The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 173 Breakthrough!

Zhou Yan put away the seal, activated the altar, and had the Rampaging God protect the Dharma outside.

Lu Renjia had no choice but to stay there and guard the gate. He summoned the four thousand units of primordial essence of heaven and earth that Louguan Dao had allocated to Zhou Yan, which naturally transformed into some simple and basic formations.

Taoist soldiers can assist the altar and aid in spellcasting.

When using spells or magical abilities that release corresponding elemental energy, one can even use elemental essence to replace the consumption of magical power.

Of course, after deploying troops, one must also cast spells and incantations to replenish their vital energy and 'reward' them; otherwise, their vital essence will be insufficient, and they will easily rebel, or at least they will not put in the effort.

Even in the sacred Taoist site of Taishanglou Temple, Zhou Yan remained cautious.

While the God of Chaos guarded the outside, he also ordered Ao Xuantao to use the power of water and clouds to hide and protect him. After all, this was the first time Zhou Yan had used the Imperial Seal, which represented the Kunlun lineage, to break through, and he couldn't be sure if any problems would arise.

So he told Ao Xuantao that if anything went wrong during his breakthrough, he should immediately go to Xiweizi.

This Taoist master is humble and composed, shares the same interests as Zhou Yan, and is knowledgeable and experienced. If you encounter any trouble, asking him for help should be able to resolve it.

Ao Xuantao accepted the order to lie in wait, and Zhou Yan finally felt at ease. He then activated the Imperial Seal, which represents the last remnant of the Kunlun pantheon and is the legendary eighth lineage, displaying its flowing light.

The Imperial Seal of the State radiated boundless light.

However, this Kunlun treasure, which has existed in the world for many years, seemed to have never been seen before after its light flowed for a moment. This fellow, whose foundation was only at the eighth rank, had such a diverse and extensive knowledge.

Ultimately, the Imperial Seal completed the integration of Zhou Yan's current lineage.

The jade seal slowly rotated, emitting three streams of light.

These three streams of light landed around Zhou Yan, forming a triadic formation that surrounded him. Upon closer inspection, they all resembled Zhou Yan, but each 'Zhou Yan' had a very different attire and temperament.

One of them was dressed in a monk's robe, with his hands clasped together, his expression compassionate and gentle. Eight heavenly dragons surrounded him, and the Buddha's light could be faintly seen. Behind this figure was the golden light of Xuanzang's relics, which was the true form of Manjushri Bodhisattva.

The other figure, just like Zhou Yan, was dressed in a Taoist robe and sat cross-legged on the altar, with a whisk draped over his arm. Behind him were the guardian deities of the altar and numerous primordial spirits and soldiers.

The last figure was clad in a full suit of Tang Dynasty mountain-patterned armor, wielding a three-pointed double-edged sword. Behind him, the aura of 48,000 soldiers resonated faintly, and the smoke of beacon fires rose into the sky.

The spiritual essence of these three lineages has already reached the seventh rank or above.

It represents Zhou Yan's current foundation and future.

Normally, at this point, one has reached a crossroads of choice. One only needs to choose a direction, with this lineage as the core and the other two lineages as auxiliary, and one can naturally step into the seventh rank.

However, this would inevitably weaken the power of the other two lineages. The Imperial Seal and the Kunlun Jade Disc are precisely the means by which Zhou Yan can open up new directions for his lineage based on his own condition.

However, with only one-third of the Imperial Seal of the State, what is the upper limit?
Zhou Yan did not believe that he could reach the top three ranks with only one-third of the Imperial Seal.

But surely it can't be that every third corresponds to three grades?
Whether to choose an already established lineage or to deduce a completely new path based on one's current foundation and resources, it doesn't actually require too much thought. The question Li Longji raised during their secret conversation that day was indeed reasonable.

Qin Shi Huang only found his final path by collecting all the legal codes in the world.

How could someone reach his level with only one-seventh of the lineage of martial arts collected by Qin Shi Huang?

Within a single lineage, there are many exceptionally talented individuals, but at most they can establish a sect, reach the True Person realm, and become invincible in the mortal world, worthy of being called a grandmaster, and that is the end of the road. However, Zhou Yan's current opponents are all such figures.

The Qin Emperor ascended to heaven; a true man should be like him!

Zhou Yan exhaled and activated the Imperial Seal of the State with his own divine soul.

In an instant, the Imperial Seal of the State transformed into a streak of light and flew to Zhou Yan's brow. Meanwhile, three illusory figures began to rapidly shift, changing positions around Zhou Yan at an increasingly faster pace, almost forming a circle that enveloped him.

Finally, the three illusory figures that looked exactly like Zhou Yan quickly transformed into streams of light.

They are a perfect match.

The essence of Buddhism, the loftiness of Taoism, and the power of a warrior—these three foundational lineages converged into one, simulating and deducing Zhou Yan's appearance before him, and then instantly surging into Zhou Yan himself.

boom! ! !
As if falling into a furnace, three forces simultaneously began to circulate within Zhou Yan's body: the martial arts lineage and its essence tempered his physical body; the Buddhist and Taoist forces strengthened his soul, saying that the Buddhist and Zen hearts were like an inextinguishable fire, sitting upright on a lotus; the Taoist forces deepened his true essence, with vital energy gathering and magical power flowing in every breath.

For ordinary people, breaking through to a higher realm is merely a form of tempering.

Zhou Yan, however, unleashed a triple tempering simultaneously!
The body, which had endured countless battles, instantly felt different. Its strength and physique began to rise rapidly. The three hundred years of cultivation bestowed by Xuanzang, the Eight Heavenly Dragon Fire of Manjushri, and even the bite mark on the back of its hand emitted a special blue flame.

Zhou Yan exhaled, sensing his breakthrough. It seemed even more powerful than the seventh-rank he had achieved after being empowered by the Kunlun treasure, the Imperial Seal of the State.

"A simulation is, after all, a simulation."

"Even if the simulated seventh-grade state is different from the seventh-grade state after actually breaking through according to this trajectory, is that still true?"

"Hiss... This energy."

Zhou Yan felt as if he had fallen into a furnace, burning fiercely. His body could withstand it, but his muscles and blood vessels developed tiny cracks under the triple tempering.

Zhou Yan looked at his palm; the skin was tough, but fine cracks had appeared beneath it.

Zhou Yan immediately realized what was wrong with his body, and a twitch appeared on his lips.

"The foundation I had built up before the breakthrough was too strong, and my body couldn't withstand it."

"...Three tempering sessions without even taking a breath put immense pressure on my body and mind...After all, I don't have the [Celestial Lineage], so the strengthening of my body isn't that strong."

The physical strength of military strategists is second only to that of practitioners of the Heavenly Human Dharma lineage.

However, even pioneers of military strategy like Wang Zhongsi did not expect that someone would withstand three rounds of tempering, all of which were of extremely high standard. Under such circumstances, even the physique tempered by the beacon tower could not withstand it.

"Moreover, walking the path deduced from the jade seal also requires a lot of vital energy."

On the one hand, the physical strength itself was not enough to withstand the tempering of the triple Dharma veins.

On the other hand, there is the enormous amount of vital energy consumed in breaking through one's own cultivation path.

The path of the three convergences and deductions, with its surging momentum, was subtly lacking. Zhou Yan realized that he was all too familiar with this state, a state that he, possessing the [Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman], was in.

Malnutrition.

The vital energy required to advance the lineage is too strong, which in turn begins to deplete one's own vital energy.

This time it's probably going to be bad. I didn't expect it before. It seems I'll have to prepare a lot of things to replenish my energy next time. Just when Zhou Yan felt that he had failed to break through this realm and needed to restrain his energy so as not to really hurt himself, the cry of a crane came from outside.

Then came Lu Renjia's voice: "Hmm? Xiweizi?! What brings you here?"

"No, no, you can't go in either."

"Your grandmaster gave the order." "Grandmaster, it's me. You seem to lack vital energy for your breakthrough. I'm coming in!" Ignoring the old voice, Zhou Yan nodded and said "okay." Then he saw the door with talismans pasted on it be kicked open with a bang.

The talisman was shattered instantly.

The old Taoist priest outside lifted the hem of his robe, looked at Zhou Yan's body as his vital energy dissipated, raised an eyebrow, and said with great curiosity, "What kind of lineage is this? It requires so much vital energy. There's no time to lose, Grandmaster Uncle, calm your mind and focus your spirit!"

"Don't worry, Louguandao still has some resources."

"It won't be to the point that you, Grandmaster Uncle, go 'starving'."

With a flick of his wrist, Xiweizi extended his whisk, enveloping Zhou Yan.

With a light tap of its toes, the crane flapped its wings and caught the two of them. Then it quickly flew towards a mountain. In less than ten breaths, the crane folded its wings, and Xiweizi flicked his wrist, scattering his whisk and throwing Zhou Yan into a place.

Upon landing in the water, the vital energy instantly became abundant.

The body, which already had cracks, began to rapidly and voraciously absorb vital energy, almost like a parched land receiving rain. The cracks quickly...

The cool sensation made Zhou Yan feel very comfortable.

A quick glance around revealed that this was indeed Shangshan Pond. Xiweizi chuckled and said, "Grandmaster Uncle should have already heard that Shangshan Pond is the secret realm of my Louguan Daoist sect. Water benefits all things without contention, and it is of great benefit to all living beings."

"If you want to break through, Grandmaster Uncle should tell us."

"After all, you are the grandmaster uncle of my Taishanglou Temple. We will prepare all the necessary preparations for your breakthrough. Why do you need to break through alone?"

Zhou Yan said, "That's why I asked Elder Ao to go find you."

Xiweizi paused slightly, looked at the lazy young Taoist, and laughed heartily:
"I see. Oh my, Grandmaster Uncle, how come you have such a clever mind, with one scheme after another? I wonder where you learned it from."

Zhou Yan felt the vital energy rapidly flowing into his body.

Feeling a bit like he was intoxicated by oxygen, he languidly said, "He's a sly old man."

Li Longji, that bastard.

Xiweizi stroked his beard and affirmed, "He must be a cunning and wicked fellow."

"Coincidentally, the old Taoist also has something to tell you, Grandmaster Uncle."

“Grandmaster Uncle, let’s break through right here in the Shangshan Pond. After you break through, we can discuss this matter in detail.”

Zhou Yan said, "I'm worried that I'll consume too much of the vital energy in the [Shangshan Pond]."

Upon hearing this, even the profound Daoist Xiweizi couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "Grandmaster Uncle, Grandmaster Uncle, aren't you underestimating my [Taishang Louguan]? This Shangshan Pond has a history of two thousand years."

"It originated from the earth. It was transformed from the water bag that Lao Tzu placed here after he preached and taught the Tao. It flows endlessly, like water, which is the highest good. How could it be consumed by one person?"

"Swallow it all, swallow it all."

The old Taoist priest Xiweizi smiled and waved his hand: "If you swallow it all, it's the old Taoist's."

"you sure?"

“The monks say that monks do not lie. Although I am not bald, I am still considered a monk.”

"If you're so capable, drink this entire Shangshan Pond dry!"

"The old Taoist priest should go to the ancestral hall to kneel and offer incense."

Xiweizi spoke with great humor, and Zhou Yan also believed that Taishang Louguan had a deep foundation and that this Shangshan Pond could not possibly contain it all. So he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

With his hands forming a mudra, Xiweizi sat cross-legged in the Shangshan Pond. He swept his whisk to seal the secret realm, then sat cross-legged on a large rock outside. He then took out a scroll of Taoist scripture from his sleeve and read it with great interest.

Zhou Yan exhaled, and a jade talisman appeared in his palm.

Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman!

This creature, which had followed Zhou Yan, consumed dragon blood, and swallowed the Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman from the drought demon, was now radiating a brilliant light, almost as if it were starving. Zhou Yan activated the Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman and began to breathe deeply.

The Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman was used to its fullest potential in an instant.

Behind Zhou Yan, the faint phantom of a hungry ghost appeared. Zhou Yan took a deep breath, and the primordial energy in the Supreme Goodness Pool transformed into clouds and was swallowed into his stomach. His three Dharma veins rapidly transformed, and with the blessing of the Supreme Goodness Pool, Zhou Yan quickly reached the seventh rank.

He possesses the power and physique of a military strategist, yet his magical power is as profound as that of a Taoist master. His soul is as hard as if forged from Buddhist crystal, combining the strengths of the three religions without any weaknesses.

Zhou Yan clenched his fist, feeling a difference within himself.

Seventh rank!
Moreover, it is an unprecedented lineage that integrates the three religions into one!
A path unique to Zhou Yan.

However, he did not relax his mind. Instead, he stared intently at the Kunlun Dharma Lineage and the Imperial Seal of the State. The Imperial Seal of the State had the ability to deduce the Dharma Lineage. When it was at the eighth rank, it could deduce the seventh rank based on Zhou Yan's foundation and simulate it.

Zhou Yan himself is now a seventh-rank official.

So, can this treasure be used to deduce that it belongs to Zhou Yan as a [Sixth Rank]?
The seventh and sixth ranks are only one step apart, but their natures are vastly different; in military strategists, it is the dividing line between soldiers and generals, and in Taoism, it is the difference between ordinary Taoist priests and high-ranking Taoist masters.

Below this level are the Xuan officials, the elite of the human realm.

Those above the sixth rank are the heroes of the world.

To forge one's own foundation and walk one's own path is to advance from seven to six.

According to Zhou Yan's calculations, only those who reach the sixth rank can barely use the Four Sacred Mountains Armor set from Mount Tai. That armor set is already of the immortal and divine grade, and each piece possesses extraordinary supernatural powers.

With this armor, one can catch one's breath when facing the Six Realms.

It can be said that advancing to the sixth rank is a crucial turning point, both in terms of his lineage and his own strength. In particular, Zhou Yan's current lineage is unique, belonging only to him, and represents the path of the unity of the three religions.

What kind of foundation will be formed by such a path?

The Imperial Seal of the State slowly dimmed, while the Shangshan Pond shimmered with light, surging and changing.

上善若水，利万物而不争。

The Imperial Seal of the State shone brightly once more.

The path from seventh rank to sixth rank.

Deduction!

(End of this chapter)