Just as before, when the image of the Sun and Moon God Monarch in Ye Zhen’s mind burst into a brilliant golden light, the Mirage Dragon Pearl in his chest immediately became restless.
This time, compared to his first worship, Ye Zhen was much more experienced.
He allocated half of his Divine Soul Power to carefully monitor the Mirage Dragon Pearl’s reaction.
Ye Zhen discovered that the intensity of the Mirage Dragon Pearl’s reaction was related to the depth of his focus during worship.
The more engrossed Ye Zhen was, the brighter the golden light of the god’s image in his mind, and the more violently the Mirage Dragon Pearl struggled, even to the point of wanting to leave him.
If his attention was diverted, the golden light of the Sun and Moon God Monarch’s image in his mind would weaken, and the Mirage Dragon Pearl’s struggle would diminish significantly.
If Ye Zhen were to merely go through the motions, the Mirage Dragon Pearl would not react at all.
This time, armed with experience from worshiping, Ye Zhen had ample opportunity to experiment. After trying several times, he came to a most astonishing conclusion.
The Mirage Dragon Pearl was extremely fearful of the Sun and Moon God Monarch’s divine image!
This fear was not the normal kind existing between martial artists, but rather, whenever something with the Sun and Moon God Monarch’s aura entered Ye Zhen’s body, the Mirage Dragon Pearl would become extremely frightened.
This discovery corroborated a previous judgment by Ye Zhen that the Mirage Dragon Pearl might possess Spirit Wisdom, but for some reason, such as a seal, Ye Zhen had yet to discover it.
Otherwise, how could it possibly show such extreme fear of a god’s aura?
If the Mirage Dragon Pearl hadn’t already become one with Ye Zhen’s Bloodline over the years, Ye Zhen would have felt as though it wanted to fly away.
However, the Mirage Dragon Pearl’s fear was only triggered when the aura of the Sun and Moon God Monarch, visualized by Ye Zhen, entered his Soul Sea. As long as the Sun and Moon God Monarch’s aura entered his body, even if standing face to face, the Mirage Dragon Pearl would have no reaction at all.
This was a strange discovery that Ye Zhen couldn’t understand—why the Mirage Dragon Pearl would fear the Sun and Moon God Monarch.
Ye Zhen wondered whether it might be related to the Mirage Dragon Pearl’s original provenance, to that bizarre and fantastic scene that had appeared when the Mirage Dragon Pearl recognized its master.
However, among those beings who forced the previous master, Lud Li, to self-immolate his True Body, none bore the name Sun and Moon God Monarch, nor did any resemble the Sun and Moon God Monarch’s divine image.
Apart from that, what truly shook Ye Zhen was the realization that through the Mirage Dragon Pearl’s reaction, he could confirm the Sun and Moon Divine Sect Leader, Jian Qianxiong’s worshiped Sun and Moon God Monarch, was indeed an actual... God!
Moreover, during this act of worship, Ye Zhen had actually felt a completely different kind of power within the divine image, an extremely strong force.
In the moment of sensation, Ye Zhen instinctively felt like an insignificant ant.
It should be known that just over a year ago, even under the oppressive aura of an Establishment King, Ye Zhen had not felt such insignificance, and yet now, within that brief moment of contact, he felt it.
Furthermore, the distinctly different power within the divine image was not substantial, very little in fact, but it gave off a feeling as if it could destroy heaven and earth.
Ye Zhen speculated that this must be one of the reasons why Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong worshipped so devoutly; only a power of such immense magnitude could compel a being like Jian Qianxiong to bow down.
With this thought, Ye Zhen suddenly became quite looking forward to the Divine Sacrifice held every three years by the Sun and Moon Divine Sect—what would it be like?
According to Feng Qingyue, during each Divine Sacrifice, unexpected benefits would descend from the Sun and Moon God Monarch’s divine statute, although who received the rewards did largely depend on luck.
As for what the benefits were exactly, only the recipients knew.
Feng Qingyue had only qualified to participate in the worship once, in the Divine Sacrifice that took place over two years prior. At that time, Feng Qingyue’s luck had not been particularly good, and she received no special benefit.
The brilliance bestowed by the Sun and Moon God Monarch was mostly absorbed by Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong, and what gains were made, others could not know.
However, from Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong’s regular and devout worship every month, it was clear that the benefits were extraordinary.
About 15 minutes later, the worship concluded, and Ye Zhen got up, still feeling some regret.
This worship session harbored his most audacious idea yet, one he didn’t dare to attempt.
During the last worship, an anomaly occurred—the Beast King Essence Soul within the Mirage Dragon Pearl roared, directly breaking through the remnants of the Third Stage Sealing Barrier. So, could he use the Sun and Moon God Monarch’s divine image to quickly break through the Mirage Dragon Pearl’s seal?
Yet, it would cause too much commotion, and Ye Zhen didn’t dare to try it.
Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong and the senior members of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect were not fools. One time might go unnoticed, but doing it two or three times more would likely raise suspicions.
So, by the end of the worship session, Ye Zhen only attempted it on a small scale, never daring to cause a commotion as significant as the previous time.
Having found some answers, yet being left with even more doubts and ideas, Ye Zhen vaguely felt the divine image of the Sun and Moon God Monarch worshiped by the Sun and Moon Divine Sect might contain a great opportunity.
"Ye Zhen, stay behind!"
After the worship had concluded, just as Ye Zhen was preparing to leave with everyone else, Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong suddenly called out to him.
This scene made some of the higher-ups of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect show envy in their eyes.
"Ye Zhen, your Cultivation has already reached Late-stage First Stage of Vein Forging Realm, not bad, you’ve progressed quite swiftly, you’re close to breaking into the Second Stage, right?
And the Divine Power Martial Skills you chose within the Sect, they are almost ready as well?" asked Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong.
"Replying to the Sect Leader, a few days ago I just obtained the Gen Earth Spirit Pearl, unfortunately, to acquire it, the three experts accompanying me all perished, and I was able to escape only by using the Heavenly Thunder of Fright," said Ye Zhen, taking the initiative to bring up the matter.
"How could three people fall due to a single Gen Earth Spirit Pearl?" It was evident that Jian Qianxiong was not aware of the incident.
"Unlucky enough to blunder into the lair of the Shadowless Mountain Penetrating Beasts, there’s a Shadowless Mountain Penetrating Beast King with eleven of its kind," Ye Zhen said.
Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong’s expression changed instantly, "Damn it!"
Ye Zhen’s expression became stern, not knowing what Jian Qianxiong meant by those words.
"I’m not criticizing you; it’s the person in charge of vetting this intelligence from the Inner Affairs Hall who should be damned! Such carelessness to let you blunder into a nest where nearly all who enter meet their doom," explained Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong.
Ye Zhen was astonished.
"The Gen Earth Spirit Pearl, the skill you chose must be the Earth Primordial Divine Palm, right? How much longer until your Cultivation is successful in forging through to the Second Stage of Vein Forging Realm?" Jian Qianxiong asked.
"Sect Leader, at most half a year, I should be able to elevate my Cultivation to the Second Stage of Vein Forging Realm," Ye Zhen replied with some secret joy. Feng Qingyue’s Hidden Meridian Art was indeed effective, his actual Cultivation had already reached the initial phase of the Third Stage of Vein Forging Realm, but with a power like Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong, an Establishment King, right in front of him, there was still not the slightest flaw to be seen.
"Half a year? That’s about right! After your breakthrough, you should assume some official responsibilities within the sect as well, the title of Deputy Hall Master of the Moonlight Hall is, after all, just a nominal one!" Jian Qianxiong said.
Ye Zhen was taken aback for a moment and then understood the implication behind Jian Qianxiong’s words; it seemed there was going to be another appointment for him, "Sect Leader, I am wholeheartedly dedicated to Martial Arts..."
"Ye Zhen, do you think that in this world, you’re the only one dedicated to Martial Arts? Do you think I became Sect Leader for the power it brings?" said Jian Qianxiong, abruptly cutting Ye Zhen off.
"The higher the Cultivation, the more and the more precious the Cultivation resources needed, and a person’s energy is extremely limited. To advance further in Martial Arts, one must leverage external forces!"
"Leverage forces?"
"Yes, leverage them!"
"Using the power of influence to challenge the Martial Arts! Honestly, within the Divine Sect, my Innate Bloodline isn’t the strongest, but my Cultivation is far ahead,"
"Others like the Punishment Hall Elder, whose Innate Bloodline is higher than mine, are still stuck at the peak of Vein Forging Realm.
"Why? Because of resources!
"Because of Cultivation resources! As the Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect, the vast amount of Cultivation resources I can enjoy is incomparable to theirs. That’s why I’ve been able to smoothly ascend to become an Establishment King.
"For so many years now, my Cultivation has already reached the Seventh Stage of Establishment Realm, while they still mark time!
"This is the difference influence makes; any one of them in my position could have already made the breakthrough! How far do you think you can go if you’re immersed in Martial Arts?
"Moreover, being a Four Veins Martial Artist, even if your Four Veins are different from those of ordinary Martial Artists, in the Vein Forging Realm, every breakthrough you make will require you to pay more than others.
"Are these the kind of prices that can be attained by simply being ’immersed in the Martial Arts’?"
Ye Zhen was instantly shocked.
Within the Divine Sect, it was popularly known that Ye Zhen was a Martial Artist with seven or eight veins of the Heavenly Vein, and no one knew that Ye Zhen was actually a Four Veins Martial Artist.
He never expected Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong to break it down so bluntly.
Ye Zhen had thought he had a secret, but Jian Qianxiong already knew all about it. Ye Zhen suddenly panicked; what else did Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong know?
"Rest assured, I’m not so interested in digging into those little secrets on you. It’s only because of one of my Divine Skills that I can easily sense your real Innate Bloodline!
"However, although you only have Four Veins, the overall quantity of your Innate Bloodline can indeed match that of an Eight Veins Martial Artist. However, this is very deadly for the limitations on your strength.
"Yet, you have exhibited extraordinary combat power!
"I am very curious to see how far you, this freak, can go?" said Jian Qianxiong with a faint smile, "However, I still hope that you can go a very long, very long way... Do you understand?"
"Uh... Yes, I understand!"
"After you break through to the Second Stage of Vein Forging Realm, come find me. I can give you power, but influence, that you have to fight for yourself!"
"Go!" Sect Leader Jian Qianxiong waved his hand dismissively.
Ye Zhen left the Divine Altar puzzled. Jian Qianxiong’s talk of ’influence’ indeed made Ye Zhen rethink his approach, but what Ye Zhen found more puzzling was Jian Qianxiong’s attitude towards him!
Wasn’t it too supportive?
It was almost explicitly saying he was to be nurtured as a key figure.
Ye Zhen even faintly sensed a hint of being chosen as a successor, but he felt this impossible.
Only a few days had passed since he joined the Divine Sect, right?
It didn’t make sense.
With a head full of questions, Ye Zhen met up with Feng Qingyue who was waiting outside, and they mounted the Cloud Winged Tiger King Kitten.
They set off! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read at m.qidian.com.)

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