Chapter 266: The Art of Controlling Objects and the Fox

He walked around the courtyard, then returned to the place where the yellow-robed monk had performed his trick.

But at this moment, Fan Tian Shi noticed that the tree, which had just been lush with branches and heavy with plums, had now returned to its original state, and the snow-white plum blossoms scattered across the ground had vanished completely, as if they had never existed.

Most people had followed the Crown Prince's party forward, and few had seen how it reverted to its original form.

So it really was just a trick…

Fan Tian Shi sighed inwardly, then turned slightly and spoke to Lin Jue:

"Six months ago, when I sailed to the lair of the Tuolong King, I saw the scene after you battled that demon king—everywhere flowers bloomed. I assume you possess a similar spell?"

"I do indeed."

"Your flowers never wither for days."

"Those were real flowers."

"Truly divine skill…" Fan Tian Shi marveled, then added, "This tree didn't seem odd before, but now that it's bloomed and grown lush, it looks strangely bare and dull. Why not perform a small immortal art to make the plum blossoms bloom again?"

"I could, but there's no need," Lin Jue shook his head. "This is winter plum. It's already the twelfth month—within a few days, it will bloom naturally."

"I see…"

Fan Tian Shi remained lost in thought.

Ahead, the Crown Prince's party moved toward another direction, and the three followed.

Today, many unusual cultivators and skilled performers had gathered here, and some of their arts were indeed impressive, but after witnessing them all, Lin Jue felt somewhat disappointed.

It wasn't disdain—it was failure to achieve his goal.

He hadn't come here merely to broaden his horizons; he'd heard that the Ju Xian Mansion housed many extraordinary individuals, and he wanted to see if any of their arts suited him, so he could seek instruction or exchange knowledge.

Among three travelers, there is always a teacher.

Yet even now, he hadn't found anything suitable—either useless to him, or too difficult to learn.

Lin Jue was never the type to learn a spell only if it was directly useful to him; he'd been somewhat influenced by his seventh senior brother. If he could master a spell to command insects in battle formation, wouldn't it be delightful in old age, sitting beneath a village tree, amusing the children?

But he already knew too many spells.

He had more than enough of this kind.

Like the yellow-robed monk's illusion of blooming leaves and flowers—it was a fine trick, and once, Lin Jue would have gladly learned it. But now, his desire was weak.

Like that spell.

In fact, this spell would be useful to him.

Turning into a tiger to run through the mountains—whether chasing, fleeing, or traveling—it was far faster than walking, and sometimes even saved a Divine Travel Pill. But the art required training from childhood; Lin Jue had missed his chance.

That was the source of his disappointment.

He'd heard someone in the Ju Xian Mansion could perform the Divine Travel Art, covering a thousand li in a day—but he couldn't find them.

"Sigh…"

As Lin Jue lamented, a white shadow flashed beside him—the fox leaped back to his side.

"Where did you go?"

Lin Jue looked down at it and asked.

The fox merely looked up, met his gaze for a moment, then said nothing, stretching its neck to stare ahead.

Ahead, chaos and noise erupted again.

Too many people crowded around; he couldn't see what was happening, only hear cheers and applause, and sometimes a startled cry, as if something dangerous had occurred.

Suddenly, a flash of light pierced the air—a gleaming blade reflecting the sun—gone in an instant.

It seemed to carry a faint trace of blood.

"Hmm?"

Lin Jue's interest immediately sparked.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince's party had already passed by.

In the center stood an ordinary-looking middle-aged Daoist, with starry eyebrows and sword-like eyes, his features radiating solemn integrity. He sat cross-legged on a mat, and several flying knives circled him, spinning and darting through the air on their own.

The Daoist didn't chant a spell; he merely stared intently at the knives, controlling them as they whistled through the air—sometimes circling him like a blade formation, sometimes clashing midair as if invisible hands were dueling, producing a clattering sound, sometimes narrowly slicing past the crowd, triggering startled cries and causing people to recoil.

Each startled cry and recoil was followed by loud cheers and applause.

"Excellent skill!"

"How does it compare to that An Gong's tiger?"

"Truly a marvelous art!"

"Must have taken years of practice!"

The onlookers, all within the Ju Xian Mansion, understood the art of mutual flattery and didn't hesitate to lavish praise.

Seeing the astonishment in the crowd and hearing their compliments, the middle-aged Daoist remained expressionless, and said solemnly:

"My art is called the Art of Controlling Objects—a orthodox Daoist immortal technique. With will alone, one can command all things in the world. I specialize in blades and swords—when I think of a sword, one appears from the heavens; when I will it, ten thousand swords fly together. Any demon or monster that sees them will only fear and retreat!"

Seeing the Crown Prince approach, the Daoist intensified his display.

The flying knives shot through the air with piercing whistles.

Several times, they flew even closer to the spectators, so they could truly feel just how fast and deadly they were, and witness his flawless control—as if the knives were extensions of his own limbs.

Even the Crown Prince's guards grew tense, shielding him tightly and fixing their eyes on the flying blades.

"No need, no need…"

The Crown Prince's face flushed slightly, yet he pushed the guards aside and stepped forward himself:

"I've long heard of Master Tao. He's been in the Ju Xian Mansion for years. Besides, today I came to visit the extraordinary talents of Great Jiang—why should I be so cautious? Who am I showing fear to?"

He paused, then glanced at the steps beside him:

"Besides, Fan Tian Shi is right there."

Those around him felt the Crown Prince had real presence.

The middle-aged Daoist performed even more vigorously.

Yet he had no intention of harming the Crown Prince—but the Crown Prince, having drunk three cups of wine, was slightly drunk and stumbled forward.

One flying knife, circling the crowd, was about to fly right there!

The guards all gasped and rushed forward.

The Daoist's expression hardened instantly, his eyes widening. Though he could control the knife with his mind alone, he couldn't help adding a physical motion, swinging his hand hard.

"Shhh!"

The knife sharply veered off, its tip tilting slightly upward, slicing diagonally toward another direction.

There stood two Daoists, and beside them, a warrior holding a blade.

Cultivators feared such attacks most.

The middle-aged Daoist was skilled.

The knife flew fast and sudden.

It was aimed straight at Lin Jue's face.

Though Lin Jue was a cultivator, he had already seen the man and his art, and had prepared himself.

Yet his reaction was slower than the warrior beside him.

The warrior raised his scabbard—

*Clang! * The brass cap at the scabbard's end struck the knife's tip, sending it flying upward, vanishing into the air in an instant.

When the crowd turned their gaze, they saw only Lin Jue's calm face, Fan Tian Shi's serene expression, and the warrior with his wide-brimmed hat and long blade, his palm outstretched—the knife landed perfectly in his hand.

It was a flying knife, about a foot long, like a dagger, its blade gleaming white, one side painted with a mysterious symbol in fresh blood.

The crowd erupted in another cry of shock.

The Crown Prince's guards stared with grave expressions, some even stunned, fixed on the warrior.

Experts saw the skill; amateurs saw the spectacle. Just as they had marveled at the many arts before without understanding their depth, now they cheered the warrior's move—but only the guards recognized how astonishing and rare his action truly was.

The younger Daoist now took the knife, examining it closely.

"So that's how it is…"

Lin Jue's eyes held surprise, then a touch of delight.

The fox turned its head again, staring at him with the same clear, knowing gaze as before.

"Your knife."

The moment Lin Jue touched the blood essence, he felt the inner resonance—he was satisfied. He tossed the knife forward, and it spun back toward the middle-aged Daoist, adding:

"This art is powerful, but dangerous. Even if used for performance, be careful—hurting someone would be regrettable."

The Daoist, still shaken, exhaled in relief.

With a thought, the knife halted in midair.

"Thank you, Daoist. Thank you for the warning."

The Daoist then quickly turned to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, were you startled?"

"Not at all."

"I am guilty."

"Not your fault, Master."

The two continued speaking.

Most eyes returned to them, but a few guards still glanced at Luo Luo Gongceng, likely out of admiration for the warrior.

Lin Jue asked Fan Tian Shi beside him:

"Who is that Daoist?"

"That Daoist is surnamed Tao; most call him Master Tao. He specializes in this Art of Controlling Objects," Fan Tian Shi glanced at Lin Jue, speaking calmly. "If you admire him, I could invite him to our courtyard for a visit and discussion—I'm sure he wouldn't refuse me."

「……」

Lin Jue thought for a moment; though he had likely already obtained this technique, he still owed the man a debt, and getting to know him wouldn't hurt, so he said:

「If I have time, I'd like to pay him a visit. 」

「You've just arrived in the capital and don't know the roads or the people—this Daoist can serve as your intermediary. 」

「That's excellent. 」 Lin Jue said sincerely, 「Thank you, Master Fan. 」

「It's nothing. 」

Master Fan was somewhat pleased, though he showed no sign of it.

At that moment, Lin Jue noticed his fox had vanished again, and there was some commotion nearby.

Following the noise, he saw two young men, for some reason, fighting in the courtyard of the Gathered Immortals Mansion, on the very day the Crown Prince was arriving.

「You scoundrel! Pay me back my money! 」

「How dare a demon defy me! 」

「I'll kill you! 」

They shouted loudly, faces flushed, clothes torn.

Someone rushed over to pull them apart.

When asked why they were quarreling, those around had no idea—their only answer was that they had been together earlier, laughing and chatting, then suddenly began arguing and immediately started fighting.

Listening closely to their words, Lin Jue sensed something was wrong.

It was as if they were possessed.

Only a white fox stood on a willow branch nearby, neck stretched out, watching them with keen curiosity.

It turned its head and looked at Lin Jue.

Asking him to come and watch too.