“If you trust me, you can try the second method.”
“What method?”
“I have a Soul Cleansing Dew within me. Although this Imperial Spirit isn't Advanced, it's extremely rare and precious.”
“Its only effect is to help a Cultivator erase their acupoints, reducing their Cultivation to a Fleeting Rotation.”
“This Soul Cleansing Dew of mine is a Low-Grade Mysterious Spirit. It can erase the acupoints of Cultivators below the Zhuanshun Realm. While using it on you is a bit of a waste, it's perfectly suited for this moment.”
“You want me to abandon my Cultivation? Why?” Changqing asked.
“To obtain the Hundred Flowers Legacy, there's another method: passing the Trial left by the Hundred Flowers Evil Saint. The Trial Grounds are located in the center of the Hehuan Sect, in the Caiyun Hall.”
“I've been there before, but the Restriction set by the Hundred Flowers Evil Saint prevented me from participating in this Trial.”
“The requirements to participate in the Trial are to hold a Hundred Flowers Token, and your Cultivation must not exceed a Fleeting Rotation.”
Changqing was somewhat surprised.
“Cultivation must not exceed a Fleeting Rotation? Doesn't that mean only Mortals can participate in this Trial?”
“You're not entirely accurate. Not just Mortals; those with extremely low innate talent, who only reach a Fleeting Rotation at the start of their enlightenment, can also participate. Also, those who have used Soul Cleansing Dew to cripple their own Cultivation can as well.”
“But if I use the Soul Cleansing Dew, won't I be at everyone's mercy?”
“This brings us to the wondrous use of the Blood Sea Other Shore Skill.”
Dan Ji said with a hint of pride.
“Even if you use the Soul Cleansing Dew, your Realm will only drop to a Fleeting Rotation. But the Earth Palace Viscera you Cultivated will still exist. You can still use the Earth Palace Viscera to fight with some Blood Law Spirit. Even if you lose some Origin in the short term, as long as you can obtain the Legacy, it's worth it.”
“It sounds feasible at first listen. What are the contents of the Trial, and what preparations do I need to make?”
“I wouldn't know that. After all, I wasn't qualified to enter those Trial Grounds. You'll have to try it yourself.”
“What if I fail then?”
“It's hard to say. Different Legacies vary greatly in their danger. This Hundred Flowers Legacy was left by the Hundred Flowers Evil Saint from 100,000 years ago. It's an Evil Path Legacy, and of a Saint level, so it's likely among the most dangerous ones, no surprise there.” Dan Ji said.
Changqing nodded.
“Indeed, even you, an Evil Lord, are so insidious, cunning, and extremely wicked. Wouldn't an Evil Saint be even more so?”
“What are you afraid of? It's a shame you're the Reincarnation of Nie Tian, and possess a Natal Imperial Spirit that can reverse time and space. Even if you fail, you have a chance to start over. Following the Evil Path, there aren't many sure things; often, it's like snatching chestnuts from the fire.”
Indeed, Dan Ji's words were very true and perfectly aligned with his thoughts.
“Now, even the Moment Realm female demons in this Hundred Flowers Cave are all dead. The other lesser demons are of low Realm and pose no threat to you. You can use the Soul Cleansing Dew now.”
“No hurry. I'll use it after we reach Caiyun Chamber. Besides, I'm waiting for someone.”
“As you wish. Using it sooner or later won't affect your success in the Hundred Flowers Legacy Trial. Are you waiting for that little girl?”
“Mm.”
“Did you two come into this Hundred Flowers Cave together, or did you meet inside?”
“What's it to you?”
“Hey, what's the rush? I can tell that while your mind is as deep as an ancient demon like me, when it comes to matters of love, you're no different from an ordinary young lad.”
“If I had to guess, you two must have met in this cave, right? Am I correct?”
“Oh? Do tell, how did you guess?”
With the pressure on them suddenly reduced, Changqing didn't mind bickering with Dan Ji while waiting for Luo Hongyan.
“That little girl has extraordinary innate talent, a Refining Law Saint Body. One glance and it's clear she comes from a prominent Family. You, however, are an idiot who knows nothing about Cultivation, and your Cultivation is low. Putting aside your Innate Spiritual Body and Nie Tian's Natal Imperial Spirit, you're simply the Trash of all Trash.”
“Moreover, while you are extremely intelligent, your skills in romance aren't great; you're like a block of ice, incapable of sweet talk. As for your appearance, you're quite handsome, but your type of looks isn't universally liked.”
“Given all this, you have no advantages whatsoever. How could she possibly like you? For someone like you to be with a woman like her, you must have met in this Hundred Flowers Cave and shared hardships, leading to feelings developing.”
She spoke incessantly, completely lacking the demeanor of an Evil Lord, more like a gossiping village woman.
“You're quite good at imagining things.”
“Keep it low-key, low-key. I've lived for over three hundred years. If I can't even analyze the thoughts of youngsters like you, wouldn't I have lived in vain?”
Dan Ji said with a hint of pride, then added mysteriously.
“Let me tell you, you need to seize the opportunity. That little girl must be from a prominent Family. A Family capable of nurturing a Spell Cultivator must have a certain foundation, let alone someone like her who has been nurtured from a young age.”
“You're basing her prominent Family background solely on that?”
“Not just that. I'm telling you, not only is she from a prominent Family, but her status is also quite extraordinary.”
Dan Ji said, feigning profound knowledge.
“Do you remember her saying she would take you back to her Family to find you a Soul Cleansing Dew? Do you know what it means to say something like that? I, a venerable Thousand Autumn Realm expert, who has roamed the world for over three hundred years, have only accumulated two Soul Cleansing Dews. She casually says she'll get you one. Think about it yourself.”
Her words made Changqing fall into contemplation, but then he smiled indifferently.
“What does her background have to do with me?”
“You can't say that, kid, don't pretend. What if she's some prominent Family's little princess? You'd be soaring like a Dragon to Heaven! Besides, you already like her, don't you? If you can rise to prominence by relying on a rich woman, why bother Cultivating the Evil Path? Wouldn't the Righteous Path be better?”
Her words surprised Changqing somewhat.
“I always thought the Cultivation world believed Righteous and Evil were irreconcilable. If I Cultivate the Righteous Path, can we still be allies?”
“In your heart, do you think Cultivating the Righteous Path or the Evil Path is more important?” Dan Ji retorted.
Changqing shook his head.
“The fact that you can think that already proves you are a thorough Evil Path Cultivator.” Dan Ji sighed.
“Only true Righteous Path individuals would believe that Righteous and Evil are irreconcilable and that Evil Path Cultivators should all be wiped out. Evil Path individuals, however, don't care about such things; as long as they can get what they want, any Cultivation is fine.”
Changqing nodded. He understood Dan Ji's meaning, as it aligned with his own thoughts.
“Moreover, the world is inherently cruel. Do you think the Righteous Path doesn't kill, doesn't scheme, isn't corrupt and dirty? It's all the same.” Dan Ji lamented. “In essence, so-called Righteous and Evil are two paths with no fundamental difference; it's just the people walking on them who are different.”
“Pfft, I thought you suddenly had a change of heart and were going to advise me to be good.” Changqing teased.
“Heh, I'm advising you to follow the Righteous Path with that little girl if you have the chance because she has the ability to make your journey on the Righteous Path smooth.” Dan Ji sneered, “If she were a waste, and still tried to convince you to follow the Righteous Path, I would only advise you to kill her.”
Some people walk on the bright Dao, yet hold no prejudice, still willing to extend a helping hand to those on different paths; this is salvation.
While others, despite their own petty and despicable actions, stand on the moral high ground, criticizing those on different paths, insisting they must be content with the status quo and succumb to mediocrity; this is foolishness.
Changqing was not interested in this conflict between Righteous and Evil, nor did he care about Luo Hongyan's background.
In fact, looking back now, he even wondered if he should maintain a certain distance from Luo Hongyan.
He only wanted to protect Luo Hongyan, to keep her from harm. His initial motive was simply to worry about whether the Luo Hongyan of this world encountering danger would affect Ye Qinghe on Earth. But now, he seemed to be uncontrollably pouring his feelings for Ye Qinghe onto Luo Hongyan.
In critical moments in his previous life, he often acted instinctively for her without much thought. Now, if he were truly forced to consider how to face Luo Hongyan, he felt a bit at a loss.
Were they truly the same person? Was he betraying Ye Qinghe by doing this?
He couldn't say for sure.
“Just protect her, that's enough. As for other things, I'll put them aside for now until I thoroughly understand what this Transmigration and Rebirth is all about, and whether Luo Hongyan and Ye Qinghe are truly the same person.”
Just as he was thinking this, Luo Hongyan ran into the Immortal Cave, panting.
The moment she saw Changqing, she rushed over.
“You idiot! Didn't we agree to escape together! I climbed over half a mountain outside to find the entrance to the Hundred Flowers Cave, do you know how worried I was?!”
Luo Hongyan rushed over and immediately showered him with complaints, though her tone was filled more with concern.