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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 2: [Jiuli Insect Valley]
Chapter 96 (124): [The Heavenly Eye, the Secret Technique of the Zuoqiu Clan?]
(96th of Volume 2)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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"If someone truly masters the Technique of disguise to the point of perfect deception, their value would surpass even an Immortal Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator. The power they wield could make any faction tremble in fear. Ever-changing, a thousand faces for a thousand people - it's both terrifying and utterly fascinating!"
"Alas, the Zuoqiu Clan's most advanced disguise technique, the Bone Transformation and Spirit Exchange Manual, was lost a thousand years ago!"
"Brother Sima, you must hone your Disguise Technique skills. Otherwise, when you encounter top-tier figures, they'll see through your facade immediately - they'll know you're not Sima Qin, but Li Weiyi."
Li Weiyi struggled to maintain his composure: "Young Master Zuoqiu truly lives up to his reputation as a Disguise Technique master. You can see through appearances and discern my true identity."
Zuoqiu Ting chuckled: "I'm not that skilled yet. I made an educated guess and then used a bluff. After all, there are few Martial-Mystic Cultivators who are so close to Li Ling and were once top-tier Surging Spring Realm experts. It wasn't hard to deduce."
Changing the subject, Zuoqiu Ting said, "The Golden Spring is hidden within certain golden mountain rocks. It's rare to find any near the base of the mountain; you'll need considerable luck to discover it."
As he spoke, Li Weiyi walked toward a shallow, golden cliff face and struck out with a palm strike from a distance.
"Boom!"
The cliff face shattered, sending a cascade of rubble tumbling down.
But beneath the stone lay only more stone - no Golden Spring.
"Boom! Boom..."
He tried several more spots, but still found nothing.
"There are countless golden rocks at the foot of the mountain. Searching blindly like this, I could smash a thousand rocks and still not find the Golden Spring."
Li Weiyi's mind stirred.
He remembered the Daoist esoteric Technique "Heavenly Eye" taught to him by his Spirit Tablet Master.
He channeled the Bright Flame from his Third Eye Spiritual Realm, formed a finger seal, raised it above his head, and slowly lowered it to his brow.
"Hiss!"
Strands of luminous Spiritual Light Bright Flame condensed into a golden eye on his forehead, scanning the ground and cliff face.
After refining the Radiant Flame Pill, the Bright Flame burned even more fiercely, making the Heavenly Eye even more solid.
Not far away, Zuoqiu Ting, who had been observing the cliff face, sensed something and glanced at Li Weiyi. Then he turned back to continue his search for golden rock.
Suddenly, Zuoqiu Ting frowned, lost in thought. Something clicked in his mind, and his expression instantly shifted. He whirled around to stare at Li Weiyi again.
"Swish!"
Zuoqiu Ting moved with the speed of teleportation, appearing behind Li Weiyi. He used his folding fan to block the Heavenly Eye forming on Li Weiyi's forehead, and with his arm, he controlled the back of Li Weiyi's head, preventing him from turning around.
"Quickly retract that Psychic Technique! Where did you learn the Heavenly Eye?"
"Heavenly Eye?"
Li Ling glanced over curiously.
Li Weiyi secretly admired Zuoqiu Ting's vast knowledge. Then, a look of embarrassment crossed his face as he quickly retracted the golden eye from his forehead.
This evil Psychic Technique had been recognized while he was using it, and there were a women present.
Would he be mistaken for someone like Shi Liuyu?
Zuoqiu Ting slowly exhaled, releasing Li Weiyi. His expression was complex, and he asked again with extreme caution, "Brother Li, where did you learn this Heavenly Eye?"
"I apologize if I offended you. I was only searching for the Spring."
After explaining, Li Weiyi asked curiously, "Young Master Zuoqiu, are you interested in this Daoist esoteric Technique?"
Zuoqiu Ting carefully studied Li Weiyi's expression, confirming that he truly didn't know the origin of the Heavenly Eye. He then said, "Both the Heavenly Eye and the Bone Transformation and Spirit Exchange Manual are lost secret Techniques of the Zuoqiu Clan."
"..."
Li Weiyi was stunned: "Isn't this a Daoist esoteric Technique?"
Zuoqiu Ting paused: "The Zuoqiu Clan is different from other factions. We're not just Martial-Mystic practitioners; we also pursue spiritual enlightenment and cultivate our state of mind. Our clan's path to enlightenment can be roughly divided into three branches."
"Daoist Scholars retreat from the world. Members of the School of Diplomacy engage with it. Confucian Scholars govern it."
"Currently, the School of Diplomacy holds sway in the Zuoqiu Clan, but a thousand years ago, both Confucianism and Daoism produced extraordinary figures who enjoyed unparalleled glory."
For the third time, Zuoqiu Ting asked, "Brother Li, where did you learn the Heavenly Eye? This is incredibly important to the Zuoqiu Clan, especially to our Daoist branch."
Li Weiyi couldn't reveal his Spirit Tablet Master, so he carefully considered his response.
But he realized that any fabricated story would be transparent to Zuoqiu Ting's sharp mind. So he said, "I'm sorry, but I can't reveal the identity of the Senior who taught me this Daoist esoteric art without their permission."
Zuoqiu Ting asked, "Was the Senior male or female?"
Li Weiyi shook his head helplessly.
Li Ling said, "Asking him is pointless. He's hiding countless secrets, even I can't pry them out of him."
Back at the camp, Li Weiyi immediately retrieved the Ghost Banner and activated the Nether Mist to shroud the area.
Then, he sent a mental message into the Blood Mud Space within the Buddha's Relic: "Spirit Tablet Master, were you once a member of the Zuoqiu Clan?"
Before Zuoqiu Ting, a powerhouse of his era, Spirit Tablet Master dared not use his mental power to sense the outside world. Only after Li Weiyi explained the situation in detail did he learn the truth.
"If he asks again," Spirit Tablet Master said, "tell him you learned it from a dead spirit in the Nether Realm of the Deceased."
Li Weiyi smiled wryly: "I doubt I'll get the chance! I suspect he's already plotting to capture me the moment I emerge from Thirty-Three Li Mountain. He'll use all sorts of methods to interrogate me, then silence me."
"No, that won't happen," Spirit Tablet Master said, "The Zuoqiu Clan has always had excellent family values. Their heir must be of impeccable character. They wouldn't repay kindness with betrayal."
Li Weiyi shook his head: "But the Zuoqiu Clan now leads the School of Diplomacy. It's probably not the same as in your time! And in these chaotic times, pragmatism often trumps morality."
Spirit Tablet Master also felt uncertain: "If things get desperate, you can release me. I'll see for myself what kind of person the current heir of the Zuoqiu Clan truly is."
Li Weiyi withdrew his Mental Power from the Buddha's Relic, silently vowing that once he entered Thirty-Three Li Mountain, he would never return the way he came. Instead, he would escape down the mountain by a different route.
After all, the Spirit Tablet Master was merely a remnant soul. Although she had grown stronger and partially recovered on Shaoyang Star, she was no match for Zuoqiu Ting.
Who knew what lengths Zuoqiu Ting might go to in his pursuit of power? He might even resort to devouring his own ancestor!
One should never entrust their safety to another's person.
Furthermore...
He needed to find enough Golden Springs as quickly as possible to forge all one hundred and twenty of his meridians into pure gold.
Only by breaking through to the Five Seas Realm would he stand a better chance of survival against the top young talents of this generation.
Li Weiyi's gaze fell upon a shallow golden stone the size of a human head on the table.
He had fished it out of the river earlier using his Heavenly Eye. With his current level of Mental Power cultivation, he couldn't see through it, but he could discern subtle traces and patterns. He had felt a subtle difference between this stone and the others and had casually retrieved it.
With a forceful push of his hands, the stone cracked open. Golden light spilled from the fissure, releasing a faint, refreshing fragrance.
Li Weiyi's eyes lit up.
He immediately took out his spiritual artifact, a precious bottle, and poured the Golden Spring from the stone into it. There wasn't much - enough for only four sips.
"Looks like the Heavenly Eye really is useful. If I can break through to become a Great Spiritual Master, entering Thirty-Three Li Mountain won't be a problem. I'll have no trouble finding enough Golden Springs to Hammer my Meridians and Forge my Bones."
Over the next few days, Li Weiyi drank all four Golden Springs and forged a Golden Meridian Vein.
The Immortal Mist Clouds of Thirty-Three Li Mountain continued to spread downward from halfway up the mountain, growing thicker and denser.
The mountain's environment changed every three days, and now a thick fog had settled over the area.
Before their departure, the five people gathered together at the foot of the mountain.
Zuoqiu Baiming led the group.
Besides Li Weiyi and Shang Zhi from the Shou Li Tribe, there were two Pure Immortal Physique Martial-Mystic Cultivators at the first stage of the Five Seas Realm: a man and a woman, Zuoqiu Lanlan and Tian Che, a married couple.
Two Elders from the Zuoqiu Clan handed each of them a robe covered in blood talismans.
"These four talisman robes were crafted by our ancestor using the corpse blood of a Dead Spirit captured from an Immortal Realm Space, ground with rare Immortal Haze medicine into ink. Wearing these robes is the only way for you four Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators to enter Thirty-Three Li Mountain. Moreover, the Defensive Runes left by our ancestor will each protect you from a single fatal calamity."
"Remember, never take off your talisman robes."
"As for Baiming, your cultivation is at the second stage of the Five Seas Realm, making entry even more dangerous. You must wear this specially prepared Fallen Spirit Skin."
Zuoqiu Baiming took the Fallen Spirit Skin, his face contorted with disgust.
After putting it on, his entire appearance became grotesque. His complexion turned deathly pale, his hair became disheveled, and his body was covered in blood-red talismanic runes, emanating the stench of decaying flesh.
Not a trace of his former handsome and noble bearing remained.
One of the Elders continued, "Your sole objective on this expedition is to excavate Immortal Soil. You are all aware of its value and price. One ounce of Immortal Soil fetches a million silver coins, yet it's virtually impossible to find on the market."
"To the three members of the Zuoqiu Clan, I need say no more. Your clan will not treat you poorly."
"To the two from the Jiu Li Tribe, the Zuoqiu Clan will purchase any Immortal Soil you excavate at thirty percent of the market price, plus a personal favor owed to each of you by the Zuoqiu Clan. Do you have any objections?"
Shang Zhi naturally had no objections.
Without the Zuoqiu Clan's talismanic robes, he wouldn't even have had a chance to enter Thirty-Three Li Mountain.
Thirty percent of the market price was already an exorbitant offer.
It meant that one ounce of Immortal Soil could be exchanged for three hundred thousand silver coins.
If he could excavate even a pound...
Shang Zhi imagined he could cultivate in peace for decades to come, without ever worrying about resources.
Of course, compared to wealth, the favor owed by the Zuoqiu Clan was undoubtedly a life-saving talisman, potentially even more valuable.
Li Weiyi didn't find Zuoqiu Clan's offer unfair at all. In fact, he thought it was overly generous, which weighed heavily on his mind. He realized the dangers of Thirty-Three Li Mountain were likely far greater than he had anticipated.
"Since there are no objections, let's set off. Once you enter the mountain, the team leader will instruct you on how to find the Immortal Soil," another Elder said.
The group of five left the camp and headed towards the entrance of Thirty-Three Li Mountain.
Teams from the Four Great Sects, Heavenly Cliff Ridge, Guan Shan, the Earth Wolf King's Army, and other factions had already gathered.
Zuoqiu Ting stood with the Southern Territory's most elite young talents - the Wuxin Golden Ape, Yang Qingxi, Chen Wenwu, Mie-Di, and Dao-Di - engaged in conversation.
Li Ling stood by the river outside the camp, her slender figure framed by the water.
Gazing in that direction, she murmured to herself, "Senior, he's already starting to suspect. Once he leaves Burial Immortal Town and seeks out Qi Shanshan, he'll quickly realize the truth about you."
"It's fine," Zen Hai Guanwu's voice replied from within her, "After observing him these past few days, I can see he possesses a first-rate temperament and intellect. He's someone I can trust. I'll find an appropriate opportunity to have an honest conversation with him."
Li Ling asked, "And what about me?"
"Are you falling in love?" Zen Hai Guanwu asked.
Li Ling hesitated for a moment: "No."
"If not, why trouble yourself? Let's enter the mountain. I've hit a bottleneck in my cultivation. If I can't achieve Yang Marriage immediately, perhaps the opportunities within Thirty-Three Li Mountain are the only thing that can help me break through."
Li Ling asked, "Senior, someone like you, do you really need to marry him to live another life?"
"In my current state, I can cultivate like a Dead Spirit, growing stronger continuously, but it won't support the heights I aspire to reach. These are things you, with your cultivation, wouldn't understand. Rest assured, as my successor, your future achievements will surpass even the Immortal Realm."
Li Ling, a Great Spiritual Master in the Heavenly Fire Realm, shouldn't have been able to enter Thirty-Three Li Mountain.
However, she had absolute faith in Zen Hai Guanwu within her body - after all, this was the Master of Yu Yaozi, the Grand Palace Master of Lingxiao Palace.
Without hesitation, she transformed into a red blur and took a different path into the mountain.
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END OF CHAPTER
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