Techniques and Dao

Chapter 12 The Ultimate Celestial Power

After the enchanting Pear Garden Lantern Festival ended, Hua Sheng and Wei Yu slowly walked out of the center of the Pear Garden with the flow of audience members.

After walking a few steps, Wei Yu looked up at the lanterns hanging on both sides of the road and thought to herself, "It's already past midnight. If I arrive at the academy too late, I'm afraid the Immortal Master will see me. Our Immortal Master Jueguang is very strict. If he finds out, he will definitely reprimand me, the deputy registrar, for not setting a good example for the academy's rules."

Hua Sheng had no choice but to quicken his pace, taking two steps at a time. Wei Yu, standing beside him, simply grabbed his hand and rode up on a cloud.

Wei Yu's hands were small and warm, and the skin on them was so delicate that it could be broken with a flick of the finger. Hua Sheng felt sweating all over when her hands were held, and she couldn't help but sneeze when the cool breeze blew in the air.

"Perhaps I flew too high, and the wind was inevitably a bit strong. I'll slow down a bit." Wei Yu reduced her speed and lowered the two of them slightly. "I thought you had already gotten used to the wind while we were in the air. Huh? Why is your forehead covered in water droplets? Did you get wet and it hasn't dried yet? Didn't I use my water-repelling technique to dry you off? Or is it that Wei Yu's skills are lacking?"

"No, no, no," Hua Sheng quickly interrupted her. "It's nothing, I just sweated a little."

Wei Yu looked puzzled: "Weren't you sneezing? Are you cold or hot?"

"I'm hot, but the wind makes me a little cold," Hua Sheng could only offer a haphazard explanation. "Just keep flying, don't worry about me."

Wei Yu covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled to herself.

Although it was a bit cold in Huasheng, she only hoped to get to the Academy slowly. But Weiyu flew quickly and steadily, and in the blink of an eye, the Academy of Arts and Sciences was already beneath her.

The two descended and found that the main gate of the Magic Academy was already closed. Only a side gate was open for nighttime passage. Hua Sheng was about to push the gate open when Wei Yu stopped him.

“If you push the door open like that, the people patrolling at night will notice.”

"so what should I do now?"

"Let's disguise ourselves as wild cats or something and go in. Try not to make any noise," Wei Yu suggested softly.

Hua Sheng immediately nodded in agreement. Fortunately, he had learned some skills in the past six months, so he said, "How about you become a wild cat, and I become a flea on the wild cat?"

Wei Yu immediately gave him a light punch: "You little rascal, you're so young and already behaving badly. I won't let you hide in my robe! If you push your luck any further, believe me, I'll slap you to death, you damn flea!"

"Just kidding, just kidding! I just wanted to hide better, it's not as complicated as you think." Hua Sheng felt his magical power was inferior to others, so he could only force a smile.

"Hurry up and transform!" Wei Yu put on a serious expression, but couldn't hide the faint smile in the corner of her eyes.

Hua Sheng muttered incantations and turned into a gray wildcat.

Immediately afterwards, Wei Yu turned around and shouted, "Hurry, hurry, as the law commands! Transform!" Then she transformed into a white kitten.

Two cats stealthily slipped through the crack under the gate of the Daoist Academy and entered. The academy was quiet at night, with only the occasional immortal master patrolling by. The two cats hid in the bushes and were not discovered.

Passing through the Spirit Heaven Sacred Path located in the center of the Daoist Academy, the two gradually approached the area where the disciples rested for the night. Just as Hua Sheng was feeling somewhat relieved, he suddenly heard a sharp shout.

"Sneaking around! Who goes there!" The male voice was like a bolt from the blue, making Hua Sheng jump off the ground. Before she could land, she was kicked hard in the stomach. Her entire cat body flew through the air, instantly returning her to her original form.

Seeing that the situation was dire, Wei Yu immediately transformed back into human form and flew two zhang away. Manipulating the air currents in her hands, she steadily caught Hua Sheng.

Hua Sheng felt as if her abdomen was being stabbed, her internal organs turning inside out. Looking closely by the moonlight, she saw a young man in the middle of the road, holding a whisk and dressed in the robes of a Taoist academy.

"What are you doing sneaking around in my Daoist Academy in the middle of the night!" The young man squinted at Hua Sheng, then noticed Wei Yu behind Hua Sheng and exclaimed in surprise, "Wei Yu?"

Wei Yu seemed to recognize the young man, but remained silent.

"Wei Yu, what are you doing here so late? And who is this person?" The young man seemed a little annoyed, pointing at the flowers on the ground.

Hua Sheng regained his composure slightly, still unconvinced, and retorted, "I am Hua Sheng. And who are you?"

"Ha! I've heard of you. You're just a nobody who transferred to the Daoist Arts Academy." The man's gaze suddenly turned contemptuous, and he said to Wei Yu, "You, a dignified deputy registrar, hanging out with this nobody in the middle of the night? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

Wei Yu raised her head and glared at the boy: "Don't look down on others."

Hua Sheng was also furious: "Who are you, kid? You have no manners at all! I've already told you my name, why don't you hurry up and state your name?"

But the other party seemed to completely disregard Hua Sheng, leaving him standing aside. They simply stared at Wei Yu: "I'll pretend I didn't see what happened tonight. You should go back now. You've only been the deputy registrar for a few days; don't cause trouble. Otherwise, your students will be ridiculed!"

"What right do you have to criticize Wei Yu!" Hua Sheng was furious when he saw someone reprimanding Wei Yu. "She's an independent individual with her own thoughts. What she does is her freedom! Do you even understand what freedom is? Do you think this is a feudal society? Good heavens!"

As he spoke, he lunged forward to grab the boy's collar. Just as he reached the boy, the boy lightly swept his whisk. Hua Sheng immediately tumbled backward, landing hard and seeing stars.

"Tianjizi, stop!" Weiyu shouted.

Hua Sheng suddenly realized that he hadn't been able to see clearly in the moonlight, but this Tianjizi was none other than the head clerk of the Disciples Association whom he had met on Xuanwu Divine Mountain.

The boy named Tianjizi glared angrily at Weiyu, hesitating to speak. Then he slowly walked up to Huasheng. Huasheng quickly stood up, glaring at him defiantly: "If you dare to use magic to injure me, you'll be breaking school rules. Go ahead and try killing me if you dare!"

Tianjizi's face remained expressionless as he calmly said, "I don't even need immortal techniques to kill you, you ant."

Then Hua Sheng felt a sense of oppression emanating from the other person, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Tianjizi continued, “Of course I can manage her. She is the deputy registrar of the Disciples’ Association, and I am the registrar. It is only natural for me to manage things after 7 PM when I am cultivating in the academy. Moreover, I also need to protect the reputation of the Disciples’ Association so that it will not be dragged down by ants.”

Hua Sheng suddenly realized why the man had called him an ant as soon as he learned his name. Tai Shang Xiao Jun had told him that the head clerk of the Disciples' Association was a fierce opponent of the "Supplementary Regulations to Article 33 of Section 5 of the Implicit Amendment to the Law on the Protection of Minors."

They called those who used this law to enter St. Pingning "mole worms".

"This is antisocial! This is racial discrimination! I'll teach you a lesson." Hua Sheng thought he had to teach this arrogant guy a lesson.

"To me, you're just an ant. Even if I don't use any magic, don't dodge or defend, you can't hurt me in the slightest." Tianjizi looked at him as if he were looking at a furious ant.

Enraged by the other party's arrogant attitude, Hua Sheng clenched his fists and charged forward, saying, "If you're so capable, then don't try to hide."

As expected, Tian Jizi opened his arms wide, showing no intention of dodging or backing down.

"Hana-sang! Stop!" Wei-yu suddenly shouted.

Hua Sheng didn't stop despite Wei Yu's obstruction. He couldn't bear to lose face in front of Wei Yu. Even if he was punished for fighting, he would accept it willingly. At this moment, he was about to give this annoying brat a good, satisfying punch.

But then something strange happened. Just as he was sprinting at full speed, he tripped over a pebble. He immediately lost his balance, and the unexpected trip, combined with his excessive speed, sent him flying. He crashed to the ground with a thud.

Tianjizi withdrew both hands, as if mocking Huasheng's arrogance, and said, "Didn't I warn you long ago? Even if I made no defense, you couldn't hurt me."

"I just tripped over my own feet, don't get cocky." Hua Sheng felt he had lost face in front of Wei Yu, but he still wanted to charge forward.

All that was heard was Wei Yu shouting, "Stop!"

As soon as Wei Yu stretched out her palm, Hua Sheng immediately felt as if her body was filled with lead and she couldn't move.

“Very well, little mole ant, you should listen to the deputy registrar. She did this for your own good. If you dare to attack me, you will be the one who gets hurt in the end.” Tian Jizi said to Hua Sheng indifferently, “Stay away from Wei Yu, or you will have a hard time in the Academy of Arts and Sciences.”

Although Hanamori's body was unable to move, his eyes were bloodshot, as if they were about to spit fire.

Tianjizi then said to Weiyu, "You've only been at the Academy of Arts and Sciences for half a year, and the position of deputy registrar is hard-won for you. If you weren't so talented, how could you have such a good opportunity!"

Wei Yu looked displeased and bit her lip without saying a word.

"Don't ruin your bright future over such a trivial matter." After saying this, Tianjizi turned and walked away.

Seeing Tianjizi leave, Weiyu silently released the spell on Huasheng.

Seeing that he could move again, Hua Sheng had a sudden inspiration. He grabbed the stone that had tripped him and threw it at Tian Jizi, who was dozens of meters away: "Watch me smash you to death, you bastard!"

Just then, a large bird flew by, and the stone struck it squarely with a loud crack. The bird fell to the ground upon impact.

Hua Sheng was instantly stunned.

"I really don't believe this nonsense!"

In the blink of an eye, he picked up another stone from the ground and threw it again. An incredible thing happened: another bat flew by, and the stone hit it with a loud thud. Then the stone bounced back and struck Hanamoto squarely on the head.

Hua Sheng was furious and embarrassed: "What kind of strange magic did this kid use?"

Wei Yu slowly walked forward and squatted down, saying, "I told you to stop, don't try anymore."

As she spoke, she gently lifted the large bird that had been hit by the stone from the ground with both hands, and then gently stroked it. The bird, which had been unconscious, suddenly woke up, as if it had not been injured at all. Wei Yu then gently stroked the bird's neck, and the bird flew out of her hands.

“Look, you’ve caused suffering to living beings for no reason.” Wei Yu said, walking towards the bat that had been hit by the stone. The bat then awoke from her palm, rose, and flew into the night sky.

Hua Sheng initially thought that the large bird and bat were transformations of Tianjizi's magic, but unexpectedly they were actually living creatures.

"I thought it was a spell cast by the Celestial Prince to block my stones. How is this possible? How could two animals fly over at the same time to block the stones I threw? What are the odds of that? How could such a thing happen?"

Watching the large bird and bat gradually disappear into the distance, Wei Yu turned to Hua Sheng and said, "Do you know why I stopped you just now? Tian Ji Zi really doesn't need magic, so you can't hurt him. The only ones who will get hurt are others or yourself."

"Because he possesses powerful magic? Because he is a deity?"

"No. Even ordinary gods would find it difficult to harm him."

"What's going on? What kind of magical treasure protects him?" Hua Sheng was very surprised. There was actually a student in this academy who was so powerful that even immortals could not harm him.

"You could call it a magic weapon, but it's an invisible and intangible magic weapon."

Hua Sheng was even more confused: "What kind of magic weapon is that? Who gave it to him?"

"No one ever gave it to him. He was born with it."

"A magical treasure that you are born with, yet cannot see or touch?"

"Yes."

"What is it?" Hua Sheng was eager to know the answer.

Wei Yu slowly uttered the name of this "treasure" that Hua Sheng could never have imagined.

"luck."

Hua Sheng stared blankly for a moment, wondering if he had misheard. He pressed on, "What? Say it again? Luck?"

"Yes. Do you know why he's called Tianjizi?"

"why?"

"It is the ultimate destiny of heaven."

"What does that mean? It sounds like the ultimate luck that can reach the heavens?"

"Your understanding is not wrong."

Hua Sheng felt a wave of dizziness: "No, that doesn't make sense. Why would such a thing happen? You mean, even gods have good luck and bad luck?"

"Why not?"

“In my memory, when someone is exceptionally lucky, we say they are ‘divinely blessed.’ But according to you, if gods help people, then who helps the gods?”

"sky."

Although Hua Sheng still couldn't understand, he seemed to be beginning to comprehend why the person who had just reprimanded him was called "Tianjizi." He then asked, "Where is this 'Tian' you mentioned?"

“Heaven is everywhere; Heaven is the Great Way,” Wei Yu replied.

"Why would the Great Dao bestow such good fortune upon Tianjizi?"

"I don't know. Perhaps they have their own reasons, perhaps for the present, or perhaps for a thousand years from now. I don't know the answer," Wei Yu replied thoughtfully.

"Giving good luck to this kind of trash. Isn't that incredibly unfair of God?"

"Some things always have a reason. We don't need to seek the answer, just accept the result. Because the answer may not be related to the present, or even to the distant future. Knowing it won't change anything."

"But it's relevant to the present."

"Oh?"

"Not only are they related, they are very closely related."

"what is the relationship?"

"Because this guy is incredibly lucky, he told me not to get close to you." Hanamori said with a serious expression.

Wei Yu laughed, but deliberately asked, "What's wrong with you staying away from me?"

"It's not about what can be done, but what can't be done."

"That sounds a bit awkward," Wei Yu said with a smile.

"I used to not believe in gods, but now I do. But if you tell me there's an invincible god who's going to stop me from being with the girl I like, then I'll trample him under my feet! If heaven is going to grant him good fortune, then I'll trample the heavens under my feet too!"

"Sounds like you're about to do a handstand?" Wei Yu tilted her head and laughed.

"No. I'm very serious! Don't interrupt."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Sincerely?"

"If it's not truth, is it dare?"

"Why do you say that?"

Hanamori thought for a moment: "I think I've thought of some things about the future."

Wei Yu froze, as if she had suddenly thought of something terrifying. Her body began to tremble, and she abruptly squatted down.

Hua Sheng was startled and quickly squatted down as well. Only then did he notice that Wei Yu's teeth were chattering incessantly. He hurriedly asked, "Wei Yu, what's wrong with you!"

Wei Yu shivered like a fledgling bird standing in the biting cold wind, her teeth chattering. But her forehead was instantly covered in large beads of sweat. She couldn't even squat properly, as if she were about to collapse.

"Are you cold? Don't scare me! What happened?" Hua Sheng saw Wei Yu's helpless state and quickly helped her up.

Wei Yu didn't speak, biting her lip desperately. Her lip immediately bled.

"Should I go and call someone for help?" Hua Sheng asked anxiously.

"No need." Wei Yu grabbed Hua Sheng's arm, like a drowning person grasping at the only straw on the lake. "I'm fine. I'll be alright in a bit, just a bit."

"Are you sick? You were fine just now?" Hua Sheng asked hurriedly.

Wei Yu was panting heavily, and after a while she said softly, "I'm not sick. It's just that... I suddenly feel a little unwell."

"Something's wrong with you?"

"It's okay." Wei Yu looked very tired, even somewhat exhausted.

"Is it related to Tianjizi?"

“No, it has nothing to do with the registrar. Don’t ask anymore,” Wei Yu said slowly. “I’ll be done in a bit.”

After saying that, Wei Yu helped Hua Sheng slowly stand up, wiping the sweat from her face with her sleeve. But her face was still completely pale.

“But you look terrifying. I’m so worried about you.” Hua Sheng touched Wei Yu’s back and realized that her Taoist robe was soaked with cold sweat. Hua Sheng simply couldn’t believe that Wei Yu, who seemed to have boundless magical power, was now as fragile as a baby. He couldn’t understand what had happened.

Seeing Hua Sheng's anxious expression, Wei Yu comforted her, "Don't worry about me. I'm not sick, I'm probably just a little tired."

"But……"

"No buts." Wei Yu interrupted Hua Sheng, "What you just said..."

What did I say?

"You said you were thinking about the future."

"Yes what's the matter?"

"So can I understand it as..."

"what?"

"Do you mean you're thinking about me? About us?" Wei Yu looked into Hua Sheng's eyes.

"Ah? That..." Hanamori suddenly realized that she had accidentally let something slip. But as if her secret had been exposed, she hurriedly tried to say something to cover it up.

"You mean to say that you have a different feeling for me?"

“Is there…?”

“You have it.” Wei Yu lowered her head and looked at the ground, as if she had thought of something.

"That's not important. I was worried about how you looked earlier. Are you sick? And what about that Tianjizi...?"

Hua Sheng's words were not entirely untrue; he hadn't yet figured out how to break Tianjizi's extreme good fortune. If he couldn't break this luck, Tianjizi would clearly become a high wall separating him from Weiyu.

“This is important.” A spark flickered in Wei Yu’s weak eyes as she gazed at Hua Sheng and slowly repeated, “This is important, Hua Sheng. Because these words will change the course of our story.”

(End of this chapter)