Extreme Evil

The matter of the person with a bump on their head coming to offer warmth was a minor interlude, quickly forgotten.

Xue Ding's conversation returned to the topic of immortal traces.

How to touch upon immortal traces.

Xue Ding explained this in just a few sentences.

The key lay in the spiritual secret object condensed from Divine Smoke.

Three wisps of incense formed a secret object, nine wisps formed a ding, and twenty-seven wisps gave birth to a divine platform.

Incense, ding, and divine platform were all objects used to worship heaven and gods, inherently possessing extraordinary meaning.

Driving the secret object with one's spirit would naturally touch the indestructible immortal traces between heaven and earth. Following the principle of like attracting like, one's cultivation technique and true energy would be more attracted to things of the same nature.

Of course, among incense, ding, and divine platform, the divine platform was most likely to attract the favor of stronger immortal traces and guide their descent.

The delicious steamed buns were finished in a flash.

Xue Ding stood up and bid farewell to Yuan Tianzong.

He didn't ask Yuan Tianzong how many wisps of Divine Smoke he had obtained, what kind of secret object he had condensed, nor did he linger after explaining about immortal traces, leaving the time to Yuan Tianzong.

Just like the prodigies and old monsters in many sects, and even Xue Ding himself, no one wanted outsiders present when they were about to touch upon immortal traces and have what they obtained known.

Cultivating beings needed to maintain a certain sense of boundaries. Unless it was a beloved family member or friend, any slight overstepping by others would evoke disgust.

After all, cultivation methods, especially special ones, were extremely important at critical moments. Who would want outsiders to know in advance and be prepared?

Xue Ding understood that Yuan Tianzong had a good impression of him. Being able to talk to him and become his 'cook' was a precious opportunity he had given him, and he absolutely could not jeopardize it.

After Xue Ding left, Yuan Tianzong gave an instruction to Bone.

"Go stand guard outside. I need to do something and don't want to be disturbed."

"Clack clack!" Bone nodded. The refined python skull it had transformed into opened its maw, forming a terrifying black hole, thereby conveying its reassurance to Yuan Tianzong that it was very strong now.

Yuan Tianzong nodded. After refining the bones of several powerful Evolved Beasts, Bone's strength had indeed improved significantly. Ordinary beings were no match for it; one tap and they'd fall.

Once Bone had left, he patted his clothes, sat down cross-legged, and closed his eyes in meditation.

Immortal traces, let me try.

He performed a spiritual inner vision. In a silent place as dark as deep space, four divine platforms stood quietly.

As Yuan Tianzong poured his spirit into the four divine platforms, wisps of ethereal smoke rose and vanished in the spiritual realm.

In the outside world, divine light flickered on Yuan Tianzong's brow. Wisps of scent, invisible to the naked eye, rose straight into the sky and dissipated into the heavens and earth.

Meanwhile, the competition for Divine Smoke in various regions had also concluded. All beings who had condensed a Divine Smoke secret object and possessed the ability to touch upon immortal traces began their actions in their respective safe locations.

In a certain area of dense mountains and rivers, nine peaks arranged in a valley each had a strong expert guarding them, protecting the old monster sitting cross-legged within the valley as they attempted to touch upon immortal traces.

When the Divine Smoke appeared, this sect dispatched a large number of disciples to search for Divine Smoke for the elder. Then, the sect's experts joined forces to suppress his spirit, finally allowing him to successfully withstand the impact of twenty-seven wisps of Divine Smoke and condense a divine platform. The entire sect rejoiced!

Heaven and earth fell silent.

On the ground around the elder, a withered leaf was suddenly stirred, rustling and moving.

Moments later, the withered leaf shot up into the sky, gathering with numerous other withered leaves, swirling and rushing upwards.

Wind, a great wind!

The protectors sensed something and looked up, their eyes flashing. They suppressed their excitement and dared not make a sound.

In the void, a transparent lotus flower appeared, rotating, its aura mysterious.

A Dao Lotus!

In Daoist scriptures, lotus flowers appeared frequently. This object, to a certain extent, could represent the supreme in the Daoist sect.

Awakening, Lotus Lamp, Dan Heart, Soul Fusion, Dao Palace, Primordial Fetus, Flying Heaven.

Throughout the Seven Realms of the Divine Path, the lotus flower was always present, its status evident.

The Dao Lotus, according to ancient texts, could only be condensed by a strong practitioner in the Primordial Fetus realm. It was a symbol of cultivation, status, and the degree of integration with the Dao of heaven and earth.

If it were merely the Dao Lotus of a Primordial Fetus realm being, it could not be immortal. It must be a mythical object refined with the Dao Lotus as its foundation!

The elder was extremely excited, tears streaming down his face.

The Dao Lotus before him was not a physical object, but an immortal trace. However, with it, he, who had insufficient talent, might be able to touch upon the Primordial Fetus realm in this life and become a sect leader-level existence!

"Haha! Our sect's prosperity is just around the corner!"

"Congratulations, Senior Brother! Our sect's prosperity is just around the corner!"

"Congratulations, Senior Brother! Our sect's prosperity is just around the corner!"

The competition for Divine Smoke was extremely fierce.

Even with the backing of powerful forces and obtaining enough Divine Smoke, not everyone could suppress their spirit and withstand the impact.

Across Huaxia, very few people managed to condense a divine platform.

The online discussions were intense.

People from all over were speculating who might achieve a divine platform based on the ongoing competition.

"Those who master the Divine Smoke and divine platform can touch more powerful immortal traces. Their future is bright, I'm envious~"

"My cousin has reliable information that a certain young prodigy touched an immortal trace and obtained a damaged artifact spirit. The weapon in his hand instantly gained sentience and became unstoppable!"

"Divine Smoke incense sticks? What's that? A certain ancestral teacher touched a Dao Lotus and has astonishing luck!"

"Bull Demon King, I heard he obtained a lot of Divine Smoke and might have condensed a divine platform. I wonder what immortal trace he can touch?"

"He was arrogant and overbearing during the Divine Smoke competition, clashing with major sects in Mount Tai. He has many enemies, so he must be hiding to touch an immortal trace, otherwise, he would definitely be disturbed."

"Divine Smoke and immortal traces, it's truly a chaotic yet brilliant era. Some people surpassed everyone from the very beginning. Who knows what the future holds!"

Wangwu Mountain, Celestial Master Temple.

Xue Ding and the Sect Leader Celestial Master, with the help of their fellow disciples, both obtained Divine Smoke and condensed incense sticks, qualifying them to touch immortal traces.

The Sect Leader Celestial Master went first. A mysterious dao talisman floated from the void, ethereal and formless, with complex inscriptions that shook the space before vanishing between his eyebrows.

Having successfully obtained an immortal secret item, the Sect Leader Celestial Master stood up, but there was little joy on his face.

He had only condensed an incense stick, which was far inferior to those who had condensed divine platforms.

"Disciple, don't be discouraged. Perhaps you can obtain a better immortal trace."

Xue Ding nodded and began to touch the immortal trace.

Information revealed that the strength of an immortal trace was not solely related to incense sticks, tripods, or divine platforms, but also involved personal destiny.

Silence, silence, still silence.

Xue Ding had been meditating for over half an hour, but the immortal trace had yet to appear.

An elder frowned, "Could it be that he can't touch the immortal trace?"

Similar situations had occurred before.

"How could that be? Junior Uncle Xue Ding's talent is outstanding. How could he not touch an immortal trace?" another elder immediately spoke up, interrupting the disheartening words.

The Sect Leader Celestial Master was very steady, neither arrogant nor impatient, and quietly observed.

Finally, a trace of unusual aura appeared.

At this moment, the Sect Leader Celestial Master took a sudden step forward, his pupils dilating in shock. In an instant, he waved his hand and shouted, "Seal off all areas! No disciples are allowed to approach!"

"Yes!"

The elders flashed away, also looking shocked and disbelieving.

From the source of the unusual aura, black light bloomed in the void, and an extremely evil killing intent poured out, making the Sect Leader Celestial Master's body tremble.

That was an object of extreme evil!

How could it be the immortal trace that his righteous and upright beloved disciple could touch?

Was there a mistake!

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