Chapter 22
Nine Heavens Mysterious Change, Opening Incense
After successfully transcending the tribulation, Jiang Changsheng was still floating in the air, consolidating his cultivation. When the sun set, the devotees dispersed. Meng Qiushuang also dispersed the disciples, not daring to disturb him.
At dusk, Jiang Changsheng slowly opened his eyes. The golden pattern between his eyebrows disappeared. This was a Dao pattern, the mark of the fifth level of the Dao Technique. Its function was that it could store spiritual energy. It might even have more functions. However, he had just come into contact with it and was unclear.
Dao patterns could usually be hidden, which was very convenient.
Jiang Changsheng landed in the courtyard. His Daoist robe was not damaged and he looked relaxed and energetic.
Hua Jianxin came up and cupped his fists. “Congratulations, Daoist Master, on your increase in martial arts.”
Even though she did not know what was going on with the previous tribulation, she felt that it should be related to the increase in Jiang Changsheng’s strength.
Jiang Changsheng smiled and nodded. “It’s not a huge increase. I just comprehended the true meaning of heaven and earth.”
Hua Jianxin did not understand, but she felt that it sounded awesome. She admired Jiang Changsheng even more.
Jiang Changsheng did not say anything else to her. He turned around and returned to the house with White Dragon following behind him. The man and the snake entered the house. Hua Jianxin was stunned for a moment before she started practicing martial arts in the courtyard.
Inside the house.
Jiang Changsheng sat on the bed as a line of words appeared before his eyes.
[21 years after the founding of the dynasty. Your cultivation has improved and you have comprehended the true meaning of heaven and earth. You have passed the minor heavenly tribulation and obtained a survival reward—secret technique, ‘Nine Heavens Mysterious Change’.]
Secret technique?
This was the first time Jiang Changsheng had obtained a secret technique, and he was filled with interest. He immediately accepted the memories of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Change and a large number of memories surged into his mind.
The Nine Heavens Mysterious Change was a transformation technique that could transform into nine forms, from a sparrow to a mountain.
Not bad, not bad, good stuff!
Similar to the Phantom God’s Eye, even though it could not improve one’s strength, it had endless uses.
After Jiang Changsheng sorted out his memories, he began to cultivate the first level of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Change, the transformation of a swallow!
That night, the disciples of Longqi Temple found it hard to fall asleep, and there were also many people in the capital who were curious.
In the next five days, the news of the pilgrims watching Daoist Master Changsheng undergo the lightning tribulation spread out, causing an uproar in the entire city. Even the concubines in the palace were discussing it.
He killed the Ghost-Eyed Evil King at a young age and underwent lightning tribulation when he reached adulthood!
When these two deeds of Daoist Master Changsheng were combined, it was really legendary and filled with mystery.
More and more visitors came to Longqi City to burn incense. They all wanted to see Daoist Master Changsheng’s elegance. However, Jiang Changsheng did not come out of his courtyard, so they failed to catch a glimpse of him. They were not angry because of this. Instead, they felt that it was only right.
How could immortals be so easy to meet?
Inside the house.
After five days of cultivation, Jiang Changsheng finally learned the transformation of a swallow, but it could only last for five minutes. The Nine Heavens Mysterious Change consumed too much spiritual force and could not be easily used.
Jiang Changsheng returned to his original appearance, and White Dragon was stunned.
At that very moment.
Three lines of words appeared in front of Jiang Changsheng.
[Detected that you have received incense. As your cultivation method does not belong to the Dao of Heaven and Earth, you have two choices and can only choose one.]
[1: Give up on cultivation and your spiritual force will transform into a realm of martial arts in this world—True God Realm.]
[2: Continue to cultivate. Immortals are above all living beings and are respected by all. The path of cultivation is to pursue the path of the Heavenly Dao. You can activate the incense function.]
True God Realm?
He had never heard of it before. It must be above the Heaven Arrival realm!
Jiang Changsheng directly chose the second option and continued to cultivate.
For an Immortal Cultivator to fight a martial arts practitioner, it was simply child’s play. He had to persevere.
If he were to train in martial arts, even if he were to become the number one in the world, it was impossible for him to suppress all the martial artists in the world. After all, they were all on the same path of cultivation. However, cultivation was different and the upper limit was unknown.
[Activating the incense function. The providence of incense can weaken the power of the heavenly tribulation. Please explore on your own how to obtain incense.]
“Current incense points: 2”
Reduce the power of the heavenly tribulation?
Jiang Changsheng still had lingering fears when he recalled the lightning tribulation a few days ago.
In his previous life, he had indeed set up the incense function in the game. When one cultivated to become a god, they naturally had to enjoy the incense of the human world. Incense was related to the luck of the immortals and gods. He did not expect the survival system to bring other functions of the game to this world. The incense function was not only about transcending the tribulation!
Two points of incense meant that two people had erected a statue for him and burned incense to worship him. To be able to do this, it meant that they had regarded him as their faith.
Wait, if even the incense function appeared, then the other functions…
Jiang Changsheng’s heart burned with passion. The system might seem mysterious, but he, as the developer, knew everything about it.
All the functions in the game needed to be triggered by the player on the way to cultivation, not directly given.
In addition, from the previous hints, cultivation did not belong to this world. He might very well be the only cultivator.
“Incense is indeed valuable, but I can’t be rash. I can create some phenomena in the Daoist temple and increase the circulation. By doing that, the incense value should increase. Even if someone is unhappy with me, they can come and give me a survival reward.”
Jiang Changsheng thought to himself. He did not know if there were True Gods in the Great Jing Dynasty, so he had to be careful. He did not enter the world for the sake of his safety. What if there was a flourishing martial arts civilization outside the Great Jing Dynasty?
Better to believe it than not!
He had to work hard in the early stages of his life. In any case, his lifespan was unlimited. Once he was strong enough, he would rule the world.
Of course, before that, he still had to make a trip to the palace!
Jiang Changsheng’s eyes flickered and the corners of his mouth curled up.
…
A month later, Jiang Changsheng completely mastered the Nine Heavens Mysterious Change. On this day, Jiang Yuan came to visit him again. Other than asking for medicinal pills, he was also curious about his tribulation. Jiang Changsheng did not say that it was a breakthrough in his cultivation. Instead, he said that the immortals were guiding him at that time. Jiang Yuan was stunned when he heard that.
After Jiang Yuan left, that night, Jiang Changsheng put on a wooden mask and changed into a ragged black Daoist robe before leaving for the palace.
He stepped on the Taihang Sword and flew on it, directly flying into the palace from the top of the mountain.
His senses far exceeded that of ordinary people. From afar, he could see the imperial guards patrolling outside the palace. He found a corner that no one noticed and flew in. After landing, he gently sheathed the Taihang Sword and began to move forward in the palace.
Late at night, the palace was lonely with frogs croaking. From time to time, eunuchs would patrol with lamps.
Relying on the Nine-seeking Heavenly Dragon Steps, Jiang Changsheng easily dodged those eunuchs. Along the way, he investigated the fluctuations of true qi and discovered that there were quite a number of experts in the palace. There were at least fifty top experts, and there was no lack of concubines, palace maids, and eunuchs.
The Great Jing Palace was filled with crouching tigers and hidden dragons.
Jiang Changsheng sighed as he walked.
When he passed by a garden, he heard a sound. He tilted his head and listened. The sound came from the depths of the garden.
“Annoying.”
“My little brother, go down a little more…”
“There are too many mosquitoes here. Can’t we go somewhere else, damn it?”
“Alas, just make do if there’s a place. Hurry up, I’m dying of anxiety…”
…
Jiang Changsheng was speechless. Was the palace that chaotic?
Disgusting!
Jiang Changsheng stopped and listened attentively. After a while, he recognized their identities. The woman was a palace maid while the man was a eunuch.
A eunuch could do such a thing?
Jiang Changsheng recalled that some dynasties in his previous life had not been completely eradicated.
He shook his head. Since it was not his father who was cuckolded, he was too lazy to care about it and continued on his way.
The palace was very large. Jiang Changsheng used his divine consciousness to investigate along the way. What he was looking for was the fluctuation of true qi, so he did not have to enter the houses of concubines and palace maids. He did not have that kind of urge.
There were many fluctuations of true qi, but none of them could reach the Heavenly Arrival realm.
Jiang Changsheng suddenly stopped when he arrived at the northern area of the palace. His gaze landed on an extremely deserted palace courtyard. There were no palace maids or eunuchs, so he was alone in the entire palace courtyard.
Could this be the legendary Cold Palace?
No way!
A Heaven Arrival realm expert was banished to the cold palace by the Emperor?
How could Jiang Yuan be so domineering?
Jiang Changsheng wore a wooden mask, so he was not afraid of exposing his identity. Carefully, he walked towards the palace.
When he entered the courtyard, he noticed that there were weeds everywhere. It was evident that no one had taken care of it for a long time. However, there were many shocking handprints on the wall of the side hall.
Jiang Changsheng walked towards the main hall, not afraid of disturbing the other party.
After arriving here, he could already determine the other party’s true energy level.
It was only about ten times that of the Devil Lord.
Jiang Changsheng came to the door and gently pushed it open.
The moment he pushed it open, a strong gust of wind blew and knocked the two doors against the wall. Jiang Changsheng’s tattered Daoist robe fluttered, but his body was as heavy as Mount Tai and he did not move at all.
“Why did you enter the palace so late at night?”
A cold and hoarse female voice sounded, her tone filled with killing intent.
Jiang Changsheng stimulated the meridians in his throat with his spiritual power and said in a hoarse and dull voice, “I heard that there’s a Heaven Arrival realm expert in the palace that is unparalleled in the world. I want to see him. Your skills are so deep, but you’re willing to stay in this cold palace that no one cares about?”
The cold female voice snorted. “It’s none of your business. Since you’re here, don’t leave!”
As soon as she finished speaking, another strong gust of wind came from the darkness. Jiang Changsheng gently moved his right foot and his spiritual force exploded, sending a figure flying back, followed by the heavy sound of someone hitting the wall.
“You… How is this possible… You’re not a Heaven Arrival… You’re at a higher realm!”
The cold female voice cried out in horror. Who could resist such an expert breaking into the palace?
Jiang Changsheng sighed internally. “I’m too strong.”
He asked, “What’s your relationship with the Emperor? Tell me, and if you explain it clearly, I will spare your life and not disturb everyone in the palace. If you don’t explain it clearly, the Great Jing will change owners after tonight.”
The other party’s panting echoed in the dim hall. Jiang Changsheng narrowed his eyes and looked over. He could only see that the other party’s hair was disheveled and her body was dirty. He could not see her true appearance.
“Haha… You used him to threaten me… You used him to threaten me…”
The cold female voice gradually became deranged and had a sense of hysteria.
Jiang Changsheng frowned under the mask. Was she crazy?
No wonder she was banished to the cold palace!
Jiang Changsheng was only guessing and did not believe her easily. If she was not afraid of death and did not care about the Emperor, why would she struggle at death’s door in the Cold Palace?
He suddenly disappeared and appeared in front of the other party the next second. He pressed his palm on the other party’s forehead and the terrifying killing intent made the other party unable to move.
“This strength…”
The other party widened her eyes. From the gap of her messy hair, he could see his pair of eyes that were filled with blood vessels, similar to a ghost in the human world.
Jiang Changsheng looked down at him and said, “21 years ago, the Empress gave birth to child and Eunuch Li swapped him. Did you know about this?”
The other party’s pupils dilated. It was evident that she was not calm.
She gritted her teeth and said, “I know!”
“Why did the Emperor do this? To suppress the Yang Family?”
“I don’t know… but that’s definitely not the case…”
Jiang Changsheng’s frown deepened and he asked, “What’s the real identity of the fake prince?”
The other party was silent.
“Impudent! How dare you break into my palace? I will make you stay here forever!”
A domineering shout sounded from outside the hall, but Jiang Changsheng remained indifferent. He had already sensed Jiang Yuan’s arrival, and he had something to ask him.