Chapter 256: After All, I'm Your Dad

Chu Ge was surprised when he heard this, “Is that true?”

“It’s true. Just a moment ago, he left, and you two arrived right after.”

The little flame carefully recounted what had happened earlier. Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji exchanged glances, no one had expected such a coincidence.

This was really too much of a coincidence.

It was incredible that Qiu Wuji and Yan Qianli had encountered this person one after the other within two days, yet there had been no sign of him for so many years. This meant that the other party had only recently begun to act on a large scale. Perhaps they had recently discovered a method to exploit a Heavenly Dao authorization bug?

It was fortunate that they had stumbled upon this interesting case just as Chu Ge decided to come here. He could now personally investigate it without having to think too hard in the outside world.

Without coming in for a look, how could he have encountered something so interesting?

“To be honest,” the little flame propped up its arm, smiling slyly, “As you know, Qiu Wuji and I can see through the essence of this world, so naturally, there will be other strong individuals joining one after another. Unless you eliminate all the cultivators who have reached the level of Crossing Tribulation, this matter will never end.”

“Don’t try to instigate me.” Chu Ge gave him a sideways glance. “First of all, you should know one thing… it’s not that others started coming one after another after you and Qiu Wuji. According to my analysis, this person realized the true nature of this world earlier than you.”

The little flame was stunned for a moment, then exploded, “I’m not only slower than this woman but also slower than this unknown expert? Hmph, did you make me too weak in your writing, even as the overlord of the demonic path? Is that reasonable?”

“Hey!” Qiu Wuji couldn’t hold back any longer. “You said we barged in just now, and now you’re calling arguing meaninglessly. I’ve been quite nice to you these days!”

“Huh?” Yan Qianli chuckled, “I thought you would maintain a cold and aloof demeanor in this world, unlike in the real world. It seems that you can’t maintain it here either?”

Qiu Wuji was taken aback for a moment, then quickly became expressionless and stopped talking.

She hadn’t expected that even in this world, she would still be led by his affairs subconsciously, putting herself in the position of a little assistant. Seeing herself standing silently beside him, she was upset. In this world, shouldn’t she be the one in charge!

Chu Ge laughed and said, “What? Do you hope that I’ll write you as stronger, rather than you becoming stronger on your own?”

The little flame was also stunned and stopped talking.

It seemed like something was not right…

“Just because you realized it later than Qiu Wuji and that person doesn’t mean you’re weaker than them. It’s just that your thoughts might not be as refined as theirs. It’s a matter of personality rather than strength.” Chu Ge muttered, “I don’t really care about people who have reached a certain level of transcending illusions and seeing the truth. What’s most important to me in this matter is what his ability of deviating from the Heavenly Dao is all about. That’s what’s crucial.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The little flame marveled, “He has this ability? That’s impressive…”

“Well… Do you have any speculations that I can refer to?” Chu Ge asked, “For example, tell me how you cultivated the white flame back then? Or tell me how you sensed the existence of the Heavenly Dao. Sharing some information would be helpful.”

The little flame thought for a moment, “Back when you two tricked me into making that Heavenly Dao contract… Wait, don’t look at me like that. I’m just faithfully recalling the situation.”

Both Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji crossed their arms and said coldly, “Alright, go on.”

“At that time, I hadn’t sensed the existence of the Heavenly Dao yet, and I even made fun of Qiu Wuji,” the little flame continued.

The atmosphere turned cold.

“Is this your faithful recollection?” Chu Ge pushed over the little flame, pressing it into the magma, and gave it a beating.

“W-Wait a minute! I’m just recalling my memories!” The little flame struggled in the magma. “I remembered it now. The first time I sensed the existence of the Heavenly Dao, it seemed like the surrounding flames suddenly became more real and vivid during my meditation… In that moment, I realized that our world seemed to be going through a process of transformation from illusion to reality, and that feeling is hard to describe.”

Becoming more real…

Did it mean that Chu Ge’s achievements had improved, or was it referring to the time when he had originally depicted the scenery and human emotions with finer detail using his writing?

Chu Ge pulled the little flame out of the lava and asked, “Is there more?”

“At that time, I still had a vague feeling, as if there were a pair of cold, indifferent eyes overlooking the world, seeing all living beings as insignificant.”

Chu Ge remembered.

This should be the first time he had divided his attention to perceive the world inside the book.

His gaze from above had given these outstanding individuals a mysterious connection, allowing them to sense the existence of the Heavenly Dao at that moment.

The feeling that the world became more vivid and real was around the same time. It was because at that time, Qiu Wuji had suggested he write more about the local customs, worldly scenes, and perfect the world’s view, in order to make the world more real. (Note: Chapter 57)

Yan Qianli sensed the existence of the Heavenly Dao at that time. Presumably, it was similar for others… This should be the inevitable result of the world becoming more real.

The little flame continued, “As for my white flame, I was thinking back then, if my fate is predetermined by the Heavenly Dao, then I must possess abilities beyond the knowledge of the Heavenly Dao in order to possibly resist it in the future. Even if we only consider immediate matters, in my decisive battle with Qiu Wuji, if the heavens had decreed that I would lose, but what if I had an unexpected method? Who would emerge victorious was still unknown, and that’s how I resisted my fate.”

Chu Ge was somewhat impressed and asked in a low voice, “How did you do it?”

“I thought to myself that I, Yan Qianli, have always been fierce and proud throughout my life. I wouldn’t use silent and invisible methods, like the soundless annihilation of all with fire. That doesn’t match my personality and is more suitable for those sneaky types. But I used it anyway. Did you think I would do it?” The little flame looked somewhat arrogant. “Even if you thought of it, did Qiu Wuji think of it?”

Qiu Wuji pursed her lips, “I don’t know, but you succeeded.”

The little flame placed its hands on its hips and then sighed, “But as you said last time, I can have tricks beyond your expectations, so can you. And the final result might indeed be my loss… But to put it plainly, I’m still not convinced. This is the result set by the damned Heavenly Dao. It may not necessarily reflect our true strength. Someday, I’ll have to battle you again, and let the damned Heavenly Dao mind its own business, see who comes out on top!”

Qiu Wuji smiled faintly, “Alright.”

Chu Ge also placed his hands on his hips and said, “He keeps calling it the ‘damned Heavenly Dao,’ and you agree too!”

Qiu Wuji rolled her eyes and ignored him. She still hadn’t settled the score of the little side story about deterioration of ‘Master-disciple’ relationship. What’s wrong with calling him the “damned Heavenly Dao”.

Chu Ge didn’t argue with them. He was lost in thought.

Yan Qianli’s experience could only serve as a reference. This was Yan Qianli’s perspective, not someone else’s.

For example, if Yan Qianli wanted to oppose the Heavenly Dao, would there be someone thinking quite differently, believing they should find the flaws in the Heavenly Dao, discover vulnerabilities, or even replace it?

This world’s Heavenly Dao had its flaws, quite obviously. Chu Ge’s control had never reached a level where he could use it like his own hand, and it had always been in a process of exploration and strengthening.

Secondly, this world itself had undergone “severance and restructuring” because the original settings had been changed. Readers would know that the styles before and after were inconsistent. Therefore, there would undoubtedly be some inconsistencies in the world. To put it simply, even the main character’s change from a harem protagonist to a single-minded cultivator had some degree of forcedness.

If there were powerful individuals like Qiu Wuji who had observed and thought about these discrepancies for years, they would have discovered some weaknesses and exploited them. It wasn’t hard to understand.

So, this person wasn’t deceiving the Heavenly Dao; he was thinking of replacing it.

Seeing Chu Ge’s contemplative expression, the little flame asked curiously, “What are you thinking? Since this person has come looking for us and has the audacity to ask me to capture you, we can put on a show and meet him. When the time comes, we can all attack him together. Do you think he can withstand my power, combined with Qiu Wuji’s, and your invisible modifications? I refuse to believe there’s someone in this world that strong.”

“Because he has countless puppets, when we meet him, it may not necessarily be his true self, and defeating him might not be effective,” Chu Ge smiled brightly. “I’m asking these questions to deduce his character from his existing abilities and see who fits the profile better… After all, I’m your dad. Nobody understands you better than I do.”

Qiu Wuji: “…”

Little Flame: “…”

Both of them asked with stern faces, “So, Dad, have you thought of someone?”

“I have some ideas, but nothing confirmed. I’ll have a better idea after we meet him again. Did he arrange a time for you to meet him?”

“No,” the little flame smiled. “But I know how to find him.”

Chu Ge nodded, “He guided you to find the Red Flame Dragon Bone, which already contains the location for the meeting. You capturing me and taking me to the Dragon Bone location will definitely lead to his presence.”

The “father and son” exchanged smiles.

Qiu Wuji remained expressionless. She hadn’t thought of this aspect.

These subtle hints, like incisions, were something she, as a practitioner of the righteous path, couldn’t grasp as well as these cunning individuals from the demonic path. And you, Chu Ge, why do you understand this so well!