Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme - Chapter 567

Chapter 567: Chapter 344: Divine Power

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The flow of Heavenly Mechanics Methods to the outside world was an expected event.

It was only natural for the Heavenly Court to directly search souls and obtain these methods.

As for the Monster Nation and the Demon Abyss…

Cultivators from the Wandao School who had ascended were not initially revealing the Heavenly Mechanics Methods and Spirit-Treasure Mech Armor; many were able to keep it concealed. However, they were thrust into battlefields, eventually slain by demons who then seized their Nascent Souls and plundered their secrets through soul searching.

Therefore, not only the Heavenly Court, but also the Monster Nation, the Demon Abyss, and even the Buddha Land had acquired the Heavenly Mechanics Methods from the Wandao School and used the abundant resources of the Earth Immortal Realm to construct a large number of Spirit-Treasure Mech Armors, significantly enhancing their mid-tier combat prowess.

But that was only the mid-tier. The ascended cultivators from the Wandao School reached that point ten thousand years ago when the Heavenly Mechanics Methods of the Wandao School were only at the fourth tier, with even “Xuanyuan” existing only as a design concept. It wasn’t until later, with the integration of the Yuan Spirit world, that the fifth and sixth tier Heavenly Mechanics Methods were gradually deduced.

Thus, the major powers of the Earth Immortal Realm had not yet acquired the capability to construct Immortal Spirit Mech Armors and arm their high-ranking combat forces.

Although the Heavenly Court was also deducing further developments and was very capable of creating higher-tier Heavenly Mechanics Methods, could such ingeniously crafted methods be easily derived?

The Wandao School was able to produce the Heavenly Mechanics Methods thanks to the collective wisdom of all beings combined with concerted efforts, Xu Yang’s cheating-like skill characteristics, and tens of thousands of years of accumulated efforts, constantly making progress step by step.

Among these, the importance of Xu Yang’s “external assistance” was even greater than the collective wisdom and time accumulation.

If it weren’t for Daoist Master Xu Yang leading the charge, utilizing his own accumulation and various skill characteristics to overcome various bottlenecks, then even if the Wandao School spent a hundred thousand years, or even a million years in deduction, they might not achieve the creation of the Heavenly Mechanics Methods.

Many things hinge on a single critical point, and only with that critical insight can one achieve the breakthrough from zero to one.

The Heavenly Mechanics Methods are precisely such a case!

Therefore, even with the Heavenly Court in the Earth Immortal’s Domain, possessing various high-grade methods, an abundance of Yuan Spirit resources, and powerful cultivators like the Nine Tribulations True Immortal, it could be very hard to derive higher-tier Heavenly Mechanics Methods in a short period.

Xu Yang estimated that they might have at most overcome the challenges of the fifth tier, gaining the ability to create lower grade Immortal Spirit Mech Armors. As for the sixth tier, the mid-grade Immortal Spirit… without a few thousand or tens of thousands of years, there would be no hope in sight.

This was also why Xu Yang dared to found the “Ascension Academy”.

If it weren’t for this technological barrier, with the Earth Immortal Realm’s resources and the deep foundations of forces like the Heavenly Court, the achievements of the Wandao School in the Lower Realm over ten thousand years would still not compare to the results achieved by the great powers of the Earth Immortal Realm in a mere thousand years.

The technological barrier halted the progress of the Heavenly Court and various powers, ensuring the dominance of the Wandao School in the field of Heavenly Mechanics Methods.

Even so, Xu Yang remained vigilant, after all, the Heavenly Court was home to Immortals, and even Nine Tribulations True Immortals.

To stand against them, or even to accomplish the feat of “defying the heavens to destroy the immortals and take their place”, the Heavenly Mechanics Methods had to make further breakthroughs, to construct Superior Immortal Spirit, and even top-tier Immortal Spirit Mech Armors, strong enough to contend with Tribulation Passing Immortals.

Therefore, he had convened this Pill Origin Gathering, for the dual purposes of expanding influence, gaining hearts, and for the Heavenly Mechanics Methods, to gather and amass various methods.

In this way, another month passed. Under Xu Yang’s guidance, this mere fourth-tier Heavenly Mechanics Method was easily unraveled, yielding significant insights to those present, including Great Mahayana cultivators like True Person Ziyang.

One man’s stone may polish another’s jade; methods as novel and complete as the Heavenly Mechanics Methods could provide plenty of inspiration and even directional guidance.

“Who among the fellow Daoists will it be next?”

Xu Yang took charge again, smiling as he surveyed the assembly.

“Brother, let me!”

This time, it was the generally reticent Great Roc King who rose, even using the term “brother.”

“Oh?”

The crowd, sparked with interest by this, keenly fixed their gaze on the Celestial Peng Demon King.

Several Great Mahayana cultivators had spoken previously, and he had not uttered a word. Now, with the cultivators discussing the Dao, it was uncertain what divine power he would reveal.

The Great Roc King disregarded everyone and addressed Xu Yang, “I possess a Heaven Gang Transformation Art.”

“The Heaven Gang Transformation Art?”

“Isn’t that…”

“One of the thirty-six Heaven Gang Divine Powers!”

As soon as these words were uttered, there was a commotion, and the entire assembly was astounded.

Only Xu Yang laughed with a serene expression, “If that’s the case, then please enlighten us.”

The Great Roc King nodded and spoke of the origin of his divine power.

“This method was obtained through a fortunate opportunity of mine and is one of the thirty-six Heaven Gang Divine Powers!”

“The Thirty-Six Heaven Gang Divine Powers, also known as the Thirty-Six Heaven Gang Transformations, are a legacy of the Ancient Immortal Gods, a cultivation for longevity and also a Dao Protection technique, embodying thirty-six transformations and thirty-six divine powers, each with extraordinary might.”

“According to the comprehensive Heaven Gang Methods, these thirty-six divine powers are as follows: Spinning Creation, Inverting Yin and Yang, Moving Stars and Changing Constellations, Reversing Day and Night, Summoning Rain and Wind, Shaking Mountains and Stirring Earth, Piloting Fog, Ascending Clouds, Crossing Rivers on Foot, Making Land from Water, Shining Earth with Golden Light, Overturning Seas and Stirring Oceans, Pointing Earth into Copper, Five Elements Great Escape, Mysterious Gates of the Great Six Jia, Reversing Knowledge of the Future, Whip Mountain Move Stone, Raising the Dead to Life, Flying Form Tracing Path, Nine Breaths Sustaining Qi, Guiding Out Primary Yang Subduing Dragon and Tiger, Mending Heaven and Soaking in the Sun, Pushing Mountains and Filling Oceans, Pointing at Stone Creating Gold, Standing Upright without Shadow, Infant Transformation, Great Minor Compliance, Instantaneous Blossoming, Wandering Spirit to Control Qi, Seeing Through Walls, Turning Wind and Reversing Fire, Wielding the Five Thunders, Submerging into the Abyss and Compressing the Earth, Whirling Sand and Walking Rocks, Carrying Mountains Over Seas, Sowing Beans to Summon Soldiers, Nailhead Seven Arrows!”

The normally stoic and reserved Great Roc King unexpectedly delivered a lengthy discourse, listing the mighty thirty-six divine powers before everyone.

“The Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Techniques!”

“The Seventy-Two Earth Sha Skills!”

The well-informed True Person Ziyang also stroked his beard and said, “These two great methods are widely circulated in the Earth Immortal Realm, recorded by the Heavenly Court, Buddhism, Monster Nation, Demon Abyss, and our South Observance Immortal Gates. It is said that mastering all of them grants the combined form of the Heavenly Gang Earth Sha, a hundred and eight Dharma Bodies – each representing a divine power and a life, warding off disaster, avoiding calamity, protecting longevity, omnipotent…”

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“What a pity that whether it be the Heavenly Court’s Buddhism or the Demon Abyss of the Monster Nation, the inheritances they obtained are all incomplete. Not to mention the one hundred and eight Dharma Bodies of the Heavenly Gang Earth Sha, even the thirty-six techniques and the seventy-two arts have not yet been fully gathered by anyone,”

Pure Jun Sword Lord took over the conversation and then turned to the Great Roc King, “May I know which of the Heavenly Gang Divine Power you’ve acquired?”

The Great Roc King said coldly, “Infant Transformation!”

“Is it that technique?”

True Person Ziyang’s eyes sharpened, then his expression eased, “No wonder, no wonder…”

The Great Roc King, paying no attention to the others, addressed the crowd, “Infant Transformation, one of the thirty-six Heavenly Gang Techniques, allows one to refine the inner embryo and change the human form at will. It is a skill for transformation as well as cultivation. It can purify the bloodstream and improve the innate physique. When practiced by the Human Clan, it enables one to transform into myriad beasts and travel the skies and earth. When practiced by the Demon Race, it allows transformation into a human form, achieving an Innate Dao Body. It is indeed a Divine Power that benefits beings from humans, beasts, demons, to monsters.”

“Indeed!”

True Person Ziyang added, “It is said that in Ancient Times, there were people who simplified this Divine Power to create a technique called the Supreme Yin Body Training Skill, but it has long been lost.”

“So that’s how it is!”

“The Great Roc King, to have such Divine Power…”

“No wonder he could advance to Mahayana with a half-demon body; it turns out it was all thanks to the power of this Infant Transformation.”

“But judging by his performance, it seems that the Infant Transformation is not fully refined yet; otherwise, there would have been no need for Zhen Yuan to take action and save him.”

Faced with the Great Roc King’s firsthand account, the cultivators buzzed with discussion, their eyes showing anticipation.

The Great Roc King did not hide his secrets and looked directly at Xu Yang, “I have had this skill for ten thousand years, but alas, my talents are dull, and the technique is extremely profound. I have diligently cultivated to this day, yet I have still not reached Mahayana. Instead, I’ve encountered deviations repeatedly, almost falling into madness. It was only thanks to my brother’s rescue that I turned peril into safety. Today, I will offer up this skill for us to study together!”

Having said that, he took out a scroll that seemed to be woven from gold thread and jade, ancient and elegant, revealing its extraordinariness.

“This…”

“Could it be the Divine Power’s original scroll?”

“He’s willing to take this out.”

“The Great Roc King is indeed noble!”

“Don’t you see how he calls him ‘big brother’? The two have long been sworn brothers, pledged together in fraternal kinship.”

“Could it be that Great Immortal Zhen Yuan has a fondness for making sworn siblings?”

Looking at the scroll in the Great Roc King’s hand, everyone’s eyes showed envy.

Xu Yang smiled, waved his horsetail whisk, and a beam of Sprit Light shot out, entering the scroll, immediately showing changing visions and refining the Heavenly Gang Divine Power, exactly the Infant Transformation.

Xu Yang watched it and then chuckled lightly, “Infant Transformation focuses on the two words ‘infant transformation.’ ‘Infant’ refers to the state of the innate, where Chaos Yuan is undivided, and the Principle of Yin and Yang is undefined. Therefore, to refine this Divine Power, one must understand the Principle of Yin and Yang, reversing the acquired to improve the innate continuously, purifying the bloodstream. Once the Divine Power is refined, one can transform into anything.”

After speaking, he looked at the Great Roc King again, “Younger brother, you have started on the path, but the reason you have not achieved great success is that you are hindered by concerns, unsure whether to refine the innate human embryo or the form of a bird or beast. In truth, it doesn’t matter. We cultivators prioritize the Way and maintain righteousness. As long as you do not become an Evil Demon, why be confined by the external appearance of form?”

“This…”

The Great Roc King was taken aback and after a long time, he came to his senses and bowed deeply to Xu Yang, “Thank you, big brother, for your guidance!”

His half-demon lineage was a pain in his heart. He had traveled a difficult path, inadvertently forming a mental barrier, always fixated on his bloodline type. Such a cultivation mindset for practicing Infant Transformation would naturally be unable to achieve fruition, and it was no wonder he nearly went mad.

This kind of psychological barrier, if faced by someone else, would be hard to resolve even if they understood the rationale, because few could completely disregard his half-demon bloodline.

Not to mention others, take True Person Ziyang for example; despite being a benevolent and kind elder, he also harbored a slight bias against him. This was due to the blood-feuds accumulated over ten thousand years of conflict between the three races of the Earth Immortal Realm: humans, demons, and monsters.

In such an environment, it was no wonder that people were influenced.

Only Xu Yang was different. He did not care about one’s racial origin, only holding steadfast to the righteousness of the Way as the principle for being an Immortal. It was with such an approach to relations that he could earn the heartfelt admiration of the Peony Fairy, someone who originated as a spirit plant, and have her recognize him as a brother.

The case is the same for him, the Great Roc King. Having heard Xu Yang’s explanation and proclaiming it before everyone, he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, his heart relaxed, and the shackles that had bound him for so long showed signs of breaking.

Seeing this, Xu Yang also smiled, and then his gaze returned to the golden book of jade pages, meditating on the Heavenly Gang Divine Power while sharing insights with everyone.

And so, three months passed by, and one grand Divine Power was thus pocketed and also gained by everyone else.

Three months followed by another three months, and up to this day, the Pill Origin Gathering has almost reached ten thousand years, yet everyone remained reluctant to leave, immersed in the event, with no one willing to rise or wishing to depart.

Following the Great Roc King, True Person Ziyang and the Peony Fairy also took the stage, revealing a profound Alchemy Skill and a Hundred Flowers Spirit Plant Technique.

When it was Xu Yang’s turn, he generously deconstructed the Five Colors Divine Light and shared with everyone the mysteries of the Five Elements.

The five Mahayana practitioners each displayed their Divine Power, each revealing their Methods.

With such a precedent, the Pill Origin Gathering reached a climax, and numerous Integration Great Powers and even cultivators who had attained the Return to Void shared their treasured Methods. It was both a form of gratitude and a plea for advice, hoping to receive guidance from the Mahayana practitioners to break through their limits and advance in their cultivation.

In this manner, the Pill Origin Gathering blossomed with hundreds of skills—Elixir Skills, Talisman, Artifact Skills, Formation, Spirit Plant techniques, Beast Taming… various arts, Methods, and Divine Powers were brought to the stage for evaluation by the Mahayana, interpreted by the True Immortals, comprehended by the crowd, and shared amongst all.

In such a manner…

“This junior has a Method that is an Ancient Immortal Sword technique called the Nine Rituals Heavenly Venerate, and I ask the seniors to appraise it!”