newbobooks Chapter 8: The future of the Immortal Ship is truly bright!
Chapter 8: The future of the Immortal Ship is truly bright!
Some time ago, the group gave intensive instruction to several of Luofu's "future pillars".
After discussion, everyone decided to let the young people grow up naturally according to their nature—except for Qingque.
Fu Xuan had already paid close attention to Qing Que, and now he was even grooming her to be the successor of the Grand Diviner.
Although Qingque is currently only a scribe, she has been clearly designated as a "candidate for Grand Diviner" and spends at least four hours a day with Fu Xuan to learn how to handle official duties and deduce formations.
Even her former card-playing friends lamented: "These days, Qingque doesn't even have time to relax and play cards anymore. It's a pity!"
This matter has come to a temporary close, and several more people have been added to the list of deduction anchors for the Qiong Guan Zhen (穷观阵) – all in order to piece together a more complete picture of that "catastrophe" as much as possible.
Because of its close connection with future calamities, Jingliu was temporarily detained in Luofu.
Nominally she was "keeping watch," but in reality, she was being accompanied by Jing Yuan, staring blankly at a spirit formed from memories before her.
The spirit had the graceful features of a fox-girl, and her smile was as bright as the sun.
"Jingliu, why aren't you saying anything?" The spirit—Bai Heng's condensed memory—waved in front of her.
Jingliu remained silent for a long time before softly saying, "I just never imagined... that I would see you again in this way."
Bai Lu, standing to the side, complained with her hands on her hips, "Don't even mention it! This guy said he was here to protect me, but he took me on a high-speed star raft race. I almost threw up my lunch yesterday!"
Seeing Xiaolongnu's sullen expression, Jingliu's lips curved into a very slight smile.
In that instant, the almost persistent, lingering shadow of the demonic figure faded somewhat.
"I am now..." Bai Heng's memory spirit looked down at her translucent hand, "merely a manifestation of Bai Heng's remaining memories. I think like her, I act like her... but am I really 'her'?"
Jingliu's breath hitched suddenly.
The restlessness of the demonic body surged into his heart like an icy tide, and the killing intent and chaos almost broke through the suppression.
She closed her eyes and focused her mind, forcibly pressing the churning darkness back into its depths. When she opened her eyes again, the bloodshot color in them had faded slightly.
"I cannot say for sure that you are not her."
Her voice was a little hoarse, but exceptionally clear, "But I think... we don't need to be so fixated on this."
To be able to 'exist' like this, to be able to laugh and talk, to be able to feel... that's already very good.
She took out a beautifully packaged drink and handed it to Bailu: "I meant to buy Fairy Happy Tea, but I accidentally bought Taro Boba instead. If you don't like it, we can go again..."
---
Meanwhile, inside the Temple.
As a rare "observer," Qingyuan stood outside the Qiongguan Formation, watching the light within the formation flow and reflect future fragments of different figures.
"So this is what it feels like to watch someone get tricked... I see." She stroked her chin, quite interested. "It's actually pretty fun."
First place: Qingque.
The bluebirds in the formation were fast asleep with their eyes closed, their breathing even.
However, upon closer inspection, it can be seen that one of her hands was unconsciously moving in the air, with a faint light appearing at her fingertips—she was actually processing the floating official document jade slip in her sleep!
Meanwhile, Qingque, trapped in the dreamlike illusion, was utterly devastated: "Why do I have to approve official documents in my dream?!"
At that moment, a semi-transparent barrage of projectiles drifted across the top of the formation—
[Fu Xuan]: He was able to use the formation to resonate with the Dharma Eye, and thus be able to handle official business while in deep sleep?
This method is excellent, balancing rest and efficiency. I may try it when I get back.
Second place: Su Chang.
He reads books at dawn and practices swordsmanship without ceasing.
In the morning, he would wake his sleeping disciples from their beds to practice martial arts.
In the afternoons, he would review files and assist the general with official business; in his spare time, he would also read miscellaneous books to relax.
However, during the afternoon's "free time," he would often be pulled away by a figure—either to help deliver medicine or to assist with patrols.
As night fell, after finishing her studies and practicing her swordsmanship... she actually fell asleep peacefully on a rope suspended from a beam.
Su Chang, standing outside the formation, stared in disbelief: "I... I've become Gui Naifen's apprentice? But why haven't I seen her anywhere?"
【Fu Xuan】: Diligent and eager to learn, self-disciplined and self-restrained, with a promising future.
Su Chang waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no, no! This can't be me! How could this be me!"
Fu Xuan did not respond further, his gaze already shifting to the next person.
Third place: Agastache rugosa.
The young judge huddled behind his desk, his head in his hands, with a tall pile of documents in front of him.
She muttered to herself, "Grandpa Tail... how should I write this approval regarding the limited scope of use of the 'Cute Yin Body Secret Technique'?"
"You're asking Suiyang about something this important?!" Blue flames erupted from her shoulders, and the old man's voice boomed, "You're the Chief Judge of Luofu now! Have some guts!"
"But...but..." Huo Huo ruffled her hair, her voice even softer, "If there were any other seniors who could take charge...it wouldn't be my turn."
I really don't know how Qingque... no, General Qingyuan managed to endure it back then...
【Fu Xuan】: Although he is a little green, it doesn't matter.
The role of a judge does not necessarily require perfection in everything, but rather stability and minimizing mistakes.
Fourth place: Yanqing.
Yanqing, standing in the center of the formation, was instructing a spirited young woman in swordsmanship, his expression one of composure and satisfaction.
Looking at his future self from outside the formation, Yan Qing felt a little relieved.
However, the scene changes—
"Hehe, look how late it is... Could you give me back my wine jug?" The future Yanqing rubbed his hands together, his smile somewhat... fawning?
Yan Qing, standing outside the formation, froze instantly: That tone?! And how could I possibly drink alcohol in the future?!
"Here you go." A girl named Yun Li tossed over a gourd.
Yanqing took it, eagerly uncorked it, and took a sip. His expression changed drastically: "Why is it bitter?! What is this?!"
"The medicine," Yun Li said, arms crossed. "The alchemist noticed you hadn't been collecting your medicine for a long time and asked me to bring it to you."
"Then...what about the wine?"
"I'm speechless. You really think you're some kind of Drunken Sword Immortal?" Yun Li said irritably. "Once your reputation fades, people will probably call you 'Old Drunkard'! Besides, aren't you suffering from being plagued by nightmares?"
Yanqing was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Whenever I close my eyes... I can't forget the tragic state of Master and Luofu back then."
Only in a hazy, drunken stupor can I find temporary peace, returning to a semblance of the warmth of the past. This medicine... however, will make me forget the past.
He looked up, his eyes resolute: "I'd rather suffer from nightmares forever than forget!"
"stare--!"
"stare--!"
Just then, Qingyuan appeared, hands on her hips, glaring at him: "Yanqing! Did you get your adult certificate just so you could drink alcohol openly?"
She took out another cup and gestured to Yun Li, "He has to drink this medicine today. Help me hold him down."
After a period of chaos, the medicine was forced down his throat.
Yun Li then belatedly realized, "Wait... what was originally inside this gourd...?"
"Oh, he just drank from my cup." Qingyuan said without changing her expression. "Don't tell Sushang about this."
"This...isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
"Sister, no problem, absolutely no problem!"
"This is completely wrong—!!"
A clear shout rang out! Su Chang, riding a giant crimson kite, landed with a thud, leaping down and pointing directly at the blue kite:
"Don't you trust my wisdom?" Qingyuan shrugged. "I've only 'temporarily stored' some less important memories..."
"Not important?!" Su Chang took a step closer, her voice trembling. "We used to play cards together all the time when we were young, but now you can't even remember the basic rules of the Imperial Jade Palace! Wait—"
She stared intently into Qingyuan's eyes:
"Just now, a hint of surprise flashed in your eyes. You don't even remember that we've known each other since we were young, do you?"
Qingyuan looked away: "I... I'll be fine. Besides, Luofu is so big, it doesn't need another general like me."
"you--!!"
The scene suddenly changes.
Lin Yuan Realm, a dark and quiet corner.
"General, you're hiding here too?" Yanqing crouched down and slipped over.
"I'm here to inspect the defenses of Lin Yuan Realm," Qing Yuan said solemnly, then lowered her voice, "Not to criticize you, but you need to take your medicine on time and start a new life."
"I met Lady Li Sushang on my way here. Shall I ask her for you...?"
"No! Please don't!" Qingyuan turned to leave. "Just pretend you never saw me!"
"General, wait a moment." Yanqing called out to her, his expression turning solemn. "There has always been something in my heart that I have never understood."
Just then, the image on the Qiong Guan Zhen screen suddenly fluctuated violently, and the runes flickered on and off!
Fu Xuan made a decisive move, grabbing Qing Yuan, who was watching with great interest, and throwing her into the formation!
"Ouch! What are you doing?!"
Fu Xuan: I have a feeling he will ask about the key point.
Since you are present, you will answer the questions personally.
The scene within the formation stabilized again.
In the Scaled Abyss Realm, the two continued their conversation.
Yanqing's voice lowered: "Even when I close my eyes, I will still see... half of the creatures of Luofu, tainted by the calamity of abundance, their flesh and blood intertwined, unable to die as they are devoured by swarms of insects, their cries of agony never ceasing."
Meanwhile, the other half of the Luofu people mutated into insects, frantically devouring their kin who had merged with them…
He closed his eyes, and the light and shadows around him flickered, revealing a shattered scene—his master stood in front of him, but his body disintegrated inch by inch in the golden light, turning into a twisted insect shape.
Even just observing this memory projection, Yan Qing outside the array instantly turned pale, overwhelmed by intense nausea, pain, and a tearing sensation.
Qingyuan tiptoed and gently ruffled his hair.
"I didn't 'stand firm to myself'," she said calmly. "I just... succeeded."
If I were truly resolute enough, why would I seek liberation from nothingness?
"Huh?"
"My devouring of the insect king's remains was merely an attempt to control the insect swarm for a short period of time, to tear a path to survival amidst the dual encirclement of the insect swarm and the antimatter legion."
"My connection to the Jianmu tree is merely a hope that I can guide its growth path and transform it into a great array to protect Luofu."
"In the end, he used the Dragon Transformation Technique to try to transform the suffering beings into enlightened beings... but he was only thinking, 'Even if only a part of it can be successful.'"
Even if they fail, at least the remaining people... won't have to endure that pain anymore.
"So at the time... how confident were you?"
"Less than 20%. To be precise, 16%." Qingyuan gazed at the dark sea in the distance. "If it weren't for the remnants of the divine eye left by the former Grand Diviner, and... a glance from the Venerable Master of Knowledge, I would have had no chance of succeeding."
She paused, her voice as soft as a sigh: "Unfortunately, her last remaining consciousness... also dissipated."
"But you succeeded in the end, and your subsequent performance..."
"I have never crossed any 'hurdle' in my heart."
Qingyuan interrupted him, smiled, but there was a hint of weariness in her smile, "I just... choose not to face it."
"I am not some kind of hero who stays true to himself in desperate situations and ultimately creates miracles."
It's simply that... the result was too 'successful,' leading others to imagine too many wonderful things.
"In fact, I was unwilling when I was first put in the position of Grand Diviner; and I had no choice but to be put in the position of General later."
"But given the situation at the time... I had no choice but to step forward."
She looked at Yanqing, her tone becoming exceptionally serious, even tinged with a hint of encouragement:
"Listen to me, Yanqing. If you find facing certain things too painful... then just give up."
At least when you're just giving up, you can at least catch your breath and have a moment of peace.
"With your achievements, Luofu will support you for life, allowing you to live a carefree and happy life, which is more than enough."
So... let's just give up.
Once my influence as a "general" fades, we'll all give up.
I'm going to open a card room and play cards all day long—although I've forgotten how to play now, it shouldn't be hard to learn.
You can spend your days drinking and strolling around the streets; as long as you don't disturb the neighbors, we'll let you do whatever you want.
"Huh? Are you... using reverse psychology?"
"No." Qingyuan shook her head, her eyes clear. "I mean it."
Yanqing was stunned for a long time before finally shaking his head with a bitter smile: "There is absolutely no such possibility."
Yanqing usually does a decent job teaching the younger generation of the Yunqi Army, how could he really become a drunkard wandering the streets?
Then, Yanqing said in a low voice, "When Yanqing is plagued by nightmares... she will try to take medicine."
I think my master would also let me do this, but…”
He looked up, a hint of confusion and reluctance flashing in his eyes: "Will I... never see him again?"
---
Outside the formation, Fu Xuan didn't delve into this somewhat absurd conversation. Her fingertips flashed with spiritual light as she quickly recorded the keywords on the jade slip:
The Antimatter Legion, the Swarm, and the Abundant Calamity have all erupted—seemingly identical to the Calamity of the Immortal Ship 'Azure City'.
Combining all the previous fragments, the outline of the catastrophe is gradually becoming clear:
Sometime in the future, Luofu is besieged by both the antimatter army and the insect swarm, and is cut off from the outside world for a long time.
Internally, a large-scale calamity of abundance erupted, and half the city's inhabitants underwent strange changes.
General Qingyuan, at the time, used extreme methods such as devouring the Insect Lord, connecting with the Jianmu tree, and activating the Dragon Transformation Technique to forcibly reverse the crisis and save the entire Immortal Ship.
This also explains why, in earlier deductions, the people of Luofu had such an almost fanatical following of her.
Hmph, judging from the way things are going in the deduction, I, as a general, am doing my job very well.
But speaking of which... if the God-King turns back into the Insect-King in Jing Yuan's body, then wouldn't I be without any divine power?
But Fu Xuan already had a plan in mind: the matter was of great importance, and she needed to organize the results of this deduction and report them to the marshal as soon as possible. At the same time... she glanced at Yan Qing, who was still lost in thought outside the formation.
I must also remind Jingyuan to be more careful and not let the child get into drinking alcohol out of curiosity at such a young age.
---
After finishing the deduction, Yanqing walked alone through the streets and alleys of Changletian. The scenes she had witnessed in the formation were still swirling in her mind—the sight of her master transformed into insect form, her own appearance as she drowned her sorrows in alcohol, and General Qingyuan's words of persuasion, "Why not just give up?"
As if by some strange twist of fate, he turned and stepped into a long-established liquor store.
"Shopkeeper," he composed himself, trying to keep his voice steady, "I'm bringing a bottle of wine for the general."
He just wanted to see what kind of feeling the self in the deduction, who was obsessed with drinking, was seeking.
The shopkeeper behind the counter smiled and responded, then turned to fetch the wine.
Just then, a slender hand reached out from the side and gently pressed on the counter.
"Wait a minute."
A gentle yet undeniable voice rang out.
Yanqing froze, then slowly turned around.
Jing Yuan had appeared behind him at some point, his face still bearing that usual, enigmatic smile.
His gaze swept over Yanqing, then fell on the bottle of wine.
"I happen to have some free time right now," Jingyuan said, taking the bottle and tapping it lightly with his fingertips. "I'll carry it myself."
He turned and walked out, his steps unhurried, without looking back.
"Let's go back to the manor."
Yanqing's throat bobbed, but she ultimately remained silent and followed quietly.
Speechless all the way.
Inside the Shence Mansion, Yanqing had never seen his master look like this before. He decided to beg for mercy: "General, I was wrong, please don't spank me."
"That would be a slap in the face?"
"Is it okay to slap his palm?"
"Hmph! I didn't believe you when Fu Qing told me, but I didn't expect you to actually go and buy wine!"
At this moment, a clear and lively voice, completely out of character with the speaker, suddenly rang out:
"Jingyuan, forget it! Didn't you sneak a taste of alcohol when you were young?"
Jingyuan and Yanqing looked in the same direction at the same time.
A familiar yet unfamiliar face peeked out from the inner hall door—the white hair was still there, and the face vaguely resembled that of the aloof and detached former swordsman, yet the person exuded a childlike innocence, and the person was in a chibi form.
Qingyuan calls this Mengyin Body, which can prevent Jingliu from suffering from demonic yin.
However, the cost is that memories will appear and disappear intermittently, and the person will become naive and childish, with memories of things they don't care about likely to fade away.
"Ahem, Master, you didn't spare me back then either, did you?"
Upon hearing this, Jingliu covered his head and tried hard to recall. For Mengyinshen, recalling was indeed a difficult task.
"Oh right!" Jingliu finally remembered. "Then I'll help you fight."
Half an hour later, Yanqing, covering his face and buttocks, looked at Jingyuan and asked, "Did Grandmaster beat you this badly back then?"
"She held back, and the fight lasted even less. It seems that being born with a 'virgin' body can purify one's mind and make one more gentle and kind, which is not bad."