Chapter 169: The Holy Leader's Hobby

The Teleportation Divine Art is essentially a power rooted in advanced mathematical calculations. Varying directions, locations, distances, and spatial dimensions for teleportation necessitate precise computations of rune permutations and rules. Establishing each teleportation point demands extensive calculations.

What does 'yun' (运) in 'yunsan' (运算, calculation) truly signify? 'Yun' encompasses the sequences, evolutions, variations, and governing rules of rune arrays. Only when these aspects are understood can 'suan' (算, computation) truly begin. The abacus, with the movement of its upper and lower beads, represents the most fundamental calculation, symbolizing the simplest array sequences.

When the Teleportation Divine Art is refined into a magic treasure, calculations are powered by the intricate shifts in runes and arrays imprinted within the item. This process is thousands of times more complex than manipulating abacus beads; it's akin to a vast, three-dimensional, heterogeneous abacus.

To independently wield this divine art, one must be able to adjust algorithms on the fly and discern the secrets of teleportation amidst a jumble of complex runes. Ten volumes of arithmetic texts are simply insufficient to deduce such intricate computational formulas. Qin Mu thus realized he needed more advanced mathematical texts to fully grasp the Teleportation Divine Art.

"Advanced arithmancy texts should be taught at the Array Origin Hall of the Imperial College, as array formations inherently rely on mathematical calculations. Perhaps the Dao Sect also possesses such texts, and even more sophisticated ones..."

Qin Mu suddenly remembered Daoist Lin Xuan of the Dao Sect. When Lin Xuan executed "A Dot Pierces and Connects, Yin and Yang Revolve Within the Two Poles," he utilized exceptionally complex mathematical calculation techniques. "Yin and Yang Revolve Within the Two Poles" demands extensive mathematical computation. Without powerful processing ability, it would be difficult to calculate the variations of moves and pinpoint Qin Mu's weaknesses in such a short timeframe.

"Without advanced arithmancy texts, there's no way I can master the Teleportation Divine Art right now," he mused. "I only understand *what* it does, not *why* or *how*. I should refine a teleportation treasure first."

Qin Mu composed himself and focused on refining the treasure. Whether crafting a teleportation flag or a teleportation robe, fabric was essential, and he only had his brocade robes available, so he had no choice but to use them. To create a teleportation robe from his own Six-Winged Golden Silkworm Brocade Robe, he would need to extract dozens of golden silkworm threads from the garment. He would then use these threads to weave array patterns into the fabric and imprint runes using his vital qi. Having learned tailoring from Granny Si since childhood, and even dabbling in embroidery, this task was not difficult for him.

"Do you think the Holy Cult Master can leave Sacred Mountain by his own means?"

The three Heavenly Kings, guardians of the cult, had not yet departed Sacred Mountain, ensuring Qin Mu wouldn't be stranded there. The three elders gazed towards the Floating Light Hall. Heavenly King Lu stroked his goatee and remarked, "Refining a teleportation treasure is no simple feat. Our Holy Cult's teleportation method is arguably the most challenging divine art."

Heavenly King Yu nodded in profound agreement. "The teleportation method demands exceptionally high mathematical proficiency; it's nearly impossible to learn without it. The Holy Cult Master is still young, so he probably hasn't developed much expertise in mathematics."

"Let him study it for a few days," Heavenly King Shi said, "He won't know what's difficult unless he tries, and without knowing the difficulty, he won't know how to improve. Only by facing challenges and pushing through them can one truly cultivate the heart of seeking knowledge and the Dao."

Heavenly King Shi, ever the most composed, stated, "The Holy Cult Master has experienced too few setbacks. He ascended to his position with remarkable ease. Without trials, he cannot truly grow. This is also the Ancestor's intention."

The other two Heavenly Kings nodded repeatedly and asked, "Should we intentionally create some challenges for him?"

"No," Heavenly King Shi replied. "His attempts to comprehend the teleportation method this time will be enough to teach him what frustration feels like. The Ancestor's intention is that once he finds himself unable to leave, we'll then provide him with a teleportation flag."

Heavenly King Shi smiled faintly. "Every action of the Ancestor holds deep meaning. You both know how exceptionally difficult the Teleportation Divine Art is to master. Why, then, did the Ancestor leave him here to learn it?"

Heavenly King Lu and Heavenly King Yu's eyes lit up, and they simultaneously clapped their hands in admiration, realizing the Ancestor's deeper plan.

Although the Teleportation Divine Art was housed in the Floating Light Hall and open for all disciples to study, very few ever mastered it. While every hall master in the Holy Cult possessed a teleportation flag, these were not crafted by the hall masters themselves, but were spirit weapons refined by the Four Heavenly Kings, guardians of the cult. Only a handful of individuals within the entire Heavenly Devil Cult had ever mastered the teleportation method and successfully refined it into a treasure. Even the previous Holy Maiden, Si Youyou, never managed it, as her proficiency in mathematics was not high.

The Ancestor's plan was for Qin Mu to learn the Teleportation Divine Art in the Floating Light Hall. By the time Qin Mu realized that mastering the divine art required exceptionally high mathematical proficiency, a dozen or so days would likely have passed. Then, after another dozen days, Qin Mu would realize he couldn't refine the divine art itself and would resort to attempting a teleportation treasure. After yet another dozen days, he would discover he couldn't even refine the treasure. This process would serve to temper the young Holy Cult Master's mischievous nature, making him understand the vastness of the world and curbing his reckless, presumptuous behavior.

By then, Qin Mu would calm down and first comprehend the Heavenly Holy Cult's Great Unifying Art. The three Heavenly Kings would then appear as benevolent elders, present the young Cult Master with a teleportation flag, and the Holy Cult Master would smoothly depart Sacred Mountain, resulting in a happy outcome for all. This was the profound reason the Ancestor had left Qin Mu on Sacred Mountain to study the Teleportation Divine Art.

Heavenly King Yu's expression grew serious. "What exactly happened to Heavenly King Qian? Have you received any news?"

Heavenly King Shi and Heavenly King Lu shook their heads. Heavenly King Shi spoke, "Senior Brother Qian has most likely met with misfortune. He's always the most enthusiastic, yet he's absent this time. It's probable that enemies targeted him, attempting to discover our cult's headquarters and the Cult Master's identity. Given his character, he would absolutely not reveal anything..."

Heavenly King Lu's heart skipped a beat. "Senior Brother Qian's cultivation is so profound..."

"No matter how profound one's cultivation, there are always those who surpass them."

Heavenly King Shi said gravely, "High-ranking officials of the imperial court are all beings on par with cult masters. The Dao Sect and Great Thunderclap Temple also have no shortage of such top experts. Other sects and aristocratic families harbor hidden masters as well. Many are targeting our Heavenly Holy Cult, assuming we've declined over the past forty years. Who wouldn't want to seize an opportunity while we're weak? The crucial question is, who are these enemies?"

Everyone fell silent.

After a moment, Heavenly King Yu spoke. "This time, the Cult Master ordered the Left and Right Protectors to establish the 361st Hall, the School Hall. This is a significant undertaking. This Cult Master's abilities surpass those of Cult Master Li. Such vision and audacity are unlike a teenager; he seems wiser than someone who has lived for hundreds of years..."

"Most likely, the Ancestor guided him."

"That's possible... Oh, the Holy Cult Master has emerged!"

The three Heavenly Kings gazed towards the Floating Light Hall from afar. They watched Qin Mu emerge, his outer brocade robe open. Suddenly, the young Holy Cult Master lifted his robe, covered himself with it, and vanished with a whoosh!

The three Heavenly Kings stood dumbfounded, then a deafening crash echoed. The Phoenix's Arrival Pavilion, not far away, had half collapsed!

"Oh no!"

The three Heavenly Kings' hearts leaped as they quickly turned to the Phoenix's Arrival Pavilion. Amidst the broken bricks and rubble of the half-collapsed structure, a young boy stood up. He looked around furtively, seemingly assured that no one had seen him, then swiftly lifted his robe to cover himself and vanished again.

"The Phoenix's Arrival Pavilion was where the Sixth Cult Master received phoenixes," Heavenly King Yu mumbled. "Phoenixes descending upon our Heavenly Holy Cult's Sacred Mountain—what a glorious moment..." His calves trembled as he murmured, "Now that half of it has collapsed, how do we explain this to our ancestors and the cult's disciples?"

Heavenly King Shi's expression also changed as he mused, "The Phoenix's Arrival Pavilion only holds the 'Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree Record,' a biography written by the Sixth Cult Master, not a cultivation technique. I've long had it memorized by heart. We will go and properly repair the Phoenix's Arrival Pavilion, then find the Hall Master of the Scripture Hall to imitate the Sixth Cult Master's handwriting and complete the 'Phoenix Perching on the Wutong Tree Record.' I guarantee no one else will notice!"

"The Holy Cult Master seems to have already refined a teleportation robe," Heavenly King Lu remarked, "though he's still a bit unskilled in controlling it." He then exclaimed in surprise, "He actually managed to refine a teleportation treasure? How is that possible?"

Just then, another deafening crash reverberated. The three Heavenly Kings quickly looked towards the sound, their faces turning ashen. The roof of the Three Kings Hall had collapsed. Their young Holy Cult Master still hadn't managed to control his teleportation robe properly; he had teleported himself above the hall instead of landing inside, resulting in a massive hole being smashed into the structure.

The Three Kings Hall was erected to commemorate three Holy Cult Masters who lived in the same era. At that time, conflicts between sects were exceptionally brutal. The Dao Sect, leading the righteous path, assembled all righteous forces to attack the Heavenly Devil Cult. The old Cult Master was defeated and, on his deathbed, entrusted the cult to Heavenly King Qing, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, guardians of the cult. Heavenly King Qing then passed on the Great Cultivation Demonic Scripture to the Holy Maiden of that era, before leading the cult's forces into battle and dying at Azure Wave Pond. The Holy Maiden succeeded as Cult Master and once again led the charge, fighting so fiercely that the Dao Sect could no longer hold its ground and was forced to retreat. Upon returning to Sacred Mountain, her injuries flared up after she had transmitted her cultivation, and she passed away peacefully. Subsequent Holy Cult Masters, out of gratitude for these three, therefore built the Three Kings Hall in their memory.

Qin Mu's previous teleportation failure, which damaged the Phoenix's Arrival Pavilion, was somewhat excusable. But smashing the Three Kings Hall this time was simply excessive!

Suddenly, with another whoosh, Qin Mu covered himself with his robe and vanished again. The three Heavenly Kings were startled and quickly gave chase, shouting, "Holy Cult Master! Our little Ancestor! You can't demolish any more!"

The three Heavenly Kings possessed profound cultivation and had also practiced teleportation methods. Heavenly King Shi's teleportation treasure was a flag: unrolling its surface caused his figure to vanish. Heavenly King Lu had refined a mirror: a flash from its surface in mid-air made both him and the mirror disappear. Heavenly King Yu's treasure was a jade pendant worn at his waist; a gentle tap would make it burst with light and carry him away. The three of them had immersed themselves in teleportation methods for an unknown duration. While they hadn't been able to master the Teleportation Divine Art itself, their control over their teleportation treasures was far more convenient and agile than Qin Mu's, who was a complete novice.

The three Heavenly Kings, with their profound skills, discerned Qin Mu's intended teleportation destination and immediately moved to intercept him. However, they were a split second too slow, missing him entirely and landing together in the fish-viewing pond. Several ferocious fish-dragons resided in the pond. When Qin Mu had fallen in earlier, these creatures had greedily opened their mouths and lunged, only to miss. Now, the three Heavenly Kings had teleported in, serving as a perfect appetizer. The three Heavenly Kings vanished again, causing the large fish to bite empty air once more. Their steel-like teeth clashed, sending sparks flying. The large fish shook their heads and swam away resentfully.

The three Heavenly Kings reappeared in mid-air, reaching out to grab Qin Mu, who was also in mid-air, lifting his brocade robe. However, their three hands merely clasped together tightly; Qin Mu had already departed a step ahead of them, and they had only seized afterimages.

"The Ancestor instructed us before he left," Heavenly King Shi began, "that this young Cult Master has a peculiar habit of demolishing things. If we can't catch him..."