Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Zhuge Mou’s Discovery

As Wen Hou shouted the word "Spirit Transformation," Lou Yun saw the shape of the mirror beneath him change instantaneously.

The mirror, originally rectangular, had transformed into an irregular diamond shape now, extending outward on both sides like it had grown wings. Along with the change in the mirror’s shape, Lou Yun could also clearly feel that its flying speed had suddenly increased several times over!

However, none of this was enough to shock Lou Yun anymore. What truly astonished him was that Wen Hou actually possessed the ability to perform Spirit Transformation with a magical weapon as well!

In the short span of half a day, Lou Yun had witnessed two individuals capable of inducing Spirit Transformation in magical weapons!

Wen Hou, however, didn’t find his ability to perform Spirit Transformation particularly noteworthy and continued, "Where were we? Oh, right, the reason for inviting you to join was also the leader’s decision. He said you meet the conditions for joining Tianjiao! Your location was also provided by him!"

"What conditions are required to join Tianjiao?" Lou Yun asked, perplexed.

"Just like the name of our organization suggests, you must be the pride of heaven. Simply put, you have to possess immense potential and talent, someone who will undoubtedly become an ultimate expert in the future!"

Lou Yun blinked. "Your leader… thinks I meet these conditions?"

"Mmm!" Wen Hou affirmed with a nod. "The leader’s judgment is always spot-on. What he says holds great conviction for us all. Tie Sha and I were the first two he invited. The three invited later had strength on par with Tie Sha and me. Although you’re still lacking somewhat now, in the future, you’re certain to grow stronger and stronger!"

Lou Yun was now filled with immense curiosity about this Zhuge Mou who had founded "Tianjiao." How was he able to ascertain whether someone could become an ultimate expert in the future? Also, how had he discovered Lou Yun?

Regarding these questions, Wen Hou shrugged. "I don’t know about that. But it’s okay, you’ll get to see him soon. Any questions you have, you can ask him directly!"

"Oh!" Lou Yun didn’t press any further. Instead, he waited with curiosity and anticipation for Zhuge Mou’s arrival!

Since Lou Yun had no further questions, Wen Hou stopped talking, focusing entirely on piloting his magical weapon. As for Tie Sha, who clearly wasn’t much of a talker, he stayed silent as usual.

Taking advantage of this moment, Lou Yun asked Chang Xiang a question: "Brother Chang, why did you tell me earlier, when we saw Hai Yixiao, the sect master of the Silver Thread Sect, to absolutely not say my name?"

Lou Yun reflected that since entering the world of cultivation, his conduct had always been principled and straightforward, without anything disgraceful. So, usually, whenever someone asked his name, he would always give his real one. Therefore, he was puzzled by Chang Xiang’s specific warning earlier.

Chang Xiang was silent for a moment before answering, "It’s nothing major. Primarily, he’s simply too powerful. You stand no chance against him in the near future. If he knew your name, he might just pose a threat to you later. You already have plenty on your plate; why add another powerful enemy?"

"Mmm!" Lou Yun accepted the answer Chang Xiang provided.

However, deep down, Chang Xiang had another answer: "Hai Yixiao? You should be called Xiao Yihai. Of the Nine Clans, the Xiao Family. Even though you’ve concealed your magical weapon and changed your name, I remember clearly the unique spiritual energy signature characteristic of each of the Nine Clans. Don’t worry, Xiao Yihai, before long, Lou Yun will come looking for you!"

…

Half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn later, Wen Hou’s voice rang out: "We’ve arrived!"

The mirror immediately swirled sharply through the air in a parabolic arc and landed steadily on the ground. The three of them climbed off one after another.

Lou Yun surveyed the surroundings and saw they were at a dilapidated temple. At this moment, standing outside the ruined main gate of the temple was another handsome young man with a pleasant smile. He stepped forward immediately upon seeing the three of them.

Lou Yun scrutinized this youth, who appeared around twenty-six or twenty-seven. His mind raced rapidly, and moments later, he concluded that he had absolutely never seen this young man before!

Originally, Lou Yun thought Chang Xiang would tell him about this young man’s cultivation level upon seeing him, but Chang Xiang remained silent.

The young man nodded towards Lou Yun with a smile first, then addressed Wen Hou and Tie Sha: "Well done!"

Wen Hou smiled back. "It was fine. We managed to bring him back without failing the mission!"

After saying this, he turned to Lou Yun: "Apologies, I kept forgetting to ask your name. This is Zhuge Mou, our leader. Any questions, you can ask him directly! We’ll go rest first!" Saying so, he and Tie Sha turned and entered the temple.

Lou Yun cupped his fists towards Zhuge Mou. "Hello, I’m Lou Yun!"

"Lou Yun, since you’re here, it means you’ve agreed to join our Tianjiao. Welcome!" Zhuge Mou’s smile was extremely sincere, appearing genuine.

However, Lou Yun still felt a trace of caution in his heart before understanding the true purpose behind their invitation to join.

Zhuge Mou continued, "Sorry, Tianjiao only has seven members in total. Normally, I should introduce everyone to you, but three others went to lend me a hand. Well, there will be plenty of opportunities later anyway. Come on in and sit for a while!"

With that, Zhuge Mou shifted his stance slightly, indicating that Lou Yun should enter the temple for a detailed discussion.

Regardless, Wen Hou and Tie Sha had saved his life from the Silver Thread Sect. So, adopting a "come what may" attitude, Lou Yun nodded and walked into the temple.

The interior of the temple was indeed utterly dilapidated. Tie Sha and Wen Hou, who had entered earlier, were not inside. Lou Yun realized that this temple must house unseen secrets!

Six or seven cushions, though worn, still relatively clean—probably because people frequently sat on them—were scattered on the floor.

Zhuge Mou followed close behind him. Pointing to the cushions on the floor, he said, "It’s quite rudimentary here, let’s just sit on these."

After both men sat down, Zhuge Mou chuckled. "On the way here, Wen Hou probably told you a little about us. But I’m sure you still have questions. Please feel free to ask anything. Within Tianjiao, we are both friends and family; there should be no secrets between us!"

Lou Yun had already prepared several questions. Without ceremony, he spoke, "I do have a few questions. How did you find out about me? Why did you want me to join? And how did you know my exact location? Also, what is the purpose of this organization, Tianjiao?"

Zhuge Mou nodded. "Don’t worry, I’ll answer them one by one. The reason I noticed you was actually a long time ago, before I even founded Tianjiao. I was passing through Lingjiang City when I unexpectedly heard your name. Out of curiosity, I secretly observed you a few times and discovered you have great potential."

At this point, Lou Yun couldn’t help but interject, "Roughly when was this when you passed through Lingjiang City?"

"It was about three years ago!"

"Three years ago?"

Lou Yun was stunned. Three years ago, he was just fifteen years old and still considered ‘useless’. Back then, apart from a very few like his father and his Second Uncle, almost everyone had given up hope on him. How could Zhuge Mou have seen great potential in him?

Zhuge Mou seemed to grasp Lou Yun’s current confusion and explained with a smile, "Although others didn’t hold much hope for you, I knew you could never be ordinary. Because I sensed within you a powerful force, so strong it was stifling!"

Chang Xiang!

The name instantly flashed through Lou Yun’s mind. Inside him, Chang Xiang also let out a surprised mutter: "Strange, can he perceive my existence? Ah! I understand! Earlier, I sensed powerful forces within Tie Sha and Wen Hou as well. Everyone who joins Tianjiao must be in this situation! And Zhuge Mou possesses the strongest force among them!"

Lou Yun hurriedly asked internally, "Does that mean they each have a being like you, a ‘spirit’, inside them?"

"Impossible!" Chang Xiang’s response was decisive and certain. "Beings like me… perhaps they exist, but I certainly haven’t encountered one. And if I did encounter one, I would be able to sense it; I wouldn’t miss it!"

Sure enough, Zhuge Mou’s following words confirmed Chang Xiang’s conjecture: "Actually, it’s not just you. Everyone in Tianjiao, including myself, possesses a powerful force within our bodies. It feels like another person living inside us. But we haven’t truly been able to master this power. Only at the most critical, life-or-death moments, does this power burst forth to save us. This is why I conceived of creating Tianjiao."

"I felt that since we each harbor this incredibly powerful force within us that we cannot control, it can’t be a coincidence. That led me to the thought of gathering everyone like us together so that we all could work collectively to unearth the reason for this power and uncover the secrets buried within our bodies!"

"So, I began searching across the Spirit Weapon Star for others like us. I wanted to find you first initially, but back then… haha, you were too weak. But I kept an eye on you. Later, I encountered Tie Sha and Wen Hou by chance. Coincidentally, both were orphans, and both possessed great power within them. After inviting them to join, I subsequently met three more individuals. Now, you are the seventh."

Pausing here, Zhuge Mou’s face took on a contemplative look. After a moment, he spoke again, "Actually, I haven’t told the other five about the powerful forces existing within all seven of us. The reason I tell only you is that I sense you might already be capable of controlling this force!"

Lou Yun’s heart skipped a beat, thinking this Zhuge Mou was incredibly perceptive. While it wasn’t exactly him controlling the force, Chang Xiang could indeed communicate with him freely. That counted as having access to this formidable power. According to Zhuge Mou’s implication, the other five couldn’t manage it yet. The question was, could Zhuge Mou control his own?

"Why do you think I can already control this force? What about you? Can you control the force within you?"

Lou Yun could distinctly feel that Chang Xiang, within him, also became tense when he asked this question, completely focused, listening intently for Zhuge Mou’s answer.