Chapter 96: The Visualization Method of the Dharma Body Sect

“You are Commander Zhang from the Human Sovereign Hall?”
“And you’re the current Envoy of the Dharma Body Sect?”

Zhang Konghu and Li Nian’er were both surprised by each other’s identities. They exchanged glances of mutual respect for each other’s factions.

However, Li Nian’er was visibly more astonished. The Human Sovereign Hall and the Dharma Body Sect had always maintained good relations, and Zhang Konghu was considered her senior.

“Boss, give me a Di tier room.” Zhang Konghu slapped a few spirit stones onto the counter with an air of authority. The amount was precise—just enough for a single night’s stay, no more, no less.

The innkeeper immediately rubbed his hands together with a fawning smile. “Oh, sir, how could I dare accept your money?” he said ingratiatingly. “Would you prefer a Tian tier room instead? I’ll have it vacated for you at once!”

The innkeeper knew full well—any Commander of the Human Sovereign Hall was, at the very least, a Soul Formation Stage powerhouse. A mere Qi Refining Stage cultivator like him could only look up in awe.

Once, a Soul Formation Stage cultivator had stayed at this very inn. He had gone to great lengths to serve him with the best room and the utmost hospitality. However, because he had failed to insist on waiving the fee, the cultivator had been slightly displeased and had casually punished him. The result? Three months bedridden.

He had learned his lesson. This time, he preemptively refused payment, lest he unknowingly offend another high-ranking cultivator.

“How can I not pay? Running an inn is a business, not charity.” Zhang Konghu frowned and forcibly pressed the spirit stones into the innkeeper’s hands. “Besides, aren’t the Tian tier rooms already occupied?”

“O-of course! I’ll have one available immediately!”

The innkeeper turned toward Jiang Li, who was leisurely eating candied hawthorn skewers at the entrance. His plan was clear—he intended to have Jiang Li vacate his Tian tier room.

In fact, if Zhang Konghu and Li Nian’er hadn’t interfered earlier, causing a servant to flee in terror, he would have already asked Jiang Li to leave.

Jiang Li had altered his appearance, so Zhang Konghu didn’t recognize him. However, he instinctively grabbed the innkeeper’s arm before he could approach Jiang Li.

“We must abide by the principle of first come, first served. What kind of establishment evicts paying guests to accommodate newcomers? Do you think the Human Sovereign Hall is some overbearing faction that abuses its power?”

He added coldly, “If you keep this up, I’ll find somewhere else to stay.”

Jiang Li strolled in, still nibbling on his candied hawthorn. “It’s not that people see the Human Sovereign Hall in a bad light. It’s just that the innkeeper has been bullied by high-level cultivators one too many times.”

He casually tossed a few more spirit stones onto the counter. “Boss, two Di tier rooms. Put these two on my tab.”

The moment Zhang Konghu heard that tone, he immediately knew who it was—Brother Jiang.

“Konghu, Niece Li, come on up.”

Li Nian’er, unaware that Jiang Li was the Human Sovereign, was about to question him but was swiftly pulled into a newly rented room by Zhang Konghu.

Inside, Jiang Li studied Li Nian’er and asked, “You’re Li Er’s daughter?”

“Yes, my father is Li Er, Sect Leader of the Dharma Body Sect.”

The moment she met Jiang Li’s gaze, she felt an inexplicable pressure—stronger than even what she felt when facing her father.

Li Er wasn’t a nickname or a moniker. The Sect Leader of the Dharma Body Sect was literally named Li Er.

Zhang Konghu was equally surprised. “Since when did Li Er have a family?”

“Maybe he was just embarrassed to tell us.” Jiang Li smirked. He had only just learned today that Li Er was married.

“There’s no one else here. You should recognize me. My name is Jiang Li.”

Jiang Li revealed his true appearance. Li Nian’er’s beautiful eyes widened in shock.

“J-Jiang… Human Sovereign Jiang!”

With a deep breath, she removed her protective jade pendant, dispelling the illusion enveloping her body.

The young woman of moderate beauty suddenly transformed into a stunning enchantress, exuding an exotic charm. Her golden hair and emerald eyes were striking, but the most eye-catching feature was the small dragon horns atop her head.

A Dragon Girl.

Zhang Konghu was about to blurt out a remark when Jiang Li shot him a sharp look, stopping him mid-sentence. He had been on the verge of exclaiming, “So that’s why! Li Er married a real dragon!”

Fortunately, he quickly realized his mistake. Such a remark might be fine when teasing Li Er, but saying it to his daughter would be completely inappropriate.

In the Nine Provinces, unions between humans and demons weren’t uncommon, but they were still considered unusual by many. While there was no outright mockery, there was often playful teasing—exactly like Zhang Konghu’s reaction.

If such pairings were fully normalized, there would be no need for teasing. People would simply nod in acknowledgment and move on without a second thought.

Jiang Li’s gaze shifted to the jade pendant in Li Nian’er’s hand. “Your mother gave you that?”

Li Nian’er nodded. She was not used to revealing her true form in front of others.

No wonder I didn’t notice the illusion, Zhang Konghu mused. A protective jade pendant crafted by a real dragon… no wonder even my trained eyes couldn’t detect it.

Jiang Li, however, immediately thought of a certain True Dragon from the Western Sea Dragon Palace—one with a particular expertise in illusion techniques.

Jiang Li turned to Zhang Konghu. “Have you found a suitable location?”

“Plenty.”

Zhang Konghu projected a holographic map, displaying over a dozen red-marked locations—all Soul Formation Stage tombs hidden beneath cliffs.

Jiang Li couldn’t help but wonder, Why do Soul Formation Stage cultivators love burying themselves under cliffs? Is there some kind of feng shui benefit?

And this was just what one Commander had found. The other Commanders had probably found even more.

Thankfully, the Nine Provinces were vast, with countless cliffs. Otherwise, future Soul Formation Stage cultivators would run into serious graveyard real estate issues.

Jiang Li could already imagine a scenario:

“Brother Daoist, your tomb is quite nice—secluded and peaceful beneath a cliff. I’ll just set up mine next to yours, alright? Silence means consent!”

“Oh, I was just about to head to this location.”

Li Nian’er pointed at one of the red-marked tombs, just over 200 miles away.

Zhang Konghu, who had just returned from there, raised a brow. “There’s only a single Soul Formation Stage tomb there. What do you need it for?”

For most cultivators, such a tomb would be a mix of immense danger and great fortune. But for a Dharma Body Sect Envoy, it was practically useless.

Li Nian’er grinned. “You don’t know, do you, Elder Zhang? That Soul Formation cultivator was from the Beast-Taming Sect. He left behind a copy of the Immortal Beast Compendium.”

“Reading through the compendium allows one to perceive the forms and majesty of immortal beasts. It might not be valuable to most sects, but for us in the Dharma Body Sect, it’s a treasure.”

“I only recently learned about it.”

Zhang Konghu finally understood. The Dharma Body Sect’s cultivation method was unique.

Rather than simply refining their strength, they sought to construct a Dharma Body—a divine form that reflected their deepest insights.

To achieve this, they studied and visualized all manner of beings, drawing inspiration from the strongest among them.

Of course, one couldn’t visualize something too powerful, or the attempt would fail.

Li Er himself often tried to visualize Jiang Li, hoping to create a Dharma Body as powerful as him.

…But so far, the results were so far removed from anything remotely human that it was laughable.