Master of Strange Dao

Yu Ziqing looked up.

Here it was again.

He glanced at Shi Mengji, whose expression of pain slowly vanished from his face.

Yu Ziqing raised his head to look at the sky, quietly sensing the faint consciousness within the rain.

Bowing slightly to the sky according to ancient rites, he offered a salute with his hands clasped.

"I am unaware of which elder has arrived, but Qing Ziyu greets you with respect."

Ji Meng watched Yu Ziqing's actions and couldn't help but smile wryly to himself. Shaking his head, he said,

"It's all right. It's very difficult for us old relics to blend in during this era, so don't worry.

You are right; if he likes peaceful drizzle, he is not of a particularly murderous disposition.

Didn't I tell you to go back to the Southern Sea first? If you keep following me, trouble will ensue..."

Ji Meng stepped forward, straightened his robe, and with a solemn face, offered a traditional salute once again.

"Let me reintroduce myself, I am Ji Meng."

After introducing himself, he reached out to catch the drizzle, and his demeanor softened.

"This is my wife, who is not in a position to meet with others. Please forgive her absence."

Yu Ziqing too immediately sensed a new consciousness greet him through the rainwater.

Hearing the name Ji Meng and seeing him near Silver Lake, how could he not know who this man was?

The powerful figure who, back in the day, had drawn upon the waters of Silver Lake to suppress the Fire Qi.

According to records, the Ji Meng family hailed from the Southern Sea.

However, so much time had passed since then, and he was still alive; it was clear, without doubt, that he was likely no longer of the human race.

And as for Ji Meng's wife, Yu Ziqing couldn't sense her presence at all, only her consciousness within the rainwater.

It seemed she was no simple being either.

However, Ji Meng's aura seemed to have fallen to the Seventh Tier, which was why Yu Ziqing had not considered that possibility earlier.

"So it turns out the elders come from the Southern Sea. It was my oversight, I apologize. May I ask for your guidance?"

"To ask for guidance would be too much. In truth, I have matters for which I would seek your advice, and I regret to trouble you so presumptuously."

Yu Ziqing looked around at the environment and gestured invitingly.

"Elders, please follow me; this place isn't quite fitting for discussion."

Leading Ji Meng northward and out of the range of Silver Lake, Yu Ziqing finally felt a slight sense of safety.

He truly hadn't sensed any malice, which is why he was willing to have a chat.

He also wanted to know what had actually happened back in the day,

to acquire more authentic and definitive first-hand information.

Of course, it wasn't just because the other party comprised two major figures that he was willing to talk.

Upon reaching the foot of a better-looking mountain, Yu Ziqing smoothly took out stone stools and a table, got the teaware and charcoal stove ready, brewed tea, poured three cups, and then said,

"Elders, please."

As Ji Meng sipped his tea, he glanced at the third cup and inwardly noted the young man's thoughtfulness.

"There are some issues that I cannot refrain from seeking your advice on with great audacity, please forgive me."

"Elder, please speak."

"This matter...is a long story..."

"No trouble. If convenient, elder, do take your time from the beginning. If it is within my power, a small favor is naturally not a problem," Yu Ziqing replied courteously, but without overcommitting.

Ever since Ji Meng had sought him out with clear intent, Yu Ziqing already had some suspicions.

Ji Meng then looked at the sky and stretched out his hand to feel the drizzle beside him, sighing lightly.

"Very well, then let's start from the beginning."

"That year, my beloved encountered a deadly plight, perishing both physically and spiritually, with her Divine Soul annihilated. I could not accept it.

As a result, I received a great favor from Emperor Dui, as they expended a treasure to preserve her consciousness, which was then merged into the rain.

I owed Emperor Dui a huge favor, and when the great fire was ablaze, I was invited to assist in its quenching.

However, although I left my treasure to summon the Galaxy's water, I only managed to extinguish the visible flames; the Fire Qi would never disappear.

When I realized that the towering flames were, in fact, the wrath of the living beings, growing stronger and fiercer the more it was suppressed, it was already too late.

I was scorched by the rage, which burned into my flesh and into my Divine Soul.

The Fire Qi could not be extinguished, so I could only fall into slumber.

It was only recently that I sensed changes, became aware that the Sealing had been broken, and that the catastrophe had been resolved, which is when I awoke.

Although the flames within my Divine Soul have dissipated, to this day, I can still feel my Divine Soul being scorched by rage.

Especially upon seeing you, it feels as though I have been transported back to those days.

Therefore, I would like to ask if you might have any methods of resolution?"

Ji Meng related the events of the past candidly, with a calm expression.

Yu Ziqing was somewhat surprised because he had not sensed any trace of the Fire Qi from Ji Meng.

"Please forgive my presumption."

Yu Ziqing extended a hand and grabbed Ji Meng's arm.

He closed his eyes and sensed for a moment. Ji Meng completely opened his soul without any resistance, but Yu Ziqing could not sense anything at all.

Even the Red Ape within him sensed no trace of Fire Qi.

Yu Ziqing pondered for a moment.

"Elder, I may need to peer into your Divine Soul. May I..."

"Please do," Ji Meng immediately replied.

Yu Ziqing's Yin God opened its eyes, looking past Ji Meng's physical body, and with Ji Meng offering no resistance and even actively cooperating, it passed through numerous barriers and finally saw his Divine Soul.

His Divine Soul was immense, like a giant.

With the head of a dragon and the body of a man, bird's claws and feathers, it floated silently, like a massive mountain resting in the Void.

And Yu Ziqing's Yin God was but an ordinary man at the foot of the mountain.

Even there, he did not sense any Fire Qi, but on Ji Meng's Divine Soul, he saw numerous traces of flames scorching from the inside out.