Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 573 The Nine Luminaries Cave Opens, and People Arrive in droves

"The Qiankun Cauldron?" Yuan Xiaoniao lay on the bronze cauldron, her head practically inside, looking as if she wanted to stew herself. Her tone was cheerful, "Is it very powerful?"

"It should be very powerful." The Heavenly Emperor thought for a moment and said, "At least no weaker than the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation."

The others, including Senior Sister Zhang, were all horrified upon hearing this, and their gazes toward the Qiankun Cauldron were noticeably different.

Yuan Xiaoniao clung to the edge of the bronze cauldron, lowered her head and opened her mouth, her lips glistening.

This is... a craving pot?

Even though he has known Yuan Xiaoniao for almost a century, he sometimes finds it hard to understand the little bird's thought process.

"Senior Sister Yuan?"

"You know, this is such an amazing treasure," Yuan Xiaoniao exclaimed sincerely, coming back to her senses, "how delicious it would be to stew meat with it?"

The Heavenly Emperor silently turned his gaze to the Qiankun Cauldron, only to find that the ancient and desolate inscriptions were densely covered with the words "foodie."

If the Qiankun Cauldron is indeed the one he's thinking of, then Yuan Xiaoniao's idea can be described as a complete waste of resources.

The connection between these characters and oracle bone script made Zheng Fa suddenly realize something: he had always wondered why the supernatural powers he had acquired were so similar to those modern legends, and so deeply connected.

But now it seems that those legends may contain faint traces of history—

It is not the history of modern times, but the history of the Xuanwei Realm, the history of the First Era.

For Zheng Fa, no, for anyone in the Xuanwei Realm, the First Era was completely foreign.

The oldest Taoism actually originated in the Second Era.

It is highly illogical that there were actually no people from the First Era in this world.
In the three subsequent eras, many powerful beings survived and continue to influence the Xuanwei situation to this day.

The First Age, however, exists only in legends, and no one can even explain what actually happened during it.

From these characters that are closely related to oracle bone script, Zheng Fa had an idea—the events that occurred in the first era have been preserved in the modern world and become ethereal legends of immortals.

They were the gods worshipped by the people of the Shang Dynasty.

He became the immortal he had longed for for a thousand years.

Later, it even entered the realm of novels and storybooks.

"If we take the Shang Dynasty as the dividing line..." the Heavenly Emperor pondered inwardly, "The Investiture of the Gods? The Primordial Era?"

The First Era was the Primordial Era?

Are these writings remnants from the First Age?
Uncle Pang pulled away the drooling Yuan Xiaoniao, circled the Qiankun Cauldron, and wondered, "This thing doesn't seem to have any great power at all. How can it compare to the Zhuxian Sword Formation?"

“I’m afraid there is still a chance of victory.” The Heavenly Emperor shook his head and said, “The Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation was forged by Venerable Tianhe, and this Qiankun Cauldron is probably an ancient relic.”

To put it bluntly, judging from the inscription, this thing looks like an antique, but it's not real; it's an old replica.

"What is the use?"

"I've already deciphered about half of the inscription. The most important thing about this cauldron is actually... its ability to refine treasures."

"For weapon crafting?"

"Specifically, it only involves enhancing the abilities of magical artifacts," the Heavenly Emperor said, pointing to the four characters next to the tripod legs, "Return to the Primordial State."

"innate?"

Senior Sister Zhang was extremely sensitive to these two words because she possessed innate Bagua supernatural powers, which were quite extraordinary.

"Yes, this cauldron can be used to refine magical treasures into innate magical treasures. Of course, I don't know how to refine them or how much energy is required."

What is an innate magic weapon?

"I don't know." The Heavenly Emperor's expression also showed some regret. "Our analysis of the inscriptions on the cauldron still needs improvement. We only know that when a magic weapon becomes an innate magic weapon, its power will increase somewhat."

"This... the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation?" Senior Sister Zhang's eyes lit up. "Can it be used to upgrade the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation?"

"Senior sister and I have the same idea."

The Heavenly Emperor smiled and nodded. The Nine Mountains Sect's most pressing need right now is to upgrade the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation!
To be fair, this sword formation is already very strong, but with the rapid development of the outside world, its power is gradually becoming outdated.

Even with the Myriad Immortals Formation, the power of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation has actually increased very slowly over the years. In essence, this is the process of breaking through from a True Immortal to a Golden Immortal. For anyone, spending tens or hundreds of thousands of years is not a very long time.

Unfortunately, the Nine Mountains Sect didn't have that much time.

Therefore, upon learning the function of the Qiankun Cauldron, Zheng Fa immediately thought of the Zhuxian Sword Formation.

Uncle-Master Pang exclaimed with delight, "The Gu God is truly remarkable!"

"It seems she probably has a vague understanding of the wonders of the Qiankun Cauldron, but doesn't know how to use it properly."

"Then we won't be very good at using it either?" Uncle Pang's face fell when he thought of this. Looking at the bronze cauldron, he had the bewilderment of a primitive man holding an RPG.

"The key point is still this inscription," Senior Sister Zhang said softly.

"Fairy Xiao, please organize a team to analyze this inscription."

The Heavenly Emperor first addressed Xiao Yuying.

Even though modern research has begun, the cultivators of the Nine Mountains Realm are no longer simply waiting to be fed.

Over the decades, the sect has actually produced a number of outstanding scholars.

"it is good."

Xiao Yuying looked at the bronze cauldron with bright eyes. More than others, she cared about the great civilization hidden behind the inscription.

She thought for a moment, then frowned and hesitated, saying, "There's still too little data for this research project. It'll be difficult to see any results in the short term."

"I understand, there's no rush."

Modern scholars have also pointed out that although these characters are closely related to oracle bone script, they are actually a new script. Moreover, their research on oracle bone script has been fraught with difficulties, making it hard to achieve any results.

"I think there might be a surprise in the Nine Luminaries Heaven."

"Nine Luminaries Heaven?" Uncle Pang was taken aback.

"This Qiankun Cauldron belongs to the Gu Goddess. Where did she obtain it?" The Heavenly Emperor pointed to the bronze cauldron and said slowly, "And that altar..."

"They are all closely connected to the Nine Luminaries Heaven! Even the Qiankun Cauldron originated from the Nine Luminaries Heaven?" Uncle Pang understood. "You mean, the Nine Luminaries Heaven may also hold the secrets of the First Era?"

"That's right. If there's still a place in the Xuanwei Realm where this kind of writing might exist, it might be the Nine Luminaries Heaven."

Everyone nodded slightly, and couldn't help but look in the direction of Haori Mountain.

……

Zheng Fa was also waiting for the opening of the Nine Luminaries Heaven, but this group of Lu people was really slow.

Beneath the golden summit of Haori, the Lu people stood in several concentric circles around the altar.

They bowed their heads, whispered the eulogy, and circled the original remains.

Lu Yan kept saying "Lu Yan," but his eyes never left the area below the altar.

The Lu Clan's elders and others were gesturing wildly as they performed incantations, their voices even louder than the others.

Below the altar lay three long tables used for placing offerings.

On the right is a black tortoise, and in the middle and on the left, a cultivator is lying down.

They lay with their eyes closed, facing the primitive statue, seemingly unconscious, yet their expressions betrayed terror.

All three are at the Nascent Soul stage, and even with the strength of the Lu Clan, it was a difficult task to gather them all together.

Or rather, they didn't even have all of them.

The Yunluo and Lu clans kept a close eye on the Lu clan, giving them no time to capture sacrificial offerings.

The black tortoise and one of the cultivators had been captured and imprisoned before.

The cultivator in the very center... actually has the surname Lu, but he is not of Lu clan blood. He is an outsider who was granted the surname Lu through hard work. Because of the Shi Nandang incident, these outsiders were already in an awkward position. Now that they have lost a Nascent Soul sacrifice, the Lu clan's Grand Elder was afraid that things might get complicated, so he decided to go all the way and directly pick an unlucky guy.

Looking at the familiar face lying beneath the altar, almost all the Lu Clan disciples were unwilling to look any longer.

Lu Yan looked at it carefully.

He saw streams of spiritual energy gushing from the mouths and noses of the three beings, like smoke, flying into the vortex above.

The red of the cyclone deepened, and the rise and fall of the original remains' chest became more and more pronounced, as if they had truly come back to life.

The chanting of the elders and others grew even louder, making "Lu Yan" want to cover his ears.

Immediately afterwards, the eyelids of the original remains suddenly twitched.

The three sacrificial offerings suddenly shattered into blood foam, turning into two plumes of red smoke that flowed into the nostrils of the original remains.

An incredibly terrifying aura permeated the summit of Yuanzun Peak.

"open……"

The deep sound echoed throughout Haori Mountain.

"The Holy Land has been opened!" the Grand Elder shouted. "Those of the Holy Ancestor's bloodline and whose cultivation is above the Nascent Soul stage, follow me into the Nine Luminaries Heaven!"

"The rest of you, hold your ground here. With the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow here, your lives are safe!"

"Yes!"

This was something the Lu Clan had arranged long ago.

The Nine Luminaries Heaven's treasures are almost impossible for low-level Lu Clan cultivators to obtain; it's better to wait here.

It can both save lives and control the great formation of Haori Mountain, preventing the Lu clan's ancestral home from being stolen.

As Lu Yan watched the eight Nascent Soul cultivators with the bloodline of the Lu Ancestor rush outwards, he couldn't help but worry about his sect leader.

……

Zheng Fazheng stood at the entrance of Jiuyaotian.

The gates of the Nine Heavens have been opened wide, and rays of red light are shooting out from them.

Luo Yun and Yun Fan, along with members of the Yunluo and Yunluo clans, stood beside him, their expressions worried.

"The Lu Clan has finally opened the Nine Luminaries Heaven," Yun Fan whispered. "If they truly obtain the Lu Clan's treasures, we..."

Before he could finish speaking, the people of the Yunluo and Yunluo clans exchanged glances, all understanding his hidden worries.

At this point, the three clans had essentially broken ties, but since the Haori Mountain Formation was still in the hands of the Lu clan, they dared not engage in a true battle.

But if the Lu people really find some powerful treasure, it will be a catastrophe for them.

"Let's go in too!"

A Nascent Soul cultivator from the Cloud Clan suddenly spoke up, his eyes gleaming and his greed on his face clearly visible, "We're all from the Hao Ri Sect, so we have a share of that treasure too!"

Yun Fan's expression shifted slightly, but his gaze involuntarily turned to Zheng Fa, as if seeking instructions.

Zheng Fa pondered for a moment: "We still need to see what the situation is with the Nine Luminaries Heaven. Perhaps we should wait and see..."

"Wait?" To everyone's surprise, the Yun clan member sneered, "How can an opportunity wait? Stone Ancestor, you are being too cautious."

After saying that, the man flew towards the Nine Luminaries Heaven without waiting for anyone else to speak.

Seeing his actions, the others from the Yunluo and Liang clans were also somewhat tempted.

Zheng Fa remained unmoved, simply watching the man's back.

The Nine Luminaries seemed to be rejecting him, making it difficult for him to walk. However, blinded by greed, he mustered his magical power and rushed into the cave, about to enter the cave entrance.

Suddenly, a golden flame shot out from the cave entrance, and from within the flame, a scream of agony could be heard.

When the flames died down, the person had long since vanished.

Those who had been tempted earlier couldn't help but change color and take a step back. Looking at the cave entrance again, they felt it was a gaping maw that would devour people without spitting out bones.

Zheng Fa frowned slightly. This Nine Luminaries Heaven also had an entry mechanism, but that golden flame just now was somewhat similar to his Great Sun True Fire.

"You think you can enter my clan's sacred land?" A voice came from behind them. The eight members of the Lu clan rushed towards the cave entrance, while the Lu clan's elder shouted with a laugh, "No one but a member of my Lu clan can enter!"

They flew into the cave entrance, walking slowly step by step into the cave, seemingly unconcerned that Zheng Fa and others might attack from behind.

Zheng Fazheng wanted to test the waters, but suddenly his heart tightened, and he looked up at the sky.

Suddenly, a black crack appeared in the sky.

A giant divine eagle flew out from the crack, its two golden wings shining on the golden roof of Haori.

Golden-winged Roc?

How did he get here?

Zheng Fa had a sudden thought and abandoned his plan to make a move.

The golden-winged roc was not alone; behind him stood a young man in white robes. This young man was bald and had an indifferent expression. He looked at Jiu Yao Tian and asked, "Is this the Jiu Yao Tian left behind by Master?"

Master?

Judging from this title, this person seems to be Lu Yao's disciple. Judging from his attire, he looks like a monk... or someone from Leiyin Temple?

Zheng Fa sensed the situation slightly and found that he couldn't discern the man's strength. The Golden-Winged Roc's formidable power and unruly nature were enough to bring him here, indicating that this monk was no ordinary person.

The two of them didn't seem to care about the people from Haori Mountain, and instead flew straight into the cave.

The Lu Clan's Grand Elder seemed to panic as well, and said, "This is my Lu Clan's secret realm; only members of the Lu Clan are allowed here..."

The monk took out a golden pearl and threw it into the cave. The pearl emitted a golden light, enveloping the two of them, and slowly flew towards the Nine Luminaries Heaven.

Only a few Lu clansmen remained, speechless, staring at them and muttering, "The essence blood of the Holy Ancestor!"

The expressions on their faces were almost identical to those of a husband returning home to find his mistress sleeping in his bed.

They looked extremely angry, but surprisingly none of them interfered. Instead, they gritted their teeth and continued walking into the cave.

Zheng Fa finally understood that the entrance to the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Cave seemed to be somewhat hidden, and that fighting was not allowed.

This place even seemed to be rejecting the Lu people and the monk. Although they were not burned by the golden flames, they still had a hard time walking and were slower than the old man.

Zheng Fa waited a while longer, and the entrance to the Nine Luminaries Heaven began to shrink, as if it were about to disappear.

Seeing that no one else was coming, he nodded to Yunfan and Luoyun and took two steps forward.

"Shi Nandang, you also want to come in and search for treasure?" The Lu Clan's Grand Elder inside laughed again when he saw his actions. "You have absolutely no connection with the Holy Ancestor, it's just wishful thinking!"

Even the Golden-Winged Roc and the monk turned around and looked back.

Zheng Fa took two steps forward and felt a repulsive force coming from the cave entrance, as if resisting his entry.

He ignored the group and instead revealed the back of his hand, displaying his Holy Blood Seal.

"The Holy Blood Seal..." The Lu Clan's Grand Elder's voice was filled with hatred, "You think you can enter just because you have the Holy Blood Seal? Don't you know that even the two Ancestors, Yunluo and Luanluo, were forbidden from entering the Nine Luminaries Heaven!"

As expected, although the Holy Blood Seal had some effect, the repulsive force from the Nine Luminaries Heaven did not dissipate.

"I told you..."

Zheng Fa ignored the noise from the Lu clansmen and quietly circulated his own magic power, emanating an aura of Fusang wood from his body.

The Lu clan members, the Golden-Winged Roc, and the monk all felt a figure flash past them like lightning.

Both groups stopped in their tracks, staring blankly ahead.

(End of this chapter)