It was the most unusual and unexpected event I had ever known. Until my first life, when the Nain Sect appeared, the White Lotus Sect had been quietly secluded without any significant incidents. No one in the world would dispute that the White Lotus Sect was the strongest martial force, yet the current order of the jianghu (martial world) was maintained because they did not get involved in its affairs.
"What, what? You mean they decided to oppose the Ming court?"
I stammered, and Wangliang shook his head.
"No, thatâs not it. The tension in the jianghu is still taut."
"Then?"
"About three months ago, the White Lotus Sectâs experts first appeared in Qinghai. They were believed to be in Xinjiang until then, but soon they also appeared in Guangzhou and Fujian."
"Guangzhou and Fujian have nothing to do with Xinjiang, right?"
"Exactly. And those who called themselves the White Lotus People immediately bought large buildings to establish the Central Plains branch of the White Lotus Sect. Although they havenât engaged in any significant external activities or military demonstrations yet, the fact that the White Lotus Sect has publicly announced its entry into the Central Plains is unprecedented, causing the jianghu to be in a state of high alert."
"......"
In short, the White Lotus Sect has bought buildings and established a branch in the Central Plains.
However, even this alone was enough to put thousands of sects in the Central Plains martial world into a state of high alert, demonstrating the immense power and influence of the White Lotus Sect. Especially, the high level of the White Lotus Peopleâs internal energy was a well-known secret, so no one would dare to provoke them lightly. I asked cautiously.
"The Ming court must dislike the White Lotus Sect. Why isnât the court taking action?"
"Thatâs the strange part. The White Lotus Sect has always been evaluated as having the power to dominate the Central Plains, but they didnât come out due to the enmity between the Hongwu Emperor and the White Lotus Sectâs leader. However, this time, the government is completely silent about the White Lotus Sectâs move, and even when martial artists submit petitions, the government only repeats the stance that 'martial affairs should be resolved by martial artists.'"
"That canât be..."
I responded skeptically, and Wangliang said:
"As you think, this is a golden opportunity for the Ming court to attack the White Lotus Sect with a million troops. However, both the imperial family and the entire court are silent about the White Lotus Sectâs actions."
"Is it the calm before the storm?"
Wangliang chuckled.
"Some think so, but I donât. The best strategy is to strike when the enemyâs strength is even slightly weaker. If the White Lotus Sect subjugates and absorbs the sects of the Central Plains martial world and becomes the supreme ruler, then it will become an unprecedented and uncontrollable force, even for the government. I see the governmentâs current inaction as an anomaly, not a strategy."
"An anomaly?"
"The White Lotus Sect must have done something that prevents the Jinyiwei and Dongchang from acting freely. In fact, our Ban Tian Alliance has become much more active since the White Lotus Sect began its activities, mainly because the Jinyiweiâs actions have become much slower."
"Hmm... Thatâs why you could come to Goryeo with ease."
"Exactly, and the current martial world is like a powder keg. Once a spark is lit, a slaughter will undoubtedly ensue, regardless of friend or foe, so I came here to avoid the danger for a while."
I understood the overall situation from Wangliangâs explanation. After thinking for a moment, I asked Wangliang:
"What do you plan to do from now on?"
"If nothing special happens, I plan to return to the Central Plains with you and continue the activities of the Ban Tian Alliance. This is a golden opportunity, and if you help me, we can achieve great success."
"... I have a bit of a problem."
"What is it?"
I told Wangliang that I am currently learning medicine and that the ten-year agreement with the fox spirit is almost over. Wangliang sighed after hearing the whole story.
"If I had known, I should have told you about the fox spirit earlier."
"The fox spiritâs power is incredibly high. She is a great demon that can sweep away the elite of the Twelve Sects."
"Indeed, she must be. If she is a Heavenly Fox and was once by the side of the Queen Mother of the West, she was originally a noble being, not inferior to the upper immortals of the Heavenly Realm. If such a being fell and was exiled to the mortal world, she must possess tremendous power."
"Is there any way out?"
"Hmm..."
Wangliang thought for a moment and asked:
"You mentioned that the fox spirit gave you a mirror called the Bajijing and told you to cultivate it. Have you been doing that?"
"Of course. I meditate with the mirror for an hour every morning and evening, as thereâs no downside to it."
"Let me see it once."
As Wangliang made a strange hand sign, a faint orange circle appeared in the air. The circle reached near my heart and was slowly absorbed. After closing his eyes and thinking for a moment, Wangliang said:
"As I thought. Your potential for sorcery is now very high."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Thanks to the consistent absorption of the Three Divine Treasuresâ power over the past nine years, your Upper Dantian has responded and is slightly open. You have effectively cultivated your spiritual power."
"Spiritual power?"
"The fox spirit gave you a very precious treasure. You can now learn basic sorcery."
"......!!"
I was in a state of continuous shock. I had been practicing with the Bajijing without much thought, but I never imagined that it was not martial arts but a cultivation method for sorcery. When I took out the Bajijing from my pocket and showed it to him, Wangliang was amazed.
"Indeed, it is the true version of the Three Divine Treasures. It seems the rumor that the fox spirit charmed the Heavenly Emperor of Dongying is true."
"Are you saying I can really use sorcery?"
Wangliang nodded as if it were obvious.
"Of course. Not only martial artists but also sorcerers can improve their abilities through consistent practice. By carrying the best magical treasure from Dongying and practicing with it for an hour every day, you have performed the cultivation of the Left Path, which enhances your innate talent for sorcery. This is on par with the best state I achieved after obtaining the Makyah and practicing sorcery."
"Oh...!!"
"Since itâs come to this, Iâll teach you some sorcery. You should be able to learn quickly."
"Thank you."
I felt like I had stumbled upon a windfall. I had given up on sorcery after Wangliang, who is almost a divine-level sorcerer, declared that I had no talent for it. But now, unexpectedly, a path had opened up! I was secretly overjoyed at the thought that I could now use sorcery.
Wangliang said in amazement:
"Even so, it seems the fox spirit has a great liking for you. Generally, celestial beings who have fallen to the mortal world are mostly evil and malevolent, and the fox spirit is a prime example. Yet, she not only kept you alive and conversed with you until the end but also gave you her treasure... This is an extraordinary favor that is hard to imagine under normal circumstances."
"Is it that serious?"
I didnât think Miho was that bad. I didnât feel she was an evil being during our conversation. However, Wangliang said firmly:
"I can say for sure. You survived this life thanks to the blessing of the Queen Mother of the West. The fox spirit, carrying guilt and longing for the Heavenly Realm, connected these feelings to a liking for you. If you meet the fox spirit in your next reincarnation, you shouldnât expect such luck."
"Because of the Queen Motherâs blessing..."
"According to rumors, the fox spirit has killed thousands of people in Dongying. She is undoubtedly a great and evil demon."
Sighing, Wangliang continued:
"Ha, you wonât be able to return to the Central Plains for a while."
"Itâs awkward to go because of the fox spirit. Miho will surely find me in the Central Plains."
"In my opinion, you need to calmly persuade her. If you do, the fox spirit will never kill you. Killing you, who is protected by the Queen Motherâs blessing, would be like negating herself."
"Thatâs what I need to do."
"However, remember this. She is highly unlikely to forgive betrayal. You need to be cautious in your conversation to achieve a good outcome."
For the next half year, I learned basic sorcery from Wangliang. When I asked him if he was going back to the Central Plains, he replied that it wouldnât be too late to return after the White Lotus Sect had stirred up the jianghu. Indeed, the appearance of the White Lotus Sect seemed to be restraining the Jinyiwei, allowing the Ban Tian Alliance to move more freely.
Although it was basic, I learned sorcery at an incredibly fast pace. In just half a year, I managed to learn five sorcery techniques, which was a surprise even to Wangliang.
"Indeed, you have inherited the mystical power of the Bajijing. At this level, you should be able to enter the intermediate level of sorcery soon."