Wet viviparity

Chapter 907: Spoil the situation, ghost citizens
Upon hearing Ji Ming's question, the two divine beings' expressions fell.

“Brother Xiaosheng, you think too highly of us. That old golden rooster is a true god, a celestial being of the highest rank. How dare we monitor his movements?”

Ji Ming knew that although the two gods were simple-minded and single-minded in their scheming, they were quite shrewd when it came to practical matters. So he said, "The Pleiades Star Lord has helped me overcome my tribulations several times without asking for anything in return, but I am not one to be ungrateful."

With the Grand Council about to convene, once the Precious Merit Spirit Court is built, some merit can finally be repaid. It's likely that celestial beings like the Pleiades Star Lord also have needs beyond merit.

"Natural, natural."

Tu and Lei said in unison.

"We understand your concerns, but as people who have been through this, our advice is: don't be too calculating with Old Golden Rooster. Since he doesn't seek any reward, he obviously has a bigger purpose."

Given your temperament, you cannot passively accept adversity. However, with your current methods and background, you can be confident in your future—no matter what benefits the old man offers you, he cannot sway you or lead you down an unpredictable path.

"Haha, then I'll accept your kind words, brothers."

Ji Ming smiled.

"Don't be polite with your old buddies."

Tu and Lei both looked serious and said, "This time you have included our lineage in the human world—Sleeping Tiger Land 'Taoxiu Cave'—in the list of sects you are helping and have given us all kinds of preferential treatment. We should be indebted to you for this favor."

I'm not afraid to tell you this, but Taoxiu Cave has been established for thousands of years. However, our methods of teaching our disciples are limited, and we are restricted by our status as immortals and gods, so we cannot go to the mortal world to provide guidance at all times. Even our lineage has been broken several times. During this period, many evil figures have emerged, which has made us disheartened and we have gradually paid less attention to the affairs of this sect.

With the help of Brother Xiaosheng, all sects and factions will advance together and compete with each other. I think the disciples of Taoxiu Cave will feel the pressure and strive to improve, so that our founding patriarch can enjoy some merit and happiness.

If one day we can accumulate enough merit through Peach Blossom Cave, and our merits are fulfilled, our status as Earth Immortals can be elevated to the next level, allowing us to touch the threshold of Celestial Immortals.

"This opportunity is truly rare."

Ji Ming didn't mind revealing more to the two deities, saying, "Although my sect can provide a lot of precious money, Taoxiu Cave must be clear about its own advantages and focus on supporting high-quality internal Daoist products to avoid vicious competition with other sects."

Furthermore, Lu Zhenjun's secluded courtyard is now open to the public, and outstanding disciples from Taoxiu Cave can choose to enter and listen to his lectures, ensuring the continuation of his lineage and the cave's enduring prosperity.

"Okay, I'll do whatever Brother Xiaosheng says."

The two gods spoke in unison.

They knew that once all the outstanding disciples of Taoxiu Cave came from the Closed-Eye Academy, Taoxiu Cave would become just like the Kuangshan Apricot Grove lineage, completely lacking autonomy. But what did that have to do with them? They had never expected Taoxiu Cave to become the dominant force in the south anyway.

Lei suddenly said, “Speaking of Daoist products, the people of the Divine Kingdom are all skilled in this Dao. Why don’t we go to Luoshan in the North Sea and invite a few people from the Ghost Kingdom? If we can get their help, Taoxiu Cave will definitely have more foundation to enter the world’s first-class sects.”

"The few hundred citizens of the Ghost Kingdom have long been divided up by the many immortals, gods and ghosts in the underworld. Our meager resources are probably not enough, and we can't tame them either. We should find another way."

Tu said with difficulty, and when his gaze swept over Ji Ming, his eyes moved and he immediately moved closer to Ji Ming, saying as if presenting a treasure: "Brother Xiao Sheng, now that you have a large family and business, you will also have to take care of the affairs of the Spirit Court. With just those few fourth and fifth level Daoists in the inner cabinet, you will definitely not be able to take care of the entire Tiannan."

Based on this rough calculation, it would take at least one or two hundred years of adjustment for Lingting to get back on track.

If you could invite even just one or two people from the Ghost Kingdom, it would make things much smoother for you in the future.

"Ghost Kingdom?"

Ji Ming became interested.

He had learned about the Feathered People Kingdom, the Qigong Kingdom, and the Dog Sealing Kingdom. His second primordial spirit had even taken two Dog Sealing Kingdom members as protectors. Unfortunately, the Dog Sealing Kingdom was located in the Flying Sun Mausoleum of the Nine Truths of Liling, and only the Crying Ancestor could visit it. Jiang Heixiao could only contact it through the Crying Ancestor's relationship, which limited his knowledge of it.

Tu slowly explained, "The Kingdom of the Gods and Strange Things is a land of love and love from before the establishment of human dynasties. The depth of their history is far beyond what your human race can compare to. The rise and fall of each country is accompanied by the rise and fall of many ancient and modern immortals and gods."

This ghost kingdom, also known as the One-Eyed Kingdom, is said to be a divine people created by the ancient emperor, the master of the four seas and ten thousand waters, [Nine Sources]. They are born with human faces and snake bodies, with only one eye growing from the center of their face. They like to travel at night and sleep during the day, and are close to the way of yin and yang.

Given your current momentum, they might very well try to profit from your scarcity.

Just as Ji Ming was about to ask further questions, the light and shadow at the entrance of the nest shifted slightly, and the Yin spirit of the cliff carvings led a woman surrounded by water vapor to appear quietly.

Ji Ming looked up, his gaze piercing through the swirling yin energy and landing on Madam Qi Yun. As expected, he stopped the conversation with a hint of reluctance and said, "We have a guest. The game of chess will have to end here for today. We will continue the game with you two brothers another day."

Although the two kings, Tu and Lei, were somewhat reluctant to part and wanted to discuss in detail the matter of recruiting the people of the Ghost Kingdom, they knew that Ji Ming must have something important to do, so they quickly got up.

Ji Ming nodded to the cliff carvings that Lady Qiyun had brought, and then had a private conversation with Lady Qiyun in the dwelling. “Since we parted in Lingnan, I have not been in contact with you. Today, you must have something to teach me.”

“You didn’t contact him, but Shan De Gong was very close to him.”

Lady Qiyun revealed a sorrowful expression and said, "In order to provide me with information on the movements of the demons in Liling at any time within Xuanshi Village, Lord Shande has tried his best to win me over through Jiangpu Xishan in Lingnan for decades, and he has never demanded that I voluntarily reveal secrets."

Unfortunately, since the death of Master Shande, I have found it difficult to trust you Taoists, and therefore I have not taken the initiative to contact you.

Besides, apart from Lord Shande, you've probably almost forgotten about me, this secret agent. After all, I'm really dispensable to you.

"Yes, I forgot."

Ji Ming spoke very frankly.

He has no need to hide this fact; this is his current freedom. He can express himself as he pleases without making anyone uncomfortable. On the contrary, others will only actively adapt to his outward emotions and behavior.

A wise person knows that he should be happy when he is happy and angry when he is angry, and that his emotions will dissipate once the matter is over, leaving no trace in his heart. Therefore, he can express his thoughts boldly in front of Ji Ming without worrying about being angered by Ji Ming's emotions.

Lady Qiyun was clearly not very clever. When she heard Ji Ming's blunt words, she first sensed that he didn't take her seriously. However, faced with huge benefits, she still held back and forced a smile.

“A great decree was issued that no sect or faction in Lingnan should attend the grand council in the winter of the Jiazi year.”

"Who?"

"Zen Master Caihu".

“I have no major grudge against him,” Ji Ming said, frowning.

He did not believe that subduing a crying old master would provoke Zen Master Caihu to openly oppose him.

The Grand Council is not just his business; it involves the entire Taiping Mountain. Master Caihu's intervention is unlikely to be solely for the sake of the mere Crying Ancestor. Furthermore, the Deputy Commander of Shenxiao behind him would not allow him to act in this manner.

"Could it be three karmic connections?!"

Ji Ming thought to himself.

(End of this chapter)