Chapter 465 - 462: Two Treasures in a Row, Favor from the Great Power
“Just a Spiritual Cicada, you say?”
Su Muzhe’s face immediately brightened with great joy, “That’s easy to handle, very easy to handle, ah haha… I will go to the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree and get that Spiritual Cicada for you soon!”
His heart surged with endless delight.
He had thought he’d have to pay a steep price, but this junior only wanted a mere Spiritual Cicada, which was nothing to him.
The Spring and Autumn Cicada’s Cultivation Realm wasn’t considered high; it only had a bit of Power of Time because it had sucked the sap of the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree, placing it between the Golden Core Peak and the Purple Mansion Realm, not yet fully advanced to the Purple Mansion. In the Spring and Autumn Academy, such capability was nothing special—any of the Great Scholars there could swat it like a mosquito.
The significance of that Spiritual Cicada to someone like Fang Chengqian lay in the fact that the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree was personally planted by the Spring and Autumn Ancestor at the foundation of the Academy, and its meaning was extraordinary. Not to mention its own deep Cultivation; not just the younger generation, but even the deans of the various branches wouldn’t want to displease the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree without good reason.
However, a mere Spiritual Cicada wouldn’t offend the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree.
In the eyes of Su Muzhe, a cultivator of the Immortal Realm, the Spring and Autumn Cicada was just a tiny insect that could be crushed easily, and the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree felt the same.
The tree simply let the cicada grow on it because it fancied a momentary whim.
To an ancient being like the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree, which had lived so long that it no longer knew its exact age, watching the Spiritual Cicada cultivate and grow on its body until it exhausted its lifespan and met Death was just a minor flavoring in its long life—dispensable. If Su Muzhe requested it, the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree would certainly not refuse and offend him.
Therefore, Su Muzhe was delighted, thinking that this junior from the Beast Taming Sect was indeed very easy to negotiate with!
Upon seeing Su Muzhe’s overjoyed expression and hearing his words, Qin Feng immediately knew he had set his price too low, having sold a poem that might help the other progress further on the Path for a pittance.
He coughed lightly and added, “Additionally, when Daoist Fellow Fang Chengqian previously took me on a visit to the Danqing Academy, I found the wall with the Mountain and River Map quite remarkable, and it so happens I need a Space Treasure…”
He paused there, shifting his gaze toward Su Muzhe.
“A trivial matter, just a wall!” Su Muzhe said nonchalantly, “I’ll move it over for you later.”
Beside them, Daoist Wu whispered, “That was personally painted by our Danqing Academy Dean and has been in the Danqing Academy for three thousand six hundred years…”
He didn’t dare continue, but the meaning behind his words was clear.
Would you please stop giving away other people’s treasure so freely? Our Academy’s treasured painting, how come it just becomes a trivial matter when it comes to you, giving it away so casually— isn’t that being too, well, too whatever?
Su Muzhe glared, “What do you know, lad? It’s just a painting. If it’s such a bother, we’ll have Dean Qi paint another one later. What’s the big deal?
Do not prattle on; otherwise, if you mess up my opportunity here, I’ll give you a Shut-Mouth Poem, and you won’t speak for three years!”
When Daoist Wu heard this, he shuddered with fright, quickly hiding behind Tang Sanyuan, his lips sealed tight, not daring to speak further.
Otherwise, if Su Muzhe truly gave him a Shut-Mouth Poem, telling him not to open his mouth for three years, he surely wouldn’t speak a day sooner!
The feeling was absolutely unbearable, so he had no choice but to listen obediently. After all, the Mountain and River Mirror was not his personal treasure, and if Dean Su wished to give it away, then so be it.
Seeing Dean Su being so generous, Qin Feng inwardly chided himself for his earlier pettiness, for not having the foresight to ask for more conditions at once.
But with things as they were, if he made further requests now, Dean Su would surely agree to them, but Qin Feng also risked leaving the impression of greed.
Given the situation, there was no need to demand any more terms; he might as well just recite the Righteous Qi Song to the other party. After all, whether it had any effect or not, he did not know, and even if it did have an effect, it would be on those mighty figures of Confucianism. The fact that he could exchange a poem, useless to himself, for the Spring and Autumn Cicada and the Mountain and River Mirror was already taking a huge advantage.
Moreover, if the Righteous Qi Song really proved useful for individuals like Dean Su, they would also remember his favor.
Being able to touch the hearts and minds of Immortal Realm and higher Great Powers, allowing their Cultivation to enhance, was not something that could be compensated by just a Strange Insect or a Wall; not to mention the presence of Gui Ling Ancestor, a respected elder of his Sect.
As a Great Power of the same Realm, Gui Ling Ancestor was not only an expert in Prediction Technique, but his insight was incredibly keen. If the Righteous Qi Song truly took effect, it would be impossible for individuals like Dean Su to owe him nothing in return.
After all, the Spring and Autumn Cicada was merely a Spiritual Cicada that had just begun to utilize a bit of the Power of Laws, and the Mountain and River Mirror was equivalent to just an Immortal Artifact. How could it compare to the advancement in Cultivation Realm of a Great Power from the Immortal Realm!
Even if Dean Su and the others weren’t going to give him any more treasures for now, once Qin Feng achieved success on the Immortal Path, or even Proving Dao Immortality in the future, Dean Su and others would have to acknowledge his favor, and by then, it wouldn’t be as easy to brush him off as it was now.
Therefore, Qin Feng hesitated no more. He cleared his throat and began to recite, “The world possesses righteous Qi, which takes on myriad forms when away. Below, it becomes rivers and mountains; above, it transforms into the sun and stars.
In men, we call it Vast Energy, so profound it fills the space between heaven and earth. The Immortal Path should be unobstructed, inhaling harmony and exhaling balance and peace.
In times of destitution, virtues reveal, drip by drip, they hang in Danqing. The Ancient Times’ Dragon Phoenix script, Cangjie bequeathed the ancient texts.
Primordial road weaves through blue silk threads, Biluo sharpens the journey. When demons cause havoc, times of loyalty and courage arise.
Beast Taming battles against massive demons, driving away evil to pacify the Netherworld. Mix in battles between Gods, Ghosts, and Men, pure conduct sharp as frost and snow.
Our ancestors’ unyielding bones, ghosts and gods weep for their valor. Heroes willingly face death, generously devouring evil demons.
Spring and Autumn align with the Heavenly Dao, Taixuan moves the Milky Way. Such is the Qi, so grand, enduring throughout eternity.
Where it passes through sun and moon, what is life and death to discuss? The earth’s axis depends on it to stand; heaven’s column relies on it to be revered.
The three bonds are indeed fateful, with Dao and righteousness as their roots. Could there be any deceitful cunning that Yin and Yang cannot corrupt?
Looking at this with deep earnest, I gaze up at the white drifting clouds. My heart is filled with endless sorrow, does the vast heaven ever have an end?
The wise are now far gone, examples set in ancient times. Wind on the eaves spreads open books to read, the ancient Dao illuminates one’s visage.”
Before Qin Feng had even finished reciting the poem, the auras of Dean Su, Zhao Boyang, Wen Tonggu, and several other Great Powers suddenly changed, and boundless Vast Energy surged above their heads, within which various miraculous visions appeared.
As Qin Feng continued his recitation, the phantasmagoria morphed unpredictably, sometimes into the clarity and murkiness of the cosmos, sometimes into mountains, rivers, sun and moon, or the ancient Dragon Phoenix scripts, or Ancient Times Daoist Texts. Within these visions were the hardships of the Human Clan’s pioneering endeavors through blue silk threads during Ancient Times, the thriving prosperity gradually developed in Biluo migrations, the tragic onslaughts when the Ancient Great Tribulation invaded all realms, also the valiant resistance of the Human Clan against formidable foes from every direction!
Visions after visions kept emerging, changing endlessly.
For the common man, it was certainly impossible to grasp so many things, but each of these great powers was a great scholar who understood ancient and present matters.
Not only did they know about the various changes in the characters of the Human Clan from ancient times to the present, but they also had some understanding of the Taoist patterns of various races in ancient times and had personally experienced the tragedies of the Ancient Great Tribulation. They had witnessed countless Human Clan cultivators bravely going to their deaths, one after the other, all for the sake of fighting for a chance for the Human Clan to continue its legacy.
Qin Feng had made many alterations to this poem; after all, it was impossible to talk about many allusions here. But the minor changes did not impair the comprehension of people like Su Muzhe, since the true essence of the poem was not changed by Qin Feng at all. In fact, it became more relatable as it included some accounts from the Ancient Great Tribulation, making it easier for these great Confucianism scholars to be moved in spirit.
However, Qin Feng deliberately mentioned his own Sect in the poem, so that if this Righteous Qi Song were to spread, the reputation of the Beast Taming Sect would become well-known to Confucianism, thereby benefitting the Sect indirectly.
“Ha ha ha… Good, good one, ‘The world has Righteous Qi,’ good one, ‘Vast and filling the Netherworld!'”
Su Muzhe’s eyes shone like the sun and moon, his qi flowed like a long rainbow, and above his head, the purple qi evolved into all phenomena of heaven and earth, and brilliant galaxies. His entire being surged with energy, startling countless scholars in the entire Academy.
In the distance, other great scholars and great powers cast their gazes over.
They did not know what had happened, only perplexed why Su Muzhe and the other Deans would suddenly exhibit all kinds of visions with the vast energy, appearing as if their cultivation had advanced by a whole realm.
But even if they made progress, it couldn’t possibly be so many great powers advancing together?
“Ha ha ha ha…”
Zhao Boyang also laughed with joy, “Good one, ‘Below as the rivers and mountains, above as the sun and stars.’ Zhao Boyang has learned something new!”
After speaking, he actually bowed to Qin Feng.
This startled Qin Feng so much that he hastily stepped aside, but the other few also bowed in succession, leaving Qin Feng somewhat flustered.
After all, these were Immortal Realm great powers, predecessors whom he could hardly bear such reverence, so he quickly returned their bows.
“Young friend, there’s no need for this. Your Righteous Qi Song today has highlighted the doubts in this old man’s heart, allowing me more insight into the Dao. It is we who should be bowing to you.”
Dean Wen Tonggu of the Chess Institute sighed, “Vast and righteous Qi piercing the sun and moon, erecting heaven and earth, as the commandment of the three cardinal guides, the root of righteousness and principle. I’ve benefited a great deal. I will be returning to meditate in seclusion. Goodbye, everyone!”
With that, his form turned into a mysterious light and disappeared in a flash.
“I will also take my leave!”
Another great power beside him also flew away on his escape.
Su Muzhe was about to say that he, too, would go into seclusion, but before he even opened his mouth, he saw Qin Feng’s intense gaze fixed on him and couldn’t help but laugh, “Young friend, please wait a moment. Su will return shortly!”
After speaking, he turned and went over to the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree. After a brief exchange, the Spring and Autumn Ancient Tree readily extended a branch and passed a Spiritual Cicada to Su Muzhe.
After all, it was the spirit root of the Spring and Autumn Academy, which always prioritized the interests of the Academy. Since Qin Feng’s poem could improve Su Muzhe’s Dao Cultivation, it naturally would not be stingy with a mere Spiritual Cicada.
After thanking it, Su Muzhe’s figure flashed before Danqing Academy, shaking his robe with a great flick, and directly took away the Mountain and River Mirror, leaving the students of Danqing Academy dumbfounded as he disappeared into the air, leaving only an unsightly base of the mirror behind.
“Eh? Old Su, why are you taking my Mountain and River Map?”
A voice from the deepest part of Danqing Academy rang out, filled with confusion.
“I have use for this map, will explain later.”
Su Muzhe’s words revealed excitement, “If you’re so attached to it, I’ll gift you a few poems later. Of course, I have a better one now, and I’ll share it with you after I come out of my seclusion!”
“Alright then, as you wish!”
The Danqing Academy Dean was not bothered by Su Muzhe taking away the Mountain and River Mirror. To him, it was just a painting, placed in Danqing Academy as a wall mirror merely for the students to often witness higher realm artworks, so they would not become arrogant after acquiring some skills.
If he so wished, he could simply recreate another one without much effort, and certainly, there was no need to bicker with Su Muzhe!
“Here, take this.”
Suddenly, Su Muzhe appeared in front of Qin Feng, his large sleeves waving as he lightly placed the Mountain and River Mirror out, and he handed the Spiritual Cicada to Qin Feng.
Then he glanced at the Gui Ling Ancestor, shook his head, and said, “Young friend, I’ll remember the favor you did today. If you ever need anything, just come to the Spring and Autumn Academy to find me!”
After that, he apologized to the Gui Ling Ancestor, “Su is deeply inspired and will go back to seclusion. I’ll discuss the Dao with Daoist Fellow Gui Ling another day!”
“Daoist Fellow, go ahead.”
The Gui Ling Ancestor nodded with a smile.
He too was amazed, not expecting Qin Feng’s poem to actually move these Confucianism great powers.
Although Confucianism cultivation was completely different from Daoism, there were some areas where they achieved the same ends by different means. For instance, he himself was enlightened by some predictive techniques from Otherworld and the shallow understandings of prophets, which led to a burst of inspiration that allowed him to break through the bottleneck that had trapped him for tens of thousands of years, attaining the Immortal Golden Immortal stage!
It seemed that Qin Feng’s poem had the same effect as those basic predictive techniques he encountered in the Otherworld. It was just uncertain how much benefit these Confucianism great powers could obtain from it.
Beside him, Zhao Boyang also smiled wryly, “Inviting Daoist Fellow Gui Ling here today, only to have to leave halfway, is indeed my fault.”
“No problem, seclusion is more important.”
The Gui Ling Ancestor was indifferent to these matters, “We have long lives, endless life spans. There will be plenty of time to meet in the future. Daoist Brother need not mind this trifling matter.”
“In that case, please excuse my departure.”
Zhao Boyang nodded his head, bowed, and then vanished in a flash.
Beside him, Fang Chengqian, Tang Sanyuan, and a few others were all dumbfounded!