Chapter 272: Seven Lord's Transmission of the Law

The main hall was empty, with only Master Seventh, who was painting, and Xu Qing present. The attendants were nowhere to be seen.

"Are you curious why I’m painting a meditating figure here on Mount Gui in Nan Yue?" Master Seventh turned his head, looked at Xu Qing, and spoke calmly.

Xu Qing nodded.

"This place is the key to Yinghuang State," Master Seventh said. "Once you achieve Four Fires, I'll take you there; it might be where you find your true fortune." He didn't elaborate much. His gaze fell upon the medicine bottle in Xu Qing's hand. With a wave of his hand, the bottle flew into his grip. He took a sip, put it away, and then sat down beside a chessboard.

"Come sit across from me," Master Seventh gestured to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing obediently approached and sat on the other side of the chessboard.

"Do you know how to play chess?" Master Seventh asked.

Xu Qing shook his head.

"I'll teach you," Master Seventh said, picking up a piece and placing it on a corner of the board. Xu Qing thought for a moment and also placed a piece on another corner.

"Chess is like life; it reflects one's character," Master Seventh said, placing another piece. "For example, I've never lost a game of chess in my life. Do you know why?"

Xu Qing shook his head, imitating him by placing another piece.

"When I make a move, I don't just consider the immediate situation, but the entire game. Many people understand this principle and want to do the same, but often lack the opportunities or talent, so they can't achieve it, leaving only regret."

"Just like the disciples of the Seven Sects with 120 Dharma Apertures you've seen, the reason they remain at Four Fires, even though they can advance to Heavenly Palace Golden Core, is precisely because they have an eye for the bigger picture."

"They want to open the 121st Dharma Aperture!" Master Seventh said softly, placing a piece.

Xu Qing's eyes showed contemplation. This was similar to his previous judgment after discovering 120 Dharma Apertures during his Foundation Establishment; at that time, he had felt that there might be more Dharma Apertures beyond 120.

As if seeing through Xu Qing's thoughts, Master Seventh smiled.

"Beyond the 120 Dharma Apertures, there is only one more: the 121st. This single aperture can form one Fire, but its activation difficulty is immense, beyond imagination. It cannot be obtained without a great fortuitous encounter, and outsiders cannot help you; you must rely solely on yourself."

"The difficulty isn't in activating it, but in finding its location."

"In the history of Yinghuang State, those who have managed to open this 121st Dharma Aperture typically endured immense peril, finding its location and activating it by sheer coincidence at a moment of life or death. Furthermore, according to records and deductions, the location of this aperture is different for everyone, so there's no comparative or reference value."

Xu Qing pondered. After a while, he put down his chess piece and softly asked, "Master, what are the benefits of Five Fires?"

"The benefits will become apparent the moment you achieve Heavenly Palace Golden Core," Master Seventh said with a smile.

"You've probably heard the saying, 'Kindle the Life Fire, illuminate the Heavenly Palace.' Here, the Heavenly Palace... is the crucial aspect of the Golden Core."

"Heavenly Palace Golden Core cultivators have their own limits, and these limits are reflected in their Life Fires. Three Fires illuminating six palaces is the ultimate limit for disciples with decent talent."

"In other words, those with three Life Fires can illuminate six Heavenly Palaces. Once these are fully nurtured, brightened, and integrated into their Golden Core, they reach their peak state. However, in reality, this is merely the foundation." Master Seventh paused here, waiting for Xu Qing to absorb the information.

Xu Qing seemed thoughtful, and after pondering, he asked, "Thirty-six Fire combat power?"

"You could put it that way," Master Seventh nodded.

"The reason I call it the foundation is that above the six Heavenly Palaces, there's a Life Mist, and some Heavenly Palaces exist within this Life Mist. Because of the obstruction from the mist, only true prodigies can illuminate them; only Four Fires can reveal the Seventh Palace."

"Don't just see it as one more palace; a Seventh Palace suppresses six palaces, just as six fires can effortlessly defeat five fires, allowing for instantaneous kills."

"Therefore, those cultivators who have already attained Four Fires all long to open the 121st Dharma Aperture and form Five Fires. Because Five Fires illuminate eight palaces, and the higher the limit, the naturally greater the ultimate achievement!"

Master Seventh's voice echoed in Xu Qing's ears. Xu Qing pondered silently, then nodded.

"As for the Life Lamp, you might have already experienced it. Its true value isn't fully apparent at the Foundation Establishment realm; only at the Heavenly Palace Golden Core stage can it begin to reveal its power."

"For those possessing a Life Lamp, the moment they break through to the Heavenly Palace Golden Core realm, a single Life Lamp can directly open a Heavenly Palace above the Life Mist. It requires no nurturing, no slow refinement; it activates instantly, transforming into a Life Core, similar to a Golden Core, to suppress it within."

"Therefore, with your talent, if you reach the limit and open the 121st Dharma Aperture, your Heavenly Palaces will ultimately number ten!" Master Seventh gave Xu Qing a profound look.

"Now, do you understand the value of the Life Lamp to Golden Core realm cultivators?"

Xu Qing's expression subtly changed. Despite listening to Master Seventh for so long, this was the only time his expression shifted. He had already made some analyses, but now that Master Seventh confirmed them, his mind grew increasingly serious.

A strong sense of crisis emerged in Xu Qing's heart. This crisis naturally didn't come from Master Seventh, but from the unknown malice of all the Golden Core cultivators he would encounter in the future.

"Are you scared?" Master Seventh chuckled.

"Yes," Xu Qing replied truthfully.

"Then what will you do?" Master Seventh asked, intrigued.

Xu Qing took a deep breath, slowly calming himself. This matter couldn't be changed. To avoid future difficulties, he would have to open Four Fires as quickly as possible and attempt to reach Five Fires, doing his best. If he couldn't, he wouldn't force it, but he needed to break through to the Golden Core realm as soon as possible.

Once he formed a Heavenly Palace Golden Core, he would instantly possess two complete Heavenly Palaces. Only then, combined with his poison, could he be considered barely safe.

However, Xu Qing felt these thoughts were merely long-term plans. After a moment of contemplation, he secretly glanced at Master Seventh. Recalling how Master Seventh had chastised him after his previous battle with Sheng Yunzi, asking why he hadn't sought help from his eldest, second, and third senior siblings, Xu Qing whispered, "Master, save me."

Hearing this, Master Seventh burst out laughing, very satisfied with the reply. He pointed at the top of Xu Qing's head.

"The Violet Heaven Limitless Crown I gave you before, don't neglect to wear it. That's the Nascent Soul protection your master gave you!" As he spoke, Master Seventh waved his hand, and five orbs of light flew out from his sleeve. He flicked one of the orbs, and it dissipated, transforming into a jade slip that flew towards Xu Qing.

"The usage method is inside; you can study it when you go back later."

Xu Qing took it, his heart pounding, and looked at the other four orbs of light.

Master Seventh flicked again, and the second orb of light swiftly approached Xu Qing. After Xu Qing grabbed it, the light dissipated, revealing a palm-sized cloth doll.

The cloth doll moved as if alive, its eyes instantly darting around, then fixing intently on Xu Qing. It opened its mouth to reveal sharp teeth, struggling in Xu Qing's hand as if displeased at being held.

"This is a Substitute Ghost Doll, an item of extremely high peculiarity. It inherently possesses three lives. Once you form a blood pact with it, it can avert death for you three times. You're fine within the sect, but remember to bring it with you when you go out."

Xu Qing's heart stirred greatly. He gripped the Substitute Ghost Doll tightly, perhaps too tightly, as the doll let out a shrill cry, struggling even more intensely.

Xu Qing ignored it and looked up at the other three orbs of light. They reflected in his pupils, making it hard to tell if they were too dazzling or if Xu Qing's eyes were literally glowing. In any case, they were very bright.

Master Seventh was in a good mood and spoke with a smile.

"Emperor-tier cultivation methods are difficult to transmit, and I cannot teach you directly. You must explore and advance them yourself. I can only tell you that once an Emperor-tier cultivation method advances, its power becomes even more terrifying. The fastest way to advance is actually by devouring the essence, qi, and spirit refined from others' Emperor-tier cultivation methods. Of course... if it's the same type of Emperor-tier cultivation method, the effect is best."

Xu Qing's eyes narrowed.

"You are too weak right now, and the Alliance Leader is no petty individual. He will always weigh the background of your Seven Blood Eyes and the potential benefits of taking action. So, you don't need to worry about this posing a threat to you for now."

Xu Qing nodded, Sheng Yunzi's 'Extinguishing Meng' appearing in his mind. A sudden strong desire surged within him, and he gazed longingly at the three orbs of light next to Master Seventh.

"Sheng Yunzi said you had a weakness due to lacking certain spells. That was before you became my disciple. Each of my disciples has different cultivation methods and divine abilities, all specifically collected, organized, selected, and custom-tailored by me for them."

As Master Seventh spoke, he flicked the third orb of light towards Xu Qing.

This light didn't contain a physical object, but an imprint. It landed on Xu Qing's glabella, directly branding itself into his mind, transforming into waves of bell-like sounds that echoed through his sea of consciousness.

At the same time, Master Seventh's voice seemed to synchronize with the sounds in Xu Qing's mind, transmitting together.

"The first art I impart to you is a spell called 'Ninefold Roaring Sea.' This spell conjures a vast sea, with nine waves rising in succession, eventually forming a tsunami that suppresses the sea and shakes the heavens."

Xu Qing took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with wonder, as scenes of this art flashed through his mind.

The scenes were vast beyond measure: with a wave of a hand, the sea materialized in all directions, surging waves containing the power of a raging ocean, sweeping away everything and utterly destroying it.

"The second art I impart to you is a strange art, named... 'Profound Nether Curse!'" Master Seventh waved his hand, and the fourth orb of light transformed into an imprint, likewise branding itself onto Xu Qing's glabella.

This time, what formed wasn't a roar, but a chilling, eerie wind that blew through every inch of Xu Qing's flesh and blood, causing his exhaled breath to turn into white mist.

In Xu Qing's perception, he seemed to see an extremely withered finger, emanating an endless sense of eeriness, extending from a massive black vortex, suppressing everything and shocking the heart.

"This Profound Nether Curse was created by me after studying the Profound Nether Finger and combining it with my own knowledge."

"And the last thing I will teach you... is not a spell, nor a strange art, but a secret art of your master!"

"I've observed your battles and seen that you favor using your fists. This secret art is extremely suitable for you; it is named 'Beneath the Nine Springs.'"

"Once unleashed, if anyone takes eight of your punches, your ninth punch will certainly shatter one of their Dharma Apertures. Even a Heavenly Palace Golden Core cultivator needs the light of Life Fire and the power of Dharma Apertures; these are the foundation!"

"This method is utterly overbearing and incredibly insidious. You must use it with extreme caution."

"Once used, shattering someone's foundation isn't the biggest issue. However, if the opponent survives and spreads the word, you won't be able to use this method to scheme against others in the future. That's the main point."

Master Seventh spoke softly, and with a flick of his right hand, the fifth orb of light shot directly towards Xu Qing, imprinting itself upon him.

"No one has known that I use this secret method until now."

"I'm only passing it on to you alone. This isn't favoritism; it's because your three senior brothers and senior sister have different styles than yours. Therefore, you must use it with extreme caution."