Chapter 1326

Pale purple smoke swirled in midair.

At first, a point of light fell on Liang Qu's brow, noticed by someone nearby; then it was his nose, his shoulders, his arms, his chest—

At first, a point of light emitted from Zhang Longxiang with his eyes tightly shut; then it was two points, three points, four points emitted from him with his eyes tightly shut—

At first, light fell on Liang Qu's front; then it was his side, his back, above, below—

Inside and out, in all directions.

In heaven and on earth, light fell everywhere, nowhere absent!

Zhang Longxiang sat in lotus position, his spirit on the verge of collapse feeding back into his flesh, his whole body oozing crimson blood, horrifying beyond compare, yet in this horrifying scene, it was a shift from decline to flourishing, from descent to ascent!

The sweat streaming from his forehead had long since stopped; the trembling of his body had long since vanished.

The five senses, once painfully compressed from repeated deaths, relaxed and became calm; immediately after, a mighty aura like the sea surged forth from Zhang Longxiang.

The purple smoke was dispersed.

Zhang Longxiang's entire being was like a steel ruler bent to its limit, snapping back swiftly, lashing out, the accumulated power bursting forth completely.

The calm sea began to churn, the temperature in the meditation chamber rising rapidly.

Liang Qu naturally knew what this meant.

Success!

The mind's eye can be replicated. It can be learned!

Not only the mind's eye.

The mind's eye is a high-dimensional means of insight, detached from personal senses, detached from the physical foundation. Even if Liang Qu's eyes were gouged out, he could still "see"; within the Blood River Realm, the great adept of Mount Jiuyi could unleash divine powers attempting to overturn him completely, yet it remained ineffective against the mind's eye, becoming instead an opening for counterattack.

It does not bring advancement in realm.

At present, Zhang Longxiang is not merely opening his mind's eye; his strength has also made progress.

It is the Eagle God seizing food!

"Does cutting oneself also work?" Liang Qu stroked his chin, greatly astonished.

"Gulgulgul, hic! Ha!" The Third Prince clung to his teacup, tilted his head back and gulped, his small belly slightly bulging; he wiped water from his mouth with a paw, opened his mouth and let out a huge belch, patted his belly, observed the state of the Dragon Elephant King, knew the great matter was already accomplished, relaxed and blew, "Rest assured, Chief, there's still plenty of dream-entry white mist! At least a hundred times a day, not even glancing at a thousand, a faint smile at ten thousand! However much you want, however much there is!"

"No need, it's already done."

"Ha, already done?" The Third Prince clung to his slightly trembling tail, dragon claw slashing, bold and vigorous, "I was just preparing to spit it out several hundred or thousand times; looks like the Dragon Elephant King's aptitude is still decent, but compared to the Chief, it's still quite far off, uh, Chief, are you leaving?"

"We won't disturb; let the Dragon Elephant King cultivate alone."

"Alright."

Zhang Longxiang's rising aura warmed Liang Qu somewhat; he supported his knees and rose, leaving the Dragon Elephant King alone to cultivate in the meditation chamber.

Walking out the corridor, he happened to see someone quietly grabbing two feet, dragging the little river otter out from under the quilt—Zhang Longxiang's daughter O

"Huai Wang!"

Zhang Jing stood straight, placed the little river otter down, bowed respectfully, feeling the nervousness of being caught doing something wrong.

The little river otter fell to the ground, yawned, immediately huddled together, scrambled back into the nest, buried its head and slept deeply.

"Hey, why nervous? Nothing, who naps on New Year's Day? Get it up!" Liang Qu waved his hand, "You had fun yesterday, didn't you? Just treat this as your own home; from now on, no need to bow when you see me."

"Hehe." Zhang Jing laughed, glancing left and right, "Huai Wang, where's my father? My brother said he went to cultivate with you, isn't he with you?"

"Your father, the Dragon Elephant King, came before dawn and has already learned; now he's in closed-door cultivation in the meditation chamber." Liang Qu clasped his hands behind his back, slightly tilted his head back, "Back then I used it five or six times, the Dragon Elephant King used it dozens of times; although he was slower to comprehend than I was, overall it's still very fast, quite impressive."

"Wow."

Zhang Jing opened his mouth wide, widened his eyes, slightly admiring.

"Cough, what do you need the Dragon Elephant King for? Better not disturb him; for small matters, just tell me, or find your sisters Long Yao and Long Li."

Zhang Jing shook his head repeatedly, the braid behind his head swaying.

"Since there's nothing, I'll go attend to my business first."

"Mm-hmm."

Liang Qu saw Zhang Longxiang's son Zhang Xing running up from behind, embarrassed to continue boasting to the little girl, nodded, and stepped away.

Zhang Xing stepped aside to make way, bowed midway, and after Liang Qu left, immediately grabbed Zhang Jing, who had dragged the little river otter out: "You were just let out a moment ago and already vanished—Long Gong is so big, running around recklessly and bumping into people, what then? What did you say to the Huai Wang? Didn't you offend him?"

"Where could I possibly run wild? Just stroll around the square, of course not; I just saw the Huai Wang come out alone, asked where my father went, and the Huai Wang said my father had already learned." Zhang Jing hugged the little river otter, supported its bottom and lifted it slightly, repeating Liang Qu's words once more.

Zhang Xing's heart was shaken.

Huai Wang five or six times, father dozens of times?

Though I don't know what was learned, but certainly the less consumption the better.

Is this the difference between entering the dragon at forty and entering the dragon at twenty-eight?

How can it be so great?

After a while.

Zhang Xing sighed.

"Truly worthy of the Huai Wang."

The abbot of Tranquility Monastery brought Huai Kong to the Pingyang Temple, preparing for the Pingyang Dharma Assembly.

Yang Dongxiong and the Xu family followed to help.

Liang Qu's earlier mention of a three-seven split was a joke, but wanting to hold a Dharma assembly is genuine; occasionally organizing events, pulling in the festive atmosphere of the holidays.

In the sleeping palace, Long Eying was still resting; Liang Qu did not disturb her, instead seeking another meditation chamber for himself.

The holiday has ten days off, but that does not mean ten days of complete idleness.

On the contrary, as daily affairs grow busier, holiday activities become increasingly important.

With so many fellow disciples, each has their own parents' families; previously during holidays, staying at the master's home was due to benefits, the table filled with precious fish and precious beasts.

Heaven vast, earth vast, cultivation supreme.

After Liang Qu achieves fame, it will become a matter of gathering around him, but not merely Liang Qu providing funds and labor unilaterally as a host.

Tomorrow I have to go to Master's house for a meal, the day after tomorrow my maternal great-uncle is hosting, the third day Hai Fangzhu is treating, the fourth day several senior brothers are hosting again, the fifth day even General Xu from the imperial capital is coming to Pingyang — before, General Xu's family would never come, after all the imperial capital and Pingyang are too far, but with the waterway now, they all have to make the trip.

After that there are the Dragon Race's Grand Elder and Third Elder — the Grand Elder is Eying's grandfather and Liang Qu's father-in-law — then further back the King of Yue from Ningjiang Prefecture, the frog clan and turtle clan from the Jianghuai Great Marsh, the old monk from Suspended Temple, and neighbor Uncle Chen.

All of them must be visited; even if not sharing a meal, fruit, pastries, and gifts must be sent — it's customary, and even the reason I didn't attend the Grand Court Assembly this year, which freed up quite a bit of time; otherwise it would be even busier — not having to go out on the first day of the year already counts as rare leisure time.

Last year I took too much leave; this year I'll reduce it bit by bit — can't start the year by slacking off.

"The Dharma Relic and the elixirs both need time to refine; the coral I'll have to find time to feel through thoroughly."

"Feeling the coral is simple; the Dharma Relic can also be delayed temporarily — according to Di Xian, unlike elixirs, once taken it remains effective in the Lower Dantian long-term; elixirs must be seized urgently."

Pondering the order, Liang Qu kept track of Jiang Tun's position through the link.

A moment.

Outside the Long Gong, vortices surged.

Round Head burst out of the vortex tunnel, grew limbs, and went straight into the quiet room.

"I see — that's excellent; the old Yin Whale actually has some use after all."

Medicinal fragrance assaulted the nose.

Opening the letter that came with the elixirs, Liang Qu saw Fu Shuo's own handwriting, specially explaining the reason for this alchemy's speed.

The Small Root Sea Elixir was personally refined by the Whale Emperor — furnace methods beyond the ordinary, medicinal potency extremely inclusive; and most of Liang Qu's great fortuitous medicines require exchange with the imperial court to become Qi Sea growth types, can be freely matched and chosen — once the formula is set, just re-refine and fuse them in directly, not starting from zero, as simple as kneading putty.

"Hah."

Liang Qu activated the Time-Sequence Long Breath, directly maxing out five-times speed — one day stronger than six.

Cultivate!

Six hundred fifty-four-fold Root Sea undulating, yellow earth vast and continuous, expanding and growing —

Front and back two quiet rooms, cultivating for two days and nights.

New Year's proper, yet the Huai King and the Dragon Elephant King are actually both in seclusion in the Long Gong together.

Southern Border.

At the year's start, the great figures of the Nine Villages gather together to jointly discuss and set the coming year's policies — a custom established by the former old Tusi imitating the Central Plains imperial court's Grand Court Assembly to enhance Nine Villages unity; the effect has always been good.

During the New Year festival, everyone's atmosphere is harmonious; many matters originally not easy to negotiate successfully become possible on this day, so the new Tusi is also willing to persist.

The more matters accomplished, the more stable it becomes, and the more things can be done.

Yun Qianlan and Yu Aoshan mingled in the crowd, staring at the "Holy Maiden Li" in the Qingyu Valley team with gritted teeth.

Crowds flowed like water, stepping forward one after another to offer congratulations.

"Congratulations, Holy Maiden Li! Joy to Holy Maiden Li! This time crossing into the Tiger-Hunting Upper Realm, Entering Zhen Xiang is within reach."

"So this is the Holy Maiden's natal Gu — the Golden-Winged Heavenly Centipede? Majestic, too majestic; this old man has seen ten thousand Gu insects, none match this one's divine martial bearing."

Li Yilin's face was full of spring breeze, modest with the grandmasters of every major village.

Li Xianghan mixed among the younger generation, pleased with herself, like a proud peacock.

To provide intelligence for Liang Qu, she needed to attend many gatherings — a grand occasion like this was obviously not to be missed, the easiest place to find clues and deduce intelligence.

Today she specially got up in the middle of the night, spent a full two hours on makeup — her bare face already nine parts beautiful — she felt her looks were not below the Huai King's consort, at most half a part short; her whole person shone brilliantly, combined with her cultivation, wherever she went she seized eyes, radiant and dazzling.

There is no better adornment than confidence and high spirits!

Yu Chuyao, Qi Qingqing, and Ba Xueli clustered around, chattering away.

"Sister Li, Sister Li, when will you become an Entering Zhen Xiang Holy Maiden?"

"What does Younger Sister Yu think?"

"This year, this very year!"

"Oh ho ho ho, this year Tiger-Hunting perfection does have a chance, but Long Breath hasn't been chosen well yet."

Li Xianghan covered her mouth and laughed softly, when suddenly a faint sentence seemed to fly past her ear.

"Before, Holy Maiden Li was also outstanding, yet not this swift and fierce — truly a late bloomer; from now on, the Great Liang of the younger generation will have to ————"

"Where, where."

Li Xianghan's mouth corners drooped; she caught sight of an old woman not far away speaking with Li Yilin, face full of smiles.

You're the late bloomer, your whole family are late bloomers — no, wrong — old waste, lying in bed one night can shit three times, can't shut either your upper or lower mouth, sleeping in your own excrement, you old waste, come running to this public place to shit — die early, let your retard son wash two fewer bedsheets; this grandaunt is thirty this year, a yellow-flower maiden, precisely in her prime — late bloomer my ass.

One phrase "late bloomer," like she'd eaten a mouthful of fly shit.

Composing her mood, Li Xianghan responded with unchanged expression to the Southern Border heroes clustering around, occasionally inquiring after their elders — saving the trouble of actively seeking them out; when useful information appeared she silently memorized it, to sort out on return — until a certain elder's granddaughter.

"Sister Li, quick look — this is the Mermaid Tear my grandpa brought back from the East Sea, so pretty, only two in total, this one I give to you!"

East Sea?

Li Xianghan's heart shook: "East Sea? When did your grandpa go to the East Sea? Isn't Elder Jin always in seclusion, preparing to break through to Six Heyi?"

"Ah, I also thought he was always in seclusion — after all it's been a year — but turns out two days ago I learned he actually achieved Six Heyi and emerged in the twelfth month, then went out a trip, don't know what for, anyway brought me back two Mermaid Tears." The girl shook the Mermaid Tear earrings in her hand, "How about it, pretty? Sister Li wear on the left, I'll wear on the right ————"

"Went a trip, went out a trip, went out a trip ————"

Awei landed on her shoulder, unfolded the Primordial Vessel.

Li Xianghan instantly felt the world spin; a simple sentence repeated and circled in her mind.

Done for, done for.

Went and came back — obviously something major happened; the Huai King won't hit her, right?

Jianghuai Great Marsh, North Water.

Eight tentacles waving, Hai Fangzhu softly hummed a tune, preparing for tomorrow's banquet to entertain Xiao Shui; cheerful shouts came from outside the hall.

"Sister, sister, you have a letter — from the East Sea."

Pink Lady Hai Yun rushed into the hall in a fluster, a huge scroll coiled around her wrist.

"East Sea, my letter?"

Hai Fangzhu's seven feet didn't stop; the remaining foot caught the scroll — a toss, a flash, a catch — single foot untied the rope and spread open the scroll, asking while working: "Who delivered it?"

"It's a sea wolf, said to be personally written by the East Sea Haiya King for Elder Sister."

"Haiya King?"

Hai Fangzhu was surprised, then frowned slightly. Wasn't the Haiya King the demon king beside the Flood Dragon?

"Elder Sister, Elder Sister, could it be that the Whale Emperor Great Fish has calmed down and sent a conciliatory signal? Had the Haiya King come to seek trade with us?" Lady Hai Yun leaned in, the pink and blue contact areas pressing flat, Shi Bi excited. "I said the Skate King wouldn't work. The Octopus clan and the Merfolk have cooperated for a long time, so our octopus spirits can speak up. Can the skate fish?"

"Not necessarily. Hey, little sister, don't crowd me, I can't even read the letter properly." Hai Fangzhu held her wrist-foot high, to prevent Lady Hai Yun's rubbing movements from shaking the letter's contents.

She fixed her gaze to look.

Lady Hai Yun recited from left to right, word by deliberate word.

"Hai~ Fang~ Zhu, I~ want~ to~ sleep~ with~ you————Huh?"

Hai Fangzhu felt something like hot coals, flusteredly threw the letter flying, whoosh—retracted her eight limbs, tightly wrapping around Lady Hai Yun: "What's written on it?"

"Mmph!" Lady Hai Yun was wrapped so tight by Hai Fangzhu she could barely breathe, difficultly wriggling out from the azure limbs. "The Haiya King wants to sleep with Elder Sister, wow! Elder Sister, it's the Haiya King's courtship letter! My heavens! What a shameless demon king, doesn't he know Elder Sister is the Ape King's fish?"

"Crackle-pop."

Midday's bright light penetrated the water domain, shining into the room.

Bones grinding, tendons springing, crimson skin slowly recovering wheat color, Da Pi breathing, chest rising and falling, bilateral serratus anterior muscles breathing up and down like shark gills.

Liang Qu opened golden eyes, introspected his body.

Root Sea.

Seven hundred forty-two times!

"Increased eighty-eight times."

Five fingers tore through air, emitting a sound like tearing silk, Liang Qu closed the time-sequence multiplier, clenched his fist, grinned.

Power.

Boundless, world-ending power!

Distance to thousand-fold Root Sea, only two hundred fifty short.

"Not sure if Zhang Longxiang has finished seclusion————"

The aftertaste from comprehending the Heart Eye wasn't great. After Liang Qu comprehended it, he directly took up his spear and cleaved the dry bones, then slept soundly for a month. Owl God Snatches Food was a bit hard to say, but it shouldn't owe this wave of needing to digest the pills taken.

If he exits seclusion, he can just nicely discuss the next plans with Zhang Longxiang.

Heaven's Order's two great Double Flower Red Poles, together charging into the underworld, who else could block them?

Just thinking about it makes the heart surge with excitement.

Suddenly.

Spiritual link throbbed, it was Bai Awei, the undercover in the Southern Frontier.

Liang Qu abruptly stood up.

"What? The East Sea demon king bribery succeeded?"

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