Hidden Moth-Chapter 426 - 236: Providence Light Illuminates the Mortal World

Chapter 426: Chapter 236: Providence Light Illuminates the Mortal World

He Kao thought Elder Jiang’s mention of "future days" referred to a distant time, but right after finishing the meal, he became someone sought after for guidance, as three elders wanted to consult him about the Hidden Moth Technique.

He Kao, as the living Hidden Moth, is currently the only one who has personally cultivated the Hidden Moth Technique to Tier Four, possessing complete firsthand experience.

It’s said that non-sect disciples cannot easily impart secret arts, but there’s an exception within the Magic Sect that allows Sect Law Hall Elders to possess all sect inheritances, typically through the Divine Thought Heart Seal method.

If not for this exception, He Kao would not have gained the inheritance of the techniques from the other Seven Great Magic Sects. Although he hasn’t yet reached the cultivation level of a Tier Six Elder, he holds the position of Sect Leader of the Hidden Moth Sect, while the on-duty elders of the Sect Law Hall are actually present sect leaders of each great magic sect.

This arrangement is in place to prevent the occurrence of situations similar to the Hidden Moth Sect’s extinction a thousand years ago. If any magic sect faces issues, the Sect Law Hall can continue the inheritance and rebuild the technique lineage.

Dual cultivation of techniques is also subject to deliberation; if the sect is present, the propagation of techniques should not exceed one’s authority.

For example, if a Heart Plate Sect sorcerer wants to dual cultivate the Spirit Awakening Skill, Gu Chun, though possessing the secret technique, cannot privately impart it, but should seek approval from the Xingshen Sect and file a record, preferably inviting a high-tier guru from Xingshen Sect for personal instruction.

Due to the existence of independent cultivators in Jianghu since ancient times, some low-tier secret techniques might be obtainable through other channels, so this regulation is not strictly enforced.

For instance, Peng Xian, a sorcerer from Xingshen Sect, found the Foundation Establishment Technique from the Observing Body Sect and privately taught Meng Ya to cultivate it.

However, the elders of the Sect Law Hall, who possess complete techniques of each major magic sect, naturally wouldn’t violate regulations by arbitrarily imparting techniques to disciples. In reality, in most cases, it’s simply a matter of giving a heads-up, and it’s unnecessary to break rules.

The techniques of each sect can not only complement each other but also contradict or counteract each other; the disciple’s aptitude and energy are limited, so low-tier sorcerers are better off not dual cultivating techniques.

Once sorcerers break through Tier Four, they can dual cultivate several applied techniques from other sects to enrich their methods, broaden their horizons, and increase their knowledge, but dual cultivation of fundamental techniques relies on fortuitous encounters. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

What is a fortuitous encounter? Like when He Kao dual cultivates the Heart Plate Skill, that’s a fortuitous encounter, with the conditions and necessity, as well as within his energy and capability scope.

As for people like Gu Chun, who first cultivates the Alchemy Cauldron Skill to breakthrough to high tier, then joins the Heart Plate Sect to become a Tier Six Earth Master, it’s a different situation called restart rather than dual cultivation, which can only be attempted by those with outstanding fundamental qualities and aptitude.

As for Lan Jiwan’s future cultivation path, He Kao has planned it similarly.

Typically, sorcerers only consider dual cultivating another complete secret technique after breaking through Tier Six for systematic comparison and reference.

But the Founding Master also left teachings, that even after breaking through Tier Six, one should not dual cultivate all techniques, as the energy expenditure is not compensated, and it’s impossible to master them all. Trying one or two dual cultivation techniques is sufficient.

There’s another saying, that when one technique is cultivated to the highest realm, it will become enlightened, and dual cultivation of various techniques will pose no obstacles... But this realm, even the three elders can’t yet perceive.

The three elders wanted to consult the Hidden Moth Technique today, perhaps with thoughts of attempting dual cultivation, but mainly out of curiosity, as it’s a secret technique lost for a millennium, yet suddenly re-emerged.

He Kao replied, "My cultivation is limited, and I have yet to master Divine Thought. To clearly explain it, it might take considerable time, so I must first call to take a day off."

Old Man Jiang laughed and waved his hand, "Then go take leave, then hurry back... the portal is open, and you know how to come and go."

This place is the Lingxi Sect’s Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven, surely not a place where calls can be made. Thankfully, He Kao can already teleport within the Grotto Heaven, and he directly arrived at the portal exiting the courtyard, finding himself outside in Phoenix Tail Town again.

He Kao was cautious; he teleported back to Nanhua’s apartment, then finally deactivated airplane mode on his phone and sent a message requesting leave.

In fact, with He Kao’s current status, even if he missed work without reason, no one would likely say anything. He’s not only a guest of honor at the group leadership but also an important shareholder of Huishiming Brand, making it surprising that he honestly shows up daily for grassroots work.

Then he retraced his steps back to the Banquet Hall within the Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven, completing the journey in just under two minutes.

Old Man Jiang proposed, "For the pursuit of techniques, we mustn’t be careless. We should visit the Floating Colors Grotto Heaven to make it formal."

Gu Chun: "You and Old Li just want to witness it, stop making excuses."

He Kao naturally would not refuse, took the painting, and went out. Moments later, a strange change occurred at the house’s door, with radiating glow, and looking out, the view had already transformed... the three elders left the house and directly arrived at the Floating Colors Grotto Heaven.

They appeared still before the stone niche, where He Kao had hung the painting inside the stone niche. Gu Chun being familiar, while Jiang Daozhen and Li Xiuyuan squinted to observe for a long time.

Jiang Daozhen looked at the painting and said, "If the Grotto Heaven is within the painting, and now this painting is within the Grotto Heaven..."

Before he finished speaking, Gu Chun interrupted, "Such multidimensional structures are not beyond comprehension; mathematics can entirely model it. I can write out many different formulas for you."

Remember, Elder Gu was a top student who transferred from the sports department to the math department.

He Kao silently thought to himself, "Actually, in the virtual world, what I do is exactly this kind of work."

Li Xiuyuan sighed again, "On the physical plane, it also exists in reality. The very instance is the Grotto Heaven before us."

Gu Chun pondered, "Speaking of multidimensional items, divine artifacts are thus... Yet regrettably, one must have cultivation at nine realms to forge divine artifacts, and they are all inherited from the Founding Masters."

Li Xiuyuan: "Let’s start consulting the Hidden Moth Technique first."

As they sought guidance from He Kao, the three elders saluted He Kao, not relevant to hierarchy, but to show respect towards inheritance. Though He Kao could not decline, he dared not accept the ceremonial salute and merely accepted a bow.

The Entry-level Technique of He Kao’s Insect Concealment Skill was organized online with an AI program, but it was actually related to Jiang Daozhen and included annotations made by Lin Qingshuang on Jiang Daozhen’s behalf during cultivation.

However, what Jiang Daozhen sought to consult was not just the subsequent techniques, but also the true experiences in practice, which only He Kao could answer. He Kao spent an entire day in the mountain, diligently summarizing his cultivation insights in detail.

By sunset, He Kao had almost exhausted everything he could say. Jiang Daozhen was the first to speak: "Thank you for your hard work, explaining so clearly is not easy, so let’s call it a day here. If we have any questions, we will consult further in the future."

Finally finding an opportunity, He Kao asked: "You are the highest cultivator I’ve encountered as a sorcerer. In your opinion, why can I open Floating Colors Grotto Heaven in Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven, yet cannot use the Invisibility Ability to go elsewhere?"

Jiang Daozhen shook his head: "I do not know either."

Li Xiuyuan: "He’s not asking you to answer, just to guess. Aren’t you the best at wild guesses?"

Jiang Daozhen: "That is not guessing, it’s analyzing."

Li Xiuyuan: "Then go ahead and analyze."

Jiang Daozhen: "The so-called Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven is not the same world as outside. The Invisibility Ability can traverse worlds, while grotto heavens are self-contained worlds. Hence, it can be concluded that using the Invisibility Ability for the smuggling method is not feasible."

What he meant by smuggling method was not crossing borders from the Eastern Country but a specific concept.

Legend has it that when cultivation reaches its pinnacle, one can ascend to the Immortal Realm. Theoretically, in these legends, ancestral masters who became immortals could first take mortals into Floating Colors Grotto Heaven and then open another portal directly to the Immortal Realm, thus achieving transdimensional crossing of time and space.

But today’s attempt proved that this approach is not feasible. Not just between the human world and the Immortal Realm, but even between Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven and the outside world, the Invisibility Ability cannot accomplish the smuggling.

Flower Shocking Grotto Heaven and the outside world evidently are not the same time and space. In fact, the term "outside" is not accurate, merely a relative concept.

He Kao continued to ask: "What is the origin of the grotto heavens of the various Magic Sects?"

Jiang Daozhen shook his head again: "I do not know, only that they were left by ancestral masters of various generations. However, I judge that they were built using immortal craftsmanship; otherwise, they would not match the topography and mountains of Phoenix Tail Town completely. As for what kind of methods were used, it’s beyond my capacity to say."

These words seemed to say nothing but held a crucial judgment: the Seven Great Magic Sect Grotto Heavens, along with Floating Colors Grotto Heaven, form the Eight Great Grotto Heavens, all of which are human-made worlds.

Li Xiuyuan supplemented: "One could verify it, after all. I’m very curious—what was the Immortal Cauldron Palace a thousand years ago?"

Gu Chun waved his hand: "Then let’s go see."

He Kao: "Immortal Cauldron Palace, what Immortal Cauldron Palace?"

Li Xiuyuan: "Just follow along, it seems you haven’t traversed this grotto heaven world completely yet."

He Kao had actually traversed the entire Floating Colors Grotto Heaven, but he was merely circling in the sky and hadn’t reached the level of carefully observing every mountain, stone, grass, and tree. Many secrets remained undiscovered.

The Immortal Cauldron Palace is actually a natural cave mansion. If one compares it to outside Phoenix Tail Town, its location is in the deep mountains near Immortal Pot Plateau. There lies a high cliff, rarely visited by people, with a mountain stream cascading down the right side.

The stream is on the side, so this is not Water Curtain Cave, but the cave entrance is completely veiled by overgrown vines. These vines are actually a rare spirit plant called Celestial Palace Curtain.

If not for Li Xiuyuan granting He Kao an inheritance before breakfast, He Kao would not have recognized the Celestial Palace Curtain.

Removing the vines reveals a cave entrance on the cliff wall, appearing both natural and artificial, for venturing further in leads to a spacious cave hall. The floor is exceedingly flat, with walls and ceilings remarkably smooth, as if carved purposely.

Going further, one finds multiple stone chambers. With minor modifications using high-tier sorcerer methods, it could be a long-term residential and cultivation cave mansion, arranged for great comfort.

Adjacent to a water source, it could accommodate not just classical-styled alchemy rooms, artifact rooms, and scripture pavilions, but also modern kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms! Including various doorways and ventilation, lighting modifications can be nicely done.

Jiang Daozhen stood at one stone chamber’s doorway, frowning slightly: "There are no traces of habitation here; this remains its primitive state. Celestial Formation Cave Mansion, however, looks as if carved."

Li Xiuyuan also sighed: "This is the original face of the Immortal Cauldron Palace!"

Gu Chun sent a divine thought to He Kao, explaining the matter. Near the Immortal Pot Plateau in Phoenix Tail Town outside, cliff walls host a cave hall with multiple stone chambers inside, rumored to be an ancient immortal’s cave mansion.

Because a rare spirit plant, the Celestial Palace Curtain, grows in that area, it was later named the Immortal Cauldron Palace. The palace has long been a cultivation cave mansion for Magic Sect disciples, modified and carved over generations, no longer resembling its original state.

Correspondingly, in each of the Seven Great Magic Sect Grotto Heavens, there is a place similar to the Immortal Cauldron Palace, also modified by generations of disciples, hiding its original natural appearance.

But in the Hidden Moth Sect’s Floating Colors Grotto Heaven, they found this "Immortal Cauldron Palace" today, still retaining the natural state.

This proves one thing: the Eight Great Grotto Heavens of the Magic Sect were initially crafted by experts with great divine power, modeled after the topography of Phoenix Tail Town.

The so-called natural state of this Immortal Cauldron Palace is actually artificial, or rather, immortal craftsmanship, for the entire grotto heaven was crafted based on Phoenix Tail Town, preserving the appearance from the beginning of creation.

**