Turning Fate Against Heaven

"It's almost dawn, I need to do my morning prayers. After I pass on the Daoist teachings to you, you must also get up at the hour of Yin and Mao (3-5 AM) for breathing exercises, without missing a single day. I'll skip it for today, you can go out and play. If you're free, read some books. After noon, I'll take you to Mount Mo to pay your respects to your master."

"Yes."

Zheng Zetian walked out of Qingting Peak Sect and stared blankly at the Tu Lou at the entrance of the cave.

It wasn't a dream, it wasn't an illusion, it was a real 'time travel back in time'.

How on earth did that guy in the Empty Star manage to do something so unbelievable?

And...

Zheng Zetian looked at the Storage Jade in his hand. Unlike last time, besides the Supreme Thirty-Six Divine Thunder Fire Banner and the Divine Azure Haze Smoke Net, Song Dayou had also given him other things.

It was written by the Grand Master, namely, "A Beginner's Guide to the Seven Transformations of the Great Law of Primordial Transformation" and "The Ecology of the Qilin." Naturally, Song Dayou delighted to hear that Zheng Zetian had "observed" the Qilin last night and immediately passed on the Dharma to his disciple.

These "Seven Transformations for Beginners" are naturally the transformations learned by the beginner disciples of Moshan in the "Advanced Tai Su Studies". Of course, the so-called "seven" actually refers to the Five Mountain Gods Body Transformation, which is the basic introductory teaching of Moshan, and the Taiji Dao Spiritual Body Transformation, which is the method of transforming into a human in Moshan, which are the two additional Daoist doctrines.

If we were to break it down further, the Five Mountain Gods Bodies have fifteen basic forms of variant forms, as well as numerous derivative forms from the Tai Su Demon Realm. The Tai Chi Dao Spiritual Bodies can also be divided into the Five Insects, Four Saints, and Four Fiends. The Spirit Race of various Divine Beast, holy beasts, and demonic beasts can all be considered as variations. Of course, there are far more than just seven or forty-nine types.

Therefore, the Thunder God of Lei Marsh Song Dayou had his disciples observe on the first day was one of the divine bodies of the Five Mountain Gods. In the introductory book "Introduction to Transformation", there are clear and specific meridian analyses and cultivation methods for transformation extracted from the notes of successive generations of disciples of Mo Shan.

Of course, the Qilin is also good. The Qilin is considered part of the Taiji spiritual transformations, so one would need to study another book, "The Ecology of the Qilin," to understand the structure of the corresponding transformed Dao body. But honestly, the Grand Master's familiarity with the legendary Qilin's ecology is truly remarkable...

Anyway, Zheng Zetian, who has 'changed the future' in a sense, is still standing perfectly fine, and no lightning has struck him down to destroy him.

So, it really is possible to defy fate...?

The Tu Lou licked Zheng Zetian's fingers. The boy subconsciously touched his sleeve, but found nothing. He suddenly realized that he had been too confused all night and had forgotten to take the oranges from the offering table.

Well, it seems that once one thing changes, everything else changes. The development of the two worlds has already begun to diverge from the very first words he uttered upon waking up. So instead of worrying about what the future 'should be like,' it's better to just treat it as a complete rebirth and start anew.

But now that he thinks about it, he hadn't noticed. There used to be a fruit platter in his master's room, so he probably wasn't really fasting...

"... Let's go down the mountain and get something to eat."

So Zheng Zetian onto the sheep and let the Tu Lou forage for food, while turning his head to look into the distance, gazing intently at the natural barrier obscured by green mountains and thunderclouds.

It's currently the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the sun hasn't risen yet, but at sunset today, around the hour of You (5-7 PM), no, probably just past the hour of Shen (3-5 PM), Song Dayou will die.

North of Moshan Mountain, telegram, master, railway train, garrison, shadow cloak, ghost, gate, Li Family Village, demon general, five people, Qilin...

How can one defy fate and change their destiny?

Zheng Zetian was deep in thought, twirling the thunder beads on his wrist one by one, and stopped competing with the Tu Lou for food.

A head-on confrontation is absolutely out of the question. Zheng Zetian doesn't think he can defeat monsters of a higher level just because he's a reincarnated master or an immortal. After all, he's limited by his cultivation level and hasn't fully awakened. His past is like fleeting clouds, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing, like a dream, like an illusion, like being half asleep and half awake. Right now, the only skills he can use are probably his palm thunder, two magic weapons, and the two new books on the Dao of Ink Mountain Transformation.

At this point, with his cultivation only at the Foundation Establishment stage, even if he possessed extraordinary talent, it would be useless. In a direct confrontation with someone, he might be able to win if he was one level higher, and escaping if he was two levels higher would be considered lucky. Trying to manipulate someone three or four levels higher would be pure nonsense.

Moreover, the train corridor is a single, narrow passage, offering no room for escape techniques or maneuvering. Furthermore, the opponent is a master of at least Martial God level; regardless of any magical treasures, tricks, or techniques you employ, a single punch from the front will finish you off. Even if you bring Song Dayou and that useless guard, it's probably still a lost cause...

We can't wait until we get on the bus, because once we do, it will be too late... Ah.

The thing I saw before getting on the train, what was that again? It was something that could summon people using spiritual techniques... a telegram!

That's right! The telegram!

Recalling the scene before he got on the bus, Zheng Zetian suddenly remembered the Mechanical Puppet in the shop window and the clicking sound of keyboards. He suddenly realized what the giant had meant by the cheat code!

It's a telegraph code!

Well, why didn't you just say you wanted someone from Ink Bamboo Mountain to help? All that beeping and babbling made him guess for ages...

That's right, then I understand. We need to gather our forces and eliminate them before they get on the train—yes, not only before the Lou Guan City and apprentice get on, but also before those five 'ghosts' get on!

Having figured this out, Zheng Zetian was about to ride a sheep to the sky and go to Lou Guan City to call for help.

The Tu Lou chewed on the grass, leaped into the air and hopped around a couple of times, then slowly descended to about the treetop, pacing back and forth while peeking at the leaves beside it.

Zheng Zetian was speechless for a moment.

This thing is really only good for getting around; by the time it slowly makes its way to Lou Guan City, the flowers will probably have withered.

Directly confronting Song Dayou is even less feasible. After all, it goes without saying how heaven-defying that Dao Fruit is; both reincarnated and unreincarnated Heavenly Immortal know this in their hearts. Otherwise, the Grand Master wouldn't be so cautious and would have gone to great lengths to find the Ancestor Luo from back then for the trial.

Besides, there's so much lightning here at Qingting Peak. Given Song Dayou's impending death, he might just unleash a bolt of lightning the moment he opens his mouth, saving everyone a lot of trouble...

However, Ancestor Luo is Ancestor Luo after all. As long as he doesn't go mad, he can even establish a great sect that can withstand the existence of the Three Great Sects. How could he be a pushover?

Zheng Zetian rolled his eyes and quickly came up with a solution.

He slapped his ram horns, turned his Tu Lou around, and rushed toward the canyon behind Qingting Peak. This time, he descended from the sky and rushed straight toward the mountain ginseng monster that was lying dozing in the mud!

Zheng Zetian leaped down from the sheep! Landing behind the ginseng monster's head, he Supreme Thirty-Six Divine Thunder Fire Banner Chain forward, and lightning, like a whip, coiled around the ginseng's neck, pulling the ginseng monster, still in its slumber, up abruptly!

"Ugh--!"

The ginseng monster was really unlucky. It was lying peacefully in the soil, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon to grow taller—who did it offend? Suddenly, someone grabbed its neck and almost twisted its head off! It woke up instantly!

Of course, Zheng Zetian could have twisted its head off. The Thunderfire Pearl was crackling with lightning and bursting with thunderous power, like a chainsaw. With just a little force, it could have cut off half of the ginseng's neck, causing the juice to splatter out. However, Zheng Zetian loosened his grip, holding the Thunderfire Pearl with one hand to restrain the ginseng monster, and withdrew his protective smoke and silk with the other. He made a hand seal and stomped his foot.

"Why aren't you burrowing underground!"

Only then did the ginseng realize what was happening. It immediately lunged into the mud, carrying Zheng Zetian on its back, and burrowed away underground!

In the blink of an eye, the man and the monster created a trail of earth, leaving behind the Tu Lou, and headed far north, disappearing without a trace...

The Tu Lou, "... Baa, baa? Baa--!!"

With the protective aura of the Azure Clouds and Mist, Zheng Zetian was unharmed, but the ginseng fared much worse. Zheng Zetian strangled it with a lightning bead, and no matter which direction it tried to run, if it deviated even slightly from its path, a bloody gash would be torn open by the lightning, cutting off large chunks of its flesh. In the end, it dared not resist and could only be driven straight towards Lou Guan City.

Finally, it crashed headfirst into the purple light barrier on the outer wall of Lou Guan City. Boom! The monster, having entered the city without permission, was immediately ignited by the city's protective array!

A scream of agony rang out as the humanoid figure, charred into a lump of charcoal by the purple flames, burst from the ground, its claws outstretched and its death gruesome. Its burning head was torn off by lightning and rolled a long way down the street, setting off a trail of fire.

Zheng Zetian also took the lead, leaping into the air with the Ink Bamboo Mountain in his mouth, grabbing the Thunder Pearl with his left hand and pulling the Smoke Silk with his right, crashing into the formation and entering the city unharmed!

This sudden change startled the line of people who were parading along the roadside. They all rolled over, screaming and tumbling into a heap.

"Hiss--whoosh--"

Zheng Zetian took a deep breath, his lungs throbbing slightly. His foundation in Foundation Establishment was still too weak. He had exhausted his Dao Breath in just a short time underground and using two magic treasures at the same time. Moreover, he had eaten far fewer fruits than 'last time,' yet his internal Qi Sea were still operating frantically, refining the Purple Radiance Spiritual Qi into Dao Breath energy. He was truly starving.

But even though we're in the city, how do we get to the station...?

Zheng Zetian turned his head and exchanged a glance with the heads.

By the way, speaking of which, they're also going to the Moshan special train, right?

Zheng Zetian then glared at him and tossed the thunder pearl into the air.

"What are you looking at! Get to the station!"

The group of people were so scared they almost peed their pants. They quickly scrambled ahead to lead the way. It didn't take much time, and they soon led Zheng Zetian to the railway station in Lou Guan City.

Upon arriving at his destination, Zheng Zetian ignored the crowd and rushed to the waiting hall. Seeing the station name "Louguan South Station," he entered the station and took a look. The layout of the first floor was similar to that of Moshan North Station, but with two or three more floors. It was clear that the upper floors were private rooms, and there were beaded curtains hanging at the stairwell, suggesting it was a VIP lounge or similar area.

"I need to send a telegram. drip-drip-drip..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Mechanical Puppet opposite the counter raised its hand and pointed at the sign.

'Ten taels for a single word'

Damn, I completely forgot about that...

For a moment, even the dignified Ancestor Luo was a bit stunned. Although he had just received his first month's salary, it only amounted to forty taels, and he had even spent two taels on fruit on the way. Moreover, the two cheat codes given by the Grand Master were incredibly long; even the shortest one, if you counted on your fingers, had nine characters...

No, what can we do? He's short at least fifty taels. Where is he supposed to borrow that? From the bank?

Zheng Zetian turned his head to look at the hall.

Those ginseng birds have disappeared quite quickly; it's only the hour of Mao (5-7 AM) now, barely dawn. I wonder if Lou Guan City has several stops as well, since I haven't seen any other passengers in the lobby.

There should still be enough time. Should we head to the city and borrow some money?

Zheng Zetian was undecided for a moment. Just then, he heard a train whistle and glanced at the platform. It turned out that a train was slowly pulling into the station. The heads of the people who had led him were lined up and arched their way onto the platform, but they were far away on the other side, a long distance from the entrance for normal passengers. It seemed that these 'ghosts' really did not walk the human path, but had to go through the gate of hell to board the train.

"The train is here. Quick, lift the young master off the train! Be careful! Keep your balance! You'll suffer if he gets jostled or bumped!"

Oh, there were people there. It seems the VIP area is protected by a magic array.

Zheng Zetian turned his head and saw a group of people coming down from the second floor.

The first one to descend was a handsome young pageboy, who looked to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, and had already reached the Golden Core stage. Although it was clear that his cultivation was achieved through the use of external pills, he moved with incredible speed and grace, his hands were calloused, and he walked by stepping on the arches of his feet, indicating that he must have some martial arts skills. His clothes were also quite exquisite, made of brocade from the Kun region, even better than the uniforms of the disciples of Ink Bamboo Mountain.

The second one was a monster that was two zhang tall, with four arms, three heads, and covered in crimson blood talismans!

Zheng Zetian was taken aback when he first saw the monster. He wondered what kind of demons and gods these were, so terrifying and powerful that he couldn't detect their aura or Divine Sense at all, and yet they were even serving as slaves to others?

But upon closer inspection, something seemed off; it didn't appear to be any ghost or deity, just a Kunlun Slave.

Kunlun Slave are not demons, but a general term for alien races living in the area west of Kunlun Mountain. These alien races are humanoid, but they are not naturally able to cultivate and are not very good at fighting. Although some of them are big and strong and have some brute strength, their nation has long been wiped out by the religion, so they are not really that powerful.

But isn't this a case of scarcity making things valuable? In the territory of the Divine Cult, it was only worth a mere one Blood Coin, but the merchants of the Divine Cult used some secret method to modify the waste, giving it two extra arms and two extra heads, making it into this strange and peculiar appearance. It could then be sold as a specialty product across Kunlun, to serve as a servant to the wealthy tycoons of the Li Country, just for the novelty.

However, this three-headed, four-armed Kunlun Slave looked quite imposing. He was wearing shorts, his two hairy legs were bare, and his chest was bulging with muscles. He carried a mechanical wheelchair on his shoulder and walked down step by step. It was unclear how heavy the wheelchair was. Two of his three heads had distorted faces, as if they were about to cry.

Inside the wheelchair lay a wounded man covered in bandages, groaning and moaning incessantly. He was probably that young master. Oh, the Blood Puppet Substitute Death Technique, huh? Perhaps half of the young master's pain had been transferred to the mutant Kunlun Slave.

After the Kunlun Slave and the wounded man came down, two more women came out.

The taller one looked like the lady of the house, but she was clearly using a youth-preserving elixir. It was hard to tell whether she was the young master's wife or his mother. Moreover, she came from a wealthy merchant family. This woman was not only still beautiful, but also exuded an air of wealth.

Her upper body was draped in a red silk skirt with gold thread, and the lower body was loosely bound with a thin gauze, revealing half of her chest. She casually inserted seven or eight hairpins of jade, pearls and agate into her hair, and wore two or three pairs of jade bracelets on her fair wrists. A pearl necklace hung in front of her neck, each pearl as big as a pigeon egg, like white dew rolling into powdery snow. On her feet were a pair of silver-threaded snow lotus-patterned shoes with upturned toes, which were also lined with the protection of the Wind Spirit Dao Talisman.

Wearing this outfit, which was probably the other person's casual clothes, because the woman had clearly just been crying, her eyes were slightly red and tear-streaked, staring at the sick young master in the wheelchair, her face full of sorrow. She probably didn't have the leisure to dress up and go out for a stroll.

The shorter one was probably a maid, but she was a cultivator who practiced Qi Refinement Stage. She had sparse eyebrows, high cheekbones and a sallow complexion, and was short in stature. She could even be described as ugly. Judging from her skin, she was probably quite old. She seemed to be there to contrast with the lady.

However, this maid was a rare expert. Not only did she possess the cultivation of Nascent Soul Stage, but her temples were also bulging, and the calluses on her hands were thicker than those of the pageboy. Her aura was long and continuous, and she was as still as a mountain. While the lady descended the stairs with a trembling, swaying gait, she floated down sideways, proving herself to be a trained martial artist...

Five people... no, not them, the bunch of tickets in the pageboy's hand were all 'people'.

The pageboy passing by didn't pay any attention to Zheng Zetian. After all, who wouldn't recognize the hempen robes of the Ink Bamboo Mountain disciples? He simply walked past him and went up to the platform to wait for the Railway Warden to exchange the shadow raincoat for his master.

The servants and young master were in excruciating pain, carrying the wheelchair and trembling as they walked, as if suffering from cramps. This foreigner was indeed not very bright; he'd completely forgotten that once they got down the stairs, they could have simply put the wheelchair down and pushed it...

The mistress was even more absent-minded, but the maidservant moved swiftly and blocked Zheng Zetian's way, placing her hands in front of her without speaking or moving.

Zheng Zetian glanced at the other woman. She had already gathered her palm power and assumed a fighting stance. He immediately realized that if he took another step forward, she would probably strike him with her arms crossed. He froze.

The hostess finally realized what was happening, but seeing that Zheng Zetian was wearing the outer robe of a disciple of Ink Bamboo Mountain, she still spoke softly and gently.

"What advice do you have for me, young Daoist priest?"

Zheng Zetian bowed and said, "Zheng Zetian, a disciple of Ink Bamboo Mountain, has run out of travel expenses and wishes to borrow some Banknotes from you, Madam. I have a book here called 'Introduction to Transformation,' which I am willing to use as collateral. I will return in seven days to redeem it."

The lady of the house nodded, but did not take the book. Instead, she casually swiped her hand across a jade bracelet, and a stack of Banknotes appeared between her slender fingers.

"Since we are all disciples of Ink Bamboo Mountain, we are all family. There's no need to talk about lending or not lending. I came out in a hurry today, and I only have three thousand taels here. Please take it to tide you over, young Daoist priest."

Because he subconsciously calculated how many persimmons three thousand taels were, Zheng Zetian was momentarily stunned, so much so that he didn't even realize when the maidservant took a stack of Banknotes and stuffed them into his hand.

"Uh, not so much..."

Zheng Zetian turned around, intending to retreat a little, but his pupils suddenly contracted.

He saw the train pull into the station, and the Railway Warden who got off the train with a straw raincoat in his hand was none other than the leopard-eared girl in the miniskirt whose ears had been smashed by a single punch!

What?! Is this the only bus?!

Suddenly, Zheng Zetian realized something and abruptly turned his head. He saw the men who had led him earlier huddled fearfully at the door of the truck behind, afraid to get on and seemingly trying to escape. It was as if there was something else, something terrifying, on the truck...

Then, Zheng Zetian saw the leopard-eared garrison guard walk over, cursing and swearing, roll up his sleeves, and lift up the heads of those trying to escape, one by one, throwing them into the carriage...

Zheng Zetian thought for a moment, then turned back to the counter, glanced at the train route chart, and stuffed the Banknotes in his hand into the puppet's hand.

"I need to send a telegram and buy a train ticket to Xiezi Peak."