Chapter 19

Impressive indeed! The corner of his lips lifted slightly as he immediately ordered, "System, use One-Click Max Level on the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill."

Ding! Consumed one authorization. One-Click Max Level for the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill succeeded!

In an instant, the circulation within his body accelerated sharply, rapidly converting and absorbing the fully leveled Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art. Tai Cang's aura surged explosively as the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill broke through in succession: Second Revolution → Third Revolution → Fourth Revolution → Fifth Revolution → Sixth Revolution!

It finally stabilized at the Sixth Revolution. Although his cultivation had not increased, the purity of his mana had soared by hundreds of times. At this moment, it was already comparable to the Great Perfection realm of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

Most excitingly, after reaching max level, the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill could circulate on its own just like the Upper Clarity Tongtian Art. This meant Tai Cang no longer needed to deliberately enter seclusion to cultivate; his strength was improving every moment.

Wonderful!

Truly wonderful!

Feeling the ceaseless torrent of mana rushing through his body, Tai Cang could not help throwing back his head in laughter. Now that the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill had reached completion, the quality of his mana had risen to another level. Even against an expert who had condensed the Three Flowers and attained the Grand Unity Dao Fruit, he had the strength to fight.

After a long while, Tai Cang calmed himself and focused his mind, summoning the True Martial Black Eagle Banner. If he could refine this top-grade innate spiritual treasure, his ability to preserve his life would increase enormously. Without hesitation, he forced out a drop of blood essence and began refining it with his divine sense.

This banner contained seventy-one innate restrictions. With every restriction refined, its power would double. The spiritual treasures of the Primordial World were ranked according to their restrictions:

Low-grade treasures contained one to nine restrictions, mid-grade treasures ten to eighteen, high-grade treasures nineteen to thirty-six, and top-grade treasures thirty-seven to seventy-two. Innate supreme treasures required seventy-three to eighty-one restrictions. Top treasures such as the Taiji Diagram and the Pangu Banner all possessed eighty-one complete restrictions. Although the Qiankun Cauldron was ranked among supreme treasures, its seventy-eight restrictions ultimately left it somewhat inferior.

Though the True Martial Black Eagle Banner's seventy-one restrictions had not reached the utmost limit, it was already among the finest top-grade spiritual treasures, second only to legendary objects such as the Red Embroidered Ball and the River Diagram and Luo Script.

Buzz—

As a clear hum rang out, the treasure banner completed its recognition of its master. Tai Cang immediately activated the vast mana of the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill. Restriction after restriction broke open, and the Dao aura emerging from the banner grew increasingly magnificent.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

That day, Yuding's call interrupted the refinement process. Tai Cang opened his eyes and looked at the treasure banner in his palm. He had already broken through thirty-seven restrictions, enough at last to wield the protective power of a top-grade spiritual treasure. However, the remaining restrictions required the Great Luo realm before they could be further refined.

Putting away the banner and removing the barrier, Tai Cang stepped forward. "Brother Yuding, what brings you here?"

Seeing Tai Cang appear, Yuding was about to speak when he suddenly froze. "A Grand Unity Golden Immortal?! Junior Brother, you actually broke through?" He could not conceal his shock. In such a short time, Tai Cang had advanced from the Cang Lineage to Grand Unity—such progress was truly terrifying.

"It was merely a fortunate coincidence." Tai Cang casually changed the subject. "Brother, did you come because the Sect Master Patriarch has given an order?"

Yuding came back to his senses, a bitter smile appearing on his face. He said softly, "The banquet of the Three Sects is about to begin. The great powers of the Primordial World will all be present. Master ordered me to invite you to the banquet grounds."

As he spoke, a trace of envy flickered in Yuding's eyes.

The Cang Lineage!

This identity appeared equivalent to that of a personal disciple, but in truth, its status was even greater. Not only did it enjoy special honor within the Cang Lineage and the Three Sects, it was also deeply respected in the outside world. If they traveled together, the first person everyone would notice would undoubtedly be Tai Cang of the Cang Lineage, rather than personal disciples of the sages like them.

"I understand."

Tai Cang nodded slightly, his eyes gleaming. "In that case, let us depart at once. I have never visited the Primordial Clarity Palace before, so this is a good opportunity to see it properly."

Yuding broke into a smile upon hearing this. Tai Cang's words brought him great comfort. The other party had not become aloof merely because he had entered the Cang Lineage. He was still the Tai Cang Yuding knew, unchanged in the slightest.

The two no longer delayed and rode clouds straight toward the Primordial Clarity Palace.

When they arrived at the Primordial Clarity Palace, the disciples of the Severing Sect had already gathered. On the grounds, the disciples of the Exposition and Severing Sects stood separately. Laozi had also arrived with Cang Du. Though the disciples of the Three Sects occupied the same place, their boundaries were clearly drawn. Only the Three Pure Ones atop the platform chatted pleasantly with one another.

"Tai Cang is here."

"The Cang Lineage has finally appeared."

Although Tongtian's previous actions had chilled Tai Cang's heart, Tongtian was ultimately still his master in the Severing Sect. Now, due to Laozi, he had become part of the Cang Lineage and no longer wished to become involved in the internal disputes of the Severing Sect. Even if the Severing Sect was eventually destroyed, it would have nothing to do with him.

"Mm."

Laozi and Yuan Shi nodded slightly, their faces showing approval. Only Tongtian wore a complicated expression. He gazed at Tai Cang and slowly said, "Late-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal... your rate of progress can be called the greatest among the Three Sects."

"The Nine Revolutions Cang Skill you cultivate has actually reached the Sixth Revolution. No wonder Eldest Brother chose you for the Cang Lineage."

"Late-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal!"

Laozi and Yuan Shi's gazes sharpened as they instantly saw through Tai Cang's condition. Shock appeared on their faces. Laozi in particular—he had bestowed the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill only a short while ago, yet Tai Cang had not only successfully converted his cultivation, but had also reached the Sixth Revolution. It was truly unbelievable.

"What?!"

"Late-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal?!"

"That's impossible!"

The Severing Sect cultivators erupted in shock, staring fixedly at Tai Cang's back with horror in their eyes. Duobao and the others looked especially grim. They had only entered the Grand Unity realm after receiving Tongtian's personal teachings, and even Duobao, the strongest among them, had only reached the middle stage. Yet Tai Cang had entered the late stage within mere centuries. It was simply inconceivable!

Everyone clenched their fists, their emotions churning as they fell speechless.

"The Sixth Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill!"

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang possesses extraordinary talent!"

The Twelve Golden Immortals of the Exposition Sect and Cang Du were equally unable to hide their shock. They had long known that Tai Cang possessed exceptional talent, but his progress in the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill had still far exceeded expectations. Yuan Shi had once bestowed the art, and only Yuding and Huanglong had been able to cultivate it. Even now, they remained stalled at the Fifth Revolution. Yet Tai Cang had possessed no foundation when they drank and discussed Dao together, only to surpass them afterward!

"The Sixth Revolution of the Cang Skill..."

"Junior Brother Tai Cang, you truly put immense pressure on us."

Cang Du's expression was solemn. He had cultivated the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill for centuries before barely reaching the Sixth Revolution. Though his realm was slightly higher, he had no confidence in certain victory—Tai Cang's talent, combined with the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder and the Supreme Clarity Sword Art, had made him nearly flawless.

"Master praises me too highly."

Faced with the upheaval among the disciples of the Three Sects, Tai Cang calmly cupped his hands. "It was nothing more than good fortune."

The moment those words fell, everyone fell silent.

Good fortune?

Who would not envy such "good fortune"?

Even the Three Pure Ones could not help shaking their heads and laughing. Tai Cang spoke modestly, but they knew how difficult it had truly been. Laozi especially understood better than anyone just how hard-won all of this was.

Tai Cang had cultivated the Nine Revolutions Cang Skill for only a short time, yet he had achieved such results. Even Laozi was amazed by such talent.

He had even entertained the thought of taking Tai Cang into the Human Sect.

This child possessed peerless talent. Not to mention among the disciples of the Three Sects, there were few in the entire Primordial World who could rival him.

Roar—

Roar—

Suddenly, waves of beastly roars came from outside the Kunlun Mountains.

Looking up, they saw numerous great powers of the Primordial World arriving atop clouds. Some experts even rode rare and exotic beasts. Even the former overlords—the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin—had been reduced to mounts.

"They're here!"

"The great powers of the Primordial World have arrived!"

The disciples of the Three Sects were invigorated, their burning gazes fixed on the figures streaking toward them, their eyes filled with envy and yearning.

These top great powers were all at the quasi-sage realm. They had long escaped the constraints of the River of Destiny and, barring accidents, could almost live as long as heaven and earth.

Soon, the crowd neared the Kunlun Mountains. Once they recognized the arrivals, the disciples of the Three Sects immediately began discussing among themselves. "Look, that is Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi!"

"The one beside him must be Great Immortal Hongyun!"

"That one brimming with killing intent must be Old Ancestor Minghe. It is said that he walks the Dao of slaughter and seeks the Dao through massacring all living things."

The venue buzzed with noise. Seeing so many great powers for the first time, the disciples of the Three Sects cried out repeatedly. Their loss of composure made the Three Pure Ones shake their heads slightly.

Only Tai Cang remained calm. His gaze swept indifferently over the great powers of the Primordial World, lingering a little longer on those whose names would be remembered in later generations, such as Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, Minghe, and Queen Mother of the West.

A moment later, the great powers landed one after another and cupped their hands toward the Three Pure Ones seated at the head. "Greetings, Grand Clarity Sage!"

"Greetings, Primordial Clarity Sage!"

"Greetings, Supreme Clarity Sage!"

Laozi and the other two nodded with smiles.

After exchanging glances, Laozi, as the leader of the Three Pure Ones, spoke. "Fellow Daoists, there is no need for such formality. We invited you here today to witness the contest among the second-generation disciples of our Three Sects."

At these words, the disciples of the Three Sects all straightened their backs, forcibly suppressing the unease in their hearts as they did their utmost to appear proud and composed.

The great powers nodded in response.

Though the cultivation of the Three Sects' disciples was not worth mentioning in their eyes, they were disciples of sages after all, and proper courtesy could not be neglected.

Immediately afterward, Zhen Yuanzi and the others said, "The three sages have produced many outstanding disciples. They are all exceptional talents and will surely become pillars of the Cang Lineage in the future."

"We heard these disciples have cultivated for less than a thousand years, yet have already advanced from Golden Immortals to Grand Unity Golden Immortals. Their talent is truly extraordinary."

Hearing the gods' praise, the disciples of the Three Sects revealed delighted expressions.

Even Cang Du could not help feeling pleased.

"Heh, they are merely flattering them to ruin them."

"The status of a sage's disciple truly is different."

Tai Cang watched coldly, seeing everything clearly. He knew that Zhen Yuanzi and the others appeared to be praising them, but were merely giving face to the Three Pure Ones.

If not for the halo of being disciples of sages, why would these people spare them even a second glance?

"Thank you for your kind regard, fellow Daoists!"

Seeing how tactful the great powers were, Laozi, Yuan Shi, and Tongtian all revealed satisfied expressions.

After their gazes met, Laozi lightly flicked his sleeve. Countless tables and cushions instantly appeared all around them, laden with rare spiritual fruits and fine immortal wine.

"Fellow Daoists, you have traveled far and must be weary. Please take your seats and let us converse freely." Laozi gestured to the gathered gods.

"Just as it should be."

Zhen Yuanzi and the others nodded in agreement, each selecting a seat. Just as the immortals settled down, they suddenly heard long cries echoing from the heavens. Looking up, they saw Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi leading the Demon Race's generals through the clouds, their gleaming golden imperial carriage illuminating the nine heavens.

"The Demon Emperor has arrived!"

"The Demon Sovereign has come in person!"

The immortals in the hall all rose to welcome them. The Demon Race's might shook the Primordial World. Even sages had to show them some courtesy, much less the independent cultivators present.

Di Jun and his group descended from the clouds and saluted the Three Pure Ones. "Greetings, Grand Clarity Sage!"

"Greetings, Primordial Clarity Sage and Supreme Clarity Sage!"

The Three Pure Ones returned the salute. "Demon Emperor, Demon Sovereign, and fellow Daoists, you have come from afar. Please take your seats."

When the Ten Golden Crow princes spotted Tai Cang, they repeatedly waved to him despite saying nothing. This unusual behavior drew the attention of the gathered gods. Since when had the descendants of the Sun God become so familiar with disciples of the Three Sects? What drew even more attention was that Tai Cang stood beside the Three Pure Ones rather than among the disciples.

Sensing the probing gazes from all directions, Tai Cang smiled bitterly to himself, yet outwardly remained composed as he cupped his hands in return to the Golden Crows.

"Grand Clarity Daoist." Hong Yun suddenly spoke, his burning gaze fixed on Tai Cang. "Which sect does this young friend belong to?"

His words were like a stone cast into a lake, drawing the eyes of every immortal and god present. Though Di Jun and the others knew Tai Cang came from the Severing Sect, his special position upon the platform clearly concealed some mystery.

Tongtian answered loudly, "Tai Cang is a disciple of my Severing Sect, and he is also the orthodox heir of the Cang Lineage!"

The words "orthodox heir of the Cang Lineage" exploded like thunder. The Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao Palace looked at one another in dismay. Back then, they had merely heard the Dao Ancestor lecture, yet this Grand Unity Golden Immortal before them had received such an honor? If not for their concern for the sages' dignity, they would likely have already risen together to demand answers.