Don't let Yu Ding take on any more disciples.

Chapter 306 Jade - The Tool for Enlightenment - Cauldron

A look of surprise flashed in Crown Prince Changqin's eyes. To be honest, he was taken aback by Yu Ding's confidence.

"It's good to be confident, and I hope Brother Yuding can gain some insight from it, but don't say I didn't remind Brother Yuding."

Prince Changqin smiled meaningfully: "Many great and small witches have gained some insights from this animal skin scroll, but the most original ancient scripture... very few people have mastered it."

"Hmm... has Brother Changqin completed his cultivation?" Yu Ding asked curiously.

Prince Changqin's smile froze slightly, and he said calmly, "Brother Yuding, it's not too late for us to discuss this after you've figured it out."

Yu Ding, having already made up his mind, coughed dryly and said, "Alright!"

He then fell silent, sat cross-legged on the cliff, and focused his mind on the animal skin, carefully studying the body-refining methods of the witch clan recorded on it.

Although he had only known Prince Changqin for a short time, the other party was willing to share even the highest secrets of the Witch Clan with him, so what else could he not trust?
After discovering that the body-refining method of the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts was also a body-refining method of the Witch Clan, Yu Ding stopped trying to comprehend the methods recorded in the small witch script on the animal skin scroll, and instead focused on looking at the twelve symbols.

Because he realized that the body-refining method of the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts was actually the essence of those other body-refining methods, and that there was no point in trying to understand anything else.

On the contrary, he recognized the twelve different symbols, which were not shamanic script or even writing, as the most important part of the animal skin.

If I'm not mistaken, that is the true mother scripture created by the Twelve Ancestral Witches, the supreme method of body refinement for the Witch Clan.

Yu Ding stared at the first symbol, gradually becoming immersed in it, entering a wonderful state of forgetting himself and the world.

Just like the disciples who comprehended the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts back then.

Gradually, a grand chanting sound rang in Yu Ding's ears, deafening and resounding. The symbol in his eyes also began to change, transforming into a beam of red light that shot into the sky. In his eyes, it transformed into a vast and majestic holy figure that filled the entire world.

This is a strangely shaped deity, resembling a yellow sac, red as cinnabar fire, with six legs and four wings, chaotic and faceless, and immensely large.

As for exactly how big it is...

Thousands of miles? Tens of thousands of miles?
An indescribable aura flowed through His body, beyond the power of words to describe, yet His body seemed to encompass a vast universe, overlooking countless ages.

Yu Ding looked up at the sacred figure with all his might.

He felt his soul trembling, though it was not his will, but rather something he couldn't control.

—And this is the most direct manifestation of the difference between life energy levels, just like an ant looking up at a giant dragon and feeling awe.

Of course, he had seen a lot in his life, but only for a moment, Yu Ding conjured up images of his master in his mind.

boom!
A figure radiating pure light and a sacred aura appeared, completely eliminating the oppressive feeling that this innate deity had brought him.

"Is this... Dijiang, the leader of the Twelve Ancestral Witches?"

Yu Ding carefully examined the sacred whisper, filled with emotion. In front of such a powerful being, what is a Golden Immortal?
Even such powerful innate deities ultimately perished in the great calamity, becoming history and legends, which cannot help but serve as a warning to those who come after.

For example... him!

However, if we cling to our master's coattails and follow his instructions, there shouldn't be any major problems, right?

Besides, there's another patriarch above him... that's the connection, the network...

As the jade cauldron pondered, suddenly, the enormous innate deity roared to the sky, radiating a powerful and indomitable will.

"This is..." Yu Ding was surprised. The symbol suddenly transformed into a weak Di Jiang, beginning its evolution from weak to strong...

Of course, this weakness is relative.

This symbol embodies the Tao, transcending the limitations of words, and can be comprehended by almost any living being.

Yu Ding stared intently at the evolution of the symbols, his pupils reflecting crimson. One by one, the mysterious and profound symbols transformed into Di Jiang, which flapped its wings before him, tearing through space and swiftly traversing the cosmos.

After a long time, that creature evolved again into the figure of Dijiang, and finally returned to its most primitive symbol.

The crimson in Yu Ding's eyes faded, and he lowered his head, the shock in his eyes gradually receding as he recalled Di Jiang's evolution, trying to confirm whether everything that had just happened had been imprinted in his mind.

"This is not a method, but rather Dijiang transforming the path he himself walked into a way, which he then showed to the people of the Wu tribe..."

Yu Ding suddenly realized with a shocked expression. This was not a body-refining method left by Di Jiang, but it contained the process of Di Jiang becoming stronger step by step, which naturally included body refining.

Furthermore, it contains the supreme mystery of space and speed, just like the... inheritance of Dijiang!
"Is that so?" Yu Ding was so shocked that he couldn't speak.

Outside, Prince Changqin was staring at the jade cauldron when he was suddenly startled. He saw the jade cauldron glowing and symbols appearing, causing the space around it to fold continuously.

Folding it once covers almost ten thousand miles...

"This...could it be..." Crown Prince Changqin was so shocked that he couldn't speak.

Although the jade cauldron appears to be right in front of you, in reality, after several layers of spatial folding, it is already thousands of miles away.

After a long while, Yu Ding returned from the universe created by the Emperor Jiang, only to find him still staring blankly at the first symbol on the animal skin scroll.

When he looked at it this time, he immediately understood the meaning of the first symbol.

"Brother Yu Ding, have you gained any insight?" Crown Prince Changqin asked expectantly.

Yu Ding readily agreed, "Of course, this is a symbol of the Great Dao, and the true meaning contained within it is... is..."

As he spoke, his expression suddenly changed.

When he wanted to share the true meaning of the Daoist talisman from Dijiang with Prince Changqin, he suddenly discovered that he had lost the ability to express the meaning of the talisman in words.

He could not express the meaning of the talisman in any words he knew.

"Is this... an indescribable feeling?"

In an instant, Yu Ding recalled how Yuan Hong and Yang Jian were speechless when he asked them about the secrets of the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts.

Crown Prince Changqin looked at Yu Ding expectantly, but was somewhat taken aback when he found that Yu Ding could not say anything after saying "yes" for a long time.

“Brother Changqin, it’s not that I’m unwilling to share with you.”

Yu Ding smiled wryly and said helplessly, "I can only say...it's wonderful."

"Brother Yuding, have you really figured it out?" Crown Prince Changqin asked in surprise.

Looking at Prince Changqin's expression, Yu Ding raised an eyebrow slightly. Hmm, why does that expression... seem so familiar?

Wait a minute, could this guy be like him back then, looking for someone to decipher the techniques because he couldn't understand them?
Yu Ding helplessly spread his hands and said, "Brother Changqin, please forgive me. I really can't express the wonder of this. I'll think of a way later."

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Changqin looked at Yu Ding. Seeing that it did not seem to be a pretense, a flash of disappointment crossed his eyes. He then said, "No rush, Brother Yu Ding, please continue your comprehension!"

Yu Ding stared at the sky speechlessly: "..."

Did he never expect that one day Yu Ding would also become a tool?
After calming himself down, Yu Ding continued to comprehend the remaining characters. Before long, a large number of symbols and divine light surged around Yu Ding, causing the place to instantly transform from springtime warmth and blooming flowers to the scorching heat of summer, then to the falling leaves of autumn, and finally to the drifting snowflakes of winter...

In a short time, this place experienced a cycle of the four seasons.

"You... you've really figured it out?" Crown Prince Changqin stared at the jade cauldron, his expression tense, his gaze complex, a mixture of relief and envy impossible to discern...

After a long while, Yu Ding slowly opened his eyes, the light around him entering his body, and a look of reminiscence appeared on his face.

As expected, this time it was Zhujiuyin, one of the Twelve Ancestral Witches...

"Brother Changqin!" Yu Ding looked at the expectant Crown Prince Changqin and said apologetically, "I...I'm so sorry!"

It's true that this animal hide is the legacy of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, but there's a hurdle to overcome before you can comprehend it: facing the Twelve Ancestral Witches.

Although it was not the true form of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, but only a phantom of a brand, the Twelve Ancestral Witches were once powerful beings whose divine might was unparalleled. Even a single brand could exert a pressure that ordinary people could not withstand.

Only because Yu Ding has a powerful and influential backer can he visualize his master to eliminate this oppressive aura.

Only when the influence of the Ancestral Witches is gone can you glimpse their mark and comprehend the legacy they left for future generations. This is when your comprehension will truly be tested.

Prince Changqin smiled helplessly: "Alright, alright, it seems that Brother Yuding is truly destined to be with these ancestors. However, continuous meditation is too mentally taxing. Let me lend Brother Yuding a hand!"

Having said that, he gently plucked the strings of the jade zither with both hands. As the music played, Yu Ding's depleted mental energy began to recover, and he slowly regained his spirit.

Yu Ding nodded gratefully, closed his eyes, and began to calm his mind with the help of the zither music.

After a long time, with the help of Prince Changqin, Yu Ding continued to comprehend the remaining Ancestral Witch Imprints. Around him, great rivers would sometimes surge, flames would sometimes soar into the sky, and lush greenery would sometimes appear...

Eleven days passed in this way.

"The last one!"

Yu Ding followed the steps of the enigma in order, until he reached the last earthen-yellow mark. He took a deep breath and immersed himself in it once more.

boom!
It was the same familiar formula and the same familiar taste. The talisman in the jade cauldron's eyes boomed and transformed into an earthy yellow divine light, opening up a vast universe.

Before him stood another majestic and vast figure, stretching for countless miles, looming across the center of that universe.

This primordial deity had a human body and a snake tail, seven hands behind its back and two hands in front of its chest, each holding a serpent. It was draped in a pale yellow robe, yet its terrifying aura still emanated from it…

"The Ancestral Witch of Earth?!"

Yu Ding still needed to look up to this sacred figure, and seeing this, he also decided to continue meditating on his master.

hum!
But at that moment, Yu Ding's expression suddenly changed. He spun around involuntarily and floated up as if weightless.

When he stopped again, he was astonished to find himself standing right in front of that sacred figure.

He was an omnipotent immortal in the eyes of mortals, but in the presence of this enormous deity, Yu Ding felt like a mortal.

This is a goddess!
"What...what's going on?" Yu Ding was astonished, as this had never happened with the previous eleven marks.

Suddenly, Yu Ding's expression changed drastically. Before he could even visualize his master's figure, the image vanished into pure energy with a loud bang.

Suddenly, a flash of divine light appeared in the eyes of the Ancestral Witch, which was originally formed from a mark or talisman, as if it had gained sentience, and its eyes fell upon him.

In an instant, Yu Ding felt as if his entire body had been seen through.

"You are... a disciple of Fellow Daoist Yuanshi?"

The enormous goddess stared at the jade cauldron and slowly spoke.

"Indeed, Yu Ding, a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun... greets Houtu Niangniang!"

Yu Ding quickly introduced himself: "Did I disturb Your Highness while I was meditating?"

He knew that one of the twelve Ancestral Witches had survived, and later transformed into one of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, achieving sainthood through merit, and becoming a Saint of the Earthly Path, as well as one of the Six Emperors of the Heavenly Court.

But he never expected that this mark would actually connect with the original body.

"I never expected that Fellow Daoist Yuanshi would have a disciple like you."

Houtu gazed at the jade cauldron and sighed, "What kind of path are you going to take?"

As he spoke, the light in his eyes faded, and his original imposing aura vanished.

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?"

Yu Ding tentatively called out twice, but when there was no response and the terrifying aura disappeared, he calmly continued to comprehend it.

As for what kind of path he wants to take...

That would definitely be because following closely behind one's master and having a powerful backer is a good way to benefit from their influence.

He devoted all his spirit and will to the evolution of the Daoist talismans, imprinting them all into his heart.

After a long while, all the pale yellow symbols around Yu Ding disappeared into his body, and he opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

"Thank you, Brother Changqin!" Yu Ding returned the animal hide.

"Brother Yuding is indeed a genius of unparalleled talent."

Prince Changqin said with emotion, "No need to thank me. It is also because Brother Yuding has a connection with my clan. I hope it will be of some help to you."

“Brother Changqin, the methods of the nobility are indeed profound and mysterious, and have been of great help to me, but I need some time to learn more…” Yu Ding pondered.

Crown Prince Changqin readily agreed, "Brother Yuding, please proceed!"

Yu Ding nodded slightly, closed his eyes, and recalled what he had gained.

The greatest gain this time was undoubtedly the inheritance of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, which included not only their Dao Imprints but also the secrets of how the Twelve Ancestral Witches tempered their physical bodies.

He had already seen that these twelve ancestral witches were born with incomparably strong physical bodies, and later became stronger and stronger through their own methods. This was their method of body refinement.

However... Yu Ding discovered a problem.

“These ancestral witches… why aren’t they humanoid?” Yu Ding smiled helplessly.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches were born to carry the Great Dao, and their appearances were undoubtedly all in the form of the Great Dao, which has remained largely unchanged ever since.

It should be understood that in the path of cultivation, a slight error can lead to a huge difference. The reason why monsters transform into human form after cultivating to a certain level is simply that the human form is more compatible with the Qi refining methods of the immortal path.

"Why isn't there a ready-made method?"

Yu Ding sighed softly; it seemed he would have to become a Frankenstein's monster again.

He needs to thoroughly understand the body-refining methods of the twelve witch clans, and then use these twelve methods to deduce and supplement his own Nine Revolutions Profound Technique.

On the mountain cliff, amidst the flowing water, Prince Changqin played his zither, helping Yu Ding to comprehend the Dao.

At this moment, Yu Ding was completely absorbed in the Twelve Ancestral Witches' Laws, as if bewitched, drawing upon their boundless mysteries.

His brow glowed, and strands of his primordial spirit power emanated from it, condensing with the twelve Dao talismans as he attempted to integrate and evolve his own method...

"To be honest, besides his good comprehension, Brother Yuding's dedication to the Dao is also admirable."

Prince Changqin gazed at the jade cauldron, feeling a surge of emotion, and then glanced at the roll of golden animal hide.

A moment later, he raised an eyebrow.

"try again!"

Not long after, blood trickled from the corner of Crown Prince Changqin's mouth, and he couldn't help but sigh.

(End of this chapter)