The myth begins with the Lotus Lantern

Chapter 276 Return
"Why not give it a try? Even if it doesn't work out, the result can't be any worse," Ding Lin said.

Tianpeng nodded, and with a new direction in mind, his eyes regained their sparkle.

Ding Lin stood very close, looking at Tian Peng's appearance, and suddenly began to doubt his previous judgment.

Although it hasn't been explicitly stated, this way of expressing himself and this obvious emotional outburst suggest that Tianpeng has directly handed him leverage. Is it because he feels he has Tianpeng under control and therefore has no more scruples? Or is it really as he said before, that his sudden emotional fluctuations were unintentionally influenced by the supernatural power of "Wandering Spirit and Controlling Qi"?

Ding Lin recalled the descriptions of spirit control and qi manipulation in those ancient books, feeling both skeptical and hopeless. Ultimately, he realized that he hadn't mastered it, and all his guesses were just wishful thinking.

Perhaps he misunderstood Tianpeng.

Regardless, this development has actually benefited Ding Lin. At least on the surface, he has gone from being unilaterally held hostage by his superiors to sharing a secret with them—two completely different concepts. The former makes him a dog, while the latter could barely be considered an accomplice.

Tianpeng felt hopeful again. He looked up at the crescent moon and pondered the method he had obtained from Ding Lin. Although he felt the chances of success were extremely low, it seemed to have some feasibility.

"Vice General Jin, you may go."

Tianpeng waved his hand to dismiss Ding Lin, then transformed into a streak of light and disappeared from the spot, eager to put his plan into practice.

……

Outside the temple, Xin Jia surveyed the area, but his mind was elsewhere. Given the unexpected turn of events, he could already imagine Ding Lin's fury.

“General…” Xin Jia looked at Ding Lin with some unease, “I didn’t know the Marshal would come today…” The words of explanation stuck in his throat, leaving only dejection, “This humble general has failed in his duty, please punish me, General!”

Ding Lin didn't speak. He looked at Xin Jia, his gaze seemingly carrying an invisible weight, pressing the latter's waist lower and lower.

“This is not your fault. This time, it happened so suddenly that even I was not aware of it beforehand. However, these new soldiers are not as good as the personal guards you trained. They need to be properly disciplined.” Ding Lin finally spoke.

"It is my fault for failing in my duties!" Xin Jia said as if receiving a grand imperial edict.

“The Marshal has already left,” Ding Lin looked up at the streak of light that flashed across the sky, patted Xin Jia’s shoulder, and stopped there without pressing the matter further. “I’m going to continue my cultivation. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Yes!” Xin Jia said.

Ding Lin nodded, his gaze deep, and carefully removed his golden armor before striding away.

……

One day of practice.

Ding Lin entered a deep meditation. When he opened his eyes again, it was already evening. The sun had set in the west and the moon had risen in the east.

Moonlight streamed through the window into the room, some falling on the floor and some on him, shimmering silver on his pale red official robe.

moonlight……

Ding Lin's body suddenly stiffened—he never opened the windows when he was cultivating.

Turn around.

Sure enough, a figure stood quietly in front of the window.

It was Tianpeng.

Compared to yesterday, Tianpeng looked even more melancholy and dejected.

I don't know when I arrived, nor how long I stayed.

Ding Lin could only barely sense Tian Peng when his spiritual sense was fully activated.

Last night, Tianpeng had just come by, and he subconsciously relaxed his guard. However, he did not expect that after a period of cultivation, when he woke up again, he was silently approached in front of him.

“Your aura is as awe-inspiring as an abyss or the sea,” Tianpeng turned around, his half-face, which fell into Ding Lin’s line of sight, appeared even more stern in the moonlight. “You also cultivate the Great Celestial Immortal Technique. No wonder you were able to become a Celestial Immortal.”

This straightforward tone clearly indicates that it is not a guess, but a certainty.

"marshal……"

Ding Lin lowered his head slightly, his expression somewhat unpleasant, but he had no doubt that Tianpeng also cultivated the "Great Celestial Immortal Technique," and his realm was much higher than his. In addition, he had been observing for so long and had figured out the origin of Tianpeng's technique, so it was no surprise.

"Now that you have entered the Immortal Realm and have the connection with your granddaughters, you must already possess the power of the Seventy-Two Transformations of the Earthly Fiends," Tianpeng said.

Ding Lin's pupils contracted slightly.

Tianpeng's words pointed out his powerful backer, undoubtedly a warning to him. This is likely the reason for Tianpeng's return. Love can cloud judgment; yesterday, Tianpeng was only focused on getting help from Ding Lin, revealing too much in his eagerness. Judging from his current state, he has undoubtedly been rejected again, but his mind has cleared up.

Is this to make up for yesterday's oversight?
Ding Lin's mind raced, and he remained silent for the time being.

"My cultivation is the Thirty-Six Transformations of the Heavenly Gang. Although the Heavenly Gang transformations are different from the Earthly Fiend transformations and cannot be cultivated simultaneously, they ultimately originate from the same source and have many similarities. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, I may be able to help you resolve some of your doubts," Tianpeng continued.
After the initial reprimand, the next step is to offer benefits.

This is meant to shut Ding Lin up.

"marshal……"

Ding Lin was clear-headed and insightful, but when he spoke, his voice was still unconsciously heavy and somewhat hoarse.

"Come with me," Tianpeng said.

"Yes, sir!" Ding Lin had no choice but to agree.

Two figures, one after the other, walked slowly after leaving the guardhouse. This time, Ding Lin was not wearing armor. After passing several corners, he circled around to the west courtyard of the temple, separated only by a wall. The heavenly soldiers guarding the way had probably been trained by Xin Jia during the day, and their expressions were solemn. Fortunately, they did not cause any more trouble.

At this moment, neither Tianpeng nor Dinglin would focus their attention on these heavenly soldiers.

Tianpeng crossed the main gate on the west side and entered the courtyard where he usually admired the moon.

look up.

The moonlight shines brightly.

"The moon is fullest on the sixteenth day of the lunar month. If I hadn't heard it last night, I wouldn't have remembered it at all," Tianpeng murmured, a strange light flashing in his eyes. Bathed in the moonlight, his expression was both longing and despondent. "Indeed, it is hardest to keep one's original intention. I was once a mortal, but after so many years as an immortal, I have almost forgotten it."

A night breeze blew by, lifting the hem of his dark robe.

The stars tonight are not those of last night; for whom do I stand in the wind and dew all night?

The same moonlight, but with different thoughts, looks completely different.

“Vice General Jin, today I picked a bouquet of flowers from the Milky Way, but… she still shows me no kindness.” Tianpeng said, a bitter taste spreading in his mouth. “Is the gift too insignificant, or…”

"Vice General Kim, tell me, is there absolutely no hope for me?"

"Of course you have no hope." Ding Lin thought to himself, but he couldn't possibly say it aloud. Just then, he noticed the faint encouragement and expectation in Tian Peng's eyes as he looked over.

This isn't a complaint; it's clearly someone trying to be a strategist, asking for advice.

Ding Lin realized why Tian Peng was so straightforward and direct this time compared to the last time, and why he had even tried to persuade and entice him beforehand. This was because he intended to develop Tian Peng into a long-term advisor.

Tianpeng indeed thought so. In his view, the emotions evoked by the spirit's manipulation of qi could not be faked, and Ding Lin himself was just as impure as he was. Therefore, at least in this matter, there was absolutely no way Ding Lin would betray him.

If that's the case, then he's a suitable person to confide in and discuss things with. He's been keeping it all bottled up by himself for far too long.

Furthermore, one person's plan is short-sighted, while two people's plans are long-sighted.

Ding Lin remained silent for a while.

"Marshal, since I awakened my spirit, I have spent most of my time cultivating. As for these methods of courtship, actually..." Ding Lin hesitated for a moment. Last night, he had no choice but to leave because he didn't want to get too involved. "Actually, I'm not very proficient."

“You were born into the demon race, weren’t you? When I was still a nobody, I also descended to the mortal realm to exterminate demons. Those demon kings and great demons were all surrounded by beauties, and the female demons were all dressed up and incredibly alluring. You’ve been among the beauties… don’t you understand? At least you should know more than I do,” Tianpeng’s eyes flickered, indicating his doubt. “What other methods are there for winning a woman’s heart that are suitable for use in the heavens? Tell me about them.”

"Marshal..." Ding Lin was dumbfounded. He was being accused of being a womanizer. He weakly tried to explain, "Marshal, although I was born as a great demon from the lower realm, I have always been virtuous and clean..." He stopped halfway through his sentence and did not continue to explain, because it was pointless. So he said perfunctorily, "As the saying goes, water dripping wears away stone. Persistence can carve even metal and stone. The key to everything is perseverance. Marshal, it's only been one day. It's normal that there are no results yet."

“That makes sense.” Tianpeng nodded. “Then I’ll hold out for a few more days.”

The plan has been finalized.

Tianpeng sat down at the stone table, took out a wine pot, thought for a moment, then took out two wine cups and poured a cup for Ding Lin as well.

……

Since that day, Tianpeng has come here often. At most, he would spend half of the month here, and even at the shortest time, he would stay for seven or eight days. And every time he came, he would summon Ding Lin.

The lives of the heavenly soldiers suddenly became difficult. When on duty, they no longer dared to slack off. Fortunately, there were two shifts to take turns, so they were able to keep up with their duties. Meanwhile, news of the new deputy general being highly trusted by the marshal gradually spread throughout the Heavenly River Navy.

……

The Chinese military tent.

A candle as thick as a child's arm burned, illuminating every detail in the tent. Behind the desk, Wang Yu was handling military affairs with a blank expression.

Even outside of wartime, 10,000 people would still be a huge burden.

"General, the Silver Ring Commander has arrived," a voice announced from outside the tent.

That's right, the rate is high.

Although Yin Huan was temporarily demoted, her cultivation level was still higher than that of Mana. Moreover, Tianpeng's punishment was more about making an example of her. Once the goal was achieved, the chicken was no longer important. Wang Yu made several suggestions, and seeing that Tianpeng turned a blind eye, he promoted Yin Huan back to the rank of captain. However, it was obviously out of the question for Tianpeng to become the captain of his personal guards. He could only find another position under his own command.

"Let him in." Wang Yu looked up from his desk.

"General!"

Yin Huan bowed, his face showing anxiety, and he hesitated several times before speaking.

Wang Yu glanced at him, then buried himself back in his desk.

The candlelight burned quietly.

Finally, Wang Yu raised his head again.

"General, have you heard the rumors outside?" Yin Huan finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked impatiently.

"You said it yourself, it's just a rumor. Since it's just a rumor, how can we take it seriously?" Wang Yu said expressionlessly.

"But……"

Yin Huan was extremely anxious. He had already begun to regret his rude words. Wang Yu could be indifferent because he had the Golden Immortal realm as a backup, but he couldn't. He was watching Ding Lin's status in front of Tian Peng rise rapidly, and he didn't know when he would be retaliated against.

"Don't be impatient. The sky won't fall. He's just a celestial being. He only seems to have some presence now because of the marshal's power, but it's still an illusion. His cultivation is insufficient, and in the end, he will only vanish like smoke," Wang Yu said.

“But, Uncle…” Yin Huan became increasingly agitated and spoke without thinking. Wang Yu looked up and he shut his mouth again.

"Shut up!" Wang Yu shouted. "I've always valued you because you were never swayed by these external things and knew what the foundation of one's character truly is!"

"But look at you now. You're so desperate for a deputy general position that you can't even break through to the next level. You need to know that you need cultivation to get a position!"

"You're just one step away from breaking through, but instead of figuring out how to do it, you're focusing your energy on these trivial matters. This is putting the cart before the horse; how can you achieve great things with this kind of focus?"

"Uncle is right," Yin Huan said, her forehead covered in sweat.

"You may leave!" Wang Yu said coldly. "As for that Jin Lin, since we have already made an enemy of him, we certainly cannot let him go unpunished. When the opportunity arises, we will transfer him out of the Tianpeng Divine Palace."

……

A month has passed in the blink of an eye.

It was night again, and the bright moon cast its gentle light across the courtyard.

"Earth, water, wind, and fire are the four elements. Since the creation of heaven and earth, all kinds of laws have been contained within them. The so-called seventy-two transformations of the earth are actually seventy-two mysterious ways of expression. They are interconnected and secretly linked. Every eighteen mysterious things can be combined to form a law. The seventy-two transformations are the path of the synthesis of the four laws."

In the courtyard, Tianpeng spoke eloquently.

"When you are cultivating, do you sometimes feel that the profound mysteries are interconnected, and sometimes you feel that you are going in the opposite direction and have nothing to do with each other? This is because the paths are different."

"Once you understand this principle, you will be able to distinguish the four types of mysteries yourself, so there is no need to elaborate further."

"Then, Marshal, where should I begin?" Ding Linfa asked.

"Dragons are associated with water. Since you have a dragon body to rely on, you should first cultivate the laws of water. This may make your efforts twice as effective. You can start by comprehending the most profound mysteries of water. From there, you can expand from a single point to the whole. Do not think that just because the eighteen paths are interconnected, you can achieve instant enlightenment and directly comprehend the laws. You must know that human strength is limited. In cultivation, it is especially important to avoid being impatient for quick success. You should proceed slowly."

"Just like the Thirty-Six Transformations of the Heavenly Gang that I cultivate, each transformation contains countless laws. When I first started cultivating, I only chose the one that resonated with me the most to comprehend, never getting distracted by the others. After comprehending one law, I would switch to another transformation."

"My senior brother once advised me that if one's aptitude is insufficient, one should 'not be greedy and act according to one's ability.' He once told me that even if one only comprehends one law in each of the thirty-six transformations, there are still thirty-six in total. Once one has mastered them all, one will not be considered weak even among the Taiyi Scattered Numbers."

"Now I will tell you that there are seventy-two transformations, four laws, and seventy-two mysteries. If you can comprehend eighteen of them, it will be enough to combine them into a law and meet the requirements for becoming a Golden Immortal."

“And the eighteen profound mysteries, even if you comprehend them one by one, will not be much slower than a sudden enlightenment. Moreover, each step is solid and steady, which is more reliable and long-lasting. Compared to the method of cultivation, attitude determines how far you can go in the future,” Tianpeng said.

Ding Lin listened intently. Of course, he wouldn't cultivate the Seventy-Two Transformations of Earthly Fiends. His real target was the fragmented information about the Thirty-Six Transformations of Heavenly Dipper that Tianpeng occasionally interspersed in his words.

(End of this chapter)