Xu Ying had been worried that practicing the Primordial Unity Guiding Art would create too obvious a celestial phenomenon, drawing the pursuit of the stone deity statues. Now he had abandoned all caution and was cultivating openly.
The closer they flew to the great temple floating ahead, the more concentrated the solar essence in the sunlight became. His vital energy gradually recovered, easing his concerns somewhat.
Xu Ying looked back at the five immortal mountains. They were arranged in the layout of the Domain of the Ineffable, varying in height and resembling the five organs of the body.
Around the five peaks, flesh-transformed boulders drifted back and forth, searching for people to devour. Several deity statues rode clouds of incense energy, joining Zhou Zheng and the various City Gods in battle, making the situation even more chaotic.
He looked up. Above the great temple hung a sun, and behind it, beyond the sky, another sun blazed—the outer sky was already in sunset.
"Strange. I don't feel hungry here," Xu Ying said in surprise.
The Great Bell replied, "In the immortal realm, one sustains oneself on wind and dew. Food and drink are unnecessary—all can be transformed into vital energy. This place truly has the bearing of the immortal realm, though it is only the Domain of the Ineffable."
A sudden realization flashed through Xu Ying's mind. He blurted, "I understand! Bell Master, I've figured it out! This Evil Sword Immortal isn't a Qi-Refiner—he's a Nuo Shaman! We aren't in the immortal realm, nor in his Domain of the Ineffable. We're in his place of Latent Transformation! He isn't a Sword Immortal—he's a Nuo Immortal!"
The Great Bell fell silent.
Xu Ying was ecstatic. He had once heard the maiden in the coffin say that when Nuo Shamans cultivated Hidden Vision to its highest level, they could create a small celestial realm within their bodies—a place of Latent Transformation!
This ruined temple world matched every characteristic of that hidden transformation realm!
In other words, this was the inner celestial realm of a Nuo Immortal!
This wasn't the immortal realm. The beings here weren't immortals—they were a Nuo Shaman who had reached the pinnacle of Nuo cultivation!
He had transformed and hidden himself here, coexisting with the world, enslaving numerous ancient deities as servants, refining the Myriad Spirit Pills for his own consumption!
The Great Bell was silent for a moment, then spoke: "No wonder the Soul-Calling Inscriptions had so many errors—it's because this is a Nuo Immortal. This Nuo Immortal must have obtained ancient Qi-Refiner inscriptions, but being poorly educated, he made mistakes. It seems he was quite the ignoramus."
Xu Ying felt a trace of irony in its use of the word "too," thinking: "Is Bell Master mocking Yuan Qi?"
He pondered: "This Nuo Immortal is ruthless, treating humans like ants. His methods are extremely evil. Going to the great temple will make it hard for us to escape."
His gaze flickered toward the temple ahead, and suddenly an idea struck. "Bell Master, let's not enter through the front gate. We'll circle around from behind."
The Great Bell suggested, "Since you know how dangerous it is, why seek death? Let's go back and set up a memorial tablet for the stinky snake. We'll inscribe 'Hero' on it, make up some virtuous deeds to trick people into worshipping him. Once he becomes a deity, we'll have fulfilled our duty."
Xu Ying refused.
The Great Bell had no choice but to fly toward the temple, thinking: "He who eats from another's table softens his tongue; he who takes from another shortens his hand. I still need his vital energy to heal my wounds. But having said that, though Ah Ying is uneducated, he's someone you can truly befriend. For a friend, he really risks everything!"
It suddenly remembered something and asked, "Ah Ying, you took a Myriad Spirit Pill—did you feel anything unusual?"
Xu Ying had forgotten he'd swallowed a Myriad Spirit Pill. This spiritual medicine for treating immortals' primordial spirits had vanished into his stomach like a mud ox entering the sea—not a trace of movement!
"Strange. Did this Nuo Immortal also get the formula wrong? Otherwise, why would the Myriad Spirit Pill be ineffective?" The Great Bell was puzzled.
Having hung on the small stone mountain all this time, it had witnessed the extinction of Qi-Refiners and the rise of Nuo Shamans. But because it had to suppress the coffin in the well, it had never left the small stone mountain and didn't know what had happened in the interim.
Finally, they arrived at the great temple. The structure was resplendent in gold and jade, magnificent and imposing. Waterfalls cascaded from beyond the sky, spraying jade and crystal. Xu Ying looked up but couldn't discern where the waterfalls originated.
"Images of the Great Dao?"
He paused briefly, then realized his error. "No—it's a Hidden Vision composed of countless Images of the Great Dao!"
Using his Celestial Eye, he observed the waterfall. Every droplet was composed of Images of the Great Dao—water-type Images including frost, rivers, lakes, and seas. Within them lay martial technique transformations, exploring the limits of variation!
With the Celestial Eye, one could observe these Images of the Great Dao and perhaps comprehend numerous Daoist techniques!
"But the Nuo Shaman hidden here—wasn't he a Nuo Sword Immortal?"
Xu Ying was deeply confused. Outside the Water Gate Temple, he had witnessed sword intent as powerful as the creation of heaven and earth—splitting the earth, tearing through space-time, a single sword cutting between yin and yang to open a passage to another world.
He had assumed the one hidden here must be a peerless sword master.
Yet upon arriving at this place of Latent Transformation, he felt somewhat disappointed. In the other's Daoist techniques, he found no trace of the sword.
He turned to look at the flowers, plants, and trees outside the temple—all were Hidden Visions, their mysteries inexhaustible—yet still no trace of the sword.
"You noticed it too?" A voice came from the other side of the waterfall.
Xu Ying turned to see a young man named Yuan Weiyang and his elderly servant in blue robes standing across the waterfall. When Xu Ying had arrived, this Hidden Vision had blocked his view of them.
Xu Ying stepped forward and bowed. "I comprehended an Image of the Great Dao outside the temple called World-Breaking. I assumed the master here must be a Sword Immortal. But after seeing these Hidden Visions, I realized this is a Nuo Sword Immortal who has undergone Latent Transformation. However, the waterfall contains no sword intent whatsoever. I suspect the person who executed that peerless sword technique isn't the same as this Nuo Shaman!"
Yuan Weiyang returned the bow, somewhat surprised. Without realizing it, he felt a trace of warmth toward Xu Ying. "I also sensed something strange here. You called that sword technique World-Breaking? A fitting name for its intent."
He paused. "I heard you call the Hidden Vision 'Images of the Great Dao.' That term is more accurate. 'Hidden Vision' sounds rather vague."
Xu Ying smiled. "Those were the words of a senior—I merely repeated them. Brother Yuan, I intend to go behind the temple to see what tricks this Nuo Shaman has. Would you like to come?"
The blue-robed old servant coughed quietly, shaking his head to signal Yuan Weiyang not to agree.
Yuan Weiyang hesitated. Xu Ying smiled. "It'll probably be fun."
Yuan Weiyang said, "I'll go with you."
The blue-robed servant glared at Xu Ying, who ignored him and called out to Bell Master. He rode the Great Bell toward the rear of the temple.
The blue-robed servant said, "Young Master, a gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. This place is extremely dangerous. We should leave as soon as possible."
Yuan Weiyang replied, "We'll look around and then leave."
The servant reluctantly activated his Hidden Gate power. An immensely powerful divine sense lifted him and Yuan Weiyang, and the two stepped through empty air, following Xu Ying.
Xu Ying looked back in surprise. "You're flying on divine sense? How do you do that?"
Yuan Weiyang explained, "My Yuan family's Hidden Gate is the Yellow Court Hidden Gate. The Yellow Court contains boundless divine sense. Combined with my family's cultivation techniques, it allows flight through divine sense. But I can't do it myself yet."
Xu Ying said, "I've been trying to fly by riding a sword these past few days without success—perhaps my divine sense control isn't as refined as yours. I'm the demon king at Wuwang Mountain. When you have time, come visit. We can research together."
Yuan Weiyang's face brightened. He glanced at the blue-robed servant, whose expression darkened as he slowly shook his head.
Yuan Weiyang's face fell.
The Great Bell carried Xu Ying to the rear of the temple. The back wall was crimson. Just as the bell flew upward, the wall suddenly split open to reveal a massive mouth filled with sharp teeth—nearly a dozen zhang wide!
The giant maw opened and spat out over a dozen human and beast skeletons. A scarlet tongue licked reluctantly at one dry bone, then dropped it and slowly closed.
Xu Ying's heart hammered with fright. He looked at Yuan Weiyang, whose expression remained unchanged, seemingly oblivious.
Xu Ying whispered, "Brother Yuan, aren't you afraid?"
Yuan Weiyang said, "My family has always taught me to remain unperturbed even if Mount Tai collapses before me. Even if terrified, I must show nothing."
Xu Ying burst out laughing. "What's the fun in that? Have you ever waded into a river to catch fish or dig for loaches?"
Yuan Weiyang shook his head.
"Another time I'll take you to the river. When I was demon king at Wuwang Mountain, you could have—"
The blue-robed servant's face grew dark, glowering at Xu Ying, terrified that the Yuan family's painstakingly groomed Yuan Weiyang would be led astray by Xu Ying's careless words.
Above the temple's rear wall lay the roof of the immortal hall. The Great Bell flew up, and Xu Ying leaped off, stepping along the glazed tiles to the ridge. He crouched and peered down.
Yuan Weiyang moved to imitate him, but the blue-robed servant stopped him, spreading a length of blue gauze along the ridge before nodding permission.
Yuan Weiyang lay on the gauze to keep his clothes clean and peered over the ridge.
Below, immortal light flooded the sky, dazzling their eyes. After a moment, their vision recovered. They saw several hundred people seated upright in the great temple, all circulating a peculiar technique.
Beneath the immortal hall, layers of immortal light rotated like swords, enveloping a majestic Nuo Immortal.
This Nuo Immortal was as refined as jade, free-spirited and ethereal—possessing a divine bearing unmatched by gods or demons, a grace unknown to other Nuo Shamans.
He gave an impression of clarity and purity, like water in a small stone pond, unstained by a single particle. One glance at him, and Xu Ying felt his own heart was like a wild field after rain—overgrown with weeds of idle thoughts, filthy and chaotic.
Only when standing before a mirror unstained by dust does one realize how filthy one's heart truly is. Now, feeling the ugliness within himself, Xu Ying was overcome with shame.
"This Nuo Immortal's mental state is lofty and pure, free from worldly distractions. His mind is that of an immortal—far beyond the reach of common mortals," Xu Ying sighed. He realized how sinful it had been to discuss this Nuo Immortal with the Great Bell and call him an Evil Nuo Immortal.
From below came the Nuo Immortal's refined, gentle voice: "You still don't understand this? How did you even cultivate... Scoundrel! I'm talking about this, not that! Are you trying to anger me to death... I told you to reverse the technique, to circulate it two and a half times. How did you run it? You went forward two full cycles—where's the half? Where's your half?... Is this how I taught you? Truly exasperating!"
"This Nuo Immortal's temper seems rather explosive. Who angered him like this?" Xu Ying leaned forward, trying to see what was happening below.
Suddenly, a massive snake with a horn on its head looked up in confusion. The snake was thicker than a water vat, its head larger than a banquet table. When it raised itself, it stood three or four zhang high—coming face to face with Xu Ying precisely.
Xu Ying made a silencing gesture. Yuan Qi understood and withdrew his head, saying, "Immortal Master, my aptitude may be somewhat dull, but your disciple has great patience. I will surely learn!"
The white-robed Nuo Immortal's breathing fluctuated violently. After a moment he calmed himself and continued his lecture.
Xu Ying quietly circulated his spirit sense into a mirror, activating his Celestial Eye to observe the white-robed Nuo Immortal below.
The white-robed Nuo Immortal seemed to sense something. He suddenly turned his head upward. Xu Ying saw the Nuo Immortal's face clearly—a gentleman of jade could be no more refined.
The white-robed Nuo Immortal smiled at him. Under Xu Ying's Celestial Eye, the Nuo Immortal's smiling face suddenly gushed blood from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose!
The originally refined, jade-like face instantly became hideous and terrifying—like a vengeful ghost of the underworld!
A ghost who had died in the most agonizing manner!
Xu Ying immediately felt a towering surge of resentment and grudge, twisting the mind, driving one mad!
He felt a cold aura sweep toward him, as if it would freeze both his physical body and his soul!
Xu Ying's eyes bloodshot, his divine sense in disarray. Even the sky within his Domain of the Ineffable seemed to bleed at this moment, blood cascading down like countless waterfalls of gore!
At that instant, the Pure Yang Anomalous Fire left by the maiden in the coffin blazed brilliantly within him. Its radiance was blinding, and the fouled blood in the sky of his Domain of the Ineffable hissed and sizzled as it was refined, emitting wisps of smoke before dissipating!
The resentment Xu Ying had felt finally receded.
"A dead man! He's a dead man!"
Xu Ying stared at the white-robed Nuo Immortal, his mind screaming: "This Nuo Immortal is dead! A dead man with heaven-filling resentment!"
At that moment, the white-robed Nuo Immortal laughed: "Little friend from outside, why hide up there? I am holding a lecture open to all. Regardless of race or cultivation level, all are welcome to learn."
Xu Ying steadied himself and replied with a forced smile, "Immortal Master, your disciple is quite comfortable up here. The sound carries better."
"Good, good." The white-robed Nuo Shaman said nothing more and turned his head back.
The instant he turned, Xu Ying noticed a line of light at the back of his head, extending from his occiput to his neck.
Beneath the clothes on his back, a faint glow also emanated!
Xu Ying peered through the light, his heart pounding wildly. He felt dizzy and his lips went dry.
The white-robed Nuo Immortal was nothing but an empty shell—only his skin and his clothes remained!
That line of light was the skin at the back of his skull splitting open, sword light leaking from within his body to create that glow!
Beneath that skin, there was no flesh or blood. It was as if someone had cut an opening at the back of his skull, then poured flesh-eating insects into his body, consuming every scrap of flesh, organs, and bone!
Or as if someone had seized him, sliced him open from the back of his skull to his tailbone with a sharp blade, peeled off his skin, removed all his flesh, then dressed the skin in clothes and placed it here to make it appear as though he were still alive!
Xu Ying struggled to maintain a smile, his voice trembling: "Little Seven, stop studying. Let's go—sunset is coming soon..."
"I haven't yet mastered the Immortal Master's Detailed Explanation of the True Dao Mechanism."
Yuan Qi raised his head and said, "The Immortal Master said he must teach me. Ah Ying, you're clever—come down and learn!"