An hour later, Yue Chan fell into a deep sleep, while Zheng Yi closed his eyes, focusing his entire spirit on the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.

As expected, a series of clear characters appeared once again on the mirror’s surface.

[Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, lifespan +17;]

[Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, learned “Nanyue Gu Technique”;]

[Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, wood attribute spirit root +8;]

[Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, earth attribute spirit root +2.]

[Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, magical power +10.]

[Absorbing Yin Qi, magical power +1.]

[Absorbing Yin Qi, “Nanyue Gu Technique” +1.]

This time, the rewards Zheng Yi received from Yue Chan were even more abundant!

Spirit roots!

“Nanyue Gu Technique”!

Yue Chan also possessed dual attribute spirit roots, among which the wood attribute was likely the highest, and the first dual cultivation surprisingly granted Zheng Yi 8 points of wood attribute spirit roots.

As for the Nanyue Gu Technique, it is one of the cultivation techniques passed down through generations by the Nanyue Race.

This technique records how to absorb spiritual Qi into the body and then convert it into magical power.

It also contains numerous methods on how to refine and control spirit gu.

Unfortunately, in Zheng Yi’s view, the grade of this cultivation technique is not very high.

After all, the people of the Nanyue Race were previously merely insect servants of the Mayfly Sect.

Moreover, the Nanyue Gu Technique he acquired from Yue Chan only provided magical power, not the true Nanyue Gu Technique.

This is also why he is eager to find a cultivation technique.

He needs a cultivation technique of his own, starting from the beginning and cultivating it thoroughly.

As for Taiyii Dao’s “Vitality Purple Mist Technique”…

Zhao Xizheng has already checked and found no spirit roots on him, and when he asked to borrow the “Vitality Purple Mist Technique,” whether he would give it is another matter.

What if Zhao Xizheng discovered his secret, then what?

The method to grant mortals cultivation abilities is something that anyone would covet.

Zheng Yi dared not place his safety and life in the unreliable familial and sectarian feelings of Zhao Xizheng.

However, there’s no need to rush; Zhao Xizheng’s cultivation is only at the Late-stage Qi Cultivation.

According to him, the lifespan of a Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivator is around a hundred and some years.

He is already one hundred and sixty years old, on the verge of death, with only a few years left to live.

Even with continuous cultivation of health techniques and searching for methods to extend life, he cannot go against the natural order.

When he dies, Zheng Yi will have no problem cultivating then.

With a thought, lines of words appeared once more on the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.

An hour later, Cui Xiabing fell into a deep sleep, while Zheng Yi closed his eyes, focusing his entire spirit on the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.

Sure enough, a series of clear characters appeared once again on the mirror’s surface.

[Life Master: Zheng Yi]

[Talent: Yin Yang]

[Lifespan: 26/5668]

[Spirit Roots: Water (Lower Grade 86/100), Earth (Lower Grade 36/100), Wood (Lower Grade 8/100)]

[Magical Power: 89/100]

[Overall Strength: Early-stage Innate]

[Innate Spiritual Energy Progress (Tier One): 5/10]

After more than half a year of dual cultivation with Cui Xiabing, his progress was still slow, remaining at the Early-stage Innate level.

Moreover, the quality of his water and earth dual spirit roots grew very slowly.

Several factors contributed to this; apart from needing to favor other women to increase lifespan, he also had to appease other consorts.

Most importantly, dual cultivation with Cui Xiabing did not always yield rewards!

Even with ordinary women, he could always gain corresponding cultivation techniques or enhanced constitutions from dual cultivation with female martial artists.

He speculated that whether he could receive rewards from Cui Xiabing depended on the state, emotional level, and even the timing, geographical position, and astrological factors at the time.

He had to explore these circumstances slowly.

However, he was not too worried; if one Cui Xiabing didn’t work, he’d find ten.

If ten were not enough, he’d find a hundred! Or a thousand!

Someday, he would enhance his spirit root quality to top grade or even celestial grade!

Following this, Zheng Yi spent his time in the harem,

engaging in dual cultivation with many consorts night and day, while keeping track of the movements of the Great Yu.

Especially towards Nanyue County.

He had already dispatched over a hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards to Nanyue County, striving to uncover Xu Xuanwu’s real intentions.

In the Martial World of the south, there were responses to the two Holy Decrees he issued earlier.

Elder Fayuan of the Tianlong Temple immediately agreed to head to the Capital City upon receiving the Holy Decree.

After handing over all temple affairs to his junior brother Fa Hai, he led a group of Tianlong Temple monks to the Capital City to promote the Buddhist Dharma.

The Great Yu established the nation through martial strength; in the early days, gaining full support from Taiyii Dao and Dragon and Tiger Mountain, establishing itself as the national religion of Great Yu.

Buddhism, however, is a foreign faith, and over the years, it has only preached in the south of the Great Yu and has struggled to penetrate the northern regions.

Now, unexpectedly blessed with the Emperor’s Holy Decree to enter the Capital City to hold the Water and Land Dharma Assembly, it is an immense opportunity for the Celestial Dragon Sect.

Thus, upon hearing the news, Fayuan immediately set out for the Capital City!

Another southern Martial Arts force, the Tuoba family from Yunmeng Marsh, however, never responded.

It was like throwing a stone into the sea; even the Embroidered Uniform Guard delivering the decree disappeared without a trace before entering Yunmeng Marsh.

No one knows if they are lost or detained by the Tuoba Family.

At this time, the southern martial world fell silent!

6th Year of Zhengyong, May 15.

Under Elder Fayuan’s leadership, the Tianlong Temple rushed to the Capital City overnight.

All along the way, amazingly stepping on lotus flowers appeared at every step, a natural fragrance emerged, a Buddha’s light shone everywhere, and a vast Buddhist sound echoed.

Countless men and women followers trailed behind, palms together, faces like bodhisattvas, eyes filled with fervor.

When entering the city gates, ordinary soldiers were already captivated, and some even subconsciously knelt, chanting the Buddha’s name.

Fayuan entered the Capital City and immediately became the focus of everyone in the area.

Countless devout men and women, along with curious commoners, crowded both sides of the street; in an instant, it was a sea of people, emptying the alleys.

In the end, they even mobilized the Imperial Guards to maintain order, allowing Fayuan and his group to walk normally.

Fayuan, holding a Zen staff, clad in golden kasaya, wearing a Pilu hat, with lowered eyes and serene expression, walked silently with compassion in his eyes.

“Thus have I heard. Once the Buddha was in Toli Heaven, preaching to his mother. At that time, the countless worlds in all directions, inexpressible, all the Buddhas…”

The deep Buddhist chant resonated, causing the surrounding people’s ears to instantly be filled with a deep echo; dizzy and confused, they knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, chanting the name of the Buddha.

Fayuan continued chanting scriptures as he walked along, with people kneeling all the way.

This left the numerous Imperial Guards, Military Department soldiers, and Embroidered Uniform Guards exchanging glances, looking tense.

From the Capital City all the way to the main gate of the Imperial City, countless commoners and believers knelt along the route, which was no less than a miracle.

At the gate of the Imperial City, Zhao Suling, dressed in a purple robe, had an extremely unpleasant expression at this moment.

The Fayuan of Tianlong Temple dared to be so bold!

In the Capital City, brazenly propagating the Buddhist Dharma.

Moreover, from his perspective, this Fayuan was not making people believe in Buddhism through Buddhist Dharma, but using the Spiritual Secret Art of an Innate Realm expert to incite the commoners to worship him.

Could it be… this person, like the grand ancestor, is also a cultivator?!

What the commoners heard from Fayuan’s mouth were voices of endless Buddhas, utmost virtue and beauty, and Western Bliss Heaven.

But to Zhao Suling’s ears, it was all “Believe in me, believe in me, those who believe in me will gain eternal life,” a voice of incitement.

He took a deep breath, gathered all his strength, and immediately shouted: “By Holy Decree!”

The thunderous voice of the dragon shook, instantly waking up the surrounding people, who exchanged glances and quickly stood up, looking at themselves kneeling on the ground.

Fayuan, whose scheme was thwarted, was not annoyed at all, instead, he calmly looked towards Zhao Suling.

“Daoist friend, this poor monk Fayuan, greets you.”

Zhao Suling gently nodded and opened the holy decree in his hand: “By Holy Decree!”

“Master Fayuan of Tianlong Temple, the journey must have been hard. Please temporarily stay at Yanta Temple in the southern city and hold the Water and Land Dharma Assembly on a chosen date!”

“This poor monk receives the decree.”

Fayuan slightly bowed his head and said, “Might this poor monk request an audience with Your Majesty?”

“Master, His Majesty did not say to summon you, please proceed.”

“The Buddha spoke, ‘All things are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, like dew and lightning, thus should they be observed…’

A deep Buddhist chant rang out again, and Fayuan subconsciously glanced at the great building within the Imperial Palace behind Zhao Suling, then turned and left.

As the Buddhist chant rose again, the people who had stood up or were either watching the excitement or leaving suddenly paused and knelt down again.

Seeing this, Zhao Suling’s face turned even more unsightly as he swiftly returned to the Imperial Palace to seek an audience at Baiyu City.

At Baiyu City, Zheng Yi was holding a new telescope produced by the Ministry of Industry, looking at the departing figure of Fayuan.

This telescope was the third batch of improved products from the Ministry of Industry, allowing easy viewing of objects three hundred meters away.

Apart from a batch sent to the Imperial Palace, the remaining telescopes had been distributed to various armies to enhance their reconnaissance capabilities.

“Fayuan, Fayuan, interesting, so conspicuous.”

Zheng Yi murmured to himself: “It seems this person has no intention of treason, only wanting to spread Buddhist Dharma.”

“Or perhaps, to incite others?”

“Your Majesty, Daoist Zhao Suling requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

“Yes!”

Soon, Zhao Suling walked in, bowing and saying, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“No need for formalities, True Person.”

Zheng Yi put away the telescope and asked, “What is your assessment of this Fayuan?”

“Your Majesty!”

Zhao Suling immediately responded: “This person is undoubtedly a demon monk, using an Innate Spiritual Secret Art to incite commoners. If allowed to spread Buddhist Dharma in the Capital freely, it will inevitably lead the commoners to worship and believe.”

“By then, the commoners in the Capital will be uncontrollable, and will be incited by demons!”

“Demons?”

Zheng Yi mused, “Do you think this person could be a cultivator?”

“A cultivator!”

Zhao Suling suddenly looked up, his thoughts spinning, recalling the differences between his master and Fayuan, hesitatingly said: “It is possible!”

“My master once said that cultivators can produce divine sense, observe the world through it, and obtain worldly truths; this is the essence of ‘Cultivation’.

“A cultivator’s divine sense can not only introspect, observe spiritual energy, search the world, and manipulate magical artifacts but also induce illusions and incite others.”

“There are even special techniques specifically for cultivating divine sense, the stronger it is, the more advantageous in battles with other cultivators.”

“This Fayuan must be an expert in the Divine Sense Secret Technique.”

“Otherwise, as a newly advanced Innate expert, he would not have cultivated such powerful Spiritual Secret Techniques!”

“A cultivator, is it…”

Zheng Yi smiled faintly: “Unexpectedly, my unwitting action has uncovered a cultivator.”

“Do you think this person poses a threat to me?”

Zhao Suling hesitated for a moment and said: “Your Majesty, I cannot perceive this matter clearly.”

“After all, cultivators are eccentric; some like my master are indifferent to worldly matters, while others like Fire Spirit are proud and good at battle.”

“I cannot see through Fayuan!”

“But judging by his current actions, he does not seem to pose a threat to Your Majesty.”

Zheng Yi nodded slightly: “I think so too. True Person Zhao, I’ll leave this Fayuan to you.”

“Your Majesty?”

“I will not see him for the time being. All matters concerning him in the Capital shall be arranged by you.”

Zheng Yi instructed: “He can go wherever he wants, hold the Water and Land Dharma Assembly whenever he wants, as long as he does not harm the commoners of the Capital.”

“Yes!”

“Also, I have something you need to carry with you to test Fayuan’s reaction for me.”

Zhao Suling asked curiously: “Might Your Majesty tell me what it is?”

Zheng Yi did not answer but extended his hand, a tiny insect looking as exquisite as a jade pendant quickly crawled out, showing off in front of Zhao Suling.

At first, Zhao Suling was confused, but soon realized after a few moments.

“This, this… a Spirit Insect?!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep