Zhou Qing's eyes were dull, like a dead fish. The history he knew was completely overturned, but Bai Qi was not the kind of person who would lie, and Zhou Qing already believed him eight-tenths. He had some respect for this generation's killing god who could resist heavenly soldiers and block thunderbolts. He asked: "General Bai, why did heaven send down heavenly soldiers to obstruct Qin Emperor's unification of the nine states?" This question was a big deal in Zhou Qing's heart.
"From ancient times to the present! Heaven is above man, man respects heaven's power, yet heaven shows no mercy to man! Heaven and earth are not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs, why?" White Qi did not answer, instead asking Zhou Qing.
"Heaven and earth are not benevolent, they regard all things as straw dogs. The sage is not benevolent, he regards the people as straw dogs. The strong prey on the weak - this is the way of nature!"
"Haha! Haha!" Bai Qi heard what Zhou Qing said, and burst into another fit of wild laughter. The powerful momentum filled the entire altar, his feathered robes fluttering, his starry crown slightly askew: "What a wonderful 'survival of the fittest' is the Way! Is this the Way you've come to understand?"
"The sky and earth are boundless, the Tao is endless, each has its own enlightenment, not seeking to follow others. The Tao has thousands of millions, I take one!" Zhou Qing stood up straight, his eyes fixed and unblinking, staring dead at Bai Qi's eyes, actually withstanding the pressure of Bai Qi's aura.
Bai nodded, his momentum dispersing. "I once made a vow that one day I would make humanity surpass the heavens and the earth. My king and I trained our soldiers to not pay respects to the heavens or ghosts, only following orders, even in death they wouldn't enter reincarnation but continue fighting. Back then, my king and I made plans, after unifying the nine provinces, we would conquer the three realms, making humans the masters of the three realms, trampling the heavens, gods, and immortals under our feet! Of course, that lofty Heaven would try to stop us, nothing surprising about that!"
Although this remark was arrogant and unmatched, Zhou Qing remained unmoved and asked in return: "What is heaven?" Bai Qi hesitated for a moment before answering: "I don't know!" "How can you defy heaven?" "I also don't know!" "Do you not know how to act in general?" "One cannot do it but does it, one doesn't know yet does it. The clouds break and the sky opens, the water falls and the stone emerges, and one advances forward in a daze."
Zhou Qing was speechless. He thought to himself: This Bai Qi is actually more skilled at talking than I am, he's simply abnormal! Always being suppressed by Bai Qi and unable to catch his breath, Zhou Qing knew that the difference in their cultivation was like heaven and earth, yet he still felt a little uncomfortable in his heart, wanting to gain some advantage over Bai Qi through words. Unexpectedly, it was also futile, now Zhou Qing had no temper left.
Bai Qi didn't know what idea was brewing in Zhou Qing's mind, and continued: "I want to ask a favor of you, I don't know if you can agree?" Zhou Qing was worried about how to get out, seeing Bai Qi speak up, hastily replied: "General doesn't know what matter it is, even if General can't do it, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it either!"
"There's nothing big, I'm trapped in this Shanhe Sheji map and can't get out. You help me send a message to the bottom of the Wan Zhang Haiyan in the East Sea. There's someone there, just pass on a message from me to him." Bai Qi didn't mention the person's name, "When you see that person, just say 'The sky has flipped over and the earth is upside down!' He'll naturally understand what it means!"
"What's his name? And General, isn't there a way for me to get out?" Zhou Qing could hear the hint of a hidden meaning, and her heart was overjoyed. It was just delivering a message, what's the big deal? Even if the Wan Zhai Sea was too deep for her to dive into, as long as she got out, whether or not she went in was up to her! Zhou Qing thought this in her heart, but on the surface, she remained calm and composed.
"For two thousand years, I may not have been able to leave, but I've figured out the rules of this Mountain and River Map. Moreover, Xu Fu's seal was specifically placed on me, you recklessly charged in, although you're also trapped in this map, it's much easier for you to get out. As long as I expend half my power and borrow the momentum of the Epang Palace, I can blast open a small opening, and it won't be difficult for you to leave." Bai Qi had an air of confidence about him, "I don't know that person's name either, just pass on the message. The Wan Zhang Sea Eye is very difficult for you with your current power, so I'll give you something." With a flip of his hand, a night pearl the size of a chicken egg appeared in his palm.
Zhou Qing took the Night Pearl and examined it carefully for a moment before suddenly exclaiming, "This is an Avoidance Pearl!" As an expert in precious items, Zhou Qing's knowledge was unparalleled. Bai Qi nodded in approval, saying, "Correct, this is indeed an Avoidance Pearl. I obtained it after slaying a Heavenly Dragon many years ago. With this pearl, even the treacherous waters of the Million-Fathom Abyss won't be a problem!" Zhou Qing's heart swelled with joy. The Avoidance Pearl had no attack or defensive capabilities, but it could part the waters, allowing anyone who wore it to walk on water as if on flat ground. The ocean was rich in treasures, and its depths were rarely explored by humans, making it a treasure trove of natural wonders. The deeper one went into the ocean, the more abundant the treasures became. However, the pressure at such great depths was immense, and even a powerful cultivator like Zhou Qing could only dive to about 800 meters before reaching their limit. Even the mighty Xuan Yuan, the Law King, could only reach a depth of 1,500 meters. As for the Million-Fathom Abyss, it was said that even gods would find it difficult to explore its depths.
Now that he had the Avoid Water Pearl, Zhou Qing naturally wanted to search for it. He could even open up a cave in the seabed and establish his own sect. After all, having a cave in the seabed was only natural. However, Zhou Qing had some doubts in his heart - who could live inside the Eye of the Sea? The Four Seas Dragon King? What Bai Qi said was not very detailed, and there seemed to be some hidden meaning behind it. But Zhou Qing didn't care about that; as long as he could get out and gain something, whether or not he would pass on the message later was a different story.
Bai Qi didn't waste any words, and with a wave of his large sleeves, a mighty force came from the Afang Palace below, gathering in Bai Qi's body. He let out a loud roar, causing the entire landscape depicted on the Shanhe Sheji Tu to tremble. If Zhou Qing hadn't used his true yuan to protect himself, he might have been killed by that deafening roar. Even so, Zhou Qing's true yuan was still affected, almost dispersing in all directions. However, Zhou Qing didn't show any surprise, for with Bai Qi's abnormal behavior, anything could happen.
With a wave of his hands, bursts of dazzling light shot up into the sky, striking the void above. The sky slowly cracked open, revealing an opening just large enough for a person to pass through. But Zhou Qing was quick-witted and seized the opportunity, transforming into a shadowy figure that darted into the opening before it vanished without a trace.
Bai Qi panted heavily, finally recovering. He looked up at the empty sky and let out a long sigh, muttering to himself: "Master, I've planted this seed, whether it will sprout or not is up to you now. Don't be like me, alone and solitary! My master and I are indeed connected by fate! I wonder if this kid will follow in our footsteps, haha! Haha!" Bai Qi laughed maniacally again, his figure flashing as he charged into a palace within the Epang Palace, leaving behind an empty altar.
