Chapter 589: Praying for Blessings and Disaster Prevention Hall, Xu Tian Stele, Tens of Thousands of Taoist Scriptures

The reputation of the Void Dao Repository had long been widely known in the Ice Prison Realm, but unfortunately, it was always controlled by the Taihu Orthodox Sect, making it difficult for the Demonic Path to get a share. Not to mention seizing it, even its location could not be found. Without the Void Tablet in hand to serve as a key, Wang Yu would have found it difficult to glimpse the true form of this secret realm.

After years of development and research, techniques like the Chains of Heaven and the Guixu Hidden Heaven Charm originated from this repository. Additionally, many other spatial secret arts circulated within Taihu; they were even distributed as rewards during the previous war between the Orthodox and Demonic factions.

The Chains of Heaven was difficult to cultivate, but upon mastery, it was a top-tier secret art with seemingly no limits. The more spatial power absorbed and refined, the longer the Chains of Heaven would become. Currently, Wang Yu's spatial silver chain, which was something between a magical treasure and a secret art, could seal off an area the size of three continents, spacious enough even for Soul Transformation cultivators to duel. The next step would no longer be expansion; instead, it would involve compression and refinement to enhance the spatial sealing effect of the Chains of Heaven. A longer chain wasn't necessarily better; its current length was perfectly sufficient. If he were to obtain a suitable treasure refining blueprint in the future, this item could also be used as a material for supreme treasures, helping him forge ultimate artifacts.

Returning to the main topic, the so-called Void Dao Repository, surprisingly, was carried within the Ice Prison's spatial layer by nothing more than a stubborn stone. Its exterior was unremarkable, devoid of spiritual light or Dao charm. It resembled the meteorites floating in chaotic space; "utterly unremarkable" perfectly summarized it. Without the Void Tablet, one could pass by this stone without noticing anything unusual; even a divine sense scan would only conclude it was an ordinary rock.

Wang Yu held up the Void Tablet with one hand and activated it with his magic power. An immediate suction force distorted his figure, turning him into a wisp of faint light that merged into the stubborn stone. The entire chaotic and disordered spatial layer then returned to tranquility, as if no one had ever been there.

His vision blurred for a moment, and when it cleared, a magnificent purple-gold immortal palace appeared before his eyes. It featured glazed jade tiles, vermilion pillars, shadowed walls, a golden-threaded imperial stairway at the front, and exquisitely carved, mysterious floating pavilions. A blue plaque with golden characters hung in the center, proclaiming: "Hall of Prayer for Blessings and Aversion of Calamities!"

"It truly is an ancient cultivator's grotto-heaven," Wang Yu murmured, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He had previously speculated that the Void Dao Repository might be a legacy of some sect that had accidentally entered the Ice Prison Realm. Later, upon seeing the stubborn stone that carried the secret realm, he felt it might be an ancient cultivator's grotto-heaven, or rather, a Grotto-Heaven secret realm already cultivated by a Void Refinement cultivator. The small size of the carrier was a characteristic feature of such grotto-heavens.

All this information came from the Bloodline Memory Inheritance of the Ice Phoenix, akin to common knowledge in the myriad worlds. Void Refinement cultivators possessed the ability to manipulate the cosmos, which meant a skilled application of spatial power. However, establishing a grotto-heaven required a large amount of spatial treasures and higher-level methods of manipulating space. Among these, a significantly lowered entry barrier for spatial Dao principles was also one of the benefits of this realm. Generally, with sufficient comprehension, one could fully grasp the basics within five hundred years. Only then could a stable foundation for a grotto-heaven be established.

Void Refinement cultivators often used themselves as the anchor for their grotto-heavens, generally choosing from a few options: their Natal Dharma Treasure, the Niwan Palace Ancestral Aperture, the heart, the spine, or the Primordial Spirit. Among these, the Ancestral Aperture and Primordial Spirit were considered the best carriers. This was because other locations could easily be seized or destroyed, but using the Primordial Spirit as a carrier meant others could not snatch it. At a critical juncture, it could even lead to mutual destruction. Self-detonating one's grotto-heaven was a method available to every late-stage Void Refinement cultivator. The fact that Zhong Ying didn't use it before didn't mean he couldn't. Firstly, Wang Yu acted too quickly and decisively, and Zhong Ying was careless. Secondly, his cultivation realm had fallen sharply, and his grotto-heaven foundation was already unstable; he likely didn't even have time to carefully maintain it, let alone consider such a move. Thirdly, it was also due to his trust in his master, Daoist Kongkong. And indeed, that was the case. His scattered soul was forcibly rescued by the other party, demonstrating some of the abilities of a Dao Integration grand power, which were far beyond what lower-realm cultivators could compare to.

Using the Primordial Spirit as a carrier was extremely difficult and required various conditions to be met. As for the Ancestral Aperture, it was even more ethereal and elusive. This location, also known as the Heavenly Gate, was situated half an inch outside the human forehead. Though seemingly external, it was intrinsically part of the body and intimately connected to the Niwan Palace. Cultivators found it difficult even to sense the Ancestral Aperture, let alone refine it into a grotto-heaven carrier. The methods for sensing and refining it were possessed only by major sects and factions, almost tantamount to a forbidden secret. Cultivators without such opportunities mostly used their Natal Dharma Treasure as a carrier, which was also difficult for outsiders to seize, unless faced with a significant realm suppression. Moreover, integrating a grotto-heaven space into one's Natal Dharma Treasure could greatly increase the treasure's power, far surpassing those of the same cultivation level. Therefore, this was the common choice for late-stage Void Refinement cultivators.

To be fair, the Bloodline Memory Inheritance of the Ice Phoenix indeed greatly broadened Wang Yu's horizons, making him aware of many "common sense" issues that lower-realm cultivators should not know. Furthermore, as his cultivation advanced, the bloodline inheritance would gradually unlock, providing him with more secrets in a tiered manner. And he could receive all of it simply by transforming into the Ice Phoenix form. This was truly one of his great opportunities! Upon complete demonization, his Innate Demonic Body might become an Innate True Demonic Body. While seemingly a small change, it represented a significant rise in level and potential. The effects of demonization were still ongoing, and it would take time to fully grasp their intricacies and benefits, which were undoubtedly boundless for demonic cultivators.

Rubbing his chin, Wang Yu surveyed the area, not immediately taking action. Besides the Hall of Prayer for Blessings and Aversion of Calamities directly in front of him, there were numerous other magnificently styled immortal palaces. Most of them, however, had open doorways, appearing hollowed out. There were no restrictions or spiritual auras, and nothing valuable remained inside. In contrast, the main hall before him had some of its restrictions and arrays broken, but it was not fully opened. This indicated that even the Sword Sect, when in control of this place, had failed to open it completely. Wang Yu had enough self-awareness to know that such difficult problems could be tackled later. He decided to explore the entire Void Dao Repository first.

As his divine sense spread out like threads, covering everything around him, Wang Yu's figure moved accordingly. Since it was confirmed to be a grotto-heaven, besides serving as a portable immortal mansion, it could also be used to cultivate spiritual fields and transplant spiritual roots. This would not only yield valuable materials, augmenting a cultivator's resources, but also provide hidden benefits for the grotto-heaven's growth through the nurturing and development of life. Furthermore, some special cultivation methods could even shape unique terrains within the grotto-heaven, somewhat related to the path the cultivator followed in life.

Most of the opportunities available here had already been taken. As for what couldn't be taken, Wang Yu wouldn't be able to obtain it in a short time. After all, his mastery of restrictions and arrays was far inferior to that of a Heavenly Array Master of the same cultivation level. If even the Sword Sect couldn't do it, there was no reason he could. Therefore, his main goal for this trip was to find the special place that embodied the master's Dao during their lifetime, hoping to glimpse a significant portion of spatial cultivation inheritance. If there was, great; if not, it didn't matter. He mustn't forget that his primary objective for coming here was to avoid disaster. He intended to hide long enough until the turmoil outside subsided, then venture out for reclusive cultivation, waiting for the day he could fully realize his potential, making long-term plans.

The space within the repository was truly vast. It didn't resemble the small realms that Void Refinement cultivators could open at all. Wang Yu suspected that this might be the ruined grotto-heaven of a Dao Integration grand power, which had drifted through the cosmic sea for countless years before finally entering the Ice Prison Realm's spatial layer. It was only discovered by the Sword Sect in this era, probably having been in existence for over a thousand years.

After several days of exploration, Wang Yu pondered: Could such a crucial demonic prison truly have a grotto-heaven opportunity drift in from outside? True Immortals, among other things, could certainly perform divinations. If even immortals hadn't discovered this, perhaps it was a demonic plot. Human immortals could scheme against ancient devils, and the ancestors of the demon race could naturally find ways to rescue ancient devils. These beings sealed in the demonic prison were all incredibly powerful, their true strength even surpassing that of Mahayana cultivators. This clearly showed their importance.

"Just out of the tiger's den and into the wolf's lair? It can't be that unlucky..." Feeling uneasy, Wang Yu sensed his mind lake space. He found that the Fortune Fruit, formed by the Heaven-Defying Luck secret art, had recovered somewhat from its dim appearance, with several strands of red Qi, representing good fortune, continuously circulating around it. When no opportunity was encountered, the Fortune Fruit would help him accumulate good fortune until the day it fully erupted, after which it would fall silent.

He now basically confirmed that his ability to slay Zhong Ying that day was only a small part due to his strength. More significantly, the Fortune Fruit had subtly pushed events, infinitely amplifying the possibility of him killing Zhong Ying. Although it was an influence exerted through karmic fortune, it carried a hint of unfathomable divine power, truly formidable. This significantly raised the standing of Buddhism in his heart. Leaving aside other matters, this secret art was truly amazing. If he ever had the chance to complete it in the future, he definitely wouldn't let it go. The Prajna Heart Sutra, which he had cultivated for years, also possessed many profound wonders. If he had to say, his accumulation in the Glazed Heart realm had already reached the standard of the mid-stage peak. The cultivation of mental power was even slower than the Longevity Immortal Dao, but its many auxiliary uses had truly benefited Wang Yu greatly.

On the ninth day of entering the Void Dao Repository, he finally found a special area within the vast and boundless territory. "This is..." he began.

On the boundless black earth plain ahead, a colossal monument, ten thousand zhang tall, stood towering. On its left side were carved three large characters glowing with golden light, while the right side was neatly filled from top to bottom with countless symbols. Although Wang Yu didn't recognize the script, he could sense it with his divine consciousness. Obtaining the meaning contained within, he roughly understood it. This was likely a special method of inheritance inscription, teaching without discrimination, accessible to all beings.

"—Void Heaven Stele!" This was precisely the meaning of the three large characters, differing by only one character from the repository's secret key. Wang Yu transformed into a streak of aurora and rapidly advanced, reaching the base of the Stele in an instant.

Before he had time to observe, he frowned deeply, for there were many marks beneath the Void Heaven Stele. Footprints were scattered, varying in size, as if many people had visited. Moreover, the marks were fresh, left very recently. "This means that before me, many people had already entered the repository. Is the Void Tablet key not unique?"

Especially... Wang Yu squatted before a buttock print. The special black stone and sandy soil composition of the place made its texture smooth like leather, perfectly imprinting a round posterior. It must have been left by a woman, because... there was a crease in the middle. Such a detailed imprint indicated that she must have been wearing extremely tight clothing or nothing at all. This style was only worn by the notoriously indecent female cultivators of the Joyous Union Sect.

"How did they get into the Void Dao Repository?" After some thought, he found no explanation. Fortunately, he had used the Ice Demon to quickly recover his strength. Although his Primordial Spirit injuries and vital essence had not fully recovered, he could now exert the power of a Soul Transformation cultivator. Even a direct confrontation wouldn't be too dangerous.

Since things had come to this, he might as well examine the inscription first. This Void Heaven Stele could be said to be the cornerstone of the master's enlightenment, and also a witness. When a cultivator's Qi Sea reached its limit, with no further room for development, they could only seek outwards. The method of grotto-heaven cultivation was the solution. From then on, their magic power would be nearly boundless, no longer constrained. The master's profound comprehension of Dao principles was deeply imprinted within this stele. Wang Yu began to comprehend from the very bottom inscription.

In a short while, his brows relaxed, revealing a look of joy. This was because the mysterious characters in the very bottom row contained an inheritance. If each row of inscriptions represented a unique technique, then the Void Heaven Stele likely contained tens of thousands of them, truly living up to its name as a Dao Repository.

Recalling the information he had just gained, Wang Yu rubbed his temples. "Secret Art: Spatial Beacon. It's one of the essential conditions for ultra-long-distance spatial travel. The learning difficulty is very low; as long as one has a basic grasp of spatial power, it can be easily learned." Although this technique was simple and placed at the lowest position, it was the most fundamental of basics. Yet, for someone like Wang Yu, who had never systematically studied spatial knowledge, it was a huge boon. Although he already possessed the ability to tear space and even perform short-distance spatial traversals, those were brute-force methods. The latter, specifically, came from his Empty Moon Eye Technique. To achieve the long-distance, precise spatial traversal of tens of thousands of li in an instant, like Daoist Kongkong, this secret art was indispensable. Now, with the aid of the Void Banner, having initially learned the secret art, he could freely travel to places marked by a spatial beacon.

After some comprehension, Wang Yu continued to meditate on the second-to-last row of secret inscriptions. "This time, it's the Art of Heavenly Delivery." It was also a common spatial secret art that allowed one to freely place spatial beacons within the range of their divine sense, greatly increasing flexibility. "The third row... Heavenly Mechanism Positioning." Wang Yu suddenly realized. This method allowed one to send a spatial beacon beyond the range of divine sense and precisely locate it, based on auras or certain known objects, using the Heavenly Mechanism Positioning method, thereby achieving ultra-long-distance void traversal. Of course, the prerequisite was sufficient magic power. Soul Transformation cultivators had limited magic power, but once one reached the late Void Refinement stage and established a grotto-heaven foundation, the distance was then affected by the frequency of magic power output. Given enough time, even the furthest distances could be traversed in a single step. The wonder and convenience of the Dao of Space were thus fully revealed.

These three secret arts complemented each other. Even though they were at the lowest level, they brought Wang Yu immense benefits, especially the Heavenly Mechanism Positioning method, which could also be used in conjunction with his Fengshui Compass. It was practically perfect. The thought of countless more rows of secret inscriptions on the Void Heaven Stele that could be comprehended made Wang Yu's heart burn with excitement. He became completely engrossed, almost forgetting the passage of time.

But soon, he withdrew from that state of rapt absorption. For no other reason than his Primordial Spirit's inability to bear the strain. His Primordial Spirit was too severely injured, and comprehending secret arts was an exceptionally draining activity for divine sense and energy. He only managed to persist until the tenth technique before reluctantly withdrawing. It was not his fault!