Chapter 325: Chapter 323: Acted Too Late
’The sword’s name is Qingfeng. It must be Ancestor Qingfeng’s Lifebound Flying Sword. To think it’s been damaged so severely...’
After returning to Ten Thousand Immortals Creek, Bai Zichen transferred the Sect Contribution Points to Tie Changsheng and summoned Tong Huan to give him instructions regarding Hidden Treasure Manor.
The Qingfeng Sword’s design was ancient and unusual. It felt much heavier in his hand than any of his other Tier Three Flying Swords.
He tried to refine it with his True Essence, only to find the sword’s body was a complete mess. Spiritual Power couldn’t flow smoothly; its path was difficult and blocked.
The cracks weren’t just on the surface; they had utterly shattered the Qingfeng Sword’s interior.
It was only because it was a flying sword that it hadn’t turned into a pile of scrap. Any other Magical Treasure would have been useless long ago.
A flying sword in this condition couldn’t be refined any further, nor could he discover what miraculous properties it once possessed.
To ninety-nine percent of Sword Refiners, it would be classified as a ruined sword, with the only option being to melt it down and reforge it.
’What a shame. Otherwise, I would have had another usable Tier Three Flying Sword.’
Bai Zichen regretfully set the Qingfeng Sword down. Unwilling to give up, he examined it one more time before summoning the Supreme Qingwei Sword Box.
’This is a long shot, but let’s see if this so-called Celestial Treasure can truly turn decay into something magical... It’s an item passed down from the Upper Realm, after all, and one specifically for flying swords. Maybe a miracle will happen.’
The Moon Xuan Sword had depleted its Origin Power, yet it had been able to recover quickly inside the Sword Box.
This made him realize that the Supreme Qingwei Sword Box was definitely not as simple as just lowering the requirements for Sword Control and granting the "As Clear as Daylight" talent.
If it could even repair a sword as broken as the Qingfeng Sword, that would be incredibly good news for him.
High-Tier Flying Swords were hard to find, but acquiring damaged ones was comparatively much easier.
If this path proved viable, Bai Zichen could buy up broken flying swords from all over the world. At the very least, he wouldn’t have to worry about the Tier Three level anymore.
As for Tier Four Flying Swords, he feared that no one would be willing to part with them easily, even if they were damaged and unusable.
But no matter what, it opened up a new possibility.
The treasures of the Cultivation Realm progressed in tiers: from the Magical Artifacts used by Qi Refining Cultivators, to the Spiritual Artifacts of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and then to the Magical Treasures in the hands of Core Formation True Men.
As for Spiritual Treasures, not even every Nascent Soul True Monarch could possess one. It depended on one’s personal karma and background.
Cultivators from Major Sects could inherit Spiritual Treasures, while Loose Cultivators had to rely entirely on serendipity.
Relying on refining one yourself or having a Top-Grade Magical Treasure undergo a spiritual sublimation was a faint hope; one might as well wish to receive an inheritance from a predecessor.
As for the highest grade, Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasures, their appearance would shake the world, drive countless Nascent Soul True Monarchs into a frenzy, and even tempt the elusive Divinity Transformation Great Powers—who were as rare as a dragon’s tail—to act, despite the risk of shortening their lifespans.
Nearly all the Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasures in the world were in the hands of Divinity Transformation Great Powers.
The rest were held by the few Super Major Sects, enshrined as the Sect’s Treasure, representing the true foundation of a sect.
Although the Supreme Qingwei Sword Box had no spiritual nature and thus couldn’t even be considered a Spiritual Treasure from that perspective...
...its demonstrated functions, along with the Moon Xuan Sword’s timidness in its presence, proved that this Celestial Treasure was most likely a tier higher than even a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure.
Factoring in the rumored origins of that Ancient Sword Immortal, he could be almost certain that the Sword Box was an item from the Upper Realm.
He placed the Qingfeng Sword into the box. Many of the thirty-six slots of Pure Qi were still empty, and one immediately enveloped the broken flying sword.
In any case, inside the Supreme Qingwei Sword Box, the flying sword would at least not deteriorate any further.
’I need to inform Brother Ge about the *Tripod Song* and then submit the original to the highest level of the Transmission Hall... This method, combined with the *Daoist Classic Cantongqi*, finally makes our Sect’s Fundamental Great Method worthy of its name. But I’ll have to reconsider whether to make it available to the ordinary Elders.’
Bai Zichen had already copied the *Tripod Song* from the Jade Lock to a Jade Scroll, verbatim. He hadn’t missed a single word, not even True Monarch Shao Yang’s preface and notes.
After becoming a complete work, the *Daoist Classic Cantongqi* provided a clear direction for cultivation, eliminating the previous phenomenon of fumbling in the dark.
However, the first three volumes of the *Daoist Classic Cantongqi* only served to purify one’s Magical Power and solidify one’s foundation.
What truly set it apart from common Cultivation Techniques started from the fourth volume, which could shorten the time needed to nurture and refine a Lifebound Magical Treasure, and even help in awakening a Spiritual Treasure.
But these miraculous effects were only useful for those at Core Formation Cultivation or higher.
Making the *Tripod Song* available to Foundation Establishment Cultivators, who couldn’t use it at all, would serve no practical purpose and only increase the risk of the Cultivation Technique being leaked.
In Bai Zichen’s opinion, it should only be made available to the Sect’s upper echelons, such as Core Formation True Men and the Five Halls Masters.
’Also, I need to get to the bottom of Ancestor Qingfeng’s passing... Was it an unexpected attack, or did the Sect encounter a great enemy a thousand years ago, one that required Ancestor Qingfeng to sacrifice his life to lead away?’
After giving a few instructions regarding matters at Ten Thousand Immortals Creek, Bai Zichen flew toward Black Mountain via Sword Control.
...
On the main mountain of the Qingfeng Sect, beneath a banyan tree with a massive canopy on Cloud Platform, Master Ge Cang sat cross-legged.
The surrounding Spiritual Qi was rich and full of life. The grass and trees grew much faster here than elsewhere.
Master Ge Cang, sitting under the canopy, was very understated, like an ordinary, gaunt old man, without a trace of imposing pressure.
He had already explored most of the path to the Nascent Soul realm. Although he had no predecessor’s experience to compare with, he felt he had made thorough preparations.
’The Nascent Soul Pill is a Spirit Pill that only appeared in the Near Ancient era. Before that, Cultivators still succeeded in Shattering Core and Transforming into Nascent Soul and surviving the Celestial Tribulation without such elixirs... As for the Heart Demon Tribulation, although I have no corresponding Magical Treasure, my goal is clear and my Great Dao is true. Can mere Outer Demons truly shake my state of mind?’
Master Ge Cang extended a slender finger and gently tapped a rare flower before him. In the next moment, it went from a bud to a full bloom, then withered and bore fruit, completing its entire life cycle in the blink of an eye.
’A Tier Four Spirit Land is the most practical problem before me. Do I really have to fight that Cyan Simurgh for it...?’
The Cyan Simurgh’s bloodline was noble; it could recover from even the gravest injuries by hibernating.
This particular Cyan Simurgh in Black Mountain had not been seen since the founding of the Qingfeng Sect. It was most likely in a deep slumber.
Otherwise, no matter how much it disdained human Cultivators below the Nascent Soul realm, the Qingfeng Sect had now expanded to within ten thousand miles of its territory. It should have made some kind of move by now.
With so many Sect Disciples around, someone would have surely spotted it at least once.
No matter how confident Master Ge Cang was in his own strength, he didn’t think he could drive away a Tier Four Demon Beast.
His trump cards might be able to intimidate a Nascent Soul True Monarch, but they would be insufficient against a thick-skinned Tier Four Great Demon.
’Even if Junior Brother Bai raises his Cultivation to Core Formation Perfection, the two of us together would struggle to gain any advantage over the Cyan Simurgh... unless that feathered beast is severely injured, but that would be too great a risk...’
As Master Ge Cang was still pondering the matter of the Tier Four Spirit Land, he suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed beyond the Grand Array.
Three breaths later, a terrifying might descended upon the Mountain Gate with world-ending force, and the sky instantly darkened.
A giant hand slapped down from the heavens. Countless cyan lotuses bloomed in its path as it descended, seizing all of nature’s spiritual energy and gathering it into itself, creating a vacuum of Spiritual Qi.
BOOM!
The giant cyan lotus hand collided with the Array. The Taiyin Star Aspect manifested, shifting from a crescent moon to a half-moon, and then to a full moon.
Yin and Yang transformed, and an Illusory Moon flew out to meet the attack.
At the critical moment, the Duality Illusion Moon Array displayed its power as a Tier Three Top-Grade Array, instantly unleashing over eighty percent of its strength with almost no preparation.
It drew upon the majestic Spiritual Qi from the Earth Vein below, while a row of Top-Grade Spirit Stones at the Array Plate’s core hub instantly turned to dust.
This Illusory Moon was already infinitely close to Tier Four power, yet it was still easily shattered into several pieces by the giant cyan lotus hand. The pieces scattered into moonlight and returned to the Array.
Of course, countless lotuses on the giant hand also withered, and it shrank to a palm of only a few dozen feet. It struck the Duality Illusion Moon Array, making the very earth shake.
Against opponents at the Core Formation Layer, it could have been completely ignored.
With the Duality Illusion Moon Array’s defensive capabilities, plus its ability to confuse a Cultivator’s senses and Divine Sense, any number of Core Formation True Men could only resort to a siege; they could never break through it directly.
But this giant cyan lotus hand clearly surpassed the tolerance limit of any Tier Three Array. If it were allowed to strike the Grand Array directly...
...the Array might be able to withstand a few hits by drawing on the Earth Vein, but the Cultivators inside could be shaken to death by the sheer force.
"Brother Ge, could it be Blood God True Man?"
Wei Dao was already at the Array Plate’s core. Without hesitation, he took out another thirty-six Top-Grade Spirit Stones and pushed them in.
With him personally presiding over it, the Duality Illusion Moon Array unleashed its strongest aspect. Two bright moons rose into the sky.
One was a full moon, the other a total lunar eclipse.
Between them, the lunar phases transformed, constantly shifting through their waxing and waning cycles.
The entire Spirit Vein was activated by the Duality Illusion Moon Array, letting out a deafening roar. The two bright moons appeared even more powerful than the previous Illusory Moon.
"It is True Monarch Jiulian... Guard the gate. I will go and meet him."
Master Ge Cang’s expression was serene, showing no sign of surprise or panic. With a single step, he strode from the peak of Cloud Platform to outside the Array.
"True Monarch Jiulian!"
Wei Dao cried out in shock. His mind trembled, and he almost failed to maintain the Duality Illusion Moon Array in its perfect state.
Compared to the possibility of the newly ascended Nascent Soul, Blood God True Man, the shock of True Monarch Jiulian’s arrival was naturally far greater.
Ever since Wei Dao joined the Qingfeng Sect and began his path of Cultivation, True Monarch Jiulian had been a god-like figure towering over the Cultivation Realm of Liang Country, representing supreme authority alongside the Holy Lotus Sect.
Although he had long known that the Holy Lotus Sect had become the Sect’s greatest enemy...
...when True Monarch Jiulian actually appeared before them, the impact was much greater than he had anticipated with their expected opponent, Blood God True Man.
However, Wei Dao quickly calmed himself and pushed the Duality Illusion Moon Array to its limits.
He knew very well that with his own strength, he couldn’t even survive a single exchange with a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
The most he could do was maintain the Grand Array and block the aftershocks of the True Monarch’s attacks.
Whether the Sect could survive today’s calamity now rested entirely on Master Ge Cang.
’Thankfully, Junior Brother Bai is in Hejian. When he gets the news, he’ll have plenty of time to escape... Even if the Sect is destroyed today, with his talent, he will surely be able to rebuild Qingfeng in a hundred years and make the entire Holy Lotus Sect pay a terrible price!’
For some reason, the image of Bai Zichen appeared in Wei Dao’s mind, and he felt a great sense of relief.
"True Monarch Jiulian, why must you press our Sect so hard? I can make a Dao Heart Oath to never take the initiative to attack the Holy Lotus Sect in this lifetime."
Master Ge Cang sighed and exhaled lightly. Countless bolts of thunderbolt shot out in all directions, shattering the clouds within a hundred-mile radius.
"The Divine Thunder has a spirit, and Wood Nourishes All Things... My only regret is that I acted too late. I should have taken you down the day you refused to join my Sect. It would have saved me countless troubles."
A white cloud dispersed, revealing the figure of True Monarch Jiulian. He looked at Master Ge Cang with a complex expression, which finally condensed into words filled with chilling killing intent.