Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 296 - 284 The Era Has Changed

Zuo Ci sat cross-legged in the Jingling Palace, silently burning incense and praying. Yu Ji and Zixu had sent only a disciple each, which clearly hinted at some untold stories.

As Zuo Ci was burning incense and praying, a mysterious wave swept over him. A layer of light, like that of precious jade, emerged on his body, but it still failed to block the ripple.

"Sigh," Zuo Ci sighed, opened his eyes, and began to perform calculations with his fingers extended from the wide sleeves. "Indeed, troubled times produce heroes, another Spiritual Talent of this magnitude. It can even affect us, but that’s to be expected, after all, we are men, not immortals."

"Master!" a Taoist dressed in green robes bowed to Zuo Ci and asked, "Why do you stay here? With your power, who in the world can compare to you? Why accept the invitation of Liu Yan to come to Mount Tai?"

"We are men, not immortals. Didn’t Zhang Jiao delude himself into thinking he could become immortal, only to be executed in the end? We should just do what we are meant to do," Zuo Ci spoke indifferently with his eyes closed. "Our spells may seem powerful, but who can we actually use them against? The heroes of the world act for themselves, for others, or for all living beings, each one is a great causality. We can only watch without interfering, simply doing what we should."

Zuo Ci’s disciple was obviously not content and hesitated before finally stepping back and leaving.

"Sigh, we are the most free in this world, but also the least so," Zuo Ci muttered to himself as he looked at the massive Wordless Stele. "Our technique seems unmatched, but against whom can we really use it?" They could predict many things, but what of that? Dare you tell those who are enacting these events? Try and see if you can stop them.

After speaking, Zuo Ci closed his eyes once again. He understood the thoughts of Yu Ji and the others but didn’t take them to heart. Back when the Divine Stone had not fallen into the Mortal World, when these Taoists were countless times more powerful than mortals, none managed to interfere in the world’s affairs and succeed; and now, Zuo Ci felt that if he were to face a military general like Lyu Bu, he certainly wouldn’t fare well—the times had changed!

Indeed, the restrictions placed on them by the heavens had weakened considerably, but those capable of slaying them had also appeared. At a time when the Divine Stone had not yet come to the Mortal World, a well-cultivated Taoist transformed into a giant serpent to tease General Bai Qi of Qin, only to be killed. What more now!

In the past, Zhang Jiao, with the Taiping Qingling Book in hand, was so formidable that not even a seasoned practitioner like Zuo Ci could dull his edge. Even thousands of Yellow Turban Strongmen emerged; such a lineup should have had no pressure flipping the world upside down. Yet, in the end, those thousands of Yellow Turban Strongmen were slain and Zhang Jiao was beheaded. Don’t mention your vast Divine Skills; under thirty thousand troops in tight Formation and dense Cloud Qi, whatever you use will lead to death!

Subsequently, as the chaos officially began, to the present, Zuo Ci had seen many Spiritual Talents that could affect him. It’s hard to say whether it’s the start of an era or a time of brilliance, but for people like him, they should just quietly immerse themselves beneath the dazzle of light.

Zuo Ci didn’t share these thoughts with any of his fellow Taoists because he knew they wouldn’t listen. Many believed that Zhang Jiao had been too hasty and had he been more patient, the world would be theirs now.

Because of this, Zuo Ci gradually withdrew from the group and began to wander, preparing to select a Hidden Dragon, and like a proper Taoist, do what he should, rather than scheme for power and position.

With Zuo Ci’s withdrawal from the company of immortals and his return to Lujiang, he realized that the world had truly changed. This was no longer an era where a few Immortal Laws could manipulate everything; their absolute power was no longer in their hands.

In Yuzhou, he glanced from afar at Lyu Bu, who immediately sensed it. The moment Zhou Yu unlocked his Talent in Lujiang, he knew he could not reside there any longer. The once-underestimated mortals had now grown so powerful that he felt a shock. Zuo Ci had a feeling that if he faced Zhou Yu and Lyu Bu head-on, he would be cut down by Lyu Bu due to Zhou Yu’s full activation of his Talent focusing on him alone, with his intellect becoming limitless.

That would mean real death, not through some illusion or Immortal Technique, but an actual, true death. Lyu Bu could definitely achieve that, and if that Spirit-imbued Divine Weapon hit his true self, it would surely take his life!

Just as that mental fluctuation swept over him, Zuo Ci knew that his greatest reliance—the deduction of Techniques—had been sealed. Indeed, this era was no longer suitable for them. Perhaps mortals were still weak on their own, but together, slaying them wouldn’t be a problem at all. In the days of Spring, Autumn, Qin, and Han, when mortals lacked extraordinary strength, how many self-conceited immortals were slain by mortals.

"Alas, since it’s fated that Azui has to follow Yu Ji, then let it be, ’Whom the Heavens wish to destroy, they first make mad.’" Zuo Ci thought indifferently and then began to chant in front of that massive stele again.

In a carriage near Mount Tai in the eastern part of Yanzhou, Xi Zhicai and Chen Qun were chatting idly. Although both served under Cao Cao, their interactions were not very frequent.

After the mental wave from Sima Yi swept across hundreds of miles, Chen Qun abruptly stood up, while Xi Zhicai’s eyes burst with a sharp light.

"Mount Tai is indeed a good place. Even before I’ve arrived, such a wonderful Talent has found its way to me." Xi Zhicai copied the mental wave as soon as it hit him.

"To think that a Talent capable of sealing all Spiritual Talents actually exists. With this move, if the opponent relies solely on their Talent but is inherently very strong, then it can be directly used to cripple them." Xi Zhicai was ecstatic. What was more important was that his own Talent had not been sealed; he could still use his Talent, though the copied Talent from Xun Yu had already been sealed.

"Zhicai, is your Spiritual Talent still there?" Chen Qun asked a bit anxiously.

"Don’t worry, this is an individual’s active Spiritual Talent. Its effect is that when you activate your own Spiritual Talent, all others within range will have their Spiritual Talents sealed. So, Changwen doesn’t need to be too nervous," Xi Zhicai said with an inscrutable smile.

"How do you know this?" Chen Qun asked, startled.

"I have special methods. Don’t worry about it," Xi Zhicai maintained his enigmatic smile, seemingly already envisioning a large selection of excellent Spiritual Talents appearing before them to choose from.

Chen Qun looked at Xi Zhicai deeply and said no more. Up to now, he still didn’t know what Xi Zhicai’s Talent was. Although the expression of Xi Zhicai’s Spiritual Talent sometimes seemed similar to his own, while at other times it seemed to combine other elements, Xi Zhicai now clearly articulated the effect of an unknown Talent, leaving Chen Qun no choice but to wonder what exactly Xi Zhicai’s own Talent was. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian ) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)