Chapter 481 The Yellow Court Marvelous Formula, Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown (Supplementary Chapter)
For Immortal Li and others, Cultivation Method to evolve the Taiji Diagram and simulate some of the power of the Dao Venerable Innate Divine Ability's innate divine abilities was not a difficult task—it could even be said to be one of the most skillful secrets of the Supreme Dao.
Even this thing wasn't unfamiliar to Uncle-Master Pang: back then, the Netherworld Immortal Qin Mu had used a similar Method Formula.
However, the phrase "not difficult" only applies to cultivators from the Supreme Dao, and even then, they must be True Disciple.
Now, Zheng Fa, the Sect Leader the Nine Mountains Sect, has used the secret techniques of the Supreme Dao, leaving Immortal Li and the others dumbfounded and even suspicious.
Seeing Uncle-Master Pang's embarrassed and puzzled expression, Immortal Li frowned, turned to look at Zheng Fa, his eyes shimmering with purple qi, as if he were comprehending something. After a long while, he finally spoke:
"Seemingly true but actually false."
" Founder?"
" Zheng Fa's Taiji Diagram seems a bit different from ours." Immortal Li paused, then continued, "Indeed..."
He kept his mouth shut, seemingly unwilling to continue.
The old man, now at the Spirit Transformation, frowned and said, "What is it? Founder, this is a closely guarded secret of my Supreme Dao."
"That move does resemble the one Dao Venerable used earlier."
The crowd in the courtyard fell silent. After a long while, Venerable Tongming, his voice hoarse, asked the question that had puzzled everyone, " Founder, do you mean... Zheng Fa, learned it on the spot?"
Immortal Li.
The various Spirit Transformation of the Supreme Dao looked up at Zheng Fa, lost in thought, and then turned to look at Uncle-Master Pang.
Uncle-Master Pang was very familiar with their expressions—they were exactly the same as the expressions he had when he looked at Senior Brother Yuan.
Zheng Fa's Taiji Diagram was indeed learned on the spot.
Using the understanding of Yang Spirit Method in the Yellow Court Scripture, combined with the observation of Dao Venerable's moves by the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye, and finally the modern understanding and deduction of time and space in the Creation Jade Disc, the Method Formula was simulated in a short period of time.
In terms of power, it is actually far inferior to the original version of Dao Venerable, and even less powerful than the secret teachings of the Supreme Dao sect.
It might not even have one tenth of its power.
But what Zheng Fa wanted was precisely this one or two parts of the ability to trap the enemy.
Against enemies like True Immortal Lu, the Taiji Diagram, a technique that can trap enemies, is extremely effective.
Zheng Fa Yang Spirit with his right hand, and the Taiji Diagram transformed into a hundred feet long and wide, pressing down on True Immortal Lu.
The rainbow light that True Immortal Lu transformed into was covered by the Taiji Diagram, and it seemed to lose its direction, spinning in circles in the air.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zheng Fa once again used the Rainbow Transformation Method, finally widening the distance between himself and True Immortal Lu.
True Immortal Lu roared, clasped his hands together, and pushed the Taiji Diagram in two. He raised his eyes slightly, trying to find Zheng Fa's location, but saw waves of fire surging towards him.
It is the Great Sun True Fire!
Dharma Body, on the Fusang Wood, thousands upon thousands of Great Sun True Fire illuminated the sky, turning it golden.
True Immortal Lu tried to give chase, but found himself surrounded by flames, his Dharma Body burning everywhere and unable to sustain itself.
Although the Great Sun True Fire is not a purely offensive technique, the illusory image of True Immortal Lu is only at the initial stage of the Nascent Spirit Transformation.
His Dharma Body is not like the Dao Venerable's Innate Divine Ability, the Taiji Diagram; their defensive capabilities are incomparable.
True Immortal Lu wasn't as carefree as Dao Venerable. He looked around, then used his palms to cleave through the sea of fire and rushed straight towards Zheng Fa.
Can...
Taiji Diagram!
Transform into a rainbow!
Great Sun True Fire!
A smooth three-hit combo provoked True Immortal Lu to roar repeatedly, but he couldn't catch up with Zheng Fa at all.
Suddenly Immortal Li was on the ground, felt a pang of pity for this thorn in the side of the Supreme Dao.
Until True Immortal Lu's illusory image was Great Sun True Fire, his palms, which seemed to have the power to split the heavens, didn't even touch Zheng Fa's clothes.
Seeing True Immortal Lu defeated, Uncle-Master Pang and the others on the ground breathed a sigh of relief, only to see Venerable Tianhe draw his sword, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
Uncle-Master Pang's heart jumped again.
Although these three did not attack together, and Dao Venerable only made one move, the trio of these three powerful figures would be a formidable test for any cultivator.
Moreover, while Venerable Tianhe's Green Duckweed Sword is very effective at cutting people, it also kills people quickly when they are being cut!
Using that pirated Taiji Diagram for self-defense again is definitely not an option.
However, Zheng Fa has the Rainbow Transformation Method, so it shouldn't be a problem...
Just as he was thinking of this, he heard Immortal Li let out a soft "hmm," as if he had seen something perplexing.
As he looked up, he saw Zheng Fa 'Yang Spirit return to the Mud Pill Palace, Fusang Wood behind him slowly contracted, merging with his physical body.
Zheng Fa was dressed in a long robe with purple and gold accents, his eyes looking at Venerable Tianhe with a hint of pity.
Everyone heard him say, "Venerable One, you cannot defeat me."
Venerable Tianhe remained silent, perhaps because he was unable to speak; however, the tip of his sword trembled slightly, his meaning clear.
Zheng Fa continued to persuade him:
"My Dharma Body body is essentially formed from the Fusang Wood, far surpassing ordinary Spirit Transformation."
"I am also extremely familiar with the < Green Duckweed Sword Art >."
"Venerable One, if you were to fight anyone else, your sword would be unstoppable."
He paused, then added, "But in front of me, you won't have time to draw your sword."
Having said that, he suddenly raised his right fist and threw a punch towards Venerable Tianhe with a speed beyond everyone's sight!
Immortal Li sighed deeply, "He's even learned True Immortal Lu's methods?"
The moves Zheng Fa used were surprisingly similar to those used by True Immortal Lu earlier!
Everyone understood why Zheng Fa was so confident.
Xie Qingxue understood even more: the Tianhe Sword Formula Technique was truly powerful, with only one small drawback— the Sword-Person Unity required some time.
To others, this amount of time is practically negligible.
But for someone like Zheng Fa, who knows the ins and outs of the Tianhe Sword Way, that little bit of time is enough for him to beat the Venerable Tianhe before he can even make a move!
In particular, True Immortal Lu's close-quarters combat style, which is fierce and swift, combined with Zheng Fa's Rainbow Transformation Method, was extremely effective against Venerable Tianhe.
Today, the three patriarchs Dao Contention supremacy, and their Cultivation Method seem to have some degree of mutual restraint.
The Taiji Diagram is inherently restraining True Immortal Lu's Dharma Body.
The Tianhe Sword Way is incomparably powerful and fearless of the Taiji Diagram's blockade.
However, True Immortal Lu's Dharma Body did indeed suppress Venerable Tianhe.
Uncle-Master Pang pondered for a moment:
This is ridiculous! Zheng Fa is fighting three opponents at once.
Isn't this... three against three?
He breathed a sigh of relief, then suddenly saw Immortal Li turn to look at him. "Is this the wondrous power of the < Yellow Court Scripture > you created, True Person?"
Uncle-Master Pang looked up and saw that Immortal Li's gaze was intense, filled with fervor and respect.
Uncle-Master Pang nodded.
Zheng Fa mastered various schools of thought in a short period of time, integrating the three methods with the Yellow Court Scripture, and even becoming inseparable from the Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Transformation.
Immortal Li remained silent for a long time, finally letting out a soft sigh, "I regret that I cannot witness the profound mysteries of this scripture."
Zheng Fa looked at Venerable Tianhe before him, as if waiting for something.
His restraint towards Venerable Tianhe stemmed from a degree of respect, but more importantly, he could clearly sense that Venerable Tianhe was different from the other two:
The Venerable Tianhe seems more ethereal.
It seems that Dao Venerable and True Immortal Lu are still alive, while this Venerable Tianhe is probably from the past.
Actually, he was quite willing to fight Venerable Tianhe.
His comprehension of the Yang Spirit Method, especially his understanding of the Yin-Yang Talisman Diagram, was further refined through his battle with the Dao Venerable.
His battle with True Immortal Lu gave him a greater inspiration in using the Fusang Dharma Body.
The Three Patriarchs' Dao Contest was both a test and fortuitous opportunity. He was not only unafraid, but also felt that he had gained a great deal.
But if Venerable Tianhe were to disappear now, he would probably cease to exist forever.
Venerable Tianhe seemed to understand his thoughts, and slowly lowered his head, his gaze falling on the Green Duckweed Sword at Xie Qingxue's waist.
" Founder..."
Xie Qingxue murmured, then suddenly opened her eyes wide.
Zheng Fa was also stunned, watching as the Patriarch Tianhe swung the Green Duckweed Sword.
Sword Qi Thunderclap, Sword Qi Rainbow, Sword Refining into Silk, Sword Splitting into Ten Thousand.
The Tianhe Sword Way, with its myriad splendors, blossoms one by one throughout the Nine Mountains Realm.
Until finally, at the very end of the < Green Duckweed Sword Art >:
Sword-Person Unity, the Body Transformed into Sword Spirit.
Then, with a flick of his Green Duckweed Sword transformed back into the form of Venerable Tianhe.
Zheng Fa's eyes widened suddenly, and he couldn't help but look at Xie Qingxue. He saw that Xie Qingxue's eyes were also filled with surprise and doubt as she looked at him, presumably having noticed something as well.
Before they could react, they heard Venerable Tianhe chuckle.
When they looked up again, Venerable Tianhe had vanished without a trace.
"Finished?"
Uncle-Master Pang murmured, then looked towards the Dao Venerable.
Dao Venerable glanced at Zheng Fa, bowed, and pointed to the Taiji Diagram above his head. The Yin-Yang Fish on the Taiji Diagram opened, tearing open the Nine Mountains Realm. Riding on Zi Xia, he slowly walked towards the outside of the boundary.
Uncle-Master Pang broke out in a cold sweat.
Even Zheng Fa felt a bit numb.
Is this Dao Venerable truly Spirit Transformation?
It's highly likely that Venerable Tianhe is already dead, making him the weakest of the three, while True Immortal Lu, for some reason, is still at the True Immortal realm.
This Dao Venerable is probably one of the strongest beings in the world.
Zheng Fa was actually most wary of this person, yet this person only made one move, and it seemed as if he hadn't used his full strength, which was quite suspicious.
But judging from the Dao Venerable's silent departure, he didn't seem to have any particular malice; rather, he seemed to have ulterior motives.
Uncle-Master Pang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Finally, it's over..."
Beside him, First Seat Mingde asked with a strange expression, " Pang True Person, hasn't this Spirit Transformation Tribulation even begun?"
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then they realized what had happened. They were so shocked by the three Dao Venerable that they had forgotten something:
For ordinary cultivators, the Spirit Transformation Tribulation is only just beginning.
Zheng Fa... had already fought several battles and his spiritual energy was greatly depleted.
We shouldn't be taking this lightly.
To everyone's surprise, Uncle-Master Pang smiled and said, "Oh, you mean that? I forgot."
"Forgot?"
The First Seat Mingde looked up at the sky.
Zheng Fa stood in the void, still gazing at the place where Venerable Tianhe and Dao Venerable had disappeared, his eyes seemingly lost in thought.
But above his head, layers of thunderclouds had already begun to gather.
The sky was dark, as black as a long night.
Venerable Tongming sighed, " Alliance Leader Zheng's Lightning Tribulation is far more terrifying than my own when I was a Nascent Spirit Transformation."
First Seat Mingde and the others nodded in agreement. This was to be expected, as Zheng Fa's accumulated knowledge was so profound that his Lightning Tribulation was naturally superior to that of ordinary people.
But looking at Zheng Fa under the dark clouds, his face still held a deep thought...
Seeing his reaction, Venerable Tongming exclaimed in surprise, " Zheng Fa... could it be that you've also forgotten about your tribulation?"
Uncle-Master Pang shook his head, about to say something, when a bolt of purple lightning fell from the clouds and struck Zheng Fa's head.
Thunder roared across the sky, its sound echoing far and wide.
Zheng Fa seemed to finally come to his senses, his brow furrowing slightly, as if his train of thought had been somewhat disturbed.
He stretched out his hand, and lightning flashed in his palm, striking straight towards the sky.
The two bolts of lightning collided and vanished in the blink of an eye.
The thunderclouds in the sky seemed to be enraged, and thunder roared like a torrential downpour towards Zheng Fa.
But Zheng Fa did not retreat an inch, meeting lightning with lightning, and was not even hit by the hem of his clothes.
Immortal Li was stunned by what he saw. He squinted, as if observing Zheng Fa's methods, and suddenly spoke:
" Zheng Fa's Thunder Method..."
"Um?"
"Could it be that he learned this technique from the very heavenly Heavenly Tribulation he was facing?"
Upon seeing Zheng Fa, First Seat Mingde and the others immediately understood what Immortal Li meant:
Each of Zheng Fa's Thunder Method was exactly the same as the lightning strikes during the Lightning Tribulation, without any difference...
On the one hand, they were naturally amazed by the brilliance of Zheng Fa's Thunder Method.
On the other hand, they also shared the same strange feeling as Immortal Li:
They went to the Dao Venerable to learn the Taiji Diagram, and to the True Immortal Lu to learn the methods of Dharma Body combat.
Now you even want to learn Thunder Method from the Heavenly Tribulation?
Immortal Li slowly shook his head, sighing in admiration, " Alliance Leader Zheng's talent is truly astounding..."
First Seat Mingde thought to himself, " Immortal Li is really not being polite with these words."
Is it that they don't want to learn these things?
Ordinary cultivators undergoing tribulation would never have such leisure, let alone mastering two peerless Secret Method in such a short time. Even if they only grasped the basics, it would be enough to make Immortal Li in admiration.
Zheng Fa's accumulated knowledge and understanding are unparalleled, even in the records of the Supreme Dao.
This visit to the Nine Mountains Sect to investigate Zheng Fa's potential and methods has likely far exceeded Immortal Li's expectations.
Just as Uncle-Master Pang said, Zheng Fa nowadays really doesn't take ordinary Spirit Transformation Tribulation seriously.
His Dharma Body merged with the Fusang Wood, and he also cultivated the < Yellow Court Scripture >. Even without wielding the Immortal-Trapping Sword, he was comparable to Loose Immortal.
The Lightning Tribulation that other Spirit Transformation feared like tigers were, at this moment, like scraping a finger to him.
Even some tribulations that other Spirit Transformation never encounter cannot harm him in the slightest:
After the Lightning Tribulation comes the Yin Wind Tribulation.
Uncle-Master Pang and the others only saw Zheng Fa transform into a gust of Yin Wind, becoming one with the light and dust.
The Yin Wind Tribulation was an unforeseen tribulation for First Seat Mingde, yet a ball of heavenly fire suddenly appeared in the sky.
"I've heard that some demonic sect cultivators encounter the Yin Wind Tribulation when they reach the Spirit Transformation, but is this true?"
First Seat Mingde looked at Uncle-Master Pang, puzzled.
Uncle-Master Pang also frowned and shook his head, seemingly puzzled as well.
" Heavenly Fire Tribulation," Immortal Li replied first. "While not common, it's not entirely rare either. Immortal Sect Spirit Transformation at the Nascent Soul stage often encounter Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, but Heavenly Fire Tribulation is less so. Demonic Sect cultivators generally don't experience Heavenly Fire Tribulation. A cultivator who faces the Three Calamities Heavenly Thunder, Yin Wind, and Heavenly Fire... I've never heard of such a thing."
Immortal Li let out another soft exclamation, frowning as he looked at Zheng Fa, Uncle-Master Pang followed suit.
Zheng Fa stared at the heavenly fire with a hint of interest in his eyes, but in the end, he neither dodged nor avoided it, letting the heavenly fire engulf him.
Everyone could see that Zheng Fa Zheng Fa was doing this on purpose, but no one understood why he was doing it.
Heavenly fire surrounded Zheng Fa, surging in from all his orifices, thread by thread, from his eight extraordinary meridians, and actually gathering in his Dantian, circling the Creation Jade Disc, as if it were tempering this Law Treasure.
"Just as I thought..."
When Zheng Fa was undergoing his tribulation, he felt that heaven and earth did not tolerate cultivators, as if they disliked cultivators advancing in rank.
But now, after cultivating the Yellow Court Scripture, his control over himself has Microscopic Insight incredibly precise, especially the method of Spirit Preservation and Self-Illumination Method, which allows him to record all the slightest changes in himself.
During this tribulation, he noticed something different:
With each bolt of Heavenly Thunder dissipating, a sliver of Spiritual Opportunity seemed to flow from the Heavenly Thunder into his sea of consciousness, making his Yang Spirit increasingly solid.
Within the Yin Wind Tribulation, that soul-corroding Yin Wind contained a gentle and subtle spiritual power that subtly neutralized the violence and impulsiveness within his Dharma Body.
Even this inexplicable Heavenly Fire Tribulation was actually tempering his Life-bound Dharma Treasure...
The Divine Soul is inherently yin, therefore it needs to be nurtured by the most yang and powerful Heavenly Thunder.
The Dharma Body is predominantly Yang, yet it needs Yin Fire to cleanse its malevolent energy.
The Heavenly Fire Tribulation, in turn, greatly benefits the Life-bound Dharma Treasure within the Celestial River Method.
Only now did he realize: at least the tribulation of becoming a Nascent Spirit Transformation was not an act of rejection by Heaven and Earth, but rather a test with a reward.
Those who cannot overcome this will naturally die and their spiritual essence will dissipate.
It's manageable, yet it subtly brings countless benefits.
Other cultivators, lacking the method of Spirit Preservation and Self-Illumination Method, were unable to grasp the subtle evolution of their own being. Even if they made great progress after transcending tribulations, they only attributed it to the advancement of their own Cultivation Method and the improvement of their cultivation, without ever experiencing the assistance of heaven and earth.
As the heavenly fire dissipated, the spiritual light on the Creation Jade Disc shone even brighter, and in Zheng Fa's heart, it seemed to have acquired a bit of sentience!
" Spirit Treasure... I see." Zheng Fa smiled, now understanding how some cultivators' Life-bound Dharma Treasure advanced to Spirit Treasure.
These Three Calamities are clearly a sign of Heavenly Dao's favor!
As the heavenly fire gradually dissipated, Zheng Fa felt a slight pang of reluctance. Then, his spirits lifted, and he looked up towards the Nine Mountains Realm, his eyes filled with even deeper anticipation.
All you Heart Demon, please come in!
"I didn't expect Alliance Leader Zheng to overcome the Three Calamities so easily, but this Heart Demon will take so long. I wonder when he will be able to emerge from seclusion."
In Immortal Li's courtyard, the old man, who had reached the Spirit Transformation, sighed. At this moment, he no longer dared to call Zheng Fa by his full name, but only referred to him as Alliance Leader Zheng. Yet, a sense of balance remained on his face.
The others had similar expressions—after all, Zheng Fa's tribulation was a huge blow to them, who were at the Spirit Transformation. Now that it seemed that Zheng Fa was deeply entrenched in Heart Demon, it was somewhat comforting to them.
Seeing their reaction, Uncle-Master Pang pursed his lips and thought to himself:
"That depends on how long the Heart Demon can hold out..."
After seeing Zheng Fa Zheng Fa his tribulation, Immortal Li seemed eager to meet him. He appeared more impatient than the others, turning to Uncle-Master Pang and anxiously asking, "It's been over three months now. How is Zheng Fa? Has anyone from your sect gone to check on him?"
" The Sect Leader is unharmed," Uncle-Master Pang said frankly.
"Then why did it take so long?"
"Um... maybe this time the Heart Demon is particularly stubborn."
Immortal Li frowned slightly, feeling that the word "tenacity" sounded strange. He wanted to ask again, but suddenly looked up at the sky.
A clear light swept across the sky, and everyone knew something was amiss. They took flight and looked toward the source of the strange phenomenon.
Just then, a Auspicious Cloud rose slowly from where Zheng Fa was in seclusion. Above the Auspicious Cloud, three fist-sized blue lotuses appeared. The lotuses had not yet bloomed, but their clear light shone between heaven and earth. Their radiance burst forth from the Nine Mountains Realm, illuminating the Xuanwei region.
Bathed in the soft moonlight, everyone felt completely refreshed, their minds clear, and they felt joyful, with an urge to prostrate themselves in worship.
" Founder?"
First Seat Mingde gasped softly, cautiously observing Immortal Li.
Uncle-Master Pang turned his head, also quite surprised, because Immortal Li had a smile on his face, but there were also a few clear tears in the corners of his eyes.
Immortal Li chuckled, "I just remembered... a lot of things."
(End of this chapter)