Chapter 185: The Melancholic Person of Heaven and Earth

Seeing Qiu Feng’s barely concealed change in expression, Ji Yuan quickly added, "I naturally know how crucial the Mountain Consecration Talisman Edict is to Yuhai Mountain. If a second person were present today, I wouldn't dare make such a presumptuous request. But since only Mr. Qiu is here, I thought of it as a private discussion between old friends, just a tentative inquiry!"

Hearing Ji Yuan’s words, Qiu Feng immediately felt much more at ease and relaxed. The subtle pressure he felt when facing a "true immortal" significantly lessened. He didn't answer directly but first asked about something that concerned him more.

"Forgive my presumption, but what is Mr. Ji's relationship with the Dragon Lord of Tongtian River?"

Given Qiu Feng's cultivation, he was considered a "true master" at Yuhai Mountain, a testament to his exceptional talent. He was well aware that Yuzhu Peak of Yuhai Mountain had a special "Anti-Dragon Formation" carved into it, specifically designed to guard against that true dragon.

Qiu Feng had heard from his master that Yuhai Mountain's relationship with that true dragon was far from good. Centuries ago, Patriarch Ziyu offended the old dragon. Unexpectedly, the horned dragon actually managed to transform into a true dragon, and over two hundred years ago, it sought revenge on Yuhai Mountain, marking one of the most difficult periods in the mountain's history.

Although there had been no incidents for many years since then, Yuhai Mountain dared not fully lower its guard.

Ji Yuan was happy to help ease the tensions between the two sides. "Old Mr. Ying and I are friends. We met by chance years ago while I was reading in the wilderness. He was here just a few days ago, sitting exactly where you are now."

Qiu Feng instinctively looked down. For a moment, he even considered changing stone stools, though he didn't show it outwardly.

"Please rest assured, Mr. Qiu. When the true dragon caused trouble for Yuhai Mountain back then, once it was over, it was over. Although Old Mr. Ying can be quite particular at times and has always disliked Yuhai Mountain, he possesses that much magnanimity. He personally told me that the matter has long been considered settled."

A slight excitement stirred within Qiu Feng. He leaned forward slightly, asking with both caution and solemnity, "Is what Mr. Ji says true?"

Ji Yuan glanced at him, placing a black piece on the board. "If Old Mr. Ying wasn't bored enough to deliberately deceive me, then it's true."

These words relaxed Qiu Feng's brow, and he bowed to Ji Yuan. "Thank you, Mr. Ji!"

In Qiu Feng's view, this revelation was incredibly important for Yuhai Mountain, especially given the long-standing situation. Its credibility was high, and it was hard to say whether Mr. Ji had helped Yuhai Mountain in this matter. After all, the phrase "let bygones be bygones" might have only recently come about.

"As for Mr. Ji's request to view the Mountain Consecration Talisman Edict, that's not something I alone can decide. In fact, I believe the chances are slim, as there's never been a precedent for it."

Ji Yuan was already prepared for this. This matter was merely an impromptu idea after the old dragon mentioned the Mountain Talisman, a way to test the waters. "Thank you, Mr. Qiu, for relaying this. Please, have some tea!"

Ji Yuan picked up the teapot and refilled Qiu Feng's cup, steering the conversation back to light chatter and discussing opinions on the rumors from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion.

This was where the real content lay. Ji Yuan subtly, or at times very genuinely, inquired about the situations in various immortal abodes, immortal sects, blessed lands, and grotto-heavens. While seemingly asking if Yuhai Mountain knew the opinions of others regarding the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion rumors, he would always interject with curious questions about the inner workings of various immortal estates—many things even the old dragon was unaware of.

Regarding these matters, Qiu Feng naturally spoke freely, treating it as casual conversation to build rapport with Mr. Ji. He did, however, find it somewhat puzzling how isolated Mr. Ji seemed to be from such news. Yet, seeing Mr. Ji's keen interest in everything, Qiu Feng's spirits rose as he spoke, choosing some amusing topics to discuss. He also elaborated on specific details in response to Ji Yuan's inquiries.

While immortal cultivators could control their emotions better, in some respects, they were similar to mortals. For instance, some immortal abodes had quarreled during discussions on Dao because of differing views on internal microcosms and the refinement of magical power. Both sides stubbornly argued their points, nearly coming to blows, and still harbored mutual dislike to this day. Not only was Ji Yuan highly interested in such matters, but Qiu Feng himself found them quite amusing to recount. Even the most detached immortal cultivators had their own interests; their concerns simply operated on a different level than those of mortals.

This kind of unusual gossip couldn't be heard from the old dragon. So, for the entire day, Ji Yuan continued to arrange the chessboard while chatting with Qiu Feng, listening to these tidbits of information. This gave him a more intuitive understanding of the various factions within the orthodox cultivation world.

Ostensibly, the conversation about the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion rumors had long since drifted off topic, yet in reality, all the information served that very purpose. This was because Ji Yuan was the only one in all ten directions of the realms who knew the truth about the so-called "Great Zhen Qi Mechanism."

'Most likely, it's me!' This judgment came without any pressure, not because Ji Yuan was conceited, but because it was truly as the old dragon had jokingly said.

After chatting with such a kind person like Ji Yuan for a long time, Qiu Feng inevitably developed the illusion that he was genuinely quite familiar with Mr. Ji.

With a slight ulterior motive, Qiu Feng spoke about his path to immortality, from his childhood to his current cultivation journey. After a few emotional remarks about his hometown and former relatives, he tentatively asked a question, "Mr. Ji, may I ask from which immortal land you journeyed to this remote corner of Yunzhou in the Eastern Lands? I understand, of course, that you are certainly not here for the unsubstantiated 'Great Zhen Qi Mechanism and karmic connection.' After all, you have been here for years. However, if outsiders were to know, they would inevitably speculate, and even others within my Yuhai Mountain would think the same."

Hearing Qiu Feng's words, Ji Yuan's first reaction was that it was somewhat absurd, because in reality, he truly had come for the 'Qi Mechanism and karmic connection,' and he was the one most closely linked to it under heaven. Regarding Qiu Feng's question, Ji Yuan pondered for a moment. Although he considered simply fabricating a place, he felt it would be too preposterous and might lead to further complications. So, he decided to tell the truth; whether Qiu Feng believed him was up to him.

"Actually, I am not from elsewhere; my home is precisely this land of Great Zhen. As for why I am so ill-informed, haha, perhaps it's laziness, or perhaps I simply lacked the inclination before, or perhaps I was merely in a deep dream..."

They had talked a lot today, so much so that as Ji Yuan further refined his understanding of the world's structure in his mind, he felt a certain emotion. Especially hearing Qiu Feng describe his journey from mortal to immortal, his emotions fluctuated. His initial words were somewhat casual, but by the end, he couldn't help but sigh wistfully, unconsciously thinking to himself, 'Woke up to a world turned upside down...'

At this moment, Ji Yuan's eyes were distant as he held a white piece. He seemed to be looking at the chessboard before him, yet also at the grand cosmic forces that shaped the game of destiny long ago. Simultaneously, fragments of his previous life lingered in his mind.

This shift in his state of mind evoked a peculiar Daoist aura. The manifestation of a chessboard laid out over mountains and rivers subtly merged with Ji Yuan's external qi, causing the surroundings of Ju'an Study to become ethereal, as if detached from Ning'an County, yet also truly integrated with the heavens and earth. Qiu Feng still held his teacup in his right hand, while his left hand clutched the corner of his long robe beneath the table. His spiritual perception intertwined with the celestial and human transformations of the moment, and it was utterly impossible to describe the vastness he sensed.

To Qiu Feng, Ji Yuan's last words were clearly unfinished. It seemed the rest had been conveyed through this divine intent and Daoist aura. For that initial instant, Qiu Feng felt as if he perceived a sense of epochal transition and profound change, accompanied by immense pressure. This not only shook his Dao heart but also, for the first time in a long while, made him want to break out in a cold sweat. Faintly, there was even a trepidation that prevented him from looking deeper.

"Clack..."

As if realizing his own distraction, Ji Yuan's white piece landed on the chessboard with a crisp sound, interrupting everything. The study remained a study, and the summer day remained a summer day. A faint trace of the pressure from the secrets of heaven and earth had inevitably leaked out just now, and an immortal cultivator as spiritually clear and qi-sensitive as Qiu Feng might have perceived a hint of it. Fortunately, it was only a slight trace. If it had been ten or twenty times more intense, Ji Yuan wouldn't have been considered to have revealed heavenly secrets, but Qiu Feng's Dao heart would likely have collapsed.

"Cultivators like you and I are still human at heart. As we age, we sometimes become a bit sentimental. Mr. Qiu, please forgive my lapse!" Ji Yuan could only offer this strained explanation.

"No trouble at all, no trouble!" Qiu Feng wanted to say something else, but dared not be as casual as before. He could only repeatedly say, "No trouble at all." He had cultivated for nearly two hundred years, yet he had never experienced such a mystical and terrifying "sentimentality." The person before him was still the same one arranging pieces on the chessboard while touching bamboo slips, emitting no divine light or power. Yet, the invisible pressure he exerted on Qiu Feng was far greater than before, making him hesitant to speak freely and causing him to fall silent.

"Mr. Ji, I'm back!"

"I'm back too!"

Yin Qing's and Hu Yun's voices sounded one after another from outside the courtyard. Then, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and the person and the fox darted into Ju'an Study, one after the other.

"Uh... there's a guest here..." Yin Qing stiffened upon seeing Qiu Feng, instinctively glancing towards the red fox. The fox, too, was frozen stiff, as if struck by one of Ji Yuan's immobilization spells. Hadn't the fox just said it didn't smell any other scent?

"Let's conclude our talk for today. I imagine Mr. Qiu is eager to return, so I won't keep you for a meal. Thank you for your insights today, Mr. Qiu." Originally, Ji Yuan had intended to chat with Qiu Feng longer, but seeing his demeanor, it seemed he was no longer at ease.

Qiu Feng stood up as if granted a great pardon and bowed to Ji Yuan. "Not at all, not at all. I merely had a pleasant chat with Mr. Ji. As for the matter of viewing the edict, I will report it truthfully."

Ji Yuan also stood and returned the bow, escorting Qiu Feng to the courtyard gate. "Please extend my regards to the Wei family father and son, Mr. Qiu. And also to your grand-niece, Yi Yi, from back then."

"Rest assured, Mr. Ji, I will certainly convey your regards without fail. I shall visit again another day. Farewell!"

"Very well. I wish you a smooth journey, Mr. Qiu!"

After they exchanged farewells once more, Qiu Feng finally left the study. Adhering to local customs, Qiu Feng naturally didn't immediately take flight. Instead, he walked along the streets like an ordinary person, only using his wind-riding technique to rush back to Yuhai Mountain once he had hurried out of the city.

After a day of conversation, a considerable amount of important information had been gleaned. The mere fact that the old dragon had long since let go of his grievances was enough for Yuhai Mountain to process, but Qiu Feng felt that Mr. Ji's very existence was also no small matter.

Under the sweeping heavenly winds, Qiu Feng's robes flapped noisily, and his temple hair danced wildly. This time, he didn't try to merge with the wind, allowing it to brush against his face, his thoughts still tethered to Ju'an Study in Ning'an County.

'Is this what a Daoist Immortal is like? What is Mr. Ji feeling sorrowful about…'

High in the sky, Qiu Feng instinctively trembled, even the wind he was riding becoming slightly disturbed. He dared not indulge in further speculation, instead channeling his magical power and flying away.