Chapter 11

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, you truly astonish me."

Di Yi stepped forward slowly, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "When I first entered the Sun Palace, I observed everyone from the Jie Sect. Aside from you, none of the rest were worth worrying about."

"I never expected you to defeat my nine younger brothers in succession, sweeping through Grand Unity Golden Immortals with the cultivation of a peak Golden Immortal. Such talent is truly unparalleled."

"Your glory ends here."

Brilliant golden light bloomed in Di Yi's palm, and a long spear wrapped in an innate aura suddenly appeared. It was unmistakably a high-grade innate Lingbao.

"An innate supreme treasure!"

Tai Cang's pupils contracted. The joy of having just defeated the nine Golden Crow Princes instantly vanished. He knew perfectly well that his earlier victories had all depended on his advantage in magical treasures—aside from him, none of the Golden Crow Princes had used their natal Lingbao.

The path of cultivation emphasized four essentials: arts, methods, spirit, and mastery:

Arts encompassed the myriad methods of Cang Miao;

Methods were the power of Lingbao;

Spirit reached through heaven and earth;

Mastery was one's foundation and reserves.

Other than Lu Ya, the other eight Golden Crow Princes had not fought with their full strength.

"Please enlighten me!"

Tai Cang suppressed his emotions. As the Wooden Sword trembled lightly, it erupted with heaven-shaking sword intent.

"Fight!"

Di Yi thrust his spear like a dragon, and a spear light tens of thousands of feet long tore through the void. His mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation, combined with an innate Lingbao, gave this strike the might of perfection.

"Break!"

Tai Cang activated thirty percent of his mana, and the Shangqing Five Elements Slash swept across the sky. The two earth-shattering edges collided in midair. Amid a crisp shattering sound, the azure sword aura broke apart layer by layer.

The spear's momentum did not diminish, arriving in an instant.

"Yin Yang Rotation!"

In that flash of lightning, Tai Cang spent another fifty percent of his mana to unleash a second slash. Taking advantage of the instant when the spear light crumbled, he stepped onto his Wooden Sword and soared into the sky, forming hand seals to draw down thunderclouds from the Ninth Heaven.

The Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder had now become the key to deciding victory.

"Big Brother, be careful!"

Di Jiu cried out in alarm. Only those who had experienced it firsthand knew how terrifying that thunder was.

"Destroy!"

Di Yi swept away the fading rainbow with his spear and stared solemnly at the sky. He knew that Solar True Fire could not rival the Three Pure Ones Thunder Method, so he immediately transformed into a golden rainbow and shot straight toward Tai Cang himself.

His only chance of victory lay in close combat, ending the battle swiftly with the power of his innate Lingbao.

"Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder—Edict!"

How could Tai Cang simply wait to be captured? With a low shout, the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder answered his call and bore down directly on Di Yi.

Boom—

Black lightning churned as bolts descended one after another, bombarding Di Yi's position in dense succession.

Yet although the lightning was fast, Di Yi possessed the Golden Crow bloodline and had mastered the greatest escape technique of the primordial world—the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique. In a flash of golden light, he became a streak of radiance, weaving freely through the sky full of lightning while continuously closing in on Tai Cang.

"Big Brother will win!"

"Big Brother will win!"

The Golden Crow Princes on the ground shouted loudly. The battle had reached its crucial moment, and victory or defeat hung by a thread—either Di Yi would be crushed by the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder, or Tai Cang would fall once Di Yi got close.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang will win!"

"Junior Brother Tai Cang will win!"

Suddenly, cheers from the Jie Sect disciples rang out from behind. At some point, they had gathered in the rear courtyard to support Tai Cang.

Inside the Sun Palace, Tongtian, Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the others held their breath as they stared intently at this final battle.

Boom! Boom!

The Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder bombarded the ground wildly. Even the earth reinforced by the Fusang Tree was blasted into pieces. Tai Cang's gaze was sharp as lightning; the moment he locked onto Di Yi's figure, he immediately summoned thunder.

But Di Yi showed no fear. At the instant lightning reached him each time, he skillfully dodged with the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique. As the distance between them steadily shrank, the atmosphere in the arena grew increasingly grave, and the urgency in Tai Cang's heart surged.

Whoosh—

In a flash, Di Yi suddenly appeared behind Tai Cang, raising his spear high. "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, I yield this round to you!"

Before his words had even faded, the spearhead had already stabbed straight toward Tai Cang's vital point. In a life-or-death struggle, only severely injuring the opponent could secure victory.

"This is bad!"

Tai Cang's expression changed drastically. The spear came with overwhelming force. There was nowhere to evade, and if it struck him, defeat would be certain.

"I'll risk it!"

He gritted his teeth and used all his strength to drive the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder toward Di Yi, while turning and swinging his Wooden Sword to block.

Clang—

With a crisp sound, the Wooden Sword shattered on impact, unable to withstand the power of the innate Lingbao spear. The spear's momentum remained undiminished as it pierced through Tai Cang's shoulder in an instant.

"Ugh!"

Tai Cang groaned, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

At the same time, a pillar of lightning crashed down from the heavens, striking Di Yi squarely.

"Ah—"

Amid his scream, Di Yi was blasted down to the ground as the thunderstorm raged and swept in all directions.

"Big Brother!"

"Big Brother!"

The nine Golden Crow Princes cried out as they flew over, rushing toward the churning mass of lightning.

They had thought Di Yi had victory in hand, only for him to be struck by the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder at the final moment.

That solid hit could not help but make everyone worry for Di Yi's safety.

Junior Brother Tai Cang!

Junior Brother Tai Cang!

Zhao Gongming and the others anxiously rushed into the rear courtyard, riding clouds straight toward Tai Cang. They had personally witnessed Di Yi being struck by the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder, and they had also seen the perilous sight of Tai Cang's body being pierced by an innate Lingbao-grade spear.

A soft shout rang out as Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the others quietly appeared. With a wave of Di Jun's hand, the raging lightning storm instantly dispersed, revealing Di Yi lying on the ground and convulsing continuously. Though his life was not in danger, he had suffered severe injuries.

Di Jun breathed a sigh of relief and flashed to Di Yi's side, circulating his power to heal him. Yet his gaze unconsciously drifted toward Tai Cang in the distance.

There is no need for concern, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters.

Tai Cang's voice came from ahead, and Zhao Gongming and the others stopped. They saw Tai Cang gripping the spear shaft with one hand before suddenly exerting force.

Pfft—

The spear was pulled out. A trace of blood spilled from Tai Cang's mouth, but his injuries were far lighter than Di Yi's. Though he was drenched in blood, none of his vital points had been harmed.

Tai Cang looked at Di Yi on the ground and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Di Yi, you lost."

Ding! You have defeated the Ten Golden Crows. Mission complete. Congratulations, Host, you have received one One-Click Max Level Privilege.

As the System Notification sounded, Tai Cang finally relaxed. Just as he was about to treat his injuries, Sect Master Tongtian appeared before him.

With a wave of Tongtian's hand, a mass of life energy enveloped the wound on Tai Cang's left shoulder, and the injury healed at a visible rate.

"Not bad," Tongtian said approvingly.

"Thank you, Master!" Tai Cang bowed. "I acted on my own and fought the Golden Crow Princes. Please punish me, Master."

"It is nothing." Tongtian waved his hand. "A minor injury is not worth mentioning."

After saying that, Tongtian walked toward Di Yi. He understood that he had to treat Di Yi—not only to clean up after Tai Cang, but also because their transaction had yet to be completed. If Di Jun were angered over this, obtaining the Sun Moon Essence would become far more difficult.

"Please lend a hand, Saint," Di Jun said with cupped fists.

Tongtian nodded. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Di Jun."

Tongtian smiled faintly and formed a seal with his left hand. Another surge of vigorous life energy emerged.

With a light flick of his sleeve, that life force entered Di Yi's body. In an instant, emerald radiance flowed around him, and the body Di Yi had suffered severe damage from the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder healed at a visible rate. Before long, he opened his eyes.

"Ugh..."

Di Yi groaned as he pushed himself up. After looking around, his expression darkened. "I lost." Then his body suddenly trembled as though he had sensed something. He immediately sat cross-legged and began circulating his cultivation. Empowered by the Saint Tongtian's strength, the aura around him rose steadily, and within moments, he broke through to the late stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

"A Saint's methods truly are wondrous."

Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi exchanged glances, both seeing astonishment in the other's eyes. Although the Demon Race also possessed secret healing arts, they still fell short of Tongtian's miraculous ability to turn stone into gold. More importantly, Di Yi had actually used this opportunity to break through his bottleneck.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for saving him."

Di Jun clasped his hands solemnly, gratitude overflowing from his expression.

"You are too polite, Fellow Daoist."

Tongtian swept his gaze over Di Yi, who was regulating his breathing, and smiled. "This child possesses deep fortune. He was meant to receive this opportunity." Then his tone shifted. "As for the Sun Moon Essence we agreed upon earlier..."

"Attend me!"

Understanding at once, Di Jun immediately summoned an attendant. A demon general hurried over carrying a jade box, within which the essences of sun and moon shone together.

"Please inspect it, Fellow Daoist."

Tongtian accepted the jade box and nodded slightly. Then Di Jun added, "The banquet has not yet ended. Why not..."

After a brief moment of thought, Tongtian agreed. The group then moved to the Sun Palace, where the fragrance of fine wine once again filled the hall.

By then, Tai Cang had finished tending to himself. He cupped his hands toward Zhao Gongming and the others gathered around him. "Thank you all for your concern." As his gaze swept over Wudang, Jinling, and the other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters he had not been particularly familiar with before, a trace of warmth flashed in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Di Yi arrived on a cloud with the nine Golden Crows in tow, his face filled with the spirited confidence of his breakthrough. Smiling, he saluted Tai Cang. "Do you still remember our earlier agreement?"

At those words, Di Jiu and the others' eyes immediately lit up with burning excitement as they all looked at Tai Cang.

Although acquired Lingbao were not as precious as innate Lingbao, they were more practical for the ten brothers. Aside from Di Yi, who could barely activate an innate Lingbao, the rest needed acquired Lingbao for protection even more. Seeing that Tai Cang was about to leave, the Golden Crow Princes all hoped that he could forge one or two acquired Lingbao for each of them to increase their strength.

"Of course."

Tai Cang's lips curved slightly as he smiled calmly. "Just as I said before, as long as you can gather the materials, I will naturally be of service."

"What difficulty is that!"

Di Yi laughed. "What us brothers lack least are heavenly materials and earthly treasures." Turning to Lu Ya, he instructed, "Little Ten, bring out the precious materials from the treasury. Also give Fellow Daoist Tai Cang the accumulated Sun Moon Essence. Since we have made an agreement, how could we brothers go back on our word?"

"Understood!"

Lu Ya accepted the order and quickly disappeared into the distance.

"Artifact forging?"

"Junior Brother actually knows the art of artifact forging?"

Zhao Gongming and the others looked startled as they stared at Tai Cang in disbelief. By all rights, they had entered under Tongtian at the same time and were all personal disciples. There was no reason for their master to teach Tai Cang the art of artifact forging alone.

"I only know a little."

Tai Cang smiled calmly. "If Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters need acquired Lingbao forged, simply prepare the materials. However..." A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. "I will need to charge a small fee."

Having already obtained the Sun Moon Essence, he next needed to gather the five elemental energies. The primordial world was vast, and relying on himself alone to collect the Power of the Five Elements would be far too inefficient. If he could enlist his fellow Jie Sect disciples and use artifact forging as payment, it would be a good strategy. After all, gathering the resources needed to condense the Supreme Five Qi would require an enormous amount. If he wanted to swiftly become a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, borrowing others' strength was inevitable.

"Acquired Lingbao?"

"Junior Brother, do you truly mean it?"

Zhao Gongming and the others immediately became excited. Although they were disciples of a Saint, they currently possessed no powerful Lingbao, and Tongtian had not bestowed any innate Lingbao upon them. They were truly lacking in funds. Most of the magical artifacts in their hands had been forged by themselves before entering the sect, and at best could only be considered Dharma treasures. How could they not be tempted upon hearing that Tai Cang could forge acquired Lingbao?

The fish have taken the bait.

Tai Cang was secretly pleased, but his expression remained unchanged. "That is indeed the case. However, the payment must be heavenly materials and earthly treasures containing the Power of the Five Elements."

"It's a deal!"

Zhao Gongming and the others eagerly agreed, wishing they could immediately return to their caves and search through their collections. Compared to letting the materials sit unused, exchanging them for acquired Lingbao was clearly far more worthwhile.

"Big Brother, I'm back!"

Lu Ya returned, carrying several Qiankun Bags. Arriving before Tai Cang, he tipped the bags over, and in an instant, precious materials piled up like mountains, their treasure light shining in every direction.

Gasp—

This sight made the Jie Sect disciples present gasp sharply. Looking at the mountain of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, they cried out repeatedly, "Pure Yang Tin Gold!"

"Purple Firmament Thunder Spirit Stone!"

"Heavenly Stem Ancient Jade!"