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Chapter 985: Chapter 985: The Inverse Technique

The fact that the capital of Da Yin had been nearly leveled would severely undermine the confidence of the people.

"Yi Yan, you will oversee the efforts to reassure the citizens and reconstruct the Lingxiao Heavenly Court. Utilize all available resources—move mountains, forge seas—rebuild it stronger than ever," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes," Yi Yan responded immediately, ready to carry out the task.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the plaza before the Longevity Hall, Nezha's subordinates were still frozen in shock. Holding Nezha's unconscious body, they stared in horror at the events that had just transpired.

Da Yin was this powerful?

Just days ago, they had been brimming with confidence, but now they felt only shame. Indeed, they had come here to die—how fortunate that the Holy King of Da Yin had shown mercy.

Zhong Shan adjusted his robes and turned to Tian Shenzi.

"Senior, I apologize for the disturbance," Zhong Shan said respectfully.

Tian Shenzi looked at Zhong Shan with a hint of surprise.

"We haven't seen each other for centuries, and now you're able to contend with Ancestral Immortals. That's quite impressive, very impressive indeed," Tian Shenzi remarked.

"I'm still far from your level, Senior—driving away an Ancestral Immortal with a single blow," Zhong Shan replied.

"Come inside, let's talk," Tian Shenzi said.

Zhong Shan nodded and followed Tian Shenzi into the golden palace, though they didn't venture deeper into the palace. Zhong Shan knew that without Tian Ling'er's presence, there was no going further into that mysterious place.

"Where is Tian Lingzi?" Tian Shenzi asked.

Tian Lingzi, of course, was Tian Ling'er. After being crowned as the head of the Tian family, she had taken on the title "Tian Lingzi."

Having now experienced the Grand Thousand World, Zhong Shan understood the significance of the title "Zi"—a title reserved only for true Ancestral Immortals. However, some figures who were great in name only might still bear the title, but the Tian family was confident that any head of the family would inevitably become an Ancestral Immortal.

"At the time of the creation of the world, Da Yin was not strong enough to withstand the gods and demons. Ling'er has returned to her ancestral home for a time, and I plan to bring her back once I've advanced my cultivation to the next level," Zhong Shan explained.

"Not strong enough to resist? That's understandable—the Grand Thousand World is vastly different from the Small Thousand World. Still, you've come a long way in just a few hundred years," Tian Shenzi acknowledged.

"Indeed, it hasn't been easy, but as you saw today, without your intervention, I would have struggled greatly against Zilu. Even if I managed to drive him away, I would have been gravely wounded. It seems that in the Grand Thousand World, Da Yin's expansion hasn't kept pace with the rise of my enemies," Zhong Shan said with a wry smile.

"Having powerful enemies is also a sign of strength. Some people can't even attract enemies, but to have foes as formidable as yours only drives you to grow stronger," Tian Shenzi remarked, showing no disdain for Zhong Shan's words.

Zhong Shan nodded in agreement, understanding the truth of this. He had merely voiced his thoughts aloud.

"This time, has your emergence from seclusion affected you?" Zhong Shan asked.

"There will be some impact, but it's not significant. It will pass after some time. However, I've noticed that Da Yin is still somewhat lacking in strength," Tian Shenzi observed thoughtfully.

Zhong Shan frowned slightly but did not refute him.

"Still, the fact that you've achieved this much in such a short time is commendable," Tian Shenzi said, offering some comfort.

Zhong Shan smiled but didn't respond, sensing that Tian Shenzi had more to say.

"Having Tian Lingzi stay with others isn't ideal. You should bring her back as soon as possible," Tian Shenzi advised.

"Yes, I'm well aware of that," Zhong Shan replied affirmatively.

Tian Shenzi seemed to pick up on Zhong Shan's hesitation—clearly, Zhong Shan felt that his current strength wasn't sufficient and wanted to wait until he was more powerful.

"I've noticed you possess a technique related to the Fate Manipulator," Tian Shenzi observed.

"Tian's technique, left behind by a Sage in the Small Thousand World. Would you like to take a look?" Zhong Shan offered.

"Let me see it," Tian Shenzi nodded.

Zhong Shan took out a jade slip containing the technique. Tian Shenzi examined it carefully.

"Indeed, it's a Sage's technique, but it has a flaw," Tian Shenzi remarked.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan responded with surprise.

"This technique can protect you from others' calculations, but it won't shield you from being calculated by the Sage who created it," Tian Shenzi explained.

"I'm aware of that," Zhong Shan nodded, acknowledging the limitation.

Tian Shenzi looked deeply at Zhong Shan and said, "I can make a small modification so that it can shield you from the Sage as well."

"Senior, can that really be done?" Zhong Shan asked, his tone serious.

If Tian Shenzi could truly alter the technique, it would be invaluable. Zhong Shan knew that he would eventually encounter the Sage known as Mi Tian again. But just how powerful was Tian Shenzi, to even understand the intricacies of a Fate Manipulator's techniques?

Tian Shenzi made a subtle gesture, and his power lightly flowed into the jade slip before he handed it back to Zhong Shan.

"I've made the adjustments to Tian's technique. Additionally, I've left you with another technique," Tian Shenzi said.

Zhong Shan's spiritual sense probed the jade slip, confirming the modifications. The changes were minor, but they would allow Zhong Shan to block even the calculations of the Sage Mi Tian. And there was another technique?

"'Inverse Technique?'" Zhong Shan read the name, surprised.

"The path of the Fate Manipulator has its own rules, and I cannot teach you the ways of calculation. However, I can impart some peripheral techniques. This Inverse Technique won't help you calculate others, but if someone tries to calculate you, it will allow you to see their appearance, albeit for just an instant," Tian Shenzi explained with gravity.

Understanding the value of the Inverse Technique, Zhong Shan realized it would provide him with a significant advantage. This was an incredibly powerful technique, a substantial gift.

Zhong Shan, who had been in dire need of something like this, did not refuse. However, he knew that Tian Shenzi likely had an ulterior motive.

"May I ask what Senior wants in return?" Zhong Shan asked directly.

"Nothing in particular. You've taken care of Tian Lingzi for so long—consider this as the Tian family's way of repaying that debt," Tian Shenzi replied.

Shaking his head, Zhong Shan said, "Ling'er is my wife. I owe no thanks for doing what I should. I'll hold onto the favor from the Inverse Technique for now, and I'll repay it in the future."

Zhong Shan understood that there were no free lunches in this world, and he would eventually need to repay this favor. He wasn't na?ve enough to think otherwise.

As Zhong Shan pondered this, another technique came to mind—the Central Art.

This was a technique given to him by the Central Leader during a projection in the Small Thousand World. The leader had instructed Zhong Shan to refine it for Bao'er, but Zhong Shan had held onto it, wary that it might be a trap. If Bao'er were to be fully controlled by the Central Leader because of this technique, it would be disastrous. Zhong Shan had been hoping to find a flaw in the technique, something that could give him an edge when he eventually clashed with the Central Leader.

Should he ask Tian Shenzi to take a look?

No, Zhong Shan shook his head internally. He couldn't let his guard down. It was this principle of caution that had kept him alive all these years. While Tian Shenzi had given him a valuable gift, it wasn't enough to earn his complete trust. Tian Shenzi was strong, but Zhong Shan knew he needed to be even more vigilant.

"What's wrong?" Tian Shenzi noticed Zhong Shan's brief hesitation.

"Nothing," Zhong Shan shook his head.

"I'm counting on you to bring Ling'er back. Here, I'll give you another treasure," Tian Shenzi said.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised.

Tian Shenzi extended his hand and retrieved a large, one-zhang-wide disk covered with intricate symbols.

"What is this?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.

Tian Shenzi then produced two purple jade talismans.

"Place this disk in any location in the mortal realm. Once you leave, as long as you're still in the mortal realm, no matter where you are—even if you're in the Small Thousand World's mortal realm—you can crush one of these purple jade talismans to instantly transport yourself back to the disk's location," Tian Shenzi explained.

"Fixed-point teleportation?" Zhong Shan was astonished.

This was a divine artifact! To be able to return to a specific location no matter where you are by simply crushing a talisman—this was an incredible power.

"Yes. This was created by the first head of the Tian family, using the 'Space Divine Ability.' Only these two purple jade talismans remain. Use them wisely and make sure to bring Tian Lingzi back," Tian Shenzi said seriously.

Zhong Shan looked at Tian Shenzi with a mix of surprise and understanding, sensing that there was more to this gesture. But he simply nodded and said, "You can count on me."

"Good," Tian Shenzi nodded in return.

Having received two powerful treasures, Zhong Shan was certainly pleased, but he wasn't about to blindly follow Tian Shenzi's orders. Bringing Tian Ling'er back was something he would do only when he was sure he could protect her adequately. He decided to wait until he reached the Ancient Immortal realm before attempting to bring her back.

Zhong Shan exited the golden palace, which then slowly receded back into Tianxia Peak.

As Tian Shenzi returned to his seclusion, the ministers of Da Yin were left with a deeper understanding of the hidden power within their kingdom. It became clear that Tianxia Peak, and perhaps other restricted areas within the Lingxiao Heavenly Court, held far more than they had realized.

Those who had witnessed Da Yin's rise and the creation of the Lingxiao Heavenly Court swallowed hard, marveling at the sheer power their Holy King had managed to gather. When had Zhong Shan amassed such formidable strength? How much more was there that they didn't know about?

Their admiration and reverence for Zhong Shan deepened even further.

Elsewhere, in a city within Da Yin...

Sekong had been waiting in the city, staying informed by eavesdropping on conversations in a local inn.

"You wouldn't believe it! On that day at the Lingxiao Heavenly Court, the Holy King was so powerful! With just one punch, he pierced right through the Xiaojin Beast—I saw it with my own eyes!"

"Nonsense! The Holy King didn't just punch it to death; he stomped it flat! I saw it too. Everyone lent their strength to the Holy King, and he grew to a colossal size. He crushed the Xiaojin Beast with one stomp!"

"And what about that Zilu guy? They say he was a disciple of some Sage, right? So what happened to him?"

"What happened?"

"I heard the Holy King beat him so badly that he fled, broken and bloody, barely escaping with his life!"

"No way! I heard he barely escaped with a wisp of his soul!"

"Bull! That was just a show the Holy King put on for the Sage. I heard our army ambushed him on the way back, and my cousin was part of that ambush!"

...

The inn was filled with people bragging and exaggerating the events they had heard.

Sekong, listening to all of this, broke into a cold sweat.

"Thank goodness I was smart enough to leave! If I hadn't, I'd be in big trouble. That Zhong Shan is just too terrifying," Sekong muttered to himself, feeling fortunate to have escaped.

Without wasting another moment, Sekong left the city. He didn't want to stay in Fengzhong Territory any longer and was eager to return to the Kong family as quickly as possible.

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8