Chapter 537: Dharma Gates and Relics

There is actually very little information that the head of a sect would deem necessary to leave specifically for future generations; a scroll with little content is merely a few paragraphs. But these essential, practical insights are enough to allow successors to rapidly broaden their horizons and knowledge in a short time, enabling them to identify risks, resolve difficulties, and manage a great sect.

"Who is it? Daring to spy in the dark!"

Seeing the passage related to the Soul Dragon, Sinuoli could not help but mutter aloud, recovering from his state of fascination. He sensed clearly and called out the hiding place of the person outside the window.

"Agate Raven-man, no, it's much larger and has added a few more colors."

A Storm swept over, and the creatures intended to crush Sinuoli but withdrew their hands in time. They were the eyes and ears of the Moon Empress; he feared he had been under surveillance ever since he entered Weinan Province.

"No matter how great the influence of the Five Elements Temple is in the mortal world, in the eyes of those two in the Tianting, they are still like ants."

Sighing, the Demigod could not help but feel dispirited; it seemed the damage and deletions in certain scrolls were also caused by external forces. But regardless, the information obtained greatly enriched his analytical foundation, so as to achieve the ambition in his heart.

"Find a secret chamber; the Dharma must not be passed to six ears!"

Kongxing was also aware of the existence of the Moon Empress's secret agents, but for a long time, the major mortal powers had reached a certain tacit understanding with her, such as that head nunnery guarded by one jade and one ink stone lion at the door.

"Transcendental power can be explored inward or sought outward. I shall pass to you the Method of Becoming a God through Incense; you must quickly swear that if you leak a single word, inner demons will invade your body, and you will be doomed forever!"

After spending a day and night adapting the Three Strategies for Deification—which he had prepared for his master Kelage back then—to the East and instilling it into Kongxing, Sinuoli fulfilled the reward and descended the mountain unhurriedly. Looking from afar at the mountain gate, where Great Taibao Licunmao and a group of men stood with anxiety written all over their faces, Sinuoli smiled inwardly.

"Your Majesty has a refined interest. My father, the Governor, ordered me to take you to see the magnificent sights of the Heavenly Mountains. The evening bell of Fuhongsi and the Jintai Xizhao are both among the ten scenic spots. Do they meet your approval?"

As the head of the Thirteen Taibao, the Chief Registrar of Weinan Province, and a Dragon-Blooded practitioner at the peak of mortals, he was not a mediocre person; he quickly adjusted his state and came up to meet him with a smile.

"I dare not accept such praise. Taibao, you are busy with official business, so please feel free. I am just going to take leave of the Governor to head north and travel to Weijing."

Sinuoli laughed. Last time he came to Cathay, he learned the gap between the Five Elements Temple and the Jade Dragon's sect—the monks focused on their own bodies and did not value external objects, resulting in a lack of a complete set of inherited treasures; Kongxing only had the kasaya on his body and the Chan Master's staff in his hand that could be considered decent.

As for the cultivation techniques, the two realms were perhaps not as good as the things his Demigod self had cobbled together, and they were not as profound as the methods passed down by the various True Gods of the Old World. If he wanted to have real gains in Weinan Province, he still had to look for them on the Candle Dragon.

"You have traveled thousands of miles; please rest for a few more days. It is rumored that one day in the Tianting is one year in the human world, and the Ladder to Heaven only opens once a year. If you go too early, the territory under the Bilong Yuanbo is not as lively as Weinan!"

Licunmao bowed in a salute. Cathayans who pay attention to the outside world all know that Dwarfs like to gather together to drink and sing. The Central Province is the most peaceful among all provinces; Yuanbo believes that everything should have a limit, and the complex "State Affairs" he formulated, the curfew, and the restriction on alcohol are only the surface.

"Is that so? Then I can stay a little longer. I caught a glimpse of the Naga from afar at the harbor, and there are Tiger-men in the temple, but I have never seen the Demon Monkey. When Meihouwang caused chaos, I suppose you did not experience it personally?"

Sinuoli stroked his beard and went along with the flow. The Five Elements Temple had more records of that story—it was Lidao who neglected his duty, allowing Meihouwang to seize the window of opportunity to lead a large army to break through the Heavenly Mountains with irresistible force, fighting all the way to the foot of Weijing Cheng and turning the Central Province upside down.

"Indeed, but after being ranked as a Taibao, I did fight that Demon King twice. Extremely difficult to deal with, and under his command were the four generals Maliubengba, none of whom were mediocre."

Licunmao practiced Yang-type spells; even if he practiced the Dragon Star Art until it was worn out, he could not snatch any Authority from the Dragon Emperor. The Dragon-Blooded have a longer lifespan than mortals, but it is too late to disperse his cultivation and start over, so he can only follow the path of faith to break through, just like Kongxing.

Riding the Dragon Horse carriage while chatting idly, they returned to the main hall on the volcano, only to see Lidao cursing while eating meat and drinking, with a Dragon-Blooded soldier bandaging a wound on his right arm.

"Brother, come over and sit! Try a piece of fresh snake sashimi! My Second Taibao went back to Fuhongsi with you two days ago, and those snake eggs immediately started causing trouble!"

"Ho, the Governor has a good appetite!"

The maid handed over a bowl, and the energy filled in the meat chunks surprised Sinuoli—it was almost at the peak of a mortal before death; no wonder it could injure Lidao when it fought for its life.

"Come, it's even more hearty when paired with this tiger bone wine! This was originally a mutant white tiger with wings growing from its ribs; I chased it for seven mountain ridges twenty years ago."

The wine in the cup was so strong it went straight to the top of his head; no one in Weinan Province could drink more than three cups with Lidao. The Candle Dragon began to curse again; relying only on his own strength, he could not launch a war of extermination, and the Bilong Yuanbo's refusal to send troops south was the source of the conflict between the brothers.

"Brother, how was your visit to the Five Elements Temple? Don't take that old bald donkey's words to heart. He nags me every day about taxes and corvée; without me and the boys blocking the way, he wouldn't even be able to handle that monkey alone!"

"It is not convenient for me to say much about internal affairs, but water can carry a boat and can also capsize it; I hope the Governor will think twice. Chan Master Kongxing asked me for a method; if it can be achieved, it might be a great help."

"Haha! I have heard that the strange arts of the Western Lands have the ability to ascend to heaven in broad daylight; today, please enlighten me. I understand the principle that the Dharma cannot be passed on lightly. Someone, bring the treasure!"

Taking out his best wine and not interfering with his visit to the Five Elements Temple, Lidao had already shown the bearing of a Dragon-Blooded. Sinuoli did not act coy or speak in riddles, taking the initiative to lead the topic to the main business.

"Does Brother recognize this object? I found it in a tiger's den when I was pacifying the south with my Imperial Father. You have a branch of your people who, for some reason, ended up in Ind, forced by Tiger-men to forge weapons and armor. Even, even interbreeding with those beasts!"

"There is such a thing? I will verify it myself. This object is indeed a relic of my ancestors. If the Governor is willing to return it, my people will be deeply grateful."

The Dwarf King's attention was drawn to a belt made of gold and engraved with Runes on a wooden tray. Based on the Strength Rune remaining on it, he knew this had been used by Grimnir—when he went deep into the Chaos Wastes bare-chested, he only carried his own axe and left all other equipment behind.

Calculating the dates, Sinuoli guessed that they were the old people of Gaoyuanbao; the great earthquake had cut off their connection with the Old World. Dwarfs are not good at going to sea, and it is not surprising that they failed when conditions were not ripe in all aspects.

"No need for courtesy. I have long heard that your hammer technique is exquisite and good at changes; would you like to spar a little? Drinking and sweating a bit can also be refreshing!"

"Exactly what I want!"

After a few cups of tiger bone wine, Sinuoli was also in high spirits; he knew that Lidao wanted to test the effectiveness of his methods.

"Brother, be careful; this Snake Spear of mine was refined from a six-armed snake demon slain by my Imperial Father!"

"My armor is also passed down from my clan!"

(End of chapter)