"Master Yuan, do not tarnish my innocence," said Tao Qian, "Besides, my wife is truly understanding."

Master Tao reflexively contradicted, and at the same time, it also dawned on him.

Previously, Yunrong had clarified that the Immortal Wine only worked for cultivators like Zhen Buchi. For other cultivators like Tao Qian who drank it, it should have no such effect.

With this thought in mind, Tao Qian was reassured and decisively began to probe for secrets.

"According to what Zhen Ci'en said, and the proud thoughts of his father Zhen Shiliang."

"Although the disciples of Kongchan Arhat are numerous, the one he truly valued was indeed Zhen Buchi."

"Even if Zhen Buchi somehow offended Shipi Arhat, Kongchan still protected him."

"With such a status, he must know many secrets. There should be something to gain this time."

...

As the thought arose, Tao Qian began to review the life of Zhen Buchi. Those light and rainbow mists allowed him to display different scenes at will.

After all, he was a child of Buddha not swayed by passion. Most of his life involved the woes of lovelorn men and women, and the debts of love and affection.

After a long while, Tao Qian's expression shifted, and he learned of the first great secret.

In the light before him, a familiar figure appeared.

It was Kongchan Arhat, holding the Bodhi Branch, his face full of compassion, looking at the infant Zhen Buchi and saying:

"In your past life, you were a strong expert, tired of the ways of cultivation; thus you obscured your True Spirit and chose to reincarnate, once again becoming a human."

"Such an act by my predecessor, Kongchan admires. However, having encountered the Reincarnation Body of my predecessor, if I do not make good use of it, would it not be a waste of heavenly gifts?"

"In this life, you must block a tribulation for me once."

"With the strength of my predecessor's True Spirit, helping me pass the Daoist Transformation Tribulation should not be difficult."

"As compensation for my predecessor, and as part of the price, Kongchan will allow my predecessor to live freely in this life, to experience the karma and poisons of the secular world, and I must ensure that my predecessor does not die before I overcome my tribulation."

"In this way, Kongchan thanks my predecessor in advance."

When this scene unfolded, Tao Qian and Yuan Gong were both shocked.

Who would have thought such a huge secret would be so carelessly revealed.

Of course, even Kongchan Arhat could not have imagined this.

How could he know that Zhen Buchi would later drink a cup of Immortal Wine from Jade Ring Mountain, awakening his Heart Soul, with no secrets left hidden.

These childhood memories were not even remembered by Zhen Buchi himself, leaving only some remnants in his Heart Soul.

Now, however, they were seen by the master and disciple Tao Qian.

Before Master Tao could say anything, Master Yuan exclaimed in admiration:

"What a lucky bald monk, his fate is good, and he truly knows how to play."

"This prodigal child must have been at least a Daoist Transformation Expert, or even a stronger expert, in his past life, only it's not clear why he had such a death wish to terminate himself and obscure his True Spirit to be reincarnated."

"Ordinary people might get completely extinguished in one reincarnation."

"But such beings, even if they cannot awaken their innate wisdom, can ensure reincarnation over and over."

"By chance, he was discovered by Kongchan, who took him as a disciple, but planned to use him as a shield for tribulation, to help himself break through that Daoist Transformation Tribulation."

"There's no need to investigate further; he must succeed."

After Master Yuan finished speaking, Tao Qian responded reflexively and adamantly with two sentences:

"Not necessarily!"

"Before, it might have been possible, but after meeting me, it's no longer certain."

While saying this, Tao Qian continued to consult Yuan Gong.

For example, could he possibly know the background of this high-predecessor? Could he unveil the obscurity of his True Spirit?

The answer was unsurprising and all negative, leading to Yuan Gong's ridicule:

"Let's not even mention whether that predecessor is Daoist Transformation or a Tribulation Immortal; even if it's just Daoist Transformation, you and I can do nothing about it."

"Don't look at it as just one realm higher than Ultimate Happiness, but the difference between them is vast like that between heaven and earth."

"Also, don't regard Daoist Transformation cultivators like Li Wanshou and Gao Huan, who progressed through bloodsucking, as proper Daoist Transformation cultivators; they too are far apart."

"A proper Daoist Transformation, like those second-generation patriarchs of your Spirit Treasure Sect, each one is exceptionally strong."

"Just take one example: your deceased master, Duobao, once he can overcome the tribulations... my goodness, I dare not even think about it."

Master Yuan's teachings made Tao Qian understand how terrifying a genuine Daoist Transformation Expert could be.

He could only commit the matter of "Zhen Buchi's past life" to memory for now, pressing it down to be revisited when an opportunity arose later.

Knowing this secret explained some of his previous doubts. Love this story? Show support at MV2LEMPYR.

"No wonder Zhen Buchi, who clearly isn't suitable to be a Demon Buddha's Son, has such a stable position, and even when offending Shipi, he remains undying."

"As the Reincarnation Body of Kongchan, unless he faces life and death, Kongchan would never abandon him."

Thinking of this, Tao Qian's face showed even greater anticipation.

Such a status!

In his heart and soul, there must be all kinds of secrets.

Quite excited, Tao Qian continued to read on.

Indeed, secrets and Secret Techniques unknown even to outsiders, let alone disciples of the Demon Buddha Temple, were laid bare before Tao Qian's eyes without reservation.

For a while, he reveled in the exhilaration, attracting Master Yuan himself, who emerged in a red misty form to watch along with him.

After several more hours, they finally reached the part that truly interested Tao Qian.

It was the secret matter related to the Devil Concubine Yuan Mingzhen.

He also understood how this profligate son had offended Shipi Arhat.

"Yuan Mingzhen possessed the [Spring and Autumn Chariot]; she could have easily crossed Qiantang and fled to the Southern region."

"Shipi himself took action to intercept, trapping her at the old site of Han Mountain Temple."

"Planning to use her as bait, he aimed to lure various warlords, strong people, and even the Tiannan Gao Family into his trap."

"To prevent the Devil Concubine from escaping, he trapped her and set up an Array, sending All Demons, monk, and Buddha's sons to guard her."

"There would have been no issue here if not for the day Zhen Buchi took over; being foolishly infatuated with beauty and good beauties, he couldn't find anyone more beautiful than Yuan Mingzhen. Upon his arrival, he began to make small talk and even started to affectionately call her Primordial Consort Sister."

"Although Yuan Mingzhen was defeated in the battle of the Imperial City and lost her foundation, it wasn't her fault; it was merely a vast difference in power. This woman is both enchanting and domineering, and when her Heavenly Phoenix Destiny revealed itself, she truly was an Empress like no other."

"It was effortless for such a presence to subdue Zhen Buchi."

"A few days later, Zhen Buchi indeed made a move, destroying the Buddha Array, entangling a group of demon monks to let his heart's Primordial Consort Sister escape."

"Had it not been for Kongchan's instantaneous arrival, the Devil Concubine would have really succeeded."

"After this incident, Shipi was determined to kill Zhen Buchi, but Kongchan paid a great price to save him."

...

"Unexpected, yet makes perfect sense."

This was how Tao Qian commented on the process of this secret matter.

Knowing what kind of person Zhen Buchi was, Tao Qian had guessed as much in his heart.

Beyond the process, Tao Qian inadvertently glimpsed another matter.

It wasn't a secret, just unexpected.

"Yuan Mingzhen, after her defeat in the Imperial City and being dethroned, nearly saw her forces dispersed."

"Yet she had the backing of the Xie Family and Guanyin Temple, still possessing the power to rise again."

"Unexpectedly, the Xie Family gave up on her halfway, taking back all their servants and soldiers, even insisting that Daoist Lingzhu also return home. Only Lingzhu refused, and to this day, she still follows and guards Yuan Mingzhen, willing to live and die together."

"The attitude of Guanyin Temple remains unknown; some Bodhisattvas sent from the temple have already perished in the Imperial City."

Having read this, Tao Qian couldn't help but sigh.

When he first saw Yuan Mingzhen, she was decked in phoenix crown and cloud robe, ready to enter the Imperial Palace in grandeur, seize fortune, and ascend to Empress.

He had previously met Daoist Lingzhu, who warmly invited him and his counterfeit body, heavy with the lore of the Secret of the Toad Sect, to assist the Devil Concubine in the Imperial City and share in a great undertaking.

Now, as he was about to meet her again, she had fallen to become bait.

Tao Qian sighed and continued reading.

Soon, several of the most recent secrets that he was very interested in were revealed:

"The Great Compassionate and Merciful Transcendent Bodhisattva has now cultivated eight, with one still lacking the [Wisdom Mother], fallen into the hands of Wu Gou Monk from the South Sea, hurry to Suzhou, befriend that person, and retrieve the Buddha Treasure."

"In three days, the Demon Buddha Temple will hold a [Birth of Buddha Dharma Assembly] in Qiantang City, where many great matters will be conducted: first is to use a Secret Technique to make Cheng Arhat attain Ultimate Happiness Realm; second is to use the Great Transcendence Bodhisattvas to set up half a Big Array, refining all visiting warlords and Ultimate Happiness Cultivators together, creating the remaining nine Venerable Bodhisattva Treasures; third is to fully deploy troops, invade the neighboring province, and annex Tiannan."

...

ps: The wine and tea mentioned in this chapter come from "Dream of the Red Chamber," of course, I don't need to say who Zhen Buchi is a reference to. There's more to come, asking for your monthly ticket.