Chapter 1600 - 588: The Flower God’s Itch

Granny Qian’s bone brush inscribed Zhou Xuan’s rendition of the "Breaking Qiang Stele" onto the "Holy Heart Sutra,"

However, when she attempted to write the "破" character from "即摧破羌贼," her bone brush wouldn’t move a fraction.

When she tried to force the brush, it felt as if an immense pressure was restraining it, causing it to creak aloud,

while the golden bristles of the bone brush twisted into a rope, several strands already snapped.

The bone brush being a legacy of Granny Qian’s line,

now suffering such torment, naturally Granny Qian was in no better condition,

a pained aura enshrouded her, twisting her features, and a black mist cloaked her form, the situation was dire,

fortunately, the sequencers attached to the brush realized the challenge of beginning the script and ceased trying, recovering their technique.

Granny Qian’s agony receded like the tide,

cold sweat beaded her forehead as she knelt before the stele, earnestly reproaching herself, "Ghost Woman Aqian lacks the strength to inscribe a masterpiece for the sequencer lords."

Though only a few words had been written on the stele, her understanding of calligraphy allowed her to recognize their extraordinary origin.

Yet, she had been waiting for the sequencer lords’ decision concerning Zhou Xuan, her heart not focused at the Lotus Temple, unaware that this inscription originated from Zhou Xuan.

"No harm, no harm."

A voice of the sequencer lord emerged in Granny Qian’s mind.

There was not just one Yu Jing Sequestrator, but many,

these sequencer lords were always the most secretive group in Jade Capital,

few had even heard their voices, let alone seen them in Jade Capital.

Granny Qian hadn’t heard a sequencer lord’s voice for thirty years.

Yet today, hearing it again made Granny Qian extremely emotional, she repeatedly kowtowed to the stele.

The stele also stirred at this moment,

its body trembled again, erasing the few words that Granny Qian had just inscribed.

"Why has it been erased? I was studying it closely."

Mr. Ding reluctantly withdrew his gaze with a sigh.

He was the foremost of the Yujing Pill Dao, spending his days in alchemy but occasionally indulging in calligraphy and painting for enjoyment.

There were indeed many in Jade Capital who understood this art.

Mr. Ding understood it, as did Tianchi Pill Master.

Tianchi Pill Master said to Mr. Ding, "The sequencer lords have unexpectedly drawn such a wondrous text from some inspiration."

"These words are excellent—yet the content is perplexing to me. ’Zhi Yu Shuai’s Book, Huan Gong to Lu,’ who is Zhi Yu Shuai? And who is Huan Gong?

’Lu’ must be a place name, but where in Jing Country is such a place?"

After a moment’s thought, Mr. Ding remarked, "Could this ’Lu’ refer to Luoshui Palace in Jade Capital?"

His heart, captivated by the handwritten form, forgot his duties as he contemplated the text,

until Tianchi Pill Master nudged his shoulder, finally pulling him out of his reverie.

"Hm..." Mr. Ding murmured in a daze,

Tianchi Pill Master informed, "Mr. Ding, the sequencer lords have given instructions."

"Really?"

Mr. Ding quickly looked to the stele, seeing that Granny Qian had written two new characters—Medication Trial.

This instruction was straightforward: since everyone claims Zhou Xuan’s elixir is potent, even affecting the Flower God, test its efficacy.

If its effects are as miraculous, extending the life of the Flower God, then Zhou Xuan naturally need not die,

the sequencers’ commands can be revoked.

Granny Qian asked Mr. Ding, "Have you seen it clearly?"

"Seen it clearly."

Mr. Ding confirmed.

"Then let the medication be tested."

"Very well, very well."

Mr. Ding agreed, addressing everyone in Xuandu Palace, "The sequencer lords want to see the effect of Zhou Dan’s elixir, surely all of you wish to witness the pill’s effects too."

"Naturally, we wish to see it."

Dan Master Long Ye, Dan Master Zhuo, among others, concurred.

Especially Dan Master Zhuo, once a prodigy of Yujing Pill Dao, with Zhou Xuan now the even younger talent,

though respectful, he still wished to see with his own eyes the astonishing effects of the Flower God Pill.

"Then please come with me out of the Xuandu Palace."

Mr. Ding led everyone with big strides out of Xuandu Palace.

In Jade Capital, every building stood like an isolated isle, unevenly arranged,

Xuandu Palace being the highest of Jade Capital,

standing at the palace gate, one could look down at every tree and blade of grass in Jade Capital City.

Mr. Ding stood at the edge of the palace gate, holding Zhou Xuan’s Flower God Pill, reciting words under his breath.

"Gang Wind and Qi, fill my form,

Wind, fire, thunder, and lightning, guard my true spirit,

Act swiftly as commanded."

With this incantation recited, a fierce wind arose within Xuandu Palace, an indistinct qi entering Mr. Ding’s body,

as lightning and thunder struck continuously towards Mr. Ding,

yet these strikes injured him not, instead forming a barrier within his body.

Mr. Ding performed this not for show, but for the process of "refining pill."

The world’s elixirs are divided into twelve grades,

the lower the grade, the simpler the usage, consumed directly,

but as the grade elevates, especially beyond the third grade, direct consumption is not viable, necessitating pill refinement,