The Transmission Ability was actually a power built upon mathematics. Different transmission directions, locations, distances, and spaces required calculating various arrangements and rules of runes.
Establishing each transmission point required massive calculations.
What did "calculation" mean? "Yun" referred to the sequences, evolutions, variations, and patterns of runic arrays. Only with these sequences, evolutions, and patterns could there be "suan," or calculation. The abacus was the most basic form of calculation—the movement of upper and lower beads represented the simplest array sequences.
Refining the Transmission Ability into a treasure relied on the changes of runes and arrays branded within the treasure to drive calculations, which was thousands of times more complex than the upper and lower beads of an abacus. It could be considered a large, three-dimensional, heterogeneous abacus.
If one wanted to execute this ability independently, one had to be able to adjust algorithms at any time and find the mysteries of transmission amidst various chaotic and complex runes.
With only ten volumes of calculation scriptures, it was impossible to derive such complex formulas.
Therefore, Qin Mu felt he needed more advanced mathematical texts to possibly master the Transmission Ability completely.
"Advanced calculation scriptures... the Array Origin Hall at the Imperial Academy should have instruction. The Array Origin Hall teaches array formations, which necessarily requires mathematical calculations. Perhaps the Taoist Sect also has such calculation scriptures, and even more advanced ones..."
Qin Mu suddenly remembered Daoist Son Lin Xuan. When Daoist Son Lin Xuan displayed "One Thread Connecting the Grand Movement" and "Yin and Yang Cycling Within the Two Instruments," he employed extremely complex mathematical calculation techniques.
"Cycling Yin and Yang Within the Two Instruments" required numerous mathematical calculations. Without powerful computational abilities, it was very difficult to calculate the variations of the moves and the exact location of Qin Mu's weaknesses within a short time.
"Without advanced calculation scriptures, it's impossible for me to learn the Transmission Ability now. I only know what it is, not why it is. I should first refine a Transmission Treasure."
Qin Mu settled his mind and focused on refining treasures. Whether refining a Transmission Banner or Transmission Garment, fabric was needed. He only had one set of brocade robes left, so he could only work with those.
Refining his own Six-Winged Golden Silkworm brocade robe into a Transmission Garment required pulling threads—extracting dozens of golden silkworm threads from the garment, using them to weave array patterns within the robe, and branding runes with qi.
Having followed Granny Si since childhood to learn tailoring, and even having dabbled in embroidery, this was not difficult for him.
"Do you think the Holy Church Master can leave Holy Descent Mountain by his own power?"
The three Great Pillar Heavenly Kings had not yet left Holy Descent Mountain, precisely to prevent Qin Mu from being trapped there. The three elders looked toward the Floating Light Hall. Heavenly King Lu stroked a wisp of goatee on his chin and said, "Refining a Transmission Treasure is not that simple. Our Holy Church's transmission method can be said to be the most troublesome ability."
Heavenly King Yu nodded, deeply agreeing: "The transmission method has extremely high requirements for mathematics. Without precise mathematical skills, it's difficult to learn. The Holy Church Master is still young and probably doesn't have much accomplishment in mathematics."
"Let him contemplate for a few days. Without knowing difficulty, one cannot know progress. Advancing despite knowing difficulty—that is the heart of seeking the Dao and seeking knowledge."
Heavenly King Shi was the most composed. He said, "The Holy Church Master has experienced too few setbacks. He ascended to the position of Holy Church Master smoothly and successfully. Without tempering, it's difficult to grow. This is also the Ancestor's intention."
The other two Pillar Heavenly Kings nodded repeatedly. "Should we artificially create some setbacks and tempering for him?"
"No need. His contemplation of the transmission method this time will be enough to let him know what setbacks are. The Ancestor's intention is to wait until he cannot leave here, then we give him a Transmission Banner."
Heavenly King Shi smiled slightly. "The Ancestor's every move is deeply meaningful. How difficult is the Transmission Ability to learn? You both know. Why did the Ancestor leave him here to learn the Transmission Ability?"
Heavenly King Lu and Heavenly King Yu's eyes lit up, and they both clapped their hands in approval.
Although the Transmission Ability was right there in the Floating Light Hall and was not forbidden for church disciples to study and learn, very few could master it. Despite every Hall Master in the Holy Church having a Transmission Banner, these banners were not refined by those Hall Masters themselves, but were spiritual weapons refined by the four Great Pillar Heavenly Kings.
Those who could master the transmission method and refine it into a treasure were very few in the entire Heavenly Demon Cult. Even the previous Holy Maiden Si Youyou had not learned it—her accomplishments in mathematics were not high.
The Ancestor's intention was to have Qin Mu go to the Floating Light Hall to study the Transmission Ability. By the time Qin Mu discovered that the Transmission Ability required extremely high mathematical accomplishments, more than ten days would likely have passed.
Then, after another ten days or so, Qin Mu would discover he couldn't refine this ability and could only refine a Transmission Treasure. After another ten days, Qin Mu would discover he couldn't even refine the treasure.
This way, they could temper this young Holy Church Master's stubborn nature, let him know how vast the world was, and prevent him from being so reckless and knowing no bounds.
By then, Qin Mu would calm down and first comprehend the Holy Church's Grand Unification Technique. Then, the three Heavenly Kings would appear as elders and give this young church master a Transmission Banner. The Holy Church Master would successfully leave Holy Descent Mountain, and everyone would be happy.
This was the deep meaning behind the Ancestor leaving Qin Mu on Holy Descent Mountain to contemplate the Transmission Ability.
Heavenly King Yu said with a grave expression: "What happened to Heavenly King Qian? Have you received any news?"
Heavenly King Shi and Heavenly King Lu shook their heads. Heavenly King Shi said, "Senior Brother Qian has probably already met with misfortune. He is the most enthusiastic, yet he didn't come this time. I estimate the enemy targeted him to probe the location of our church headquarters and who the church master is. Given his character, he would absolutely never speak..."
Heavenly King Lu's heart skipped a beat: "Senior Brother Qian's cultivation is so high..."
"No matter how high one's cultivation is, there are always those higher."
Heavenly King Shi said in a deep voice: "First-rank officials of the Imperial Court are all church master-level existences. The Taoist Sect, the Great Thunderclap Monastery—there is no lack of such top experts. Other sects and aristocratic families also have hidden experts. Those eyeing our Heavenly Demon Cult are many—all think our Heavenly Demon Cult has declined over these forty years. Who wouldn't want to take a bite while we're weak? The key question is: who is the enemy?"
Everyone fell silent.
After a moment, Heavenly King Yu said: "This time, the Church Master ordered the Left and Right Dharma Protectors to establish the three hundred and sixty-first hall—the School Hall. This is a significant matter. This Church Master's abilities surpass those of Church Master Li. Such vision and boldness don't seem like those of a teenager—they're more seasoned than people who have lived for hundreds of years..."
"Most likely the Ancestor is guiding him."
"Possibly... Ah! The Holy Church Master has come out!"
The three Heavenly Kings looked into the distance toward the Floating Light Hall. They saw Qin Mu walk out of the hall, his outer brocade robe hanging open. Suddenly, the young Holy Church Master lifted the brocade robe and covered himself with it—swish! He vanished!
The three Heavenly Kings were stunned. Then they heard a tremendous boom—the Phoenix Arrival Pavilion nearby had half collapsed!
"Not good!"
The three Heavenly Kings' hearts lurched. They quickly looked toward the Phoenix Arrival Pavilion and saw a young man standing up from beneath the collapsed half of the pavilion, surrounded by broken tiles and rubble. He looked around, and seeing no one watching, quickly raised his garment and covered himself again—swish! He vanished once more.
"The Phoenix Arrival Pavilion was where the Sixth Generation Church Master received the Phoenix. When the Phoenix descended upon our Heavenly Demon Cult's Holy Descent Mountain, what a glorious moment that was..."
Heavenly King Yu's calves trembled. He murmured, "Now half of it has collapsed. How do we explain this to our ancestors and the church disciples?"
Heavenly King Shi's expression also changed. He pondered: "The only thing in the Phoenix Arrival Pavilion is a record of the phoenix resting on the wutong tree written by the Sixth Generation Church Master—just a biography, not a cultivation technique. I've already memorized it perfectly. Let us repair the Phoenix Arrival Pavilion and then find the School Hall Master to imitate the Sixth Generation Church Master's handwriting and complete the record. No one will be able to tell the difference!"
"The Holy Church Master seems to have already refined a Transmission Garment, though he's not yet very skilled at controlling it."
Heavenly King Lu exclaimed in surprise: "He was actually able to refine a Transmission Treasure? How is that possible?"
Just then, another tremendous boom sounded. The three Heavenly Kings quickly looked toward the sound, their faces turning ashen.
The roof of the Three Kings Hall had collapsed. Their young Holy Church Master still hadn't controlled the Transmission Garment properly—he had transmitted himself above the Three Kings Hall but hadn't landed on the ground, instead smashing a large hole in the hall.
The Three Kings Hall was built to commemorate the three Holy Church Masters. These three Church Masters lived in the same era. At that time, the struggles between sects were still very intense. The Taoist Sect, as the leader of the righteous path, gathered the world's righteous forces to attack the Heavenly Demon Cult. The old Church Master was defeated, and before dying, he entrusted the church to Heavenly King Qing, one of the four Great Pillar Heavenly Kings at the time. Heavenly King Qing passed the Great Nurturing Heavenly Demon Sutra to the Holy Maiden at that time, then led the crowd into battle and fell at the Azure Wave Pool.
The Holy Maiden succeeded to the position of Church Master and fought again, killing until even the Taoist Sect couldn't hold on and had to retreat. The Holy Maiden returned to Holy Descent Mountain, and after passing on her techniques, her injuries flared up and she passed away.
Therefore, later Holy Church Masters, in reverence for these three Church Masters, established the Three Kings Hall as a memorial.
Just now, Qin Mu's failed transmission had damaged the Phoenix Arrival Pavilion, which was one thing. But this time, smashing the Three Kings Hall was going too far!
Suddenly—swish!—Qin Mu covered himself with his garment and vanished again. The three Heavenly Kings were all startled and quickly gave chase, calling out: "Holy Church Master, little ancestor! You can't keep demolishing things!"
The three Heavenly Kings had profound cultivation and had also practiced the transmission method. Heavenly King Shi's Transmission Treasure was a flag—when the flag unfurled, his figure vanished. Heavenly King Lu's refined treasure was a mirror—when the mirror surface shone upon the sky, he and his...