Chapter 1178: True Words Awakening (Early Dawn)

Bai Xin said, "Let's go."

Jiang Fan cupped his hands and asked, "Commander Bai, how can I travel to other major states?" As an official, she should know best.

Bai Xin replied, "There are three ways. First, you can use the Astrological Bureau's official state-level teleportation array. However, during non-special periods, Taicang State is not open to other major states. Second, you can cross the Void Sea. A Nascent Soul cultivator would take at least half a year, or up to a year, to reach an adjacent major state. Third, you could use a privately built state-level teleportation array, but these are very secretive, rare, and unstable."

The so-called Void Sea refers to the sea beyond the Four Seas. These waters have no demonic energy or spiritual power; they are dead zones where no living beings can survive. Different major states are separated by the Void Sea.

Jiang Fan pondered, "Can I use the merits from the reconnaissance mission to request an opportunity to use the official state-level teleportation array?"

Bai Xin said, "Then you'll have to ask the Grand Wine Sacrifice."

Jiang Fan nodded slightly. "Commander Bai, please wait a moment. I'll be right back."

With a sweep of his soul power, he found the two young girls on a barren plot in the back mountain. The Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets and other Nascent Soul stage cultivators were all there.

Jiang Fan flashed over. He found the two young girls each on a mountaintop, preparing for their tribulation. Liu Qingxian and Xia Chaoge had lent their Bright Splendor Robes to the two girls. Ye Banxia was uncharacteristically generous, lending out both of her jade-carved phoenix chairs.

The Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets and Fairy Yunshang each served as guardians for one of them. The treatment they received was far better than what others got during their tribulations.

The reason was simple. They were both demonesses, and their opportunities for tribulation were much rarer than for humans. Perhaps these were the only two Heavenly Demon Remains in the entire Taicang State. If they failed, they would never have another chance. Therefore, they were given exceptional attention.

Jiang Fan took out two Bodhi Pills, ready to send them over, but Yue Mingzhu stopped him.

She pouted slightly, "Look how much you worry about them! Keep the Bodhi Pills for others; don't waste them. I'll guarantee these two girls."

Jiang Fan was puzzled. "You'll guarantee them?" Speaking of which, Yue Mingzhu had once said she would guarantee Liu Qingxian's successful tribulation. As a result, though he didn't know how she did it, Liu Qingxian, who should have failed, truly succeeded.

Yue Mingzhu lifted her chin. "First, tell me, is there any reward?"

Jiang Fan couldn't help but laugh. "If you really have a way to make them both succeed, I promise you one thing, as long as I can do it."

Yue Mingzhu's eyes lit up. "Good, it's a deal!" She rubbed her hands, revealing a foxy, cunning smile.

According to the *Emperor's Qi-Gazing Art*, the more one manipulates luck, the more susceptible one is to backlash upon reaching the Soul Transformation stage. Therefore, she usually remained an observer when others underwent tribulation. She had only intervened when Liu Qingxian underwent her tribulation. Now, if she could gain a promise from Jiang Fan, enduring a bit of backlash in the future would be worth it.

Soon after, the two girls' tribulations began. With Yue Mingzhu's help, although the two girls' heavenly tribulations were fraught with peril, they always managed to turn danger into safety. This left everyone marveling. Even Jiang Fan couldn't help but gaze at Yue Mingzhu in astonishment.

Could she control the heavenly tribulation? Or was there some other reason?

When the heavenly tribulation dissipated, the two young girls showed no signs of discomfiture, leaving everyone present dumbfounded.

The two young girls were overjoyed. However, their joy didn't last long. Because their Daoist titles had appeared!

Liuli's Daoist title was the "Child-Seeking Demon Empress." Liuli was so embarrassed her toes were practically digging through her shoe soles. "This name is too embarrassing, isn't it? It sounds like I can bear children for anyone."

Lingshu's wasn't much better: the "Tea Art Demon Empress."

Lingshu's small face turned red, and she said aggrievedly, "Me? Where do I have 'tea art'? Is it wrong to consider Brother's feelings?"

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. That old woman, the Ancient Saint, was getting increasingly reckless with Daoist titles!

He stepped forward to comfort the two girls, saying, "Don't mind that old woman. She's always like this."

*Boom—* A bolt of lightning struck down. Jiang Fan was prepared; he activated his Abyss Heart, and the lightning that struck him immediately flowed into his body, surging into his chest, into a lightning-shaped core resembling a heart. "Heh heh, you old hag, I was prepared for you!"

It would have been better if he hadn't said that. As soon as he finished, the dissipating dark clouds in the sky re-condensed. Bolts of lightning rained down on Jiang Fan as if they were free. The dense lightning was almost comparable to an early-stage tribulation.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Seriously, why did the Ancient Saint always pick on Jiang Fan? Others could curse the Ancient Saint with the nastiest words, and she wouldn't pay them any mind. Jiang Fan would just murmur something, and the Ancient Saint would blast him incessantly.

When the dark clouds dispersed, Jiang Fan was beaming with joy. Although this wave of lightning didn't fully fill his Abyss Heart, it was enough for him to continuously use his lightning-based divine abilities for a considerable period. Moreover, this lightning could also be extracted and used to cultivate the Hell Lotus! "Thanks, you old hag!" Jiang Fan chuckled.

He then returned to Yue Mingzhu's side, looking her up and down with an astonished expression: "Since when did I become unable to see through you?"

Yue Mingzhu said proudly, "It's better if you can't see through me. That way, you'll still have a little interest in me."

Her words made it sound as if Jiang Fan was someone who quickly grew tired of things. He pinched Yue Mingzhu's cheek and said with a gentle smile, "Thank you for helping the two girls. Tell me, what do you want me to do for you?"

To be honest, he was still a little wary of Yue Mingzhu. She had her own ideas and wasn't as obedient to Jiang Fan as other women. Her actions were unpredictable and hard to guess. Now, she wouldn't propose a difficult request, would she?

Yue Mingzhu gazed at Jiang Fan's face and smiled gently: "Find some time to spend with me. The last time you spent time with me was during the Taihu mission in Sunset City. And that was a long, long time ago."

Jiang Fan was startled. So, Yue Mingzhu's request was so simple. How much had he neglected her? A pang of apology flashed through his heart, and he nodded, "Okay!"

Only then did Yue Mingzhu show a satisfied expression, waving her hand goodbye and departing.

Jiang Fan sighed. Once this busy period was over, he would definitely spend quality time with everyone.

Bracing himself, he called over Liuli and Lingshu, saying, "I'll take you to try and see if we can use the official state-level teleportation array."

If not, he would have to activate the commercial alliance of the Jiangshan First-Class Pavilion to offer a reward for information on privately built state-level teleportation arrays.

Finding Bai Xin, the group of four arrived at the underground palace. After Ye Banxia's modifications, this array could now transport them to any of the Three Divine Sects or Seven Great Cults. Traveling through Taicang State would be much easier from now on. As long as they had enough high-grade spirit stones and good relations with the Three Divine Sects and Seven Great Cults, visiting all ten sects in a single day wouldn't be a problem.

He placed a high-grade spirit stone in the center of the array. The array immediately activated, unleashing powerful spatial energy that enveloped the four, causing them to vanish within the formation.

At the same time, in the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. In a secret chamber, Venerable Zhenyan sat cross-legged on a stone bed. In her hand, she held the mirror from her past, sensing the faint domain on its surface. Beads of sweat emerged from her forehead. Her delicate brows were tightly furrowed, and a hint of pain was faintly visible in her expression. This reflected her inner struggle.

After a long time, it was as if she had finally comprehended something. The pain receded, and her bewildered gaze gradually became clear. She gazed at the mirror, looking at herself reflected within, and murmured: "I reflect on myself three times daily. I am... Venerable Zhenyan."

Behind her head, a golden arc of light flashed and disappeared.