Forge your destiny into a sword, slash your soul and ascend to immortality

Chapter 113 The Divine Dynasty's Structure: A Fragment of the Pure Yang Manual
The examination rules for the Imperial Academy's sacrificial banquet are quite complex. You have to pass through one level after another. If you are not well prepared, you are very likely to fail and be eliminated.

This second stage, the competition of production skills, is entirely a test of the cultivator's background.

For cultivators of the lower three ranks, without a sufficiently prestigious background, relying solely on their own efforts in cultivation, it is almost impossible to achieve anything in their professional skills.

The transmission of knowledge and the investment of resources are huge barriers and elements that divide social classes; neither of these are easy to obtain.

Although Jing Qian didn't put much effort into professional skills, he had a unique approach that ensured he wouldn't fail.

He silently observed the many competitors before him, trying to discern the backgrounds of each candidate.

In his mind, if someone really wanted to interfere with his pursuit of the Dao, it would probably be among these people.

However, when he carefully scanned the people present with his [Worldly Understanding], he found that they were all young, low-level eighth and ninth-rank cultivators.

Given Jing Qian's current cultivation level and combat power, even if all these half-grown children who had not been nurtured by the Dharma lineage were tied up, they would not be his match.

He turned and looked up, his gaze falling on a white jade platform suspended high above the academy's grotto.

The jade platform was thousands of feet above the ground, and several dusty figures stood on it.

Perhaps the real enemies are among these figures?

As Jing Qian's gaze swept over, he immediately realized that the person above was also looking at him!
When the awl is inserted into the bag, its tip is immediately visible!
All the disciples who participated in this academy's sacrificial banquet have now gathered. Even though Jing Qian tried his best to keep a low profile, he was still extremely outstanding in the eyes of the great cultivators on the jade platform, like a piece of jade among the bricks and rubble.

On the jade platform, a woman dressed in a plain-colored long dress, with a cool and elegant expression, spoke first:
"High Priest, this child should be ranked first in this round of the sacrificial banquet. According to the rules, this round is chosen first by our [Kyokuni Shrine]."

"I will first explain this matter to the High Priest, and also inform my fellow Daoists, so as to avoid further discord and damage to harmony."

In the center of the crowd, a middle-aged scholar in a scarlet official robe glanced at the woman and spoke:
"As you all should know, this round of the Academy Festival is no ordinary event. I don't need to go into the reasons why, as those who are here are certainly aware of them. This is also why I am personally presiding over this year's festival."

“I have communicated with the leaders of all the lineages, and this time no violation of the rules is allowed. We must follow the procedures step by step and complete the preliminary process.”

"If it's the turn of [Kyōun Shrine] to choose, I will not stand in your way, no matter who you choose."

"Please just observe for now!"

The speaker was the chief priest of the Divine Dynasty Academy, a high-ranking official of the third rank appointed by Heaven, and a divinely bestowed spiritual official [Scholar of Dragon and Phoenix Mountain], surnamed Jiang.

With the cultivation level of "Star Picking" and the blessing of the title of "Heaven-Bestowed Spirit Official," his combat power is not to be underestimated. He is capable of suppressing all demons and monsters and maintaining the stable operation of the academy's sacrificial banquet.

Normally, the academy's sacrificial banquet is presided over by his two deputy priests at the Earthly Fiend realm, taking turns. However, this time, the banquet has attracted Chunyangzi to come down the mountain, causing too much commotion for him to ignore.

When Jing Qian looked up at the jade platform, the eleven representatives of the various lineages on the platform were also looking at him.

Everyone tacitly agreed and waited for the little guy to come up on his own.

Just then, the academy's chief priest suddenly spoke, transmitting his voice to all the candidates:
"Now that all the talented individuals have verified their identities, this year's sacrificial banquet is officially beginning."

"In the first round, I invite all talented individuals to appreciate the vastness and abundance of our divine dynasty's territory!"

"Later, I will open one of the 108 Heavenly Treasurys of the Divine Dynasty, which contains precious treasures accumulated by our Divine Dynasty over ten thousand years."

“All talented individuals are welcome to come here, select suitable materials, and within two hours, forge a high-quality magical artifact to be kept in the secret vault.”

"If this magical artifact can fully utilize the properties of the precious materials, and the resulting artifact is more valuable than the materials used, then it can be considered as passing the test."

"Within two hours, all talented individuals may freely use the treasures in the secret vault to refine magical artifacts without any restrictions. Even if you refine ten, a hundred, or even a thousand or ten thousand artifacts, it is your skill. In the end, you only need to keep the one with the highest value."

"Of course, only truly successfully refined graded magical artifacts can be taken out of the secret vault."

"This is a reward from our divine dynasty to you all. Please, talented individuals, take a step forward."

After saying this, the academy's chief priest waved his hand, summoning a huge bronze door from within the cave.

The bronze door opened wide, and a vast amount of magical power emanated from within. Even Jing Qian, who was well-versed in many things, was stunned by the wealth contained in this secret vault!
The Divine Dynasty ruled the Yingfu Pagoda Realm for tens of thousands of years, amassing wealth beyond imagination.

Those present were all core members of the Divine Dynasty from various continents. The Divine Dynasty was generous in rewarding those who could seize the opportunity to go to the capital for the imperial examination.

The privilege of freely accessing precious materials during these two hours is a great perk of the academy's sacrificial banquet!
Even if I fail the final exam, being able to get some valuable materials and magical items for free in this round will make the trip worthwhile, at least someone will reimburse my travel expenses.

Fan Zhuoyan excitedly pulled Jing Qian through the bronze door.

Even as the son of a master weaver, he could only encounter such an opportunity to use precious materials once, at this academy's sacrificial banquet.

Upon entering the bronze gate, time and space reversed, and the two were randomly separated, each arriving at a workshop.

The workshop is fully equipped with furnaces, anvils, carving knives, desks, and other tools for use by various professionals.

Before Jing Qian, there was a unique wooden box. He scanned it with his divine sense and immediately knew the purpose of this [Treasure Chest].

This box connects to an entire secret vault; any materials you desire can be obtained through this box.

The refined magical artifacts can also be placed in a box for valuation.

Within the next two hours, Jing Qian can freely apply for precious materials, refine magical items, and put them into the [Treasure Chest].

At the end, you only need to keep the most valuable item; you can take the rest with you!
For some master craftsmen who specialize in production, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

However, Jing Qian, this oddball who is obsessed with killing and cultivation, although he has a lot of inherited professional knowledge, has few opportunities to personally refine magical artifacts.

Fortunately, he was not fighting alone.

With a wave of his hand, a cat and a ghost appeared.

Compared to him, these two are the true masters of crafting magical artifacts.

Needless to say, Mo Pin'er, as a Grand Talisman Master of the [Nine Thousand Refinements] who has just mastered the "Talisman Techniques Chapter", has many high-level talismans waiting for materials to be refined. Entering this place is like a tiger entering a flock of sheep.

Qili had already received the "Treatise on the Way of Reincarnation: Chapter on Objects" bestowed by Jing Qian, and began to study the way of building objects.

As a [Stove Spirit], Qili was born with the talent to refine artifacts. It had studied the "Artifacts Chapter" for several years, so refining magical artifacts was no problem for it!
Jing Qian said:
"I beg you two fellow Daoists to help me pass this trial!"

Before he finished speaking, Mo Pin'er had already plunged into the [Treasure Chest] and started a shopping spree!

She had long known that there was such an amazing perk at the academy's festival banquet, and she often fantasized about the magical experience of unlimited use of materials.

However, she never imagined that one day she would actually experience it firsthand.

As she worked, enough materials to refine nine Rank 4 [Star-Picking Divine Talismans] flew out of the [Treasure Chest] and landed in her hands. She then sat cross-legged in a corner of the workshop and began refining them.

Nine sets of materials can be used to forge seven [Fate-Separating Talismans], one [Ghost-Suppressing Talisman], and one [Ghostly Joy Talisman].

She had refined the [Fu Li Life Talisman] countless times; as long as the materials were complete, she could make it with ease.

The other two large talismans are both secret methods from the "Talisman Techniques" chapter. The [Ghost Suppression Talisman] can suppress a fourth-rank ghost, and it was specifically requested by Jing Qian.

However, the [Ghostly Joy Talisman] was something she crafted for herself, capable of nourishing her ghostly cultivation and greatly increasing her magical power limit.

With time running out, Mo Pin'er was giving it her all, her hands rubbing the runes so hard they were practically sparking.

On the other side, Qili followed suit, selecting some precious materials and starting to refine them.

Its cultivation level was only at the seventh rank, and the upper limit of what it could refine was also limited to this. It chose the most common seventh-rank metal material, [Blue Crystal], and used the spiritual fire of the furnace next to it to continuously refine it, managing to create a dozen beautiful blue rings.

For the other candidates, obtaining a few high-level treasures they had long awaited from this trip to the [Celestial Treasury] would already be quite satisfying.

But Jingqian pretended he was buying goods!
The blue crystal in Qili's hands is nothing; Jingqian can buy it in the kitchen.

However, the nine fourth-grade divine talismans in Mo Pin'er's hands exceeded all of Jing Qian's current wealth in the [Void Realm], which was why he made a huge profit from the Divine Dynasty.

However, the fact that the Divine Dynasty dared to open its secret vault to all students to squander at will shows that it had a certain level of vision, and no one cared how much precious material Jing Qian had actually consumed.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye. After handing over a [Fate Talisman of Separation], Jing Qian put all the remaining spoils back into the [Void Realm].

After he emerged from the bronze door of the secret vault, the number of people remaining before him was less than half of what it had been before.

Fan Zhuoyan, seeing that he had also made a considerable gain, happily returned to Jing Qian's side and stood there again.

Immediately, the secret vault door closed and disappeared from everyone's sight.

The high priest then spoke again:
"In the second round, I invite all distinguished individuals to appreciate the profound and boundless heritage of my divine dynasty, and the unparalleled path that leads to the heavens!"

"I will open the Divine Dynasty Academy's library to all students, which contains endless methods for refining [Destiny]."

"Over the next three days, all students must forge a new [Destiny], which will be a test of your comprehension."

"The materials needed to refine the [Destiny Element] will also be provided by the Divine Dynasty's secret treasury, so you all need not worry!"

After saying that, the high priest waved his hand, and an enormous bookshelf emerged from the bottom of the cave, standing ten feet tall and extending a distance of a hundred meters!
The bookshelves were densely packed with various secret methods for refining different "destinies," offering a wide selection for everyone to choose from—a truly extravagant display.

The surrounding candidates were in an uproar and immediately rushed towards the bookshelves.

Even Jing Qian was shocked by the grand scale of this divine dynasty!
Whether it was Jing Qian or any other candidate, before joining the lineage, no one was free from the inadequacy of their [Destiny] cultivation method, thus preventing them from achieving perfect cultivation.

Choosing the [Destiny] cultivation method that best suits one's own heritage from among countless methods is an audacious act that no one could have even dreamed of. Jing Qian couldn't help but step forward and begin to activate [Worldly Understanding] to quickly scan the mountain of [Destiny] jade slips piled up on the bookshelf.

These jade slips are all sealed, and cultivators can only detect some basic information with their divine sense. Only by selecting a jade slip and taking it from the bookshelf can they obtain the complete refining method.

Even so, just the names and basic information of these "destiny charts" broadened Jing Qian's horizons and greatly expanded his understanding of the world!

He immersed himself in the academy's library, trying to record the names of all the jade slips.

Many other candidates also tried to do the same, but without Jing Qian's "Worldly Understanding" and powerful divine sense, such a thankless task was merely a drain on their own resources.

Three days can feel both long and short. Selecting the most suitable method for one's cultivation from a vast number of jade slips, thoroughly understanding the cultivation technique, and successfully refining one's [Destiny] is no easy task!
Only Jing Qian, as if strolling leisurely, spent a whole day scanning the huge bookshelf from beginning to end.

He collected all 32,000 names of [Destiny] and categorized and stored them.

At this point, Jingqian finally understood the hidden meaning behind the academy's sacrificial banquet.

Besides selecting and cultivating outstanding disciples, this academy festival is a grand show by the Ying Clan Divine Dynasty to demonstrate its overwhelming strength to the rising stars of the entire [Ying Futu Realm]!

All the exceptional students who have never been exposed to information from other lineages will be the first to experience an unparalleled shock to their worldview at this sacrificial banquet.

The vast resources of precious materials, the endless inheritance of secret techniques, and other possible means will all leave an indelible and magnificent impression on the minds of all students.

The profound foundation, grand vision, and overall scale of the Ying Clan's Divine Dynasty will have a tremendous impact on the students' subsequent cultivation.

Even Jing Qian's own perception underwent some changes.

Before arriving at the academy's sacrificial banquet, he viewed the twelve academy lineages, including the Ying Clan Divine Dynasty, as places of cultivation where there were only differences in strength, not in status.

But after witnessing this grand scene, he realized that the relationship between this divine dynasty and other lineages was irrevocable!
The other eleven lineages are at most educational institutions for training cultivators for the Divine Dynasty; the Divine Dynasty itself is the core of the system and organization.

The influence of the Divine Dynasty has long since permeated other lineages.

Even if these students achieve success in their cultivation within the Dharma lineage, they will never harbor any resentment or hostility towards the Divine Dynasty from the bottom of their hearts. They will only regard the Divine Dynasty as a powerful force in a higher dimension, a good place to sell their talents after completing their studies.

If Jing Qian hadn't already formed such deep ties with the [Yanfu Dao] and [Chunyang Tian], he might have also considered completely relying on the Divine Dynasty for cultivation.

With the help of the Sumeru Great Dao Stele, he has enough of these countless "destinies" to achieve enlightenment.

Jing Qian suppressed his thoughts, cleared his mind of distractions, and focused his attention on refining the [Destiny].

He had already planned to use his spare [fate] to consolidate the [fate] system of the [Pure Yang Heaven] lineage and further enhance the power of his swordsmanship.

He had thought that he would need to attend the academy's sacrificial banquet and successfully become a disciple of [Chunyang Xu] before he could further improve. However, he never expected that there would be a fragment of the [Chunyang Tian] inheritance on the academy's bookshelf.

While other candidates were painstakingly searching for opportunities, his choices were narrowed down from the very beginning to the three [Destiny] fragments on the fragment.

[Destiny: Sword Star]

[Rank: Blue Blood]

[The Thirty-Six Heavenly Swords remain, their starlight vibrant, majestic and awe-inspiring.]

……

[Destiny: Sword Dance]

[Rank: Blue Blood]

The sword dance is as swift as lightning, swirling and returning with the wind.

……

[Destiny: Sword Aura]

[Rank: Blue Blood]

[Thunder roars through the sky, a long river surges forth, like the sound of war drums, like the sight of evergreen pines.]

[To gain power by capturing immortals and gods, to gain power by capturing demons and heroes, to gain power by embracing mountains and seas, to gain power by creating heaven and earth.]

[Required reading for all disciples of Chunyang Heaven!]

Jing Qian didn't need to hesitate at all; a senior expert had already made the choice for him!

Using the remaining [life points] to refine a [pure yang heaven] required [life type] is so justifiable, so desirable, and so certain!
Without hesitation, he took the [Sword Intent] Destiny from the bookshelf, and with a probe of his divine sense, he extracted all the cultivation methods using the [Worldly Explanation].

Immediately, the [Worldly Understanding] was activated wildly, and the [Sword Intent] technique was dismantled to the extreme, only to be rapidly absorbed by him.

Jing Qian was already quite skilled in swordsmanship, and his experience in refining [Destiny] was unparalleled. In less than a quarter of an hour, he completely grasped the refining method of this [Destiny] and could now attempt to refine it!

Throughout the entire event, he was the only one who scanned all the bookshelves, and also the first to formally begin refining his [Destiny].

He strolled over to a treasure chest at the edge of the arena, fiddled with it for a while, and took out a broken sword about half a foot long from the chest.

The sword was rusty and incomplete, but when Jing Qian held it in his hand, boundless sword intent burst forth from the short sword.

He could directly sense that this short sword must have been the natal spirit of some [Pure Yang Heaven] senior.

The materials needed for refining the [Sword Aura] Destiny are precisely the sword cultivator's heirlooms in my hand.

The remaining sword aura and sword intent of the senior cultivator on the broken sword were a precious magical essence that helped him achieve enlightenment.

Jing Qian stood holding the broken sword, silently entering a state of deep meditation. Within his sea of ​​consciousness churned the [Sword Box], the sword energy within the [Sword Box], the sword intent within the sword energy, and the sword heart within the sword intent.

The interconnected elements of swordsmanship resonate together, as if welcoming the arrival of a new friend!

Without hesitation, he activated the refining method of the [Sword Intent] destiny. Instantly, a pure sword intent appeared on the broken sword in his hand, entering his mind and spirit. A sword-shaped [Destiny] quietly emerged.

The moment the sword aura was formed, the Qingping Sword Box suddenly emitted a sword cry that only Jing Qian could hear, echoing in his sea of ​​consciousness.

As a result, the [Sword Momentum] destiny plunged into the [Azure Lotus Sword Box], where it intertwined with the [Azure Lotus End] destiny, the [Life-Locking Needle] spirit, and the vast ocean of world-destroying sword energy hidden within.

Jing Qian has finally forged his second sword technique, "Destiny"!
Immediately, he began to fully experience the power of this [Sword Intent] destiny. In an instant, the sword intent in his heart surged and spread wildly, permeating his sea of ​​consciousness.

The many [Destinies] in the sea of ​​consciousness all created a strange interaction with the power of this [Sword Intent] destiny.

It seemed that everyone was vying for the opportunity to intertwine with the [sword aura], each unwilling to yield and competing with the other.

Ultimately, it was the highest-ranking [Sumeru] destiny that successfully squeezed out the other [destinies] and closely aligned itself with [Sword Intent].

A unique sword style thus evolved!

[Sword Aura] Those with extraordinary destiny can extract the purest and most essential Daoist essence from a cultivator and integrate it into their swordsmanship to form a sword aura.

This sword strike can completely alter a cultivator's original sword energy attributes, greatly increasing the power of the sword energy.

The sword aura that Jing Qian condensed was the [Heaven-Opening Sword Aura], which was of the highest quality and infinite power. It took the true meaning of the spatial Dao from the opening of the cave heaven, the evolution of the world, the division of the primordial wilderness, and the birth of Sumeru.

The sword aura that is connected to the creation of heaven and earth can be described as being able to cut through anything and destroy everything!

Even though Jing Qian's [Heaven-Opening Sword Stance] is still in its early stages and his magical power needs to continue to accumulate, it can still increase the power of his sword strike by more than double!
This is the ultimate [Destiny] that truly aligns with his swordsmanship!
Despite being only a [Blue Blood] rank, for disciples of [Pure Yang Heaven], this [Sword Aura] is the best [Destiny] to raise their attack power ceiling and integrate their entire cultivation system; it is a must-learn for everyone!

Jing Qian realized that he could also obtain the cultivation method of the Sword Intent Destiny in the Pure Yang Ruins. However, obtaining it in advance would further enhance his combat power and greatly help him to overcome the Academy's sacrificial banquet.

Moreover, with the free materials provided by the academy, refining this [Destiny] has never been easier!

He manipulated the broken sword in his hand, which unexpectedly triggered a wisp of pure sword intent that entered his sea of ​​consciousness once again.

This wisp of sword intent actually evolved into another [Sword Intent] Destiny, which was directly reforged onto the first [Sword Intent] Destiny.

He actually began the reforging process inside this academy's grotto-heaven, completely oblivious to everyone else!

The broken sword in his hand was brimming with sword intent, a rare find that saved him a great deal of time searching for materials.

In just one day, this [Sword Intent] destiny was reforged nine times by Jing Qian, reaching the peak of [Purple Eyes].

Immediately, his [Sword Aura] destiny evolved into a superhuman divine power, and a second sword aura began to gradually condense!

This time, the competition among the various "Destinies" is even more intense.

[Entangled Cause and Effect] wants to combine with [Sword Intent] to forge a [Cause and Effect Sword Intent], severing people from the entanglement of cause and effect, and entangled emotions.

【The Other Shore is Unending】also wants to unite with 【Sword Intent】 to forge a 【Sword Intent of the Other Shore】, to slay people in the cycle of reincarnation, between the underworld and the mortal realm.

Not to be outdone, [Hell Scroll] also wanted to forge a [Hell Sword Aura] to slay people in the Abyss of Fire and Suffering.

There's also the [Bridge of Helplessness] wanting to cultivate the [Rotation Sword Style], the [Yanfu Seal] wanting to cultivate the [Yanfu Sword Style], and the three [Original Qi] wanting to cultivate the [Primordial Qi Sword Style].

None of the many "Destined Ones" are easy to deal with; they fight tooth and nail, refusing to give an inch!
But all these "destinies" originate from the "Yambuddha Path" inheritance, clearly sharing the same roots and origins.

It's unclear whether it's attraction between likes, affinity between those of the same kind, or the law of aggregation of extraordinary characteristics.

The many outcomes of the "Mandate of Heaven" far exceeded Jing Qian's expectations!
They actually merged into one, using the [Sword Aura] destiny to forge a [Six Paths Reincarnation Sword Aura]!
(End of this chapter)