Chapter 230: Chapter 223: [Yama’s Golden Chapter]
"Master."
Intense thunder light erupted, surging violently.
The spreading oppressive aura caused the skies for hundreds of miles around to become gloomy and dark.
Ge Ping, who had arrived slightly earlier, sensed the commotion behind him and couldn’t help but look back.
He saw Qi Xiu stride out from the dazzling thunder light, his aura heavy and determined, with numerous rays of colorful light faintly manifesting behind him.
"Fifth Senior Brother."
Approaching the Guanlan Cliff Hall, Qi Xiu bowed his hands in respect.
"Little Seven, your cultivation has increased significantly."
Sensing the robust and profound aura within Qi Xiu, Ge Ping clicked his tongue in amazement. He had entered the sect nearly seventy years before Qi Xiu, yet he had entered the Blood-Stained Realm just over three years before this junior brother. Now, in terms of cultivation, he was even surpassed. Facing Qi Xiu, he could clearly feel a chill up his spine and a tightening pressure at his brow! Clearly, the gap between him and this junior brother was not just small.
"Has Master returned?" Waving his hand, Qi Xiu immediately inquired about his master’s situation.
Daoist Yunxiong had been silent and had disappeared for six years. The entire Yunti Peak was quite worried about this. Now that Daoist Yunxiong had returned, both Qi Xiu and Ge Ping immediately rushed over.
"Not good. According to Zhong Xia, it seems that Master... has been injured." With a hint of seriousness, Ge Ping turned to look towards the Guanlan Cliff Hall.
Zhong Xia was the young Daoist attendant who served Daoist Yunxiong. When he had arrived at Guanlan Cliff, the Master had already entered the hall. He could only vaguely see that Master’s gait was unsteady and there seemed to be bloodstains on his robe’s hem.
"Injured?" Frowning, Qi Xiu slowly rotated the golden prayer beads in his hand.
His master was a Dao Expert. Under the heavens, who had the power to injure him? A Primordial Spirit big shot? Or was it an ambush and attack? Master had disappeared for six years and returned with injuries. After exchanging glances, Qi Xiu and Ge Ping tacitly stood guard outside the Guanlan Cliff Hall, quietly waiting for their master to finish his seclusion.
And this wait lasted a full six months.
"Fifth Elder, Seventh Elder, the Peak Master calls for you to enter." The doors of the Guanlan Cliff Hall, which had been closed for half a year, slowly opened, and the Daoist attendant Zhong Xia poked out half of his round head, beckoning to Qi Xiu and Ge Ping who were standing outside.
Hurrying, Qi Xiu and Ge Ping entered the hall. They saw Daoist Yunxiong sitting cross-legged on a cushion, eyes closed, conserving energy.
"Master, are you... alright?" After bowing in respect, Ge Ping looked at Daoist Yunxiong before him. Having refined the Yimu Thunder Skill, he was extremely sensitive to the aura of life, so he sensed that although the Master appeared energetic, he still concealed weakness.
"It’s mostly nothing serious. After a period of rest and recuperation, I will fully recover." Waving his hand, Daoist Yunxiong gave a light smile, indicating that he was fine.
The master and his two disciples sat and exchanged words. Qi Xiu and Ge Ping both tried to inquire about the reason for Daoist Yunxiong’s injury. However, Daoist Yunxiong refused to speak about it.
After some idle conversation, Daoist Yunxiong spoke, "Ping’er, go back first. I have some matters to discuss with Xiuer."
Having confirmed that the Master was unharmed, Ge Ping nodded, rose, bowed his hands, and took his leave. Now, only Daoist Yunxiong and Qi Xiu remained inside the Guanlan Cliff Hall.
"Xiuer, I have been away from the mountain for too long this time. I didn’t get the chance to guide you after you achieved the Blood-Stained Realm, which has wasted quite some of your time."
"Master, you’re being too serious. I have never slacked off in my cultivation over these years, not daring to disappoint your expectations."
"Mm, however, during this trip, I did find something nice for you." His eyes showed a smile, and Daoist Yunxiong slowly opened his palm to reveal an ancient, coldly gleaming Black Gold Imperial Seal that exuded a noble yet sinister aura suspended above his palm.
"This is..." Looking at the Black Gold Imperial Seal, Qi Xiu was visibly shaken. This seal seemed to possess a terrifying power over the soul. He only had to glance at it for his brow to swell, and his soul within his Ancestral Aperture involuntarily contracted, feeling extremely repressed.
"Disciples of our Shenxiao Sect, after ascending to the Blood-Stained Realm, may enter the Shenxiao Book Tower and choose a secret Hell Dao technique to cultivate. This seal is the technique I have chosen for you—[Yama’s Golden Chapter]!"
Hearing that this Black Gold Imperial Seal was actually a Hell Dao technique, Qi Xiu was somewhat surprised. He knew that disciples of the Shenxiao Sect in the Blood-Stained Realm could concurrently cultivate Hell Dao techniques; he had heard this from his senior brother Wei Wujie back at the Divine Sorrow Ridge. However, by the time it was his turn to ascend to the Blood-Stained Realm, he had completely forgotten about it. Ultimately, it was because he already possessed several True Scriptures and Dharma Gates. He already had quite a few to master in his cultivation. Moreover, he intended to use this period to improve the levels of some of his Mysterious Abilities. So, he never thought about finding another Hell Dao technique to cultivate. But he hadn’t expected that Daoist Yunxiong, who had disappeared for six years, had gone to find a Dharma Gate for him.
Considering the injuries on the Master, Qi Xiu couldn’t help but ask, "Could it be that your injuries are also connected to..."
"My injury is nothing serious; I simply got a little too carried away after seizing this imperial seal and was sneak-attacked by two old geezers." Scratching the back of his head with embarrassment, Daoist Yunxiong laughed a few times. "It’s been over a hundred years since I’ve fought anyone, and I’m admittedly a little out of practice."
Although Daoist Yunxiong made light of it, Qi Xiu knew full well. The fact that his master, who was at the Dao Body Realm, sustained injuries that still hadn’t fully healed after half a year clearly illustrated the peril he faced at that time. It was something that couldn’t be fully expressed in just a few words.
"Hey, hey, hey, don’t give me that touched look; we don’t go in for that at Yunti Peak," Daoist Yunxiong quickly interjected, seeing Qi Xiu about to speak. "You’re the youngest, and since you entered our sect, you’ve had the least of my care, far less than your senior brothers and sisters.
"But you, my boy, since joining, have indeed brought great honor to your master.
"This imperial seal is a gift from me to celebrate your advancement to the Blood-Stained Realm.
"In the future, you must continue to bring honor to your master."
Laughing, Daoist Yunxiong stuffed the Black Gold Imperial Seal into Qi Xiu’s hand, saying slowly, "Xiuer, your talent is exceptional, and your character is pure and kind. In the future, you will surely become a pillar of the Shenxiao Sect, but remember:
"As cultivators, we cultivate the Dao, and we cultivate the heart.
"With the heart upright, the body will be upright, and with the body upright, the actions will be correct."
"Master, rest assured, your disciple will keep this firmly in mind."
...
With the return of Daoist Yunxiong, everyone at Yunti Peak felt much more at ease.
「He returned to his private residence.」
Qi Xiu went straight to his bedroom and took out the Black Gold Imperial Seal.
[Yama’s Golden Chapter]
A Hell Dao Dharma Gate.
Alongside the Ksitigarbha Sutra and Yellow Springs Burial Tome, it is known as one of the Three Great Pillars of the Hell Dao! Its status is second only to the Hell Dao’s foundational tome, the Six Paths of Reincarnation Scripture.
And this Black Gold Imperial Seal is the essence of [Yama’s Golden Chapter] manifested. True Scriptures and Dharma Gates of this caliber cannot be contained in ordinary paper or jade; their true meaning self-coalesces into these special forms, brimming with Spirit Essence. But for that very reason, ordinary cultivators cannot subdue them at all. Only after Daoist Yunxiong had subdued the Black Gold Imperial Seal could it be passed on to Qi Xiu for use. Otherwise, an ordinary cultivator at the Blood-Stained Realm would be no match for this Black Gold Imperial Seal.
Sitting cross-legged on the cushion, Qi Xiu held his hands empty, lifting the Black Gold Imperial Seal. Silently circulating his energy, strands of Divine Light shimmered at the position of his Ancestral Aperture on his forehead, guiding the essence within to merge into his body.
The Hell Dao was one of the Ten Great Ancient Demonic Sects, specializing in the cultivation of the soul. In their deluded ambitions, these Demonic Cultivators sought to gather the souls of all beings to rebuild the underworld of Hell. They aspired to claim the legendary authority over reincarnation. Fortunately, the founder of our Shenxiao Sect discovered their heinous plot in time and eradicated the Demon Sect. The many True Scriptures and Dharma Gates of the Hell Dao thus fell into the hands of our Shenxiao Sect.
As he quietly absorbed the essence of [Yama’s Golden Chapter] from the Black Gold Imperial Seal, the area of Qi Xiu’s forehead bones began to brighten with a faint glow.
In the blink of an eye, two months passed.
Having completely absorbed the entire Black Gold Imperial Seal, Qi Xiu’s eyes were tightly closed, his mind filled with vast and ancient, enigmatic and profound knowledge, churning like a tumultuous ocean. Within his Ancestral Aperture, Qi Xiu’s soul sat cross-legged on a Golden Lotus Platform, surrounded by a swirling black mist that faintly formed into countless fierce and ghastly specters.
As the black mist continued to grow and surge, filling the entire Ancestral Aperture, Qi Xiu, as if awakened from a slumber, sharply opened his eyes. With a splay of his fingers, a mark like an imperial seal shone brightly in his palm.
"I am Yama, destined to command the ten directions of purgatory. All souls shall honor me as supreme!"
He suddenly stood up from the lotus platform. Around Qi Xiu, a majestic and powerful ceremonial robe appeared, adorned with black gold dragon patterns and exuding a strong imperial aura.
The next instant!
An invisible wave spread violently from Qi Xiu’s body, causing every creature within a hundred miles to shudder involuntarily.
If there were a cultivator proficient in the way of the soul present, they would exclaim in amazement, "Adoration of the soul!"
The phenomenon lasted but a brief moment before returning to calm. Qi Xiu, sitting on the cushion, slowly opened his eyes. A glint of golden light flashed briefly in the depths of his pupils.
"It’s truly worthy of being one of the Three Great Pillars of the renowned Hell Dao. The overbearing power of [Yama’s Golden Chapter] in the realm of the soul exceeds common imagination by far," Qi Xiu remarked slowly, having gained an initial understanding of [Yama’s Golden Chapter]. This scripture thoroughly embodies domineering power in the path of the soul. Every technique recorded within is imbued with a profound sense of authority.
At the thought, Qi Xiu’s soul left his body. His soul, which had previously resembled a wisp of cold, black wind, was now quite solid, almost fully human in form. This indicated that his soul had completely stabilized in the Yin God Phase.
Taking out the Myriad Soul White Bone Banner, Qi Xiu, with a thought, summoned the White Bone Skull Demon, then proceeded to release the binding on it.
The White Bone Skull Demon, free from the spell’s constraints, instantly became fierce and savage.
However, at that very moment, Qi Xiu, in his soul state, suddenly lifted his right hand, his palm revealing a shining imprint resembling an imperial seal.
As soon as this Yama’s Law Seal appeared, the White Bone Skull Demon, which had just revealed its true form and was growling and howling, suddenly knelt down as if it had seen its king.
"This is the first technique of [Yama’s Golden Chapter]—Yama’s Law Seal!"
...