Chapter 373 264: The Theory of the 3 Realms, Turning Danger into Safety

'Ancient Demon Cultivators revere only themselves in their pursuit of the Dao. They will follow any path, so long as it benefits them.'

A flicker of Ding Fire illuminated Jiang Yi's face. The endlessly profound [Illuminating the Dark and the Light] reflected the perilous situation Yao Yun was currently facing.

'These two cultivate [Blood Qi] and Yin Malevolence. The former is supplementary, the latter is their main focus. Their Cultivation is close to the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer.

'So this was the path of ancient Cultivation!

'Raise mortals like livestock, consume [Blood Qi], refine Yin Malevolence, and forge their Dao Foundation... Robbing the surplus of Heaven and Earth to mend their own deficiencies.

'Truly worthy of the name 'Demon'.'

Jiang Yi's Divine Sense was rooted in the [Foundation Establishment Realm]. That wisp of Golden Aspect grew ever more brilliant, allowing him to comprehend even greater profundities.

Under this synergistic effect, the power of [Illuminating the Dark and the Light] was pushed to its absolute limit.

'No wonder the strike of a Foundation Establishment True Master is so often accompanied by strange phenomena and the resonance of Heaven and Earth.'

By observing the movements of Sijian Can, Yan Fei, Xu Zhu, Yao Yun, and the others, Jiang Yi's understanding of the "profound" grew ever deeper.

'In the Qi Cultivation Realm, Spells are divided into three echelons. The same is true for the Foundation Establishment Realm, where Techniques are divided into three layers. Each layer climbs higher, pointing directly to the origin of the Great Dao.'

The first layer is "A Technique Possesses a Primordial Spirit." It must be understood that in the Qi Cultivation Realm, a Daoist Skill is tied to one's Divine Thought and relies on Magical Power, resulting in constant drain.

However, in the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm, Daoist Skills undergo a metamorphosis, condensing a Dharma Nature and becoming as if they have a spirit of their own.

Upon reaching the second layer, "A Technique Possesses a Primordial Soul," the Daoist Technique's spirituality is so abundant it is like an infant that has grown and taken form. It can not only operate and attack on its own, but it no longer requires its master to split their focus to comprehend it, instead coexisting and prospering alongside their Merit and Magical Power.

As for the third layer, "Unity of Dao and Skill," this is when Magical Power is fused into the Dao Foundation. Every action reveals a profound mystery, augmenting its power.

'Qi Cultivation is for cultivating Spells, Foundation Establishment for cultivating Techniques. A Spell has form, a Technique has spirit, and in the end, all returns to the Dao.'

Jiang Yi mused:

'"A Technique Possesses a Primordial Spirit" is the birth of a technique; "A Technique Possesses a Primordial Soul" is its maturation; and "Unity of Dao and Skill" is its return.

The profound [Illuminating the Dark and the Light] that I refined from a Fire Element Daoist Technique belongs to this second layer.'

He understood clearly that his ability to achieve this step wasn't due to superior Dao Wisdom or Merit. It was mostly thanks to the [Shao Yang] Golden Aspect.

These so-called "profound mysteries" are merely the surface of the Great Dao, whereas the Golden Aspect is a tangible manifestation of the Dao's very source. Its standing is exceedingly high!

'The path of the Dao is like climbing a mountain. The higher you stand, the broader your view, and the farther you can see.'

A flash of understanding passed through Jiang Yi's eyes. If Qi Cultivation Cultivators were still scrambling about in the mortal world, then Foundation Establishment True Masters were those who had reached the summit.

A True Monarch, who resides upon the Golden Position, is like an Innate god-beast roaming the cosmos.

'The mortal world, the Foundation Establishment Realm, the Great Void…'

A thought struck Jiang Yi, and he suddenly recalled how Juku Zhou was divided into the "Mortal Realm, Spirit Realm, and Mystic Realm."

'Could it be that this place is more than just a training ground for Upper Cultivators? Could it hold other secrets?'

'A world divided into three parts, each corresponding to a realm on the path of the Dao?'

The thought spun briefly in Jiang Yi's mind before he snuffed it out completely.

He secretly made up his mind:

'Master Lu once told me that if I reach the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm and ascend to the Spirit Realm, I should find a fortune-teller named 'Lai Buyi.' I can have him use geomancy to find a dragon vein for me, then borrow its power to elevate my Dao Foundation and improve my Merit.

'Once my pawns have scouted out the situation, it will be time to use the Celestial Book, make an appeal, and seize a few good Opportunities.'

Jiang Yi shifted his gaze to the Ding Fire. Having received a share of his destiny, Yao Yun was certain to overcome this crisis. Now, it was just a matter of seeing if she could draw out the [Immortal Dao] Cultivators.

...

...

"So this is what the Upper Realm is like!"

Yao Yun landed on Soul-Swaying Mountain, but she was caught by the two Demon Cultivators in the end.

'After ascending, I've fallen into a den of demons... I wonder how Mister Yan and the monk Xu Zhu are faring.'

This Empress of the Great Enterprise had shattered the void with her physical body, making her the most accomplished person in the mortal realm in a thousand autumns.

If she were given some time to absorb Spiritual Energy and nourish her body, her realm would surely advance by leaps and bounds. She might not have been inferior to the two before her.

Unfortunately, the great dream of ascension for Spirit Refining Grandmasters has always been nothing but a hoax.

Every peerless expert from the mortal world who shattered the void was like a lamb walking into a tiger's den, reduced to high-grade material for the Refining Techniques of Demon Cultivators.

"I'd advise you to surrender peacefully. My junior brother here isn't the type to show mercy to a pretty face. When the time comes, he'll forcibly pluck you and seize your Primordial Yin, and you'll just have to suffer for nothing."

The green-robed man, a Copper Mirror floating above his head, announced his affiliation with a sinister laugh:

"We are Disciples of the Upper Sect, 'Mingjiao.' For an ant like you from a lower realm, being able to serve Junior Brother Zhao is a blessing you've accumulated over many lifetimes."

Mingjiao?

Yao Yun had only recently ascended; she was completely in the dark. Naturally, she had no idea what this so-called Mingjiao was, much less how powerful or prestigious it might be.

But as the monarch of a nation, long accustomed to her high station, she was by no means the type to simply wait for death.

"Mere thugs!"

Yao Yun snorted coldly, her eyes flashing with sharp light. Channeling her inner breath, she thrust out her right palm and clenched it into a fist. The air before her roiled and condensed into hundreds of bladed weapons!

If Yan Fei or Xu Zhu had been here, they would have certainly cried out in shock.

—The Luminous Spirit Canon!

This martial art was derived from the Startling Wave True Form, taught by a high god, much like Xiao Feibai's Forgetful Celestial Book.

It was one of the very few legacies that did not belong to the Four Great Sacred Lands.

Each qi-weapon was startlingly lifelike, glinting with a cold light sharp enough to slice through gold and sever iron—sharp enough to slay a Spirit Refining Grandmaster!

"A frog in a well."

The young man surnamed Fang, who intended to take Yao Yun as his concubine and Furnace Cauldron, scowled. For a Cultivator of his standing, born into a major sect, countless women would have willingly offered themselves to be his Yin-plucking Furnace Cauldron.

This woman clearly didn't know what was good for her!

His fingers formed a hand seal. The black cord at his feet shot across the sky like a giant python, instantly releasing a violent fluctuation of Magical Power.

In the span of a finger-snap, hundreds of qi-weapons tore through the air, hurtling toward him with astonishing force.

"The glimmer of a firefly dares to compete with the moon?"

The young man surnamed Fang sneered. The black cord danced through the air, weaving and turning. The hundreds of qi-weapons seemed to be made of paper as they were instantly shattered and dispersed.

'These cultivators often use Sacrificial Refining on their Magical Artifacts. I need to find a way to deal with that...'

Yao Yun clenched her hand into a fist and threw a punch from afar, sending a wave of tyrannical, ferocious power blasting toward the young man surnamed Fang.

"You dare act so presumptuously before me with just a few mortal tricks!"

The young man surnamed Fang lost all interest in his cat-and-mouse game. The jet-black cord suddenly flashed, lashing out like the tail of a venomous python!

Yao Yun's brow twitched. The force of her punch was shattered, and an immense pressure enveloped her, making her feel as if she were trapped in a mire, unable to move.

"For us, Cultivation is like climbing a mountain. We stand on high, looking down on the world.

An ant like you hasn't even learned to walk yet! How could you possibly see the true vastness of the world...?"

The young man surnamed Fang laughed triumphantly as the black cord erupted with light. Like a great surging tide, it pinned Yao Yun in place, leaving her no chance of escape.

But his laughter was cut short as a beam of black, baleful light suddenly pierced his chest.

"You… Senior Brother Li!"

The young man surnamed Fang felt his vision go dark, his voice filled with disbelief.

But he received no reply. Another beam of black, baleful light descended, utterly pulverizing his physical body and Primordial Spirit.

"I only let you call me 'Senior Brother' out of respect for your old man!"