"The Innate Mixed Yuan Holy Body?"

Since ancient times, such a physique has finally reappeared in the world, and within our Shenxiao Sect no less. Heh heh, it seems our sect is truly destined to flourish.

The moment Dongfang Qing saw Qi Xiu, he recognized the legendary and exceedingly rare physique. Stroking his palm with a light chuckle, he was quite satisfied.

"Disciple greets the Supreme Sect Leader."

Qi Xiu rose and paid his respects to Dongfang Qing, speaking softly.

"There's no need for excessive courtesy. On your recent excursion, you not only forged this world-rare Holy Body but also successfully advanced to the Blood-Stained Realm. I imagine you must have endured considerable hardship, haven't you?"

Gently patting Qi Xiu's shoulder, Dongfang Qing gestured for them to sit, indicating there was no need for formalities.

"Sect Master, this child's Broken Mirror Calamity Sequence is rumored to be the Saint Calamity. After breaking through, his Spinal Palace also showed anomalies. I couldn't determine if it was good or bad, so I had to ask you to come and assess it," Daoist Yunxiong spoke up.

"A Holy Body undergoing tribulation naturally faces greater difficulties than common bloodlines. Although the Saint Calamity is rare, it is still within the realm of normalcy. When the Great Elder underwent his tribulation, he also faced three calamities simultaneously, nearly losing his life. But it was precisely because of this that he achieved such overwhelmingly powerful cultivation."

Hearing Dongfang Qing mention the Great Elder, Qi Xiu's gaze flickered.

The Shenxiao Sect's Great Elder, Dongfang Xiong!

The biological elder brother of Supreme Sect Leader Dongfang Qing.

Rumor had it that this man possessed peak Dao Body Realm cultivation and was the strongest in the Shenxiao Sect after Dongfang Qing. Moreover, he had cultivated the "Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder Commanding Scripture" to a profound level of mastery. He had forged the Divine Thunder True Body of Shenxiao, a feat no one in the Shenxiao Sect had accomplished in ten thousand years, and mastered 1,735 types of the Shenxiao Sect's Thunder Magic.

However, this Great Elder had been in closed-door cultivation for over two hundred years, supposedly breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Realm. If he succeeded, the Shenxiao Sect, boasting two Primordial Spirit Realm experts, would become the strongest sect in Dianchuan Province. They would even rank among the first tier in the entire Great Xuan Dynasty.

Approaching Qi Xiu, Dongfang Qing casually placed a hand on his shoulder, a faint glint of understanding flickering deep in his eyes.

Oh? So this is the mystery of the Saint Calamity, is it?

As if he had perceived something from Qi Xiu's Spinal Palace, Dongfang Qing's lips curled into a thoughtful smile as he removed his hand.

"Sect Master, what do you think?" The Spinal Palace was crucial to the Blood-Stained Realm cultivation path, so Daoist Yunxiong's tone was somewhat eager.

"Look at you, no need to panic. He has passed the Saint Calamity, so this palace anomaly is naturally a blessing from Heaven and Earth."

Waving his hand for Daoist Yunxiong to sit, Dongfang Qing lightly flicked his sleeves and began to explain, "The Saint Calamity is the calamity above all calamities. It is intended for those whose destined calamities have been exhausted, occurring when the powers of Heavenly Gang Qi and Xuanhuang Qi rise together to create a Heaven and Earth Bridge. At this point, a new sequence of calamities arises. Thus, the tribulation qi from this calamity imbues the cultivator with an additional strand of Xuanhuang Qi. Since this tribulation qi cannot merge with Heavenly Gang Qi, it integrates into the Spinal Palace. This allows the cultivator to form a special type of Spinal Palace. It is named the Xuanhuang Heavenly Palace."

"Xuanhuang Heavenly Palace?" Hearing this term, Daoist Yunxiong's eyebrows twitched. He vaguely recalled hearing the name before but couldn't quite place it at the moment.

"Indeed. To the common eye, those who form the Xuanhuang Heavenly Palace appear no different from those with ordinary Spinal Palaces. However, when their Tao Blood is depleted, a truly enviable Divine Marvel manifests."

He paused. Then, Dongfang Qing flicked his finger, and a faint ray of precious light arced into Qi Xiu's spine.

HUM—

In an instant, the ground trembled slightly.

The shadow of a great dragon-like spine emerged from Qi Xiu's back. Threads of Xuanhuang Qi coiled around this spinal shadow, exuding an immortal, ancient aura.

"When Tao Blood is depleted, the Xuanhuang Heavenly Palace will activate its Divine Marvel. As long as one's feet are on the earth, their Tao Blood will continuously regenerate. Furthermore, Tao Blood recovered this way regenerates the physical body even more rapidly. So, theoretically, a Blood-Stained Great Cultivator who has formed the Xuanhuang Heavenly Palace is nearly unkillable as long as they stand on the earth, not accounting for their soul."

After listening to Dongfang Qing's explanation of the Xuanhuang Heavenly Palace, a flash of inspiration struck Qi Xiu.

If one's feet are on the earth, Tao Blood will continuously regenerate. Then if I retreat into the Hunyuan Palace, does that count as standing on the earth? Objectively speaking, the Hunyuan Palace could also be considered a small world, just smaller in area. If this method works, then the Xuanhuang Heavenly Palace and I are a perfect match! When my Tao Blood is exhausted, I'll just hide in the Hunyuan Palace, wait for it to recover, and then come out. Repeating this cycle, who in the Blood-Stained Realm could outlast me?

With Dongfang Qing's explanation, the unease in Qi Xiu's and Daoist Yunxiong's hearts subsided. The personal diagnosis of a Primordial Spirit Boss was undoubtedly correct.

Afterward, Dongfang Qing offered Qi Xiu some guidance before letting him depart, as he had other matters to discuss with Qi Xiu's master, Daoist Yunxiong.

Watching Qi Xiu pay his respects and leave, Dongfang Qing gestured for Daoist Yunxiong to follow.

"Yunxiong, this disciple you've taken is truly impressive. Among those in the Shenxiao Sect in the last thousand years, this child's innate talent and cultivation are the best of his generation."

"Sect Master, you overpraise him. It is due to the child's own efforts. This old man merely fulfilled the role of a master guiding him to the path," Daoist Yunxiong replied modestly, yet a proud smile couldn't help but appear on his face.

Which parent wouldn't be pleased to hear of their child's abilities? They just mustn't show it too overtly.

"This child has a simple, honest, gentle, and quiet temperament. He is also profoundly blessed with good fortune, as you must have noticed. He is protected by Human Path Merit, and a considerable amount at that."

After his journey through the Golden Flower Maternal Sect, State of Anning, Qi Xiu's Human Path Merit had directly broken through three realms. The Virtue Golden Wheel behind his head had become very solid; within it, a Dharma Gate was faintly taking shape, almost ready to emerge. Such potent Human Path Merit naturally couldn't escape Dongfang Qing's notice.

"However, Yunxiong, there are some things you should be wary of. The Innate Mixed Yuan Holy Body has always carried the curse of premature death. During the Middle Ancient Era, a vast period of one hundred thousand years, more than ten individuals with the Innate Mixed Yuan Holy Body were born. However, only two of them grew to maturity. The others perished under the curse of premature death."

Dongfang Qing's words made Daoist Yunxiong's expression turn solemn. "Sect Master, do you mean Qi Xiu should avoid going out much, to prevent misfortune?"

"Not exactly. The curse of premature death isn't a certainty, nor can it be avoided by hiding. The child has a pure nature and is protected by such profound Human Path Merit; the curse should not be able to harm him. What I mean is, natural disasters are easy to evade, but the human heart is difficult to guard against. Currently, in Dianchuan Province, and even throughout the Great Xuan Dynasty, the situation is turbulent with hidden currents. If word gets out that an Innate Mixed Yuan Holy Body has appeared in our Shenxiao Sect, some will inevitably harbor malicious intentions. This child, Qi Xiu, has already advanced to the Blood-Stained Realm. With the Xuanhuang Heavenly Palace as a safeguard, ordinary methods cannot harm him. What's truly fearsome are those shameless old dogs."

At the mention of 'old dogs,' a hint of coldness couldn't help but surface in Dongfang Qing's usually gentle eyes, as if he recalled some unpleasant memories.

"Then, Sect Master, your meaning is..."

"Take this."

With a casual toss, an amber-colored jade pendant landed in Daoist Yunxiong's hand.

"The Intricate Heart of Mercy? You are giving me this...?" Gazing at the amber-colored jade pendant in his hand, Daoist Yunxiong looked surprised.

The Intricate Heart of Mercy. This was the key to enter the library.

The Shenxiao Sect had undergone many reforms. Many important areas in the sect, such as the library, Thunder Pond, and Treasure Grove, required corresponding keys for access. The only way to obtain a key was by making contributions. To obtain one, a contribution was necessary. Even the Supreme Sect Leader of the Shenxiao Sect had to abide by this rule.

The library was one of the most crucial locations within the sect. Inside were stored the Shenxiao Sect's 1,735 Thunder Magic techniques, including the "Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder Commanding Scripture." It also housed 1,400 Hell Dao Dharma Gates and secret techniques, including the sect's great tome, the "Samsara Scripture." Furthermore, since the Middle Ancient Era, the Shenxiao Sect had continuously collected various True Scriptures and Dharma Gates, amounting to tens of thousands of volumes. It could be said that the collection of True Scriptures and Dharma Gates in the Shenxiao Sect's library was among the most extensive in the entire Great Xuan Dynasty.

This was also thanks to the Shenxiao Sect. Despite experiencing several rises and falls, and even nearing extinction, the sect gritted its teeth and persevered. Although the long passage of time had dimmed the Shenxiao Sect's glory from its peak, the foundation it had amassed was beyond the imagination of many other major sects and prominent families.

"According to the Shenxiao Sect's tradition, disciples who advance to the Blood-Stained Realm may select one Hell Dao Dharma Gate for supplementary cultivation. Yunxiong, consider this Intricate Heart of Mercy as a loan from me. Go to the library and select a Hell Dao Dharma Gate for Qi Xiu. Remember, choose carefully and take your time."

Dongfang Qing gently patted Daoist Yunxiong's arm and then departed with a leisurely stride.

Standing in place for a moment, Daoist Yunxiong slowly turned, bowed in the direction Dongfang Qing had left, and said, "Yunxiong thanks the Sect Master on behalf of his disciple."

Using the Thunder Light Escape Skill, Daoist Yunxiong sped through the sky until he reached the enormous jade platform at the sect's core. He tightly clutched the amber-colored Intricate Heart of Mercy.

Above the Qiong Tian-like jade platform, resembling a galaxy, Daoist Yunxiong skimmed past dazzling rays of light, each radiating an infinite divine charm. He passed through the buildings and halls on the jade platform, arriving at its rarely frequented center.

Before him now stood a colossal city of staggering size. With its slightest tremor, countless bolts of lightning flashed forth, as if it could support the heavens and the earth.

The Sect-Defending Divine Artifact of the Shenxiao Sect: the Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder City!

Indeed! The Shenxiao Sect's most precious and central repository, the library, was housed within this formidable Divine Artifact. Perhaps only by situating it here could the Shenxiao Sect truly feel secure.

Raising the Intricate Heart of Mercy in his hand, Daoist Yunxiong silently activated the spell. Suddenly, the jade pendant, which served as the secret key to the library, began to glow and emit ancient, powerful symbols and glyphs.

SWOOSH—

From the void, an elusive dark purple bolt of lightning suddenly flashed. The Intricate Heart of Mercy in Daoist Yunxiong's hand vanished instantly.

The next moment, a tremendous roar, like the reverberation of thunder, echoed in Daoist Yunxiong's ears.

"Verifying... Connecting with Shenxiao's sect spirit for identification... Verification successful. Entrant: Shenxiao Sect Yun Generation Elder, Yun Xiong."

"Access permission to the city is now granted. The authorized area is: library."

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