Chapter 221: Late-night Dialogue at the Lord's Manor!

Is there no second level of the inherited divine ability?

Qin Shuo's expression shifted; this was the first time he had heard such a view, so he again humbly sought advice.

Divine ability differs from martial arts; those passed down are extremely rare.

Even in the Demon-Suppressing Office's archives, records of divine ability are very scarce and vague.

You must know that Cloud Prefecture is vast, with a population of tens of millions, and sects and clans are as numerous as cow hairs.

But aside from the Great Dragon Temple, there is no second clan or sect that masters divine ability.

The rarity and preciousness of divine ability can be seen in a glimpse.

His previous understanding of divine ability almost entirely came from outside speculation and rumors about it.

That is why he thought divine ability, like martial arts, is divided into minor accomplishment, major accomplishment, and perfection.

Unexpectedly, divine ability actually has three levels, each a different world.

According to Master Kong, the so-called 'no second level of the inherited divine ability' means that after the Martial Saint's death, his descendants trying to cultivate the divine ability to the second level via bloodline or medium almost have no possibility.

Because to cultivate the second level of divine ability, one needs to obtain the complete Martial Saint's inheritance.

This is extremely, extremely difficult!

Divine ability is the embodiment of the Martial Saint's will.

To obtain the complete Martial Saint's inheritance means to accept the complete Martial Saint's will.

How can a person completely accept another's will?

This in itself is an unlikely thing.

Unless... the Martial Saint is reborn!

Thus, the vast majority of divine ability inheritors take divine ability as a furnace, melding a hundred schools, and ultimately forge their own martial path.

The Great Dragon Temple has stood for over a thousand years; aside from the founding patriarch, the Dragon Elephant Holy Monk, all monks through the ages—including Master Kong and his teacher, as well as the Dragon Elephant Monk—have only grasped the first level.

The Four Symbols Power is already enough to guard the temple and protect the Dharma; as for the second level of divine ability...

It's truly too difficult!

Moreover, if one truly cultivates the second level of divine ability,

it is hard to say whether it is the later inheritors who have inherited the will of the ancient sages, or whether the Martial Saint's will is reborn using a later person's body.

Thus, the saying that there is no second level of the inherited divine ability arises in the martial world.

This is not only a reminder, but also a warning!

Especially for those Martial Saint clans that inherit through bloodline, once a second-level divine ability appears, they usually regard it as the Martial Saint's reincarnation, giving it extremely high status.

Because descendants who have inherited the complete Martial Saint's will have a great probability of following in their ancestors' footsteps and returning to the Martial Saint's pinnacle.

"Occupied by the Martial Saint's will? Reborn by borrowing a body?"

Qin Shuo's complexion darkened somewhat.

He hadn't expected that cultivating divine ability would also carry this risk.

"Qin Benefactor, you need not worry too much."

Seeing Qin Shuo's unpleasant expression, the Barefoot Monk comforted him with a smiling face:

"The Buddhist divine ability differs from the Martial Saint's inheritance mediated by bloodline; the probability of rebirth by borrowing a body is extremely low."

"As long as you hold to your original heart and do not let the Martial Saint's will scatter your mind,"

"even if you cannot comprehend the truth of the second level of divine ability, you will not be overrun by the Martial Saint's will."

"Really?"

Qin Shuo's eyes showed suspicion.

"Monks do not tell lies!"

The Barefoot Monk twirled his long eyebrows, his face full of smiles, bearing a kind and benevolent gaze.

"What about the third level?"

Qin Shuo feigned a grim expression, but in his heart he was not overly worried.

The Taotie Cauldron in his sea of consciousness can even refine the will of ancient gods; surely refining the Martial Saint's will is no problem.

"The third level?"

The Barefoot Monk first showed surprise, then shook his head and said:

"The third level of divine ability cannot be made up by talent, nor substituted by bloodline."

"Only one who has achieved the Martial Saint can truly comprehend and master it."

"Even if a descendant with ancestral bloodline return fails to become a Martial Saint, they cannot bear that heaven-shaking, earth-shattering terrifying power."

"Only a Martial Saint can master the third level, right?"

Qin Shuo understood this in his heart, yet felt no disappointment.

For him, at present, merely achieving the second level is enough.

As for the third level, if he can refine it, that's best; if he cannot, he won't force it.

"What should I do?"

After understanding the characteristics of divine ability clearly, Qin Shuo turned the topic to the purpose of his trip.

"Stay in the temple for the night; tomorrow I, together with my master, will enter the divine ability secret realm with you to help you sense the Dragon Elephant Divine Ability." The Barefoot Monk smiled, twirling his eyebrows.

"Good."

Qin Shuo did not rush, but waited quietly for arrangements.

……

The night was deep and cold; only a green lamp was lit in the study.

Chen Muyun sat upright behind the desk, his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop, his voice calm and unhurried:

Esteemed Nephew Xiao came to visit late at night; I don't know what business he has.

A black shadow drifted down like a ghost and landed before the study; it was none other than Xiao Yingqi, who had changed into plain clothes and draped a cloak.

Your humble nephew pays his respects, City Lord.

Xiao Yingqi clasped his hands in salute,

Fortunately, the City Lord sent a letter from afar, informing this nephew that the Xiao family had met with disaster, and you mediated and delayed matters, giving this nephew the chance to rush here to clear the Xiao family's name; today I come specially to express my gratitude.

Esteemed Nephew, there's no need to be so polite.

Chen Muyun rose with a smile, gestured for him to enter, and only after he was seated did he say:

I shared a deep friendship with your father; naturally I cannot bear to see the Xiao family destroyed.

But Esteemed Nephew, you can summon your senior brother to come to Yunzhou to retry the case; it seems your status in Xuanbing Mountain is not low.

City Lord, you overpraise me!

Xiao Yingqi clasped his fists and bowed.

After their pleasantries ended, Chen Muyun, while pouring tea for Xiao Yingqi, asked seemingly casually:

Regarding the Xiao family case, Inspector Wang, do you have any leads?

City Lord Chen should know, Yingqi has not returned home for ten years, and his connections within Yunzhou City are not as familiar as yours.

Today I came, first to express gratitude, and second to seek the City Lord's assistance.

Xiao Yingqi lowered his posture greatly; as an inner disciple of Xuanbing Mountain, he originally had no need to do so.

But he clearly understood that, at present, the only one who could save his Xiao family was the Prefect of Yunzhou who governs a prefecture.

Even his senior brother Wang Liehu could only make some moves openly.

To truly exonerate the Xiao family, one must have this person step forward.

Moreover, he faintly sensed that the Xiao family's alleged collusion with the Guimu Sect was likely inseparable from this person.

Otherwise, given their relationship, the other party would have no reason to risk offending the Demon Suppression Office and that Fu Chief, to send a letter from afar personally and personally intervene to delay matters.

In between, there must be some hidden circumstance he does not know.

When the Xiao family faces trouble, given my relationship with your father, I naturally cannot stand by idly.

But you also know that when the Demon Suppression Office handles a case, the City Lord's residence cannot openly intervene.

Chen Muyun slightly raised his eyes, his gaze calm, seeming helpless.

You cannot openly intervene?

Xiao Yingqi's heart stirred—perhaps covert assistance was possible.

Thus he no longer beat around the bush and got straight to the point:

The City Lord once sent a message to Xuanbing Mountain saying, 'Someone is foul play in this case'; presumably you know some inside details—could you tell Esteemed Nephew?

Upon hearing this, Chen Muyun's gaze suddenly grew deep,

like a deep pond, surface gentle but underneath currents surging.

After a long while, he spoke softly, 'Esteemed Nephew Xiao, do you wish to wipe clean all blame from the Xiao family?'

Naturally.

Xiao Yingqi's tone was blunt.

Chen Muyun asked again, 'Esteemed Nephew, how do you intend to proceed?'

'Using his own methods to treat him.'

Xiao Yingqi said indifferently:

'That Qin, using a wood spirit, framed my Xiao family; I will use an earth-escaping zombie to charge him with colluding with demons.'

'I and Senior Brother Wang have agreed: he must solve the case of the earth-escaping zombie sucking human blood within three days.'

'If he cannot, we will condemn him for colluding with the Guimu Sect, using the wood spirit to frame my Xiao family.'

'Now that Qin has left the city, Senior Brother Wang, on the grounds that he fled fearing punishment, has already set out to pursue and kill him.'

'Now, as long as we find the earth-escaping zombie and desiccated corpses in his residence, that will be ironclad proof and can resolve the Xiao family's predicament.'

'Earth-escaping zombies come and go without trace; how can you possibly catch them?' Chen Muyun raised his eyebrows slightly.

'This nephew came precisely to ask for your advice on this.'

Xiao Yingqi spoke bluntly:

'Recently, blood-sucking zombies have caused a stir in Yunzhou City; surely the City Lord's residence cannot be completely unaware.'

'Esteemed Nephew, you overestimate the City Lord's residence.'

Chen Muyun slowly rose, walked to the window, gazed at the night outside, and spoke softly:

'Although I am the Prefect of Yunzhou, I only manage civil affairs and livelihood; matters of demons and monsters are the responsibility of the Demon Suppression Office.'

'I truly do not know the whereabouts of the earth-escaping zombie.'

Xiao Yingqi's heart sank.

He does not know?

After this conversation, he could almost be certain that the other party is deeply involved with the Guimu Sect.

Even...

The Prefect of Yunzhou before him is very likely a member of the notorious Guimu Sect.

The Xiao family's plight today is definitely inseparable from him.

As a disciple of Xuanbing Mountain, he ought to be utterly opposed to such demonic cults; exorcising demons and upholding the Dao is his true duty.

But for now, to clear the Xiao family's name and also for his own life and prospects, he can only turn a blind eye, first get through this immediate crisis, then talk later.

Thus, he took a deep breath, lowered his posture once more, and spoke sincerely:

'As long as the City Lord can save the Xiao family's entire household, Xiao Yingqi is willing to lay down his liver and brains, to spare no effort.'

"Worthy nephew, why must you be like this?"

Chen Muyun slowly turned around, and a triumphant smile involuntarily curled at the corner of his mouth.