Chapter 683: Divine Powers

Divine powers are the fruit of a vast Dao foundation, nurtured by the immortal foundation. They permeate from the Sea of Qi, ascending to the Yang Summit. Through the twelve layers of boundless illusions, the Juque, Sea of Qi, and Yang Summit become enlightened. Consequently, the Yang Summit Sanctuary ascends into the Great Void, severing mortal ties and dispelling material forms.

For six days, Li Ximing meditated, seated atop a jade pillar. Several jade slips lay before him. The Li family's lineage, though not extensive, mostly comprised profound teachings bestowed by immortal artifacts, invaluable for study and reference.

The 'Scripture of Brilliant Primordial Radiance' describes the Violet Palace as: "Fire ascending within the heart, Yang brightness pervading inside and out."The 'Scripture of Heavenly Separation and Sunset' states: "Concealing the heart's fire, the sun setting in the southern brightness, thereby governing all under heaven from the south."The 'Golden Book of Extraordinary Phenomena' is even more concise, simply stating: "Ultimate transformation of material nature."

These were all Daoist methods for the Violet Palace Golden Core path. Li Ximing, preparing to attempt the Violet Palace breakthrough, paid close attention to such information. When Kong Heng was still alive, Li Ximing had specifically sought his advice.

Kong Heng had said:"Attaining perfection according to one's desires, experiencing infinite light, immediately verifying Mahayana, acquiring divine powers, entering the state of liberation. Wherever transformations occur, one follows to transform; wherever one resides, one diligently protects."

While different lineages had their unique manifestations, the methods for breaking through to the Violet Palace Golden Core mostly shared similarities: forging the immortal foundation to surge towards the Yang Summit, traversing the twelve layers, and overcoming boundless illusions.

It sounded simple, but the step of propelling the immortal foundation to the Yang Summit alone was enough to halt ninety percent of cultivators.

Though Violet Palace cultivation techniques varied, once the immortal foundation stirred and began its upward journey from the Sea of Qi acupoint, entering the Yinjiao and Shenque, it signified an ascent of one's entire cultivation. There was absolutely no turning back. Therefore, failure to break through to the Violet Palace typically resulted in immediate death, leaving no room for recovery.

Along this upward path, one first had to illuminate the Juque acupoint, then ascend further into the Yang Summit. If one's magical power reserves were insufficient, the immortal foundation's grade too low, or one's mastery of Daoist techniques lacking, leading to excessive depletion, one would perish immediately, exhausted before even reaching the Yang Summit.

Li Encheng and others, who hastily attempted breakthroughs after only a few years of seclusion, failed and transformed into celestial phenomena, falling at this very stage—they collapsed at the first hurdle.

"Those who perished at this stage would have had their cultivation dispersed long ago. Although the celestial phenomena were vast, they dissipated like smoke, yielding no precious spiritual treasures."

If one successfully ascended into the Yang Summit, divine powers would then manifest. The higher the immortal foundation's grade, the more secret techniques cultivated, and the deeper one's understanding of the Dao, the easier it would be to manifest these powers. This process was not long, typically around six years.

Failure to refine divine powers was the most common stumbling block for rogue cultivators and clan cultivators. Their lower foundation grades, fewer secret techniques, and less profound understanding of the Dao often led to their swift demise.

Finally, if one could manifest divine powers within the Yang Summit and then use these powers to propel the Yang Summit Sanctuary into the Great Void, treating the mortal body as nothing, the immortal path called this 'severing mortal ties and dispelling material forms.' For Buddhist cultivators, it meant propelling the Yang Summit into the Pure Land, achieving the stage of non-regression.

To enter the Great Void, one must first experience a state of profound oblivion, forgetting both self and objects. Often, cultivators become lost in this state, unable to return, possibly breaking free in a few days or remaining motionless for decades. Crucially, the mortal ties would already be severed, rendering them completely unaware, even stagnating until their lifespan ended. The varying times it took to break through to the Violet Palace stemmed from this stage.

Ning Wan and Yang Tianya most likely stalled at this point. While Ning Wan's situation was unclear, according to rumors, Yang Tianya was almost certainly in a state of oblivion, nearing the end of his lifespan, with no hope of recovery.

Achieving success at this stage meant one had already attained half the characteristics of a Violet Palace cultivator. If one were to perish, the resulting celestial phenomenon might either shroud a single area with abundant spiritual treasures or affect several prefectures, turning into a natural disaster.

When the Old Ancestor Yuan Licheng of the Yuan family failed his breakthrough in the past, everyone sighed. Continuous rain shrouded several prefectures. Even with the Azure Pond's methods to prolong the phenomenon, its intrinsic power was not to be underestimated; this was one such instance.

Only after piercing through the state of oblivion would one have the chance to face boundless illusions. With divine powers held within, the illusions would last but a moment. Failing to overcome them meant the complete dissipation of cultivation; succeeding meant achieving the Violet Palace upon emerging from seclusion.

"This is the situation now. In ancient cultivation, one would also face the Three Calamities. After overcoming these, individuals from the Thunder Palace would be waiting, one controlling lightning, one stirring clouds, to unleash profound thunder to kill evil. Even if one lived peacefully, it was inevitable to have inadvertently caused harm, and all those hardships would have to be repaid..."

These tribulations no longer needed to be overcome. Otherwise, given Li Ximing's combat abilities, it would be uncertain whether he could have survived.

He merely reviewed the critical points, put away the jade slips, and retrieved a vermilion brush from his storage bag. Using his magical power as ink, he infused it into the brush. Instantly, a brilliant light shone, and Li Ximing mused:

"With the Violet Radiance Pill given to me by my master, I won't fall at the first hurdle. If I pass away in meditation, there should be many spiritual treasures."

He pondered for a long time, estimating the scene of his potential demise. Casually, he set up a formation to encircle the jade pillar, then stood beside it and began to write with his brush.

"The city walls of the Great Desert have crumbled, and gathering qi is especially difficult. If I die, heavenly light will gather, sand and smoke will billow, and brilliant essence will overflow. I have specially bound these with a formation, for the benefit of future generations."

"Li Ximing, a descendant of the Li clan."

He put down the brush, flew to the top of the jade pillar, joined two fingers, and gently drew a circle on its summit.

Although the jade pillar was of high quality, it wasn't particularly robust. With that one stroke, a small circular groove instantly appeared in the center of its top. Li Ximing blew away the jade dust, then retrieved a small golden-red ring from his sleeve.

This small ring, no thicker than a pinky finger, was neither gold nor silver, emitting a misty red glow. Li Ximing placed it, embedding it within the circular groove he had just drawn.

It was precisely the Sun-Gazing Ring!

The material and grade of this treasure were unknown, but it was at least an ancient artifact of bright yang. Li Ximing specifically took it out and placed it at his seclusion spot, hoping it might serve as a good omen.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, then took out an ink-colored jade box from his sleeve and placed it firmly on the table. Inside, it held a fingernail-sized white stone, shimmering brightly like smoke and mist.

"Bright Quadrant Celestial Stone!"

This spiritual object was used to condense divine powers. Li Ximing dared not look too long, simply taking out the Violet Radiance Pill with five golden veins and placing it on the table alongside the stone.

He consumed a calming pill and settled onto the meditation cushion beneath the jade pillar, allowing the surrounding light and shadow to intertwine. After three months of breathing regulation, he finally opened his eyes, which held only serenity.

Hum.

The clean white jade vase on the table vibrated, its mouth tilted, and a round pill flew out.

Li Ximing enveloped the pill with his magical power to prevent its efficacy from dissipating. However, the Violet Radiance Pill, forged from multiple precious herbs, shone brilliantly upon release, as if a small sun had risen, illuminating the entire Mount Wu.

He swallowed the Violet Radiance Pill, feeling a surge of warmth penetrate his Sea of Qi.

Within the Sea of Qi, bright magical power surged, a golden-white expanse with white qi swirling. A radiant fortress stood there, built of white bricks, with exquisite battlements. All seventy-two ridges on its corner towers gleamed, like a heavenly gate, its white base adorned with numerous dazzling patterns.

As this sun-like Violet Radiance Pill descended into the Sea of Qi, the power of bright yang rained down, instantly filling the entire Sea of Qi and submerging everything in golden light.

Rumble!

Fortunately, the Primordial Radiance Pass, being an immortal foundation meant to suppress the Dao, reacted immediately. This radiant fortress seemed enraged, leaping from above the Sea of Qi to suppress the sun-like Violet Radiance Pill, maintaining its form.

"Good."

This saved Li Ximing from having to distract himself with suppression. Inside the Sea of Qi, bright yang magical power surged like a mountain torrent into his limbs and bones. Ignoring the swelling pain in his meridians and Sea of Qi, heavenly light erupted from his mouth as he formed hand seals.

"Ascend the Immortal Foundation!"

The incantations and mental techniques of the Violet Palace cultivation method activated simultaneously. The Primordial Radiance Pass, radiating boundless heavenly light within the Sea of Qi acupoint, began to shake. Its treasure steps grew increasingly bright, and a sense of great fortune and joy emanated from the immortal foundation, transforming into golden light that surged above the Sea of Qi.

For ordinary cultivators, the immortal foundation leaving the Sea of Qi was already a sign of impending death. Even with the suppressing mental techniques and incantations of the Violet Palace method, the entire Sea of Qi still weakened as if deflating. Magical power poured out through the opening, propelling the Primordial Radiance Pass, and rapidly thinning.

As the Primordial Radiance Pass departed, the suppressed Violet Radiance Pill reignited, and brilliant light rained down once more, revitalizing the entire Sea of Qi.

*Thanks to this precious pill!*

The Violet Radiance Pill was forged from two bright yang precious herbs, supplemented by nearly a hundred bright yang spiritual items, allowing it to consistently keep the Sea of Qi full. Without this pill, Li Ximing would likely be drenched in sweat, overdrawing his essence to propel the immortal foundation...

But with this Violet Radiance Pill, Li Ximing only needed to steadily guide the immortal foundation upwards step by step!

He calmed his mind, focusing all his attention on the immortal foundation. He was completely unaware of the changing light and shadows outside. After an unknown period, he finally felt his vision brighten, realizing the immortal foundation had pushed into a vast, hazy expanse.

"Juque Palace!"

The three key locations of the Violet Palace Golden Core path, from top to bottom, were the Yang Summit, Juque, and Sea of Qi. After the six wheels merged, the Juque became hazy, and only the Sea of Qi could be internally observed from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment.

Rumble!

The bright yang power from the Violet Radiance Pill seemed to find an outlet, surging into this vast area. The magical power in the Sea of Qi was rapidly emptied, with nearly half converging into the Juque Palace.

As the Primordial Radiance Pass flew in, the haze before Li Ximing's eyes was finally illuminated by heavenly light. He saw a landscape of pure white, with snow-like drifts scattered throughout the Juque Palace, and at its center, a high platform surrounded by clusters.

Upon this high platform, a bright, spherical object floated.

*Talisman Seed?!*

Li Ximing had never imagined this object would be in his Juque Palace. Subconsciously, he looked down at his Sea of Qi.

The Violet Radiance Pill in the Sea of Qi was already consumed, leaving only a thin layer of magical power. At the bottom of the Sea of Qi, that round, bright talisman seed lay quietly.

*There's one in the Sea of Qi too? Is it the same one?*

This was not the time for deep investigation, and Li Ximing had no leisure to ponder. After a brief rest, the Primordial Radiance Pass once more departed the Juque Palace, soaring upwards.

At this point, having finally lost the assistance of the Violet Radiance Pill, Li Ximing was left to propel the immortal foundation alone, like carrying a heavy cauldron. Cold sweat immediately beaded on his face, and his shoulders felt chilled.

Yet, he was already far better off than other cultivators; his starting point had shifted from the Sea of Qi to the Juque. But for someone like Chi Zhiyun, there would likely still be one or two pills similar to the Violet Radiance Pill available to consume, pushing them straight up to the Yang Summit in one go.

It wasn't that Li Ximing had no other pills to take; rather, if he divided his attention, the immortal foundation would fall. The replenishment from ordinary pills wouldn't even compensate for the loss incurred by distraction. Li Ximing estimated that at least a treasure-grade medicine would be required...

*My family isn't without precious medicines... it's just that no one has ever broken through to the Violet Palace, so the exact details are unknown...*

Cold sweat dripped from his face. This period was far more grueling than before. The journey was arduous; the twelve layers were like twelve steps, and he had to stride forward while carrying a heavy cauldron, pushing him to the point of bleeding from his seven orifices.

After an unknown duration, Li Ximing felt his vision darken, then finally saw a faint light ahead, revealing a small mansion atop a sea.

Here, the seawater was clear and emerald, lotus flowers bloomed, and twelve white bridges spanned the banks. In the sky, white light shimmered, and upon closer inspection, the sun shining brightly in the heavens was precisely the talisman seed!

*There truly is one in the Yang Summit Sanctuary! That's not bad... the three sanctuaries are crucial secrets of immortal cultivation, how could one be favored over another!*

Li Ximing had no time for a closer look. Brilliant light rushed in, causing the seawater to churn and overturning several lotus flowers. He felt dizzy and disoriented, unable to resist spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Pffft!

He quickly swallowed the remaining blood, knowing he had sustained serious injuries, yet his heart was filled with joy.

*Finally, I'm up!*

With the aid of the Violet Radiance Pill, he had merely suffered some severe injuries, far from being completely exhausted. He concentrated on circulating his magical power, his hands forming various seals, and positioned the Primordial Radiance Pass within the Yang Summit Sanctuary.

This light made his mind feel warm and his spiritual consciousness extremely comfortable, yet his body presented a stark contrast, as weak as a mortal's, as if he might perish at any moment.

He dared not delay. While the Primordial Radiance Pass was stabilized, requiring little additional magical power, he forced his eyelids open.

His vision was dim; he could see nothing clearly. Li Ximing probed with his spiritual consciousness, then used his remaining magical power to lift the jade box. The thumb-sized white stone flew up and gently adhered to his glabella.

The Bright Quadrant Celestial Stone immediately came alive, wriggling twice like an insect. Fine, dense scales appeared on its surface before it burrowed into his glabella, piercing skin and flesh, and entering the Yang Summit Sanctuary.

The Primordial Radiance Pass was suspended in mid-air when the Bright Quadrant Celestial Stone flew in. The Primordial Radiance Pass immediately settled, all seventy-two ridges on its corner towers gleaming brightly and dazzlingly.

"...Sensing the seventy-two profound attributes of Bright Yang, I now seek the inner Bright Yang through the outer Bright Yang, seek life through nature. Thousands of divine officials, all come to protect me. Divine light shines within, pure and bright spiritual light. The five decays and five calamities, hereby dissolve..."

He recited the mental technique, and the Primordial Radiance Pass in the sky began to shake violently:

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death shall no longer invade. Nature and life shall be eternally secured, and my vows shall perpetually continue!"

The Primordial Radiance Pass shook with increasing intensity. Vast white qi flowed down like water, and two golden, intricately carved heavenly lanterns lit up on its corner towers. The luminous steps shimmered one by one.

The Bright Quadrant Celestial Stone evaporated like white qi, all of it surging into the immortal foundation. Li Ximing's mind was filled with an endless expanse of brilliant light, and the incantations and mental techniques he recited, along with the hand seals he formed, changed one after another.

After an unknown period, he vaguely saw white qilin leaping and white cicadas chirping between heaven and earth. The heavenly pass shattered, layers of white bricks crumbling like broken tiles, while in the center, colorful light floated, swirling and soaring.

Li Ximing felt a wave of profound drowsiness flood his mind. A hazy state of oblivion enveloped his consciousness, as if he was about to fall asleep but wasn't, or had woken up only to fall back asleep. His vision turned a dull grey.

Within the Yang Summit Sanctuary, everything came to a standstill. The seawater no longer rippled, the lotus flowers no longer bloomed, and the colorful light solidified in place. Everything ceased movement, frozen in suspended animation.

However, the sun in the sky paused, casting down a cool, watery light.