Chapter 580: The Work Is Complete (II)
Drawing upon the experience gained from cultivating the first stage, along with the inspiration he had obtained from reversing the Yao Transformation, he had finally created the cultivation method for the second stage.
"Shatter!"
Lin Zheyu looked at the three Martial Divine Patterns that had just formed on his arm. As his command rang out, all three exploded simultaneously. His arm instantly split open, tearing the flesh and exposing the muscle. A surge of life energy rushed forth, and the mangled wounds healed completely in an instant.
"Condense!"
With another thought from Lin Zheyu, demonic qi from the surrounding air surged toward him and flowed into his arm. A faint purple glow emerged from his skin. Within a few breaths, a brand-new demonic pattern had fully formed. Immediately afterward, torrents of energy poured into the demonic pattern, causing it to disintegrate and gradually decompose into its most fundamental rule markings.
Under the influence of several streams of refined energy, those rule markings fused with Lin Zheyu's comprehension, gradually condensing into a new divine pattern. The entire process took less than a minute.
This was the transformation method Lin Zheyu had developed after more than twenty rounds of refinement and iteration. Compared to his first attempt in the demon realm, its efficiency had improved by nearly two hundred times.
The corners of Lin Zheyu's mouth lifted into a faint smile as he muttered, "Excellent..."
The more than 60 units of Origin Force he had invested in the Martial Divine Pattern Secret Manual had not been wasted.
I'll rest for a few days, then begin deducing the second stage.
He was in no hurry to advance the Primordial Golden Body. The Martial Divine Pattern Secret Manual was the very foundation of that technique. Only by cultivating the Martial Divine Pattern Secret Manual to Perfection and thoroughly understanding the principles behind the formation of Martial Divine Patterns could he completely separate the Primordial Golden Body from its origins in demon arts.
Otherwise, Lin Zheyu would remain dependent on cultivating demon arts to form demonic patterns, then use Origin Force to transform them into divine patterns. That entire process was filled with uncertainties and uncontrollable variables. Once he had mastered the Martial Divine Pattern Secret Manual, however, the entire transformation process would become fully controllable.
***
Black winds howled through the void. Violent rule energy raged across the endless darkness. Perhaps because of the upheaval that had occurred in the demon realm, Lin Zheyu remained within the space-time node for a long time without seeing a single cultivator pass through. He devoted himself entirely to cultivating and refining the Martial Divine Pattern Secret Manual while deepening his understanding of divine and demonic patterns, as well as the mysterious formation.
In the blink of an eye, another twenty-odd days passed.
Lin Zheyu shot out of the turbulent lake of chaotic energy, with exhaustion evident in his eyes.
[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]
[Name: Lin Zheyu]
[Origin Force: 24]
[Techniques: Earth Shrinking Technique (Perfection), Primordial Concealment Technique (Perfection), Golden Ocean Secret Manual (Perfection), Seven Absolute Sabers (Fifth Stage: 3%), Primordial Golden Body (Second Stage: 100%), Spirit Martial Universe Secret Art–Advanced (Perfection), Martial Divine Pattern Secret Manual (Second Stage: 100%)]
Lin Zheyu let out a long breath. "Finally, it's reached Perfection."
Had it not reached Perfection soon, he would have run out of Origin Force. Although only 24 units remained, mastering the method for condensing Martial Divine Patterns meant that advancing the Primordial Golden Body to the third stage was no longer a challenge. Lin Zheyu was confident that even without relying on Origin Force, he could cultivate the Primordial Golden Body to the third stage through his own efforts within a dozen years or so.
A thought flickered through Lin Zheyu's mind. There are too many techniques listed. I'll hide the outdated ones that I no longer use.
The Primordial Concealment Technique had long since become obsolete. The Golden Ocean Secret Manual had already reached Perfection and now served only to replenish the golden energy within his sea of consciousness. The Spirit Martial Universe Secret Art was likewise no longer of much use. As for the Martial Divine Pattern Secret Manual, now that its second stage had reached Perfection, it too had fulfilled its purpose and could be retired. The data within his consciousness blurred briefly before reappearing in a simplified form.
[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]
[Name: Lin Zheyu]
[Origin Force: 24]
[Techniques: Earth Shrinking Technique (Perfection), Seven Absolute Sabers (Fifth Stage: 3%), Primordial Golden Body (Second Stage: 100%)]
That looks much cleaner. As for concealment techniques like the Primordial Concealment Technique, I can integrate them into the fourth stage of the Primordial Golden Body later.
He had conceived this idea long ago but lacked the ability to carry it out then. Now, however, he had already comprehended the method of condensing Martial Divine Patterns. The next step was to incorporate the Heaven-Deceiving Formation fragment he had obtained from Wu Di into those divine patterns. If he could imbue them with even a fraction of the formation's power, he would gain an exceptionally powerful concealment ability.
***
Another four days passed in a flash. At a space-time node guarded by the Demon-Suppressing Army on the outskirts of the demon cave, a young man slowly stepped out from the fissure.
The soldiers stationed nearby immediately shouted upon seeing the young man appear. "Who's there?"
Ever since unrest had erupted in the demon realm on the other side over three months ago, no cultivators had entered through this space-time node. Some of those who had gone in before the disturbance had never returned. After so much time had passed, most were presumed dead.
Lin Zheyu slowly descended, took out his identity token, and handed it over as he said, "It's me, Xiao Yu of the Martial Alliance. I registered before entering several months ago."
Before he knew it, Lin Zheyu had spent roughly five months between the space-time node and the demon realm beyond it, nearly half a year in total. Returning to this world again, even to the demon cave that had almost completely become demon-tainted soil, he could not help but feel a sense of relief. Compared to the dreadful environment of the demon realm and the space-time node, the demon cave practically felt like paradise.
"Xiao Yu?" The leading soldier examined the token, and his expression immediately became respectful. "Senior, please rest in the reception hall. I'll return shortly."
This was a martial artist in the Grandmaster realm, yet the power he cultivated was not the blood qi of martial cultivation. Instead, it was a force remarkably similar to demon essence, infused with terrifying killing intent and overwhelming battle intent.
Lin Zheyu gave a slight nod. "Mhm."
He had remained within the space-time node and the demon realm for far too long, so this inspection was a necessary procedure. Besides, he had no intention of causing trouble here. The Demon-Suppressing Army tasked with guarding a space-time node might not have particularly powerful commanders. Their strongest officer was likely only around the early stage of the Golden Core realm.
However, once supported by a military formation, they could undoubtedly unleash power exceeding that of a Nascent Soul realm cultivator. Although Lin Zheyu's strength had improved tremendously, he was not arrogant enough to believe he could contend with a true Nascent Soul realm expert.
Before long, just as Lin Zheyu barely finished a cup of tea, the soldier returned.
The man bowed respectfully and presented the identity token with both hands. "Senior, please forgive the offense. However, you cannot leave just yet. General Sun wishes to see you. Although your identity has been verified, we still need to determine whether you've been influenced or controlled by the yao on the other side. Therefore, we'll have to trouble you to come with us."
Lin Zheyu frowned slightly.
Sensing the terrifying aura emanating from Lin Zheyu, the soldier said with visible nervousness, "Senior, this is standard procedure. We are not deliberately making things difficult for you."
Lin Zheyu rose expressionlessly and replied, "Very well. I'll go with you."
No wonder the Demon-Suppressing Army overseeing this space-time node allowed outside cultivators to enter. They were likely waiting for those cultivators to return so they could gauge their backgrounds and strength before extracting a share of the benefits they had obtained. Lin Zheyu had heard of such practices before.
After getting to his feet, he followed the soldier away. As soon as he left, the guards stationed around the node fissure began whispering among themselves.
"Senior Xiao Yu stayed in there for more than five months. That's unbelievable!"
"Maybe he possesses some incredibly powerful dharma treasure?"
"Not necessarily. He's a martial artist. I've heard martial artists are usually poor because they focus on tempering themselves instead of relying on dharma treasures."
"I think so too. Perhaps Senior Xiao Yu encountered a great opportunity in the demon realm!"
"Speaking of opportunities, I just remembered something that happened several years ago. A cultivator entered through another space-time node and discovered a legacy left behind by a human expert in the demon realm. It was enough to make anyone jealous."
"Anyone capable of fighting their way into the demon realm is an unimaginably powerful expert. Just think how incredible a legacy left behind by someone like that would be!"
"Exactly. If only I could obtain such a legacy."
"Do you think Senior Xiao Yu might have obtained one of those legacies?"
"Shh, don't talk nonsense. What if he hears you?"
"Hmph. This place is under military control. What's there to fear? Even Golden Core realm cultivators wouldn't dare spread their spiritual sense carelessly here. Besides, General Sun seems to have taken an interest in Senior Xiao Yu. If he really did obtain some powerful inheritance, he might not be able to keep it."
Walking beside the soldier, Lin Zheyu's powerful perception extended outward. Every word spoken by the guards reached his ears clearly.
A faint change flickered across Lin Zheyu's expression as he thought, General Sun? This fellow's reputation doesn't seem very good. Hopefully, he'll know when to stop and won't go looking for his own death...