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墨書 Inktalez
In the sky above the Yinshan Imperial Hall, clouds billowed and the void split open as the Old Scholar and the Black-Robed Scholar descended.
"Xuanzong!" the Old Scholar shouted, his voice echoing across the land.
However, after a long while, no one came forward. Blood trickled from the corner of the Old Scholar's mouth as he said, "This Miao Guanyin's Tears of Guanyin are indeed incredibly domineering, injuring my celestial roots."
"Thank you for saving me earlier. If it weren't for White Robe sacrificing himself for me, I would have lost my life by now," the Black-Robed Scholar replied.
The Old Scholar continued, "It's good that you understand. Keeping you by my side is dangerous, but you are more useful than him. We are one body; in this great chaos, we must not lose our composure. As you can see, despite using all my means, I couldn't do anything to those people. Without the Great Zhou Compass, all three of us would have perished there. Moreover, there are many lurking forces eyeing us. Yin Mountain is already on the brink of extinction; one person alone cannot turn the tide."
The Black-Robed Scholar looked at the segment of the Great Zhou Compass exposed on the Old Scholar's chest, his expression darkening. "Rest assured, harming you is equivalent to harming myself."
The Old Scholar and the Black-Robed Scholar walked towards the Yin Mountain Underground Palace. Upon entering the sleeping quarters, the Old Scholar saw the scattered extinguished Seven Star Ancient Lamps and corpses on the ground, and he spat out a mouthful of old blood in anger.
The Black-Robed Scholar frowned and said, "It seems Xuanzong sneaked into the sleeping quarters and discovered the secret of the book, taking away its essence."
"Let it be; if they took it away, so be it," replied the Old Scholar.
The Black-Robed Scholar continued, "For a thousand years, half of the Yang Family's book has always been just that—half. Can't you use the Great Zhou Compass to locate the other half?"
The Old Scholar shook his head. "The first half has already terrified Ghosts and Deities; it's likely that the second half has long been destroyed. Or perhaps it never existed at all. I studied this book for a hundred years before mastering One Qi Transforming into Three Purities Divine Technique."
"Why does One Qi Transforming into Three Purities only have a physical form? I have no recollection of it," said the Black-Robed Scholar.
The Old Scholar glanced at him and said, "I know what you're thinking. One Qi Transforming into Three Purities has its limitations; it can only be used once in a lifetime, and once you manifest the Three Pure Body, it cannot be used again. Even if I told you, it would be useless. Now, we are both seriously injured; you should return to heal."
The Black-Robed Scholar bowed to the Old Scholar and exited the sleeping quarters.
The Old Scholar sighed and said, "Not only does my son have rebellious tendencies, but even my Three Pure Avatars do as well. Fortunately, I had a backup plan. With the Great Zhou Compass in hand, let’s see who dares to go against me!"
The Old Scholar gestured, and a stream of Dao Qi shot from his fingertips into a hole in the stone wall behind him. The wall flipped open, revealing several dark tentacles that reached out to wrap around his body and pull him into the Secret Cave.
Inside the Secret Cave, the walls were covered with talismans infused with Dao Qi. In the center of the cave stood a peculiar Blood Tree. It was not tall, but it had countless blood-red branches that resembled veins, burrowing into the Old Scholar's wounds to infuse him with vitality and heal his injuries.
The Old Scholar soon fell into a deep slumber, surrounded by a cocoon-like layer that formed around the Blood Tree. The talismans on the walls gathered the essence from the Underground Palace that connected to Yin Mountain, continuously channeling it into the Old Scholar's body.
Meanwhile, to the west of Spirit Mist Mountain, at Peach Blossom Stream, Sword Elder and Zhang Dao'an stood on a high slope, gazing at the peach blossom forest where a pool of Ice and Fire Spirit Spring rippled with water. Five swords hovered around the spirit spring. Below the spring, a figure could be faintly seen, pores open wide as it absorbed the powerful Spirit Energy from the Ice and Fire Spirit Spring.
Zhang Dao'an remarked, "Brother in the East is exceptionally talented, at the ninth grade of Golden Core, with an immaculate Nascent Soul. Now he only needs to pass this trial at Ice and Fire Spirit Spring to step into the Mahayana Realm. Truly enviable! It's just unfortunate that I am so useless and unable to help at all."
Sword Elder replied, "Child, do not belittle yourself. Throughout history, many Dao Sovereigns and Saints were merely average in talent. To me, you are wise beyond your years; you may play a crucial role in turning the tide in the future."
Zhang Dao'an's expression turned despondent as he said with some self-doubt, "Senior, there’s no need to comfort me. I know my own worth. Before our master passed away, he instructed me not to seek revenge or revive Longhu Mountain because he saw my talent was insufficient to dominate in chaotic times. In recent days, I have been studying the notes left by Ancestor Master, hoping to retrace his steps."
"The Wandering Notes of Dragon Tiger Mountain Patriarch record various Cave of Blessings, including Underworld All-Encompassing Hall and Demon Gate Ancestral Hall. With your current cultivation level, if you go there now, you might narrowly escape disaster. Moreover, without ten years' time, you may not complete even one journey," Sword Elder cautioned.
Zhang Dao'an replied firmly, "I have made up my mind about this. I am grateful for your guidance these days; it has allowed Dao'an's cultivation to advance rapidly to Nascent Soul Realm. If I can return safely one day, I will surely repay your kindness."
"Since that is your wish and everyone has their own aspirations, I will not stop you," Sword Elder said as he took out a silk pouch from his robe and handed it to Zhang Dao'an. "This pouch can save your life at a critical moment but can only be used once. I intended to give it to Dongfang Yuqing, but as he is about to enter Mahayana Realm and no longer needs it, I will gift it to you instead."
Zhang Dao'an accepted the silk pouch from Sword Elder and bowed deeply in gratitude. "Thank you very much, Senior; I am truly grateful."
At that moment, peach blossoms fluttered down like snowflakes while Five Element Sword energy surged like dragons around the Ice and Fire Spirit Pool.
A figure with white hair burst forth from the water, landing on the grass. His toes touched the tip of a foxtail grass, and five long swords emitted a ringing sound as they circled around him, finally settling behind him.
"Congratulations, Brother Dongfang, on entering the Mahayana Realm!" Zhang Dao'an said.
Dongfang Yuqing nodded, though a look of confusion crossed his face. The Sword Elder spoke, "Dongfang Yuqing, you have always been accompanied by the Five Element Sword. Your body has long been immersed in the Ice and Fire Spirit Spring. Now, having absorbed the essence of the spring's source, your power has greatly increased, allowing you to finally step into the Mahayana Realm. You can now fully master the sword techniques of the Five Element Sword; you should try the final move."
Dongfang Yuqing nodded and then asked, "Why is it that after entering the Mahayana Realm, my perception of the surroundings is much clearer than before? Yet I feel an inexplicable sense of loss within me?"
The Sword Elder replied, "In cultivation, every step is a realization of the Dao. Each realm represents a peak in one's growth. After reaching the Mahayana Realm, what influences one's strength is the inherent quality of the Cultivation Method learned. The Five Element Sword is an ancient sword technique; you need not worry about that. However, another factor that affects you is your state of mind. Those who cultivate must not go against their nature; otherwise, they will be suppressed by the rules of Dao and develop Inner Demons, leading to stagnation in their cultivation or even falling into madness—a fate from which there is no return."
"So this sense of loss is indeed an Inner Demon buried deep within my heart," Dongfang Yuqing said. "It affects my resolve and brings about feelings of weariness and fatigue. A weak heart in cultivation is truly detrimental."
The Sword Elder continued, "Many who reach this level may have their emotions erased and lose their sense of humanity. Throughout history, many renowned figures have developed a sense of disillusionment at this stage, choosing to retreat from worldly affairs and live in seclusion until they die in desolate mountains. After entering the Mahayana Realm, every step must be taken with caution; one must not be careless."
Dongfang Yuqing nodded and said, "I will be careful, Grandfather. By the way, Brother Zhang, I just vaguely heard that you seem to be leaving?"
Zhang Dao'an nodded and replied, "Yes, Brother Dongfang. My cultivation is still low; staying by your side would only hold you back. It would be better for me to follow in our Ancestor Master's footsteps and traverse the mountains and rivers; perhaps I can gain some insights along the way."
"Alright then, when do you plan to leave?" Dongfang Yuqing asked.
Zhang Dao'an said, "Tonight; I will set off under the starry sky."
At that moment, on a desolate mountain in Jiangnan Suburbs, wind and snow swept through as I looked down at a freshly dug grave beneath my feet. Dried bloodstains lay nearby, and footprints were scattered all around.
Behind me, Zhou Manman flew in from thin air. She looked at the disturbed grave with a troubled expression and asked, "Why has Master’s grave been dug up?"
I said, "If my guess is correct, it should be Song Qianqiu. He obtained the Demon King's Scripture, controls the Demon King, seeks the Underworld Sacred Medicine, and consumes Underworld Ghostly Energy. He must have already entered the Mahayana Realm; otherwise, he wouldn't have recklessly dug up the corpse of Master Miao Guanyin."
Huzi and Wuhe Douding rode in on Qiongqi, soaring down from the mountain. Wudao said, "Just as you suspected, the bodies of Master Miao and the White-Robed Old Scholar are also missing."
I sighed and replied, "This Song Qianqiu is extremely sinister. He knows that he cannot confront us directly with so many people around. Now that he has practiced the Demon King's Scripture to a certain extent, he can resurrect the Living Dead's corpses and control Yin Soldiers. His spies are everywhere; if all these fallen masters were to be revived under his command, who would stand a chance against him?"
Zhou Manman asked, "But those people are already dead; their Dao Bodies have dissipated. What use is it for him to resurrect their corpses?"
I explained, "Although I haven't seen the Demon King's Scripture myself, it has been recorded in ancient texts that it can revive the corpses of unparalleled powerhouses as long as the bodies are not damaged and their Meridians are not completely destroyed. If the originally opened Meridians and Qi Sea remain intact, they can become Yin Soldier Corpse Ghosts through the Demon King's Scripture and regain their cultivation. Those from the Mahayana Realm and Tribulation Realm are extraordinary; even if they die, they are still far more powerful than ordinary cultivators. With some nurturing, they can become top-tier experts again. Even if they can't recover their peak combat strength from when they were alive, they could regain a significant portion of their power. If they cultivate their corpses for a long time, they could become impervious to blades and immune to all forms of attack—perhaps even stronger than when they were alive."
"But this place is in ruins; it's clear there was a battle here. Could it be that Master Miao Guanyin was not controlled?" Huzi asked.
The surroundings were devastated; mountains were shattered, trees withered, and cracked paths were everywhere.
I took out the Zhou Compass and adjusted its needle. As time rewound, Light Shadow reappeared before us, revealing Song Qianqiu's emergence and the subsequent battle with Taihe Zhenren.
After watching the Light Shadow, everyone looked astonished. Huzi asked, "What did Song Qianqiu just do? Why did Taihe Zhenren suddenly become unable to move while in mid-air?"
Douding replied, "I've heard of a Daoist Art related to time in past Zen Buddhism teachings called the Great Wilderness Scripture. This scripture was so contrary to nature that Bodhidharma sealed it within Flying Buddha Cave. Since then, there has been no news of this scripture."
"Flying Buddha Cave?" Huzi said. "Isn't that where we fell into a sand pit last time at Dunhuang while Yunxi entered Buddha Cave?"
Wu nodded and said, "I found Linglong Tower in the underground Buddha Cave beneath that sand pit."
"The Dunhuang Caves were opened over a hundred years ago during the Dark Turmoil but quickly vanished into the desert again. Qiongqi was also found in that scripture cave," I said as I looked at Qiongqi. "Who trapped you in Buddha Cave back then? What were you guarding?"
"Qiongqi," upon hearing this, transmitted a message to Douding. Douding said, "Big Cat doesn't know who that person is; he should also be a generation of Living Buddha. The Living Buddha suppressed him in the Buddha Cave to protect a scripture, which makes the Living Buddha quite wary."
I replied, "That must be the Great Wilderness Scripture. Back then, Yunxi was like the Buddha Cave. When she fought with Song Qianqiu, Song Qianqiu accidentally triggered some mechanism and was pulled into the void. This Great Wilderness Scripture likely concerns space and time; the Time Path Technique has always been listed as one of the Daoist Sect's primary forbidden arts and was destroyed thousands of years ago. I didn't expect there to still be a copy in existence."
Wudao said, "This Song Qianqiu possesses both the Demon King's Scripture and the Great Wilderness Scripture. Yin Soldiers and Corpse Demons have been appearing everywhere; it turns out that to control the Yin-Yang Realms, we must kill him."
Huzi's face turned pale as he said, "You saw it too; even Taihe Zhenren almost died. Once the Great Wilderness Scripture is unleashed, no one can move. How can we kill him?"
Wudao replied, "Perhaps my Linglong Tower can remain unaffected."
I cautioned, "Don't take risks. He still has the resurrected Supreme by his side. Even if we break free from the Great Wilderness Scripture's constraints, we may not be able to defeat him. We need to inform Guo Daozhen and my father immediately, and we should also visit Leiyin Temple to relay this news."
Zhou Manman added, "The Underworld has two remarkable scriptures: one is the Book of Life and Death, and the other is the Demon King's Scripture. Perhaps the Book of Life and Death can help us. When we came from the South Sea, my master sensed her impending doom and sealed the Book of Life and Death in Guanyin Monastery. If she can't find a way to destroy it or something happens to her, she will hand it over to you. The Book of Life and Death has been with you for many years; it won't harm you and might even assist you. I'll go retrieve it and organize my master's belongings."
"Then be careful, Manman. We'll act right away," I said.
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