Chapter 16

Hearing this, Guangchengzi and the other Golden Immortals froze, their wine jars suspended in midair as they stared at Tai Cang in stunned confusion.

They had been chatting and laughing just moments ago. How had things become so tense in the blink of an eye?

Junior Brother Tai Cang.

Yuding spoke instinctively. "Why is that?"

After all, Tai Cang was a guest he had invited and personally arranged to stay at his residence. Logically, he should not have suddenly challenged them.

Senior Brother Yuding.

Tai Cang cupped his hands in salute, his expression solemn.

He knew this was the best opportunity.

Once the Three Teachings Assembly ended, all three teachings would receive innate spiritual treasures bestowed by the Saints. It would become far more difficult to defeat them then.

But if he defeated the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect now, he could complete the task and gain another chance at One-Click Max Level.

Since he could not participate in the Three Teachings Assembly, he had to minimize his losses—defeat the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, perhaps even defeat Cang Du.

After all, opportunities for One-Click Max Level were exceedingly precious. The system was his true reliance.

With that in mind, Tai Cang said, "Please do not misunderstand, senior brothers. This junior has no dissatisfaction with any of you. I simply wish to spar."

"After all, I am merely an inner disciple and do not even qualify to participate in the Three Teachings Assembly. Still, I would like to see the gap between us."

Guangchengzi and the others were taken aback by those words.

He did not qualify to participate in the Three Teachings Assembly?

Could there be some hidden reason Tai Cang was absent from this assembly?

They could not help imagining Tai Cang suffering injustice in the Jie Sect. After exchanging glances, Guangchengzi, as the Chan Sect's senior disciple, slowly rose to his feet. "Very well. I accept!"

Seeing this, Yuding and the other Golden Immortals no longer hesitated and rose as well. "In that case, let us have a spar today!"

"We have long heard Master mention that Junior Brother Tai Cang faced nine Grand Unity Golden Immortals alone. Today, we can finally witness it for ourselves!"

It worked!

Seeing the Twelve Golden Immortals brimming with fighting spirit, Tai Cang's lips curved slightly.

Defeat the Twelve Golden Immortals and complete the task.

As long as he condensed the Supreme Five Qi, he could use it to break through into the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

Thinking this, Tai Cang said, "Then please wait a moment, senior brothers."

With a wave of his hand, he took out the Three-legged Cauldron and began forging an artifact before the Twelve Golden Immortals. Using Fusang Tree branches and all manner of heavenly treasures as materials, he displayed the Primordial Clarity Artifact Forging Technique.

The Primordial Clarity Artifact Forging Technique!

Master's secret artifact-forging method!

The Twelve Golden Immortals stared in disbelief.

They had never expected Tai Cang to know the Primordial Clarity Artifact Forging Technique, much less wield it with such mastery. It was clear that he had received the complete inheritance.

Could Master have taught it to Junior Brother Tai Cang?

Everyone looked at one another, their hearts filled with confusion.

They were the direct disciples of Primeval Lord of Heaven. By all rights, the Primordial Clarity Artifact Forging Technique should have been passed down to them. Why had it been taught to an outsider from another sect?

Just then, Tai Cang let out a low shout.

The Three-legged Cauldron buzzed, and its lid suddenly flew open. A treasure sword shot into the sky, its chilling radiance sweeping in all directions along with the dense aura of a top-grade acquired spiritual treasure.

It was actually a top-grade acquired spiritual treasure!

Unbelievable! He could forge an acquired spiritual treasure of such rank!

Guangchengzi and the others cried out in shock once more. The Primordial Clarity Artifact Forging Technique had already stunned them, yet Tai Cang had now forged a top-grade acquired spiritual treasure before their very eyes. Such talent was truly horrifying.

"Such talent is truly terrifying." Yuding smiled bitterly. "Master once said that Junior Brother Tai Cang's comprehension surpassed all three teachings. I did not believe it then, but today I know his words were true."

Guangchengzi and the others nodded repeatedly. Regardless of how Tai Cang had learned the Primordial Clarity Artifact Forging Technique, he had entered Kunlun only a little over eight hundred years ago. Yet not only had his cultivation advanced at astonishing speed, he had mastered the top-tier Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder and Supreme Clarity Sword Art. Now he had displayed such astounding artifact-forging talent. He was truly monstrous.

After finishing the artifact, Tai Cang put away the Three-legged Cauldron with a wave of his hand. Holding the three-foot-seven-inch sword, he pondered briefly. "This sword is the first true sword artifact I have forged. It shall be called..."

The sword body trembled and hummed softly, seemingly responding to the name. Suddenly, its blade turned and cut a thin line across Tai Cang's wrist. After absorbing his blood, its edge grew even sharper.

Congratulations, Junior Brother Tai Cang!

Congratulations, junior brother, on forging a top-grade acquired spiritual treasure.

Guangchengzi and the others stepped forward to offer their congratulations. Though they were about to spar, the fellowship between fellow disciples remained unchanged, and none harbored jealousy.

"Thank you, senior brothers." Tai Cang smiled and cupped his hands. "I am temporarily staying with Senior Brother Yuding. If any of you need a magical treasure forged, bring the materials to me, and Tai Cang will certainly be of service."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke. Since the Jie Sect wished to make a name for itself, he would strike at its foundation. If all Twelve Golden Immortals possessed top-grade acquired spiritual treasures, then even if every Jie Sect direct disciple advanced to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, they would still struggle to contend with them.

"Do you truly mean that, junior brother?"

"I will remember those words."

The Twelve Golden Immortals were instantly overjoyed, their burning gazes fixed on Tai Cang. Acquired spiritual treasures were unlike innate spiritual treasures, which required lengthy refinement. Once obtained, they could be mastered quickly.

"Of course it counts." Tai Cang's smile deepened as he slowly raised the Yinghuo Sword. "However, before forging artifacts, I ask for your instruction, senior brothers."

He took a step forward, and vast sword intent surged toward the Twelve Golden Immortals like a tidal wave.

Caught off guard, Guangchengzi and the others groaned and staggered back. Once they steadied themselves, their expressions turned grave. "What powerful sword intent!" They immediately brought out their magical treasures and prepared for battle. "Please instruct us, junior brother."

Guangchengzi was the first to urge his flying sword forward, while the other Golden Immortals retreated and cleared the battlefield.

Seeing that only one person had attacked, Tai Cang raised a brow and flicked his wrist. The Yinghuo Sword trembled lightly, knocking the incoming flying sword away. Then he pointed his sword at the crowd. "Senior brothers, why not attack together?"

Guangchengzi's body stiffened at those words, while Yuding and the others, who had retreated behind him, changed expression drastically.

They knew that one person alone could not defeat Tai Cang, but as the Twelve Golden Immortals, how could they tolerate being looked down upon?

"Junior Brother Tai Cang, do not be so arrogant!"

Guangchengzi recalled his flying sword, his face dark as water. "I am a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Be careful, junior brother."

Before his words had even faded, he formed hand seals and cast his technique. Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder wrapped around his sword as the flying sword tore through the air toward Tai Cang. At the same time, thunder filled the sky and crashed down with a roar.

"Pathetically weak."

Tai Cang sneered and lightly raised the Yinghuo Sword. Sword qi crisscrossed the air, and the thunder scattered before it could even approach him. The flying sword was blocked more than thirty yards away, unable to advance an inch.

In mere moments, Tai Cang had gained the upper hand. His feet never moved, yet sword qi alone forced Guangchengzi into a frantic and miserable defense.

How could this be?!

Yuding and the others watching from afar were dumbfounded. They knew Tai Cang was powerful, but seeing it with their own eyes still left them shaken.

Cihang clenched his fists and muttered softly, "He has actually become this strong? We are both at peak Golden Immortal, so why is the gap between us so immense?"

In that battle eight hundred years ago, they had still been evenly matched. Yet after years of hard cultivation, he had already been left far behind.

Senior Brother Guangchengzi.

Tai Cang knocked his opponent back with a single sword strike and said indifferently, "The outcome has been decided. If this is all you have, senior brother, then there are no fewer than three in the Jie Sect who can defeat you."

At those words, Guangchengzi hovered in midair, his face as cold as frost. It was not because of the mockery, but because he had suddenly realized that the Jie Sect possessed such depth.

Yuding and the others also looked grave. Guangchengzi was among the strongest of the Twelve Golden Immortals. If the Jie Sect truly had three people stronger than him, would the Chan Sect not become mere foils?

"Junior brothers!"

Guangchengzi suddenly turned around and shouted sharply, "Form the array! Let Junior Brother Tai Cang witness what we are truly capable of!"

"Yes!"

Yuding and the others answered in unison. At this moment, who cared about ganging up on one opponent? They only wanted to verify the doubts in their hearts.

"Please instruct us, junior brother!"

"Be careful!"

In an instant, magical treasures flew through the air and divine thunder descended from the heavens. Light blazed throughout the valley, thunderclouds churned, and deafening roars echoed across Kunlun.

Cultivators in the distance all turned to look.

The Chan Sect was fighting someone?

The Jie Sect disciples gazed at the raging Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder from afar, their faces filled with alarm. Even from such a great distance, the overwhelming pressure made their hearts tremble.

At that moment, Duobao and the others were listening to Dao teachings in the Upper Clarity Palace. They were utterly unaware of the changing situation outside, much less the unease of the Jie Sect immortals.

The Chan Sect!

Junior Brother Tai Cang!

Outside the Grand Clarity Palace, Cang Du stared toward the churning thunderclouds, a grave look appearing between his brows. From within those clouds, he could clearly sense several auras capable of threatening him.

It seems I must enter seclusion once more.

Cang Du took a deep breath and turned toward his residence. Inside the Grand Clarity Palace, Laozi nodded slightly at the sight. His gaze shifted toward Tai Cang's location as he murmured, "Junior Brother Tongtian, you have ultimately made the wrong choice."

"This child's affinity with the Jie Sect has run its course and can no longer be salvaged. So be it. From this day forward, he shall be the Second Generation of Cang Gate, not someone belonging solely to the Jie Sect lineage."

With that, Laozi flicked his sleeve and tossed several spiritual herbs into the pill furnace before continuing to refine pills in focused silence.

Within the Primordial Clarity Palace, Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning suddenly sensed something. After opening his eyes and seeing the entire chain of events, he could not help clapping his hands and laughing heartily.

Tai Cang's clash with the Twelve Golden Immortals was exactly what he wanted. Though this battle would blunt the Twelve Golden Immortals' pride, it would also inspire their hearts to pursue the Dao. What pleased Yuan Shi even more was Tai Cang's promise to forge magical artifacts for the Chan Sect. It was clear he intended to help the Chan Sect win during the Three Teachings discussion of Dao.

"Tongtian, in the end, you have made the inferior move!"

Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning gazed toward the Upper Clarity Palace, a faint smile on his lips. "Instead of nurturing such an extraordinarily gifted disciple, you favor those wet-born, egg-laying creatures. How utterly absurd."

Within the valley, wherever Tai Cang's sword pointed, the thunderclouds filling the sky split apart. Twelve fierce streaks of sword qi slashed out in succession, and the Twelve Golden Immortals fell one after another. Though they had not suffered serious injuries, victory and defeat had already been decided.

Ding! Task completed. One-Click Max Level Privilege acquired.

Putting away the Yinghuo Sword, Tai Cang cupped his hands toward the Twelve Golden Immortals. "Senior brothers, thank you for letting me win."

They had... lost just like that?

Guangchengzi and the others were still in a daze. Though they had anticipated it, such a clean and decisive defeat remained difficult to believe. The several Grand Unity Golden Immortals in particular were filled with confusion. Was this truly only the strength of a peak Golden Immortal?

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

True Person Yuding was the first to rise. He asked solemnly, "May I ask how the Dao you cultivate differs from ours?"

At those words, all the immortals turned to look. Cihang and the others gazed at him with particular intensity—if they could understand the secret within, perhaps they too could break through their constraints and reach a higher realm.

"That is indeed the case!"

Tai Cang pondered briefly, swept his gaze across the Twelve Golden Immortals, and slowly said, "Though I am only at peak Golden Immortal, I cultivate both body and Dharma. My mana is deeper than that of others at the same realm."

"Furthermore, the Upper Clarity Tongtian Art I cultivate is of an extremely high grade. The purity of my mana is enough to rival that of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal."

"Finally, I passed the Three Calamities while still at the middle Golden Immortal stage. I have mastered the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit and Five Qi Towards Origin, so my mana naturally far surpasses that of ordinary cultivators."

He did not continue, as some secrets were not convenient to reveal—such as the true mysteries of Five Qi Towards Origin, or the existence of the system.

"So that is how it is!"

Guangchengzi and the others suddenly understood. They nodded in agreement with Tai Cang's explanation, each gaining some insight.

Yuding and Huang Long muttered quietly, "Cultivating both body and Dharma... so it can be done this way."

Cihang and the other Golden Immortals, meanwhile, paid greater attention to Five Qi Towards Origin and the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit. They realized that they had yet to fully grasp their essence.

As for Guangchengzi and the other Grand Unity Golden Immortals, they began contemplating their own cultivation. After all, the higher one's realm and the purer one's mana, the more easily one could fight across realms.

After a moment, the Twelve Golden Immortals came back to their senses and bowed to Tai Cang together. "Thank you for your guidance, Junior Brother Tai Cang!"