Wet viviparity

Chapter 978 Four Tigers, Yuan Fu Shi
After Jiang Shiliu left, the gaunt Taoist carrying the large gourd, also known as Jiang Zheng, walked heavily to the stone steps next to Ji Ming and sat down.

His gaze also fell upon the vast expanse of water where the river and the sea met, but unlike Ji Ming, there was no trace of appreciation in his eyes, only an unyielding worry.

"Brought it?"

Ji Ming didn't look at him; his voice was as calm as a gentle breeze over the river.

Jiang Zheng silently took out a silk scroll from his bosom, held it with his thin, almost bony fingers, and handed it to Ji Ming's empty sleeve.

A gentle breeze lifted the silk scroll, and a hand could be vaguely seen in the breeze. The scroll was grasped and brought to Ji Ming's front, slowly unfolding. It was covered with densely packed small characters, recording all the information from Longmen.

"The intelligence you need is both inside and outside the pass."

Oh, and there's also a list of supplies marked "Superior Grade A" that were transported via the Longmen to the Lijiang River this past month, escorted by the direct descendants of the Zhao family—those so-called "Dragon Men"—and the guards from the Lingbo Bureau. The list includes the corresponding voyage schedule and guard rotation schedule.

Jiang Zheng's voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of undisguised fatigue.

He then added, "Although I am a son of the Jiang family, I used the person the Jiang family had the deepest connection with in the Lingbo Division to almost expose that person."

"The voyage is scheduled for soon. If I'm not mistaken, those people are having a feast in the neighborhood."

"nature!
Since the Zhao family rose to power and took sole control of the [Chenlong Yuanfu], one of the Six Jia, no one other than the Zhao family members has been able to cultivate the dragon-type true body in the "Six Jia Spirit Flying Strategy Essence Book," just as no one other than my Jiang family has been able to cultivate the tiger-type true body.

Because the Zhao family has cultivated the true form of the dragon for generations, many elders have reached a high level of cultivation, and their true forms are no different from those of real dragons. Naturally, they cooperate with the East Sea Dragon Palace and take advantage of the Dragon Gate to monopolize the treasures of the sea and land, hoarding and speculating on them.

The provisions and treasures on these giant ships were the fruits of a year's trade between the Zhao family and the Dragon Palace of the East Sea. After passing through the Dragon Gate, those 'dragon-humans' would be well-fed and stuffed; how could they not celebrate?

"Go and have a look."

Ji Ming said with a smile.

Jiang Zheng hesitated, wanting to refuse, but an impulse within him made him willingly submit.

He very considerately offered up his precious gourd, which grew to the size of a boat, and invited the armless Taoist priest who was actually a righteous god to board the gourd. Then he personally activated it and flew towards the immortal palace above the Dragon Gate.

"I don't understand why you would go to such lengths to make this the starting point of your great undertaking."

The Dog Guardian of the Immortal Pavilion's Spirit Ship Office has already cultivated the "Six Jia Spirit Flying Strategy Essence Book" to the "Spirit and Flesh Chapter." In this path of physical refinement, he has already reached the realm of "incorruptible physical body," and has been in charge of the [Dog Origin Talisman] for over three hundred years.

Furthermore, the Prince of the Enchanted Ring of the Li River Water Palace is also cultivating in seclusion nearby. This dragon is about to become a true dragon, and he possesses a precious ring that can be implanted into one's primordial spirit, instantly dislodging it.

"Dog Lord, isn't the deadline approaching soon?"

When asked by Ji Ming, Jiang Zheng was taken aback for a moment, then nodded and said, "Indeed, according to custom, the disciples of the scattered sects who wield the two great Yuan Talismans, Xu Dog and Wu Horse, are never allowed to become immortals and must pass on the Yuan Talismans to their grand-disciples before they die."

This is the result of a long and arduous struggle among the scattered disciples within our sect over thousands of years, and it is also a rare compromise made by our four major families towards the scattered disciples.

"The fundamental true method of the True Spirit School, the Book of the Six Jia Spirit Flying Strategy, can cultivate six kinds of spiritual true bodies - rat, dog, monkey, horse, dragon and tiger. When these six true bodies are cultivated to a high level, the Six Jia Yuan Talisman must be used to assist in the cultivation method."

In the four major families of Ji, Jiang, Zhao, and Zheng, the Yuanfu (元符) is held by True Immortals. Only the Xu Gou (戌狗) and Wu Ma (午马) Yuanfu have been passed down among the masters and disciples of the True Spirit Sect due to the restrictions imposed by the main families on the disciples of the scattered sects.

If I am to accomplish my great task, taking control of one of the Yuanfu is my top priority.

Of course, striking at the direct descendants of the Zhao clan and seizing the Immortal Pavilion above the Dragon Gate was also a top priority; therefore, the Dragon Gate had no choice but to come.

"You will definitely achieve this great feat!" Jiang Zheng said.

"Ha ha!"

Ji Ming looked at the four tigers of the Jiang family, the one who had stolen his Jade Gourd when he was reincarnated as Jiang Hei Xiao. Under the Buddhist teachings of Ji Ming, the "King of Wealth and Treasures," Jiang Zheng was now showing signs of conversion, and the key was that Jiang Zheng himself was completely unaware of it.

The so-called "receiving my wealth to benefit Buddhist affairs" means that Jiang Zheng seized his treasures without knowing that they were ill-gotten gains.

Those who acquire ill-gotten gains will surely have to repay them many times over if they do not see through their own stinginess and greed, and gradually dispel the Buddhist teachings attached to those ill-gotten gains. The more they greedily seize those ill-gotten gains, the more they will have to repay in the future.

It's been over ninety years since Jiang Zheng acquired the Jade Gourd, his ill-gotten gains—truly a blink of an eye.

Compared to Jiang Zheng, one of the four tigers of the Jiang clan, he was more concerned about the other, the number one tiger of the Jiang family. That person had managed to resist such Buddhist teachings for so long, truly worthy of being the current leader of the Jiang family. However, no matter how persistent one is, there will be a time for retribution.

Jiang Zheng rode the enormous gourd, carrying Ji Ming, directly to the depths of the Immortal Workshop, outside a luxurious pavilion with the inscription "Hidden Dragon" on its plaque.

Before one even steps inside, a warm breeze, a mixture of the rich aroma of spirit wine, the fragrance of exotic fruits, and the scent of some kind of aphrodisiac, already wafts towards them.

Walking along the long corridor outside the building, through the glazed windows with carved dragons and phoenixes, one can see the flickering light and shadows inside, the clinking of glasses, the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments, and bursts of unrestrained laughter.

Several members of the Zhao family leaned against a jade couch covered with silk gauze.

They were all handsome, with prominent foreheads and scaly skin, and their eyes were slightly unfocused at the moment.

Inside the building, two women in flowing dresses danced gracefully. There were also strongmen carrying water and brewing wine, boys tending furnaces and refining medicine, and celestial officials receiving rewards and expressing gratitude. Listening to their conversation, it turned out that they were all minor officials and clerks from the Eastern Dipper Palaces who had been invited to descend to the mortal realm.

Just as Ji Ming and Jiang Zheng stood in the shadows outside the building, quietly observing its extravagant interior, a series of slightly hesitant footsteps approached.

Jiang Shiliu and his fellow disciples were being led towards them by a servant of the Zhao family. Their expressions were somewhat unnatural, clearly indicating they hadn't come voluntarily, but rather had received an "invitation" from the group and dared not refuse.

The two met face to face under the corridor.

Jiang Shiliu spotted Ji Ming and Jiang Zheng at a glance, his face showing surprise, especially when he saw Jiang Zheng.

This fourth tiger of the Jiang family has quite a reputation within the True Spirit Sect. However, it is said that in recent decades, he has been traveling around to refine his treasure gourd and rarely returns home. How could he be with Mr. Ji?
"Mr. Ji, you're here too? Are you invited to the banquet?"

Jiang Shiliu stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke with concern and a hint of doubt in his voice.

When Jiang Zheng saw Jiang Shiliu and the others, especially the wary expressions of his fellow disciples, his face darkened, he snorted coldly, and turned his head away, clearly unwilling to say another word to these rogues.

"I just happened to be there, so I came to see what the fuss was about."

Ji Ming said.

At this moment, a member of the Zhao family, Long, looked out through the window and saw Jiang Shiliu and his group. He laughed and said, "Oh? The talented men from the Lingbo Bureau have arrived. What are you standing around in the outer room for? Hurry up and come in, lest you spoil our fun."

This man's words were mocking, and he emphasized the word "talented" particularly, which drew laughter from the others in the building.

In the eyes of these direct descendants of the clan, even if Jiang Shiliu and his men managed to secure a position here during this period of great reconciliation, they were still servants who could entertain them at any time, and their status was even lower than that of the family generals.

Jiang Shiliu's face turned pale, and he stood motionless.

The chubby disciple quickly put on a smile and replied, "Coming, coming right away. Thank you gentlemen for waiting."

The tall, thin disciple tried his best to straighten his back, attempting to maintain a pitiful amount of dignity, but he could not hide the humiliation in his eyes.

The older senior brother took a deep breath and whispered to Jiang Shiliu, "Go in, but don't anger them. These are extraordinary times, so we must be extra patient." Then, he gave Ji Ming and Jiang Zheng a deep look before stepping into the bustling crowd.

Jiang Shiliu hesitated for a moment, then looked at Ji Ming as if by some strange impulse.

Mr. Ji

Jiang Shiliu said softly.

"Since you've been invited, please go in."

Ji Ming smiled at him, his empty sleeve fluttering slightly, and said...
After speaking, Ji Ming walked into the building, with Jiang Zheng silently following behind him.

This surprised even the family retainer who was leading the way, as well as the people inside the building. They couldn't recall ever inviting this armless Taoist, and they wondered why the four tigers of the Jiang family were also "making a fuss" here.

Before entering the building, Ji Ming glanced at the sky, which was subtly changing.

For some reason, a subtle atmosphere of impending storm, like a silent tide, began to permeate the Dragon Gate, even the few dragon-men felt it and became slightly more alert.

(End of this chapter)