Chapter 972: Rank

The ninety-nine mystic gates of Lingyang Eternal Palace simultaneously shone with golden light, ninety-nine beams of radiance suppressing all. They were like countless eyes suspended around the silver light, converging on a single point.

'It has come to the point where a magical artifact is needed for suppression…'

Yet the Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll seemed to offer no resistance. It merely, again and again, faithfully issued warnings, projecting the various possible future changes, continuously evolving within the confines of the artifact.

He quietly watched the Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll before him, gradually understanding, seemingly realizing why a magical artifact was needed to suppress it. He raised a hand, holding it level upwards, and a ball of silver light emanated from his palm.

The power of derivation.

This item was precisely what the Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll had sensed and caused to appear back then. Its mystic power had manifested within Liu Changdie. Later, within the range of the Immortal Mirror, Lu Jiangxian, sensing the scroll energy, took it from Liu Changdie. He had used it several times, leaving behind only this mere trace.

This mere trace was insufficient for any significant derivation, perhaps only capable of a single fortune-or-misfortune divination. As Lu Jiangxian's cultivation grew higher, he was unwilling to use it for calculating cultivation methods, so he kept it in his hand as a spare, saving it until today.

Now, as he held this star-like, shimmering silver light in his palm, it surged as if boiling. The silver light in the white-haired man's eyes also grew brighter. Relying on the mutual sensing between their scroll energies, the silver light in his hand rapidly changed, revealing a middle-aged man in white robes.

Liu Changdie.

However, the Liu Changdie in the image was pale, with a decaying aura and low cultivation. This was Liu Changdie as deduced by the Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll back then. As mighty magic power and scroll energy surged into it, time began to flow backward, and all images started to rewind.

Finally, it solidified on a young, tender youth. But unlike when Lu Jiangxian had abruptly stopped while reviewing his memories, this image was still rewinding. A silver light could be seen flowing backward from him, traversing numerous obstacles, and reappearing as the scenery of Wanling Heaven.

At this moment, the Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll was nothing like its current subdued appearance. The intense silver light struggled almost frantically, shaking Lingyang Eternal Palace ceaselessly. The ninety-nine mystic gates swung wildly, their spiritual light disturbed, shaking heaven and earth.

But no matter how the Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll struggled, Lingyang Eternal Palace could always suppress it steadily. Yet, for a split second, the silver light flickered and soared, its status suddenly elevating, and it actually escaped from within…

Lu Jiangxian's heart suddenly tightened. As information flooded his mind, various memories surged into his thoughts:

'This is… when that scroll energy was bestowed years ago!'

Back then, the Li family was merely a minor clan in Lijing. Lu Jiangxian had repaired the fragments and, for the first time, bestowed scroll energy upon the Li family, calling it 'Avoiding Death and Prolonging Life'. However, as it was the first scroll energy and his methods and mystic power were insufficient, it had caused reactions from all directions…

'It must have been then…'

The Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll had been suppressed within Wanling Heaven by Lingyang Eternal Palace for an unknown period. This item possessed considerable sentience, calculating and deriving day after day, seeking a way to escape. This sensing caused the Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll to suddenly elevate its status, allowing a mystic essence to escape from Lingyang Eternal Palace!

This mystic essence drifted aimlessly, its destination unknown. It landed on Liu Changdie, deducing future scenarios for him. When it fell into Lu Jiangxian's hands, this mystic essence was not exhausted; there should have been several more opportunities for derivation. Ultimately, it would have led Liu Changdie step by step to advance his cultivation and unveil Wanling Heaven, thereby releasing the Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll!

As a result, its mystic essence was intercepted midway by Lu Jiangxian, and some unknown sect's fate also severed his lineage, causing him to cultivate the 'Sealed Gold'. In the end, it only fulfilled his Violet Palace opportunity, yet also managed to save his life.

But looking at it now, this item should no longer be called the Great Derivation Heavenly Scroll. It has already transformed into a magical artifact, named the Great Derivation Celestial Book!

Just as Lu Jiangxian had sensed back then, the Great Derivation Celestial Book deduces the future, calculates mystic opportunities, traces past and future connections, governs undecided matters, and can also preserve heavenly secrets. More importantly, this item is entangled with the Celestial Marshal Gold Aspect and is greatly related to the Gold Rank, making it truly noteworthy across the world.

From Lu Jiangxian's perspective, this item can be called a 'Celestial Marshal Rank Artifact'.

The term 'Rank Artifact' had been mentioned by the Department of Merits. Even the Li family members had heard of it, knowing the Si family had a connection and remembered the term. They only knew it was an alias for a magical artifact, but not that a 'Rank Artifact' was fundamentally different from a regular magical artifact.

Not everyone possessed a 'Rank Artifact'. It was formed when a great mighty cultivator's own being resonated with a Gold Rank, thereby borrowing a sliver of status from the Great Void. Calling it a magical artifact was less accurate than describing it as a part of the Gold Ranks like 'Fruit', 'Intercalary', and 'Remnant'. Rather than being an item belonging to a True Monarch, it was an item of the Gold Rank itself.

For instance, the Awakening Heart Sword of Lushu. According to Lu Jiangxian's deductions, Du Qing's divine abilities were likely insufficient for him to condense a Lushu Rank Artifact. It should have been when the Feathered Serpent attained enlightenment, ascended to the Lushu position, and, relying on great divine abilities, used its identity as the Lushu Lord as collateral to borrow status from the Lushu Fruit Rank. This was then combined with various heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and even gold aspects, to finally form the Lushu Platform Awakening Heart Sword.

When the Feathered Serpent perished overnight, it was equivalent to the collateral itself disappearing. The Lushu Platform Awakening Heart Sword, as a Rank Artifact, fell into the Lushu Fruit Rank and was never seen again. Naturally, it could not have fallen into the hands of the Dragon Clan.

When Du Qing of Lushu ascended to the position, although he did not possess such great divine abilities to extract status from the Fruit Rank, the Feathered Serpent had already refined it back then. As long as the Lushu Lord's status was held, the Lushu Platform Awakening Heart Sword could be borrowed again.

This item could naturally display great mystic power in Du Qing's hands, but the moment it left his hand, it would immediately vanish into thin air.

And the Great Derivation Celestial Book was precisely like this! It was very likely sealed here by the Celestial Marshal Exalted during his lifetime and had never been moved!

Lu Jiangxian was absolutely certain that as long as the True Monarchs still intended to preserve this type of magical artifact, they would never take the Great Derivation Celestial Book out of Lingyang Eternal Palace! If the Great Derivation Celestial Book had even a moment to breathe, it would immediately fall into the Celestial Marshal's position and disappear forever. To retrieve it again, someone would have to ascend to that position.

'The former master of Wanling Heaven must have suppressed the Great Derivation Celestial Book here precisely to prevent its disappearance!'

Lu Jiangxian clearly understood. The reason the Great Derivation Celestial Book was refined as a Rank Artifact was also a clever trick. The Immortal Mirror's control over scroll energy was terrifyingly strong; only by countering it with an equally high, unsurpassed Gold Rank could it be preserved as a Rank Artifact…

Lu Jiangxian's thoughts gradually became clear, but he cast his gaze towards the power of derivation in his hand.

"The Great Derivation Celestial Book is suppressed by Lingyang Eternal Palace, which is a foregone conclusion," he mused. "Outside the grotto-heaven are True Monarchs… yet they have not taken this item out. I wonder what they are planning!"

He quietly sat within the artifact. The silver light in his hand derived, and relying on the mutual sensing between the scroll energies, all the mystic powers and various profound secrets of the Great Derivation Celestial Book became perfectly clear in his eyes. Even the constantly appearing calculation results surged into his divine consciousness at an immense speed.

'No matter what, the longer this drags on, the better.'

The Great Void.

The radiant long blade remained motionless, yet it pointed like a sharp blade, causing the surging true flames to part and illuminating the man's cold face. His luxurious robes, enveloped by true flames, flowed with radiance, appearing extremely imposing.

But the golden seal in the sky had already descended again!

"Boom!"

Then, mighty true flames poured forth. Li Ximing's Heaven-Visiting Gate emerged, firmly bearing the brunt of the spiritual artifact. But now, he was not alone. The bright long blade abruptly thrust forward, prompting Shi Louyingge to raise his sleeve and wave it with full force:

Heavenly Dou Fire!

Instantly, his entire robe rolled up from bottom to top. The surging flames transformed into the shape of birds, binding the long halberd. But from the depths of the true flames, a light blade leaped out, heading directly for his heart.

"Clang!"

Shi Louyingge showed no surprise. His sleeve opened wide, a light bead leaped out and burst with a bang, bringing down rolling thunder that shattered the light blade. But he did not pursue. Instead, he dispersed into a sheet of true flame, reappearing on the other side with a calm expression.

Li Zhouwei's words were not pleasant to hear, but the reasoning was sound.

Shi Louyingge's action at this moment was originally to demonstrate his stance. Now that the grotto-heaven was about to open, with most Violet Palaces gathered here, it was the perfect timing.

His Gao family needed a life-and-death struggle with the Li clan!

Earlier, by the shore, it was just minor skirmishes. Even when Murong Yan made a move, Shi Louyingge remained inactive. While the Gao family certainly needed to express its stance, the situation was unclear. A fight mandated by the North-South conflict, which couldn't cause fatal injuries, was utterly meaningless.

'Only by truly offending Li Zhouwei, with a life-and-death threat, can we truly sever ties with Wei Li!'

The plan laid out back then was unfortunately missed due to unforeseen circumstances. The Murong family had warned repeatedly. He understood how dangerous his own Balie King's pro-Li stance was and how awkward his situation was when forced south back then. The desire in his heart to express his stance was that much stronger. The only places where this could truly be achieved were either now or within the grotto-heaven!

'If the Gao family wishes not to become a sacrifice in the coming great trend, and to have a hope for further advancement, it must truly become a blade—even if it means becoming another form of sacrifice… it's better than the entire clan being annihilated.'

He couldn't guarantee that the two Li family members would enter the grotto-heaven, so he boldly attacked, precisely to force Li Zhouwei to show himself! He had already prepared himself: even if Li Zhouwei didn't appear, Shi Louyingge would rather forgo the grotto-heaven's opportunity than fail to severely injure Li Ximing and cut off his thoughts.

But as the man before him spoke, though his words carried a strong hint of mockery, what needed to be made clear had already been openly communicated to him:

'Li Zhouwei will enter the grotto-heaven, and the matter can be fully resolved within the grotto-heaven!'

Wanling Heaven was extraordinary, probably the most precious in many years; a single treasure could even be worth a century of effort. Shi Louyingge naturally didn't want to miss such an opportunity. His heart was slightly complicated, and the true flames behind him slowly receded. Yet the commotion within the Great Void grew more intense. Streaks of purple light fell, and many cultivators were already attempting to enter.

Shi Louyingge quietly looked at him and said softly:

"You and I will contend for supremacy within the grotto-heaven."

Purple-gold light was converging, while crimson light receded like a tide, falling into the grotto-heaven. The long halberd spun once and hung suspended in the void. Li Zhouwei withdrew his gaze and looked at Li Ximing beside him:

"I've implicated you, Uncle."

Li Ximing shook his head repeatedly. Never mind the embarrassment the man just caused him; just seeing Li Zhouwei, his mood brightened, and he smiled:

"What are you talking about!"

He then took a step forward and looked him up and down.

He saw that the man before him had an even more majestic appearance and aura. A faint, pale iridescent light subtly enveloped his body. Most importantly, two faint golden lights were subtly swirling!

Even though he had received the news via a jade talisman long ago, he still couldn't help but smile widely at this moment. And indeed, he saw Li Zhouwei smile and say:

"This junior has fortunately succeeded!"

At this moment, two colors intertwined within Li Zhouwei's Ascending Yang Palace. Two shimmering rainbow lights, a confluence of gold and white, already signified two divine abilities. Besides the golden-yellow blended Heaven-Visiting Gate, there was also a pure white, snow-like divine ability, precisely the Supreme Radiance Profound Extremity Dharma Body divine ability—'Lord Who Treads Danger'!

'Lord Who Treads Danger', as a Dharma Body divine ability of the Mingyang path, was extremely compatible with Li Zhouwei's situation and characteristics. Once successfully cultivated, it radiated boundless light. Unlike formless Dharma Body divine abilities such as 'Thousand Bodies' or 'Cave Spring Sound', which disperse and gather, its essence was the divine ability imbuing the body, allowing for powerful enemy-breaking capabilities!

Li Zhouwei estimated that his Dharma Body might have already reached the Maha level, and if the Dharma Body divine ability were perfected, it would be an even greater advancement.

The preciousness of 'Lord Who Treads Danger' lay in its 'treading danger'!

If he were besieged, the more dangerous his situation and the more formidable the enemies surrounding him, the more terrifying the divine ability's enhancement would be. Li Zhouwei could even sense the White Qilin's destiny, potentially adding nearly ninety percent more power to 'Lord Who Treads Danger'…

Conversely, for the cultivators besieging him, it would be better if they could suppress him more and more severely, even to the point of killing him. If he managed to escape and 'treading danger' was successfully achieved, the more additional effects 'Lord Who Treads Danger' gained, the faster all injuries sustained in this battle would heal!

Aside from powerful combat enhancements, 'Lord Who Treads Danger' also had the ability to adapt to changes and return to the right path. This aligns with what is mentioned in the 'Body Suppressing Tiger Gate Treasure Scripture': "Those who tread danger contemplate deeply, while those who dwell in peace become careless." Whenever he was interfered with by illusionary spells or similar techniques during a charge, he could suddenly break free and return to the right path.

'It's a pity this divine ability is only useful during a charge…'

Furthermore, the Dharma Body divine ability's characteristic of enhancing flight and Great Void traversal speed also came into play. Though not as significant as those ever-changing Dharma Body divine abilities, having just been refined, it only provided less than a half-percent increase.

But just as the Heaven-Visiting Gate had the drawback of being cumbersome, 'Lord Who Treads Danger' also had its shortcomings. This Dharma Body excelled at enduring cumulative and entangling injuries, but it was disadvantaged against explosive critical damage like sword intent, sharp gold, or thunder. What it feared most was prolonged combat, especially being delayed by confinement, clones, dispersion, or illusions…

The remaining various large and small mystic phenomena, such as the increased power of Supreme Radiance Prostrate Light, need not be elaborated upon. Most were beneficial in combat cultivation, yet they granted Li Zhouwei countless insights and significantly advanced his cultivation.

The two exchanged glances. They originally intended to chat a bit more, but the vibrations in the Great Void grew more intense with each passing moment, causing both to involuntarily shift their gaze. Li Ximing hurriedly took out a few elixirs he had obtained recently from his sleeve and quickly thrust them into Li Zhouwei's hand:

"Go quickly… We can talk about everything later when you return. Just be careful inside!"

Li Zhouwei said no more. He cupped his hands slightly, his eyes sparkling:

"This junior will go first!"

He then rode the celestial light, transforming into a streak of light and darting inside. Li Ximing secretly sighed in relief, but his heart also grew vigilant as he looked around:

"I don't know if Tian Wan has activated the Crimson Snow lineage. I can't let her sneak off with it!"

Then he heard a commotion in the Great Void, and the woman in light blue robes leaped out again. Kuang Yu's face held considerable indignation as she said:

"That Shi fellow looks down on people!"

Li Ximing's eyes lit up. He asked:

"Daoist, aren't you going in to seek treasure?"

Kuang Yu's pretty face clearly showed a hint of temptation, but she gritted her teeth and simply said:

"The Xin Yu Archipelago cannot manage without me… and I absolutely cannot get injured. Outside, it's fine; I fancy myself to have some ability and can join in the fun with most things. But inside the grotto-heaven, it would be troublesome."

Li Ximing mused. He was already somewhat wary of going alone and letting Tian Wan get any ideas. Recalling that the person before him was no better than those from Crimson Reef Island, he was secretly delighted and smiled:

"If that's the case, Daoist, would you be willing to come with me? There will be elixirs as compensation."

"Oh?"

Kuang Yu raised an eyebrow. Her appearance was slightly different from a Jiangnan woman, with a touch more cuteness. Her originally dark eyes, under the glow, surprisingly showed hints of blue-purple. She said with eyes full of laughter:

"Oh? Does Grand Alchemist have a use for this humble one?"

"You're truly flattering me!"

She was a playful person. Li Ximing shook his head awkwardly and spoke of Tian Wan's matter, half-concealing it and not mentioning the Crimson Snow lineage. But he saw the woman's eyes light up instantly, reacting even more enthusiastically than him, saying:

"Oh, yes, yes…"

Kuang Yu chuckled mischievously. She then replied:

"Her family's lineage is a foolish one. But she doesn't cultivate Twin Flames. Although she considers herself superior, who knows what tricks she has up her sleeve? It's naturally better to be careful… I'll cover your back, Daoist!"