Awaiting the True Self
Zhang Xuezhou saw the potential of erysipelas and sought to use it to advance the antidote technique. Little did he know that Dong Zhongshu also had his eye on the effects of erysipelas.
Perhaps because he hadn't taken the Creation Pill, Zhang Xuezhou didn't feel any changes in his Heaven and Earth Bridges.
But the results of Dong Zhongshu's test greatly intrigued Zhang Xuezhou.
Zhang Xuezhou suffered injuries to the Tiandi Erqiao Bridge and has been seeking treatment ever since.
He had taken the Life-Creating Pill, and the large dose of Suoyang had also brought him benefits. It seemed that the failed attempt to refine the Eight-Step Ascension Pill could also be of use.
Even if his body is freed from the shackles of the Yang-Locking Law Power and he obtains conditions similar to those for cultivating the Human Pill, Zhang Xuezhou's Heaven and Earth Bridges will still be obstacles to improving his cultivation.
Dong Zhongshu faced countless difficulties in his spiritual practice and ascent to a high position, and Zhang Xuezhou faced the same challenges.
In reality, every cultivator faces various situations when they reach a high level of cultivation. They may have physical deficiencies or have neglected their cultivation in the past, resulting in defects that are difficult to remedy. Most cultivators encounter numerous difficulties when they reach deeper realms.
People like Zhang Xuezhou are already considered extremely lucky to be able to make up for their shortcomings.
"I think I understand what you mean by 'mutual benefit'!"
Dong Zhongshu's eyes were bloodshot, and his surroundings were blurred by a layer of blood, but he was overjoyed.
For a cultivator like Dong Zhongshu, his fortuitous opportunity was exceptionally rare and far more difficult than that of a normal cultivator.
The discarded pills that Zhang Xuezhou and others had rejected had become what he needed, which seemed almost unbelievable, but it did indeed happen to him.
Aside from the fact that I don't understand why my mind went blank as if I'd been hit on the head, everything else is fine.
Compared to the deliberate pursuit of treading patterns, Dong Zhongshu also discovered the mysteries of the art of movement through casual, accidental fortuitous opportunity.
This was the first time he had found fortuitous opportunity that suited him, and if he could truly take a step forward, Dong Zhongshu felt that achieving the perfection of his spiritual practice was not impossible.
Zhang Xuezhou had not just a little bit of pills, but a full eight.
"I ate it, but I didn't feel the same sensation you described."
Dong Zhongshu tested the medicine first, and Zhang Xuezhou followed suit.
He took the Creation Pill that Hongku had exchanged with him. After swallowing one Creation Pill, Zhang Xuezhou also put a piece of the Eight Steps to Immortality Pill in his mouth.
As if he had just drunk several mouthfuls of strong liquor, Zhang Xuezhou felt his Qi and Blood surging, and his Law Power overflowing from his body. However, the blackout, the sudden blow, and the hardening of the Heaven and Earth Bridges that Dong Zhongshu had mentioned did not occur at all.
"Does this mean I need to take two different Creation Pills at once?"
Dong Zhongshu was quick to use the pills, and equally quick to lose them; his pouch was now completely empty.
After some testing, Zhang Xuezhou felt that he hadn't simultaneously Qi Ingestion Law Power, like Dong Zhongshu. He also felt that the Poison Avoidance Technique directly eliminated the poison from the pills, preventing him from enjoying the stimulating effects of the poison. Or perhaps it was because his physical condition was different from Dong Zhongshu's.
Given the difficulty in predicting the situation, we can only wait for an opportunity to conduct further testing.
"Take whatever you want, just don't blame me if anything goes wrong!"
Zhang Xuezhou's attempt to imitate Dong Shi failed to yield the same benefits, but he didn't mind that Dong Zhongshu was getting the kickbacks.
Not to mention that Li Shaojun has similar pills, even if all the failed Eight Steps to Immortality Pills were here, Zhang Xuezhou would still be very generous to Dong Zhongshu.
This was not just about his friendship with Dong Zhongshu; Dong Zhongshu was also a pioneer. Once a path was successfully paved, Dong Zhongshu, being the kind of person he was, would never hesitate to share it with others.
Zhang Xuezhou and Dong Zhongshu each tested the medicine, and their experiences were different.
Both were lost in their own thoughts, and when Zhang Xuezhou gestured, Dong Zhongshu's face immediately flushed.
"I think it's fine, just let me be my True Self!"
Dong Zhongshu carefully took four Eight-Step Ascension Pills, and was immediately satisfied.
"Once my cultivation reaches its peak, I will try my best to find a way to retreat, so as to avoid clashing with His Majesty, the King of Huainan, and others. When we seize the fortuitous opportunity, we will also be free," Dong Zhongshu said.
"It's good that Master has found a way out in advance. I think I'd be willing to extricate myself from the situation once things are settled!"
Zhang Xuezhou nodded in agreement. While discussing the techniques, he suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but lean close to Dong Zhongshu's ear to whisper it to him.
"What?"
Zhang Xuezhou was relaying information about the Emperor Qin.
This was a message from Ao Shengyuan to Yuanshi Tianzun, and very few people in the surrounding area heard it at the time.
Of course, few people believed Ao Sheng's words.
Zhang Xuezhou was initially skeptical, but he became certain after impersonating Ying Fusu and gaining access to the Emperor Qin.
Zhang Xuezhou had no ability to counter Emperor Qin's century-long plan, but he wanted to sever his connection with Emperor Qin Zhang Xuezhou terms of strategy, so as to avoid being repositioned by Emperor Qin or being discovered by him, which would inevitably lead to a vicious battle.
His current win rate in divination is 100%, but divination win rate is either 100% win or 100% loss, rarely a third option. This win rate is nothing, because if he loses even once, it will be zero.
Zhang Xuezhou felt somewhat troubled by Emperor Qin's attention, while Dong Zhongshu was startled.
If he were the one being targeted by the Emperor Qin, Dong Zhongshu felt he wouldn't have the mind to plot anything about the True Self Realm; he thought his mentality would likely have collapsed long ago.
Seeing Zhang Xuezhou's composure, even to the point of almost forgetting the matter, Dong Zhongshu found it difficult to emulate Zhang Xuezhou's thick skin.
"Emperor Qin has killed too many emperors, and his skills may have reached a level that is beyond our imagination. You would hardly be his match," Dong Zhongshu said.
"It's not just difficult, it's utterly hopeless!"
Zhang Xuezhou waved his hands repeatedly.
Zhang Xuezhou and Dong Zhongshu were only mediocre in terms of skill, not much different from fake monks who entered the profession halfway through their careers.
They only practiced the art of luck out of pure interest and a desire for fortuitous opportunity; how could they be compared to someone like Emperor Qin, a professional killer of emperors?
Zhang Xuezhou had experienced the Emperor Qin's ferocity during Ying Fusu's battle, and had even compared himself to the Emperor Qin Emperor Qin afar, confirming that he was no match for him.
They even have to scheme and plot against the King of Huainan these days, how could they possibly kill a former emperor butcher?
"So if you want to get rid of him, there's only one way," Dong Zhongshu said.
"You want me to kill his real body?" Zhang Xuezhou asked suspiciously.
"Whether you kill him, cripple him, or target him in other ways, you can't use your disadvantages to fight his advantages," Dong Zhongshu warned.
"I don't even know where he is," Zhang Xuezhou complained. "Besides, searching for him is very risky. I was almost killed by that puppet Yang Duanhe before!"
"Wait for me!"
Dong Zhongshu let out a long breath.
Zhang Xuezhou helped him reach the True Self Realm, and Dong Zhongshu was equally generous with his abilities.
If Zhang Xuezhou needed anything when targeting Emperor Qin, Dong Zhongshu would certainly cooperate.
This not only involves Zhang Xuezhou, but also Dong Zhongshu practices cultivation techniques.
The Emperor Qin, who swept across the land, was extremely skilled in martial arts, and his nature of repeatedly killing emperors meant he would not show them any mercy.
"Once I've reached my True Self, I'll accompany you on your search. I also want to see why this once-prosperous Qin state fell to such a state, and what makes it so determined to make a comeback!"
Dong Zhongshu swept his eyebrows, and his blood-red eyes showed no fear or apprehension, but rather a hint of eagerness.
The fact that Ao Sheng could use the news of Qin's resurgence at the turn of the century to make a fuss was indeed enough to frighten people. Zhang Xuezhou had personally witnessed the pale face of Prime Minister Xu Chang, as well as Li Guang's silence and vigilance. Lu Bode was somewhat bewildered, while Ao Li also appeared solemnly wary.
Zhang Xuezhou's strength lies in his open-mindedness; different civilizations bring different ideas, which in turn leads to completely different mindsets.
But Dong Zhongshu saw confidence in it.
This was an affirmation of his strength after entering the True Self Realm, and he also wanted to use Emperor Qin's people to hone his sword, or even defeat Emperor Qin and make the other party's terracotta body sleep for a long time.
"If they break through..."
"If that day ever comes, the Great Han will be gone, and we will surely die!"
Dong Zhongshu hoped that Confucian School would flourish, and he also hoped to become Confucian School master and recreate the glory of Confucius and Mencius.
Of all the things he did, Dong Zhongshu never considered what would happen to the Great Han Dynasty, and he remained indifferent to the change of dynasties.
However, after learning the information provided by Zhang Xuezhou, Dong Zhongshu was unusually filled with concern for the country and its people.
The Qin Dynasty Qin Dynasty been gone for many years, and it was once extremely powerful.
But for Dong Zhongshu, who was familiar with the history of the Qin Dynasty, it was a dark period that he could not bear to look back on, and no one would miss returning to the Qin era.