The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 312 - 274, Imperial Family Tributor Zhao Duan seeks guidance from the young master Tianhai (of 6000 words)_2

Eunuch Hai glanced at the young man, aware of his close relationship with Zhu Dian, and figured he was standing up for his friend. He scoffed and shook his head,

"The Six Paths Stick indeed ranks higher, but the rules of magical combat only limit the number of Magic Artifacts one can carry, not too many, yet they do not restrict the quality of the artifacts.

Simply put, if a Cultivator's own strength is insufficient, he cannot control a weapon far beyond his capabilities...

Do you think that it was because Jin Jianer lacked a stronger Suppressing Object that she suffered a disadvantage?

No, it was because she couldn't handle anything stronger. Otherwise, why would Heavenly Master Zhang lack treasures?

On the other hand, that young monk Tian Hai can lift that exceptional piece of the Worldly Realm, the Six Paths Stick, and can also wield it. That is his skill...

Do you think it's unfair? This is actually quite fair. Young man, as you embark on the path of Cultivation, avoid blaming victories and losses on weapons or other external factors, and instead reflect on your own insufficient cultivation...

Just like when you succeed in the official halls, outsiders only think it's because you rely on Your Majesty's favor, yet they don't consider why you are favored, and those who are jealous of you do not succeed... It's the same principle."

The old eunuch spoke earnestly, worried that Zhao Douan's mentality might become distorted.

"So, as long as one can maneuver it, and the number does not exceed the rules, any weapon can be brought onto the stage?" Zhao Douan disregarded most of the scolding, his eyes flickering.

"...Yes," Eunuch Hai tiredly nodded, said irritably:

"If you will, you could even carry that cannon you've been working on, provided the fighter doesn't just stand there stupidly letting you fire it."

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Zhao Douan pretended not to notice the eunuch's sarcasm, lost in thought.

...

"Sister!"

At this moment, on the stands of the Heavenly Master Mansion.

As soon as the magical barrier was lifted at the end of the duel, Gongshu Tianyuan leapt onto the platform, steadying Jin Jianer, who was exhausted, depleted of mana, and temporarily weakened.

The plump, somewhat comical face was filled with worry and guilt:

"How are you?"

Saying this, Gongshu Tianyuan's chubby hand magically produced a pill and pushed it into the mouth of the girl, who had regained her true appearance.

Then he fetched a water gourd to help her swallow it.

The aura overflowed, and the girl with the palm-sized, exquisitely pale face seemed visibly better. She raised her shattered sleeve-covered hand, clutching her cracked glasses, and said sorrowfully:

"Broken..."

The anxiously gathered crowd of priests: "..."

At a time like this, you care about a broken mirror... Gongshu Tianyuan silently reproached but said:

"Don't worry, I've brought you another one."

Saying this, he pulled out a new pair of crystal lenses and put them on her.

The light scattered from Jin Jian's eyes refocused, and she looked around at the circle of worried fellow disciples, her expression guilty and her eyes reddening, barely holding back her tears:

"I... I lost... I'm sorry... Master..."

The group of priests immediately began to comfort her.

Gongshu Tianyuan loudly praised, explaining that his sister performed very well, and that her defeat wasn't due to her incapability but because that bald monk was too cunning.

Despite this, the priests of the Heavenly Master Mansion visibly had low spirits.

In contrast, on the Divine Dragon Temple side, the monks struggled to suppress their grinning mouths, but the joyous atmosphere couldn't be masked.

Some nobles had already approached, congratulating the monks and expressing their willingness to donate more.

Representing Abbot Xuan Yin, the monk in white robes smiled like a spring breeze, stepping up lightly as if treading on clouds, arriving on the stage and smiling:

"Tian Hai..."

However, the young monk who had just won a great victory barely glanced at him.

He sat down cross-legged on the spot, placing the Six Paths Stick across his knees, pulled out a pill and swallowed it, restoring his mana.

Bian Ji's smile stiffened on his face, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, though he was long accustomed to Tian Hai's temperament.

He then smiled, "Tian Hai has expended quite a bit of energy. Let him rest for a while before accepting another challenge, shall we?"

As the Divine Dragon Temple celebrated their victory, everyone understood that this round of the Buddhist Tao duel was concluded.

The so-called challenge was merely a traditional ceremony.

Naturally, there were no objections.

In fact, many noble ladies in the stands had already stood up, rushing to leave early, worried about the crowd at the dispersal.

"Ah, so the little monk won."

Among a group of noblewomen, You Jinhua clutched her handkerchief, her expression regretful:

"Women are naturally not good at fighting. Why didn't they send a man to fight? I think that plump one looks quite durable."

You Jinhua, overflowing with sympathy, felt pity seeing Jin Jianer, who seemed like a daughter to her, being helped down from the stage.

Moreover, since she was a friend of her elder son, the clear-leaning You Jinhua stood firmly on her side.

"..." Zhao Pan said with a faint voice, "Mother, that plump one is also brother's friend."

"Ah! Is that so?" You Jinhua was surprised and hurriedly corrected:

"Heavenly Master Mansion has so many people, why didn't they send someone more competent?"

Zhao Pan rolled her eyes and pretended not to know her own mother.

...

Deep within the Heavenly Master Mansion, under a large banyan tree.

Xu Zhenguan sat in a bamboo chair, shifting her gaze from the young monk Tian Hai, who was meditating at the center of the arena on the screen.

Her face showed a trace of faint disappointment but also a bit of "not unexpected."

With her discernment, she had noticed the disparity not long after the duel started.

Now looking at the Old Heavenly Master sitting opposite her, she sighed:

"Jin Jian is still young, having experienced fewer battles, unlike Tian Hai, who has traveled more in the mortal world and faced more hardships."

Zhang Yan Yi, calm and composed, expressed his sentiments:

"Your Majesty's words are always pleasant to hear, but in the end, it's because Jin Jianer is no match, or should I say, I'm to blame as her inadequate master."

Xu Zhenguan seriously said:

"Teaching in the Tao of the Heavenly Master is about tailoring guidance to individual aptitudes. Jin Jian is naturally not combative; her innocence and cheerfulness are the true way of cultivation."