Over the next few days, Chen Chuan spent most of his time in the scriptural repository of the Tianji Sect.
Records concerning the Visage of Man were exceedingly scarce. Fortunately, whatever writings existed proved quite valuable, ensuring his efforts were not in vain and giving him an initial grasp of how to proceed along his path.
He did not entirely neglect the scrolls and tomes dealing with the Visage of the Divine and the Visage of the Aberrant, either. Even if they had no direct bearing on his own cultivation, learning more about them allowed him to understand potential adversaries in advance.
The Tianji Sect’s collection spanned various historical eras, preserving a complete lineage of development. This broadened his horizons immensely and filled in many gaps in his understanding of the different paths.
While browsing, he also looked through several of the sect's esoteric rituals and found one particularly intriguing. Once set up, it could trace back matters connected to oneself, thereby aiding a deeper understanding of one's own being or certain events.
Naturally, this required the practitioner to be a Dongxuan View martial artist with sufficient mental power.
A thought stirred in Chen Chuan's mind. There was something he had long wanted to get to the bottom of, and this ritual seemed capable of helping him do so. Since it was not overly complicated, he grasped the essentials after only a brief study.
When he finished reading for the day, Chen Chuan emerged from the scriptural repository and returned to his quarters to digest what he had learned.
Stepping into his room, he glanced over at Chaoming. The creature had spent the past few days in deep slumber, but it was clear that its original feathers were steadily shedding, replaced by plumage that was far more vibrant and lustrous. At the same time, its body was steadily growing, changing visibly by the day.
Judging from its present appearance, Chaoming measured over four meters from head to tail, and longer still if one counted its tail feathers. Even lying down, it was nearly waist-high to Chen Chuan.
He walked over and laid a hand on it. He could feel the aberrant tissue inside its frame proliferating at an incredible pace.
Yet the most crucial factor lay in the spirit. Spirit was the true key to breaking through limits; otherwise, no matter how strong a creature grew, it would remain an ordinary beast.
An overlimit creature's growth could come from self-breakthrough, which demanded an extreme environment and abundant nourishment. The other path was through the guidance of a more powerful overlimit creature, preferably of the same kind. Ikus happened to satisfy both conditions.
At its peak, Ikus had very likely wielded upper-layer power. It had only degenerated and declined because it abandoned living in the world across. The bloodline essence bestowed by such an entity was undeniably potent.
Chaoming's spirit had been roused and guided by it, becoming exceptionally active as it gradually stepped across the threshold of the overlimit realm.
Judging by its current state, it would take at least two more days, and its frame would likely grow even more massive by then.
Chen Chuan had anticipated this.
Even though Chaoming would not become Ikus's direct descendant, it would surely retain some of the latter's traits—in particular, a portion of that gargantuan build was likely to be passed down.
Having confirmed its condition, Chen Chuan withdrew his hand and returned to the bedroom.
For the next several days, he maintained his routine of shuttling between the repository and his lodgings.
At dawn on the fifth day, a resounding cry echoed over Tianji Peak, carrying so far that even the closer administrative seats beneath the mountain heard it.
Chen Chuan was meditating in his bedroom when the sound roused him. Opening his eyes, he walked out of the room.
Looking outside, he saw Chaoming perched on the platform outside his quarters, crying out toward the rising sun. A shimmering coat of light seemed to ripple over its seven-colored feathers.
This was the fire of spirituality. Unlike martial artists, aberrant beasts produced this when their life force grew full beyond a certain threshold and spilled outward. Though not especially condensed, it was tremendously potent.
With this manifestation, there was no doubt that it had stepped into the overlimit realm.
Chen Chuan walked forward. Chaoming bounded over delightedly with a chirping cry, bracing its forepaws and lowering its massive frame.
Smiling faintly, Chen Chuan stroked its smooth plumage, then vaulted onto its back.
Chaoming let out another cry and lunged forward, soaring off the terrace to wheel and glide through the skies around Tianji Peak.
Now shielded by the fire of spirituality, it could accelerate without restraint. It flew over the skies of Weishu Continent for more than an hour before returning to the terrace outside the Tianji Great Hall.
Real Man Long Xian stood watching them. Seeing them touch down, he said with a smile, "Honored guest, this guardian spirit of yours is truly exceptional. Now is the ideal moment for it to take the Ming Dan."
Chen Chuan nodded. The flight had loosened Chaoming's muscles, bones, and aberrant tissue, resulting in growth even better than anticipated. It was indeed the perfect time to administer the pill.
However, doing so meant he would have to stay a few days longer.
Returning with Chaoming to his quarters, he took out a Ming Dan and fed it to the creature.
Then he unrolled the scroll that had been delivered earlier and set it before Chaoming.
Chaoming inspected the open scroll with curiosity. After a moment, its senses touched the mental power imbued within the parchment. A flood of information rushed into its consciousness; it tilted its head, then slowly lay down.
Its body rose and fell gently with its breath. Hidden from sight, the aberrant tissue throughout its frame began to stretch and unfurl under the rhythm of its respiration.
The spirit embedded in the scroll enabled a guardian spirit to exercise its aberrant tissue on its own, allowing the tissue to grow stronger in coordination with its breathing.
Yet this was the ideal scenario; actual practice presented many difficulties. For instance, if the spirit on the scroll far surpassed that of the guardian spirit, it risked usurping control, washing away the creature's consciousness and leaving it unable to recognize itself.
Conversely, if the spirit was too weak, it would provide only brief stimulation and could not last. In that case, pills would have to be administered over an extended period, often requiring the master's personal guidance multiple times a day. The stronger the creature, the more time it consumed, which would inevitably hinder the master's own cultivation.
The best outcome was when the guardian spirit could protect its own consciousness. Not only did this yield superior results, but it also spared the master endless trouble.
Chen Chuan believed Chaoming was capable of this; all he needed to do was stand by and correct any missteps.
After observing for a while and seeing that Chaoming's breathing and tissue rhythm were entirely on track, he set the jar of Ming Dan on the table, walked to the side, poured a cup of tea, and sat on the soft couch. He took out a scroll and began reading while sipping his tea.
In the days that followed, aside from taking Chaoming out for a flight each day, he presented it with different scrolls upon their return.
Lately, Chen Chuan had been reading the Tianji Sect's records regarding the world across.
He was fairly curious about the conditions there, and given his current level, he would almost certainly have extensive contact with that realm in the future.
According to the Xuan Sect's accounts, the other side was swarming with countless demons and fiends, yet forebears of great achievement had continually fought against them throughout history.
Thinking about it carefully, while the convergence of the two worlds made it easier for those otherworldly fiends to cross over, it had also granted all living beings in this world an opportunity to step onto the path of transcendence.
By the time he finished the volume in his hand, a night had passed. Outside, myriad beams of dawn light painted the clouds in gold.
He closed the book and, after a moment's reflection, decided it was time to depart.
Once the thought took hold, he hesitated no longer. After packing his belongings, he led Chaoming toward the Tianji Hall. Leaving Chaoming outside, he walked in alone.
Heavenly Master Lu sat alone upon the main seat, a faint smile on his face, looking as though he had long anticipated the visit.
Chen Chuan walked before him, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Heavenly Master, over the past few days, I have browsed the scriptures hoping to learn the origins of the Mystic Void Fire, but found no answer. Thus, I have come to trouble you. Would you be willing to dispel my confusion?"
Heavenly Master Lu smiled and said, "In our Xuan Sect, there is a tradition of the Five Calamities and Five Refinements beyond the heavens. The Five Calamities refer to various celestial afflictions, while the Five Refinements are five means to avert and dispel those calamities. They also possess the power to injure, dissipate, and strip away qi. The Mystic Void Fire is one of these Five Refinements.
"The Five Refinements represent power that communes with the divine. Regardless of whether one belongs to the Xuan Sect, anyone with the affinity may attain them. Yet the method is exceedingly difficult, so few have ever secured such profound fortune.
"Within our sect, many have cultivated bitterly since ancient times seeking to master this art, for only with it can one possess external protection after breaking through to the upper layer. That you have attained this power proves the profundity of your foundation, matched by few in this world. You truly deserve to be called an immortal among men."
Chen Chuan looked up. "Are there four other Refinements comparable to the Mystic Void Fire?"
Heavenly Master Lu nodded. "There is no superior or inferior among the Five Refinements. It depends entirely on the bearer's foundation and method of application. Different people yield different arts."
Chen Chuan pondered briefly, then nodded. "Thank you for your hospitality over these past days, Heavenly Master. I have been away for a long time, and it is time for me to take my leave."
Heavenly Master Lu smiled. Flicking his horsetail whisk, a soft white light drifted downward.
Chen Chuan caught it and saw a jade plaque carved with the seal characters for 'Tianji.'
Heavenly Master Lu said, "Should you ever face an urgent matter and need to reach me, simply hold this jade plaque and call upon my name. So long as I remain in this mortal world, I shall answer."
Hearing this, Chen Chuan stowed it solemnly and said, "Thank you, Heavenly Master."
Heavenly Master Lu smiled. "Though separated by the ends of the earth, we remain close as neighbors. Since you wish to return, I shall not detain you further. If fate permits, we shall meet again. Safe travels, honored guest."
Chen Chuan cupped his hands once more, offered his farewell, and walked out of the great hall.
Outside, Chonghua, Gao Xu, and Long Xian stood waiting. They bowed to him in salute, and Chen Chuan returned the gesture.
Reaching the terrace outside the hall, he found Chaoming already waiting. Seeing him emerge, the creature crouched low.
Chen Chuan mounted its back and looked toward the sun cresting the horizon. After gazing at it for a moment, he turned around and gently patted Chaoming's flank.
Chaoming let out a clear cry, spread its winged limbs, and leaped from the terrace of the Tianji Great Hall. After circling Tianji Peak twice, it flew south under the watchful eyes of everyone on the mountain.
Heavenly Master Lu stepped out of the hall, gazing after the departing figure as the high winds billowed through his robes.
Gao Xu spoke up then: "Heavenly Master, that blade of our guest's... it seemed to be—"
Heavenly Master Lu said, "I saw it. The old sects withered long ago and merely cling to existence today. Why fuss over sectarian divides?"
The three zhenren nodded, their gazes following the small black speck as it flew farther and farther into the distance, until it melted into the sea of clouds and vanished.
Chapter 1336