Wet viviparity

Chapter 886 Thorough Understanding, Mural View

"What about the others?"

Ji Ming waited for a while and saw that the White Crane Ancestor did not speak again. Although he realized that the White Crane Ancestor was only willing to reveal this much, he still wanted to dig deeper.

If the Yin line left behind by the illusory divine infant can truly greatly alleviate the many obstacles that the tribulation thought poses to him during the process of refining the tribulation thought, then he definitely has reason to delve into the origin and source of this Yin line.

However, it seemed that the White Crane Ancestor's words implied that he would stop there, and Ji Ming could understand this approach.

After all, he doesn't usually speak his mind completely to his own disciples or even some of his followers. Speaking like this would make them feel like they're being too open and honest, and everyone understands the principle that getting too close can lead to disrespect.

Ji Ming felt that even if the White Crane Ancestor didn't mean it that way, he certainly didn't want him to feel that he could get endless help from the Longevity Palace. In the end, he still had to rely on his own cultivation and magic power to handle this matter.

When he returned to Taiping Mountain in Tiannan, he began to deduce the mysteries of Yin Yao with Da Tongzi and Xiao Tongzi.

At this time, the calamity in the south has weakened, and the calamity energy no longer obscures the mystery as much as before, making it impossible to calculate even the slightest detail.

However, given that the origin of this Yin line must be ancient and difficult to calculate, and given that the current environment is still not very conducive to calculation, Ji Ming did not have much hope. His only hope was that after Tong Zishen had refined the "Taiyi Golden Lamp", he could try it by combining it with the "supernatural power" that Tong Zishen could only use once every ten years or so.

The Taiyi Golden Lamp, a skill in numerology acquired during the second grand lesson at Qingyang Immortal Temple, is a fundamental numerological technique from the Huangting Palace's "Taiyi Divine Numerology." The two Pupil Gods have only just mastered it and have not yet formally begun their cultivation.

In any case, Ji Ming himself couldn't fully understand the refining method of the Taiyi Golden Lamp, which made him value the Great and Small Pupil Gods even more, or rather, their talents in divination, and he always treated them even more like his own sons.

Of course, if he really had a son, given his style, he might not cherish him much, since he always believed that "great talents are often experienced, while spoiled brats rarely become virtuous men."

The poor progress in divination was not unexpected. After that, he did not devote himself to the cultivation he had been longing for, nor did he have much gain and experience to accumulate. Instead, he began to familiarize himself with and get involved in the operation of Taiping Mountain.

The first headache is dealing with Jueguang.

"cabinet?
What is that? It's an institution like the "Closed-Eyes Clinic."

On the path leading to the hidden cave of the blessed land, three Taoists walked side by side. The one on the left, with a long beard, had his hands behind his back and looked ahead as he spoke.

In the middle, Wen Daoyu, who was holding the pagoda, heard a hint of nonchalance in the words and his smile widened. This fake smile made the Taoist feel a chill. Before he could say anything to salvage the situation, Wen Daoyu said, "You must be thinking that the Inner Cabinet is nothing more than a poor imitation of Lu Zhenjun's Closed-Eyes Courtyard."

Is it not a bit too presumptuous of me to use such intelligence to try and win you over, the current head of the Shangguan family and the leader of the Qingping Fang Huabiguan altar?

After all, you clans, who have ruled and passed down your ancient branch altars for thousands of years, are quite different from the three impoverished Daoist merchant clans of Zhang, Qian, and Mi on the mountain. You are the "regional governors" of Taiping Mountain, almost forming your own independent entity.

"That's absolutely not the case!"

Shangguan Yun said decisively.

Liu An, who was sitting sideways on the horse on the right, saw that Shangguan Yun was frightened like a young man in his twenties or thirties who had never seen the world. He smoothed things over by saying, "The Shangguan family is different from other families. No one is willing to invest that kind of effort and time to help Taiping Mountain build a fake mountain under Dayunfu Mountain."

"Junior Brother Wen, you also know that this 'Revealing the Diagram and Shifting Form Technique' is a secret method passed down by the Shangguan family. Without their strong support, surviving this tribulation might have been fraught with even more difficulties."

"Senior Brother Liu."

Upon hearing Liu An's words, Shangguan Yun's expression darkened further. He loosened his hands from behind his back and said, "I am also a member of Taiping Mountain. This is my duty. If you say that, then my Shangguan family is truly in grave danger."

After the Zhang, Qian, and Mi families were suppressed and even subjected to a bloody internal purge, which of the families operating branch altars in various places did not try their best to show their loyalty to Lu Zhenjun? The Shangguan family was a representative one of them.

In such a sensitive period, Liu An's display of politeness and gratitude was absolutely crucial.

The three continued walking along the path, but this time Shangguan Yun seemed to be carrying a heavy burden, lagging behind the other two by half a step, completely lacking his previous ease and freedom. Wen Daoyu continued speaking, saying to Liu An, "If the Shangguan family hadn't made such a great contribution, and if you hadn't strongly urged me, why would I have revealed the cabinet's affairs to such a fool? The one who came with us now should be someone from the Qian family who is easier to control and more suitable."

On the back of the unicorn horse, Liu An gazed into the distance, his expression revealing a look that Wen Daoyu seemed to understand but not quite.

“Junior Brother Wen, people’s hearts cannot be gathered by supernatural powers, violence, or fear. As Li Zhu’s personal disciple, it would be disrespectful for me to stand with you at such a time, disregarding Master’s feelings.”

But I still did it, because of that sentence you relayed to me, that sentence from Lingxu Xiaosheng.

This statement further convinced me that under his leadership, Taiping Mountain could continue the legacy laid by Master Lu, and even achieve greater glory. Therefore, the small sacrifice I am making now can be transformed into resources for the future prosperity of the sect.

As he spoke, Liu An looked at Wen Daoyu, who was slightly lost in thought, and said softly, "Junior brother, do you still remember those words?"

"When a group of people with similar backgrounds and views make decisions together, they tend to pursue harmony and consensus rather than critically evaluating all possible options. As a result, dissent is subconsciously suppressed, and different opinions are seen as an absolute threat to group cohesion, which leads to a series of negative consequences."

Wen Daoyu repeated those words and said.

"Yes, this statement is so simple, yet it contains a profound truth."

Liu An, with an expression as if savoring fine tea, said, "To be honest, it's quite contradictory and unbelievable that someone as domineering as Ling Xuzi could still have such clarity and understanding in this day and age."

“There is no contradiction.”

Wen Daoyu shook his head and said, "When you actually work with him, you'll understand that he has always been very harmonious, extremely harmonious."

The forgotten Shangguan Yun gritted his teeth behind the two of them and said, "I am willing to dedicate all the power of the Painting Wall Temple to promote the establishment of a cabinet system through public election within Taiping Mountain."

"The Mural Temple?"

"The Shangguan family, it's the Shangguan family."

Shangguan Yun corrected his ways.

Wen Daoyu turned and stared at Shangguan Yun, saying, "Your family is not the main family of the True Spirit Sect, and your situation is already so sensitive. You should be more appropriate and accurate in your words. Why can you say that the Inner Cabinet is the same institution as the Closed-Eyes Academy?"

Even though you know you're the fish on the chopping block, your long-term pampered lifestyle has led to a disdainful attitude that you probably wouldn't even realize or change.

I hope you can clearly understand that even though I, Xiaosheng, have a heart that embraces diversity, your Shangguan family was never the first choice. The reason you were chosen is simply because you happen to be suitable. I hope you will continue to be suitable for this position.

The three continued walking along the path when Liu An suddenly asked, "How many people will be in the cabinet?"

"It is not the cabinet, but the 'Law of Discussing Politics in the Jade Palace'."

From now on, the mountain gate will shift to a governance style that uses wisdom to control power. According to Xiaosheng's idea, the Jade Palace Council will consist of three, five, or perhaps seven people, with the possibility of increasing the number as appropriate. However, those with the same background must not exceed three people.

For example, Wen is from Heguan, while Lin Shuijun is from Yifeng; these are not the same background.

"Isn't this the same background?!"

Liu An and Shangguan Yun had the same question in their minds, but they only thought it to themselves. After all, it was obvious that Lingxu Xiaosheng would definitely want to gain the right to speak in this cabinet, so it was not surprising.

(End of this chapter)