Chapter 83: Ultimate Armament

These statues truly hold the secrets to many powerful divine arts!

For days, Qin Mu ate and slept among the dragon pillars and temples of Inlaid Dragon City. At night, he would either sleep inside a temple or lie atop a dragon pillar. Each morning, he would awaken and become utterly engrossed in observing and contemplating the profound mysteries held within the city's statues.

Using his Divine Firmament Heavenly Eyes, he observed the sculptures, contemplating their three harmonies of form, qi, and spirit, and refining their three states of essence, momentum, and measure. Gradually, in his perception, these divine statues transcended their physical forms; they became living conduits of primordial qi. Each figure was a perfect blend of form and spirit, radiating immense power, condensing qi into essence, channeling qi into measure, and manifesting form and qi as momentum.

Though still a martial artist, far from mastering divine arts, he found himself contemplating how to create new divine arts by studying the sculpting techniques of the divine beings who carved these statues.

Qin Mu gazed at a statue of a goddess treading on a river. As he did, his own primordial qi began to circulate vigorously. Suddenly, with a rushing sound, his qi transformed into a stream of water, erupting from his hands. It surged powerfully, like a mighty river, with rolling waves and a rapid current. Each of his palm strikes echoed with the sound of crashing waves, and as his hands moved around his waist, the continuous roar of the surging water grew more intense and overwhelming!

Qin Mu's palm force intensified. With a sudden strike, his primordial qi, now a roaring river, burst forth approximately four zhang, pulverizing a large stone at the temple's entrance.

This attack was not a divine art. It bore some resemblance to a spell but wasn't one, and it was somewhat similar to a combat technique but not quite. It was truly peculiar.

"My apologies," Qin Mu said, bowing respectfully to the goddess statue. He then left the temple and entered an ancient one nearby.

Inside this ancient temple stood a revered statue of a deity with a human face, tiger claws, and feet treading upon two dragons. Qin Mu spent a long time observing it, sitting and even lying beside the statue, constantly studying it from every perspective.

After three to five days immersed in this contemplative state, Qin Mu fully grasped the three harmonies of form, qi, and spirit, as well as the three states of essence, momentum, and measure embodied by the sculpture. His primordial qi began to circulate spontaneously according to what he had observed. Suddenly, a brilliant golden light erupted from his skin, and every movement, every stillness, produced a metallic clang, as if gold and iron were colliding!

His posture mimicked the statue's. Suddenly, seven brilliant golden disks materialized around him, both in front and behind. Their edges appeared sharp, and while their overall glow was subtle, the center of each disk emitted a deep, concentrated golden hue.

As Qin Mu shifted his stance and formed a sword art with his hand, the disks mirrored his movements. With the circulation of his primordial qi, the light at the center of each disk intensified. Suddenly, Qin Mu pointed his sword finger forward, and from each of the seven disks, fine streaks of golden light materialized, resembling slender golden threads or needles.

*Chichi!* The seven slender golden threads shot out like lightning, piercing the exact spot Qin Mu's sword finger indicated!

Qin Mu withdrew his hand, revealing a deep, narrow hole on the ground.

"It's still not as potent as Elder Ma's fist techniques... Wait, when did my primordial qi transform into White Tiger qi?" Qin Mu realized abruptly, pondering this. Just then, a sudden anomaly occurred within his Spirit Embryo Divine Treasure. His spirit embryo inhaled deeply, instantly absorbing all the residual golden light from the golden sea.

Qin Mu felt as though his glabella had suddenly become hollow, his mind blank, and a wave of dizziness washed over him. When his awareness returned, he discovered that his spirit embryo had fallen asleep once more.

"That's not right," Qin Mu mused. "Village Chief explicitly stated that the 'three elixirs' of the Tyrant Body Three Elixir Technique meant the spirit embryo would awaken three times. Why does my spirit embryo show a tendency to awaken a fourth time?" He was perplexed. With his spirit embryo deeply asleep, he could only access half of his cultivation, and maintaining the Divine Firmament Heavenly Eyes became difficult. He promptly left the ancient temple.

"Young Master, the Grand Master has sent a message." As he exited the temple, he saw an old man in green robes standing outside, respectfully bowed, having seemingly waited there for a long time. The old man swiftly approached, took a letter from his sleeve, and said, "Please read this yourself, Young Master."

"The Grand Master of the Demonic Cult has sent me a letter?" Qin Mu temporarily set aside his thoughts on the spirit embryo's potential fourth awakening. He took the letter, and the old man in green robes promptly retreated. Qin Mu unfolded the missive: "To the Young Cult Master, Qin Lan: Three years have passed since our hurried farewell at Yong River. It is said that with age comes wisdom of one's destiny. I am old now, and by heavenly decree, I have seven years remaining. I hope to see the Young Cult Master once more before my life ends. I await your enthronement."

Qin Mu folded the letter. Its message was clear: the Demonic Cult Grand Master had seven years left to live and wished to see him again before his death, so Qin Mu could formally assume the position of cult master.

"Ling Yuxiu wants me to meet her in the capital of Yankang, and the Demonic Cult Grand Master also wants me to come to him. It seems I must decide whether to stay or leave."

Qin Mu composed himself. Was he truly going to leave the Great Ruins, leave Crippled Old Village, leave the family who had raised him?

He called the old man in green robes over. "Tell the Grand Master I will leave the Great Ruins within a few days and travel east to meet him." The old man acknowledged and departed.

After a moment of thought, Qin Mu headed to the City Lord's Mansion. It was nearing evening. Inside, Village Chief, Apothecary, and the others were gathered again. These old men were all wearing clothes Qin Mu had personally made for them. Qin Mu had bought a variety of silks and satins in the city; it was his first time making clothes, and they fit well, though the chosen fabrics were rather flamboyant. Village Chief, Apothecary, Cripple, and the rest looked truly radiant and distinguished in their new attire, much like prosperous landlords.

Nonetheless, as it was Qin Mu's sincere effort, the old men were all delighted.

"Mu'er," Apothecary said, waving to him with a smile, "Village Chief has emerged from seclusion. He's preparing to take you into the Dark Realm, through the darkness, to find your birthplace. We'll set off tonight!"

Qin Mu's heart pounded violently, overwhelmed with excitement. He pushed his earlier thoughts aside and hesitated, "There are so many dangers in the darkness, Village Chief Grandpa..."

"No worries," Village Chief said with a gentle smile. "This old body of mine can still manage. Mu'er, when we enter the darkness this time, you absolutely must not leave my side. Granny, give him the Great Educational Heavenly Devil Scripture for self-defense."

Granny Si took a ball of thread from her small basket. With a flick of her finger, a single thread shot out, swiftly weaving itself around Qin Mu's palm. In moments, it formed a glove.

Qin Mu gently flexed his hand, letting out a soft sound of surprise; he could barely feel the glove he was wearing.

Village Chief then added, "Cripple, bring your Emperor Disk and put it on him."

Cripple removed a jade ring from his neck. This palm-sized ring resembled an ornament but was more complex, engraved with strange characters that continuously flowed and shifted.

Cripple placed the jade ring around Qin Mu's neck, grimacing. "Mu'er, whatever you do, don't lose this! Your Cripple Grandpa exchanged a leg for it! This Emperor Disk is worth a leg of mine!"

Village Chief assured him, "Don't worry, the Emperor Disk can't be lost. Mu'er, take off your clothes."

Puzzled, Qin Mu removed his upper garment, revealing his sturdy physique.

Village Chief cleared his throat. "Everything. Don't wear any clothes."

Granny Si turned her back, and Qin Mu stripped off all his clothes, except for the gloves on his hands.

Apothecary produced a plump worm, remarking with a pained expression, "This cup contains the precious blood of a venomous flood dragon; I went through great lengths to acquire it..." He then squeezed the plump worm, extracting a small cup of blood.

Deaf Mute stepped forward, produced a brush, and dipped it into the blood. He began drawing on Qin Mu's back, depicting the turtle-shelled elder from the four stone statues of Crippled Old Village, with a large snake coiled around his body.

Once the dragon blood was depleted, Deaf Mute had finished drawing the large snake across Qin Mu's entire body. He even squeezed the last trace of blood from the brush until it was completely clean. "Mu'er," he signed, "you can put your clothes on now."

"Mute," Village Chief said. Blacksmith Mute stepped forward. His body vibrated, and fierce flames engulfed him. The intensely hot fire transformed into a massive furnace, seemingly concealing divine spirits and devils within its depths.

Mute raised his hand and pushed forcefully, sending the massive furnace flying towards Qin Mu. Though the furnace appeared incredibly potent, Qin Mu felt no heat upon contact. The furnace rapidly diminished in size until it finally vanished within his body.

"Elder Ma," Village Chief said. Elder Ma stepped forward. Suddenly, powerful Buddhist chants resonated, and a brilliant light radiated. Behind him, his robust primordial qi transformed into a colossal Buddha with a halo of countless rays behind its head. It was the Tathagata.

This Tathagata stepped forward, diminishing in size until it vanished into Qin Mu's glabella.

"Blindie, it's your turn," Village Chief added.

Blindie raised his bamboo staff and tapped it against Qin Mu's chest, murmuring, "Open your eyes!" Qin Mu's body jolted. He felt a surging wave of primordial qi rush from his heart and lungs toward his eyes. With several buzzing vibrations, nine pupil rings instantly appeared within his irises!

The Divine Firmament Heavenly Eye, Azure Firmament Heavenly Eye, Cerulean Firmament Heavenly Eye, Cinnabar Firmament Heavenly Eye, Scenery Firmament Heavenly Eye, Jade Firmament Heavenly Eye, Brilliant Firmament Heavenly Eye, Purple Firmament Heavenly Eye, and Fire Firmament Heavenly Eye—all nine layers of the Divine Eyes—were fully activated!

Qin Mu instantly felt as though the world before him was being deconstructed and then reconstructed, layer by layer. It was as if his eyes could now see through everything.

Blindie had used his own cultivation to open Qin Mu's eyes. Though Qin Mu hadn't activated them himself, the power of the Nine Heavens of Divine Eyes was barely diminished.

The world he now perceived was entirely different from his usual sight; it was the world as seen through the Divine Eye state!

Village Chief floated three feet off the ground, then chuckled, "This should be enough for now. Mu'er, come with me. You and I, grandpa and grandson, are going on a trip to the Dark Realm."

Granny Si opened her mouth as if to speak but didn't object. "Mu'er, be careful," she advised. "If you encounter danger, just leave that old geezer Village Chief behind and run back yourself."

Full of confidence, Village Chief floated out of the city with Qin Mu, laughing heartily. "Don't worry, old woman Si," he chuckled, "I'll definitely bring him back safely!"