Chapter 171

The small courtyard was heavily guarded, dense shade shrouding all around, extremely tranquil.

Just as he stepped into the courtyard, Niu Dingtian clearly sensed that from the room ahead with its doors and windows tightly shut, a turbulent aura kept emanating.

The old geezer is attacking the pressure points?

Niu Dingtian thought silently, then broke into a smile. He waved his hand to dismiss the surrounding guards, and with a creak, he pushed open the door and entered.

Inside the room it was quiet and gloomy, with considerably more chilling cold than elsewhere.

Eunuch Li closed his eyes, lying still on the bed; the half forearm from his severed wrist still emanated waves of cold, like an ice stick, though his withered, pallid old face was paler than before, and his head of gray hair was unusually disheveled.

Old actor…

After a moment, as if he had thought of something, he suddenly gave Niu Dingtian a meaningful look and spoke in a sharp voice:

「Anything that interests Sect Leader Niu, I will hold nothing back. I don't know if Sect Leader Niu believes it, but if you really take my life, everyone in your Sun Moon Divine Sect will have to be buried with me. 」

Saying that, Niu Dingtian extended his right index finger, smiling as he sized up Eunuch Li's entire body.

Eunuch Li's face changed dramatically.

Now that I've lost a hand, even pretending to be a grandson I can't gamble with my leg; if my right hand were gone I could still pretend to have an iron hand, but if my leg were gone I couldn't even make it back to Lin'an City!

「Over the past few decades, whoever became the leader of the Manichaean Sect would be hunted down by an elder of the palace, no matter where they hid, even to the ends of the earth, they could hardly escape. 」

「But the elder's internal energy had long turned extreme yin to produce yang, cultivating Sunflower True Qi and creating an unprecedented marvelous skill, the Sunflower Treasure Canon. 」

After leaving the room, Niu Dingtian ordered the guards to assign two sturdy matrons to Eunuch Li, then he alone departed the small courtyard.

——

「Your servant has lost a hand, which poses no threat to Young Lord Niu; may Young Lord Niu, in consideration of the imperial court's dignity, allow this servant to return and live out his remaining days? 」

If during this time he earnestly studies the Nine Yin Classic and refines his power, he should at least reach a first-rate realm.

On Granny Sun's somewhat ugly face was full sincerity and joy; after realizing she had misspoken, she hurriedly patted her forehead, and her face also showed some embarrassment.

「Hmph~ If you dare to spout nonsense again, I'll slice your head off directly! 」

As she spoke, Granny Sun seemed to think of something; when her right hand under the table touched the inside of her left sleeve, her face showed a hesitant, wanting-to-speak-but-stopped expression.

「Here! 」

「Although the court has moved south and its national strength waned, it still has no shortage of top-tier masters: earlier there was Huang Shang, who created the Nine Yin Classic, and later there is that elder in the palace, whose strength is so formidable it beggars belief! 」

「According to what I know, over the past century, every generation of leaders of the Manichaean Sect has been personally slain by that elder; none have survived. 」

Eunuch Li's eye corners twitched, his face seemed to grow a bit paler, then he slowly opened his eyes to look at Niu Dingtian, his voice sharp yet hoarse, weak and feeble as he said:

Having said that, without waiting for Eunuch Li's reaction, Niu Dingtian flicked his finger three times, and three invisible finger-strikes instantly penetrated three of his acupoints.

Niu Dingtian's eyes narrowed slightly.

Back when they parted, he had specially spent a night explaining and teaching the opponent, and finally passed on a considerable amount of his power.

However… at the critical moment, that variant of the North Darkness Divine Skill could actually be put to use.

「Granny Sun, do you have any trouble? Since there are no outsiders here, if you have something to say, please speak freely. 」

The imperial court's dignity?

Hearing that, Niu Dingtian's gaze flickered; he looked at the half-arm, covered in ice crystals and missing its palm, then slowly bent down, fixing his stare on Eunuch Li's trembling eyes, and chuckled:

「No need to consider Zhao Kuo's face; just for the sake of our old friendship, I'll give Eunuch Li another chance. 」

This brat really dares to make a move?

Eunuch Li's eyes widened in shock as he glanced at his thigh, instinctively swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

Upon hearing this, Niu Dingtian's gaze suddenly focused, his eyes unblinking as they fixed on Eunuch Li's gaunt face.

「You've seen that elder, right? Tell me about him in detail! 」

Seeing this, Eunuch Li hurriedly smiled and said: 「I wouldn't dare threaten Sect Leader Niu; I truly cannot bear to see you, so young, go to your death. 」

He is indeed a formidable opponent.

Thus, in a secluded and elegant little courtyard, he met this old friend whom he hadn't seen in nearly two years.

Thus…

After easing his tone, he added: 「His lordship is a first-class attendant in the palace; he has been there since I entered the palace, and I'm not exactly sure how old he is. 」

Upon thinking of this, Niu Dingtian felt the weight in his chest lift considerably.

Eunuch Li's face showed alarm; seeing Niu Dingtian's eyes deep and mysterious like an abyss, and the tone that followed carrying an eerie chill that made one's heart race, he hurriedly said:

「All my martial arts were transmitted by that elder; I certainly know him! 」

Meeting Niu Dingtian's ill-intentioned and ever-deepening gaze, Eunuch Li's heart jolted, and he hastily said:

「Sect Leader Niu! I have never practiced the Sunflower Treasure Canon! The elder despises me for my age and never thought to pass the Sunflower Treasure Canon to me! 」

Having said that, he gestured invitingly, leading Granny Sun into the pavilion, and spoke gently: 「Granny Sun, don't be formal; just treat this as your own home. 」

Niu Dingtian heard this and smiled with delight.

At this moment, he seemed to clearly sense the terrifying power contained in that finger, a power that made one's heart race.

Granny Sun could only relent.

Granny Sun hurriedly waved her hands and said: 「No, no! If there's anything, I'll definitely not stand on ceremony with you. I'm just preparing to return to the Ancient Tomb Sect the day after tomorrow, since the young girl is still small and can't be parted from me; Niu brat, you don't need to keep me, and if I ever get the chance, I'll surely come back. 」

「Wait! Wait!! 」【54】 Seeming still afraid that Niu Dingtian wouldn't believe him, he hurriedly added: 「That elder has extremely high standards for a true successor; all these years he's been seeking a youngster with extraordinary talent. 」

He also seemed afraid Niu Dingtian wouldn't believe him, and hurriedly said again: "His old master has extremely high standards for a true successor of the robe and bowl, these years he has been searching for a youngster with extraordinary talent."

Who would have thought that first there was the old eunuch in the palace, then the hidden-named Murong An, Wang Chongyang faking his death to escape—and now there's even the creator of the Sunflower Treasure Canon!

Thinking of the miraculous nature of the Sunflower Treasure Canon, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but narrow his eyes, sizing up Eunuch Li before him.

「Since the Manichaean Sect was transmitted to the Central Plains during the pre-Tang era, it has been disfavored by every dynasty's emperor. And since the Fang La rebellion, it has become a thorn in the flesh and a splinter in the eye of the court, which would gladly kill every generation of its leaders. 」

Niu Dingtian saw this, stepped forward slowly, glanced once, and then spoke as if casually:

「Old geezer! Are you threatening me? 」 Niu Dingtian's face instantly turned icy.

「I'll say it right now!!! 」

Niu Dingtian quietly arrived at the guest courtyard, and when he asked the gate guard Sun Grandma about the residence, he was told that she had already been taken by the lady to the rear courtyard for placement.

Since that insight into the stone‑wall sword intent, his half‑step Pre‑Heaven realm has progressed considerably; on yesterday's thunderstorm night he even seized the sword‑and‑blade spirit‑gathering opportunity to directly step into the Pre‑Heaven domain.

Niu Dingtian's keen eyes even caught Sun Grandma's fleeting hesitation, and he immediately whispered a question.

For someone like him, a newcomer to the Pre‑Heaven stage, compared with the Sunflower Patriarch who has cultivated for years, there is still a considerable gap.

"But by then, your spirit will no longer be your own. A walking corpse—if I tell you to go east you will never go west; if I tell you to drink urine you will never eat feces."

Speaking of the latter, Sun Grandma knew Niu Dingtian would try to plead, but she truly could not stay longer; none of the two elders in the Ancient Tomb Sect would look after a child, so she politely declined in advance.

Half a quarter hour later,

"It seems we must seize the time to stabilize our cultivation," Niu Dingtian frowned and sighed lightly as he walked the returning path.

"If I use this move, what I wish to know will become known to me, and what I do not wish to know will still be spoken obediently."

Thinking of the girl who often wore a flower wreath, he couldn't help asking, "By the way, how is Sister Mo Chou's martial skill now? Any noticeable improvement?"

"But…"

The Sunflower, facing the sun, is extreme yang, yet it is not the sun itself, nor can it compare with the power of heaven and earth.

He would never cultivate it himself, but borrowing it is not bad.

But the next moment, expressionless and without warning, he turned his finger into a palm, swiftly condensed an icy palm force, then raised his hand to slash across Lord Li's thigh.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian narrowed his eyes and asked, "Oh? What do you mean?"

Instinctively glancing at Miss Huang's third daughter, she smiled briefly, then quickly covered it up.

Niu Dingtian, seeing this, lightly nodded, and no longer lingered; he looked at Chen Jin'er beside him and said:

Hearing this, Sun Grandma's face softened with kindness, smiling, "The little girl is very healthy and clever; although not yet two years old, she already often runs behind the big girl."

Sun Grandma, dressed in coarse clothes, was sitting in a pavilion by the pond, chatting with Chen Jin'er, Miss Huang, and Han Xiao Ying.

"Know! Know!"

Seeing Lord Li's gaze dodge, a hint of hesitation on his face, Niu Dingtian expressionlessly said:

"I have a martial art called Nine‑Youh Soul‑Capturing Great Method; the term 'Soul‑Capturing' you should know its meaning, Grandfather."

Niu Dingtian, seeing this, laughed, "It's still the young Niu calling affectionately; Sun Grandma, no need to be formal, just call me Young Niu."

"Grandfather, also take this chance to think carefully; tell me anything that piques my interest, otherwise, later when I cut off the spot, it will be…"

But when she saw Niu Dingtian's figure appear in the courtyard, she immediately clasped her hands, rose, and greeted him, her smile spreading so wide it turned her eyes into slits.

Seeing Niu Dingtian's eyes completely calm, not feigned, she instantly dropped the feeble posture.

"Uncle, rest assured, I'll handle this; later I'll go with Rong'er to choose." Chen Jin'er replied with a smile.

While speaking, under Lord Li's startled gaze, Niu Dingtian squinted, his index finger pressed the broad thigh, and he murmured softly:

"I guarantee not a single drop of blood."

Lord Li sighed, looked at Niu Dingtian, and lowly said, "Do you know why the Mani Sect has never seen a living Bright Master since Fang La?"

"The two little brats we abducted from the bamboo forest last night were intended to be taken back to the palace as offerings for the Ancestor to select; otherwise why would we have a grudge against those two little fur kids?"

…That makes sense.

This is a vast, boundless realm.

The so‑called Sunflower Patriarch may not drive him to despair now, but there is still a weighty pressure.

"They're all dead!" Lord Li squinted, his pallid face showing a vague, inexplicable agitation.

As for Miss Huang, she subconsciously pursed her lips: "That damn guy even sent clothes to that little hoof!"

Seeing Sun Grandma try to refuse, Niu Dingtian waved his hand, "It's just a small token of my heart; if you still consider me one of your own, there's no need to decline."

Recalling this, Lord Li's gloomy eyes flickered slightly, swirling within his sunken sockets.

When he felt the thin internal force he had originally condensed turn to nothingness, his face instantly turned ashen.

"Grandfather, if you wish to return fully to see your Ancestor, you must think carefully during this time; what else do you know that could interest our sect leader?"

The result seemed not to disappoint him.

Niu Dingtian's brows tightened; he never expected that the Sunflower Classic, passed down through later generations, was actually created in this life.

When facing Chen Jin'er, her hands unconsciously intertwined, sometimes gripping tightly, sometimes loosening, as if restrained inside.

Lord Li, horrified to the brink, seeing his thigh unprotected and his body immobile, let out a high‑pitched, sharp voice that instantly rang through the room.

Sunflower Classic?

"Grandma, is Little Dragon alright now?"

Hearing Niu Dingtian's words, Sun Grandma's eyes brightened, she nodded repeatedly, "The big girl's martial progress is rapid! She can now follow a few moves under Miss's guidance; Miss hasn't scolded the big girl for a long time."

Niu Dingtian lightly nodded, his complexion softened, glanced at Lord Li's mud‑splattered white inner garment, then suddenly laughed, "Since Grandfather is here to issue the decree, tomorrow at noon be honest and issue it. This attire is also a bit absurd; later I'll have someone tidy you up."

"I heard Grandfather wants to see me, but there's a dying wish? If you don't speak quickly, the chance will be gone soon."

Niu Dingtian's eyes flickered, clearly this had sparked his interest, and he asked, "Why?"

After Sun Grandma sat down, Niu Dingtian personally brewed her a bowl of cold tea, then asked the question he cared most about.

Still shaken, Lord Li hurriedly said, "The Niu Sect Leader must never, ever, ever associate with the Mani Sect, let alone seize Xiangyang City using their power!"

"Later we'll need to trouble Sister‑in‑law a bit, prepare some items and clothes that children like, and also some matching Rong'er's size. When Sun Grandma leaves, send people to escort them."

"Young Niu is here! Grandma, I finally see you again, pfft, look at my old muddle, I should be called Niu Sect Leader!"

A cultivation that can achieve extreme yin generating yang means that old Patriarch must have entered the Pre‑Heaven realm, though it's unclear which level.

Originally thought this world, aside from the Five Absolutes, had few masters.

Moreover, my extreme‑yin inner force can exactly counter the extreme‑yang Sunflower true qi; all things generate and overcome each other, it just depends whose cultivation attribute is more extreme.

In the small courtyard, a pond full of lotus, reflecting green water, cicadas chirped all around in chaotic chorus.

Later the atmosphere became much more harmonious; Sun Grandma, facing Chen Jin'er, no longer felt restrained and began chatting about Ancient Tomb Sect anecdotes.

Later on, the atmosphere grew much more relaxed, and Granny Sun no longer felt constrained when facing Chen Jin'er, and began chatting about amusing tales of the Ancient Tomb Sect.

Niu Dingtian, seeing the situation, made an excuse to leave; he had already noticed someone constantly pacing outside the courtyard gate, presumably looking for him.

Indeed, just as he had left the small courtyard, he saw Niu Kui come up to meet him, speaking in a low voice:

"Sect Leader, Mu Yi and his daughter are currently in Xiangyang City; their lodging has already been found by my subordinate!" (End of chapter)