Chapter 134: The Truth of the World

The tea soup in front of them bubbled and frothed, and the atmosphere felt somewhat silent.

The Qi Refiners had divided the world among themselves, and each share was already fixed. But one day, someone suddenly appeared wanting a share—where would that share come from?

It could only come from the other Qi Refiners, but who would be willing to give it up?

Chen Xiyi ignored this matter. He always thought the gap between himself and the Qi Refiners was in strength, but he never imagined it would be about resources and benefits.

Even though Chen Xiyi did not know exactly what “the pie” Sima Mei spoke of was.

But he was certain it was something extraordinary.

“In this era’s share, Fellow Daoist contributed no effort, so naturally, you cannot have a portion. You will have to wait for the next era. What do you think?” Sima Mei suddenly spoke.

“Very well. But may I ask, what exactly is this era share you mentioned?” Chen Xiyi asked bravely, directly inquiring about the so-called benefits.

Sima Mei looked at Chen Xiyi with some surprise, then suddenly understood and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Guess, Fellow Daoist,” he said lightly, his tone relaxing as if he sensed Chen Xiyi had no intention of competing.

“Is it this chaotic age?”

“This chaotic age is that one’s dining table and is not counted in the shares. Right now, it is replenishing and consuming energy, as in every era, that one contributes the most, so it is only fair they take the largest share,” Sima Mei explained.

Chen Xiyi’s expression remained unchanged, but inside, he was utterly shocked. He felt he had glimpsed a corner of the Qi Refiners’ true power.

“In that case, it must be the Holy Purple Iris Empire,” Chen Xiyi said.

“Haha, it seems Fellow Daoist is no ordinary person, able to understand foreign languages. Indeed, that is the case. This era was only recently captured from beyond our domain, and you have just attained the Dao. It is better that you have no share for now. Build up your strength in this era, and after we finish using the Holy Purple Iris Empire, your Dao Cultivation will be sufficient to join us in creating the next era. By contributing then, the other Fellow Daoists will have nothing to say.”

After pouring Chen Xiyi a cup of tea soup, Sima Mei spoke.

There were two meanings to his words. The first was that you are just a beginner, so focus on leveling up. When you reach a higher level, you will surely get your share by contributing together.

The second meaning was clear: do not think of using underhanded methods—no contribution, no rewards.

“Fellow Daoist speaks truly. I have only recently attained the Dao and had no one to guide me on the rules. If I have offended anyone these past days, I hope you will forgive me,” Chen Xiyi quickly said. In such a situation, it was wise to show humility.

It was simple: the world of the foreigners’ Holy Purple Iris Empire was pulled here by these Qi Refiners to be used as food.

This entire chaotic age was the dining table of the Dao-Integrating Eternal, and it was also the capital for pulling in other worlds next time.

The Holy Purple Iris Empire had already been divided up, and now they were just waiting for the Dao-Integrating Eternal to finish consuming the vast amounts of Qi Mechanism produced in this chaotic age before they could start devouring the Holy Purple Iris Empire.

And when the chaotic age ended, it meant the feeding was complete.

That was why no Qi Refiner tried to end this chaotic age—none would offend that Dao-Integrating Eternal over such trivial matters.

That was why Chen Xiyi felt a bit panicked. Earlier, he had absorbed the Min City Army, which was equivalent to stealing food from that one’s bowl.

“Fellow Daoist, rest assured, it is not a big deal. As long as you do not intend to end the chaotic age, even if you slaughter cities and wipe out most living beings, it is only a minor issue. For that one, what is consumed is the Qi Mechanism, not physical substance. The living have Human Qi and Yang Qi, the dead have Yin Qi and Death Qi, and demons have Demonic Energy and evil energies. Whether alive or dead, it is just a different flavor.”

“Especially the event you caused at Dongtai City earlier this year, which formed the Nine Qi Catastrophe—that one enjoyed it immensely and praised it. It is just a pity the quantity was too small. Recently, plans have been made to consume it again.”

The way Sima Mei spoke showed he did not regard ordinary people as human, but more like expendable items.

Chen Xiyi did not ask how the other knew it was him—they surely had their own channels. But after getting confirmation, Chen Xiyi felt relieved, no longer worried about being hunted down.

Judging by the strength of these Qi Refiners, he was no match for them. Even though he was also a Qi Refiner, he was just a beginner relying on unorthodox methods, while they could easily immobilize an entire city.

“So that is how it is. I thought I had taken food from a Fellow Daoist and would be punished,” Chen Xiyi said, half-joking.

Sima Mei, however, took out a bamboo scroll and handed it to Chen Xiyi. “How could that be? Fellow Daoist is the first Qi Refiner to emerge in ten thousand years, bringing fresh blood to our ranks. This technique is called Void Heaven, and it is essential for every Fellow Daoist. Once mastered, it becomes the Void Heaven Credential. All of us Fellow Daoists use it to communicate and reside. If you have any questions, you can ask in the Void Heaven.”

Chen Xiyi took the bamboo scroll, feeling a bit strange. Wasn’t this similar to a forum or chat group?

But upon reflection, these Qi Refiners had lived for who knows how many years, so what was so strange about it? It was just a modified way of sending messages.

“Then I will humbly accept it. Thank you for taking the trouble to come here,” Chen Xiyi said, putting the scroll into his Pixiu Pouch and drinking the tea soup in one gulp.

Seeing this, Sima Mei shook his head and smiled. “It seems Fellow Daoist is not a tea enthusiast either. Then I will not disturb you further. If anything comes up, you can find me in the Void Heaven.”

After saying this, Sima Mei disappeared. If not for the teacup in his hand, Chen Xiyi might have thought it was an illusion.

‘What an eerie way of moving—suddenly appearing and suddenly disappearing.’

Chen Xiyi looked at the Game Map; the white dot representing Sima Mei was already gone. He was sure Sima Mei was real because he had seen the name, and there was a white dot for him on the Game Map too.

But his disappearance, like his arrival, left Chen Xiyi completely clueless.

Gazing into the dark night, Chen Xiyi felt he had never imagined things could be so complicated.

All life in this world was so tragic and hopeless.

He used to think that Qi Refiners might be powerful, but the reality proved their strength was beyond his imagination.

He casually stuffed the teacup into his Pixiu Pouch as well. Rolling clouds and mist spread out from Chen Xiyi’s shadow, and human figures floated within the white fog.

Standing amidst the clouds, Chen Xiyi held the Void Heaven technique and began reading. He did not plan to practice it immediately—who knew if there were hidden traps? He would study it first and then use Homesteading to appraise it later.

‘They actually built something like the internet and use it to communicate. It seems Qi Refiners are not those stubborn old-fashioned types.’

But thinking about it, if they did not communicate and simply hoarded their discoveries and achievements, they probably would not have reached their current level.

Perhaps everyone had their own secrets, but many things must have been shared and discussed.

For example, the incident at Dongtai City—just by asking around, they knew who was responsible.

‘Back then, some Qi Refiners might have vaguely guessed that a new Qi Refiner had emerged.’

‘Ten thousand years—it could be exactly ten thousand or ninety-nine thousand nine hundred years. It seems being a Qi Refiner is a deep pit.’

The inheritance was real, and one could become a Qi Refiner, but such Qi Refiners were just Nourishment Resources and were not recognized by those lofty Qi Refiners above.

Chen Xiyi thought that these Qi Refiner inheritances were likely baits left by those who had lived for who knows how long. That was why there were many inheritances but few Qi Refiners.

On one hand, it could bring them Nourishment Resources, and on the other, it could prevent the rise of new Qi Refiners.

He suspected it was because of the special Primordial Spirit. Once these Qi Refiners with special Primordial Spirits cultivated to a certain level, those who set the bait could reel them in.

‘A sugar-coated bullet.’

As for Chen Xiyi, he had a blank Primordial Spirit and had attained the Dao through orthodox methods.

This might be a test or a chance for survival, but for now, the matter was over.

However, these inheritances were genuine. Even with restrictions, they were still real. Otherwise, why would they harvest you as soon as you become a Qi Refiner? It is better to wait until you are plump before reaping the rewards.

‘This Home Game is really subpar. The first world was an Age of Dharma Decline, and the second world should have been a low-martial world. It does not follow the rules at all—it just threw me into a high-martial world. No, it should be an immortal-martial world.’

Chen Xiyi felt utterly shocked inside.

The difference between him and those Qi Refiners was probably like that between a single-celled organism and a human.

After all, they could already pull entire worlds in, while he was still on the ground learning beginner knowledge.

‘Thinking about it, Ascension of the Sovereign Emperor might really be related to these Qi Refiners. Perhaps the Array Dao Ancestor back then had contact with these Qi Refiners, which gave him such an idea. Otherwise, why would the Qi Observing Art appear so out of place?’

Chen Xiyi speculated about this matter. Although he had suspected it before, he did not dare to conclude, but now he felt more confident.

‘Perhaps the world where the Great Li Kingdom is located was once a target of the Qi Refiners, but for some reason, they did not succeed.’

Chen Xiyi had too many questions about Qi Refiners, but now he had a starting point and could slowly understand this system.

Even that Sima Mei’s strength was too profound. If not for the Home Game and him revealing himself, Chen Xiyi might not have noticed him at all.

Even when his Qi Sensitivity sight fell on Sima Mei, Chen Xiyi found nothing.

Perhaps the gap between them was too vast. In Chen Xiyi’s eyes, Sima Mei was just an ordinary person.

But according to the Home Game’s feedback, he was a terrifying existence with four abilities. Apart from the first one, Art of I Ching Divination, the other three were no less impressive than the Dao-Integrating Eternal.

As for comprehending some profound concept or amazing technique from him, that was even more impossible.

Even if he did comprehend something, he would immediately discard it. If you comprehend something from a terrifying being, are you sure it is your own comprehension and not something they implanted in you?

As time passed, a few figures in nightgowns or pajamas appeared among the clouds and mist. These people showed no movement at all, as if they were dead.

But they were not dead—just sleeping very, very deeply.

Chen Xiyi planned to take them back and let Li Zhao handle them. Originally, he intended to deal with it himself, but because of the incident with Sima Mei, he felt impatient and decided to let them handle it themselves.

After dealing with the remaining two cities, Chen Xiyi would return to continue his seclusion. This time, it would probably be even longer. Unless a situation similar to this one arose, he basically would not come out again unless he ran out of test subjects.

He used to think his strength was pretty good, but now…

Since he was still a novice, it was better to lay low. If he really could not stay hidden any longer, then he would come out. The Qi Refiner group did not seem to bear him much ill will, but it was still best to keep a low profile.