Chapter 91: Three Gods Converge, Seeking Demons in Dreams, and Obtaining the Propaganda Painting

"Great Dream Spring and Autumn" is a profound secret technique for soul cultivation. As the state religion of Dali, this secret art possesses an exceptionally deep understanding of the soul's essence.

The heavenly and earthly souls often roam outside the body, with only the life soul residing within. When the heavenly, earthly, and life souls converge, it is known as 'Three Divine Confluence'.

However, 'Three Divine Confluence' is extremely difficult to achieve. Even cultivators cannot control it; the heavenly and earthly souls only occasionally resonate with the life soul.

To truly achieve 'Three Divine Confluence', where the divine souls become one, requires an exceptionally high realm.

Zhao Xing cultivates the introductory phase of "Great Dream Spring and Autumn," which continuously strengthens his life soul, effectively cultivating it.

While his heavenly and earthly souls cannot yet be considered 'cultivated,' his connection with them is also growing stronger.

Upon realizing his unease, Zhao Xing immediately deduced that his life soul had been stirred by his earthly soul.

After practicing the introductory phase, Zhao Xing closed his eyes, quickly fell asleep in the carriage, and his breathing became peaceful.

He soon entered a dream.

*Buzz*

In his dream, Zhao Xing saw a carriage.

"Purple-horned horses pulling the carriage! Brother Shen is truly prosperous now, to have such a ride.""Don't mock me; these are merely crossbreeds, with only a touch of exotic beast bloodline."

The carriage traveled along the official road outside the city. This scene completely replicated Zhao Xing's memory, including his conversation with Shen Zhui yesterday, every single detail.

"This is the Dream Storage Art.""It completely replicates and preserves every detail within the dream."

"From here, Shen Zhui and I left the city and headed to Anping Town."

Zhao Xing quietly observed.

This was not merely viewing from a God's-eye perspective; even the sensations were identical.

For example, Zhao Xing's emotion when teasing Shen Zhui, his happy mood during their conversation, the relaxation he felt while petting the cat, and the sense of tranquility when he arrived in Anping Town and saw farmers working in the fields.

"Through the Dream Storage Art, one can retrace all memories. Moods are just the most superficial; even extreme insights can be re-experienced."

Zhao Xing used the Dream Storage Art to find the cause of his unease. If it was indeed a stir from his earthly soul, Zhao Xing could feel it again.

"Brother Zhao, quickly, quickly!""What's the rush?"

This was the moment Zhao Xing cast a spell to control the East Lake Pearl, absorbing the clouds and rain above Anping Town.

At this moment, re-experiencing it through the Dream Storage Art, Zhao Xing even relived the sensation of casting the spell.

Following that was their arrival at the Anping Town village chief's house, learning about Huang Silang, going to the Niu family manor, encountering Huang Silang, and then forcing him to farm...

Throughout this process, Zhao Xing never felt anything amiss.

After a peaceful night, it was the next day.

Zhao Xing and Shen Zhui heard that Huang Silang had gone gambling again, rushed to the Niu family manor, and then Niu Gui opened the door...

"Hmm?"

Zhao Xing suddenly felt a faint anomaly.

"Is this when it started?""Is the Niu family manor problematic? Or is it Niu Gui?"

After entering the gate, Shen Zhui chopped down the gambling table.

Huang Silang woke up and tried to escape through the back door. Shen Zhui blocked him, while Zhao Xing looked at the rice farmers...

In the dream, the middle-aged man with prominent cheekbones spoke to him, with a pot-bellied woman standing beside him.

Throughout the entire process, the anomalous feeling gradually intensified.

After leaving, the feeling slowly weakened, and it quickly disappeared once they were far away.

"Hmm?"

Zhao Xing re-lived the dream scene repeatedly, eventually discovering that the peak of the anomalous feeling appeared at this moment:

"This humble one is Chen Deshun, and this is my unworthy wife, née Wu Chen..."

After the middle-aged man finished speaking this sentence, the anomalous feeling reached its peak, then slowly weakened.

Although the overall feeling was very vague and difficult to discern, Zhao Xing's life soul, at this moment, had made contact with his wandering earthly soul.

Upon careful comparison, he noticed it.

After reliving it several times, Zhao Xing found that the abnormal stir from his earthly soul had actually begun upon arriving in Anping Town.

"If the abnormal stir of the earthly soul from leaving the city to Anping Town is considered a normal value, let's set it as one."

"On the first day, encountering Huang Silang outside the Niu family manor was 1.1."

"On the second day, entering the Niu family manor and seeing Niu Gui, it reached 1.5."

"And speaking with that rice farmer, it was two."

Zhao Xing compared the sensations.He waved his hand.

*Buzz*

The scene in the dream changed, rewinding to the moment just before entering the Niu family manor.

This time, Zhao Xing immersed himself, reliving it from a first-person perspective.He activated the 'Dream Deduction' function of the Dream Storage Art.

"Niu Gui, are you going to invite us in?" Zhao Xing asked. "Right now, we're just coming in for a casual look. If we have to get a warrant to enter, it won't be so easy to settle things."

"Alright, please come in, sirs."

After entering the gate, without waiting for Shen Zhui to act, Zhao Xing immediately looked at the group of rice farmers squatting outside the hall.At the same time, he focused on the middle-aged couple.

"Lightning Lasso!"

Without another word, lightning appeared in Zhao Xing's palm, quickly forming a lightning lasso that shot towards the couple.

"Brother Zhao, what are you doing?" Shen Zhui was startled.

The seemingly simple and honest middle-aged couple, after being bound, looked utterly bewildered.

"Thunderous Palm!"

Zhao Xing cast another lightning spell and struck them.

"Kill!" The seemingly plain and honest middle-aged couple suddenly became ferocious, and then a bloody figure burst forth from their bodies. This bloody figure was covered with countless twisted arms and heads, as if many flesh-and-blood bodies were combined, and then it exploded, violently attacking Zhao Xing.

*Bang!*

The entire Niu family manor was enveloped by this bloody light, completely engulfing everything.

"Ah!"

The dream suddenly shattered. Zhao Xing's life soul felt a jolt, and then he woke up from the dream.

"Meow!" Sensing its master's palpitation, the mountain cat also abruptly arched its back, its fur bristling as if it had encountered a life-or-death crisis.

"Brother Zhao, what's wrong?" Shen Zhui was startled, as Zhao Xing's face was terrifyingly pale, completely devoid of color, and his aura had significantly dropped.

"Just a nightmare." Zhao Xing smiled and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Perhaps I've been too tired these past two days."

"Nightmare?" Shen Zhui was somewhat confused. What kind of nightmare could cause such a big reaction?

"I dreamed that my father was unwell." Zhao Xing said, "Brother Shen, I'm worried about my family. Let's forget about Huang Silang for now; just instruct the village chief. Let's return to the city first."

"Alright." Although Shen Zhui had some doubts, he didn't ask further. Even though their trip to Anping Town ended early because of a dream, it was understandable since Zhao Xing mentioned his family.

"Hup!" The carriage turned around and headed towards Gucheng.

At the Niu family manor, Chen Deshun, the master of the Three-Bend Hall (alias), and the deputy master were heading to the Niu family's fields with the rice farmers to begin their afternoon labor.

Suddenly—

A red light flashed in Chen Deshun's eyes, and a jolt came from within him.

"Hmm?"

Chen Deshun's expression changed slightly, and there was a hint of confusion in his eyes.

The woman beside him also stopped, and the two exchanged glances. They immediately made an excuse to leave and went under a shady locust tree.

"You felt it too?" Chen Deshun asked the woman.

"Yes." The woman nodded heavily. "What's going on? Why would the Venerable One issue a warning?"

"Could it be that the deity from Gucheng's temple is inspecting, which triggered the warning?"

"I don't know." Chen Deshun's expression was grim. "We need to go back and ask the Protector. You and I should first strengthen our blessings."

"Your turn or mine?" the woman asked.

"I'll do it," Chen Deshun said. "My cultivation is higher than yours, so I can withstand it."

"Alright."

Chen Deshun faced the locust tree, secretly unbuttoned his top, then cut his chest with a fingertip, revealing scarlet blood.

The blood flowed out but did not fall downwards; instead, it moved on his stomach, forming a pattern.

His gaze was blank, his pupils unfocused, and as the pattern slowly coalesced into a demonic head, his eyes turned completely blood-red.

On his belly, a twisted, bloody human face had appeared.

The woman immediately squatted down, holding Chen Deshun's waist with both hands, and pressed against his stomach, sucking the blood.

Moments later, the blood completely disappeared, and Chen Deshun returned to normal.

"Cough, cough... Why so much this time?" Chen Deshun's face was pale.

"I think we should leave Anping Town first," the woman said as she stood up. "This place is not suitable for us to stay long."

"Alright, I'll inform the Niu family."

*Clip-clop, clip-clop.*

Zhao Xing, inside the carriage after entering the city, let out a long breath.

When using the Dream Storage Art in Anping Town, his life soul received a resonance from his earthly soul, causing a jolt that made him feel extremely uneasy, as if something was lurking.

But then it disappeared. Therefore, Zhao Xing dared not say more, nor dared to return to the Niu family to investigate. Instead, he rushed back to the city.

"Could this feeling be a demonic god's clone from the Xuantian Cult?" Zhao Xing recalled the methods of the Xuantian Cult. Whenever the Xuantian Cult caused trouble in Great Zhou, they would inevitably carry a statue of a demonic god, with a Yin God clone hidden inside.

Just like when he went to find the River Scavengers and encountered Meng Yun carrying an East Lake Earl clone.

In his previous life, Zhao Xing had joined the Xuantian Cult's faction, so he was very familiar with these methods. To evade detection and surveillance, they had to have these things in conjunction with the Xuantian Cult's concealment spells.

However, he hadn't expected that by sensing his earthly soul through the Dream Storage Art, he would actually discover some clues.

"Great Dream Spring and Autumn is indeed a top-tier cultivation method. I've only just begun, yet I can discover anomalies through the Karma Soul."

"That middle-aged couple definitely has problems!"

"And they're not just simple believers! At least at the level of a hall master!"

Believers, being merely brainwashed, do not cultivate the Xuantian Cult's evil arts, nor can they have Yin Gods possessing them.

Those with Yin God possession must be hall masters executing missions.

What to do when encountering such a situation?Of course, he couldn't go in alone.

After returning to the city, Zhao Xing immediately reported to Old Chen.

Chen Shijie was puzzled to see Zhao Xing rushing back looking so distraught: "What's wrong? Why do you look so pale?"

"I suspect I've found traces of the Xuantian Cult."

Chen Shijie's expression became serious: "What's the situation? Tell me in detail."

Zhao Xing said: "I went to Anping Town to encourage farming and visited a local courtyard. I didn't feel anything at the time, but after leaving, I felt an inexplicable palpitation."

Chen Shijie asked: "Did the Auspicious Calamity Almanac give any warning?"

"No." Zhao Xing shook his head. "That's why I said I found traces of the Xuantian Cult, not just believers."

Chen Shijie nodded. Normally, they shouldn't be discovered. If they encountered a hall master level member, the Auspicious Calamity Almanac wouldn't warn.

Otherwise, they would have been caught long ago. Would the government still consider them a problem?

"Perhaps it was because we received too much spiritual essence on the mountain; both the little mountain cat and I sensed a palpitation. As soon as we left, it told me there were two bad people in that courtyard." Zhao Xing attributed the reason for his discovery to the mountain cat.

"Meow." The little mountain cat looked up. "Are you praising me?"

"Based on my memory, I drew what those two people looked like..." Zhao Xing handed over the completed portraits.

Chen Shijie took the portraits, glanced at them, then put them away.

"You don't need to worry about this matter. I'll find someone to investigate these two people."

After a pause, Chen Shijie added: "Right now, it's just a suspicion. Don't mention it to anyone else. Firstly, to prevent leaks, and secondly, to avoid unnecessary trouble for yourself."

"I understand." Zhao Xing nodded. He only told Old Chen because he trusted him; he might not even have made up this excuse for anyone else.

Otherwise, what if someone thought the mountain cat was extraordinary and wanted to borrow it?

So Zhao Xing didn't speak with certainty, using terms like 'suspected' and 'possibly'.

Old Chen's attitude was also good; he even considered Zhao Xing's well-being.

As for credit, that was secondary. He believed Old Chen would definitely keep him out of trouble regarding this matter.

As for whether Old Chen believed him and how he would use the information, Zhao Xing didn't think much about it.

His small frame was too delicate; major matters still relied on Old Chen to take the lead.

The day after returning to the city, which was also the last day of September, good news came from Zong Shichang's side: the "Preaching Paintings" had been located.

Zhao Xing hurried to the Zong manor and met Zong Shichang and Butler Tang.

"Young Master Zong, have the Preaching Paintings been settled?"

Zong Shichang waved his hand and said, "Is there anything I can't handle if money can buy it? They've arrived! Uncle Tang."

Butler Tang brought over several long boxes.

Zong Shichang patted the boxes and said, "A total of four Preaching Paintings."

"One of them is what I promised you; you don't need to pay extra."

"The other two were found by Lu Qian for you, and they've already been paid for."

"Only this last one requires your payment."

Zhao Xing got straight to the point: "How much?"

Zong Shichang said: "This fourth-tier high-grade 'Geomancy School' painting was acquired from the Cao family, untouched, with four remaining opportunities for comprehension. I'm not making a profit from you; the original price was three thousand two hundred taels, so you just pay three thousand two hundred taels."

"Alright." Zhao Xing felt that although the price was expensive, it was worth it. After selling his treasures, he had nearly four thousand taels in liquid funds, so he immediately paid the money.

As for the other three, they were obtained by selling battle anthems and battle verses, so no extra money was needed.

Butler Tang collected the silver notes, cupped his hands, and withdrew, leaving Zong Shichang and Zhao Xing to chat privately.

"Lu Qian asked me to tell you that these two paintings aren't enough to repay your favor. She'll find another fourth-tier painting for you later, Brother Zhao. Teach me, how did you manage to coax that fiery girl so perfectly?"

"When she talks to me and brings you up, her eyes are just full of tenderness, hehehe."

Zong Shichang was quite impressed with Zhao Xing at this point. To be able to handle Lu Qian was simply divine!

"Don't make wild guesses," Zhao Xing said. "It's like 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' finding its true connoisseur; she's paying for art!"

"I see. It seems I'll have to learn some proper art myself in the future." Zong Shichang pondered.

"Alright, let's not talk about that for now. Let me use your excellent location to comprehend the paintings."

"Certainly, you can choose any room in the Listening Water Pavilion." Zong Shichang pointed to the mountain cat and said, "Can I pet this kitten for a bit?"

"Sure, just give it some food."

"No problem, I've prepared a lot of large yellow croakers, guaranteed to be enough!"

Zhao Xing rolled up the boxes, found a quiet room in the Zong manor, and then set the boxes down.

"Fourth-tier Preaching Paintings. I saw one at my teacher's place before, a rubbing of the 'Myriad Growth Diagram'. With just one opportunity, it allowed me to comprehend 'Savage Growth' and 'Geomantic Essence'."

"At that time, my various spells were still very rudimentary. Now, most of them are Nine Revolutions, and some are even maxed out." Zhao Xing's eyes held some anticipation.

Preaching Paintings, when viewed at different times, yield different insights.

The less accumulation you have, the less you gain from it.

The more accumulation you have, the greater the gain!

"I hope to make a breakthrough this time."

Zhao Xing took a deep breath, opened the first box, and drew out the painting from the scroll.