Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 205 Time is running out
Chen Ye originally wanted to catch up with Su Chunyi first, but it was an invitation from the number one person in the world.

No matter how reluctant he was, Chen Ye had no choice but to go to Jiange to listen to the teachings of this Master Zhang.

Fortunately, Su Chunyi was the one leading the way.

The two walked side by side, from the shore of the river island, along an inconspicuous path, slowly heading towards the true mountain gate of the Qinghe Sword Sect.

But this world-renowned number one immortal sect looks rather shabby.

There are no carved beams and painted rafters, no ethereal archways, and not even the usual guardian stone lions.

What one sees before them is merely an ancient mountain gate constructed from a few thick logs. Above the gate hangs a square wooden plaque with the four large characters "Qinghe Sword Sect" engraved on it; apart from this, there are no other superfluous patterns or embellishments.

Su Chunyi explained that the wood was a piece of wood that Zhang Qi had casually cut off and then casually carved these four characters on it.

After thinking for a long time, the only thing Chen Ye could praise was that the cuts were quite neat.

Beyond the mountain gate lies a long, unadorned stone-paved road. It seems the Qinghe Sword Sect doesn't even bother to tend to its flowers and plants, with wildly growing weeds and bushes everywhere.

The straight stone path in front of him was barely visible because people had walked on it for years; otherwise, Chen Ye would have almost thought he had wandered into some long-abandoned deep forest.

Chen Ye couldn't help but say to Su Chunyi, "Life at the Qinghe Sword Sect must be really tough."

Su Chun smiled and said, "It may seem so to outsiders, but for those who study swordsmanship, having the sect leader personally instruct them is the greatest enjoyment."

Chen Ye smiled wryly. No wonder Master Zhang said he had no talent for swordsmanship; that was absolutely true.

After walking this long road, Su Chunyi led Chen Ye around a corner, through a gate that was clearly sealed off, and then they saw the legendary Sword Wall.

It was covered with dense writing and countless tangled lines.

Chen Yesheng was afraid of secretly learning the sword techniques of the Qinghe Sword Sect, so he dared not look at them too much.

But Su Chunyi said, "It's alright. All guests invited to the Sword Pavilion can freely observe the sword techniques on it. If they gain any insights, they can write down what they have learned. However, it's better for you to wait until you've met the sect leader before studying it slowly."

Chen Ye asked in confusion, "Isn't the Qinghe Sword Sect afraid of its sword techniques being leaked?"

"The sect leader often says that swordsmanship can only be improved through mutual exchange. If others can learn the Qinghe Sword Technique just by glancing at it a few times, then we should think about how to improve this sword technique."

Chen Ye exclaimed, "Truly worthy of being called the Qinghe Sword Sect."

No wonder no one can refute the claim that the Qinghe Sword Technique is the best in the world. It's not just about the skill level of the swordsmanship, but also about the spirit that is unmatched by any other cultivator in the world.

After passing through the long sword wall, Chen Ye arrived at the most "impressive" palace of the Qinghe Sword Sect.

It's grand, but that's only because it's big enough.

Upon entering, there is a spacious hall. Apart from the imposing thick pillars, the rest of the hall maintains the minimalist style of the Qinghe Sword Sect.

But as the saying goes, a mountain is not famous because of its height, but because of the immortals who dwell there. What you see before you is just a humble room, but sitting inside is the number one person in the world, Zhang Qi, the leader of the Qinghe Sword Sect.

Just like the first time they met, Zhang Qi was still wearing that drab gray Taoist robe, and his hair was messy, making him look like a down-on-his-luck old Taoist priest.

Chen Ye stepped forward respectfully and bowed. Regardless of seniority, status, cultivation level, or reputation, Chen Ye should treat this Master Zhang with utmost respect.

Zhang Qi casually waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. This isn't the first time we've met. Since you're here today, you're a guest, and the Qinghe Sword Sect doesn't have a rule about guests kneeling."

Chen Ye quickly said, "Thank you, Master Zhang. I am truly sorry for disturbing your peace and quiet during your visit today, which caused quite a commotion."

Zhang Qi laughed and said, "I'm not practicing asceticism at all. I just eat and sleep every day. I'm a complete glutton."

“Master Zhang is joking. Everyone knows that you simply do not wish to ascend to immortality.”

Zhang Qi glanced at Chen Ye and then said, "Alright, I won't stand on ceremony with you. The commotion you caused just now really surprised me. In such a short time, you've mastered such powerful supernatural abilities; you're truly a force to be reckoned with. I was worried that your Yellow Springs Sect was established too hastily, and that relying solely on that kid Qu Heng wouldn't be enough to ensure its stability. But now that I've seen your skills, I know you're well-prepared."

Chen Ye listened attentively, occasionally offering a few humble words. He knew that Zhang Qi hadn't called him to meet just to praise him; there must be something important he wanted to discuss with him.

Sure enough, after a few words, Zhang Qi asked, "I've heard that in your Fengdu City, humans and ghosts coexist. Is that true?"

Chen Ye nodded and said, "I dug a layer underground in Fengdu City, specifically for the dwelling of the dead. They are all people who have suffered, and I just want them to have a place to rest after death."

Zhang Qi then asked, "How many wandering spirits are there in Fengdu City now?"

Chen Ye said, "Less than 180,000, but it's about right." It's hard to get a precise number because the City God system has been established, and many people from the northern frontier will be taken to Fengdu by the City God after they die, and sent to that underground underworld.

The number of ghosts is increasing, but not very quickly.

But Zhang Qi seemed to be thinking about this very thing, and pressed on, "A hundred years from now, how many wandering spirits do you think will remain in Fengdu City?"

"If the Yellow Springs Sect develops smoothly, the more City Gods there are, the more Yin spirits there will be. It is estimated that there will be millions of them in a hundred years."

Zhang Qi shook his head and said, "Not only, far more than that."

Chen Ye explained, "There are indeed more than a million dead people in the world, but not many of them can reach the underworld of Fengdu."

In a mere hundred years, the Yellow Springs Sect could at most consolidate its territory in the northern frontier, and it was even difficult to expand into the Central Plains. If a million of them were brought into the underworld, it would be considered that Sect Master Chen Ye was very diligent.

Zhang Qi shook his head and said, "After I die, those demons will come back with a vengeance. In a hundred years, the number of mortals who have died tragically at the hands of those demons will be far more than a million."

"This... Master Zhang, are you talking about ascension?"

Everyone knows that Zhang Qi's days are numbered, but that refers to his ascension to the immortal realm. However, Zhang Qi just said "after death".
Chen Ye felt a chill run down his spine as he listened. What exactly did this Master Zhang want to talk to him about?
Zhang Qi had always been easy to talk to before, without any airs of a senior, but today he seemed oblivious to Chen Ye's unease, continuing to say something shocking: "I may not be able to outlive you until the day you establish your own sect. By then, the world will only be watching my death and focusing on the Qinghe Sword Sect, and I'm afraid I'll steal your thunder."

Chen Ye quickly said, "The fame of the Yellow Springs Sect is not important. Compared with the body of a True Person, the Yellow Springs Sect is not important at all."

"No, you underestimate yourself. Years ago, I had an argument with Lu Xingzhou. I thought that the Incense Burning Sect's collection of heavenly books and secret techniques was putting the cart before the horse. They had been pondering for so many years but hadn't come up with anything earth-shattering. I might as well focus on practicing swordsmanship."

"But after witnessing your abilities, I realized I was wrong. The Heavenly Book Secret Techniques are indeed unique, and their impact on the world is far greater than I imagined. It's just that the Incense Burning Sect couldn't find the way in, and after a thousand years of hard work, it all came to nothing. On the contrary, you have the ability to change the world in just one year."

Chen Ye broke out in a sweat and could only lower his head and say, "You flatter me, Master. I am unworthy of such praise."

Zhang Qi replied, "I'm not just being polite; I'm telling the truth. In my youth, I vowed to rid the world of evil, and I've spent my entire life slaying demons, but in the end, I haven't changed anything. That's just how the world is; the strong are respected. If I didn't have these skills, I couldn't save people with just words."

“In the past, I always felt that death was death, and all grudges and karma should be wiped clean. So when I killed demons, I always wanted to be quick and not bother to make others suffer. But your Yellow Springs Sect is different. I have never thought that people would have a chance to come back after they die.”

Zhang Qi talked a lot, completely different from his previous taciturn self.

Chen Ye felt increasingly uneasy as he listened. This was just like his master Mo Ci before his death. A person who was usually extremely cold and ruthless would become talkative before dying.

Could this Master Zhang really be contemplating suicide?
Chen Ye couldn't stand it any longer and interrupted, "Master, do you really not want to ascend?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qi laughed heartily: "Ascension? I've never thought about it. Although I'm curious about what the Immortal Realm is like, I know that if I'm gone, the world will be in chaos. A thousand years ago, the righteous path slayed demons and monsters, seemingly achieving a great victory, but in reality, their methods were not honorable, and their extermination of demons was not thorough enough."

"The legacy of the eighteen Demon Lords and the eighteen Demonic Sects is not limited to the Nirvana Sect. Otherwise, why have we been unable to kill all the big and small demons over the years? I shouldn't be telling you this, but we old folks should be the ones to pay the debts we left behind."

"But you are indeed different."

Zhang Qi paused, then solemnly said to Chen Ye, "I thought I would never see you again before I die, but today you suddenly came to the Qinghe Sword Sect and caused such a commotion. I believe this is fate, therefore, I invite you to come to the Sword Pavilion to meet me."

"You are the sect leader of the Yellow Springs Sect, and I am the sect leader of the Qinghe Sword Sect."

"Today, shall we sit down and discuss the Way? Is that acceptable?"

They sat down and discussed philosophy, just like Su Chunyi and Chen Ye did in the teahouse back then.

This is a rule that only existed in ancient times.

Those who follow the right path can sit and discuss the Way. If they are like-minded, they can entrust their lives to each other.

Back then, the leaders of the five major sects discussed the Dao for three days, and then swept away the demons and monsters, creating a bright and clear world for all people.

Every time Chen Ye heard this story, he felt his heart surge with emotion, but he never imagined that one day he would be sitting in front of Zhang Qi.

To my surprise, the old man actually invited me to discuss philosophy with him.

This Master Zhang is probably really nearing the end of his days.

Chen Ye felt a pressure on his shoulders, almost making it hard to breathe.

Zhang Qi simply looked at Chen Ye quietly, waiting for his answer.

Chen Ye took a deep breath, respectfully bowed to Zhang Qi, and said, "I am Chen Ye, the sect leader of the Yellow Springs Sect. Please enlighten me, Master Zhang."

(End of this chapter)