Chapter Eight: The Defeat of Taiyi

Before attaining immortality, the Daoist tradition encompasses three realms: Refining Qi, Golden Elixir, and Transformation of Spirit. Practitioners of Refining Qi are light as swallows, capable of shattering stone tablets, and in the later stages, can ride swords, traversing a thousand miles in a single day. Those who reach the Golden Elixir stage have entered the threshold of the Great Dao; at their slightest gesture, they command true fire and thunder, causing ghosts and spirits to flee. As for the Transformation of Spirit stage, it is truly extraordinary: the three souls and seven spirits merge with the Golden Elixir, evolving into the Primordial Spirit, attuned to the power of heaven and earth, able to invoke cosmic changes through their own being.

When cultivators of the Transformation of Spirit realm duel, a hundred miles can be reduced to scorched earth in an instant—fortunately, the Three Pure Ones now keep such power in check.

The Divine Thunder of Jade Purity wielded by Master Taiyi is unmatched in might. In the fierce clash, the treasured sword in the hands of Immortal Jin Guang is sent flying, and he himself spits blood and is hurled dozens of yards away. When all settles, Master Taiyi stands proud, while Immortal Jin Guang is half-kneeling, hair disheveled, his robe scorched and torn, his complexion pale, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.

With one strike, Jin Guang Immortal is gravely wounded. The Universe Ring still floats above his head; had Taiyi harbored killing intent, he could end Jin Guang’s life with a flick of his finger.

“Thank you for yielding,” Taiyi offered with a bow, secretly delighted, and glanced at Primordial, whose expression revealed joy.

The Master of Tongtian’s face was gloomy; he had proposed the contest and chosen Jin Guang Immortal, yet the first round ended in defeat, and much of his dignity was lost.

At that moment, black demonic energy surged around Jin Guang Immortal, revealing his true form as the Golden-Furred Roar. His body stretched over ten yards, demonic energy filling much of the Jade Void Palace.

With a roar, a wave of invisible sound attacked Master Taiyi; before it even struck, Taiyi’s mind was thrown into chaos. Thankfully, Qingxu had warned him earlier, so he forcibly calmed his spirit—though not caught off guard, he was still greatly affected.

The efficacy of supernatural arts lies in the spirit and true essence (immortal essence). Now, with his mind shaken by the Golden-Furred Roar’s sonic attack, Taiyi’s powers were greatly diminished, posing no further threat.

Seeing his perilous situation, Taiyi showed no mercy. The Universe Ring crashed down, its size expanding tenfold under his control.

Having already suffered under the Universe Ring, Jin Guang Immortal was startled. Without his innate treasured sword, his demon body was powerful, but could not withstand the force of a post-heaven spiritual treasure.

“If I flee, I’ll immediately fall behind, completely at the mercy of my opponent’s pursuit,” Jin Guang Immortal thought. Seeing the Universe Ring about to strike, he steeled himself, opened his great maw, and spat out a gold-green orb the size of a bowl, sending it to meet the Universe Ring.

An inner elixir?

Qingxu, watching, was startled. The demon tribe’s inner elixir differs from orthodox Golden Elixir, resembling a magical treasure with immense power.

The Golden-Furred Roar is a primeval beast of exceptional talent; its innate inner elixir is incomparably strong, further enhanced by its cultivation in the Shangqing Dao, possessing the power to collapse mountains and reverse rivers—far stronger than the Universe Ring. After all, Taiyi had only refined a quarter of its post-heaven restrictions, able to wield merely a tenth of its power.

With a resounding clash, the inner elixir and Universe Ring met like thunder on a clear day. Spiritual light, golden radiance, demon aura, and immortal energy intertwined, struggling for supremacy.

After a moment, the Golden-Furred Roar, at the cost of his own cultivation, forcibly boosted the power of his inner elixir and shattered the Universe Ring.

Its light dimmed, the Universe Ring let out a mournful cry and sank into Taiyi’s brow. At the same time, Taiyi trembled violently, involuntarily spitting blood. The Universe Ring was bound to his spirit; their fortunes linked, their losses shared.

The tide had turned!

Under the sonic waves and inner elixir of the Golden-Furred Roar, Taiyi could hold on no longer, and fell in defeat, unwilling and indignant.

“Your cultivation is profound, your powers formidable. Jin Guang admires you greatly, but this victory was mere luck.” The Golden-Furred Roar reverted to his Daoist form, bowed, a cold smile on his lips and no shortage of mockery in his eyes.

“Hmph!” Taiyi was furious. He’d had the chance to take Jin Guang Immortal’s life, but had shown mercy, resulting in this outcome.

Seeing Jin Guang Immortal’s reversal, Tongtian’s face was beaming, while Primordial remained unchanged, neither joyful nor sorrowful, his thoughts unreadable, though dissatisfaction could be guessed.

“My disciple’s meager skills have embarrassed Second Brother,” Tongtian said, elated at winning the first round, believing it proved his Dao surpassed Primordial’s.

“Is there any other Daoist brother who wishes to test their skill against me?” Jin Guang Immortal, riding high after defeating Taiyi, issued a challenge, his gaze fixed on the Jade Void lineage.

“I, Guang Chengzi, have come to seek instruction!” Guang Chengzi, a close friend of Master Taiyi, could not resist stepping forward.

Guang Chengzi immediately brandished his Yin-Yang Double Swords. Qingxu observed closely: the swords had been refined one or two percent, and compared to Taiyi, Guang Chengzi’s cultivation was stronger, having established an innate Dao foundation—halfway to Earth Immortal. In just over ten days, he had refined the first layer of innate restrictions.

“Wait, Jin Guang has already fought a match. Let me now face Brother Guang Chengzi,” another stalwart, square-faced Daoist from the Interception Sect stepped forward.

“Who are you? I do not fight the nameless,” Guang Chengzi said arrogantly.

The Jade Void lineage was imbued with pride, claiming to be disciples of the Saints, of exceptional talent and aptitude, and, influenced by Primordial Heavenly Lord, held little regard for the Interception Sect.

“Hmph! I am Zhao Gongming!” Zhao Gongming drew forth a golden whip and shouted.

[Zhao Gongming]
Grade: 28
Immortal Dao Realm: Late Transformation of Spirit (Shangqing Dao)
Abilities: Lesser Celestial Whip Technique, Hurricane, Five Elements Dao (beginner) (True form: Pure Wind)
Merit: 0
Karma: 115

“Too mediocre! I wonder if the Master of Tongtian has bestowed the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearls.” Seeing Zhao Gongming’s information, Qingxu was unimpressed. In the myths of his past life, Zhao Gongming was only middling, relying entirely on the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearls and the Three Sisters.

Qingxu was particularly interested in the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearls, an innate spiritual treasure. According to memories from his past life, their power was immense; combined with the Universe Ruler, they could create twenty-four small celestial worlds, rivaling the Five Elements Banner.

The Yin-Yang Double Swords were also innate spiritual treasures, infinitely sharp and fiercely lethal, capable of slaughtering immortals and gods with ease. At this moment, Guang Chengzi wielded them, producing thousands of sword shadows and manifesting the duality of Yin and Yang.

Zhao Gongming used the Lesser Celestial Whip Technique, unleashing twenty-four whip moves in succession, but only managed to defend. He was greatly shocked: this whip technique had taken him over a hundred years to develop, inspired by the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearls, and he had always believed it unmatched among his peers in sheer technique—yet Guang Chengzi’s swordplay was far superior.

Faced with Guang Chengzi’s relentless, storm-like sword attacks, Zhao Gongming could only parry, unable to counter at all, falling completely behind from the first exchange.

“It’s truly dangerous. Had Guang Chengzi faced me earlier, I would have stood no chance!” Jin Guang Immortal, watching, was increasingly alarmed. He knew well the power of Zhao Gongming’s whip technique; when he faced it in the past, he couldn’t last fifty rounds before defeat. Yet Guang Chengzi’s swordplay was even more exquisite, far surpassing Zhao Gongming’s whip technique.