Second Senior Sister, Cunning as an Old Fox

"Little Junior Brother, was that final sword strike of yours also the Big Dipper Heavenly Gang Sword?"

Lin Yichen had no psychological burden whatsoever and directly asked without shame.

"The Big Dipper governs death; the Southern Dipper governs life."

"My final sword strike just now turned death into life, reversing yin and yang."

Fang Heng held nothing back and told Lin Yichen everything on his mind.

That sword strike which turned death into life was not yet complete; it could only be considered a prototype.

After hearing Fang Heng's explanation, Lin Yichen instantly fell into deep thought.

The Big Dipper Heavenly Gang Sword could be used like this too?

Why had I never thought of that before?

Little Junior Brother's talent was far too monstrous.

Daoist Xuanqing walked over and said with a smile.

"Disciple, your line of thought is exactly the same as that of our founding patriarch."

"After creating the Big Dipper Heavenly Gang Sword, the founding patriarch also felt that this sword art still had flaws."

"Turning death into life and reversing yin and yang—this was the founding patriarch's concept for the Southern Dipper Rebirth Sword."

"Unfortunately, the founding patriarch suffered grave injuries in his later years, losing a century of his lifespan. Many divine abilities and cultivation methods were never perfected."

"If the founding patriarch had lived another hundred years, Evergreen Temple would have had far more than four supreme arts."

As Daoist Xuanqing spoke, he sighed, filled with emotion.

Evergreen Temple's four supreme arts—the thunder methods, sword arts, and Indestructible Method—had all been created by the founding patriarch.

As for the alchemy arts, they had been created by the second-generation patriarch.

The descendants were unfilial, capable only of patching and mending upon the foundations left by the two patriarchs, never again achieving any major breakthrough.

"Great minds think alike."

"Turning death into life, reversing yin and yang."

"If this sword art were perfected, it would absolutely not be inferior to the Big Dipper Heavenly Gang Sword."

Fang Heng nodded and freely voiced his thoughts before Daoist Xuanqing.

Lin Yichen watched his master and Little Junior Brother enthusiastically discuss the Southern Dipper Rebirth Sword.

He suddenly felt like a clown.

"Although the Southern Dipper Rebirth Sword has yet to take shape, the founding patriarch and later generations still left behind quite a few insights."

"I'll bring them to you later."

Daoist Xuanqing's words delighted Fang Heng.

"Thank you, Master."

"Master, this disciple wants them too!"

Lin Yichen hurriedly cut in.

"Yichen, you?" Daoist Xuanqing frowned and shook his head. "Your Big Dipper Heavenly Gang Sword has not yet reached completion."

"If you read the contents of the Southern Dipper Rebirth Sword, I fear you may suffer qi deviation."

Lin Yichen: ...

Master, aren't you afraid Little Junior Brother will suffer qi deviation?

Daoist Xuanqing seemed to suddenly recall something and turned to Fang Heng.

"Disciple, you know about the sparring match between that Divine Firmament Sect elder and the founding patriarch back then, don't you?"

Fang Heng nodded, curiosity in his eyes.

Of course he had heard of it.

For Master to bring it up now...

"Actually... the circumstances were far more complicated than what you know."

"That Divine Firmament Sect elder was actually the founding patriarch's friend, and he cultivated the Divine Firmament Sect's supreme art, the Yimu Thunder Method."

"Jia Wood belongs to yang, while yi wood belongs to yin."

"If yin and yang could merge as one, their power could rise another level."

"That Divine Firmament Sect elder came to spar with the founding patriarch in order to exchange insights on thunder methods. He wanted to combine the Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method and the Yimu Thunder Method to cast off the old and bring forth the new."

"Unfortunately, they ultimately failed."

"However, the founding patriarch secretly recorded many of the insights from the Yimu Thunder Method."

"Your talent in thunder methods is extremely high, Disciple. These insights may prove useful to you."

Lin Yichen's gaze became resentful.

Master, you're far too biased.

First sword arts, then thunder methods.

Couldn't you spare a thought for me, your eldest disciple?

After hearing this, Fang Heng's eyes lit up, eager to make a move.

"Master, what sort of power would it have if yin and yang merged as one?"

"The Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method is one of the four supreme arts. Within Evergreen Temple, it is second only to the Indestructible Method."

"Even within the Divine Firmament Sect, it is a top-tier supreme art that ordinary disciples cannot access at all."

"However, compared to the sect-defending supreme arts of the Ten Great Dao Courts, it is still a level weaker."

Fang Heng nodded slightly. He understood.

Among Evergreen Temple's four supreme arts, the Indestructible Method stood foremost.

Though his master had not said so outright, Fang Heng guessed that the Indestructible Method was likely on par with the sect-defending supreme arts of the Ten Great Dao Courts.

The Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method and Yimu Thunder Method could only be considered top-tier supreme arts, a rank below sect-defending supreme arts.

If yin and yang could merge as one, it would undoubtedly become another divine ability on the level of the Ten Great Dao Courts' sect-defending supreme arts.

After asking about sword arts, the three returned to the small courtyard, sat down, and drank fragrant tea.

Fang Heng set down his teacup and began speaking at length.

"Master, Father Emperor has asked me to take charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and cultivate Sacred Emperor Rice."

"The Ministry of Agriculture has only just been established and is short-handed. I ask Master to lend this disciple some assistance."

"Of course that's no problem. You may choose any Evergreen Temple disciples you wish."

Upon hearing Fang Heng's request, Daoist Xuanqing agreed without hesitation.

Taking up a post in the Ministry of Agriculture was a good thing.

Moreover, cultivating Sacred Emperor Rice was the work of Spirit Farmers, so it was considered professionally aligned with Evergreen Temple.

Most importantly, anyone with eyes could see the Ministry of Agriculture's importance within the imperial court.

It would definitely become a key department in the future.

If Evergreen Temple could secure positions there in advance, it would help elevate the temple's status and strength.

In truth, all the sects of Great Qian longed to enter the imperial court and claim a place for themselves.

Only the Ten Great Dao Courts had no one in court.

Of course, that was only on the surface.

Behind the scenes, they supported imperial princes, and their connections tangled together in a web too complex to unravel—it simply had not risen into the open.

"Eldest Senior Brother, are you interested in joining the Ministry of Agriculture?" Fang Heng asked.

Lin Yichen shook his head repeatedly, looking somewhat disdainful.

"Farming?"

"Forget it."

"I'd rather stay in the mountains and practice my sword."

Fang Heng understood.

His Eldest Senior Brother was a sword maniac through and through.

At that moment, Daoist Xuanqing suddenly interjected.

"Disciple, have your Second Senior Sister join the Ministry of Agriculture. It will be good for her to get out and clear her head."

"What happened to Second Senior Sister?"

Fang Heng asked in return, curiosity appearing on his face.

As far as he knew, his Second Senior Sister was a Pill Maniac obsessed with alchemy.

"Luoyu, she..."

Before Daoist Xuanqing could finish speaking.

A thunderous explosion suddenly erupted from the direction of the rear mountain.

The commotion was so immense that it deafened the ears and shot straight into the clouds.

The entirety of Evergreen Temple heard it clearly.

Fang Heng looked through the window toward the rear mountain.

He saw a black object flying in his direction.

It moved as swiftly as a cannonball leaving its barrel.

Accompanied by a piercing shriek through the air, it shot toward them.

Boom—

The black object slammed heavily into the ground of the rear courtyard.

It smashed a massive crater into the bluestone paving.

Only then did Fang Heng see clearly that the black object falling from the sky was the lid of an alchemy furnace.

Had the furnace exploded?

But the commotion was a little too great.

Seeing this, Daoist Xuanqing and Lin Yichen both revealed bitter smiles.

"See that?"

"That is the sort of commotion your Second Senior Sister causes."

"Master, what exactly is going on?"

"This matter begins with the Five Emperors Dharma Assembly."

"At the last Five Emperors Dharma Assembly, your Second Senior Sister represented Evergreen Temple in an alchemy competition."

"Unfortunately, she fell just one move short and lost to the young valley master of Burning Heaven Valley."

"That young valley master of Burning Heaven Valley possesses an exceedingly rare Earth Vein Fire Body. He can control the fire of the earth veins for alchemy."

"Your Second Senior Sister was unconvinced by her loss and also wanted to use earth-vein fire for alchemy."

"However, earth-vein fire contains Killing Intent and is difficult to control."

"If used for alchemy, the result is an exploding furnace."

"With this Five Emperors Dharma Assembly about to arrive, your Second Senior Sister has become somewhat obsessed."

"The other party has an Earth Vein Fire Body and can only command earth-vein fire as easily as an arm moves a finger because of his spiritual body's advantage."

"Yet your Second Senior Sister insists on challenging him in the very field where he is strongest. It truly is..."

Daoist Xuanqing shook his head and sighed.

Daoist School alchemy commonly used Pill Fire generated through one's cultivation power.

If one encountered a great opportunity and obtained a spiritual flame of heaven and earth for alchemy, that would naturally be best.

As for Earth Fire, it contained Killing Intent and possessed immense power, but it was extremely unsuitable for alchemy.

This was also Fang Heng's first time learning that his Second Senior Sister could be this stubborn.

As for the Five Emperors Dharma Assembly ten years ago.

Fang Heng knew little about it.

Though he was Daoist Xuanqing's disciple and held an extremely high status within Evergreen Temple.

In truth, during the previous sixteen years, rather than being called an Evergreen Temple disciple, he had been more like Evergreen Temple's invalid.

He had never participated in Evergreen Temple's affairs.

Only after entering the Dao had Daoist Xuanqing taught him divine abilities and spells, allowing him to come into contact with Evergreen Temple's affairs.

"Rest assured, Master. Once I see Second Senior Sister, I will certainly try to persuade her."

Fang Heng nodded in agreement, though whether it would be of any use...

Just then, a streak of white escape light flew over.

After landing in the rear courtyard, it revealed a tall, slender figure from behind.

Fang Heng recognized at a glance that the newcomer was his Second Senior Sister, Xiao Luoyu.

That signature bird's nest of hair and her unkempt attire were Xiao Luoyu's standard look.

Her pretty and handsome face was smeared black all over, and no one knew what the substance was.

Seeing this, Fang Heng felt deeply regretful.

What a waste of such a beautiful face.

If Second Senior Sister dressed herself up properly, she would certainly be a beauty renowned throughout Jade Capital.