Chapter 931: A Maiden Named Lian Hun
Hao Tianzun withdrew that wisp of consciousness, his expression somewhat displeased. The various experiences of that wisp of consciousness immediately reflected into his mind.
Although Qin Mu had erased the memories of that wisp of consciousness, Qin Mu's Imperishable Divine Art had not yet been perfected, leaving significant flaws.
After a brief investigation, he knew exactly how many methods for slaying Mu he had employed.
"Was it the Infinite Kalpa Sutra of the Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha? The Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha's technique belongs to the mental cultivation methods. Although this old monk handed over the Infinite Kalpa Sutra, very few in the Heavenly Court can actually learn his mental cultivation method."
He couldn't help but frown. The Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha's Infinite Kalpa Sutra was extremely difficult to learn. In the past, this old monk never passed on his Infinite Kalpa Sutra to outsiders. Now, seeing the situation turning unfavorable, he had taken the initiative to hand the Infinite Kalpa Sutra over to the Heavenly Court.
However, cultivating the Infinite Kalpa Sutra required an extremely high level of Buddhist cultivation and exceptional attainment in Buddhist teachings; otherwise, it was impossible to learn.
Although the Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha had founded the Buddhist sect, he was a junior to Hao Tianzun. Naturally, Hao Tianzun was unlikely to waste his energy delving into Buddhist teachings.
If he had to start from scratch, he didn't know how many years he would have to waste to thoroughly comprehend the myriad Buddhist scriptures and learn the Infinite Kalpa Sutra.
Of course, the Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha was still holding back.
The Infinite Kalpa Sutra belonged to the mental cultivation methods within the school of mind. This kind of technique could be learned step by step by studying and comprehending Buddhist scriptures, slowly mastering it. If one's Buddha-nature and meditative mind were sufficiently high, it could also be learned. But it could also be taught directly through dreams without the need for comprehension.
The two methods had their pros and cons. The first method yielded deeper insights and was true mastery. For example, Zhan Kong Rulai, Mingxin Monk, and Emperor Shakra Heavenly King Buddha belonged to the first type.
They had Buddha-nature and a profound meditative mind.
Qin Mu belonged to the second type. The Old Buddha had directly imparted the teachings through dreams, equivalent to a crown-to-crown transmission, allowing him to use it directly without needing to comprehend. However, this method only taught how to use it, without understanding the principles behind it, and yielded little insight.
Qin Mu couldn't even clearly explain how the mental method of the Infinite Kalpa Sutra operated.
"Master, should we create another Mu Tianzun?" a demigod stepped forward, bowing and inquiring.
Hao Tianzun shook his head. "No need. Qin Mu is merely a small figure, not worth me expending too much effort. My enemies are not him, but the ancient gods and other Heavenly Venerables. Now that the situation is gradually becoming clear, with friend and foe distinguished, if I spend too much energy on Qin Mu, I might lose the big picture for the sake of small gains."
He smiled. "Kunwu, select eighteen outstanding disciples and bring them to me. I will teach them the eighteen methods for slaying Mu, and have them find an opportunity to kill Qin Mu."
The demigod Kunwu acknowledged and said, "What cultivation level should these disciples be?"
Hao Tianzun said, "No need to be too high. Cultivate them to the True God realm."
There were no disciples with higher cultivation levels in Hao Tian Palace either. Once his disciples achieved some success in cultivation, Hao Tianzun would send them out to hold important positions in the Heavenly Court, governing various celestial realms.
Gathering disciples around him would not form a vast power base. Sending these disciples out to lead troops and spread his influence was how he could ensure his dominance over the court.
Kunwu bowed and went down to select the eighteen disciples.
After a while, Kunwu brought eighteen disciples. His understanding of Hao Tianzun's students was even deeper than Hao Tianzun's own. This was because, although the Heavenly Venerable had disciples all over the world, he rarely took the initiative to teach them himself. He usually left the management and teaching of these disciples to his most accomplished students. The Heavenly Venerable only occasionally taught personally.
Very few truly received the Heavenly Venerable's direct teachings.
Even Yan Qiling, the disciple of the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, had not received the Emperor's true techniques and ultimate arts. What she had obtained were merely the ancient god Dao runes compiled by the Dao Ancestor, and the Emperor had only taught her a few great divine abilities like Dao One and Dao Two.
The same was true for these eighteen people brought by Kunwu.
Hao Tianzun looked at these eighteen people and frowned slightly. "These disciples are all a bit weak. Their magical power doesn't surpass Qin Mu by much."
Kunwu quickly said, "Disciple followed your instructions and taught them the Throne techniques, letting them comprehend on their own. Master taught us twenty-eight types of Throne techniques, and they have all learned them. But how much they can comprehend and understand depends on their individual talent and insight."
Hao Tianzun became interested and said, "Tell me, each of you, how many Throne techniques have you comprehended, and how many have you fused?"
A woman stepped forward and bowed. "Disciple Xiu Youfang has comprehended the Four Phases Calamity Art, the Biyou Great Azure Sutra, and the Yin Yang Great Joy Art, three Throne techniques, and fused them into one, barely qualifying as a Minor Heavenly Court technique."
Hao Tianzun nodded. "Fusing three Throne techniques can be called a Minor Heavenly Court technique, but it's still not enough. The rebel thief Qin Mu has probably fused three types as well."
Another woman in purple stepped forward and bowed. "Disciple Hua Anxiu has comprehended the Nether Capital Infinite Sutra, the Xuan Capital Great Vehicle Sutra, the Four Phases Calamity Art, and the Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Art. I have currently fused these four Throne techniques."
Hao Tianzun smiled. "Your strength is just so-so."
Another young man stepped forward and bowed. "Disciple Pan Chunjin has comprehended the Azure Wood Great Wilderness Sutra, the Southern Capital Heavenly King Sutra, the Nether Capital Infinite Sutra, and the Yin Yang Great Joy Art."
One by one, the young deities stepped forward, each stating the techniques they had cultivated.
Although Hao Tianzun was stingy and unwilling to pass on his true ultimate arts, the Hao Tian Palace was filled with Throne techniques, and he did not forbid his disciples from learning them. How many they learned depended on their own ability.
The disciples selected by Kunwu, although all at the True God realm, had usually fused three or four Throne techniques. The one who had fused the most had fused five types, all Minor Heavenly Court techniques, nothing particularly outstanding.
Of course, such individuals, placed in the outside world, would be absolutely top-tier geniuses!
Across the myriad realms, Throne techniques were extremely rare and hard to come by. In some worlds, let alone a single Throne technique, even finding a single True God was difficult.
Hao Tianzun waited until the eighteen had each finished stating their techniques before looking at Kunwu. "Is that all?"
Kunwu hesitated for a moment. "Master said disciples at the True God realm, so I found fifteen True Gods. Besides them, there are a few who have fused more Throne techniques. One of them has barely reached the level of a Grand Heavenly Court technique."
Hao Tianzun was somewhat moved. A Grand Heavenly Court technique was one that fused more than eighteen Throne techniques!
In this world, only Heavenly Venerables could fuse various Throne techniques and comprehend Grand Heavenly Court techniques. He hadn't expected that one of his own disciples had reached the level of a Grand Heavenly Court technique.
Kunwu said with difficulty, "This person has fused eighteen Throne techniques, barely reaching the Grand Heavenly Court standard. However, this person's cultivation level is not at the True God realm, but at the Divine Bridge realm..."
"At the Divine Bridge realm, they can fuse eighteen Throne techniques?"
Hao Tianzun was shocked. Such talent was comparable to the Ten Heavenly Venerables of the Heavenly Court, and they were still so young, at the Divine Bridge realm. This made him somewhat alert.
"Don't worry about the cultivation level. Qin Mu's cultivation level isn't high either."
Hao Tianzun suppressed the shock in his heart and smiled. "The thief Mu isn't even a deity yet. He has only fused three or four Throne techniques. Bring this disciple here."
Kunwu left and returned after a moment with that cultivator.
Hao Tianzun looked and saw that it was a woman. She bowed gracefully before him and said, "Disciple Lian Hunhua pays respects to Master."
Hao Tianzun's heart stirred. He smiled and said, "Rise."
The woman, Lian Hunhua, rose gracefully. Hao Tianzun examined her carefully. Lian Hunhua was stunningly beautiful, with delicate, sloping shoulders. Her clothes fit her well, though they were somewhat strained across her chest, only to taper down at her waist.
Her eyes were captivating. Looking into her eyes made one's heart stir involuntarily.
Her sash floated behind her, and behind her head was a circular wheel formed from her primordial qi, drifting ethereally, untouched by any worldly dust.
This woman's appearance actually bore some resemblance to his mother, Yuanmu Furen!
Hao Tianzun examined her for a moment, secretly praising her, and suppressed his rising desire. "I have such a woman among my disciples?"
He opened his eyes and looked closely. The woman showed no signs of being carved or chiseled. Her physical body and soul were naturally formed, not a beauty created by the Art of Creation.
Since he had thought of using the beauty trap to scheme against the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, he would naturally be cautious, lest someone use the same scheme against him.
Although he had inherited some of the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor's bad habits, he was cautious by nature. Many people in history had tried to use beauty traps against him, but he would graciously accept the beauty and then devour her.
Hao Tianzun looked for a moment, and the fire within him grew harder to suppress. He smiled and said, "The other disciples will each receive one of my methods for slaying Mu. Lian Hunhua will cultivate all eighteen methods for slaying Mu. You will eliminate Qin Mu for me. I will refine a treasure for each of you to protect your divine consciousness, lest you fall into the thief Mu's divine consciousness illusions."
Everyone bowed in acknowledgment.
Kunwu said, "Master, it's not convenient to act within the Heavenly Court. Although Mu Tianzun has no power here, many ancient gods and Heavenly Venerables are secretly protecting him."
Hao Tianzun pondered for a moment. "Fire Heavenly Venerable and Void Heavenly Venerable have gone to explore the Grand Void and discovered many dangers. Fire Heavenly Venerable sent word back, saying the place is fraught with peril and suggesting the Heavenly Court send an army to subdue it. Since we can't kill him in the Heavenly Court, we'll kill him in the Grand Void. Finding a reason to send him to the Grand Void won't be difficult."
Kunwu acknowledged.
"Kunwu, you may withdraw. The rest of you stay here. I will teach you the eighteen methods for slaying Mu."
Hao Tianzun's gaze fell on these nineteen people, and when he saw Lian Hunhua again, his heart stirred once more, his inherited bad habit from the Heavenly Emperor flaring up. But Lian Hunhua was not yet to be consumed; she was still needed to eliminate Qin Mu. He had to restrain himself and focus on teaching them the eighteen methods for slaying Mu.
In the Winding Corridor Pavilion of the Jade Pool, Qin Mu toyed with the Grand Emperor Seal. After a moment, his divine consciousness surged into the Grand Emperor Seal. He shouted, "Rise!"
The Grand Emperor Seal fell to the ground.
Qin Mu scratched his head, picked up the Grand Emperor Seal, switched to using his primordial qi to control it, and shouted, "Rise!"
The Grand Emperor Seal floated in the air, but it had no power whatsoever. He opened his vertical eye on his forehead, trying to use his third eye to control this seal, but still, nothing unusual happened.
He then tried to construct the Taiwei Enclosure within the Grand Emperor Seal using his divine consciousness. The Grand Emperor Seal wobbled and floated up. Qin Mu was overjoyed, but then the Grand Emperor Seal fell to the ground with a clatter again.
"This broken seal is utterly useless!"
Qin Mu was furious. He pulled out the Core of the Primordial Tree and smashed it down hard. The Winding Corridor Pavilion shook violently, nearly collapsing from the power of the Core of the Primordial Tree. However, the seal remained unchanged. Although the Core of the Primordial Tree was extremely hard, it didn't damage the seal in the slightest.
"This thing is so hard, it's not bad for smashing people."
Qin Mu put the seal away. Shujun's voice rang in his mind, sneering, "The Grand Emperor's seal of the Juyu clan, and you're using it to smash people? Truly a lowly species! Give me the blood energy and divine consciousness of one year, and I'll teach you how to activate the Grand Emperor Seal!"
Previously, he had demanded three years, but now he was only asking for one year, a significant discount.
Qin Mu ignored him, took out the box left to him by Yun Tianzun, and observed the altar inside.
Shujun's heart tightened. "Has this brat figured it out?"
Qin Mu closed the box again, and Shujun breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, Qin Mu smiled and said, "Shujun, teach me the other techniques from the Taiwei Enclosure Upper Knowledge, and I'll help you restore your other eye."
Shujun sneered, "Dream on! The Taiwei Enclosure Upper Knowledge is only a third of the complete technique. Is teaching it all to you worth only one eye? At the very least, it's worth a head! Besides, you still haven't helped me find out who the creator god in the Heavenly Court is. Your promise remains unfulfilled!"
Qin Mu laughed in anger. "You old yin bastard! Our agreement was that I help you find that creator god, and you teach me the technique for cultivating divine consciousness. But you only taught me a third of it, and you still have the nerve to say I'm not fulfilling my promise!"
Shujun sneered, "I only said I would teach you how to use the Primal Chaos Primordial Stone to cultivate. I never said I would teach you the complete technique. That doesn't violate our promise, does it?"
Qin Mu trembled with rage. "Your grandfather!"
The meatball on the Primordial Stone altar also trembled with rage. "Your second grandfather!"
After a moment, Qin Mu beamed and said, "Teach me the complete technique, and I'll provide the blood energy and divine consciousness to help you restore your head. How about that deal?"
Shujun pondered for a moment. "Good. We need to cooperate sincerely. No more tricks from either side!"
Qin Mu agreed, his eyes twitching. "I'll naturally let you restore your head, but I definitely won't restore your brain. Nor your ears, nor your other eye, nor your mouth, teeth, or tongue. I'll only restore an empty skull!"