Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 376 - 268: Good Karma Must Be Rewarded, Tao Qian Possesses Transformative Powers

In the secret chamber of the Zhang Mansion, Zhang Baisui, having listened to the words of the Huang Jing Daoist, looked curiously at the statue.

It was as tall as a man, and looking at its physique and features, it was practically a replica of "Ninth Prince Zhu Qi".

But the statue's attire was much more extravagant than the black dragon robe Zhu Qi usually wore, by far more than a hundredfold.

Once the great red veil was lifted, one could only see the statue adorned with the Supreme Seven Luminaries Treasure Crown, a skirt embroidered with jade and brilliant light resembling flying clouds, complemented by the Elixir Emperor Jade Seal, and girded with the Metallurgy Flying Spirit Summoning Mountain Sword.

If others were present in this dark chamber, at this moment, they would not look at Zhang Baisui and the Huang Jing Daoist at all.

All eyes and attention would be drawn to the statue.

The treasure light was visibly moving about on the statue in strands and wisps.

Even an ignorant mortal of the Human Clan, upon seeing it, would instantly think, "This must surely be a Supreme Treasure".

If it were some knowledgeable cultivators, they would uncontrollably have greedy thoughts arise.

The material of the statue was neither gold nor jade, and certainly not bronze or plaster; no one could guess how much spiritual material treasure it would take to forge such a precious item.

Of course, as one of the creators, the Huang Jing Daoist knew.

Heavenly Immortal Dao!

Though considered heresy and heterodoxy, the Great Lifebook Scripture they cultivated was exceptionally suitable for this chaotic age.

Especially since they had garnered support from the great warlord Zhang Jiudeng, their influence had exploded.

The number of Cavernous Mystery Realm cultivators had caught up with some of the Sects with deep foundations.

Moreover, because they raised a large group of Incense Fire Pseudo Gods, not only were they well-informed, but they also excelled at gathering various treasure and spiritual materials.

"This statue is indeed a treasure that our Heavenly Immortal Dao gave up more than half of our savings to create, utilized all the power of our elites, and refined with Secret Techniques for several months before finally taking shape,"

"If it were not so, how could it deceive a strong being from the Ultimate Happiness Realm?"

"Whether 'Daoist Leader' payment of such a great price is worthwhile, one isn't sure. Although Zhang Jiudeng is absurd and ridiculous, he truly can be regarded as resourceful, a tyrant fit for these troubled times. Yet coincidentally, he only has this one idiot of a son; with such temperament and intelligence, if he truly joined the Cultivation World without Zhang Jiudeng's protection, I'm afraid he wouldn't last three days."

"An idiot is an idiot, but given that Zhang Jiudeng has only this one son, such a critical task can only be carried out by him."

"It seems I, Huang Jing, will have to take the trouble of watching over him tonight, lest any mistakes occur."

As Zhang Baisui observed the statue, Huang Jing Daoist's mind was filled with disdainful thoughts.

Although he had very little respect for the idiot Zhang Baisui, Huang Jing Daoist had a mission to fulfill, and he had to quell his irritation to begin teaching him the Blood Sacrifice Technique bit by bit.

Zhang Baisui was slow to comprehend, necessitating Huang Jing Daoist's hands-on instruction.

The old teacher taught with impatience, and the student, Zhang Baisui, learned with great difficulty.

If not for Zhang Jiudeng's strict orders, this prodigal son would have given up long ago.

During the process, the father and son had even conversed through the Mysterious Light Treasure Mirror.

Although it was somewhat cryptic, Zhang Baisui still glimpsed something wrong. Weren't his warlord father and Ninth Prince Zhu Qi in a cooperative alliance?

Why did it sound like they were planning to harm Zhu Qi with underhanded tactics?

Zhang Baisui became curious and incessantly inquired further.

Unfortunately, out of fear that he might mess things up, whether it was his father or the Huang Jing Daoist, each of them kept their lips sealed.

They simply demanded that he learn the technique well and perform the blood sacrifice throughout the night.

Thus, naturally, some displeasure arose.

Finally, when Zhang Baisui once again failed to properly refine, and when the Huang Jing Daoist could not hide the impatience and disdain on his face, a querulous voice echoed in the secret chamber, with a tone of giving up hope.

"I'm not refining anymore, I'm not refining anymore."

"This so-called Jade Emperor Origin Blood Sacrifice Technique sounds like it's not any decent technique at all, being so abstruse and difficult to understand."

"It's not as good as the Yin Yang Ascension Scripture bestowed upon me by Senior Jin Lin. Now that technique is truly powerful; I got it as soon as I started to refine it."

"Or maybe Uncle Huang Jing, you're not good at teaching; wouldn't it be better to have Senior Jin Lin teach me?"

Zhang Baisui's mention of Tao Qian would have been better left unsaid.

This mention immediately caused a pain in Huang Jing Daoist's chest.

"Damn it, that damned Snake, my Twelve-faced Heavenly Immortal Banner ah."

"If it weren't for coming to Demon City this time to carry out an important task, it wouldn't be good to provoke unnecessary complications; otherwise, I would have sent out all my Divine Spirits to round up and kill that scoundrel."

"Also, that Dragon Ball must be a good treasure."

"Once matters here conclude, I must find an opportunity to commit murder for treasure, skin that Dragon Demon and refine it into Magical Treasures, extract the Dragon Heart and Dragon Marrow to refine spiritual pills; its fat and flesh are just right for boiling down to make Dragon Oil. That Dragon Soul also needs to be extracted to refine a Dragon God, not a single bit can be wasted."

The Huang Jing Daoist's face turned fierce, and he harbored a strong intent to kill towards Tao Qian.

At the same time, he unreservedly expressed his loathing for that Dragon Demon.

He added a few biased words, attempting to sow discord between guest and host:

"Young Master, you are too naive, not knowing the malicious nature of this world, to say nothing of a Snake covered with scales and armor. Such Devils are cunning and deceitful, their approach to Young Master must be scheming for something."

"According to this old Daoist, that scoundrel must be targeting Lord of Nine Lamps."

"Now that the Residence Master is involved in a critical matter, if this can be successful this time, the Young Master may also benefit, ascending to the heavens in a single step."

"With the Young Master's talent, you should have no chance of Transcending Mortality in this life, let alone Cavernous Mystery."

"But if the Residence Master achieves the Venerable rank, with the vast territories of the Longevity Heavenly Dynasty, countless Cultivation Resources at your disposal, there might be a chance to defy the heavens and alter your fate, and perhaps even to advance to Cavernous Mystery, reach Ultimate Happiness, and even attain Daoist Transformation Realm."

"With such a significant matter at hand, Young Master, you need to be cautious in your dealings, to not trust some ulterior-motivated people easily, lest you ruin the Residence Master's big plan, and ultimately destroy your own Dao Path."

"Alright, Young Master, don't delay any further. Time is of the essence, quickly learn the technique, and refining the statue is the proper course of action."

"If it weren't for worrying that the Young Master fears pain and hardship, this old Daoist would directly use Divine Soul transmission of teachings, which would be much faster, becoming proficient in an instant."

Huang Jing Daoist said all this.

In his own view, it was tantamount to speaking earnestly and advising sincerely.

If Zhang Baisui knew better, he should realize the truth.

But he was completely unaware that in his words, apart from the strong malice and intent to kill Tao Qian, he also unconsciously revealed his contempt for Zhang Baisui.

Despite the fact that it was true.

In Ancient Qin Province, even the commoners bullied by Zhang Jiudeng felt that Zhang Baisui, the second-generation descendant, truly lacked any noteworthy talent.

The prevalent opinion was, a hero father had sired a useless sack of a son.

Because Huang Jing Daoist had played the card of his own father's grand plan to press him, Zhang Baisui, despite his dissatisfaction, couldn't show it anymore.

He was determined to prove to Zhang Jiudeng that he, the son, was also useful.

Thus, he had no choice but to contain his frustration and silently continue the refining process.

Unfortunately, the words "natural talent" were cruel and realistic.

Even with just the "Blood Sacrifice Technique," Zhang Baisui found the refining both laborious and painful.

In the initial couple of hours, he grimly persisted, but soon began looking for ways to slack off.

Like at this moment, he used the excuse of depleted mana to sit down in a corner of the secret chamber to concentrate and meditate, supposedly to recover. But in reality, he was silently communicating with Jin Xiuju using the Dual Cultivation Technique from the "Yin Yang Ascension Scripture," and thus the husband and wife began their divine communication over distance.

In this aspect, he wasn't wrong; for refining other magic skills, Zhang Baisui performed terribly.

But in the practice of Yin Yang Ascension Scripture, he excelled.

While using this technique to recover his mana, he also took the opportunity to complain profusely to his wife Jin Xiuju.

Between a married couple, there were no taboos; he spoke whatever came to mind.

Yet the speaker was unintentional, the listener took it to heart.

Jin Xiuju, a young girl who had suddenly faced the tragedy of her family being slaughtered, matured a lot mentally, fully aware that as an orphaned girl, she had little support. The only pillars she could rely on were Tao Qian and Yunrong.

Indeed, her choice was proved right, as both husband and wife were granted the "Yin Yang Ascension Scripture." Zhang Baisui gained a minor benefit, while Jin Xiuju gained considerably more; the technique shockingly matched her exceedingly well.

Feeling her mana growing within and officially stepping onto the path of cultivation, Jin Xiuju was grateful and more firmly determined to cling to those two pillars of support.

Thus, when the divine communication ended and she had heard a heap of words from her husband, she immediately sought out Tao Qian and Yunrong.

She wasn't there to betray a great secret!

Nor did she have any clue that within Zhang Baisui's litany of grumbles, there hid such a critical secret.

She sought the two just to give an early warning that someone intended to harm Tao Qian in secret.

Not long after, within a quiet room of Zhang Mansion.

After hearing a detailed report from Jin Xiuju, Tao Qian couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a peculiar expression surfacing on his face.

Without delay, he took out a colorful and radiant cloud pocket and threw it into Jin Xiuju's arms, not waiting for her refusal before saying,

"Given that I destroyed that old Daoist's Magical Treasure at the banquet, I had predicted he would hold resentment against me, but I never expected him to be so malicious to spread slander behind my back."

"Thanks to your reminder, Xiuzhu, I can prepare early."

"So I should be the one thanking you. With the inheritance of Jin Mansion, you are not lacking cultivation resources, only a suitable Protective Dharma Treasure."

"As it happens, this item, named the 'Colorful Clouds Pouch,' is something I acquired unexpectedly, suitable for female cultivators, so I shall gift it to you."

Jin Xiuju had an intention to refuse but couldn't argue against the fact that the treasure was truly remarkable.

After fiddling with it for a bit, under the persuasion from Tao Qian Yunrong, she reluctantly accepted the treasure with a myriad of thanks and departed.

...

Once Jin Xiuju had left, Tao Qian's expression shifted slightly.

The girl's revelation, like Huang Jing Daoist's malice towards him and his potential secret harm, was of no concern to Tao Qian.

What truly caused a stir within Tao Qian, having the tribulation energy and Human Dao Destiny activate spontaneously, was another sentence.

"Zhang Jiudeng has prepared a great gift for Ninth Prince Zhu Qi, a powerful Avatar class Magical Treasure called the 'Taishang Heavenly Golden Palace Venerable Saint King Statue.'"

"At the same time having his only descendant perform a Blood Sacrifice Technique for an entire night before gifting it to Zhu Qi during the treasure exhibit."

"Heh! As if there's no conspiracy or calculation behind this, who would believe it?"

Tao Qian sneered, while also feeling a bit excited.

Indeed, as karma intertwines, there will be repercussions.

Previously, he whimsically gifted Zhang Baisui and his wife a scroll of "Yin Yang Ascension Scripture," thinking of forging a good karma.

It turned out that the repayment came swiftly.

Before, he had wondered. If Huang Chong and Zhang Jiudeng were in cahoots, what would their plan be?

And now, he had a strong premonition.

Within that Saint Statue, there must be answers.

Zhang Baisui, as the Tribulation Leader, might just meet his fate here.

Tao Qian sat cross-legged at his original spot, pondering for some time, then suddenly asked the Yuan Gong Statue in his arms,

"Yuan Gong, did the predecessors of the Secret Demon Sect frequently use the 'Secret Demon Transformation Technique' to transform into various creatures, infiltrate Daoist and Buddhist Sects to cause chaos, and were hard to detect? Aside from the Human Clan, did they also transform into things like snakes, worms, rats, and ants?"

"That is natural. Before those old goats and bald donkeys caught on, us Secret Demon Cultivators had no idea how carefree we were. It was only because I didn't like going out and was too lazy to change. However, my Jiang had boasted before, saying she once turned into a rat, infiltrated the Great Freedom Temple, and devoured the precious lamp oil those monks had painstakingly refined for hundreds of years."

"Huh? You want to try transformation to eavesdrop on that little Incense Fire Evil God's plan? He isn't stupid, how could he possibly reveal his true calculations through words? At most, you'd only hear some inconsequential side details."

After hearing these words, Tao Qian suddenly smiled.

He said to himself, "No worries, I have a Sublime Dharma."

As his voice faded, Tao Qian silently willed a mosquito from outside the quiet room to him.

After observing it for a moment, he formed a seal and began casting.

Before long, a horrifying and bizarre scene unfolded within the quiet room.

Master Tao, in the flesh, actually twisted and spun around until, with a "bang" amid strange smoke, he transformed into an unremarkable mosquito.

Buzzing its wings, it leisurely left the quiet room and flew towards a secret chamber in Zhang Mansion.

ps: Second update, would appreciate some monthly tickets.