The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 209 The Finishing Touch (5k)

The Taoist priest stood frozen in place, unable to move.

The remarkable thing is the person who possessed this item in the past, not the item itself!

The Taoist priest gave a self-deprecating smile, a bitter laugh spreading across his brows—he had finally come to terms with this truth.

He remembered that when his master passed this magical artifact on to him, he had said that although this object had once bound a divine ox, that was merely a splendid record. It was fine to boast about it, but one should never take it as the foundation of one's abilities.

Otherwise, you will harm yourself and others, and it will be too late to regret it!

'Master, you're right, I just forgot.'

After the thought flashed through his mind, the Taoist closed his eyes.

If we could have cooperated effectively from the start, things wouldn't have come to this.
All six men died at their own hands.

The loss was not unjust; the loss was deserved.

With a muffled thud, the freed dragon suddenly stretched out its body, opened its huge mouth, and swallowed him whole.

The dragon, which originally only had eye sockets, gradually started to grow whites in its eyes at this moment.

That ferocious aura became even more powerful and imposing.

After swallowing the Taoist's painted dragon, he looked at the last scholar, Shen Yan.

Although they were still examining the food on their plates, there was a noticeable hint of something more indescribable.

Of the six, this person is both the most regrettable and the least regrettable.

Whether one can pronounce the Confucian character associated with their birth chart has nothing to do with their cultivation level, but only with their own understanding.

That's precisely why it's so incredibly rare!
The scholar looked up at the dragon staring at him, then at Du Yuan, who remained standing still.

After giving a wry smile, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Du Yuan and said:

"Senior's words of wisdom today have truly enlightened me."

After years of diligent study of the classics, he was now at a loss for words to describe it.

After thinking for a long time, he finally found a somewhat barely acceptable answer: "I am extremely ashamed!"

Seeing this, Du Yuan nodded to him and said:
"You really should be ashamed."

The scholar was speechless again upon hearing this.

This Taoist master truly lives up to his reputation as a highly accomplished Taoist cultivator with the ability to manifest his powers; his actions are indeed incredibly free and natural.
"Your mentor couldn't have failed to tell you such an obvious truth. Yet you've remained obsessed with it until now, and even followed these scoundrels to commit such heinous acts."

A hint of disappointment surfaced in Du Yuan's eyes:

"You have truly wasted your time studying the classics!"

It's a good thing to gain something from reading.

If what is read is used for demonic purposes, that would be a terrible thing.

The scholar dared not look Du Yuan in the eye—for he recognized that look; he had seen it in the eyes of his teachers and the academy's instructors.

When he was confined, he heard his mentor say with great sorrow: "The Confucian way is about passing on the torch and continuing the flame, not about digging up graves and destroying coffins to see those white bones standing proudly!"

Later, during policy discussions, I also saw the Confucian scholars vehemently criticize: "Your word 'erode' doesn't just erode stubborn diseases and poisonous sores, it erodes the very foundation of Confucianism!"

He only saw the tree's outward splendor but inner decay, and realized that the disease of decay and poisoning had reached its terminal stage, making all his efforts futile.

Instead of seeking reform and innovation, or finding the right remedy, they don't want to break down the old and establish the new, but only hope for a complete explosion to end everything—so that they won't have to smell the stench of that outwardly beautiful but inwardly corrupt.

He always felt that everyone else was foolish, and only he saw things clearly. But he forgot that even someone as unconventional as him had repeatedly been given the opportunity to break free and rebuild.

If what he thinks is true, shouldn't someone like him have been killed as soon as he came out, so as not to be an eyesore?

So many truths are laid bare before him, yet he stubbornly remains blind to them.
Thinking of this, he said with a bitter heart:
"I deeply regret my past actions! My teachers and mentors at the academy clearly explained the principles to me, but I stubbornly refused to accept them."

"Shen, you are too foolish!"

"You're wrong. It's not that you're too foolish, it's that you're too arrogant."

Even Du Yuan only realized this now.

Du Yuan's voice was simple, yet it pierced his heart directly.

The scholar looked up in great surprise, wanting an explanation.

But then Du Yuan pointed at him and said:
"Haven't you realized it yet? The only reason you think I'm right and are willing to admit your mistake is because I'm far superior to you right now, and because I've actually won."

"If it were someone else, you probably would never have bowed your head."

His initial shame vanished instantly, and the scholar suddenly flew into a rage, rising abruptly to argue, only to hear Du Yuan sigh softly:
"See? In your heart, you always think you're right, without the slightest fault."

If he were truly repentant, he would only humbly seek guidance now, rather than fly into a rage as if he had been exposed.

Upon hearing this, the scholar was struck dumb, frozen in place. The hand that had been pointing at Du Yuan, almost ready to unleash a torrent of curses, hesitated in mid-air for a long moment before finally falling limply to the ground.

Yes, the Taoist master was right. The reason he has been so obsessed with it is not because he is too foolish, but because he is too arrogant.

What's there to be proud of?

Despite his humble origins, he easily discerned a noble spirit that countless princes and nobles could never find in their entire lives.

Later, he even proudly claimed to have figured out his own destiny character!

Even before he pronounced the word 'eclipse', he could no longer hear any sounds other than those of his mentors and teachers.

For example, under the ginkgo tree where he realized his destiny character that day, he only saw a ground covered with golden ginkgo leaves, but he did not see his many classmates sitting on the ground, discussing their studies.

When he finally read that damned word 'eclipse' aloud, he wouldn't listen to a word, not even to his own teacher who treated him like a son!

Because he felt he was destined to surpass these fools.

In this way, the teachings of the masters naturally fail to enter one's ears or heart. Self-reflection and enlightenment become even more out of the question.

He didn't even take the great Confucian scholar who later came from the academy to question him seriously.

This is because even that great Confucian scholar didn't have a natal character on his body!

You fools who don't even have a proper destiny, how dare you instruct a great talent like me? And how can you refute my insights?
Of course, this was also because he was certain that his birth year character was on his body, and these old scholars couldn't bear to destroy such a beautiful jade.
With a thud, Shen Yan staggered and fell to the ground.

Du Yuan's voice was still ringing out:
"As the saying goes, 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.' But what about you? You probably think deep down that if you can't solve a problem, no one else can either, and you don't even allow others to try to solve it, do you?"

"Judging from this, your idea of ​​ending it all to preserve your integrity is probably just a fear of 'turning the tide'?"

"Otherwise, I can't think of any other reason why you would fall into the demonic path to this point."

Du Yuan had been wondering why this scholar was following these insects.

After all, judging from what he said, no matter how self-destructive he was, he should have just given up and lay down, at most he would have just stood by and watched someone die.

Where would you find someone eager to help the wicked?
After much thought, Du Yuan finally figured out the key point.

Arrogant and convinced he was right, he knew perfectly well he was safe, yet he couldn't accept being expelled for his own fault.

He was already arrogant and conceited, which made him even more obsessed and monstrous.

He was indeed a genius, and there was absolutely nothing to regret.

Shen Yan abruptly turned his head, coughing up blood that splattered in front of him, spreading into a small, dark red patch. When he spoke again, his voice was like a candle flickering in the wind.

"It was my fault."

Clearly, Du Yuan's overwhelming power over him in every aspect, completely dissecting him, left him speechless with shame and anger, yet also causing him immense distress due to the lingering conscience within him.

The combination of these two factors completely exhausted their energy.

Du Yuan did not answer, so Shen Yan continued speaking slowly on his own:
"That word 'eclipse' is the greatest pride of my life, because it is Heaven's recognition of my understanding. Perhaps, this is what rulers call destiny."

The scholar never turned around.

He dared not look at Du Yuan, because Du Yuan reminded him of the teachers at the academy and his own mentor.

"My mentor said that words should be nurtured, and that nurturing them is about having a tolerant heart. But I insisted on letting them gnaw away, gnawing away the advice of my teachers, gnawing away my mentor's affection, and in the end, gnawing away at myself."

Shen Yan had already lowered his head and said:

"Back then, the teacher from the academy came to question me, saying, 'There is no high or low in learning, only the depth of one's heart.' He even said that this saying also applies to the character in my birth chart. At the time, I thought he was just being sarcastic or jealous, but it turns out it's really true."

Finally, Shen Yan tilted his head even further to the side, as if he wanted to completely twist his back.

"Do you look down on me?"

Du Yuan nodded truthfully:

"Yes."

If it were only before, Du Yuan would have mostly sighed, but now that he has fully understood, it is indeed as he said.

Shen Yan gave a wry smile:
"You are indeed a Taoist master. Such frankness is extremely rare among us Confucians."

He finally turned around and earnestly pleaded with Du Yuan:

“Senior, as the saying goes, a dying man’s words are good. I know my crimes are unforgivable, but could you allow me to leave something for the world? No, I want me to leave something for someone like me?”

Du Yuan nodded:

"As long as it's not something demonic, it's fine. So, what do you want to keep?"

Shen Yan cupped his hands and said:
"What I realized before I died. It's probably useless to most people, but if there's someone else like me who has grasped a 'biased' understanding, it might be a help?" "I understand. I'll give you this time. Then, is there anything I can help you with?"

If it's about helping others, then of course I can lend a hand.

Looking down on this guy is one thing, but helping him retain some good karma is another.

After all, this guy really has some skills.

Shen Yan waved his hand and said:

"Please keep this for me. Once I meet the right person, I can give it to them!"

"Okay, let's get started quickly, the clouds are about to disperse."

Du Yuan looked up at the sky above her head. The leaden clouds that had gathered when she pulled the Dragon Locking Well earlier had almost completely dissipated.

Only a few wispy clouds remained overhead.

Shen Yan also looked at the sky, and as he turned his gaze away, he let out another bitter laugh of self-consciousness:
"You really should look down on me."

With such high cultivation and esteemed status, and genuinely devoted to serving the people, it's baffling that someone like him, who should only exist in legends, would even respect someone like him.

After biting his fingertip, he tore off his clothes, paused briefly, and then slowly wrote a few lines of blood on them.

When the blood-written letter was finished, he thought of his mentor again and couldn't help but plead with Du Yuan:

"Could you please send this letter back to Sima Academy? If the academy is no longer there, could you please send it to Pingchang Confucian Temple instead? I am a worthless student, but my mentor should not be implicated because of me. I hope this letter can help my mentor in some way!"

Du Yuan shook her head upon hearing this:

"It's only now that I realize I was wrong. Don't worry, I'll be more careful."

As for Confucianism, I'll definitely have to go and learn from it someday!

It's just something I did, it's no big deal!
Upon hearing this, Shen Yan respectfully folded the blood letter and then bowed deeply to Du Yuan until his knees touched the ground.

At that moment, the great dragon swallowed it completely.

The dragon roared incessantly, its long howl echoing through the air.

The pupil also grows from the white of the eye, but it lacks a true pupil.

Even so, it still caused the Dragon King in the well to panic.

'What is it? What exactly is above my head?'

The clouds outside should have completely dispersed by now, and that Taoist priest will probably realize that without him as the Dragon King, he will definitely not be able to accomplish anything in the southwest!
He dared not let go of this hard-won opportunity.

So I could only try to comfort myself by saying:

"Perhaps that Taoist priest used some kind of mind-bewitching technique to disturb my mind. There shouldn't be any other turning point in this place."

The great era is approaching, but when it comes down to it, the truly top-tier group is still unable to move.

Therefore, the black dragon was certain that the Taoist priest would not succeed.

Unless, of course, it is a truly powerful being possessing the essence of the universe!
But this goes against the current season, so it's absolutely impossible!
-
Before the rock wall, Du Yuan was somewhat surprised that the dragon was still a step short, but she did not panic.

Because he already had a plan in mind!
As he slowly stepped forward, the great dragon lowered its head.

Just then, all six old men died, and Chen Su, one of the causes, woke up with his face swollen like a pig's head.

Looking around, I was instantly startled.

Where are the six immortal lords?
How come all my generals are dead?
Where are my personal guards?

What's the deal with this giant dragon?

"Are you awake?"

Looking at Chen Su who had woken up, Du Yuan smiled and said this to him.

Chen Su was immediately startled:
"Six, where are the six immortals? Did you kill my generals and my personal guards?"

Du Yuan laughed even harder:

"Your personal guards were either killed or fled in the battle just now. The same goes for your generals. As for those so-called six immortals you mentioned, hehe."

Du Yuan pointed to Hua Long and said:
"They deserved to die, so I used them to paint dragons as a form of atonement!"

You used those six incredibly powerful immortals to draw dragons?!
He had heard of using gemstones as paint and gold powder, but he had never heard of using immortals to paint dragons!

"I, I, I"

Trembling with fear, Chen Su could barely utter a complete sentence.

I was so blind! I chose the wrong person!

Du Yuan didn't look at him again. Her gaze swept over his trembling shoulders and then turned to the countless wronged souls that were reappearing behind Chen Su, saying:

"What happened today began because of you, and it should end because of you."

"You can't blame anyone else, because this is the choice you made yourself."

Chen Su's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he wanted to explain something, but Du Yuan had already pointed a finger down. In an instant, his figure froze, turning into a statue of gold and stone.

As Chen Su turned into a lifeless object, the countless wronged souls who had been killed by him with their hearts ripped out finally burst forth with the joy of revenge.

Du Yuan bowed to them and said:
"Chen Su is a man of heinous crimes, and should be turned to stone, so that he may remain here forever to be cursed by future generations!"

"Therefore, you can all go in peace! But before you leave, I would like to ask for your help!"

Countless wronged souls hurriedly nodded, cupped their hands, and repeatedly agreed.

Du Yuan pointed to the large dragon beside her and said:
"I beg you all to share a bit of my power, so that I may add the finishing touch to this masterpiece!"

The wronged souls were initially puzzled, but some of their companions suddenly realized what was happening and bowed to Du Yuan.

They all followed suit and bowed in greeting.

Subsequently, the power of the people's wishes, like threads, surged from all directions, swirling around Du Yuan's fingertips and condensing into tiny golden rays.

Seeing the gold shimmering at her fingertips, Du Yuan bowed again. In an instant, countless wronged souls around her seemed to receive guidance, turning into specks of clear light and drifting away with the passing breeze, ultimately reaching the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Only after the last person disappeared from sight did Du Yuan get up and turn back to look at Da Long.

chuckled.

"We've waited so long, it's about time we made it!"

Then, he used the golden power of his fingertips as ink to dot the dragon's eyes.

"I, Du Yuan, have painted a dragon today to pray for rain, and with the help of the people's wishes, I dot its eyes. I pray that Heaven will have mercy and grant me abundant rain to save us from this perilous situation!"

The finishing touch brings the dragon to life, and the dragon soars into the sky.

The leaden clouds, which had been gradually dissipating over time, suddenly surged up as if pulled by an invisible force. Wisps of dark clouds gathered from all directions, instantly covering the sky and sweeping across the wider world.

This rekindled hope in countless disaster victims, but also made them even more afraid that it would all be a false alarm.

Three years of severe drought, coupled with the previous drought, had truly terrified them.

Countless immortals and deities who had placed their bets in the southwest held their breath, awaiting the next development.

Theoretically, this rain should absolutely not come!
The source of the severe drought in Southwest China is far beyond the current capacity of people to move around.

What can be accomplished cannot be moved, and what can be moved cannot be accomplished.

This is Southwest China today!

Since the Taoist priest insisted, there are only two possibilities—

If it fails, it means that the Taoist priest is probably also nearly exhausted. Perhaps this is the time to take revenge and let him know how powerful everyone is.

Conversely, it would mean that this Taoist priest is far beyond their expectations, and the game in the southwest probably needs to be completely recalculated.

"boom--!"

The dragon's roar and thunderous roar exploded across the sky, causing the earth to tremble slightly.

Immediately afterwards, large raindrops pounded onto the scorching earth with a "plop," kicking up a cloud of dust.

Another drop, then two drops in an instant, and a torrential downpour began, like a celestial river hanging upside down!

"It's raining! It's really raining!"

"God has truly shown mercy!"

"It's saved, we're saved!"

It is unclear who shouted the first cry, but immediately afterward, thousands of disaster victims knelt down on the ground, letting the cold rain pelt their faces and bodies, wailing and laughing loudly.

They've been waiting for this rain for three years!

The immortals and gods who had just been displaying various expressions now all changed drastically. Some dropped their magical artifacts, some lost their grip on their calculations, and some even tumbled off their seats.
They all stared in horror at the rain curtain that seemed to pierce through the clouds and split the rocks.

How can this be? !
In an instant, the people were in a frenzy, and even the immortals and gods fell silent.

The situation in the Southwest has truly been overturned by this Taoist priest with a single slap!

(End of this chapter)