Chapter 1193: Yankong Heavenly Book

The next moment, he arrived in front of the stone tablet of Qiuwu Palace.

The enormous tablet was entirely carved from top-grade spirit stones, which had originally made him eager to steal it. Now, however, spirit stones of that caliber were of no use to him, and thus held no appeal.

His eyes fell on the three large characters for "Qiuwu Palace." "These characters… they’ve reached a state that blurs the line between reality and illusion!"

Previously, his low rank in the Calligraphy and Painting occupation prevented him from discerning their quality, but now, it was clear that these three characters had undoubtedly reached the eighth realm. Although simple in form, they didn't offer the same immersive experience as a complete painting or calligraphy piece; nevertheless, prolonged viewing would still cause one to become deeply engrossed, unable to extricate themselves.

"Hmm? No, something’s wrong with these characters…" Zhang Xuan was about to leave after observing for a while when he suddenly frowned.

Initially, the characters didn't evoke any special feelings, but the longer he looked, the more his internal True Qi began to flow and surge, as if it could burst forth at any moment.

"This is the operational method for the Great Compassion Heavenly Devil Palm…" Feeling the trajectory of his True Qi as it circulated under the influence of the three characters, Zhang Xuan was momentarily stunned.

The Great Compassion Heavenly Devil Palm was something he had learned from Ancient Sage Qiuwu. How could merely looking at these characters trigger a reaction?

"Let me try!" No longer suppressing the flow of his True Qi, Zhang Xuan gently raised his palm and lightly brushed it against the stone tablet.

Having reached the Heaven’s Path level, his Great Compassion Heavenly Devil Palm allowed him to control its force with precision. Although he touched the stone tablet, it remained undamaged.

The moment his palm connected with the tablet, the three large characters suddenly blazed with light. Zhang Xuan stumbled and instantly vanished from his spot.

Opening his eyes, he found himself in another space. It didn't appear large, and before him were countless dense runes.

"The Book of Void Manipulation?" His pupils contracted as a line of text appeared before him.

These runes, combined, formed a unique cultivation technique known as the Book of Void Manipulation.

After studying them for a while, Zhang Xuan realized how profound they were, far surpassing any cultivation art he had ever practiced.

"Could this… be Ancient Sage Qiuwu’s legacy?" He clenched his fists.

When the Ancient Sage’s stone statue had been shattered by him and disappeared, it hadn't had time to reveal the location of its legacy. He had thought it impossible to obtain, but to his surprise… it was hidden within the stone tablet visible right upon entering the palace!

Upon entering the relic, everyone sought out the most hidden places, likely never dreaming that the most valuable treasure was actually concealed in the most obvious spot!

However, this space required the Great Compassion Heavenly Devil Palm to activate. Even if someone reached the stone tablet and noticed its uniqueness, they wouldn’t be able to enter without knowing this technique, let alone acquire the legacy.

"The Book of Void Manipulation utilizes the Great Derivation numbers for calculations, breaking down the space of heaven and earth to control it…"

Although he didn’t recognize the runes, a glance was enough for him to immediately comprehend their meaning.

"This cultivation art, like the Great Compassion Heavenly Devil Palm, is also divided into five levels. Reaching the fifth level allows one to stand at the peak of the world, no weaker than even me…"

As each rune entered his mind, Zhang Xuan’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Originally, possessing Heaven’s Path cultivation techniques, he hadn’t been particularly interested in Ancient Sage Qiuwu’s legacy. However, after reading all the runes, he realized the true power of this technique. If cultivated diligently, it would grant him immense control over space, allowing him to even casually deploy folded space. He would no longer be so passive.

In combat, his strength would undoubtedly surge manifold.

"If I cultivate this Book of Void Manipulation to the peak of the second level, even if I can’t defeat Luo Chengxin from before, I’ll at least be able to escape…" His face paled with excitement.

Luo Chengxin was the strongest opponent who had attacked him thus far, possessing strength at Saint 7-dan. Even if Zhang Xuan used all his means, he couldn't defeat Luo Chengxin, nor could he even escape… But if he truly cultivated this Book of Void Manipulation, it would be different!

Not to mention reaching the fifth level, simply reaching the peak of the second level would allow him to easily break free from the opponent’s suppression and make a smooth escape!

However, this cultivation art also had high requirements for True Qi and strength. Reaching the peak of the second level would be almost impossible without the strength of a Sempiternal realm pinnacle expert.

"Let’s see if I can integrate it into a Heaven’s Path cultivation technique!" Soon, he finished reviewing all the runes floating in the air, concurrently recording them into his Library of Heaven’s Path. Zhang Xuan exhaled slowly.

In recent days, the number of cultivation techniques and secret manuals he had collected had reached an astonishing level. Perhaps he could successfully integrate them with this Book of Void Manipulation.

"Correct!" he exclaimed softly. A book materialized before his eyes, and with a touch of his finger, knowledge flowed into his mind.

"The first level of the Heaven’s Path cultivation technique has been formed. The second level… is still far off, not to mention the rest…" He quickly finished reading, a joyful expression on his face.

This outcome was within his expectations.

Although the Book of Void Manipulation was a single cultivation art, its corresponding cultivation methods would naturally differ across its various levels.

The highest-level cultivation techniques he had collected during this period were only at the Saint intermediate realm. While impressive in Qingyuan Empire, they were far from sufficient to integrate with the Book of Void Manipulation; being able to integrate the first level completely was already quite good.

"Time to cultivate…" Filled with excitement, he memorized the first level of the cultivation art. He then exited the stone tablet space, found a secluded spot, took out his top-grade essence spirit stones, and began to cultivate.

The Book of Void Manipulation was a cultivation art that enhanced strength by harnessing spatial power. It was neither a battle technique nor a cultivation art that directly increased one’s cultivation realm.

Upon cultivating it to the fifth level, one could skillfully control space, traversing millions or even hundreds of millions of kilometers a day with ease.

The five levels of the cultivation art were divided into five realms: shrinking the ground, spatial traversal, mastery, creation, and destruction.

"At its peak, the first level allows one to shrink the ground to an inch, covering a hundred meters with a single step… In combat, this would enable instant evasion or attack, making escape much more convenient!"

As the cultivation method flowed through his mind, Zhang Xuan’s True Qi circulated within him, and he soon entered a unique state of profound spatial comprehension.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when he opened his eyes, stood up, and took a single step forward.

Whoosh!

He reappeared a hundred meters away.

"It worked?" His eyes lit up.

Cultivating the Book of Void Manipulation didn't significantly increase his cultivation realm, but it did greatly enhance his comprehension of space. When combined with the Boundless Movement Art, it would allow him to move like a phantom, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, like a ghost or a wraith!

"With this speed and spatial comprehension, I could even contend with Vice Hall Master Tian…"

Previously, despite his ability to fight above his cultivation realm, he couldn't defeat a Half-Sempiternal realm expert like Vice Hall Master Tian. However, after learning the Book of Void Manipulation, it was different. With a clearer understanding of space, he could easily break free from the opponent's spiritual suppression, or even silently appear before them to deliver a fatal blow.

"More importantly, having learned the first level of the Heaven’s Path Book of Void Manipulation, I can now set up certain spatial formations. While these formations cannot hold items like folded space, they can block detection, and even… compress things!"

With a light smile, Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

Previously, his soul body was too large to merge into his primordial spirit. But now… if he could figure out a way to set up a spatial formation to compress it, he might easily enter the gateway and complete the fusion of the two.

"The cultivation art is excellent, but the consumption… is a bit too much…" After sensing the changes and looking at the shattered debris on the ground, Zhang Xuan rubbed his temples.

He had only cultivated the first level of the Book of Void Manipulation, and not even to its peak, yet the 17 top-grade essence spirit stones he had painstakingly acquired were completely depleted.

This cultivation art, which allowed one to comprehend space and drastically increase combat power, was a rare and peerless technique… but its consumption of spirit stones was also terrifying.

He had originally thought that so many top-grade essence spirit stones would be enough for him to break through to the Embryonic Soul realm pinnacle. Yet, they were used up before he even started. The thought filled him with frustration.

"I need to find a way to earn money…" He stood up, swayed slightly, and left Qiuwu Palace.

The method for his soul to enter his primordial spirit was resolved. Now, the most important task was to find a way to earn top-grade essence spirit stones!

Life without money… not a single day was easy!

"Where can I earn it?" Returning to his residence, Zhang Xuan didn't rush out. Instead, he lowered his head in deep thought.

To earn money, he first needed to find a place. The Qingyuan Empire’s imperial family had only produced 17, and the Combat Master Hall only ten…

Where could he find more?

"I’ll ask Hall Master Xing!" Knowing he was unfamiliar with Qingyuan City and that further thought was futile, Zhang Xuan stood up and left his room.

By now, it was full daylight, and the sun cast its rays. Although it was only morning, it was already quite warm.

He found Hall Master Xing, who had already begun cultivating the Glazed Heart Forging Art. Although it had only been a few days, his primordial spirit had become purer and his aura more profound.

"Hall Master Xing, how are Elder Xu and the others? Are they still obedient?" Zhang Xuan knew that if Hall Master Xing continued cultivating, it wouldn't be long before he underwent the Sempiternal Tribulation and broke through to the early Sempiternal realm. He smiled and asked.

Yesterday, Elder Xu and the others were taken away by the Combat Master Hall. Under normal circumstances, they should have settled in by now.

"They are very obedient, but… yesterday they met Butler Sun Qiang, who brought them all into the Xuanxuan Society…" Hall Master Xing gave a wry smile.

This group of poison masters was indeed obedient; they had originally been settled in, but somehow they encountered Master Zhang’s butler, Sun Qiang…

Sun Qiang’s strength wasn’t particularly impressive, but for some reason, everyone from the Poison Hall treated him with utmost respect.

So, the butler invited them to join, and the group of poison masters… became members of the Xuanxuan Society.

Of course, they also remained part of the Combat Master Hall.

"In any case, they’re under your Combat Master Hall’s management. Mutual learning and exchange are quite good!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"That’s true… Oh, right, Master Zhang, the Combat Master Halls from other Conferred Empires will be coming here for an exchange in the next few days… Do you have any free time to give some lessons to the combat masters in our hall?" Hall Master Xing said.

"Combat Master Halls from other Conferred Empires? An exchange?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

"Yes, barring any unforeseen circumstances, they should arrive within three days!" Hall Master Xing nodded.