As Qing Feng bowed with the others, he noticed the surrounding spiritual energy suddenly stagnate.
The moment Third Elder Yuan formed a mystical seal with his hands, ancient runes emerged from the ground, and spiritual energy intertwined into a net. The entire valley seemed to be imbued with life, transforming into a mysterious space independent of the mortal world.
"This... is this the means of 'Mustard Seed Containing Sumeru'?" Qin Yue's surprise was evident, and even Lan Lie, who had been to the Mystic Realm before, held his breath in concentration.
Qing Feng secretly circulated his divine sense, imprinting every detail of the formation into his Sea of Consciousness; this might come in handy during dream combat.
When the ten-foot-tall light gate materialized within the spiritual mist, Third Elder Yuan specifically scanned the young Disciples: "The inheritance of the Mystic Realm emphasizes fate, so do not force it. Although some cultivation techniques possess absolute power, if one's aptitude is not compatible, it can lightly damage one's foundation, and severely lead to the destruction of one's Dao and body."
This warning made everyone's hearts tremble.
As the first trial-taker, Lan Lie calmly stepped into the light gate. The ripples of spiritual energy stirred by his robes made Third Elder Yuan nod in approval: "Such a composed demeanor makes it easier to resonate with high-tier inheritances."
Qing Feng watched his fellow Disciples enter one by one, then suddenly asked in a low voice, "Dare I ask, Elder, how does one identify a suitable person for the cultivation techniques within the Mystic Realm?"
"This is the work of the founding Ancestor," Third Elder Yuan looked up at the sky, his gaze filled with reverence. "The profound mystery left behind by that Mahayana stage Ancestor before his ascension, how could we possibly comprehend it?"
When the last Disciple completed their inheritance, the Mystic Realm's light gate had precisely remained open for three-quarters of an hour.
When Lan Lie returned, sword qi shimmered around him, clearly indicating a bountiful harvest.
Qing Feng noticed an additional cloud pattern on the jade token at his waist, secretly speculating that this might be related to the inheritance he had received.
The moment Qing Feng stepped into the Inheritance Mystic Realm, the surrounding space suddenly twisted. When he regained his footing, countless specks of light flowed and danced in the void, each ray carrying different attributes of the laws of heaven and earth.
When his fingertip touched a crimson light spot, the Burning Heaven and Boiling Sea Fiery Sun True Fire appeared in his Sea of Consciousness; within a yellowish-brown halo, the weighty pressure of a hundred thousand mountains suppressing the heavens manifested.
There was also the Purple Cloud Divine Lightning, tearing through the sky amidst silver-white electric light... These Earth-tier secret arts, rare in the outside world, made him slightly frown. None of these were suitable for Qin Yue's Cold Jade Spiritual Physique.
Just as he was about to casually choose one, the entire sea of light suddenly vibrated violently.
A profound light, interwoven with black and white, shot forth, and the myriad light spots around it retreated like pilgrims.
Qing Feng instinctively reached out to touch it, and the Yin-Yang fish pattern instantly merged into his glabella. The Mountain Gate Mystic Realm subsequently underwent astonishing changes.
The Gathering Spirit Formation patterns that originally enveloped the valley suddenly activated, and the spiritual energy concentration surged, forming a materialized golden mist.
Distant peaks actually rose a hundred zhang under everyone's gaze, streams inverted into coiling water dragons, and even the silver beard of the Elder guarding the formation was tinged with faint golden spiritual light.
"Elder Yuan, this doesn't seem to align with the 'low-key inheritance' you mentioned?" Qing Feng raised an eyebrow, looking at the celestial phenomenon.
The jade slip in Third Elder Yuan's hand clattered to the ground, his voice trembling: "The Yin-Yang Dao Scripture... this Heaven-tier cultivation technique, lost for three thousand years..."
On the summit of Zhijian Peak, a hundred miles away, Dao Lord Zisu, clad in purple robes, gently swirled her teacup. The water's surface reflected the vibrant multi-colored glow from the direction of Ziyan Peak. "Master, Xu Shidi's commotion..." The sword-serving Disciple looked at the soaring pillar of light, hesitating to speak.
"This Chief only promised not to actively disclose it." Dao Lord Zisu's lips curled slightly as she watched the illusory Yin-Yang twin fish swimming in the tea. "Unpolished jade cannot remain hidden in its casket forever; he should stand in his rightful place."
As the mountain wind swept by, the anomaly in the cup quietly dissipated, leaving only a few green leaves floating.
Shen Ti held the teacup, lost in thought: "But if his identity is exposed, he won't need to pretend to be Xu Yanwu anymore. Won't Master lose a Disciple then? Although he's just a stand-in..."
The crisp clang of the white jade teacup striking the stone table abruptly cut off his words.
Dao Lord Zisu, with a flick of her sleeve, had already transformed into a streak of light, vanishing instantly at the edge of the cloud sea.
"Master," Shen Ti's call dispersed in the wind, but the astrolabe on the summit of Zhijian Peak vibrated violently at this moment.
The seven peaks of Purple Rock simultaneously lit up with warning light pillars, and several sword rainbows streaked across the sky, heading straight for Chen Ming Peak.
"Who triggered the inheritance? Is it Martial Niece Qin Yue?" Chief Yuan Feng True Lord's voice arrived before he did, a crimson-gold sword light wrapped in oppressive might crashing down, as he eagerly looked towards the old man in the field.
Third Elder Yuan raised his hand and pointed to the young man standing silently beneath the tree: "It's Qing Feng."
"What?" Yuan Feng's pupils constricted slightly. His gaze swept over Qing Feng's slender figure beneath his simple robes, then he suddenly burst into laughter: "What a son of Cold Mountain! I defied all objections back then to grant you the inheritance qualification, and I truly didn't misjudge you."
A palm like a cattail fan heavily patted the young man's shoulder, shaking off a few green leaves.
The sound of rushing air followed, as Mo Cheng, riding a dark heavy sword, crashed to the ground. This Chief of Sword Sharpening Peak, known for his cold demeanor, surprisingly showed a rare smile: "It's actually Martial Nephew Xu? Excellent. When you form your Golden Core, come to my peak to forge your Natal Sword."
Qin Heng, who appeared in the third streak of sword light, froze in mid-air, the jade slip in his hand clattering to the ground.
He had imagined a thousand possibilities, but he had overlooked this Martial Nephew, who had been taciturn since childhood.
At this moment, the Dao rhyme flowing around the young man was subtly resonating with the Ancestor's statue.
When the Peak Lord of Jingyang Peak and Qi Yuancheng of Hu Ji Peak arrived together, the entire bamboo forest was already bathed in the golden light of the inheritance. As the two exchanged glances, their faces were ashen—if Chen Ming Peak were to gain another True Disciple, the seven-peak dynamic would likely be turned upside down.
The last to arrive, Peak Lords Bing Yang and Yuan Ming, were more composed. The former stroked his beard and chuckled, "If Senior Martial Brother Han Shan knows this in the afterlife, he can rest in peace."
Peak Lord Yuan Ming condensed a True Sight spell with his fingertip, but upon seeing Qing Feng's fate palace as chaotic as an abyss, he was startled and took half a step back.
Suddenly becoming the center of attention for the seven Peak Lords, Qing Feng secretly cursed Third Elder Yuan a thousand times, yet maintained a composed demeanor on his face.
He respectfully bowed to Yuan Feng True Lord, his words earnest: "Shibo, please allow me to report. This Disciple accidentally obtained this inheritance in the True Disciple Secret Cave. However, this Heaven-tier secret art goes against my Dao heart. May I exchange it for an Earth-tier cultivation technique?"
"This is truly strange," Yuan Feng True Lord's brow slightly arched, his teacup suspended in mid-air. "Although Earth-tier cultivation techniques are precious, they are not rare in the Beast Taming Sect.
However, Heaven-tier inheritances are something even the Chiefs of various peaks may not be able to cultivate. Tell me..." Before he finished speaking, his expression suddenly changed drastically, and the jade table was shaken with fine cracks: "Could it be the Uncontending and Unfailing Technique?"
This startled cry made a sharp glint flash in the eyes of the Jingyang Peak Lord, and Qi Yuancheng's lips even curled slightly.
This ancient unique art was created by the Purple Rock Ancestor after observing the "Dao De Jing," emphasizing, "It is precisely because one does not contend that no one in the world can contend with them."
Cultivators must completely abandon the desire for victory or defeat. The Dao focuses on nurturing life and avoiding conflict, requiring three parts of leeway when engaging in combat. If a killing intent arises, the Dao foundation collapses instantly.
Although it is rumored that cultivating this technique to great success allows Nascent Soul cultivators to contend with Spirit Transformation mighty figures, in today's cultivation world where the strong prey on the weak, such a gentle cultivation technique has long been shelved by various sects.
Disciples of the Beast Taming Sect even jokingly called it the "Tortoise Breath Life-Nourishing Technique." Only Qing Feng, the "shame of the direct lineage" who never entered battle, matched the temperament of this cultivation technique.
Looking at the young man's bitter, bowed head, Yuan Feng True Lord sighed deeply: "No wonder the inheritance chose you. With the Demon Dao rampant now, and all sects of the Immortal Alliance seeking killing techniques, this kind of reclusive cultivation technique..."
His words trailed off, but Qing Feng's fists were clenched tightly in his sleeves, his knuckles already turning pale.