Sword Control Reveals Divine Power, Illusory God Eyes

A Demonic Taoist wanted to open a temple?

Jiang Changsheng's gaze turned cold. He felt that someone was pulling strings behind the scenes, and he immediately followed Qing Ku over.

Meanwhile, beneath the mountain gate, disciples from both sides stood in confrontation.

Taoist Priest Qingxu, Meng Qiushuang, and a group of disciples stood before the small bridge. Outside the mountain gate stood another group of Taoists. At their head was a gaunt middle-aged Taoist with a sly face. His right hand rested behind his waist, while his left stroked his goatee. He stared arrogantly at the Taoists of Dragon Arising Temple.

This middle-aged Taoist was the Demonic Taoist deeply favored by the Emperor. He called himself the Returning Yang Old Immortal. He had more than a dozen disciples under him, most of them children of powerful and noble families from the capital.

Beside him stood a youth who looked sixteen or seventeen. He wore exquisite purple robes and a jade crown set with pearls. His features were handsome; one glance was enough to tell that his origins were extraordinary.

Taoist Priest Qingxu said expressionlessly, "Fellow Taoist, do you truly intend to drive Dragon Arising Temple to its death?"

Behind him, four disciples were being supported by their fellow disciples. All four were wounded, glaring at the middle-aged Taoist with mingled shock and fury.

The Returning Yang Old Immortal smiled. "How is this driving it to death? Fellow Taoist Qingxu, surrender this mountain. The disciples under you are all too weak. This humble Taoist suspects you have not properly taught them. Since you have no heart to pass on martial arts, why occupy this mountain?"

As soon as he said this, his disciples began shouting provocations, each remark more unpleasant than the last.

"Dragon Arising Temple should have been uprooted long ago. It is only because His Majesty remembers old ties that it still remains."

"Exactly. Dragon Arising Temple has not contributed the slightest thing to the court. Even the newly appointed Martial Arts Champion has abandoned Dragon Arising Temple."

"If you ask me, they are all wine sacks and rice bags, utterly useless. Even His Majesty rarely comes here. They might as well yield their place to our master and let a true immortal master preach the Dao."

"By the rules of the martial world, if you are inferior to us, you ought to yield, unless Dragon Arising Temple no longer considers itself a martial sect."

"It is not that His Majesty broke his word. Dragon Arising Temple is simply too useless and ought to make way."

Facing their taunts, the disciples of Dragon Arising Temple could barely contain their rage and fired back. Both sides began trading verbal blows.

The Returning Yang Old Immortal raised a hand, and the disciples behind him immediately fell silent.

Seeing this, Meng Qiushuang also told her junior brothers and sisters to stop. If they kept cursing, it would disgrace Dragon Arising Temple's image.

The Returning Yang Old Immortal said with a chuckle, "Will you make a move, Fellow Taoist? If you can defeat this humble Taoist, I will immediately descend the mountain. But if you lose, then by the rules of the martial world, move your temple."

Taoist Priest Qingxu sighed. Just as he was about to speak, a voice rang out.

"I wonder, what should be done if someone dies during a spar?"

The disciples turned their heads. The moment they saw who had come, their spirits soared, excitement appearing on their faces. Even Eldest Sister Meng Qiushuang smiled.

Jiang Changsheng strode over. Qing Ku followed behind him, borrowing the tiger's might to show off his power as he glared furiously at the Returning Yang Old Immortal.

The Returning Yang Old Immortal stared at Jiang Changsheng and asked with a smile, "Could this be Taoist Changsheng, who killed the Ghost Eye Evil King at fourteen? Your killing intent is truly heavy."

The youth in purple looked at Jiang Changsheng with a teasing expression, seemingly pondering something.

Jiang Changsheng pressed his right hand against the hilt of the Taihang Sword and held the Kirin Whisk diagonally in his left. He smiled lightly. "By the rules of the martial world, when martial artists spar, life and death are left to fate, are they not?"

The Returning Yang Old Immortal's True Qi was only slightly stronger than the Ghost Eye Evil King's. If the two fought to the death, the Ghost Eye Evil King might not necessarily lose.

However, Taoist Priest Qingxu's True Qi had been continuously dissipating ever since he was poisoned. He was no longer a match for the Returning Yang Old Immortal.

The Returning Yang Old Immortal could not see through Jiang Changsheng's strength. He even felt that Jiang Changsheng was an ordinary person, but the feat of killing the Ghost Eye Evil King stood right before him.

Just as the Returning Yang Old Immortal hesitated, his disciples began egging him on. These disciples were all spoiled playboys. Some had acknowledged him as their master out of blind worship, while others had been arranged by their elders at home. None of them cared whether he lived or died.

Jiang Changsheng stared teasingly at the Returning Yang Old Immortal, utterly unhurried.

Now it was the Returning Yang Old Immortal's turn to be stuck riding a tiger.

The Returning Yang Old Immortal appeared arrogant and self-assured, but he was actually very cautious. Otherwise, he could not have become a favorite before the Emperor.

"Since you do not dare, then get lost!"

Qing Ku could not help shouting. The other disciples followed with their mockery.

They had absolute confidence in Jiang Changsheng. After all, they had personally witnessed the once-unrivaled Ghost Eye Evil King being kicked to death by Jiang Changsheng. The memory was still vivid in their minds.

The Returning Yang Old Immortal revealed a smile. "The capital is an important place. How can we speak of life and death here? If this humble Taoist were to kill Fellow Taoist, that would be difficult to handle. Forget it. I shall come again another day."

With that, he raised his hand, preparing to tell his disciples to withdraw.

Jiang Changsheng released the sword hilt with his right hand and sneered. "Is Dragon Arising Temple a place you can come and go from as you please?"

As his words fell, the Taihang Sword suddenly flew from its sheath. Sword light flashed, dazzling everyone into instinctively closing their eyes. The Returning Yang Old Immortal did the same, then felt a stabbing pain and opened his eyes in fright.

The others only heard the sound of a blade piercing flesh. When they opened their eyes, they saw the Returning Yang Old Immortal half-kneeling on the ground. Jiang Changsheng still stood where he had been, as though he had never moved, yet the Taihang Sword at his waist had vanished.

Every disciple of Dragon Arising Temple stood dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief. Even Taoist Priest Qingxu was moved.

A sharp whistle through the air followed. The Taihang Sword swept past the Returning Yang Old Immortal's head, slicing off a lock of his hair before flying on its own into the scabbard at Jiang Changsheng's waist.

Dragon Arising Temple fell silent!

Everyone was stunned. Even the youth in purple was shaken, staring blankly at Jiang Changsheng.

What martial art was this?

The Returning Yang Old Immortal's eyes widened as he stared at Jiang Changsheng. His eyes were bloodshot, and cold sweat the size of beans seeped from his forehead. Just now, he had sensed the aura of death. The feeling reminded him of the chaotic age before the Great Jing Dynasty was founded. Once, a bandit general had wanted to behead him. At that time, the blade had hovered not far from the back of his neck. That chill had been exactly the same as it was now.

Jiang Changsheng said expressionlessly, "Do not come near this place again."

The Taihang Sword had pierced the Returning Yang Old Immortal's shoulder and severed part of his meridians, causing his True Qi to scatter. Without at least half a year to a year, it would be difficult for him to recover.

The Returning Yang Old Immortal gritted his teeth. "Help me leave!"

Faced with the terrifying Jiang Changsheng, he did not even dare leave behind a harsh word.

His disciples hurriedly supported him down the mountain. Every one of them looked utterly miserable, their courage shattered by Jiang Changsheng's Sword Control Technique.

Jiang Changsheng glanced toward the youth in purple. Four guards stood behind him. His identity was clearly no simple one, and Jiang Changsheng's sharp gaze startled him awake.

"Bold! Do not be disrespectful to the Second Prince!"

One of the guards shouted angrily, though his voice trembled slightly.

Jiang Changsheng's Sword Control Technique had shattered everything he thought he knew.

Martial arts could be used like this?

Upon hearing that, Jiang Changsheng cupped his fists toward the youth in purple. "Does the Second Prince wish to be a guest?"

The Imperial Son who was contending for power with the false Crown Prince.

Jiang Changsheng had heard Fourth Prince Jiang Yu mention that Second Prince Jiang Ming was half a year younger than the Crown Prince. His mother was the younger sister of Hong Lie, Great Jing's foremost fierce general. After Cao Hupao rebelled, Hong Lie became commander-in-chief of the three armies. His position was comparable to that of a second-rank senior minister; it could even be said that he stood beneath one person and above ten thousand.

Hong Lie naturally supported the Second Prince. Thus, the Second Prince's faction was also extremely powerful, in no way weaker than the Crown Prince's. As for who would inherit the throne in the future, that was still uncertain.

Jiang Ming stared at Jiang Changsheng with blazing eyes. "Taoist Changsheng is truly formidable. That sword technique just now was truly... marvelous. Though I have never roamed the martial world, I can still see Taoist Changsheng's greatness. I wish to invite Taoist Changsheng to become a guest of my residence. In the future, I will secure an official position for you, so that you may enjoy Great Jing's salary. As long as I remain, I will certainly ensure Taoist Changsheng lives this life without worry. Whatever you desire, I will do my utmost to satisfy it."

As soon as these words were spoken, Dragon Arising Temple's disciples all looked at Jiang Changsheng enviously.

A Fourth Prince had already come to become a disciple. Now even the Second Prince had come.

The Fourth Prince could not compare to the Second Prince!

Jiang Changsheng smiled. "Thank you for Your Highness's praise. Changsheng only wishes to comprehend the Dao in this temple. My greatest pursuit is my Daoist title. The worldly glories of wealth and honor have nothing to do with me."

Jiang Ming stepped forward and warmly clasped Jiang Changsheng's hand, beginning to speak all manner of flattering words. His words were clearly sycophantic, but coming from someone of his status, they had a different effect.

Jiang Changsheng responded politely. It would not be appropriate to directly reject the Second Prince's goodwill.

Last year's Literary Champion had already pledged allegiance to Jiang Ming. Jiang Ming did not lack civil officials or military generals, but he lacked experts like Jiang Changsheng.

No matter how extravagantly Jiang Ming praised him, Jiang Changsheng still politely declined. Jiang Ming was regretful, but not angry. Instead, he instructed his subordinates, "From today onward, Taoist Changsheng of Dragon Arising Temple is this prince's friend. Return and tell the Returning Yang Old Immortal that he is not to cause trouble again. Also tell the entire capital that whoever dares provoke Taoist Changsheng is refusing to give this prince face."

"Yes!"

The four guards immediately answered.

Jiang Ming smiled at Jiang Changsheng, then turned and left.

After the five departed, the disciples of Dragon Arising Temple immediately crowded around, every one of them wildly excited.

Taoist Priest Qingxu said nothing more and turned to leave.

Meng Qiushuang walked up to Jiang Changsheng and said, "Junior Brother Changsheng, you have saved the temple once again."

Jiang Changsheng smiled. "What are you saying, Senior Sister? I am also a member of Dragon Arising Temple. Compared to all your usual hard work, what I have done amounts to nothing."

Meng Qiushuang showed an approving smile. Her heart was filled with emotion. The little child from back then had now become someone who could hold up Dragon Arising Temple. Time truly passed quickly.

After dealing with his fellow disciples, Jiang Changsheng swiftly returned to his room.

In the seventeenth year of Kaiyuan, the Demonic Taoist Returning Yang Old Immortal came to cause trouble. You repelled him. You have survived a calamity and received a survival reward—spell 'Illusory God Eyes'

Jiang Changsheng looked at the prompt before him, feeling delighted.

Having people come looking for trouble was actually a good thing. It allowed him to grow stronger without end.

As his spiritual power grew ever greater, the gap between him and martial artists also widened. The pressure he felt was far less than before. Even if an army surrounded Dragon Arising Temple tomorrow, he would not be afraid. So long as he used the Sword Control Technique, who in the entire capital could keep him?

After inheriting the memories of Illusory God Eyes, Jiang Changsheng finally realized just how terrifying these eyes were.

Once Illusory God Eyes were mastered, as long as he made eye contact with someone, he could alter that person's memories. The process consumed spiritual power according to the amount of information being tampered with. The other party also had to be of a lower cultivation realm than him; otherwise, they could easily see through it, and it would even cause backlash to the caster.

A divine skill!

Still, he would have to practice it before knowing how practical it truly was.

Jiang Changsheng became excited and began cultivating Illusory God Eyes.

Over the next month, Jiang Ming sent people five times. Each time, they brought lavish gifts—grain, medicinal herbs, books, jade, and more. The matter also spread throughout the capital.

Jiang Changsheng understood Jiang Ming's intentions. Whether he boarded this ship or not, he would be dragged aboard!

Unfortunately, Jiang Ming had greatly underestimated Jiang Changsheng.

Jiang Changsheng naturally accepted those lavish gifts, then donated them to the temple.

More than half a month after the fifth delivery of gifts, Jiang Changsheng received shocking news.

Jiang Ming had been assassinated and severely wounded!