Blade - Unbound

"It's just a giant centipede that has cultivated Dao." Having had some wine, Dian Shu's neck was flushed red, and he became even more talkative. "I've heard from my master that all living things, once they gain spiritual awareness, will gradually begin cultivating. They hide in places where the energies of the heaven and earth converge, their intelligence steadily growing, until they develop supernatural abilities.

"Some even undergo physical transformations after consuming heavenly treasures and spiritual herbs, becoming extremely formidable.

"The Masters of Huainan mentions a type of flying centipede. It says: 'The soaring serpent rides the mist, yet falls prey to the maggot.' This creature naturally suppresses snakes. Whenever it encounters a large serpent, it crawls onto it and devours its brain. Flying centipedes especially love eating snake brains...

"The Burial Classic of the Geomancers also mentions a creature resembling a locust but with a swollen abdomen and long horns. It too feeds on snake brains. However, such creatures fear two things: thunderfire and the crowing of roosters. Upon hearing a rooster's crow, they flee immediately.

"Earth centipedes are one of these varieties. Though wingless, they excel at burrowing underground. They can conceal their presence so effectively that ordinary divine abilities can hardly detect them. The only options are to kill them when they emerge, or locate their exact lair and suppress them with a ritual altar.

"Of course, creatures like this can also represent opportunities. A few years ago, an earth centipede caused havoc in Lingnan. It was as large as a python, capable of feeding on rosy clouds and exhaling mist. It was vicious by nature and harmed many people. One of our martial uncles worked together with disciples from a cultivation lineage to set up a trap and kill it. They managed to obtain a Centipede Pearl from its body.

"The pearl was as large as a walnut, and could counter nearly all snake venom under Heaven. Even poisonous snakes that had cultivated Dao would go limp and powerless if touched by it."

Though Dian Shu was young, he had heard many stories of demon hunting and monster slaying within the Queen Mother Courtyard. Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan listened in fascination as the mountain winds howled through the night. Darkness stretched in every direction as the campfire flickered unsteadily.

Listening to tales of Daoist monsters and spirits under such conditions created a uniquely captivating atmosphere.

A hundred meters away, hidden among a pile of rocks, Red Yaksha sat cross-legged beneath her aura-concealing cloth with her eyes closed. Her breathing and heartbeat had slowed to the absolute minimum. Her ears twitched continuously as she monitored every movement around her.

The goat she had captured earlier had already been released. Clearly, she had decided to use the three men beside the campfire as fresh bait.

Meanwhile, inside the spiritual node, darkness reigned. With the cave sealed shut, it felt completely isolated from the outside world. Not a single sound could be heard. The cold and loneliness made it seem detached from existence itself.

Li Yan had not been idle. Ever since entering the cave, he had sat cross-legged in meditation, preserving his spirit and preparing for the ritual.

Without realizing it, midnight arrived. As the hour of the rat approached, Li Yan slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a cloud of white mist.

It was not spiritual energy. The cave was simply so cold that it resembled an ice cellar. Even his breath had condensed into fog.

After standing, he did not begin immediately. Instead, he practiced the ten forms of the Red Fist in the darkness, loosening his body and stimulating his blood circulation.

Lighting a fire starter, he ignited the incense, candles, and Soul-Guarding Lamps one by one, filling the cave with light. Dim though it was, it brought a comforting warmth.

Li Yan gazed at the ritual altar and reviewed everything one final time.

The inner temple building ritual was every cultivator's first major ceremony. Only by successfully starting it could one trigger changes within the spiritual node. The process generally consisted of two steps.

The first was Walking the Astral Steps and Treading the Dipper, forming hand seals and chanting incantations so that the altar itself became a self-contained configuration capable of resonating with the astral qi and killing qi in their surroundings.

The second step was drawing down divine astral qi. That was the source of a cultivator's path. Some visualized their patriarchs. Others visualized celestial bodies and stars, drawing down innate astral qi and killing qi.

After months of study, Li Yan had already grasped the underlying principles. If innate astral qi and killing qi were compared to the boundless night sky, then the immortals and deities worshipped by the orthodox sects and cultivation lineages were the stars scattered across it.

A mortal body alone could never command the power of Heaven and Earth. However, those deities and stars served as coordinates. By using them as conduits, cultivators could draw innate astral qi down.

Of course, both astral qi and killing qi were fierce and destructive. Ordinary mortals could not withstand them. Thus, when Walking the Astral Steps and Treading the Dipper, hand seals, and incantations, one had to accurately predict where the incoming astral force would strike. Only by avoiding the first wave of lethal force could one intercept and utilize the energy.

Whether drawing talismans or conducting rituals, everything relied upon this principle. Most importantly, avoiding that killing qi required supernatural abilities.

This was the true secret of Daoist cultivation. Without understanding this critical point, one could never truly enter the path.

The Luofeng Scripture explained all of this with exceptional clarity.

Holding the deity firmly in his mind, Li Yan formed his hand seals and began Walking the Astral Steps and Treading the Dipper. The Astral Steps used the Big Dipper as their foundation. The Nine Stars of the Northern Dipper, seven visible stars plus two auxiliary stars, formed the Nine Palaces.

Heaven served as the framework while earth served as the foundation. The movements connected the practitioner to the astral qi and killing qi of Heaven and Earth. Each step corresponded to a star. It was as though he were ascending to pay homage to the celestial gods themselves.

Li Yan was already proficient in two Daoist techniques, and was therefore highly familiar with the Astral Steps, but this time was entirely different.

His hand seals unfolded like a lotus blooming upside down, forming the Luofeng Seal, unique to his cultivation method. As he performed the steps, formed the seals, and chanted the incantations, Li Yan sensed a cold and sinister aura rising from the ground.

It shot toward him like a spear but as he continued to step according to the stars in the Big Dipper, he shifted aside and avoided the killing qi. At the same time, he raised his ritual seal and drew the energy behind him, making the wooden seal behind him colder and noticeably heavier.

The seal had been carved from peachwood, and consecrated upon the Queen Mother Courtyard's altar. It was compatible with all cultivation methods, and cost one hundred taels.

Truthfully, it was merely an entry-level ritual tool. The quality of a seal determined how much astral qi it could channel. Given the chance, Li Yan would certainly forge a superior one in the future. For the time being, however, he had no time to think about such matters.

The strand of astral qi felt as though it had come directly from Mount Luofeng in the underworld! It carried a bone-chilling coldness capable of unsettling the soul, and it would dissipate at any moment.

Without hesitation, Li Yan struck the altar three times with the seal before lifting the bowl of Rootless Water. He then sprayed it everywhere. Instantly, wind arose from nowhere, and Li Yan felt the entire spiritual node connect with the altar. Innate astral qi and killing qi surged toward him from every direction.

The sensation was nearly identical to what he had experienced atop Baxian Platform Terrace that day. Terrifying astral qi converged upon him as his head spun and vision blurred. Fortunately, the twelve Soul-Guarding Lotus Lamps finally demonstrated their purpose. Occupying the Twelve Earthly Branches, they resembled candles shining through the darkness, protecting his spirit.

Not daring to relax, Li Yan immediately sat cross-legged and entered meditation.

This time, his preserved deity felt completely different. The deity in his mind had gradually grown clearer and brighter over time, yet it remained surrounded by endless emptiness. Like a candle flickering in the night, it could be extinguished at any moment. If it hadn’t been for the Great Luo Dharma Body, his visualization would have dispersed countless times already.

According to the Luofeng Scripture, this stage was called the Great Change. It referred to the state before yin and yang had differentiated. It was a state of boundless emptiness: no light, no form, no shape, and no name. That was the Great Change. This silent and desolate state was the beginning of divinity, before the emergence of qi.

Now, however, the ritual within the spiritual node allowed innate astral qi and killing qi to permeate the void, allowing change to happen.

This stage was called the Great Beginning. It was the moment qi first emerged.

According to the western scriptures, it would be equivalent to: "In the beginning, the heavens and earth were without form and void. Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."

At that stage, heavenly secrets shifted and the foundation for all creation was born. Astral qi flowed around Li Yan. Wind arose within the dark cave and the twelve Soul-Guarding Lotus Lamps flickered wildly.

Li Yan felt violent storms raging within his soul. His visualized deity flickered like the lamps themselves, as though it could be extinguished at any moment.

This was the first great obstacle of constructing the inner temple. If the visualized deity vanished, his soul would suffer severe damage. He would require a long period of recuperation before attempting cultivation again.

Fortunately, the process did not last long. Within his soul, the space around the visualized deity underwent another transformation under the influence of innate astral qi. Something seemed to stir within the darkness, then points of hazy spiritual light appeared. More and more spiritual light emerged as they gathered into luminous mist. The mist condensed and dispersed repeatedly.

Gradually, streams of black and white yin-yang energies began rising and descending within it.

There were the Five Primordial States: Great Change, Great Beginning, Great Origin, Great Simplicity, and Great Absolute. They represented the process through which Heaven and Earth emerged from nothingness into existence. Only now were the conditions for constructing the inner temple truly complete.

Nearly all cultivation methods under Heaven followed a similar path up to this point. The divergence came afterward.

Some cultivation lineages visualized broken shrines and small temples. Those were easy to construct and sufficient as dwellings for the spirit. However, a small temple could never house a great Buddha.

Other methods visualized pavilions and heavenly palaces. They were magnificent and luxurious. Yet lacking foundations, they could never reach great heights.

The Luofeng Scripture was different. Its first requirement was the visualization of Mount Luofeng itself.

"Luofeng lies beyond the northern sea of the Lower Origin, boundless and immeasurable. Within that sea stands a mountain. Its summit reaches the azure heavens while its roots descend into the Yellow Springs. Black and gloomy energies coil about it. This is the Northern Capital, Mount Luofeng..."

The scripture echoed continuously within Li Yan's mind as the area around the visualized deity began to transform. The first to arrive was black innate killing qi. Flowing beneath the visualized deity, it gathered continuously until it became a black river. When it reached its limit, change occurred.

What had been intangible became tangible. A section of a black mountain range slowly rose from the river beneath the deity's feet.

Then white innate astral qi descended and gathered around the deity. It was constantly shifting, condensing, dispersing, and reforming. Eventually, it became an ancient, majestic, and magnificent divine hall.

Li Yan’s visualized deity sat enthroned within it. Time passed, and eventually, everything stabilized. The winds ceased, and the Soul-Guarding Lamps stopped flickering.

Li Yan slowly opened his eyes as relief flooded through him. But the relief was quickly overwhelmed by the excitement surging within his heart.

"Upon Mount Luofeng of the Northern Capital stands the Palace of Night Radiance. Beneath it are arrayed the Nine Offices of Judgment. The births and deaths of yin and yang are governed there, and all blessings and calamities are recorded within."

The first floor of his inner temple, the union of yin and yang, had finally been completed.

The days ahead would consist of continuous cultivation. The taller Mount Luofeng became, the stronger his foundation would be. The different qi beneath it could even transform into an underworld sea, eventually giving birth to the Six Great Demon Kings. They would become his protective divine generals, far superior to ordinary spirit troops.

Of course, that was a matter for the future. Constructing the inner temple provided more than just a stable dwelling for his visualized deity, avoiding the danger of it dissipating easily. Now, he could now begin practicing some of the techniques recorded within the Northern Emperor Scripture.

No cultivation method in the world was perfect. If the Taixuan Orthodox Sect specialized in massive ritual altars and grand ceremonies, then the Northern Emperor Scripture focused primarily on combat.

The Baopu Mountain-Climbing Technique and the Thousand Gold Protection both originated in the pre-Qin era. Li Yan suspected they had originally spread from the Northern Emperor Scripture.

Their true names were the Northern Emperor Mountain-Climbing Technique and the Northern Emperor Protective Spell. Those two protective arts could be used by anyone. The remaining techniques, however, could only be practiced by cultivators of the Luofeng Scripture.

At his current level, the number of techniques available to him remained limited. Two in particular had already caught his eye.

The Northern Emperor Divine Movement Technique, and the Northern Emperor Straw Spirit Technique. Both were support-type techniques, but there was no helping it. At his current level, he was still little more than a beginner. More powerful arts were simply beyond his ability to wield.

The Divine Movement Technique was essentially a talisman. Astral qi could be condensed into yellow-cloth talismans attached to the legs. After performing the ritual, one's feet would seemingly be carried by the wind. His running speed and jumping ability would increase dramatically. It was ideal for pursuit, combat, and escape.

The difficulty of unleashing the air lay in the materials used to craft the talisman needed. At minimum, the yellow silk had to be worshipped on a sacred altar for five years. The talismans also had to be inscribed at a location where astral qi converged and properly infused with killing qi.

Such talismans typically lasted for the duration it took to boil a pot of tea. Better materials and higher cultivation would further improve both speed and duration.

On the other hand, the Straw Spirit Technique involved crafting paper effigies for scouting and tracking. Combined with Li Yan's divine sense of smell, the technique would be extraordinarily effective.

Although the Northern Emperor Scripture emphasized combat, even cultivators who had just constructed the inner temple had access to offensive techniques.

One example was the Northern Emperor Yin Lightning Palm. It resembled the Daoist Lightning Palm technique and belonged to the foundation of lightning arts. However, it employed Yin Lightning.

The lightning of the underworld, Yin Lightning struck silently

As the saying went: Yang Lightning strikes the living while Yin Lightning strikes the dead.

Both represented manifestations of yin yang transformation, yet each excelled against different targets. Yin Lightning specialized in attacking the soul. If Li Yan encountered another spirit medium in the future, a single strike would disperse the possessing ghost immediately.

While not as explosive as a Lightning Palm, Yin Lightning clung relentlessly to the target like maggots attached to bone. It was nearly impossible to remove, and could also kill living people. Combined with Hidden Force, a direct hit was fatal.

Of course, he would need a deeper cultivation before he could practice it.

Thinking about it, Li Yan immediately got to his feet. He dismantled the altar and walked to the blocked cave entrance. Hidden force surged through his body as he thrust both palms forward.

Bang!

The pile of rubble sealing the entrance instantly collapsed. Outside, an entire night had passed. A faint pale glow had appeared on the horizon. Mountain winds howled while the world remained dim and hazy. A streak of crimson light seemed ready to burst forth from the heavens.

Li Yan's mood was excellent. He took a deep breath, allowing the freezing morning wind to sharpen his mind. The anxiety that had plagued him for so long had completely vanished.

Hearing the commotion, Sha Lifei and the others hurried over. "Little Yan, you're out!"

With a demon lurking nearby, they had remained awake all night. They had wanted to guard Li Yan's ritual, but they had also feared being attacked. The mountain nights were brutally cold. Even wrapped in thick sheepskin coats and heavy quilts, they had struggled to endure it.

Looking at their exhausted faces, warmth rose within Li Yan's heart. "You should all get some rest. I'll keep watch from here."

The moment Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan heard that, smiles appeared on their faces. There was no need to ask. His expression alone revealed the answer. He had successfully constructed his inner temple.

Including the young Daoist Dian Shu, all three had spent the entire night freezing and exhausted. After warming some dried provisions over the fire, they wrapped themselves in blankets and quickly fell asleep in a sheltered spot.

Li Yan's gaze shifted toward the distance. There, Red Yaksha had also ended her all-night vigil. She removed her camouflage cloth and began stretching her stiff limbs.

The monster had not appeared once during the night.

Li Yan called out, "Daoist friend, you've worked hard. Come warm yourself by the fire and have some tea."

The demon hunter hesitated briefly before walking over. At their elevation, it was impossible to keep tea truly hot. Still, the tea would provide a measure of warmth.

The two sat by the campfire drinking tea, neither speaking. Li Yan could tell that she was not good at conversing with strangers and he tactfully refrained from asking questions.

"Thank you." After warming herself with tea, Red Yaksha stood. After a brief hesitation, she removed something from her person and tossed it toward him. "Carry this. It may help you avoid the monster."

Li Yan caught it, but before he could respond, she had already turned and walked away. He chuckled helplessly and examined the object in his hand.

It was a small piece of bone with a claw protruding from one side that had been fashioned into a protective talisman, with a smooth and jade-like surface.

Li Yan blinked in surprise.

A chicken claw?