"Earth Emperor Book? I didn't expect Daoist Friend Linghuan to even know such immemorial classical references; you are truly deeply learned. Rogue cultivators with your breadth of knowledge are not many."
Hearing the explanation of this mysterious person in black, Hua Tiandu couldn't help but let a trace of peculiar radiance drift through his eyes.
This mysterious person in black was an overseas rogue cultivator Daoist friend recommended by Fang Qingwei, called "Mr. Linghuan," possessing highly powerful magic power. His cultivation was at the fifth realm of divine abilities, the "Heaven-Man Realm." For ordinary rogue cultivators to be able to cultivate to the Heaven-Man Realm was quite remarkable. They must certainly have obtained some kind of secret inheritance, the legacy of ancient immortals. Hua Tiandu valued such rogue cultivators very much as well, so he met with him.
Upon meeting, he found this "Mr. Linghuan" to have elegant conversation and profound learning, not at all like a rogue cultivator, but rather more orthodox than disciples coming out of orthodox sects, knowing numerous immemorial secrets inside out. Furthermore, he was proficient in many Dao techniques.
Hua Tiandu immediately felt that this person was definitely not as simple as just the "Heaven-Man Realm" and certainly possessed hidden methods. However, he would not go uncovering others' deepest secrets; among cultivation experts, everyone had a few hidden trump cards, which was not unusual.
"The Yellow Spring Great Emperor refined the Yellow Spring Diagram precisely so that one day he could find the Earth Emperor Book, merge the two into one, and transform it into an immortal artifact. You must know, the Yellow Spring Demonic Sect originally obtained some divine abilities of the Earth Emperor and is a branch of the Earth Emperor's Dao lineage. Daoist Friend Hua must be particularly careful regarding this point. If he is allowed to obtain the Earth Emperor Book, you will not be able to restrain him." Mr. Linghuan spoke eloquently, his tone sounding like a trusted friend giving a reminder, evoking a sense of intimacy.
"I will pay attention to this; many thanks for Daoist Friend Linghuan's reminder." Hua Tiandu nodded. "I wonder on which immortal mountain overseas Daoist Friend Linghuan resides? When I have time, I will certainly visit."
"This poor Daoist is an idle cloud and wild crane, gathering herbs and refining pills everywhere, with no fixed residence. However, Daoist Friend Hua's cultivation is profound, and your collections are quite abundant. If this poor Daoist obtains any good treasures in the future, I will certainly come here to Daoist Friend Hua's place to exchange them for pills. This poor Daoist takes his leave." After finishing speaking, Mr. Linghuan stood up.
"Wanluo, help me see Mr. Linghuan out." Hua Tiandu addressed him, nodding his head.
Before long, Wanluo saw Mr. Linghuan out and walked back into Hua Tiandu's pill room, a grave expression on his face: "Senior Brother, I see this Mr. Linghuan's origins are unknown. He neither looks like a disciple of a major demonic path sect, nor does he look like a disciple of a major immortal dao sect, and he looks even less like a rogue cultivator. Moreover, his strength is more than this. Coming to trade with Senior Brother, we both reaped a massive advantage. In my eyes, offering unsolicited flattery indicates he is either a traitor or a thief."
"Indeed…" Hua Tiandu was toying with a jade pendant in his hand, its color a bright red; it was actually another piece of Innate Blood Jade: "This piece of Innate Blood Jade is a rare supreme treasure between heaven and earth. Taking it to the Great Xuan Empire to exchange for three low-grade treasure artifacts would be no problem at all, yet he actually only exchanged it for one hundred Foundation Building Pills?"
"Rumor has it that Elder Heavenly Work also held a piece of Innate Blood Jade in his hand. Assisting Fang Han in refining the demonic blade Blood Firmament into a Dao artifact this time probably consumed it as well. For the sake of nurturing Fang Han, these three Great Elders are truly willing to part with things. It seems the sect is somewhat dissatisfied with Senior Brother Tiandu being uniquely dominant." Wanluo analyzed.
"The sect wants to establish two factions among the true disciples. Previously, they exhausted their efforts nurturing Fang Qingxue to contend against me, and now they are exhausting their efforts nurturing Fang Han. My heart understands this perfectly clear, and it gives no cause for excessive criticism. If I were the various elders and the headmaster of the sect, I would do the same." Hua Tiandu said without any care: "However, a single Fang Han alone is not enough to contend against me. Coupled with Fang Qingxue, they can pose a little bit of threat to me, but once I step into the Longevity Realm, they will amount to nothing. When that time comes, the several secluded Supreme Elders will also come out to attend the ceremony."
The Longevity Realm, known as "eternal colossi."
For any sect, if a new expert of the Longevity Realm emerges, it is a tremendous matter. Wide invitations must be issued, and a grand banquet held for all the immortals of the world to promote the sect's glory; this has been the rule for who knows how many years.
If Hua Tiandu stepped into the Longevity Realm, the Yuhua Sect would immediately notify the Nine Sects of the Immortal Dao and numerous rogue cultivator sects, and the Supreme Elders of the sect would come out to attend the ceremony. The headmasters of various sects and factions would also come to offer congratulations. At that time, Hua Tiandu would immediately command awe-inspiring authority, and anything like Fang Han or Fang Qingxue would be worthless before his radiance. Furthermore, the immense power of the Longevity Realm could fully unleash the power of Dao artifacts, which cannot be compared to the Divine Ability Realm.
The difference between the Divine Ability Realm and the Longevity Realm is truly too vast.
Although Hua Tiandu was at the tenth realm of divine abilities, "Defying Heaven and Changing Fate," only one step away, he ultimately had not succeeded in "defying heaven" and could not become an "eternal colossus."
Outside the Yuhua Mountain, in a desolate mountain range, that "Mr. Linghuan" descended, only to see more than a dozen people in black guarding there, simultaneously kneeling down: "Paying respects to Lord Divine Sovereign!"
"Rise."
Mr. Linghuan waved his hand, and a person in black stepped forward: "Divine Sovereign, I wonder if that Hua Tiandu is a character that can be won over?"
"It is still too early to say. However, our race possesses many treasures; tempting him with benefits, it is not without a chance of success. Especially since Hua Tiandu now has enemies." Mr. Linghuan sneered sinisterly: "But that Fang Han, we absolutely cannot let off! The Yellow Spring Diagram on him is an important item for the Earth Emperor Book to evolve back into an immortal artifact anew, and it is also the key hindering our race's return! We must acquire it! At all costs! We return first, summon the Eight Divisions that came to the Xuanhuang Prime World this time, and see what methods we can use to seize the Yellow Spring Diagram."
More than a dozen black shadows vanished into the wilderness, leaving only gusts of clear breeze…
Leaving aside Hua Tiandu and Wanluo discussing on Tiandu Peak, and a group of people in black plotting schemes, Fang Han had already returned to his own "Samsara Peak."
"Samsara Peak" was very high. Looking out in all directions, mountain peaks stretched endlessly to the horizon. White clouds drifted past the mountainsides. The sky was high, clouds light, and birds soaring; it truly painted the picture of an immortal dao sacred land.
Gazing far into the distance, Fang Han suddenly discovered that the mountain peaks where numerous true disciples resided encircled the "Yuhua Heavenly Palace," and each mountain peak connected to the earth's network of veins, faintly arranging into an extremely formidable array formation.
In the event of a large-scale battle, or an attack by extraterrestrial heavenly demons, or an emergency situation arising within the sect, all true disciples sitting atop their mountain peaks mobilizing the heaven and earth origin qi would immediately produce unimaginable power to slay evil demons and protect themselves from harm.
Now having cultivated to the fifth realm of divine abilities, the "Heaven-Man Realm," Fang Han understood the profound mysteries of heaven and humanity and the marvels of array formations. Thus, he could see the true intention behind the Yuhua Sect building a mountain peak for every Divine Ability Realm true disciple.
Currently, the Yuhua Sect had a total of one hundred and ten true disciples, thus there were one hundred and ten mountain peaks. Each mountain peak standing upon the vast earth was a core array eye. At critical junctures defining the life and death of the sect, the true disciples would stay on their own mountain peaks, using their life, origin qi, and soul to guard themselves and the sect.
The more true disciples, the more mountain peaks, the more array eyes, and the greater the power.
"The Yuhua Sect is indeed worthy of being one of the Ten Sects of the Immortal Dao, possessing such a grandly scaled plan." After seeing through this mystery, Fang Han continued observing and discovered another mystery. Each mountain peak also possessed a distinct strength or weakness in its imposing aura! The mountain peak right in the center had the strongest aura, radiating myriad rays of brilliance; clearly, it was Hua Tiandu's Tiandu Peak.
And for the other four directions—east, west, south, and north—there was one mountain peak in each whose aura was also extremely intense, like swords piercing the firmament, revealing keen edges; clearly, these were the mountain peaks of the four great disciples Wanluo, Lingxiao, Jialan, and Yaoguang.
Among the remaining mountain peaks, there were also those with intense auras, but none could match these five mountain peaks.
Meanwhile, his own mountain peak was dim and indistinct, possessing no aura at all, pitifully declined; clearly, it was only built not long ago, and he had fundamentally not managed it yet.
This would not do if it continued. One must know that a mountain peak is one's home, the cave dwelling where one settles and thrives, the best place to rely on the advantage of "geographical location" when facing powerful enemies.
For a powerhouse at the fifth realm of divine abilities, the "Heaven-Man Realm," if they managed a cave dwelling well, even if an expert of the seventh realm Golden Pill came to kill them, they could preserve their life.
"Fang Han, you are finally here. Just now when I saw the sky entirely blood-colored, I knew the elders had refined the demonic blade Blood Firmament into a Dao artifact. Congratulations, congratulations! Even I have not managed to possess a Dao artifact. With your current strength, even Golden Pill experts cannot do anything to you."
Jialan's voice drifted out from behind Fang Han.
"Fang Han! You are finally back!" From the sky, an immortal crane called out, and a platinum-colored immortal crane slowly descended; surprisingly, it was Immortal Crane. Judging from her appearance, she looked even more magnificent. Her strength was immense; with a slight flap of her wings, clusters of storms and vortexes appeared in the air.
"Immortal Crane, how has your cultivation been these days?" Taking a look, Fang Han immediately felt a sense of intimacy. He beckoned with his hand, letting Immortal Crane land by his side.
"Quite well, quite well. Hongyi and I cultivate every day. Receiving Sister Jialan's care, we both have achieved success in our cultivation. Given time, it's possible we might step into the Divine Ability Realm oh!" Immortal Crane opened her mouth. She no longer needed a Myriad Beast Plaque to transmit messages; having refined the transverse bone in her mouth, she could speak human language.
Her voice was soft and crisp.
"Indeed, I have now also cultivated to the pinnacle of divine transformation. I just don't know when I will be able to enter the Divine Ability Realm." Sliding off Immortal Crane's back, a woman in red appeared; she was none other than Princess Hongyi.
Fang Han took one look and knew she had successfully cultivated to become "spirited," able to utilize her spirit to create various illusions for enemies, possessing powerful spiritual force—the pinnacle of the tenth realm of the physical body, "Divine Transformation."
But to transform into the Divine Ability Realm and ascend to heaven in a single step, who knew how many temperings that would still require.
"Pity, our sect's Human-tier supreme grade pill, the Foundation Building Pill, is not easy to refine. It requires massive amounts of medicinal materials, and even pure spiritual origin qi. If Hongyi could consume Foundation Building Pills to practice, stepping into the Divine Ability Realm would not be a difficult matter." Jialan shook her head.
Currently, the pills supplied as food for the Yuhua Sect disciples were the "Essence Pill" and the "Inedia Pill." One was Human-tier middle grade, the other Human-tier low grade; their medicinal power was average, yet they were still extremely hard to come by, supplied only to inner sect disciples. As for the hundreds of thousands of outer sect disciples, they could only go to the Jade Dining Hall to eat the "communal pot meals."
"Is that so! I do not know how to refine Foundation Building Pills, but I can definitely refine the Taiyi Sect's Origin Infant Pills." While speaking, a ray of pure origin qi shot out from Fang Han's glabella!
This pure origin qi circled around his fingertips and turned into an "Origin Infant Pill," crystal clear, with what looked like a chubby infant sitting in the middle.
"You!"
This time, not only Jialan, but even Fang Qingxue was shocked.
They never expected that Fang Han could refine such a supreme grade pill without needing medicinal materials! If this continues, wouldn't it be incredible?