Chapter 524: Chapter 51 Dream Interpretation_2

Qingxu True Monarch fell silent upon hearing the words.

True Man Qingding turned around abruptly, his face a mix of fear and surprise:

“Senior Brother?”

Qingxu True Monarch’s expression was as still as water, and he spoke gravely:

“Earlier this morning, two of the Qi Fortune Golden Lotuses in the Thunder Pool withered away.”

“What?!”

True Man Qingding’s face drastically changed.

Li Fei, who had been listening intently, was also deeply shaken.

Having fully taken control of this dream realm, he was automatically able to access the relevant memories upon hearing these crucial terms.

For instance, “Dragon Qi Refining”:

Over the years, the Daluo Sect had covertly tampered with the Lifespan Extension Pills given to the Emperor, enabling them to silently extract the Emperor’s Dragon Qi!

The case of the missing Lifespan Extension Pills appeared to be True Man Qingding blinded by greed, stealing court-provided materials to craft the Elixir of Immortality.

But in reality, it was Qingxu True Monarch using his method of stealing the creation force, combined with True Man Qingding’s unparalleled Alchemy, to steal the Emperor’s Dragon Qi!

Magic existed in this world fundamentally because certain ethereal elements could influence reality through special means.

A person’s destiny is another such ethereal presence and is likewise a ‘material’ needed for many magic practices.

The stronger a person’s power, the higher their status, and the greater their influence, the stronger their destiny becomes, eventually manifesting as fortune.

And the Emperor’s Dragon Qi was the most formidable type of fortune in the world!

Back in the Zhenglan Hall, the overwhelming aura that Li Fei sensed from the Emperor was actually an external manifestation of the Emperor’s Dragon Qi.

Qingxu True Monarch and True Man Qingding, working together, stole the Emperor’s Dragon Qi through the Lifespan Extension Pills–from a distance.

Both their methods and audacity were truly unprecedented!

“Why would the Qi Fortune Golden Lotuses suddenly wither?”

True Man Qingding looked at Qingxu True Monarch, horrified.

The Daluo Sect housed a Thunder Pool, established by the Sect’s founding master over eight hundred years ago.

This Thunder Pool cultivated the Qi Fortune Golden Lotuses, which were interconnected to the entire faction’s fortune and affected every aspect of the Daluo Sect.

The better the growth and the greater the number of golden lotuses, the more the Daluo Sect would thrive, producing talented disciples and powerful individuals generation after generation!

Conversely, any issues with the golden lotuses indicated that the Daluo Sect would face a crisis and the faction would be impacted.

After more than eight hundred years of effort, the Thunder Pool had only just managed to cultivate six Qi Fortune Golden Lotuses, yet suddenly two had perished!

This signified that the Daluo Sect was about to face a tremendous crisis!

At this critical time, with such an omen appearing, True Man Qingding immediately realized the most likely outcome–

Their theft of the Emperor’s Dragon Qi had been discovered by the court!

“Senior Brother, this…”

True Man Qingding was somewhat panic-stricken.

Spending his days either in cultivation or Alchemy, with all resources provided for him, he had rarely faced any challenges and was at a loss for what measures to take.

“No need to panic, Junior Brother, the court might not take action against the Daluo Sect.”

Qingxu True Monarch calmly stated.

“How could that be possible?”

True Man Qingding instinctively retorted, “How could the Emperor tolerate such a thing?”

“Fortune is essentially an ethereal thing, even if they suspect something, they won’t have concrete evidence. Besides, this matter involves the royal face and is likely too sensitive to be discussed publicly. Without proof and without reason, how could they act against our Daluo Sect?”

Qingxu True Monarch spoke with a serene expression.

“But…”

True Man Qingding frowned, “If the Emperor is outraged and determined to act against the Daluo Sect, couldn’t he find an excuse?”

As powerful as the Daluo Sect was, it ultimately couldn’t contend against the foremost empire of the world.

“Indeed, if the Emperor decides to retaliate, he could definitely find an excuse.”

Qingxu True Monarch nodded.

“So how should we respond?”

“We do not know when or how the Emperor will retaliate; instead of living in perpetual fear of thieves, it would be better to proactively offer something to control the price we have to pay.”

“Proactively offer something?”

True Man Qingding revealed a puzzled expression.

“Indeed.”

Qingxu True Monarch looked at True Man Qingding, showing a compassionate expression, “It just requires putting you in a difficult position, younger brother.”

“Brother?”

Boom!

A purple thunder spontaneously formed and instantly shattered the Protective Magical Artifact on True Man Qingding.

Just then, Qingxu True Monarch casually raised his hand and pointed a finger, hitting True Man Qingding in the chest.

The next second, True Man Qingding’s body trembled, completely losing the ability to resist.

His specialty was Alchemy; his Lifebound Magic Items were the pill furnaces in the room, and he was not good at fighting.

Moreover, the enormous difference in Realm between him and Qingxu True Monarch meant he was subdued in one move.

True Man Qingding incredulously looked at his senior brother, unable to believe that the latter would strike him.

Qingxu True Monarch’s expression was compassionate, but his gaze was resolute:

“Younger brother, what you and I are doing is related to the future of our Taoist sect and also to our common vision. We have already come this far, there is no reason to give up. I will continue the path for you.”

True Man Qingding glared furiously, frantically trying to use his True Power to break the Imprisonment on his body, but it was as futile as a mayfly shaking a tree.

“Ah.”

Qingxu True Monarch sighed slightly, easing the Imprisonment on True Man Qingding enough to let him speak.

“Sacrificing me allows you to continue?!”

That was the first question True Man Qingding asked.

He did not understand Qingxu True Monarch’s choice.

Qingxu True Monarch nodded and patiently explained:

“At this point, if we don’t provide a sufficient explanation, the Emperor will not let it go.”

True Man Qingding scoffed in anger, “So I am that explanation? You want to pin all the blame on me? Will the Emperor believe it?!”

“You still don’t understand, younger brother.”

Qingxu True Monarch’s expression had calmed down. “In this matter, what the truth actually is doesn’t matter; what’s important is whether both parties can reach a consensus. Handing you over is just the first step, a gesture from me to the other side.

For years, the Emperor and the Grand Secretary have been weakening our Taoist sect, aiming to completely control the Righteous Courts everywhere. By offering this gesture, I’m aligning perfectly with their intentions. Next, I will publicly announce that Daluo Sect will close for ten years.”

“What did you say?!”

True Man Qingding’s eyes widened.

Qingxu True Monarch calmly looked at him. “Daluo Sect closing for ten years is the second explanation. Only by doing so might we temporarily appease the Emperor’s anger and stop him from further pursuing this affair. Even if he remains dissatisfied, he would first aim to take control of the Righteous Courts everywhere, then deal with me later.”

Saying this, his eyes brightened, and a more fervent expression appeared:

“But as you know, we do not actually need to close for ten years, just give me a few more years, and our vision will be realized!”

Hearing this, Li Fei finally understood the whole story behind this incident.

He initially thought True Man Qingding was merely made a scapegoat, but it turned out True Man Qingding was not innocent and bore part of the blame.

However, being less powerful than Qingxu True Monarch, he ultimately was sacrificed to bear all the responsibility.

This made Li Fei admire Qingxu True Monarch’s strategies.

By deliberately causing the loss of the Lifespan Extension Pill and then finding an ‘excuse’ for the court, fabricating the story about True Man Qingding coveting court materials for treason, and finally opportunely announcing a ten-year closure.

He pretty much prepared everything, and the court just needed to follow through to achieve all their goals, with no reason to refuse.

“But Qingxu True Monarch probably didn’t expect that the court’s ultimate decision would be not just to close Daluo Sect but to completely reform it!”

Li Fei thought this to himself.

In fact, closing the Daluo Sect would be more beneficial for the court to completely control the Righteous Courts everywhere. It’s just a change of sect master, and the future is indeed uncertain.

Perhaps it was because the Emperor was extremely furious, insisting that Qingxu True Monarch pay the price?

Li Fei continued to observe this dream realm.

He wanted to know what the shared vision of Qingxu True Monarch and True Man Qingding was?

What exactly was their purpose in stealing the Emperor’s Dragon Qi?

And why did he have this dream realm?

What was his relationship with this matter?

…

Around midnight, another chapter will follow.