Chapter 72: Renewal and Transformation

Page (1/3)

Its scale surpassed any of the Five Peaks, with a considerable population and architecture that mirrored the others in style.

The uniqueness of the Peak lay in its shape—it resembled a great bow drawn taut without an arrow, entirely formed by nature, a marvel bordering on the unbelievable.

Most of the Peak’s buildings clustered atop the bow, yet many chose unconventional paths: using formations to construct floating islands, suspending their dwellings within the arc and the span of the bowstring.

Thus emerged a floating architectural complex, extraordinary in its own right.

The residence of the Yin-Yang Master was situated at the summit, grand in scale and furnished with every necessary facility. His disciples, depending on their closeness to him, resided here.

There were four disciples—five if you included the master himself.

Here, "disciple" referred to those personally taught and guided by him, always kept at his side.

Outside, there were at least thirty more, all assigned through ceremonies similar to the one just held for newcomers.

Whenever a disciple entered, the Yin-Yang Master would guide them once; if they failed to learn, they were relegated to the outer ranks and rarely saw him. If they succeeded on their first try, they enjoyed the same privileges as the four personal disciples, receiving constant guidance.

Cao Chengyu was the only one whom the Yin-Yang Master had actively persuaded—almost tricked—into becoming a disciple, showing how highly he was regarded.

“Cao Chengyu, now that you have become my disciple, I shall not favor one over another. This is your initiation gift.”

“Your fellow disciples, except for the third and fourth, are rarely present within the sect. I will introduce you another day. For now, stay here.”

“I understand, Master.”

Cao Chengyu bowed respectfully. As he said, the decision was made; switching allegiance now would not only offend his teacher but harm his reputation.

It would hinder his progress within the Five Elements Sect. Whatever the circumstances, he had to accept it.

Taking the storage pouch tossed to him by the Yin-Yang Master, Cao Chengyu swept it with his spiritual sense and was instantly astonished.

Inside were two thousand spirit stones, five bottles of pills suitable for Dao Body cultivation, twenty talismans, and a low-grade second-tier shield artifact.

It amounted to a tenth of his own assets—quite valuable.

“Thank you, Master, for your generosity.”

“This is merely your cultivation resources. Prepare well; tomorrow I shall teach you the method of safeguarding the Dao. Apply yourself diligently.”

“I will, Master.”

“Go now. There are attendants in the residence who will arrange everything for you.”

Page (2/3)

“Yes.”

Cao Chengyu bowed again and withdrew slowly.

He stopped a young attendant at work, asking her to lead the way to an empty room.

He pondered the Yin-Yang Master’s generosity. Much of his own wealth was thanks to the Sky-Scented Spirit Cat, and from his travels, he had gathered a respectable collection—though mostly low-grade materials, with only a handful of third-tier items.

To receive such riches merely for becoming a disciple suggested the master was accustomed to accepting gifts.

He spent the night in diligent cultivation, still relying on the Hundred Rivers Pill to aid his absorption of spiritual energy, which progressed slowly.

He lacked the ingredients for the Profound Spirit Pill, and his alchemy skills were not yet sufficient to refine it. After all, it was a pill commonly used to accelerate Dao Body growth, valuable and difficult to produce.

After a night’s effort, his progress increased by no more than 0.005—still requiring constant accumulation.

By morning.

Following the attendant, Cao Chengyu arrived at the Yin-Yang Master’s chamber, for today was the day to receive instruction.

They sat across from each other on meditation cushions, burning incense to calm their minds.

After a long silence, the Yin-Yang Master spoke.

“Chengyu, I possess thirty-four arts, twenty-one secret methods, and one hundred and two miscellaneous techniques of various schools. I have dabbled in the hundred skills of cultivation. Which do you wish to learn?”

So many? Cao Chengyu was momentarily stunned, but quickly regained composure. It was not surprising.

A cultivator at the Purple Mansion level could live at least five hundred years, accumulating many arts and skills along the way.

He himself could claim some familiarity with every one of the hundred crafts, though he currently focused on alchemy and artifact-making.

These two disciplines complemented the Dao, possessing a remarkable synergy.

After some thought, Cao Chengyu replied, “I am interested in arts with unique effects, advanced alchemy and artifact-making, and sources of earth fire. I have need of them all.”

The Yin-Yang Master’s mouth twitched. This boy was bold, and it was no wonder he had considered the Fire Master as a teacher; the Fire Master was renowned for his mastery of both alchemy and artifacts, and his control of fire was exceptional.

He even possessed the unique earth fire: Magma Heart Flame.

Page (3/3)

To seek earth fire, one could do no better than him.

But these demands were not beyond the Yin-Yang Master.

“Secret arts and unique techniques are easy enough. I have one secret method, the ‘Yin Script Sword Formation,’ derived from the innate ability of the Taiyin Fierce Demon. Its power is divine—I will teach it to you.”

“For alchemy and artifact-making, I have the ‘Profound Yin Pill Scroll’ and the ‘Sunrise Artifact Scroll,’ both the result of my years of study. They integrate numerous techniques and methods for manipulating yin and yang energies—a culmination of my life's work.”

“You seem to love alchemy and artifact-crafting; you must have a talent for it. Today, I will pass these on to you. Mastering such skills will set you above others wherever you go.”

With that, the Yin-Yang Master produced three blank jade slips, pressed them to his forehead to record his methods and insights, and handed them to Cao Chengyu.

It was clear that, though he had used questionable means to recruit Cao Chengyu, he was earnest in imparting his skills.

For Cao Chengyu, so long as he learned what he needed, it mattered little whom he served.

Thus, he bowed to the Yin-Yang Master with genuine respect.

“Thank you, Master.”

“Rise now.”

The Yin-Yang Master was deeply satisfied. He was shrewd enough to sense Cao Chengyu’s earlier resentment and gladly accepted his true salute.

Some of the distance between teacher and disciple melted away.

“As for the earth fire, I do know of a place where it might be found.”

“Master, I earnestly ask for your guidance.”

Cao Chengyu sought earth fire not only to enhance his skills in alchemy and artifact-making, but also for its power in combat. He possessed a technique to absorb and merge with a unique flame.

This would greatly aid him in cultivating the Heart of Fire God, saving years of effort—a gift from heaven, not to be missed.

“Well, this story must be told from the beginning.”

The Yin-Yang Master pondered a moment, then began.

It originated from an exploration in his youth. Because of the demon calamity three thousand years ago, many ancient cultivators, fearing for the survival of their legacies, established numerous inheritance caves across the land of the Hundred Nations.