Sect Leader Is Under Great Pressure CH 124 Dare To Act, Dare To Take Responsibility
When Ji Yunlai heard that strange voice, he almost thought he was hearing things.
What was that? How could something invade his consciousness? After all, he was a Human Immortal!
Yet the information that followed left him utterly shocked.
His divine sense unhesitatingly invaded the Dao Seed, only to find that the previously empty grand hall now contained a new program.
The program's logic resembled something like Siri, Apple’s personal virtual assistant. It processed user queries and requests by integrating various databases. Simply put, it was…
He asked with his divine sense, “How were you created?”
The voice, eerily similar to his daughter’s, slowly replied:
“When you were 25 years old, you began developing a basic talisman seal-assistance comparison system, improving wards in the process. You kept adding foundational seals, optimizing calculations, and refining the system. Later, search-and-compare functionality was added, and you set the activation command as ‘Mingyu,’ which became the system's name.”
“And then? How did the system evolve?” Ji Yunlai had a vague idea, and it aligned with his actions after arriving in this world. As a youth, hadn’t he left home to study talisman seals? To him, talisman seals were akin to the source code of the universe. If he could, he’d undoubtedly create his own programs—even in a world without computers, he wouldn’t let that stop him.
“Hundreds of years later, you attempted to simulate the entire functioning of the Heavenly Dao, optimizing and organizing its structure. Due to the immense computational load, your soul couldn’t bear it, and you put the project on hold. After becoming a Human Immortal, you recoded the Mingyu System and placed it into the Dao Seed for independent operation. A hundred years ago, you retrieved the Mingyu System, leaving only an auxiliary system to continue simulating incomplete parts of the Heavenly Dao. Once completed, the auxiliary system automatically shut down.”
The voice provided a simple explanation, accompanied by a display of the system’s evolution through its database.
There’s no answer more direct than data. Ji Yunlai took just a single breath to review it all, instantly understanding the sequence of events.
Back when he was around 25, he had discovered many fragmented talisman seals, either from ruins or a junkyard. He spent considerable time studying and comparing them, eventually identifying some patterns. To save time, he developed a program akin to a simple editing tool to batch-complete the broken seals.
After completing them, he likely earned some money and bought other talisman books, gaining access to new seal knowledge. He then rewrote his program, upgrading it from a basic tool to something akin to Photoshop plus CAD. This enhanced functionality not only allowed him to restore and compare seals more comprehensively but also let him simulate and test ward designs directly in his head, saving significant time and resources.
Later, perhaps after earning even more, he grew dissatisfied with ward simulation alone and began experimenting with seal-based calculations for cultivation techniques. It was akin to receiving a luxury renovation blueprint for a complex, only to trim down the budget and keep the essential framework.
In simple terms, he modified advanced but incomplete techniques into something usable, adapting them to his spiritual roots for easier cultivation.
As his cultivation advanced and his knowledge deepened, he accumulated more seals and further optimized his algorithms. The mental assistant program in his head evolved again, becoming capable of independent calculations, essentially giving him the effect of having two brains.
However, 600 years ago, his talisman studies seemed to hit a dead end.
The logical patterns displayed an extreme sense of cold and unfeeling mechanics. Programs that once ran solely in his head were now extracted and operated externally through new methods.
“Father, is something wrong?” Ji Mingyu noticed his gaze and asked curiously.
Ji Yunlai was about to speak when the Dao Seed's voice interjected:
“Connection to Mingyu mainframe failed. Server not found. Please reconnect.”
He suddenly remembered a phrase he had once seen written in his 983-year-old Ji Yunlai Final Notes:
“By the way, you can create artificial intelligence here. Once you remember this, you might not want to do it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you—I’ve already made one before.”
It was precisely this note that made him, upon awakening and desperately seeking his memories, refuse to revisit his past.
So, was his daughter Ji Mingyu the artificial intelligence he could never locate? Was the program in the Dao Seed just a plugin for her?
Impossible! Mingyu was so lively, with real flesh, blood, and spiritual roots. She adored him wholeheartedly as her father. How could she be fake?
Pressing his temple lightly, Ji Yunlai smiled and said, “It’s nothing. This is a master-recognizing Dao Seed. See if you like it.”
“A master-recognizing Dao Seed? Did you make another new type?” Mingyu’s eyes sparkled as she immediately dove her divine sense into it, only to exclaim and cover her mouth in shock.
Oh my heavens, Father! Just how big is this Dao Seed?!
Ji Mingyu hesitated before shaking her head. “Father, I can’t accept this. It’s too vast.”
It was said that the fields of Peak Master Tu of Shennong Peak covered a thousand acres, but compared to what her father was giving her, it was nothing. And she didn’t farm—what use was such a huge expanse to her?
“It’s already yours,” Ji Yunlai said gently, stroking her head. “From now on, the outer sect’s rice will be your responsibility.”
“But…” Ji Mingyu tugged at her father’s sleeve, her face a picture of dismay. “I don’t know how to farm!”
She was a young lady who couldn’t tell wheat from rice, after all!
“There are people inside who will handle it,” Ji Yunlai reassured her, patting her head again. “As long as you’re willing, release spiritual energy into this world, and all the expert masters inside will be at your command.”
The spiritual energy had only been sealed by him. This newborn world, rich in spiritual energy, was perfect for his daughter.
Such an adorable daughter—one was more than enough for him.
Ji Mingyu, overwhelmed by her father’s unexpected love and care, clung to him, unwilling to let go. She was beyond ecstatic.
Feng Qingxiu watched quietly from the side. On the one hand, he was happy that his master was expressing more emotions and bonding with his daughter. On the other, he felt a subtle, repressed sense of neglect, struggling against the urge to join in.
The white camellia flower beside him extended its branch to pat him comfortingly.
Naturally, Feng Qingxiu plucked a few petals to chew on. The camellia flower had calming and blood-staunching effects—exactly what he needed to steady his mind.
The camellia flower twitched slightly, silently rolling a pebble with its root.
Meanwhile, Ji Mingyu continued chatting with her father until dusk. Outer sect rules required everyone to return to their rooms by nightfall. Reluctantly, Mingyu prepared to leave.
Seeing her unwillingness, Ji Yunlai escorted her back and told Xiao Qing to rest early.
The gentle voice saying “rest early” made Feng Qingxiu’s heart pound wildly. Nearly having another nosebleed, he quickly plucked a handful of petals to staunch it.
Obediently, he cleaned up, bathed in the hot spring, and went to bed.
Ji Yunlai’s cultivation allowed him to travel swiftly. In less than an hour, he returned to find a smooth pebble half-buried under the stone table, with only a trace of it visible.
He picked it up, smirking at the poem inscribed on it: “As If Yesterday”
Skin like jade, fragrant as the soul.
If not a dream, I’d forsake the world for this.
Tsk. Xiao Qing is getting bolder, Ji Yunlai thought.
If you don’t want it to stay in a dream, then come here yourself.
He chuckled, pushed open Xiao Qing’s door, and saw him sleeping peacefully, his handsome face calm and composed. The sight stirred something in Ji Yunlai’s heart.
He leaned closer, glanced at the pebble in his hand, and then, in one swift motion, grabbed Xiao Qing’s collar. As Xiao Qing’s eyes snapped open, startled and flustered, Ji Yunlai pressed his lips to his.