"This 'True Method of Taiyin Metamorphosis and Corpse Dissolution' is rather difficult."
After a night of seclusion, Lü Yang looked at the divine ability manual before him, his brow furrowed. "Great divine abilities cannot be cultivated by those without great magical power; they represent the pinnacle of supernatural arts."
The term "great divine ability" does not actually denote a rank, but rather a method of application.
In essence, by combining several mutually compatible superior divine abilities and unleashing power dozens of times greater, it is called a great divine ability.
The Taiyin Metamorphosis Corpse Dissolution True Method exemplifies this. To master this great divine ability, one must first learn three superior divine abilities: the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light, the Profound Yin Body-Absorbing Great Method, and the Taiwei Imperial Edict Treasure Register. Each of these three abilities is extremely difficult to cultivate, requiring extraordinary机缘 (opportunities and conditions).
This is a common trait of all great divine abilities.
It is not something one can simply choose to cultivate; it depends on three factors: comprehension, luck, and merit. Lacking any one will lead to failure.
Take the first divine ability, the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light, for example.
This single ability has already stifled countless cultivators, as "skinning oneself" during cultivation is tantamount to severing one's own path to immortality; even if mastered, it would be meaningless.
As for the second ability, the Profound Yin Body-Absorbing Great Method, it does not have such severe side effects. The difficulty lies primarily in the external medium. To cultivate this ability, one must use a "Mysterious Yin Taiyin Treasure Jade" as a catalyst. Without this precious treasure, no matter how high one's cultivation or comprehension, it cannot be cultivated.
However, the "Mysterious Yin Jade" is extremely rare.
How rare? In one sentence: it is not listed in the Holy Sect's exchange registry. You cannot buy it even with contribution points. Despite the Holy Sect's vast territory and abundant resources, they do not possess such a rare item.
Clearly, mastering this divine ability depends entirely on the cultivator's own luck and fortune. Without that luck, searching the entire world would be in vain.
Therefore, Lü Yang only glanced at it before decisively setting it aside, turning instead to study the third divine ability, the Taiwei Imperial Edict Talisman.
Yet, to his dismay, although this ability does not require precious external objects or have significant side effects, it is incredibly profound.
Lü Yang studied it all night with little progress.
"It resembles a formation, yet also a talisman, but is classified as a divine ability. Whether I can learn it depends entirely on my comprehension; if I can't understand it, I simply can't."
Thinking this, Lü Yang scratched his head, feeling unconvinced.
"I've already mastered the incredibly difficult art of formations. How long can a mere divine ability hold me back? I'll just spend another twenty years on it—I'll master it eventually!"
The reason Lü Yang was so determined to master the Taiyin Metamorphosis Corpse Dissolution True Method was that this great divine ability was simply too tempting; he could not bear to give it up.
Leaving aside the power of the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light, the Profound Yin Body-Capturing Technique was equally domineering. By absorbing a person's aura and condensing it into a "soul shadow," one could kill the person from thousands of miles away by destroying the shadow.
The Taiwei Imperial Edict was even more outrageous.
Once completed, the talisman did not destroy the physical body or the soul, but specifically damaged merit and fortune. Even a chosen son of heaven would be doomed if struck by this divine ability.
Of course, the most powerful was the combination of all three.
Yet, the most appealing aspect of the "Taiyin Metamorphosis Corpse Dissolution True Method" for Lü Yang was its ability to increase a cultivator's chances of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage!
This alone made Lü Yang determined to obtain this great divine ability!
Time flew by, and five years passed in the blink of an eye.
Inside the Blood-Clad Tower, Lü Yang leaned against the railing, gazing at the sky while silently circulating the "Nine Transformations Dragon Technique." With each breath, he inhaled and exhaled clouds and mist, giving rise to numerous strange and wondrous phenomena.
The Eighth Transformation: Mirage Transformation!
Although the spiritual veins of Skull Mountain were poor, Lü Yang had ample resources and had stockpiled a large amount of spirit stones beforehand, so his cultivation did not lag.
After five years of arduous cultivation, although his practice of the Taiwei Edict Treasure Talisman remained stagnant, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration while studying divine abilities. His true qi spontaneously broke through its barriers, and when he came to his senses, the qi seed in his dantian had transformed once more, faintly taking on a dragon form.
Eighth Level of Qi Refining!
"Although the leap from the seventh to the eighth level of Qi Refining isn't as dramatic as from the sixth to the seventh, my true qi and mana have increased severalfold."
"In the end, realm is paramount!"
"So what if I lack a great divine ability? With my current strength, I could even kill a true disciple at the mid-stage of Qi Refining while surpassing realms!"
"Besides, there is still the Ninth Transformation!"
Lü Yang's heart burned with excitement. The Ninth Transformation, "Flying Fish Transformation," could break through bottlenecks. In other words, after reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining, he could immediately strive for Great Perfection!
"The path to immortality is within sight! It's time to celebrate!"
At this thought, Lü Yang's mood instantly brightened, and the gloom of being unable to cultivate the Taiwei Edict Treasure Talisman vanished. He happily walked out of the meditation room.
However, before that, Lü Yang first used the Qi Concealment Technique.
In the next moment, the powerful aura he had just gained from his breakthrough was completely concealed, returning him to the seventh level of Qi Refining, only slightly stronger than five years ago.
"You can never have too many trump cards—three parts for attacking the enemy, seven parts kept hidden."
Before long, the Holy Sect disciples under the Blood-Clad Tower's jurisdiction swarmed over, each bowing deeply to Lü Yang without a word.
"Congratulations on your return from seclusion, Tower Master!"
"Rise." Lü Yang casually waved his hand, then asked, "During my five years of seclusion, was there any trouble near Skull Mountain?"
"None, Tower Master," an elderly Holy Sect disciple volunteered. "Only once did a disciple from the Northern Frontier's Divine Martial Sect come to provoke us, but Fairy Feixia sent him away."
"What about the Mysterious Yin Jade? Any news?"
"None yet."
After understanding the changes over the past five years, Lü Yang dismissed everyone, intending to enter seclusion again until the opportunity for Foundation Establishment emerged during the Great War between Righteous and Demonic Paths.
However, just then, a streak of light, like a colorful cloud, suddenly descended beside the Blood-Clad Tower.
"Junior Brother Lü, may I request an audience?"
Upon hearing this, Lü Yang scanned the area with his spiritual sense, then quickly rose to greet her, smiling. "I apologize for the trouble, Senior Sister. I should be the one visiting you."
"Junior Brother, something has happened." Fairy Feixia's expression was serious as she solemnly declared, "Recently, the Earth Observation Instrument detected that the zombie horde, which was supposed to erupt in fifteen years, has arrived prematurely."
"Right now, tens of thousands of zombies are heading toward the market!"
"Such an anomaly, without any prior warning, must have a mastermind behind it. I suspect it is likely those barbarians from the Northern Frontier's Divine Martial Sect."
"What?" Lü Yang frowned upon hearing this, his frown deepening when he noticed Fairy Feixia staring intently at him. "Senior Sister, do you need my assistance?"
"Indeed. Junior Brother, would you be willing to brave the zombie horde with me?" Fairy Feixia smiled. "The zombie horde is a crisis, but also an opportunity. Whoever is behind it, triggering the horde prematurely must rely on a rare treasure."
"If we join forces, perhaps we can seize it and create a great opportunity."
"Even if something unexpected happens and we're caught in the zombie horde, with our cultivation levels, the risk isn't great!"
As she spoke, Fairy Feixia's eyebrows lifted, her radiance shining brightly, appearing extremely spirited.
However, Lü Yang shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Senior Sister. I am not as powerful as you. My strength is lacking, and I haven't mastered any divine abilities, only some basic formations. It is better for me to stay and guard the area."
Even a small risk is still a risk. A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall. He could definitely break through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining by cultivating step by step. Why risk his life?
It wasn't worth it! His primary goal in this life was to reach the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. If he wanted to be reckless, he should wait until after achieving that. Until then, he would act with caution.
"Junior Brother, you're not going?" Seeing Lü Yang's refusal, Fairy Feixia frowned slightly. Her usual aloofness was replaced by a look of distress, making her appear pitiful. "The path to immortality is short. To achieve anything, one must burn one's bridges. I thought you understood this principle."
Lü Yang's resolve remained as firm as iron, unwavering. "Times have changed. I hope you can understand, Senior Sister."
"Junior Brother, you've changed." Fairy Feixia shook her head in disappointment. "Since that's the case, you may stay in the market and oversee things. However, you will not receive any opportunities then."
"..." Lü Yang smiled but did not respond.
To be honest, he felt Fairy Feixia was not quite like a disciple of the Holy Sect. She possessed a naivety that seemed untouched by the harsh lessons the sect typically imparted.
With the zombie horde approaching, even if she obtained a great opportunity, she would still have to escape back to the market he was overseeing.
Then, to say he wouldn't get any opportunities? In that case, she shouldn't blame him for reporting that she fought bravely and ultimately sacrificed herself on the front lines against the zombie horde.