Innate Geng Metal Spirit

The next day, inside the quiet chamber, Yang Huai looked down at his own hands, his eyes filled with astonishment.

He seemed to have become a strange little golden man. Layer upon layer of golden light manifested from all over his body, clinging to his skin and forming a special halo.

Even the power of the world's metal spirits surged through the void and merged with his figure. Yang Huai felt the mana throughout his body break into a certain realm in an instant. With every gesture, he could tear apart wind, clouds, and all manner of phenomena!

This was completely different from casting the Little Vajra Incantation.

"This is the Geng Metal Dharma Body!"

Yang Huai found it rather novel.

The second innate divine ability within him had finally awakened completely.

Yang Huai felt that the Geng Metal Dharma Body possessed even stronger defensive power than the Little Vajra Incantation.

The Little Vajra Incantation merely formed a golden spirit shield of energy before him, while the Geng Metal Dharma Body was a layer of protective spiritual radiance formed by the connection of the one hundred and thirty-five Innate Geng Metal Spirit Bones within his body. It temporarily altered the structure of his flesh, making him resemble a body of Innate Geng Metal, almost granting him an indestructible vajra body.

But this was far more than mere defense!

It temporarily transformed him into some inhumanly formidable form!

"However, this protective spiritual radiance seems to have blind spots!"

Yang Huai could clearly sense that the protective radiance was denser and tougher around his upper body, while only a thin layer covered his lower body. If someone saw through it, it might become a weakness.

"I just don't know how thin this weakness is, how strong an attack it can withstand, or how strong an attack the upper body can endure..."

Yang Huai had nothing to compare it with for now and could only estimate it himself.

"I still need to speed up my cultivation of the Metal Origin Five Aggregates Diagram and continue perfecting the Innate Gengjin Spirit Body! The first level of the Geng Metal Dharma Body probably has an even more tyrannical second form beyond it..."

At that moment, the information within the Bronze Mirror deep in his sea of consciousness changed accordingly.

Innate Divine Ability 1: Swordheart Clarity (...)

Innate Divine Ability 2: First Level: Geng Metal Dharma Body (transforms into an Innate Geng Metal Spirit form, maintaining an indestructible vajra body for sixty breaths; can grow) [duration determined by the depth of Innate One Qi within the body]

Innate Divine Ability 3: ?? (not awakened)

At the entrance to the kitchen, Yang Huai continued carving wood carvings while seeking a balance between selling them and improving himself. Selling wood carvings was important, but he also needed to continuously study the Suiren Spirit Form Visualization Method, grinding it to great mastery and even perfection.

While selling as many Cloud-Pattern Wood Carvings as possible, Yang Huai also set aside time to comprehend the mysteries of Innate One Qi.

To advance from Foundation Establishment Late Stage jade liquid to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, one had to comprehend the mysteries of Innate One Qi, refine it, and ultimately form the qi seed that served as the foundation of the Dao of the Elixir.

To refine Innate One Qi, one had to thoroughly comprehend the mysteries of the Heavenly Yang Golden Light Talisman and elevate Innate One Qi from the three mysteries it contained: "metal," "yang," and "purity."

In truth, Yang Huai had several choices. He could choose a single strand of Innate Metal Qi. If he chose only Innate Metal Qi, the elevation would not actually be difficult for him. Part of the innate essence he had excavated when his Lesser Circulatory Cycle Method reached minor mastery had already merged into the talisman seed of the Heavenly Yang Golden Light Talisman, containing a thread of the mystery of Innate Metal Qi. That was the spark. So long as he used it as a guide and refined it slowly, allowing Innate One Qi to absorb the mana throughout his body, he would naturally break into Great Perfection.

But Yang Huai did not intend to do that. He planned to elevate all three mysteries contained within the Heavenly Yang Golden Light Talisman into Innate One Qi and merge them into the depths of the talisman, driving the talisman seed to transform into a qi seed and ascending the steps of Celestial Persons. This would avoid, as much as possible, being targeted for having a single attribute.

This was the difference between the lineage of qi refiners and the path of ancient gods.

According to Daoist Yuanlu, in pursuit of purity and mastery over essence, the path of ancient gods sought utmost purity in its early stages. It only sought higher essence, gaining greater favor from the spiritual nature of heaven and earth, then transforming and tempering an innate body.

Qi refiners, on the other hand, placed greater emphasis on comprehending the transformations of heaven and earth. They viewed heaven and earth more as a whole, borrowing the power of heaven and earth to cultivate profound arts in pursuit of attaining the Dao and becoming immortals.

Both likewise demanded purity, but their purity was not of the same kind.

One was purity of attribute; the other was purity of life and essence.

In Yang Huai's view, once one reached the depths, the different paths would ultimately converge. After qi refiners attained the Dao and became immortals, they might not be unable to wield authority like ancient gods.

"I needn't worry about elevating metal into Innate Metal Qi. It is the meanings of 'yang' and 'purity' that will require more painstaking effort!"

Yang Huai secretly mused.

The Heavenly Origin Pure Spirit Codex he cultivated surely possessed a corresponding art for refining Dao qi, but Hidden Dragon Adept had never taught it to him. He could only find another way and seek out secret arts for refining pure spirit qi and harmonious yang qi.

"I wonder whether the Slaughter Hall has any similar core inheritances. Perhaps I can ask Martial Uncle Flame!"

As soon as he thought of it, he acted. That afternoon, while on duty, Yang Huai directly asked Flame Daoist.

After learning what kind of temperament Flame Daoist had, Yang Huai already knew how to deal with him.

Besides, he was the only inner disciple in the fire pit that was the Slaughter Hall. The fact that he had not "changed jobs" was already giving Flame Daoist plenty of face.

Flame Daoist was busy at the time, constantly sweeping the Slaughter Hall. Upon learning Yang Huai's purpose, he said,

"The Slaughter Hall has no secret art for refining harmonious yang qi, but the kitchen does. I will find it for you. As for the inheritance of pure spirit qi, the Daoist temple has it as well. Ask around diligently, and you will eventually find an opportunity!"

Yang Huai was somewhat disappointed upon hearing this, but refining harmonious yang qi first was not bad either.

Looking at Qingli, who had come right to his door, he added,

"By the way, in half a month, there will be a Hunt of the Various Tribes around Wanqu City. A large number of strange beasts may be sent over, so you should prepare yourself mentally as well!"

"A Hunt of the Various Tribes?"

Yang Huai froze. Flame Daoist looked him up and down, then said,

"Some cultivators in the Daoist temple have also accepted invitations. With your cultivation, you can participate as well. Would you like to give it a try? I can specially grant you leave and permit you to go down the mountain for a while!"

"No need!"

Yang Huai refused directly. He valued his own life greatly and would not easily put himself in danger.

But then again, the most important thing for him now was completing his cultivation of the Metal Origin Five Aggregates Diagram. Now that he had his wood-carving craft to support himself and could be self-sufficient, why take such risks? He could wait until he ascended to the rank of Celestial Person, or even True Person, perhaps even Divine True Person, before leaving the mountain. That would be far more secure.

Yang Huai also felt that in his future cultivation, he would inevitably prioritize defensive and escape arts, placing the many arts of slaughter after them.

Seeing his expression, Flame Daoist shook his head and said,

"Sometimes, the more you fear something, the more trouble comes looking for you!"

Yang Huai merely smiled calmly, but his heart remained utterly unmoved.

Of course he understood that dignity existed only upon the edge of a sword. That was precisely why he cultivated the Zero Zero Seven Form.

He was not afraid, either. He simply did not fight battles without preparation or take unnecessary risks. If necessary, he too possessed the heart of a fierce tiger and the actions of a fierce tiger.

For example, that solitary Heavenly King of Hengling Stockade—so long as Yang Huai detected even the slightest danger, he would nip the other party in the bud.

"Still, since it is a Hunt of the Various Tribes, there will be many wild evil spirits and demons outside..."

Yang Huai's eyes stirred. He keenly realized that this was an excellent opportunity. If he handled it well, he would no longer need to painstakingly sell wood carvings before the kitchen; instead, he could gather everything in one go.

He immediately sought out Feng Ying and asked,

"Junior Brother Feng, will your senior brothers and sisters of Glory Hall also take part in the Hunt of the Various Tribes?"

At the entrance to Glory Hall, Feng Ying was somewhat surprised.

"You heard about it too? That's right. True Persons of Wanqu City, even Divine True Persons, will oversee the Hunt of the Various Tribes. The champion will receive many generous rewards, including precious medicines and valuable magical artifacts enlightened by returned elixirs!"

His eyes held some eager anticipation as well.

"Wouldn't that mean directly facing demons from the depths of the wilderness, even formless evil spirits?"

"Of course. Though the various True Persons of the Dao Kingdom will be present, the danger is also immense..."

Yet a smile appeared on Yang Huai's face.

Feng Ying had initially thought Qingli wished to take part and join everyone's group. Seeing this, he immediately understood and spat lightly.

"You black-hearted profiteer! So this was the wicked scheme you had in mind. I thought you had come looking for me for some special reason!"

Yang Huai sighed upon hearing this and said,

"It can't be helped. I'm not like you people, with tribes supplying your resources. I can only earn every resource myself. You know that the Metal Origin Five Aggregates Diagram is practically..."

Yang Huai revealed an expression that was difficult to put into words.

The Metal Origin Five Aggregates Diagram contained two hundred and six Innate Geng Metal Spirit Bones. In other words, he needed at least two hundred thousand-year spirit fruits.

Could an ordinary person possibly afford such a heaven-defying requirement?

Even a Wind Clan disciple like Feng Ying might not necessarily be able to produce them.

Hearing this, Feng Ying also revealed an expression of deep sympathy.

The Wind Clan also possessed many secret arts of great power, yet very few people could master them. It was not because their aptitude was lacking, but because there were only so many positions, and the few positions that could obtain Wind Clan resources had long been firmly occupied by direct-line geniuses.

Without such support, even if one possessed a secret art of great power, one could only watch helplessly.

Unless one ventured into the wilderness to explore and take risks.

The path of ancient gods is just too difficult in this regard. Otherwise, who wouldn't like it...

Feng Ying secretly mused.

Yang Huai leaned closer and said,

"If we can sell them, how about we brothers split the profits fifty-fifty? I know you have channels outside the Daoist temple. We can charge more outside..."

Light gleamed deep in his eyes.

Of course, that fifty-fifty split meant that after handing half over to the kitchen, the two of them would divide the remaining profit equally.

Feng Ying's eyes lit up in an instant. He did not care about one or two thousand-year spirit fruits, but a major deal involving dozens or hundreds of them would be enough to support his cultivation for quite some time. He could also exchange the clan resources freed up for something else.

"There happens to be a major buyer at the moment..."

At the mention of a major buyer, Yang Huai's eyes immediately lit up.

Yet there was something strange in Feng Ying's eyes. He hesitated slightly, but in the end, he made up his mind.