Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 269 278 Heavenly Ladder Perfection, Dragon Boat Core

"Damn, the connections of those founders are just too vast."

"A master-level assassin? Is that someone I can even fight?"

The sword energy, like a storm, struck the Dragon-Binding Rope. Sparks flew from the dragon scales, accompanied by a piercing friction sound, just like the surface of a lake being pounded by a rainstorm, leaving no moment of tranquility.

Li Cunxiao's expression was solemn as he poured almost all his true energy into the Dragon-Binding Rope.

In the distance, the mirror polisher, who should have been dealt with, had somehow stood up again. He kept striking the "Jing Gui" iron plate in his left hand, while the bronze mirror in his right hand reflected Li Cunxiao's figure, and a dark shadow could be vaguely seen moving back and forth within it.

He had already recognized the couple.

During the reign of Emperor Xianzong, there was a female assassin under the command of Chenxu Jiedushi of Henan Circuit. It is said that she met a white ape in the mountains and learned unparalleled swordsmanship from him.

His swordsmanship was exquisite, and he was skilled in the art of concealment. He was known for assassinating people in broad daylight in the city, and no one could see him.

The military governor of Weibo at the time was a master martial artist who wanted to conquer the south. However, he died in his own tent less than half a month after he set out to fight, shocking the world.

Because this female assassin's whereabouts were unknown, outsiders only knew that her surname was Nie, so she was called Nie Yinniang.

Whether Nie Yinniang lived or died in the end is unknown. However, what people talk about most, besides her ghostly assassination skills, is her husband.

An ordinary mirror polisher.

Over time, the surface of a bronze mirror will become blurry, requiring craftsmen to polish it with mirror polishing agents such as mercury and tin powder to restore its original shine.

The mirror polisher would walk through the streets and alleys, often using several iron pieces, like clappers, to make a sound so that women in their boudoirs would know, hence the name "startling the boudoir".

It is said that when Nie Yinniang was still unmarried, she happened to hear a startled voice outside her door. Upon seeing a young man, she immediately told her father that this man could be her husband.

By then, Nie Yinniang had already mastered considerable martial arts skills, and although her father was unwilling, he ultimately dared not disobey.

From then on, Nie Yinniang and her husband rode two donkeys, one black and one white, their footprints appearing in various places throughout the world.

How could a fearsome master assassin marry a mirror polisher? This is a mystery that can never be solved.

But at least now, after being beaten for so long, Li Cunxiao has guessed that Nie Yinniang's offensive is definitely related to the bronze mirror in the mirror polisher's hand and Jing Gui.

"That bronze mirror must be similar to Master's Bone-Illuminating Mirror, which can see a person's figure and has a locking effect."

"And the Iron Plate Shocking Chamber was secretly in sync with the female assassin's attack rhythm."

That being said, even knowing all this wouldn't be of much help in the current situation.

Nie Yinniang's flying sword was incredibly fast.

The mirror polisher had already been killed once before, but it didn't have much effect.

"It seems that studying the mechanism won't be of much use; we'll just have to go all in!"

Upon realizing this, Li Cunxiao instantly sent out the blue phoenix, which transformed into a helmet.

Layers of armor plates unfolded with a clanging sound, and a shawl floated behind him, suddenly billowing back the moment he took a step—

Fifteen minutes later, Li Cunxiao, panting heavily and covered in bloodstains, clutched a shattered bronze mirror in his hand and managed a weak smile.

Three feet behind her, a short sword clattered to the ground, and the female assassin's figure vanished in a streak of light.

"The tanky fighting style is still the most effective. If it weren't for the double protection of the Dragon-Binding Rope and the Azure Phoenix Armor, we would have had to stop here today."

"Although this female assassin's aura is only around the Heavenly Ladder level, her combat power is stronger than that of Jingfeng, who was half-crippled before."

"I still lack a trump card."

As she pondered, the corpses of Nie Yinniang and the Mirror Polisher transformed into pure spiritual energy, which surged into her dantian.

The spiritual energy was more abundant than ever before, even more than the previous four or five places combined.

The feeling of being filled with sweet rain made him so comfortable that he couldn't help but hum softly.

He skillfully channeled spiritual energy into his spine, and the previously obstructed barriers were now no match for the vast river of spiritual energy.

Soon, even the remaining three cervical vertebrae of the Buddha's original body were broken apart.

Thus, with only the Jade Pillow Pass remaining for both original bodies, the goal of perfection was achieved.

"Let's charge forward while the spiritual energy is plentiful!"

Without hesitation, Li Cunxiao summoned the Dragon Flower Bodhi and the Seven Constellations Azure Dragon to his left and right, and his aura began to surge and advance to higher places.

On the upper edge of the occipital protuberance at the back of the head, a glimmer of light gradually grows from faint to brilliant; this is the Jade Pillow, the final of the three gates of the Heavenly Ladder.

The jade pillow orifice is also called the "divine orifice," which is the place where one can "exit the spirit."

Without opening the jade pillow, there will always be a door separating the primordial spirit from the true essence and blood, making it impossible to "leave the mind".

Without being able to enter a state of spiritual awareness, one cannot open the gateway to the universe, thus failing to unite the microcosm within oneself with the macrocosm outside.

It can be said that the Jade Pillow Pass is a prerequisite for opening the Mysterious Pass and also a prerequisite for cultivating the Primordial Spirit.

As for Li Cunxiao, because of the "Dragon Flower Lion Fist Seal", he came into contact with the method of using spiritual power at an early age.

With the training in alchemy and weapon crafting, his control over true essence has become extremely refined.

Therefore, what others would have to be extremely cautious about was, for him, a matter of course.

In less than half an hour, spiritual energy filled the jade pillow under the control of the True Eye.

In that instant, Li Cunxiao suddenly had the illusion that his primordial spirit and body had separated.

He felt as if he were floating on air, as if he had been relieved of a heavy burden, especially in a certain part of his mind, where a divine palace stood tall between heaven and earth, or a great sun hidden in the clouds, shining brightly.

Subtly, it takes control of all the true essence, blood, qi, meridians, and flesh in the body.

"Is this the central acupoint of the human body, the Niwan Palace?"

Seeing the Makara claw shining on the vajra, Li Cunxiao felt an urge to break through the barrier immediately.

But a moment later, he forcibly suppressed the impulse.

not the right time yet.

With the protection of Taiyi Zhenren and Yan Daotong, he was not worried about his safety, nor was he afraid of the saying "the tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind."

But the key point is that now, there are not only their own people in Louguandao, but also people from the imperial court.

He couldn't possibly be unaware of the Grand Secretary's overt and covert surveillance.

Breaking down the entryway at this point would be too conspicuous.

If the other party makes any demands, he could originally use his lack of strength as an excuse to postpone it, but if they break through to the seventh realm, then things are hard to say.

After all, a Xuan Guan martial artist is considered a high-ranking person anywhere, and even many generals in the army are only at the seventh level.

Grandmasters are top-tier combatants; while Great Grandmasters are like nuclear weapons, and the number of terrestrial immortals in the world can be counted on two hands.

"It's not too late to break down the gate after the court officials leave."

"Besides, I have never won a single fight against Wen Zhongzi at the Heavenly Ladder level."

"If we break down the barrier, won't we be ravaged again?"

"Now that the Heavenly Ladder is complete, it's the perfect time to get revenge and see what the Jade Light Sword Qi Collection is all about."

Having made up his mind, Li Cunxiao did not delay any longer, and Yan Daotong outside clearly did not intend to let him stay any longer either. Mist surged on the cloud platform, and spatial ripples undulated.

The next moment, Li Cunxiao appeared outside the Ancestral Hall. Yan Daotong and his disciples smiled when they saw him.

"If I don't move you out, are you planning to break through the barrier in the secret realm, huh?"

"How could a disciple have such thoughts?" Li Cunxiao said awkwardly, looking at the teasing look on the sect leader's face.

“Junior brother, the term ‘the gateway to life and death’ is not just empty talk or intimidation.”

"How vast is the universe, and how small is the human body? With a tiny primordial spirit, entering the vast universe, one can easily lose oneself, like a drop of ink scattered into a river, disappearing without a trace."

"You have progressed from the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Ladder to the Perfection, opening the Jade Pillow with unstoppable momentum. You have already moved very quickly. Next, you need to consolidate your realm and strive to be fully prepared."

"I think Master meant the same thing."

Xue Tianyun stepped in to smooth things over, and Li Cunxiao naturally accepted the lesson humbly. Yan Daotong nodded slightly in response.

"After you return, consolidate your cultivation level and hone your skills further."

"Especially the various experiences of breaking through the barrier, ask your master more questions, or you can come and consult Tianyun."

"The entrance to the house is a place of no regrets; one must be extremely careful."

"Your disciple has learned much," Li Cunxiao said respectfully, bowing as he was about to take his leave. He had only taken a few steps when he heard Yan Daotong cough.

"Also, in a few months, there will be an opportunity that will help you break through the barrier."

"However, there are only a limited number of spots available, so you few true disciples will have to spar with each other then."

Upon hearing this, Li Cunxiao's heart stirred, and he subconsciously looked at Xue Tianyun, who smiled knowingly.
"I won't participate."

That means it's safe.

Among the true disciples of this generation, only Xue Tianyun broke through the barrier and stood out from the crowd.

The remaining masters, such as Guo Zhao, Qin Sixing, and Cheng Ruoshui, were merely at the peak of the Heavenly Ladder.

Li Cunxiao was not afraid before he perfected the Heavenly Ladder, let alone now that he has perfected both the Buddhist and Taoist venerable ones.

With his divine weapons and magical treasures, it's no exaggeration to say that he wouldn't be missing from this list, no one else would be.

After bidding farewell to Yan Daotong and his disciples, Li Cunxiao returned directly to Miaoyan Palace.

Not to mention the increasingly respectful disciples of Qinglong Peak, Master Taiyi raised an eyebrow the moment he saw him.

"The Heavenly Ladder is complete? It seems you've gained quite a bit in the Three Realms Extreme Truth Grotto Heaven."

“Those mystical spirits have many tricks up their sleeves and are not easy to deal with, but the spiritual energy they give back is also very abundant.”

Li Cunxiao nodded in agreement, and then proceeded to recount the names of all the people he had fought against.

At first, the old Taoist priest remained calm, but when he heard about Nie Yinniang and her husband, his expression changed.

"This master's flying sword is incredibly skillful and unpredictable."

"Only you could use this method to fight head-on with divine weapons."

"The spirits in the secret realm are all remnants of real martial artists, many of whose martial arts techniques have been lost."

"Once you have mastered the dragon boat, you can try to recreate those powerful figures from the previous week."

Taiyi used telepathy to deliver the last sentence, and Li Cunxiao nodded in agreement.

Fighting to the death with outsiders is a one-way street; a single misstep could mean certain death. But with a spirit from a secret realm, even if one is outmatched, one can control the difficulty level and hone their combat skills without leaving home—a very convenient option.

"Master, since spiritual treasures can preserve the afterimages of martial artists, doesn't that mean that if a great enemy attacks, the sect leader can also summon the patriarchs of past generations? Wouldn't that mean we could suddenly have dozens more grandmasters?"

"Wishful thinking," the old Taoist priest laughed and scolded upon hearing this.

“Even true disciples only have one chance every five years to enter the secret realm for cultivation. Do you know how long it takes for your master to accumulate the energy of the Yin-Yang Banner for one cultivation session?”

"If we were to summon a Grandmaster to fight, what an astronomical figure of spiritual energy would be required?"

"The patriarchs had thought of this method long ago, but so far, no one has succeeded in doing it."

"Otherwise, if Gao Pian had only needed to invite Emperor Taizong out of the Taiqing Palace, wouldn't the world have been at peace long ago? What would have happened to the Ming Cult and Zhu Quanzhong?"

"That's true," Li Cunxiao chuckled, though he thought to himself, "Maybe not."

When the evil energy is sufficient, it is not impossible to specially deduce a technique or martial art for controlling spiritual treasures. At that time, if Yang Ying and his Imperial Guards are summoned, wouldn't we be able to roam freely in the world?
"However, for now, let's defeat Wen Zhongzi once and learn the 'Jade Light Sword Qi Collection' before making any further moves."

'The spiritual energy of the third lotus-root body is still lacking. We already have Buddhist and Taoist aspects; when will we create a Confucian avatar as well?'

After chatting with Taiyi Zhenren for a few more minutes, Li Cunxiao returned to his courtyard.

After a day of sect assessments and nighttime cultivation in the secret realm, dawn was breaking and the sky was beginning to lighten.

But now he was no longer an ordinary person. With both of his original forms perfected, he felt refreshed and invigorated, without the slightest fatigue.

Back in the courtyard, it was dawn. Pushing open the door, I heard the sound of fists and feet rubbing against sleeves. Li Mucha had already gotten up and was practicing his martial arts.

Ever since Li Cunxiao gave the reforged Cloud-Stepping Shoes and Dragon Sparrow Blade to his younger brother, the latter has become even more diligent and hardworking in his training.

In his spare time from studying and practicing martial arts, he often played with the two magical treasures, cherishing them dearly.

"As expected, encouragement is still the most effective way to educate. To master the magic weapon as soon as possible, Mu Cha is naturally full of enthusiasm without needing anyone to urge him."

After watching for a moment and not noticing any mistakes in his younger brother's practice, Li Cunxiao did not disturb him and quietly returned to the training room.

With a sudden thought, he opened his eyes again and found himself in the Qianyang Palace.

On the dragon throne, the stone egg that Yang Ying had transformed into still looked like a dead object, with a huge red dragon circling around it.

Golden flames swirled and rose from the crimson dragon scales, and the enormous dragon head was positioned beneath the caisson ceiling of the Qianyang Palace.

"The Dragon-Trapping Rope doesn't have that kind of imposing aura."

Li Cunxiao looked up at the red dragon and couldn't help but sigh. Even when the Dragon-Binding Rope was activated at full power, it was still a behemoth, nearly a hundred meters long and thirty zhang in length.

But compared to the spirit of the dragon boat, it was still insignificant. The difference between the two was like that between a real dragon and a mudfish.

"However, I feel that my connection with the dragon boat has become even stronger."

"Is it because opening the jade pillow touched the entrance hall?"

He squinted slightly, and the crimson dragon mark between his brows resembled the flickering embers of a burning ember.

Under Li Cunxiao's gaze, the enormous red dragon slowly transformed from solid to transparent.

The dragon scales, the whiskers, the claws, the iron teeth, the golden eyes, the dragon horns, the skin and flesh all faded, revealing the crisscrossing lines within.

That is the "skeleton" of the red dragon, the "framework" of the dragon boat, or perhaps, the "law" of the spiritual treasure?
The ever-changing lines seemed to contain the origin of the universe; once he saw them, Li Cunxiao could not look away.

The shock of stripping away appearances and directly revealing the essence of all things is beyond words to describe even a fraction of its power.

All these lines, changing, twisting, and combining, eventually came together into an abstract book under Li Cunxiao's astonished gaze.

"The Dongxuan Scripture?!"

(End of this chapter)