Chapter 303: Preparing to Enter the Crater
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
f.u.xi was the first of the Three Sovereigns. He was a mythical figure in ancient Huaxia. Legend had it that he and Nu Wa were the ancestors of the Huaxia nation.
He had invented the eight trigrams according to the principles of the universe. It was the earliest method of calculation and also the earliest word formation. The eight trigrams had later been used by astrologers for divination.
He had created calendars and taught the common man how to fish, hunt, domesticate livestock, cook, conduct marriage ceremonies, write books, forge pottery, create musical instruments, appoint officials, and live life in general.
He had established Huaxia’s first unified totem — the dragon. The saying that they were descendants of dragons was born from this.
f.u.xi was the ancestor of Emperor Yan and the Yellow Emperor. He was both the elder brother and husband of Nu Wa. He was held in the same regard as Nu Wa in Huaxia’s mythology, who had a human head with the body of a dragon.
The legendary f.u.xi had sat on an altar, observed the patterns of the world and created the eight trigrams. The eight trigrams had eventually given rise to the Book of Changes, which was also known as I Ching. That had been the beginning of Huaxia’s civilization.
The first of the Three Sovereigns, Yellow River Map in the Luo Scroll, and the Xiantian Eight trigrams… they sound impressive. No, they are actually impressive… Ling Yun was immersed in his thoughts and failed to reply to Tang Meng. The Five Elements and Eight Trigrams also existed in the Cultivation World. Moreover, the sects had been able to utilize them to the fullest. The Eight Trigrams in particular was used in spell formation and divination. Anyone who could wield the Eight Trigrams couldn’t be bested.
However, although the Eight trigrams was in vast usage amongst pract.i.tioners, no one knew how it came to be in the Cultivation World.
Ling Yun knew now. According to Tang Meng, it was from f.u.xi.
Thinking back to the ma.s.sive immortal spiritual energy from the Emperor Brush and the majestic Protection of the Nine Dragons, Ling Yun was convinced that what Tang Meng had said was true.
Did f.u.xi come to our Cultivation World? What about the Nine Needles of the Spiritual Pivot?
Ling Yun’s thoughts turned to the “The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Cla.s.sic — Spiritual Pivot”, which formed the basis of his medical knowledge.
The Eight trigrams existed in both worlds, but f.u.xi hadn’t left his name in the Cultivation World. Also, the Eight Trigrams seemed to be rubbish in this world. It was incomparable to its prestige in the Cultivation World.
Ling Yun thought back to the simple Five Elements Eight Divinatory Trigram Formation his Mum had cast on Mansion Number Nine.
There must be a connection between these two worlds . Ling Yun felt it was imperative for him to investigate the ancient myths and legends of Huaxia. Hopefully, he would be able to glean some clues from them.
“Could tribulation be premeditated?” The idea flashed across Ling Yun’s mind, but he dismissed it immediately. It would be too much of a shock if it was true.
“Big Brother Yun, if what that a.s.sa.s.sin said was true, the Emperor Brush you possess could well be the same brush that f.u.xi used… You’ll be invincible!” Tang Meng drove on, his head bobbing left and right excitedly.
“Tang Meng, where can I get more information on this?” asked Ling Yun. He had to treat this seriously since it concerned both his past and present.
Tang Meng said casually, “All of this can be found online! Big Brother Yun, you just have to search for it!”
Ling Yun nodded silently with a solemn look. He had to continue his cultivation. There was also the matter of his tribulation. His road ahead was uncertain. He had to proceed with caution.
They reached Mansion Number One in no time since there was no traffic at the unG.o.dly hour.
“Big Brother Yun, it’s already one thirty in the morning. What are you here for?” Tang Meng asked, bewildered. Issues relating to cultivation were of no interest to Tang Meng and had been selectively forgotten.
From his point of view, Ling Yun should be returning to either the rented house or Mansion Number Nine in Qingshui Wharf. This house was not ready for habitation yet.
“I’m here to teach some martial arts to Tie Xiaohu. Do you want to learn as well?” Ling Yun asked with a grin.
Tang Meng replied hurriedly, “Erm… Big Brother Yun, I have to take care of the renovation tomorrow. It’s better if I get home to catch up on some sleep…”
Ling Yun knew that that would happen. He simply agreed. “Go home quickly then. Oh yes, are you done with the formalities for this car? Did anyone from Zhuang Meifeng’s household ask you anything when you went there for the car?”
“Don’t even get me started. Pops was the one who called me to collect this Land Rover from the Public Security Bureau. The formalities are all done!” Tang Meng cackled.
“The Public Security Bureau?” Ling Yun asked in surprise.
“That’s right, the Public Security Bureau. Zhuang Tiande discovered an additional Land Rover on his compound this morning. No one in his family knew what happened, so they sent the Land Rover to the Public Security Bureau.” Tang Meng snickered.
Ling Yun knew that this happened because his Mystical Dragon Howl had gotten most of the people there to forget the events of that night.
Ling Yun had done that to protect the people around him. At the very least, it would delay the Sun Family and the a.s.sa.s.sins Organization from finding them.
Once he reached Physique Tempering Stage Four, he would be able to cultivate the Yin-Yang harmony balance and generate his own spiritual energy from his energy center. He could then hold on to the initiative without relying on external spiritual energy then.
“Get me a driving license as soon as possible. I don’t want to drive around without a license,” Ling Yun instructed Tang Meng.
“That’s easy. I’ll let Pops know. The captain of the transportation department used to be his subordinate!” Tang Meng laughed.
Tang Meng drove away, leaving Ling Yun and Tie Xiaohu in the mansion.
Only then did Ling Yun give Zhuang Meifeng a call to tell her not to wait for him. They then concentrated on making talisman charms.
Tie Xiaohu went to the courtyard to practice the Stellar Condensation Technique since he was done with the preparation of the ink.
Ling Yun made a hundred five hundred spirit forming talismans, a thousand fire talismans and a few hundred healing talismans from the remaining amulet paper within three hours. It was five thirty in the morning when he was finally done.
“Two thousand fire talismans, three thousand spirit forming talismans and this whole stack of healing talismans should be enough to break through the Yin Yang Dragon Lock Spell!”
Why three thousand spirit forming talismans? That was because it would be enough for fifteen full depletions of his spiritual energy, which was equivalent to fifteen lives in a place without spiritual energy.
The fire talismans were for attacking and clearing obstacles. The healing talismans were for healing any wounds. Those were supplementary to Ling Yun since he had attained the second major realm of the Stellar Condensation Technique.
Ling Yun believed in himself first and foremost. The spiritual energy was the most important.
Ling Yun stored the talisman charms away in his spatial ring and walked to the courtyard. He refreshed himself with the replenishment of his spiritual energy to its optimal level.
“I only need to catch one Yin spirit and absorb its Dark Yin Qi to break through to Physique Tempering Stage Four. Perhaps I can even reach Physique Tempering Stage Five!” Ling Yun was now prepared but lacked the crucial element.
He didn’t disturb Tie Xiaohu’s state of practice and headed alone to the Dragon Mountain before dawn.
Mansion Number One was quite far away from Dragon Mountain. He had to pa.s.s by Qingshui Lake first.
Ling Yun went to the back of the mountain instead of going from the front since there were already people up doing morning exercises.
Few people came through this route, which suited Ling Yun perfectly. Ling Yun used the Thousand Miles G.o.dly Steps and sped through the dense forest. He soon came to the peak of the Dragon Mountain.
Ling Yun looked directly into the black center of the Crater.
F*ck, someone is ahead of me! Although it was dark, Ling Yun could see several ropes dangling from the edges of the crater clearly. He even spotted a few people at the lookout from the bushes.
Ling Yun’s brows knitted for a moment but then relaxed. A smile appeared instead. That might not be bad. The more the merrier! They can lead the way.
The football sized toads were probably enough to scare those ignorant people away.
Ling Yun stood at the peak for nearly twenty minutes. He waited until the people at the lookout packed the ropes before he headed home.
The Qingxi Villa District was situated at a scenic spot of Qingshui Lake. The residents would be able to visit the lake for free every day. It was an exclusive right reserved for the rich. Everyone in Qingshui City knew that.
Ling Yun didn’t want to affect the ordinary people in the city. He therefore practiced the Stellar Condensation Technique and enjoyed the beautiful scenery while strolling home.
It was the last day of the Qingming Festival. Ling Yun’s task today was to recharge his energy. He was in no hurry since his plan was to enter the crater at night. It was close to seven in the morning when he returned home.
Tie Xiaohu hadn’t moved an inch from the s.h.i.+chiyou herb since he had left. He had been cultivating like a possessed madman.
Ling Yun frowned deeply. He had to remind Tie Xiaohu that he would run into problems sooner or later if he continued cultivating in this manner.
The act of cultivation itself was going against the heavens in the first place. A strong foundation was crucial. Tie Xiaohu’s progress could be fast, but there was a high chance he would go berserk!
“Ahem… Ahem…” Ling Yun coughed lightly to let Tie Xiaohu know of his presence.
“Big Brother Yun, are you done with the talisman charms? Oh my… the sun is up already!” Tie Xiaohu exclaimed in surprise as he opened his eyes.
Tie Xiaohu had solidified his foundation of the Stellar Condensation Technique’s third minor realm. Ling Yun was elated for him, but he couldn’t shake a tinge of worry off.
“Stop your practice. Let’s go have breakfast! Tie Xiaohu, I know that you are eager to improve yourself, but you cannot practice this way!” Ling Yun told Tie Xiaohu on the way to breakfast. “The Stellar Condensation Technique is a superior martial art. You have to steep yourself in slowly, not practice like crazy! If you continue to practice without rest, you are likely to go berserk. If that happens, even the G.o.ds won’t be able to save you!”
Ling Yun exaggerated the possible results in order to make Tie Xiaohu realize the seriousness of the problem. In reality, Ling Yun would be able to treat a normal berserk case when he attained a high enough level.
Sure enough, Ling Yun’s caution produced the intended effect on Tie Xiaohu. “I understand now Big Brother Yun. I will be careful in the future,” Tie Xiaohu replied with fear.
“Good, now let’s have breakfast.”
They finished their food at about eight. They went to a workshop store and bought all the large needles and steel nails they had in the shop.
Ling Yun had used up all of his steel nails and large needles against the masters from the Sun Family the night before. He had to replenish his stock in preparation for his exploration trip later that night.
He didn’t want to deal with the toads with his bare hands. It was simply too disgusting. Also, it would be a waste of his Fire Talismans if he were to use it on them. Therefore, he had to stock up on those weapons. He stored them conveniently in his spatial ring.
“Let’s head to the City Ninth People’s Hospital to see how Li Yunxiang is recovering. He has been undergoing treatment for a whole week already!”
It would be more correct to say that Liu Li was Ling Yun’s greatest benefactor instead of the other way round. Ling Yun wouldn’t have received so many benefits if she hadn’t given him the Emperor Brus.h.!.+
“A drop of water given in need shall be returned with a burst of spring.” That was Ling Yun’s policy. Moreover, he had a lot to ask her. He was dying to know the origin of the Emperor Brus.h.!.+