Chapter 737 526: The Leaking Heavens, the Rising Sea

Li Xizhi was instantly moved. He opened his mouth, but only pulled her into his arms, and spoke warmly:

"Xiao'er, if not for you, I'd have perished in that sea long ago…"

His gentle voice immediately made Yang Xiao'er smile sweetly. Her delicate hands wrapped around his neck as she nestled in his embrace, speaking softly:

"Say no more of that… Do not blame my clan for not sending word to warn you... After all, with Zifu newly bereaved, several brothers were dispatched elsewhere…"

Li Xizhi shook his head, hastily instructing:

"This matter is most likely the work of the Chi Family, it absolutely cannot be leaked, treat it as if it never happened. That's the excuse I used to come to this Mountain of Tempering…"

He carefully recounted the causes and consequences, only concealing the things within his Qi Sea. Yang Xiao'er, ever clever, listened and understood, nodding:

"Good, I surely will."

The two conversed in detail for a while, when suddenly they felt the mountain range beneath their feet tremble. Above the clouds in the sky, white mist surged and transformed into all manner of figments.

White petals, suffused with smoky hues, drifted down, issuing the sound of jade beads colliding. A cold and tranquil voice resounded, as if emerging from the void, neither loud nor soft, appearing precisely beside the ear.

"I am Shangyuan. Today, in the Northern Sea, I attain the Dao, achieving 'Jade True Six-Nine Union with Void Nature', and ascend to Perfected Lord…"

This voice was not overwhelming, but compelled both to rise, faces stunned, the couple exchanging a glance and hastily bowing:

"Distant congratulations to Shangyuan Perfected Lord, Jade True Six-Nine Union with Void Perfected Lord…"

Their congratulations echoed afar; all across heaven and earth, a scene of bowing and felicitations unfolded. At this moment, not only all manners of people and monsters upon the Tempering Mountain were respectfully making salutes, but even those of cultivation across the seas and Four Seas lifted their heads, sending words of reverent congratulation.

'That one truly achieved Perfected Lord…'

Li Xizhi sighed lightly, his heart full of emotion. The rosy glow in his hands ascended, still tinged with disbelief. He looked back at Yang Xiao'er, who likewise bore a look of shock.

These years, there have been no few Perfected Persons attempting to break through the Golden Core realm; our Yue country's Chi Wei and Duanmu Kui need not be mentioned, in Wu country and overseas, there are people and monsters trying as well, but none have ever succeeded.

Even though Dongfang You is the Dragon Lord's progeny, his foundation unimaginably deep, he still failed at the breakthrough, roaring mightily only to turn into a black cloud.

Shangyuan has always been regarded as the foremost among those of Zifu, with the most guests attending his ceremonies in these years. Yet throughout the many years, no one knows how many have held the title 'first of Zifu', but in the end, he truly broke through, which still surprises all.

Li Xizhi is a disciple of Immortal Peak at Green Pond, and now is about to become Peak Master. He knows something of Zifu and Golden Core.

The Golden Core path is to refine the Metal Nature, and even gain an official position; such beings are extraordinary. If one were to record their affairs carelessly, it would offend a Perfected Lord—so the sects keep no detailed record, most is simple hearsay.

Once Golden Core is attained, one gains Metal Nature persisting in the world, the flesh endures a thousand years, and the spirit nature lingers through reincarnations, nearing indestructibility. Moreover, each Golden Core has its corresponding cosmic office; if one ascends to the seat, they even wield Immortal powers.

He pondered silently:

"I've heard the Jade True office has long hung vacant; wouldn't Shangyuan Perfected Lord, with this breakthrough, be able to ascend and become Lord of Jade True…"

"Shangyuan Perfected Person is always intolerant of evil; how could Northern Buddhist Practitioners allow him? Of the Seven Paths, Furious has fallen, and at least three of the remaining six abhor him deeply…"

Li Xizhi gazed north. A bright, gleaming comet fell from the sky, streaking along the firmament, and plunged straight into the Northern Sea.

As that comet fell, Venus shimmered, like an eye opening and closing rapidly, shining at breakneck speed. Celestial blue radiance was streaming, seemingly fierce and intense.

His vision blurred, and he felt half-dream, half-awake, never certain what lay before him, until the Talisman Seed within his Sea of Qi Acupoint flickered faintly, a stream of clear Qi surging to his mind, slowly allowing him to regain his senses.

"Golden Core Spell Battle!"

With the aid of that clear Qi, he could barely see the distant scenes. After a few breaths, the stars in the sky spun, then another dazzling one lit up, blossoming with a white hue streaked with red.

Li Xizhi watched intently for a time, yet had never seen this particular star before. Studying the divisions, he found three attendant stars trailing behind, of which only one was alight.

"One of three…"

Li Xizhi, relying on the Talisman Seed within him, was not cowed by the faraway might, and quickly memorized it. In the distant sky, a vast silhouette shimmered—seemingly six-armed—wielding a lotus-shaped magic artifact.

'Must be a Buddhist Practitioner…'

Yet the figure only flashed, as green light gleamed, the comet plunged, and the red-white star burned hot, brown hues flowing. That six-armed shadow at once deflated, bursting into a skyful of Metal Qi.

The comet's radiance was fierce, as if in furious wrath; even the spray of Metal Qi across the heavens was swept clean, lights intertwined, so much so that the mountain beneath their feet quaked severely.

At this, Li Xizhi, though his mind was shielded by clear Qi, could not keep tears from streaming as his eyes burned with pain. He feared another glance would shatter his pupil technique, so he dropped his gaze.

He wiped his tears, rested a moment—the sky dimmed, a pit-black hue rising in the north, meteors streaked across the heavens, trailing blazing tails from northward.

By his side, Yang Xiao'er clung to him, a hint of worry in her face. Suddenly, they heard the ocean howl, its waves splitting, from within rising a colossus—a white-gray Scales Beast.

This Scales Beast's four legs were stout and powerful, each stepping upon a cloud; its belly and waist were long, its lengthy tail packed densely with scales as large as tabletops. It hurtled upon misty clouds, unleashing a long, resounding howl.