Chapter 99: Return Home, A Dialogue on Counter-Training

After recalling his ghost tiger, the monk Huijin sat where he was, repeatedly wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeves, his heart filled with intense hatred for the old turtle shell.

Indeed, he did not resent Ji Ming; rather, he loathed the old turtle shell for suppressing him in place, rendering him completely unable to move. In his view, the old turtle shell had only agreed to his gambling game to mock him. The fact that the old turtle shell had subsequently lost to Ji Ming so easily only confirmed Huijin’s suspicion: the ancient turtle spirit was intentionally making him look like a fool. He suspected that even without the boy, he would have gained no advantage against the old turtle shell.

Ji Ming had been observing Huijin closely; it was Li Muru who had whispered to him about winning the ghost duel against the old turtle shell. Honestly, Ji Ming had simply left his fate to the heavens when gambling with the turtle; after all, even a Qi-refining second-stage monk like Huijin was sitting there helplessly. This match had clearly been a deliberate loss on the part of the old turtle. Ji Ming dragged his sleeves and offered a slight bow to the old turtle, acknowledging the favor.

However, as the saying goes, the first drum creates courage, the second tires, and the third exhausts; the hanged ghost had already fought two rounds, and it was unlikely to hold out any longer.

"I’ll take the next round!"
"I will!"

Dapan and Xiaolingtong spoke simultaneously—the former flicking his snake tongue urgently, the latter fanning his wings. Just then, they heard Huijin laughing loudly. Dapan and Xiaolingtong looked down into their jars to see their little ghosts limp as slugs, possessing not a shred of fighting spirit left.

"You thieving monk, we never offended you, why toy with us?"
"Hahaha!"

Huijin laughed for a good while before stopping abruptly. His voice turned scathing: "Beasts with fur and horns, creatures burdened by their own hindquarters—how are you worthy of winning my exclusive gambling game?"

Dapan flicked his tongue wildly, thinking to himself that it took a special kind of pride to be so smug about a sophisticated cheating method. Ji Ming was momentarily stunned, thinking that even if Huijin helped him win two rounds, he still intended to kill him eventually—at best, it would only be delayed. Of course, Ji Ming would not admit that he currently lacked the ability to kill Huijin instantly.

How could he kill him? With the reverse cultivation of his secret arts from this life and the various legacies from his previous one. It seemed that after the Immortal Banquet concluded and he returned to participate in the Taoist civilian examination, he would have to make a trip to the Golden Snub-nosed Ape to reclaim his past belongings one by one. Perhaps he would even encounter that very person during the examination.

Ji Ming had a sudden premonition that once he descended from the Zirong Peak of Jixie Mountain, he might once again be plunged into that turbulent world of martial strife. This time, he would be heading to a grander stage: Taiping Mountain. There, he would surely find more prodigies like the Young Master Chiyi.

***

Later, Ji Ming communicated briefly with Li Muru, hoping to reach a private agreement to split the winnings. Li Muru glanced at the active water ghost in her own jar, thought for a moment, and agreed to Ji Ming’s trade, giving up the most valuable Wind-Repelling Pill to him. It was indeed a concession, as she hadn't been targeted by Huijin, and her water ghost was almost certain to defeat the exhausted hanged ghost. However, Li Muru believed that by conceding now, she would reap greater rewards later; as the most favored Golden Boy of her master, she excelled at creating surprises.

"Why, do you have designs on him?"

Ji Ming was staring at the retreating figure of Huijin when he heard Li Muru’s voice by his ear. He frowned and asked, "What designs would I have?"

"The design to kill him," Li Muru said, a morbid, gleaming light in her eyes. "The look in your eyes is exactly the same as mine when I look at my enemies."

The next sentence revealed her true intention: "If you provide me with more of that Dead Yin Demonic Qi, I’ll see if I can refine another 'Yin-Hidden Art Thunder Pellet' for you."

Ji Ming deliberately provoked her: "Just one?"

Sure enough, Li Muru grew immediately agitated. "That is thunder magic, the thunder magic of the Central Taoist lineage! A single pellet released is enough that even a master at the peak of the second Qi-refining stage might not withstand it. It is my trump card for revenge."

"If I am to take your trump card, the amount of Dead Yin Demonic Qi I provide will have to be significant, won't it?"

Li Muru smiled. "No one in this world can always have the upper hand; there must be trade-offs, right? If it were me, such a trump card would be worth any amount of Dead Yin Demonic Qi."

Ji Ming nodded in agreement; the logic was sound, and he could not deny it. "It's a deal."

"Little Golden Boy, we shall surely both get what we desire and slay our enemies with our own hands."

The gambling ended, and the group chatted for a few more moments. Aside from the old turtle shell, the others lacked the inclination to talk, likely still demoralized by Huijin’s remark about "beasts with fur and horns."

*Dong!*

Long after, a chime sounded from the palace, signaling the end of the Immortal Banquet.

"Time to go," Ji Ming said.

In the Spirit Garden, the immortal spirits and monsters began to take flight; especially those with a trace of dragon blood, riding upon clouds and mist as if in a dream.

"Only by subduing such creatures and traversing the blue void can one truly be called an immortal practitioner," Li Muru sighed.

"We will have them," Ji Ming replied.

He returned with Li Muru, feeling somewhat guilty when they reunited with his Master. Li Muru had intended to take the blame upon herself—after all, a debt-ridden person doesn't fear more creditors—but one look from Ji Ming caused her to hold her tongue.

Generally speaking, if Li Muru were to shoulder the blame, it would only highlight Ji Ming’s lack of responsibility. His Master did not ask why Ji Ming had failed to enter the palace, and his attitude remained as it had always been; no rift had formed over the matter.

On the Yellow Cloud Mat, the Master pulled Ji Ming to sit before him, offering earnest guidance.

"A youth's heart is restless and difficult to settle. I greatly appreciate your ability to calm your mind and cultivate during your Lesser Heavenly Circuit practice. However, all things should be done in moderation; once you exceed that, you lose your natural state, which is not ideal."

The Master then looked at Li Muru, who was sitting alone to the side. "Your playing in the garden with Muru today—that display of natural childhood innocence actually puts my mind at ease."

Hearing this, a warmth spread through Ji Ming’s heart. He felt his Master was truly understanding and thoughtful, always looking out for his best interests, which deepened his sense of closeness.

Returning to the Fire Ruins Cave on Zirong Peak, Ji Ming felt an inexplicable sense of belonging. As he entered the Bone-Piercing Garden, he saw Wei Wulan waiting for him. His state of mind seemed better than usual, and there were faint spots of light on his toad-like feet. Could it be that his reverse cultivation had advanced?

"Brother Wei!" Ji Ming greeted him first.

"Little Golden Boy, I have been waiting here ever since I heard your summons."

Ji Ming noticed Wei Wulan’s attentive demeanor, estimating that this was the result of his attending the banquet with the Master.

"Now, in the Master’s heart, your status is likely akin to that of a disciple. In time, as your bond deepens, you will be a disciple in all but name."

Wei Wulan’s assessment was not baseless. The issues with the Master’s three disciples were plain to see; only the second disciple, Susu, was truly capable of inheriting his mantle, yet her nature was too detached. Had Ji Ming not already been apprenticed, Wei Wulan would surely have been even more invested.

"Brother Wei, I invited you here for the sake of the reverse cultivation method."

"I understand," Wei Wulan said with a reassuring look. "I will impart all my experience in reverse cultivation to you, ensuring you can master it quickly once you reach the second stage of Qi-refining."

Ji Ming chuckled softly. How could he wait until the second stage? His letter of repentance had already been sent and presumably reached the old Daoist. Now, he only needed to refine his two palms before setting off to prepare for the Taiping Mountain civilian examination.