Chapter 197: Enlightenment

“Immortal Dao… Human Dao… The Great Thousand Worlds… Heavenly Master… Earth Immortal…”

Inside the quiet chamber, Wu Ming sat cross-legged in meditation, the illusory image of the Main Temple appearing within his consciousness. Through that faint, mysterious connection, he began to sense a vast and profoundly mysterious realm.

As the Master Deity Controller, having established a slight connection with the Main Temple, Wu Ming used this link to contemplate the light of transcendence within the Main Temple, as well as the concept of the Great Liberation.

Although his current cultivation level was still low and he couldn’t grasp the full picture, merely remembering this sensation made him feel his Dao cultivation had greatly advanced.

“The Main Temple itself is an inconceivable existence… contemplating its vastness, even just a trace of its aura, is immensely beneficial to me!”

After a long while, Wu Ming opened his eyes, his aura having changed once again, as if encompassing the heavens and earth, embracing all phenomena.

“At the peak of Human Immortal, having fully grasped the Dao of Heavenly Master, my Dao cultivation has reached its foundation. What remains is merely the accumulation of merit…”

Wu Ming had a premonition that if he continued to contemplate like this, perhaps in just a hundred years, he could rise to great heights. Relying on the Human Immortal Volume of the “Yellow Court Secret Classic” as his foundation, he could directly deduce the Earth Immortal Volume!

“As the Master Deity Controller, perhaps this slight connection and insight are the true value…”

Wu Ming remained silent for a long time, then sighed, “Unfortunately, Human Immortals only live two hundred years. A hundred years is too long. I must seize every moment!”

“Has my younger brother finished his retreat?”

As he stepped out of the chamber, Wu Qing seemed to have been waiting for him: “Try these pastries your elder sister made!”

The pastries were osmanthus cakes, fragrant and delicate, melting in the mouth, especially delicious when paired with tea.

“Today is indeed a fortunate day!”

Wu Ming smiled and slowly enjoyed them, while Wu Qing continued talking beside him:

“Also, that Zhou Yuanzhen has already confessed. Just threatening to shatter his Yuan Shen scared him witless. Truly, this old Daoist has no courage!”

“Only insects fail to appreciate the value of life. He, however, has reached the Yuan Shen level, possessing a lifespan of two hundred years, and his Yuan Shen remains conscious even after death. He has already glimpsed the threshold of immortality. How could he bear to die?”

Wu Ming smiled: “He confessed everything?”

“Yes! He wrote down all intelligence regarding Lord Ding, as well as the secret cultivation manual he practiced, and even the Nightmare Suppression Techniques!”

Wu Qing handed him several silk-bound scrolls.

“The Dao techniques of Ping Zhen Sect are nothing special… merely having some novelty in condensing Yuan Sha Qi. But this ‘Nightmare Suppression and Demon Quelling Method’ is actually somewhat impressive. However, we must prevent this man from scheming. Let me check it first before giving it to you!”

Cultivation techniques for Daoism require even more caution than martial arts secrets. Even a single incorrect character or a slight deviation in Dao resonance could lead to irreversible disaster!

Wu Ming certainly didn’t believe Zhou Yuanzhen would willingly hand over everything. However, his current Dao cultivation, gained through contemplating the Main Temple, was extremely high. He even had confidence in deducing the Earth Immortal techniques! With such insight, any flaws or omissions in the texts would be immediately apparent.

Moreover, he was currently cultivating the “Yellow Court Secret Classic,” which was the most balanced and moderate of all techniques, with a solid foundation for Earth Immortal cultivation and limitless prospects ahead. He had no interest in such minor sect techniques of the Heavenly Master lineage.

“Governing the nation with righteousness, waging war with surprise tactics—the great Dao is interconnected. My cultivation method is the same. Although my external techniques involve Thunder Dao, capable of instantly destroying enemy souls with ruthless efficiency, my fundamental arcane techniques remain the most gentle and harmonious. I am quite satisfied with this.”

Thinking about those demonic and heretical techniques within the Main Temple’s cultivation method exchange—though they might grant rapid progress and invincibility at first, they ultimately lead to dead ends with no future path, yet still charge exorbitant prices—Wu Ming couldn’t help but smirk.

“The seven-day deadline is approaching, and Lady Wu Zhi is preparing to act. How are you prepared?”

Wu Qing chatted with Wu Ming for a while, then suddenly asked anxiously.

“No problem. Arrange a time and have Lady Wu Zhi come out!”

Wu Ming’s aura became increasingly ethereal. The opening line of the “Yellow Court Secret Classic” reads, “Observe the Dao of Heaven, grasp the movement of Heaven”—summarizing the essence of the Heavenly Master’s techniques! Now, his spiritual insight was flourishing, and he vaguely sensed the grand trend, exuding an air of “following Heaven’s will and responding to the people.”

…

The night was hazy, with a light drizzle.

Outside Nan Feng Prefecture, atop an ancient bridge, Wu Zhi still wore her scholar’s attire, holding an oil-paper umbrella, silently standing.

It was nearly midnight. The surroundings were desolate and deserted, occasionally interrupted by the eerie howls of wild beasts.

Of course, all of this was irrelevant to Wu Zhi.

As a Grandmaster of Martial Arts, even if the city was heavily guarded, she could come and go as she pleased. Merely emitting a trace of her vital energy would create a scorching aura, causing all evil spirits to retreat in fear.

Suddenly, Wu Zhi glanced into the distance, her brows slightly furrowing.

“…Slender clouds weaving artfully, shooting stars conveying regret, crossing the distant Milky Way. Meeting amidst golden winds and jade dew surpasses countless moments on Earth. Tender feelings flowing like water, a blissful reunion like a dream, reluctant to look back at the magpie bridge leading home. If two hearts remain steadfast through time, why should they care about fleeting moments together…”

From the darkness, a young figure gradually emerged, walking with a bamboo staff and straw sandals, singing as he approached. In an instant, he reached the bridge: “Lady Wu Zhi, it’s been a long time!”

“Looks like a frivolous young noble seeking flowers and flirtations!”

Wu Zhi swept her gaze around, as if countless words lay behind her eyes, eventually turning into a trace of disappointment: “It seems my elder sister Wu has indeed been hindered by my involvement, unable to break through to the Yuan Shen realm!”

“It seems circumstances have changed?”

Wu Ming stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Wu Zhi.

“Indeed! The heir of Lord Ding seems to have seen through my plans. My father and two elder brothers have now taken precautions!”

Wu Zhi’s lips bore a faint bitterness: “If originally we had a fifty percent chance, now it’s only ten percent. If you and your sister flee now, perhaps there’s still a sliver of hope!”

“By your nature, even if you knew there was no hope, you’d still fight to the death, right?”

Wu Ming didn’t respond but instead asked.

“Correct! How could my fate be controlled by others?”

Wu Zhi smiled proudly, then retrieved an object from her sleeve: “Is this from you?”

Her jade-like palm opened, radiating brilliance—the Canghai Yue Ming Pearl.

“I originally thought you’d return it, perhaps reciting a line like ‘Returning the pearl with tears, regretting not meeting before marriage’…”

Wu Ming chuckled lightly.

“Asking me to return it? Forget it!”

Wu Zhi’s beautiful face flushed with anger, yet she displayed a hint of feminine tenderness: “After all, it was my own choice. I’ll keep it as a memento. When I fall in battle and die, if you still remember me after marrying someone new, a single incense stick annually will suffice for this humble servant…”

“Stop… This feels so wrong!”

Wu Ming felt goosebumps rising: “Hand over the Canghai Yue Ming Pearl!”

With a wave of his hand, Daoist light flashed, and the pearl flew directly into his palm.

“This is… Daoist technique! No! You’re a Yuan Shen entity!!! I didn’t realize it before!”

Snatching an object from a Martial Arts Grandmaster was no easy feat. Wu Zhi was slightly startled, then greatly alarmed: “Traveling in Yuan Shen form, you’ve cultivated to Yuan Shen realm?!”

“The Dao of Heaven diminishes excess and supplements deficiency; the Dao of Man diminishes deficiency to serve excess! The Southern Phoenix and Eastern Dragon, the silent operation of fate, all lie within. Decree!”

Wu Ming didn’t answer but simply pointed at the Canghai Yue Ming Pearl.

Buzz!

The pearl transformed into a streak of light, landing atop Wu Zhi’s head, then suddenly exploded.

“Chirping!”

Amidst the crisp resonance, Wu Zhi’s destiny energy surged forth, unveiling a silhouette of a violet phoenix—its foreparts resembling a Qilin, its hindquarters akin to a deer, its head serpentine, its tail piscine, its body adorned with draconic motifs and tortoiseshell inscriptions, its plumage a resplendent tapestry of hues. This was the true manifestation of the Phoenix! Any beholder endowed with the perception of auras would be instantly spellbound and awestruck.

However, the purple phoenix’s eyes flickered with a trace of helplessness. Amidst the radiant light, it suddenly crumbled into dust.

Amidst the scattered clouds, the fragments slowly recondensed, forming a hornless, four-clawed, entirely crimson dragon—the Chi Li (Red Serpent Dragon)!

As recorded in the “Classic of Mountains and Seas”: “In the south dwells the Chi Li, hornless, belonging to the female dragon species!”

“Roar!”

As soon as the Chi Li took shape, it coiled within the clouds and mist, swallowing fate energy, displaying a regal and dominant aura, even more commanding and tyrannical than the previous Purple Phoenix.

“This…”

Sensing the change in fate energy, Wu Zhi was the first to notice, her expression shifting.

She never imagined that this Phoenix Fate, which she had struggled endlessly to break through without success, could be transformed so effortlessly?

Changing one’s fate is a feat that even Yuan Shen cultivators would approach with trepidation, fearing divine retribution. Yet why was this transformation so simple? And why was it so effortless, without any backlash?

It was precisely because of this calmness that Wu Ming’s power seemed even more terrifying!

“I always knew you were no ordinary person, but I never expected…”

Wu Zhi gently closed her eyes. The Chi Li above her head also vanished, its foundation hidden.

The Phoenix aura couldn’t be used directly, but the Dragon aura was entirely usable!

With Wu Zhi’s accumulated fate energy, once breaking free from its shackles, her fortune was comparable to that of a dragon!

“Why help me?”

After the transformation of fate energy, Wu Zhi seemed both changed and unchanged, directly asking.

Yuan Shen cultivators are honored guests even among feudal lords and provincial governors. Even if the Wu family were destroyed and Lord Ding unified the Ding Province, they wouldn’t dare offend a Yuan Shen cultivator without cause.

“You’ve already accepted my betrothal gift. You are my fiancée. What is it for a husband to do something for his wife?”

Wu Ming stepped forward naturally, wrapping his arm around Wu Zhi’s waist.

Wu Zhi shifted slightly, somewhat awkwardly, but didn’t resist, her gaze fixed on Wu Ming.

“Alright…”

Wu Ming shrugged his shoulders: “Firstly, you share a connection with my elder sister Wu Qing, which means you share a good fate with me. Secondly, I’m also curious to see if you can bring peace to this chaotic era. Don’t ask why I don’t act directly. I cultivate the Dao of Heaven and shouldn’t interfere directly in human struggles for imperial power…”

This reasoning was somewhat insincere. In truth, Wu Ming had recently gained insight into celestial omens. His reincarnation into the Zhou Dynasty was itself a great opportunity, destined to bring blessings to the Wu family and this world.

With the Main Temple at his disposal, countless worlds across the Ten Thousand Realms would eventually belong to him. Naturally, he had no interest in striving for the mere position of a human emperor. Encountering Wu Zhi now was the perfect opportunity to settle karmic debts.

As for the small effort he had made, it was but a drop in the ocean for him, hardly worth mentioning.