Hidden Moth-Chapter 549 - 312: Returning After a Century, Still a Youth

Chapter 549: Chapter 312: Returning After a Century, Still a Youth

The Four Seasons Flower Screen usually looks like a domino, smaller than a deck of poker cards but much thicker, consisting of four pieces stacked together, appearing very delicate and convenient to carry.

When receiving this magical treasure, He Kao also received a Divine Thought from Guo Qianhuai, explaining the wonderful uses of the Four Seasons Flower Screen and the intricacies of getting started with its refining, saving He Kao a lot of effort in figuring it out on his own.

As an Artifact Refining Master, Guo Qianhuai undoubtedly had more than one treasure, but the best one he could give away had to be this set of the Four Seasons Flower Screen.

Although it was prepared in advance, he had to meet He Kao in person to proceed. If the meeting did not go well, he might have chosen something else, but after meeting He Kao, he was not just satisfied but extremely satisfied.

Just as Jiang Daozhen was about to speak with a smile, suddenly Wei Luo’s voice sounded: "Master, someone is knocking, requesting to visit the mountain!"

Jiang Daozhen: "Who is it?"

Wei Luo’s voice was filled with surprise: "It’s actually a child... claiming his name was Zhao Sanjin a hundred years ago... uh, could it be Ancestor Master Huailin?"

Jiang Daozhen: "Bring him in quickly!" Then he beckoned to the two people beside him, saying, "Let’s go to the gate to welcome him."

The group arrived outside the Ancestral Hall, already seeing from a distance, across the basin, a person crossing the stone arch from the bridge, coming rapidly. It seems he flew here but was not impolite, landing before the stone arch engraved with "Shock Sect."

He Kao couldn’t help but be stunned; what he saw was actually a—high school student?

The visitor appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen, about 1.7 meters tall, wearing red pants with white-striped seams and a red top with large white borders. When closer, you could even see the school badge printed on his chest... this was clearly a school uniform!

Fortunately, he wasn’t carrying a backpack, otherwise, it would have been just like a student after school.

He Kao had met many accomplished Cultivators, who appeared much younger than their actual age, but had an obvious mature demeanor. However, the young man in front of him, both in expression and vitality, looked undeniably like a genuine high school student.

But he had an astonishing level of cultivation, stepping through the stone arch with a few quick strides, arriving right before them.

The three who had come to welcome him bowed in greeting, and Guo Qianhuai said: "It’s been years since we last met, and Master’s style is more refined than ever, having reached an extraordinary realm!"

According to the Magic Sect’s generational records, Zhao Sanjin was one generation above Guo Qianhuai, two generations above Jiang Daozhen, and three generations above He Kao and Wei Luo. He should be over 140 years old now, and his appearance is indeed astounding.

Guo Qianhuai had seen Zhao Sanjin as a child, who even then looked like an elderly senior, yet today he appeared as a youth, with looks completely different, but a Great Success Cultivator had other ways to verify identity, affirming he was definitely Ancestor Zhao.

Zhao Sanjin gestured and said: "No need for formalities or astonishment. I ceased to involve myself in Magic Sect matters many years ago, today I am just a high school student yet to graduate."

Jiang Daozhen and the others temporarily restrained their amazement and invited Ancestor Zhao inside for a conversation.

They turned right after passing through the main doors, arriving at the east side courtyard, which had been transformed into a small garden. There was a pavilion for the Sect to receive honored guests.

Wei Luo was stationed guarding the Grotto Heaven and Array Core, as there were no other junior disciples present, He Kao willingly played the part of a tea attendant.

The teaware and tea leaves were ready, yet there was no stove or water dispenser. He Kao promptly gestured to cast a spell, condensing mist into dew, gathering it into a spring, channeling it into the pot, and then boiling it with mana... serving tea to the respected seniors.

The whole process looked quite skilled, without any clumsy flaws. All thanks to Elder Li, who had performed an excellent demonstration at the Ba Mountain Medicine Garden a couple of days ago, which He Kao had observed thoroughly, thus learning to apply it today.

Zhao Sanjin took a sip of tea, placed down the cup, glanced at Jiang Daozhen, and seemed about to speak, when he suddenly turned his head as if towards the air, saying: "Speak up if you have something to say, don’t just stare at me as if I’m a monster."

No one in the hall was staring at him directly, but then Wei Luo’s voice rang out: "Great Uncle, I mean no disrespect; I’m just genuinely curious..."

Zhao Sanjin: "What do you want to know?"

Wei Luo: "Please, have you reincarnated?"

This question made He Kao almost lose his composure, but he managed to maintain a serious expression, waiting for the response, while Jiang Daozhen and Guo Qianhuai were visibly holding back their curiosity.

Zhao Sanjin, with a blank expression, said: "Not so, the so-called reincarnation has never been verified by any Ancestor Master, I remain my present self."

Wei Luo: "When you used Divine Techniques to fly over the ravine, I personally witnessed the grandeur of the Ancestor’s powers. But when you sat down to drink tea, you appeared as an ordinary youth, showing no flaws."

At this moment, Wei Luo was in charge of the Grotto Heaven Array Core, and Zhao Sanjin was in the Grotto Heaven. If even she couldn’t discern any flaws, then in anyone’s eyes, Zhao Sanjin really appeared as a high school student.

Zhao Sanjin replied: "I’m not deliberately changing or disguising, but a natural flow of appearance and mindset."

Wei Luo: "May I ask what your current identity is, and why you appear this way... if it’s inappropriate to ask, there is no need for you to answer, Ancestor Zhao."

Zhao Sanjin: "As a Sorcerer of the Lingxi Sect, can’t you calculate it yourself?"

Wei Luo: "No, no, I’m merely a passerby." This was quite interesting, being a pun.

Jiang Daozhen timely spoke: "Children speak without restraint, Great-Uncle, please don’t mind her."

The Great Success Cultivator’s mind and body are seamlessly unified, described as their mental state, which can be either senior or youthful. Zhao Sanjin had already broken through to Great Success Cultivation many years ago, at that time he was an octogenarian elder.

Years later, the change in appearance can still be understood. What is truly incredible is that he completely transformed into the appearance of another person, and it wasn’t through disguising methods like the Hidden Moth Gauze—this was his true form.

This is why Wei Luo had to ask, as the others present were naturally quite curious.

Zhao Sanjin turned his head to look at Elder Jiang and spoke slowly: "It’s not that I don’t want to answer, but if the realm has not been reached, even if I explain she won’t be able to understand. Forcing an interpretation might instead add various delusions, which could be detrimental to the cultivation."

"I have already broken through to Tier Eight Cultivation, after the Bone Transformation, I have transcended the differences between the species of all beings, but my original form remains human, I am still me."

"As for how I look now, it’s just my encounters in the world."

These words seem like an answer, yet also not. Jiang Daozhen couldn’t conceal his excitement, and said with trembling voice: "Ancestor Zhao, so you truly have broken through to Tier Eight Cultivation!"

Zhao Sanjin squinted: "I was originally puzzled why Elder Jiang would try to make me reveal myself, it turns out you have reached this stage... However, my cultivation path is not suitable for you."

Jiang Daozhen: "Being able to see you in person is already enough!"

The reason Elder Jiang wanted to see Zhao Sanjin was not as complicated as many imagined, it was actually very simple. Even Jiang Daozhen himself has taken that step, being in the challenge of breaking from Tier Seven to Tier Eight, a process anciently called Bone Transformation.

This stage is also called the Bone Transformation Tribulation, whereas tracking back to the transition from Tier Six to Tier Seven Cultivation, that stage was called Vacuum Tribulation.

Before breaking through to Tier Seven, Jiang Daozhen was trapped in Vacuum Tribulation for as long as twenty-three years, barely advancing to Tier Seven Grand Calculator. Now, less than two years have passed, and he himself has taken another step, verifying and entering the Bone Transformation Tribulation?

At such a realm, cultivation no longer has a fixed pattern, many opportunities are also unrepeatable. Hence, even Zhao Sanjin himself can only provide insights in terms of realm, but cannot simply refer to his established methods.

Furthermore, Zhao Sanjin is the Ancestor Master of Observing Body Sect, while Jiang Daozhen cultivates the Lingxi Skill, their foundational paths are completely different. Sorcerers of Lingxi Sect, after breaking through to Great Success, their opportunities for advancement are even more enigmatic.

He Kao has already suspected that Elder Jiang’s so-called "advancement ceremony" this time is related to the big changes in the Magic Sect and Xiao Alliance.

Then, what is the significance of him inviting Ancestor Zhao to appear? Of course, it is significant, and extremely important! Currently, the highest cultivation in Magic Sect is Jiang Daozhen himself, no one has seen a Tier Eight Sorcerer.

People even couldn’t be sure if such a realm truly exists.

Some might wonder, what’s there to doubt? There have been clear records in the Magic Sect since ancient times, and with various Divine Artifacts passed through the generations, not to mention Tier Eight, it is enough to prove that an Ancestor must have broken through the legendary Tier Nine.

But on the other hand, no one has seen it with their own eyes in the current Magic Sect.

Ancient Ancestors might have reached such a realm, but whether contemporary Sorcerers have received the complete true inheritance? Or whether the society and era’s context has drastically changed, could the people today still achieve that level of success?

These all need to be proven with facts, and Zhao Sanjin’s appearance is equivalent to telling Jiang Daozhen two words—possible!

Zhao Sanjin said again: "I’ve heard Magic Sect has recently completed refining Pure Yang Pill, with your current state, the Pure Yang Pill may still offer some assistance. The key point lies not in Bone Marrow Cleansing, but rather in allowing you to more clearly perceive your own changes.

During Bone Transformation Tribulation, Divine Qi is unstable, mana circulation is uneven, you must not take pills together with others, otherwise it equals harming them.

Pure Yang Pill and Peony can only be taken by yourself, if spiritual effects do not operate evenly, internal injuries could occur, if controlled well, it may improve your state.

But one pill is enough, no need for more, be cautious when taking it, I see you’re not fully prepared yet.

Though my Breaking the Gate experience cannot be easily referred, regarding the Bone Transformation process, and corresponding realm insights, I could introduce a bit."

Zhao Sanjin likely told Jiang Daozhen many principles but used Divine Thought, others couldn’t hear it, even if they did, they probably wouldn’t comprehend it, forcing oneself to grasp a half-understanding might not be a good thing.

Jiang Daozhen rose to bow, just like He Kao had ceremoniously saluted him earlier, he also offered a reverent bow to Zhao Sanjin.

Zhao Sanjin accepted the salute calmly, then stood up and said: "Since you’ve seen me, your plans are accomplished. I have other matters, so I shall not linger."

This Ancestor Master was straightforward, showing his face and then departing, without any hesitation.

Guo Qianhuai quickly stood up: "Master Zhao, there’s something I need your guidance on."

Zhao Sanjin halted his steps, turned to look at him and said: "Guo Qianhuai, you are already a Supreme Elder, you shouldn’t be involved in sect matters, what’s the matter today?"