NOVPUBAt the same time, in the Great Taoist Sect Main Hall, Li Qing’s expression underwent a drastic change as she watched the Fruit of Immortality in front of her turn from real to illusory, on the verge of disappearing.
Subconsciously, she reached out to catch it, hoping to seize and retain it.
In the last ten years, she had used the terrifying power of the [Sutra of Transgressive Ethics], constantly corrupting the female disciples of the Great Taoist Sect for her own use.
Moreover, she had secretly selected female disciples with outstanding aptitude for cultivation.
Eventually, female cultivators occupied eight out of ten Elder seats within the Great Taoist Sect.
Within the Sect, the balance of power had shifted towards the female disciples. Female disciples, both in numbers and quality, completely dominated over the male disciples.
Even the Longevity members within the Sect had come to realize that something was amiss.
But the momentum had already taken shape, if they truly intended to eradicate Li Qing’s lineage, it might not simply be a matter of causing serious damage to the Great Taoist Sect.
Instead, it was highly possible that the Sect would fall apart due to internal strife.
Starting from the bigger picture, after several negotiations between both parties, they finally reached a compromise.
Li Qing’s past indiscretions could be overlooked, and she wouldn’t interfere excessively in the future. But she must ensure that the overall proportion of male cultivators in the Great Taoist Sect was maintained, as well as the purity of the newly-joined female disciples.
As a condition, a portion of the Fruit of Immortality would be allocated to Li Qing’s lineage.
The Fruit of Immortality grew on the Ruo Mu.
Managed jointly by the Ten Sects, one fruit could confirm one Longevity.
Today was the final moment when Li Qing would finally harvest her share of the Fruit of Immortality.
And at this critical juncture, it just had to disappear before Li Qing’s eyes!
How could Li Qing, who had exhausted her spirit and labored for an entire decade for this, accept this!
"No!"
Li Qing could no longer maintain her composure and let out an angry roar.
"Why aren’t you all helping me!"
No matter how impotent with rage she was, she could not stop the dispersal of the Fruit of Immortality.
Li Qing subconsciously turned her head back and addressed her companions in the Grand Hall.
Then it was this mere glance that made Li Qing suddenly feel the chillness in her bones.
Because in this Grand Hall, including the Sect Master Huo Jingtong, over a dozen Female Cultivators of the Combine Way were all looking at her simultaneously.
And...
It was completely different from the past affectionate glances. So unfamiliar, so eerily strange.
It was as if, in an instant, they had all been possessed by different spirits.
As the tremors within the Great Taoist Sect grew increasingly violent, Li Qing felt that, at this moment, the gaze of every cultivator throughout the Sect was focused on her.
"This..."
Despite Li Qing’s typically audacious nature, she couldn’t help but swallow her saliva and take a step back.
Within the Grand Hall, there was a Death Silence.
Without a sound, a figure suddenly appeared before Li Qing.
It was Zhao Ruoxi, who had been in seclusion for ten years and hadn’t been seen for a long time!
Looking at the woman before her who was both familiar and unfamiliar, Li Qing’s heart was filled with suspicion and uncertainty.
By now, she had reached the Summit of the Unity Path, just one step away from the Immortal Realm.
But in front of this former Sister Zhao, her Spiritual sense was frantically warning her.
"What’s going on?"
Her head spinning, Li Qing felt as if she had forgotten something very important.
The experiences of the past ten years suddenly flashed through her Spirit Consciousness.
And then, like a receding tide, it all became somewhat blurry and unclear.
As if dreaming.
"Very good."
Sister Zhao, staring at Li Qing, began by offering praise.
"I had originally thought to give you a small punishment, as the price for your previous insolence."
"But I never expected that, under these circumstances, you could achieve so much in just a short ten years."
"Among those who joined me, you are the first."
"A rather novel experience."
Sister Zhao’s face was emotionless as she spoke indifferently.
It was only then that Li Qing realized the expressions on the faces of the other female cultivators in the Grand Hall were exactly the same as those of Sister Zhao!
"Uh..."
Li Qing suddenly felt a severe pain in his head and couldn’t help pressing his hands against it.
The scenery of the Great Taoist Sect around him became increasingly unstable.
Eventually, it could no longer be maintained, shattering bit by bit.
Amidst the broken light and shadows, Li Qing discovered that the faces of all the others had now turned into Sister Zhao’s!
Boom!
The scene plunged into darkness all at once. 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
When Li Qing regained consciousness, the memories that had been suppressed for so long finally surged into his mind.
"Sister Zhao’s Illusory Realm is indeed formidable..."
"Even with precautions, I fell into it, unable to extricate myself."
Li Qing slightly frowned, his spiritual sense sweeping over his lower half.
"Thankfully, it was just an empty dream."
Recalling the various soul-stirring scenes in the Illusory Realm over ten years, and then thinking that all these female protagonists were actually incarnates of the One-Heart Emperor, Li Qing couldn’t help but be slightly dazed.
However, he was after all of extraordinary determination and soon came to his senses.
He focused his attention on the scandalous [Sutra of Transgressive Ethics].
Unfortunately...
No matter how hard he tried to remember, memories of the Techniques remained as elusive as a mirage, beyond his grasp.
A sense of regret immediately filled Li Qing’s heart.
"Such a divine technique, yet I cannot take it with me. I wonder if this technique really exists in reality, or if it was just fabricated by the One-Heart Emperor in the Illusory Realm?"
With myriad thoughts swirling in his Spirit Consciousness, it took a while before he could compose himself.
He looked around, and the scenery was very familiar.
It was exactly the same as the Great Taoist Sect in the Illusory Realm.
And now, he was standing right at the entrance of the Sect.
Looking at the familiar stone path leading up the mountain in front of him, Li Qing hesitated, reluctant to set foot on it.
"Weren’t you quite capable just now? Why have you suddenly become so timid?"
Just then, a sneering voice came from above the mountain path.
Li Qing looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young male Cultivator holding a broom and wearing the attire of an outer disciple of the Great Taoist Sect.
He leaned on his broom, looking down at Li Qing from his elevated position.
Li Qing knew that the person before him was also one of the many bodies of the One-Heart Emperor; he did not slight him.
He made a respectful bow with folded hands.
Afterward, he started climbing the stone steps at a slow pace.
"You know the way, just walk up on your own. I still have to clean, so I won’t accompany you," the young outer disciple said as he walked down the steps, passing by Li Qing without raising his head, casually instructing him while fastidiously sweeping the steps Li Qing had walked on.
"Although they are all the same person, it seems each body still maintains its own original or specific identity..."
"What’s this called? Role-playing?"
Li Qing narrowed his eyes slightly and continued walking deeper into the Great Taoist Sect.
Unlike the eerie and deathly silent scene at the last moment of the Illusory Realm, where everyone had the face of Sister Zhao,
the Great Taoist Sect was brimming with vitality.
Along the way, Li Qing encountered many Cultivators.
They merely glanced at Li Qing before continuing with what they were doing.
Interacting, arguing, competing.
Li Qing even saw several couples intimately engaged with each other.
The scene was bustling, as if the Great Taoist Sect had never perished.
But the more it was like this, the more cautious Li Qing became towards this One-Heart Emperor.
"It seems that even after thousands of years, Sister Zhao herself has not been without progress."
