Chapter 13

Tai Cang's eyes flashed, and he immediately understood the era he was in. After the Ten Golden Crows matured, they would inevitably leave the Sun Star for Tanggu Valley, which would then trigger a series of events such as the Ten Golden Crows scorching the earth and boiling the seas, Kuafu Chasing the Sun, and Houyi Shooting the Suns.

"Tai Cang, let's go too."

Tongtian sighed softly and waved for everyone to set off. Now that things had come to this, even as a Sage, he was powerless to change the karma between Tai Cang and the Ten Golden Crows.

Tai Cang suppressed his thoughts, gathered the scattered heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and left with Tongtian, Zhao Gongming, and the others. Since he couldn't change the ending, he would treat these treasures as compensation. He knew that the Ten Golden Crows' fate was inescapable, but since he had formed a connection with the Demon Race, he should seek the greatest benefit before the Demon Race declined.

Kunlun Mountain Peak.

After Tongtian and his group returned, he immediately dismissed everyone and went alone with the Sun Moon Essence to find Laozi to heal Duobao.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

After Tongtian left, Zhao Gongming and San Xiao surrounded him: "Now that Junior Brother has emerged from seclusion, it's time to fulfill our agreement to discuss the Dao." The four of them looked at him intently, full of anticipation. Although they had reached peak Golden Immortal and survived the Three Calamities, they had made no progress in their understanding of the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art.

"Of course."

Tai Cang readily agreed. Although he was eager to condense the Supreme Five Qi, discussing the Dao with San Xiao and the others wouldn't take too long. More importantly, he and Zhao Gongming and the others were close friends who treated each other with sincerity.

"That's great!"

Qiongxiao jumped forward and grabbed Tai Cang's arm: "Then let's go now!" She was about to drag him away.

"Little sister, be polite!"

Zhao Gongming, Yunxiao, and Bixiao scolded in unison, but they were only saying it, and their feet had already started moving.

"Senior Brothers, please wait!"

The three female immortals, Wudang, Guiling, and Jinling, came gracefully, saluting and saying, "We heard that you are going to discuss the Dao with Junior Brother Tai Cang. May we also participate?"

"This..."

Zhao Gongming and San Xiao looked embarrassed. Although they were on good terms with the three, this discussion of the Dao was actually to ask Tai Cang for guidance, and they were hesitant to decide.

After exchanging glances, Zhao Gongming looked at Tai Cang: "What does Junior Brother think?"

"Let's go together." Tai Cang replied calmly.

Tai Cang glanced at Wudang and the other two, frowning slightly but not refusing.

He had already agreed to discuss the Dao with Zhao Gongming and San Xiao, so it didn't matter if there were three more of them. However, he always had a faint expression towards Wudang and the others. When he had argued with Duobao in the past, these three women had not helped Duobao, but had also watched coldly. Now that they were taking the initiative to show goodwill, Tai Cang's heart was calm.

"Very good."

Zhao Gongming and San Xiao smiled at each other and turned to Wudang and the others: "The three Junior Sisters can come along." After saying that, he cupped his hands towards Tai Cang: "Junior Brother Tai Cang, please."

The group went straight to San Xiao's residence. Coincidentally, San Xiao's Butterfly Valley was not far from Tai Cang's residence. The valley was dotted with wooden houses, covered in flowers, and filled with colorful butterflies.

"What does Junior Brother think of this place?" Qiongxiao asked, leaning closer.

"Wonderful." Tai Cang nodded, "The spiritual energy is abundant, and the scenery is pleasant. The three Senior Sisters have good taste."

Qiongxiao smiled upon hearing this, and Yunxiao and Bixiao also looked pleased. They had carefully arranged this Butterfly Valley, and they were naturally happy to receive Tai Cang's praise.

Zhao Gongming coughed lightly: "Junior Brother, let's begin. This Upper Clarity Tongtian Art has been stuck on the sixth level for many years. I hope Junior Brother can give us some guidance." His expression was earnest. After the battle on the Sun Star, everyone felt that their cultivation was insufficient. Since it was difficult to break through to the Taiyi realm, they could only start with the Upper Clarity Tongtian Art.

"Upper Clarity Tongtian Art!" Wudang and the other two exclaimed, and their eyes burned as they looked at Tai Cang again. They had only come to make friends, but now they realized the value of this discussion of the Dao.

Tai Cang readily agreed. The millennium deadline was approaching, and even if he defeated the Golden Crow Prince, he would not dare to underestimate the talents of the Three Sects. Right now, he needed to condense the Supreme Five Qi as soon as possible and complete the System mission.

"This art has twelve levels, and I have only comprehended nine." Tai Cang said solemnly, "I will now share my insights with you, hoping it will be helpful."

Tai Cang didn't say much more and immediately began to explain the essence of the Upper Clarity Tongtian Art.

The wooden house was silent, with only Tai Cang's voice echoing. As his explanation became more and more in-depth, Zhao Gongming, San Xiao, and the three women of Wudang all gained some understanding, and they all sat down and circulated their Blood Essence to compare and verify.

Before long, Tai Cang had taught all the essentials of the first nine levels. However, due to the presence of Wudang and the other three, he did not give everything away, only revealing some of the content of the subsequent three levels. After all, they were only casual acquaintances, and if he gave everything away without reservation, it would not only be useless, but might even help his enemies. Moreover, Wudang and the other three had been more inclined towards Duobao than towards him, Zhao Gongming, and San Xiao.

"Break!"

A clear shout rang out, and Yunxiao's mana surged, breaking through the Upper Clarity Tongtian Art to the eighth level. Bixiao and Qiongxiao followed closely behind, advancing one after another. However, Zhao Gongming and the three women of Wudang were still unmoved.

"The time has come."

Tai Cang's eyes flickered slightly, and he stood up and cupped his hands, saying, "Senior Sisters, the discussion of the Dao is over. Junior Brother will take his leave first."

Now that this matter was over, he needed to return as soon as possible to cultivate the Supreme Five Qi. With the gains from the Sun Star, condensing the Five Qi would not be difficult. Once he succeeded, he would be confident in breaking through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, winning the Three Sects Dao debate, completing the System mission, and obtaining more max-level privilege.

"Okay."

Yunxiao opened her eyes and looked at Tai Cang with a complicated expression, saying, "Junior Brother Tai Cang, we won't see you off. When our eldest brother recovers, we will definitely come to thank you."

It wasn't that she was arrogant, but that the three of them still needed to comprehend the Upper Clarity Tongtian Art. With Tai Cang's guidance, they wanted to break through to the ninth level in one fell swoop.

"I'll be waiting for good news."

Tai Cang understood, smiled faintly, cupped his hands in farewell, and left on a cloud, returning straight to his residence.

"Finally here."

Landing and entering the courtyard, Tai Cang waved his hand to set up a barrier, isolating outside interference. Then, without hesitation, he said, "System, upgrade the Grand Clarity Bright Jade Body to max level."

"Ding! Consuming one max-level privilege, the Grand Clarity Bright Jade Body is now at max level!"

In an instant, excruciating pain swept through his entire body.

The max-level privilege activated, causing his blood, meridians, bones, and organs to tremble. At first, it was a numb, ant-like sensation, but then the sound of cracking bones echoed, and a heart-wrenching pain surged forth.

"Ugh, ah—"

Tai Cang groaned, clenching his teeth, his fists bulging with veins, as he stubbornly endured the body tempering pain. Each breath felt as long as a year, with only destruction and rebirth repeatedly interwoven in his flesh and blood.

As time passed, the sound of bones shattering suddenly ceased.

Tai Cang's body shuddered, and the bone refining was finally complete. He exhaled a long breath, clearly feeling that his physical strength was comparable to an acquired innate spiritual treasure. However, before he could fully relax, the Blood Essence within him suddenly surged and boiled.

This is... Tai Cang's pupils contracted slightly, and a hint of shock flashed in his eyes. Blood refining! He had directly entered the third stage!

He didn't dare to be careless and immediately sat down cross-legged, focusing all his attention on observing the changes in his body. According to the records of the Grand Clarity Bright Jade Body, the third stage was crucial, as it would repeatedly temper the blood throughout the body. After repeated purification, the blood could even change his own aptitude and potential.

Tai Cang was originally just a stubborn stone. Although he became an innate deity due to obtaining the merit energy of world creation and Canghuang Qi, he was only the lowest level of existence. The aptitude levels in the cultivation world were divided into: mortal body, innate body, low-level innate deity, mid-level innate deity, high-level innate deity, top-tier innate deity, innate demon god, and top-tier innate demon god. The stronger the aptitude, the greater the potential. If he hadn't taken the initiative to become Tongtian's disciple back then, with his humble aptitude, he wouldn't have been noticed by the Three Pure Ones at all.

As time passed, the Grand Clarity Bright Jade Body continued to operate, and the blood in Tai Cang's body had been refined more than ten times.

Crack!

A crisp sound echoed in his ears, as if some kind of shackle had been broken. Tai Cang clearly felt that his mana had soared more than tenfold, and his aptitude had also been promoted to a mid-level innate deity.

Success! The corners of Tai Cang's mouth rose, unable to hide his excitement. The Grand Clarity Bright Jade Body could actually improve aptitude! This discovery made his heart beat faster—if he stayed in the third stage and used the automatic operation feature to continuously refine his blood, wouldn't he be able to continuously improve his aptitude?

This bold idea made his breathing quicken. If it could really be achieved, he even hoped to improve his aptitude to a top-tier innate deity comparable to the top experts of the primordial world, or even the innate demon god level like the Three Pure Ones!

Worth a try! Tai Cang calmed his mind and refocused his attention.

The max-level privilege of the Grand Clarity Bright Jade Body not only operated without any hindrance, but its speed also accelerated a bit. It really works! Tai Cang was overjoyed and immediately ended his cultivation and stood up.

He moved his muscles and bones in the wooden house, confirming that the max-level privilege had become an instinct and was operating correctly, and finally laughed out loud: Hahaha... This max-level privilege is not only amazingly powerful, but also gave him a chance to defy fate, so he must firmly grasp it, rather than rush to break through to the next stage.

After a long time, Tai Cang regained his composure. With a wave of his hand, the heavenly materials and earthly treasures he had brought back from the Sun Star covered the room. He took out the Sun Moon Essence and Five Elements spiritual items separately, put the remaining precious materials back into the Qiankun Bag, and showed a satisfied smile looking at the room full of spiritual items: Supreme Five Qi!

I will definitely achieve this wish!

After making up his mind, Tai Cang no longer hesitated and immediately sat down and operated the Supreme Five Qi Art, beginning to absorb the Sun Moon Essence between heaven and earth. As the Supreme Five Qi Art operated, the vast Sun Moon Essence poured into his body like a tide, nourishing his Primordial Spirit and sea of consciousness, and the mana around him climbed at an astonishing rate.

When the last trace of Sun Moon Essence was refined, Tai Cang's mana had already soared dozens of times. Although he was still stuck at the peak Golden Immortal realm, his mana was so strong that it was comparable to a Grand Unity Golden Immortal in the early stage.

This art is really magical!

The Supreme Five Qi Art truly seizes the creation of heaven and earth!

Tai Cang's eyes flashed with a bright light, and he couldn't wait to take out all the gold-element spiritual items. He pinched his fingers to form a magic seal, and a vortex appeared in the spiritual orifice between his eyebrows, sucking all the gold-element spiritual items into his body. Under the urging of the Supreme Five Qi Art, these spiritual items turned into pure gold energy, constantly tempering the original gold energy in his body.

The sound of rumbling was endless. As the gold energy continued to pour in, the original gold energy gradually transformed into Supreme Gold Qi. Tai Cang's aura soared, and when the last trace of gold energy completed its transformation, he suddenly opened his eyes.

The mana has actually increased tenfold!

If the remaining four Qi could be transformed, wouldn't it be possible to increase it by another forty times?

Feeling the surging torrent of mana in his body, Tai Cang breathed rapidly, his eyes full of heat. If he could complete the transformation of the five Qi, he would have fifty times the mana of an ordinary Golden Immortal, and he could crush his opponents with mana alone in the same rank.

Just as Tai Cang was preparing to continue transforming the water-element spiritual energy, a loud roar suddenly exploded:

Tai Cang, come out and die!

Along with a deafening roar, the barrier protecting the wooden house shattered in response. The entire wooden house collapsed with a bang, and as smoke and dust rose, Daoist Duobao stood in the air, exuding the terrifying pressure of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal in the early stage.

The sound of breaking through the air sounded one after another, and Zhao Gongming, the San Xiao fairies, Saint Mother Wudang and other Jie Sect direct disciples rushed over. Seeing the wooden house turned into ruins, everyone's faces showed indignation:

Senior Brother Duobao, what do you mean by this?

If Junior Brother Tai Cang hadn't defeated the Golden Crow Prince, how could Senior Brother have recovered?

Duobao's face became even more gloomy when he heard this. It was this kindness that he couldn't bear the most—if Tai Cang hadn't delayed the opportunity back then, how could he have forcibly transcended the tribulation, causing his Golden Immortal Dao Fruit to shatter? Even though his injuries had healed and he had been promoted to Grand Unity now, the Three Flowers Dao Fruit was forever incomplete.

What do you all know!

Duobao glared at everyone and shouted sharply: If this person hadn't delayed, how could I have painfully lost my Golden Immortal Dao Fruit!

"I have heard about this matter. He had already succeeded in defeating Lu Ya, but he insisted on fighting with the Golden Crow Prince endlessly. Afterwards, he even flattered and pleased him, which delayed his return for more than ten years."