Chapter 237: Water Moon, All for Nothing

The moment the old beggar made his move, Ji Yuan, who had his Dharma Eye wide open and was constantly observing him, finally caught a glimpse of his aura.

Strictly speaking, he didn't see much. Even the colors of his five qi were like those of a mortal, yet they were perfectly balanced, like still water in a bucket. His vital essence, spirit, and soul were also comparable to a mortal's, even hidden within human vitality. However, this vitality was extremely stable with no sign of fluctuation; it was, in fact, covered by a faint, indistinct glow.

Unfortunately, this glow spread throughout his body, diffused rather than concentrated, and insubstantial.

This person indeed possessed profound cultivation. He could be considered the second most cultivated individual Ji Yuan had encountered so far. However, regardless of his magical power, in terms of cultivation alone, he was still inferior to the old dragon.

As for magical power and destructive capabilities, Ji Yuan felt that compared to a true dragon, this old beggar's inferiority was likely more than just a notch.

Of course, compared to Ji Yuan himself, the old beggar was undoubtedly much stronger. If Ji Yuan was currently in the stage of cultivating the five qi for his body, this old beggar had already glimpsed the marvel of the three flowers.

Considering that many in the current cultivation world who have merely perfected one of the five qi claim to be in the "Chao Yuan" realm, if this old beggar were to declare himself a true immortal who had attained the Dao, there likely wouldn't be many dissenters. After all, to refute him, one would first need to reach the heights of those "colors above the clouds."

However, Ji Yuan's view on this matter was remarkably consistent with the old dragon's: "almost there" means "almost there," and "a notch below" means "a notch below." That slight difference, that single notch, represents an insurmountable chasm.

One cannot achieve "truth" or "profound insight" without it.

It's likely that a person of the old beggar's cultivation level would also be keenly aware of this point.

In contrast to Ji Yuan's subtle perception through his Dharma Eye, the old beggar's perspective was the exact opposite. In his eyes, even when Mr. Ji was performing a spell, there was hardly any fluctuation of magical power to be felt. He appeared to be an ordinary mortal, seemingly easy to discern, yet in reality, it felt as if a vast landscape separated them, leaving him shrouded in mist, seeing yet not truly seeing.

However, the old beggar believed that he himself also remained unassuming and low-key. Even his capture of the gray cat was completely devoid of any ostentation, and it seemed more like he was intentionally demonstrating his skill after witnessing Mr. Ji's Moonlit Sword Dance forming characters.

'The Moonlit Sword Dance forming characters was truly beautiful and dreamlike. My casual grasp of the object was also effortless, using a small movement to achieve a great effect.'

The old beggar glanced at the Grand Supervisor of the Imperial Astrology Bureau nearby. He noticed that apart from gripping two mooncakes in his palm and looking at the gray cat on the ground twice, his main attention was still on Ji Yuan, who was walking towards them. He pursed his lips.

'Superficial, doesn't know quality!'

The old beggar looked into the distance again; the Earth God had already vanished, seemingly with no intention of coming over to greet them.

He then looked at Mr. Ji again, who had his left hand behind his back, gripping the Azure Vine Sword, and his right hand swinging naturally as he approached the stone platform.

"Elder Lu's move was like plucking a flower, using four ounces to move a thousand pounds – truly a masterful technique!"

Hearing Ji Yuan's praise, the old beggar couldn't help but smile. Some words, after all, could only be spoken by those who had reached a certain realm.

"Mr. Ji, how do you plan to deal with this cat?"

As the old beggar spoke, the gray cat, whose head was pinned against the stone platform, continued to struggle.

"Waa-woo..."

The cat's cries were sharp, like an infant's wail, causing Yan Chang nearby to break out in goosebumps. He instinctively felt that this was an evil creature.

The gray cat's fur seemed to glow and swell, and as its magical power and demonic qi surged, it appeared to be trying to break free from the old beggar's grasp.

"Oh, still not cooperating?"

The old beggar flicked his left finger on the gray cat's forehead.

With a crisp "dong" sound, the glow on the gray cat's body dispersed like a burst bubble, and its entire body froze.

"A five-tailed cat demon."

Ji Yuan stood beside them, staring at the gray cat on the ground. Despite its appearance as a small cat, the demonic qi emanating from it was astonishingly dense.

"You vile beast, you've probably harmed many sentient beings in your cultivation, haven't you?"

"Indeed. From my perspective, old beggar that I am, the resentment and malevolent qi entwined around this demon are substantial. Leaving it in the world would only cause harm."

"Hmm, then what do you suggest, Mr. Lu?"

Ji Yuan and the old beggar seemed to be in perfect sync, almost like a call-and-response.

"Don't be fooled by how easily I'm holding it now. I'm merely using a Mountain-Suppressing technique to forcibly pin it here. If I release my hand, this cat will likely surge with demonic qi and fight to the death."

The old beggar squinted at the cat demon. In fact, he could clearly feel the powerful demonic qi and magical power within the cat demon constantly stirring, trying to break through its "cage."

"Among those gathered for this Dharma Assembly, this demon's rank wouldn't be low. How about we capture it now and take it to Tongtian River, using the Black Water technique to leverage the river's force and drown it?"

At this point, the old beggar's tone was not joking at all; he truly intended to kill the demon. Hearing this, the cat demon's fur stood on end, and its struggles intensified.

"Meow-woo... Meow-waa-woo..."

"You see, even now it's still baring its fangs. Mr. Ji, a five-tailed cat demon, even we can't simply blow it away."

Just a moment ago, Ji Yuan had been gravely observing the flickering demonic and malevolent qi rising from the gray cat. But hearing the old beggar's words, he couldn't help but think of his own Samadhi True Fire, and a peculiar, half-smiling expression appeared on his face.

'If my breath of flame were a bit more potent, it truly wouldn't be easy to handle!'

Ji Yuan's subtle change in expression naturally didn't escape the old beggar's eyes. However, he wasn't Ji Yuan's confidant and didn't understand why Mr. Ji's expression was so playful.

"There's no need to drown it!"

A slightly stern voice resonated from afar. Another person, the old dragon Ying Hong with long eyebrows and beard, walked in from outside the Dharma platform.

The old dragon walked step by step. Even though no divine light or power was openly displayed, his inherent aura was not concealed, causing the old beggar to frown. He looked at the newcomer, then at Ji Yuan, unable to fathom who this person was.

The old dragon naturally noticed the old beggar and Yan Chang. The former had a solemn expression, while the latter, with a mixture of surprise and inexplicable excitement, was trying hard to maintain composure.

"Mr. Ji, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!"

Although dragons and jiaos didn't typically observe such customs, the old dragon knew his friend cared about these folk festivals. It seemed like the guy just loved joining in such festivities.

"Happy Mid-Autumn! Oh, by the way, I have two mooncakes left. Here, have one."

Ji Yuan casually handed one over. After receiving the mooncake, the old dragon instinctively looked at the old beggar's pocket and at Yan Chang's hand, then back at Ji Yuan.

Although he said nothing, Ji Yuan knew exactly what he meant.

"Don't look at me, I didn't know you were coming. Be glad you even got one."

"Let's deal with this wicked creature first!"

The old dragon said this, and suddenly his head transformed into a shadow. At that moment, the old beggar's heart throbbed, and he involuntarily released his grip on the cat demon, thinking "This is bad!"

"Ong-howl!"

A faint dragon's roar echoed.

"Crack..."

The old dragon's elongated shadow returned to normal, as if the fleeting moment was merely an illusion, and the cat demon was gone.

"Uh... Elder Ying, did you eat it?"

Ji Yuan stared blankly at the old dragon. He hadn't even figured out the cat demon's origins yet. Was it appropriate to just eat it?

"Hahahahaha... Mr. Ji, you're finally mistaken for once. This old fellow swallowed it, I swallowed it, didn't eat it. There's a difference."

Okay, with that explanation, Ji Yuan understood. The old dragon knew his limits; it was just that the experience inside a dragon's belly would surely be unpleasant.

The old beggar's face turned slightly pale as he faced the old dragon. In his astonishment, one question slipped out involuntarily.

"You, you... you are the Dragon Lord of Tongtian River!?"

"Hmph, and who are you, to meddle in the affairs of my Great Zhen?"

The old dragon narrowed his eyes and stared at the old beggar, making the latter feel immense pressure. But seeing Ji Yuan by his side from the corner of his eye, he showed no fear.

Ji Yuan quickly stepped forward.

"On this Mid-Autumn full moon night, meeting is a form of destiny. Elder Lu Niansheng is no ordinary immortal cultivator; he surely meant no offense to Elder Ying."

Only then did the old beggar regain his composure. Why was he being foolish and provoking a true dragon?

He cupped his hands towards the old dragon.

"Greetings, Dragon Lord."

The old dragon didn't speak, but he did return a symbolic bow, after all. Ji Yuan smiled and looked at Yan Chang.

"This is His Excellency Yan Chang, Grand Supervisor of the Imperial Astrology Bureau of Great Zhen."

"Oh, you are the Qintian Supervisor?"

The old dragon didn't exert pressure on Yan Chang, but the latter dared not be disrespectful, bowing deeply with cupped hands.

"I am Yan Chang, greetings, Dragon Lord!"

Yan Chang was also an intelligent man. Although he didn't fully understand, he could infer astonishing information from these few sentences: the newly arrived old man might be a dragon.

This night truly felt like a dream for the Grand Supervisor, and witnessing these events consumed his spiritual energy, especially Ji Yuan's sword dance...

"Lord Yan, Lord Yan... Lord Yan!"

A majestic voice echoed three times from above. A friendly official nearby, in a hurry, couldn't help but nudge the dazed Yan Chang.

"Ah?"

Yan Chang seemed to awaken from a dream, looking around to realize he was in the imperial court. He looked up to see Emperor Yuande's face as dark as water.

"Your Majesty!"

Immediately, Yan Chang hurriedly held his ceremonial tablet and prostrated himself, cold sweat running down his back. He had just inadvertently "returned" to the Mid-Autumn night in his thoughts, simply because he heard discussions about the Water and Land Dharma Assembly.

The crucial thing was that he didn't even know what the Emperor had asked him earlier.

"It seems Lord Yan has been toiling diligently for the Dharma Assembly. Do you need some rest?"

Hearing Emperor Yuande's seemingly concerned words, Yan Chang's back felt even hotter. The Emperor's moods had been unpredictable in recent years, and he couldn't discern if this was genuine concern or feigned.

In his haste, Yan Chang quickly pulled a silk pouch from his bosom.

"Your Majesty! Last night, unable to sleep, your servant went to the Dharma platform to admire the moon. I was fortunate enough to witness an immortal dancing with a sword, scattering moonlight. After the immortal bestowed a mooncake upon your humble servant, he ascended and departed. By the time your servant recovered, it was already dawn, and I could only rush to attend morning court. Having been awake all night, my spirits are low, and I just drifted off. This mooncake, your servant dares not keep privately, and specially offers it to Your Majesty!"

Emperor Yuande narrowed his eyes, observing Yan Chang below. He knew the man's character well and showed curiosity about the brocade pouch.

"Present it."

"Yes!"

A eunuch nearby went down to retrieve the silk pouch. Upon returning, he carefully opened it for the Emperor, and the small, unrefined mooncake was presented into the old Emperor's hand.

Looking at the unremarkable, even slightly coarse mooncake, a hint of anger appeared on the old Emperor's face.

"This was given by an immortal?"

"Indeed, your servant speaks no falsehood! By the way, if you take a basin of still water and suspend the mooncake above it, the reflection in the water will not be the mooncake, but will appear as a bright moon!"

Yan Chang blurted out this string of words, not daring to wipe his sweat even once. He was immensely grateful for his accidental discovery last night when he ate the other mooncake.

"Oh? Such a thing exists!"

Emperor Yuande's interest immediately piqued, and he promptly ordered a bronze basin to be brought.

As he extended his hand to suspend the mooncake above the basin, he indeed saw a bright moon reflected in the water. The eunuchs watching beside him wore astonished expressions.

Many officials below also craned their necks, eager to gather around and see.

"It's true! Was it really bestowed by an immortal? Ah..."

Emperor Yuande was too excited, and his trembling fingers failed to grip the mooncake. In his panic, he fumbled to catch it but only brushed past it.

"Plop..."

As soon as the mooncake entered the water, it instantly dispersed the reflected moon, and the entire mooncake melted away as if sugar had dissolved in hot water, leaving no trace.

"This... I... this..."

This scene rendered the hall silent. Yan Chang also stared blankly, unsure what to say.