Chapter 108: The Mysterious Power of Thirty-Nine
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In Lu Xin’s eyes, towering hundreds of feet into the night sky, the transformed divine image of Li Chunfeng—three heads, six arms, glowing entirely with a blue light—was still locked in fierce combat with Ouyang Tianming. The dense, human-shaped moonlight figures from before had completely vanished. This was a kind of supernatural power that merged god and heaven, body and earth. Normally, only Yin-Yang masters who had reached the Heavenly Realm could comprehend such a technique; it was one of Ouyang Tianming’s most powerful moves.
Yet, even after unleashing this ultimate strike, Ouyang Tianming’s aura noticeably weakened. As the leader of the Nine Venom Sect and a descendant of ancient ghost arts, he possessed cultivation at the Divine Realm, but he could not suppress a junior at the Returning Micro Realm. This frustration and anger were evident.
“Li Chunfeng! What cultivation method do you practice that can fuse the essence of the sun and moon into a divine demon form? This is a technique of the ancient Qi-refiners, long lost to time!”
Before that three-headed, six-armed divine image, Ouyang Tianming appeared as insignificant as an ant. Yet, with his Divine Realm cultivation enveloped in nine-colored clouds, impervious to all laws and able to move at will, he remained formidable.
At this moment, Li Chunfeng no longer resembled a mere human. Standing a hundred feet tall, his face was majestic, his features carved like with knives and swords. His six arms wielded a long blade, a magic sword, a bell, and a golden tower. The remaining two fists struck the void, causing ripples that echoed throughout Chang’an.
Such a sight was usually only seen in temples or ancient texts. But whether statues in temples or illustrations in books, they were lifeless. Even the most imposing clay gods could not harm anyone.
“With such transformation, how is this different from a deity? Xuan Cheng, you are well-read and knowledgeable of ancient and modern times—do you know what this supernatural power is? If common folk were to see this, I, as emperor, would lose all authority!”
On the tower, Emperor Taizong of Tang fixed his gaze on the colossal divine image, his tone grim and his expression dark to the extreme. Li Chunfeng’s transformation was truly shocking. Ordinary people had little discernment and would surely believe such a figure to be a god descending to earth. Though Li Chunfeng fought for the Tang court, as emperor, Taizong saw this display of divine power as a threat to his rule.
“Your Majesty,” Wei Zheng, noticing the emperor’s question, frowned deeply and looked up at the night sky with equal astonishment. He had just met Li Chunfeng and knew him to be powerful but was unaware that someone at the Returning Micro Realm could resist a Divine Realm sect leader.
“If I am not mistaken, this is an ancient Daoist technique called the Divine Demon Form, also known as the Three-Nine Profound Skill. It uses the essence of the sun and moon as its source, refining the quintessence of the five elements, projecting the soul outward, and manifesting a three-headed, six-armed divine demon figure. Fundamentally, this method is a way of merging the spirit with heaven and earth. Though lost in later times, it was not unusual before the ancient era. Additionally, this person serves the court. I have met him before; he is reasonable, Your Majesty need not worry.”
“The Three-Nine Profound Skill?”
Emperor Taizong furrowed his brow, his mood still sour. For an emperor, the safety of a city was far less important than his own authority. He would not easily drop his suspicions based on Wei Zheng’s few words.
Beside him, Tan Zongxiao understood the emperor’s concerns well. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.
“Your Majesty, before the ancient era, Daoism controlled the three realms of heaven, earth, and humanity. Countless five-element techniques and immortal arts existed. Among them, the Eight-Nine Profound Skill cultivated the body, granting myriad transformations and immense strength. The Three-Nine Profound Skill cultivates the soul, allowing one to transcend heaven and earth with a majestic divine form. Both are immortal arts, but only fragments remain in later ages. It seems this person has mastered only part of it, not the full Eight-Nine Profound Skill; otherwise, he would have already advanced to the Divine Realm.”
“Before the ancient era? Immortal master, do you mean the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?”
Tan Zongxiao’s words finally eased Emperor Taizong’s furrowed brow. The emperor withdrew his gaze and looked toward the giant serpent outside the imperial city. Tan Zongxiao nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
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“I have read some ancient texts. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, along with even earlier figures like Nüwa, Fuxi, and Shennong, were all masters of transformation who ascended to godhood, immortal and ageless. I, as a human emperor, have never seen a true god. Tell me, is there truly an immortal realm beyond heaven and earth where one can live forever?”
“This…”
The emperor’s sudden question left both Wei Zheng and Tan Zongxiao speechless. They exchanged glances and shook their heads, no one daring to answer.
Who in the world does not desire immortality? Who does not wish for eternal youth? Especially those in high positions fear death most of all. Throughout history, countless emperors and ministers have exhausted all means seeking the elixir of life. Though emperors enjoy unsurpassed glory and command the world, their lives are but brief decades—who would be content? Wei Zheng and Tan Zongxiao understood the emperor’s meaning but had neither answers nor the courage to speak.
“The Three-Nine Profound Skill and the Divine Demon Form? This man has truly great destiny!”
Meanwhile, above the Wuben Workshop, Shangguan Yunyi suddenly looked up at the sky in shock. Before she could speak, a burst of golden light exploded from her chest, sweeping over her entire body. The massive shadow she had conjured vanished instantly. As the shadow disappeared, thousands of flowing lights condensed back into the Red Dust Sword, automatically merging into Shangguan Yunyi’s body. The Purple Clear Immortal who had ignited the slaughter in Chang’an closed her eyes and fell from the void.
“Yuan Tiangang, I will remember you. If you dare harm my disciple, I will make your life worse than death!”
“Hahaha… The Thousand-Hand Nun has quite the temper. Rest assured, your disciple was merely misled and became a scapegoat. I understand the rights and wrongs well enough; no need for your warnings.”
Yuan Tiangang laughed heartily, caught Shangguan Yunyi’s body, and landed before the Baifu Inn. Kong Wen, seeing Shangguan Yunyi unconscious, hurried over anxiously.
“Don’t worry, she only collapsed from exhaustion. There’s no serious harm.”
“Thank you, Immortal Master, for your mercy. I did not expect Yunyi to do something so reckless… sigh!”
“Hahaha, it’s nothing. Among the six flavors and five skandhas of mortal life, the hardest to let go is love. For us cultivators, the most challenging to see through is also love. The Thousand-Hand Nun once broke ties with her entire sect for her beloved—how magnificent! And now her disciple would go against the entire Tang court for you. To meet someone who loves you so deeply in a lifetime is truly a blessing.”
“Immortal Master, you…”
Kong Wen trembled after hearing Yuan Tiangang’s words, his expression extremely complicated. Yet Yuan Tiangang ignored him, laughing and gazing into the heavens.
“You have cultivated your qi through study to the point of transforming the Hetu and Luoshu diagrams. How can you not understand? Some things you cannot avoid; some people you cannot let go. If so, why resist? You say she is too attached, but what about your own attachments? Otherwise, how could she be so easily manipulated to almost commit murder and offend the entire Tang court for you?”
With that, Yuan Tiangang vanished in a flash. Two breaths later, he appeared hundreds of feet above, fighting alongside Li Chunfeng against Ouyang Tianming. Seeing this, Ouyang Tianming roared in fury, transforming into a black mist and fleeing northwest.
As he left, the giant serpent outside the palace dove underground and vanished without a trace. On Vermilion Bird Avenue, only two enormous craters and patches of white mucus remained. The temple’s people wanted to pursue but were stopped by the Shadow Dragon Guards present.
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“By imperial order, you are to swiftly guard the Xuanwu Gate without error.”
“Guard Xuanwu Gate? Who are you to issue false imperial orders? Such an offense is punishable by extermination of nine clans.”
Though the temple had over twenty people, the seven Shadow Dragon Guards present would not obey their commands. The temple, as the court’s sole external Yin-Yang institution, was arrogant and unaware of the Shadow Dragon Guards’ existence.
“By imperial order, you will guard the Xuanwu Gate immediately. Defiance will be met with execution.”
“Heh, still coming? I’ve just finished stretching. If you want to fight, I’m game. Stop with the fake imperial orders.”
As a brawl was about to break out, a figure suddenly flew out from one of the craters, landing coldly before the temple group. Upon closer look, it was the long-missing Wei Tunyun. The chief steward’s face was extremely grim, his gaze icy. The temple members lowered their heads in fear.
“Have you all gone deaf? Want to rebel against the emperor?”
“We dare not, Chief Steward, please calm down.”
“Hmph, follow me to Xuanwu Gate at once.”
Wei Tunyun swept his sleeves coldly and led the temple group away. The seven Shadow Dragon Guards disappeared into the darkness as well. The street returned to calm.
After about ten breaths, Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang both descended, standing before Vermilion Bird Gate.
They nodded to each other, exchanging a steady gaze. Li Chunfeng’s lips twitched slightly, a smile of unreadable depth. Yuan Tiangang remained expressionless, his face set.
After a long silence, Li Chunfeng turned and looked south, breaking the stillness.
“The Ghost Constellation Star Eyes are indeed the most mysterious pair in heaven and earth. Since you are the successor of Xuanweizi, you must have seen through the fate of the Tang dynasty. Why then involve yourself in Chang’an’s chaos?”
“You jest. The Tang was newly established, and the Li family’s father and son only pacified this turmoil for a few years—far from settled. Moreover, all things are ever-changing; who can truly see through everything? You, on the other hand, have mastered the Three-Nine Profound Skill, absorbing the essence of sun and moon without reaching the Divine Realm. Such power may be too great for the Tang court’s humble temple.”