Chapter 612 - 611: Puzzling and Mysterious, Dark Scholar

Eyeing the scholar settling down, Li Jing chose to get straight to the point.

"The Immortal Realm is the game, and as a player in it, you must know some of the inside stories, right?"

Facing such a direct question, the scholar was taken aback for a moment, then gave a bitter smile.

"Mr. Li, you’re overestimating me. I’m merely a chess piece in this game, and not of my own choosing."

Having said this, he glanced at the three people lying on the ground.

"Not just me, the experiences of these three are not much better than mine, including the venerable Buddhist monk."

Before Li Jing could respond, the scholar constantly stared at him with a piercing gaze.

"Mr. Li, I acknowledge your capabilities. But you may have misunderstood something. This world is like a game and our lives are the pieces. Those of us who were once prestigious in the Ancient Fairyland, we’re no different than ants in the eyes of the higher powers of the Upper Three Realms."

Li Jing fell silent.

He understood the wisdom of these words.

The scholar’s claims were fairly candid, not like idle babble.

But after all that effort, and going down yet another dead end, he still couldn’t figure out the true purpose behind the grand scheme.

This was really frustrating.

Seeing Li Jing’s silence, the scholar chuckled.

"I can tell, Mr. Li, that you wish to uncover the hidden truth behind this big game. If so, you don’t need to fret about it. As a part of the game, the truth will naturally reveal itself as you go along."

At these words, Li Jing rolled his eyes.

"Since you understand my intention to uncover the truth, you should also know that I have no desire of following along with the game."

Before he finished speaking, the scholar replied.

"Neither do I."

"Easy for you to say."

Li Jing sneered, saying.

"I’ve done my research beforehand. Perhaps you and others who are part of this game didn’t enter willingly, but this game contains something you want or hope to achieve."

"You’re right, Mr. Li."

The scholar candidly responded, saying.

"But that’s also infuriating about this big game. The fates of all of us players are manipulated, and this is both good and bad."

As he spoke, he continued to explain.

"If it weren’t for the intervention of the powers of the Upper Three Realms, our fates would simply be that: fates. There is a cause and effect for everything indeed, but when these ’effects’ will come is entirely unknown. Many ’effects’, even if we were to pursue them all our lives, may not be achieved."

"At our level of cultivation, it’s not that life is full of uncertainties every day. But the difficulties in the path of cultivation only increase as we progress, with no certainty of what will happen next or whether we can survive to make the next step."

Expressing these thoughts one after another, the scholar said nonchalantly.

"It’s this big game that offers us the chance to fulfill our deepest desires and obsessions."

After hearing the scholar’s explanation, Li Jing fell silent again.

Desires.

Obsessions.

He couldn’t really relate to these.

At least not now.

But he could understand them.

How many countless years have players like the scholar hidden in the Immortal Realm just to fulfill their longstanding desires and obsessions?

In those long years.

They were either asleep or in a state of suppression.

This.

Was the price they had to pay.

Just like what the scholar said.

At their level of cultivation, their lives may not be full of daily uncertainties, but nobody can ensure that they can always continue.

Without falling into suppression or slumber.

A million years? Thousands of millions of years?

Even for the powerhouses from the Ancient Fairyland, there’s no guarantee they would live until today.

You must know.

The Immortal Realm was filled with people who migrated from the boundless Ancient Fairyland, but they’ve all disappeared without a trace.

Those who chose to leave while they were alive, certainly existed.

But obviously, many others have died due to various reasons.

Including players like the scholar, who chose to suppress and slumber for millions of years, willingly becoming chess pieces in the hands of unknown powerhouses.

The longstanding desires and obsessions hidden behind such sacrifices, without doubt, are extremely important to them.

If they can’t be fulfilled, they will stagnate for the rest of their lives.

Don’t think it’s exaggerated.

Cultivation is just like that.

Once there’s something in one’s heart that one can’t let go of, it’s highly likely this will hinder one’s progress.

Take the Blue Phoenix as an example.

Being a divine bird as well.

She’s actually lived longer than Jin Ritian.

But while Jin Ritian has become the Southern Demon Emperor, even his daughters have both claimed imperial titles, the earlier-born Blue Phoenix was still unable to become an emperor due to the disappearance of the Fire Phoenix, and even her own independent world was incomplete.

Only after she let go, did the turning point come.

While lost in thought, Chen Yuran who was next to him noticed his silence and asked.

"May I ask, what made you join the game, Scholar? What are your longstanding desires or obsessions?"

Facing this question, the scholar presented a look that suggested she hit the nail on the head, took out a folding fan from his robe, and opened it with a swish in a rather showy manner.

"I wouldn’t mind sharing, I’m simply wishing to see her again."

?

Li Jing sent a question mark.

Chen Yuran also frowned, wondering.

"Did I misunderstand? You... took part in this for a woman?"

"No, not a woman."

The scholar responded by saying.

"She is the goddess of my heart."

"..."

Li Jing.

He was taken aback.

He thought that the scholar’s lifelong desire or obsession must have been out of the ordinary, yet it turned out to be quite mundane?

It was due to a woman.

Was it necessary for him to lie low in the Immortal Realm for so long for her?

While he was busy complaining inwardly, the scholar calmly responded to his puzzled gaze.

"Who can tell me why we call this love, when we make vows to each other even if it means life and death. Apart from my pursuit of sage knowledge, isn’t it natural for me to have other pursuits?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing’s mouth twitched. He began to lose interest in talking to the scholar.

Chen Yuran, however, pondered for a moment before asking the question.

"The ’she’ you speak of...where has she gone or...?"

When faced with this question, the scholar’s expression froze and he fell silent.

Upon seeing this, Chen Yuran immediately understood.

And so did Li Jing.

The person the scholar had been seeking was no longer of this world.

Exchange a glance, Li Jing opened his mouth.

"Can this game of cause and effect let you meet her again?"

"I don’t know."

The scholar shook his head and answered,

"But it’s not impossible for her to reincarnate, considering she’s the Saintess of Yaochi from the Upper Three Realms, known as Ye Piaoran, amongst the cream of the crop of the level of Heavenly Emperors in the Ancient Fairyland."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing and Chen Yuran exchanged another look.

Yaochi.

They were familiar with it.

As for the saintess mentioned by the scholar, whether or not it was the same one from their known mythology was not important.

What mattered was,

Could people really reincarnate after death?

After all, Li Jing and Chen Yuran were from modern society.

Although there were a lot of students studying Immortal Learning on Blue Star, they also advocated science.

No matter how profound the phenomenon in Immortal Learning, ordinary people wouldn’t believe it without scientific evidence.

Like reincarnation for instance.

To them, it was pure nonsense.

Would a person reincarnate after they die? In their mind, death was as simple as a lamp going out.

However, to the current Li Jing and Chen Yuran.

It seemed not entirely impossible.

After all, having arrived in the Immortal Realm had greatly broadened their horizons.

Like Nalan Que.

Although he couldn’t be considered as reincarnated, he had the chance to come back to life by a stroke of luck.

A remnant soul which had been dead for countless years could be resurrected and live again. Why couldn’t reincarnation be possible?

However, the one who the scholar was seeking,

Was from how many generations ago?

If she had reincarnated,

After so many years,

She would have either become one of the strongest figures or been lost in the recurring cycle of death and rebirth, just like any other living being.

No matter which possibility was the case, she would no longer be the person the scholar once knew.

"Why are you causing yourself such distress?" Chen Yuran looked over and couldn’t help but ask out of sympathy.

"As for what I should understand, I indeed do," the scholar said, laughing nonchalantly,

"But there are some things that are hard to let go once you have invested too much into them."

Saying this, he looked directly at him.

"Mr. Li, I can see you have a strong aversion to this grand scheme. If you have the chance to destroy it, I believe you won’t hesitate. But I beg you, let it play out to the end, no matter the cost. Otherwise, I will risk my life to stop..."

Before he could finish, Li Jing looked up.

"How about I kill you now?"

"Ah..."

The scholar was choked by this unexpected response.

He was thinking,

He had said all he could, even revealing his lifelong ambition that had been deeply buried in his heart for years.

Li Jing should understand and sympathize with him.

Stating his position shouldn’t be too much, right?

But the other party was completely off-script.

As he was feeling uncomfortable, Li Jing said calmly,

"If you want to live to see the end of this grand scheme, to see if you can meet her again, you’d better figure out the situation you are in now."

Upon hearing this, the scholar opened his mouth in silence and nodded in agreement.

Admittedly, he had been presumptuous.

But it was because he saw that Li Jing didn’t seem to hold him accountable for it.

Nevertheless, the scholar wasn’t a fool.

Li Jing’s words seemed casual, but from any perspective, they were sincere and believable.

No.

To put it more precisely.

There was a reason that compelled him to do so.

Having deduced this, the Scholar’s gaze uncontrollably landed on Chen Yuran beside him, his face growing increasingly strange. He swallowed and turned his gaze towards Li Jing.

"Could it be that this lady is the actual player in this game?"

Faced with this statement, Li Jing responded candidly.

"Not necessarily, but surely there is some manipulation involved with her. It may even relate to me. Otherwise, there’s no reason why I would suddenly get involved in this game."

With that said, Li Jing’s expression turned gloomy.

"The feeling of being unable to avoid each move makes me very uncomfortable."

"..."

The Scholar.

Though Li Jing didn’t state it directly, it wasn’t much different from doing so.

Not being able to avoid each move signifies that he has been "arranged".

Whether he was "arranged" due to Chen Yuran’s involvement, or if he was destined to be "arranged", nobody could say for certain.

But the current crux of the matter is.

If given a chance, Li Jing would certainly ruin this game.

The Scholar naturally couldn’t bear to see this happening.

How many years had he waited?

Taking a step forward was within sight.

If Li Jing ruined everything, wouldn’t everything revert to its original state?

The problem is...

He is no match for Li Jing.

Looking at Chen Yuran, sitting modestly beside Li Jing, the Scholar, who is essentially engrossed in sentimental feelings, could understand some other people’s wrath.

If it were him.

He would make the same decision.

If she were still alive.

Maybe she would be accompanying him like Chen Yuran is accompanying Li Jing right now.

After a brief silence, the Scholar closed the folded fan in his hand.

"Master Li, since we are on different paths, why don’t we part ways here?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing frowned.

Before he could speak, the Scholar continued.

"The reason why Miss Chen is involved, the answer will be revealed only if everything continues to unfold. What I know, I have already told Master Li. Both of us have things that we inevitably have to do, but they conflict with each other, so it’s better we don’t travel together."

Saying this, he held Chen Yuran’s gaze, then turned his head to look at Li Jing.

"There is one thing I can tell Master Li, Miss Chen is not the predestined person we are waiting for, this can be absolutely sure. When the predestined person appears, the four of us waiting will have feelings. However, no such feelings have occurred."

Mentioned this, Li Jing didn’t really care.

Is Chen Yuran the predestined person that the Scholar and his companions are waiting for?

This was never important from the beginning.

The important thing is.

She is apparently related to this major operation.

And the encounter with the four of them, including the Scholar, may very well be a link in the chain of cause and effect that she carries. It’s just been stirred up by him at the moment.

Upon hearing the Scholar’s words, Chen Yuran frowned slightly.

"So, you are not waiting for me?"

"Of course not, otherwise, we would have revealed ourselves from the start."

The Scholar replied, glancing at a certain someone before continuing.

"The two of you coming in and stopping at the entrance without moving makes things a little difficult for us."

Chen Yuran was speechless.

Li Jing then spoke with nonchalance.

"Is this place your home or what? Is there a problem with me not leaving?"

After rebuking the Scholar, Li Jing spoke.

"Looking at the current situation, there really is no need for us to travel together. I am not a thirst for blood either, don’t want to kill for no reason. But there is one thing, I need you to guide me."

Before he could continue, the Scholar spoke.

"If Master Li is looking for the Candle Dragon sealed here, you need to head East. Through the Venerable Realm’s Sky Control speed, you should reach in half a month."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing frowned.

The time was not the problem.

But isn’t the Scholar being a little bit too courteous right now?

It seemed that the Scholar knew what he was thinking and laughed.

"Master Li, don’t overthink it. With the time yet to come and the predestined person yet to appear, the Candle Dragon will not emerge from the world. Even if Master Li and Miss Chen go there, it wouldn’t mean much."

With that, he continued.

"Master Li, you want to disrupt this operation, but that indeed goes against my wishes, so I need to be more alert. However, given my current situation, the priority is to ensure my personal safety, so necessary things should be spoken out."

Having said this, he stood up and exhaled, then added.

"Furthermore, this operation is not something that Master Li can disrupt if he wants to. The others involved in the operation will arrive soon and enter the Forbidden Space. Even if Master Li is powerful, it will be hard for him to fight against multiple parties if he stands out. Not to mention, the organizer of the operation will not let it be easily destroyed without any preparation. Thinking this way, I certainly don’t need to conflict with Master Li."

As he listened to the Scholar’s words, Li Jing laughed in disbelief, then stood up and said.

"You’re actually quite interesting."

Upon hearing this, the Scholar smiled.

Just as he was about to speak, Li Jing said.

"The next time we meet, we might be enemies. If you don’t want to die, stay out of the way."

"..."

The Scholar.

His way of speaking...

Why is it always so hard to keep up with?

Just as he didn’t know what to say, Li Jing spoke again.

"Alright, you can leave now, don’t forget to take these three unfortunate brothers of yours with you."

?

The scholar shot out a question mark, frowning.

"Mr. Li...aren’t you planning to go find Candle Dragon?"

"Didn’t you say that the Candle Dragon won’t come to the world until its time comes?"

Li Jing retorted.

"And aren’t you the one who said that the destined one you’re waiting for is the most important? I know it’s pointless for me to go there myself. Why would I go? For fun?"

"...."

The Scholar.

This...

It’s not what he thought.

He had thought...

Just tell Li Jing everything. Make it clear.

That way, he can get rid of this star of disaster as soon as possible, get out of this predicament, and continue to wait for the destined one.

Who would have thought that this guy would suddenly change his mind?

Look at his attitude...

He seems to be planning to occupy the entrance here.

Seeing the scholar looking at Li Jing with a face full of frustration, Chen Yuran couldn’t help but smile faintly.

When it comes to annoying people,

Li Jing has always had his ways.

Nowadays, his skills really are getting better and better!

On this side.

Seeing that the scholar was standing still in front of him, Li Jing’s expression gradually cooled.

"What’s wrong? You don’t want to leave?"

As he spoke, the white-haired loli Wuming, carrying a weapon that was extremely disproportionate to its size, appeared next to Li Jing, and Linglong also ran out with gleaming eyes.

Seeing Spirit Weapon Wuming, the scholar didn’t react.

However, seeing Linglong, who had knocked the Taoist unconscious with bare fists and feet, he couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his eyes, revealing a puzzled expression.

"That... Mr. Li, my inner righteousness has not yet recovered...."

Before he finished speaking, Li Jing sneered.

"Stop rambling, it’s been so long since just now, I don’t believe you’re not prepared to do anything."

Having said that, he commented coldly.

"I’m giving you three breaths of time. Take them away. Otherwise, you don’t need to leave. You can sleep here forever."

Faced with this ultimatum-like statement, the Scholar’s weak and helpless look on his face stiffened, and he stepped back, saluting.

"We will meet again."

After saying that, he no longer pretended to be weak.

He saw him bite his tongue, and a bit of fresh blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth.

The next moment.

His inner righteousness was instantly restored.

After taking a deep look at Li Jing, who was standing there with a calm expression, the scholar beckoned and took the unconscious three people with him and flew up into the sky.

Seeing this, Chen Yuran lifted her eyes and looked at it, her face showing confusion.

"How did you know this scholar could actually act at any time?"

"Nobody who can make it to the Return to Origin is simple, not to mention those who have hidden in the Immortal Realm until now."

Li Jing chuckled, replying.

"In addition, this scholar isn’t hiding because he doesn’t want to come out, but because he’s waiting for the right moment. The way the four of them were arranged clearly shows that though he seems weak, he is actually the strongest, and is best suited as a back-up. He was wary of me, which is true, but after we had a conversation, I should lower my guard, especially since this conversation was rather pleasant."

As he was about to continue, Chen Yuran nodded.

"I can tell this scholar is not as pure as he appears on the surface. He is indeed a man of many passions, but his frankness is questionable. I’ve been patrolling Blue Star for so long, I wasn’t wasting my time, I know people like him tend to have the darkest personalities. But after coming to the Immortal Realm, I haven’t really adapted to such ’honest’ customs."

Li Jing laughed at her words.

The "honesty" of the Immortal Realm was indeed a bit difficult for the Blue Star People to adapt to.

After all, in here.

It’s very common for someone to smile at you when they meet you, and then, behind your back, they’d stab you in the heart.

Especially those who have experienced some hardships.

None of them aren’t ruthless.

Like the Scholar who came from the Ancient Fairyland and has been lurking until now, how pure could he be?

After all.

It’s not easy to survive from that era.

Without letting the topic continue, Li Jing tilted his head.

"Shall we continue with the skewers?"

Upon hearing his words, Chen Yuran showed a smile and quickly nodded.

"Sure."

As she spoke, she tilted her head, pecked Li Jing on the cheek, then walked away with a blushed face.

???

Li Jing.

This sudden attack...

"Hurry up."

Chen Yuran said and, with a slightly reddened face, she turned around and walked away.

Seeing this, Li Jing blinked, let out a hearty laugh, and was about to head over to the grill.

Just as he was about to move, Chen Yuran’s voice rang gently in his ears.

"Thank you, for being by my side."

Startled by her sudden voice transmission, Li Jing paused and replied without looking back,

"I’m just doing what I should."

Li Jing understood his girlfriend’s reticence very well.

Saying some things face-to-face...

She would get shy.

...