Chapter 937: Having a Woman to Cherish the Flower Soul

Haotian Reverend withdrew his wisp of consciousness, his expression turning grim. The myriad experiences of that wisp immediately flooded his mind. Although Qin Mu had erased the wisp's memories, Qin Mu's Bu Yi Divine Ability was not yet perfected, containing significant flaws. With a brief investigation, Haotian Reverend knew exactly how many Qin Mu-slaying methods he had employed.

"Is it the Brahma Heaven King Buddha's Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra? Brahma Heaven King Buddha's cultivation method is a mind art. Although this old monk has given out the Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra, very few in the Heavenly Court have managed to master this mind art."

He couldn't help but frown. The Brahma Heaven King Buddha's Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra was exceedingly difficult to learn. Previously, the old monk had never taught it outside, but now, seeing the unfavorable situation, he had proactively handed it over to the Heavenly Court. However, cultivating the Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra required extremely high Buddhist cultivation and exceptional mastery of Buddhist dharma; otherwise, it was impossible to learn. Even though Brahma Heaven King Buddha founded Buddhism, he was Haotian Reverend's junior. Haotian Reverend naturally wasn't likely to exert himself studying Buddhist dharma. If he were to start from scratch, he didn't know how many years would be wasted before he could thoroughly comprehend the thousands of Buddhist scriptures and learn the Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra.

Of course, Brahma Heaven King Buddha had still held back some secrets. The Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra belonged to the mind arts within the study of the mind. This method could be learned step by step through studying and comprehending Buddhist scriptures, slowly mastering it. If one's Buddhist nature and Zen heart were high enough, it could also be learned. But it could also be transmitted directly in a dream, without requiring comprehension.

Both methods had their pros and cons. The first method yielded a deeper understanding, representing true mastery, like Zhan Kong Tathagata, Monk Ming Xin, and Emperor Shitian King Buddha, who all belonged to the first type. They possessed profound Buddhist nature and high Zen heart realms. Qin Mu, however, belonged to the second type. The old Buddha directly transmitted the dharma in a dream, akin to an empowerment ritual, allowing direct use without comprehension. However, this method only allowed for *application*; it didn't convey the underlying principles or much insight. Qin Mu couldn't even clearly explain how the Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra's mind art operated.

"Master, do we need to create another Celestial Venerable Mu?" a demigod stepped forward, bowing and asking.

Haotian Reverend shook his head: "No need. Qin Mu is merely a minor figure, not worth my significant effort. My enemies are not him, but the Ancient Gods and other Celestial Venerables. Now that the situation is becoming clearer, with distinct allies and enemies, if I spend too much energy on Qin Mu, I will lose sight of the bigger picture." He smiled: "Kunwu, select eighteen outstanding disciples and send them to me. I will teach them the Eighteen Qin Mu-Slaying Methods, and they can find an opportunity to kill Qin Mu."

The demigod Kunwu affirmed, saying: "What cultivation realm should these disciples be?"

Haotian Reverend said: "Not too high; cultivating to the True God realm is sufficient."

There were no disciples of higher cultivation realms in Haotian Palace. Once his disciples achieved some cultivation, Haotian Reverend would dispatch them to serve in important Heavenly Court positions, ruling various heavens. Keeping disciples close wouldn't form a vast power. Only by sending them out to lead armies and expand his influence could he ensure his absolute authority. Kunwu bowed and left to select the eighteen disciples.

Not long after, Kunwu returned with eighteen disciples. His understanding of Haotian Reverend's proteges was deeper than Haotian Reverend's himself. This was because although Celestial Venerables had disciples everywhere, they rarely personally instructed them. Instead, they entrusted their most favored disciples to manage and teach these proteges, with the Celestial Venerables only occasionally teaching in person. Very few truly received the Celestial Venerable's true heritage. Even Yan Qiling, the disciple of the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, did not receive the Heavenly Emperor's true ultimate techniques. What she received were merely the Ancient God Grand Dao runes compiled by the Dao Ancestor, and the Heavenly Emperor taught her only a few major divine abilities like "Dao One" and "Dao Two." The eighteen individuals Kunwu brought were no exception.

Haotian Reverend looked at the eighteen and slightly frowned, saying, "These disciples are a bit weak; their magic power doesn't surpass Qin Mu's by much."

Kunwu quickly replied, "Disciple followed your instructions, imparting the Emperor's Throne cultivation methods to them for their own comprehension. Master, you taught us twenty-eight types of Emperor's Throne cultivation methods; they have all learned them. However, how much they can comprehend and understand depends on their individual aptitude and insight."

Haotian Reverend's interest was piqued. He said, "Tell me, how many Emperor's Throne cultivation methods have each of you comprehended, and how many have you merged?"

A woman stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Disciple Xiu Youfang has comprehended and merged three Emperor's Throne cultivation methods: the Four Phases Calamity Technique, the Biyou Grand Purity Scripture, and the Yin-Yang Grand Joy Technique. They are barely classified as a Minor Heavenly Court cultivation method."

Haotian Reverend nodded, saying, "Merging three Emperor's Throne cultivation methods can be called a Minor Heavenly Court cultivation method, but it's still not enough. That rebel Qin Mu has likely merged as many as three Emperor's Throne cultivation methods himself."

Another woman in purple stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Disciple Hua Anxiu has comprehended and currently merged four Emperor's Throne cultivation methods: the Underworld Immeasurable Scripture, the Xuandu Mahayana Scripture, the Four Phases Calamity Technique, and the Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Technique."

Haotian Reverend chuckled, "Their strength is just passable."

Another young man bowed, saying, "Disciple Pan Chunjin has comprehended the Azure Wood Great Desolation Scripture, the Southern Capital King Scripture, the Underworld Immeasurable Scripture, and the Yin-Yang Grand Joy Technique."

One by one, young deities stepped forward, each stating the cultivation methods they practiced. Although Haotian Reverend treasured his own true ultimate techniques and was unwilling to pass them on, Haotian Palace had an abundance of Emperor's Throne cultivation methods, and he didn't forbid his disciples and proteges from learning them. How many they learned depended on their individual capabilities. The disciples Kunwu selected, though all True Gods, had typically merged three or four Emperor's Throne cultivation methods. The most proficient among them had merged five, all constituting Minor Heavenly Court cultivation methods, which were not considered exceptionally outstanding.

Of course, such individuals, if placed in the outside world, would absolutely be considered top-tier geniuses! Across the myriad heavens, Emperor's Throne cultivation methods were exceedingly rare. In some worlds, let alone a single Emperor's Throne method, even finding a True God was difficult.

Haotian Reverend waited for each of the eighteen to describe their learned cultivation methods before looking at Kunwu and asking, "Is that all?"

Kunwu hesitated, then said, "Master, you asked for disciples at the True God realm, so I found fifteen True Gods. Besides them, there are a few others who have merged more Emperor's Throne cultivation methods, and one of them has even barely reached the level of a Grand Heavenly Court cultivation method."

Haotian Reverend was slightly moved. A Grand Heavenly Court cultivation method was one that had merged eighteen or more Emperor's Throne cultivation methods! In this world, only Celestial Venerables could merge various Emperor's Throne cultivation methods and comprehend Grand Heavenly Court methods. He hadn't expected to have a disciple who had reached such a level.

Kunwu looked troubled. "This person has merged eighteen Emperor's Throne cultivation methods, barely qualifying as Grand Heavenly Court level, but their realm is not True God; it's the Divine Bridge realm..."

"Someone at the Divine Bridge realm can merge eighteen Emperor's Throne cultivation methods?" Haotian Reverend was inwardly startled. Such talent was comparable to that of the Ten Celestial Venerables of the Heavenly Court. And being so young, still at the Divine Bridge realm, made him feel somewhat wary. "No need to worry about cultivation realms; Qin Mu's realm isn't high either." Haotian Reverend suppressed his shock and smiled, "That bandit Mu isn't even a deity yet, and he's only merged three or four Emperor's Throne cultivation methods. Bring this disciple to me."

Kunwu left, and after a moment, he returned with the individual. Haotian Reverend looked and saw that the person was a woman. She gracefully bowed before him, saying, "Disciple Lian Huahun greets Master."

Haotian Reverend's heart stirred. He smiled, "Rise."

The woman, Lian Huahun, gracefully rose. Haotian Reverend scrutinized her, observing that Lian Huahun was stunningly beautiful, with slender, sculpted shoulders. Her attire was perfectly fitting, though her bosom strained the fabric slightly, yet it tapered elegantly at her waist. Her eyes were captivating; gazing into them, one couldn't help but feel a stirring in their heart. Her sash fluttered behind her, and behind her head, a halo of vital qi formed a circular wheel, floating ethereally, untouched by any worldly grime. The woman's appearance bore a slight resemblance to his mother, Lady Yuanmu!

Haotian Reverend assessed her, secretly praised her beauty, and suppressed an internal "fire," thinking, "I actually have such a woman among my disciples?" He opened his eyes wider for a closer look. The woman showed no signs of artificial sculpting; both her physical body and soul were naturally formed, not a beauty created through creation techniques. Since he himself had devised a honeytrap to scheme against the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, he would naturally be cautious, lest someone use a similar stratagem against him. Although he had inherited a bad habit or two from the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, he was inherently cautious. Historically, many had tried to use honeytraps on him, but he had always accepted the beauties with a smile, then subsequently eliminated them.

Haotian Reverend observed her for a moment, and the internal "fire" in his heart became difficult to suppress again. He smiled, "The other disciples will each receive one of my Qin Mu-slaying methods, but Lian Huahun will cultivate all eighteen Qin Mu-slaying methods. You all will eliminate Qin Mu for me. I will personally refine a treasure for each of you to protect your divine consciousness, preventing you from falling into that bandit Mu's divine consciousness illusions."

Everyone bowed in agreement.

Kunwu said, "Master, it's difficult to act within the Heavenly Court. Although Celestial Venerable Mu has no power base there, many Ancient Gods and Celestial Venerables secretly protect him."

Haotian Reverend pondered for a moment, then said, "Celestial Venerable Huo and Celestial Venerable Void teamed up to explore the Primordial Realm and discovered many dangers. Celestial Venerable Huo sent word back, saying it's fraught with peril and recommending the Heavenly Court dispatch troops to conquer it. Since we cannot kill him in the Heavenly Court, we shall kill him in the Primordial Realm. It won't be difficult to find a reason to send him there."

Kunwu affirmed.

"Kunwu, you may withdraw. The rest of you stay here; I will impart to you the Eighteen Qin Mu-Slaying Methods." Haotian Reverend's gaze fell upon the nineteen individuals, and seeing Lian Huahun again, his heart stirred once more, a recurring old habit inherited from the Heavenly Emperor. However, Lian Huahun was not yet for his consumption; he still needed her to eliminate Qin Mu. He had to suppress himself and diligently teach them the Eighteen Qin Mu-Slaying Methods.

In the Yaohchi Winding Corridor Pavilion, Qin Mu toyed with the Great Emperor Seal. After a moment, his divine consciousness surged into the seal, and he commanded, "Rise!"

*Thud.*

The Great Emperor Seal fell to the ground. Qin Mu scratched his head, picked up the Great Emperor Seal, and switched to vital qi manipulation, commanding, "Rise!" The Great Emperor Seal floated in the air, but it had no power whatsoever. He opened the vertical eye on his forehead, attempting to control the precious seal with his third eye, but still nothing unusual happened. He then tried to construct the Taiwei Palace within the Great Emperor Seal using his divine consciousness. The Great Emperor Seal wobbled and floated up. Qin Mu's heart rejoiced, only for the Great Emperor Seal to fall to the ground with another thud.

"This broken seal is utterly useless!" Qin Mu, in a fit of rage, pulled out the Origin Wood Core and slammed it down fiercely. The Winding Corridor Pavilion shook violently, almost collapsing from the Origin Wood Core's immense power. Yet, the precious seal remained unchanged; despite the Origin Wood Core's extraordinary hardness, it didn't damage the seal in the slightest.

"This thing is so hard, it would be great for smashing people."

Qin Mu put away the precious seal, and Shu Jun's voice echoed in his mind, sneering, "The Great Emperor Ju Yu's precious seal, and you're using it to smash people? What a low-level species! Give me your vital essence and divine consciousness for one year, and I'll teach you how to activate the Great Emperor Seal!" Previously, he had demanded three years, but now he only asked for one, which was a significant discount.

Qin Mu ignored him, took out the box Celestial Venerable Yun had left him, and observed the altar inside. Shu Jun's mood became tense. "Has this fellow figured it out?" Qin Mu closed the box again, and Shu Jun finally relaxed. Suddenly, Qin Mu chuckled, "Shu Jun, if you transmit the other cultivation methods of the Taiwei Palace Supreme Consciousness to me, I'll help you restore your other eye."

Shu Jun sneered, "Dream on! The Taiwei Palace Supreme Consciousness is only one-third of the complete cultivation method. Is transmitting the whole thing to you only worth one eye? At the very least, it's a whole head! Moreover, you still haven't helped me find out who that Creator in the Heavenly Court is; your promise remains unfulfilled!"

Qin Mu laughed in exasperation, "You old schemer, our agreement was for me to help you find that Creator, and for you to transmit the divine consciousness cultivation method to me. Yet you only gave me one-third! And you have the nerve to say I'm not fulfilling my promise!"

Shu Jun sneered, "I merely said I would teach you how to cultivate using the Primordial Stone; I never said I would transmit the complete cultivation method to you. I haven't violated our promise, have I?"

Qin Mu trembled with rage. "You old geezer!"

The fleshy orb on the Primordial Stone altar also trembled with anger. "You too!"

A moment later, Qin Mu's face lit up with a smile. "If you transmit the complete cultivation method to me, I'll provide vital essence and divine consciousness to help you restore your head. How about that proposal?"

Shu Jun pondered for a moment, then said, "Good. You and I need to cooperate sincerely; neither of us is allowed to play tricks anymore!"

Qin Mu affirmed, his eye twitching. He thought to himself, "I will naturally let you restore your head, but I'll absolutely not restore your brain. Forget about your ears, your other eye, mouth, teeth, or tongue. I'll only restore an empty skull for you!"