Wet viviparity

Chapter 935 Karma, the Patriarch Arrives
Unexpected, absolutely unexpected, Ji Ming couldn't understand why this matter had reached the point where Zhao Shuai needed to step in.

At this moment, Ji Ming's face was extremely ugly. He had been fighting wits and courage with the Zen master all along, and even reincarnated his second primordial spirit twice in order to preserve the karmic connection, all because of the immense value of the karmic connection.

Imagine, if even the deputy commander of Shenxiao values ​​something, then it is probably the only thing that can be found in the world. Even if Ji Ming has not yet fully explored it, he will definitely need to learn from the strengths of many when he climbs the Great Dao in the future.

Just like what Zhao Tan is doing now, using the treasures of Buddhist karmic connection to complete his own path to divinity, does Ji Ming dare to say that he won't reach that point in the future?!

Furthermore, his attainment of the first stage of enlightenment is inextricably linked to the three conditions.

Of course, the most important reason for Ji Ming's resistance is that Zhao Tan has no right to ask for it. He takes it for granted today, but if he knows that Ji Ming has the Eye of the Embryo Transformation and still asks for it tomorrow, then Ji Ming should give up on this path.

He suppressed his intense emotions, otherwise Zhao Tan would surely see through his thoughts. The name Lu Zhenjun came to mind, and Ji Ming knew it was time. Suddenly, he looked up to the sky and roared, "Lu Yuantong!"

Upon uttering those three words, the surrounding void for a hundred miles suddenly froze.

A sudden burst of light emanated from the direction of the Taiyin Heavenly Cave, and a streak of azure light pierced the sky. Where this light passed, layers of illusory palaces appeared around the Ten Wood Hills, unfolding across the various ethereal landscapes like a beautiful landscape painting being laid down—this was the manifestation of the blessed grotto of Taiping Mountain. And so it was seen:

Clouds rise and clouds shimmer, rainbows gleam.

A towering cliff, a thousand-year-old sacred tree.

The towering cliffs, glistening with rain, stretch to the sky; the ancient trees, verdant and deep, stand tall against the wind, filling the valley with their rich green hues.

Before the cave, jade trees hang like dewdrops, and orchids exude fragrance by the rocks. Purple fungus reflects the damp moss, and a clear stream flows slanting through the cool stone bones.

Occasionally, one hears the cry of a black crane, and sometimes one sees a phoenix soaring.

Where the black crane cries, its sound travels to the serene underworld; when the phoenix soars, its wings spread, and auspicious clouds stretch far and wide.

Jade tigers and golden lions appear and disappear, while jade sables and black deer roam freely. Silently comprehending the realm of immortality, one clearly perceives the grand grotto-heaven!

Within the cave, all the figures appeared. The leader sat sideways on a round, purple-blue rock ball. His black face and long beard fluttered in the wind, and the silk sash of his black robe moved without wind. His seemingly casual sitting posture secretly corresponded to the positions of the stars. It was none other than the ancestor of the Five Dynasties, Master Wuling, who had personally arrived.

Half a step behind her stood the Fairy of the Green Bag, her feet resting on a brocade flower boat, her whisk lightly draped over her arm, the hand seals she made between her fingers stimulating the spiritual energy of the thick earth within the Underworld Prison, making the illusory image of the cave increasingly solid.

Behind the Fairy of the Green Bag stood Master Lü with his sword, Master Wang holding a pill cauldron, Master Yang holding a jade book, while True Lord Lu sat on a conch shell, casting a concerned glance at Ji Ming.

The moment the body of the Five Patriarchs and One Ruler appeared, it had already incorporated half of the Pingyu outside the Scorching Hell into the Taiping Mountain Grotto Heaven Dojo.

On the back of the black tiger, Zhao Tan chuckled lightly, his five strands of black beard twitched, and the four colored pearls on his shoulders flew up on their own. The green pearl transformed into a green dragon coiled in the east, the red pearl transformed into a vermilion bird guarding the south, the white pearl became a white tiger crouching in the west, and the black pearl became a black tortoise guarding the north. Once these four symbols were formed, another world was created directly within the Taiping Mountain Cave Heaven Daoist Temple.

"What a fine Four Symbols Yuanling Pearl!"

Master Wuling praised Zhao Tan's move, saying it was truly remarkable.

The grotto-heaven Daoist temple was originally established in Pingyu, under the pressure of the void of the underworld. The Four Symbols Primordial Spirits were also established under the dual pressure of Pingyu in the underworld and the Taiping Grotto-heaven. This alone was enough for Zhao Tan to dominate among the immortals.

Ancestor Wuling lightly tapped the rock sphere with his finger, and ripples suddenly appeared on the sphere, the sound like a bell. Where the sound wave passed, the Four Symbols Primordial Spirits that Zhao Tan had just laid out trembled slightly, and in the ripples, the cave scene covered by the Four Symbols Primordial Spirits was flipped up.

The Fairy of the Green Bag waved her whisk at the right moment, and thousands of petals fell like rain, each petal transforming into a talisman to reinforce the grotto-heaven.

Ji Ming moved swiftly, arriving amidst the assembled masters. Xuanming twin snakes dangled from his earlobes, Yangwu and Yintu adorned his shoulders, and a Yuanbi Ruyi scepter rested on his arm. Looking into Zhao Tan's deep eyes, he decided to speak first, smiling, "This humble Daoist is humbled; I did not expect the Vice Commander to come here in person." Zhao Tan stroked the tiger and nodded, saying amidst the black tiger's low howl, "My beloved steed has searched for a predestined relationship several times without success, proving quite ineffective and truly testing my patience. I originally thought Na Zhen would handle the matter properly, but seeing that you seem to value predestined relationships highly, I have come to speak with you personally."

At that moment, a bell suddenly rang out from the direction of Taiyin Tian Cave.

Although the Northern Yin Emperor did not arrive in person, the sound of the bell carried an undeniable majesty—this place was ultimately under the jurisdiction of the Underworld.

All the immortals raised their hands in a salute towards the direction of the Heavenly Cave, and the bell tolled gradually, leaving only its lingering sound, a reminder to the immortals to leave as soon as possible.

The Qingnang Ancestor rode forward in a flower boat and placed Lingxuzi in the boat. This action made Zhao Tan's thick eyebrows furrow. He understood the meaning of the Qingnang Fairy. She was preparing to leave with Lingxuzi as soon as possible if they could not reach an agreement.

I'll get straight to the point.

After Zhao Tan spoke, the Yuanbi Ruyi in Ji Ming's hand trembled violently, and the three karmic connections hidden in the golden flower at Qu Yun's neck flew out one by one.

The Azure Mane Lion, the Treasure Rat, and the Treasure Banner—the three karmic connections manifested outwards, causing a variety of expressions among the crowd. The patriarchs looked grim, as Zhao Shuai's actions were indeed domineering. However, Ji Ming wore a smile on his face, which those familiar with him knew indicated that he was extremely angry.

However, Ji Ming quickly calmed down. The three karmic connections were suspended in the void and were not immediately taken away by Zhao Shuai. Obviously, Zhao Shuai believed that his actions had already given the patriarchs of Taiping Mountain a great deal of face.

“Lingxuzi, you are a talented Taoist and a leader of the Southern Kingdom. Buddhist connections are of no benefit to you. You have also spoken about this with Caihu.”

Now, calamity lies deep within the Central Plains, and a great disaster is about to befall us, to befall us beneath rivers and lakes, and between Turtle Mountain and Snake Ridge. The Mandate of Heaven has been bestowed, and the Great Luo Purple Palace has issued a decree that I will go to summon all spirits and gather all gods to search for the source of this calamity. All those under my command have important matters to attend to and are unable to continue to negotiate with you.

"Now that you have come to surrender, please state your demands in detail, and I will grant them all."

As soon as Zhao Shuai finished speaking, Fairy Qingnang sneered and said without any politeness, "The Divine Firmament Jade Palace is truly efficient in its actions. Could it be that the same swift and decisive methods they used on demons and evil spirits have also been applied to us?"

Upon hearing the words of the Qingnang Patriarch, Ji Ming's spirits lifted. He knew that he could remain calm and composed because the patriarchs were bearing the pressure.

“I come with sincerity. Fairy, you may refuse my offer, but if you speak ill of me, even if you are the disciple of Venerable Baihe and the junior sister of True Lord Ganxiong, I can still take you down.” Zhao Tan’s words were like thunder, exploding in the primordial spirits of all the patriarchs.

Ji Ming was unharmed due to the protection of the patriarchs, but there were obvious flashes of lightning in the eyes, noses, and mouths of the three patriarchs, Lü, Wang, and Yang.

"Humph!"

Ancestor Wuling gave a light hum, and the purple-blue rock sphere beneath him drew the lightning energy from everyone's primordial spirits into the sphere.

He knew that this was the "Immortal Capital Great Mighty Thunder" refined by Zhao Tan, also known as the Thunder of the Majesty of Heaven. It was one of the ten thunders in the world, specifically designed to subdue the primordial spirit of cultivators and the invisible and divine mountain and land spirits that depend on incense and vows.

Unless True Lord Ganxiong leaves his cave, Zhao Tan, the deputy commander of Shenxiao, can suppress them with just this kind of thunder magic.

Although they have the blessing of a grotto-heaven and the confidence of a great patriarch like Gan Xiong, the greatest confidence of a cultivator ultimately comes from their own cultivation.

Ancestor Wu Ling glanced at Ling Xu Zi. As an ancestor who had been entrusted with a mission during the change of dynasties and attained enlightenment, he naturally knew how to make choices. He said to Ji Ming, "You are the future True Lord. Apart from the righteous path and the greater good, no one can force you to change your will."

If something is useful to you, don't worry about anything else; even if the Thunder God himself came from heaven, he couldn't take it by force.

(End of this chapter)