Chapter 171: Fox Tail

The Grand Unifying Cultivation Method of the Great Educational Heavenly Devil Scripture has only one requirement: it must integrate all the spells, divine arts, sword arts, and combat techniques within the scripture. Furthermore, it must also encompass profound techniques like the Seven Chapters of Creation.

Only by achieving this can it truly be called a "Grand Unification."

After receiving the scriptures transmitted from the Woodcutter Stone, successive Cult Masters of the Heavenly Devil Cult were required to comprehend their own Grand Unifying Cultivation Method. Only by doing so could they secure their position as Cult Master.

Otherwise, in a sect like the Heavenly Devil Cult, which doesn't mind subordinates eliminating the Cult Master, changing leaders would become a common occurrence.

Those who became Cult Masters of the Heavenly Devil Cult were all exceptionally talented, every one of them a genius. Even Cult Master Li Tianxing, who was criticized for his indulgence in women, was a person of immense talent; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to plant a heart demon in Grandma Si's Dao heart, a feat even powerful figures like the Village Chief and the Mute couldn't unravel.

However, what shocked the Three Heavenly Kings of the Cult was the speed at which Qin Mu comprehended the Grand Unifying Cultivation Method. In just over ten days, he had already begun to grasp its essence, starting the process of integration and synthesis.

What they didn't know was that Qin Mu's so-called "Tyrant Body" possessed no elemental qi attributes of its own, yet it could transform into any elemental qi attribute. Furthermore, the "Three-Pills of Overlord Body Skill" also lacked any specific attributes, allowing it to similarly adopt any characteristic.

Qin Mu used the Three-Pills of Overlord Body Skill as his foundation, building upon it and refining it, integrating the doctrines and principles of the Great Educational Heavenly Devil Scripture, and incorporating the profound mysteries from the scriptures transmitted via the stone. This allowed his Grand Unifying Cultivation Method to take preliminary form.

The phrase "follow one's nature, purely in accord with spontaneity" was exemplified by him to its fullest.

Although his Grand Unifying Cultivation Method was based on the Three-Pills of Overlord Body Skill, the Overlord Body Skill itself had no branches or leaves. The cultivation methods from the Great Educational Heavenly Devil Scripture became the branches, and the spells, divine arts, sword arts, and combat techniques became the leaves.

Like a magnificent tree coming into being, the cultivation method was completed, everything unfolding naturally.

A moment later, Qin Mu "charged" to the base of the pine and cypress tree. The three Heavenly Kings beneath it were incredibly nervous, fearing he might seize the opportunity to chop down the ancient tree, a symbol of the Sacred Cult, while they were unprepared.

Unexpectedly, upon reaching the tree, Qin Mu didn't continue towards it. Instead, he sat down on the Sage's Stone, assuming the lotus position, and entered a meditative state.

Elemental qi swirled around him, his spirit embryo stirred, the five stars vibrated, and the Five Element Deities each ascended into the sky, settling on the Five Luminaries.

He directed his gaze towards his nose, his nose towards his heart, his breath like white light, his eyes containing golden radiance. He remained motionless in deep meditation.

Just as Heavenly King Lu was about to speak, Heavenly King Shi quickly made a silencing gesture and tiptoed away. Heavenly King Lu and Heavenly King Yu also quickly lightened their steps and tiptoed after him.

"This generation's Sacred Cult Master is truly remarkable," Heavenly King Shi remarked.

After walking some distance, Heavenly King Shi looked back at Qin Mu and mused, "The Patriarch indeed had great foresight. The future of our Sacred Cult will likely rest on his shoulders. Such talent and comprehension are rare in this world."

"Still, he can't compare to a sage who appears once every five hundred years," Heavenly King Yu sighed. "A being like the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace... appears only once every five hundred years."

Heavenly King Lu looked at the widespread mess across the mountain—trees toppled by Qin Mu's frantic movements and various spells and divine arts during his comprehension. In some areas, fallen trees were still burning, crackling loudly.

"Someone rare in the world naturally can't compare to someone appearing once every five hundred years; after all, only one such person emerges every five centuries. Our Sacred Cult Master is good in every way, except he's too destructive."

The Heavenly King mused, "Wasn't Mount Sacred Arrival only this ravaged when the Dao Sect and Great Thunderclap Temple invaded?"

"Say no more. He is, after all, the Cult Master chosen by the Patriarch. No matter how destructive he is, we must endure it. Come on, let's go put out the fires!"

Qin Mu sat in silent meditation on the Sage's Stone for another half-day before hunger roused him. He called for Fox Spirit to hunt a deer. The two of them, boy and fox, lit a fire and roasted the deer meat. However, they only ate half of it before both Qin Mu and Fox Spirit lost their appetite.

"Young Master, are you tired of eating this?"

The little fox idly picked at her teeth, saying, "I saw some fish-dragons in the Fish Viewing Pond; they look quite delicious and are very plump."

"I saw them too; they certainly whet the appetite," Qin Mu admitted.

Qin Mu hesitated, then said, "I'm afraid I can't defeat those fish. But Grandpa Apothecary said, 'If you can't defeat them, drug them.'"

Fox Spirit cheered, but halfway through her cry, the little fox quickly shut her mouth. Behind them stood the three Heavenly Kings of the Cult, their faces grim.

Qin Mu stood up and smiled, "When did the Heavenly Kings arrive?"

"Just now, just now," Heavenly King Shi replied kindly.

Heavenly King Shi, with a gentle expression, said, "Sacred Cult Master, please continue eating at your leisure. No need to rush. Oh, by the way, those fish-dragons in the Fish Viewing Pond were raised by the 16th Cult Master. Back then, the 16th Cult Master lectured his disciples by the pond, releasing some fish and using their transformation into dragons to enlighten his students. This became a famous anecdote, and so those fish-dragons were allowed to live. If the Sacred Cult Master has time, perhaps you could go count them by the pond, just to make sure none have slipped away."

Qin Mu's face flushed slightly. *So, these fish-dragons aren't for eating?*

"Cult Master, how's the deer meat?" Heavenly King Lu asked with a smile.

"Please, sit down and eat with us," Qin Mu invited.

The three Heavenly Kings didn't stand on ceremony; they each sat on the ground and shared the deer meat. Heavenly King Yu licked the oil from his fingers and chuckled, "The taste is really not bad! If I hadn't known these deer were raised by the previous Saintess, I would have eaten them long ago!"

*"Grandma Si raised them..."* Qin Mu's face darkened. *What else on Mount Sacred Arrival is edible?*

Heavenly King Lu casually remarked, "The forest you destroyed, Cult Master, was planted during the time of the Founding Patriarch. Ironwood trees grow slowly; it takes several millennia for them to reach such thickness."

Qin Mu shifted uncomfortably. He had completely destroyed that forest, leaving only a few charred ironwood trees standing starkly.

"The Sacred Heart Flowers in the flowerbed in front of the Sacred Heart Hall seem to have been picked by someone," Heavenly King Yu said with a smiling expression.

Qin Mu looked at Fox Spirit. Fox Spirit lowered her head, staring at a deer bone, her usually swishing, fluffy tail uncharacteristically still.

Heavenly King Shi added, "And the green lamps in Heavenly Fun Pavilion, which were filled with lamp oil, seem to have had quite a bit stolen and drunk by someone."

Fox Spirit felt Qin Mu's gaze on her tail and stealthily tucked it under her bottom as she sat.

Qin Mu cleared his throat twice, then stood up and said, "Three Heavenly Kings, I've been on Mount Sacred Arrival for many days, and it just occurred to me that I'm still a Grand Academician at the Imperial College and haven't attended many classes. I plan to leave Mount Sacred Arrival today and return to the capital."

The three Heavenly Kings all breathed a sigh of relief. Heavenly King Shi said, "By all rights, we should keep the Sacred Cult Master here to continue his comprehension, but after all, the Cult Master's studies are important, so we won't insist on him staying."

Heavenly King Yu politely added, "Sacred Cult Master, Mount Sacred Arrival is your home. Please come back often and don't consider yourself an outsider."

"Certainly, certainly," Qin Mu replied courteously. "As the Sacred Cult Master, it is only right that I often return to visit."

"Do you need us to escort the Sacred Cult Master down the mountain?"

"No, thank you. Please stay here, three Heavenly Kings."

"Young Master, it seems the Heavenly Kings of the Cult are tired of you," Fox Spirit said, blinking her eyes.

Qin Mu stared at her. The little fox stealthily hid her tail again. Qin Mu was speechless and shook his head, saying, "Though you cause trouble everywhere, they're all minor mishaps. I've caused quite a few troubles myself, and bigger ones at that, so I have no right to scold you. This is probably the first time in the history of the Sacred Cult that a Sacred Cult Master has been disliked by his subordinates. Well, since my Grand Unifying Cultivation Method is nearly complete, it's time to go down the mountain."

Fox Spirit quickly nodded.

Qin Mu experimented a few more times, feeling he had mastered the teleportation garment's technique. He held Fox Spirit in his arms and said, "I'm still a bit unsure about this teleportation. I have some pills in my pack, just in case my elemental qi runs out, to replenish it."

Fox Spirit clung tightly to his chest, not daring to relax. Qin Mu leapt, descending from Mount Sacred Arrival, and the rushing wind immediately filled his ears.

The young man's brocade robes flared and then contracted, and he abruptly vanished in mid-air.

The three Heavenly Kings rushed to the edge of the mountain and looked down, but they couldn't see any trace of Qin Mu.

"Asura Blood Eyes, open!"

Heavenly King Yu extended his index finger and touched his brow. A bright red light emanated from his eyes as he looked down. After searching for a moment, he finally found Qin Mu's trace and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "The Sacred Cult Master is safe. He's reached the edge of the Sky Thunder Forbidden Zone that encircles Mount Sacred Arrival. Once he crosses that zone, he'll be safe."

Heavenly King Lu's heart suddenly stirred. He quickly said, "Elder brothers, did either of you tell the Sacred Cult Master that there's a Sky Thunder Forbidden Zone outside Mount Sacred Arrival?"

Heavenly King Yu and Heavenly King Shi exchanged glances and both shook their heads. Heavenly King Shi stammered, "Junior Brother Lu, you didn't mention it to the Sacred Cult Master?"

Heavenly King Lu shook his head. "I thought you two had told him... Oh no!"

The faces of the three Heavenly Kings changed drastically. They quickly leaped down. The Sky Thunder Forbidden Zone was established by successive Cult Masters to protect the sacred ground. From the outside, there was no sign of anything unusual, but entering it would trigger strikes from the Azure Sky Thunder!

Not to mention Qin Mu, even a powerhouse of the Celestial-Human Realm would be severely injured, if not killed, upon entering!

Someone of Qin Mu's cultivation level would undoubtedly be blasted to ashes instantly!

The three Heavenly Kings moved incredibly fast, reaching the Sky Thunder Forbidden Zone and rushing into it to rescue him. Even with their profound cultivation, the three Heavenly Kings were struck until their faces and heads were scorched black.

Outside the Sky Thunder Forbidden Zone, Qin Mu glanced upwards, a lingering fear in his heart. "Fortunately, I used my Azure Sky Heavenly Eyes to see this hidden thunder zone and teleported directly out. Hmm, it looks like there's someone in the thunder zone..."

He didn't have time to look closer as his body was already falling from mid-air. Below him lay the verdant mountains and waters of Eternal Peace, obscured by patches of clouds, a truly magnificent sight.