Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Response of the Saints

Qingxu’s investigation confirmed that this underground altar was undoubtedly built by the Giant Spirit Clan. Yet, even the foundation stones had not been disturbed in the slightest, perfectly aligned with the ley lines; any alteration would certainly damage, perhaps even shatter, the geomantic veins.

“To take the Xuanhuang Bowl without affecting the vast ley lines of the Red Rock Hills is all but impossible. Still, I have no fear of the karmic consequences. It seems that, in the unseen workings of fate, this treasure was destined for me.”

With that thought, Qingxu felt he had grasped the situation. The matter of the Xuanhuang Bowl would surely not escape the notice of the saints across the heavens. But why had none of them intervened to claim it? Why let a primeval spiritual treasure linger here? Perhaps they, too, feared the karma and backlash of damaging the earth veins, or were waiting for a more opportune moment. For now, though, the opportunity fell to him.

“The Xuanhuang Bowl and the Heaven-and-Earth Xuanhuang Tower are unique even among the ancient artifacts,” he mused. Both were born at the dawn of the world, when Pangu split open the primordial chaos and the Great Dao bestowed innate merit in the form of Xuanhuang Qi. Strictly speaking, these are postnatal spiritual treasures, for they were not birthed from primordial chaos like the other innate treasures, but came into being later, lacking only a trace of the chaos’ ineffable essence.

As these thoughts drifted through his mind, the dazzling Xuanhuang light before him grew so intense he could barely keep his eyes open. Only after a time did his gaze adjust, and he saw that the pure water within the Xuanhuang Bowl had finished coalescing—a full bowl of viscous liquid, neither wholly solid nor liquid, emanating a profound and noble aura that inspired awe.

Xuanhuang Qi is the most exalted energy between heaven and earth, rivaling even the Primal Purple Qi, bearing the innate dignity of creation itself.

Whoosh!

With a flicker, a speck of earthy yellow light shot from Qingxu’s mouth. The instant it left his lips, it swelled rapidly, forming a second Qingxu in the air—identical in every way, save for his skin and robe, both the color of yellow earth. This was his second soul, his external avatar, the Xu Earth Spirit.

Through recent cultivation, aided by spiritual elixirs, the Xu Earth Spirit’s cultivation had drawn nearly level with Qingxu himself; any difference was negligible.

The moment the avatar appeared, it wasted no time. With a silent inhalation, an inexplicable force drew the pure Xuanhuang water from the bowl. It hovered in the air, then poured into the avatar’s mouth—down his throat, into his core.

In just two or three breaths, the entire bowl of Xuanhuang water had been swallowed. As the avatar finished consuming it, his yellow robe burst apart, and his earthen skin began to shift and contort, transforming into a deep, mysterious yellow. Muscles and sinews writhed as if thousands of worms burrowed beneath his flesh—a sight to chill the soul.

Though it was only an external avatar, through their intrinsic connection Qingxu could clearly feel the extremity of the pain—burning and itching, an agony that could shatter the mind. Fortunately, it was only the avatar that suffered; had it been his true body, the pain would have multiplied several times over—something Qingxu dared not imagine.

As the Xu Earth Spirit digested the pure Xuanhuang water, his aura surged and his cultivation soared as if propelled by rocket fire.

Late Earth Immortal!
Peak Earth Immortal!
Early Heavenly Immortal!
...

In the span of a breath, the avatar had stepped into the rank of Heavenly Immortal, and this was only the beginning; full assimilation would take much longer.

...

Within the Doushuai Palace, one of the Eight Sights of Mount Shouyang, the Grand Supreme Sage was tending his alchemical furnace when he suddenly sensed something, his expression growing pensive. After a long silence, a faint smile curved his lips. “So, my junior brother has indeed found himself a remarkable disciple.”

In the Jade Void Palace of Kunlun Mountain, the Original Heavenly Lord, immersed in divine union with the Heavenly Dao and pondering its mysteries, suddenly shuddered. His eyes snapped open, and within them, two wheels of law flickered and vanished. Anyone who saw them would have been lost, unable to extricate themselves. Though the saint’s Wheels of Law could not compare with the Heavenly Dao’s, they shared a common origin, each containing boundless secrets.

“Qingxu’s fortune is extraordinary. With a drop of pure Xuanhuang water, not only has his external avatar’s cultivation soared, but his own destiny has been greatly enhanced. Even our sect benefits from the karmic feedback.” Delighted, the Original Lord felt more satisfied than ever with his chief disciple.

On Jin’ao Island, within the Biyou Palace, the Lord of Spiritual Treasures was expounding the Supreme Purity Dao, surrounded by a thousand demon immortals, all entranced. Of these, the Treasure Daoist benefited most. But just as the teaching reached its climax, the Lord of Spiritual Treasures abruptly ceased, leaving the assembled demon immortals wracked with disappointment and a yearning so intense they nearly coughed blood. All turned their eyes to the dais, where their teacher stood, brows furrowed in deep thought.

“Master, is something amiss?” Though nervous, the Treasure Daoist, as chief disciple of the Sect of Severance, dared to ask.

A sigh escaped the Lord’s lips. He did not answer, but inwardly he pitied his disciple. Since his first defeat at the Jade Void Palace of Kunlun, the Treasure Daoist had abandoned his obsession with crafting spiritual weapons, devoting himself instead to cultivation and vowing to restore his honor. As his master, the Lord found this both gratifying and distant, for the goal seemed out of reach.

“Your diligent cultivation has brought you to the verge of mid-Earth Immortal rank. This is a Supreme Purity Elixir—let it aid your progress. Come to Biyou Palace tomorrow, and I will help you refine the Four Images Formation Diagram. Then, the Postnatal Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation may also see the light of day.”

The Lord of Spiritual Treasures had resolved to lend a hand, to help his disciple close the gap with Qingxu.

“Disciple thanks Master!” The Treasure Daoist was overjoyed. With his cultivation at mid-Earth Immortal, and the Immortal-Slaying Formation at hand, surely he would outstrip Qingxu.

“Hmph! The shame of Jade Void will be avenged tenfold!” A cold smile flickered in his heart; he brimmed with confidence for their next duel.

Observing his disciple’s emotions, the Lord sighed again. The Postnatal Immortal-Slaying Formation was powerful, but at most it could threaten Heavenly and Profound Immortals. Against Qingxu’s external avatar? There was little hope—the difference was simply too great. Still, he did not wish to dampen his disciple’s spirit, only hoping to help him catch up before the next confrontation.

Meanwhile, beyond the Three Pure Ones, in the Western paradise atop Mount Sumeru, within the Great Hall of Supreme Bliss, the two Western saints, Receiving and Guiding, also sighed together, marveling at the abundance of talent in the East.

Zhunti considered seeking some advantage in the Red Rock Hills, but after much thought, knew he would only meet humiliation. The Original Lord and the Grand Supreme were not opponents he and his brother could match. Frustrated, he set aside the thought and returned to contemplating the mysteries of the Dao, hoping to advance his cultivation. While the Three Pure Ones and the Receiving Saint had all reached mid-Saint rank, he and Nuwa remained at the initial stage, a source of deep vexation. To think, he had fallen to the same rank as a woman.

In the Wa Palace atop Phoenix Perch Mountain, Nuwa herself sighed, her thoughts unknown. At that moment, a child, fair as carved jade, bearing a red-tasseled spear, a golden torque at his neck, and a red sash at his waist, hair in two horn-like tufts, hurried into the hall.

“Lady! There are two men outside, calling themselves Emperor Jun and Taiyi. They say they have urgent business to discuss with you!”

“Emperor Jun? Taiyi? What brings them here?” Nuwa murmured. Then she addressed the child: “Lingzhuzi, go and invite them in at once!”

“Yes!” Lingzhuzi replied, startled inwardly. If Her Ladyship used the word ‘invite,’ these visitors must be anything but ordinary.