UGB Chapter 5 Misfortune and fortune are intertwined
Chapter 5 Misfortune and fortune are intertwined
Having made up his mind to leave the mountain for training, Xuan Yao did not hesitate at all.
He then used a secret breathing technique he had learned in the outer mountains of Xikunlun to perform hand seals.
Although this breath-concealing technique is not a world-shaking, supreme supernatural power, it excels because it is derived from the orthodox Xuanmen sect of Xikunlun, and is moderate and peaceful, and is most adept at concealing one's aura.
As the incantation was activated, the overwhelming ferocity of the pure-blooded black tiger surrounding Xuan Yao, as well as the faint, pure aura of Yaochi, were all gathered into the depths of his spiritual platform.
At this moment, in the eyes of others, he appeared ordinary and unremarkable, with no particularly striking features.
After making all these preparations, Xuan Yao transformed into a streak of light, rose into the air, and flew straight towards the northern lands on the outskirts of Xikunlun.
Along the way, Xuan Yao did not rush at full speed like those rogue cultivators who were blinded by greed in order to seize the initiative.
Instead, he flew at a leisurely pace, even deliberately lowering the clouds as he flew, observing the surroundings.
Having attained the cultivation and perspective of a Xuanxian (a high-level immortal), he now sees a completely different world when he looks at the place where he had lived for hundreds of thousands of years.
In his dark golden tiger eyes, faint Dao patterns flowed as he carefully noted the contours of the mountains and rivers, the direction of the earth's veins, and the density and distribution of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth along the way.
Gradually, Xuan Yao discovered that the seemingly peaceful and tranquil outer perimeter of Xikunlun was actually turbulent and not as calm as it appeared on the surface.
In the many desolate mountains, ancient streams, and even the ruins left by ancient powerful beings who fought, he could keenly perceive some extremely subtle changes in the aura.
Some were the murderous intent revealed after the formation was broken, some were the traces of battles left by rogue cultivators fighting for a spiritual treasure, and some were even ancient ferocious beasts with obscure auras lurking deep in the secret realm.
"This is the true nature of the primordial world. Even on the edge of a top-tier blessed land, the creatures at the bottom are still fighting madly in the mire for that sliver of a chance to attain enlightenment," Xuan Yao thought to himself.
After flying for an unknown period of time, Xuan Yao finally arrived at the area in the north where the unusual activity was most evident, according to rumors.
Before he even got close, he saw in the distance that colorful spiritual light was shooting into the sky from among a group of mountains, flashing erratically in mid-air.
Deep underground, chilling and biting winds howled out continuously, intertwining with the rosy clouds hanging from the sky to create a spectacular celestial phenomenon.
Xuan Yao did not approach rashly, but silently pressed down on a cloud behind a thick cloud layer at a great distance, perfectly blending his aura with the surrounding clouds and mist.
He extended his divine sense, scanning down at the center of that strange phenomenon.
On the outskirts of the mountains, dozens of rogue cultivators and transformed demons had already gathered in dense numbers.
These beings varied greatly in their cultivation levels, ranging from Earth Immortals who had barely taken human form to True Immortals at their peak. They all stared intently at the shimmering spiritual light, wary of each other, creating a tense atmosphere.
At the highest point of those mountains, two Xuanxian Taoists, dressed in Bagua robes and exuding powerful auras, stood suspended in mid-air.
The two Taoists, their faces filled with greed, unabashedly unleashed their immense divine senses, repeatedly scanning the scattered cultivators around them. They appeared to be domineering figures who intended to monopolize the opportunities in this place by relying on their cultivation levels.
"The light shone brightly, and yin and yang intertwined, making it seem as if some extraordinary innate spiritual treasure was about to be born."
Xuan Yao remained hidden behind the clouds, observing coldly for a full half-day.
At first, he was somewhat doubtful, but as time went by, combined with his keen perception of the energy of heaven and earth in "The True Explanation of the Golden Palace Mysterious Demon", he quickly saw through the truth of this strange phenomenon.
"What innate spiritual treasure? It's just two broken and abandoned spiritual veins underground that collided violently due to changes in the earth's energy, resulting in a temporary release of earth energy."
Xuan Yao sneered inwardly.
The true innate spiritual treasure is born either through the manifestation of the Great Dao's laws, or by remaining hidden and unseen.
Either it's an auspicious sign from heaven, with its precious light contained within, protected by a primordial array.
It would never be like this, with spiritual energy so violent, chaotic, and without any order.
Sure enough, not long after Xuan Yao saw through the illusion, the two late-stage Xuanxian Daoists suspended high in the sky seemed to have lost patience.
The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously unleashed their magical weapons.
A golden bronze seal and a gleaming flying sword roared out, carrying terrifying power capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, and slammed heavily onto the mountain peak where the spiritual light shone brightest.
"Boom—!"
With a deafening roar, half of the entire mountain was cleaved away, and countless boulders mixed with soil tumbled down.
However, when the smoke and dust cleared, there was not a single innate spiritual treasure, let alone a decent immortal root or spiritual herb, inside the split mountain.
Only a pile of abandoned ore, its spiritual energy long since depleted, and several enormous skeletons, whose lifespans were unknown, exuded a decaying aura in the eerie wind.
"How could this be?!" The two Xuanxian Daoists roared angrily, their faces ashen.
Just as everyone was stunned and disappointed, a sudden change occurred!
Although the two Xuanxian's act of forcibly opening the mountain did not yield any treasures, it did awaken an ancient demon that had been slumbering deep within the abandoned spiritual vein.
"roar--!"
A shrill and brutal roar came from the depths of the earth, causing the blood and qi of the weaker cultivators around to surge, almost causing them to fall off the clouds.
Immediately afterwards, a terrifying monster covered in dark red scales burst out of the ground!
This great demon was clearly in a state of extreme rage. As soon as it appeared, one of its heads suddenly opened its blood-red maw.
A pungent, foul-smelling yellow poisonous sand gushed out, instantly engulfing the nearest Celestial Immortal cultivator.
"Ah—help me!"
The immortal cultivator didn't even have time to unleash his magic weapon; he only managed a short scream before his protective immortal light was instantly corroded by the poisonous sand.
Immediately afterwards, the great demon slammed down with one of its sharp claws, and with a "smack," it smashed the celestial cultivator into a pile of minced meat on the spot. Even his primordial spirit couldn't escape and was swallowed whole by the great demon.
This scene immediately plunged the area surrounding the mountains, which had been full of anticipation, into extreme chaos.
"It's an ancient, monstrous species! Run!"
Someone screamed in terror, turned around and transformed into a streak of light, fleeing for their life without looking back.
Some were locked onto by the great demon's aura because they were too close, and could only desperately use their magic weapons to fight back.
Some audacious and desperate individuals, taking advantage of the two Taoist immortals' battle with the great demon, attempted to dig even deeper into the abandoned mine, hoping to find something of value.
Xuan Yao lay quietly hidden behind the clouds. Far from being disappointed by missing the opportunity, he became even calmer and clearer.
"Of the ten rumored opportunities, seven or eight are illusions that are hard to distinguish from reality, or even outright traps set by powerful demons to prey on others."
"If one were to act like these rogue cultivators, rushing headlong into anything at the slightest hint of trouble, even with nine lives, one would eventually lose everything."
Cultivating Taoism is not just about developing magical power, but also about cultivating the composure to see through illusions and maintain patience.
Seeing that this place had been completely turned into a worthless killing ground, Xuan Yao shook his head and prepared to quietly leave and continue to seek opportunities for training elsewhere.
However, just as he was about to turn around...
An unusual protrusion!
Xuan Yao felt a sudden heat deep within his dantian.
The natal mystic energy that he had painstakingly cultivated over three thousand years trembled slightly without warning.
At the same time, the "Golden Palace Mysterious Demon True Explanation," which he had not deliberately activated, began to circulate in his meridians on its own.
This feeling is as if this cultivation technique, which points directly to the Great Dao, has sensed something in this world that is extremely compatible with it!
Xuan Yao was startled and immediately stopped in his tracks.
He closed his eyes, shutting out all the noise of fighting and screams from the outside world, and immersed his entire mind in the throbbing of his natal Xuan Sha in his dantian.
Following that faint, mysterious sensation, Xuan Yao's divine sense slowly extended outward.
We passed over the chaotic battlefield below and over the layers upon layers of clouds.
Finally, his gaze settled on a region about 30,000 miles to the northwest of this strange phenomenon area.
It was an inconspicuous, barren ridge.
The desolate mountain range resembled a dead giant python, lying quietly behind the gray, misty clouds.
The vegetation there is withered and yellow, the rocks are jagged, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is extremely scarce. Even a bird or beast that has developed intelligence is unwilling to build its nest there.
Compared to the mountains here, where the light shines brightly and the fighting is in full swing, that desolate ridge is simply a barren and desolate place forgotten by heaven and earth.
Even the most indiscriminate rogue cultivators wouldn't give it a second glance when passing by.
But it was precisely under Xuan Yao's divine eye of the Xuanxian realm, and the special perception of the "Golden Palace Mysterious Fiend True Explanation", that he was able to achieve this.
He clearly saw that deep within that desolate and lifeless ridge, a pure and peaceful blessing was faintly emanating.
It was this extremely gentle blessing that formed a strange resonance with the fierce and domineering Black Tiger Xuan Sha Qi within Xuan Yao's body, which was in charge of killing!
"Evil is not the source of all evil; yin alone cannot produce life, nor can yang alone sustain growth... The mechanism of creation lies in one's own heart!"
Xuan Yao instantly understood.
This is probably the true opportunity that belongs only to Xuan Yao!
Xuan Yao narrowed his dark golden tiger eyes, a resolute glint flashing in them.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately abandoned the bustling place where blood was flowing freely.
With a swift movement, he seemed to blend into the wind, silently gliding out of the clouds and speeding towards that remote and desolate ridge.