560 Primogenitor Lingbaos Assumption (2/2)
”It's of the gravest importance,” Meng Qi replied with a nod.
Qu Jiuniang regained her composure after being deflated of her fervent eagerness. ”Very well,” she said. ”Let's return to Azure Heaven. If he's not there, we shall burn the talisman that he had left and hastily summon him.”
”Very good,” Meng Qi answered. He was worried that they would have to comb through fen and forest to seek the whereabouts of Primogenitor Lingbao. The Immortals hardly lacked resources and methods as an experienced band of warriors and masters of the martial arts.
They entered the dimension of Azure Heaven and the booming voice of the Dominator of the Six Samsara Realms resounded in Meng Qi's ears.
”Detection of the Plenitude Gate confirmed. The effect and use of the item shall be sealed until your departure from this realm for secrecy.”
”This...” Meng Qi grimaced with a frown. ”The Dominator of the Six Samsara Realms is meticulous indeed!”
Upon their entry, they had found that Primogenitor Lingbao was indeed absent. Qu Jiuniang immediately went to retrieve a talisman to summon their leader while Meng Qi ventured into the Immortal-tracking Alley to identify the loots of his duels with the Thunder God of the Ninth Heaven, the Howling Lunar Hound, and the Blessing-endowed Heavenly Official.
He first circled the entirety of the Immortal-tracking Alley and found the notice that he had requested Qu Jiuniang to leave on the items and exotic minerals that he had left for trade with the rest of the members of The Myths. ”Qu Jiuniang might have a perpetual hunger for wealth, but she is hardly a brazen fool that could not withstand temptation,” Meng Qi thought with an approving nod.
He drifted to the center of the alley where the jade column stood. He produced the spoils of his adventures and allowed the Dominator to identify them.
”The Purple Lightning Blade, a Precious Weapon of the mid-grade worth 4,700 Karma points. It can be exchanged for 2,500 Karma points.”
”The Golden Stick, a Precious Weapon of a modest grade. The crude handiwork in the crafting of the weapon has reduced its distinction. The weapon is worth 2,800 Karma points, which is exchangeable for 1,500 Karma points.”
”The Blackwater Thunder, a magical artifact of the Exterior Scenery (the Fifth-fold Heaven). The activation of the artifact corrupts a target with decaying disintegration upon contact and summons a chain of lightning that strikes repeatedly at the target until no flesh or soul is left. The artifact is worth 5,000 Karma points and exchangeable for 2,800 Karma points.”
”The White Lotus Seat of the Seventh Order, a magical artifact of the Exterior Scenery (the Fifth-fold Heaven). The sacred lotus reveals to its wielder all forms of deception and corruption, protecting the Vital Spirit of its wielder from spiritual and mental assaults. The artifact is valued at 5,200 Karma points and exchangeable for 3,000 Karma points.”
”The Bhaisajyaguru Relieve Pill, an elixir of healing properties which also reinvigorates the Vital Spirit of its user. Consumption of the elixir heals most injuries in an hour. The elixir is valued at 4,000 Karma points and is exchangeable for 3,000 Karma points.”
”The Pearl of the Fortune Purple Qi, a magical artifact of the Exterior Scenery (the Second-fold Heaven). The artifact enhances the fortune of its wielder and concentrates the culmination of the aura of fortuitous destiny. The artifact is valued at 2,400 Karma points and is exchangeable for 1,300 Karma points.”
”The Fortune Heavenly Blade, a Precious Weapon of a modest grade. The blade increases and realizes the fortune of its wielder, allowing itself to be wielded freely by its master. The weapon is valued at 2,600 Karma points and is exchangeable for 1,500 Karma points.”
Meng Qi finally identified all of his loot apart from the exotic minerals and magical herbs that he kept. His acquiring of the Bhaisaajyaguru Relieve Pill and the two artifacts that belonged to 'Blessing-endowed Heavenly Official' Zhou Qiushan was a fortuitous bounty to him indeed!
The healing potency of the Bhaisajyaguru Relieve Pill dwarfed the Serenity Darkness Pill by a great stretch, a huge addition that might even save lives. The Pearl of Fortune Purple Qi and the Fortune Heavenly Blade are both items that affect the fate and fortune of its wielder, and the properties of both items would surely help since the element of fortune was the very thing that Meng Qi lacked in the cultivation of the discipline of the Tri-gem Wish Fist.
Additionally, the items themselves could be very valuable to him. The bestowing of fortuitous good blessing would turn the tables for him in times of dire need!
Meng Qi was wondering which item he should keep when Qu Jiuniang called out,
”The Master Primogenitor has returned.”
Meng Qi swept everything into his away hastily, as he could consider the decision another time.
Meng Qi returned to the Azure Palace where the masked Primogenitor Lingbao awaited and flatly asked, ”What is it?”
Meng Qi glanced at Qu Jiuniang. ”Master Primogenitor,” Meng Qi spoke to him telepathically. ”Inside please.”
They entered the sealed room of the Azure Palace and the Primogenitor asked no questions, only looking at Meng Qi and preparing to listen to his reports.
Whereas Meng Qi had prepared himself for his report to the leader of his order. ”Master Primogenitor, I have reasons to believe that the present Abbot Kong Wen of Shaolin Temple is an imposter. He is possibly 'Evil Master' Han Guang and perhaps Heaven Sovereign of the Myths in disguise.”
Primogenitor Lingbao had walked the face of the Earth for no less than two to three hundred years. Through steel and fire, he had endured and witnessed countless trials and tribulations. He made not a single cry of shock nor surprise, save for a still silence that seemed to have frozen everything in the sealed room.
Moments passed in silence while the Primogenitor mulled over Meng Qi's revelation. At length, he spoke, ”If Master Han Guang is indeed Heaven Sovereign of the Myths, it might not be impossible at all... There have been peculiarities that have been observed about Kong Wen.”
Meng Qi took a deep breath and fell into an elaborate tale of the truth and presently confined Kong Wen, omitting only the facts of the site of his confinement.
”I see... You have stumbled upon the presently held Comrade Kong Wen...” muttered Primogenitor Lingbao.
The Primogenitor avoided from mentioning the facts that Meng Qi had omitted. He tapped on the table as he continued mulling over Meng Qi's tale, ”If we are to assume that it is indeed the true Kong Wen who is presently held... The mysterious Dharmakaya...”
His fingers halted, pausing as all movements stopped. ”I know who is it now,” he said, sighing heavily.
”Who was it?” Meng Qi asked eagerly.
”Master Primogenitor had deduced his identity!”
”I have felt a certain familiarity with Qu Jiuniang's description of the stroke that had been felled upon her during her abduction. If I think about it, it should be the Divine Five-colored Palm, the signature technique of Tai Li,” said the Primogenitor.
”Tai Li? Peacock Demon King?” Meng Qi confirmed with shock.
'Tai Li, the Monster King who had achieved the True Form of the Five Elements Peacock?'
”I have once had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of the Divine Five-colored Palm during one of my clashes with him. I did not expect that he is now in league with Master Han Guang,” remarked the Primogenitor.
Instantly, Meng Qi recalled his memory of Zhen Guan, who had turned into a monster, and the monsters sealed beneath the Stupa Tower at the back mountain of the Shaolin Temple. Everything seemed to make sense now!
….....
A man stood upright with his hands crossed behind his back. Tall and proud was the poise of the man who has five shades of colors on his hair.
His back was faced towards his guest. ”The lapses of you and your minions have allowed the recovery of Qu Jiuniang,” he said with a lazy smile. ”If they have half a brain, the Immortals would have already guessed my identity through the Divine Five-colored Palm technique.”
”Therefore, we'll need a change of plans. We'll reverse all hidden and exposed elements.”