Recruit black physique to start practice in wasteland

Chapter 2444 Free Protector
Baiqiao was genuinely anxious upon hearing Hanli's words.

Because he understood the logic behind it, and he believed that with the other party's courage and ability, they could really do it.

"Then how about this, you organize an auction for the next item and give me a chance... If I spend more money at the auction, it will be easier for the sect to explain!"

This is the kind of situation where you get hit hard but not even half a brick! But there's nothing you can do about it, just like Baiqiao said: This is how Lingyun is right now!
Qu Jianlei comes from Earth and knew back then what big corporate disease was, or rather, the rigidity of the system!

However, it's not accurate to say that Lingyun is nearing its decline.

This rigid decision-making approach is neither the best nor the worst option, and it can maximize the chances of avoiding unexpected events.

However, the most obvious drawback is that no one is willing to take responsibility, the response is slow, the decision-making time is long, and opportunities are easily missed.

And sometimes, it doesn't necessarily save money; it just means there will be fewer shady dealings.

Qu Jianlei was inwardly complaining when he heard Qing Ning Zhenzun hesitate for a moment before speaking, "Forget it, this core... I can't afford it!"

"Can't afford it?" Han Li gave him a meaningful look. "Fine, I'll assume you can't afford it!"

He could sense that the other party had been divining something.

However, since it was none of his business and both sides were Great Venerables, he couldn't possibly investigate the other's actions.

But it's easy to guess that Qingning must have divined something and had other ideas.

He could even be fairly certain that the other party possessed some treasures that they were reluctant to display, and that they intended to be self-sufficient.

After all, they escaped from a collapsed demon world, so it's normal for them to have more treasures on hand, right?
However, Han Li had no interest in exposing it; what cultivator hasn't had some fortuitous encounters?
Coveting other people's belongings makes one's own family seem petty.

Before long, the two sides had finished communicating.

Qu Jianlei finally said, "True Venerable Qingning, let's confirm this. Senior Baiqiao, is the transaction successfully concluded?"

“Well… I have another favor to ask,” Qing Ning hesitated for a moment before finally saying it.

"Before she officially goes into seclusion, could you please help with a divination and offer some advice and suggestions?"

There is no one in the True Venerable who lacks intelligence. Qu Jianlei did not claim to be good at divination, and Qing Ning had never heard of any similar rumors.

But do some things... need to be spread through rumors?
Just one question: if Qu Zhenzun's divination ability wasn't strong enough, how did he deduce the astral projection technique and the astral projection path?
Qingning was too lazy to ask these questions; they were basically meaningless nonsense. She could just invite the other party to review the application later.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Han Li said, looking at Qu Jianlei. “You can also accumulate some examples!”

Looking at the logic of this statement alone, Qu Jianlei felt there was no problem at all, as he was used to conducting experiments.

To create a standard, universal template, a massive amount of experimental data is definitely needed to support it.

But what bothered him a little was that, senior, you shouldn't have made the decision for me, right? "So I have to protect you the whole time?"

“There are other protectors,” Han Li smiled. “The Great Protector… at least Baiqiao, is a protector who doesn’t owe anyone favors!”

Baiqiao Zhenzun is in charge of Lingyun affairs. Under normal circumstances, who can persuade him to protect the Dharma?
Even if it involves certain karmic consequences of the Lingyun Sect, he can simply ask the Grand Protector to take action.

But as I said before, this time it's different; it's a completely new path to leaving the body, and the Lingyun Sect just happened to catch the wave.

Given the sheer size of the Lingyun Sect, there must be at least eight or ten Nascent Soul cultivators currently eyeing the Out-of-Body stage.

However, only a handful of people can truly engage in practical application and achieve the breakthrough to the next level.

Besides the possibility that one's own accumulation in various aspects is insufficient, a large part of the obstacle comes from the lack of resources that can be provided by the outside world!
Those who are trying to break through to the Nascent Soul stage need to prepare many treasures for their advancement, not to mention those who are trying to leave their body...

If conditions allow, cultivators attempting to achieve astral projection would likely prefer the traditional methods.

However, if one truly lacks the ability, a new path to astral projection is also an option.

New things always face various criticisms. It takes time for them to be accepted by everyone and even become popular.

Moreover, the impact of leaving the body is a matter of life and death, with success and death separated by a hair's breadth, so everyone will be extremely cautious.

Qingning Zhenzun had no other choice and no time to wait, so he decisively took the gamble.

Since Baiqiao noticed it in advance, he was essentially the first investor to spot the opportunity, but at the same time, he had to be responsible to the cultivators of the sect.

The initial close observation is very necessary, so he can't refuse the task of being a volunteer protector of the law... even if he wanted to.

When others attempt to break through to the otherworldly realm, they exhaust their personal connections and seek protection from all sides. But this time, Baiqiao has no choice but to do the opposite.

He had to beg Venerable Qingning to allow the Lingyun Sect to send people to the secluded cultivation site for long-term observation.

But Qing Ning might not easily agree; anyone could feel his concern for his Daoist partner.

As expected, when Baiqiao heard Hanli say that, he readily agreed.

He solemnly stated, "That's not how it works. Since I've stood up for Lingyun as a witness, I have an obligation to see things through to the end."

Upon hearing this, Qing Ning Zhen Zun couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. "I was just a little reckless, not stupid!"

“It would be best if Venerable Baiqiao were willing to help, but the protection period would be too long… I also trust Venerable Qu!”

When the rules of trading are in place, you desperately try to drive down the price, but then you end up begging me for help?
Deep down, he was more inclined to trust Baiqiao, since he represented the Lingyun Sect and wouldn't do anything too outrageous.

Although Ling Yun was somewhat averse to True Venerables from other realms like him, he would only suppress them to a certain extent and would not go too far.

Because once there are no "outsiders," local cultivators are more likely to cause more trouble!

These are all techniques used by sects to control the overall situation. Even though Qingning has been integrated into Houde for many years, she can still feel the slight differences.

In short, from any perspective, neither the Lingyun Sect nor Baiqiao himself had any motive to cheat anyone.

However, Qingning had been thoroughly manipulated by the other party before, and couldn't help but want to retaliate a little.

However, Baiqiao is not so easy to handle.

The ascetic asked calmly, "Oh, really? I wonder which protector Your Excellency intends to invite? Perhaps I have more information."

This question may be a bit presumptuous, but as the person in charge of the sect's affairs, his access to information is truly unmatched.

Fortunately, Qing Ning was also smart enough not to show any concern, and simply replied, "Protecting the Dharma... of course I will take on this responsibility!"

"Stop fooling around," Qingkong Zhenzun couldn't help but say, disliking Baiqiao's way of doing things.

"Qingning, you even asked Qu Zhenzun to help with divination. Wouldn't it be better to have two more people protecting you? You don't have to bear the karma."

Qing Ning wasn't one to mince words, and upon hearing this, she replied seriously, "Then we truly need to protect the Dharma; we can't just stand by and watch!"

“That’s natural,” the ascetic nodded slightly, then looked at Qingkong, “Why don’t we leave this matter to the Great Protector? He’s a professional.”

"Leave me alone," the butterfly flapped its wings. "My next step is to explore another world."

"Qu Zhenzun will also go to another world," the ascetic's body disappeared again, "Thank you for your help, Great Protector!"

"This guy," Qingkong Zhenzun said with a hint of helplessness, "Should we discuss the specific details with Houde?"

“Okay,” Qing Ning nodded, “It is indeed an eyesore to have such a sealing formation guarding it.”

The five arrived at Efeng No. 3, but did not enter the spiritual land, or even the tectonic plate; they simply chatted in space.

When asked about Qinglong's breakthrough, Qingning didn't give a specific timeframe, only saying it would be soon.

This kind of thing is really quite sensitive. Before Qu Jianlei broke through the barrier, he didn't dare to leak the information to the outside world.
Qing Ning has a lot to do. After figuring out the path to leaving the body, in addition to preparing various resources, she also needs to consider her choice of another world.

He stated quite frankly that he had chosen a different world a long time ago—the kind that was unknown to outsiders.

That other world wasn't very large, but if the entire world were used as its resources, it would be enough to support the Azure Dragon's breakthrough to the Out-of-Body stage.

Of course, there are also living beings in other worlds, but that's not within Qing Ning's consideration, and he doesn't care about the related causes and effects.

The problem now is that he worries that with Qu Zhenzun's method of breaking through, that world might not be able to provide enough resources.

Therefore, he also needs to consider other worlds. He even wants to learn about the other world that Qu Zhenzun broke through.

However, this idea is a bit presumptuous, after all, that other world still exists... It's Qu Zhenzun's private information.

“You can go,” Qu Jianlei replied after a moment’s thought, “but it’s not suitable to attempt to leave your body for a period of time there.”

"Then forget it," the drum didn't need a heavy hammer; even the True Venerable Qing Ning could understand it.

Before he could say anything more, True Venerable Qingkong sighed softly, "True Venerable Qu, Elder Youjian is looking for you... I'll excuse myself for now."

His body turned into nothingness and disappeared.

“Youjian…” Jin Ge was taken aback upon hearing this. “Wasn’t he in seclusion?”

Youjian is currently the oldest elder in the Lingyun Sect. He went into seclusion four hundred years ago, when he was already five thousand three hundred years old.

Astral projection and mental separation are normal before the age of 5,500, but now that he has emerged from seclusion, it's as if there's no hope of achieving mental separation.

"He's looking for me..." Qu Jianlei was also a little surprised, "We don't even know each other!"

"I'll hide first," Lime also disappeared. "That old guy likes to act like he's old and powerful, I don't like that!"

Not long after, a faint causal line swept over.

If Qu Jianlei hadn't advanced yet, he would hardly have been able to perceive it, but now, he could perceive it exceptionally clearly.

"You're going to divine my fate directly?" Qu Zhenzun was a little unhappy. "We have no grudge against each other. Isn't this presumptuous?"

However, being from the Blue Star Divine Continent, he still had some respect for his elders, so he was only slightly displeased.

The next moment, a phantom appeared in front of the three of them; it was an old man with white hair and beard.

The old man glanced at the three of them, then let out a soft exclamation, "Jin Ge, where are you... Qing Kong?"