Chapter 1175: Gold Book

"What divine power..."

As the clear, bright Taiyin energy spread, Guo Nanwu was momentarily stunned. His Shaoyang divine ability was quite profound, and after a brief pause, he quickly grasped the situation and asked, "This is the Transformation of the Complete Core... it can actually alter the nature of objects and appropriate the wondrous uses of artifacts!"

Li Quewan had already withdrawn her divine ability. She lowered her gaze, and with a flick of two fingers, the small, transparent, jade-like ring reappeared in her palm. The woman returned it, smiling, "Just a minor trick or two..."

'Just a minor trick?'

Guo Nanwu felt a lump in his throat, unable to voice his thoughts, and simply offered an awkward smile. Everyone present was a Purple Mansion cultivator; who wouldn't know the immense practicality of this divine ability?

'As long as a spiritual artifact of a lineage doesn't clash with the Complete Core, it gains a power in her hands that nearly matches its original lineage's might... she practically doesn't need to choose which spiritual artifact to use; she can use whatever she gets!'

'Coupled with the Li clan's immense cultivation resources and financial power, wouldn't she be able to do whatever she pleased? She could practically use the Five Virtues when she wanted, or the Twelve Qi when she wanted...'

Guo Nanwu had always been extremely confident in his own divine ability, "Evil Severing, Seeking Truth," which excelled at traversing, observing, and seeking the Dao. Although its power wasn't exceedingly high, its wondrousness definitely ranked among the top divine abilities. The only thing that could stir envy in him was the Complete Core!

Ling Du, standing nearby, looked surprised, but his expression softened as he pondered, saying, "What a marvelous divine ability!" He stood up, smiling, "This singular nature of the Complete Core can only be achieved by those with extraordinary cultivation resources. Its myriad wondrous transformations make such a divine ability unsurprising... yet it truly makes us envious."

Li Quewan did not act arrogant. The theory of the Complete Core's Plain Virtue had originated from this Nine Hills lineage. She bowed with a smile, saying, "Senior is too kind! This minor divine ability is merely a display of inadequacy before the Nine Hills Sect..."

Ling Du understood her words, shaking his head. "My lineage originated from Changtang, and our founding patriarch cultivated in Jielin. He once ventured out from the Grotto-Heaven, traveling the world. He had a close friend who cultivated in Qingsong and was extremely adept at altering the nature of objects. This esteemed person was searching for treasures in the sea at the time, which is how they met. He taught a method, from which only one or two divine abilities were obtained..."

"This is nothing extraordinary. The path of the Complete Core is complete in its merits and mysteries and was quite popular in ancient times. Most lineages with deep inheritances would prepare for it. How many divine abilities and what grades they possess is up to each family's skill, but whether any disciple can pick it up and cultivate it, that depends on each family's fortune!"

"Unfortunately... even these one or two divine abilities have rarely been mastered by anyone for hundreds of years."

Li Quewan was somewhat surprised. She had cultivated the Complete Core for many years and always found it simple when comparing it to Profound Witchcraft, which required achieving divine abilities just to get started. She fell silent for a moment, but Ling Du sighed, "As it is said: 'Without cause or path to correct one's nature, find refuge and shelter in the Purple Yin; read through the fourteen prefaces of the Golden Book, ride the sedan of Dragon and Tiger to ask of the plain heart.'"

"This speaks of the path of commoners seeking the Dao. 'Cause' refers to opportune circumstances. Those from humble backgrounds, having no cause or path, prefer to correct their nature by directly consuming spiritual objects, thereby sensing their essence and life to form techniques. At that time, there was also the Undying Path of the Purple Radiance Palace, originating from the Daoist True lineage, which was extremely protective of its own and favored by lower-ranked cultivators..."

"But even these two cannot compare to the fourteen volumes of profound texts from the Plain Virtue lineage that were made available – placed on the Dragon-Tiger Platform for anyone to read. There were texts of varying difficulty, and as long as a cultivator seeking the Dao could read through one, someone would immediately come to greet them. If the highest-level texts were disturbed, a profound sedan would even descend to carry the person into the Grotto-Heaven..."

Ling Du's gaze was slightly complex as he stared at Li Quewan for a moment, whispering, "My lineage contains both the Plain Virtue Transformations and the Complete Core inheritance... learning more about it, I've never heard of this divine ability of yours, Quewan. I fear it might have been an untransmitted secret even in ancient times!"

After hearing all this, how could Li Quewan not detect his subtle doubt: 'Is my family's lineage too profound for him to know about?'

But upon hearing these words, how could Li Quewan not feel surprise and doubt in her heart?

'The fourteen prefaces of the Golden Book...'

The lineage she had obtained from the Talisman Seed was precisely called the "Houshu Golden Book"! She paused, then softly said, "May I know the names of the Golden Books?"

Ling Du shook his head regretfully. Li Quewan had no choice but to let the matter rest, her heart still anxious about the situation in the lake. Changing the subject, she said, "Now that I have obtained the Taiyin spiritual treasure, this junior must hasten back to the lake to treat King Wei's injuries!"

"Wait," Ling Du, however, was not in a hurry. He reached out to stop her, taking two small, dark, lusterless bowls from his sleeve. He placed them carefully on the jade table and the old man spoke seriously, "In the past, your family's True Man Zhaojing left behind a spiritual flame called 'Bright Crimson Fire,' requesting our lineage to dissolve the Buddhist and Daoist light that had been refined within it for a hundred years. It took some effort, but now it is complete."

"However, he doesn't intend to retrieve this flame; instead, he wishes to exchange it for Lihuo (Fire of Departure) from our lineage... So I've taken out a few items from the Nine Hills Daoist Repository for you to choose and take back."

Li Quewan lowered her gaze and saw that the ceramic bowl contained a crimson color, which must be a type of Lihuo. She listened as Ling Du stroked his beard, saying, "This item is the Qiaoping Lihuo. Its power isn't great, but it carries a hint of lamplight, possessing the ability to cause chaos and disruption. Ordinary objects cannot contain it; only a ceramic bowl plated with returned earth can hold it."

On either side, there were also spiritual water and spiritual wood in glass boxes, which caused Li Quewan to pause slightly. She cultivated the Complete Core, and her attainments in both water and fire arts were considerable, allowing her to make an initial judgment at a glance: 'This Qiaoping Lihuo... its power is truly lacking; among Lihuo, it can only be considered low-grade...'

Back then, when Li Ximing brought the Bright Crimson Demon Fire, he hadn't provided the Nine Hills with the appropriate spiritual resources. Instead, he simply mentioned that the quality of the Lihuo didn't matter... The Nine Hills acted dutifully; although the Qiaoping Lihuo they provided wasn't powerful, it at least possessed the wondrous ability to cause chaos and disruption, so it wasn't actually a bad exchange.

She also knew about Li Jiangqian's Great Lihuo White Radiance art. This technique required the use of Lihuo to gather Lihuo light, and having more Lihuo would always be beneficial. So, after a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Senior Guo, since you came from within the sea, have you heard any news of my elder brother? I wonder if he has achieved his breakthrough..."

Guo Nanwu nodded, praising, "Your esteemed brother achieved the status of a True Man of the Lihuo nature some time ago!"

After all, breaking through to a divine ability was a matter of life and death. Even though their cultivation treatment was no worse than that of a Golden Core direct descendant, and their talents were exceptional, there was still a risk of perishing during the process. Li Quewan's worried expression subtly eased, replaced by a touch of joy.

'Good! He's highly capable, so reaching the Purple Mansion realm is naturally no problem for him.'

Since Li Jiangqian had succeeded, their family would certainly not object to having more Lihuo. However, Li Quewan thought more deeply, and while trying to memorize the items the other party had taken out, she hesitantly said, "This junior cannot change what Senior has decided, but King Wei is currently injured, and we don't know what kind of spiritual object he urgently needs. Perhaps it would be better if this junior took them back first, inquired about the situation, and then found an opportune moment to send word."

Li Quewan was eager to return, so Ling Du didn't hinder her much. He stood up and escorted her out. Upon reaching the mountain gate, the old man said, "Since you achieved the Dao at my Nine Hills mountain gate, there is a certain destiny involved. Most Complete Core lineages are now under major Daoist traditions, making them difficult to borrow from. If you have no better options and prepare sufficient resources, Nine Hills can also help you continue one or two paths."

Li Quewan had cultivated and broken through in the mountains, and this old True Man had been exceptionally attentive, providing treatment comparable to that given to figures from her own lineage. Li Quewan was already quite surprised, and now hearing these words, she said somewhat nervously, "Nine Hills' profound kindness has already filled this junior with too much shame; I dare not seek further lineage instruction..."

Ling Du merely smiled as he sent her off the mountain, watching Li Quewan disappear into the void. Only then did he put away the spiritual water and fire items and turn to look at True Man Fuchi, who was waiting at his side. Stroking his beard, he said, "The Qiaoping Lihuo was originally meant for you. The Bright Crimson Fire, being a 'lamplight' flame, is even more suitable. We'll keep it and give it to you to use. If that Qiaoping Lihuo can be recovered, it will also be handed over to you."

True Man Fuchi bowed deeply, about to speak, when Ling Du gently waved his hand, saying, "Since you are going into the sea, King Wei's protection is crucial. Quewan is also no ordinary person. Fostering a good relationship with the Li clan can save your life at critical moments!"

"Senior's great kindness... Tan Taijin... is beyond repayment!"

True Man Fuchi's expression was complex as he lowered his gaze deeply. Ling Du softly said, "Back then, Grand True Man Yuanxiu chose the 'Great Fire' to rectify your wood qi. Firstly, he wished to achieve the Dao and casually laid out a chess piece. Secondly, he also aimed to cultivate you, using your more talented 'lamplight' flame to assist Sima Yuanli's 'Rectified Wood' cultivation..."

Tan Taijin raised his head, his eyes clear and free of impurities. He softly said, "Grand True Man is my master and like my father. Yuanli is my closest friend, dearer than a brother. This junior only has affection for them. How could I scrutinize their intentions after so many years of care and protection?"

Hearing his words, the old True Man remained silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh, saying, "Pack your things and go to the sea."

***

The Sun and Moon Shone Together.

White mist filled the lower pavilion, and the magic lamp shone brightly, its flowing light rippling over the face of the young man seated in the center, like water waves.

The colorful patterns on Li Zhouwei's face had faded, leaving only dark, shattered-porcelain-like cracks. His tightly closed eyes twitched for a moment, then slowly opened.

The accumulated colors in his eyes vanished, replaced by fragmented gold and black hues moving across his vision, like faint golden sand scattered across a dark earth, with collapsed pavilions and ruins everywhere.

"Whoosh..."

He exhaled the last bit of dense Wutu Qi. His pupils gradually focused, and he stood up, clenching and unclenching his fingers, sensing the shattering pain in various parts of his body, a slightly surprised expression on his face.

Protected by the "Sun and Moon Shone Together" realm, the disaster of Clear Cliff Wutu was like rootless water, no longer receiving continuous, increasingly terrifying amplification. However, as "Impermeable Earth," Wutu's solidity was extremely tenacious, and removing the remaining Wutu light was still a painstaking process.

Moreover, Li Zhouwei cultivated "Bright Yang."

Yet at this moment, streams of white qi surged forth, gaining momentum, sweeping through him like spring wind melting snow, gradually expelling the Wutu light from his body!

The Profound Grand Art!

This profound pure qi method, originating from the "Sun and Moon Shone Together" realm, Li Zhouwei had begun cultivating when he first entered the Purple Mansion. It had been quite effective to date, playing a significant role in his several healing processes, yet it had always been unremarkable, with no extraordinary qualities.

If "Bright Yang" resolved residual Jueyin injuries at a speed of ten, irrelevant lineage injuries at five, and Xiqi injuries as slow as a turtle at one, then the pure qi light of the Profound Grand Art would resolve any injury at a consistent speed of four.

Yet this technique was extremely unhurried and had never changed; even when encountering Impermeable Wutu, it maintained that same unhurried pace. But for Wutu, this could be considered remarkably fast!

'Two months...'

Only two months had passed since the victory at White Sea, and all residual Wutu light in his body had been expelled. Although his body was still scarred and a mess after the Wutu light receded, it at least meant Li Zhouwei could begin to address his internal injuries!

Not only did the root cause of the Clear Cliff Wutu disaster still linger in his body, but this severely injured body was also far more severely damaged than any injury he had sustained in the past.

His solo battle against Qi Lanqian didn't deeply affect the White Kylin's fate perception, and the divine abilities and magical power feedback from "Bright Manifestation of Sun and Moon" had been entirely used to suppress the Wutu disaster during his days of pacifying Jianghuai and slaying Maha. As a result, his body was now utterly depleted, requiring him to take pills to heal like an ordinary cultivator.

He straightened up, stretched, and walked towards the pavilion. There, he saw a man seated, with red lips and white teeth, a face like white porcelain, sitting before white gauze. His empty pupils were staring expressionlessly at the Daoist book in his hands.

"Uncle!"

Li Zhouwei's voice lingered in the air for a moment. He watched as the light in the man's pupils immediately dimmed, his hands released their grip, and the jade slip rolled down. The white gauze behind him fell away as the True Man in white-gold Daoist robes propped himself up from the meditation cushion, a touch of joy appearing on his face.

Li Zhouwei smiled, saying, "Uncle's esoteric art has reached the foundational level!"

Given Li Zhouwei's discerning eye, the phrase "reached the foundational level" was absolutely extraordinary. Li Ximing, seeing the vibrant colors disappear from his face, was even more pleased, saying, "A mere trifle. I only refined it with Yin Water. I thought about it and realized that using gauze to cover and conceal my true form aligns with the essence of Yin Water. I also paired it with some Yin Water items, and it's indeed much more comfortable!"

"You've... expelled the Wutu light?"

Seeing Li Zhouwei nod, Li Ximing praised him, then took the pill formula into his hand and said seriously, "These past few days... I've also read these three pill formulas. Some are difficult, some are easy, and each has its own marvels. I've been trying to refine them using the 'Heavenly Heart, Unified Will' pill refining method..."

"The simplest one, 'Yinmu Precious Body Powder,' which True Man Chihong of Pure Unity mentioned, is actually the least suitable. The 'Profound Shore Spirit Guiding Pill' has a peaceful and radiant essence of life, so it could be tried. The 'Azure Grade Impermeable Pill' emphasizes status the most, subtly containing the Way of Transformation, making it more compatible."

"Even the most suitable 'Azure Grade Impermeable Pill,' when combined with the 'Heavenly Heart, Unified Will' pill refining method, isn't necessarily impossible to achieve... the difficulty lies in..."

This True Man's own injuries hadn't fully healed, yet he had already cast them aside, hesitating as he said, "Because it's an ancient pill refining method, and a grand pill formula I've never refined before, and I also need to alter ancient cultivation techniques to refine a pill that originally combined both essence and life into one that uses essence to supplement life... the certainty... is truly not high. It will likely fail a few times..."

Pill refining failure was not uncommon, but it was the first time Li Ximing had spoken with such uncertainty — once it failed, the spiritual resources invested would definitely be lost, and the auxiliary ingredients used would likely also be wasted.

Li Zhouwei, however, didn't mind. He lowered his gaze to look at the slightly warm jade talisman at his waist. His heart stirred slightly, and he nodded, saying, "There's no rush for this matter. Allow me to go out for a while."