ASER - Chapter 200
Chapter 200: Secret Vault
The Qu family sisters had made their move, and in a short time, the hearts of the Imperial Clan and the Lushan elders grew heavy. Cunning and crafty as they were, how could they not see the trickery behind it all? Thus, when the Demon Cave was finally sealed, the Imperial Clan members were filled with anxiety, their gazes upon A'Diao exceptionally grave.
The two old men from Lushan, however, were different. One of them, seemingly lost in thought, mused that if he could discern the situation, his own Mountain Head surely could as well. He probably didn't feel good about it either, considering his disciple didn't fully trust him or Lushan. But then, he took a closer look.
Old Man Yu's gaze... was exceptionally affectionate.
Like a mother hen looking at her only surviving chick.
And the little chick, having finally finished vomiting blood, hurriedly took a bite of pastry after the Demon Cave was sealed and asked the Mountain Head, "Master, is it done?"
The Mountain Head said lovingly, "It's done, my disciple."
A'Diao: "That's great... retch... Master, I'm about to die. Don't be sad. Life and death are decreed by fate, riches and honor are ordained by Heaven."
Life and death are decreed by fate, riches and honor are ordained by Heaven. You seem to have mentioned this phrase two or three times. Is the point really life and death?
It's riches and honor.
Very good, I understand.
The Mountain Head smiled. "Your master understands, I understand everything."
As long as you understand... A'Diao tilted her body, appearing weak and breathless... then got up...
"Sister-in-law."
Xie Jingyu, who had hurried over to greet the Mountain Head and the others, was stunned for a moment. Under Jiang Zhou's desperate eye signals, she softened her expression and managed to say, "Younger sister?"
With a soft thud, the "younger sister" limply fell onto the "sister-in-law." Xie Jingyu's expression immediately became one of utter despair.
She knew it! This shameless one! Zhao! Ri! Tian!
The Mountain Head, who had thought he had sufficiently cultivated their bond and had extended his hand: "?"
Jiang Zhou: "..."
Duanmu Biexue and the others: "..."
The "legitimate husband" Zhao Yi on the side: "?"
Why are you all looking at me like that? Am I being cuckolded?
The crisis in Blood Abandonment City was resolved, and the signal blockade was lifted. The Imperial Clan soon discovered that Ai Feng (Chen A'Diao) hadn't been bluffing; the international network of the three nations had indeed exploded.
The Imperial Clan's dignity was utterly shattered. Netizens from the other two nations mocked them relentlessly, while the people of Tang Song were furious, secretly "dissing" the Imperial Clan. To show their support for Chen A'Diao, they boosted her social media account to over a billion followers, and the number was still skyrocketing.
This number surpassed even the official Tang Song accounts. Such massive traffic made certain intelligence monitoring departments tremble, and the programmers felt like their heads were about to explode.
How could this be monitored? The private messages to Chen A'Diao alone numbered in the hundreds of millions. It was enough to make them not just lose their hair, but feel like their fingernails were about to fall off from stress.
Too terrifying.
This Chen A'Diao was too terrifying.
Moreover, these common people secretly criticized Lushan as well. If not for the Mountain Head protecting A'Diao in the end, Lushan would have been cursed into oblivion by now.
"Your Lushan Chief was left to fend for herself on the border, targeted for assassination by five Lesser Spirit Kings plus a host of Grandmasters, and Lushan didn't even provide a single bodyguard? You usually boast so much, what the hell were you doing?!"
"Are you that afraid of the Imperial Clan?"
"Only the Mountain Head protected her? So, the others in Lushan don't think much of this Chief, huh? Is Lushan really rife with internal strife and discord? Is someone there biased towards the Imperial Clan?"
"However, that Teacher Qing Zan is a good one. She even died protecting her student."
Back at Lushan, it was unknown whether A'Diao, who had supposedly "sacrificed herself for the country," was dead or alive after being taken back. However, Qing Zan, who had "gloriously sacrificed" herself, wouldn't normally have watched these videos. But after colleagues like Bailu came one after another to "mourn" her...
"Look, this is it. The video has gone viral. The Imperial Clan can't delete it fast enough. Three hundred years of technological development and a large population—it's a double-edged sword for the Imperial Clan, isn't it? They can't control it, and neither can the other two countries."
After Qing Zan saw the video from that day, her expression was wooden; she didn't seem particularly angry.
Bailu asked curiously, "You're not angry?"
"Angry about what? She sees the situation clearly. Firstly, it gained me support. Secondly, it forced Lushan to unify internally, compelling those with differing opinions to align with the Mountain Head, which is beneficial for Lushan's internal unity. Moreover, it was achieved without bloodshed and gave those stubborn old men a way to back down gracefully—after all, it was for the country, for the hearts of the people. It's actually a conciliatory tactic. Thirdly, it strengthened her own position. In terms of talent, she may not compare to the Founder, but in terms of methods... she's on par."
Bailu agreed with Qing Zan's words. He glanced outside and lowered his voice, "The Mountain Head intends to reform. But actually, before the resurgence of spiritual energy, the Imperial Clan at least had state power to profit from, attract talent, and build up logistics, which somewhat undermined Lushan. Lushan has historically selected mostly from local talent. But frankly, to find true prodigies, you need a large pool. With a small pool, the talent produced isn't exceptional enough. That's why he decisively selected the Qian Class in this Lushan assessment, despite pressure from those old fogeys, and also decisively chose Chen A'Diao. At first, I wondered why the Mountain Head would choose her, given her cunning personality. Although her talent is exceptional, she's very young and could easily cause upheaval in Lushan. Now I understand."
"Experience counts."
Qing Zan lowered her eyes and smiled. "The catfish effect. Chen A'Diao is a super catfish."
"She can revitalize Lushan. And this catfish has become exceptionally cunning, with extraordinary foresight and a ruthless mind."
"How those five Lesser Spirit Kings died—others might not understand, but how could Spirit Kings like them not see it?"
"She joined forces with Qu Xia'er."
"From the very beginning, she used this Sun Image Primordial Feast to make the Imperial Clan suffer heavy losses."
"Five Lesser Spirit Kings, gone just like that."
"She truly dared to conceive it, dared to execute it, and actually succeeded."
"So, the shock those old men within Lushan experienced this time is imaginable."
"Chen A'Diao is no longer someone whose recognition as Chief, or even future Mountain Head, they can afford to hesitate about." Qing Zan's words were somewhat ethereal. Bailu, looking out the window at the multi-layered mountain scenery visible below, where many disciples rushed about, raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"The tide has turned."
Bailu later praised Qing Zan for her calm and detached nature, admitting he was far inferior.
After he left, Qing Zan touched the back of her neck and muttered.
"Little brat, just you wait."
She had to settle new and old scores with this little brat before she could directly confront Lesser Spirit Kings.
She had a premonition: if she didn't seize the time, she wouldn't get another chance.
Meanwhile, the effects of the Sun Image Primordial Feast were beginning to fade. In Tang Song, as well as other nations, discussions now centered on two main topics.
1. The Qu Xia'er sisters.
2. Chen A'Diao.
Regarding Qu Xia'er, no one had expected this young lady of the Qu family to be so formidable—resurrecting, achieving the Lesser Spirit King realm, and even being able to devour Sun Image Rays.
"She must be comparable to a Mid Spirit King now; otherwise, she couldn't have taken down four Lesser Spirit Kings. Is the path of a Corpse Spirit King that appealing? Should we give it a try too?"
"I find that Qu Xia'er is much calmer than the original Corpse King. She isn't frenzied and doesn't seem to target ordinary people."
A Lushan expert couldn't help but mutter.
The Lushan Grand Elder glanced at him and said gravely, "The Demon Fox bloodline inherently possesses the ability to resurrect. Furthermore, both sisters have Heavenly Yin constitutions, which align with the Corpse Spirit King path. They also both possess talent in spiritual bodies; their souls are strong, allowing for complete soul summoning. Most importantly, they are intelligent enough, have mastered this technique, and are willing to be ruthless. To meet all these conditions—can you?"
"Can my ass!"
Each generation has its strengths. Their generation of old-timers excelled at creating techniques; this younger generation, while lacking deep experience, excels at innovation.
One with spiritual body enhancement, another with a self-created bloodline—both are groundbreaking achievements, the kind that will be recorded in history.
Whether Qu Xia'er or Chen A'Diao, both are individuals who dare to innovate from the very foundations. Their methods are incisive, they disregard old systems, and the impact on the older generation's mindset is immense. They could hardly imagine the ruthlessness of these two joining forces to eliminate four Lesser Spirit Kings.
Especially Chen A'Diao...
Finally luring and pushing Nangong Wanghai into the Demon Cave—fast, ruthless, and precise. It was absolutely diabolical!
The Mountain Head watched them bicker. When the discussion had mostly run its course, he stated the core purpose of the meeting.
"First, this Sun Image Primordial Feast was unusual; it arrived early and was accompanied by abnormal activity in the Demon Cave. I suspect the Demon Spirit Clan is behind this. Who knows when it will occur next? If its frequency no longer follows the pattern of the initial era and it happens a few more times, our human race will be in peril. Therefore, Qu Xia'er must be won over, regardless of whether she is a Corpse King. After all, she is currently rational, perhaps even more so than most humans. You must admit this."
"Second, from this day forward, A'Diao will no longer be the Lushan Chief."
The Mountain Head observed their shocked and then solemn expressions. He smiled. "Don't use the excuse that she isn't one hundred percent loyal to Lushan to oppose me."
"Because, regarding that reason, I will tell you—it is precisely because she isn't one hundred percent loyal that one can imagine that if she ever feels Lushan holds no value for her, she could absolutely choose to ally with the Qu Xia'er sisters. Everyone, consider the consequences if she were to leave Lushan."
He didn't even want to mention that this damn girl had already mastered the spiritual domain and would soon be comparable to a Lesser Spirit King. What did Lushan have to keep her?
These old fogeys were still hesitating, truly petty, not at all like his own sharp insight.
Therefore, the Mountain Head slowly delivered a finishing blow.
"What do you think Lie Qin and Nan Jin will think, now that they've seen the rifts in Tang Song and A'Diao's distrust of the Imperial Clan and our Lushan?"
"Imagine, what if one day A'Diao is standing with Lie Qin's Bronze Mountain or Nan Jin's Shaman Mountain, thrashing our Lushan students single-handedly—would you still have an appetite?"
Everyone: "..."
Damn it, it seemed they wouldn't.
After seeing everyone finally agree, the Mountain Head smiled and added, "Actually, I'm not doing this entirely for Lushan."
Everyone: "?"
What? Could it be for us?
The Mountain Head: "Of course, it's for your sake. After all, even if she's not at Lushan, she's still my, Yu Xuanji's, only beloved disciple. In the future, when she achieves great success and stands at the pinnacle of the human race, I'll still be her master. But it's different for you. Your disciples will still be the ones getting thrashed. You might even end up as white-haired elders mourning your black-haired disciples."
"When I think of that day, I feel so sad for you I lose my appetite."
Everyone: "!!!"
Beast! Go to hell!
Although they cursed both master and disciple as beasts, these magnates in the Elder Council, all averaging over three hundred years of age, were actually very clear: what would Nan Jin and Lie Qin's next move against A'Diao be?
Assassination?
No, the ultimate tactic would be to win her over.
And the truth was—as long as these two nations offered sufficient benefits, and Lushan failed to grant her the position and power she deserved, Chen A'Diao would undoubtedly betray her country.
One hundred percent.
Because she wouldn't hesitate for anyone.
Including the Chen family, no one could sway her will.
Those who wronged her would not be spared. She would flee into the wilderness, only to return one day... and annihilate them all.
This was Chen A'Diao.
"I wonder how things are with Lie Qin and Nan Jin now."
"Speaking of which, initially, they must have secretly rejoiced at our country's internal turmoil, seeing it as a godsend. But with the damage from this Sun Image Primordial Feast, they actually suffered more than we did."
"Their border regions suffered more severely than ours. Also, while the Imperial Clan lost two Lesser Spirit Kings, on the flip side... it seems Moluo, Lie Qin, and Nan Jin each contributed the head of a Lesser Spirit King. So, 2 versus 3, they actually came out worse, if you do the math."
"Seems like it. They probably have a love-hate relationship with A'Diao now."
Lie Qin and Nan Jin indeed had very complicated feelings.
On the side of the Lie Qin Imperial Family, the Third Prince was overwhelmed, not knowing how to explain the matter concerning Ai Feng and Moluo Yesa. However, the attitude from Bronze Mountain was unequivocal: "Thrashed by Chen A'Diao to this extent, are you not outstanding enough? In truth, you are very outstanding, but you are not working hard enough. Continue to strive; you cannot be inferior to her. Otherwise, how will you answer to the nation..."
How could they possibly compare to Chen A'Diao?
Find a Lesser Spirit King to give them a push?
It was truly a case of PUA; the top geniuses of the two nations erupted with resentment.
But correspondingly, it also provoked talk that Lie Qin's and Nan Jin's geniuses were inferior to Tang Song's, leading to all sorts of flame wars among the netizens of the three nations online. Tang Song decisively won this round, with its people bragging extensively and, in the process, sending Mental Power to a certain someone.
The people of Lie Qin and Nan Jin were unhappy and, in turn, put intense internal pressure on their own geniuses.
"Is this generation useless? You can't be useless, you must rise to the occasion! Defeat Chen A'Diao!"
Song Ling and the others were initially unaware of the full situation. Even though news and videos were rampant online, most were somewhat controlled by the Imperial Clan. They only fully learned the details in Bailu's class.
He likely had permission, as he presented all the known information in class. Finally, he turned off the screen and said succinctly to the students, "The Mountain Head and the Elders unanimously agreed to let you see this. Watch it, and remember it."
"The situation in Tang Song, the situation in our Lushan, and the future landscape—this isn't to make you feel inferior about the disparities between you, but to make you understand: this is an era ripe for your ascent."
"And the most difficult step has already been taken for you by someone else."
"Just as in the initial era, when the Founder led the Lushan seniors through a glorious path, you should be grateful—your generation also has such a figure. In fact, you are luckier than us teachers."
Although it is also unfortunate, because the appearance of a blazing sun is destined to suppress the stars.
But if suppressed stars do not fall and instead persevere, they can often bloom with even more intense brilliance. That's why the secondary prodigies of the Founder's generation could often surpass the peak prodigies of later eras.
Bailu's words were perhaps too enlightening; everyone's heart was shaken, and even Song Ling felt immense pressure.
She had just broken through to the Glimmer realm and could contend with Star realm cultivators, yet the gap between her and that person was still enormous.
That person was soaring, while they were still running.
The two princes felt the most pressure. Dantai Ke looked out the window, an endless sense of dread welling up in his heart.
The stronger Chen A'Diao became, the more he could sense the Imperial Clan's fortune fading, while he could also see the burgeoning vitality in his classmates.
Chen A'Diao had seized the fortune of this generation and had also won the obedience of people like Shen Huajing.
In the silence, a message suddenly spread throughout Lushan.
It was announced throughout the entire mountain, including the small town at its foot.
"From this day forth, Lushan Chief Chen A'Diao is appointed as Young Patriarch."
"Her position is honored above the Elder Council, and she shall enjoy authority second only to the Mountain Head, representing Lushan both internally and externally."
Young Patriarch meant that once Mountain Head Old Man Yu passed away, A'Diao could directly inherit Lushan and become its master. If the elders of the Elder Council were to disrespect this, it would be tantamount to rebellion, and they would face heavenly retribution from Lushan's ancestors.
So, did their younger generation now have hope of wielding power?
Handan Jidao's eyes flashed as he exchanged a glance with Nie Yuanyuan and a few others.
Chen A'Diao would need a new team now, wouldn't she?
Dantai Ke and the other prince froze.
Their perspective had been too narrow.
Was it actually the submission of the entire Lushan?
Lushan, latently divided internally, had finally unified following the fall of five Lesser Spirit Kings (from other factions).
Perhaps this was Chen A'Diao's true purpose in going to the border.
In the silence, Xia Sanlu suddenly started fidgeting.
Bailu: "Xia Sanlu, do you need to pee?"
Xia Sanlu: "No, Teacher. I have hemorrhoids. Can I go to the restroom?"
Bailu: "Oh, is that so? Go ahead."
After a while, Bailu saw several students urgently needing to use the restroom.
What, did they all have hemorrhoids?
A'Diao, who was rumored to be on her deathbed, was supposedly undergoing "emergency treatment." In reality, the "patient" was currently rolling around on a large bed, hugging a chubby, custom-made "Diao Diao" plushie.
Awooo!
Three hundred stars of Mental Power!
And it was still skyrocketing!
66666!
I love Tang Song, really, I love it to death!
Though it seemed some of it was also from Lie Qin and Nan Jin, including many from their imperial families. A'Diao flipped through a list and saw the name of Lie Qin's Third Prince, as well as the names of top prodigies from Bronze Mountain and Shaman Mountain.
They were probably all being PUA'd, collectively sending her their resentment.
Toilet: "I was worried before that your development wouldn't be fast enough, and you'd be challenged and bullied by the geniuses from those two places. Now you've pulled a fast one, PUA'd them instead. That's pretty good too."
"It's just a bit pitiful for the prodigies of those two nations, being thrashed by A'Diao from afar like this. It must be quite humiliating for them."
"Who cares about them? Sending Mental Power across borders isn't bad. Though, if their own Imperial Clans weren't holding them back, they might have already broken through to the Grandmaster realm by now. But I'm more interested in seeing the geniuses they cryogenically preserved from three hundred years ago. These old establishments must have some hidden aces. Only when most of them have emerged can we truly decide who calls the shots in this world."
A'Diao still held deep resentment for the Tang Song Imperial Clan's schemes, but her vigilance was also very strong.
Five Lesser Spirit Kings had been eliminated, but she couldn't afford to get complacent. She had relied on Qu Xia'er and the Sun Image phenomenon; her own strength was not yet sufficient to directly challenge these top-tier power structures.
She still needed another stage of development.
A'Diao quickly consumed all her Mental Power, leveling up to Level 23.
Level: 23 (Current Energy: 0 Stars / 300 Stars. Requires 300 Stars Energy for Level 24. Note: Level 23 grants 5,000,000 cubic meters of storage space and a 50 cubic meter living space. At Level 23, can automatically absorb ambient spiritual energy to upgrade all acquired skills by +120 levels.)
Mental Power: 0 Stars.
Synchronized Spiritual Energy Release: 100 Stars.
Acquired Skills:
1: Little Fists Pummel You to Death (Lv130)
2: Entangling Gaze (Lv130)
3: Talisman Mastery (Lv130)
...
Also 101, 202, 303, 404, 505... all maxed out at Lv130.
Exchangeable Skills:
1: Super Annihilation 606 Array (A large-scale AoE offensive array. Within this array, various energy forms—including Yin-Yang, spiritual power, and Mental Power—can be fused to create a personally controlled annihilation zone. It is an area-denial, group-kill status array. Specific consumption is calculated based on Mental Power and personal Spiritual Power. Exchange cost: 10 Stars of Mental Power. Subsequent operational costs are calculated separately. Each upgrade costs 10 Stars of Mental Power.)
2: Mental Power Will Cultivation Method Volumes 11-15 (No exchange required; can be directly imparted by Toilet.)
3: "Space Notes Volumes 5-10" (Space-type secret arts, exchangeable for 50 Stars.)
4: Soaring Cloud Constitution Tempering Formula (A constitution forging formula that, in conjunction with one's aptitude limits, elevates the physical body—from skin and flesh to internal organs and bones—towards transcending human limitations, breaking genetic barriers. Exchangeable for 100 Stars.)
Actually, there weren't many "game-breaking" items, aside from the Soaring Cloud Constitution Tempering Formula that followed a "Hidden Dragon" stage. The 606 Array was an offensive technique, while the Mental Power Will Cultivation Method and Space Notes were comprehension-based. A'Diao realized that as she progressed and Toilet's level increased, its role had shifted from actively providing new things to passively enhancing her existing abilities.
The +120 level buff had transformed "303" into a dimensional space that even Lesser Spirit Kings couldn't penetrate. Toilet's expectation of her seemed to be that, going forward, she would need to utilize her own aptitude to create new techniques.
Early stage: unearth aptitude. Middle stage: develop aptitude. Late stage: utilize aptitude.
Now was the late stage, because her strongest aptitude—her spiritual talent—had fully awakened.
"In the initial era, powerful cultivators primarily created Dao Tablets. Through such creation, they gained recognition from the Spiritual Dao, continuously enhancing their own powerful fortune, just like the Founder."
"Although I daren't compare myself to him, at least I can't be mediocre."
She had now stabilized her position in Tang Song. The Imperial Clan's Lesser Spirit Kings could no longer easily make a move against her, because she had engineered the situation such that any attempt would incur a devastating price, not to mention the low probability of success.
Since her position was stable, her safety was also less precarious.
A'Diao now needed to consolidate her resources and formulate the next phase of her plan. But before that, she had to collect three waves of resources.
From the Imperial Clan, from Lushan, and...
The Mountain Head suddenly arrived.
A'Diao immediately tossed aside the large plushie, lay down ramrod straight, and feigned a weak, dying state.
The Mountain Head saw this scene as soon as he entered, rolled his eyes, and said, "Get up, get up. I have something to tell you."
A'Diao: "Master, I don't have long to live..."
Mountain Head: "Lushan's secret vault, are you going or not? After that, I'll take you to the Imperial Clan's secret vault. The benefits of your royal investiture, you don't want them?"
A'Diao: "!"
Swish! She sat up straight and deftly threw on her outer robe.
"Master, let's go."
Mountain Head: "..."
He had originally guessed this damn girl was exaggerating minor injuries into serious ones.
Now it seemed even the minor injuries were faked.
The Grand Elder, whose usual duty was to guard Lushan's ancestral secret vault, saw A'Diao striding vigorously with an excited expression and simply became "enlightened" (resigned) — :)
"Not injured?"
A'Diao: "Ah, Grand Elder, I was on the verge of death, but thanks to Master's miraculous healing touch, like Bian Que reincarnated, it was simply incredibly awesome!"
Mountain Head: "That's right!"
Grand Elder: "..."
Two scoundrels.
"Go in. As Young Patriarch, what you can obtain depends on how much recognition you can get from the ancestors."
The Grand Elder said with a deadpan face.
A'Diao: "Oh, if they don't recognize me, can I pry it open?"
Grand Elder: "??? Pry what?"
Smack. The Mountain Head covered A'Diao's mouth. "Nothing, go ahead and open it."
The Grand Elder looked at the master and disciple as if they were bandits. He hesitated but still activated the secret technique to open the vault door.
"Don't mess around."
A'Diao: "Grand Elder, I'm the Young Patriarch, not a bandit, right Master!"
The Grand Elder smiled faintly, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "Your Master was too greedy when he went in before. He even stole things and was discovered by the ancestors. He was struck by heavenly lightning for three days. Later, your Grandmaster forbade his cultivation and had him hung upside down on the wall for three days. At that time, we all went to offer incense and pay our respects. I believe with your current popularity in both the Qian and Kun classes, they will definitely go to pay respects too, maybe even burn paper money."
A'Diao: "..."
Mountain Head: "..."
Toilet felt that this lineage of Lushan leaders still had some ancestral skills.
No wonder the Mountain Head had let her pry open tombstones before; that old man had probably done it himself.
The secret vault opened, and A'Diao rushed in excitedly. As soon as she entered, she found herself in an otherworldly space.
And then...
A vast graveyard, numerous Dao tablets, densely packed. Many were at the Lesser Spirit King level, and there were even some at the Mid Spirit King level.
A'Diao: "?"
This... has quite the period flavor, surprisingly not too shocking.
Toilet's first reaction: "Get a shovel?"
A'Diao thought Toilet's idea was too dangerous. "You're too immoral. These are my grandmaster-level ancestors."
"We must persuade them with virtue."
As A'Diao spoke, she directly had Yuanbao transform into an intelligent excavator.
Toilet: "???"
Clatter, clatter. A group of soul bodies was instantly stirred up.
However, most of them remained hidden, with only one visible. A'Diao considered this one a scout.
For Spirit King level beings, their souls could exist independently. Even if their physical bodies perished, their souls could endure for a long time in special spaces. Thus, Lushan and the Imperial Clan being so formidable was largely related to these ancestors.
In special times, as long as they were willing to expend resources, they could completely reconstruct many bodies for these souls to inhabit. Even if they couldn't exert their full strength, they could still provide significant combat power. Therefore, neither side was willing to completely tear off all pretenses.
Fighting would be endless, destroying their own foundations.
A'Diao felt that Lushan letting her into the secret vault might partly be to let her understand the foundation of her own "industry"—as Young Patriarch, you need to know how strong your family is, so you don't get easily lured away by others.
Can Bronze Mountain or Shaman Mountain let you inherit? No!
Our Lushan is still the best.
A'Diao was amused, but these souls were clearly very angry. The visible old lady looked A'Diao up and down, then at the excavator, "Little girl, did you use to work in construction?"
A'Diao saw that the opponent's soul was even stronger than those hiding Lesser Spirit Kings, guessing she was once a Mid Spirit King. Then she looked at the name on the tombstone.
Holy crap, a former female Mountain Head.
She immediately took out spirit money and a pile of spiritual fruits for souls, her knees buckled, and she knelt.
Old lady: "?"
No, this isn't construction; this is professional worship of the local earth god.
"Senior, I'm the new Young Patriarch. Master and the others specifically let me in to get benefits. But I think their thinking is wrong. As a junior, how can I just take benefits? I should prioritize paying respects to all you seniors. For this, I've prepared many gifts."
Saying this, she took out many things, such as spiritual cultivation items and forbidden objects that soul bodies could play with, even including smart virtual machines and so on.
All bought at a high price from Huayao.
The old lady had initially wanted to put A'Diao in her place, but now her eyes wandered a bit. She still maintained her composure, but her tone softened considerably, "How old are you, little girl?"
"Nineteen?"
"So young?"
"Not young anymore. I'm already nineteen and not even at the Spirit King level, just barely Star realm. Although I can thrash Grandmasters, my life is also short."
As she spoke, A'Diao suddenly clutched her chest and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Old lady: "?"
Then she saw this "short-lived" new Young Patriarch open her spiritual domain and Yinglong totem.
"Seniors, allow me to heal for a moment..."
"Alas, this innate spiritual domain and self-created Yinglong bloodline are just not strong enough. I truly envy those geniuses who reach Spirit King level in their teens."
Then she sat down cross-legged, with her spiritual domain and Yinglong totem active, eating and drinking to "heal" while pitying her own "ordinariness."
From the Spirit Kings ++++!
They were successive generations of Spirit Kings, many of them Mountain Heads. But in terms of aptitude, quite a few of them were outclassed by this person.
Is this healing?
This is a bamboozling version of humblebragging.
Low-grade Star realm, spiritual domain, seven-clawed Yinglong bloodline.
Innate + self-created.
Very good, got it.
The old lady's eyes flickered. She suddenly said, "Since you pay respects to me, we are fated. By rights, you should call me Grandmaster."
What!!
You are Old Man Yu's master, the one who hung him upside down on the wall?
A'Diao immediately kowtowed.
"Disciple Diao Diao pays respects to Grandmaster."
"Grandmaster above, this is the virtual optical computer your disciple has prepared for you. It contains information on the development of all systems over the past three hundred years, including technological energy studies and so on."
The old lady's eyes flashed, and she smiled, extending her hand. A'Diao immediately released spiritual threads that condensed into a chubby little spiritual dragon.
This move stunned many people again.
The old lady immediately patted the little dragon's head, "Very good. That salted fish fellow finally did something human."
Salted fish? Who? The Mountain Head?
Quite fitting.
A'Diao: "..."
But Old Man Yu is looked down upon like this?
Very good, I've pleased Grandmaster. If I abandon him in the future, I can't let him drag me down.
"Actually, Master is better than me in one aspect."
The old lady pursed her lips, "For example?"
"For example, he had a figure like you, Grandmaster, to teach and nurture him. In terms of fortune, Master is much better off than me. After all, to have a master like you, wouldn't he have to be stronger than me?"
Such sweet words, my heavens! If you can talk like that, say more.
The old lady was amused. She began to sit cross-legged and eat a fruit. One bite, hmm, sweet and sour, just how she liked it.
This grand-disciple is excellent, super excellent.
Seeing the old lady's treatment, the other souls couldn't stand it anymore.
Swish, swish, swish. A crowd of souls emerged.
A dense mass, the spiritual pressure was terrifyingly intense for a moment, but A'Diao held on.
Toilet was shocked.
This Martial Uncle, that Grand Martial Uncle, this Grand Martial Patriarch, that Grand Grand Martial Uncle...
Just kowtowing would wear her skin off, but A'Diao truly kowtowed to every one of them.
Not sloppy at all.
Clever and well-behaved, she presented different gifts for each kowtow. Moreover, she recognized every ancestor and even knew their preferences, clearly having researched beforehand.
This... her mental fortitude is extraordinarily formidable.
A super social butterfly who bridges the realms of the living and the dead.
Outside the secret vault, the Mountain Head and the Grand Elder were drinking and eating snacks, chatting about the past.
"These ancestors of our Lushan are not easy to deal with. Thinking back to when I went in, the way they toyed with me... Our master even kicked me when I was down. That old lady, truly ruthless."
Grand Elder: "Indeed."
Mountain Head: "You're not the Mountain Head, you weren't qualified to go in, so what 'indeed'?"
The Grand Elder's face darkened. "Bullshit! I made great contributions later and went in too!"
Mountain Head: "Oh, I almost forgot. Let's just say you went in. But you were carried out later, weren't you?"
His tone was particularly perfunctory.
You dog!
The Grand Elder, his face as dark as ink, glared at the Mountain Head. "Anyway, just you watch. With your disciple's cunning nature, she might be struck by lightning into smithereens by now."
Mountain Head: "That's not necessarily true. They'll probably show some consideration for my sake. After all, I've governed Lushan reasonably well these years."
He was quite confident.
Little did he know that A'Diao was already crying, recounting how she was bullied by the Imperial Clan, the internal strife in Lushan, and how she was ambushed and nearly assassinated by five Lesser Spirit Kings this time...
"Teacher Qing Zan worked so hard, she almost died trying to save me. Thankfully, Master arrived fashionably late at the critical moment... otherwise, my wounds would have already healed."
"Grandmaster, please don't blame Master and the Grand Elder. I understand, the bigger picture is important. It's just a pity I'm too young and couldn't reach Lesser Spirit King sooner. I also attract too much attention, incurring the Imperial Clan's jealousy... I'll definitely be careful in the future and not cause trouble."
"After all, constantly remolding bodies is quite tiring. It's better to focus on the Daoist lineage. Talent in bloodlines and constitutions is just a side path, no matter how good. Anyway, I casually achieved a perfect Star realm body. But the truly terrifying one is my great aunt. She's incredible, able to manipulate Sun Image Rays to resurrect the dead and even cause mutations. I wonder if she'll teach me in the future."
The souls present: "..."
The last sentence was a killer blow.
These successive Mountain Heads and Lushan elders fell silent, especially when they discovered that the information recorded in the virtual optical computers arranged for them contained a lot of her own research, a large part of which targeted bodies and souls.
She had come prepared.
Of course, A'Diao also received one hundred stars of Mental Power.
Toilet: "..."
Even grinding Mental Power from the dead, what a pervert.
The Mountain Head and Grand Elder took a sip of wine... and suddenly felt dark clouds gathering above their heads. They paused, looking up.
BOOM!!!
Two bolts of lightning struck down abruptly!
Not just them, all the elders in the Elder Council were struck by lightning simultaneously.
The Lesser Spirit King level elders, all of them, were struck. After being struck, the spiritual bodies of these Lushan magnates were dragged into a dream space, where they saw their own masters.
Scolded, collectively scolded.
They were given a severe tongue-lashing.
"Unfilial, weak, idiotic, worthless!"
"Master..."
"Master, my ass! Look at her! At nineteen, she knows to burn incense, pay respects, and bring me delicious food, drinks, and fun things. She even keeps up with the times and helps us understand the current world, allowing us to continue researching the Dao. Look at you! Every damn year, you burn paper money and offer white wine! Do I lack those two sips of wine? Don't you know drinking is unhealthy?!"
"Master..."
"Shut up! Wait until I'm done scolding!"
"..."
Except for Qing Zan, Lushan's current group of Spirit Kings suffered, directly sending A'Diao another hundred stars of Mental Power.
At this moment, A'Diao was sitting cross-legged in the graveyard drinking milk tea, happily purchasing all the resources in Toilet.
Before long, she had bought everything available and maxed out their levels.
Was it her talent that moved these ancestors?
She never based others' regard on so-called inheritance or favor. Only the most tangible personal benefits could stabilize social relationships.
What these souls valued most was... a body.
If they were truly needed to fight for Lushan in the future, these were all figures who had once commanded the winds and clouds. They were unwilling to rely on juniors, nor did they look favorably upon half-baked, trashy bodies. Otherwise, they could have emerged long ago.
A'Diao represented their future dignity.
Since A'Diao had laid out her assets, these Lushan ancestors naturally... reciprocated the favor.
Dao Tablet inheritances came one after another, so many she could barely receive them all.
A'Diao glanced at the pitch-black grand mausoleum in the deepest core, deliberately adopting an affected posture and saying, "Seniors, I can only stay here for one day."
The ancestors immediately said, "No problem, I can teach you in your dreams. We'll take turns."
Toilet: "..."
Impressive.
Just as the ancestors were discussing the schedule for dream-based teaching, everyone saw a cloud of black mist approach. Like an old demon's ominous wind snatching an unmarried maiden, it instantly swept A'Diao into a tomb.
It was that mausoleum.
Everyone instantly fell silent.
The Founder has taken a liking to this little girl.
Now there's no need for a schedule. Everything they knew, the Founder knew, and was even better at it.
A'Diao felt dizzy. When she opened her eyes, she saw a noble, elegant, spacious, and tidy study.
A circular space, bookshelves lined the walls, filled with countless books, each ancient and mysterious. But A'Diao sensed the terrifying nature of this space.
Or rather, the presence that had pulled her in.
In just a second, A'Diao's knees felt weak, and she was about to kneel.
Suddenly, an invisible force supported her body.
"Come here."
A'Diao heard a voice as clear and cold as an icy spring. Her heart tingled, and she subconsciously walked over.
This Founder has an ascetic style. Listening to the voice, it's hard to tell if it's male or female. I wonder what they look like in person.
However, ahead was a formal desk, with a long zither and a thin curtain to the side. What seemed like bookshelves on the outer edge disappeared upon closer inspection, revealing a tranquil green garden instead.
Space. You could consider it enclosed, or you could consider it open and boundless.
This was the highest mastery of space—a realm of absolute freedom.
Elegant charm, the fragrance of books concealing inner depth.
A'Diao craned her neck, cautiously asking, "Senior, Senior, what do you want me to do?"
Although her ultimate goal this time was to attract the Founder's attention and gain some benefits, the other party's methods were a bit intimidating. She had to proceed carefully.
"On the table, pick one. Create a Grandmaster-level secret art based on the topic written on it. Complete it before dawn."
"If you complete it, you will be granted free access. If you fail, go out and continue cultivating."
The Founder had high standards. It was already 12 hours until midnight. A'Diao knew that another small phase determining her future destiny had arrived.
The Founder had no heir. She had clearly been placed on the assessment list.
Complete it, and she would justifiably gain the right to inherit their knowledge and legacy. Fail, and... get out.
A'Diao's heart pounded. She immediately sat down obediently, inwardly shouting: Bloodline, bloodline, bloodline, this is what I'm best at, Buddha, please bless me!
While doing so, her hands made a "heavenly spirits, earthly spirits" prayer gesture, like a village shaman performing a ritual.
The Founder was probably speechless; the entire space fell silent. Toilet also wished it could cover its face.
Shameful, my Diao! Shouting for Buddha while performing Daoist shamanism, you're playing both sides and will eventually get caught.
Then, A'Diao used her "claw" to pick a small booklet. She glanced at it carefully, her pupils constricting violently. She immediately tried to quietly put the booklet back and pick another, but instantly... crackle! A bolt of electricity shot across the back of her hand, electrocuting her until black smoke rose from her body.
"I was wrong, wrong, wrong, Old Ancestor, this one, this one!"
A'Diao cried as she pulled out the small booklet. On it was written "Healing," her least proficient area.
Damn it! She hadn't saved anyone in her cultivation so far! So annoying! The Founder must be messing with me!
A'Diao cursed inwardly while outwardly taking out a small handkerchief to wipe her tears and start writing. Her pretty face, with its red lips and white teeth, looked exceptionally wronged and pitiful, just like Chen Yang crying while doing elementary school homework.
Toilet really wanted to laugh, but it held back.
A'Diao struggled for five minutes, completely unable to find inspiration. She sprawled on the cushion like a "Ge You slouch" and weakly asked, "Old Ancestor, can I read these books? To find some knowledge. It's not that I don't like saving people, it's just that Master Yu always told me saving people isn't important, and that's what delayed me. Please don't blame him, it's all my fault for being too obedient. Actually, when I was little, I couldn't even bear to see chickens being killed in the kitchen at home. I would cry for hours..."
Although later, she would eat while crying, and eat with particular relish.
"Permitted."
The Old Ancestor was a person of few words. A'Diao immediately revived, scrambled up, and began to look for books to read.
And time passed, second by second.
There was one hour left before she had to start creating the secret art.
Outside the secret vault, the Lushan magnates, who had been angrily scolded by their masters in dreams across the realms of life and death, were mentally exhausted. The Mountain Head, his face dark, thought to himself: When that damn girl comes out, I'll hang her on the wall and beat her.
Beat her until she wails.
Too beastly! Is she even human?
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