Chapter 1261: Lu Yang’s Question
What's a living-person printing technique?
The question flashed through everyone’s mind. It sounded like some remarkably impressive method. But they didn’t dwell on it. There was no need to let such a trivial matter hold up the meeting.
Next came the open discussion segment. Lu Yang knew he couldn’t cover all angles on his own. He believed that a relaxed environment where everyone could bounce ideas off one another would yield better results.
The group nibbled on seeds as they discussed what needed to be taken into account when undoing the World Seal. Finding it rather inconvenient to chat while standing, they simply sat down on the grass. From a distance, they looked like a bunch of old villagers gossiping at the entrance. The only difference was the magnitude of the matters they discussed.
“Which method should we use to remove the seal?” the Heaven Mandate Immortal asked. “Do we completely restore it by refining the continents back into stars, just like in the ancient era?”
If it were merely reverting the continents to stars, there would be no need for the combined efforts of the Four Ancient Immortals. The Fate Arbiter’s Spirit Awakening Dao Fruit could achieve that.
“That definitely won’t do. The world would be plunged into chaos.” Jiang Ping’an frowned. He felt around his paper bag, only to find it empty. He had finished eating all the seeds.
“I’ll go get more seeds.” Lu Yang excused himself.
When he returned, he carried a plate of seeds, a plate of pastries, and several cups of juice levitated by his will. He sat back down and rejoined the conversation, with the Everlasting Immortal Fairy occasionally taking over his body to munch on the pastries.
“What if we unfold the entire Box World first?”
A cuboid phantom appeared in the Heaven Mandate Immortal’s palm. It opened up into a cross-shaped plane, with the Central Continent right at the center.
“Just like this.”
Ao Ling shook her head. “That’s not ideal. The civilians living at the borders would be thrown into disarray. Moreover, when people from the Demon Region, the East Sea, and the Buddhist Kingdom wanted to travel between the continents, they could cross the borders directly. But now, they would all need to pass through the Central Continent instead.”
“Then what should we do?” The Nine-Layers Immortal hadn’t expected the location for opening the world to become a conundrum.
“What if we only remove the seal around the Spiritless Land?” Lu Yang gestured. “It’s like lifting a lid; we just remove the Spiritless Land. Since it’s uninhabited, it won’t affect anyone.”
“Senior Brother Lu’s idea is excellent.” Jiang Lianyi nodded in agreement. She subtly grabbed Jin Caiwei’s tail and yanked the little tiger back as she tried to creep toward the Qilin Immortal.
“I also agree with Senior Brother Lu,” Ao Ling said, reaching out and pressing down on the little tiger.
Suppressed by the joint forces of a dragon and a phoenix, the little tiger thrashed her limbs about. She wanted to roar, but aware that she shouldn’t interrupt the serious discussion, she could only open her mouth in silent defiance to express her dissatisfaction.
Before long, everyone had unanimously approved Lu Yang’s idea.
After that, the group had a fervent discussion over a host of issues. After hammering out the details, they had a more solid plan for opening the world and knew what needed to be done once they returned to their territories.
Qing He sat by the side, her brush flying across the page as she documented the meeting in its entirety. Removing the seal would be a momentous event. It was evident that this meeting would be of immense significance to future generations. Failing to record it in full would be a dereliction of her duty as the Scribe.
“The meeting is hereby concluded. Adjourned,” Lu Yang announced. Every conceivable issue had been addressed during the session, and the proceedings had gone more smoothly than he had anticipated.
Everyone applauded, laughter filling the air.
After the meeting ended, no one was in a hurry to depart. Opportunities to gather like this were few and far between.
“If the four of you have no pressing matters, why not visit our imperial city?” Jiang Ping’an extended an invitation. At their level of cultivation, it was rare to find friends of equal standing. The chance to exchange cultivation insights with the Four Ancient Immortals would greatly benefit him and Meng Junzi.
“We shall trouble you then, Fellow Daoist.” The four immortals cupped their fists. They also wished to share their insights with peers of their caliber.
On the other hand, Ao Ling and Jiang Lianyi hauled the little tiger off to the East Sea to begin implementing the decisions made at the meeting.
Zhu Tian returned to the Demon Region alone and also started carrying out the meeting’s decisions.
Lu Yang gnawed on his brush handle, pondering how to report on the World Seal’s removal in a way that would make it easier for commoners and cultivators to understand.
~~~
At Heaven’s Gate Peak, Lu Yang knocked on Yun Zhi’s cave abode.
“Come in.” Yun Zhi’s voice came from within.
Lu Yang stepped inside. The cave abode was extremely quiet, save for the sound of Yun Zhi flipping pages.
Yun Zhi looked up, gazing at him calmly. “Is anything the matter?”
With a grin, Lu Yang produced a wooden box from behind his back as if performing a magic trick. The box was exquisitely crafted, inlaid with various jewels that didn't make it look ostentatious, but gave it more depth and character.
“What’s this?”
“A gift for you. Open it and take a look?”
Yun Zhi opened the box, revealing a complete set of wooden tea utensils inside. They were flawless, with every inch of it meticulously polished and crafted.
“Big Senior Sister, since you enjoy tea, I thought I’d give you this tea set,” Lu Yang said abashedly, stealing glances at her expression.
Unfortunately, Yun Zhi maintained her usual demeanor. He couldn’t tell whether she liked the gift.
“Thank you. That must have taken you a lot of trouble.” Yun Zhi closed the lid and put the tea set away.
“Xiao Yangzi, that’s not fair! I’ve never received a gift!” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy stomped her feet in fury within the mental space. I thought Xiao Yangzi had asked Zhu Tian to craft the tea set for his own use. Never did I expect it to be for Lass Yun!
Lu Yang hadn’t anticipated such a reaction from the Everlasting Immortal Fairy and could only placate her. “You’ll get one too. Immortal Fairy, I promise you’ll have a gift as well.”
“Really?” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy eyed him skeptically.
Lu Yang nodded vigorously, his expression utterly sincere. “Really. When have I ever lied to you? It’s just that the timing isn’t right yet.”
“Hmph. I bet you wouldn’t dare.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy crossed her arms and huffed.
“Big Senior Sister, could you enter my mental space for a moment? I have something I’d like to ask you.” Lu Yang scratched his head. The question had been circling in his mind for days, and he couldn’t shake his uneasiness without obtaining an answer.
The gift had merely been a pretext. This was the true purpose of his visit.
“Alright.” Without a second thought, Yun Zhi’s soul left her body and turned into a streak of light, darting into Lu Yang’s mental space.
Although the Everlasting Immortal Fairy had long since claimed the mental space as her territory, it was still his home ground after all and could give him some confidence.
“What’s your question?”
Lu Yang looked Yun Zhi straight in her eyes and asked seriously, “Big Senior Sister, during the battle, Yao Sheng said that as time passes, you will gradually unite with the Dao. Is that true?”
Yun Zhi remained expressionless, her voice cold as she refused to answer. “That’s not something you should know.”
In the past, hearing such a tone from Yun Zhi would have stopped Lu Yang from pressing further.
But this matter was different. He had to know.
This was precisely why he had chosen to ask her this question in his mental space.
He fixed his gaze upon Yun Zhi’s placid eyes and mustered every ounce of his courage to ask once more, “Big Senior Sister, was Yao Sheng telling the truth?”
Yun Zhi hadn’t expected her little junior brother to be so difficult to brush off this time. But she didn’t know how to lie. Her usual countenance faltered, and her tone took on a rare softness.
“It’s true. There will come a day when I unite with the Dao.”