Eminent Monks of Heavenly Dragon Temple

"Zhuge Consecrated, His Your Majesty requests your presence..." Zhuge Xiang had just entered the Hall of Honored Guests, had just brought the Illusionary Nether King to Die Wu's side so that the two of them could study together, and had not yet had a chance to be intimate with Mo Lingna, when the Eunuch beside the Emperor quickly appeared next to Zhuge Xiang spoke to him.

"Ding! Quest 'Illusionary Nether King' completed, level +3, received Double Experience Scroll *1, obtained Necklace of the Spell God".

As Zhuge Xiang brought the Illusionary Nether King to Die Wu, a system notification sounded in Zhuge Xiang's mind. The completion of this task allowed Zhuge Xiang to advance three levels, his cultivation level soaring directly to the Fourth Layer level of the Gathering Origin Stage, and the True Essence within his body became even more refined.

"Alright, I'll go now..." The fact that the emperor was looking for him was within Zhuge Xiang's expectations. Since the emperor was looking for him, he naturally couldn't keep the emperor waiting for long. Therefore, there was no time to go and be intimate with Mo Lingna. Zhuge Xiang followed the Eunuch to the side hall where the emperor was.

"Zhuge Consecrated, there are several eminent monks from the Heavenly Dragon Temple of the Great Qin Empire in His Your Majesty's side hall. They specifically requested to see you," the Eunuch beside the emperor said to Zhuge Xiang as he walked.

From the monks at Heavenly Dragon Temple, the Eunuch learned their purpose in coming to find Zhuge Xiang, but he didn't know whether it was good or bad. So, he told Zhuge Xiang about it first, so that he could be mentally prepared.

"Heavenly Dragon Temple? They're actually waiting for me at the Emperor's place?" Indeed, the Eunuch's words startled Zhuge Xiang slightly.

This was indeed something Zhuge Xiang hadn't expected. However, upon reflection, considering the uproar his Heavenly Demon Zen Sound had caused a great stir a few days ago, even shaking the entire Great Tang Empire, it was only natural that Heavenly Dragon Temple would rush over upon receiving the news.

With the Eunuch's words, Zhuge Xiang was somewhat prepared for the situation. He nodded, thanked the Eunuch, and the two walked one after the other toward the side hall where the emperor was.

Although the Hall of Honored Guests is located within the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Palace is so vast that it cannot be reached by flying; one must proceed on foot, which will take some time.

During the journey, Zhuge Xiang looked at the Double Experience Scroll and the Necklace of the Spell God he had been rewarded with from the Illusionary Nether King quest, and the data automatically appeared in front of Zhuge Xiang.

Double Experience Scroll (Special Consumable): After use, it grants double EXP for one day and one night. This item has no cooldown.

Necklace of the Spell God (One-Star Lingbao): No level requirement, Attack +3600, all offensive Spell. Passive: Destruction Power +30%, Active - Devour Spell: Can devour the Spell attacks cast by the target, enhancing the Necklace of the Spell God's function. The target's cultivation level cannot be more than three minor realms higher than the user's. Cooldown time: 1 day.

The Double Experience Scroll —upon closer inspection, this Dao Item seems quite effective. If a high-intensity war were to break out someday, activating this Double Experience Scroll would grant double the experience gained, which is incredibly powerful. Furthermore, this Double Experience Scroll can be used regardless of one's cultivation level.

Secondly, there's this Necklace of the Spell God. As expected of Lingbao Treasure, it not only increases attack power significantly, but its passive effect also boosts the power of all Spell attacks by 30%, making Zhuge Xiang's Spell attacks even more destructive. Most importantly, this necklace also has the effect of absorbing other people's offensive Spell to grow stronger.

Each day, you have one chance to absorb other people's Spell attacks to grow stronger. In future battles, as long as the opponent is no more than three minor realms higher than you, you will not only have one immunity to Spell attacks at crucial moments, but this ability will also continuously enhance the effect of the Necklace of the Spell God.

"Your Majesty, Zhuge Consecrated has arrived..." At this moment, Zhuge Xiang and the Eunuch arrived at the side hall where the emperor was located, Yongning Hall. The Eunuch spoke and reported to the emperor.

"Come in," the emperor's voice rang out from inside the Yongning Hall, full of vigor.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," Zhuge Xiang said, bowing to the emperor with his hands clasped in front of him upon entering the Great Hall.

A quick glance revealed that, sure enough, besides the emperor and the three Imperial Preceptor, there were nine other monks present. Presumably, these were all eminent monks from Heavenly Dragon Temple.

"Zhuge Consecrated, it's truly fortunate that you're unharmed. I heard you were Illusionary Nether King, and I was considering how to rescue you. According to White National Teacher, Illusionary Nether King's strength is incredibly formidable. How did you manage to escape?" The Emperor asked, looking at Zhuge Xiang as he entered the Great Hall. His tone was a mixture of joy and curiosity. How could he have returned safely after being Illusionary Nether King?

"That Illusionary Nether King, actually, only kidnapped me because he was somewhat interested in the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. He had no intention of harming me. After all, although the Illusionary Nether King has harmed many people, I have never heard of him killing people for no reason, right?" Zhuge Xiang replied to the emperor's answer with a mix of truth and falsehood.

"That's true," said the White National Teacher, gently stroking his white beard, agreeing with Zhuge Xiang's words.

Despite his infamous reputation, Illusionary Nether King has never been known to be bloodthirsty. Come to think of it, although he has harmed many people, there is no record of him killing people without reason.

After Zhuge Xiang's half-truthful explanation, and considering the rumors about the Illusionary Nether King, the emperor believed Zhuge Xiang's words. Although somewhat surprised, it was ultimately a good thing that Zhuge Xiang was able to return unharmed.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuge, we meet again. I only met you once back in the Asura Sect during your apprenticeship ceremony. I never expected that we would meet again in such a way today. You are truly a formidable young man. Sect Master Luo's vision is truly admirable..." At this moment, one of the nine monks from Heavenly Dragon Temple stepped forward and spoke to Zhuge Xiang.

According to his status, this monk was actually at the Void Returning Stage, making him Zhuge Xiang's elder. However, in the Great Tang Dynasty, Zhuge Xiang was a Great Tang Imperial Family retainer, and his status and abilities earned him respect comparable to Void Returning Stage expert. Therefore, in the Great Tang Dynasty, this Void Returning Stage monk treated Zhuge Xiang as an equal.

"Greetings, Master..." Now that his identity as a disciple of a demonic Sect had been exposed, Zhuge Xiang faced it openly.

Furthermore, although the Great Tang Dynasty was quite hostile to Demonic Path Cultivator, it wouldn't be possible for them to jump out and Exorcise Demon demons just because of this identity. Otherwise, the two Imperial Preceptor, Niu Dali and Hu Xian'er, would have been wiped out long ago.

"I've heard that Fellow Daoist Zhuge is proficient in the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound of my Heavenly Dragon Temple, and has even deduced it to its highest level. Is this true?" Following this topic, the monk from Heavenly Dragon Temple directly steered the conversation towards the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound.

"They've arrived..." The people from Heavenly Dragon Temple have come to find him, clearly because of Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. Since the news of Heavenly Demon Zen Sound has already spread, denying it is futile.

However, given his status as a patron of the Great Tang Dynasty, would Heavenly Dragon Temple Great Tang Dynasty to directly confront him? Therefore, Zhuge Xiang did not deny it and readily admitted it.

"That's right, I do know the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, and I even have all Nine Diagrams of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. However, I haven't completely mastered Nine Diagrams; I've only mastered five of them," Zhuge Xiang answered frankly, nodding.

"You've only learned five sets?" Upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's words, the monks of Heavenly Dragon Temple exchanged glances.

They traveled a great distance to the Great Tang Dynasty, partly because of the leak of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Cultivation Technique, but more importantly, they wanted to know how Zhuge Xiang had managed to learn all Nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sounds diagrams simultaneously. But now, Zhuge Xiang claimed he had only learned five?

"Impossible? Senior Brother Abbot, who also cultivates the Heavenly Demon Zen Intent, has a connection to this Cultivation Technique. He could sense that when you used your full power, the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound did indeed reach its highest level," After exchanging a glance, the head Chief Seat couldn't help but ask Zhuge Xiang, unable to suppress his doubts.

Indeed, now that things have come to this point, and Zhuge has already admitted to learning the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, why would he deceive himself about his spiritual realm? It simply doesn't make sense.

However, he was telling the truth, so why did the abbot's perception say that his Heavenly Demon Zen Sound had reached the highest level? Neither of them could be lying, so why does this contradiction exist?

"Are you referring to that time at Strange Stone Mountain? Yes, that time, my Heavenly Demon Zen Sound did reach its highest level, but it wasn't my own ability. I merely borrowed external force to temporarily elevate the Cultivation Technique to its highest level..." Zhuge Xiang answered the monk from Heavenly Dragon Temple's question honestly, but without revealing any information about the Skill Talisman.

"So that's how it is, it's because of the use of external force..." Upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's explanation, the monks suddenly understood and nodded in comprehension.

Indeed, compared to an outsider successfully cultivating the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound to its highest level, these monks preferred to believe that Zhuge Xiang had borrowed external force; this explanation was more convincing.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhuge, for telling me the truth. But I have one last question, and I hope you will be so kind as to enlighten me," the Chief Seat said to Zhuge Xiang with a humble attitude after learning the Truth about Zhuge Xiang's highest level of Heavenly Demon Zen Sound.

"You flatter me, Master. Please continue," Zhuge Xiang replied politely.

Although Zhuge Xiang had always been afraid of being targeted by the Heavenly Dragon Temple because of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound incident, in the end, the Heavenly Dragon Temple had not targeted him at all. On the contrary, the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound and Mizheng and others from the Heavenly Dragon Temple had given him a lot of help. Therefore, Zhuge Xiang naturally treated these high monks of the Heavenly Dragon Temple with courtesy.

"This humble monk would like to ask, Fellow Daoist Zhuge, where did you learn the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound?" (To be continued...)

P. S.: Arrived in Xiamen. Almost a 5-hour bullet train ride, so tiring! And I had some drinks too. That's all for today, as usual, I'll make up the rest tomorrow.