Chapter 509: Preaching the Dao, the Turtle Transformation Chapter

Chapter 509: Preaching the Way, Transforming into a Turtle

The plum rain drizzled down, sprinkling the surface of the Weishui River with countless tiny dots.

A massive ship, nearly a hundred zhang in length, sailed onward, its magical device emitting a sound like cicadas’ chirps to propel it forward.

Deep within the Weishui River lurked many sinister spirits, yet none dared to act rashly in the presence of this colossal vessel.

Third Young Master Tu stood on the deck, gazing at the surging river: “Life… is full of capricious twists.”

Now, he felt that the recent events had been too turbulent and bizarre.

First, he had struck it lucky, obtaining the light sword.

Then, misfortune struck—he was extorted twice by the Thornblood.

The first time, he managed to avoid danger; the second time… he had no choice but to hand over the silver.

“Young Master Tu, do you think we’ll get to see the Floating Cloud Immortal at this Artificer Assembly?” Zhan Wenyu asked, his face full of infatuation.

The Floating Cloud Immortal was a beauty listed on the Hundred Fragrance Roster, and also a highly gifted artificer.

Zhan Wenyu naturally coveted such a woman.

“At this Artificer Assembly, most of the talented artificers from our Jining Prefecture will come.

The Floating Cloud Immortal is also from Jiangzhou, so she should attend,” Third Young Master Tu replied calmly.

On this journey to Ye Mountain Lake, he had originally thought: if the light sword had cooled down, could he use it once to slay the Water Lord of Ye Mountain Lake?

If he could, he would earn the gratitude of the Heavenly Sect.

The Tu family’s power would also increase significantly.

Alas, that was just a fantasy—his light sword had never cooled down.

Now, not to mention summoning the spirit, he couldn’t even emit a glimmer of light.

“I wonder if I’ll have a chance to see the Floating Cloud Immortal, and who is more beautiful—her or Shen Lingxuan?” Zhan Wenyu couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild.

“Perhaps Shen Lingxuan. Few in the world have seen her face, yet she ranks high on the Hundred Fragrance Roster; her appearance must indeed be city-toppling,” Third Young Master Tu sighed.

“Hmph, such a peerless beauty married to a useless waste—what a waste of heaven’s gifts!” Zhan Wenyu said, gazing at the deck dozens of meters away, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. “The ship moves with a startling noise, and hardly any fish follow, yet he chooses this moment to fish—how utterly ridiculous.”

Third Young Master Tu also looked at the figure dozens of meters away.

There, a young man lay back in a lounge chair, fishing leisurely.

“Since I’ve nothing to do, I plan to go cause him some trouble. Young Master Tu, care to join in for the fun?” Zhan Wenyu said.

“No, I’d rather not meddle in such frivolous matters.

Brother Zhan, it’s best not to offend people recklessly—his wife is a true disciple of the Heavenly Sect.”

“I’m a spoiled brat; if I don’t offend people, wouldn’t that betray my reputation?” Zhan Wenyu said matter-of-factly. “Besides, in the Zhan family, I can’t cultivate the path of the artificer, nor can I become a weapon master. If I’m not a spoiled brat, what else should I be?”

At this, a flicker of disappointment passed through Zhan Wenyu’s eyes.

The Zhan family was among the top ten clans in Jining Prefecture.

However, his elder brother, thirty years his senior, was particularly domineering.

This left Zhan Wenyu with no choice but to live a life of ease and comfort in the family.

“Being a bit of a rogue and causing my brother some trouble isn’t so bad,” Zhan Wenyu said, a sardonic smile in his eyes.

“He is Shen Lingxuan’s husband?” At this moment, a white-robed man beside them spoke in surprise.

This white-robed man was a disciple of the Ancient Thunder Sect.

“I never expected Shen Lingxuan’s husband to be so unworthy,” he said, a note of disappointment in his voice.

He held Shen Lingxuan in high regard.

For in two years, the true disciples of the Heavenly Sect and the Ancient Thunder Sect would engage in a duel.

His most admired third senior sister would face Shen Lingxuan.

Since Shen Lingxuan was a true disciple of the Heavenly Sect, she must have extraordinary talent—yet she had hastily married beneath her station.

“Still, it must be related to Shen Lingxuan’s constitution. Rumor has it she possesses the Profound Yin Body. If someone were to share a night of rain and clouds with her, they could attain unity with heaven and man, and even have a chance to step into the Heavenly Rank!” the white-robed man said calmly.

For a Earth Rank weapon master to ascend to Heavenly Rank, the greatest difficulty lay in comprehending heaven and earth and achieving the state of unity between heaven and man.

“Unity of heaven and man—how difficult that is. In the past century, our Ning Kingdom has not produced a single Heavenly Rank weapon master.

It is said that if one reaches the Heavenly Rank, there might even be a chance to journey beyond the heavens,” the white-robed man said, his face filled with envy.

The Heavenly Rank weapon master was the lifelong pursuit of all weapon masters in the Ning Kingdom.

And Shen Lingxuan’s appearance had given many old-timers a glimmer of hope.

However, the Shen family was powerful, and with the backing of the Heavenly Sect, no one dared to covet Shen Lingxuan.

Of course, there was another reason: Shen Lingxuan had not yet fully matured; she was not the perfect Profound Yin Body.

To pluck her now would be a true waste of heaven’s gift.

Hearing this, Zhan Wenyu grew even more frustrated: “That fellow is too lucky. If he weren’t so useless, how would this opportunity ever fall to him?”

Third Young Master Tu smiled: “Why should the wretched torment the wretched?”

“Hmph, if I don’t torment him, should I torment my elder brother instead?”

With that, Zhan Wenyu strode toward where Qi Yuan was.

The white-robed man looked at Third Young Master Tu: “Care to come watch the fun? It’s rather dull on this ship anyway.”

Third Young Master Tu shook his head: “Not in the mood.”

In the past, he would have enjoyed the spectacle, but now his mind was full of the stall owner he had encountered in the ghost market.

He had been searching for that person all this time, but to no avail, which left him quite disheartened.

Still, he knew the other had disguised himself, making him hard to find.

Only within three meters would his magical device sense him.

At this moment, Zhan Wenyu strode aggressively toward Qi Yuan, living up to his reputation as a spoiled brat.

“Fish swim in the water; the head is also the tail.

Isn’t this the Tai Chi?

Fish have swim bladders, round and smooth—aren’t these the golden elixir?

So, little fish… you are born seeds of the Dao.”

Qi Yuan’s voice was faint and ethereal. Zhan Wenyu’s steps faltered, and he stood dumbfounded.

What nonsense is he spouting?

He had intended to retort, but as he drew near, he inadvertently glanced down at the water and froze.

Beneath the ship, hundreds of fish were scrambling to follow, like young children listening to a teacher’s lesson.

This made Zhan Wenyu momentarily forget his purpose.

And at that moment, Qi Yuan’s voice drifted into his ears.

"Among the countless great paths in the world, the path of this realm is indeed strange, yet all paths lead to the same destination. I have created a method, named the 'Dragon Transformation Art'..."

Qi Yuan's voice drifted ethereal, like celestial music.

In the days since arriving in this world, Qi Yuan had not merely killed and slaughtered.

After all, he had once comprehended the Dao before the Wall of Ultimate Truth, receiving myriad paths.

Within the Gate of Ten Thousand Differences, he had also sensed various origins.

His vision, knowledge, and mind had already reached a very high level.

Having stayed in Qingshan Realm for so long, he could now create his own transcendent path.

Of course, this path was still immature, full of obstacles and thorns.

Now, speaking his insights to Jiang Yu, he was also organizing his own understanding.

Beside him, Zhan Wenyu, hearing this, became entranced and lost himself.

The fish beneath the giant ship gathered in greater numbers.

But most of the weapon masters stayed in the cabins cultivating the path of weaponry, not witnessing this scene.

Even if they saw it, they would consider it a natural phenomenon.

After an unknown time, a crisp voice startled Zhan Wenyu from his contemplation.

"What, have you come to bully me?" Qi Yuan looked at Zhan Wenyu, lazily stretching.

Indeed, it was hard being a live-in son-in-law; lying still, someone would want to step on you.

Zhan Wenyu snapped awake, a look of embarrassment on his face: "Sir... no, not at all."

His attitude toward Qi Yuan had completely changed. At first, he had indeed regarded Qi Yuan as useless.

But hearing Qi Yuan's discourse, he felt something stir within, as if the world had opened a door for him.

"Have you come to steal the light?" Qi Yuan said casually.

At the same time, he marveled at his own captivating charm—even as a live-in son-in-law, wearing a halo of mockery, he could still win people over.

"Sir, what you just spoke of... why?" Zhan Wenyu bowed solemnly, seeking guidance with humility.

Though he was a wastrel, he was not foolish.

"The Dao of Longevity," Qi Yuan did not conceal.

The supreme truth Qi Yuan had comprehended was absolute adaptation.

To him, whether it was the martial path, the immortal path, or the path of commanding weapons, what they ultimately sought was nothing more than survival and longevity.

In this world, a terrestrial-level weapon commander was already considered a big shot, but with a mere lifespan of two hundred years, it was far too short.

Thus, combining his insights, Qi Yuan created the 'Dragon Transformation Art,' a small experiment.

The greatest effect of this technique was to increase a creature's lifespan.

"Can this achieve longevity?" Zhan Wenyu asked hurriedly.

Now, looking at Qi Yuan, he seemed to see a transcendent master.

Because of his elder brother's existence, he could only be a wastrel, or read biographies and novels, where he encountered many stories.

There were people beyond the heavens, and beyond the heavens were mysterious transcendents wielding various special powers.

The existence of spirits and anomalies was born from the heavens beyond.

And some legendary heroes could even encounter mysterious celestial visitors claiming to come from the future, who even predicted some history of Qingshan Realm—all verified one by one, astonishingly.

Zhan Wenyu felt he might have encountered a stroke of fortune.

"Longevity is too difficult. If one cultivates to great success, gaining several hundred or even several thousand years of life is not a problem," Qi Yuan said.

"This..." Zhan Wenyu's breath quickened.

If he could have several hundred years of life, wouldn't he be able to dance on his elder brother's grave?

"Sir, teach me!" Zhan Wenyu quickly bowed.

This left the nearby Third Young Master Tu and the white-robed man stunned.

"What is Zhan Wenyu doing?"

"Wasn't he here to cause trouble? Why is he bowing?"

The two were baffled.

"Should we go take a look?"

"Alright."

Curious, they decided to go see.

Zhan Wenyu looked at Qi Yuan with devout reverence.

He was not interested in increasing his strength.

Even if he grew stronger, could he defeat his elder brother?

Since he couldn't win, he would outlive his brother.

If his brother could live two hundred years, then living four or five hundred years would be a profit!

Qi Yuan's earlier discourse, like celestial music lingering in his ears, had already earned his complete trust.

As he spoke, he pulled out his banknotes: "Sir, teach me!"

This was all his savings, a full eighty thousand taels.

As the second young master of the Zhan Mansion, he could not cultivate, but he received enough silver.

This was also his elder brother's alternative way of subsidizing him.

Qi Yuan looked at the silver and coughed.

Chen Kangbao immediately understood and stepped forward to take the banknotes.

"For the sake of the silver, I'll give you a 'Turtle Transformation Art.' When cultivated to perfection, you will have the strength of ten thousand turtles and gain a lifespan of three thousand years."

"Three thousand years?" Zhan Wenyu gasped.

Even the legendary gods seemed unable to live three thousand years, right?

This was no turtle transformation—it was god transformation!

As for the strength of ten thousand turtles, that was indeed lacking, but lifespan was the key.

"Watch carefully. I'll recite it only once. If you don't remember, ask Chen Kangbao to repeat it, and he'll charge..."

"Five hundred buns!" Chen Kangbao quickly added.

Hearing this, Zhan Wenyu was even more certain that Qi Yuan was a master.

Because masters always acted unconventionally, following their whims, leaving people baffled.

In biographies and novels, Zhan Wenyu had read about a mysterious old man who liked collecting women's stockings.

This man might not like silver; he might like buns.

“Right.” Qi Yuan couldn’t be bothered with the bun matter. “Though the divine turtle has a long life, yet…”

Qi Yuan immediately began fabricating.

Now, Qi Yuan had reached the peak of the Purple Mansion, and in combat power he rivaled the Great Principle.

For him now, to take another step forward was actually very difficult.

It required him to comprehend his own Dao, his own divine path.

At present, Qi Yuan’s strength was great, but his path was chaotic—the Golden Core Dao, the Myriad Dao Martial God, and also the Immortal Dao, among others.

To become a true deity and enter the Yin Spirit realm, Qi Yuan speculated, he needed to clarify his own great Dao.

Leaving behind a transcendent path in this game could also be considered his own attempt.

Zhan Wenyu listened intently, not daring to miss a single word.

Even if he remembered it all, he decided to later exchange five hundred buns for what Chen Kangbao had said—first, to return the favor, and second, to verify whether he had made a mistake.

“This ‘Turtle Transformation Art’—the most important thing is to accumulate blessings widely and do many good deeds. Remember that.” Qi Yuan added another instruction.

Just then, Third Young Master Tu and the white-robed man also approached.

The white-robed man smiled: “Young Master Zhan, didn’t you come to trouble this live-in son-in-law? Why do you look like a student bowing to a teacher?”

The white-robed man’s smile carried a hint of mockery and also a trace of confusion.

Third Young Master Tu was also somewhat puzzled, but as he drew near Qi Yuan, his heart suddenly leaped.

Because his magical artifact had turned red again—a red that was ten, a hundred times more intense than last time.

He... he... he suddenly had a bold idea in his heart.

“Could this be...”

His heartbeat raced wildly.

The live-in son-in-law Qi Yuan was actually that mysterious big shot!

But then he recalled that when the other had gone to Ninghe County, it was exactly when the Red Cloud Stronghold had encountered the eerie incident.

Everything matched!

This was no live-in son-in-law—this was a domineering, wild son-in-law!

His gaze toward Qi Yuan also changed, becoming respectful and cautious.

Zhan Wenyu’s expression shifted slightly: “What nonsense are you talking? I regard this gentleman as my teacher; how could I bully him?”

As he spoke, he stole a glance at Qi Yuan, afraid of angering him.

The confusion in the white-robed man’s eyes deepened; he was inwardly perplexed.

This Zhan Wenyu had really changed a lot.

As for Third Young Master Tu, he remained silent.

Just then Qi Yuan spoke: “I am a live-in son-in-law. Isn’t it normal to bully me? Come on, hurry up and bully me. I promise I won’t resist. But... you’ll have to be gentle—I’m afraid of pain.”

Zhan Wenyu: “...”

Third Young Master Tu: “...??”

White-robed man: “???”

The three of them all had question marks in their hearts, but the meaning of the question marks differed.

(End of chapter)