Volume One: The Calamity of the Lich Chapter 107: Innate Plantain, Qingxuan's Counsel

“Senior, since we have all received our opportunities, we won’t disturb you any further.”
Seeing that the Red Cloud had obtained its fortune and the others had departed, Zhenyuanzi hurriedly bid farewell to Qingkong.
“What’s this? Do you think I’m inferior to Chen Rui? Are you so afraid of me?” Qingkong lifted her chin, a slight frown creasing her young face as she spoke to Zhenyuanzi.
“Senior, you misunderstand. That’s not the case,” Zhenyuanzi replied, feeling immense pressure but forcing himself to remain composed.
“If so, then wait here while I arrange things, and afterward I’ll take you to my abode so you can recognize the entrance.”
Without another word, she swiftly began to lay countless restrictions and formations, sealing the innate spiritual energy and chaotic energy within the place. She then directed the array to continually channel innate spiritual energy into the Great Wilderness.
The task was quite demanding, consuming much of Qingkong’s time. Fortunately, since Qingkong’s Dao originated from space, it was far simpler for her than it would have been otherwise.
Once everything was set up, the tribes at the base of Zhou Mountain noticed that the spiritual energy in their territory was becoming denser.
“Come with me.”
With a casual wave, Qingkong opened a passage before Zhenyuanzi and Red Cloud.
Her magic swept the two into the corridor, and when they emerged, they found themselves in a Daoist temple saturated with spiritual energy.
“This place… there are astonishingly many spiritual roots here.”
Red Cloud’s eyes brightened at the sight of countless spiritual roots laden with spiritual fruits, his mouth watering.
Zhenyuanzi, seeing this, realized his companion’s greed and quickly reminded him to be cautious.
Red Cloud, prompted by Zhenyuanzi’s warning, composed himself and withdrew his desires.
Qingkong, observing their reactions, addressed them directly.
“Take whatever you like; pick it yourself. There are plenty here—these are merely food, nothing worth worrying about.”
Red Cloud sighed at Qingkong’s generosity, quickly gathering a good number of spiritual fruits and offering some to Zhenyuanzi and Qingkong.
Zhenyuanzi claimed he lacked Red Cloud’s gluttonous tendencies, but in the end, unable to resist, accepted a few fruits.

Zhou Mountain, halfway up the valley.
“Friend, have you come for this spiritual root as well? I see it bears four leaves—how about we split them evenly?”
Minghe looked at Ao Qing, speaking slowly.
Ao Qing nodded at first, then shook his head.
Minghe’s expression darkened.
“What do you mean by this? I’m already giving you face—don’t push your luck!”
“You misunderstand. I am indeed here for the spiritual root, but not for the treasure itself.
My master requires it, and instructed me to obtain it from you. Besides, this is not solely your opportunity.”
Ao Qing had barely finished when Minghe was still puzzling over his words, only to see another figure suddenly appear before them.
“I am Taiqing, greetings to you both. I didn’t expect you two to arrive ahead of me.”
The newcomer was the Daoist Taiqing, who had parted from the other two after leaving the innate gourd vine, sensing further fortune awaiting him in Zhou Mountain. He had come alone, only to find others already present.
“Taiqing, are you here for this item as well?”
Minghe pointed to a nearby innate plantain tree, questioning Taiqing.
Taiqing smiled.
“I followed the path of fate here; whether it’s this spiritual root or something else, I don’t yet know.”
He then asked the two,
“You arrived before me—who was first?”
Minghe sighed.
“Ah, I am Minghe. I followed my fortune here, but…”
He glanced at Taiqing, showing a bitter expression.
Taiqing grew more curious.
“Oh? Is there some hidden matter?”
“Ao Qing arrived a step before me. I had already followed my fate and found a leaf on the innate spiritual root destined for me, just as I was about to pick it, Ao Qing stopped me.”
Taiqing listened with interest, studying Ao Qing.
“Oh, is there some other reason for your intervention?”
“Ah!” Minghe sighed, looking at Ao Qing, uncertain whether to reply.
Ao Qing interjected,
“It’s not a major issue. My master needs this item, so he sent me to prevent you both from acquiring it.”
Ao Qing knew his words would make it impossible for the two before him to easily give up.
Wasn’t this just an attempt to seize the treasure? For beings of their stature, fate was paramount, but now they faced such a situation.
No matter the relationship with Qingxuan, neither would be willing to yield so easily.

“This is unreasonable, friend. Both Minghe and I arrived here by fate, which means this item is destined for us.
But now, what you say seems inappropriate.”
“Don’t worry. My master won’t let you suffer any loss.
Before I came, he told me that while this item is useful to you both, it’s not essential. If you choose to relinquish it, he will compensate you with something of equal value.”
Ao Qing quickly reassured them, carefully explaining his master’s intentions.
Minghe and Taiqing exchanged glances, seeing the stirrings of interest in each other’s eyes.
They understood that with a senior like Qingxuan making such a promise, they would never be cheated. After all, cultivators value karma, and they were no exception.
At this moment, Ao Qing addressed Taiqing,
“My master also said he has something to tell you.”
He fixed his gaze on Taiqing, awaiting his decision.
In the end, Taiqing accepted Ao Qing’s proposal.
“Very well. Since Ao Qing has spoken so, if we persist unreasonably, we would be at fault.”
Both Taiqing and Minghe agreed.
As Taiqing finished speaking, his gaze suddenly grew vacant.
He found himself in a peculiar space.
“Taiqing greets Senior Qingxuan!”
“All right, I am Qingkong, not the true Qingxuan. I drew your spirit here because I have something to tell you. Nothing else matters.”
Qingkong revealed her identity without hesitation.
Taiqing silently acknowledged that his suspicions were correct.
Qingkong saw this and understood Taiqing had long guessed the truth, though he had not shown it.
‘Indeed, among the Three Pure Ones, Taiqing possesses the greatest insight and wisdom. Few can match him.’
Thereafter, Qingkong conversed at length with Taiqing.
In the outside world, Taiqing regained consciousness after only a moment, though he knew his spirit had lingered in that space for quite some time.
He also learned many things from Qingkong, including several admonitions.
Upon hearing them, Taiqing was deeply astonished.