Yuan Qi watched Xu Ying and the bronze bell flying up and down, plucking down one Mountains and Rivers Bright Moon Pearl after another, and stammered in panic, "Ah Ying, you can't do this! We came here as guests, mmph..."
Xu Ying stuffed pearls one after another into his mouth, cutting off his words.
The bronze bell inverted itself and descended, pinning down the multistory pavilion inside the tomb. This building was an extraordinary treasure composed of various magic treasures large and small. Four bells hung beneath its eaves, capable of invoking earth, water, wind, and fire respectively, making it exceedingly formidable.
Fortunately, the treasure possessed no spiritual sentience, so once suppressed by the bell, it was unable to unleash its might.
Xu Ying heaved with all his strength at one corner of the structure, lifting the entire three-story pavilion.
The bronze bell exerted force from above, casting down rays of light to lock the structure in place. Working in tandem, the man and the bell carried the building over to Yuan Qi.
"Ah Ying, if anyone finds out... mmph mmph mmph, we're finished!" Yuan Qi cried in terror.
Xu Ying walked out from down his throat, with the bronze bell following behind. The bell reminded him, "Ah Ying, look at that Bridge of Resting Waves. Its body is branded with water dragon Dao images that form runes of a hundred dragons frolicking. It's definitely an extraordinary treasure."
"Dismantle it!"
Xu Ying stepped forward. Once again, the bronze bell suppressed it while Xu Ying tore it apart, dismantling the Hundred Dragons Resting Waves Bridge and shoving it into Yuan Qi's belly.
"Ah Ying, this waterfall is definitely no ordinary thing. It flows with rootless water, undoubtedly refined from Extreme Yin Qi. It can melt a person's Primordial Spirit—it's extraordinarily deadly!"
"Dismantle it!"
"Ah Ying, look at those tomb-guarding beasts! If anyone draws near, they'll surely transform into ancient behemoths. They were refined from the vital souls and essence of giant beasts, augmented by Dao images. They're no common goods!"
"Dismantle them!"
"Ah Ying, there's a Dao platform over there!"
"Dismantle it!"
...
Xu Ying and the bronze bell bustled about, dismantling the tomb of Patriarch Qingshuang, Qiao Zizhong, from top to bottom. Pavilions, terraces, towers, artificial mountains, flowing streams—everything was swept clean. Even the gold bricks paving the floor were carefully pried loose.
The man, the bell, and the snake worked with practiced ease. This was hardly their first time handling such business: the bronze bell suppressed the treasures to avoid alerting their master, while Xu Ying carefully stuffed them into Yuan Qi's belly.
Although Yuan Qi kept babbling, he kept his voice down.
Now, Patriarch Qingshuang's tomb had become refreshingly bare and penniless, leaving behind only the pool of black water and that coffin.
The bronze bell said, "Ah Ying, if one lies in that coffin, the bones will never decay, bestowing blessings upon one's descendants. And that black pool is likely an extraordinary treasure as well. Neither of these two treasures is inferior to the twenty-four Mountains and Rivers Bright Moon Pearls!"
Xu Ying looked toward the pool of black water and the brocade coffin, deeply tempted, but he reined himself in. "I have an eerie feeling that there is definitely something beneath the pool, something extremely ominous. If we touch the brocade coffin, we'll surely disturb whatever is down there. Lord Bell, Lord Qi, let's go!"
Reluctant to part with them, the bronze bell had no choice but to retreat with him.
Strangely enough, ever since its damage was repaired by Zhu Chanchan, it had caught the same vice as her: whenever it saw a treasure, it instinctively wanted to pocket it.
Yuan Qi, being attentive to details, said, "Ah Ying, all these treasures carry their master's imprint. If the master discovers the theft, he'll summon the magic treasures. I'm afraid my belly won't be able to suppress these babies, and Patriarch Qingshuang will summon them right out of me."
Xu Ying smiled and said, "That is why you, Lord Qi, must head immediately to the Fusang tree to see Chanchan. Have her erase Patriarch Qingshuang's imprints. That way, once the loot is fenced through Chanchan's hands, the treasures will be considered clean."
Yuan Qi realized the wisdom of the plan and agreed repeatedly.
They stepped out of Mad Martial Uncle's tomb. Xu Ying looked around; seeing no one in sight, he put away the tattered wooden door.
Yuan Qi slithered through the mountains, crossing several peaks before finally taking to sword qi and streaking through the air toward the Fusang tree to find Zhu Chanchan.
Xu Ying and the bronze bell returned to the golden hall within the mountain to continue studying the texts left by the various patriarchs.
"Right, I forgot to ask Lord Qi which era Patriarch Qingshuang, Qiao Zizhong, lived in."
Xu Ying rummaged around for a bit, but failing to find the book Yuan Qi had mentioned, he didn't take it to heart. He thought, *He was probably a Qi Refiner from the same era as Li Xiaoke. Having seen no hope of achieving immortality, he faked his death and secretly taught false Nuo methods to cultivate chives for harvesting. A being like him is nothing more than a fish in someone else's eyes.*
He immersed himself in studying the Dao methods and divine arts. After a few days, drawing analogies from what he learned, he finally grasped the profound application of the six characters from the Grand Supreme Immortal Scripture: Truth, Spirit, Emptiness, Stillness, Void, and Radiance.
Xu Ying summoned his Golden Core and closed his eyes. After the tempering of water and fire in the Cross-Refinement stage, his Golden Core had first acquired the Samadhi of water and fire, and was later refined to the state beyond Samadhi.
Now that he had broken through to the Second Pass-Breaching stage, adding oil to extend his life was of little consequence to him; yet if his Golden Core were to advance further, it demanded deeper comprehension.
The bronze bell was busy stealing immortal medicine from Xu Ying's six secret depositories to cultivate when an inexplicable tremor stirred in its heart. Jolted awake, it saw Xu Ying offering up his Golden Core.
The bell observed sneakily and found that this Golden Core was empty, void, and boundless, possessing no edges whatsoever—completely different from before!
In the past, Xu Ying's Golden Core had possessed clear boundaries, formed as it was from incomparably pure, highly concentrated vital blood complemented by divine sense.
Some would go so far as to brand the Dao images they had comprehended into their Golden Core to enhance its power.
Back then, a Golden Core could even be summoned like a magic treasure and wielded as an offensive weapon!
Of course, powerful though a Golden Core was, having it shattered by an opponent meant severe injury at best and death at worst!
Although Xu Ying had never gone that far, he too had once summoned his Golden Core to suppress enemies, only holding back later after witnessing the gruesome fates of others whose Golden Cores had been smashed.
Later, when he practiced the Martial Dao, his Golden Core was flooded with exceedingly exuberant martial vital blood, making the boundary between the Golden Core and the outside world even more distinct!
Yet now, the bronze bell discovered that Xu Ying had actually achieved a boundless Golden Core—all that remained was a round, unified ball of pure light!
Transparent light!
Not only was it borderless, but the bronze bell even felt that this Golden Core was hollow, devoid of any sense of weight, hanging there as if made of nothing at all. It could feel neither the terrifying vital blood nor the boundless yuan qi within Xu Ying's Golden Core, nor could it detect any Dao images harbored inside.
It hovered there, yet it was undeniably real.
Truth, Spirit, Emptiness, Stillness, Void, Radiance.
Originally, the bronze bell had taken no interest in the Grand Supreme Immortal Scripture of the Golden Casket, thinking that as a sentient magic treasure, it had no need to learn it—nor could it learn it anyway. But seeing Xu Ying's Golden Core merged into a seamless, harmonious whole, it experienced a sudden flash of insight.
*If I comprehend Truth, Spirit, Emptiness, Stillness, Void, and Radiance, perhaps I too can become like the Golden Core—boundless and borderless, concealing myself within the void, crystal clear, indestructible and unscathed.*
It observed Xu Ying's Golden Core and felt as though it were a tiny world connected to the Realm of Xiyi inside Xu Ying's body and connected to the external world, its Dao arts harmoniously aligned.
The bronze bell attained deep enlightenment. Its walls rotated slowly, and before it knew it, Immortal Dao runes for the six characters—Truth, Spirit, Emptiness, Stillness, Void, and Radiance—gradually emerged upon its surface.
Although it could not cultivate like Xu Ying and Yuan Qi, it possessed intelligence after all, and any insight it attained would manifest as imprints upon its body.
In the past, because the bell knew Li Xiaoke liked things clean and orderly, it had never dared add any other imprints to itself. But ever since realizing Li Xiaoke's true colors, it had thrown caution to the wind and cast off all restraint.
As Xu Ying's Golden Core illuminated, using it as a conduit, he felt interconnected and blended with the world around him. His sense of touch seemed enriched, and his vision grew crystal clear. Looking at the outside world was like observing with divine sense in his Realm of Xiyi—strikingly lucid, vibrant with colors so rich they stirred the soul!
He even sensed the power of the Great Dao drifting between heaven and earth—mysterious, intangible, yet perceptible and ready to be mobilized by him!
He was the Dao wherever the Golden Core shone; he was the Principle wherever the Golden Core illuminated!
This was the Golden Core Dao!
"I wonder how far my Golden Core Dao can illuminate?"
Just as Xu Ying was about to step out of this golden hall in the mountain, Yan Kongcheng's voice drifted in from outside: "Oh dear! Brother Xu, it completely slipped my mind! I actually shut the seals on this Scripture Storage Hall and trapped you inside! I must have slept for three thousand years and left my wits behind!"
All smiles, Yan Kongcheng appeared before Xu Ying and asked cheerily, "You won't blame me, will you?"
The bronze bell flew up behind Xu Ying and whispered, "Ah Ying, this lad is so hypocritical—he is bound to achieve great things in the future!"
Xu Ying gave a slight nod and put on a hollow smile. "It was an honest mistake; how could I blame you? Ah Cheng, you and I are old acquaintances. We've known each other for three thousand years. Since antiquity, fraternal affection can last a hundred years, but can it last three thousand? Yet our bond can."
Yan Kongcheng nodded with feigned kindred warmth. "Brother Xu speaks the truth. I came to let you know that I have opened the Six Secret Depositories of the Human Body, opening each of the six secret cave-heavens one by one. My cultivation has surged, and I'm sure you must be thrilled for me."
Xu Ying seemed overjoyed as he chuckled. "Ah Cheng possesses immense talent! With your breakthrough, how could I not be happy for you? As it happens, my Golden Core Dao has also achieved some minor success!"
Yan Kongcheng was moved and marveled, "In such a short time, Brother Xu actually learned the Golden Core Dao—I am far inferior to you! Before your secluded meditation, your divine arts, cultivation techniques, movement techniques, and comprehension of the Dao were all inferior to mine. In these past few days, you must have caught up."
The bronze bell felt a bit dazed and thought, *Was Ah Ying the one defeated a few days ago? Did Lord Jin infect me, giving me memory problems?*
Xu Ying laughed heartily. "Ah Cheng, Mount Emei's Dao methods are truly extraordinary. When you die in the future, your mouth will surely remain unrotted for ten thousand years. When someone digs up your grave, that mouth of yours will still be able to jump out and curse them."
Yan Kongcheng laughed loudly. Looking down at his hands, he smiled wryly and said, "Talk is cheap. In truth, I would love to experience Brother Xu's martial skills once more."
Xu Ying stretched out his hands and inspected his fingernails, remarking nonchalantly, "I only hope your mouth is as tough as ever, Ah Cheng."
"My fists are tougher than before," Yan Kongcheng replied calmly.
The two strode outside while the bronze bell wobbled along behind them, thinking, *Ah Ying won't enjoy the advantage of superior cultivation depth this time. Having unlocked the Six Secret Depositories of the Human Body, Yan Kongcheng was bound to open several tiers of cave-heavens in one go. With his current cultivation, he could open the six secret cave-heavens up to the fourth tier.*
Xu Ying had likewise opened his six secret depositories to the fourth tier of cave-heavens, possessing twenty-eight cave-heavens in total.
If Yan Kongcheng had also opened the six secrets to the fourth tier, then his physical vitality, yuan qi, heart power, divine sense, soul, and Yin-Yang dual qi would likely be on par with Xu Ying's!
Yet Xu Ying had only studied the Golden Core Dao for a few days; his proficiency in wielding Dao methods was surely no match for Yan Kongcheng's.
With the scales tipping in the other direction, the bronze bell did not fancy Xu Ying's chances.
Before they knew it, Xu Ying and Yan Kongcheng had emerged outside the mountain. Xu Ying gazed upon the orderly peaks of Mount Emei, where a sea of clouds drifted, parting to reveal mountain crests glistening like gold and jade. It was a breathtaking sight that left him feeling refreshed and invigorated.
He summoned his Golden Core. Instantly, the Golden Core shone with empty, radiant luminosity, its dazzling light connecting with the ascension rosy glow lingering over each of Mount Emei's Golden Summits, faintly drawing the Great Dao of heaven and earth into resonance with the core.
Seeing that Xu Ying had truly mastered the Golden Core Dao, Yan Kongcheng felt a slight tremor in his heart and summoned his own Golden Core.
The two Golden Cores hovered in midair, their radiance interweaving and rivaling the brightness of the sun and moon. Even the sun hanging high in the sky seemed pale in comparison!
Across the peaks of Mount Emei, winds blew and clouds stirred as though guided by invisible hands. Electricity crackled in the empty air, and thunder began to brew.
Both men silently communed with heaven and earth, pushing their Golden Cores to the limit in an attempt to rally more worldly yuan qi and the Great Dao of heaven and earth.
Xu Ying had long wanted to know the limits of his Golden Core's resonance with heaven and earth. He promptly cast the core's light even further and laughed, "Ah Cheng, if you can't hold on, why not open your Six Secret Depositories? I can give you a few pointers on your cave-heaven cultivation."
Seeing that Xu Ying hadn't mobilized his cave-heavens, how could Yan Kongcheng be willing to do so first? He immediately fired back with a chuckle, "Brother Xu, you are older than me after all, and the elderly shouldn't push their old bones too hard. Your little brother here will let you open your cave-heavens first!"
Their vital blood surged toward a boiling peak. Xu Ying's eyes went wide, and the vital blood above his head formed roiling clouds that rattled with the sharp clatter of clashing blades. He smiled and said, "Ah Cheng, I once painstakingly practiced the Martial Dao, honing my spirit and will, and refined the Martial Dao into my Golden Core. Even without opening my cave-heavens, I can hold out for a very long time!"
Yan Kongcheng's cheeks twitched. A wisp of azure qi surged from the crown of his head, fluttering like a battle standard. He chuckled, "My Supreme Dao Attainment Technique was personally validated by our Supreme Patriarch as an art capable of attaining immortality and verifying the Dao! Do you think a mere Martial Dao can match my technique?"
Their expressions gradually warped with strain, yet neither would unlock his six secrets and open his cave-heavens.
Each drove his Golden Core with all his might, striving to eclipse the other's range of influence and seize the upper hand.
*This must be the flaw of cultivating the Golden Core Dao,* the bronze bell thought calmly. *When two Qi Refiners who cultivate the Golden Core Dao have comparable cultivation and simultaneously use their cores to mobilize the worldly Great Dao and yuan qi, who are the Great Dao and yuan qi supposed to obey?*
Xu Ying's and Yan Kongcheng's faces contorted further, turning progressively feral.
Xu Ying laughed shakily, "Ah—Ah Cheng, you can't hold out much longer, can you? If—if you can't take it, just say the word—there's no shame in it!"
Yan Kongcheng's eyes bulged as if ready to pop from their sockets. His face was flushed crimson as he wheezed, "Brother—Brother Xu, I hear you st-st-stuttering, tripping over your words. You're at your limit, aren't you? Don't—don't push yourself..."
The two glared at each other, sweat pouring down their foreheads like waterfalls.
The bronze bell became certain of one thing, thinking, *When two Qi Refiners both cultivate the Golden Core Dao, they had best just start trading blows immediately and never engage their Golden Cores like this, or they'll end up in this exact mess.*
"Open them... together?" Xu Ying asked with a trembling voice, on the verge of breaking.
Yan Kongcheng had also reached the limit of his endurance. He nodded, "I'll c-c-count one, two, three... three!"
Boom!
Almost simultaneously, both opened their six secret cave-heavens. In an instant, blinding light soared into the sky as twenty-eight dazzling cave-heavens blazed behind each of them, rivaling each other in brilliance!
The moment Xu Ying mobilized his cave-heavens, he abruptly realized that his yuan qi cultivation was still far superior to Yan Kongcheng's! Hesitating no longer, he struck out with a palm like an immortal weapon falling from the heavens to turn the sky upside down—the first method of the Eight Methods of the God of War: Overturning the Heavens!
Rumble!
As that palm came crashing down, no matter what Golden Core Dao Yan Kongcheng employed or what divine arts he unleashed, all of them were pulverized.
Hearing the sharp snap and crackle of his own bones breaking, Yan Kongcheng was sent flying backward, embedding straight into a Golden Summit dozens of li away!
Xu Ying burst into hearty laughter that echoed back and forth among the mountains without end!
"I've consumed so much primordial Dao essence and refined immortal medicine—how could my magic power not crush you?"
***
The tomb of Mount Emei's Patriarch Qingshuang, Qiao Zizhong.
Ripples suddenly broke the surface of the calm black pool, spreading outward in expanding circles. The disturbance grew larger and larger until the sound of splashing water arose. Mingled with the splashing came someone humming through their nose, carrying a light and jaunty tune.
"Harvest complete, and quite a bountiful haul this time... Wait, did I enter the wrong place?"
Chapter 203