Afterward, with all due respect, he opened up the Zhang Family's Ancestral Master Picture, clasped his hands in prayer, bowed, then suspended the painting. Amid the drifting incense smoke, he sat cross-legged, maintaining a proper posture, gazed at the image, let his soul wander into nothingness, and quietly contemplated.
The aura of the man and the painting gradually merged into one.
Lu Chengyun seemed to have fallen into a profound, indescribable state of gradual enlightenment.
His Divine Sense, too, was gradually nourished, slowly restored, and subtly increased.
"Strange..."
Mo Hua furrowed his brows.
This painting seemed genuinely capable of contemplation, and indeed, after contemplation, it truly nourished Divine Sense.
This was different from my experience...
Mo Hua recalled.
The first time I saw the Landscape Taoist Child Painting, the Taoist Child turned into a little demon, burrowed into my Sea of Consciousness, wanting to devour me.
The second time, upon seeing the Zhang Family Ancestral Master Picture, the Ancestral Master turned into a Zombie, lunged into my Heavenly Court, again with the intention to devour me...
There was no chance for me to contemplate and comprehend...
Why is that?
Why can Lu Chengyun respectfully burn incense, utilize the Contemplation Map, and enhance his Divine Sense properly?
Yet my only choices are to "eat" or be "eaten"?
There's another question:
This Lu Chengyun, when he contemplated the Contemplation Map, did he not realize that these seemingly virtuous ancestors of the Zhang Family were actually zombies?
He saw it, but he didn't care.
Or is it because he simply didn't see through them, so he didn't know at all?
In his eyes, is this just a dignified and solemn picture of the Ancestral Master teaching his disciples?
Something is quite odd...
Mo Hua pondered carefully:
The evil thoughts in the Contemplation Map, wanting to "eat" oneself but not Lu Chengyun...
Is it because I saw through their true nature?
Or is it because my innate Divine Sense is powerful, a great supplement for them?
Or is it simply because they bully the weak and fear the strong, seeing that I am young and wanting to "eat" me?
Mo Hua furrowed his brow, feeling that all three reasons might be possible...
Seeing through their true nature, being a great supplement for Divine Sense, and being easy to bully.
If I were those malevolent spirits, I would also choose a child like myself to "eat"...
The good are bullied by "ghosts".
Mo Hua sighed helplessly.
...
Meanwhile, Lu Chengyun, absorbed in contemplation of the Contemplation Map, seemed oblivious to the outside world.
Mo Hua was then considering whether to slip away now or later.
But as he thought about it, he hesitated again.
Why run when the Contemplation Map is right in front of him?
Lu Chengyun keeps it close to his body.
If I don't try to snatch it now, who knows how long I'll have to wait for another chance?
But how to snatch it?
Force won't work.
I'm no match for Lu Chengyun.
Stealing… probably won't succeed either.
Lu Chengyun is neither a fool nor a piece of wood.
My Concealment Technique may fool him, but to steal something up close would be to not see him as a person.
"What to do?"
Mo Hua thought hard but couldn't come up with a good plan, ultimately giving up in resignation.
Suddenly, an idea sparked in Mo Hua.
Can't snatch, can't steal... but can "steal" a taste!
The map is in Lu Chengyun's hands and I can't take it back for the time being, but skimming off some interest, catching a few zombies for a feast, should be no problem.
Mo Hua peeked out his head stealthily again.