Gu Zuo couldn’t help but stand up.
Ever since they entered the sect, the Blood Transformation Palace Master had looked after them in all aspects. Although he was only the master of his family’s big brother, Gu Zuo also viewed him as a senior worthy of respect.
Thus, at this time, he was somewhat nervous, too.
Gu Qi had heard his family’s son mention this Blood Transformation Palace Master many times, and was very curious about this fellow. However, he also knew that he currently didn’t have any qualifications to meet with this person, so he didn’t think about going over.
However, in the blink of an eye, someone had already flashed into the main hall. His figure was like the flowing wind, surrounded by boundless bloody qi. Suddenly, he stood in front of them with a thunderous, imposing aura.
This man wore full-body, blood-red robes, and his hair, which draped over his shoulders, was as black as ink. His complexion was handsome and malevolent, but his temperament was upright. It didn’t frighten others, but it did cause people’s hearts to palpitate.
Sure enough, this kind of person was quite extraordinary.
After coming to this world, Gu Qi had seen many people, but not a single one was as unusual as this Blood Transformation Palace Master.
No wonder… Even someone like Gongyi Tianheng was very respectful when mentioning the other party.
Once the Blood Transformation Palace Master entered the main hall, he swept a glance over Tianheng, then he quickly looked over Gu Zuo. Although the two hadn’t made any realm advancements, they also didn’t receive any injuries. His heart felt reassured.
Tianheng was the first to speak with guilt: “This disciple has made master worried.”
A wisp of benevolence appeared in the Blood Transformation Palace Master’s eyes: “It’s good that nothing bad happened to this apprentice.”
Originally, he came here in person only because he hadn’t seen this apprentice for a number of months. After obtaining news, he could hardly wait. And now that he ascertained his apprentice’s safety, his previous worries were set aside. Naturally, he wasn’t burning with impatience like before.
Soon after, Gu Zuo also observed the proper courtesies.
The Blood Transformation Palace Master faintly nodded his head, and spoke with gratification: “I’m glad that nothing happened to Ah Zuo, too.”
Gu Zuo saluted again: “I’ve made the palace master worried.”
Immediately following which, Tianheng led the Blood Transformation Palace Master to the seat of honor.
The palace master inquired: “During this time, where did this apprentice go?”
He had issued a Blood Transformation Order, but no one had been able to find their whereabouts. It wasn’t until today that he discovered his apprentice had returned.
Therefore, he was somewhat curious.
In addition, the Blood Transformation Palace Master had seen those two ordinary people. Although their bearings were pretty good, they looked rather powerless. It was quite strange.
This apprentice of his wouldn’t have brought such characters back without a special reason.
Tianheng had already thought of an excuse with Gu Zuo long ago. He plainly said: “In the historical ruin, the two of us were taken away by that Void-Breaking Shuttle. It was also extremely fortuitous. The location where we went to was a special place. That space was very different from the outside world, and the people living in it weren’t good at martial arts. We were heavily injured while traveling through spacetime, but fortunately, these two uncles saved us.
“After our injuries healed, we thought of many methods to return. In the end, we were able to pilot the Void-Breaking Shuttle once more, and came back. The two uncles had no attachments left in that space, and they were also rather interested in this place. Thus, they returned with the two of us.”
Speaking up to here, he smiled: “At that time, these two uncles took action to rescue us. Because they had an excellent impression of Ah Zuo, they took him as an adopted son after saving him.”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master finished listening, and slightly nodded: “So it’s like this.” He spoke to Gu Qi and Zhao Ji, “Many thanks for saving my apprentice’s life. In the future, if there’s anything you two need, just say the word.”
Gu Qi hurriedly said: “We wouldn’t dare. The palace master exaggerates.”
Zhao Ji followed along: “Exaggerates.”
What kind of a personage was the Blood Transformation Palace Master? With a single glance, he could tell that there were some problems with Zhao Ji’s mind. However, he wasn’t the type who exposed other people’s shortcomings, so he didn’t mention it. After expressing his thanks, he didn’t say much else to them, and continued to speak with Tianheng: “Apprentice, are you still able to go to that place?”
Tianheng responded: “If the Void-Breaking Shuttle is used, it’s naturally feasible. It’s just that the price to use it will be too great. Moreover, the people of that place are negligent in regards to martial strength, and find amusements in their own ways. In this disciple’s opinion, it’s better that we don’t go and disturb them.”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master nodded: “This apprentice’s words make sense.”
Gu Zuo couldn’t help inwardly smiling.
His big brother’s words definitely weren’t that thorough or detailed, so the palace master didn’t necessarily believe him completely. However, the palace master also didn’t get to the bottom of the matter. It was clear that he greatly respected his disciple.
It was also precisely because the Blood Transformation Palace Master was this kind of person that big brother’s friendship with him could gradually deepen. Gu Zuo himself also viewed this palace master as a worthy senior.
After sitting down for a short while, the palace master got a statement from his apprentice. Seeing that his disciple really was fine, he didn’t stay any longer.
Before leaving, he only said: “Since you’ve returned, this apprentice should just focus on getting stronger. If there’s anything you need, ask someone to bring it up to this teacher. I will send whatever you need so that your cultivation isn’t delayed.”
Tianheng naturally stood up, and expressed his gratitude.
After that, the Blood Transformation Palace Master departed from this place.
Following that, Tianheng’s eight senior sect brothers and sisters unexpectedly came over to meet with him one after another. They understood that this little junior brother had encountered a tribulation not long after joining the sect, and delivered many gifts out of consolation.
Tianheng was aware that the moment the Blood Transformation Order was issued, these senior brothers and sisters came out of seclusion to search for traces of this little junior brother all over the place — The reasons why they put all their efforts into this was because the Blood Transformation Palace Master was their teacher, they shared the camaraderie of fellow disciples, and the medicinal pills Tianheng and Gu Zuo gave them the last time. After all, any relationship needed to have a back and forth before it could be deepened. Tianheng’s actions undoubtedly warmed their hearts. After the two disappeared, their anxiety also became even more genuine, and they searched even harder.
Hence, Tianheng couldn’t do without thanking these senior brothers and sisters once again. It was to the point that he held a small banquet. He invited them to take their seats, and entertained them as guests. He only sent them away after several rounds of drinking…
Naturally, the one whom Tianheng expected the least was Shen Yuanbai.
Shen Yuanbai developed the Divine Wind Trading Company. Huge amounts of circulating information came and went through it. Thus, he quickly found out about Tianheng’s disappearance. Shortly thereafter, without any need for other rewards from the Blood Transformation Order, he already started searching. Additionally, because the Divine Wind Trading Company was spread out over an extremely vast region, when he dispatched the branch managers to look for them, he obtained even more clues and possibly useful information than the subordinates sent by the Blood Transformation Palace Master.
If it had been the usual disappearance, Shen Yuanbai would’ve found them long ago. However, because Tianheng and Gu Zuo had gone to another world, there was nothing he could do.
After Shen Yuanbai learned that Tianheng had returned, he dropped by and paid a visit.
As for his purpose in coming over… It seemed that he really only came to visit them. He didn’t say anything special.
Seeing this, Gu Zuo was unable to make sense of the situation.
On the other hand, Tianheng was wearing an indiscernible smile. Apparently, he already had an understanding in his heart.
Once these matters were finally resolved, Gu Zuo and Tianheng had to prepare for the nursing of Gu Qi and Zhao Ji’s health, and to adjust their bodies to the most suitable state.
Gu Qi and Zhao Ji stayed here for two days, and saw many people. Occasionally, when they looked into the distance, they were even able to see some martial artists at work. Their momentum was outstanding and their boldness was astounding. Such sights would leave onlookers with thoughts of yearning. Thus, they became all the more interested in practicing martial arts. They couldn’t wait to start right away.
Gu Zuo didn’t do anything else during these two days. With single-minded determination, he prepared medicinal decoctions for the tempering of the two’s bodies.
That’s right. Many martial artists began cultivating when they were young. Their bodies were already in a suitable state, so the use of medicaments wouldn’t be of much assistance in this aspect. However, what Gu Qi and Zhao Ji currently needed was an artificial transformation. As a result, their entire bodies had to undergo a round of tempering from inside out.
The world was large, and it didn’t lack extraordinary things.
If an ordinary martial artist missed this opportune age, they could only regret that their path of martial arts ended prematurely. But with money and capital, one could obtain specialized medicaments — It was just that these medicines were rare and expensive. Normal people would have no choice but to give up on obtaining them.
Of course, Gu Zuo would never give up on his dad and father.
Gu Zuo had quickly written out the prescription. Under Tianheng’s operations, they soon found enough medicinal ingredients. At this point, Shen Yuanbai helped them again. The gathered manpower of the Divine Wind Trading Company conducted searches, and two types of rarely seen ingredients within the prescription were found and sent over.
It was only natural that Tianheng compensated Shen Yuanbai’s great help with Gu Zuo’s meticulously refined medicinal pills. It was considered that proper behavior was based on reciprocity.
Likewise, Shen Yuanbai didn’t refuse.
After getting the ingredients, Gu Zuo refined two cauldrons of the medicinal decoction without the slightest hesitation. This decoction was only at the human level, but the effects were exceptionally good. Soaking in them for seven days would restore Gu Qi and Zhao Ji’s bodies to the state of twenty-something years old. Meanwhile, if they soaked for forty-nine days, their bodies would be restored to the state of teenagers. And if they soaked for eighty-one days, they would return to being five or six years old.
Although it was impossible to become even “younger”, the ages of five and six were excellent for practicing martial arts, which was more than enough.
As the saying went, “Either don’t do it, or do it and achieve the best results.”
Even though it would consume more medicinal ingredients, Gu Zuo still chose the eighty-one day type. Fortunately, not a large quantity of those two rarely seen ingredients were used. After a batch was used up, it was enough to look for one more batch.
Afterwards, Gu Zuo built a shack behind the mountain. Inside the shack, he dug out two pools, and filled them with the medicinal decoctions every day.
Gu Qi and Zhao Ji soaked in their own pools side by side. Because the pools were very close together, although Zhao Ji was in the middle of soaking, he could raise his eyes and look at Gu Qi’s figure. As a result, Zhao Ji wasn’t upset by this process — His mind didn’t become a disordered mess, and he didn’t fall into a frenzy.
One day followed the next. Once Gu Qi and Zhao Ji entered this situation, Gu Zuo asked several experts from the shadow cat race to watch over them every day. Meanwhile, he refined pills during the day in his medicine refining room for his own advancement. When it was night, he would emerge to change his parents’ decoctions. As for Tianheng, he went straight into seclusion after giving some prior notice — Actually, he had gained quite a lot through this trip to the modern world. Now, he could seize the opportunity to sort everything out, and make a breakthrough.
Just like this, time slowly passed…
It seemed that everything was already stepping onto the right track.
Inside a hidden chamber.
A pool of blood was boiling endlessly at the back of the room. Next to this blood pool, there was a second one that had been recently received. Its color and luster were even more gorgeous and vibrant.
The dense bloody qi, which was emitted from the two pools of blood, appeared to form a blood mist that completely filled the interior of this stone room. The blood mist permeated the air, and practically blocked one’s line of sight. Meanwhile, within the blood mist, there was a strong and healthy silhouette that brandished martial disciplines with increasing proficiency. The figure’s imposing aura was extremely swift and fierce, and their every movement carried a formidable sense of suppressive might. The qi field generated by the whole body would even terrify others to a certain extent.
This was precisely Gongyi Tianheng, who was in the middle of practicing martial disciplines.
The shadows of his claws blanketed the sky, and the winds of his punches were cold and severe. Every move made air-breaking sounds, condensed bloody lights, and unleashed the faint stench of blood. In the wake of Tianheng’s constantly shifting figure, there was a streak of blood shadow that burst forth from his own body. In the twinkling of an eye, it transformed into a near-virtual image. Its eyes, ears, mouth, and nose resembled Tianheng’s features. If the Blood Transformation Palace Master was present, he would be able to tell that this streak of blood shadow was actually somewhat similar to the blood god that was condensed after practicing one method from the Endless Blood of the Divine Body… No, it ought to be extremely similar. There were practically no differences!
However, although Tianheng learned many derivative martial skills of the Endless Blood of the Divine Body, he still hadn’t once studied the principle methods. But now, it seemed that by relying on his own comprehension, he was able to conceptualize this streak of blood shadow out of those many derivative martial skills.
Truly, this kind of innate talent was too frightening!
And yet, these evocative sights still weren’t over.
Tianheng’s fingers continuously moved. A layer of bloody light seemed to emerge from his entire body. At the same time, that blood shadow swayed before splitting apart to either side. Unexpectedly, it had turned into two blood shadows!
But Tianheng was far from satisfied. In his dantian, the blood-red qi ocean suddenly roiled with turbulence, and numerous strands of bloody qi bubbled out. The bloody qi within those two pools similarly rose up into streams. These streams transformed into long dragons, and charged right towards Tianheng!
Tianheng’s complexion didn’t change. He only brought his hands together, and this movement was even faster.
Immediately following which, the two blood shadows split apart into four streaks. Then, the four shadows divided into eight streaks…
Finally, a total of sixteen blood shadows appeared. The bright scarlet color on their bodies had dimmed, and their forms seemed to shake and sway. It was like they would be vanquished in a moment of carelessness.
Tianheng bent his fingers, and flicked them. The bloody qi within the pools surged once more, and made those blood shadows even more distinct and solid. But now, they had reached their limits. If he wanted to divide them into thirty-two blood shadows, it probably wouldn’t work.
As a result, he didn’t waste the effort.
Subsequently, these sixteen blood shadows began to practice martial skills. Vigorous and formidable, their boundless might filled the entire stone room. Moreover, the martial skills that the sixteen blood shadows utilized were all different. It would give others an exceedingly strange feeling.
Hypothetically speaking, if Tianheng encountered an enemy, these sixteen blood shadows would have half-illusory bodies, extremely fast movements, and superb martial skills. For a brief period of time, there would practically be sixteen people with the same strength as Tianheng. If they battled, they would naturally have Tianheng’s experience in fighting others. They even inherited Tianheng’s intelligence. Upon encountering a difficult enemy, they could gather together to fight an exhaustive battle of attrition…
In the end, the probability of victory would be greatly increased.
Even though the duration was short, the sensation of releasing sixteen copies of Gongyi Tianheng at once was still very intimidating. At the very least, for those in equivalent realms and those who were one to two realms higher, it was impossible to kill him.
After a round of practice, Tianheng opened his eyes. At once, that pair of black pupils turned blood-red. At the same time, above the reddish-black qi ocean in his dantian, the upside-down blood river suddenly rushed out. Right away, a river of blood stretched out in front of him. The river water surged and rolled about. It wasn’t known where it came from nor where it ended up.
At this moment, Tianheng’s complexion turned pale.
This move exerted too much power!
But Tianheng still persevered, and that river of blood continued to flow. The sixteen blood shadows abruptly leaped up, fell directly into that river of blood, and combined with the river water. Their bodies were draped with blood, and their appearances no longer resembled his own. Instead, sinister horns grew on their heads. It was an incredibly terrifying sight.
Tianheng took a deep breath, and continuously absorbed the liquid inside those two pools. This replenished his own blood-poison profound qi. He faintly parted his lips, and said: “When the river of blood surges, the asura becomes the body. When the asura fights endlessly, the river of blood shall fill an ocean. This path is the path of the asura. This method is the Asura Blood Ocean Sutra.”
As it turned out, after experiencing the modern world, his path of martial arts gained directionality. Through several flashes of enlightenment, he had already ascertained them.
This first path used the reddish-black qi ocean as the foundation. Governing the blood-red profound qi, it became an asura blood ocean, and gave birth to inexhaustible blood asuras.
After this move succeeded, Tianheng’s thoughts moved, and he withdrew his profound qi.
In a split second, the manifestation of that blood river faded away. The pools of blood also returned to normal. Within the entire stone room, it was like nothing had happened.
Immediately following which, Tianheng sat in meditation, and took many medicinal pills.
After a good while, he stood up, and widened his arms. Between the hollows of his palms, he pulled out a reddish-gold greatbow. Then, he stamped his foot onto the bow’s body, and stretched the bowstring. Suddenly, a reddish-gold arrow burst forth like a shooting star. As it struck the stone wall ahead, it burned a large area with an incomparably horrifying ocean of reddish-gold flames.
At the exact same time, he flipped his palms. That weapon was still a greatbow, but the bow’s body had become silvery-white. The arrow that was pulled out had also turned the same color. After firing it, that ocean of reddish-gold flames was frozen by a burst of extremely ice-cold qi streams. In the blink of an eye, it had transformed into a glacier.
Tianheng’s eyes faintly revealed a shade of satisfaction. He said: “The sun burns gold, and the moon flows silver. The sun is the principle of yang, and the moon is the principle of yin. As the great yang’s thirteen arrows chase the sun, the great yin’s nine arrows thread a string of pearls. This path is the path of the celestial. This method is the Brilliant Sun Bright Moon Sutra.”
This second path used the reddish-gold qi ocean as the foundation. Governing the reddish-gold profound qi, he could shoot the sun and moon with the bow and arrow.
Soon, Tianheng put away the bow and arrows, and sat in meditation once more.
After completely recovering, he took action again. This time, a long spear appeared in his hands. It looked like black iron, but it also appeared to be white silver. Thus, the color it presented was a darkened silver.
Following this, Tianheng raised the spear. The tip of the spear constantly shot out and strung together a flourish of spear patterns. After every spear strike, the place where the spear tip struck was blown apart, forming remarkably bright rays of light. If someone looked closely, they would find that this spearmanship contained certain trajectories and orbits that were mysterious and formidable.
He spoke again: “There are seventy-two heavenly spirits and thirty-six earthly fiends in the sky. As the spear guides the stars, it shall turn the constellations into arrays and formations. This path is the path of the human. It’s also a fundamental path. This method sets the stars in motion, which are tied to one’s own fate. This is the Universal Spear Formation Technique.”
The foundation of this path was the main qi ocean.
What it cultivated were the stars, the way of the spear, and the self.
Following this, Tianheng put away the long spear. Suddenly, his entire body was cloaked in a faint, blood-red layer of light. Once the color of blood was cast off, he instantly shapeshifted into a male falcon. After another burst of blood, he turned into a fierce tiger. After that, he became a long serpent… This happened many times. There was a transformation with every flash of radiance. During these changes, there wasn’t the slightest trace of humanity. Whatever he transformed into was precisely what he resembled. No differences could be seen.
He opened his mouth, and said: “With monster blood as the foundation, the body begets the birds and beasts. There are seventy-two changes, and one thing can become ten thousand things. For a thousand changes and ten thousand transformations, there are ten million incarnations. This path is the path of the animal, and it’s the true path of monster blood. This method’s initial form is the Seventy-Two Changes, but its true form is the Seal of Multitudes.”
For this path, because there were drops of monster blood within that qi ocean, he could shapeshift into the owner of the monster blood. But in the future, he wouldn’t be limited to the blood of monsters. Instead, he could transform into all the creatures of the world.
Afterwards, another flash of bloody light flowed over. A handsome young man appeared within the radiance.
Then, he adjusted his breathing.
Although there weren’t any changes to his figure, his imposing aura had suddenly become extremely terrifying. The qi energy across his whole body seemed to be crackling. With every movement, there was the sound of the air crumbling.
Tianheng’s expression didn’t change. His body abruptly jumped up. Soon after, he landed heavily!
Boom —
There was the sound of a tremendous explosion, and the entire stone room shook and swayed. It appeared that it couldn’t endure the burden under that enormous force. Originally, the floor of the stone room was incomparably hard and solid. Yet, amid this abundantly great force, it had split open with traces of cracks. If he used a little more strength, perhaps this mountain would be trampled into pieces of rubble.
Tianheng stated: “Yama, the King of Hell, has the strength to suppress and imprison. With a show of force, he subdues the netherworld. This path is the path of the underworld. This method is the Netherworld Suppressing Prison Sutra!”
This path corresponded to the qi ocean of floating, light-gray streams. Although there was no special power in that qi ocean, the profound qi inside was exceedingly pure. With it as the foundation, the road that Tianheng conceptualized was the path of strength. With absolute strength, he could suppress anything and everything!
After ruthlessly stamping his foot two more times, Tianheng restored his energy once again.
Following this recovery, he brought his palms together. His fingers interlocked, and formed a strange hand sign.
As time passed, Tianheng’s hand signs underwent an unusual type of change. While his fingers continued to move, an astonishing power of attraction emerged.
And through this attractive power, several stone pieces, which had shattered from his feats of great strength just a while ago, couldn’t help being automatically pulled over. These stone pieces rushed straight towards this attractive power.
Tianheng didn’t rush or panic. His arms unhurriedly moved, and these stone pieces were immediately twisted into flecks of fine powder inside that peculiar energy. Without further thought, the powder was scattered to the side.
Meanwhile, the liquid within those blood pools was also drawn over by something. It poured out extremely quickly, and rushed into that power of attraction like two blood-red streams.
These blood streams vanished the instant they were submerged in that attractive power.
At the same time, a powerful whirlpool appeared within another of Tianheng’s qi oceans, which instantly sucked in those blood streams. After that, traces of bloody qi emerged from the whirlpool, and entered the reddish-black qi ocean and the qi ocean illuminated with red stars. As for the pure profound qi, it was dispersed outwards. Through the whirlpool’s transportation, it rapidly replenished the other qi oceans.
At this moment, Tianheng slowly said: “With the desire of the hungry ghost and the voracious appetite of the Taotie, even if one swallows the sky and devours the earth, they shall never know fullness. This path is the path of the hungry ghost. This method is the Heaven-Swallowing Glutton Cultivation Method.”
After he finished speaking, he withdrew his hands. That power of attraction also disappeared.
These six paths and six methods were exactly what Tianheng had acquired this time.
Slowly letting out a breath, Tianheng’s mind cleared.
At this moment, his previously disarrayed hypotheses had finally been unified. He had true embryonic forms.
Later on, when he cultivated again, he just had to improve and perfect these methods.
T/N: To clarify, Gongyi Tianheng’s qi oceans and his six paths are based on the Buddhist cosmology of the six realms, which are derived from the Hindu concept of samsara. For more information, you can check the Wikipedia article here.
Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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