Zhang Chen felt moved upon hearing Xu Erniu's reminder. This little girl was truly considerate; his efforts for her were not in vain.
Zhang Chen knew well the immense risk Xu Erniu took in teaching him the mantra. The mantra cannot be passed between disciples, and if the Ancestral Master found out, it could result in the retrieval of the mantra and their souls being scattered.
Without hesitation, Xu Erniu began to recite the mantra to Zhang Chen. After hearing the mantra of the Grass Returning Pill, Zhang Chen fell into deep thought.
He had gained considerable knowledge by now, especially with Xiu Liu attaining Dao and the Sea of Blood undergoing changes. Zhang Chen inexplicably felt a kind of divine peculiarity.
After hearing the Grass Returning Pill mantra just once, Zhang Chen discerned many insights.
"This Grass Returning Pill mantra takes an unorthodox approach; it is not the Immortal Dao but rather the Elf Dao. Even if cultivated to Great Success, it would merely allow one to become a powerful Plant Emperor, not truly the great Dao." Zhang Chen kept pondering, not knowing why, but ever since Xiu Liu returned, he felt his spirituality had grown immensely, and his thoughts raced swiftly: "If he could achieve Great Success in the Elf Dao, wholly transforming into a Grass Returning Pill, then by using the Inverted Yin and Yang to change the Law, transforming the Grass Returning Pill into a seed, could it not directly become a Ginseng Fruit Tree? To transform from a fruit to a fruit tree means directly becoming an Innate Divine Spirit!"
According to records from past novels, Zhunti was a manifestation of Bodhi, and Zhenyuanzi was an embodiment of the Ginseng Fruit Tree. If Xu Erniu could reverse into a Ginseng Fruit Tree, she could ascend to become an Innate Divine Sage, a ruler among plants.
Zhang Chen was extremely shocked by his own hypothesis, with various sparks of inspiration flashing in his mind: "So, practicing this Grass Returning Pill isn't a dead end. If cultivated to fruition, then using Inverted Yin and Yang to reverse causality, making the seed sprout into a fruit tree, it would be a path to the heavens. At the very least, Xu Erniu's future achievements wouldn't be inferior to the Ancestor of Earth Immortal in Journey to the West."
Zhang Chen was amazed by his speculations, while Xu Erniu blinked at him: "Zhang Chen, you must secretly practice the Grass Returning Pill mantra in the future and make sure no one finds out, or we'll be in big trouble."
"I never said I was going to cultivate the Grass Returning Pill," Zhang Chen replied.
Xu Erniu was stupefied and puzzled, looking at Zhang Chen as if he were a lunatic: "You're not cultivating the Grass Returning Pill, so why inquire about the mantra?"
Zhang Chen didn't respond to Xu Erniu, instead asking: "Little sister, do you trust me?"
"Of course, I trust you," Xu Erniu replied.
"Then let me ask you, do you believe in the Ancestral Master, or do you trust me more?" Zhang Chen repeated.
"Of course, I trust you more. What kind of bond do we have?" Xu Erniu thumped her chest: "How could I not believe in you?"
"If you believe in me, when you cultivate in the future, focus on mastering the Great Divine Technique of Inverted Yin and Yang. Until this Divine Technique is perfected, do not let the Grass Returning Pill mantra reach Great Success. Once you've mastered the Grass Returning Pill, immediately use the Great Divine Technique of Inverted Yin and Yang to transform the Grass Returning Pill into a fruit tree, reversing the causality within." Zhang Chen carefully instructed Xu Erniu.
The Grass Returning Pill, also known as the Ginseng Fruit, signifies a seed, and of course, a seed can take root and sprout into a fruit tree.
Ever since Xiu Liu returned and the power of the Blood Dao manifested, Zhang Chen had a mysterious sense that his computational ability had increased a hundredfold, and his mind was more efficient than ever.
Xu Erniu stared blankly at Zhang Chen, her eyes full of strangeness: "Should we inform the Ancestral Master about this, in case there are setbacks in cultivation..."
Seeing Xu Erniu doubt his reliability, Zhang Chen retorted irritably: "You doubt me at your peril. Don't forget my methods down the mountain. Just follow my guidance in cultivation, and your rewards will be plenty. And this matter must not be known by the Ancestral Master—don't even let a hint slip out."
Xu Erniu obediently nodded: "Alright then, I will listen to you."
She knew of Zhang Chen's skills; they had both risen from a life like mud, establishing a bond through life and death, so she naturally trusted him.
Xu Erniu was no fool, noticing the odd demeanor of Zhang Chen, she whispered: "Zhang Chen, did you discover some unsettling matter?"
"No! Just focus on your cultivation. I just found a wonderful use for the Grass Returning Pill, leveraging the Great Divine Technique of Inverted Yin and Yang for unimaginable changes," Zhang Chen replied with a grin to Xu Erniu.
Then, after chatting for a while longer, Zhang Chen turned and departed.
Watching Zhang Chen's receding figure, the now elegantly poised young girl had a hint of doubt in her eyes: "Why does it always feel like something's off? But exactly what's wrong, I can't articulate."
A vague ominous cloud loomed over, pressing on Xu Erniu's heart, causing a slight foreboding premonition to surface within her.
Time rushed by, as everyone raced against the clock.
Disciples of the Five Villages Temple practiced the array, the Longevity Ancestor honed his sword, while Zhang Chen made daily trips back and forth through the Nine Bends Yellow River Array, keeping an eye on the Nirvana of the Innate Peacock.
As for that Immortal True Spirit, Zhang Chen has studied it for some time, but still hasn't figured out any clues.
As for Xiu Liu, he continues to busily collect secret manuals for Zhang Chen every day, but the Taiping Dao Qi Cultivation Secret Technique he desires still remains elusive.
This day, Xiu Liu brought various secret manuals again. Zhang Chen glanced at them and found that they were all heterodox techniques, so he said rather impatiently, "Why haven't you found the latter part of the Taiping Dao Qi Cultivation Technique yet?"
Hearing this, Xiu Liu smiled wryly, feeling extremely wronged, "My little ancestor, you really misunderstood me. The disciples of the Taiping Dao cannot even cultivate the Qi Cultivation Secret Technique. Being able to pass down the part on Qi Cultivation is already quite remarkable. If you want to obtain a higher-level Qi Cultivation Technique, you have to target the three Great Demon Saints of Taiping Dao..."
Xiu Liu's voice was full of grievance, and his eyes were filled with bitterness. What could he do? He was also helpless! The remaining two Great Demon Saints not only shadow each other closely but have also recently disappeared. Rumor has it they seem to be searching for some treasure, so even if he wanted to forcefully seize it, he couldn't find a target.
"What about the Taiping Dao's stronghold? Was there any gain?" Zhang Chen asked again.
Upon hearing this, Xiu Liu shook his head, "The Taiping Dao's mountain gate is protected by a Talisman Array. If I try to infiltrate, it will definitely alert the array. Even if I possess those demon beasts, I wouldn't be able to evade the array's detection."
Hearing Xiu Liu's words, Zhang Chen scratched his head, a look of frustration in his eyes, "Does it mean I have to wait until those two Demon Saints are eliminated before I have a chance to obtain the foundational Qi Cultivation Technique of Taiping Dao?"
Zhang Chen fell into contemplation, unable to come up with a good solution for the moment.
Hearing this, Xiu Liu tentatively asked, "I wonder what is so mysterious about this Qi Cultivation Technique that makes you value it so much?"
Zhang Chen glanced at Xiu Liu, "This is not something you can inquire about; just focus on collecting techniques for me."
The stronger Xiu Liu's abilities became, the less Zhang Chen could afford to be courteous. He had to constantly strike at Xiu Liu to prevent him from having any inappropriate thoughts and creating trouble for himself.
Zhang Chen waved his hand to signal Xiu Liu to withdraw, leaving Zhang Chen alone in the courtyard, silently gazing at the sun in the sky.
Time hurriedly passed, the ninth year swiftly came to an end, and the tenth year arrived as expected. Zhang Chen continued to cultivate daily within the Nine Bends Yellow River Array, while the Longevity Ancestor directly sat cross-legged outside the array, staring fixedly at it, lost in thought.
Ten years had gone by, and the Innate Peacock was still undergoing nirvana within the array, showing no signs of breaking out.
Zhang Chen would occasionally come to the egg transformed by the Innate Peacock, gazing at the symbols circulating on the egg. Flickering fragments of Five Elements Essence passed intermittently, leading Zhang Chen to some insights.
"The Innate Peacock is born in accordance with the Five Elements, with the Five Elements Dao circulating within its body, naturally holding the Authority of the Five Elements. Truly, such fortune makes one envious to the point of turning green. The Innate Race is indeed blessed by heaven, how favorably heaven is disposed towards it!" Zhang Chen sighed softly, a touch of sentiment in his eyes.
In the eleventh year, the multicolored light of the egg solidified, forming a colorful eggshell, like an oil painting, without any divine radiance.
In the twelfth year, a crack appeared on the colorful egg.
The thirteenth year
Zhang Chen was comprehending a Wonderful Technique within the Nine Bends Yellow River Array when suddenly an earth-shattering drumbeat sounded, accompanied by waves of terrifying demon aura. The two Great Demon Saints of the demon race made a comeback.
Countless demon legions engulfed the sky, sweeping from the heavens to the earth towards the Qingcheng Mountain Range, intending to flatten the Five Villages Temple.
The disciples of the Five Villages Temple showed no weakness, with four great disciples leading their followers, forming a grand array to actively meet the enemy.
At this moment, dark clouds flashed in the sky, and from those clouds, two figures emerged.
One with an ox head and one with a rhinoceros head, both stood towering at ten meters high, looking down on the Five Villages Temple from the dark clouds.
"Changsheng, do you dare to come out and fight?" roared the Ox-headed Great Saint furiously at the sky, his voice shaking the heavens, "Give me back my brother's life. Today I will make you pay for my brother with your life."
"Mere delinquents, how dare you speak such grandiose words before me? Previously letting you two escape was your fortune. Now that you've come again as a pair, all of you will be left here." The voice of the Ancestral Master of Longevity was full of calmness, hands folded in his sleeves, looking up at the two Demon Saints in the sky without a trace of fear in his eyes.
He knew that as long as he could slay one of the two Great Saints, it would be considered steady, and the remaining one would not be his opponent.
Within the Nine Bends Yellow River Array, Zhang Chen stood in front of the Innate Peacock Egg, watching the colorful egg with a touch of anxiety in his eyes, "I say, old ancestor, are you reliable? All hell is breaking loose up there, and if the Ancestral Master of Longevity wins, unifying the world's fate, crossing the tribulation, and stepping up another level in cultivation, we're in big trouble."