Under One Person: The Seeker of the Dao in the Lü Family

Chapter 298 23 Events in the Mortal World, Nathan's Unexpected Change

(The previous chapter is now complete, please check it out!)

"Chairman Zhao comes from a very prominent family, and he was the one who spearheaded the establishment of the company. Is Chairman Huang so certain that Chairman Zhao has reached a certain age?"

Lu Qian asked Huang Boren with some confusion, "Moreover, Chairman Zhao has done a very good job over the years, maintaining a good balance in the world of supernatural beings. His contributions are truly remarkable."

According to his speculation, the Boss Zhao who asked the Tang Clan to assassinate Bihe Ren back then was an ancestor of the current Zhao Fangxu.

From this perspective, Zhao Fangxu can be described as having impeccable revolutionary credentials, and over the past few decades, he has dedicated his life to the world of supernatural beings, making invaluable contributions.

Could a chairman with such a solid background and qualifications really step down one day?

"Hey, in terms of cultivation, I'm no match for Brother Lü Qian, but when it comes to the world of utilitarianism, Brother Lü Qian is no match for me, a seasoned veteran who's been around all my life."

When the topic turned to worldly affairs, Huang Boren proudly puffed out his chest. He first glanced around to make sure no one was listening before explaining in detail to Lü Qian.

"Brother Lü Qian's previous statement about Zhao Fangxu's strengths and achievements is true, but it is also the reason why he stepped down."

"Water overflows when it is full, the moon wanes when it is full, and things decline when they reach their peak."

He put his arm around Lü Qian's shoulder, looked at the waves that rose and fell, and said with emotion, "Zhao Fangxu's actions are perfect. For decades, he has kept the world of supernatural beings very stable and balanced. No one can find fault with him. He is simply impeccable."

"He came from an upright family, acted cautiously, did not form cliques or engage in private activities, and was able to suppress evil influences and prevent the emperor from hearing or seeing anything."

"Zhao Fangxu is almost as if he was born at the right time, the one responsible for the transition of the world of supernatural beings into a new era."

"Unfortunately, this is both his strength and his weakness; Zhao Fangxu was too perfect."

At this point, Huang Boren couldn't help but sigh for Zhao Fangxu, "True balance is not a state of calm and stillness, but a point in the transformation of opposites."

"Zhao Fangxu has cut off the path for too many people. He not only cut off the retreat of the supernatural world, but also the path to survival for some people."

"This Fatty Zhao has offended too many people and affected the interests of too many people."

"If you ask how much longevity is worth, a few days of life are worth a thousand pieces of gold."

"If you ask how much a unique skill is worth, one skill can make a family last for a thousand years."

Having understood, Lü Qian also sighed twice, but didn't express much sentiment about Chairman Zhao Fangxu.

In his view, Zhao Fangxu was also a cultivator, but his path was neither in the Xuanmen (Taoist sect) nor in the mortal world, but somewhere in between.

He made his own choice and walked it with clear thinking, without regret or regret. What need is there for others to comment on such a person?

Huang Boren, an old friend who had worked with Zhao Fangxu for decades, understood his boss's style and did not express any regret. Instead, he changed the subject.

"Zhao Fangxu offended everyone, from top to bottom, inside and out, so his withdrawal was inevitable."

"But he did it too well, leaving no room for error, forcing him to step down. So if I can't take his place, then Fatty Zhao will probably stay in that position until he dies."

He suppressed his sighs and lamentations, pulled Lü Qian to his shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "So, let's give Zhao Fangxu a peaceful end, and let's give everyone a good ending. We have to work hard."

Huang Boren's words were half true and half false, mixed with both upright sentiments and his own confused thoughts, which made them seem real and credible.

Whether Lü Qian believed it or not is another matter. They're all old foxes, why are they playing at some ghost story?

He shook the whisk in his hand, smiled, pointed to himself and Huang Boren, and said softly, "Brother Huang, don't worry, but be careful when you make your move this time, lest you miss the opportunity."

"Hahaha......"

The two walked arm in arm on the deck like old friends, not worried at all that their words would be overheard by outsiders because of the wind and waves barrier set up by Lü Qian.

"boom!"

Just as Lü Qian and Huang Boren were standing at the bow of the ship, a huge wave suddenly surged up and rushed towards the ship. Along with this giant wave, the surrounding turbulent environment became even more rapid and violent.

In the distance, the faint outline of the Nathan Island waters gradually disappeared into the wind and waves. Thunder and lightning roared out, and lightning and fire struck the sea surface. For a moment, the ships that had been cutting through the waves seemed to be stuck in the mud.

Huang Bairen, who was with Lü Qian, was not disturbed by the storm and lightning outside. He gazed at the strange environment around him, and his relaxed brows furrowed again.

"Chairman Huang, something bad has happened. The situation is not right now."

Inside the cabin, the voices of the company employees, amplified by their cultivation, drifted through the wind and waves to the two of them, their emotions a mixture of anxiety and confusion.

"The sea conditions in the waters around Nathan Island are not right. They are very different from previous observations and have risen by many levels."

"If this continues, our fleet will be unable to approach Nathan Island."

Huang Boren squinted at the giant wave that was about to crash down on him, and he had a vague idea of ​​what was going on.

"Damn it, this situation is starting to look more and more like a trap. It's probably a scam to lure people in and then rip them off."

Before the company sent people to carry out the operation, these directors had already made some assessments of Nathan Island's actions.

The system of Nathan Island is wild and primitive. Their core is the sacred tree, and everything on Nathan Island is based on the sacred tree as the foundation of its existence.

They are willing to give everything for the sacred tree, including their lives and their spirit.

Most notably, every Nathan King and Nathan Guard had to return to the Tree of Life after death, which meant they were sacrificed and "eaten" by the Tree of Life.

Logically speaking, such a well-structured sacrificial society would not allow outside interference, nor would it create opportunities for outside interference.

But now Nathan Island is not only opening its doors but also announcing its changes widely, which is definitely a malicious act.

If outsiders are allowed to come to the island, what can Nathan Island gain?

The answer, of course, is the offerings that entered Nathan Island from all over the world.

At this moment, Nathan Island was like a bag with its mouth open, waiting for these outsiders to walk right into its trap.

"But unfortunately, your little pockets are probably going to burst this time."

With various schemes running through his mind, Huang Boren turned to look at Lü Qian, his previously gloomy expression returning to a beaming smile.

He released his arm from Lü Qian's back, then turned solemnly to the approaching waves and said with a smile.

"Master Lü Qian, please use your power to calm the sea and clear a path for us."

Looking at Lü Qian's excessively youthful face, Huang Boren couldn't help but sigh inwardly, sometimes it really is true that brute force can overcome all methods.

Strength is the most fundamental basis for navigating the world. No matter how treacherous or sinister someone may be, in the face of unparalleled cultivation that allows one to look down upon the world, they are nothing but castles in the air, destined to crumble at any moment.

Since Lü Qian, a peerless genius, is on board, does Huang Boren still need to be so meticulous?

Following the direction Huang Boren had cleared, Lü Qian looked at the towering waves that were almost overwhelming the ships. He twirled his whisk and slowly walked forward, braving the wind and waves.

"Now that we're on board, we'll protect you."

As they spoke, the approaching giant wave had reached the edge of the ship, and the behemoth beneath their feet began to sway incessantly, as if it would capsize in the waves at any moment.

"despair!"

Lu Qian stepped forward, his foot slowly rising and falling, the swaying ship beneath his feet, yet he showed no sign of panic. The soft sound of his footsteps echoed across the stormy sea, reverberating between heaven and earth.

Amidst the thunder, lightning, and raging waves, the faint footsteps, though small, were remarkably clear, as if the entire world resonated with them.

A few tiny ripples spread out from under Lü Qian's feet, but instead of weakening, they rolled and intensified, transforming from barely perceptible at the beginning into layers of ripples in the blink of an eye.

"despair!"

"despair!"

Lu Qian held a whisk in his hand, the whisk wisps fluttering in the breeze along with his robes and hair, yet they were not ostentatious, just like Lu Qian's calm demeanor.

Without haste, Lü Qian took two more steps. The originally faint sound of his footsteps seemed to expand like layers of vibration. When the last step landed, the wind, thunder, and waves in the world seemed to be interrupted, echoing the fleeting sound.

"town!"

After taking three steps, Lü Qian stood at the very front of the ship's deck. The ship, which had been swaying violently, seemed to have been crushed by a mountain, and it stabilized in an instant.

Behind Lü Qian, the ripples spread out and connected, and resonant waves burst forth from them.

The continuous flow of energy collided, transformed, and intensified, transforming in the blink of an eye into a surging tide of energy, even surpassing the giant waves, suppressing the raging thunder and lightning waves in all directions.

【Tai Chi Ruyi Power • As You Wish】

"boom!"

A powerful roar suddenly erupted, and the surging tide formed by the force of the waves clashed with the turbulent heaven and earth around them. As the force flowed and intertwined, all the raging waves were swallowed up by the tide, turning into a gentle breeze and drizzle that fell on the ship.

On the vast ocean, the powerful tides swallowed up all unstable factors, suppressed the disharmonious forces between heaven and earth, and transformed and eroded these forces.

The collision of the two forces should have caused the sky to collapse and the sea to overturn, but as the powerful tide spread, some areas it passed through remained calm and without any disturbance.

The scene that was once filled with thunder, lightning, and raging storms is now calm and peaceful. A gentle breeze and light rain fall, and a bright ray of sunlight breaks through the dark clouds and fog, shining down from the heavens.

This dazzling ray of light cleaved through the darkness of the entire sea, illuminating the young Taoist standing at the front of the ship, as if he were adorned with colorful clouds and brocade.

"Gentlemen, the storm has passed, and the future is clear."

Lu Qian turned around, his back to the brilliant sunlight, and looked at the crowd behind him, saying with a light laugh, "Now that we've seen Haoyang, why not continue?"

The series of shocks did not numb those present. They watched as Lü Qian walked slowly towards them, back to the light of day, just as the young Taoist priest had calmed the surrounding wind, thunder, and waves with his leisurely stroll.

"Brother Lü Qian's move was truly astounding."

Despite being only three steps away, Huang Boren felt as if the ends of the earth were within reach, looking at Lü Qian's nonchalant demeanor. He was the first to react, clapping his hands in heartfelt praise.

"In the past, I didn't know what the pinnacle was, nor what an enlightened immortal was, but today I have seen it."

After praising the ship, Huang Boren directed the crew to continue working. The ship beneath their feet transformed back into the colossal vessel that cleaved through the waves, rapidly advancing towards the waters off Nathan Island.

The bright sunlight broke through the clouds and mist, and the outline of Nathan Island reappeared in the distance. It was clear to the naked eye that the sea was calm along the route.

"Chairman Huang, we've detected a signal from the Behemoth fleet."

"Oh, how did they get through this area?"

Huang Boren looked at the employee who was reporting with some doubt, took the report from the other party and read it quickly, but the more he read, the more his brows furrowed.

"It's suspected that it had already entered the waters around Nathan Island. In that case, the celestial phenomenon just now was not a normal occurrence."

"So, something unexpected happened on Nathan Island?"

As his mind raced, Huang Boren gradually pieced together the contents of the report, looking at the island on the horizon with a puzzled expression, as if something had gone beyond his expectations.

"Chairman Huang, once we enter the sea area, please do not approach any closer."

Lu Qian suddenly turned around and stared at the island that appeared where the sea and sky met in the distance, his pupils flashing with crimson-gold light.

"There's something wrong with that island. We guests might have been hosted by a different family."

He took a few steps forward, his eyes flickering with light, and the scenery reflected in his eye sockets slowly changed under the light.

The primitive and wild island gradually changed in his eyes. The lush trees seemed to turn into strands of intertwined black hair, and the brown land hidden beneath the sea seemed to turn into smooth skin with human-like textures.

As the ship drew closer to Nathan Island, Lü Qian's ears twitched twice, and his expression became even more serious.

Because he could faintly hear the sound of a human heartbeat, which was the sound of waves crashing against the beach on the island.

The heartbeat was strong and powerful, brimming with vitality, but it sounded more like a lament than a declaration of life, a lament of hunger.

This mournful cry is a yearning for the power of life, and also a signal to begin a hunt.

"Tsk, it really is you, Qu Tong."

The flickering crimson-gold light in Lü Qian's pupils suddenly shone brightly, and the distant islands revealed their true forms in his eyes.

It was a tree, and also a person, or rather, the tree and the person merged into one, completely transforming into a single being.

The creature had the trunk and form of a tree, but inside it was a human soul. The two were inseparable and intertwined. The tree branches evolved into human limbs, while the human bones became the support of the tree.

On those wildly growing branches and roots, many lives are bound and suspended, their power being drawn by that strange creature. Among them are not only animals, but also plants and many people.