Second Senior Sister, the Old and Cunning Schemer

"Younger brother, was your last sword strike just now also the Big Dipper Heavenly Gang Sword?"

Lin Yichen had no qualms and immediately asked, humbled and eager to learn.

"The Big Dipper governs death, and the Southern Dipper governs life."

"My last sword strike just now inverted yin and yang, moving from death into life."

Fang Heng didn't hide anything, telling Lin Yichen everything on his mind.

That final strike, moving from death into life, was incomplete and only a rudimentary form.

Lin Yichen fell into contemplation after hearing Fang Heng's explanation.

The Big Dipper Heavenly Gang Sword could be used like that?

Why didn't I ever think of it before?

My younger brother's talent is simply monstrous.

Daoist Xuanqing walked over, smiling as he spoke.

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

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

"Moving from death into life, reversing yin and yang—this was the founding patriarch's idea for the Southern Dipper Rebirth Sword."

"It's just a pity that the founding patriarch suffered a severe injury in his later years, shortening his lifespan by a hundred years, and many divine abilities and cultivation methods were left incomplete."

"If the founding patriarch had lived another hundred years, Evergreen Temple would have more than just its Four Peerless Techniques."

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

Evergreen Temple's Four peerless techniques—Thunder Arts, sword arts, and the Indestructible Method—were all created by the founding patriarch.

As for the alchemy method, it was created by the second patriarch.

Their descendants were unfilial, only able to make minor improvements based on the two patriarchs' foundations, never achieving any major breakthroughs.

"Great minds think alike."

"Moving from death into life, reversing yin and yang."

"If this sword art were perfected, it would be no weaker than the Big Dipper Heavenly Gang Sword."

Fang Heng nodded, speaking freely in front of Daoist Xuanqing.

Lin Yichen watched his master and younger brother discussing the Southern Dipper Rebirth Sword with great enthusiasm.

He suddenly felt like a clown.

"Although the Southern Dipper Rebirth Sword hasn't taken shape, the founding patriarch and his descendants still left behind many insights."

"I'll get them for you in a moment."

Daoist Xuanqing's words brought joy to Fang Heng's heart.

"Thank you, Master."

"Master, I want them too!"

Lin Yichen quickly interjected.

"Yichen, you?" Daoist Xuanqing frowned, shaking his head. "Your Big Dipper Heavenly Gang Sword is not yet complete."

"If you look at the content of the Southern Dipper Rebirth Sword, I'm afraid you might suffer qi deviation."

Lin Yichen: …

Master, aren't you afraid that my younger brother will suffer qi deviation?

Daoist Xuanqing seemed to suddenly remember something, turning to Fang Heng and saying, "Disciple, you know about the conflict between a Divine Firmament Sect elder and our founding patriarch, don't you?"

Fang Heng nodded, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Of course, he had heard about that.

Why is Master bringing it up now?

"Actually… the true story is far more complex than you know."

"That Divine Firmament Sect elder back then was actually a good friend of our founding patriarch, and he cultivated the Divine Firmament Sect's ultimate technique, the Yimu Thunder Method."

"Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method is yang, and Yimu is yin."

"If yin and yang could be combined, its power would reach an even higher level."

"That Divine Firmament Sect elder came to spar back then to exchange insights on Thunder Arts with the founding patriarch, hoping to combine the Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method and the Yimu Thunder Method to create something new."

"Unfortunately, they ultimately didn't succeed."

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

"Disciple, your talent in Thunder Arts is exceptional, so these insights might be useful to you."

Lin Yichen's gaze became resentful.

"Master, you're playing favorites! First the sword arts, then the Thunder Arts. Aren't you going to consider your eldest disciple?"

Fang Heng, standing nearby, heard this and his eyes lit up, eager to join in.

"Master, what kind of power would combining yin and yang bring?"

"The Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method is one of the Four Wonders, second only to the Indestructible Method here at Evergreen Temple."

"Even within the Divine Firmament Sect, it's a top-tier profound art, inaccessible to anyone but core disciples."

"However, it's still a step below the foundational profound arts of the Ten Great Dao Courts."

Fang Heng nodded slightly, understanding.

Among Evergreen Temple's Four Wonders, the Indestructible Method ranked first. Although his master hadn't said it directly, Fang Heng guessed that the Indestructible Method was probably on par with the foundational profound arts of the Ten Great Dao Courts.

The Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method and the Yimu Thunder Method were only considered top-tier profound arts, a level below the foundational ones. If they could be combined in yin and yang, it would undoubtedly create another divine ability on the level of the Ten Great Dao Courts' foundational profound arts.

After discussing the sword arts, the three returned to the small courtyard, sat down, and enjoyed fragrant tea.

Fang Heng set down his teacup and began to speak slowly.

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

"The Ministry of Agriculture has just been established and is short on personnel. I ask for your support, Master, to assist your disciple."

"Of course, that's no problem. You can pick any disciple from Evergreen Temple you like."

Upon hearing Fang Heng's request, Daoist Xuanqing agreed without hesitation. Joining the Ministry of Agriculture was a good opportunity. Moreover, cultivating Sacred Emperor Rice was a task for spiritual farmers, which aligned perfectly with Evergreen Temple's expertise.

Most importantly, anyone with discerning eyes could see the significant position the Ministry of Agriculture held within the imperial court. It would undoubtedly become a crucial department in the future. If Evergreen Temple could secure a foothold early, it would benefit its status and strength.

In fact, all sects in Great Qian yearned to enter the imperial court and secure a place. Only the Ten Great Dao Courts had no one in the court. Of course, this was only on the surface. Covertly, their support for various princes created intricate and complex relationships, though these were not openly displayed.

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

Lin Yichen shook his head, a hint of disdain in his expression.

"Farming?"

"I think I'll pass."

"I'd rather practice my sword on the mountain."

Fang Heng understood. His senior brother was, after all, a complete sword fanatic.

At this moment, Daoist Xuanqing suddenly interjected.

"Disciple, let your second senior sister join the Ministry of Agriculture. It'll be good for her to get out and clear her head."

"What's wrong with Second Senior Sister?"

Fang Heng asked in return, a curious expression on his face. As far as he knew, his second senior sister was a pill fanatic, obsessed with alchemy.

"Luoyu, she…"

Before Daoist Xuanqing could finish speaking, a loud explosion suddenly echoed from the direction of the back mountain.

The sound was deafening, shaking the very air and soaring to the sky. The entire Evergreen Temple heard it clearly.

Fang Heng looked out the window towards the back mountain. He saw a black object hurtling towards him. Its speed was incredible, like a cannonball leaving its barrel, streaking through the air with a whistling sound.

Boom—

A black object crashed heavily onto the ground in the backyard.

It created a massive crater in the bluestone slab.

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

Did it explode?

But the commotion was a bit too loud.

Seeing this, Daoist Xuanqing and Lin Yichen exchanged wry smiles.

"You see that?"

"That's the kind of ruckus your second senior sister makes."

"Master, what exactly happened?"

"Ah, this goes back to the Five Emperors Dharma Assembly."

"During the last Five Emperors Dharma Assembly, your second senior sister represented Evergreen Temple in the alchemy competition."

"Unfortunately, she was just a step short and lost to the young valley master of Burning Heaven Valley."

"That young valley master from Burning Heaven Valley has an extremely rare Earth Vein Fire Body, allowing him to control the fire of the earth veins for alchemy."

"Your second senior sister wasn't convinced by her loss and also wanted to use the fire of the earth veins for alchemy."

"But the fire of the earth veins contains malevolent energy and is difficult to control."

"Using it for alchemy inevitably leads to exploding furnaces."

"With the next Five Emperors Dharma Assembly approaching, your second senior sister has become a bit obsessed."

"Her opponent has an Earth Vein Fire Body, and it's by relying on that spiritual body advantage that he can control the fire of the earth veins as easily as moving his arm."

"For your second senior sister to insist on challenging him in his strongest area, it's really..."

Daoist Xuanqing shook his head and sighed.

Daoist alchemy typically uses spiritual fire generated by magical power.

If someone with great fortune obtains a heaven-and-earth spiritual fire for alchemy, that would be ideal.

As for earth fire, while it's extremely powerful and contains malevolent energy, it's very unsuitable for alchemy.

This was the first time Fang Heng had realized his second senior sister had such a stubborn side.

As for the Five Emperors Dharma Assembly ten years ago, Fang Heng didn't know much about it.

Don't let the fact that he's Daoist Xuanqing's disciple and holds a high position in Evergreen Temple fool you.

In reality, for the previous sixteen years, he was less a disciple of Evergreen Temple and more its patient.

He never participated in the temple's affairs.

It was only after he entered the Dao that Daoist Xuanqing taught him divine abilities and spells, and also allowed him to get involved in Evergreen Temple's matters.

"Don't worry, Master. When I see second senior sister, I'll definitely try to persuade her."

Fang Heng nodded in agreement, as for whether it would be effective...

Just then, a white streak of light streaked in.

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

Fang Heng recognized the person at a glance as his second senior sister, Xiao Luoyu.

Her signature messy hair and unkempt appearance were Xiao Luoyu's hallmarks.

Her pretty and delicate face was smeared with something black, completely smudged.

Seeing this, Fang Heng felt quite a pity.

Such a beautiful face was wasted.

If his second senior sister were to properly doll herself up, she would undoubtedly be a beauty renowned throughout the Jade Capital.