Within the qi sea, beside the White Jade Dao Altar.
Greater Yin light surged, like frost congealing on the ground. A star chart appeared upon the nine tiers of heavenly steps, and a crimson Sword Radiance traveled through Yi Zhen, resonating with the name of a True Lord's sword recorded in the Sword Canon.
The change came swiftly. Tiantuo had only just uttered the words "heavenly demon" when the Dao Platform transformed again.
Xu Xuan's Immortal Register flew before him of its own accord. Clear qi condensed at its lower end, coalescing into words that appeared upon the register.
"Examine merits and faults; record them in the concise register. Begin with the Precept Register, then ascend to the true."
He had heard this when he first ascended to the heavenly palace. Now he saw it again, with more detailed text below.
"Dao-Contemplation Transmission, Punish Evil and Subdue Demons."
Xu Xuan continued reading downward. Beneath [Dao-Contemplation Transmission] were ranks divided by cultivation realm, from fetal breath to golden core. His and Liu Xiaowen's names occupied the qi refining row, though Xu Xuan's position was higher, already close to foundation establishment.
Xu Fayan stood in the fetal breath tier, nearing qi refining.
An Azure Flood Dragon wheeled beside Xu Xuan's name, moving with lightning in its wake. Beside Xu Fayan's was a clay jar buried in soil, from which something resembling both a sheep and a fetus emerged. Liu Xiaowen had no such manifestation, only flowing Jin-red flames.
"Are these the cultivation levels of those who received the seals?"
Dark azure qi arose above the three names, transforming into twelve wisps of clear qi that poured into the Dark Azure Dao Book. Its pages turned farther, allowing him to glimpse a few words.
[Direct Guidance to Sword Unbinding and Opening]
"Unbind the