Chapter 28: Obtaining Another Life Extension Method
Fu Shaoguang tried his best to recall the contents of Instructor Magpie's lectures and the records from the ancient text "Technique Realm: Method Ascension Chapter."
There are three strikes of the Transformation Lightning Tribulation.
One to mend the heavenly deficiency.
One to forge the Physical Body.
One to mold the soul.
The first two target fate, while the last one targets nature.
It is a leap in the level of life itself.
The part that left the deepest impression on him was that by passing the Lightning Tribulation, one could 【Condense a Demon Core, Break through the Heavens, Gather Law Intent, and Extend Lifespan】!!!
Fu Shaoguang's compound and simple eyes were both fixed firmly on Headmaster Ji Mo, observing her seriously to verify what he had learned.
He was accumulating insights for his own future tribulation.
Dense Earth Qi surged up, and Yin Qi and Turbid Qi enveloped the charred plum tree. The thirty-foot dark clouds in the firmament transformed into auspicious clouds, and light ink-colored auspicious clouds scattered a fine, sweet rain.
The pattering sweet rain moistened the wood.
The charred ink plum blossom tree greedily absorbed the Earth Qi, regaining its vitality and rising steadily, section by section.
Crack~!
The sound of cracking was continuous.
As the ink plum blossom tree grew, its charred old bark fell away in flakes, turning to dust upon hitting the ground and becoming fertilizer.
The ink plum blossom tree only stopped once it reached thirty feet in height.
Earth Qi steamed and Yin Qi flourished. The ink plum blossom tree bloomed once more, a single ink plum blossom the size of a bowl blooming at the tip of a branch.
The flower bloomed to reveal a core—a Demon Core.
The Demon Core gave birth to a flower, and the flower bloomed to reveal the self.
A graceful figure stepped out from within. Her form grew from small to large, wearing a black and white silk dress. She wore no powder, her light moth-eyebrows and simple makeup suiting her perfectly. Her former tree branches had also transformed into three thousand strands of black hair, lightly pinned up.
Her temperament was more elegant, gentle, and intellectual.
Her entire body radiated a dense fragrance of ink and a scholarly air.
"Ribbit, congratulations to Empress Ji Mo on becoming a Great Demon."
The Frog Demon in charge of the Demon Academy's general affairs was clever; he slapped his pale belly with his forelimbs, producing a drum-like sound.
This was the racial etiquette of toads and Frog Demons.
The other demons also reacted. While grumbling in their hearts that the cunning toad had beaten them to it, they immediately bowed and offered their congratulations:
"Congratulations, Empress, on becoming a Great Demon."
The Ox Demons shook their horns, and the Goat Demons stamped their hooves.
The Chicken Demons flapped their wings and laid eggs, while the Duck Demons tilted their heads and cocked their webbed feet.
Different races, different rituals, but the same sentiment.
Fu Shaoguang vibrated his wings, offering his congratulations as well.
"In the future, everyone should continue to call me Headmaster. Our Yushan Demon Market has only one Empress."
"Yes!"
On the roof of the Bamboo Tower, the silk umbrella was folded away.
The mountain wind blew, making the bamboo forest rustle. Her green clothes fluttered in the wind as Empress Yuli's eyes darted around, and she said:
"Today Little Plum Blossom broke through her realm, so she should be in a good mood. If I drink a little, it shouldn't matter even if I get caught.
It can't be wrong for me to be happy for her!"
Empress Yuli talked to herself.
The more she spoke, the more her courage grew, and the more righteous she felt.
Then, her green shadow flickered as she headed straight for the depths of the bamboo forest. She crouched down and dug up three full jars of wine, her sleeves sweeping away five layers of dust. Tearing off the seals, she flopped directly onto the dry branches of the bamboo forest and began to gulp it down.
A bit of the clear, cold wine leaked from the corners of her crimson mouth, flowing down her delicate, slender, snow-white neck.
A river flowed quietly.
The mountain scenery along the way was beautiful.
"Haah, how refreshing, how satisfying!"
———
In the study.
The ink fragrance on the beams and walls was even stronger.
Fu Shaoguang did not leave with the rest of the demons.
He had been kept behind alone by Headmaster Ji Mo.
"I wonder what instructions the Headmaster has for me?"
Fu Shaoguang spoke first.
He couldn't let the Great Demon speak first.
Taking a wooden box out of her Identity Bamboo Token, she placed it on the table and pushed it forward. Ji Mo explained:
"That poem of yours, 'Ode to the Plum,' was extremely well-written. It was full of literary talent and captured the character of a plum demon, giving me an epiphany that allowed me to take this crucial step and save ten years of bitter cultivation. This is part of your reward."
Fu Shaoguang's heart stirred.
He vibrated his wings and flew onto the wooden box.
While quickly putting it away, he said, "It is this Junior's honor to be of assistance to the Headmaster. 'Ode to the Plum' was just a stroke of luck. Ultimately, it was because the Headmaster's accumulation was profound and her cultivation had reached the pinnacle that she could have an epiphany. Otherwise, why didn't the other Instructors break through?"
Fu Shaoguang's words were somewhat skillful.
Although there was a bit of unkind comparison to flatter her, it also stated the facts, and his attitude was considered moderate.
At least Headmaster Ji Mo found it very pleasing. Her expression softened, and her gaze toward Fu Shaoguang became friendlier as she continued:
"Furthermore, within the scope of my ability, I can grant you one request that isn't excessive as the other part of the reward. Think it over carefully after you return home, and then come and tell me."
Fu Shaoguang vibrated his wings excitedly, flying up and down.
"Headmaster, this Junior has already decided."
"You only have one chance. Won't you consider it more seriously?"
Ji Mo's moth-eyebrows furrowed slightly. She felt that although this Mayfly Demon had decent talent, his character was a bit impetuous and still needed tempering.
Fu Shaoguang: "This Junior has considered it clearly."
Ji Mo: "Let's hear it."
If it was a rash request, she would make him think again.
Fu Shaoguang landed on the desk, stood up on his bottom two legs, and vibrated his wings in a bow: "Please, Headmaster, help me extend my life."
He didn't directly mention Empress Yuli's bamboo fruit.
If the Headmaster could bestow such a spirit object, it would naturally be for the best, but if not, any other Life Extension Method would do.
That would be even more of a pleasant surprise!!!
Once he completed his goal and obtained the life-extending bamboo fruit, his Lifespan would be even longer.
Ji Mo's brow arched slightly, her bright eyes flashing. Her gaze toward Fu Shaoguang now held a bit more scrutiny and appreciation.
"Understanding what you need, without hesitating or worrying about gains and losses, and making a choice decisively.
Fu Shaoguang, you are quite good."
"It is all thanks to the civilizing influence of the Headmaster and the Instructors that this Junior could recognize himself."
That's what he said.
But in his heart, Fu Shaoguang grumbled, "Don't think I didn't see you, old demon, frowning just now."
Tapping the desk lightly with her fair hand, Ji Mo fell into silent contemplation.
Fu Shaoguang did not speak to disturb her.
———
A moment later, Ji Mo exhaled a breath like orchids.
"I heard you have eaten Thousand-Fragrance Longevity Paste?"
"Yes!"
"I once obtained a life-extending recipe similar to Thousand-Fragrance Longevity Paste, called the Hundred Flowers Life-Extending Pill. It uses a hundred types of spirit flowers as Materials, ground into pills according to a secret technique. Consuming it can extend one's life by three years.
The other spirit flowers are fine, but the nine nether orchid is hard to come by. This flower feeds on ghostly Qi, hiding by day and emerging at night. It grows on the western slopes of Yu Mountain, at the foot of the mountain where the Rakshasa Mountain Master's Immortal Cave is located, and is guarded by Yakshas.
I will give you two choices: If you can obtain this flower, I will refine it myself, and I will give you however many pills are produced. If I provide all the Materials, I will only give you one pill.
Consider it carefully before you reply."
As soon as she finished speaking, Fu Shaoguang said without thinking, "Headmaster, I choose the second option."
Ji Mo was slightly stunned and said persuasively:
"Life-extending pills are precious. Won't you consider it more seriously? Every year during the Qingming Festival, the Rakshasa Mountain Master leaves the mountain to attend a banquet. If you prepare properly, you might be able to get the nine nether orchid.
If you do, your gains will be substantial."
Fu Shaoguang said without hesitation, "This Junior is afraid of death and has little ambition. One pill is enough. I beg the Headmaster to grant this."
Ji Mo: "You really... haven't disappointed me!!!
Not standing under a precarious wall, not entering dangerous places, and not letting a life-extending pill cloud your mind. Go! Come back in half a month."
"This Junior takes his leave!"
Fu Shaoguang left happily.
Ji Mo was the only one left in the study.
Then, a familiar voice reached her ears:
"Don't you think this Little Bug... is a coward? If it were me, I'd say he should have chosen the first option. Wealth and honor are sought in danger."
"It's not being a coward; it's following his heart, being steady, knowing when to retreat, preserving himself, and waiting for the right moment.
Think about it, did he lose out?"
"If he had chosen the former, what would you have done?"
Ji Mo said as a matter of course, "Then I would have let him go. If he could get the nine nether orchid and return safely, he would be both brave and resourceful. If he failed, he would be brave but luckless. I would have stepped in to save him and given him one life-extending pill, but no matter how brilliant his literary talent might be in the future, I would never have given him a position of great responsibility."
"You always have a reason for everything! Little Plum Blossom, you're just like those human scholars; your heart is full of holes. *Burp!*"
Ji Mo, who had intended to thank the Empress for her praise, suddenly changed her expression and said as if about to cry:
"Empress, did you sneak off to drink wine again!"
"No... *burp*... I'm just stuffed!"
Ji Mo gave a silent, cold laugh.
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