In this world, it's all about who can be more ruthless.
This was his final test, designed to lure him into taking it himself.
No matter how much is said or taught, it cannot compare to the profound lesson of this test.
He had suffered unbearable pain, sinking into self-blame and guilt; only later did he slowly come to realize that this was indeed the real ultimate test.
If he couldn't extricate himself from these thoughts, he just wasn't ruthless enough.
Latter on, he indeed became more and more ruthless, and his heart grew ever colder.
"Teacher... Teacher..."
The calling brought him back to the present.
Ji Bochang looked at the treasure pill on the table.
It was another treasure pill, but this time, he, as a teacher, watched his disciple exert all his effort to obtain it for him.
He was so caught up in memories that he couldn't extricate himself.
Unable to control his trembling, he reached out and closed the jade box once more.
At this moment, his eyes, as complex as his teacher's before death.
Memories, long buried in the depths of his heart, suddenly emerged to strike him hard.
He even began to waver, questioning whether he had been right or wrong all those years ago.
Faced with a rare treasure pill, worth as much as Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, he felt no greed in his heart.
Suddenly, he understood what it meant to be 'a hot potato.'
"Take it back, I'll listen to you, and wait a few more years."
"I've already exchanged it, there's no reason to give it back now. The rules of the Shadow Department are not to be trifled with, teacher. Keep it safe, use the treasure pill first, and after completely healing your body, we'll talk."
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
It seemed that Ji Bochang was persuaded as Su Li glanced at the sky, only then realizing it had already turned dark.
"Then, teacher, you should rest early, I won't disturb you anymore."
Su Li left with an awkward smile.
Ji Bochang sat there, his complexion fluctuating between pale and flushed, and after a moment, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
Wiping the corner of his mouth, he let out a self-mocking laugh.
All these years, he had weathered great storms with a heart as stable as stone, never wavering.
Now, he found his memories stirred and his heart unsettled by such a trivial matter.
The mere thought of the treasure pill gave him a feeling of it being too hot to handle.
It was nothing short of a joke.
Sitting in place, he regulated his breathing for a long while before returning to his room.
Looking at his old wife, he spoke slowly.
"I am going to attempt a breakthrough. If anything happens to me, return the jade box to Su Li."
"Why... Why is this happening..." Mrs. Ji was panicked and confused.
"There may be danger approaching, and I cannot wait for it to arrive before I prepare. I must get ready in advance. Don't worry, there's plenty of time."
He went to the study, entered a secret chamber, and with a single breath, a one-foot-tall shrine landed on the table.
Transforming into a stream of light, he entered the shrine and instantly arrived in a secret room.
A secret room adorned with hanging paintings.
At the first sign that the Compass had been detected, he employed this contingency plan to ensure that his presence would not be revealed from the Source.
However, successive losses of his Ninth Tier incarnations, and their severed ties.
The Shadow Department suddenly began another round of screenings, not even sparing those like him who were already retired.
Qing Ziyu from Jinlan Mountain was invited to the Capital City on a pretext and ended up at his home.
Someone ate most of the specially prepared fish and even asked for the recipe.
He then went to a nearby market and bought the identical spices, oil, fish, even purchasing a set of exactly similar kitchen utensils.
He also brought up the matter of Yang meat.
He had been monitoring Qing Ziyu for a long time, even knowing everything about Qing Ziyu's two visits to the Capital City, what he ate, preferred, and disliked.
What was the purpose of Qing Ziyu's deliberate mention of Yang meat?
Was it a hint that he knew about the incident in advance, or was it suggesting something else?
His people couldn't infiltrate Jinlan Mountain; one who was merely passing by, not flying high enough, was affected by some mysterious force and nearly crashed down.
Ever since Jinlan Mountain re-emerged from the Void, its Alien power was intensifying day by day.
Now, who would dare to sneak into Jinlan Mountain for intelligence?
Despite the vast area of the locust forest, which spanned thousands of miles, millions of hungry ghosts were guarding it, more effective than any Formation.
Moreover, even a Ninth Tier Qi Refining Cultivator entering Jinlan Mountain would be enveloped by such dreadful Alien power and would likely be beaten to death on the spot.
His focus on Jinlan Mountain ultimately settled on Qing Ziyu.
He even heard rumors suggesting that Qing Ziyu might be a master of the Sword Dao, an old Monster masquerading as young.
That's why he pretended to be a mere Fifth Tier Body Cultivator, tromping about hazardous places without getting killed.
The speculation was that it could be due to the influence of Jinlan Mountain's Alien power.
But he had seen Qing Ziyu with his own eyes—a typical Body Cultivator, who, when not engaged in combat, didn't even emit a clear aura of power, certainly not that of a master of the Sword Dao.
Yet, his attempts at investigating had been fruitless.
Too many died in the Wilderness catastrophe; the upheaval at Jinlan Mountain had erased most of the information.
He couldn't confirm whether Qing Ziyu was truly young or an old Monster in disguise.
So, facing Qing Ziyu, he always treated him as if he were an old Monster.
He even speculated whether Qing Ziyu might be the Possession of an old Monster from the era of Dadui.