Li Qingshan sighed inwardly. As soon as he arrived in this desolate region, he witnessed the terrifying scene of the clash between the auras of the Investiture of the Investiture of the Gods and the Undying Daoist.
Was it a mere coincidence, or was it caused by the influence of its own energy, that disrupted the delicate balance of this place?
Looking closely, the Wushi Emperor Formation, engraved on the entire Saint Cliff, was faintly glowing. Within the array patterns, there seemed to be billions of extremely fine golden Dao traces moving and intertwining, like living things.
The Investiture of the Gods of the Gods, hanging high above the dark main peak, was pouring down a vast, sea-like golden light. The light was condensed and heavy, like a tangible celestial river falling from the heavens.
The supreme power that had suppressed countless ages flowed and gathered within it, finally settling upon the most majestic peak with the same solemnity as an ancient divine mountain.
Under this unparalleled imperial might, the terrifying killing intent that had previously permeated the land and chilled to the bone gradually receded like a tide, settling deep within the mountain.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the dazzling ancient scroll was no ordinary object; it was sealing, suppressing, and locking away some extremely terrifying entity within the mountain.
Li Qingshan made a decisive move. "Uncle Gu, retreat first!"
Gu Tianshu knew the situation was hopeless and sighed.
He knew that it would be unwise to forcibly seize the Nine Secrets: Xing under such circumstances involving a confrontation between the extremes, and it might even trigger unpredictable chain reactions.
"Alas!!!" Gu Tianshu sighed softly, a sigh containing both awe of the supreme power and a hint of regret for not being able to complete the task.
Gu Tianshu and Li Qingshan transformed into a streak of light and retreated swiftly out of the Saint Cliff area along the path they had come from.
They only stopped when they were far away from the dark mountains and back in safe territory.
"I never expected it to turn out like this." Li Qingshan frowned slightly, looking back in the direction of Saint Cliff, his heart filled with turmoil.
He recalled Ye Fan and the others' experience of venturing into this place in the original novel. Although there were dangers, it didn't seem to have caused such a violent reaction from the Undying Daoist before they obtained the Nine Secrets: Xing.
A trace of regret rose in his heart: If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have had the careless thought that " Ye Fan can do it, so can I," and left the Beginningless Bell in Jade Pool to guard the foundation.
If the Beginningless Bell were here, its supreme divine power as the Extreme Dao Weapon of the Great Emperor Wushi, along with the Wushi Formation Patterns and the Investiture of the Gods of the Gods that are placed here, would surely create a mysterious resonance and harmony.
At that time, even if the sealed Undying Daoist makes any further moves, the slight vibration of the Emperor Bell, with its vast waves, will be enough to connect the entire Great Emperor formation and steadily suppress his restless energy, preventing anyone from directly confronting the sharp edge of his terrifying will as before.
The slightly sluggish aura around Gu Tianshu, caused by the extreme pressure, had subsided. His expression was solemn as he slowly said, " Qingshan, the Investiture of the Gods of the Gods was laid out by the Great Emperor to suppress an unparalleled enemy. It shares the same origin and coexists with this Emperor Formation, so moving one affects the whole. What we have seen today shows that the ferocity and level of the sealed object far exceed our previous estimates, and it has indeed touched the realm of the extreme. Forcibly breaking through the array will not only be difficult to succeed, but if it shakes the foundation of the seal, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Li Qingshan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, the slight impatience in his eyes replaced by calmness. "Uncle Gu is quite right. I had oversimplified things before. It seems that obtaining this secret cannot be achieved by our combined strength alone."
His new calculations gradually became clearer.
This firsthand experience of the Undying Daoist's terror made him realize that if he were to return next time, he must be fully prepared and overwhelm him with overwhelming power.
"It seems I'll have to bring a few more 'old acquaintances' next time I come." Li Qingshan's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. " The Beginningless Bell needs to be activated. That Black Emperor has a deep understanding of array patterns; he might be useful. And then there's Ye Fan, the Forbidden Zone Heir, who is the 'variable' of this Lifetime; his luck might be one of the keys to breaking the stalemate here. As for that Undying Daoist!!!"
Thinking of this, a chill ran through him. "If he dares to cause any more trouble, I'll let him know the might of the Emperor Weapon."
Li Qingshan took one last deep look at the desolate, seemingly timeless Saint Cliff before turning and leaving.
Although the trip did not achieve its fundamental goal of obtaining the "Xing" character secret, subduing the extraordinary Three-Legged Golden Crow was an unexpected gain.
More importantly, this experience was like a tempering, allowing him to truly measure the abyss-like danger of this place, and completely washing away the trace of pride that had quietly grown after he succeeded in his Severing the Dao breakthrough.
The mind returns to clarity, illuminating the path ahead with greater clarity and composure.
After leaving the Saint Cliff area, Li Qingshan and Gu Tianshu did not linger. They directly traversed the Void and returned to the Jade Pool Holy Land in the Eastern Wasteland.
When the two figures appeared at the gate of Jade Pool Mountain, it was already dusk three days later.
The setting sun dyed the clouds on the horizon blood-red, creating a stark contrast with the Jade Pool Immortal Realm- like scenery, as if they were two different worlds.
" Eastern Exalt is back!"
When the disciples guarding the mountain saw Li Qingshan, they immediately bowed and paid their respects, their eyes filled with reverence.
Although he doesn't often appear in the Holy Land, his deeds have already spread throughout the Eastern Wasteland.
Even a mediocre sweeping disciple within the Jade Pool Mountain sect would involuntarily straighten his chest whenever he recalled Li Qingshan's unparalleled talent of the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo, as well as his legendary exploits of Severing the Dao and becoming king in the outer sea, and destroying the Nine Hells in one night.
Li Qingshan nodded slightly. The Three-Legged Golden Crow on his shoulder withdrew its divine flames and stood quietly. If it weren't for its unusual three legs, it would have looked like an ordinary spirit bird.
As soon as one steps into the inner garden of Jade Pool, a misty, ethereal atmosphere begins to swirl, and a figure in pure white gracefully emerges from within.
Lin Qingyao, dressed in white, looked over with a gentle smile in her clear, autumn-water-like eyes.
She had only recently returned from Licheng, and the lingering aura of battle and conflict around her only accentuated her ethereal beauty.
"You're finally back," she said in a gentle voice, with a hint of barely perceptible cheerfulness. "Your trip, Junior Brother, didn't you encounter any major trouble?"
Seeing the concern in her eyes, Li Qingshan felt a warmth in his heart, and the tension he had felt on the Saint Cliff eased.
He sighed, feigning distress, and spread his hands, saying, "This is quite a problem. I didn't find what I was looking for, and I almost got 'invited' to be a guest."
His tone carried a hint of teasing, a casualness he only revealed in front of her.
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyao's smile deepened, and she led him toward the Listening to the Rain Pavilion deep within the Jade Pool.
Along the way, the sound of springs murmured, and exotic flowers and herbs exuded fragrance, creating a charming contrast with the golden halo on Li Qingshan's shoulder, which had subsided its fiery intensity and appeared docile and quiet.
"This is!!" Lin Qingyao's gaze finally fell on the three-legged crow. She was slightly taken aback, then a look of surprise and curiosity appeared on her face. "Such pure fire essence, and its appearance is also quite peculiar."
"I picked it up on the road, and brought it back because I thought it looked nice." Li Qingshan said casually, stroking the fluffy feathers of the little black bird on his shoulder. The little bird also rubbed against his fingertips in a cooperative manner.
He turned to look at her, his tone carrying a natural concern. "Senior sister, you really went into the eye of the storm this time in Licheng. Did you get overwhelmed by the aura of those Old Gu?"
Lin Qingyao gently shook her head, her slender hand picking up the jade pot to pour him tea, her movements fluid and graceful. "Speaking of which, this trip to Licheng was quite a show."
She raised her eyes, a sly glint in them, and deliberately paused. " The Nine Secrets have appeared, drawing crowds from all sides; the scale is terrifying. It's a pity that with such a massive mobilization, the deepest part of the temple is now completely empty, leaving not even a single tile for those who come after."
Li Qingshan picked up his teacup, using the rising steam to conceal the smile playing on his lips, and feigned perfect suspicion. "Oh? Is that so? Could it be that some expert beat me to it?"
Seeing his pretense, Lin Qingyao couldn't help but lightly spit out a curse, put down her teacup, and pointed at him with her finger. "Still playing dumb with me? Besides you, Junior Brother, who else has the ability to do this so quietly under so many eyes? I had a feeling it was you from the beginning, and sure enough!"
Seeing that there was no blame in her eyes, but rather understanding and a hint of pride, Li Qingshan no longer concealed his feelings and smiled as he begged for forgiveness, "Good senior sister, you have such keen insight. It was indeed the Queen Mother of the West's intention not to inform you of this matter beforehand, wanting you to lead the team for real experience. If Dao Self was here earlier, your experience of 'leading the army' wouldn't have been so pure."
Hearing him mention the Queen Mother of the West and speak so earnestly, Lin Qingyao's anger lessened slightly, but her gaze softened even more.
"You're right," she said softly.
He continued, "But the most exciting part is yet to come. The Black Emperor revealed the origin of that temple; it was actually a palace once owned by the Great Emperor Wushi. Upon hearing this, the eyes of all the Mighty Figure present turned red."
As she said this, her tone became somewhat peculiar, "But no one could have imagined that, like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, right under the noses of those living fossils, your hometown student Ye Fan, and that black dog who always hangs out with you, somehow managed to 'move' that imperial palace away!"
"Pfft!!!" Li Qingshan almost spat out his tea, quickly covering it with his sleeve, but his eyes revealed genuine laughter and surprise. "Young Ye and that damned dog? They took down the Wu Shi's Palace? I should have taken it all with them, haha."
He genuinely didn't know about this for the rest of the time, and now that he heard it, it seemed both absurd and perfectly reasonable—typical of those two troublemakers.
The Black Emperor has a profound understanding of array patterns. The restrictions on the Great Emperor Wushi's palace, which are difficult for others to understand, may be perfectly suited to him.
With Ye Fan's good fortune and the two working together, they might actually succeed in snatching chestnuts from the fire amidst the encirclement of powerful figures. "And then? They weren't caught, were they?"
"The holy lands were furious and searched everywhere, but they couldn't find any trace of the two. The Yaoguang and Ji Family practically turned the Northern Region upside down, but who would have thought they were so audacious as to hide back in the Southern Region's Taixuan Sect? It was all thanks to the protection of Senior Li Ruoyu from the Clumsy Peak of the Taixuan Sect."
Upon hearing this, Li Qingshan couldn't help but laugh.
She paused, then continued, "Speaking of which, this news was actually brought to Jade Pool by that Big Black Dog. Three days ago, a spirit crane, formed by our Jade Pool secret technique, flew to the mountain gate, carrying a jade slip in its beak. Inside was that Black Emperor's divine imprint."
He explained that Ye Fan and he were temporarily taking refuge at the Taixuan Sect, so you didn't need to worry. He even added, "We've acquired the palace; we'll invite you to visit it another day."
Upon hearing this, Li Qingshan was both amused and annoyed.
That Black Emperor, after seizing the Wu Shi's Palace, still dares to send messages so Zhang Yang; he's truly audacious.
However, it was also clever, knowing to use the secret method of Jade Pool to send the message back without any risk of leakage during the transmission. With Li Qingshan's connection, Jade Pool would naturally not leak the message.
"Where is that jade slip?" Li Qingshan asked.
The Jade Pool Holy Maiden took out a jade slip from her sleeve. "The jade slip is here."
Li Qingshan took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense.
Sure enough, the Black Emperor's roguish divine thought imprint appeared in the jade slip, "Young Li, this Emperor and Little Yezi have pulled off a big heist! We've got the Great Emperor's palace! We're temporarily residing at the Clumsy Peak of the Taixuan Sect in the Southern Region. Things are tense there, so don't worry. By the way, your student now possesses the Nine Secrets and has the palace in hand; his luck is incredibly strong. You are the Great Emperor's successor, so don't let yourself be outdone! I'd like to invite you to the palace another day; remember to bring a gift!"
Finally, a cheeky dog head mark was added.
Li Qingshan withdrew his divine sense and shook his head helplessly.
This Black Emperor is as unreliable as ever.
However, the fact that it dared to send such a message indicates that Ye Fan's side is indeed temporarily safe and has reaped considerable gains.
It turns out that what the Black Emperor meant by " Ye Fan possesses the Nine Secrets " was that after Li Qingshan returned from the Divine Tomb World, transformed into Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo, and rescued Yan Ruyu, Ye Fan, and the Black Emperor, he went to the depths of the starry sky to undergo the Great Tribulation of Severing the Dao.
During the long years he spent forging himself by summoning a vast sea of lightning in the starry sky, Ye Fan and the Black Emperor, this usually troublesome duo, were not exactly peaceful either.
The two seemed to possess an innate ability to "draw in turmoil," and wherever they went, unrest would ensue in the Eastern Wasteland.
Perhaps because they possess extraordinary treasures, their aura leaks out, attracting covetous eyes; or perhaps because their words and actions offend certain forces.
They repeatedly find themselves embroiled in seemingly insignificant disputes that quickly escalate into massive upheavals, a phenomenon that can be described as a "mocking" constitution in terms of fate.
The events were full of twists and turns, and even they themselves, in retrospect, sometimes couldn't help but wonder if there was some kind of malice in the dark, or a higher-level "arrangement" that was secretly manipulating things, leading to a series of coincidences and unbelievable conflicts and escapes.
During their repeated chases and ambushes, the two were once forced to separate to distract their pursuers.
It was through this twist of fate that Ye Fan ended up alone in the Southern Region the Eastern Wasteland. By chance, his path in the original story subtly overlapped with that of the Taixuan Sect, and he stepped into their territory.
Perhaps it was a predestined connection that led him to choose not the most prosperous and beautiful peaks with numerous disciples, but instead to the Clumsy Peak with its declining lineage and deserted disciples, and he became a disciple there.
Amidst the seemingly ordinary and unremarkable mountain paths, stone steps, and ancient wooden pavilions of Clumsy Peak, Ye Fan found a great opportunity. He comprehended the Dao on this peak and successfully obtained the supreme secret technique among the Nine Secrets, which can instantly unleash ten times the combat power: the "All" Secret.
Li Ruoyu, the master of Clumsy Peak, appears simple and unadorned, with a peaceful and ordinary demeanor, but in reality, he possesses inner wisdom and is well-versed in the principle of "great skill appears clumsy," with remarkable cultivation and realm.
He found Ye Fan to be simple and resilient, which resonated with his own philosophy of " the Natural Dao," and the two became quite compatible.
It was under the tacit approval and unseen protection of this elder that Ye Fan not only obtained the secret technique, but also formed a deep friendship with Li Ruoyu, which is also the reason why he and the Black Emperor returned to Clumsy Peak today with the Wu Shi's Palace to temporarily avoid the turmoil.
"Does anyone know about this now?" Li Qingshan asked.
Lin Qingyao shook her head. "Not yet. As for the Taixuan Sect, although Li Ruoyu, the master of Clumsy Peak, seems ordinary, his cultivation is unfathomable. In addition, the Taixuan Sect is a great sect with a long history, and ordinary forces are unwilling to provoke it easily. Ye Fan and the Black Emperor are hiding on Clumsy Peak, and with Li Ruoyu's protection, they are safe for the time being."
"What are your plans, Junior Brother?" Lin Qingyao asked.
Li Qingshan pondered for a moment, "Let them lay Clumsy Peak for a while. The various holy lands have lost such a great opportunity, they will definitely not let it go easily. If we act rashly now, it will not be good."
He paused, then added, "However, I should also make a trip to the Taixuan Sect in the Southern Region."
After Lin Qingyao left, Li Qingshan sat alone in the pavilion, quietly gazing at the misty night view of Jade Pool.
The bright moon rises in the sky, casting its clear light, and the pond water ripples like shattered silver.
In the distance, celestial mountains appear and disappear, and spirit birds sing at night, creating a scene of peace and tranquility.
Three days later, Li Qingshan quietly left the Holy Land and headed to the Southern Region.
He didn't make a big fuss; he only brought the Three-Legged Golden Crow and used the Jade Pool Domain Gate to traverse this Northern Region.
The primary purpose of this trip to the Southern Region was naturally to reunite with Ye Fan and make preparations for the next trip to the Saint Cliff.
In addition, Li Qingshan also had another consideration in mind: the inheritance on Clumsy Peak.
This secret is the supreme inheritance held by the Clumsy Peak lineage of the Taixuan Sect. Its origin can be traced back to one of the " Nine Secrets " created by the Emperor Zun in the Mythological Era. Nine Secrets: Jie and can be called supreme Daoist arts.
Its core mystery lies in its ability to instantly Ultimate Sublimation, with the increase reaching up to ten times.
This kind of enhancement is not a one-dimensional improvement, but a comprehensive and explosive transformation involving the very essence of life. Moreover, its effects can, to a certain extent, transcend the barriers of cultivation realms, allowing cultivators to unleash terrifying power far exceeding their current cultivation level in a short period of time.
For Li Qingshan, who can already freely enter the realm of " Divine Forbidden," this secret is particularly useful at this stage.
If one can study and comprehend this profound principle over a long period, one can gain a deeper understanding of the essence of " Divine Forbidden "Divine Forbidden and even permanently reside in the exclusive domain of the Ancient Great Emperor. Entering it ahead of time will no longer be a pipe dream.
Ye Fan was able to obtain this secret because he happened to be by the side of Peak Master Li Ruoyu when Li Ruoyu activated the inheritance, which was a stroke of luck.
Li Qingshan knew Ye Fan's character well; he was indeed generous to friends and teachers he respected, and would often share divine medicines, rare treasures, and cultivation techniques without hesitation.
It must be admitted that Heavenly Emperor Ye's personal charisma is indeed extraordinary and extremely inspiring.
He is able to give his all and treat those he respects with complete honesty.
It's no wonder that along the way, one can eventually gather such a group of close friends and comrades who are willing to share their lives.
Looking back at his experiences in the original work, upon first arriving in the Northern Region, he witnessed the atrocities committed by the bandits and swiftly annihilated them. His interactions with Black Emperor, Duan De, and others, though often betrayed by Black Emperor and schemed against by Duan De, always resulted in them entrusting their lives to each other in times of crisis, forging a close bond.
While still in the Dao Palace Secret Realm, he possessed the Cauldron of All-Things Mother Qi. Knowing that going to the Azure Flood Dragon King's secluded small world was tantamount to a test of the unpredictable hearts of the demon race, he still chose to go. This trust and courage based on recognition are evident.
Within the Holy City, in order to rescue the peerless God King Jiang Taixu, who was on the verge of extinction, he even intended to take out the Kirin Immortal Medicine Seed he had obtained to extend his life.
Upon reaching the Four Extremes Secret Realm, having just escaped danger, he was shocked to learn that his Xiao Nannan had been kidnapped by the Yin-Yang Sect.
Even though he knew the little girl's origins were mysterious and involved in great matters, and that turning back would be tantamount to entering a dragon's den or a tiger's lair again, he still turned back without hesitation, maneuvering among various Mighty Figure. Here, he valued loyalty above any concern for his own safety.
Judging from Heavenly Emperor Ye's actions, he certainly possesses a genuine, childlike heart and a strong sense of responsibility.
It wasn't that he was unaware of the danger, but rather that he had no intention of backing down from anything he considered to be within his own responsibilities and moral obligations, even if the road ahead seemed to lead to a dead end.
When Dark Turmoil swept across the universe, how could he not know that he was merely Great Saint Sage at that time, like an ant before such a cataclysmic event?
If the sky collapses, something higher will rise to support it.
However, he still went, without the slightest hesitation or retreat.
This is not foolish courage, but rather a deep-rooted compassion for all living beings, a commitment to promises, and a practice of the moral principle of "I will go even if there are thousands of people against me."
This mindset and sense of responsibility are perhaps the source of his unique charm and ultimate achievements.
If Li Qingshan had not had the external Stone Gate and all those fortuitous opportunities, and had been just an ordinary person like everyone else, perhaps he would not have boarded the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin and gone to the Big Dipper Star Domain.
Staying on Earth would offer a safety far exceeding that of other ancient Ancient Life Star in the universe, even in the face of Dark Turmoil. Furthermore, with a calm and composed nature, they could take care of Ye Fan's parents, thus forging a profound karmic Cause and Effect in this mortal world.
If this path is followed, when Ye Fan eventually reaches the supreme realm of the Above Sacrificial Dao, remembering this old friendship and the kindness of protection, the rewards and Fortune Li Qingshan receives will likely at least help him step into the realm of Immortal King.
However, it is precisely this mindset that makes the "All" secret related to the fundamental inheritance of the Taixuan Sect. When Ye Fan received the teachings, he most likely promised Li Ruoyu that he should not easily pass them on to outsiders.
Given Ye Fan's reputation for keeping his promises, he would never break this agreement.
However, this is not an insurmountable obstacle for Li Qingshan.
He was confident that he didn't necessarily need someone else to teach him.
He is now Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo. Having undergone the transformation of Severing the Dao, his already clear understanding has reached a new level, almost like an immortal. His perception and analysis of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth have reached a state that is almost instinctive.
What ordinary cultivators consider insurmountable obstacles to enlightenment might be as natural to him as seeing the moon through a window or drinking water and eating.
Even if Li Ruoyu didn't take the initiative to touch the inheritance and open the portal for him, as long as he visited Zhuofeng in person and immersed himself in the mountains, rivers, vegetation, and ancient temple ruins that carried the thousand-year Daoist charm of "Ji", he would still have great confidence that he could go upstream, capture, analyze, and finally understand the true meaning of the "Ji" secret.
This is not arrogance, but rather a clear understanding of one's own Dao Realm and comprehension.
The legacy of Clumsy Peak is there, like a mineral vein buried deep underground. Li Ruoyu's inspiration is like pointing out the entrance to the vein. What Li Qingshan needs to do is to use himself as a drill to find a new path and reach the source.