Lian Min's cultivation gradually recovered, but as Mo Qi's cultivation also continuously improved and he possessed foresight, he consistently had the upper hand, defeating Lian Min.
Lian Min had a knot of frustration stuck in his chest, wanting to release it but unable to, making him furious. The more he was angered, the more the blockage intensified…
He tried various methods, such as seeking cover to hide, using遁术 (escape techniques) to flee, or feigning death, but Mo Qi thwarted them all.
During this process, Mo Qi significantly enhanced many skills, such as tracking, counter-escape techniques, medical arts, and archaeology.
Lian Min hid among ancient ruins, using transformation techniques to conceal himself, but Mo Qi, with his archaeological skills, immediately found him.
Lian Min hid in the crowd, but Mo Qi, by detecting the different pulse frequencies of each person, ferreted him out.
Lian Min feigned death, but Mo Qi easily saw through it!
In this process, a cultivator transformed into a physician, a carpenter, a blacksmith… mastering all three hundred and sixty trades.
The two chased and fled, their footprints covering all four continents, every corner.
They passed through many places more than once.
Many people became very familiar with them!
The first time they passed, people said, "Who are those three? They seem to harbor deep hatred."
The second time they passed, people said, "I know them. They were chasing and fleeing last year, and it's still not over."
The third time they passed, people were somewhat numb: "Are they playing around? How can a chase like this go on? Can't they put more effort into finishing this job sooner? What kind of times are these, where every job is done perfunctorily and with delay?"
The fourth time they passed, some people had prepared eggs and dry rations. Seeing them approach, they handed them over, saying, "Eat something. You'll have more strength to keep running after you've eaten."
The fifth time they passed, some people were educating their children. They pointed to Lian Min and Xue Ying ahead and said earnestly, "Children, look. If you don't cultivate diligently and improve your strength, you'll end up like them in the future, being chased and beaten, unable to even get a bite to eat."
Yes, this protracted chase had lasted for four years.
For four years, Lian Min had wanted to catch his breath. Just a moment's respite would allow him to turn the tables, but Mo Qi never gave him the chance, always keeping him under pressure.
Lian Min was on the verge of a mental breakdown. Midway, he released Xue Ying, but Xue Ying did not leave and continued to follow them.
Overall, this pursuit was more beneficial than detrimental to everyone.
The improvement in cultivation was evident, and another significant change was that everyone had become younger.
Mo Qi's white hair had turned black again, becoming particularly lustrous and flowing. Combined with his ageless appearance since he was sixteen, he looked even younger.
Xue Ying's skin was also firm, fair, tender, and smooth, with a hint of baby fat, making her resemble a sixteen or seventeen-year-old maiden.
Lian Min had also grown much younger, but he didn't realize it. His constant thought was how to catch his breath and then counterattack.
He had been preoccupied with this for four years without success, so it was no wonder he was going mad.
Of course, such a prolonged chase could not escape the attention of the world.
The gods of the Heavenly Realm had noticed them!
With the Heavenly Tribulation imminent, such a situation was a headache.
The Heavenly Emperor inquired of the gods, "During their journey, how much damage have they caused to the mortal realm?"
The gods all shook their heads: "Immeasurable!"
The visible losses were one thing, but the invisible losses were the most fatal!
For instance, they traversed everywhere indiscriminately, breaking countless barriers, making the passages between continents unobstructed. This allowed many people to freely move between them.
For example, a certain place was preparing to construct a project, but considering that the two might pass through and cause damage, the plan had to be canceled!
For example, a couple was about to consummate their marriage in the middle of the night, but remembering a boisterous group fighting and killing their way through, all interest was lost!
"Can they be stopped?" the Heavenly Emperor asked again.
The gods shook their heads and sighed.
At this moment, the Matchmaker, with his wise eyes, said to the Heavenly Emperor, "I hear Princess Longji is acquainted with that person; perhaps she can try."
This child has caused trouble again!
The Heavenly Emperor was displeased. He scanned the few divine officials around him; those who could help him solve his problems were even fewer.
Most had descended to undergo tribulation.
The few young and strong ones capable of resisting the Heavenly Tribulation remained, but each harbored their own intentions.
The Heavenly Tribulation was both a trial and an opportunity for everyone.
Many were waiting for this chance!
Forces from all sides were stirring, and he could feel it – from the New Wilderness, from the Asuras, from the Charmers and the Earthlings, and from within the Heavenly Court itself…
How they would play their cards left him uncertain, and crucially, he had no cards himself!
His only reliance was on the Three Sages of Fire Cloud Cave and the Three Pure Ones, whose opinions would determine his future course.
Princess Longji, in fact, had been forced to descend to the mortal realm because someone in the Heavenly Realm did not want to see her family reunited.
Now that she had descended, some people were still watching her, constantly suggesting she do this and that.
As a result, she was always compelled to do things she disliked.
"What does everyone think?" the Heavenly Emperor asked, looking around.
"It's fine. With Princess Longji's charm, she will surely handle this matter perfectly," everyone said.
What was all this about?
Did handling such matters require charm?
At this moment, Mo Qi and Lian Min's trajectory was passing through the Lingdu Sect.
Many more people had arrived at the Lingdu Sect!
Xin'er, Ye Zhixun, Su Yu'er, Linghu Xiaoxian, Ma Wei… all came out of admiration.
Cang Shan brought the meteorite spirit stones to the Hongmeng South Sea and widely publicized Mo Qi's establishment of the Lingdu Sect in the Southern Continent, warmly welcoming like-minded individuals to join.
Coincidentally, Peng Qu Island had again been destroyed by Gui Zu and Lian Min, leaving many homeless. They then went to seek refuge with Mo Qi.
Xin'er and Ye Zhixun were personally invited by Mo Qi. After giving them spirit stones, he went to Revenge Mountain, promising to meet them there and then travel together to the Southern Continent.
However, Mo Qi never returned. Xin'er and Ye Zhixun rushed to Revenge Mountain, only to find it destroyed and desolate.
Xin'er, unsure of Mo Qi's fate, went to the Lingdu Sect in the Southern Continent with Ye Zhixun. She intended to wait for him there, firmly believing he would return.
Mo Qi did return, and he passed by his home three times without entering!
Everyone saw him chase someone past the doorway, with a girl following behind.
Seeing his fierce and gritting expression, everyone speculated that the person ahead was utterly wicked and cheered Mo Qi on. However, their figures quickly disappeared.
When they reappeared, it was the following year.
Their passing time was brief, but Xin'er still clearly saw the person in front.
Her delicate body trembled, and her face turned pale.
She instantly understood why Mo Qi was so relentless in pursuing him: he feared that if Lian Min recovered, he would continue to harm her.
Many people attempted to stop Mo Qi's pursuit of Lian Min, not to save Lian Min, but for the peace of the world.
Long Ji accompanied her for a while, trying to persuade her while running, but Mo Qi remained unmoved.
He said, "This person must die. Even if it means I fall into eternal hell, I will kill him."
During the pursuit, many of Mo Qi's memories gradually returned, including those of his past life, his previous past life, and his previous previous past life…
He even recalled that the Sun-Hunting Wheel was indeed his artifact from that time; he had indeed fallen from an extraterrestrial world while being pursued. As for why he was being pursued, and his specific identity and origins, they remained vague.
He only vaguely remembered that he came from a very large family!
Besides Lian Min, there were other pursuers, all of whom… he had forgotten!
Long Ji said, "If you could kill him, why would you have waited until now? It's been years! You can't kill him, and instead, you're harming innocent bystanders, bringing endless disaster to others. Are you at peace with that?"