Chapter 1132: Chapter 1129: Ji Ziqing’s Predicament
As the Guardian God of Daozhou and one of the Mystic Yellow Nine Cauldrons, the Floating Mountain is naturally shrouded in Qi.
Even the most famous Zhongxuan Mountain in East Desolate can’t compare to this place.
"It’s Senior Sister Ji Ziqing!"
The disciples guarding the ’Eternal Road’ on either side of Floating Mountain noticed Ye Xuan and his group, their eyes gleaming as they lay eyes on Ji Ziqing, hurriedly coming forward to salute.
Ji Ziqing was not arrogant; she greeted the two and then led Ye Xuan and his group towards the Eternal Road.
After Ji Ziqing and her group left, the two disciples returned to their guard positions.
"Senior Sister Ji Ziqing actually brought people back personally. It seems those few are geniuses brought back from East Desolate." One disciple said.
"Sigh, senior sister clearly has considerable prestige here on Floating Mountain, and her efficiency is high, but she is a woman after all..."
Another disciple sighed faintly, a trace of resentment on his face.
"Yeah, if Senior Sister were male, she could compete for future authority, but she will ultimately be sent to another state for a marriage alliance."
"It’s just that our strength isn’t strong enough. If we were strong enough, we could marry Senior Sister, sparing her the marriage alliance..."
"Shut up!"
This statement immediately changed the other disciple’s expression, hurriedly saying.
The disciple who had just spoken was instantly flustered, his face pale, and only after looking around and confirming no one was listening did he sigh in relief.
The two exchanged glances and dared not say anything further.
Being disciples of Floating Mountain, they naturally knew its current predicament.
Among the Guardian Gods of Nine Provinces, Daozhou was originally one of the strongest lines, but after the Double Emperors reached the peak and the End of Dharma Era descended nine thousand years ago, Daozhou suffered heavily, causing its decline, and naturally attracted other Guardian Gods’ covetousness.
The matter of marriage alliances, though common among the Guardian Gods, was supposed to respect both parties’ wishes.
The supposed ’respect’ is based on the premise of having strength.
Otherwise, it’s a joke.
Sure enough, Floating Mountain was being pushed into a marriage alliance by other state’s Guardian Gods.
And Ji Ziqing was their target.
Normally, geniuses like Ji Ziqing wouldn’t be married off in other Guardian God families.
After all, this world doesn’t have concepts like male superiority over females.
It values the strongest above all.
No one cares about your gender as long as you’re strong.
The other party has clearly targeted Ji Ziqing, aiming to further weaken Floating Mountain, which was already showing signs of decline.
This matter wasn’t widely known originally, but as the other side began to ’force the palace’, some ordinary Floating Mountain disciples became aware of it.
The conversation between the two disciples guarding outside the Eternal Road was evidence of this.
And coincidentally, both Ji Ziqing and Ye Xuan, Zhou Youwei, and others heard their discussion clearly.
For a moment, the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward.
Ji Ziqing, affected by those words, turned silent, her eyes dimming slightly.
"One should forge ahead boldly when alive between heaven and earth."
"Any obstacles that stand in the way should be smashed."
"Don’t let so-called ’no choice’ blind your Dao Heart."
Ye Xuan said calmly and gently, "I hope you all remember these words."
"We have been taught."
Qiao Xinyu and Yun Daoli both said respectfully.
Qiankun Ancestor also flattered with a smile, "As expected of the master, such words truly enlighten this old servant!"
As he spoke, Qiankun Ancestor glanced at Ji Ziqing.
Zhou Youwei also looked at Ji Ziqing, approached, and said softly, "Sister Lu’er, back in the day, I was also forced to marry a Holy Son of a sect, but I chose my husband."
After speaking, Zhou Youwei gave a sweet smile.
It was the best decision she made in her life.
Ji Ziqing’s situation reminded her of her past, inevitably inducing sympathy for Ji Ziqing.
Ji Ziqing looked at Zhou Youwei, then at Ye Xuan, forced a bitter smile, and said, "Thank you, but some things..."
"Alas."
Ji Ziqing did not continue.
"You’ve lost your vigor." Ye Xuan glanced at Ji Ziqing and said softly.
Ye Xuan had seen many such things.
"Perhaps." Ji Ziqing replied dejectedly.
Ye Xuan said no more.
Zhou Youwei, however, pulled Ji Ziqing aside and talked about many past events.
Listening to Zhou Youwei’s stories, Ji Ziqing warmed up considerably toward Zhou Youwei.
Soon, the group arrived in front of an ancient hall.
The hall resembled a crouching lion, exuding a sense of Primordial Wilderness, ancient and desolate, with a breath of ages.
"Dragon Gate Hall."
Zhou Youwei looked up at the four words ’Dragon Gate Hall’ written in a flamboyant script, feeling the terrifying aura contained within.
"To join Floating Mountain, one must pass the Dragon Gate Hall test; only by leaping over the Dragon Gate can one become a True Dragon!" Ji Ziqing said softly.
Then, Ji Ziqing looked at Zhou Youwei with a slight smile, "Of course, for sister Youwei, it’s just a formality, nothing challenging."
"Let’s go."
Ji Ziqing stepped forward, leading Zhou Youwei inside.
"Young Master Ye..."
Seeing Ye Xuan following them, Ji Ziqing’s lips twitched, black lines appearing on her forehead.
"It’s all right, I’m just watching." Ye Xuan smiled slightly.
As Ye Xuan followed, Qiankun Ancestor, Qiao Xinyu, and Yun Daoli naturally followed too.
This made Ji Ziqing feel a bit uncomfortable.
But recalling her father’s response to her earlier letters, she was somewhat relieved.
At least Floating Mountain’s attitude toward Ye Xuan was relatively friendly; as long as Young Master Ye didn’t do anything startling, Floating Mountain would likely ignore it.
Upon entering the Dragon Gate Hall, they felt an oppressive force come crashing down.
The pressure made one want to kneel and submit.
But those present were incredibly strong, naturally able to ignore that force.
"Hmm..."
"Senior Sister Ziqing!"
A group of people was already waiting inside. Seeing Ye Xuan and the rest enter, they approached.
"Zheng Shuang."
Ji Ziqing saw the spirited young man in the purple robe, her elegant brows slightly furrowing, she said calmly, "When did you return?"
The young man named Zheng Shuang had a purple staff at his waist, smiling, with a young man and woman behind him.
Zheng Shuang didn’t mind Ji Ziqing’s attitude; he smiled and said, "Just returned."
While speaking, Zheng Shuang’s gaze casually swept over Ye Xuan and his party, secretly observing them closely, then said, "Looks like Senior Sister Ziqing has quite the haul this time, bringing back five geniuses in one go, but..."
"Why is there an old guy?"
It’s clear that Zheng Shuang was referring to Qiankun Ancestor.
"What’s it to you?" Ji Ziqing said coldly.
"Did the little brat have such a rude tongue because he ate what he pulled last night?" Qiankun Ancestor lightly stroked his beard with an air of a sage, yet his words were quite earthy.
Yun Daoli and Qiao Xinyu’s expressions turned odd again.
This old elder, is he starting again...
Hearing this, Zheng Shuang’s eyes darkened as he slowly said, "Foul-mouthed people have no right to step onto my Floating Mountain!"
Boom!
A terrifying power suddenly erupted from Zheng Shuang, transforming into Kuang Lei, instantly flashing before Qiankun Ancestor!
This Zheng Shuang was indeed an incredible powerhouse who had stepped into the realm of an Ancient Saint!
(ps: On the last day of 2020, I wish all unpleasantness to disperse like smoke. May all readers be healthy and flourishing, men handsome, women beautiful, and may Wan Gu Di Xu grow ever more successful. Lastly, I wish health to you all and to Old Ghost himself!)