Chapter 24: The Northward Geese Fly South

With a thunderous roar, Chu Linfeng raised his left hand to support his right, and a world-shaking finger of energy burst forth!

The nine-layered thunder waterfall, condensed above his head, illuminated the firmament. The darkening starry sky was instantly as bright as the midday summer sun. The galactic thunder surged forward like a rushing river, following the direction of Chu Linfeng’s finger.

Li Chenqian narrowed his eyes as he watched the thousand-foot thunderbolt streak toward him. Hearing Shen Luoxi’s frantic, voice-cracking warning from below, even he, a veteran of countless battles who had never known defeat, felt a sense of impending doom.

Li Chenqian hurriedly channeled his entire sea of Qi. With a shudder of his body, he transformed his palm into a brush. From bottom to top, he drew a circle in the air before him, then drew an "S" from top to bottom within the center. The seal was formed! He then pressed his single hand firmly against it.

In an instant, golden light exploded, competing with the brilliance of the thunder. A Taiji Bagua diagram, vast enough to cover the sky, hung before him like a wheel of the heavens.

This technique, known as the Tiangang Taiji Seal, was passed down by the legendary Kunlun deity of China, Wu Zusheng of the Capital Kunlun Academy. It was Li Chenqian’s most powerful defensive seal. According to Wu Zusheng, if executed with full strength and supported by both hands, one could remain invincible against any opponent below the Spirit Void realm.

After the shield formed, the thunder arrived. The power of the lightning collided with the Great Desolation Destruction Palm, erupting with the force of a nuclear blast. A mushroom cloud rose high into the sky.

The Capital Airport, a kilometer below, was buffeted by the shockwave, causing the ground to tremble. Fortunately, due to the distance, no buildings were damaged. The spiritual space Li Chenqian had been maintaining shattered, leaving Chu Linfeng and his two companions teetering on the brink of collapse.

After the explosion, the palm wind dissipated, but the galactic thunder merely dimmed slightly. At the same time, Shen Luoxi surged into the clouds and stood behind Li Chenqian, shouting, "Master, use your full strength! I will support the three of them!"

Li Chenqian nodded in response, withdrew his left hand, and brought it alongside his right to reinforce the seal.

Quick as lightning, the thunderbolt that had dispersed the palm wind struck the shield. Li Chenqian, straining to hold the seal, was pushed back violently as if hit by a high-pressure water cannon. The thunderbolt showered sparks and fire upon the shield, but its momentum began to fade. At the same time, the defensive seal began to crackle, its golden light dimming.

After a moment of stalemate, a crunching sound emerged. Cracks appeared on the surface of the golden seal, spreading outward from the point of impact. The eight characters—Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, and Dui—that had shone brightly on the Tiangang Taiji Seal shattered one by one like drifting dust.

Seeing the crumbling seal on the verge of failure, Li Chenqian’s eyes darkened. He instantly withdrew both palms, balled them into fists, and gathered his remaining strength to strike the shield. His aura, heavy as a bell, slammed into the Tiangang Taiji Seal. The shield exploded, scattering into nothingness, and the dazzling thunder dissipated along with it.

***

At the Capital Kunlun Academy, Wu Zusheng, having just returned from the Xuanming Sect, stood at the entrance of his guard station looking up at the sky.

"To think Chu Linfeng could push Li Chenqian to this extent!"

"Hmph, if you don't ascend to the Longevity Realm soon, I fear that in a few years, you will be even more wretched than Li Chenqian when you face that boy!"

Wu Zusheng shuddered at the thought. He performed a somersault into the pavilion, the wind of his movement slamming the door shut. With a "thud," he knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

Having spent the day agonizing over how to successfully kneel before Zhang Zhengdao, he realized he had to catch him off guard.

"Master! Please, teach your disciple the method to break through to the Longevity Realm! I have been stuck at this level for sixty years; it is truly stifling!"

Zhang Zhengdao pulled the stopper from his gourd, took a gulp, and went back to reading his small book, ignoring Wu Zusheng.

Wu Zusheng crawled on his knees to Zhang Zhengdao’s side and draped himself over his legs, wailing.

"Master! You are an ancient immortal who attained the Dao and ascended here in China; you cannot be biased! That 'Foreigner' has been secretly competing with me for decades! He has now crossed into the Longevity Realm in one leap of three thousand six hundred li. How will my senior brothers be able to hold their heads up in front of him in the future? Master! Ah!"

"Enough! I’m not dead yet; it’s not time for you to weep at my grave!" Zhang Zhengdao kicked Wu Zusheng away.

"Hmph! There are a thousand paths to the Dao, and you chose your own. The four of you brothers—one is the Dean of the Capital Academy, one is the Heavenly Master of Longhu Mountain, and one is the Peak Master of Tianji—all of you have spent decades wallowing in power and comfort! What, is it only allowed for David to suffer, and not for him to enjoy his success?"

Wu Zusheng, having been kicked to the ground, scrambled back up and knelt before Zhang Zhengdao again.

"Master! This was all with your approval! If you hadn't nodded, my two junior brothers and I wouldn't have dared! Master, I am willing to suffer! I will resign from all my posts right now! You can send me to work in a coal mine or a tile factory; I am willing!"

"Enough! The Immortal Gate will soon open. You all need to improve your cultivation levels. After you preside over this year’s Sect Grand Competition, I will teach you the method to break through!"

"Really, Master?" Wu Zusheng’s eyes lit up, and he sprang to his feet.

Forgetting all etiquette, he hugged Zhang Zhengdao’s face and kissed him five times! He kissed with such force that he left five lip prints on Zhang Zhengdao’s face!

"You know what to do for the Sect Grand Competition, right?" Zhang Zhengdao asked.

"I know, I know! The Hundred Flowers Valley must participate! The snow and the flowers should reunite! Yes, I will choose Shenzhen as the location!"

"Hmm, go."

"Thank you, Master!" Wu Zusheng went to kneel again, but this time Zhang Zhengdao was prepared, and he didn't succeed.

Wu Zusheng, eyes brimming with tears of excitement, dashed out the door. No sooner had he left than Zhang Zhengdao shook his gourd, found it empty, and headed out to the courtyard to get more wine.

***

As luck would have it, a few students witnessed this scene.

"Hey, did you see that? Dean Wu went to find his son!"

"Ah? Did he find him?"

"He definitely didn't. I saw the Dean come out of the guard station crying and slamming the door!"

"No way, the Kunlun Deity cried twice! It must be his biological son!"

"Yes, and Zhang Zhengdao came out afterward with five lip prints on his face!"

"Ah! He was beaten by the Dean? That’s a heavy blow!"

"He deserves it! Who told him to drive away Old Man Ge? Now that the Dean realizes it wasn't Ge's fault, but that Zhang was sowing discord, he’s going to have a hard time from now on!"

"Haha, exactly! Since Zhang has fallen out of favor, then we..." The group exchanged sly grins.

At the Capital Airport, the great battle had come to an end.

Li Chenqian descended slowly. His once-dashing, Hong Kong-style back-combed hair was now a frizzy mess wreathed in black smoke. His face was blackened like charcoal, and his sharp suit was riddled with holes.

Shen Luoxi followed, carrying the three others. The boy stood holding his stomach, glaring ahead, while the two women lay on the ground, gasping for air.

"Master! Are you alright?" Shen Luoxi hurried over to ask.

"I'm fine!" Li Chenqian exhaled, smoke pouring from his mouth as if he’d been smoking a pipe.

Chu Linfeng felt like ten thousand horses were galloping through his heart. They still hadn't managed to kill him? Was he even human?

As he cursed, he clutched his Dantian, his meridians pulsing with pain. Just as the agony became unbearable and he was about to collapse, a flash of golden light occurred, and the surrounding air compressed violently, rushing into his abdominal sea!

Chu Linfeng had broken through!

Li Chenqian and Shen Luoxi were both shocked. Breaking through meant an expansion of the meridians and the sea of Qi, dramatically increasing the ability to store and release spiritual energy! Did this mean Chu Linfeng’s sea of Qi had recovered?

Not only were the two of them surprised, but Chu Linfeng had the same thought!

"Hahaha! Heaven has not forsaken me, Chu Linfeng! The Immortal Order is one man short! I, Chu Linfeng, shall return to the Immortal Order!"

With a flash of golden light, Chu Linfeng lifted off the ground, hovering ten meters in the air. The Hovering Realm! Achieved!

Floating in the air, Chu Linfeng wanted to recite a poem. "I stand like a jade tree upon the fairy mountain! Across the eternal sky... wait... wait! Ah..."

He had only managed a line and a half! The spiritual energy gathered in his abdomen lasted only five seconds. Because he couldn't find a sea of Qi to store it, it dissipated instantly. Like a short-circuited battery or a bursting lightbulb, he lost power with a snap.

"Bang!" Chu Linfeng fell from ten meters high. Fortunately, the lingering spiritual energy in his meridians saved him, otherwise, he would have been dead or crippled.

"Is that... it?" Shen Luoxi watched Chu Linfeng fall flat on his face, her expression even uglier than if she had eaten excrement.

"Alas, his sea of Qi is gone. Even if he breaks through, he cannot store true energy," Li Chenqian sighed.

Chu Linfeng sat up, saying nothing. He stared blankly at the distant airplanes, his legs curled, lost in a daze. The two women, having recovered slightly, sat up and shook him.

"Husband! Darling! Are you okay? Don't scare me!"

Chu Linfeng didn't respond. The greatest pain in the world was having one's dream within reach, only for it to vanish in an instant—it was worse than death.

Seeing this, Shen Luoxi walked over and crouched down. "Chu Linfeng, don't be discouraged. You are a peerless talent; I believe you can succeed!"

Chu Linfeng remained silent, sitting blankly.

"Look at your lightning technique, combined with your divine swordsmanship—it is unprecedented! You have already succeeded! Stay, and I will be your battery. I am in the Diamond Realm now; together, we are invincible!"

Tang Cai and Tang Xie looked at each other. "???"

At a time like this, Shen Luoxi was still thinking about stealing a man!

"My sister and I provide dual-wheel drive and turbocharging! Whatever you unleash, my sister and I won't be any worse than you!" Tang Xie retorted.

"Stop arguing, both of you!"

Just then, Chu Linfeng came to his senses. He brushed off his pants and stood up, and the three women followed suit.

In the distance, ground personnel were busy directing planes into their lanes. The airport broadcast announced that flights were resuming and air traffic control had been lifted.

"Tang Cai, Tang Xie, it’s time to go!"

Seeing that Chu Linfeng was fine, the two women excitedly took his arms. "Yes! Let's go!"

"Chu Linfeng!" Shen Luoxi shouted urgently. "Stay, don't go!"

Chu Linfeng ignored her and turned to walk toward the terminal.

"Chu Linfeng! I’m begging you, okay?"

Chu Linfeng paused for two seconds, then continued walking.

"Chu Linfeng!" By the third time, Shen Luoxi’s voice was hoarse, and tears streamed down her beautiful eyes.

Chu Linfeng did not stop again, his silhouette fading into the distance.

"It’s alright, Luoxi. Don't be sad; those who must leave will leave," Li Chenqian said, walking over to comfort her.

"Master, why didn't you stop him?" Shen Luoxi asked, her shoulders trembling.

"I kept him before because he had no cultivation, and I didn't want him to be in danger. But here in China, anyone who can take three of my palms is capable of roaming the world. Chu Linfeng no longer needs my protection."

Watching the boy’s receding back, Li Chenqian felt a mix of emotions. He shook his head and muttered to himself, "If I hadn't destroyed this boy with my own hands three years ago, who knows how brilliant he would be today!"

"Master!" Shen Luoxi bit her lip, finally speaking.

"What is it?" Li Chenqian looked at her, confused by her hesitation.

Shen Luoxi knelt down with a thud. "Master, I am unfilial. I have failed your expectations!"

"What are you doing! Get up!" Li Chenqian was shocked and hurriedly tried to help her up. "Failed expectations? In all of China, only you and Ling Yun have reached the Great Diamond Realm at your age. I am proud of you!"

"Master! I want to resign from all my military and academy posts to follow Chu Linfeng! Even if I spend the rest of my life as a mere mortal by his side, I will have no regrets!"

Hearing this, Li Chenqian felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His chest felt like it was bursting, and he nearly coughed up blood. What kind of dark magic had this boy cast? His own daughter had run off, and now his beloved disciple wanted to leave too!

Li Chenqian clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking. "Fine, fine, fine. I felt guilty about the boy just a moment ago, but now I think I should have slapped him to death in the East Sea!"

"Master! Chu Linfeng is not to blame; the fault is mine. If you want to punish someone, punish me!" Shen Luoxi pleaded, fearing that Li Chenqian might kill him in his rage.

"A fated disaster! What a fated disaster!" The usually calm and composed Li Chenqian couldn't help but tremble.

"Nonsense! Don't you see he’s already surrounded by women? Are you going to go and be a servant girl? Don't be ridiculous!" Li Chenqian tried to suppress his emotions and convince her to give up her unrealistic thoughts.

"Master! I don't care about a title. I just want to be by his side to protect him and stay with him! It’s been three years! I haven't had a single night of peaceful sleep; every time I close my eyes, I think of him! Meeting him today is destiny. I have no other requests; I just want to be a mortal, even if it means sleeping peacefully for one night!" Shen Luoxi wept.

"Shen Luoxi!" Li Chenqian could no longer contain his anger. "Today, it is either him or me! If you dare to resign from your military post, then from this day forward, our master-disciple relationship is severed!"

"Master! No... a teacher for a day is a father for life! Please, don't expel me!" Shen Luoxi sobbed uncontrollably.

Li Chenqian turned away, unable to bear seeing his beloved disciple in such a state, but he remained firm. "I have said all I have to say. Tread your own path!" With that, Li Chenqian leaped into the sky.

Shen Luoxi remained kneeling, her body trembling for a long time. Finally, she bowed her head to the ground and kowtowed three times toward the north.

Night fell, and the starry sky sparkled.

The flight to Shenzhen, delayed by two hours, finally soared into the clouds, heading south. Looking into the distance, a small black dot could be seen flying alongside the plane, never leaving its side.