Chapter 575 - 346: Green Temptation (Part 2)
This meant Zou Feng was judged the victor, replacing Song Yuanze and taking the number one spot.
This outcome was, of course, a good thing for Zou Feng.
After all, as this was his first time entering the top ten of the Heaven-Reaching Rankings, he was eligible to receive a "Blessed Fortune" from the Celestial Dao Cauldron.
Just as Zou Feng was wondering when the Blessed Fortune would arrive, the Celestial Dao Cauldron chimed once, and a golden sphere of light swiftly descended.
Judging by the Blessed Fortune’s trajectory, it was clearly headed toward the Sacred Hall of Combat.
Upon hearing the chime, Zou Feng immediately stepped out of the hall to receive his reward.
Before long, under the envious gazes of the surrounding crowd, he was enveloped by the golden sphere of light that represented the Blessed Fortune.
The Blessed Fortune bestowed by the Celestial Dao Cauldron was often the very thing the recipient needed most.
Zou Feng had experienced this firsthand last time.
’Last time, the Blessed Fortune helped me resolve a crisis. This time, it must be something I need for my Foundation Establishment...’
Zou Feng was filled with anticipation.
’With this, forging my ideal Dao Foundation should be a sure thing.’
Shortly after being enveloped by the golden sphere of light, two treasures appeared before Zou Feng.
’Good things come in pairs?’
Judging by their appearance, the two treasures were a scroll and a deep blue Elixir Pill.
Just as Zou Feng was wondering how to use these two treasures, a stream of information related to them poured into his mind.
After learning how to use the treasures from the influx of information, Zou Feng couldn’t help but look astonished.
The scroll was a type of Visualization Map.
Its use was self-explanatory—he just had to look at it intently.
As for the Elixir Pill...
It wasn’t actually an Elixir Pill, but a single drop of poison called the Tear of Deep Blue, enveloped in a shell of Spiritual Qi.
However, this poison wasn’t for him to use, but for his Lifebound Gu Insect, Xiaolv, to consume.
After learning this, Zou Feng was understandably confused.
’I’m about to forge my Dao Foundation, so why is the boon from the Celestial Dao Cauldron for Xiaolv to use?’
And then there was the Visualization Map...
At first glance, it was, shockingly, an image of Xiaolv.
However, the Xiaolv in the image was more formidable in appearance and aura, and it seemed more profound and unfathomable the longer he looked.
Seeing this, Zou Feng fell into deep thought.
’The Celestial Dao Cauldron wouldn’t give a boon to Xiaolv for no reason. Could it be that the key to forging my ideal Dao Foundation, the one thing I’m missing, is actually Xiaolv!?’
’It’s not going to make me perform Refinement on Xiaolv, is it?’
’Wait a minute, I almost forgot that Xiaolv is my Lifebound Gu Insect. If Xiaolv can be strengthened, allowing its venom to evolve further, it would indeed bring me considerable benefits.’
Moreover, the venom of my Poisonous Insect Xiaolv, which I’ve raised since my days as a slave, has been integrated into every stage of my Poison Skill cultivation.
Even though I’ve collected all kinds of Exotic Poisons for my practice, I always end up mixing in Xiaolv’s venom to concoct all sorts of strange Mixed Poisons.
But ever since arriving at the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect, I’ve gradually neglected Xiaolv, feeling that its venom was no longer up to par, and have been treating it purely as a pet.
But in reality, the fact that Xiaolv’s venom can no longer keep pace is also because I haven’t done my best to nurture it.
’So, according to the Celestial Dao Cauldron’s judgment, the missing piece for forging my ideal Dao Foundation is the metamorphosis of my Lifebound Gu Insect...’
With that thought, everything clicked into place for Zou Feng. It all made perfect sense.
As for the Visualization Map, that was the real treasure the Celestial Dao Cauldron had prepared for him.
Thinking of this, Zou Feng couldn’t wait. He began the Visualization of the Xiaolv portrait right then and there.
He was still enveloped by a faint golden light, and the surrounding onlookers couldn’t clearly see what he was doing.
And sure enough, as he seriously focused on the Visualization Map, the image quickly began to change.
The Xiaolv in the image seemed to come alive, moving with startling realism.
It wasn’t moving randomly; its movements were as if it were demonstrating some profound Poison Skill for Zou Feng.
’This little guy can teach me a Poison Skill?’
’But the question is, how am I supposed to imitate the movements that a strange insect like Xiaolv can make?’
Even though he thought it was useless for now, Zou Feng continued to observe intently, memorizing everything.
’Still, this Visualization Map isn’t just to make me watch Xiaolv dance, is it...?’
Huh?
Just then, the Xiaolv on the Visualization Map changed again.
A green mist gradually rose from its body, quickly enveloping it.
The green mist came as quickly as it went.
Before long, Xiaolv’s form reappeared.
But what made Zou Feng’s jaw drop was that this Xiaolv was not the same Xiaolv as before.
What appeared before his eyes was an elfin beauty.
She had long, slightly curled green hair, green pupils, and green scales covering her most private areas.
From her back extended six pairs of translucent cicada wings.
Zou Feng had seen plenty of peerless beauties in his time, but this elfin woman still left him stunned.
Of course, the most absurd part was that he was sure this woman was Xiaolv in her transformed shape.
’Xiaolv would turn into such a beauty after transforming!?’
If they were still in Great Yan, then no matter how Xiaolv practiced her Cultivation, she would have never had the chance to shapeshift.
But now that they were in the Eastern Earth Immortal Realm, Zou Feng had indeed considered the possibility that Xiaolv might one day take human form.
However, he never would have imagined that a transformed Xiaolv would look like this elfin creature.
At that exact moment, the Xiaolv on the Visualization Map gave Zou Feng a bewitching smile, her expression full of tender affection.
Seeing this, Zou Feng instinctively brought a hand to his forehead.
’Hold on, have you ever heard of reproductive isolation!?’
’You’re an insect! A Gu Insect raised on all kinds of poisons! What’s the meaning behind that affectionate look?’
’A man can’t... or at least, he shouldn’t...’
Zou Feng shook off those chaotic thoughts and continued to focus on the Visualization Map.
Now, the transformed Xiaolv began to dance again.
But compared to her dancing in insect form, the humanoid Xiaolv’s dance was far more captivating.
And she would even occasionally incorporate the Shaking Flower Hand movement.
Zou Feng had already activated his recently comprehended "Sage Mode," so he watched this dance with the solemn attitude of one appreciating a work of art.
This attitude quickly paid off.
As he watched, something seemed to explode in his mind.
Zou Feng’s body gave a great shudder—a Tiger Body Shakes—and he felt strange knowledge flooding into his Sea of Consciousness.
"Great Universal Hand (Unity of Heaven and Man), Progress: 6%"
His Great Universal Hand, which had been stuck on the final sliver of progress from Extraordinary to Saint, had just successfully broken through.
Finally, another one of his Cultivation Skills had reached the realm of Unity of Heaven and Man.
Come to think of it, the most effective way to practice the Great Universal Hand had always been through Visualization.
It was just that for a long time, he had struggled to find suitable objects for Visualization, forcing him to rely on all sorts of chaotic, random imaginings during his Cultivation.
The Visualization Map from the Celestial Dao Cauldron had not only reminded him of Xiaolv’s importance but had also handily solved his breakthrough issue with the Great Universal Hand.
At this thought, Zou Feng couldn’t help but gaze up at the sky, toward the Celestial Dao Cauldron, which was barely visible amidst the clouds high above.
’An Immortal Artifact this terrifyingly powerful... It’s impossible to imagine what kind of mighty being could have forged it...’
And with the successful breakthrough of the Great Universal Hand, Zou Feng was now almost certain he could forge his ideal Dao Foundation.
All he had to do now was return to the Hongxing Inn, summon Xiaolv, and have it consume the Tear of Deep Blue.
Then, he would show it the Visualization Map, have Xiaolv learn the movements on it, and use this two-pronged approach to help it achieve its super-evolution.
Perhaps the Xiaolv depicted in the Visualization Map wasn’t a premonition of its future appearance, but rather the most suitable evolutionary path for it.
Once Xiaolv had carefully observed and learned from it, he could ensure its future development wouldn’t go awry.
The next moment, the golden light completely dissipated. Zou Feng stored away the Tear of Deep Blue and the Visualization Map, and prepared to leave.
However, just as he was about to make a move, he discovered that the surrounding disciples were all wearing dazed, foolish smiles. They were manically performing the Shaking Flower Hand, dancing in their own little worlds, completely unable to stop.