I ascended to godhood through the 100-ton King Martial Arts.

This is a small house located beside a snow-covered river.

It looks simple on the outside, and there's no door.

When Li Qingshan went inside, he found that the house was even more rudimentary, simply made of wooden planks pieced together to form the shape of a house, offering neither wind nor rain protection.

The ground was wet.

There was also some snow that had seeped through the cracks and piled up.

The handsome elder, Shen Linyuan, was sitting on a similarly simple wooden chair, brewing tea.

Seeing Li Qingshan standing somewhat reservedly to the side.

He pointed to the person opposite him: "Don't be so reserved. Although I can't say I'm a good person, I'm not a bad person either. I have no ill intentions towards you. Please sit down."

Li Qingshan obediently sat down opposite him.

Seeing him straighten his back, place his hands on his thighs, looking like he was obediently listening to his lecture, Shen Linyuan was amused: "You weren't this timid when you were stepping on Xichi's head."

Li Qingshan said earnestly, "Elder, I am young and inevitably have my moments of youthful arrogance. Precisely because of this, I need to identify the right direction, stand firm on my position, and learn from experienced elders so that I can better progress and grow in the future, shoulder heavier responsibilities, and have better development..."

In plain language: I was naive before, but now I want to climb the social ladder and improve myself. Please, give me a chance!

Li Qingshan, courtesy name Junjie, has the advantage of being pragmatic.

Shen Linyuan had heard plenty of flattery, but this was the first time he had ever encountered someone who could speak of seeking refuge in such a grand and dignified manner.

He originally thought that Li Qingshan would become very arrogant after killing west Chi.

I never expected it to be so interesting.

In that case...

Shen Linyuan hesitated for a moment, then picked up the teapot and poured Li Qingshan a cup of tea: "It's a good thing that young people want to improve themselves."

Li Qingshan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then took out the piece of blood-red meat jelly from his spatial ring: "Elder, I have something to report. This is something I obtained by chance when I was searching for my partner..."

...

Next.

Li Qingshan briefly recounted how he inadvertently got caught up in the ritual of the new secret realm, survived, his eyes mutated, he obtained the crimson flesh jelly, and then encountered an unknown powerful figure who suddenly appeared, allowing him to escape.

The unknown powerful being was actually him in his Dharma form.

His statement was nine parts true and one part false, and given that it took place in barbarian territory, it was difficult to verify.

After hearing Li Qingshan's account and seeing the blood-red flesh jelly, Shen Linyuan's pupils constricted slightly: "This is Abyss Flesh Seed!"

"abyss?"

Li Qingshan asked curiously, "Elder, what kind of force is the Abyss?"

Shen Linyuan sighed: "It's a very troublesome thing. My Nightmare Beast pet is a product of the Abyss..."

As he spoke, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

A black shadow resembling a spider was reflected on the wooden wall behind it, with scarlet compound eyes and several wriggling claws, looking frightening.

Shen Linyuan explained:

"The shadow you saw earlier was the Nightmare Beast's power."

It can make life appear as a shadow, hidden in the dimension of shadow.

Normally, only experts at the Dharma Aspect Realm or higher could detect this, but I didn't expect you to be able to see the shadow dimension!

He has a very down-to-earth personality.

Li Qingshan was willing to give him face, and he didn't care about revealing some secrets.

Li Qingshan, being shameless, seeing Shen Linyuan's amiable attitude, quickly continued to ask, "Elder, what is a dimension?"

"Dimensions..."

Shen Linyuan organized his thoughts before slowly saying:

"Dimensions are different spatial levels."

In short, it's a very complicated thing.

Just like the spatial ring on your hand.

This is an alchemical product from the wizards' side, but we can still use it after returning to the Ruins, because the spatial dimension within the ring pervades the entire universe.

As for the world...

Shen Linyuan shook his head: "This is what we Guixu people called it in ancient times. The immortals called it the Outer Realm, and the wizards and gods called it the Star Realm... In short, the universe connects all worlds..."

Li Qingshan only jotted down these concepts casually.

He was more concerned about something else: "Elder, do you mean that our Guixu once had beings who could rival immortals?"

If there is a similar concept, then the hierarchy should be one level.

Upon hearing this, Shen Linyuan's expression darkened.

He stood up, looked at the snow falling outside the door, and sighed.

"That was too long ago."

Nobody knows what happened before.

Legend has it that the name Guixu was bestowed upon us by an immortal after his descent.

Guixu, the final resting place of all things, a place of annihilation.

After you grasp the essence of the situation, returning to the void—doesn't that feel like a vivid analogy?

Upon hearing this, Li Qingshan nodded.

This is true.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. What you have is quite valuable in the prefectural city. If you have the chance in the future, you can go and exchange it for some resources. Now let's talk about your problem."

Shen Linyuan gestured to Li Qingshan to put away the blood-red meat jelly in his hand.

Hearing that he had a problem.

Li Qingshan immediately packed his things away and perked up.

...

Shen Linyuan didn't speak, but instead took out a dark brown leaf and placed it on the table: "Although you have high comprehension, you've grown too fast. Haven't you ever suspected there was a problem?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qingshan paused.

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed and said, "Yes, the reason I'm so eager to rise in rank is because I suspect the sect leader is targeting me..."

Li Qingshan recounted how he and his partner encountered elemental beings, which attracted the sect leader and earned them a reward. He exchanged the reward for a consultation, and the sect leader instructed him to comprehend the affairs of heaven and earth, giving him a brief explanation.

"I stayed by the sea for a few months as the sect leader instructed."

The harvest was indeed substantial.

I seem to have acquired some kind of special physique, and my body shape and appearance have changed.

His martial arts training went smoothly.

Now, not only is his true qi content much higher than other Qi Sea Realm cultivators, but his comprehension of the Layered Waves Technique is also a natural progression.

But... it's just very strange.

I often feel like I've forgotten something, but I just can't remember what it is.

As he spoke, Li Qingshan's face darkened: "I've had a photographic memory since I was a child. This situation makes me very uneasy. Only after some investigation did I vaguely suspect that it was the sect leader's doing!"

After listening to Li Qingshan's account, a rare look of amazement appeared on Shen Linyuan's handsome face.

He chuckled, rolling up the sleeves of his robe to reveal a large, dark, veined brand: "Did you get a similar mark after your enlightenment at the seaside?"

They also saw the other party.

Li Qingshan was overjoyed.

Saved!

He nodded, then tore his upper garment apart, revealing the ribbed pattern on his chest: "Yes, there's this extra thing."

Shen Linyuan nodded: "It seems I guessed right. You've already been corrupted by the Dao. The sect leader wants to turn you into a Dao puppet and then sell you for money!"

"Tao puppet?"

Upon hearing the word "puppet," Li Qingshan lowered his head, a barely suppressed ferocity flashing in his eyes.

That bastard really screwed himself over!

He looked up at Shen Linyuan, stood up, bowed, and said, "Please, Elder, save me!"

Shen Linyuan remained silent.

He got up, went to the door, and stared blankly at the heavy snow outside.

After a long time.

He turned around, blocking out the light and shadows, his face hidden in the darkness: "I have a way to save you, but the price is too high, high enough to affect my advancement to the Spirit Transformation stage. Give me a reason to save you."

As they were talking.

A dark, writhing movement in the room.

A powerful sense of threat emanated from the other party without any attempt to conceal it, almost suffocating Li Qingshan.

He was startled.

The oppressive feeling Shen Linyuan gave him was incomparable to that of someone like west Chi; it was more like the aura that emanated when the sect leader once descended.

"The atmosphere has gotten to this point..."

Li Qingshan said in a trembling voice, "This disciple has wandered for half his life, enduring countless hardships, yet I have only harbored lofty ambitions. I regret that I have never met a wise master. If the elder does not abandon me, this disciple is willing to sincerely kowtow and become your master!"

Shen Linyuan: ...

He recalled the last time he tried to recruit this kid, how the other guy had refused out of fear of death.

Then he looked at Li Qingshan, who was now looking very excited.

Shen Linyuan's lips twitched: "I have lived for nearly two hundred years and have seen many shameless people, but this is the first time I have seen one of your age."

Li Qingshan immediately understood that he had found his organization.

He knelt down with a thud and kowtowed several times: "Disciple Li Qingshan greets Master!"

A man's knees are worth gold.

Today is the day to cash in your gold.

It would be great to become an apprentice!

Let's not even talk about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in resolving the hidden dangers.

This master immediately mentioned advancing to the Spirit Transformation stage, and even knowing the reason, people were willing to get involved with him, clearly showing that he was confident in facing the future sect leader who would escape his predicament.

Finding a master solved both of my biggest problems.

Even if there are problems later.

That's a matter for the future.

If you don't become an apprentice.

He even doubted whether he would be able to walk out today.

...

Finished kowtow.

The atmosphere then became harmonious.

The shadow stopped moving.

Shen Linyuan also sat back down at the table.

Li Qingshan quickly refilled the other person's teacup: "Master, now we're family, tell me what's going on with this puppet."

Upon hearing this, Shen Linyuan shook his head: "Although the filthy leaves I placed in this hut conceal its aura, causing the Heavenly Dao of this place to subconsciously overlook it, I can't go into details. Let's go back to the Ruins and talk about this later. If you want to take over the benefits occupied by Xichi, you also need to plan carefully."

As he spoke, he carefully picked up the dark brown leaf from the table and walked outside.

Li Qingshan followed behind, letting out a sigh of relief while pondering how to deal with the old man next.

If only I could get my hands on a divine weapon.

My combat power during normal times can be increased by a large margin!