Wet viviparity

Chapter 927 Secret, Bad Plan
As the moon's shadow sank deeper, the snow and wind barrier outside the temple quietly dissipated.

Seeing that Ji Ming already knew the taboo, the master picked up a plum branch and gently traced it on the stone table.

Its branches left traces on the table, outlining a disc-shaped flower on the tabletop—with golden flame-like petals on the outer circle, but a dark, solidified flower heart inside, and a bottomless darkness in the very center.

"This is the true form of the Three-Crow Fallen Shadow Flower Demon God Technique," the master said, lightly touching the center of the flower with his fingertip.

Ji Ming observed intently and saw that the dark flower's center was slowly rotating, like a vortex. Even more strangely, when the moonlight shone on the flower, the dark flower's center appeared even brighter, as if it had absorbed the light for its own use.

He understood the master's meaning. If the Qing Tianzi's Fusang Yuanqi Flower Body was simply regarded as a flower, then the Crow Falling Shadow Flower Demon God Technique was created by extracting the "flower heart facing the sun" from it.

The so-called sun-facing nature can manifest an outward appearance of extreme yang and strength; however, things will inevitably reverse when they reach their extremes, and yang at its extreme will turn into yin.

This divine technique pursues the extreme of the sun, and the shadow it casts becomes ever deeper and more intense.

The word "fall" in the divine method already points out the process of reversal from righteousness to evil and from yang to yin, while "shadow" directly points to its true evil nature, which is the opposite of light and the blazing shadow. Therefore, the essence of this divine method is yang evil.

The master leaned the plum branch against the edge of the stone table and said, "The more intense the sun's rays, the deeper its shadow. The 'Century Flower Evil' takes this profound principle of 'Yang reaching its extreme leads to Yin'—using the nature of extreme Yang to refine the evil of extreme Yin."

Ji Ming frowned and gave a bitter smile, saying, "The teacher has pointed out the true meaning of divine magic, but without divine magic in hand, it will all be in vain in the end."

After the master imparted his secret knowledge through the method of heart-to-heart communication, Ji Ming already knew that the original owner of this divine method, Fairy Chaoyang, had already perished at the beginning of the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty. Perhaps it could be said that many flower fairies had perished at the beginning of the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty.

This is another mystery that exists in history. Ji Ming did not ask the master about this matter rashly. Since the master did not tell him, it means that he does not need to know these things at the moment.

Although Fairy Chaoyang perished, this divine technique did not disappear. Instead, it was in the hands of Wu Wanfang, who was revered as the Fairy of a Hundred Flowers and the Master of Ten Thousand Fragrances. Not only this divine technique, but Wu Wanfang also possessed other Flower Demon Divine Techniques.

Wu Wanfang left all the Flower Demon Divine Techniques that could lead to the divine status in the True Spirit Sect.

Thinking of this, Ji Ming looked towards the direction of Dongfang Baoguang Prefecture. He really didn't expect that this Wu Wanfang would be a disciple of the True Spirit Sect's ancestor, Master Ji. No wonder the major clans of the True Spirit Sect could live off their past achievements. It turns out that this family's wealth was indeed substantial.

"This is indeed a difficult problem!"

The master nodded and said.

"Wu Wanfang left three divine techniques in the True Spirit Sect. Two of them, namely the Golden Essence Flower Demon God Technique and the Crow Falling Shadow Flower Demon God Technique, have been kept in the hands of the Ji family. It is said that the main family and the collateral branch each selected a disciple to practice them."

But don't be discouraged, divine magic is not easy to cultivate.

Look, I obtained the Frost Flower Demon God Technique from my master's wife, the Frost Queen, and after practicing it for hundreds of years, I've only managed to refine some Azure Sky Ice Soul Flower Demon.

"Given your current status and the respect you have as my teacher, you can certainly discuss with the Ji family whether it's exchanging something for the law, or vice versa. As long as you're sincere, you can always succeed."

Ji Ming gave a wry smile. Although he didn't think the Ji family would be willing to exchange for the Flower Demon God Technique, what his teacher said was indeed a glimmer of hope. Given the True Spirit Sect's current decline, selling off their ancestral property was not impossible.

As Ji Ming left the nunnery, his expression shifted, and he began to prepare for the worst.

A moment later, Ji Ming dismissed this worst-case scenario. The True Spirit Sect had been accustomed to bullying Baoguang Prefecture for years, and even if he used both soft and hard tactics, they would not be swayed.

Furthermore, as one of the three righteous sects, if I, a mere minor saint of Taiping Mountain, dare to force my way in, the patriarchs of the grotto-heavens will certainly not show any mercy.

"No rush. Once the matter at Lingting is settled, we can go to the grotto-heaven to ask the patriarchs for guidance. Perhaps there will be another, better solution there," Ji Ming comforted himself.

In front of Dexuan Cave, Ji Ming asked Ding Ruyi to summon Zhu Tao from Tianteng Mountain for a chat.

Although he had just fought Zhu Tao in the Dragon Palace of the East Sea, it did not stop Ji Ming from inviting Zhu Tao over to discuss the Dao and metaphysics. He sensed the same Dao-seeking qualities in Zhu Tao and believed that such a person was someone worth befriending.

Moreover, he was indeed quite curious about Zhu Tao's wondrous methods. In a side hall of the Shen Gang Palace, bamboo shadows filtered through the moonlight, ensuring that many would remain sleepless tonight.

Mr. Guchen sat alone on the stone bench, tapping his knuckles on the jade table.

The tea smoke on the table had long since dissipated. Gazing at the flowing water under the corridor, he suddenly spoke: "Now that you have arrived, why not show yourself?"

The bamboo curtain swayed slightly, and Venerable Huofeng, dressed in a crimson robe, moved like a red shadow. As soon as he entered the hall, he heard Mr. Guchen say in a questioning tone, "Tianteng Mountain and Nanmu Divine Mountain should have advanced and retreated together, overcoming difficulties together."

Venerable Huofeng knew that Mr. Guchen was referring to Zhu Tao, who was invited by Xiaosheng to visit Dexuan Cave. So he solemnly assured Zhu Tao that he would go, just to discuss the Dao with Xiaosheng Lingxu.

After saying that, Venerable Huofeng said in a questioning tone, "I heard that the two elders' beloved disciple Leng Cuishan is in contact with that Chen Yuanjun and is preparing to enter the Thunder Department's Cloud Flow Division to take up the position of a high-ranking official in the Immortal Rank. Such a grand gesture, Little Saint is really willing to spend money."

Mr. Guchen's face stiffened. Lengcui Mountain's current position was indeed delicate. The two elders and Taiping Mountain deliberately avoided mentioning it. This delicate situation was very glaring in the eyes of the unorthodox sects.

Mr. Guchen skipped over Leng Cuishan's topic and said, "Ling Xuzi has already won a round."

"Sir, do you wish to change your course?"

Gu Chen pulled out a roll of silk from his sleeve and said in a solemn tone, "This is a supplement to the 'Detailed Rules for Estimating Spiritual Resources' that the Cabinet just sent. If you sign it now, the thirty-six newly established caves of Nanmu Divine Mountain can enjoy the first round of special funds for assistance."

Huo Feng stared at the cinnabar seal on the silk, where the six characters "Taiping Baoqian Special Fund" stood out. He suddenly chuckled and said, "Ling Xuzi is truly skilled. After winning the first test, he used the special fund as bait to shake the hearts of the various sects and carry out the secret signing."

Even if he loses the second attempt and it ends in a draw, he will have already secretly taken control of the overall situation, and the remaining minor obstacles will be insignificant.

"That's the key point."

Gu Chen pointed to the last line of small characters: "Those who make a contract before the second test can receive assistance from Taiping Mountain to help them overcome the three calamities in the future."

Suddenly, a strong wind blew through the bamboo outside the hall, causing the glass lamps to sway erratically.

Venerable Huofeng opened and closed his mouth several times, but in the end he still did not utter a sound. He only suppressed the thousand words in his heart and remained silent, but his flushed face and hot sweat had already revealed his inner unease and fear.

"This supplementary record has been witnessed by the Thunder God."

Gu Chen sighed and said again, "Those who sign here tonight will also receive three additional sermon notes from the Little Sage."

Venerable Huofeng finally couldn't hold back any longer and shouted, "With his power and methods as a minor saint, why should he give us such great benefits? He could have won both trials and made us leaders submit and bow down as the absolute victor."

The Venerable One was panting heavily, and eventually could no longer speak, his heart filled with a strange panic.

"He doesn't care."

Gu Chen spoke the words in Huo Feng Zun Zhe's heart, saying, "He doesn't care about the means or the process; the only thing he cares about is the result."

He instructed us to rest and recuperate in the Divine Palace so we could calmly face the second test. This was the Little Sage's virtue. But this supplementary record, which shattered our hearts, was his intimidation tactic, telling us that his methods of intimidation surpassed his virtue.

"We are in grave danger!"

Venerable Huofeng uttered four words.

"Yes, anyone can secretly sign documents these days."

(End of this chapter)