Hidden Moth-Chapter 444 - 252: Meeting Xingshen, Forgetting Caution

Chapter 444: Chapter 252: Meeting Xingshen, Forgetting Caution

This is the company parking lot, where a middle-aged man is standing beside He Kao’s car, seeming to wait for someone.

He Kao unexpectedly had seen this man before. Back when he just grasped the Primordial Spirit Travel technique, he visited the old train station in Qi Yuan and met a stranger sorcerer at a fast food outlet, and he informed Li Xiuyuan about it.

Apart from tasks assigned by the Ancestral Hall, sorcerers who appeared in Qi Yuan without authorization during this period were all suspect, but they were merely suspect.

Tourism, visiting relatives, job hunting, even aimlessly wandering, entering Qi Yuan isn’t illegal, and no one can do anything about it... But today, this person’s behavior was particularly unusual.

Before He Kao could speak, the man already spotted him, and quickly approached saying: "Excuse me, are you He Kao Daoist friend?"

It turned out that the person had come seeking him, but the term Daoist friend felt odd. The hierarchy in the Magic Sect is actually very distinct; only among people with unclear hierarchy, like Jianghu wanderers, are such terms used to address each other.

He Kao spoke with some doubt, "It’s me. May I ask who you are?" Meanwhile, his Divine Sense already extended the Steel Ruler, because he felt the other person wasn’t malicious, and he perhaps was being a bit paranoid.

The man extended both hands, saying: "Pleasure to meet! My name is Zhang Jingu, Tier Four Sorcerer, Jianghu wanderer."

It turned out the person was indeed an independent cultivator. He Kao used to be highly sensitive towards independent cultivators but gradually adjusted after meeting Chang’an Residence in Sawa Country. There are so many independent cultivators globally, their distinct feature being the "independent", all can’t be the Fabre group.

This person dared to show up publicly and greet him like this, at least it wasn’t with the intent to attack. He Kao also extended his hand to shake, saying: "What brings you to seek me?"

Zhang Jingu: "Rare to meet a fellow practitioner, I’ve heard your name; may I have a step to speak with you?"

A handshake is a basic etiquette; it typically involves a brief grip and release, as prolonged hand-holding between two men seems somewhat awkward.

Zhang Jingu kept his right hand held, yet He Kao didn’t feel anything unnatural, and subconsciously responded to the other person’s words by asking: "Where to?"

Zhang Jingu: "I’ve already booked a restaurant nearby; let’s chat while eating, I have many things to consult with the Daoist friend."

Saying this, he took He Kao’s hand intending to walk away, He Kao then said: "Is it far? I’ll drive!"

Zhang Jingu: "Not far, just a few steps away."

Yet He Kao instinctively wanted to drive because, even if the restaurant is nearby, he would need to return to retrieve his car once done, thus parking at the restaurant would be more convenient.

This reversed their directions, and a tug of the hand resulted in release, making He Kao suddenly aware of how "obedient" he was, almost without guard!

An unfamiliar sorcerer asks him to dinner, he immediately plans to go with him, doing whatever the person says; what if the person intends to lead him somewhere for malicious intent?

There exist methods in this world to suppress hostility; even if Zhang Jingu bears no ill intent, perhaps he has insidious companions... anyway, he shouldn’t have reacted like that.

At that moment, he also realized, the other person indeed was a high-tier sorcerer practicing Spirit Awakening Skills.

Every magic technique has its unique mysterious Divine Techniques. If Hidden Moth skill is cultivated to high tier, it can lead to understanding Primordial Spirit Travel. What Xingshen Sect sorcerers specialize in is observing and interpreting human emotions from the beginning.

They cultivate techniques like "Synesthesia" and sense various emotions and desires of people, akin to what Buddhists refer to as "Telepathy," albeit not as exaggerated as described in Buddhist scriptures.

He Kao possesses a seemingly innate "Heart Communication" instinct, capable of perceiving whether someone harbors malice against him. It’s an indescribable intuition related to his lifelong experiences.

His Beast Claw Pendant not only calms the spirit but also serves the function of Malicious Detection. "Malicious Detection" is essentially the Divine Technique of Xingshen Sect, which he has worn closely for over twenty years since he was three.

The Beast Claw Pendant was crafted by three eminent individuals, one of whom was Xingshen Sect Elder Li Xiuyuan.

Though low-tier sorcerers of Xingshen Sect excel at probing minds, limited in cultivation, they can "sense" but not "control." To achieve certain purposes, their tactics are usually flattering and leading by circumstances.

When put negatively, it can be sweet-talking and manipulating people’s minds.

Xingshen Sect high-tier sorcerers are different; their understood Divine Techniques can’t be easily explained. They may be likened to instant hypnosis techniques with a low-end moniker called "Flower Picking Skill," and a high-end one—Wish Fulfillment Skill.

Wish Fulfillment sounds like the Great Divine Techniques only Bodhisattvas possess, however, this is a misunderstanding; it actually means "I have a wish and others must comply."

Take this scenario for instance, Zhang Jingu acts to take He Kao to dinner, and He Kao agrees... They can not only peer into hearts but also influence them to a certain degree.

Tier Four Sorcerers of Xingshen Sect, humorously called "Flower", essentially a mendicant. Mendicants ask strangers for money on streets; they must be willing to give. The nickname alludes to their Divine Techniques.

Li Xiuyuan’s cultivation had long reached the Tier Six Illusion Master, Jiang Daozhen often jokingly called him Li Huazi.

The so-called Wish Fulfillment Skill is not a complex mystery; it cannot manipulate hearts out of thin air, but instead amplifies someone’s existing emotions, allowing them to replace the subconscious and thus influence behavior and judgment.

For example, in corresponding scenarios, people inevitably experience emotions like fear, greed, luck, vanity, competitiveness, and lust. Few people’s wills are flawless, and any crack can pry open a door.

Of course, the Spirit Awakening Skill doesn’t always succeed; it depends on each person’s willpower and self-reflection ability.

So what flaws did He Kao reveal just now?

He seemed cautious, gripping the Steel Ruler with his Divine Sense upon spotting an unfamiliar sorcerer. Yet, he was neither afraid nor nervous; rather, he had some complacency because he knew Magic Sect experts were watching him, and he hadn’t sensed any hostility from the other party.

Zhang Jingu didn’t know why he had this mindset but promptly sensed and amplified his complacency.

More importantly, Zhang Jingu amplified He Kao’s curiosity, causing it to replace his subconscious. In this scenario, He Kao’s main thought would surely be — who is seeking him and for what purpose?

So Zhang Jingu kept him in a state of intense curiosity, forgetting all else, inviting him aside to discuss the matter. Caught off guard, He Kao acted like a fool.

Why did Zhang Jingu initiate a handshake and not let go after grasping his hand? Because the Flower Picking Skill also emphasizes appropriate and clever physical contact, which speeds up casting and makes the Divine Power fluctuations more concealed.

But He Kao was not easily controlled; inadvertently pulling his hand away, he regained his senses. Although he hadn’t specifically cultivated Spirit Awakening Skill, he had received its legacy and understood its methods.

In fact, He Kao had encountered many Xingshen Sect sorcerers, including Peng Xian, the former boss of Jinxing Media, Zeng Hongye the master and disciple encountered last year in Maoluo Country, and more recently, Chang’an Residence in Sawa Country.

Peng Xian was a Tier Two Angler who was eliminated by Xiaopang and He Kao in the Joy Valley Amusement Park; Chang’an Residence was also a Tier Two Angler who posed no threat to He Kao at the time and did not become his enemy.

Only Zeng Hongye’s situation was relatively special; he was also a Tier Four Flower. He Kao was covertly tailing, preventing Zeng Hongye from using Spirit Awakening Skill openly, and ultimately captured Zeng Hongye and his disciple using a smoke trap.

He Kao knew Zeng Hongye’s background and was aware of his skills. Wu Yanjun’s inexplicable escape was likely related to this, but no matter how powerful the Wish Fulfillment Skill was, it couldn’t handle toxic smoke.

Today’s encounter with the enigmatic Zhang Jingu caught He Kao somewhat off guard.

He Kao stepped back two paces, his expression darkening: "Is this how you conduct yourself? Casting spells to disturb the mind at first meeting!"

Zhang Jingu rubbed his hands awkwardly: "Please don’t misunderstand, I have no malicious intent. I’m just nervous at our first meeting and hope the communication goes smoothly... This place, I always feel uneasy, chilled behind."

He seemed genuinely uneasy, and it felt like he was the more nervous one, forcing himself to wait for He Kao here. Understandably so, as there were likely more than one Magic Sect expert lurking nearby, and the atmosphere was indeed off.

The reason why Zhang Jingu unconsciously used the Spirit Awakening Skill was probably out of habit. Independent cultivators lack regular supervision and reminders from the Sect, easily forming such a "bad habit," using learned methods casually.

It’s said that "being wise but not using it" is also a form of cultivation, testing one’s willpower... However, the pot shouldn’t call the kettle black; Huang Xiaopang and later He Kao had, more or less, committed the same fault.

At this moment, Li Xiuyuan’s laughter echoed in He Kao’s primordial spirit; the Elder seemed quite pleased: "Hahaha, you finally witnessed the power of Spirit Awakening Skill, you almost got manipulated!

Have you been practicing the little techniques I’ve taught you these days? To be honest, they’re ways to test and avoid interference from Spirit Awakening Skill.

Isn’t he inviting you to a meal? Go ahead! He’s a clueless young fellow; see what he wants from you. I sense this fish is not small, it might lead to a bigger catch."

What’s so funny about it? He Kao couldn’t help but grumble silently, a Jianghu Wanderer cultivating the Spirit Awakening Skill broke into High Tier yet hadn’t responded to the Grotto Heaven summon or returned to the Sect, which wasn’t something worth laughing about. Yet, Grand Sect Leader Li was still amused?

Nevertheless, he listened to the advice, turning his head to Zhang Jingu: "Inviting me to a meal, is it? Already booked the venue, anyone else accompanying you there?"

Zhang Jingu promptly responded: "No one else, just me, just want to find a quiet place for a good chat."

He Kao: "Since you’re inviting me, let me choose the place then."

Zhang Jingu: "Sure, sure, you choose the place, we can eat whatever you like!"

He Kao looked into his eyes: "Then get in the car, follow me, I’ll take you somewhere nice to eat."

**