Techniques and Dao

Chapter 13 The Heavenly Eye Trial (1)

That day, after parting ways with Wei Yu, Hua Sheng's mind was filled with Wei Yu's image.

Wei Yu's appearance that night was very worrying.

Hua Sheng even wondered if Wei Yu had contracted some incurable disease. But then he thought, with the medical skills in Shengping Ning, bringing the dead back to life wouldn't be a problem. Besides, Wei Yu wasn't an ordinary person; how could she possibly have some incurable disease?

What exactly happened? And what did Wei Yu say to Hua Sheng?

"Because of your words, we will change the course of our story."

Does this mean their future together? It seems so distant and unimaginable to him.

In any case, this shouldn't be the moment we're supposed to see, with visuals and dialogue.

If Hanamori recalls that night, his words could even be interpreted as a confession.

That day should have been perfect. Everything was perfect until Tenkiko appeared. But after meeting Tenkiko, Hanamori realized that she didn't understand the girl beside her at all.

After the Pear Garden Lantern Festival ended, Wei Yu seemed to have grown closer to him. But in an instant, she seemed to be hiding many secrets. What was she hiding from him? Was her behavior that day related to Tian Ji Zi? Was she afraid of Tian Ji Zi, or just slightly apprehensive?

Or was it because of something he said that Wei Yu felt afraid?

But shouldn't it be like this? What he said was nothing more than the simplest of things. The more Hanamori thought about it, the more confused he became.

In the still dreamlike Holy Peace, Hua Sheng knew he was nothing more than a mortal with mediocre magical power. Not even mediocre; as Tianjizi had said, he was as insignificant as an ant. Most of the disciples of the Magic Academy treated him like an ant to be crushed.

Before coming here, I was just an ordinary person at the bottom of society. I didn't have powerful or influential parents, or even just ordinary parents.

But what about Wei Yu? Hua Sheng could hardly comprehend the boundaries of her magical power, yet she was one of the most outstanding disciples in the academy. Not only that, but she also possessed an ethereal beauty. Despite having only met her once, Wei Yu had shown interest in him.

Hua Sheng couldn't help but feel uncertain. The gap between him and Wei Yu was something he could feel even without anyone else pointing it out. No wonder, after only one meeting, Tian Jizi had given him a stern look. The implication was that he should stay as far away from Wei Yu as possible.

Compared to herself, Tianjizi was far more suitable to be with Weiyu. Regardless of appearance, status, or reputation within the academy, the fact that they were from the same divine and immortal clans, and that Tianjizi happened to hold the positions of head and deputy head of the disciple council, made them a perfect match, deserving of blessings and envy from those around them.

Perhaps they were already close, after all, he had only known Wei Yu for a few days. His interference explained why Tianjizi was quite annoyed that night; Hua Sheng sensed that annoyance was mixed with some personal motives. Young men and women are particularly sensitive about such matters.

What exactly was Wei Yu thinking? Hua Sheng's mind conjured up images of long silver hair and a slightly immature yet radiant face. Accompanying this was a profile of a woman weakly resting her head on Hua Sheng's shoulder.

He even had the illusion that he might have known Wei Yu before, or that he might have seen her somewhere before.

This is understandable. He had been at the Daoist Academy for quite some time, so it was possible that he had run into Wei Yu there. Perhaps he had even seen Wei Yu before he burned down the Si Xian Pavilion. And Wei Yu's image was thus deeply ingrained in his subconscious.

The past is impossible to verify, and Wei Yu was unwilling to mention what she was afraid of that night. Looking at the problem before them, however, it couldn't be clearer. Tian Jizi was the "wall of sighs" standing between him and Wei Yu.

Judging from Wei Yu's behavior that night, she was not entirely without scruples towards Tian Ji Zi. Regardless of whether her immortal techniques were inferior to Tian Ji Zi's, Tian Ji Zi's innate "ultimate fortune" might have made Wei Yu hesitant to stand against him.

Or perhaps, Wei Yu didn't want to break ties with Tian Ji Zi? Hua Sheng's mind was a jumbled mess, and the more he thought about it, the less calm he became.

Hua Sheng sat on the steps at the door of the house, lost in thought, unaware that the "Ruyi Book" he was holding had fallen to the ground.

"What are you daydreaming about on such a sunny day?" Tai Shang Xiao Jun's voice came, pulling Hua Sheng's thoughts back to reality.

Hua Sheng hurriedly picked up the "Ruyi Book" from the ground and patted the dust off the pages.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun was just about to go inside, but seeing Hua Sheng staring blankly, she pulled her foot back from stepping over the threshold and asked, "Did you two have a fight?"

"No way! Wei Yu and I didn't quarrel!" Hua Sheng quickly retorted, but immediately blamed himself for speaking too quickly.

"It really is Wei Yu! Young hero, you are truly skilled! When did this happen?" Tai Shang Xiao Jun, who had already entered the house, was immediately intrigued by this topic. He turned around, took a step to Hua Sheng's side, and sat down on the stone steps.

"No time. Maybe I'm overthinking it." Hua Sheng shook his head.

"Wei Yu is known for being as cold as ice in Xi Academy, why would she even acknowledge you?"

"She's as cold as ice?" Hua Sheng had been about to pretend to start reading, but upon hearing this, she put the book down again. "Impossible, I think she's quite cheerful."

"Wei Yu rarely speaks to the disciples around her, so everyone thinks she is aloof."

“We haven’t known each other for long, but we find her very easy to get along with. If you hadn’t told me, I would have thought she was naturally outgoing.”

"In other people's eyes, being proactive is not associated with being lively."

"She doesn't want to associate with others?"

“You are also surprising,” said Taishang Xiaojun. “With Weiyu’s appearance, many disciples would naturally try to approach her. But they all failed because she never pays attention to anyone.”

"Are there two people named Weiyu in this Xi Academy? Why does the one you're talking about seem different from the one I know?"

"That's what I'm wondering! What is it about you that attracts her? Or is she just curious about you?"

Hua Sheng pondered for a moment, but couldn't find an answer in his mind. He said, "You are all masters of immortal arts. I am just a mortal with no special abilities. I only invited her to watch a performance at the Pear Garden Lantern Festival."

"He actually agreed to go to a performance with you alone?" Tai Shang Xiao Jun's eyes widened, as if he had heard of cattle and horses eating meat and tigers eating vegetables.

"It seems unbelievable now that you mention it!" Hua Sheng also widened his eyes.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun glanced at him sideways: "You'll just attract hatred everywhere you go if you keep doing this."

"Perhaps she really enjoys watching performances," Hua Sheng said. "I didn't even know that she was the opening act for that show, so it was quite a blunder of me."

“Actually, Wei Yu has not been at Xi Yuan for long. Due to her outstanding talent, she occasionally performs outside and has become very popular in Xi Yuan. This year, when the student council was running for the position of chief clerk, she was elected as the deputy chief clerk and was allowed to participate in leading the celebration activities in Xi Yuan.”

Hua Sheng then realized that he knew very little about Wei Yu, yet he was closer to her than others. Feeling uneasy, he asked, "But when I was with Wei Yu that day, we ran into Tian Ji Zi."

"That doesn't sound like the right time."

“I remember you told me that many people in the Academy of Arts and Sciences look down on someone like me who comes from the mortal world, especially the head clerk of the disciples’ association.”

"He called you a mole ant?"

Hua Sheng did not answer.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun patted his shoulder: "Don't take it to heart. Some people aren't targeting you; they just look down on that type of person. And you just happen to be one of them."

"He strongly dislikes me being with Wei Yu."

“It’s not surprising that Tianjizi thinks that way. After all, Weiyu is surrounded by admirers in Xiyuan, how could she walk with the kind of people he despises the most? Even if you are just friends.” “But I’m not willing to accept it.” Huasheng’s tone was very firm.

“Of course you won’t be satisfied. It’s Wei Yu’s freedom to make friends with whomever she wants. How can Tianjizi control that?” Taishang Xiaojun paused and continued, “However, Tianjizi will put pressure on Wei Yu. They both hold positions in the Disciples’ Association. And if you really become enemies, it shouldn’t be difficult for him to cause you some trouble.”

"Should I be careful in Xiyuan?"

"You should be more carefree! Who you make friends with is not only your own choice, but also your own."

"Wouldn't that be blatantly going against Tianjizi?"

"of course."

"Don't talk like that. Even as a deity, you have a powerful background. Your grandfather is Laozi, so of course you don't take Tianjizi seriously. I'm just a mortal. Compared to you, I have almost nothing."

"Since you have nothing, then you won't lose anything either?"

Hua Sheng couldn't respond; he really had nothing to fear. At most, he'd be penniless, which wasn't much different from his current situation. But he still hoped he had the ability to overcome Tian Jizi's "hurdle."

"How skilled is Tianjizi in immortal arts?"

"As far as I know, it's not low."

What do you think of my magical abilities?

"not tall."

"That's too vague. If we were to rank him within the Academy of Arts and Sciences, where would he stand?"

"The top one percent, I guess."

"And me?"

"The last one percent."

Hua Sheng covered his eyes: "This isn't just a difference between 'not high' and 'not low'! It's a world of difference!"

"Is this important?"

"Nonsense! Of course it's important."

"why?"

"How could I possibly defeat him? And if I can't defeat him, how can I ignore his opinion?"

"You want to defeat him?"

"If I don't take him seriously, what other choice do I have besides defeating him?"

"Maybe. I just haven't thought of it yet."

"You're just being argumentative! If you can't believe it, then you can't!" Hua Sheng said. "Tianjizi's immortal arts are powerful. If he wants to stop me from getting close to Weiyu, he has at least a thousand ways to do it."

"That sounds like a good point."

“It’s obvious!” Hua Sheng said. “That’s why I’m anxious.”

"You don't need to be anxious. Anxiety won't solve the problem."

"I can't argue with you." Hua Sheng turned his head to the side.

Taishang Xiaojun said, "You mean, you hope to teach Tianjizi a lesson so that he will stop interfering in your and Weiyu's affairs?"

Hua Sheng nodded: "Are you willing to help me?"

"of course."

"Really! Why?"

"Of course, because you're the protagonist! Have you ever heard of something incredibly powerful called the protagonist's halo?"

"Do not make jokes!"

“Then I’ll give you another reason,” said Taishang Xiaojun. “Because we are friends.”

A warm feeling suddenly welled up in Hua Sheng's heart: "But, according to you, Tianjizi's immortal techniques are extremely powerful?"

"He can even use many Lingxiao-level immortal techniques."

"How can we defeat him?"

"It might not be magic that can defeat him. Because magic is very difficult to use to defeat him."

"I was just about to say that, as you probably already know, he has..."

“There is something called Zhiyun,” said Taishang Xiaojun.

“So even a god stronger than him might not be able to defeat him. And theoretically speaking, he can never be defeated.” Hua Sheng seemed at a loss.

After thinking for a moment, Taishang Xiaojun said, "I don't think so."

"If he's lucky enough, wouldn't nobody be able to do anything about him?"

"Good luck doesn't mean invincibility. Sometimes even good luck can be defeated." Tai Shang Xiao Jun had a different opinion.

Hua Sheng was stunned, and he began to ponder. Defeating a powerful deity was already incredibly difficult, let alone a deity possessing supreme fortune. Even if his magical power surpassed Tian Ji Zi's, as long as Tian Ji Zi possessed supreme fortune, it would be like that night. His stones would never hit his opponent. If his opponent couldn't be attacked, then how could he possibly break through Tian Ji Zi's "Golden Body of Supreme Fortune"?
However, Hua Sheng's mind began to race. He started to examine the difficult problem of "Supreme Fortune" itself. If "Supreme Fortune" was not invincible, then what truly invincible thing would be needed to defeat "Supreme Fortune"?
Hanamori had some vague ideas in his mind, but he couldn't quite put them into words.

“I think I can think of something, but I don’t know how to describe it,” Hua Sheng said slowly. “I feel that there is a loophole in this ultimate fortune. Perhaps I misunderstood it from the beginning. This is not a matter of luck, but a matter of faith.”

Tai Shang Xiao Jun said, "If you want to compete with him, there might be an opportunity right now."

Hua Sheng asked impatiently, "What opportunity?"

"The Heavenly Eye Trial".

(End of this chapter)