Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 552 Why Does the Eighteen Meridians Star-Picking Gathering Need a Name!

You slowly withdrew your radiance, your five-colored tail feathers brushed gently behind you, and the Great Ming Peacock Dharma Body transformed into specks of starlight and dissipated.

You have returned to your original appearance.

You gently clenched your fist, feeling an immense power within this physical body. The terrifying aspect of the "Seven Treasures Mystic Manual" lies in the fact that with each true spirit bloodline refined, the body's foundation and bones undergo a complete transformation, and the power of qi and blood multiplies exponentially.

If one could truly gather all seven true spirit bloodlines into one body, then even if one were not a true spirit, one would be more powerful than a true spirit.

[This is the second true form of your Dharma body that you have cultivated, following the Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant Dharma Body.]

[If he were to encounter the Demon Lord of All Living Beings again in the future, even if he were to transform into a different form, he would likely find it difficult to recognize him.]

However, the Ancestor of the Imperial Capital could probably guess most of it, after all, the True Spirit Bloodline was bestowed upon him by the Ancestor, and he had also seen the "Seven Treasures Mystic Book".

Now, you essentially have two additional identities: one as the Overseas Ant Taoist, and the other as the Peacock of the Ming Dynasty.

[Afterwards, entering the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury will make things much easier.]

You couldn't help but chuckle, "Murderers, arsonists, those who cut off people's livelihoods—the Ant Daoist, the Peacock Immortal."

[In the past six months, your cultivation has progressed by leaps and bounds. Furthermore, you've sealed your cultivation with the "Primordial Chaos Fire Chamber Suppression Diagram," and this is now the twenty-third time, comparable to undergoing twenty-three tribulations.]

【besides!】

[Within six months, there wasn't enough time to combine the "Thunder Eye Heavenly Thunder Bamboo" and the "Innate Ren Water Peach Wood" into a single magical sword.]

[They simply whittled this "innate Ren water peach wood" into a "peach wood sword."]

[You point a finger, and a three-foot-long, polished, light reddish-brown longsword appears. The sword seems to possess a spirit, falling into your hand; gently holding it, you feel a warm, smooth sensation, like jade. Its sides are not sharpened, yet it possesses a natural, flowing Daoist aura.]

Taoist priests in the mortal world often use old peach wood or lightning-struck wood to make swords, believing that they possess the strongest yang energy and the most abundant spiritual energy.

[There is no such saying in the cultivation world; swords made of grass and wood can never compare to the sharpness and power of magical weapons forged from celestial gold and divine iron.]

This "Primordial Ren Water Peach Wood" is no ordinary treasure; it is a rare gem nurtured by the spiritual roots of heaven and earth.

[A celestial treasure possesses a spirit, yet it conceals its brilliance. If its magical power is not activated, it appears as plain and unadorned as an ordinary peach wood sword; anyone who sees it would only regard it as a mortal object.]

You held it in your hand, swung it gently, and found it to be just the right weight.

Your fingertips trace the unsharpened blade; you already have a plan in mind.

[This blunt and unsharp sword spine was left for the future forging of "Thunder Eye Heavenly Thunder Bamboo." Covering it with this material would transform the bluntness into a sharpness, creating a primordial magic sword that combines both strength and flexibility.]

However, it's enough for now.

[You then took out a Vajra Bracelet from your hand. This was a top-grade magic treasure, the Vajra Bracelet, bestowed upon the Imperial Capital by the Eternal Emperor, and now it had been delivered to you.]

[It can evade ordinary water, fire, and the five elements techniques. Even high-grade magic treasures, once caught in its trap, will lose their brilliance and become difficult to use.]

The bracelet, made of an unknown material, could shrink to the size of a thumb ring, and its mysterious nature made it appear no different from an ordinary gold bracelet.

However, since it originated from the hand of the Immortal Emperor, it must be an extraordinary item.

[You shrink it into a ring, find some red thread, and carefully wrap it around it, then hang it directly on the peach wood sword hilt as a decoration.]

[Looking around, it's not bad. Using a high-grade magic weapon as a "sword tassel" isn't a disgrace to this innate Ren water peach wood.]

Since the sword is made of peach wood, there's no need for a scabbard. The naturally occurring spiritual wood possesses its own protective energy, remaining untainted by dust or evil spirits.

[You quite interestingly slung the peach wood sword over your shoulder and walked out of the courtyard.]

[We're heading to the back of Xiaoqing Peak; Nie Qingzhu summoned us today.]

As we walked along, we saw crowds of people on Little Green Peak, many unfamiliar faces moving about, adding to the peak's sense of strangeness and novelty.

[Over the past six months, with the increasing number of disciples under Xiao Qingfeng's tutelage, many trivial matters have been taken care of by others, allowing you to enjoy a more leisurely and carefree life.]

Occasionally, there are assignments to descend the mountain from within the peak for trials.

[You've descended the mountain twice in the last six months, both times dealing with newly formed demons within the territory with ease.]

You usually only visit the funeral parlor and see the elderly, and your life remains a simple routine between the library and your own courtyard.

[The Daoist canon on the first floor of the library is all-encompassing, and I've already browsed through it all. I've also read thousands of volumes on the second floor, which are mostly cultivation techniques, secret arts, and true explanations below the Dao Embryo realm that require a sworn oath to be kept secret.]

However, the books on the second floor are pitifully few; I imagine you'll have read them all in less than six months.

[As for the third floor of the library, it contains cultivation techniques and secret arts that require merit points to exchange for, and are for those at the Dao Embryo realm or above.]

You can't help but feel a pang of regret. In fact, the Taoist scriptures of Fangcun Mountain are among the richest in the nine righteous sects, after all, Fangcun Mountain directly inherited the heritage of the "Blessed Land of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars".

[But you still harbor curiosity, wondering what the hidden books of the Nine Righteous Paths, or those of the Heretical and Demonic Paths, would be like?]

As you were thinking this, you had already reached the bamboo forest behind Little Green Peak.

Suddenly, a thought struck you, and you glanced sideways at the side of the stone path—

A graceful figure, dressed in a flowing smoky purple gown, approached the stone steps. Her features were exquisite, with a touch of vermilion at the corner of her eye. Her aura was both as lively as a mountain stream and as serene as a deep, ancient pool.

[It's an acquaintance again, Qi Ling, the little girl in purple who went into the mountains with you back then. She's now grown into a beautiful young woman.]

[Your status and position are now worlds apart; Qi Ling has become the senior sister in the hearts of everyone at Little Green Peak.]

[After five years of training, his cultivation has reached the late stage of the Dao Embryo realm, just one step away from advancing to the Heavenly Gate realm. His cultivation has already surpassed that of You Sanfeng, Lü Qingyu, and others.]

[With such progress, he is undoubtedly a prodigy not only on Little Green Peak but also among the eighteen branches of Fangcun Mountain.]

The elders of Xiaoqing Peak all thought they had struck gold.

[But you think this treasure is no ordinary thing. Remember when you encountered the "White Snake Lady's Pregnancy" during the trials in Chen Kingdom, and also met with heretics?]

[That time you also discovered Qi Ling's identity; she is a descendant of the True Spirit Clan and possesses the second primordial spirit of the True Phoenix.]

[On the surface, he only appears to be at the Dao Embryo Realm, but like you, he's likely hiding something and has already entered the Heavenly Gate Realm.]

[Qi Ling is usually in seclusion and rarely leads a team even when going down the mountain for trials. It seems he's here for the Eighteen Veins Star-Picking Competition as well.]

[The last time you met was two years ago, before you had mastered the Jade Emperor's Aura Observation Technique.]

[Perfect timing to see it today!]

A sudden glint of light flashed in your eyes, and in an instant, the verdant bamboo of the mountain faded, transforming into a landscape painting. Even that purple dress became a delicate ink silhouette on the rice paper.

But then—

A multicolored fire phoenix perched on the girl's shoulder, its long tail trailing in the air, its feathers crackling with invisible spiritual flames.

This divine bird is neither a manifestation of the primordial spirit nor a condensation of a yin entity, but exists in some mysterious form.

You subtly withdrew your gaze. Although you couldn't discern her true cultivation level, this fire phoenix was truly extraordinary.

If it weren't for the profound nature of the Jade Emperor's Aura Observation Technique, ordinary cultivators would have no way of detecting such an existence.

Qi Ling approached, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Yes, Senior Brother Zhou?"

You greeted her with a smile, "Junior Sister Qi."

The young girl's eyes, clear as autumn water, subtly surveyed you. Two years had passed since they last met, and it wasn't for any other reason than her astonishment at your increasingly refined and elegant appearance and demeanor.

Even dressed in the standard robes of the Qingfeng sect, no different from those of ordinary disciples, there was still an air of refined elegance about the simple garments.

Most disciples rarely wear the robes issued by the sect, especially female disciples, who almost always bring their own monastic robes and are unwilling to wear the standard Taoist robes.

It seems that it's not the clothes that flatter the person, but rather the person who sets off the clothes.

Qi Ling's gaze lingered briefly on the peach wood sword behind you, her brow furrowing slightly. After exchanging pleasantries, the two walked together in silence, saying nothing more.

Amidst the rustling of bamboo leaves, a clear, melodious voice suddenly called out from behind: "Junior Brother Zhou."

Looking back, you see Lü Qingyu catching up behind.

"Senior Brother Zhou, I'll take my leave now."

Seeing this, Qi Ling walked straight ahead, while you stayed where you were and waited.

As you watch Qi Ling's departing figure, you recall the recent rumors that the disciples of Xiao Qing Peak are now clearly divided into two factions: one side reveres Lü Qingyu and Xiao Wan'er as their leaders, while the other side blindly follows Qi Ling's lead.

The fact that the two of them were avoiding us just now confirms that the rumors circulating within the peak are true.

After walking a short distance, Qi Ling heard a soft voice beside her, "That person seemed to have seen through me just now."

"His eyes... are terrifying!"

Qi Ling frowned, glancing at Zhou Jing who stood quietly behind her, and mentally responded.

"Alright, we can't let the last encounter with heretics and evil spirits make us suspicious of everyone."

"However, Zhou Jing is not simple this week."

"You'd better not come out yet. Even though you're special, you still need to be careful inside Fangcun Mountain."

Before she could finish speaking, the fire phoenix transformed into a streak of light and silently disappeared into the space between her brows.

Your gaze fell again on Qi Ling ahead; her aura had just fluctuated, and the fire phoenix on her shoulder was gone.

"Junior Brother Zhou, was it good? Everyone's already gone, and you're still watching!"

You turned around, and the girl in green was already standing beside you.

You smiled and said, "Senior Sister Lü, of course I'm on your side."

"Hmph, that's easy for you to say. What have you done? All you do is talk the talk, what good is that?"

[Lü Qingyu curled her lip and said, "And another thing, what senior sister? She's clearly only good for dirty and tiring work. If anyone should do that, let Xiao Wan'er do it."]

"I don't care."

[Lu Qingyu stopped in front of you, turned around and said, "But, if it were me and Xiao Wan'er, who would you choose, Junior Brother?"]

"Don't even think about it! Answer me right now."

You readily agreed, "I choose Senior Sister Qingyu."

[Lu Qingyu smiled, feigning anger, and said, "I don't believe it. You'd definitely be blaming me if Xiao Wan'er wasn't here."]

Just as you were about to speak, a voice rang out.

"Lü Qingyu, you already know all this, why make things difficult for Xiao Jing?"

"Unlike me, I only care about Xiao Jing."

[You can already smell the gunpowder. It goes without saying that the person coming already knows—it's Senior Sister Xiao.]

A barefoot girl walked gracefully along the side of the path, her arms crossed.

[Including the one before you, you've encountered three people today. It seems Nie Qingzhu summoned them all today, presumably for the Eighteen Veins Star-Picking Gathering two months from now.]

The two women walked up to you, neither giving way, their eyes meeting in a flash of electricity.

You quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Alright, alright, senior sisters, the matter Elder Nie entrusted to us is the most important."

["Hmph!" Both women snorted coldly, then turned their heads away from each other.]

Both of them were disciples of the peak master, and their relationship had been strained since childhood. They had been fighting since they were young and simply couldn't stand each other.

Xiao Wan'er raised an eyebrow and said, "For Xiao Jing's sake, I won't fight you this time."

"And this senior sister position, Qi Ling doesn't want it, so I don't want it either. Lu Qingyu, you can be the one yourself."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lü Qingyu's magical power surged violently, seemingly poised to erupt.

Seeing this, you quickly stepped between the two and advised, "Senior Sister, peace is the most important thing. This Eighteen Peaks Star-Picking Gathering is of paramount importance to our Little Green Peak."

"The Peak Master has emerged from seclusion; we can't afford to be late."

The two women finally stopped after the peak master was brought out.

You traveled together, following the winding mountain path towards the back of the mountain.

You walk in the middle, with the two women on your left and right.

[Lü Qingyu noticed the peach wood sword on your back and let out a soft exclamation.]

"Junior brother, why are you carrying such a sword?"

She examined it closely. It was a three-foot-long peach wood sword with a golden ring hanging from its bottom by a red thread. It didn't look like a magical artifact at all, let alone a magical treasure.

"I remember Junior Brother didn't major in the Five Elements Escape Technique Sword Manual from the peak, so why are you suddenly using a sword?"

As Lü Qingyu spoke, she reached out and touched the peach wood sword. Upon touching it, she realized that the sword was indeed almost identical to ordinary peach wood, only a bit harder and possessing a touch of spirituality.

Suddenly realizing something, Lü Qingyu's eyes widened slightly: "Could this be the 'magic weapon' you mentioned preparing for so long, Junior Brother?"

You nodded with a smile.

She hesitated, then pursed her lips and said, "How about... I give you a low-grade flying sword? I still have one."

Xiao Wan'er interrupted, "Xiao Jing has her own ideas. You should keep those swords for yourself."

[After thinking about it, Lü Qingyu felt it would be safer to give it to you privately, so she didn't say anything more.]

She then smiled and asked, "Junior brother, since you have prepared such a magical sword, have you named it?"

"Senior sister, you're really good at naming things. Let me help you pick one."

With that, she flicked her wrist, and five shimmering, multicolored flying swords appeared, hovering in mid-air, humming incessantly.

She lightly touched the icy blue blade: "This sword is named 'Snowflake'."

Her fingertips swept over several other swords in succession: "Azure Shadow, White Dragon." Finally, they stopped on a spirit sword with a fish pattern engraved on its hilt. She gently looked up at you, her eyes soft, and said, "This one... is called Jingyu."

Xiao Wan'er also summoned a flying sword, "This one is called Jing Wan."

【"you--"】

"What, can't we give the flying sword a name?"

After the two women finished speaking, a flash of lightning struck, clearly indicating they were about to fight.

Ignoring Xiao Wan'er, Lü Qingyu asked, "Junior brother, have you named it? A name is very important for a sword."

You thought for a moment and said, "Well, actually no... but..."

The two women said softly, "No need to name him."

"Once I become famous, someone will naturally name it after me."

(End of this chapter)