Chapter 104: The Way of Utmost Sincerity Allows Foreknowledge! This Is Treason!

In the occult world, Zhao Fangxu’s strength was not formidable.

The so-called air-piercing palm was merely Xu Si, as his subordinate, deliberately flattering him.

Of course, as chairman of Naidu Tong, Zhao Fangxu did not need to be strong himself—he only needed sufficient understanding of occultists.

As a state official, no occultist, unless insane, would dare target Zhao Fangxu.

When they heard Zhao Fangxu had personally intervened,

Wang Ai’s expression instantly darkened.

The rumor of Luo Fu’s secret to immortality had spread widely throughout the occult world.

After so long, even foreign occultists should have learned this secret.

When a secret reaches this scale, it is no longer a secret—especially with Zhao Fangxu’s personal involvement, which made Wang Ai’s head ache.

This meant Wang Family’s attempt to seize Luo Fu’s secret would inevitably clash with Naidu Tong—even as one of the Ten Elders, he could not withstand Naidu Tong’s retaliation.

Don’t forget, there are ten Elders; Wang Ai is merely one of them.

After frowning in deep thought, Wang Ai’s eyes flashed with sharp resolve: “Spread the news of Luo Fu. Contact foreign occultists allied with us—make them act. The secret to immortality, Wang Family will not let slip.”

“But…” This man, a collateral branch of the Wang Family who had come to report and was Wang Ai’s uncle by lineage, fully understood what Wang Ai’s decision implied.

If they did not expose it, fine—but if they did, Wang Family’s actions amounted to treason.

Ordinary people committing treason still face severe punishment; how much worse in the lawless occult world?

Once the news leaked, Wang Family could forget any notion of easing tensions or settling matters with wine and apologies.

Unless they could flee overseas before Naidu Tong and state power struck, every single member of the clan, without exception, would be caught.

In modern society, never underestimate the power of the state.

The occultists’ current freedom is merely because the state has never seriously regarded this tiny, shadow-dwelling minority within human society.

“Lord, Itachi… are Itachi reconsidering?” The Wang Family collateral branch’s face twisted in anxiety, his brow lined with fear: “If our actions are exposed by other occultists or discovered by Naidu Tong, the consequences are unimaginable.”

“Then don’t leak it.” Wang Ai gave the collateral branch a long, piercing look: “Go. Do it.”

His heart grew even more uneasy and fearful. Though Wang Ai’s expression remained calm, the collateral branch knew he had irrevocably angered his lord.

He regretted it endlessly. But Wang Ai’s decades of authority forced him, despite his terror and dread, to nod in reluctant agreement.

While Wang Ai planned to use foreign occultist forces against Luo Fu to seize the rumored secret of immortality,

Luo Fu, just arriving outside Zhang Zhiwei’s door, suddenly sensed something.

A feeling of being manipulated arose naturally.

His mind stirred, and Luo Fu spoke: “The golden wind has not stirred, yet the cicada senses it first; secret death arrives unseen.”

Lu Jin and Tian Jinzhong, walking beside Luo Fu, heard this sudden, cryptic remark.

Both were momentarily baffled.

Lu Jin, closer to Luo Fu, could not help asking: “Brother Luo Fu, what do Itachi mean…?”

Luo Fu smiled faintly: “The Way of Utmost Sincerity allows foreknowledge. I seem to have reached this state—I just sensed someone plotting against me.”

Lu Jin and Tian Jinzhong were instantly startled.

Even they, totaling over two hundred years of age, were shocked—how much more so for Rong Shan and Zhang Lingyu, who had come with them?

“The Way of Utmost Sincerity allows foreknowledge? This… borders on divine power!” Rong Shan exclaimed in alarm.

“The Taibai Jiu Ku Tianzun’s Sacred Text says: ‘Responding to all calls, vows boundless’; the Taiyi Jiu Hu Shen Jing states: ‘The Tianzun manifests as countless forms; merely chant his holy name, and he arrives instantly to save from suffering.’” Zhang Lingyu stared at Luo Fu with an odd expression: “Brother Luo Fu… Master Luo Fu, have Itachi truly touched this realm?”

Luo Fu chuckled softly and shook his head: “Taibai Jiu Ku Tianzun’s powers are boundless. I’ve merely achieved minor progress from my realm breakthrough—nothing more than the Way of Utmost Sincerity allowing foreknowledge.”

Though Luo Fu’s explanation was humble, at this moment, Zhang Lingyu, Rong Shan, Lu Jin, and Tian Jinzhong all regarded him as a future divine being.

Yet differently: Lu Jin, Tian Jinzhong, and Rong Shan knew Zhang Zhiwei had personally declared Luo Fu now existed as a terrestrial xian.

In Zhang Lingyu’s heart, however, his unwillingness to yield meant that though he admired and even revered Luo Fu’s cultivation, he never placed Luo Fu on the same level as Lu Zu.

Regaining his composure, Lu Jin exclaimed in awe: “Brother, Itachi’ve gained this empty-space awareness, this precognition? Can Itachi tell us who wants to harm Itachi?”

“I merely felt something—sensed someone plotting against me. I wouldn’t call it empty-space awareness or precognition.” Luo Fu shook his head: “Besides, this person has only just conceived the thought—whether they’ll act is still unknown. Let’s not panic over nothing.”

“Master Luo Fu, truly worthy of the title Zhang Tianshi himself admits he cannot match.” A unfamiliar voice came from within the room.

As the closed door opened, an elderly man in a suit, stout, wearing round glasses, stepped out with a smile before Luo Fu and the others.

Zhang Zhiwei, the old Tian Shi of Longhu Mountain, followed closely behind.

“Old Tian, old Lu, I just heard Itachi both calling Master Luo Fu ‘brother.’ Seems Itachi’ve finally shed worldly prejudice—congratulations.” Zhang Zhiwei teased.

Since realizing Luo Fu possessed the qualification for ascension—even could now be called a xian—Zhang Zhiwei no longer treated him as a junior.

Even in address, he now bestowed the title “Master.”

The “Master” Zhang Zhiwei used was entirely different from the flattery others gave Daoists.

To outsiders, “Master” had become overused—even Lu Jin’s great-granddaughter Lu Linglong and Zhang Zhiwei’s disciple Zhang Lingyu were called “Master.”

But Lu Linglong’s and Zhang Lingyu’s “Master” were nothing like Zhang Zhiwei’s use for Luo Fu.

Zhuangzi’s Da Zong Shi says: “Ancient Masters knew not life, knew not death; they did not rejoice at emergence, nor resist departure; they drifted away, drifted back—nothing more.”

Classic texts like Guiguzi, Emperor Neijing’s Suwen, Dongyuan Ziran Jingjue, and Taishang Jing all define the Master.

Huainanzi’s Benjing Xun defines the Master as: “Neither dead nor alive, neither empty nor full—this is the Master.”

In essence, “Master” is a title transcending humanity, worthy of divinity.

Hearing Zhang Zhiwei call Luo Fu “Master,” Zhang Lingyu finally shed all lingering resentment.

When one’s strength surpasses another’s, jealousy may arise—but when the gap becomes vast enough, jealousy vanishes entirely.

Zhang Lingyu’s heart had passed through this exact process.

After brief pleasantries,

Zhang Zhiwei, Tian Jinzhong, Lu Jin, Zhao Fangxu, and Luo Fu entered the room.

But Rong Shan and Zhang Lingyu clearly had no right to enter.

To prevent eavesdropping, Lu Jin went to great lengths, layering the room with repeated talismans.

Inside the room,

Zhao Fangxu’s face no longer held the smile from their first meeting; instead, a faint wariness and caution filled his brow.

“Master Luo Fu, Itachi must understand what my personal presence signifies.”

Though phrased as a question, Zhao Fangxu’s tone was certain, unwavering.

Luo Fu nodded slightly: “Your identity, Chairman Zhao, is not widely known in the occult world, but it’s no secret. Unluckily, both Brother Zhang Zhiwei and Brother Lu Jin, as Ten Elders, have dealt with Itachi often.”

“Good.” Zhao Fangxu spoke without humor: “Master Luo Fu, forgive my bluntness—your abilities are too dangerous. Under normal circumstances, the company would spare no cost to either eliminate Itachi or imprison Itachi in a black fortress.”

Zhao Fangxu’s words made Luo Fu unexpectedly recall the Nine-Tails in the ninja world.

It seemed Hashirama Senju had also seized the Nine-Tails, claiming “Itachi’re too dangerous,” sealing it into his wife Kushina Uzumaki’s body.

He never imagined that across worlds, he’d receive the same evaluation as the Nine-Tails.

Though Luo Fu was confident that almost no one in the occult world could match him now,

even Zhang Zhiwei, hailed as the pinnacle, he believed he could hold his own without even using his full strength.

Yet Luo Fu still maintained humility, never claiming invincibility, because the water of this world was far deeper than it appeared.

Don’t forget the Eight Marvelous Techniques, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley, Naisen Island—

The Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley gave birth to the Eight Marvelous Techniques; Naisen Island has existed since ancient times, since humanity’s barbaric dawn, and still endures today.

The world is vast—who knows where another ancient monster might suddenly emerge?

Maintaining humility is the essential mindset for Luo Fu’s continued growth.

More crucially, in this world, occultists are firmly suppressed by normal human society—a suppression not just modern, but one that began thousands of years ago, when ordinary humans already established comprehensive superiority over occultists.

Before modern weaponry, occultists’ flashy techniques could not stir up any real storm.

Even if Luo Fu had his own realm and could retreat into it anytime, he couldn’t hide there forever, waiting to cling to other versions of himself.

“Chairman Zhao, are Itachi saying the company now intends to control me—and if it can’t, eliminate me at any cost?” Luo Fu asked calmly.

Zhao Fangxu suddenly laughed—but it was a bitter laugh.

He shook his head: “Before last night, I could have assured Master Luo Fu with certainty: yes. If we couldn’t control Itachi, the company would spare no expense to eliminate Itachi—even last night, Ren Fei, the Central China director overseeing Longhu Mountain’s Luotian Da Jiao, specifically contacted me, requesting approval to launch a conventional Dongfeng strike against Longhu Mountain.”

These words instantly changed the faces of Zhang Zhiwei, Tian Jinzhong, and Lu Jin.

They were unquestionably the strongest in the occult world: two Ten Elders, the old Tian Shi of Longhu Mountain, and the patriarch of the Lu family—one of the Four Great Clans.

But against the stability of normal society, even Longhu Mountain and the Lu family were expendable—let alone the Ten Elders. The state would never compromise on fundamental principles.

The reason was simple: when the cost was high enough, even the Ten Elders or millennia-old orthodox sects were merely fragile vessels to be shattered.

The state could bear this cost—and was willing to bear it.

After expressing the state’s unwavering resolve, Zhao Fangxu changed tone: “But after the old Tian Shi descended the mountain last night to meet Ren Fei, the board rejected the proposal for a conventional Dongfeng strike.”

He paused slightly, then asked: “Master Luo Fu, I wish to know—are Itachi truly the creator of an independent realm beyond this world?”

“Merely an alternate space. Calling it a ‘true realm’ is inaccurate—it would only invite ridicule.” Luo Fu sounded humble, yet he confirmed the realm’s existence.

Zhao Fangxu’s gaze sharpened. After brief thought, he said: “Master Luo Fu, forgive my boldness—may I enter your realm to observe it?”

“Why not?” Luo Fu agreed immediately.

He now understood: Zhao Fangxu’s cancellation of the conventional Dongfeng strike on Longhu Mountain stemmed entirely from the existence of this independent realm—modern weapons could barely threaten Luo Fu.

This was also why Zhao Fangxu and even Zhang Zhiwei did not yet know that, beyond this localized realm, Luo Fu also possessed the ultimate illusion technique, Izanagi, capable of reversing reality and illusion.

Of course, Izanagi could not be used now.

Or rather, Luo Fu himself did not yet know what effect it would have after localization.

With the shared space, Luo Fu could indeed access all from his other-world selves—bloodline, abilities, knowledge, and more!

But this required a transformation process.

These abilities, after localization, would inevitably change—perhaps strengthen, perhaps weaken.

Regardless, sharing abilities from other worlds—even if weakened—still strengthens Luo Fu’s power and diversifies his methods.

After agreeing to take Zhao Fangxu into the cave heaven world, Luo Fu did not act immediately but first warned Zhao Fangxu.

The reason was simple: Zhao Fangxu was the chairman of Naidu Tong. Who knew if the company was monitoring his vital signs after he hurriedly climbed Longhu Mountain?

In short, Lu Jin had used the Tongtian Lu to lay numerous talismans, sealing the room.

But Zhao Fangxu might still have modern technological means capable of breaking through Lu Jin’s seals, at least enough to transmit his vital signs to the outside world.

Once one enters Luo Fu’s cave heaven world, one truly enters another world.

Neither transcendent techniques nor modern technology could breach the boundaries of space.

In other words, if Zhao Fangxu truly had company-implemented methods monitoring his vital signs, then once Luo Fu brought him into his cave heaven world, Zhao Fangxu would vanish from this world.

Upon hearing Luo Fu’s concerns, Zhao Fangxu laughed heartily and explained frankly: since climbing Longhu Mountain, he had no vital signs monitoring devices on him.

After all, Zhang Zhiwei was here; with his abilities, even if the company truly intended to act, it would be hard to respond in time.

But Luo Fu’s caution made Zhao Fangxu finally exhale a sigh of relief.

Luo Fu’s caution meant he was open to cooperating with the company.

Even if this caution stemmed merely from a desire to avoid direct conflict with the company, it still revealed key aspects of Luo Fu’s character.

And for Zhao Fangxu, that was enough.

“I beg the True Person Luo Fu to display his divine art, so I may witness the legendary cave heaven world,” Zhao Fangxu said with a smile, stepping forward to Luo Fu.

As a spatial vortex appeared, the next moment, both Luo Fu and Zhao Fangxu were swallowed by it.

When the two entered the cave heaven world,

Lu Jin finally spoke with concern: “Old Heavenly Master, do Itachi think Zhao Fangxu, the company’s chairman, coming personally to Longhu Mountain… might mean…?”

“Relax, old Lu!” Zhang Zhiwei waved his hand. “If it weren’t Zhao Fangxu himself but another Naidu Tong director climbing Longhu Mountain, I couldn’t guarantee Luo Fu’s safety. But Zhao Fangxu coming here proves the company’s and the state’s stance.”

After a brief pause, Zhang Zhiwei added: “Still, remind Luo Fu: though the company is cautious of him, if his actions cross their bottom line, neither the company nor I will stand idly by.”

Lu Jin gave Zhang Zhiwei a skeptical look. “Do Itachi not know who the True Person Luo Fu is? He is a truly pure seeker of the Dao—his purity of heart even surpasses Itachi, old rogue.”

During this brief exchange, another spatial vortex appeared in the room.

Zhao Fangxu and Luo Fu reappeared in the room.

“Truly eye-opening—Daoist divine art is indeed unfathomable,” Zhao Fangxu exclaimed upon returning.

The cave heaven world Luo Fu now nurtured—still forming, with earth, fire, water, and wind in ceaseless motion—challenged all conventional understanding.

It was like the primordial opening of heaven and earth—even if this cosmos was minuscule, almost laughable—it was still an independent space, a world beyond the entire universe!

“Chairman Zhao overpraises me,” Luo Fu smiled. “Merely trivial arts, a source of amusement.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhao Fangxu said: “Then I shall take my leave. I hope to meet the True Person Luo Fu again soon.”

“Leaving already?” Lu Jin said in surprise. “Chairman Zhao, surely…?”

Before Lu Jin could finish, Zhang Zhiwei interrupted: “Ah! Old Lu, when Chairman Zhao departs, Itachi and I must personally escort him. Chairman Zhao is busy with state affairs—he’s no idle man like us!”

Lu Jin instantly understood: from the expressions of Luo Fu and Zhao Fangxu, they had clearly reached an agreement inside the cave heaven world.

Clearly, neither Luo Fu nor Zhao Fangxu wished Lu Jin to know what was discussed within the cave heaven.

Lu Jin chuckled awkwardly. “Of course, of course.”

After removing the room’s many talismans, Lu Jin and Zhang Zhiwei personally escorted Zhao Fangxu down Longhu Mountain.

Halfway down, Zhao Fangxu suddenly spoke: “Old Lu, are Itachi curious about what conditions I discussed with the True Person Luo Fu?”

Lu Jin’s heart leapt; he hesitated. “If Chairman Zhao feels comfortable sharing, he need not conceal it.”

“Not just Itachi, Old Lu—even the Heavenly Master may listen to the True Person Luo Fu’s terms,” Zhao Fangxu said without hesitation.

He began recounting his conversation with Luo Fu inside the cave heaven world.

Luo Fu’s cave heaven world had no noticeable difference in time flow compared to the outside world.

At least, no such temporal discrepancy had been detected yet.

Since Zhao Fangxu and Luo Fu had spent little time inside, they could not exchange much useful information.

But it was far more effective than their earlier cryptic, indirect conversation outside.

After merely glancing at Luo Fu’s cave heaven world, Zhao Fangxu cut straight to the point and asked Luo Fu his views on the company and the state.

Luo Fu answered candidly: he held no deep reservations or opinions toward either the company or the state.

Compared to pursuing the Dao, Luo Fu understood himself clearly—he had no ambition to wield earthly power. What truly captivated him was the Dao itself.

When Zhao Fangxu bluntly told Luo Fu that the state’s current development would not tolerate deviation,

he added: in this age of science and industrialization, if Luo Fu sought to cultivate the Dao or draw others into it, even at great cost, the company and the state would not compromise.

Luo Fu had no such ambition—he openly admitted to Zhao Fangxu that he had never entertained such thoughts.

Even the ancient masters who achieved transcendence and ascended never sought to widely spread their Dao.

Luo Fu had even less reason to hold such unrealistic ideas.

(End of Chapter)