The Fate of Eternal Life

Chapter 85 Obtaining the Nine Secrets, Overcoming the Heavenly Tribulation, and Entering the Mansion of Extraordinary Talents
Ning Qing sat in the hall, not taking the initiative to communicate with Li Ruoyu. It was unclear what was wrong, but at this moment, the Zhuofeng lineage had not yet been revived, and Li Ruoyu had not recruited any disciples—or perhaps the disciples who had beckoned had already left.

In short, Zhuofeng Peak today lives up to its name, lacking magnificent scenery, majestic grandeur, and spiritual essence; it is ordinary and gloomy.

However, with his spiritual sense, he could also sense that Li Ruoyu possessed a different kind of oppressive aura than that of a supreme saint, indicating that he had already crossed the threshold of the Immortal Three Paths. If he wished, he might be able to forcibly activate the Zhuofeng Inheritance.

Yet he still acted like an old man, perhaps because he no longer had any thoughts about the current Tai Xuan Sect or Zhuo Feng, so he preferred to pass on his legacy and never show it to the world again.

Naturally, none of this had anything to do with Ning Qingyi.

He spent the night recuperating in the palace on Zhuofeng Peak, and the next day he strolled through the mountain and soon reached the summit.

The place is covered with rubble, with no intact buildings. There is only an open space with nine jade steps. Although the years have passed, the jade is still crystal clear and undamaged, and looks very soft.

It's hard to imagine that five hundred years ago, Zhuofeng was shrouded in mist and auspicious colors, with magnificent palaces and pavilions perched atop the clouds.

Ning Qingyi did not attempt to walk on the ninth-tier jade stone, because the Pathless Peak itself contained the scripture. However, according to legend, only by activating the Pathless Peak inheritance could one have even a sliver of a chance to cultivate the Nine Secrets.

Only ten thousand years ago, a master comprehended the secret of the character "皆" before the transmission of knowledge was established.

Ning Qing stood motionless atop Zhuofeng Peak, his eyes filled only with the desolate, decaying scenery of the peak. In the past, even if he knew clearly that Zhuofeng Peak contained the Nine Secrets, he could only stare helplessly. But now, with his improved aptitude, verifying the will of Heaven with his Dao Heart was extremely easy for him.

He sat cross-legged on the mountaintop, with four illusory pillars of chaos standing around the peak. Under the influence of the "Group" secret technique, the Divine Mark Purple Gold Immortal Bell became the array's core, together forming an exquisite array.

Amidst the swirling chaos, celestial music resounded from the void, inspiring boundless wisdom in humankind.

Li Ruoyu, who was cultivating in Zhuofeng, stood up. He looked at the top of Zhuofeng and saw that there were traces of the Dao of Heaven and Earth around Ning Qingyi. The sound of the Great Dao resounded, and flowers of heaven and earth emerged from the void. There was even a faint fragrance.

"Such high comprehension, such strong aptitude, what an amazing young man!" Li Ruoyu exclaimed in surprise, then couldn't help but glance at Xingfeng and sigh.

Ning Qingyi naturally noticed Li Ruoyu's appearance, but firstly, he had already taken precautions, and secondly, Li Ruoyu's character was generally reliable, so he did not take any action.

He made only one last move, continuously casting complex and profound Daoist incantations with his hands, before finally entering a meditative state.

In an instant, Ning Qingyi seemed to merge into the myriad paths of heaven and earth, becoming one with Zhuofeng.

"All paths unite as one! Heaven and man unite as one! Once! In just one time, it resonated with Zhuofeng!" Li Ruoyu exclaimed, his eyes filled with shock.

The secret of the character "临"!
Ning Qingyi used the Nine Secrets of Boundless Heavenly Venerable, and his mind merged into the Humble Peak.

In his eyes, this ordinary mountain suddenly became different.

Unknown traces emerged on the mountain, lines intertwined, and unknown rules transformed into order, evolving the Tao and reason, giving rise to mysterious patterns and designs, allowing a Taoist charm to flow in his heart.

In his view, Zhuofeng is constantly changing, from birth to death, from death to birth, from prosperity to decline, and from decline to prosperity. A cycle is constantly unfolding, and an eternal Dao is condensing.

This is the very essence of the natural way! The fundamental tradition of Zhuofeng.

Ning Qingyi kept everything hidden in his heart and continued to comprehend the Dao until he saw that "seed of the Dao"!
"A great achievement is like a lack, a great gain is like a rush, a great skill is like a clumsy..."

In a daze, the sound of mysterious scriptures echoed through the heavens and earth. He seemed to see the ancient sages of Zhuofeng hiding the nine secrets in the changes of nature millions of years ago, imprinting them on the entire Zhuofeng, entrusting the Tao and the principles to the heavens and earth, creating eternal traces.

Ning Qingyi merged with the Dao seed, his mind was calm and still, like a still well, feeling boundless vitality, as the secret of the character "皆" emerged in his heart.

He opened his eyes, which seemed to hold millions of years of historical evolution, or as if eternity had been condensed into a single moment, brimming with vitality.

By this time, it was already dark. Because of Ning Qingyi's exquisite array, many people had been spying on this place. Fortunately, the important figures in the sect were afraid of disturbing Ning Qingyi's cultivation, so they sternly stopped all the disciples and elders, thus maintaining the peace of the surroundings.

In the distance, the star-shaped peaks outline the starry sky, and the endless starlight gathers like water, scattering down, looking very ethereal, like a fairyland.

Looking at the magnificent scene before him, Ning Qingyi couldn't help but roar to the sky. The secrets of the character "数" (number), "组" (group), "临" (approach), and "皆" (all) – unknowingly, he had already collected a small portion of the nine secrets.

The remaining five of the Nine Secrets are: the "Soldier" secret is hidden in Qinmen of Zhongzhou, the "Fight" secret is in the hands of Jiang Taixu, the "Travel" secret is in Shengya, the "Front" secret is in the hands of Wang Teng, and the "Person" secret is in Ziwei. Of course, the Ancestral Star of the Overlord Body also possesses the "Fight" secret and the "Person" secret.

He was overjoyed, feeling that he would soon be able to collect all nine secrets, and no longer suppressed his cultivation level, which had broken through again after comprehending the secret of the character "皆".

"Boom!"

Dark clouds gathered, a sea of ​​calamity appeared, and a powerful heavenly might condensed at the Tai Xuan Sect.

"Which disciple or senior brother is undergoing tribulation?" An elder exclaimed in shock.

"Could that direction be Zhuofeng? It's Senior Brother Li Ruoyu, no, it's that Little Celestial Venerable!" Some people with keen senses found the correct answer.

All the wild thoughts vanished completely after a figure rushed into the clouds of calamity.

"It's him! The Little Celestial Venerable has indeed come to my Tai Xuan Sect!"

"Are we getting closer to Sendai? It really has an invincible aura."

The disciples and elders were discussing among themselves. Hua Yunfei, dressed in blue, looked at Ning Qingyi in the tribulation clouds with a hint of envy in his eyes.

"Rumble..."

Thunder roared in the sky, and thick bolts of lightning struck down, followed by an endless sea of ​​thunder pouring down.

"What a terrifying heavenly tribulation! No wonder he is the Little Celestial Venerable."

"This is the legendary Great Dragon Calamity, it's terrifying!"

Everyone paled, unable to suppress their fear.

Amidst a vast sea of ​​thunder, Ning Qing remained unmoved, enduring the tribulation with his golden body. He was devoid of self and possessions, with only a great dragon in his heart, his mind utterly empty.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared, a vast sea of ​​lightning stretched out, a white expanse followed by a purple shimmer, then a crimson expanse, with lightning of various colors flashing incessantly.

Looking into the distance, the area was completely submerged; it was an ocean of celestial calamity, a terrifying sea of ​​lightning sweeping across the ten directions, destroying everything.

The entire process lasted a full day and night, with heavenly tribulations constantly occurring. Ning Qing resisted them one by one, while simultaneously sensing the myriad paths of heaven and earth and contemplating the single secret realm method for the Dragon Transformation Realm.

He gazed at the ancient Heavenly Court amidst the sea of ​​lightning, watching the countless humanoid lightning bolts, and a vague idea began to form in his mind. "Opening the Dao Spring, nurturing the Holy Embryo, transforming the body into a Heavenly Pillar… Where lies the path to the Dragon Transformation Realm? The golden body is immortal, only change remains constant—difficult, difficult, difficult!"

"boom!"

With the final clap of thunder, the world finally returned to clarity, and the heavenly tribulation ceased.

Ning Qingyi survived the Heavenly Tribulation and became a cultivator at the seventh stage of Dragon Transformation. However, he felt no joy; instead, he was increasingly worried. He had a strong premonition that if he did not establish a new cultivation method within the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, it might hinder his future path to enlightenment.

He returned to Zhuofeng and began his secluded cultivation. Nine days later, he emerged from seclusion and dispersed the Chaos Divine Pillar Array that protected Zhuofeng.

This prompted Hua Yunfei, who had been keeping an eye on the area, to rush over as soon as he received the news.

"Little Celestial Venerable, you've finally emerged from seclusion." Hua Yunfei breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Ning Qingyi.

"Fellow Daoist Hua, is there something you need from me?" Ning Qingyi asked calmly.

Hua Yunfei said solemnly, "The seniors of the Qishi Mansion in Zhongzhou heard that you were cultivating in seclusion in our sect, so they came to our sect to invite you to the Qishi Mansion."

"Has a mansion of extraordinary talents emerged?" Ning Qingyi was somewhat surprised.

"Not yet, but it will be soon. As for someone with exceptional talent like Brother Ning, the Qishi Mansion is naturally willing to bring him into our ranks ahead of time." Hua Yunfei looked at him and sighed, "In the present day, the ancient races of the Eastern Wilderness have emerged one after another. Apart from a few individuals, the younger generation of our human race is inferior to that of the ancient races. Perhaps this is the reason for the emergence of the Qishi Mansion."

The Qishi Mansion is located in the Central Continent and does not reside permanently in the world. Instead, it was born at a special time to cultivate the seeds of the Emperor's Path for the Beidou Human Race.

It's not surprising that they've approached Ning Qingyi now. In fact, if it weren't for Emperor Xiang Yufei's distraught departure that day, and Ning Qingyi's subsequent disappearance after the competition and subsequent accidental entry into the Immortal Tomb, the Qishi Mansion would likely have already extended an invitation.

"A senior from the Qishi Mansion has come to invite me?" Ning Qingyi was overjoyed; it was like a pillow being delivered just when she was sleepy.

He was originally troubled by the method of creating a single secret realm. If he had access to the ancient scripture library of the Qishi Mansion, he might be able to see the various thoughts of his predecessors regarding the method of creating a single secret realm.

"Yes... they've arrived." Hua Yunfei was about to give a brief introduction when he noticed that streaks of divine light stretched from Xingfeng Peak to Zhuofeng Peak. When the light faded, he saw the sect leader and elders of Taixuan Sect, as well as a senior figure who was smiling at him.

"I am Wu Tianlin, young friend, we meet again..." The black-clad elder from the Qishi Mansion was none other than a supreme Saint Lord level figure.

"Greetings, Elder Wu." Ning Qingyi bowed slightly. Back when the younger generation of Yaochi fought a great battle, he was a member of the Qishi Mansion.

Wu Tianlin stared intently at Ning Qingyi and said, "I suppose young friend Hua has already told you, but shall I ask you personally? Young friend, you are exceptionally talented and possess unparalleled combat prowess. Would you be willing to join my Qishi Mansion?"

Ning Qing asked directly, "I've heard that the Qishi Mansion is the starting point of the Big Dipper Heavenly Road? Is that correct?"

Wu Tianlin was not surprised at all, after all, Ning Qingyi had an extraordinary background. He said, "It seems that your sect has already told you? That's right, the starting point of the ancient human road in Beidou is in the hands of Qishi Mansion."

Ning Qing nodded: "What do I have to give up if I want to enter the Scripture Pavilion of the Qishi Mansion?"

Wu Tianlin said, "Ordinary disciples are naturally not allowed to enter the Qishi Mansion at will, lest they waste their time. But if it's you, I imagine the manor won't impose any restrictions on you..."

Upon hearing this, Ning Qingyi said decisively, "In that case, let's set off."

Wu Tianlin was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but smile and said, "Okay!"

The Tai Xuan Sect members were somewhat surprised, especially Hua Yunfei, who couldn't help but ask, "Won't the Little Celestial Venerable meditate for a few more days? What if the Zhuofeng inheritance is activated?"

“Then I don’t need it anymore, because I have already understood.” Ning Qingyi said calmly, then looked at Wu Tianlin and said, “Elder Wu, let’s go!”

Wu Tianlin couldn't help but glance at him, because if he remembered correctly, Ning Qingyi had only been in seclusion for one day. Was that enough time for him to comprehend?

"Since young friend Ning is so eager, let's go."

Wu Tianlin was also a decisive person. Ignoring the Tai Xuan Sect's attempts to persuade him to stay, he exchanged a few pleasantries and then led Ning Qingyi through the Divine Light Platform and left.

……

Zhongzhou, a vast and boundless land, represents antiquity and mystery, and is filled with endless legends.

This is the territory of the four great dynasties, and also home to the Hundred Schools of Thought. The Qishi Mansion is located in the Lingshan Mountains.

Here, a silver dragon waterfall cascades down, towering red cliffs and strange rocks stand majestically, immortal divine trees stand tall, and ancient medicinal herbs exude fragrance. A solitary Qilin beast lies, a colorful phoenix dances in the air, longevity deer and fairy foxes appear and disappear, and spirit birds and black cranes fly about, appearing and disappearing from time to time.

In the mountains, purple mist rises, orchids and magnolias exude fragrance, divine flowers bloom, and strange trees sway, like a pure land of paradise, leaving people in awe.

The people of Qishi Mansion attached great importance to Ning Qingyi's arrival, and the manor lord was among them.

The Lord of Qishi Mansion looked at Ning Qingyi and couldn't help but smile: "Good! Good! Good! If it's you, the throne of this generation might be born again among our human race!"

"Greetings, Senior Lord of the Manor," Ning Qingyi said.

Wu Tianlin said, "Lord of the Mansion, young friend Ning once said that if he were to enter the Mansion of Extraordinary Talents, he would like to see the contents of the Sutra Repository."

The Lord of Qishi Mansion readily agreed, saying, "Then please have Elder Wu take him there. Just make sure he doesn't just read aimlessly, lest he delay his cultivation. His cultivation preparations are also complete in the Underworld. Elder Wu, please go along as well."

“Yes, Your Excellency.” Wu Tianlin said, “In that case, let’s go to the Scripture Pavilion first.”

Ning Qingyi naturally nodded, and the two went to the Sutra Repository together.

Although it is called a library, it is actually several palaces, protected by powerful auras.

Wu Tianlin entered with ease and familiarity, then obediently walked to an old man's side.

"Master Shu, this is Ning Qingyi from Luofu Mountain, a branch of the Lingbao Dao lineage. He has come here to observe the inheritance."

"Oh, it's him. He's indeed exceptionally strong." The old scholar casually commented, then asked, "Alright, young man, which aspect of the inheritance do you want?"

"The ancient sages' method of creating a single secret realm! And the secret method of achieving sainthood through a single secret realm!" Ning Qingyi said.

This is exactly what he wants!
(End of this chapter)