Chương 278: Grand Completion of the Lotus Sutra

Moon-Lacking Pavilion. Hearing Song Que's question, Zuo Mu didn't dare hide the slightest bit, immediately telling everything he knew:"This Brother Nie Feng isn't anything special. Just like any ordinary 2nd Grade martial artist, his destiny is orange. However, with Master Song's golden clouds enveloping him, breaking through to the First-Tier in the future is not impossible."

"The problem lies with Brother Xiong Ba! Within his body exists a massive, terrifying aura of ominous red and black murderous Qi! I have never seen anyone with a destiny as bizarre as his before! If this ominous Qi weren't suppressed by Master Song's destiny, it would have exploded long ago. I wouldn't dare guess the consequences! That's precisely why this lowly one said he had a great murderous tribulation; I wasn't just deliberately trying to scare you." So that's what destiny looks like!

Although he couldn't see it himself, Song Que knew Zuo Mu was telling the truth. Seeing the worry on Xiong Ba and Nie Feng's faces, he smiled to reassure them:"I already know about the issue with Xiong Ba's body, and I have found a solution. It's because his physique is special that it turned out this way. As for Zuo Mu, his eyes must have awakened a special ability similar to the Heavenly Eye. He's not the only one in the world with it; there's no need to be overly anxious or on guard."

Following that, he asked Zuo Mu a few more questions related to destiny. Finally, he came to a conclusion: what this guy called 'destiny' was extremely closely linked to martial strength. It would be more accurate to say that what this guy saw was 'martial destiny'. It had nothing to do with wealth. Even if you were a millionaire, in Old Zuo's eyes, you were no different from a commoner.

Ordinary commoners had white destiny, 3rd Tier martial artists had red, 2nd Tier had orange, First-Tier had yellow, and Grandmasters had blue. Anything above that—like the royal family in the imperial capital—would probably have a giant purple cloud covering the sky above them. This miraculously coincided with the colors of the Tesseract's energy each time it advanced! It was evident that Zuo Mu's words held not the slightest falsehood. Consequently, his interest in this guy's eyes deepened even further.......

Having set his mind on recruiting Zuo Mu for his own use, Master Song instantly transformed into a wise and benevolent lord. In a warm, unhurried tone, he began to advise him:"Brother Zuo, wandering aimlessly from place to place like this is not a solution. At thirty, a man should stand firm. Looking at your age, it's about time you settled down and started a family. Since you're already here, why not make the best of it? Stay here, live in peace, work happily, and conveniently offer me some counsel."

"Doesn't this Song have an abundance of destiny on his body? You can absorb it as you please; take as much as you can! Moreover, there's fine wine and good food here, and people who understand you and can protect you. Isn't that wonderful?" His destiny can be continuously generated; he wasn't afraid of someone taking a sip every now and then! Hearing Grandee Song's smooth-talking temptation, Zuo Mu's heart began to waver incessantly.

But remembering this guy's expression earlier—the absolute true colors of a devil—Old Zuo immediately shuddered and shook his head:"Master Song... this... this lowly one actually has a confidante waiting for me in my hometown. We have already agreed to get married in a few months. The purpose of my trip this time was originally to earn some extra silver to go back and throw her a grand wedding. Therefore, although I really want to stay, I must disappoint your good intentions."

"Is that so? What a pity!" Song Que understood the logic that a forcefully plucked melon isn't sweet. Since the person's heart wasn't here, keeping him was useless. He had no choice but to let him be. It's just that I wonder... if I knock this guy out with a stick right now and seize his body (possession), will his Heavenly Eyes still exist? I'm just afraid they might disappear, which would be a massive loss! Should I try it once?

Just as Old Demon Song was deeply pondering the feasibility of this operation, Zuo Mu suddenly seemed like a completely different person, excitedly shouting aloud:"Master Song, Master Song... I agree! I agree to join you!"

"Oh? Why did Brother Zuo change his mind?"

"Master Song, to tell you the truth, ever since I heard of your magnificent achievements, this lowly one has long yearned for you! Seeing your demeanor with my own eyes, my admiration for you truly flows endlessly like the torrential waters of a river, ceaselessly like the Linjiang River!"

"When Master Song tried to recruit me just now, my heart was actually a hundred, a thousand times willing! It was just that outwardly I was a bit reserved, wanting to wait for you to invite me once more before smoothly agreeing." Zuo Mu, pale with excitement, spat saliva in all directions as he spoke a long string of words without pausing. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Therefore, Master Song, please do me the favor of taking me in! From now on, this lowly one will devote himself entirely to you. I will jump whenever you say jump, and never dare to have second thoughts!" So the martial world rates me, Song Que, this highly! Scumbag Song was extremely delighted inwardly.

"Has Brother Zuo thought this through carefully? Are you really not going back to marry your confidante?" Although he still felt a bit regretful about this guy's Heavenly Eyes, since the person earnestly wanted to join him, Master Song was too embarrassed to strike. He just couldn't bear to part with them, glancing at Old Zuo's eyes a few more times as he asked. This glance frightened Zuo Mu to the extreme.

Not daring to hesitate in the slightest, he nodded like a pestle pounding garlic, almost kneeling down to cry and beg:"Master Song, please have pity and take me in! Being able to stay by the side of a great man like you is the blessing this lowly one cultivated over dozens of lifetimes! That confidante broke her promise and ran off with a rich young master months ago! This lowly one has no burdens left! From now on, just being able to serve you is enough to satisfy me in this life!" Sigh... what else can I do?

Grandee Song was truly moved by this guy's 'sincere feelings'. Sighing ruefully, he patted his shoulder a few times and reluctantly accepted this mascot subordinate.

"Alright. For the sake of your sincere heart, having trekked such a long distance regardless of hardships just to join me, this Young Master will reluctantly take you in. From now on, follow me left and right as an attendant." Hearing that from now on he had to stick by this guy's side—meaning he wouldn't even have the chance to escape—Zuo Mu almost cried tears of blood. He only hated himself for being so nosy and charging headfirst into this godforsaken place! But he only dared to think this secretly.

Outwardly, he acted so moved that tears streamed down his face, bowing to express his immense gratitude:"Many thanks to the Lord for taking me in!"

"Call me Young Master like them."

"Yes, Young Master!" Zuo Mu temporarily accepted his fate.

"Young Master, your gold..."

"No need. What this Young Master gives out, there is no reason to take back. It's just a bit of pocket money; consider it a greeting gift. Use it boldly and with peace of mind." I just don't know if I'll ever have the chance to go out and spend money in this lifetime! Old Zuo felt extremely pessimistic. As if reading this guy's thoughts, Song Que immediately offered some comforting encouragement:"Rest assured.

Later, when the entertainment district outside Qinghe City is completed, there will be plenty of places for you to spend money. As long as your attitude at that time satisfies this Young Master, I won't restrict your freedom any further. Work hard!" Although he didn't know how much truth there was to these words, a bit of vitality finally began to appear in Zuo Mu's eyes, and his voice regained much of its strength:"Many thanks, Young Master!"

"Mhm, very good. Follow this Young Master to attend the banquet. Today, there are three more 5th Grade martial artists joining the faction. I'll take this opportunity to introduce you to the brothers of the Moon-Lacking Pavilion."

"Understood, Young Master!" During lunch that day, Song Que invited all the high-ranking members and headmen of the faction to the Headquarters, introducing the newly joined experts to them. Among them was one 6th Grade martial artist, three 5th Grade, and four 4th Grade! In an instant, the high-level combat power of the Moon-Lacking Pavilion had nearly doubled, leaving the brothers below incredibly excited. Their hearts felt much more secure, and a sense of pride simultaneously welled up within them.

Remembering the early days when the Moon-Lacking Pavilion was just established, there were only four or five 2nd Tier martial artists. Now, less than a year later, the Pavilion even had First-Tier combatants, and the 2nd Grade martial artists couldn't be counted on two hands! The booming future development was truly something to look forward to! They feasted and drank joyously. It wasn't until late afternoon that the banquet officially concluded, and Master Song led his people back to Plum Villa.

That evening at dinner, to show how highly he valued his newly accepted little brother, Culinary God Song personally went to the kitchen to show off his skills for Old Zuo, even offering him a complimentary jug of Dragon Blood Wine. This made the guy—who loved wine like his life—instantly throw away all his grievances. Getting completely drunk, he hugged Master Song's thigh, crying and calling him 'Grandpa Song,' vowing that even if someone chased him with a stick in the future, he absolutely wouldn't run away.

This caused everyone to hold their bellies and laugh uproariously. From then on, a scholar dressed in an elegant literati robe, wearing a cloth cap and holding a snow-white feather fan, constantly followed by Grandee Song's side, offering him counsel and pontificating like a true master day in and day out. Who knew how effective it was, but every time this guy smiled mysteriously, fanning himself with one hand and stroking his beard with the other, it truly looked incredibly ostentatious.

His calm, confident demeanor, as if he grasped the pearls of wisdom in his hand, was enough to make outsiders look on in awe and submission. …. Having successfully recruited a talent, Master Song felt deeply refreshed and retreated to his room to begin his evening cultivation. He could feel that the cultivation of his Marvellous Lotus Sutra visualizations had reached a bottleneck. Tonight, he would rouse his spirit with a single beat of the drum and break through this technique to the grand completion stage!

At this moment, within his mental space. A Precious Marvellous Lotus Pedestal, the size of a house, hovered in mid-air, continuously radiating a breathtakingly beautiful, seven-colored glow. Around the lotus pedestal, petal after petal was being formed from the void through visualization. Suddenly, as the final lotus petals perfectly interlocked, all 84, 000 petals instantly blazed with brilliant light, shooting out dazzling rays that obscured the entire space. Who knew how much time had passed?

When everything returned to calm, Song Que's Precious Lotus Pedestal had become as solid and lifelike as a physical object. He could even clearly feel the intricate patterns and veins on the petals, and a fragrance that permeated deep into his lungs. Looking from afar, the entire lotus pedestal resembled a massive gemstone, radiating a soft, sparkling light without losing its solemn majesty. Master Song was ecstatic! The Marvellous Lotus Sutra visualizations had officially reached grand completion!

Now, as long as he condensed his true dharma idol form upon the lotus pedestal, from then on, he could be considered to have mastered a passive skill granting immunity to mental attacks! It was truly fantastic! If he ever encountered the Blood Moon Enchantress again, Master Song wouldn't be flustered and distracted like last time. Suppressing the excitement in his mind, Song Que followed the descriptions in the manual and began to condense his true dharma idol form.

Upon the lotus pedestal, an illusory projection slowly appeared. But at this moment, it was still extremely weak, like a wisp of smoke or mist that could be scattered by the wind. Let alone the facial features, even the arms and legs on its body couldn't be formed clearly. Song Que wasn't the least bit anxious or impatient, focusing his entire mind to systematically and slowly visualize. The body, the legs, the arms... the various parts of the body gradually appeared.

Right at this moment, a sudden mutation occurred!