Chapter 456 55: Treasure Manual (Part 1)

The first time he met the Nascent Soul True Man, Zhu Ju's initial impression wasn't one of strength.

But of weakness.

Like a tiger looking at a gazelle.

Although the gazelle was nimble and graceful, to the tiger, it was merely food.

But Zhu Ju came to his senses in an instant.

His perception was only of the Physical Body, and the power of a Nascent Soul True Man didn't lie in their Physical Body.

It lay in the Primordial Spirit!

Daoist Qingyuan's Physical Body was not strong compared to Zhu Ju's, but his Primordial Spirit could transcend the material world.

"The Formless are without shape or form, seeming like emptiness but not truly empty."

Seated cross-legged on a rock, Daoist Qingyuan spoke in a leisurely voice, and a wealth of insights accompanied his words, pouring into Zhu Ju's mind.

An epiphany!

This was a special Divine Technique that allowed one to directly transmit their own insights to another through speech.

Of course.

Even for a Nascent Soul True Man, executing such a Divine Technique was no easy feat.

Zhu Ju's heart stirred. He quickly sat down cross-legged and listened intently.

"The ancients polished stones into mirrors to reflect all things, down to the finest detail, making it hard to distinguish true from false. This is called having form, yet it is also Formless."

"..."

As Daoist Qingyuan spoke, he used his fingers to draw in the air, causing various complex Talismans and gleams of Spiritual Light to appear one by one.

The Formless Technique!

This Cultivation Technique was exceptionally unique, originating from one of the supreme seals of Ancient Buddhism: the Formless Seal.

It was also deeply related to the legendary Formless Divine Light.

Cultivating this technique allowed one to imitate any Cultivation Technique in the world, and even surpass the original.

It wasn't just imitation!

It was piercing through to the very essence of the Cultivation Technique.

Therefore, cultivating this technique demanded extremely high intelligence and Comprehension. Even in the Profound Clarity Sect, very few people met the requirements.

Before long, Zhu Ju formed a Finger Technique with both hands. His Qi Blood surged, and a faint, ethereal Spiritual Light slowly emerged.

At the same time.

His aura gradually began to resemble that of Daoist Qingyuan across from him. If one were to use Spiritual Soul Perception, it would be almost impossible to tell them apart.

"Wuliang Celestial Venerable!"

Daoist Qingyuan smiled, nodding in admiration.

"Little friend, your Comprehension is outstanding. It can only be described as an extraordinary Talent. You've completely grasped the Formless Technique in just three days."

"No wonder you were able to forge a new path and embark on the way of the Physical Body."

"Senior, you flatter me," Zhu Ju said, shaking his head.

"It was merely a crude imitation. I am indebted to Senior for helping me cultivate this technique with your enlightening method."

"Unfortunately..."

"This junior has no Magical Power, and my Primordial Spirit is dormant. Using Qi Blood to manifest it is ultimately lacking something."

"It is already excellent," Daoist Qingyuan said, shaking his head. He added,

"However, the Formless Technique is based on the Primordial Spirit and requires Magical Power. It can manifest the Ten Thousand Laws. While it is useful for the Physical Body, it doesn't have the same miraculous effects as it does with Primordial Spirit Magic Power, so it cannot solve the trouble you are in, little friend."

Zhu Ju slowly nodded.

He had originally planned to use the Formless Technique to manipulate the genes and bloodlines within him, to trick the chaotic bloodlines into thinking they were normal and stop their "internal strife." It seemed that was not possible now.

"That being said, it has at least eased the situation."

He took a deep breath and said solemnly,

"Given time, it might not be impossible to truly solve the trouble I am facing."

Daoist Qingyuan's eyes lowered slightly.

'Zhu Ju is just comforting himself. The Formless Technique is good, but it's not the right medicine for his body's ailment.'

"The Ten Thousand Spirits Body Forging Technique was created by an Ancient Immortal. The Cultivation Technique is profound, but unfortunately, it is incomplete."

"Unless there is a bloodline or some kind of Curious Object that can accommodate Alien Bloodlines and make them its own, I'm afraid it will be difficult to solve your problem in the short term."

'Difficult! Almost impossible!' At least in Daoist Qingyuan's view, Zhu Ju could not solve his problem. It could only be left for his descendants to deal with.

The reason he was willing to help Zhu Ju was, firstly, to befriend him for a future confrontation with the Six Paths Demon Monarch.

Secondly.

He also hoped to find a way to avoid the Dao Poison through Zhu Ju.

However, it was quite obvious.

The path Zhu Ju was walking was far from clear. In fact, the slightest misstep could lead to his death and the dissipation of his Dao.

'Accommodating Alien Bloodlines without conflict?'

'Hmm...'

'It seems there really is something that can do it!'

Zhu Ju lowered his head, his eyes flickering as if he had thought of something.

*

*

*

「Funeng City.」

Several invitation cards and a few cryptic messages were delivered to Zhu Ju's underground residence.

"Boss."

Qiann Lan shrugged.

"When the Treasure Manual arrives, the entire city will be under martial law. All weapons systems will be on standby to counter any possible attacks."

"Aside from essential work, even the city's residents are forbidden from going out. There can be absolutely no trouble in the Underworld."

"Understood," Zhu Ju said with a smile.

"Send word down. For this month, everyone is to stop all work and business. Distribute base wages to subsidize their household expenses."

"Also..."

"Don't worry about Evil Mountain."

?

Qiann Lan looked up, a flash of surprise in her eyes, then nodded in acknowledgment.

Over the years.

Zhu Ju's position in the Underworld had become unshakable. Not only Licheng District, but all nine districts of Funeng City were filled with his minions.

His title of Underground Emperor was well-deserved.

Even when overconfident challengers had appeared, they never lasted more than a few days.

Evil Mountain.

He was the latest challenger.

This man came from Safe City 009. He was originally the second son of a major family but was exiled from the city after losing a family power struggle. He somehow ended up in Funeng City and used his own martial prowess to gather a following.

Safe Cities 001 through 009 were the most famous and powerful Safe Cities in the Federation.

Since Evil Mountain came from there, his strength was naturally not to be underestimated.

He was a Martial Saint!

Furthermore, he was accompanied by family servants, one of whom was also rumored to be a Martial Saint.

With two Martial Saints holding the fort, wouldn't it be easy to secure a foothold in a small place like Funeng City?

Of course.

This was merely an outsider's perspective.

Anyone who had actually met Zhu Ju and knew his true strength would never believe Evil Mountain could succeed.

"Also..."

Qiann Lan hesitated for a moment before continuing,

"There are still no leads on Wuh Ping."

It was unknown what relationship Wuh Ping and Wuh Qing had with 'Mr. Zhu', but they had always been persons of interest.

"Oh!"

Zhu Ju slowly sat up straight. Compared to 'Evil Mountain' who was challenging his authority, he was clearly more concerned about Wuh Ping.

"A few months ago, he seemed to be trying to advance to the Martial Saint realm. Is there any news on whether he succeeded?"

"None."

Qiann Lan shook her head.

"He disappeared after he went into seclusion to break through. Our people only know that he is no longer at his seclusion spot."

"Also, just as you said, Wuh Ping's personality is becoming more and more erratic. Even large doses of tranquilizers have no effect, and the medicine Wuh Qing specially prepared for him is also becoming less effective."

Zhu Ju nodded slowly.

Even he hadn't been able to solve the problem of Alien Bloodline integration, so it was naturally even more impossible for Wuh Ping.

However, due to his level of Cultivation, the bloodlines Wuh Ping refined were all Low-Level Bloodlines, which were comparatively less dangerous.

As for Zhu Ju.

He had over a dozen types of Holy King Beast bloodlines in his body and had even refined Magical Treasures like the Ten Directions Cross Sword into his Physical Body, increasing the danger exponentially.

'The Ten Thousand Spirits Body Forging Technique is, after all, just an Incomplete Method. Evolving it into a complete one is not so simple.'

"When is the escort team for the Treasure Manual arriving?"

"Soon," Qiann Lan said.

"For security reasons, no one knows the exact time, not even the council members."

...

「Council Hall.」

A dozen or so Martial Saints sat cross-legged.

A white-haired old man walked to the center, holding a Jade Box in his hands, and slowly opened the lid.

A completely golden spine was revealed.

The Treasure Manual!

The Treasure Manual took the form of a golden spine, topped with a fist-sized round piece of jade. Within the jade, a scene like a rolling sea of stars swirled, unfathomably profound.

This object contained countless alien bloodlines and genetic maps. It could be used to adjust the natural Talents of newborn children of the Human Race.

SWISH!

The Treasure Manual trembled lightly, transforming into a streak of golden light that shot downward, piercing through the floor and into the core of the incubation bay.

Immediately after.

Wisps of golden light appeared, flowing along the Umbilical Cords into each of the infant incubation pods.

「Lower City District.」

A heavy alloy gate slowly opened, and several figures walked out from within.

"The Treasure Manual!"

"We can make our move."