Chapter 436: Chapter 154 The Great Venerable is Not at Home
"Illusion?" Jiang Li muttered quietly, recalling the dragon shadow he had seen before.
If he had not guessed incorrectly, that dragon shadow was indeed the Coiling Peak Dragon he was now observing.
Gongsun Yuanxi even knew that the dragon was merely an illusion, which indicated that she had done her homework beforehand. She must have done more than just watch the occurrence at Wushan from a distance.
Most likely, she or her people had actually ventured into Wushan.
’Indeed, if she hadn’t noticed my abnormalities, this woman would have intended to sneak in here alone...’
Thinking this, Gongsun Yuanxi probably knew quite a bit, after all, she was not someone who acted recklessly.
Just then, there seemed to be activity at the top of that distant mountain peak. In the sky, a gaze that seemed almost tangible cast down, as if a great eye had been conjured in Jiang Li’s mind, or rather, that eye was projected into his Sea of Consciousness.
Like a reflection on water, Jiang Li’s consciousness now reflected the giant eye spontaneously.
Its pupil was vertical, carrying an ancient and limitless majesty, seemingly penetrating all of Jiang Li, causing fluctuations in his blood, Qi Mechanism, and Divine Sense, and even his Qi Shu began to manifest spontaneously.
At the same time, the wind sounded within Wushan, and a Qi Mechanism was rapidly approaching.
"Change your form to look like Feng Ziyang," Gongsun Yuanxi suddenly instructed through a mental message.
’The Second Senior Brother has been exposed, too?’
Jiang Li was beginning to suspect that the Fengs were in deep trouble.
However, this was good news for Jiang Li, at least for now.
The more Gongsun Yuanxi knew, the safer the mission would be.
Almost without thinking, he began to employ the techniques of the Yin Talisman Scripture, and mysterious talismans appeared from his seven orifices, with a mist enveloping his face. Suddenly, his appearance blur, and transformed into that of Feng Ziyang, even adjusting his height to match the figure he recalled perfectly.
The Great Circle Sword materialized by his side, transformed into a sheathed longsword held in his left hand.
That tangible gaze had also provoked the manifestation of his Qi Shu, and a surge of green energy arose, brimming with ancientness akin to the eternal sky, manifesting a shadow.
As this shadow appeared, the majesty brought by the gaze receded like the tide, and the dragon eye in his Sea of Consciousness gradually dissipated.
At the same time, a gust of wind swept over, and a pair of wings fluttered slowly, enshrouding a peculiar figure.
Its lower body was that of a horse with tiger-like stripes, while its upper body was human, with a pair of wings growing from its back.
It looked bizarre yet exuded an invisible majesty.
According to Jiang Li’s knowledge, cultivators on the high ranks of the Divine Path naturally exude an intangible authority without needing to deliberately radiate their presence, and this person must be a Divine Dao cultivator.
"It’s Ying Zhao."
Still holding Jiang Li’s hand, Gongsun Yuanxi secretively communicated, "This person is a Fourth-Grade Expert."
Ancient texts say, "In Huaijiang Mountain, Ying Zhao holds sway. Patrols the Four Seas, wings swift as the flash of time. Equal with the Emperor, revered as the Mysterious Garden."
Legend had it that Ying Zhao was the Heavenly Emperor’s garden guard, which might not sound particularly formidable. However, this garden guard had once been a part of the hunt for Xiang Liu and, in terms of Grade, was not inferior to Xiang Liu at all—that is to say, Fourth-Rank!
Jiang Li collected his thoughts and applied a layer of disguise using the Moluo Sword Manual, revealing a demeanor identical to Feng Ziyang.
He looked just like the real Feng Ziyang and could easily be mistaken for him.
Elsewhere, Ying Zhao saw Jiang Li, drew its wings together, and the massive figure quickly shrank, assuming human size in a blink of an eye.
Dressed in a simple blue robe with hair cascading down, his face was sharp and chiseled, exuding firm determination.
"So Witch Di has returned."
Ying Zhao paid no heed to Gongsun Yuanxi as if she were invisible, and slightly bowed to Jiang Li, placing his right hand over his heart, his left hand fluidly extending in a unique gesture that aligned parallel to the ground.
"With the Taiping Sect at odds with our Sect and the Great Venerable away from the mountain, Ying Zhao has grown overly sensitive and perhaps caused disturbances, for which I hope Witch Di will forgive," said Ying Zhao slowly, with utmost respect, bearing no resemblance to a Fourth-Grade Expert but rather like a butler greeting the return of his master.
The Great Venerable away from the mountain?
It had to be said that was excellent news; Jiang Li did not have to worry about facing one of the most potent Supreme beings in the world.
While he had made an agreement with Feng Manlou, whether Feng Manlou could represent the Feng family was still uncertain, and considering the inscrutability of the Great Venerable, not having to face him was an incredibly favorable turn of events.
However, this also raised new doubts.
Making a pact with Feng Manlou had granted Jiang Li such great conveniences and even a share in the Feng family’s Qi Shu, which highlighted Feng Manlou’s standing within the Feng Family, especially now that the Great Venerable was away...
Jiang Li’s mind swirled with myriad thoughts.
The doubtful man instantly made an association.
Had the timing not been off, he would have even asked a certain Mistress to perform a divination.
His mind was filled with thoughts, but on the surface, Jiang Li maintained his composure, using Feng Ziyang’s unique three-character phrases habitually, enunciating with a rise and fall in his tone, "No matter."
"Move forward, up the steps," Gongsun Yuanxi instructed.
She was still holding Jiang Li’s hand. Although they weren’t tightly interlocked, the intimacy was evident. At the same time, she transmitted her guidance through a secret voice message, directing Jiang Li’s movements.
It seemed that Gongsun Yuanxi was very familiar with the situation in Wushan.
As this doubt surfaced in his mind, Gongsun Yuanxi spoke as if she were a prophet, "Your second senior brother Feng Ziyang is also a member of the Feng family. He has hidden himself well, but your master’s perceptive eyes still saw through his facade. After several tests, using the Ethereal Illusion Realm to peek into Feng Ziyang’s dreams, with your master’s wisdom, grasping the general circumstances of Wushan was not an issue."
"However, the real secrets are hidden deep within Feng Ziyang’s consciousness and never appear in his dreams. To avoid alarming him as well as the Great Venerable, your master did not investigate forcibly."
"Right, do not let go of my hand. Using your Qi Shu to conceal my form will make it harder for the Great Venerable’s Dharma Manifestation to detect me."
Good, Tianxuan truly did not disappoint Jiang Li; she didn’t come unprepared.
Yet such self-praising words were quite amusing.
’Surprisingly, she also has moments of vanity...’ someone humorously sneered inwardly without pressing the matter.
As they spoke, the two proceeded forward, with Ying Zhao falling half a step behind to the left, the trio ascending the spacious stone steps.
The stone steps were ten zhang wide, ample enough for dozens of people to walk side by side. Dense forests flanked both sides, home to various birds and beasts, with creatures scurrying about, occasionally stopping to gaze inquisitively at the figures on the steps.
’They actually possess Spiritual Wisdom,’ Jiang Li marveled internally.
These could already be considered demons.
Theoretically, to awaken Spiritual Wisdom, one must first intake spiritual mechanism and refine Qi from it, nourishing the spirit with Qi, and after the Divine Sense has grown to a certain extent, Spiritual Wisdom will naturally increase.
Xiao Tian was of this type, raised by the Kunxu Immortal Palace and turned into a demon.
Yet the beasts in the mountains were different; they evidently did not intake spiritual mechanism, nor did they have Essence Qi within them, but they already possessed Spiritual Wisdom.
This meant they could, like humans, strengthen themselves through Refining Essence into Qi and then ascend step by step through Dao Fruit.
’How did the Great Venerable manage this?’ Jiang Li was filled with doubts.
Awakening Spiritual Wisdom is simple, just providing enough Essence Qi suffices, and before the End of Dharma, there were special Secret Techniques to awaken intelligence. However, such methods would leave traces of Essence Qi behind, enabling the beasts to master the techniques of Qi Refinement.
Yet these beasts possessed Spiritual Wisdom without the knowledge of cultivation, just like ordinary folk.
This trip to Wushan was indeed an eye-opener for Jiang Li.
As they ascended, various houses and palaces of different styles faintly came into view, with Divine Sense probing from within and some people even coming out, gazing from afar at the figures on the steps.
To the left and right of the stone steps, however, faint light screens emerged, blocking outsiders’ Divine Sense and even making Jiang Li’s form appear hazy to the others’ sight.
This was undoubtedly to ensure the secrecy of "Feng Ziyang’s" identity, which also facilitated Jiang Li’s disguise.
Because this way, Feng Ziyang would not have many acquaintances within Wushan, and there would be no need for him to interact with others.
After climbing several hundred steps, a mountain gate similar to a tower gate appeared ahead, with stone statues of enlightened beasts crouching on its sides. Beyond the gate lay a vast square, surrounded by clusters of ancient-looking halls and pavilions, unlike the modern architectural fashion, with soaring eaves and arches brimming with a primitive aura.
Judging from the buildings alone, this place did not resemble the notorious Devil God Sect but rather appeared to be some hidden sect.
Upon reaching this place, Coiling Dragon Mountain became clearer. On the towering mountain peak, the red body of the dragon was inset with scales the size of millstones, with occasional clouds drifting by. Merely observing it was enough to invoke a powerful sense of awe.
Jiang Li’s gaze shifted slightly towards Gongsun Yuanxi, visible only to him, seeking her strategy.
— What’s our next move?
— Also, where could we possibly find the Sealing Technique?
He needed to know these things; they couldn’t just blindly search, could they?
"Head to the Taihao Hall closest to the Candle Dragon Dharma Form," Gongsun Yuanxi transmitted back, "It’s a crucial place. If your master is not mistaken, the Demon Refining Pot should be there. If you don’t find the Great Venerable’s method in the Taihao Hall, then try to steal the Demon Refining Pot of the Feng family and make the Great Venerable come to exchange it."
Good, Tianxuan was still reliable. It was just that as the target grew ever larger, it became somewhat nerve-wracking.
Even Jiang Li, who didn’t know the Feng family’s secrets, had heard of the Demon Refining Pot’s reputation.
This artifact was most likely related to the Wa Emperor, so one could imagine its importance and power.
Considering the ginseng fruit tree was a Second Grade Dao Artifact, the Demon Refining Pot was probably also of the Second Grade, or perhaps even higher.
At this point, Jiang Li even suspected that Gongsun Yuanxi had never intended to find the Sealing Technique right from the start. After all, such Magic Doors were not easily located, and even peering into Feng Ziyang’s dreams might not suffice.
But, the Demon Refining Pot was a tangible goal, and possessing it would undoubtedly be useful. Whether for negotiating with the Great Venerable or for personal use, it would serve a purpose.
If it could be utilized, trading it for a mere Sealing Technique would be considered a loss.