Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 490 Black Law
On the cool platform, a gentle breeze wafts through the air.

The valley was serene and secluded, with vines hanging down and clinging to the stone walls like a light emerald curtain. In the center stood a jade platform, upon which sat a figure in a mysterious black robe, with golden energy and lightning flashing intermittently around him.

"Black Law."

Xu Xuan focused his mind and looked inward. Deep within his inner vision, a dark black script floated and undulated. It was the word of the law that brought down calamity. It was in harmony with the mystical phenomena. Once activated, it could increase the power of his divine abilities by nearly 30%.

He kept urging his magic power, but only this one law was generated, and the vast, dark heavenly law that had descended before never came down again.

“In ancient times, those who cultivated the Great Dao of Thunder in the human realm, if they obtained this law, even if they did not ascend to heaven, could still occupy a place in the Thunder Palace and carry out punishments on behalf of Heaven. Their power was so great that neither the Heavenly Court nor the Underworld dared to underestimate them.”

Hidden deep within the inner realm, Tian Tuo's golden eyes blazed as he stared intently at the twisted runes, his voice solemn:
"Among all the laws and regulations, this law is directly connected to the core of the Thunder Palace. Its power is vast and boundless, binding both others and oneself. In ancient times, it could not be carried out by anyone other than the one who held the Heavenly Talisman."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuan, who had not yet perceived how much the Black Law restricted him, asked doubtfully:

“Thunder Palace is gone, yet this Heavenly Law still manifests. It is indeed miraculous, but it is somewhat different from your description.”

Upon hearing this, Tian Tuo remained silent for a moment.

"Actually, it's hard to say how much remains of the Thunder Palace. When this path was first established, it was called the Thunder Palace and was located in the north of the heavens. After the Heavenly Court was established, people were separated from the palace and stationed in the court, which became the Thunder Department."

"Legend has it that when the first thunder was formed, the Thunder Ancestor invited the immortals to discuss morality and create a vessel that contained all the calamities of the past, which is the foundation of the Thunder Palace."

Xu Xuan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, somewhat surprised. He had heard of very few magical treasures, let alone immortal artifacts. If not counting the Taiqing Stele within his body, the only immortal artifacts he knew of were the [Beast Lord] and the [Heavenly Decay].

As for the core artifact of the Thunder Palace, it is probably even above the level of a celestial artifact, and its specific realm is difficult to fathom.

"The Thunder Palace has issued a Heavenly Law, and only a few can sense this artifact. The [Northern Thunder Black Law] is one of them. Now that you have manifested, can you sense it?"

The old demon's tone was unusually tense, after all, the Black Law was of great significance. Even in ancient times when the Thunder Palace appeared, only key figures could act on its behalf.

"There is no real sensation; it can only integrate this law into the mystical phenomena and enhance supernatural powers, but there are no other changes."

Xu Xuan sighed inwardly. The Thunder Palace was gone, and this Heavenly Law seemed to have lost its former power. However, its ability to enhance supernatural powers alone was already wondrous enough.

He temporarily set aside his doubts, for this law was profound and mysterious, but his immediate priority was to eliminate the calamity within his body. He took out the Vast Water Spirit Pill given to him by True Immortal Pingxiu and began to refine it.

A vast ocean of energy filled his inner realm, dissolving the Yin Fire and greatly improving Xu Xuan's condition. The Yin Fire and the energy of waning lifespan dissipated much faster.

This also includes the function of the "Golden Man of Treasures," which is the manifestation of the Dharma body of the path of hiding gold. It has some properties of avoiding disasters and can neutralize some of the Ding Fire.

'At this rate, it could probably eradicate the lingering yin fire and lifespan decline within his body in just a few months.'

He felt much more at ease and began to peruse the scroll of "Qingyi Kongtai Shu" (The Art of Emptying the Fetus) carefully.

With Tian Tuo providing guidance from the side, he would explain anything that Xu Xuan didn't understand, allowing Xu Xuan's comprehension of the technique to grow rapidly. In just a few days, he was able to try using it.

This body-shaping method consumes little spiritual energy; all it requires is a spiritual land abundant with pure qi and profound wind, and this [Qingyi Xuanji] is the most suitable place.

After all, it was here that the Immortal Changqing comprehended this technique.

Following the instructions in the text, Xu Xuan sensed the gentle breeze, which stimulated his bones and blood. He felt a sensation of pain and itching, like spring buds sprouting, emanating from his bones.

The cultivation in this sacred place is progressing quite well, and there is already a faint feeling of flesh and blood sprouting. However, it is unknown how long it will take to completely reshape the physical body.

'That's really a tough job.'

He sighed and began to heal the Yin Fire wound within his body. Once it was completely eradicated, he could use the [Treasure-Nourishing Golden Man] as his physical body and his strength would not be diminished.

When they return to the cave, it will surely be beyond the expectations of all cultivators. If an ordinary cultivator were to suffer from the Heavenly Decline and Yin Candle, they would be severely injured even if they did not die, and would certainly need decades to recover.

"Now, there's only one thing left."

Xu Xuan sighed and summoned a thunderbird from his inner world. The bird's feathers were dull and it was listless. It didn't even want to chirp. It nestled in Xu Xuan's hand and covered its head with its wings.

A mixture of molten iron and lightning manifested, which was Dan Ting, burned by the [Heavenly Decline Yin Candle]. This spirit sword was ultimately lacking and could not withstand the Ding Fire.

Having no sword in his hand is undoubtedly a great loss to his current strength, let alone Dan Ting, his natal weapon that he has refined for many years.

The terrifying killing power of the golden scales was still vivid in Xu Xuan's mind. Holding it, he felt that he could easily injure a mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivator with a single sword strike. This Gengjin treasure was probably one of the top spiritual swords in the entire world.

"It's too late to rebuild Dan Ting."

Xu Xuan was somewhat worried. He had no suitable spiritual objects and not much time. Even the True Man of the Candle Sword would find it difficult to complete the work.

On the dragon's body, there are two spiritual treasures, [Fenglong] and [Lieque], which are most suitable for thunder and lightning, and greatly enhance combat skills. However, on the human body, it is difficult to find even a single spiritual weapon that can withstand thunder and lightning.

'I'll find an opportunity to exchange it for the [Universal Thunder Edict Seal].'

Seeing that Xu Xuan was struggling with the sword, Tian Tuo also fell into deep thought. After a while, he said:
"I do have a secret technique here, which I can give a try."

"What kind of secret method?"

Xu Xuan's eyes brightened slightly. Since this old demon had spoken, he must have some confidence.

"Over the years, I've been organizing the Shaoyang Daoist Canon and have gained quite a bit," Tian Tuo said softly, as if recalling a past event. "During the Yan Dynasty, there was a great master of the Li Fire Dao, of humble origins, who was not among the Three Pure Ones." "To achieve such great power without being among the Three Pure Ones must have been extraordinary."

Xu Xuan seemed to be deep in thought. Most of the current lineages can be traced back to the Three Pure Ones, such as Louguan and Donghua, which can be considered part of the Taiqing lineage, while Beishe and Youdai can be considered part of the Yuqing lineage.

When Tian Tuo spoke of the past, his golden eyes brightened slightly, and there was a hint of teasing in them.

"This person's Taoist name is [Yan Ku]. He made his fortune by digging up the grave of the Dan Bird. As a result, he was hunted down by demons as soon as he reached the Purple Mansion level. He didn't even have time to prepare a single spiritual weapon and fled for decades."

"The fire resides in the heart, formless and without substance. He is not skilled in alchemy or magical artifacts. This high-ranking cultivator is quite ingenious and has gone far in the realm of metaphysics and magic. He controls the image with his mind and uses it as an artifact. He has written a book called 'The Great Method of Detached Form and Mind Image.' He entered the Donghua Xuanxuan through this wonderful method."

As he spoke, Tian Tuo activated his magical power, and golden-white light condensed into a Daoist technique, namely the "Great Technique of Separating Form and Mind Image".

This method has roughly five grades, but its content is strange and unusual, specifically explaining how to condense mystical images and combine the mind into a vessel.

In short, most Purple Mansions use the Mystic Image as a means under the supernatural power, without going into depth. However, this wonderful law is dedicated to how to refine a Mystic Image, solidify it for use, manifest it out of thin air, and operate it at will.

"It is indeed a wonderful method, but why hasn't it spread?"

"Of course, there are drawbacks."

Tian Tuo sighed and said only:

"If one has a spiritual artifact, one can simply respond to it with divine power and mystical phenomena, which would be even more powerful. Why would one need to do this? This method requires the power of intention, and if one has not cultivated it, one cannot master it."

"In addition, activating it not only consumes magic power but also requires the blessing of fate. It's better to directly activate the spiritual artifact. Given your current state, you can try practicing it, since it doesn't consume spiritual items."

"Can't you give me something useful?"

Xu Xuan frowned. He had initially thought it was some wonderful method, but after listening to what Tian Tuo said, he realized it had many flaws.

"With your wealth, what are you still looking for? After searching for so many years, you've only seen a handful of truly valuable items. I think you should just obediently learn from this humble servant."

Tian Tuo sighed, and Xu Xuan had no choice but to start reading the "Great Method of Separating Form and Mind Image".

This method can only condense a mysterious image, which can be controlled by the mind to make it like a vessel, but it requires the cultivator to supplement it with their destiny. Now, Xu Xuan has made a decision.

That celestial blade on the execution platform.

According to the records in the "Great Method of Separating Form and Mind Image", it should be possible to manifest this immortal blade separately, and make up for it with the Qi of the Thunder Palace to create a Heart Sword.

Although it is still not as good as a spiritual treasure, it can still compete with ordinary spiritual weapons. It is more powerful than a sword formed from ordinary lightning. Not to mention that Xu Xuan now has a black law that he can use and integrate into it, making it even more wondrous.

"Won't using this method arouse suspicion?"

He felt somewhat uneasy, but Tian Tuo smiled and said:

"This is the legacy of the Yan Dynasty. It was quite widely circulated at the time, but no one was willing to practice this thankless and arduous thing. When the history of the Yan Dynasty was included in the Blessed Land of White Paper, its origins became even more difficult to explain, and no one could trace its origins."

"As for doubts, the fact that you have cultivated this Black Law is the biggest anomaly in itself. Compared to that, the other changes are nothing."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuan slightly adjusted his direction. Right now, he was focusing all his efforts on eliminating the calamity within his body. Once his injuries had healed, he could comprehend this great technique as a way to make up for his deficiencies.

A gentle breeze wafted through the valley, dispelling the yin fire. This aura flowed quietly, penetrating deep into the Earth Lung Mountain, climbing along the spiritual peaks, and finally arriving before the Wen Shi Xuan Lou (Mysterious Pavilion of the Beginning).

Inside the treasure room, two people sat quietly, sensing the aura emanating from the location of Qingyi Xuanji.

Guan Quan's body was formed from purple energy, making him appear ethereal. He was currently wearing a dark purple Daoist robe and was sensing the aura emanating from the direction of [Qingyi Xuanji].

"It seems that this Sword Immortal Xu is emerging from seclusion faster than expected. The news that he has obtained the [Golden Man of Treasure] has not yet spread. Once the Cave Heaven Imperial Palace opens, it will surely exceed the expectations of all cultivators."

Wei Shuang nodded, seemingly deep in thought, and then echoed her.

"If it were a complete golden statue of a treasure nurtured, its effects would probably be even better."

"Where in the world can one find a perfect one? The Tai Zhen Immortal Sect is rumored to have the image of Geng Metal, but it has never been used, so we don't know if it's true or not."

Guan Quan looked at Wei Shuang with a sigh.

"The situation within the grotto is now perilous; it's best not to leave the mountain. You are the only remaining member of the Frost Plum Sect; you must not be lost. And that great master of [Baoyi Temple]..."

Wei Shuang's expression was cold and stern as she solemnly said:
“Senior, I despise the demonic path the most in this life, and then Buddhism. I will never join Buddhism. However, it seems that this Great Master Yuman is acting on someone’s orders, otherwise he would not dare to do such a thing.”

Upon hearing this, Guan Quan's gaze sharpened slightly. The Frost Plum Sect's Master Yan Shuang was an old friend of his who had entrusted Wei Shuang to him. Now that Wei Shuang was being targeted, he felt somewhat worried.

"With Liaodong in chaos, when will my Uncle Changyin return?"

The Zifu of the Louguan lineage had mixed feelings. He wanted his master to return and take charge of the overall situation, but he was also afraid that this Zifu, who was already old, would perish in this turbulent situation.

He activated a secret technique and looked towards the southwest. He saw the blazing light of the sun and the spreading imperial aura, which stirred up the originally calm situation into a muddy mess, making it impossible for him to see clearly.

(End of this chapter)