"I've heard the one defending the city is the Young Sect Leader of the Seven Evil Sects, called the Jade-faced Immortal Man Jia Sanyuan. Just by hearing the na, you'd know he's like a gilder spearhead, a show if nothing else. Let alone comparing him with Big Brother Green Emperor and Big Brother Ziyang, I'm afraid I could find an opportunity to pierce him through with my 'Mandarin Duck Divine Spear.'"
"In my view, that's right. Our rebellion has already succeeded, and all that's left in Shangyang City are a bunch of chickens and dogs, Evil Demons and Heretics. How could they stand against the Talent of our Ancestor Dragon Society?"
"Once each of us has our nas inscribed on the Divine Tablet and our cultivation has advanced, let's go to Shangyang and easily take the heads of those Evil Cultivators from the Seven Evil Sects, shall we?"
"Good!"
"This proposal is excellent."
"Extrely clever."
...
Hearing these words, Tao Qian couldn't help but furrow his brows a bit more.
The ones who spoke with such arrogance were not just so Evil Cultivators that had infiltrated the Ancestor Dragon Society, there were also many Heroes and strong Daoist and Buddhist Cultivators, all sharing this kind of idea.
Nothing surprising there, except that after the initial shock, the subsequent conquests were just too smooth.
Out of all the conflicts and chaos in the seventy-two provinces, there was no power that had so easily taken over an entire province.
Everything was going too well, which inevitably breeds arrogance, a common human sentint.
Tao Qian felt sothing ominous in the pit of his stomach, but on the surface, he remained calm, simply looking towards the Ancestor God Tablet. The treasure was three zhang high, made of bronze. With a large blank space in the middle, the sides were filled with dragon and phoenix scripts, tadpole writing, and Heavenly Dao runes, among others. When it first descended, anyone could feel the divine chanism on it that could bring about sudden insight.
Now, it seed to have undergone so "Transformation" that was beyond comprehension. The Divine chanism was churning, and treasure light filled the air.
Even a blind man could feel the divine ability of this tablet.
Below the tablet stood Ying Qingdi, Zhong Ziyang, Chen Xiyi, and other core mbers of the Ancestor Dragon Society.
They were sowhat troubled by the commotion of the society's mbers and had already inscribed their nas ahead of the others, in this order from top to bottom: Ying Qingdi, Zhong Ziyang, Chen Xiyi, Qi Daozhen...
Before the fifth na was inscribed, Tao Qian arrived. It was unclear whether Ying Qingdi's keen eyes spotted him or if he sensed the approach of the Yellow Robed Seductive Spirit under his command, but he looked towards Tao Qian first.
With one movent, he greeted Tao Qian enthusiastically, grabbed his hand, and tugged him towards the Ancestor God Tablet.
At the sa ti, he looked around proudly and said in a loud voice:
"Brother Ru Niu has arrived just in ti; you should inscribe your na too."
"In the past few days, Brother Ru Niu has led a group of Flag Officers and grain officers into the pitch-dark Demon Trap Pit, wielding the 'Valley God Gui.' Day and night, he refined Five Grains Elixir Ointnt to supply the entire provincial rebel army, ensuring the smooth success of the New Moon uprising. We could not have done it without Brother Ru Niu's great contribution."
"This fifth spot belongs to Brother Ru Niu. All agree, do you not?"
In terms of personal charm and the power of persuasion,
no one in the Ancestor Dragon Society – indeed, no one Tao Qian had ever encountered – could compare.
With just a few words, he could command everyone's respect.
Even Yin Susu and other Evil Cultivators and Demons who infiltrated the society voiced their support.
Of course, the reality was indeed such, Lin Runiu might not have charged into battle, but his contribution was significant and could not be erased.
The few who often gathered inside the Ghost Mother's belly now tacitly avoided each other's gaze. It fell upon Zhong Ziyang, with the highest Dao Heng among them, to remind Tao Qian through a ntal ssage:
"Mr. Lin Daoist need not worry. The secrets of the tablet have been investigated by Brother Xiyi, using the secret techniques of Fangcun Mountain."
"The tablet indeed contains sothing fishy. It didn't show any signs before, but as the New Moon uprising got more successful, it began to feed off the evil fortune and beca linked to the New Moon. At the sa ti, it also developed so divine responses with the Yellow Robed Evil God behind that bastard Ying Qingdi."
"If a cultivator inscribes his na onto the Divine Tablet, it imdiately resonates, absorbing the qi chanism. If conflicts arise later, Ying Qingdi could use this as an opportunity to Curse Kill and control all mbers of the Ancestor Dragon Society. Moreover, he could use this to spy on the roots and origins of the one whose na is inscribed, even so secrets."
"However, this technique has a drawback; it doesn't work on cultivators like us or Brother Xiyi with too solid roots, probably because there are ancestral masters and divine spirits behind us, marked from early on, making us immune to the sensation of that Yellow Robed Evil God."
"We are exempt, but other comrades are not."
"This is an unfortunately necessary, temporary forbearance."
"Still, while you and I have covert plans, it is improper to conceal them and watch as our Daoist brothers are sched against."
"I've secretly placed one of the sect's most precious treasures, the 'Taishang Infinite Daoist Talisman,' right under the tablet. If the tablet shows any unusual activity, that treasure can imdiately drag the tablet into a secret realm of our Taishang Dao, where my master is guarding. With just one thought, he could summon the Elder of Taishang Dao, even asking Taishang Dao Ancestor to descend."
"If that Yellow Robed Evil God behind the tablet dares to follow, well, if it's just a Divine Soul or an avatar, he'll have to pay dearly, losing both the wife and the soldiers."
These words were complex, but Tao Qian understood them in a flash.
After hearing this, he blinked and thought in amazent:
"Ying Qingdi is quite the strategist!"
"Mr. Zhong Daoist is truly generous!"
Tao Qian was astonished, naturally because of the reputation of Zhong Ziyang's Divine Talisman.
If one were to make a comparison, it was simple, similar Divine Talismans were also bestowed upon him by Lingbao Tianzun after he had survived his Cultivation Tribulation.
To protect the Dao is also to protect one's life, showing just how cherished Zhong Ziyang was within the Taishang Dao. Yet, he exchanged it secretly with Ying Qingdi, which also showed just how deep his hatred for Ying Qingdi ran.
While he sighed in amazent, Tao Qian also acted as he had promised.
Amid the raucous noise of his fellow cultivators at the Ancestor Dragon Society, he reached out with an unchanged expression and touched an empty space, ready to write down his na.
Although he had been warned by Zhong Ziyang, Tao Qian still had worries in his heart.
It wasn't that he feared being controlled or cursed to death by the Ancestor God Tablet; since the object in essence could have its price exempted by relying on powerful backers, he, as Master Tao, feared no one.
The Taishang Dao Ancestor was indeed formidable, but his patron, Lingbao Tianzun, was also a deterrent in All Heavens.
The problem was that Tao Qian didn't want to reveal his true foundation.
Spirit Treasure True Inheritor Tao Qian!
If this identity were to be discovered by Ying Qingdi...
There was no need to think further; such a sly figure would certainly spread the word, and then enemies from all over the world would co looking for him in New Moon Province, forcing Tao Qian to flee once again.
And he wouldn't even have to wait for that to happen; his arch-enemy was right there in the hall.
"Yin Susu, that licentious woman, is right before . Ever since we parted ways in Southern Yue, she must think of day and night."
"If my identity is revealed, who's to say she won't imdiately summon her Devil God father to devour ? How could I let that happen?"
With this thought, Tao Qian imdiately started to pray silently in his heart.
However, he wasn't praying to his own Lingbao Tianzun, but to another Divine Spirit.
"Great Toad God above, this junior wishes to borrow your esteed na for my use."
"Although I am not the true inheritor of the Secret of the Toad Sect, having the Toad Pearl and Wa Dang, along with my Uncle Jade Toad, is enough to prove my deep connection with the Toad Sect."
"Today, I am borrowing your illustrious na and have nothing with which to repay."
"All I can promise is this: today here, a great battle between good and evil comnces with two armies clashing, laying siege to a mundane grand city, with over ten thousand Cultivators and Demons and an exceeding number of strong individuals. I shall wield the Wa Dang, smashing it upon each one, entertaining you and also promoting the fa of the Secret Teachings of Toad Sect."
Tao Qian had previously mocked Ying Qingdi's persuasive Divine Skills, and now, his flattering words didn't seem any less cunning.
He himself was unaware, and after muttering to himself, he got straight to work.
Tao Qian reached out and first touched a strand of the "Toad God Tile's" aura with the tip of his finger, then using this aura, he wrote down the three characters for Lin Runiu as if in a wild cursive script.
After the final stroke was complete, Tao Qian's finger did not leave the Ancestor God Tablet.
His Spirit was tense, sensing the changes within the Record in his mind.
At the sa ti, he made up his mind:
"If my identity is exposed, I'll flee first."
"I can then help Mr. Zhong Daoist and the others from the shadows, be it through intimidation, sneak attacks, or whatever thods necessary."
As soon as the thought settled, the outco erged.
First, the Toad God Tile trembled slightly, conveying a ssage akin to "deal made."
Then followed an explosive Record in his mind:
The Ancestor God Tablet records the Qi and probes hidden actions, all hindered by the Toad God.
...
"Generous Toad God, watch carefully today."
"If there aren't enough heads smashed, I, Tao Qian, will personally add one more for you."
Feeling elated, Tao Qian couldn't help but plant a flag for himself.
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