A scream suddenly broke the silence.
The elder’s expression turned blank, lost in a terrifying artistic conception.
She felt the salty sea breeze on her face, her vision suddenly clearing to reveal an endless expanse of ocean.
The water was like a mirror, reflecting a hazy halo of light.
The clouds in the sky parted, and a full moon slowly revealed itself.
The bright moon was like frost, radiating a pure, bright glow, as if draping the sea in silver armor.
The sea breeze suddenly intensified, causing ripples to spread across the water, shattering the tranquil scene.
Then,
The wind howled, and waves surged towards the sky.
The waves, layer upon layer, struck the heavens, shattering the void.
An indescribable, soaring fighting spirit surged through the heavens and earth, filling the elder’s chest, making her blood boil and her heart swell with pride, igniting a desire to conquer all.
Meanwhile, to outsiders,
The elder, with her white hair and kind eyes, stood dumbfounded, holding Ji Mo’s artwork.
Then, for reasons unknown, her expression shifted from calm to impassioned. A surge of energy, like the sea, emanated from her body. She unleashed an incredibly terrifying battle intent, displaying a fierce demeanor that seemed to disregard life and death, ready to fight anyone who dared.
It was as if some shackles had been broken, as immortal light surged through her. Though she hadn't broken through a cultivation realm, her entire aura had strengthened significantly.
"Great Elder, what exactly is happening? Elder Rose seems like a completely different person."
Yan Zhi covered her cherry-like lips, her face filled with astonishment.
What kind of profound Dao rhythm did Mr. Ji’s embroidered “Jade Sea Rising Bright Moon” painting contain, to transform the gentle and benevolent Elder Rose into someone so sharp and imposing?
“A tiger resides in the heart, sniffing the roses. It seems Rose has achieved enlightenment, finding the Great Dao most suited to her. This is truly cause for celebration.”
The Great Elder of the Moon Sect looked on with envy. Such a monumental opportunity was rare and priceless.
She couldn’t help but step closer to examine it carefully.
The moon on the blue cloth, seemingly ordinary, appeared to hold a certain magic, immediately drawing her in.
The Great Elder of the Moon Sect’s pupils dilated, her expression incredibly complex, as if she had witnessed something extraordinary.
Following that,
She shimmered with radiance, a phantom crescent moon appearing behind her, radiating brilliant light that overshadowed the sun in the sky, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Bai Jingjing, Ling Lan, and Ying exchanged glances, their hearts filled with curiosity.
Their fingers itched, and they were on the verge of rushing forward, desperate to know what was happening.
Was it just a poorly embroidered moon on a piece of blue cloth, so unremarkable, yet eliciting such strong reactions from everyone?
“I paid close attention earlier. During Ji Mo’s embroidery process, no heavenly laws descended, nor did it resonate with the Great Dao. It’s impossible for it to spontaneously generate Dao rhythm out of nothing.”
Ling Lan clenched her fair fist, her expression tense.
This particular competition was one where she had performed exceptionally well, surpassing everyone else.
But now, things had changed.
“Are you two putting on an act? It’s just a piece of blue cloth with a wrinkled, shoddy moon embroidered on it. It’s trash, why are you acting like it’s a supreme treasure carrying the Heavenly Dao?”
Zhen Zhen sneered, believing that Elder Rose and the Great Elder of the Moon Sect were clearly acting as stooges, and their performance was overly exaggerated.
Even if this so-called “Jade Sea Rising Bright Moon” painting contained Dao rhythm, it was of a low-tier, unrefined kind. With such exaggerated reactions, how could they still have any shame?
She believed the two had colluded to stage a performance, simply not wanting Ji Mo to lose too embarrassingly.
Just one glance and quick enlightenment? Even an idiot wouldn’t believe that.
“Silence!”
Elder Rose had regained her senses and sternly rebuked Zhen Zhen without any courtesy, showing no respect.
Her gaze fell upon Ji Mo, her expression incredibly complex, filled with gratitude, reverence, and an overwhelming sense of shock.
What was this young man’s background? How could he possess such abilities? It was simply unbelievable!
“Audacious! Rose, are you trying to rebel against your superiors?”
Zhen Zhen narrowed her eyes, her face filled with menace. She couldn’t believe that the usually submissive and easily bullied Elder Rose would dare speak to her like this today. Had she gone completely mad?
“You are the audacious one, speaking nonsense with your eyes open. Do you truly believe you can cover the sky with one hand just because you are a Supreme Elder? With me here, if you try to pull any dirty tricks, I will not allow it. If this is trash, then you are nothing.”
The tiger within Elder Rose had awakened. She defied her usual nature, daring to confront Zhen Zhen in public and humiliate her.
Primarily, she also felt that Ji Mo had been treated unfairly.
“This thing is considered a treasure?”
Zhen Zhen sneered and reached out directly, intending to grab the blue cloth and show everyone what it was.
However, the moment she touched the blue cloth, her body jolted as if shocked by electricity.
Then, her eyes lost focus, and she too fell into a certain artistic conception.
A terrifying event unfolded.
Zhen Zhen let out a strange laugh, dancing and gesticulating as if possessed, crying and laughing simultaneously.
“We meet after dusk, the moon rises above the willow branches. You shameless old scoundrel, you unfaithful man! You promised me a romantic rendezvous under the moon, but instead, you went behind my back with some other woman…”
Zhen Zhen seemed to recall a painful past, gritting her teeth and cursing fiercely.
At this moment, she was like a common shrew, cursing a pair of illicit lovers.
“What’s going on? Could this ‘Jade Sea Rising Bright Moon’ painting cause people to go mad?”
Elders and deacons from the Feng Hua Xue Yue Sect, along with other high-ranking members, gathered around.
They found it hard to believe that the Supreme Elder Zhen Zhen’s private life was so chaotic, playing around with secret lovers.
Elder Rose stated, “Not at all. The jade sea represents dreams, and the bright moon is a mirror. The benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom. Zhen Zhen’s heart is too impure, thus she sees the unsavory aspects of her own heart. This treasure is beyond imagination!”
Upon hearing this, others’ eyes lit up.
They eagerly extended their divine senses, wanting to verify.
As expected, they all fell into certain artistic conceptions, experiencing different events.
Some wore smiles, their faces suggesting pleasant visions, their bodies radiating immortal energy, reaping great benefits.
Others had tears in their eyes, seemingly recalling how, in their youth, they had cut off their hair and abandoned the young man who adored them, all for the sake of cultivation.
Still others were filled with fear, their faces pale and bodies trembling, unsure of what they were experiencing.
The reactions of almost everyone were different and completely unique.
However, those with pure hearts almost universally gained something. Several people broke through their cultivation realms on the spot, their strength greatly increasing.
Those with darkness in their hearts clearly met with unfavorable outcomes, exhibiting various states of失态 (loss of composure) and embarrassing themselves.
“A demonic artifact! This is a demonic artifact. This person named Ji is a demon! He must be executed!”
Having regained her senses, Zhen Zhen was on the verge of collapse upon realizing her previous behavior.
In front of everyone, how could she ever show her face again after such an exhibition?
Therefore, she immediately framed Ji Mo, slandering his creation as a demonic artifact.
She then ordered Ji Mo to be killed on the spot.