Chapter 215 - 207: Three Rivers Cold God King Talisman
"Celestial Court?"
Qi Yun softly repeated the two words, his brow furrowing slightly as he slowly shook his head.
He had scoured the many classic texts and secret records in the Holy Sect’s Scripture Pavilion, even some of the ancient scrolls that were never circulated. Yet, he couldn’t recall any clear mention of this name.
In the ethereal myths and legends of his past life, however, the name "Celestial Court" was incredibly famous.
But the "Celestial Court" that Qian Xin Master spoke of was clearly not the administrative body of gods and immortals from those myths.
"It is..." Qian Xin Master’s tone was heavy, filled with the solemnity of one describing a distant and sublime existence. "A behemoth composed entirely of True Monarchs."
Qi Yun’s gaze sharpened.
’Composed entirely of True Monarchs?’
True Monarchs were the acknowledged peak of power in the world today. Every single one was a Supreme Being capable of suppressing the fortune of a region and reshaping the very landscape.
Qian Xin Master continued, his voice sounding as if it were crossing the long river of time:
"Its sole purpose for existing was to gather the wisdom of all True Monarchs, to deduce the ultimate laws of the world, and to seek two ultimate paths—"
He paused, then said, word by word.
"To find the reason for the collective disappearance of the [True Venerables], and... to reopen the path to becoming a [True Venerable]!"
True Venerable!
Qi Yun’s eyes became incredibly sharp. This was not the first time he had heard this term.
Before the current era dominated by True Monarchs.
There had once been an even more glorious epoch in Heaven and Earth.
Back then, the True Monarch realm was not the end of cultivation. Above it, there was a supreme state that was a single step into the heavens, a complete transcendence—the True Venerable!
Also revered as... a Saint!
According to legend, a True Venerable was omnipotent, coexisting with the Dao itself. They achieved true Longevity, undying and indestructible.
However, no one knew when or why.
All the True Venerables, as if by some pact, vanished collectively, disappearing without a trace, never to be seen in the world again.
What disappeared along with them...
...was the complete path and method to attain the station of a Primordial True Venerable.
From then on, the True Monarch realm became the end of the road for cultivators.
Though True Monarchs were powerful, possessing the godlike might to move mountains and drain seas...
...they could not escape the shackles of their lifespan.
A True Monarch who had condensed an immortal golden nature could live for up to three thousand years.
Once those three thousand years were up, if they could not break through, they would have to undergo corporeal dissolution and reincarnate, re-entering the cycle of rebirth.
However, compared to a Foundation Establishment Master, whose reincarnation required starting over from scratch and involved immense risk...
...a True Monarch, who had already attained a golden nature and understood their own Dao, would immediately awaken their past-life memories upon reincarnation. They could recover eighty percent of their peak strength within a few breaths.
But reincarnation would also wear down their golden nature, which could only sustain them through three reincarnations.
After the third time, their golden nature would be exhausted. Even a True Monarch would completely fall, becoming a mortal, never again able to transcend.
Only by achieving the legendary station of a Primordial True Venerable could one truly escape the suffering of reincarnation, living as long as Heaven and Earth, existing for eternity!
"Back when the Celestial Court still existed,"
Qian Xin Master’s voice pulled Qi Yun from his contemplation.
"The True Monarchs studied the Dao together, deducing and creating many incredible Supreme Techniques."
A hint of reminiscence and sentimentality flickered in his eyes. "Later, as the Celestial Court went into seclusion for some reason, a small number of these techniques were circulated.
Without exception, each was regarded as a supreme treasure by the Major Sects and ancient Noble Families, locked away and heavily guarded, never to be easily shown to others."
At this point, Qian Xin Master’s gaze refocused on Qi Yun.
"And as it happens, I have a fragment of one of them in my possession."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping lower, but every word was clear and carried immense weight.
"As long as you, Martial Nephew, can heal this old companion of mine and help it survive this ordeal."
This Techniques Fragment... I, Qian Xin, will hand it over to you!"
The courtyard fell silent for a moment, the only sounds being the occasional GURGLE from the black ox in the wine vat and the slow circulation of the four turbid powers of "wine, women, wealth, and wrath" that filled the air.
A Techniques Fragment from the "Celestial Court"!
Its value was immeasurable.
Hearing this, Qi Yun’s eyes shifted slightly, but his expression remained unchanged as he replied:
"Martial Uncle, rest assured. You looked after me often before I became a Master. Our bond is strong. Since you’ve asked, I will not refuse."
Hearing Qi Yun’s assurance, Qian Xin Master also felt relieved.
Qi Yun said no more and walked over to the massive wine vat.
The rich aroma of wine and the four turbid powers rushed to greet him.
His calm gaze fell upon the dying black ox submerged in the murky wine.
He slowly opened his right hand, palm up, his fingers naturally curved.
The next moment, a speck of nine-colored light quietly emerged from his palm.
It was faint at first but quickly began to circulate, transforming into a hazy, majestic halo that exuded a profound Dao Rhyme that seemed to transcend the Ten Thousand Laws and control everything.
[Mastering All Skills]!
This tyrannical Divine Technique, derived from the [Daluo Ten Thousand Laws Dao Foundation], was activated once again by Qi Yun.
He controlled the Divine Power, transforming it into countless nine-colored threads, each finer than a strand of hair.
Like the most precise probes, they silently entered the black ox’s massive but weakened demonic body.
Wherever the Divine Technique passed, every movement within the ox’s body was reflected in Qi Yun’s Heart and Spirit as clearly as the lines on his own palm.
His Divine Sense followed the threads of [Mastering All Skills], cautiously navigating the complex and dangerous demonic body, meticulously searching for the true core of the ailment.
This process was extremely taxing on his mind and spirit, requiring microscopic control over his power.
The slightest mistake could not only worsen the black ox’s injuries but also trigger a backlash from the foreign Daoist Intent.
Time ticked by. Qi Yun’s eyes narrowed slightly.
His gaze remained focused and calm.
Finally, as he delved deep into the black ox’s Heart Vein...
...the threads of [Mastering All Skills] touched their target!
It was a foreign Daoist Intent that was extremely cold and condensed, yet possessed a kind of sacred, majestic aura!
Like a cold, venomous snake, it was coiled tightly around the black ox’s Dao Foundation, constantly siphoning its life force and Demon Power.
It then released wisps of bitter cold, freezing its blood vessels and corroding its Divine Soul.
The barrier Qian Xin Master had formed with the four turbid powers of "wine, women, wealth, and wrath" was only barely able to contain it, slowing its spread but failing to eradicate it.
’Found it...’
Qi Yun thought to himself, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Without further hesitation, he willed it, and the countless nine-colored threads that had entered the ox suddenly erupted with even greater power, brazenly wrapping around the cold Daoist Intent!
[Mastering All Skills]
BUZZ—!
The cold Daoist Intent seemed to sense the threat and began to struggle violently. It unleashed a bone-chilling cold and even caused the black ox’s entire body to tremble, making the murky wine in the vat churn violently.
Qian Xin Master, watching from the side, tensed up instantly but didn’t dare make a sound to disturb him.
Qi Yun’s expression remained unchanged, but the nine-colored light in his palm grew even more brilliant.
Under his forceful control and extraction, the cold Daoist Intent, despite its violent struggles, was still being "torn" away from the black ox’s Dao Foundation, bit by bit.
It was like pulling out a deeply embedded, poisoned nail!
The process was clearly excruciating.
The black ox in the vat let out a low, suppressed groan of pain, its body convulsing.
A moment later, Qi Yun suddenly raised his hand and made a grasping motion in the air!
"Out!"
SHIING!
A distorted halo of light, mixed with black Demon Qi and deathly pale cold light, was forcefully and completely extracted from the black ox’s body!
The moment this power left the ox’s body, it was rapidly compressed and condensed, enveloped by the nine-colored radiance of [Mastering All Skills].
It finally transformed into a physical Talisman that floated down lightly into Qi Yun’s palm.
The Talisman was yellow with red markings. Its material was neither paper nor silk, and it faintly emanated a Spiritual Light.
The Talisman Paper was a dull yellow, and the markings on it formed a complex and majestic pattern, faintly exuding a strange Daoist Intent of three rushing rivers and the desolate extinction of bitter cold.
Qi Yun glanced down at the Talisman in his palm—a manifestation of Daoist Intent—and a look of clear surprise appeared in his eyes. He looked up at Qian Xin Master and said:
"Hm? Is this... the [Three Rivers Cold God King Talisman]?"
"Martial Uncle, have you been to the south?"
The vast lands of the south had always been the territory of numerous ancient dynasties and giants of the Southern Orthodox Dao. Its power structures were intricate and complex, a stark contrast to the Northwest, which was dominated by the Demon Path.
And within the Southern Orthodox Dao, there was a Sect that excelled in the art of Talismans, known as [Nine Kings Mountain]!
Legend had it that this Sect worshipped nine great Divine Kings of the righteous law, corresponding to nine types of the Heaven and Earth Dao.
The Sect’s supreme Talisman Skills were all derived from these nine Divine Kings.
Their power was immense and endlessly wondrous.
The "Three Rivers Bitter Cold" Daoist Intent contained within the Talisman in Qi Yun’s hand...
...corresponded exactly to one of them: the [God King of the Three Rivers’ Bitter Cold], who commanded rivers and ruled over severe cold!
The gates of [Nine Kings Mountain] were hidden deep in the southern heartlands. Its rules were strict, and its Disciples rarely set foot in the Northwest.
The only explanation was that Qian Xin Master had personally traveled to the south.
And had fought with the Disciples of [Nine Kings Mountain].
"A discerning eye." Seeing Qi Yun identify the Talisman’s origin in one go, a flash of approval crossed Qian Xin Master’s eyes. It was followed by a profound smile, tinged with reminiscence and sentimentality.
"Correct. Eighty years ago, I did indeed make a trip to the south.
Tsk, tsk. Speaking of which, those were truly... nostalgic times."
His smile seemed to hide many stories not meant for others—tales of blood and battle, as well as fortuitous encounters—but now was clearly not the time to elaborate.
Before he finished speaking, Qian Xin Master suddenly took a step forward and placed a hand on Qi Yun’s shoulder in a seemingly casual manner.
Qi Yun did not dodge, simply watching Qian Xin Master quietly.
The next moment, Qian Xin Master’s lips moved, but no ordinary sound was produced. Instead, an extremely condensed wave of Divine Thought, filled with profound Dao Rhyme, passed directly through the point of contact and into the depths of Qi Yun’s Sea of Consciousness, like a sudden epiphany!
It was not a complete linguistic description, but a segment of ancient, obscure scripture with peculiar intonations!
"This Techniques Fragment involves too much karma to be recorded on a Jade Scroll. It can only be passed down orally, taught via Divine Thought, in this manner."
Qian Xin Master’s thoughts followed, tinged with exhaustion. Clearly, transmitting this technique had taken a significant toll on him.
"What I am giving you is the raw, uninterpreted version. It is the closest to its original form, but also the most abstruse.
Its true meaning is beyond my own comprehension.
As for what you can comprehend from it, and how much, that will depend entirely on your own destiny and fortune."
Qi Yun closed his eyes, his entire Heart and Spirit immersed in the ancient scripture flooding his Sea of Consciousness.
The scripture was like an indecipherable heavenly text. Every word was a precious gem, yet it was all shrouded in mist, difficult to grasp.
The [Daluo Ten Thousand Laws Dao Foundation] within him trembled slightly, emitting a hazy, clear light as it began to help him process and bear this massive flow of information.
Different Dao Foundations had different mysteries.
Besides the Divine Techniques they could evolve, they also had some passive, miraculous properties.
This [Enlightenment Skill] was one of the miraculous properties of the [Daluo Ten Thousand Laws Dao Foundation].
An unknown amount of time passed before Qi Yun slowly opened his eyes. A flash of azure light streaked through their depths.
At the same time, a line of Ancient Seal script slowly materialized in the depths of his mind.
Southern... Fire... Sword Formulas
And just as this line of Ancient Seal script appeared, Qi Yun’s heart stirred, and he felt a sudden throb.
The next instant!
The Magic Technique Panel materialized and abruptly absorbed the profound scripture.
While it was at it, it also snatched up the [Three Rivers Cold God King Talisman].
...