Chapter 254
Although the magic weapon was powerful, she already possessed the Yin Yang Two Forms Star Chart, which had reached the Quasi-Emperor level and could be combined with her other magic weapons to form a complete system.
The randomly generated magical artifacts may not be compatible with the existing system, and they are not what she urgently needs.
In comparison, while the comprehension of the Way of Void is not essential at present, it is essential in the future.
As we all know, to attain sainthood, one must build a sacred palace, and to build a sacred palace, one must clearly define one's path and go all out to walk it firmly and without hesitation.
Previously, she attempted to embark on an unprecedented path by simultaneously studying Yin Yang Five Elements.
But after initial experimentation, she realized that this path was not actually suitable.
As for which path she should take, she was actually quite confused and couldn't easily make a decision.
"I'm only at the eighth level of the King Realm right now, and there's still a long way to go before I can become a Saint. I need to accumulate as much foundation as possible first, so that when I'm just one step away from the goal, I can handle things with ease."
Xiao Minghuang said to herself that although she could not clearly define her own path, she knew that the path of cultivation was either about gain or loss.
When one's cultivation level is low, one contends with heaven and earth for creation, bestowing it upon oneself, and defying fate to move forward.
When one's cultivation reaches a high level, one must eliminate external influences and maintain one's own purity in order to fully grasp the Great Dao.
However, she has clearly not yet reached a very advanced level.
Therefore, Xiao Minghuang now needs to build different Life and Death Platform.
The Way of Void is one such option.
This path may seem difficult, but it has one advantage: it's safe.
At that time, she will stand on the threshold of sainthood, able to choose freely. The more she relinquishes, the purer her Dao will become, and the more powerful she will be after becoming a saint!
As her thoughts turned, her understanding of the Way of Void flowed into her heart, gradually becoming clearer, and she was even able to explore the operating rules and characteristics of the Way of Void.
318. The Way of Void
"The Way of Void is the foundation of all tangible matter in the world, and the basis of the evolution of all things..."
Xiao Minghuang muttered to herself, the cultivation method of the Way of Void appearing in her mind. She began to cultivate according to the operating method of the Way of Void, and at the same time, her mind gradually immersed in the comprehension of the Way of Void.
Within her inner palace, changes slowly took place.
Previously, Xiao Minghuang had refined the Tiangang Secret Realm and merged it with his own Purple Mansion, upgrading it to a secret realm.
In other words, her Purple Mansion is not actually a Purple Mansion, but a secret realm that only a sage can condense.
Within this secret realm, the sun and moon shine brightly in the sky, and countless stars twinkle, weaving together a wondrous and beautiful fairyland.
At the very center, on the Eightfold Life and Death Platform, under the endless starlight, the figure of a woman appeared. Her features were as perfect as a painting, her skin was as white as snow, and her temperament was noble and gorgeous, as if she were a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.
This was precisely Xiao Minghuang's Primordial Spirit.
Beneath her feet, the Eightfold Life and Death Platform suddenly rose, with one layer shining with silver light. The Life and Death Platform symbolizing the Way of Void condensed and intertwined with the Yin Yang Five Elements Life and Death Platform, converging into a strange energy that spread in all directions.
Wherever the energy reached, all things flourished and were renewed, until it reached the end of the secret realm and crashed into the boundary wall.
But this only slowed things down slightly. In a short while, the energy broke through the boundary and rapidly expanded the scope of the secret realm, causing the mountains, rivers, plants, flowers, birds, fish and insects in the secret realm to flourish rapidly, and it continued to extend to even more distant places.
In no time, the secret realm, which was originally only a thousand miles in circumference, expanded to nearly ten times its original size!
As the secret realm expanded rapidly, that strange energy was also exhausted.
"If the secret realm expands tenfold, wouldn't that be a celestial paradise...?"
Sensing the drastic changes in the secret realm, Xiao Minghuang raised her eyebrows slightly.
According to common knowledge among cultivators, the sign of entering sainthood is the Purple Mansion Evolution Secret Realm.
The size of a secret realm is generally between a thousand and nine thousand li in radius.
The secret realm spanning tens of thousands of miles is called a grotto heaven, something only a Great Sage above the Fourth Holy Palace can accomplish!
In other words, Xiao Minghuang's secret realm has already reached the level of a Great Sage!
"It's probably because the Way of Void intertwined and resonated with Yin and Yin Yang Five Elements, resulting in some kind of transformation."
Xiao Minghuang guessed.
After all, Yin Yang Five Elements give rise to all things in the universe, and the Way of Void is the foundation of all tangible matter.
When the two intertwine and merge, a transformation naturally occurs.
She sensed the changes within herself; compared to the evolved grotto-heaven of the secret realm, the newly formed Ninth Life and Death Platform seemed utterly unremarkable.
Xiao Minghuang opened her eyes, her pupils reflecting a dazzling galaxy, as deep and mysterious as the vast universe, drawing people in irresistibly into it.
"I wonder what my true strength is now?"
Although she didn't know her current strength, if she encountered Ji Changkong again, even without using any magic weapons, she could kill him with a single finger using only her own Dao techniques!
In addition, unexpected changes occurred within her body.
Previously, Holy King Qingkong had written an ancient word of origin "empty" on her palm.
So much time has passed, yet she has never felt that the ancient character has played any role, not even producing the slightest fluctuation.
But after comprehending the Way of Void, the ancient character in her palm finally came to life.
She gently raised her hand, turned her palm over to examine the patterns, and saw that the Origin Ancient Script on her palm shone brightly, radiating a pale silver light.
She could sense the profound aura emanating from the ancient characters, resonating with the great principles of heaven and earth.
"Null!"
Xiao Minghuang acted on her impulse and uttered a single word.
Instantly, an extremely mysterious aura spread out, carrying a sense of vicissitude and antiquity, as if it had descended from billions of years ago.
The entire secret realm instantly fell silent, everything lost its sound.
Even time seemed to stand still for a moment.
In Xiao Minghuang's vision, the world was distorting, and the void transformed into flowing water, surging in from all directions, merging into the ancient characters, and disappearing without a trace.
"This is..."
Xiao Minghuang suddenly sensed something and immediately understood everything.
"The Void Ancient Script have been revived; they seek to reclaim the Tao and principles they embodied!"
Based on her knowledge, the Origin Ancient Script represent a certain Dao, which is equivalent to the external manifestation of this Dao.
However, due to the passage of time, changes in the external environment reflecting this great Dao, or other reasons, the Origin Ancient Script have gradually lost their qualification to represent this great Dao.
This Void Ancient Script has clearly lost its power due to the boundless evolution of the void over time, far exceeding what this single character can encompass.
"The Void Ancient Script have revived, probably because I have comprehended a portion of the Way of Void, which is why they were awakened."
Xiao Minghuang made a guess in her mind.
"Since that's the case..."
As she thought about it, the Origin Ancient Script flew out of her palm and hovered in mid-air.
She closed her eyes again, trying to connect with the ancient characters before her.
"... Hungry..."
Xiao Minghuang sensed it.
This was not any language in the world, but an expression of the will of Void Ancient Script, which was directly transmitted into her mind.
What would you like to eat?
Xiao Minghuang asked.
"..."
She waited for a long time, but did not receive a clear answer.
Or perhaps, the will of the Void Ancient Script was too ancient and profound for Xiao Minghuang to comprehend.
After several failed attempts, she gave up communicating with the Void Ancient Script and retrieved them back into her grotto.
Upon entering the cave, the Void Ancient Script seemed to be summoned and flew into the ninth level of the Life and Death Platform, the Void Life and Death Platform.
A flash of silver light appeared, and the ancient characters were ejected.
Seeing this, Xiao Minghuang found it amusing.
"This guy is a bit stupid..."
She didn't do anything proactively. The Origin Ancient Script and her Life and Death Platform are two completely different systems that cannot be reconciled at all!
However, the Void Ancient Script was also attracted by her Way of Void and wanted to merge with her.
After several unsuccessful attempts, the Void Ancient Script simply gave up, affixing themselves to the Void Platform, seemingly falling into a deep slumber.
Seemingly due to the blessing of the Void Ancient Script, her Life and Death Platform became increasingly solid, occasionally emitting a faint silver light, with mysterious Dao patterns faintly visible.
Xiao Minghuang sensed something in his heart, but was unable to awaken the Void Ancient Script.
"Never mind it. It should wake up on its own when it finds something it wants to eat."
She shook her head, temporarily putting the Void Ancient Script out of her mind, and began to take stock of her gains.
After this battle, her cultivation level rose to the ninth level of the Life and Death King Realm, and she transformed the secret realm into a grotto-heaven, and also revived the Void Ancient Script.
Although it's unclear what opportunities this ancient character will bring her, it might prove very useful in the future.
"Besides that, I also have a copy of the Great Vow Sutra of the Tathagata, which I should be able to obtain a considerable compensation by giving it away."
319. Traces of Evil
Xiao Minghuang checked the system and found that only Xu Xiuer could accept this classic, so he sent it away.
Because of the groundwork laid by the previous gift of the Flowing Void Mirror, Xu Xiuer accepted the Supreme Classic gift this time after only a brief refusal.
[Ding! Successfully detected that the host has gifted you an opportunity. Please choose one of the following compensation options:]
[1. Reflections on the Way of Karma over several years.]
[2. Random Supreme Classic.]
"I don't lack supreme classics now, so I'll choose to comprehend the Way of Karma. That should be enough to raise my Life and Death Platform to the tenth level."
After a moment's thought, Xiao Minghuang chose the reward of the Way of Karma.
Instantly, the information she gained from the Way of Karma, including various details, was clearly displayed in her mind.
As her understanding of the Way of Karma deepened, the Tenth Life and Death Platform materialized within her celestial realm.
"I think I understand."
Xiao Minghuang knew that the Way of Karma was one of the most profound principles in the world, and could not be described by ordinary words and language.
If we broadly divide the great principles of the world into two categories, we can call them the tangible great principles and the intangible great principles.
The Way of Karma is one of the invisible great principles, like water flowing away, representing the sum of all that has passed. It is invisible and intangible, yet it is omnipresent and responsive everywhere.
It is not a variable, but a predetermined cause that leads to a presumed result.
Is this cause and effect?
Xiao Minghuang suddenly murmured to himself, and golden light suddenly appeared in his eyes, as if he could see countless threads of cause and effect, closely connecting all things in this world.
"The web of cause and effect..."
Her gaze slowly swept over the area, her expression becoming increasingly clear.
These networks, woven from cause and effect, each contain different causes and effects, and each represents the future that is about to happen.
Her gaze was piercing, as if it could pierce through the void and reach thousands of miles, revealing a small town bustling with people.
The past of everyone in the city unfolds before your eyes; countless causes lead to countless effects, and together they form the future of this small town.
The blacksmith's son from the east of the city will marry the daughter of the steamed bun shop owner from the west; the son of Widow Li from the south will become a great general; and the seventeenth concubine of Old Master Xu from the north will give birth to a child with extraordinary talent who will one day enter the world of cultivation...
... if there is no external interference.
Just as she was observing, a strange, blood-red mist suddenly appeared in the crowd, expanding in an instant and enveloping the entire city.
In the blink of an eye, countless blood pythons surged forth, opening their gaping maws and devouring all the living beings in the entire small town.