Chapter 523
Knots and Gifts
"From being able to predict the past, present, and future, and feeling that his abilities were unparalleled, to realizing that he was just an old man who knew a little more and was a little stronger."
From actively interfering with cause and effect to acting in accordance with nature.
"Forcibly interfering with cause and effect has actually led to worse results."
Qi Ping pondered the words of the Xuanjia Old Tortoise, falling into deep thought.
If that's the case, is his forceful alteration of the Star Sea world's order, prohibiting any unjustified persecution and killing, also stifling some kind of possibility?
For a moment, Qi Ping was also somewhat uncertain.
The reason for this was that he knew the Xuanjia Old Tortoise was not lying.
What does it mean to follow the will of Heaven? Does it mean to sit idly by and watch one's fate rise and fall without making a decision?
"No, that's not how it is!"
Just a moment later, Qi Ping's gaze became incredibly firm again. He looked at the Xuanjia Old Tortoise and affirmed:
"Senior, my choice is still to save them!"
This even more affirmative answer surprised the old tortoise.
It has been countless years since anyone spoke to it like that.
However, it wasn't angry; instead, it asked with some curiosity:
Do you think I'm lying?
"Of course not, I don't think you would lie to me about these things."
Why is that?
"As you said, senior, I once thought I could understand the past, present, and future, and chose to actively interfere with the fate of geniuses, only to encounter even worse results. Only then did I realize the vastness of fate in the world and my own insignificance. So I chose to remain calm and inactive, letting fate select the truly strongest among them. But is this opposite answer necessarily correct?"
The old tortoise was momentarily speechless, but a glint of light suddenly appeared in its eyes, as if it had grasped something:
"Then tell me, what is the right thing to do?"
"I don't know what's right!" Qi Ping replied, shaking his head.
These words caused a hint of doubt to flash in the eyes of the Xuanjia Old Tortoise:
"You do not know?"
Qi Ping's eyes were so firm; he must have already found the answer.
"Yes, I don't know!" Qi Ping answered confidently.
"I don't know if interfering with fate is right or wrong, nor do I know if choosing to stand by and watch is a better choice, nor do I know if a better answer will be found in the future, or whether that answer is right or wrong, because no one can have a truly correct answer before they have a complete grasp of all information and fate in the world."
“But,” Qi Ping said, a newfound determination appearing in his eyes:
"I know what a choice I can make that I can be proud of!"
"I don't know if saving such a genius will hinder the birth of an even stronger one, but I do know that I don't want a disciple of the sect with exceptional talent and trustworthy character to perish."
"I don't know if establishing a good social order will lead to more people becoming hothouse flowers, lacking life and death experience and thus unable to achieve anything, but I do know that I don't want countless cultivators to live in fear and anxiety, and I don't want the world to be full of tragedies."
"I firmly believe that everything I am doing now is to make the Star Sea world stronger, to build a home that is more worthy of protection and loyalty, and to strive for a better future. I don't know if this is right or wrong, and no one can judge whether it is right or wrong."
"If I am truly wrong, then let fate tell me the answer, or let my actions end with my death. Otherwise, until then, I will stand firm in my choice, and once the move is made, I will have no regrets!"
As Qi Ping uttered his last two words, the Xuanjia Old Tortoise was immediately plunged into a profound shock.
This was an answer it had never expected.
Over the years, for the safety and future of the Forest Sea Demon Realm, it has exhausted all its efforts and painstakingly sought the true way to ensure the realm's continued existence. Therefore, it has meticulously calculated worldly affairs, altered the causes and effects of fate, and constantly reflected and summarized, all in an effort to find the most perfect answer.
It was for this reason that it contacted Qi Ping, who had awakened after sleeping for three thousand years, leading to this meeting and discussion.
But it never expected that it would receive this answer:
The perfect answer it seeks is fundamentally wrong; there is no such thing as a perfect answer!
Despite his superior cultivation level compared to Qi Ping, having lived countless years and possessing profound knowledge of the world from ancient times to the future, he ultimately fell short of the insight of a mere Nascent Soul cultivator.
However, it did not become angry or embarrassed. Instead, the heavy burden in its heart suddenly eased!
"Hahaha, good! Good! Good!" The old tortoise with black armor burst into laughter and said "good" three times in a row.
His voice carried the regret that had troubled him for many years, but even more so, the joy of sudden enlightenment.
"What a brilliant move, one that you can never take back! Young friend, your vision and resolve are unparalleled throughout history!"
"Senior Xuanjia, you flatter me!"
"Fellow Daoist, please don't be so modest." At this moment, the Xuanjia Old Turtle changed its address to Qi Ping from "friend" to "fellow Daoist," which meant that it had elevated Qi Ping from a junior in the Integration Stage to an equal position.
Upon hearing this address of "fellow Daoist," Qi Ping couldn't help but feel a surge of shock.
The old tortoise in front of him was of unfathomable strength and extraordinary status. It would only call an ordinary Mahayana cultivator "little guy," but now it was treating him as a fellow Daoist of the same generation.
If this news gets out, many Mahayana-stage divine beasts will probably be shocked!
Then, the Xuanjia old tortoise continued:
"For the Star Sea World to produce a figure like you at a time when it is about to turn into scorched earth is truly a blessing for the Star Sea World! I have lived countless years in vain, yet I am not as good as you."
"Today, thanks to Fellow Daoist Qi, the doubts of countless years have been resolved, and you have attained enlightenment of the Great Dao."
As the old tortoise spoke, an incomparably profound aura began to emanate from it.
This profound and mysterious meaning was something Qi Ping had never seen before in his entire life!
"Just what realm is this Xuanjia Old Tortoise?" Qi Ping was shocked.
This aura even gave him a feeling similar to that terrifying dragon summoned by sacrifice.
At this moment, Qi Ping was even more certain that the Xuanjia Old Tortoise in front of him was an unimaginably terrifying existence!
"Fellow Daoist Qi, my long-standing inner conflict has been resolved, and I am about to enter a state of enlightenment. Before that, there are two things to do."
"Firstly, I agree to the trade details you proposed, and secondly, our Forest Sea Demon Realm is willing to increase prices by 20% on this basis, and from now on, we are willing to establish a war alliance with the Star Sea World."
Upon hearing this, Qi Ping's pupils dilated dramatically!
He didn't expect the Xuanjia Old Tortoise to agree so readily, especially considering the price he had quoted was not low!
They even proactively increased it by 20% on top of that!
Don't underestimate this 20%; given the future trade volume between the two worlds, this 20% net profit will be an unimaginable astronomical figure!
"However, this is just a small gift within my means. I've also prepared an extra gift for you, which Little Golden Spirit will take you to retrieve. I think you'll be more interested in this gift."
"I have gone, and I apologize for any shortcomings in my hospitality!"
Having said that, the Xuanjia Old Tortoise vanished from Qi Ping's sight, leaving behind only a mountain of bones. (End of Chapter)