Chapter Seventy-Seven: Magical Artifacts

Innate Divine Sunlight—

This superior Daoist art excels in both offense and defense. It can blaze across the sky like a celestial sun, radiant and all-encompassing, sweeping away all impurity. It can also envelop the fleshly body in divine radiance, guarding the fundamental spirit, dispelling corruption and evil. Even among the highest Daoist techniques, it is a method of remarkable refinement.

Several days prior.

When Chen Heng dissected that scaleless white fish, he discovered within its belly a true seed containing the “Innate Divine Sunlight.”

Yet this superior Daoist art differs from the Aurora Grand Evasion—

Not only does it require no external aid at the outset, but even in advancing one’s cultivation, it demands no outside assistance.

For someone like Chen Heng, who currently possesses nothing, this is the most suitable Daoist art imaginable!

However, comparatively speaking, this method is not easily mastered—

To attain minor accomplishment, one must first, following the method's guidance, open a total of eighty-one “Golden Seal Divine Chambers” within the body, and within each, visualize an “Innate Lord of Universal Radiance,” simulating its true form to accumulate the essence of the great sun.

Chen Heng had already spent nearly half a year practicing this in the True Law Realm, yet had only just entered the threshold, still far from minor accomplishment.

Opening the eighty-one “Golden Seal Divine Chambers” was not difficult, merely a matter of persistent effort.

The true hurdle lay in visualizing the authentic forms of the “Innate Lords of Universal Radiance” within each chamber. Each lord is wondrous and unique; to simultaneously maintain clear visualization and circulate one’s energy channels is truly challenging.

A single misstep in this process could result in the collapse of a chamber, causing the painstakingly accumulated sun essence to burst forth, incinerating the organs and soul to ash.

Even a small error in synchronizing the breath with the method would lead to a backlash from the Daoist art…

If not for the True Law Realm, he would have perished countless times by now…

Even visualizing all eighty-one “Innate Lords of Universal Radiance” merely marks minor accomplishment.

For moderate accomplishment, one must open three hundred and sixty-five “Golden Seal Divine Chambers,” each housing a unique true form.

As for great accomplishment—

A full one thousand two hundred “Golden Seal Divine Chambers,” and as many “Innate Lords of Universal Radiance”!

At such a level, a flick of the wrist would unleash boundless divine power—mountains would burn, seas would boil, and rivers and peaks over ten thousand miles would be reduced to cinders.

Indeed, the true seed inscribed with this Daoist art recounts an anecdote: a True Lord of Returning Void, upon unleashing the Innate Divine Sunlight, instantly shattered an entire realm, incinerating nearly ten billion Yin Ghosts that dwelled within it!

Superior Daoist arts differ from high-grade talismans.

The greater one’s cultivation, the mightier the Daoist art becomes.

This means that with extraordinary talent, even a novice at the Embryonic Breath or Qi Cultivation stage can practice a superior Daoist art, reaching minor, moderate, or even great accomplishment.

Only their current cultivation limits their ability to melt gold and iron or incinerate mountains and seas.

High-grade talismanic weapons, however—

Only those with deep true energy can wield them; for those at the Embryonic Breath or Qi Cultivation stage, using them is but a fool’s dream.

Such instruments are useless even to Foundation Establishment cultivators, and even newly advanced Purple Mansion adepts can hardly use them for combat—they are but flashy ornaments.

Only a few at the third tier of Purple Mansion or those who have refined the Mysterious Profound can truly wield high-grade talismanic weapons as arms, for defense, escape, or slaying spirits.

…

As the void rippled, a new mental projection of Chen Heng appeared in place.

Sweeping his wide sleeves, he strode dozens of steps across the boundless expanse, a contemplative look on his face.

“The Innate Divine Sunlight requires no external aid—truly the most suitable superior Daoist art for me. Should I attain minor accomplishment, with my current reserves of Embryonic Breath, I’d be comparable to a typical Foundation Establishment cultivator when employing this technique.”

Chen Heng’s eyes glimmered, his brows knitting slightly.

Yet even so, achieving minor accomplishment is no easy feat.

Though Chen Heng had, by secret methods, opened eighty-one “Golden Seal Divine Chambers” within himself, to visualize the true forms of the “Innate Lords of Universal Radiance” in each, linking the divine will seamlessly—

This is a process of relentless trial and error, requiring toil and hardship to achieve.

“Still, there is time before entering the Abyss. If I can reach minor accomplishment in the Innate Divine Sunlight before then, I’m sixty or seventy percent confident. As for my Qi Cultivation, the Hall of Enlightened Contemplation may lend me a hand…”

Chen Heng smiled to himself.

The master of the Hall of Enlightened Contemplation earned that title for possessing a low-grade magical instrument with an inner realm, called the “Hall of Enlightened Contemplation.”

This artifact gathers spiritual essence from all directions and nurtures living beings within. Its inner world is vast—capable of holding not only mountains but even lakes and seas—making it a treasure for trapping foes.

In past years,

Before the Hall's master left for the East Sea, he would, during every festival or auspicious day, unlock the artifact and allow young cultivators to enter, where they would slay the beasts and birds within, all conjured from spiritual essence.

A ranking would be kept based on their success, and the top three would be personally received by the master for several days, granted Daoist texts and elixirs.

Once, Chen Heng might have thought this a gesture to win hearts and forge early bonds.

But after the matter of the Crane Embryo Pill,

He now suspected that those who excelled in the Hall of Enlightened Contemplation and received personal audiences likely received not pills or scriptures…

…but were instead subjected to demonic arts, transformed into devilish thralls by the Hall's master or his shadowy patrons.

“Senior Sister said the Demon of Malice and Obsession possesses an innate divine power: it seeks out the outstanding and refines them into familiars. As their cultivation grows, the demon itself also benefits…

Seen this way, it’s much like a fisherman raising cormorants to catch fish. No matter how hard the cormorant labors, it remains a servant—the real profit goes to the man behind it.”

Chen Heng shook his head.

With the Crane Embryo Pill unattainable, if he wished to expose the Hall’s master’s collusion with devils, he would have to win a top spot in the Hall himself.

Yet for him, this might be a stroke of fortune.

…

All the beasts and birds within the Hall of Enlightened Contemplation are manifestations of spiritual essence. If slain, their corporeal forms yield a stream of spiritual energy that can be absorbed for one’s own use.

For Chen Heng, whether to advance his Qi Cultivation or to refine the Primal Jade Body, this would be of great benefit.

This explains why, although the Hall’s master only receives the top three, countless itinerant cultivators flock from afar, and even disciples of various sects—such as Zhou Xingling from White Crane Cavern—compete for entry.

Though they may not kill the most beasts or place in the top three,

Each beast slain grants a measure of spiritual energy—an unparalleled opportunity, not to be missed even by sect disciples!

…

“If I can reach the third tier of Foundation Establishment before attending the ‘Gathering of Blossoms’ at the Flower Goddess Mansion, and if my Innate Divine Sunlight and Primal Jade Body both progress, my acceptance into the Mansion is all but assured.”

Chen Heng closed his eyes in contemplation for a while, then cast aside all distractions. Gazing inward, a golden page appeared before him.

…

Mahasattva’s Radiance Meditation

Name: Chen Heng.

Techniques: Primal Jade Body (Fifth Level, Profound Realm), Qi Armor Technique (Perfected), Minor Wind and Mist Calling (Perfected), Golden Substitute (Perfected), Minor Scarlet Dragon Sword Classic (Moderate), Dynamic Thunder Guidance (Moderate), Innate Divine Sunlight (Initiate), Aurora Grand Evasion (—)…

Magical Treasures: Azure Law Sword (Medium-grade Talismanic Weapon), Composite Carriage (Medium-grade Talismanic Weapon), Purple Gold Demon-Crushing Hammer (Medium-grade), Thunderfire Pearl (Medium-grade), Iron Armor (Low-grade), Star Register (Secret Treasure)…

True Scriptures: Purple Clarity True Transmission, Three Qi Illumination…

Cultivation: Qi Cultivation, Fifth Layer (Divine Chamber, Primordial True Classic).

…

“My swordsmanship has hit a deadlock—a major bottleneck. ‘Ten Paces, One Kill’ isn’t as readily attained as Senior Xu Zhi once claimed…”

Chen Heng glanced briefly at the golden page, which was densely inscribed.

These days at Floating Jade Lake, he had invited countless Qi cultivators into the True Law Realm for sparring, acquiring who knows how many techniques.

He scanned the page, then looked away.

As usual,

Though the categories were many, few were truly useful…

Aside from having obtained a Qi cultivation art called the Purple Clarity True Transmission from Wei Lingjiang, the rest were hardly worth a glance, even for broadening his horizons.

Yet, after illuminating Wei Lingjiang with the Mahasattva’s Radiance Meditation, her golden page was unusual.

In terms of Daoist arts, aside from the Purple Clarity True Transmission, she possessed only a single moderate art, “Six Dragons Shifting the Scene”—truly scant.

Yet, from the subtle hints in Ancestor Fu Can’s words, it was clear Wei Lingjiang hailed from a prestigious orthodoxy—a renowned Daoist family of great status.

By rights, disciples of such background should be broadly learned, no?

Chen Heng harbored suspicions, but set them aside, instead sitting cross-legged, forming seals with his hands, guiding his breath, and continuing his cultivation of Innate Divine Sunlight.

In a flash, a surge of pure yang essence rose from his spiritual orifices, like a furious dragon from the abyss, nearly bursting free from confinement!

His robes whipped and fluttered wildly, moving without wind, as Embryonic Breath circulated through his meridians in great and minor cycles.

…

Several days later, as Chen Heng meditated, his expression flickered; he communicated with the Golden Cicada, sending his awareness out of the True Law Realm.

At that moment, he heard Wei Lingjiang knocking at his door. At the tea table, Ancestor Fu Can groggily emerged from a wine jar, his aged eyes bleary.

“She’s come looking for you again? She’s been here every day! Seems she paid no heed to my advice!”

Seeing Chen Heng get up, Ancestor Fu Can grew anxious, begging him to bring back more wine.

Only after Chen Heng nodded did he smile in satisfaction, sinking back into his wine jar.

Outside,

When the door finally opened, Qingzhi, long since impatient, stamped her foot, about to speak when Wei Lingjiang covered her mouth.

“Junior Brother.”

Wei Lingjiang’s eyes glistened, a faint smile upon her lips.

“Senior Sister.”

Chen Heng glanced at her, cupping his hands. “What brings Senior Sister today—Array techniques, or talismanic texts?”

“You only open the door to hear about those things?”

Qingzhi struggled to free herself from Wei Lingjiang’s hand, grumbling, “My lady is—”

Again Wei Lingjiang covered the girl’s mouth.

After a moment’s silence, Wei Lingjiang suddenly smiled, blinking lightly:

“Will you walk with me, Junior Brother?”

Chen Heng looked at her.

Today, the maiden was clearly dressed with care—a splendid gown of watery blue brocade, its hem embroidered with clouds in gold thread, her hair adorned with elegant pins, her features strikingly beautiful, with delicate brows gently arched, and a faint plum blossom ornament painted between them.

Her usual aloofness, so like a goddess of icy peaks, had softened, revealing a touch of girlish charm.

After a few moments,

Chen Heng withdrew his gaze, replying calmly,

“Very well.”

…

They said they would walk, but in truth merely wandered about Red Maple Island.

At that hour,

The streets bustled with passersby, rows of pavilions and tall red maples intermingling, as if painting the houses with vibrant lacquer.

Qingzhi, having been released by Wei Lingjiang, clutched her rumbling belly, pitifully watching the two ahead, standing side by side.

She called out weakly, but receiving no answer, stamped her foot in frustration.

Finally deciding to spend her own money, she queued up for a bag of ring-cakes, but by then the other two had vanished.

“You won’t wait for me? Then you get none of these!”

She took a big bite, muttering darkly.

—

“Today… the sunlight is quite pleasant.”

After wandering aimlessly for a long while,

Noticing Wei Lingjiang’s silence and the odd tension in the air, Chen Heng spoke.

“The sunlight is pleasant?”

Wei Lingjiang glanced up at the darkening sky, where clouds gathered above, her expression amused:

“Are you making conversation for its own sake, or are you truly tongue-tied?”

“Perhaps both?”

Chen Heng chuckled.

After that, silence fell once more.

A few dozen breaths later, thunder boomed, and a light drizzle began, quickly swelling into a downpour.

The two hurried into a pavilion for shelter. By then, Wei Lingjiang’s dress was half-soaked; she brushed the raindrops from her face and asked,

“Junior Brother, why don’t you ask?”

“Ask what?”

“Why I insisted on bringing you here to take shelter from the rain?”

“…”

Chen Heng gazed at her for a moment, then lowered his eyes, sitting quietly on the stone bench, watching the gloomy rain outside.

The rain cascaded from the eaves like strings of crystal beads, a damp mist swirling, veiling the view in a haze of late spring, as if everything was bathed in a soft, translucent glow.

The sound of rain filled the air, as if all of Floating Jade Lake were under a shower.

The world around was noisy,

But within the small pavilion, all was tranquil, like the surface of a lake caressed by a summer breeze, disturbed only by the occasional ripple of silence.

Wei Lingjiang stared blankly at the clear rain after thunder, counting her heartbeats pounding like drums, biting her lip.

Who knows how long passed before, just as she was about to speak, Chen Heng’s voice broke the silence.

“Senior Sister, your heart is in turmoil. This is a great taboo in cultivation…”

Wei Lingjiang turned. He continued,

“Is it inner demons, or heart demons? I once asked Ancestor Fu Can; he said this is an obstacle to the Dao, myriad and strange, bent on hindering one’s enlightenment. Senior Sister, before you speak, consider—are you your usual self? Ancestor Fu Can said you are not normally of this temperament.

Besides, I have no wish to hear momentary falsehoods.”

“…”

Wei Lingjiang fell silent.

“And to me, the chance to cultivate is a rare and precious thing. I cherish every moment; by my measure, you must as well… Unless there is enmity, I would never sever another’s path.”

Chen Heng looked intently at her faintly dazed but lovely face, and said earnestly,

“Senior Sister… I do not wish to ruin your cultivation.”

Another silence.

“And if I conquer my inner demons?”

After a while,

Wei Lingjiang suddenly smiled, “If, after I defeat my inner demons, what then—what will you do?”

Chen Heng did not answer.

Just then,

A small figure burst in, shouting.

Qingzhi shook the rain from her like a puppy, half a ring-cake still in hand, and demanded angrily,

“Why didn’t you wait for me?!”

The moment she spoke, she sensed the odd atmosphere, scratching her head awkwardly.

At that moment, thunder rolled across the sky—majestic and vast!

Qingzhi looked up in surprise, to see countless thunderbolts writhing among the clouds, lighting up half the heavens in dazzling blue-white!

“That was no ordinary thunderclap.”

Chen Heng’s face grew grave. “The spiritual current is in turmoil; the heavens are in upheaval—a great cultivator is dueling nearby.”