DiploNovel Chapter 366 : Fifth-Tier Origin Talisman
Chapter 366 : Fifth-Tier Origin Talisman
Qingming Peak, Water Evolution Residence.Chen Beiwu slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and ended a night of cultivation.
Beside him, Golden Egg wore a solemn expression. Its three pairs of dragon eyes remained fixed on the “Tianyi Beiming Myriad-Manifestation Dao Record” — Return-to-Truth Chapter, as if urging its divine sense forward to carefully comprehend the profound immortal arts contained within the jade slip.
Yet Chen Beiwu’s gaze shifted slightly. He noticed Golden Egg’s dragon eyes looked somewhat unfocused, so he instinctively extended his right hand and waved it back and forth before its face in testing.
‘As expected, it fell asleep again!’
Chen Beiwu shook his head slightly, revealing a smile that said it was only to be expected.
As its cultivation years increased, Golden Egg was no longer timid. It even possessed a kind of newborn-calf fearlessness, daring to clash with any opponent it encountered.
But beneath that boldness, the laziness in its bones still remained.
Calmly cultivating, comprehending cultivation methods, tempering one’s state of mind?
To Golden Egg, when faced with immortal arts and treasure techniques that were difficult to understand, it simply used the most straightforward and crude method—devouring them with the Three-Phase Mysterious Ability. There was no need to expend effort in comprehension.
Thus, every time it studied the “Tianyi Beiming Myriad-Manifestation Dao Record,” it would grow drowsy halfway through, keeping its three pairs of dragon eyes open in pretense of comprehension while secretly sleeping.
‘Forget it. Excess is as bad as deficiency. It can be adjusted slowly in the future.’
Chen Beiwu did not wake it. Instead, he extended his divine sense toward the medicinal field in the rear courtyard.
There, a petite figure moved busily among various spiritual herbs, occasionally reaching out to remove withered yellow leaves, occasionally tilting a watering pot to pour specially prepared spiritual liquid for irrigation.
After finishing the cultivation work, the Five Qi Vine nodded in satisfaction, a smile appearing on its face.
To the Five Qi Vine, cultivation meant not only inhaling and exhaling the spiritual mechanism of heaven and earth to increase its cultivation years, but also planting spiritual and precious herbs—transforming heavenly materials and earthly treasures into nourishment to enhance its bloodline.
‘Not bad. The little one is still the most reassuring.’
Chen Beiwu nodded slightly and extended his divine sense toward Iron Egg in the alchemy room.
At this moment, Iron Egg lay quietly on the ground. With each inhalation through its nostrils, the Fire-Suppressing Mysterious Lamp before it flickered faintly, releasing a thread of incomparably pure exotic flame origin that entered its body.
The entire refining process was orderly and steady. It did not resemble the refinement of a dangerously volatile exotic flame at all, but rather an ordinary session of daily breathing cultivation.
“Buzz.”
Suddenly, Iron Egg’s aura surged explosively. It instinctively circulated the “Crimson Radiance Nine Luminaries Sun-Devouring Nirvana Scripture.” The exotic flame origin spewing from the Fire-Suppressing Mysterious Lamp transformed from a gentle stream into an overwhelmingly torrential flood.
‘Good. Its aura is still rising.’
With a thought, Chen Beiwu activated Azure Abyss Treading the Void and appeared inside the alchemy room to guard Iron Egg.
Heaven-and-earth exotic flames were already rare and difficult to obtain.
Even the incomplete-origin Soul-Settling Flame, once fully refined, was enough for Iron Egg to break through its realm barrier and advance its cultivation years further.
Seven hundred ninety-nine years!
Eight hundred fifteen years!
Eight hundred eighty-eight years!
As the inner core within Iron Egg’s body spun ceaselessly, radiating flickering brilliance, the vast spiritual mechanism permeating heaven and earth began to gradually subside.
“Woof!”
At the same time, spiritual light burst forth from the vertical eye on Iron Egg’s forehead. Its entire skeletal frame trembled as it gathered all refined exotic flame origin into its brow, forming a crimson mysterious mark like a burning star.
This crimson mark complemented its vertical eye, lending Iron Egg several degrees of added majesty.
As Iron Egg’s cultivation years soared, Chen Beiwu also activated his divine sense to probe its law meridian.
[Mysterious Ability]: Crimson Radiance Nirvana Flame
[Attribute]: Fire
[Grade]: Fourth-Tier Peerless (Growth-Type)
[Description]: This mysterious ability originated from the eighteenth exalted position of the Yuqing Thirty-Six Departments Primordial Immortal Arts—“Crimson Radiance Nine Luminaries Sun-Devouring Nirvana Scripture.”
Taking the immortal art as foundation, comprehending the true principles of Crimson Radiance’s cycle of life and extinction, condensing a Crimson Radiance fire seed, one may nurture the Crimson Radiance Nirvana Flame capable of burning heaven, boiling seas, and evolving all flames.
Note: Using the Crimson Radiance Nirvana Flame as foundation and walking the path of Nine Luminaries Sun-Devouring, forging the Great Heavenly Pure Prison Form, one may achieve the Nine Luminaries Venerable Body and attain the Fifth-Realm Beast Sovereign.
Perceiving the information of this innate mysterious ability, Chen Beiwu was slightly stunned.
Unlike the Third-Tier Upper-Grade Treasure Technique [Sun-Devouring Flame Refinement], Crimson Radiance Nirvana Flame was undoubtedly a growth-type bloodline mysterious ability that directly pointed toward the Fifth-Realm Beast Sovereign.
Without exaggeration, as long as Iron Egg devoured enough exotic flames of sufficient strength, it might very well advance to Nascent Soul True Monarch faster than he did.
At this thought, Chen Beiwu could not help but feel somewhat emotional.
Although exotic flames were creations of heaven and earth, compatibility still mattered.
Among his Five Elements spiritual roots, his fire and earth attributes had the lowest purity.
Exotic flames might aid Iron Egg in advancing to the Fourth-Realm Beast King or even the Fifth-Realm Beast Sovereign, but they might not suit him.
Fortunately, he had forged the Yuanshi Golden Core and possessed the method of Companion Borrowed-Beast Cultivation. As Iron Egg’s cultivation years increased and its realm broke through, his own strength would surge correspondingly.
Only Golden Egg might grow anxious because of this, urging him to find several Third-Tier flood dragons or even a Fourth-Tier chi dragon to devour using the Three-Phase Mysterious Ability in order to enhance its cultivation years and bloodline, lest it be surpassed by Iron Egg.
“Woof.”
Iron Egg opened its eyes, quickly walked before Chen Beiwu, and lay down submissively to show loyalty.
“How does it feel?” Chen Beiwu asked with a faint laugh.
“Woof.” (Feels very good.)
Iron Egg’s gaze shifted toward Golden Egg, who stood nearby in full vigilance.
Instinct told it that in a direct confrontation, it might not yet be Golden Egg’s match.
But if it focused solely on escaping, even if Golden Egg possessed the Three Absolutes True Gang capable of shattering space, it might not be able to suppress it.
Sensing Iron Egg’s gaze, Golden Egg’s three pairs of dragon eyes narrowed slightly as it secretly activated the Three-Phase Manifestation Mysterious Ability.
Something was off!
After its cultivation years increased, this fellow had grown somewhat arrogant. Could it be eyeing its position as loyal minister, intending rebellion and challenge? Its eyes were filled with battle intent.
“Na!”
The Five Qi Vine’s gaze moved back and forth between Golden Egg and Iron Egg, its expression conflicted, as if hesitating over whom to support if they truly fought.
“Let me see the mysterious ability you just obtained.”
Chen Beiwu multitasked—circulating immortal arts to refine feedback from the Companion Contract while communicating with Iron Egg, preventing the two little ones from fighting.
Iron Egg opened its mouth without hesitation.
At first, nothing unusual appeared within.
After a quarter of an hour, a point of crimson-gold radiance slowly emerged in its mouth.
Initially the size of a bean, it suddenly flared upward, transforming into a fist-sized flame.
The instant the Crimson Radiance Nirvana Flame appeared, the cave dwelling dimmed abruptly, and the temperature soared violently.
“This flame seems to carry some of the Soul-Settling Flame’s characteristics.”
Chen Beiwu narrowed his eyes and extended a finger to sense it from afar.
The sensation at his fingertip was not the violent erosion or terrifying heat he had anticipated, but rather a strange tranquility that calmed a cultivator’s mind.
“Woof.”
Iron Egg nodded repeatedly.
In its view, the true terror of Crimson Radiance Nirvana Flame did not lie in its heaven-burning, sea-boiling might, but in its ability to evolve all flames and acquire the unique characteristics of exotic flames.
The Soul-Settling Flame was only the beginning.
Disintegration Azure Flame, Bright Li Chaos Flame, Azure Phosphor Karmic Flame, Jade-Transforming Heart Flame, and Sea-Void Flame were all exotic flames of formidable power and extraordinary traits.
Especially the highly ranked Sea-Void Flame.
Sea-Void Flame resembled water in form but was fire in essence, existing between illusion and reality—a special exotic flame born from water’s extremity reversing into fire.
This flame suppressed all water beneath heaven. It could burn water into vapor and boil seas into void.
Ordinary water-type mysterious abilities, true water essences, and water-attribute magical artifacts were mere toys before it.
Unfortunately, the Sea-Void Flame was even more troublesome than the Disintegration Azure Flame. Iron Egg did not yet have confidence in devouring and refining it; otherwise, it would have done so immediately.
“Adapt to it well. Use it often when free. Ideally, you should be able to release the Crimson Radiance Nirvana Flame instantly.”
Chen Beiwu rubbed Iron Egg’s head gently, his tone warm.
A mysterious ability refined a hundred times would undergo qualitative transformation.
Once the Third-Realm beast fire he had purchased at the Myriad Treasures Assembly arrived, Iron Egg would surely forge the Great Heavenly Pure Prison Form (Ten Tribulations) upon the foundation of the Crimson Radiance Nirvana Flame.
With that thought, Chen Beiwu’s storage ring flickered faintly. He retrieved the Spirit-Sealed Jade Bottle containing Blazing Yang Liquid, preparing for secluded cultivation.
But before entering seclusion, there were matters he needed to settle to avoid mishaps.
……
Southern Wastes, Earth Proliferation Territory.
Mirror Moon Sect, Taiyi Hall.
“Disciple Chen Ziang greets Patriarch.”
Chen Beiwu performed the sect ritual bow.
“Your aura is steady and your divine brilliance is concealed within. It seems this seclusion yielded no small harvest.”
Zhu Wuya’s gaze fell upon Chen Beiwu, a barely perceptible trace of approval flashing in his eyes.
Though the Mirror Moon Sect possessed a Primordial Dao Artifact as foundation, if it wished to restore part of its former glory and return to the ranks of Divine Transformation sects, it would need at least one Divine Transformation True Venerable to sit in open authority.
However, Divine Transformation True Venerables—those who could determine the rise and fall of a sect across a hundred generations—were exceedingly difficult to achieve, especially now that heaven and earth in the Earth Proliferation Territory had undergone great change and the Dao’s fortune was incomplete.
Speaking only of the future, setting aside the present, in Zhu Wuya’s mind there were only two within the sect who had hope of attaining Divine Transformation.
One was himself.
The other was the sect’s Dao Child, Chen Ziang.
“What brings you here? Are there doubts in your cultivation, or does the Beast Taming lineage require the sect’s resource inclination?” Zhu Wuya asked kindly.
Chen Beiwu shook his head and spoke directly.
“This disciple requests leave to descend the mountain and travel beyond the sect. I ask Patriarch for permission.”
“Travel beyond the sect?” Zhu Wuya’s gaze sharpened, his expression unexpectedly startled.
Among all sect prodigies, the one he valued most was Chen Ziang—but also the one he worried about most.
After the Sect-Knocking Battle, the name Mirror Moon Dao Child Chen Ziang had spread throughout the entire Earth Proliferation Territory. Even in the Southern Expansion Territory, he had some renown, though suppressed forcefully by the Eight Desolations Sect.
Yet in secret, many Nascent Soul True Monarchs had already set their sights upon him. Some cultivation black markets had even placed high bounties on his head.
Under such circumstances, Zhu Wuya did not need much thought to guess that these bounties either came from the Eight Desolations Sect, the Four Great Sects of the Earth Proliferation Territory, or certain hidden Nascent Soul old monsters seeking to break through to Divine Transformation.
If Chen Ziang remained in sect seclusion, it was one matter.
If he left to travel, his life would be at grave risk.
“Do you understand your current situation?” Zhu Wuya asked gravely.
“This disciple understands.” Chen Beiwu nodded slightly. “The title of Mirror Moon Dao Child is both glory and burden.”
“Indeed. If it were merely the Four Great Sects watching you, that would be manageable. The problem is that you have been targeted by Ning Xuanji.”
Zhu Wuya’s tone grew heavy.
“Divine Transformation True Venerables can glimpse heavenly secrets, lock onto karma, and their mysterious abilities far surpass your imagination.”
Though he did not elaborate further, Chen Beiwu already understood.
Once he left the sect’s protection, he might at any moment suffer a thunderous strike from a Divine Transformation True Venerable of the Eight Desolations Sect and perish.
“It is too dangerous to travel now. Dao Child would do well to cultivate in seclusion for some time longer,” Zhu Wuya suggested.
Chen Beiwu remained composed.
Undoubtedly, this was the safest advice.
But his future Nascent Soul breakthrough could not occur within the sect—it must take place within the Immortal Alliance.
Without traveling beyond the sect as a pretext, he would have no explanation for why no phenomena manifested when he advanced to Nascent Soul True Monarch.
As for karmic locking by a Divine Transformation True Venerable, he did not fear it. The Yuanshi Golden Core he had forged ignored karmic locks and divination, though he must beware of being directly targeted at the origin of his three souls and seven spirits.
As long as he remained cautious after leaving the sect, Ning Xuanji would find it difficult to locate him through karmic deduction.
Moreover, his “travel” was merely a pretext. His true place of secluded cultivation would be Water Evolution Residence within the Immortal Alliance.
No matter how powerful Ning Xuanji was, he could not cross two realms to reach the Yuqing Immortal Sect of the Immortal Alliance.
“Patriarch speaks rightly. This disciple bears it in heart. Yet my path of cultivation lies in courageous advancement. If I shrink back whenever danger lies ahead, my Dao heart may gather dust, hindering future cultivation.”
Chen Beiwu lifted his head, meeting Zhu Wuya’s gaze without fear.
“Furthermore, the Yuanshi Golden Core I forged can obscure karmic heavenly secrets. If I conceal myself wholeheartedly and restrain my aura, I may not expose my whereabouts.”
Zhu Wuya fell silent.
Uncarved jade cannot become a vessel.
If Chen Ziang remained in the sect and lost his drive, it would indeed hinder his future path toward Nascent Soul True Monarch and even Divine Transformation.
“So be it. Your path must ultimately be walked by yourself.”
Zhu Wuya sighed softly, concern and relief mingling in his gaze.
Those who forged the Yuanshi Golden Core were indeed extraordinary.
Ordinary cultivators, upon learning they were targeted by a Divine Transformation True Venerable, would likely be terrified, trembling, and hide within the sect.
But the Dao Child’s reaction was the opposite. Knowing he was targeted, he felt no fear and instead chose to advance despite adversity.
With such spirit, if Chen Ziang did not die, his future achievements would far surpass Zhu Wuya’s own. His immortal path would be boundless.
Yet there was also a flaw that could not be ignored—he was too young, utterly unaware of the true might possessed by immortal path powerhouses.
“A Golden Core is still only a Golden Core. It may deceive a Nascent Soul True Monarch, but how could it deceive a Divine Transformation True Venerable?”
Zhu Wuya shook his head slowly, feeling Chen Ziang somewhat naïve.
Even if the Yuanshi Golden Core possessed some ability to obscure karmic aura, it could not escape the Dharma Eyes of a Divine Transformation True Venerable.
“Whoosh!”
At that moment, a streak of light flew from Zhu Wuya’s sleeve, descending slowly before Chen Beiwu.
“Patriarch, this is?”
Chen Beiwu’s gaze shifted to the mysterious talisman floating before him—neither paper nor silk.
“This item is called the Heaven-Escape Talisman. It is a Fifth-Tier Middle-Grade Origin Talisman. When carried upon one’s person, it is as water merging into the sea, completely obscuring one’s karmic threads. Even a Divine Transformation True Venerable divining heavenly secrets cannot pinpoint your location.”
“Furthermore, if the bearer of the Heaven-Escape Talisman encounters fatal danger, or if there is risk of the collapse of the three souls and seven spirits, the talisman will activate automatically. It will perform ultra-long-distance transposition that ignores spatial barriers, teleporting the bearer to its locked anchor point—the sect’s Taiyi Hall.”
Zhu Wuya explained.
Although the Taiyi Dao Sect had split into the Five Great Sects, considerable foundations still remained within. The Heaven-Escape Talisman was one of them.