it.

Nothing else to say.

At this moment, everything that happened when his Primordial Spirit left his body still appeared vividly before his eyes, he even wanted to meditate and savour it for a while.

Speaking honestly.

That way of play was quite novel...

...

Not long after, Li Jing, along with Yulian, arrived in the hinterland of Lingnan Nature Reserve, then they chose to turn north, walking along the boundary of Longyu Country.

This time they were going to the Northern God Country via the shortcut, which was quite convenient.

Crucially, Lingnan Nature Reserve was large.

Not only did it adjoin God Church Country in the southwest, it also bordered God Country in the north.

With the pass given by Luo Song in hand, Li Jing didn’t need to report twice.

As for crossing the border to the Northern God Country, that wouldn’t be a problem.

The brethren of the Northern God Country were very warm to Longyu.

They even guarded the border with scarecrows, almost offering an unrestricted passage to Longyu.

Going through the formal procedures wasn’t necessary.

However, formal greetings were needed when they arrived at the destination.

But that was not a problem either.

In the Northern God Country, Li Jing got acquainted with Orville.

Moreover, he personally carried a promise from the Northern God Country, and had helped them to solve numerous issues in the Chongyuan Holy Realm, they couldn’t possibly not welcome him.

...

They travelled in silence.

About more than half an hour later, Li Jing and Yulian arrived at the place where Longyu bordered Northern God Country.

Just like the Northern God Country, the defensive measures at Longyu were also pretty relaxed, but they didn’t just simply put up some scarecrows to do the job.

Upon arriving at the place, Li Jing chose to cross the border directly without continuing further in.

If he were to go deeper, he would unavoidably need to explain to the Management Bureau responsible for border defense at Longyu’s side.

Things might get escalated to the capital in the end.

That was too troublesome.

After all, he was crossing the border.

Even though the two countries were friendly, he had to follow the formal procedures on the surface.

Li Jing didn’t want to follow the procedures, so naturally, he chose to sneak across the border.

After entering God Country’s territory, Li Jing didn’t rashly advance into the country’s hinterland.

After all, he was now on foreign soil, and he needed to tread carefully.

Li Jing stopped mid-air with Yulian, took out his phone, looked at it for a moment to confirm the signal, then dialed the number left for him by Orville from his contacts.

Yulian was smart.

In the Chongyuan Holy Realm, although she didn’t have direct contact with Orville, she knew there was such a big shot who was good friends with a certain someone.

Seeing Li Jing making a call, she immediately understood that he was seeking Orville’s assistance, and she politely stood by his side.

On this side.

Li Jing’s call was answered not long after he made it.

Then, the deep voice of Orville sounded.

"Counselor Lee? Why are you suddenly calling me? Speaking of, it seems that you are now in..."

Before Orville could finish, Li Jing interrupted him.

"Commander Orville, I need your help with something, can we meet and talk about it?"

Orville was a typical wise and strong man in God Country.

Not only had he a brain, but he was also very righteous.

Upon hearing Li Jing say "I need your help", he immediately agreed.

"Sure, I see Commander Lee’s calling location is already within our God Country, where are you now exactly?"

"At the border between Longyu and God Country, I just crossed the border."

Li Jing responded, saying.

"There is a reason for this. I didn’t report to Longyu, and I haven’t reported to God Country yet. Can you help me arrange for someone to pick me up?"

Listening to Li Jing’s words, Orville was slightly surprised.

Li Jing didn’t report to Longyu.

Neither did he report to God Country.

Wasn’t this sneaking across the border?

What was going on with Li Jing?

However, Orville didn’t have any guard against Li Jing.

Without thinking too much, Orville said on the phone.

"Ok, Counselor Lee, don’t hang up, I’ll use the Special Situations Bureau system to locate you, and then I’ll send someone to meet you."

"Alright."

Li Jing agreed.

...

After a while, Orville’s voice rang out on the phone again.

"It’s settled, the people who will receive you have already been arranged, Counselor Lee, just wait a few minutes. I accidentally got promoted in the Chongyuan Holy Realm, and now I’m working in the God Country Capital, so it’s a bit of a hassle to cross the border. The person who will meet you will give you a pass so you can fly directly to the God Country Capital. I have arranged a banquet at the Malova Hotel waiting for you, we can have a drink then."

Orville’s instructions were incredibly considerate.

Li Jing was somewhat embarrassed.

With a pass, he, who had basically snuck in, could fly directly to the God Country Capital.

Which other places could offer this treatment?

Orville was once the commander in chief of the Northern region in the God Country Special Affairs Bureau, and his authority was already significant.

Now he’s been promoted, he’s even more influential.

The only issue was that he was planning a banquet, which made Li Jing a bit nervous.

He doesn’t drink.

But if he really has to drink, it’s not a big deal.

Worst case, he was of Seventh Realm Realm strength.

Getting him drunk would not be easy.

The problem is.

Is the liquor served by the people of the God Kingdom called liquor?

It was the God Country Wine that would get a regular guy of the God Country drunk in a couple of sips!

If given by Orville, it would certainly be top-grade!

And it gets you drunk faster...

It was impossible to tactfully decline over the phone. He needed to cross God Church Country with Orville’s help, so Li Jing had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

It’s all about banquet culture!

Those who understand will get it.

If you ask people for help, you have to give them face, right?

After hanging up the phone, Li Jing turned his head.

"Xiaoyu, do you drink?"

"Alcohol?"

Yulian frowned, and subconsciously replied.

"Occasionally, I’ll drink some red wine for social occasions."

As soon as she finished speaking, she realized something odd and said.

"I might not be up for the God Country Wine. But if I could try a bit, I wouldn’t mind."

God Country Wine has significant effects on the physical body.

This is also effective for demons.

Just that for demons that mainly attack physically, it is not as effective.

Its ineffectiveness mainly lies in the disproportionate input and output.

The finest God Country Wine is almost as expensive as the precious parts in a Six Realm demon.

Yulian wouldn’t pass on an opportunity to drink it.

But whether she can hold her liquor, she wasn’t sure.

Seeing Yulian first saying she might not handle it well but showing a great interest in trying it, the corner of Li Jing’s mouth twitched.

He hadn’t seen Orville since their last meeting.

Orville would certainly be very enthusiastic about their next encounter.

That’s just how people from God Kingdom are.

He was originally hoping that Yulian could drink and help him if necessary.

A man can’t say no.

But when he truly can’t, he has to admit it.

Pretending to be capable when you’re not is not a good habit, it risks messing things up.

But now.

It seems he couldn’t help but think about what would happen if Yulian got drunk.

...

The people Orville arranged acted very quickly.

It wasn’t even two minutes since Li Jing hung up the phone before a towering-strong-man from God Kingdom flew across towards him, hovering in front of him and Yulian.

Upon seeing each other, the strong man from God Kingdom grinned.

"Counselor Lee, we meet again."

"..."

Li Jing.

From the man’s introduction, he obviously recognized him.

Based on his escape speed just now, he estimates this man to be of the Sixth Realm.

If no surprise, this person should be one of the Sixth Realm’s from God Kingdom who went to the Chongyuan Holy Realm at that time.

This raises a problem.

The man recognized Li Jing, but how should he respond when he doesn’t recognize the man?

Li Jing, who used to be a commander, didn’t have much contact with other Sixth Realms from God Kingdom. They only met with Orville’s introduction before the operation.

During his command.

The duty of the Sixth Realms from the God Kingdom was to clear obstacles, so they were not really part of the command system.

As they didn’t interact much, naturally, no deep impression was left.

Now facing the simple and honest smile of the man, Li Jing had to pretend to recognize him, forcing a laugh.

"Long time no see."

You’ve got to say, this man from God Kingdom is truly a good-hearted person.

Even though it was clear that Li Jing didn’t remember him and was trying to fake it, he didn’t mind, as the two didn’t have much interaction to begin with.

He took out a small red book from his storage space, bearing the badge of the Special Situations Bureau, and said,

"Counselor Lee, this is your pass. You can fly directly to the God Country Capital with this, and no one will attempt to stop you along the way."

Li Jing instinctively wanted to reach out and take it, but immediately stopped himself.

What’s in the man’s hand right now, a pass?

It was clearly a Special Situations Bureau’s ID!

Looking at the badge with a special pattern on the cover of the ID, it’s at a high level.

This...

Whether it’s a bit too casual or not, it’s hard to say.

The key is, does it...

Seeing the odd look on Li Jing’s face as he didn’t take the "pass", the man shoved the ID towards him without further ado.

"Don’t overthink, Counselor Lee. The ID has no special purpose, nor does it have any other intentions. You’ve commanded our tactical team from God Country and have the promise of the God Country. You are unconditionally welcomed by the God Country. Keep this ID, so it won’t be troublesome if you come over again later on."

Hearing such words, Li Jing felt a bit relieved and took the ID without further ado.

He didn’t fear anything else.

What he feared was that taking the ID might land him in some troubles again.

After securing the ID safely, Li Jing didn’t delay. He said goodbye to the man, took Yulian, and went to the God Country Capital.

...