Chapter 234: Chapter 184: The Secret of Divinity Transformation

"C-Captain!"

The Demon Snake guard grabbed the Guard Captain, who was about to turn and leave. His face was pale as he said, "Look at that seal!"

The Guard Captain glanced back impatiently, following the guard’s pointed finger.

When he saw the flame pattern on the True Vermilion Bird Feather clearly, his body instantly went rigid. The Bone Spear in his hand fell to the ground with a CLANG.

"The... the Dark Moon Venerable Fire Seal... Venerable Ming River’s Registered Disciple seal?!"

The Guard Captain’s eyes flew wide open, his face the color of golden paper.

There were only seven Divinity Transformation experts in the entire Vermilion Bird Star Domain.

As a Golden Core Cultivator guarding the capital’s gates, he might not remember every Saint Child from the various divisions in Star City, but he could recognize the seals of every Venerable Divinity Transformation with his eyes closed.

The Guard Captain recognized it at a glance as the token of Zhu Minghe, the Venerable Divinity Transformation from the Liaoyuan Division.

’I just tried to extort and mock a Registered Disciple of a Venerable Divinity Transformation... and even told him to crawl through the servant’s path?’

’How is that any different from slapping Venerable Ming River in the face!’

’Who would have known that in this group of shabbily dressed, unassuming Human Race Cultivators, one of them would actually be a Venerable’s disciple?’

The Guard Captain’s legs went weak, and he forced a smile that was uglier than a grimace.

"S-So you’re a Venerable’s esteemed disciple! I... I was blind! I have offended you, Senior Brother! I deserve to die, I truly deserve to die!"

The Guard Captain slapped himself hard across the face, the impacts ringing out with loud SMACKS.

"I beg you, Senior Brother, to be the bigger man and spare this lowly one."

Qin Xuan crossed his arms, watching him with amusement. The guard’s switch from arrogance to servility was laughable.

"I still prefer your previous arrogance. How about you bring it back?"

Zhang Jun, Zhao Lu, and the others were stunned by the sudden turn of events. Watching this group of Demon Snakes, they felt extremely vindicated.

Although they didn’t understand when Liu Xingshi had been accepted as a disciple by the Venerable Lord, it didn’t stop them from feeling a sense of catharsis and shared honor.

"Senior Brother, what are you saying? It was I who was blind to your greatness... Please take back the Spirit Stones. I would never dare to accept them! Senior Brother, you... please, enter the city at once!"

One side of the Guard Captain’s face was swollen high as he scrambled to push the small mountain of Spirit Stones back. Then, he yanked off his own bulging Storage Pouch and held it out to Qin Xuan.

"This is a small token of my sincerity. Please, milord, accept it."

"What are you all gawking at? Hurry up and make way for Senior Brother and his fellow Daoists! Bow!" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The other guards immediately fell into disarray, hastily sheathing their weapons and prostrating themselves on the ground. Their faces were ashen, with no trace of their earlier arrogance.

Qin Xuan gave the Guard Captain an indifferent glance, accepted the bulging Storage Pouch, and smiled faintly.

"Rules are rules. Since the Spirit Stones have been paid, there is no reason to take them back. I suggest you conduct yourself appropriately from now on and don’t look down on any member of the Human Race again."

"Yes, yes." The guards were as silent as cicadas in winter, kowtowing on the ground.

Watching Qin Xuan’s departing figure, they all broke out in a cold sweat.

"Tch. Serves him right for judging a book by its cover."

As they passed through the group of Demon Snakes, someone couldn’t resist spitting at the Guard Captain.

The Guard Captain kept a fawning smile on his face, letting the spit dry without wiping it, remaining utterly deferential.

Zhang Jun and the others exclaimed in satisfaction. The foul mood they had been bottling up was finally, gratifyingly, released.

...

Stepping into Star City, they were met with a vast and majestic sight.

A Cultivator wearing a crimson Steward’s robe, his Cultivation impressively at the Late-stage Golden Core, arrived at the perfect moment and bowed respectfully to Qin Xuan.

"Might you be Junior Brother Liu? I am Mu Yang, a Steward under Ming Venerable. The Venerable sensed your arrival in Star City and specially ordered me to come and invite you to his residence for a meeting."

Summoned by a Venerable Divinity Transformation, Qin Xuan naturally had no objections.

He instructed Zhang Jun and the others to find lodging and settle in first, then followed Mu Yang.

Zhu Minghe’s residence wasn’t in the most central, bustling area of Star City, but rather in a secluded, small courtyard.

The mansion looked somewhat old. On the lintel hung a crooked wooden plaque with the two words "Zhu Mansion" scrawled on it, possessing no imposing air whatsoever.

However, the moment he stepped through the gates, Qin Xuan felt an indescribably profound Fire Attribute Dao Rhyme.

His True Sun Fire and Flame Demon stirred restlessly of their own accord!

’Such a strong pull from the Qi Mechanism! My understanding of Fire Element Techniques has deepened...’ Qin Xuan was astounded, his mind reeling in shock.

The Fire Crow Banner, the Yin Yang Alchemy Furnace, and his other Fire-Attribute Magical Artifacts also began to tremble.

The Eight Desolates Forging Fire Furnace, however, showed no reaction.

"You’re here? That boy Zhu Chong finally did something reliable for once."

In the center of the quiet room, a withered old man with graying hair, extremely long white eyebrows, and a gaunt frame sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his eyes tightly closed.

The old man was dressed in a large, ill-fitting, and worn-out hemp robe. Sensing Qin Xuan’s arrival, a kind smile appeared on his face. He actually stood up slowly, his voice raspy but gentle.

"This old man is Zhu Minghe. It is a pleasure to meet you, little friend."

BOOM!

The moment Zhu Minghe spoke, a majestic Fire Attribute power rippled out. The void trembled, and the entire space around them seemed to turn illusory.

Qin Xuan’s pupils shrank.

This was the first time he had ever seen a Venerable Divinity Transformation.

In Qin Xuan’s perception, the man before him was clearly an ordinary old man with no Cultivation whatsoever.

And yet, reality seemed to suggest they weren’t even in the same dimension, perhaps not even in the same space at all!

"Junior Liu Mobai pays his respects to Venerable Ming River!"

Qin Xuan immediately knelt and kowtowed, bowing his head deeply in utmost reverence.

"You are too modest, little friend."

Zhu Minghe stood in the distance and raised his hands in a lifting gesture. His exposed wrists were as withered as firewood.

"Could you come a little closer? Let this old man have a good look at you."

Qin Xuan did as he was told, stepping forward and bowing respectfully.

The old man slowly opened his turbid eyes.

His entire being radiated the decaying aura of one on the verge of death.

But contrary to his outwardly old and decrepit appearance, his withered body seemed to contain a brilliant, majestic Sun, about to erupt forth!