Chapter 1860: Orthodox Position (II)

After all, a cultivator could possess more than one Fate Divine Ability. With only one, Bright Yang was at something of a disadvantage. Yet its exceptionally close relationship with Radiant Fire helped compensate for that shortcoming.

This did not mean the art could wield such power without practice. It simply required far fewer resources, drawing its strength primarily from the caster. However, without thoroughly understanding the art and cultivating it diligently, even an exalted nature and life would be of no use.

It is not entirely without need for cultivation resources. Rather, the resources it requires lie far beyond ordinary considerations. If one could obtain a Metallic Essence, cultivating this art would surely bring extraordinary progress.

Of course, someone with a nature and life as extraordinary as Li Zhouwei's could hardly be judged by ordinary standards. His advantages fell short only of being a reincarnated Metallic Essence or cultivating with one in hand. As he perused the outline of the art, a sense of wonder arose within him.

Arts that invoke a response through one's nature and life... How unusual... Yet Bright Yang seems to have none!

Moved by a thought, he placed his hand on the bronze platform again, causing golden characters to emerge one after another upon the bamboo slips. Only after a long while did he look away, deep in thought.

The cultivation techniques and arts in the [Upper Firmament Pavilion] were as vast as an ocean. He could hardly read them all, but a glimpse could reveal the larger pattern. In that brief search, he had found only five kinds of arts that invoked a response through one's nature and life.

Dui Metal, Orthodox Wood, Pit Water, Radiant Fire, and Stable Earth.

In other words, among these arts, only Radiant Fire is compatible with Bright Yang. There is no better choice. But... why these five Daos? Is there something distinctive about them?

His Dao conduct was already considerable. After a moment's thought, he murmured, "Radiant Fire's gathering of calamity holds the Orthodox Position of Fire... Dui Metal, the Orthodox Position of Shenyou Metal... The Jia-Yi Form Pair, Orthodox Wood like stone...

"As for Stable Earth, the Profound Peak Gate Dao lineage also describes it as 'Upholding the orthodox, dismissing and halting, commanding and regulating mountains and rivers'..."

There must be some connection between these Five Virtues... something to do with orthodoxy.

Understanding grew brighter in his golden eyes. "The correspondence between Intercalary and Surplus may lie within this! Lesser cultivators simply cannot discern it!"

He lowered his head in thought and remained silent for a long time. Only after an idea began taking shape did he ascend to the upper floor of the pavilion. Sure enough, a pill furnace stood within, flames roaring beneath it. A man with regular features and crimson lips sat quietly cross-legged inside.

It was Li Ximing's [Divided Spirit and Variant Body].

Granduncle's alchemy has improved considerably again. He is confident enough to leave it unattended even from several grotto heavens away.

He waited a while, reading the art's incantations. Soon, Li Ximing hurried in upon his divine ability. Briefly surprised to see him, Li Ximing smiled, casually recalled his [Divided Spirit and Variant Body], and said, "Perfect timing!"

He slapped the pill furnace. The flames shuddered, immortal light blazed, and the furnace's mouth opened wide. Nine points of light flew out in succession and landed in his palm. Each was the size of a pearl but shaped like a white cicada spreading its wings, shimmering with myriad colors.

"Quite good!"

Li Ximing's pill yields were already high, and this recipe belonged to Bright Yang, which suited him well. Naturally, he had achieved a full yield. He chuckled and brought them over for Li Zhouwei to examine.

"These are [Setting Sun Armor-Sundering Pills], said to serve as a carriage that carries one's form hundreds of kilometers. Thanks to Sima Yuanli, I have finally refined them. You have come at just the right time to take a look.

"These pills can transport one to launch a killing strike, or serve as a means of escape. Taken during ordinary cultivation, they can also help harmonize different divine abilities within the body. Their uses are rather specialized, but they have one further benefit. If a demonic creature takes them, they can help regulate its bloodline."

Li Zhouwei took one into his palm and examined it closely, then said approvingly, "It draws upon [Karma Transforming Pure Yin Light] and accords with Yang Apex's aspect of dissolution. The recipe's creator was skilled, but lacked a deep understanding of Bright Yang, grasping only its surface and missing its essence.

"To improve it now, we should draw upon the setting sun's destructive aspect in [Severed Crimson Arrowhead]. To go further still, we must grasp Yang Apex's true meaning and turn it into a thrust of defiance. As for regulating bloodlines..."

Li Zhouwei considered briefly before continuing, "It is probably because Bright Yang, when inverted, carries something of the meaning of supplanting a superior. Naturally, it can affect bloodlines. But the recipe was not devised for that purpose, so whatever effect it has would be minimal."

Li Ximing nodded thoughtfully and smiled. "The recipe's creator, Cui'e... lived in ancient times. The Emperor of Wei may still have been alive when he wrote this book. Even if he understood its deeper meaning, he probably would not have dared put it freely into writing. If he had, officials might have come knocking that very day.

"But things are different now. Your insights are crucial. With my mastery of alchemy, a few experiments should yield several variations."

Li Zhouwei chuckled and took only one pill, slipping it into his sleeve. Then his expression grew serious. "Granduncle, take a look at this."

Li Ximing accepted the jade slip and read the [Southern Emperor's Profound Seizure Art], exclaiming in surprise, "What an ingenious ancient art!"

Li Zhouwei nodded and replied, "Though difficult, it has the advantage of requiring no cultivation resources. Once Jiangqian emerges from seclusion, we can let him study it."

With a trace of uncertainty, he continued, "I wonder how many Fate Divine Abilities [Radiant Fire] has. I do not expect as many as [Pit Water], only more than [Bright Yang]'s single one. Even two would make this art easier to use."

[Pit Water] was the Dao lineage upon which the Li Family had built its fortunes, and their connection to the Xiao Family had deepened their understanding of it. Li Ximing knew it well.

He said, "That is no pressing concern... There is something I wanted to discuss with you..."

Li Zhouwei raised his brows. The Daoist Master before him seemed anxious, pacing back and forth several times before speaking. "The old elder's health... has become rather precarious."

Li Zhouwei turned toward him uneasily. He counted on his fingers and said, "It is a little early."

Even cultivators of the same realm could differ considerably in lifespan. Chi Wei had lived roughly a century less, while Daoist Master Yuanxiu, Si Boxiu, had lived considerably longer. Certain divine abilities of [Horn Wood] and [Valley Water] could also grant longer lives.

He asked, "Is his lifespan running out?"

Li Ximing shook his head. "Not entirely. He suffered many injuries in his early years, and a great many damaged his foundations. In Purple Mansion Realm terms, they injured either his nature or his life. With proper care over the years, he showed no signs of trouble. But as his lifespan nears its end, that damage to his nature and life has begun to show...

"I was thinking... We have no shortage of spirit materials now. I would like to seek out that Daoist Master of [Horn Wood], or Daoist Nun Xiangchun. I wish to ask for the use of their divine abilities, and obtain a few things through exchange. Then I can refine some pills. In any case, let us try without telling him for now. Even if we cannot extend his life by much, we can at least make him more comfortable.”

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