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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 45 (189): [The Nine-Headed Demonic Dragon]
(45th of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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"That Dead Spirit doesn't seem hostile. Li Ling even took her as a master. We were originally supposed to come to Qiu Prefecture City together, but on the way, she suddenly said she had urgent business elsewhere and disappeared without a trace."
The Hidden Lord was well naturally aware that Li Weiyi and Li Ling had appeared together in Juze (Giant Marsh) City.
However, revealing Zen Hai Guanwu's journey to the Divine Cauldron Abyss would likely prompt the Hidden Lord to immediately go searching for her.
Zen Hai Guanwu's current condition was uncertain. If she were no match for the Hidden Lord and were captured or had her soul and consciousness seized, many of Li Weiyi's secrets would be exposed.
For now, he had to conceal her whereabouts.
"Li Ling's Mental Power has indeed advanced remarkably in the past half year."
The Hidden Lord suddenly realized he had spoken out of turn.
He quickly suppressed the tenderness in his eyes and asked, "Based on your judgment, could she truly be Zen Hai Guanwu?"
"If she truly were Zen Hai Guanwu, how could someone of my cultivation and experience possibly tell? The gap is simply too vast!" Li Weiyi replied with a wry smile.
The Hidden Lord nodded slightly: "Mist Heavenly Emperor was a formidable and respected figure! During her reign, she expanded Lingxiao's territory, reaching three hundred prefectures and commanding respect from all corners of the world. Even the Far Western Ashlands and the Nether Realm of the Dead dared not act recklessly. The prosperity and glory of that era are beyond the imagination of cultivators in our time. Now, the Lingxiao Realm resembles a withered and desolate wasteland, yet it remains fraught with danger, soaked in blood and chaos."
"If it truly is her, it could be a life-altering opportunity for Li Ling. But it's hard to say... Whether a cultivator who becomes a Dead Spirit retains their intelligence, conscience, and spirit is still unknown. If she were tainted by the Nether Realm of the Dead's accursed dark energy, she would undoubtedly become a malevolent fiend."
"In truth, my greatest concern is that a Dead Spirit might be using Mist Heavenly Emperor's name to deceive you and Li Ling, manipulating you for their own hidden agenda."
"Does she truly want to marry you?"
All three Masters and the Hidden Lord held Zen Hai Guanwu in high regard.
Judging by her appearance and condition, she didn't seem to be tainted by the Nether Realm of the Dead's dark energy.
Therefore, he had no choice but to continue concealing the truth, including his own deeply mysterious bloodline and origins.
Li Weiyi said, "She did say something strange like that! But with someone like Zen Hai Guanwu, it's impossible to guess her true intentions. Anyway, my relationship with her, and with Li Ling, is still purely simple."
The Hidden Lord's lips twitched, but he ultimately decided not to press further, knowing that Li Weiyi's intellect was far inferior to Zen Hai Guanwu's. He couldn't possibly see through her deepest motives.
He said sternly, "If Li Ling reappears, notify me immediately. I must meet this Mist Heavenly Emperor in person to determine her authenticity and her true purpose."
Li Weiyi pondered silently.
If Zen Hai Guanwu and Li Ling returned before the year's end, should he inform the Hidden Lord?
What a headache!
With unprecedented caution, the Hidden Lord continued, "Whether she is the Mist Heavenly Emperor or not, this matter must remain strictly confidential. If it leaks, it will be a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions, causing shockwaves and dangers that neither the Jiu Li Tribe nor even the Lingxiao Realm can withstand. I've already warned Cang Li and Yin Jiu. You must also keep your mouth shut."
"I understand the stakes," Li Weiyi replied.
"Boom!"
Deep within the Diligent Garden, the Azure Yin Banner erupted with dazzling azure light, painting the lake below in shades of blue.
Hidden Lord and Li Weiyi arrived at the courtyard where the Azure Yin Banner stood, one after the other.
Yin Ershi San, Yin Ershi Si, and Yin Ershi Wu, who had been observing the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent within, had all been forced to flee by the intense fluctuations of intent.
"Has he actually succeeded?" Li Weiyi couldn't believe it.
He activated his Heavenly Eye and peered into the courtyard.
There, beneath a massive silver coffin, stood Yin Shi Yi.
Yin Shi Yi's original battle intent had taken the form of a five-zhang-tall figure identical to himself - a human body with a serpent's tail.
Now, this battle intent was undergoing a dramatic transformation.
A vast surge of demonic energy surged forth.
The serpent's tail morphed into a more robust and mystical dragon's tail, its black scales adorned with numerous blood-red veins. The dragon scales spread upward, gradually consuming the human upper body.
His arms transformed into sharp dragon claws.
His human head erupted with brilliant light, sprouting nine necks, each a full zhang long, from which nine dragon heads emerged.
Though similar to dragon heads, these had extremely short horns, sharp fangs, and mouths as wide as basins.
Yin Shi Yi's battle intent underwent a complete transformation, evolving into a Nine-Headed Demonic Dragon whose aura surpassed his previous form by an immeasurable degree, imbued with the ancient, domineering power of the Jiu Li God.
Once released, any Martial-Mystic Cultivator could immediately recognize its extraordinary nature.
"Is this the battle intent of the Jiu Li God? How could it transform into a Nine-Headed Demonic Dragon?" Li Weiyi exclaimed in surprise, finding it utterly baffling.
Fusing battle intents wasn't uncommon.
Usually, a weaker battle intent would be absorbed into a stronger one. Could it be that the Jiu Li God was actually a Dragon?
Yet the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent Yaoyin had obtained was clearly a human figure.
Another Hidden One had also acquired the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent, greatly pleasing the Hidden Lord.
He chuckled, "Legend says the Jiu Li God cultivated the supreme Law, the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscriptions, which gave rise to thirty-six fundamental Martial-Mystic Techniques. Each of these fundamental Martial-Mystic Techniques could be cultivated into a battle intent."
"The Jiu Li Tribe only preserved the nine fundamental Martial-Mystic Techniques practiced by the Nine Kings."
"I personally sensed the battle intent within the Silver-Boned Celestial Race's skeletal remains. It should contain seven of the Jiu Li God's Battle Intents. Adding the one Yaoyin took, that makes eight."
"Yin Shi Yi obtained the Crimson King's fundamental Martial-Mystic Technique, the Wrathful Dragon-Capturing Claw Technique, which happens to resonate with one of the battle intent within the skeletal remains. To have obtained and integrated it is a stroke of immense fortune for him."
The few Hidden Ones present understood immediately.
To acquire the Jiu Li God's battle intent, one not only needed exceptional innate talent but also had to cultivate a compatible Martial-Mystic Technique.
Yin Ershi Si's face turned ashen, her heart filled with anguish.
She and Yaoyin both practiced the Medicine King's fundamental Martial-Mystic Technique, the Heavenly Wind Palm Technique.
Yaoyin had already claimed the one that resonated with it.
What hope remained for her?
Yin Ershi Wu bowed and asked, "May I inquire, Hidden Lord, what fundamental Martial-Mystic Techniques resonate with the remaining seven battle intents?"
Hidden Lord replied tactfully, "You needn't force yourselves to conform. Most of the battle intents within the skeletal remains do not align with the Jiu Li Tribe's nine fundamental Martial-Mystic Techniques. As descendants of the old man, you all carry his bloodline. Simply observe and comprehend them directly. There's still a chance."
"For the Jiu Li God, these battle intents are merely a few fleeting sparks among countless thoughts. It's perfectly normal if they don't resonate or if you fail to comprehend them."
Half an hour later.
Yin Shi Yi, having fully integrated the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, nostrils tilted skyward, his serpent tail swaying as he exited the courtyard.
He cast a disdainful glance at Yin Ershi Si and the others: "You lot... what's the use of a Nine Springs Pure Immortal Physique? True talent is often hidden in plain sight. Only the Jiu Li God understands my extraordinary potential. From today on, the world will have to make room for Yin Shi Yi."
"Little Ershi Wu, tell me, since Lu Cangsheng condensed the battle intent of a Thunder God, and I inherited the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent, shouldn't I be able to spar with him without any problems?"
Yin Ershi Wu was in a gloomy mood and didn't feel like humoring him.
Yin Ershi San and Yin Ershi Si felt as if salt had been rubbed into their wounds.
Li Weiyi cleared his throat.
Yin Shi Yi turned his gaze and immediately dropped his arrogant demeanor, hurrying forward to pay his respects to the Hidden Lord and the Divine Hidden One.
The Hidden Lord chided, "The battle intent of a Thunder God isn't necessarily superior to that of the Jiu Li God, but Lu Cangsheng is undoubtedly superior to you. He's the only one in the Thundercloud Sect in the past thousand years to have mastered the Thirty-Six Thunder Annihilation Formation in the Five Seas Realm. If you're arrogant enough to challenge him and end up meeting an untimely end, how will you ever repay the Divine Hidden One for his nurturing?"
Yin Shi Yi chuckled: "I was just joking around with those youngsters. I wouldn't really get arrogant and look down on everyone overnight."
Li Weiyi, playing the good cop, chimed in with a smile: "Yin Shi Yi hasn't even fully integrated the Jiu Li God's battle intent yet, and his combat prowess is already outstanding. Now, he should definitely be at the level of a Successor!"
"It's all thanks to the Divine Hidden Ones' excellent cultivation..."
Yin Shi Yi glanced at Hidden Lord, his eyes darting around: "I feel like my entire body is brimming with power now. All Laws seem to be at my fingertips, and my understanding of Martial-Mystic Techniques has reached a whole new level. Even Yin Jiu might not be my match anymore. How about I lead the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival this year?"
Of course, he didn't want Yin Jiu and Yin Shi to hog all the glory.
Having integrated the Jiu Li God's battle intent, he was eager to test his skills against the world's top experts.
Hidden Lord wouldn't agree to this. Not only was it uncertain whether Yin Shi Yi could defeat Yin Jiu, but even if he had surpassed him in combat prowess, he still lacked the maturity and composure needed for such a role.
Hidden Lord changed the subject: "Do you understand the significance of the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent to you?"
"No longer a Mortal?" Yin Shi Yi understood it this way, believing he would no longer be inferior to those with a Pure Immortal Physique at the same cultivation level.
Hidden Lord shook his head.
"Eternal Life is within reach," Yin Shi Yi insisted.
Hidden Lord shook his head again.
"Inheriting the Jiu Li God's battle intent allows Martial-Mystic Cultivators to better comprehend the Martial-Mystic Path and the spirit of Martial-Mystic Techniques. It enables them to condense a more powerful Dao Seed, which is crucial in the Five Seas Realm and can even influence the Dao Heart Manifestation in the Dao Seed Realm."
"However, at the core of all Martial-Mystic Paths, the most fundamental and critical factor has always been the Martial-Mystic Cultivator themselves."
"The Jiu Li God's battle intent can make you far stronger than other Martial-Mystic Cultivators at the same level in the Five Seas Realm and Dao Seed Realm. Your cultivation speed and process will be faster and smoother."
"But once you forge your Dao Fruit, how far you can go in the future isn't determined by a single battle intent."
"Obtaining the Jiu Li God's battle intent doesn't guarantee you'll become a Giant in the Immortal Realm. Everyone is striving to cross the river; if you don't strive, you'll fall behind; if you don't strive, you'll be discarded."
Li Weiyi understood. The Jiu Li God's Battle Intent held immense significance for Martial-Mystic Cultivators before they formed their Dao Fruit.
If it could be condensed into the Dao Seed from the very beginning, its significance would be even greater.
Martial-Mystic Cultivators at Great Perfection in the Dao Seed Realm who had already formed their Dao Fruit, or Immortal Realm Giants like Hidden Lord, would be completely unable to integrate the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent. They were already walking their own paths to the Dao.
"Let the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent serve as the Hidden Sect's foundation. There's no need to involve those Martial-Mystic Cultivators from the Jiu Li Tribe. Weiyi, you're in full charge of this matter."
Hidden Lord made his decision, intending to lend Li Weiyi a hand. He wanted Li Weiyi to use the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent to win over the Hidden Ones and solidify his position as the Divine Hidden One.
With the Diligent Garden exposed, Hidden Lord decided to move the silver coffin and the Hidden Ones to another Hidden Sect base.
Li Weiyi pulled Yin Shi Yi aside and whispered, "No Hidden One can attempt to comprehend the Jiu Li God's Battle Intent without my approval. Keep a close watch on them!"
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END OF CHAPTER
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