The Ancient Sage Among the Flowers

"I currently have 180 years of lifespan and 1200 years of spiritual cultivation remaining."

Zhang Fusheng silently organized the items in the Contract Book, then quietly left the Eight Sceneries Palace. He first observed the spirits who were still praying incessantly.

He glanced again at the Daoist scriptures still closed in the Five Villages Temple before arriving at the Helplessness Bridge.

He crouched down and, as always, picked the Other Shore Flower, each one merging into the Dead Man's Bones within himself, or into the Other Shore Bone.

He could clearly sense that the Other Shore Bone was gradually transforming, and that eerie aura was becoming increasingly intense—not just eerie.

On that bone, a sense of 'the other shore' truly began to emerge.

It was as if that place was a place of liberation, the end of all suffering.

What exactly are the Other Shore Flower on the Yellow Springs River and by the Helplessness Bridge?

Zhang Fusheng muttered to himself, sensing that the Other Shore Bone was already 'full' and planned to pick the last one.

Reach out, grasp the flower stem, and pluck it.

It wouldn't budge.

The vibrant flowers and leaves, shimmering with a ghostly light, were abnormally low, as if an invisible hand was pressing down on them.

Zhang Fusheng's heart skipped a beat—someone was there.

There's no one here.

There are people on the Yellow Springs River in Different Dimension!

He had always thought the Yellow Springs River were unclaimed land.

As the silence deepened, crooked words appeared on the muddy riverbank where large swaths of Other Shore Flower were planted.

[Who are you?]

[Touch the Void, are you a Celestial Person anchored here?]

"Your handwriting is really ugly."

Zhang Fusheng murmured, his mind heavy but not frightened—after all, the other party couldn't reach this place, or even know who he was.

He thought for a moment, then squatted down and wrote on the muddy ground:

And who are you?

The words on the muddy ground were erased, and new, crooked characters were written.

I am God!!!

Zhang Fusheng's lips twitched; those three exclamation marks.

The writing continues.

[Actually, I am an ancient sage; you can call me Tian Shu.]

Ancient Saint?

Zhang Fusheng raised an eyebrow. Ancient sages are also a type of deity, specifically referring to those gods who occupy the highest positions in Confucianism.

Confucianism has a total of seventy-two minor celestial positions, all of whom are called ancient sages, and three major celestial positions, who are called [true sages].

As for the highest position Great Accomplishment Supreme Sage Teacher?

As far as Zhang Fusheng knew, it seemed to be temporarily vacant, similar to the [Buddha Heavenly Position] in the Buddhist Sect deities.

"But why are the positions of the Three Pure Ones all occupied?"

"There were even six deities seated upon it."

The thought flashed through Zhang Fusheng's mind, and the muddy ground in front of him twisted again.

[Can you help me with Divine Descent?]

Zhang Fusheng narrowed his eyes slightly; this deity was quite polite.

He thought for a moment and then wrote down a line.

What can I get?

There was no movement on the muddy ground for a long time.

After another long while...

Bathed in the shimmering glow of the Other Shore Flower lilies.

You can have whatever you want.

I've been locked up here for many years, and I want to get out.

[If you're worried, you can talk to me every day, and I can teach you some wonderful techniques, magic arts, or Divine Ability.]

Zhang Fusheng rubbed his nose, lost in thought. A Confucian Sect sage trapped on the Yellow Springs River?

He remained skeptical.

Previously, he had almost been deceived by the Ancestor of Land Immortals, and in addition, the [Great Strength Ox Demon Body] technique seemed to contain a 'return method'.

Zhang Fusheng is now even hesitant to readily believe in cultivation Cultivation Method.

He wrote again.

I don't trust you.

The writing on the mud was erased, and new words appeared.

Are you worried I'll betray you? Then you don't need to help me with my Divine Descent; just talk to me.

After a Different Dimension, the deity, seemingly possessing exceptionally keen insight, wrote again:

If you're still worried about the potential problems with magical techniques or immortal arts, I can teach you purely Divine Ability.

Zhang Fusheng stroked his chin. This guy's attitude is a bit too nice.

The more this happened, the more vigilant he became.

He pondered for a moment.

[Really? Show me some Divine Ability!]

The muddy ground outlined new words—[Good].

Then, a method for cultivating a Divine Ability power was actually written down and engraved on the ground.

Zhang Fusheng looked closely and saw that it was a minor Divine Ability called [Expulsion]. As the name suggests, it could expel or drive away all things and objects, keeping them at a distance.

"What's the use of this?"

Curious, he left a message in the mud asking his question.

[Since you have asked this question, are you not Celestial Person?]

[You are Flesh and Blood Divine Body!]

Then, a deity from Different Dimension personally answered his question.

Zhang Fusheng then understood what Divine Ability were.

The cultivation of this Divine Ability power technique actually requires Thousand Year Spirit Refining as a prerequisite.

After reviewing it carefully several times, there seemed to be no problem—at least Zhang Fusheng didn't find any issues.

"Divine Ability."

He muttered to himself, "If the Grandmaster realm is about cultivating the three furnace fires within the human body, plus the Heaven and Earth Furnace Fire..."

At the Innate Great Realm, when the physical body enters the [Sealed Furnace] stage, the physique grows stronger every moment, while the spirit is sublimated and Limit-Breaking, allowing one to truly command the power of heaven and earth.

And they are able to begin to comprehend [Divine Ability].

Although he has not broken through the Great Limit his spiritual power and achieved harmony with heaven and earth, he has already attained the rank of Thousand Year Spirit Refining.

In theory, one could also comprehend Divine Ability.

"According to this ancient sage, everything in the universe has its order, which is called rules. Divine Ability are the keys to unlock these rules."

He was amazed. The deity had said, "[Exile] may seem ordinary, but if one's spirit is strong enough and one's understanding is deep enough..."

Foreign influences can be dismissed with a single word, and even one's own shortcomings can be dismissed with a single word!

He said that if one's spirit becomes strong enough to comprehend the ultimate limit, then one can achieve enlightenment.

Theoretically, death can be [exorcised].

This is truly bizarre.

"Are some Orthodox God, already approaching [conceptual] abilities, the keys to unlocking the rules?"

Zhang Fusheng sat down cross-legged with a solemn expression, communicating with the ancient sage while attempting to comprehend the [exile].

He had no hope.

But it was simpler than he had imagined—at least, getting started was simpler than he had expected.

In no time at all, they had entered the gate.

He opened his eyes, turned his head, pondered for a moment, and his thoughts, taking control of his divine realm, created a massive sandstorm that surged toward him!

Thoughts connect with the Ancestral Aperture at the center of the forehead, and with the help of the initial understanding of [expulsion], one can leverage certain incredible and enormous things.

Facing the sandstorm head-on.

"Expel them."

He spoke in a low voice, like an emperor or a deity issuing an imperial edict.

The sandstorm was still raging, but the part that was heading towards Zhang Fusheng was uncontrollably rolling backward, and the wind direction, sand grains, and dust were all in the same direction!

This created an unusual and bizarre scene: two sandstorms moving in opposite directions appeared simultaneously, with two strong winds, one coming from this direction and the other being driven away!

"It's not about using overwhelming force to forcibly restrain the sandstorm and change its direction."

Zhang Fusheng murmured in amazement:

"It's purely a natural change; even the wind direction has changed. It seems like it was meant to be this way!"

Divine Ability, Divine Ability.

My thoughts churned, then settled.

"Now, without using my spiritual realm, I am fully liberated, and with the Nine Nether Sin-Removing Heavenly Venerate Dharma Image, even if I am not a match for the Qi and Blood Furnace Fire, I can still put up a fight."

Zhang Fusheng silently assessed his own situation:

"But what if we use our spiritual realm, our True Intention intent, and our thousand-year-old position?"

"At the Great Grandmaster level, under the influence of the Spiritual Furnace Fire, I can kill him in an instant."

"If I were to encounter Spiritual Furnace Fire, relying on my divine realm to crush him, I might be unable to defeat him, but he would be unable to defeat me either."

"As for the Heaven and Earth Furnace Fire, I'd better run as fast as I can."

He has a general understanding of his own situation, which may not be entirely accurate, but based on the Great Grandmaster he has met so far, this is probably the case.

Under the Spiritual Furnace Fire, one is invincible.

At this moment, words were still being drawn on the muddy ground, and the deity was still rambling on as if he had endless things to say, but Zhang Fusheng had no time to waste.

He wrote, "[I'm leaving]."

On the other side, the deity remained silent for a moment.

[Good]

I'm waiting for you to come back and chat with me.

I have many more Divine Ability powers here.

Zhang Fusheng frowned. This ancient saint seemed to have been imprisoned and lonely for a very long time.

However, we still cannot let our guard down.

He gazed intently at the Other Shore Flower, then slowly withdrew from his divine state.

The Chu Family Manor, the dungeon.

No one knows why the Chu family built a huge dungeon of several thousand square meters under the manor, complete with all kinds of torture instruments.

Jin Qiuyue gasped for breath, trying for what felt like the umpteenth time to break free of her shackles.

She tried calling out to the newly arrived one-eyed man, but there was no response; he only trembled uncontrollably.

It seemed as if something within his body was restraining and imprisoning him.

I must get out.

"I will definitely get out!"

Jin Qiuyue gritted her teeth, her eyes bloodshot, a surge of Malevolent Energy anger welling up within her.

"How could I have fallen here!"

"How could this be!"

She struggled fiercely, the specially made chains rubbing against her shoulder blades, making an unpleasant grinding sound.

The intense pain kept stimulating my brain, and the veins on my head throbbed violently one after another.

Still unable to break free.

"Don't bother." A weary voice sounded, and Jin Qiuyue looked up to see the one-eyed man.

"Can you speak now?" she asked breathlessly.

"Um."

Black Eyes nodded with difficulty, his face showing confusion and fear.

"This means he's here."

Jin Qiuyue was startled. Suddenly, she heard the dungeon door being pushed open, and footsteps winding down the stairs.

She stared intently at the young man, whom she had only met once before but who was already a grandmaster, as he walked over.

"Zhang, Fu, Sheng!"

Jin Qiuyue almost ground her teeth to powder!

Zhang Fusheng glanced at the girl, his gaze landing on the thick, dark bloodstains on her shoulders.

The flesh there was ground to pieces by the iron chains, revealing the stark white bones.

"Are you desperately trying to leave?"

He chuckled twice, stepped forward, and stood in front of the girl who was locked in the corner.

Jin Qiuyue glared at him.

Zhang Fusheng lifted his foot and gently kicked the iron chain. The chain, which ran through her entire body, swayed and rubbed against her bones. She let out a muffled groan, and large drops of sweat streamed down her forehead.

"Very tenacious."

Zhang Fusheng spoke calmly:

"You can't leave. Things haven't been going well lately. There's a grand banquet in two days, attended by some followers of the Mandala System. That's when it'll be your turn to make your appearance."

"Mandala System... You betrayed your master?!" She gritted her teeth. "What are you going to do with me?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Jin Qiuyue saw the young man's wicked smile and said:

The Mandala System has always been "people-oriented".

"They enjoy eating human flesh and using human skin and bones as Law Artifact. A girl as exceptionally talented as you is especially sought after."

"Moreover, they are from the Lingshan lineage?"

Jin Qiuyue trembled, raised her head, and stared intently at the young man, ah, she heard him continue:

"At that time, you will be the main dish. Martial Arts Master have strong vitality. Even after their flesh is eaten, they will not die and can be used to make Law Artifact."

A chill ran through the girl's heart, and a sense of crisis surged through her entire body.

She was trembling.

Zhang Fusheng stopped trying to scare the little guy. He knew when to stop; he had said enough, and the other person's will to survive would reach its peak.

In this way.

If the [True Person] were to appear, it would be much easier to buy her enlightenment.

Zhang Fusheng turned around, looked at the dejected Black Eyes, walked forward, and squatted down.

"Have you thought about how to answer me now?"

"Or are you planning to continue to hold out?"

Black Eyes was covered in sweat.

The True Intention power lurked within his flesh, organs, and bones, constantly destroying his flesh and eroding his bones.

He was healed when he was on the verge of death, and then...

Let's do it one more time.

This process repeated itself for most of the day, during which he was destroyed and healed dozens of times, enduring suffering dozens of times more painful than being slowly sliced to death.

Black Eyes lowered his eyes and asked weakly:

"What do you want to ask? I just want a quick answer."

Zhang Fusheng nodded calmly.

"What is the origin of your eyes? You should have seen for yourself, you should be able to see."

After a moment of silence, Black Eyes said softly:

"I did indeed glimpse it, I saw it."

"I saw an old man, a piece of the past, and a Heaven and Earth Golden Bridge."

"A Yin-Yang Grand Diagram."