Chapter Ninety-Four: The Vessel of Heaven and Earth

Chapter Ninety-Four: The Instruments of Heaven and Earth
Chapter Twelve: Passing on the Sublime Method of Mount Spirit, Soaring Alone for Ten Thousand Miles (Part Four)

Grandmaster Qingling let out a deep sigh and said, "As I flew along my journey, outside the fortress city by the Black Sea, I encountered a practitioner from the Eastern Shidang faction. Upon seeing me as a foreigner, he immediately engaged me in battle. At that time, I had reached the peak of the Jade Splendor realm—apart from those old monsters of the Supreme Void, there were few who could match me. I thought I would deal with him in just a few rounds, but the fight lasted a whole day and night without a decisive outcome.

Naturally, I was astonished and admired his remarkable skills. I proposed we cease our duel, and he seemed to agree, withdrawing his artifact. Once he learned I hailed from the far eastern Divine Continent and was not a Gallic practitioner, the misunderstanding was resolved. We found ourselves kindred spirits.

Later, I followed him to the Eastern Shidang sect, coinciding with a great battle against the Polytheist sect. Tens of thousands from both sides fought fiercely, countless magical artifacts clashing, their brilliance overshadowing the sun and moon. The sea of blood and corpses stretched as far as the eye could see. I witnessed flesh and bone flying, screams echoing in my ears, but my heart had grown numb. I thought only of how to fend off incoming artifacts and how to wield my immortal sword, to pierce the enemy’s heart with a lethal strike."

Master Shouchang lowered his head, a look of compassion on his face. "A general’s success is built upon a thousand bones! All for the pursuit of power—what a tragedy!"

Grandmaster Qingling smiled faintly. "What you say is true, but for a warrior to die with honor is, in itself, a fitting end."

Seeing Master Shouchang shake his head silently, Qingling smiled and his eyes showed a hint of dread. "When the Polytheist sect’s leader saw defeat was inevitable, he sacrificed himself to the Solar Crow, invoking the power of a heavenly artifact and transforming into a three-legged divine crow. Though only a fraction of the artifact’s power was harnessed, its destructive force was enough to threaten the world, spewing endless golden crow fire, as if to burn the mortal realm to ashes. That scene was truly like a realm of demons—terrifying and awe-inspiring!

In that massacre, I nearly lost my soul, barely surviving. Even now, recalling it sends chills through me," he said, shaking his head, his voice low.

Ye Hua was taken aback at the mention of heavenly artifacts. Back at North Terrace’s Jade Mountain Temple, Brother Xiao had once spoken of the birth of heaven and earth, when twelve mysterious auspices descended, celebrating the spiritual essence of the Nine Heavens, praising the treasures of the Three Heavens, and the earth responded with twenty-four energies. Thus, the twelve heavenly artifacts and twenty-four terrestrial artifacts were formed. Yet these were legendary, never seen by anyone—thought to be mere myth. Let alone the root instrument of heaven and earth, the ultimate Dao artifact, which practitioners only dream of! Unexpectedly, today he heard Grandmaster Qingling speak of someone wielding the power of a heavenly artifact. It was truly astonishing.

As Qingling described the carnage that followed, Ye Hua's mind conjured the scene: a battle shaking the heavens, myriad treasures unleashed, sun and moon dimmed, mountains of corpses and rivers of blood—a breathtaking spectacle! For Grandmaster Qingling, at the Jade Splendor realm, to barely survive, the dangers must have been unimaginable. After pondering, Ye Hua’s curiosity was piqued. "Since the Polytheist sect leader invoked the power of a heavenly artifact, what happened then…?"

Grandmaster Qingling smiled. "The Eastern Shidang faction dared to confront the Polytheist sect because they were well prepared. Though the enemy resorted to the heavenly artifact’s power, it could not last. Before long, its strength waned. The leader here employed supreme divine powers, borrowing the might of the Five-Colored Divine Earth to resist. Afterward, the Eastern Shidang became the foremost faction of the Rakshasa Demon Kingdom. Surviving the battle, I was appointed elder and stayed for over a year before returning, bringing with me their teachings."

Ye Hua stared at the curling smoke from the incense burner, lost in thought, then asked, "The Eastern Shidang teachings?"

Master Shouchang nodded. "Indeed, it is these teachings that brought about such troubles!"

Grandmaster Qingling explained, "The teachings of the Eastern Shidang were passed down from the Atlantic Realm’s chief bishop, the founder of the national faith, Ancestor Sitian, who created the 'Treatise of Heaven.' It is said he traveled widely across the Atlantic Realm, studying dozens of sects’ methods, analyzing them in detail, discarding the false and preserving the true. He developed a doctrine without gods, with subtle changes in yin and yang, opening up an unprecedented avenue in the path of cultivation."

Master Shouchang nodded. "Exactly. After Qingling’s return, we studied together. This Treatise of Heaven serves only as a guide; true cultivation depends on personal exploration and understanding, continuously refining the internal Dao force, strengthening techniques, never ending—the path of learning is boundless!"

Ye Hua felt some clarity at their words. "How is this Treatise of Heaven connected to us?"

Grandmaster Qingling nodded. "Now, with the Divine Continent’s emperor lost in folly, demon factions wreaking havoc and harming cultivators, I brought the Eastern Shidang teachings eastward to establish a sect, spread the doctrine, and liberate the people from their suffering! Together with Brother Shouchang, we have recruited dozens of disciples in the capital, hoping to select seven to form the Seven-Star Assembly Array, invoke celestial phenomena, and connect with the Atlantic Realm’s national party. Yet no matter how we try, we cannot succeed."

Ye Hua asked in surprise, "With both grandmasters’ great abilities, how can it not succeed? What is the reason?"

Master Shouchang sighed. "The Seven-Star Assembly requires seven disciples in the Seven Treasures realm, possessing innate pure yang energy, unformed inner elixir, and cultivated in the Treatise of Heaven. This should not be difficult, but these seven must have exceptionally strong internal Dao force. We have tried with several candidates, but at the crucial moment, their Dao force fails. Outsiders cannot assist, and the array collapses.

If we substitute with those from the Three Truths realm, though they have strong Dao force, they lack pure yang energy and cannot complete the array. We’ve discussed whether the Seven-Star Assembly Array is flawed or impossible, but the Eastern Shidang’s instructions are clear—no doubt allowed!"

Ye Hua finally understood—it was Grandmaster Qingling and Master Shouchang who wished him to practice the Treatise of Heaven, to join six other disciples and form the Seven-Star Assembly Array. He immediately said, "If my masters command, I am willing to obey and do my utmost!"

Grandmaster Qingling’s eyes shone with joy. "If you can help us form the array, we will be deeply grateful!"

Ye Hua bowed. "Masters need not thank me—it is I who am grateful. To learn the Treatise of Heaven is a great fortune earned through lifetimes!"

Master Shouchang smiled. "Excellent. Since you have agreed, Qingling, what next?"

Grandmaster Qingling said, "I had promised to teach him a unique skill, and now, I shall fulfill that promise. In a few days, I must go south to meet Elder Songshou. The secret treasure of the Saint King of Wings must not fall to Lord Yuan! Now, Cold City is once again embroiled in war, all the major sects are rallying to resist. When I return, I will investigate further. It may be months before I return, so I leave Ye Hua in your care, Brother!"

Master Shouchang nodded. "So be it. Ye Hua, come with me to the Capital Martial Hall’s Grand Scripture Pavilion and stay there."

He turned to Ye Hua.

Ye Hua was delighted. The Grand Scripture Pavilion must be a repository of scriptures and techniques. If he could stay there, he would surely gain much. "I am most willing to follow Master Shouchang!"

Master Shouchang seemed to understand Ye Hua’s thoughts and smiled. "The Grand Scripture Pavilion is the Capital Martial Hall’s library, always open to all. It contains twelve major categories, over a thousand techniques, vast and difficult to study. Some focus on leg strength, some on body agility, some specialize in fists and palms, others rely on magical artifacts—swords, staffs, knives, or rods—each with its own strengths.

Those skilled in swordplay cannot wield staffs; those who master mighty divine fists cannot use needle-like artifacts. Some are proficient in five or six techniques, but only if they don’t conflict. Qingling and I both practiced the Heaven-Lifting Palm, Mahā Finger, and Eight Desolate Fist—all hand techniques—but our foundation remains our original method. It is said that among past practitioners of the Capital Martial Hall, one mastered thirty-four techniques, known as the 'Celestial Immortal.' In hundreds of years, only one person achieved this.

Each of the thousand techniques is extremely profound. Some forty or fifty are exceptionally difficult; even those with the highest talent may spend a lifetime on one and never master it. Currently, the Capital Martial Hall has over ten thousand disciples, but even combined, not all the thousand techniques are covered."