noveltune Chapter 24 Preaching and Instructing: Good Deeds Must Be Repaid
Chapter 24 Preaching and Instructing: Good Deeds Must Be Repaid
The Mirror Realm, though devoid of sunlight, still has a distinction between day and night.
The daylight would dim and then brighten again, repeating this cycle until three days had passed quickly.
Under Jiang Jun's guidance, Cai Liang finally anchored his own sea of consciousness and sketched the phantom of a lotus seedpod within it, thus entering the realm of "Pure Lotus".
"Teacher, why do we use the 'Pure Lotus' from the Department of Mystic Arts as the first visualization in our method of warding off evil spirits?"
Cai Liang couldn't hold back any longer and asked the question.
Jiang Jun remained calm and composed: "The path of cultivating to suppress things is still in its infancy, so we should learn from others' strengths and adapt them for our own use."
"The cultivation method of the Divine Realm has undergone many revisions and is the most suitable for laying a foundation. Why can't I borrow it?"
Cai Liang thought about it and agreed that it made sense, then asked, "After the 'Pure Lotus,' will the second stage also use the 'Stone Guardian'?"
Jiang Jun decisively shook his head: "The difference between Yin Qi and True Qi begins from this step. After you have perfected the 'Pure Lotus,' I will pass on a visualization diagram."
This wasn't him bragging. Although he hadn't been contemplating the "Shi Gandang" for long, under the influence of its power, he had already broken free from conventions and developed a unique style.
It will take Cai Liang about two to three months to refine the "Pure Lotus". By then, Jiang Jun's new visualization, which he revised based on the "Shi Gandang", should also be complete.
He didn't want to elaborate on this matter, lest he reveal his true skill level. He coughed lightly and said, "Now that you've grasped the basics of visualization, your cultivation will temporarily come to a halt. Come with me on a journey through this strange realm."
Cai Liang quickly packed away the three sets of talismans and followed Jiang Jun out the door.
For the past three days, Jiang Jun had gone out from time to time and had managed to wipe out a group of scattered and roaming monsters. He had also planned his trip for today.
Upon entering the realm of ghosts, the location is randomized. Jiang Jun rarely visits Qixia Lake, so naturally he wants to hunt as many blue fish ghost children as possible.
The two traveled straight to the depths of Qixia Lake.
Suddenly, the entire Qixia Lake trembled violently, constantly shifting between reality and illusion.
Cai Liang was utterly shocked: "Teacher, this..."
Jiang Jun was also startled, but quickly recovered: "Don't panic, don't move! This is the Mirror Realm resetting the scene!"
The Mirror Realm resets every seven days. If you happen to be there during this period, there will be no negative impact as long as you don't take any rash actions.
With a crisp "crack," the entire Qixia Lake shattered into fragments, scattering everywhere, presenting a bizarre and wondrous scene before their eyes.
Jiang Jun stared intently at the shattered reflection, and through it, he glimpsed a deeper, more real terror.
It was a land devoid of light, where a colossal, indescribable creature dwelled.
The giant creature seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep, with a stone guardian above its head and its body wrapped in golden rune chains.
With each breath, wisps of breath, seemingly real yet illusory, overflow from the mouth and nose, creating all sorts of fantastical and bizarre scenes.
Before he could examine it closely, the whole world suddenly shook violently, and then returned to normal in the next instant.
In the past few days, the reed marshes that were burned down by Jiang Jun's sweeping away of the strange creatures have also regenerated.
The once gloomy and eerie world seemed to have been washed clean by the new rain, becoming much clearer, though it was still shrouded in a gray haze, unable to see the light of day.
Jiang Jun's voice deepened slightly as he asked Cai Liang, "Did you see it just now?"
Cai Liang looked somewhat bewildered: "Huh?"
Jiang Jun shook his head: "It's nothing, let's keep going..."
The reset of the Ghost Realm was just a minor incident. The master and apprentice continued their journey deeper into Qixia Lake.
Along the way, if they encounter any skirmish-level monsters, Jiang Jun will severely injure them so that Cai Liang can use them for actual combat.
With the visualization diagram protecting his sea of consciousness, Cai Liang was not easily swayed by the demonic energy. He also had the power of suppressing objects to protect his body, making him difficult to be corrupted by the evil energy. He was able to fight the dying monster to a standstill.
This again demonstrates the advantages of the method of suppressing things.
With the blessing of the power of suppressing objects, it can nourish the physical body and enhance physical strength.
In contrast, the Way of the Strange Things involves the erosion of the master by strange energy during fusion, and also consumes essence and blood when used. Without secret medicine to replenish the losses, shortening one's lifespan is the least of one's worries.
Suddenly, a commotion arose ahead.
Jiang Jun snapped his fingers and annihilated the tormented monster, then signaled Cai Liang to use the "Ghostly Prohibition" spell to protect himself and weaken his own presence.
"Let's go! Let's go take a look."
Beyond the dense reeds, two groups of demon tamers were facing off, with the corpse of a blue fish demon child lying between them.
One side consisted of an old man and a young man, both dressed in yellow Taoist robes. The old man had his hair tied in a Taoist bun with a bamboo sword in his hair; the young man was fourteen or fifteen years old, with a crew cut and wearing glasses.
On the other side were three burly men, dressed in floral shirts, beach shorts, and flip-flops, with blue dragons tattooed on their arms; they did not look like good people.
Jiang Jun observed secretly and quickly determined that, apart from the boy who was at the Fusion Realm, the other four were all at the Refinement Realm.
Among them, the old Taoist priest and the burly man at the head of the group, judging from their aura, were already close to the perfection of the Refining Realm.
The young Taoist priest angrily exclaimed, "You Azure Dragon Society are bullying us! We were the ones who discovered this strange child, and it was about to be killed when you suddenly appeared and stole the monster!"
The burly man at the head of the group, a reed stalk dangling from his mouth, said slowly, "Heh, evil spirits and monsters deserve to be killed by everyone. Now that we've landed the fatal blow, this is our spoils. You can report us to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, we're not afraid!"
"You!" The young Taoist priest was so angry that his face turned red. The strange object in his hand glowed with an eerie light, and he was about to rush forward and fight to the death.
"Dingxuan, don't fall for his trick..." The old Taoist gently patted his shoulder. "He just wants to provoke you. If it really comes down to a fight, we're no match for him."
The three opponents were all at the Refinement Realm. Although he wasn't afraid, he was accompanied by a disciple at the Fusion Realm, so he knew he wouldn't come out on top in a fight.
"Hey! Good thing the old man knows what's good for him." Another burly man raised his head. "Keep an eye on this brat. He's so impulsive. It wouldn't be good if he ended up dead in the street one day."
A flash of anger crossed the old Taoist's eyes. He said in a deep voice, "You're targeting us like this, surely it's because of this strange child? What are your conditions? Name them!"
"Great!" The burly man clapped his hands. "My boss has his eye on your dilapidated Taoist temple and is willing to pay some money to buy it. If you know what's good for you, hurry up and sign the papers and move out. Everyone'll be happy!"
The old Taoist priest clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white: "Our Qingzhu Temple is a branch of Maoshan. Aren't you afraid of the wrath of the main branch of Maoshan by forcibly seizing our property?"
"Hahaha!" The three burly men laughed so hard they were doubled over. "You think it's still ten years ago, when extraordinary beings were rare and Maoshan reigned supreme?"
"When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down. Maoshan hasn't even developed any extraordinary inheritances yet, and even its sect leader has surrendered to the Bureau of Divine Wonders. How could they possibly have the time to care about you shrimp soldiers and crab generals?"
Upon hearing this, both the old man and the young man were speechless, even though their eyes were blazing with anger.
"Qingzhu Temple?" Jiang Jun raised an eyebrow, vaguely remembering it.
Seeing his interest, Cai Liang lowered his voice and said, "It's a small Taoist temple in Cangyun District. They're usually very charitable. Families in need can come for a vegetarian meal, and they never charge them..."
Jiang Jun remembered.
My parents once said that when they were in the orphanage, they were often bullied by the older children and didn't get enough to eat, so they would sneak off to Qingzhu Temple to freeload.
The Taoist priests in the temple never asked many questions; when they saw the child arrive, they would simply add an extra bowl and chopsticks.
"Since there is such a good connection, we cannot sit idly by."