Chapter 0.135 Simulated Dharma Aspect Strike
Basically, every time Qin Gou, that negotiation expert with his system, faced a situation, it would end with the old pal playing dead.
Thus, Qin Gou, who had initially intended to provide a helping hand to Liang Tiantian by offering strategies, had no choice but to participate in the trial with him according to the mission’s requirements, and personally deal with those who harbored hidden malicious intentions.
When Qin Gou had only informed a few close confidantes, the renowned Evil Exterminating Saintess Li Yuanzhen immediately expressed her desire to accompany him.
Qin Gou considered and said, “Didn’t I tell you? Those villains might split into two groups. One group will remain in the outside world, waiting for an opportunity. With your cultivation and convincing reputation, you can definitely be a great help to the Hidden Immortal Tower.”
But this humble Daoist just wants to cause trouble with A’Qin!
This was the truth of Li Xiaogou’s words. However, if she said it out loud, it would surely backfire. So, Li Yuanzhen, appearing reasonable, said, “Isn’t that selection ceremony said to gather some of the top young female cultivators in the cultivation world? As the pride of Das Prefecture, this humble Daoist also wishes to spar with them. While assessing my own progress, this honor will surely bring immense joy to my parents.”
“Your parents?” Hearing this, Qin Gou was bewildered. “Didn’t Sect Master Xia say that you grew up in the Sword Questioning Sect since you were young? You also mentioned yourself that you don’t have many memories of your biological parents…”
He had spoken too hastily. Qin Gou, realizing Li Yuanzhen’s slightly sad expression midway through his sentence, suddenly became aware of his gaffe and was about to apologize when he saw Li Yuanzhen’s eyes indeed welling up with tears, on the verge of weeping.
“That’s right, I’m so unfortunate! A’Qin, please pity this miserable child who has no parents and let me participate!”
At this moment, Li Yuanzhen clutched her delicate face with both hands, appearing heartbroken. However, the way she peeked at Qin Gou through her fingers with her intelligent eyes was too obvious.
“I agree, I agree, alright?” Qin Gou chuckled heartily.
When it came to acting as a scoundrel, Li Xiaogou was invincible!
…
For the final ceremony of the Mistress of Ten Thousand Flowers’ selection, Qin Gou’s party, besides himself, included the Little Gambler, Liang Tiantian, and Qiu Lingyun, who had also resumed her original appearance.
Apart from cooperating with her esteemed master, this Little Ball would also protect Liang Guiyun, as that was her original purpose for coming to the Hidden Immortal Tower.
The trial ground for this final selection was no longer the same as before, where all cultivators entered the Hidden Immortal Map together. Instead, it was held in the ‘Ancestral Land Secret Realm,’ which could be considered the true core treasure land of the Hidden Immortal Absolute Beauty Tower.
Stepping through a light gate condensed by the cultivators of the Hidden Immortal Tower using a secret technique, the world before their eyes changed dramatically.
Qin Gou found himself alone in a serene and elegant dojo.
“I am the Spirit of the Ancestral Land.”
A voice devoid of emotion echoed, and a woman soon appeared.
“Before the trial officially begins, some preparations are needed. Please cooperate.” The woman, who called herself the ‘Spirit of the Ancestral Land,’ had an ordinary face and a common build. Whether intentionally or not, she gave off a strange premonition that if she were not seen for five minutes, her appearance would be completely forgotten.
“How do you need me to cooperate?” Qin Gou nodded and asked.
Although he was wearing a veiled hat and his robes were loose, Qin Gou knew that as the Spirit of the Ancestral Land, she would easily discern that he was actually a male cultivator. Yet, she showed no intention of dwelling on it. It was unclear whether this was an instruction from Chu Xian or if the Spirit of the Ancestral Land’s spiritual intelligence was inherently low.
After all, if the Spirit of the Secret Realm possessed too high an intelligence, it might not always be a good thing.
“First, I will measure your aptitude, cultivation, and the momentum of your full power at present. From this, I will deduce the power of a Natal Dharma Aspect strike when you advance to the Dharma Aspect Realm.”
The Spirit of the Ancestral Land said calmly, “Then, I will simulate this power for you and allow you to use it in the trial… But remember, it can only be used within the secret realm, and only once!”
“What?” Qin Gou’s expression showed surprise. He did not expect the Ancestral Land Secret Realm of the Hidden Immortal Tower to be so mystical, capable of simulating the might of the Dharma Aspect Realm for a Dao Comprehension Realm cultivator!
Even though it was impossible to match a genuine Dharma Aspect True Person, and it could only be effective in this location, with the advantage of numbers, any powerful enemy invasion would surely be guaranteed to be repelled, making the headquarters of the Hidden Immortal Tower impregnable.
Moreover, this trial would essentially grant each cultivator a one-time trump card.
Who should this devastating strike be used against? When would be the most appropriate time to use it? It was a matter of great learning!
At the same moment.
Inside the Grand Hall of the Hidden Immortal Tower, many pairs of eyes were fixed on a large light screen before them. More accurately, their attention was entirely on Qin Gou within the light screen.
“Elder Lan, what are you doing?” The snow-white spiritual cat leaped over. It was Saint Spirit Chu Xian.
“Lord Saint Spirit, did you hear? The Spirit of the Ancestral Land is going to detect the momentum of Arc-Moon Mountain Master’s full power strike. I’m worried…” Lan Surou’s expression showed difficulty.
“It’s alright,” Chu Xian said while grooming her snow-white fur. “Brother Qin told me that he is currently in a special state and will not break the seal to recover his peak strength unless absolutely necessary.”
“You mean to say that Arc-Moon Mountain Master’s cultivation has been greatly reduced due to some reason?”
“You can’t say that. No matter what, Brother Qin should still possess Dharma Aspect Realm strength!”
“Your aptitude is ‘Proud Plum Superior Grade,’ and your cultivation is ‘Mid-stage Dao Comprehension Realm.’ Furthermore, your aptitude seems to have been enhanced through acquired means!”
Suddenly, the Spirit of the Ancestral Land’s definite voice emanated from the light screen.
“What?!”
For a moment, the entire Hidden Immortal Tower’s Grand Hall erupted in commotion.
“Even if, as Lord Saint Spirit said, Arc-Moon Mountain Master voluntarily sealed himself, his strength shouldn’t have dropped directly to the Dao Comprehension Realm, right?”
“Moreover, the Spirit of the Ancestral Land even saw that his aptitude was acquired through refinement! In that case, he still wouldn’t be comparable to those cultivators who were born with astonishing innate aptitude, so how did he cultivate to such a terrifying level as rumored?”
An elder who had not interacted with Qin Gou before looked suspiciously and said, “Elder Lan, is the Arc-Moon Mountain Master Qin Gou you’re talking about not the real one?”
Lan Surou immediately retorted, “How is that possible? Even if the Spirit of the Ancestral Land’s current test shows some abnormalities regarding Master Qin’s aptitude and cultivation, the terrifying aura and immense presence I felt when facing him absolutely cannot be faked!”
“Perhaps Elder Lan is simply too timid and is scaring herself?” the elder sneered, clearly not on good terms with Lan Surou.
Lan Surou’s face stiffened, and she gritted her teeth, “He Du… How dare you slander me!”
“I’m not arguing with you. Isn’t the best news now that all our previous worries were just a false alarm?”
Elder He Du smiled slightly. “Although he is a friend of the Lord Saint Spirit, one cannot fathom the hearts of men. Fortunately, this so-called Arc-Moon Mountain Master currently poses no threat to our Hidden Immortal Absolute Beauty Tower!”
However, as the argument continued unabated in the Hidden Immortal Tower’s Grand Hall.
Within the light screen, the voice of the Spirit of the Ancestral Land echoed once more: “However, the request I mentioned earlier, requiring your cooperation in a strike, is no longer necessary… because I have seen more.”
“Please forgive me for being unable to truly simulate the power of your Natal Dharma Aspect!”
“Why is that?” Qin Gou shrugged his shoulders, his expression unchanged.
“Because it’s impossible for me to simulate power that far surpasses my own…”
The Spirit of the Ancestral Land’s voice suddenly became somewhat bitter, for at this very moment, only within her sight could she clearly see.
Behind Qin Gou, a colossal Dharma Aspect of a black-robed goddess stood with her arms crossed, smiling coquettishly at her. And behind this female divine form… as if a brother protecting his sister, stood an even larger monster, several times its size, reaching the heavens, covered in snow-white feathers. With the exact same posture, arms crossed, and a cold gaze as if from hell, it continuously stared at her.
The aptitude and realm detected by the Spirit of the Ancestral Land were accurate, but the fatal threat emanating from Qin Gou, as if sensing his own death knell, was also genuine.
“After all, you are only here to participate in the trial, not to exterminate my Hidden Immortal Absolute Beauty Tower… correct?”
In an instant, everyone in the Hidden Immortal Tower’s Grand Hall had a drastic change in expression and stared intently at Elder He Du alone, who had been so confident and smug just moments ago.
“Why are you all looking at me?”
Elder He Du gave a pale, dry laugh, then suddenly looked at Saint Spirit Chu Xian, as if finding his salvation. He slapped himself and shouted, “Can’t a person make a slip of the tongue just now! Although one cannot fathom the hearts of men, fortunately, the peerless Arc-Moon Mountain Master Qin Gou… is our Lord Saint Spirit’s good friend!”
