Chapter 280: Teaching the Dao, Transmitting the Methods (Requesting Moon Tickets

"How could that be? You're overthinking it, Willow God."

Hearing Willow God's words, Wu Xian was startled, but his expression remained innocent; he blinked several times, trying to charm his way out of it.

"My situation is complicated—I'm not sure you'd believe me if I told you. Until now, I've only trained for less than three months. The power I have now came from a high-level master who transmitted the Dao to me in a dream; when I woke up, I possessed divine strength, but I still don't understand how it happened."

Every word he spoke was utterly true, spoken from the depths of his heart.

Sharing the power of other Wu Xians in the mysterious space was precisely what it meant to receive the Dao in a dream.

And as for the origin of the mysterious space, he truly knew nothing—it was all honest truth, merely vaguely phrased and never stated outright.

【Dream transmission of the Dao?】

Willow God's voice carried a hint of doubt and curiosity; the emerald willow branch circled Wu Xian, its tip glowing with a soft green light, as if attempting to touch his forehead.

Seeing this, Wu Xian frowned—he disliked others probing his secrets. Even though he was confident his spiritual light could block Willow God's inspection, he still felt deeply uneasy, wondering whether he should resist later.

At that moment, the willow branch suddenly halted, retracting to Willow God's side, and the neutral, gentle voice spoke again.

【Only a few people I know can perform the Tihuguanding technique within dreams without damaging your potential… Regardless, this is an immense stroke of fortune. Seize it well—you may achieve great things in the future.】

"Thank you for your guidance, Willow God."

Wu Xian raised his hand in a respectful bow, his demeanor deeply reverent.

This was rare for him, but Willow God unquestionably deserved such respect.

【Hmm… I observe that both you and Shi Hao have reached your limits in the Blood Mobilization stage—it's time to prepare for breaking into the Cave Heaven stage. Fortunately, you returned earlier than expected, so I can guide you. If I wait any longer, I may fall into slumber again.】

Upon hearing the last sentence, Shi Hao and the other villagers were startled; Shi Hao only then noticed that Willow God's current appearance differed from before.

Much of the charred bark had peeled away, and several protrusions were visible on the trunk, as if something were about to burst forth.

"Willow God, are you alright?"

An elder of Shi Village asked tremulously, his tone filled with concern—for Willow God, and for Shi Village's safety.

Willow God was Shi Village's current ancestral spirit, immensely powerful; if something went wrong, neighboring villages might covet them, placing Shi Village in grave danger.

【No need to worry. This is merely a period of seclusion—it benefits me. But you must be cautious: for the next year, I cannot protect you.】

Willow God's branches stirred slightly, shifting a little closer to Wu Xian. 【However, with your presence now, I can rest easier. While I am in seclusion, I ask you to watch over Shi Village. I will repay you in due time.】

"Willow God, you're too kind. I'm Hao's younger brother—I'm practically half of Shi Village. Protecting my own home is my duty."

Wu Xian smiled in reply, but inwardly understood: Willow God's seclusion was a transformation, like a withered tree reviving in spring, healing the wounds inflicted upon it in the Upper Realm.

Once the transformation succeeded, its power would recover substantially—conservatively, crushing a Divine Flame cultivator would be effortless, possibly even stronger than Wu Xian himself now.

Of course, this referred to Wu Xian's normal state; if he layered his spiritual light with the combined power of all Wu Xians, he could kill it with a few punches.

"Younger brother! You're the best!"

Shi Hao was moved again—again—by Wu Xian; he clenched his small fist and turned to Willow God, shouting loudly: "Willow God, teach me how to break into the Cave Heaven stage right now! I want to protect Shi Village, protect everyone!"

"No rush, Hao-ge. First, return to the village, take a bath, share the treasures you gathered on the journey with everyone, rest well, and regain your strength before thinking about breaking through."

Wu Xian stopped the overeager Shi Hao, then handed him a storage pouch, speaking thus.

"Ah, this…"

Shi Hao scratched his head. He had grown accustomed to listening to his clever younger brother, and now he found the advice entirely reasonable.

He thanked Wu Xian, bid farewell to Willow God, and left with the villagers, laughing and rejoicing—clearly, Shi Village would be lively today.

Meanwhile, Shi Hao invited Wu Xian to join the villagers, but Wu Xian said he had matters to discuss with Willow God; he only asked the Shi clan elder who had followed them from the Second Ancestral Land, along with his loyal servants, to go ahead, promising to join later.

【You have something to say to me—are you finally going to be open?】

Willow God's voice carried a hint of playful amusement.

"No need for openness—I told you the truth earlier!"

Wu Xian spread his hands helplessly, then raised a finger to his third eye, drawing out a swirling halo of red and blue light, and flicked it onto Willow God's lightning-struck wood.

Willow God made no move to stop it, allowing the light to enter its body as it carefully sensed the information within.

"These are the teachings I received from the powerful figure I met in my dream. I'd like you to examine them—see if there are any flaws."

Wu Xian said this, but this was also a gift for Willow God.

The top-tier masters of the Perfect World all strive to create their own methods, seeking to break free from the world's constraints and grasp even a sliver of the chance to become an Emperor.

Willow God was no exception—indeed, part of the reason it was injured and cast down to the Lower Realm stemmed from this pursuit. Now, by giving it vast cultivation paths foreign to this world, Wu Xian was undoubtedly aiding its future step forward.

Though this act was technically unnecessary, he could not miss the chance to make Willow God owe him; given its nature, it would repay him tenfold—and why not take advantage?

Of course, Wu Xian did not hand over everything. For instance, the orthodox Daoist rune analysis method—his ultimate secret—was something he would never share until he created his own "New Bagua," for it was key to his future path in the Perfect World.

【Double-Complete Hand, Heaven-Accessing Scroll, Six-Treasure Thief, Qi Refinement, spiritual willpower, gene warrior, spiritual resonance, internal force… These are cultivation systems utterly alien to this world. In my hundred thousand years, I have never encountered them.】

Willow God's voice was filled with astonishment.

【So you weren't lying before—you truly received the Dao in a dream from an outsider?】

"Of course not. Why would I lie to you, Willow God?"

Wu Xian protested indignantly, looking deeply wronged.

Seeing his expression, Willow God's emerald willow branch paused slightly, as if speechless.

But then, as if making a decision, it floated again before Wu Xian, glowing with a soft green radiance.

【These teachings you gave me are extremely helpful. After I teach Shi Hao how to break into the Cave Heaven stage, I will meditate on them and enter seclusion.】

【In return, I will teach you several of my most powerful divine arts—but please do not teach them to Shi Hao yet, lest you interfere with his future path.】

【Additionally, because of you, my seclusion may last much longer than expected. I will also teach you how to open the pathway to the Virtual Spirit Realm. Once you and Shi Hao break into the Cave Heaven stage, you may enter it for training—it will aid your future cultivation.】

(End of Chapter)