When Desire Endures, the Evil Dao Remains; the Eight Extremes Scripture Is Hard to Find, Hidden Away

As Heng Hua pondered in conflicted silence, Zhou Xiao rushed in.

"I heard you acquired a big redwood box?"

Seeing the opened wooden box beside Heng Hua, he quickly picked up a book to inspect it.

Heng Hua's eyes flickered as he set down the book in his hand. "It is merely a wooden box. Why is Senior Zhou so alarmed?"

Zhou Xiao stared at the book for a long while but found nothing unusual. He merely counted the books, then looked at the Eight-Trigrams Golden Lock beside the box. His expression became incomparably grave.

Everything matched. It really was this thing!

"The Fu Family came from Fufeng Immortal Palace. Don't you know the story behind the redwood box?"

Heng Hua shook his head.

A redwood box? Did Mother's dowry chest really have some significance?

Zhou Xiao paced around the room. After pondering for a long time, he finally said, "You brat are fond of reading too. If I do not lay some groundwork for you, you will inevitably take the wrong road someday. Fine... do you remember the War of Exorcising Evil during the Divine Land Era?"

During the Divine Land Era, aside from the struggle between the immortal and devil paths, many evil cultivators who were tolerated by neither side were active upon the stage of Divine Land. The Evil Soul Cult was one such example.

"I remember. The immortal and devil factions joined forces to encircle and suppress them, executing evil cultivators throughout the world one by one. Afterward, evil cultivation arts were banned from public view."

As he spoke, Heng Hua glanced at the books by his hand.

"All of us cultivators who derive techniques know that evil arts were never truly eradicated. Those evil cultivators hid their inheritances in books beforehand and scattered them among mortals. Thus, clever mortals would often stray onto crooked paths and revive evil cultivator inheritances. Your Yanlong Bliss Sect is one example."

Heng Hua feigned surprise. "Senior means that the books in this redwood box are connected to evil arts?"

"More than merely connected."

Zhou Xiao gave a bitter smile. "Before the last evil cultivator Grandmaster died, he told the seniors of the immortal path that, to preserve evil arts, he had hidden three thousand six hundred evil techniques within mortal books and sealed them in nine large redwood boxes."

"Each redwood box contained eight hundred volumes of mortal books and concealed four hundred evil techniques."

Heng Hua's heart jumped. Four hundred? I had only translated three hundred evil arts from Mother's redwood box. I actually missed so many?

"If there were so many evil arts, why were they not destroyed early on? Did these boxes contain something that could not be destroyed?"

"Correct."

Zhou Xiao looked at Heng Hua approvingly.

"That evil cultivator said back then that he had hidden one Heavenly Book among the nine wooden boxes. Thus, even after the seniors of the immortal path obtained the redwood boxes, they did not dare destroy them lightly.

"Eight of the boxes held fragments of the Heavenly Book, while the ninth contained its complete text."

A Heavenly Book—an inheritance that everyone fought madly over, even in the Divine Land Era.

Looking across the history of the Donglai Divine Continent, only five Heavenly Books had ever appeared.

Heng Hua raised a brow. "The Eight Extremes Scripture or the Golden Canon of Primordial Unity? It cannot possibly be an entirely new Heavenly Book, can it?"

The Grand Mystery Heavenly Scripture, Taiyin Heavenly Book, and Profound Radiance True Canon all left traces behind, creating the present immortal and devil lineages. During the War of Exorcising Evil, the inheritors of all three Heavenly Books were present, so the evil cultivators naturally could not have obtained any of them.

"Nine boxes. Do you not already have the answer in your heart?"

"The Book of Changing Heaven and the Eight Extremes." Heng Hua's gaze burned as he stared fixedly at the redwood box.

A Heavenly Book.

Though Heng Hua was filled with soaring ambition and wished wholeheartedly to create a Heavenly Book himself, he also understood that creating one was tremendously difficult. Its significance was far beyond anything an Earth Canon Immortal Art could compare to.

A Heavenly Book was not merely a cultivation technique, but an entire cultivation system.

The Grand Mystery Heavenly Scripture had created the once-glorious Supreme Mystery Sect and held profound significance for the entire Donglai immortal path. Saying that all Dao lineages under heaven emerged from Taixuan might be somewhat exaggerated. Yet to say that seventy percent of sects came from Taixuan would absolutely be an understatement. The Donglai immortal path had risen upon the foundation of the Grand Mystery Heavenly Scripture.

The Profound Radiance True Canon was the Demon Cult's supreme mental cultivation art. The Profound Bright Devil Emperor had relied solely on a fragment to unify the Thirteen Devil Halls and rampage across Donglai's Ten Thousand Isles. Only a few hundred years ago did the great immortal sects join forces to suppress them, destroying the Mysterious Bright Demon Palace from public view.

"Correct. It is the Eight Extremes Scripture. This book establishes the foundation of the five elements and eight trigrams, encompassing the methods of all things in the world. If one can decipher and comprehend it, it is no less than a supreme immortal pill or a pure-yang immortal artifact to cultivators like us."

Heng Hua stared at the redwood box.

The Fu Family possessed notes left behind by their predecessors, which mentioned: "The Eight Extremes Scripture is divided into the eight-trigram palace sections. Among them, the wind section of the Xun Trigram is most suited to Fufeng immortal arts."

There was no need for the complete text. So long as he found the Xun wind section within the Eight Extremes Scripture, Heng Hua was confident he could help the Fu Family complete their cultivation methods.

Seeing Heng Hua lost in thought, Zhou Xiao said, "It is precisely because this Heavenly Book is so important that those seniors did not dare destroy the redwood boxes lightly, even knowing they sealed forbidden things."

Heng Hua remained silent.

Yes. If it were him, he would not directly destroy the redwood box either. He would first decipher it and locate the Heavenly Book fragments, then destroy the box.

"Come to think of it, did that evil cultivator Grandmaster deliberately place the complete text in one box in hopes of provoking infighting among the immortal sects?"

"Correct, but in the end, no one fought. The seniors saw through his petty scheme and, after discussing it, had the nine strongest immortal sects of that era each take one redwood box. Whoever could obtain the original Eight Extremes Scripture would depend entirely on fate."

"Nine? I recall that during the War of Exorcising Evil, the eight strongest lineages were 'one sect, one school, two pavilions, four palaces.' What other sect was there besides those?"

The one sect was naturally the Supreme Mystery Sect.

The one school referred to the Crimson Abyss Daoist Sect, second only to the Supreme Mystery Sect.

The two pavilions were Purple Sovereign Pavilion and Jade Sage Pavilion.

The four palaces were Fufeng, Cloudflame, Thunderclap, and Golden Rain.

Before the master of Fufeng Immortal Palace died, Fufeng Immortal Palace could still jump about among Donglai's top ranks. Yet after its palace master died, Fufeng Immortal Palace declined, no longer having an immortal to oversee it. By the time of the Continent Overturning, Fufeng Immortal Palace had nearly fallen to the level of a middling immortal sect.

"Naturally, it was Taiyin Granny. She was the inheritor of the Taiyin Heavenly Book, a renowned immortal true person of her age. One person alone made a sect. When the Supreme Mystery Sect divided the redwood boxes, her share could not be omitted."

Heng Hua grinned. "The Taiyin lineage passes down through a single line. What does she need the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tome for? It is utterly useless to her."

Zhou Xiao nodded.

When he was young, he had asked his master the same question.

Hengyuan True Person had said: Taiyin Granny was one of the five great experts of the immortal path at the time. By sentiment and by reason, she could not be excluded.

Zhou Xiao said, "This redwood box before us likely is the one inherited by Cloudflame Immortal Palace."

"Then how does Senior intend to handle it?"

"You obtained this opportunity. How could I handle it?" Zhou Xiao smiled bitterly. "If the genuine Heavenly Book, or the Xun wind section, is hidden here, would forcing you to destroy it not sever the opportunity between you and the Fu Family?"

Heng Hua hurriedly thanked him.

Zhou Xiao let out a faint sigh.

He could barely protect himself now. Even if he wanted to stop Heng Hua, he could not.

"But you should remain vigilant. These forbidden objects are exceedingly dangerous. That wooden box of the Supreme Mystery Sect caused many cultivators to suffer cultivation deviation, even during the Divine Land Era."

That evil cultivator Grandmaster had once set down forbidden laws.

Those at the Golden Core Realm and above could not see the spells he had placed, nor could they seek out the evil arts. Only disciples below the Golden Core Realm could search for the Heavenly Book. Moreover, the lower one's cultivation, the better; mortals were ideal.

His purpose was to borrow shells to lay eggs within the immortal sects, guiding disciples of the great immortal sects into falling upon the evil path.

Recalling something, Zhou Xiao spoke heavily. "As one reads these books, the evil arts hidden within can also pollute the soul and distort one's will."

Out of nowhere, Heng Hua suddenly asked, "Is the Supreme Mystery Sect's box at the Mysterious Subtle Sect?"

"It is—"

The words slipped out, and Zhou Xiao secretly regretted it.

But after considering it, he still told him frankly. "That redwood box is indeed in our Mysterious Subtle Sect. When this old man was young, I read its books and translated twenty evil techniques."

Heng Hua said in surprise, "Twenty techniques?"

"Naturally," Zhou Xiao said proudly. "It was precisely because this old man deciphered twenty forbidden evil arts—the highest number among my fellow disciples—and was not contaminated by evil thoughts himself that Master valued me and accepted me as his direct disciple."

So few? Heng Hua silently swallowed the latter half of his words.

Zhou Xiao said, "Over a thousand years, our Mysterious Subtle Sect has deciphered a total of three hundred fifty-one evil techniques, yet we still failed to find the Heavenly Book. When Senior Brother went to your family to take in disciples, he likely intended to borrow Heaven-Penetrating Wisdomheart."

Several traces of guilt appeared on his face.

Making youths with shallow cultivation read evil arts—the higher their comprehension, the more likely they were to fall into evil.

Heng Hua's gaze was calm, as though Zhou Xiao were not speaking of him at all.

Zhou Xiao said, "The reason your family's predecessors stopped him was because Senior Brother secretly guessed that your family might possess the redwood box inherited from Fufeng Immortal Palace. After all, the Fu Family disciples in Fufeng Immortal Palace back then managed the scripture repository."

The Fu Family inherited Fufeng Immortal Palace's redwood box?

No, that was not right. The redwood box in Langhuan Hall had not been passed down by their ancestors. Mother had brought it with her when she married into Coiling Dragon Island.

Heng Hua pondered in secret. Could the Fu Family possess another redwood box besides Mother's? Then which sect had inherited Mother's box?

The Supreme Mystery Sect was impossible.

After the Continent Overturning, the Crimson Abyss Daoist Sect despised the shattered Divine Continent and its severed spirit veins. The entire sect moved overseas without leaving behind a single disciple's inheritance. That redwood box had presumably been taken away as well.

Purple Sovereign Pavilion and Jade Sage Pavilion both still existed and remained immensely powerful. One was the supreme authority of Central Heaven, while the other stood at the head of Xuanyu. If Mother had any connection to either, the Fu Family could not possibly be unaware. Besides, how could a forbidden object like a redwood box be carried out as dowry?

After turning it over and over in his mind, Heng Hua fixed his sights on Golden Rain Immortal Palace and Thunderclap Immortal Palace.

"Senior, you have seen much and know much. Do you know the whereabouts of Golden Rain Immortal Palace and Thunderclap Immortal Palace?"

The moment Zhou Xiao heard this, he burst into laughter.

"You brat, are you planning to gather a few more redwood boxes? Indeed, the Jade Sage and Purple Sovereign inheritances still remain. Crimson Abyss took theirs overseas. Taiyin Granny's is sealed within Taiyin Palace. Only the redwood boxes of Golden Rain and Thunderclap have fallen into the outside world. The immortal sects of these two lineages had their inheritances destroyed during the Continent Overturning, and no successors have been seen to this day."

Zhou Xiao sighed. "Among the four great Immortal Palaces, your Fufeng Immortal Palace was the cleverest. Even after its destruction, it could still leave behind all those great lineages, guarding a dragon..."

Remembering something, Zhou Xiao forcibly swallowed his words.

"In any case, do not look for them. Study the one before you in peace, but remember: do not read too much, and do not cultivate evil arts."

Zhou Xiao was also a cultivator who derived techniques. He understood the temptation that a Heavenly Book inheritance and four hundred evil techniques presented to people like them.

He could not stop Heng Hua. He could only urge him to take care and avoid falling onto the evil path.

Zhou Xiao did not stay long and soon departed.

After he left, Heng Hua was about to study the redwood box when Li Nanxing arrived.

Li Nanxing looked rather awkward. After thinking for a long time, he finally squeezed out his purpose. "Teacher, do you want to establish a sect?"

--

Supplement:

Divine Land Anecdotes: The Four Palaces:

An immortal crossed the Eastern Sea and established Fufeng Immortal Palace. The four Immortal Palaces of Fufeng, Cloudflame, Thunderclap, and Golden Rain were renowned throughout Divine Continent. Some busybody ranked the four palaces and set their places upon the Donglai Golden Ranking.

Upon entering Fufeng Palace, the palace master politely said, "We immortals each have our own specialties. I am not an immortal skilled in battle, so I dare not compete in Dao arts against the other three palace masters. Forgive me, but I cannot comply."

He then went to see the master of Cloudflare Palace, who said, "Why should cultivators care about empty fame?" He too refused.

When he reached Thunderclap Immortal Palace, its palace master welcomed him with laughter and readily agreed.

Seven days later, Lei invited the three palace masters to a banquet.

At the banquet, Lei said, "The four palaces embody thunder, cloud, wind, and rain. If we merge into one, we can contend with the one sect and one school. This would be the Heavenly Palace. Though I am unworthy, I can serve as its palace master."

None of the three palace masters agreed.

Later, the Thunderclap Immortal fought the Golden Rain Palace Master in Dao arts and won after a thousand exchanges, forcing the palace master to submit.

He then fought Yun. They battled for three days and three nights without determining victory or defeat.

Lei wished to fight again, but Yun flicked his sleeve, ended the banquet, and left.

He then competed in Dao arts with Wind Immortal. Wind Immortal left behind a one-character note and departed as well.

Upon seeing it, Lei no longer dared speak of battle, and the matter of merging the four palaces was dropped.

Afterward, an observer asked his master. His master smiled and said, "Cloud Immortal is broad-minded and humble, indifferent to fame and gain. Though he could have won, he treated his opponent with a draw. Wind Immortal modestly claimed to be unversed in battle, yet his Hetu Luoshu arts stood unrivaled in Divine Continent and could break every Thunderclap Dao art. If you must rank them, Thunderclap can be third and Golden Rain fourth."

He asked again, "Between Wind and Cloud, which comes first?"

His master answered, "I have never seen them fight, so I dare not say."

He asked again, "If they fought Thunderclap, what would the outcomes be?"

His master answered, "Wind would defeat Thunderclap in three hundred exchanges, Cloud in five hundred. After one thousand one hundred and twenty-five exchanges, Rain would be slightly inferior to Thunderclap."

Finally, he asked, "If they fought you, Master, what would the outcome be?"

His master said nothing and threw him a thousand miles away.

Thus, the busybody set the ranking of the four palaces: Fufeng was supreme, Cloudflame came next, Thunderclap was third, and Golden Rain last.