Chapter 135

The stone slab is ancient, simple, and solemn; its patterns have long blurred, full of traces left by time, and if not examined carefully, it is easy to mistake it for an ordinary object.

Translation: The stone disk looks ancient and simple, its patterns long blurred, full of the marks of time; if not examined closely, it's easy to mistake it for an ordinary object.

Check: Keep meaning. No extra.

"This is... the Word Formation Secret!"

Translation: "This is… the Word Formation Secret!"

After another half an hour, Yang Chu suddenly opened his eyes, his face full of disbelief, never expecting that within this stone slab lay one of the Nine Secrets—the Word Formation Secret.

Translation: After another half hour, Yang Zhu flung his eyes open, face full of disbelief—he never expected that inside this stone disk lay one of the Nine Secrets, the Word Formation Secret!

We should translate that term as half an hour, because it represents half a shichen, roughly an hour. Following the instruction to convey meaning, we use "half an hour".

Lingbao Tianzun, the creator of the Word Formation Secret, wields the ultimate dao imperial weapon—the Slaughter Immortal Four Swords—which, combined with the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram, can reverse and slay immortals.

Translation: Lingbao Tianzun, the creator of the Word Formation Secret, his ultimate dao imperial weapon—the Slay Immortal Four Swords combined with the Slay Immortal Formation Diagram—can reverse and slay immortals.

We translated that term as ultimate dao imperial weapon (alternatively extreme dao imperial weapon); we kept ultimate dao imperial weapon. We translated the phrase as reverse and slay immortals.

Relying on the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation, Lingbao Tianzun's strength faintly stands as the foremost among the Nine Celestial Venerables, able to slay supreme beings above and suppress the Nine Netherworlds below, shaking all races, none dare not obey.

Translation: Relying on the Slay Immortal Sword Formation, Lingbao Tianzun's strength faintly stands as the foremost of the Nine Great Heavenly Lords—able to slay supreme beings above, suppress the Nine Netherworlds below, awe all races, none dare disobey!

We translated that phrase as "able to slay supreme beings above, suppress the Nine Netherworlds below".

The Word Formation Secret was created by Lingbao Tianzun; it is the ultimate secret art of talisman formation from ancient times, the pinnacle of the way of formations.

Translation: The Word Formation Secret was created by Lingbao Tianzun; it is the supreme secret art of talisman formation from ancient times, the pinnacle of formation techniques!

We kept the translation of that term as "talisman formation".

Inside the stone slab lies the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram; what appears on its surface is the complete Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation, unfortunately the four Slaughter Immortal Swords are not present here.

Translation: Inside the stone disk lies the Slay Immortal Formation Diagram; its surface shows a complete Slay Immortal Sword Formation, but the four Slay Immortal Swords are not present here.

Otherwise, when combined, they can unleash supreme power; as long as the activator is strong enough, even a forbidden‑zone supreme being can be slain.

Translation: If the two were combined, they could unleash supreme might; as long as the activator is strong enough, even a Forbidden Zone Supreme could be slain!

Fortunately, the Word Formation Secret inside the stone slab is intact and complete.

Translation: Fortunately, the Word Formation Secret inside the stone disk is intact and whole.

Inside the stone slab lies another vast space—a boundless ocean, with some vital energy flowing within.

Translation: Inside the stone disk lies another vast space—a boundless ocean, with some flow of life force within.

Above the ocean, a human figure gradually appears; it is not a physical body, but rather an almost illusory form condensed from a wisp of Yang Chu's soul.

Translation: Above the ocean, a human silhouette gradually appears; he is not a solid body, his form near illusory, condensed from a wisp of Yang Zhu's soul.

"This is the interior of the stone slab…… no, that's not right……"

Translation: "This is the inside of the stone disk…… no, that's not right……"

Yang Chu knew this was the interior space of the stone slab, yet being inside it gave him an inexplicable feeling.

Translation: Yang Zhu knew this was the inner space of the stone disk, yet being inside it gave him an inexplicable feeling.

It seemed that everything around him was not created, but truly existed; that feeling was vivid, as if he were actually there.

Translation: It seemed as if everything around him wasn't created, but truly existed; the feeling was vivid, as if he were actually there.

It was as if, after a wisp of his soul entered the stone slab, the next moment he appeared somewhere in the universe.

Translation: It was as if a wisp of soul entered the stone disk's interior and, the next moment, appeared somewhere in the universe.

While he was still pondering, a phantom appeared.

Translation: While he was pondering, a phantom appeared.

That figure was majestic and vast, possessing supreme dignity, looking down upon the nine heavens and ten earths, gazing over the boundless cosmos, like the ruler of the world.

Translation: That figure was tall and broad, possessing supreme majesty, looking down on the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, gazing over the vast universe, like the lord of the world.

Even a mere remnant of his thought still exudes boundless imperial might, vast and overwhelming; anyone before it cannot help but bow in worship.

Translation: Even a mere remnant of thought still exudes imperial might, vast and mighty; anyone before it cannot help but bow and worship.

"Greetings, Lingbao Tianzun."

Translation: "I have seen Lingbao Tianzun."

Yang Chu respectfully paid his respects; although it was only a lingering fragment of divine thought, an ancient emperor deserves reverence, especially one who has made great contributions to humanity.

Translation: Yang Zhu performed a respectful salute; although it was only a lingering trace of divine thought, ancient emperors deserve reverence, let alone one who made great contributions to humanity.

Upon hearing this, Lingbao Tianzun gazed at him; his form was faint, and a haze of primordial mist swirled before his face, obscuring his true appearance.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Lingbao Tianzun gazed over; his body was very illusory, with Hongmeng mist swirling before his face, making his true appearance unclear.

"Are you an emperor's son?"

Translation: "Are you an Imperial Son?"

A voice rang out, like the great bell of Huang Zhong, as if rolling heavenly thunder descended from the heavens, enlightening the listener.

Translation: A voice sounded, like the Yellow Bell Great Lü, as if rolling heavenly thunder pressed down from the heavens, enlightening the listener.

"I am the son of the Wushi Great Emperor, Yang Chu."

Translation: "I am the son of the Wushi Great Emperor, Yang Zhu."

Yang Chu dared not conceal anything and told the truth.

Translation: Yang Zhu dared not conceal it, and told the truth.

"Wushi Great Emperor......" Lingbao Tianzun murmured, then after a moment added: "Although I have passed into meditation, my Slaughter Immortal Sword has sensed his Dao; he is a remarkable figure."

Translation: "Wushi Great Emperor……" Lingbao Tianzun murmured, paused a moment, then continued: "Although I have passed away, my Slay Immortal Sword once sensed his dao—he is an extraordinary figure."

Yang Chu felt astonished, lamenting that it is no wonder he is the chief of the Nine Celestial Venerables; even after countless ages of passing into meditation, the imperial weapons he left behind can still sense the imperial Dao principles of later emperors.

Translation: Yang Zhu felt shocked, lamenting that it was no wonder he was the foremost of the Nine Great Immortal Lords; even after countless ages of passing, his imperial weapons still could sense the imperial dao laws of later emperors.

After each emperor attains the throne, his imperial Dao influences the laws of heaven and earth, which is why it is rare for two emperors to appear in the same era.

Translation: After each emperor attains emperorship, his own imperial dao influences the laws of heaven and earth—this is why it's rare for two emperors to appear in the same era.

Because once someone attains emperorship first, anyone wishing to become an emperor in the same era must break the influence of his heavenly and earthly rules—and that is extremely difficult……

Translation: Because once someone becomes emperor first, if another wishes to become emperor in the same age, they must break his influence on heaven and earth—but that is extremely difficult……

Throughout history, countless prodigies and divine bodies have tried, yet none have succeeded; figures like Ning Fei and Xia Jiuyou have hope of proving the Dao, but ultimately they were born in the wrong era and can only sigh helplessly.

Translation: Throughout history, countless proud talents and divine bodies have tried, yet none succeeded; Ning Fei, Xia Jiuyou, and others had hope of proving the dao, but they were born in the wrong era, only able to sigh helplessly.

"The Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram is not passed to the vulgar; you, however, are worthy."

Translation: "The Slay Immortal Formation Diagram is not passed to vulgar folk, but you have the qualification."

Lingbao Tianzun's might is evident from the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation; his ambition to slay immortals reveals how broad his mind and how lofty his aspirations are.

Translation: How mighty Lingbao Tianzun is—just from the Slay Immortal Sword Formation one can see that, to slay immortals, his breadth of mind and lofty aspirations are imaginable.

Such a peerless figure would never allow his imperial weapons and formation diagram to fall into the hands of the vulgar.

Translation: Such a peerless figure—how could he allow his imperial weapons and formation diagrams to fall into the hands of vulgar people?

There is no other reason—he simply is not worthy! "Today I will pass on to you the Dao diagram and the Salvation Sutra; may you slay all evil in the world."

Translation: "It's simply because you're not worthy!" "Today I transmit to you the Dao Diagram and the Saving People Scripture; may you slay all evil in the world."

As the words faded, Lingbao Tianzun gazed into the distance, sighed long and softly, and then dissipated between heaven and earth.

Translation: The sound faded; Lingbao Tianzun gazed into the distance, sighed long after a while, and thus dissipated between heaven and earth.

"Boom!"

Translation: "Boom—"

The ocean surged violently, the whole space trembled, and then a radiant Dao diagram burst forth from a spring, imperial might spreading everywhere.

Translation: The ocean surged violently, the whole space trembling; then a radiant Dao Diagram burst forth from a spring eye, imperial might permeating.

"Whoosh!"

Translation: "Whoosh!"

The Dao diagram instantly vanished into the void, disappearing above the ocean; Yang Chu felt his vision twist, and that wisp of his soul dissipated…… "Hah……"

Translation: The Dao Diagram instantly vanished into the void, disappearing above the ocean; Yang Zhu felt his vision twist, that wisp of soul dissipating…… "Hah……"

Yang Chu suddenly opened his eyes; he was still in the fire region, and then his heart shuddered, as if something were coming toward him.

Translation: Yang Zhu flung his eyes open, still in the fire region, then his heart shuddered, as if something were coming toward him.

"Screech!"

Translation: "Screech!"

A crack split open in space, imperial might filling it, vast like a surging galaxy; the next moment, a Dao diagram shot out and hovered above Yang Chu's head.

Translation: A crack split in space, imperial might permeating, vast like a surging star river; the next moment, a Dao Diagram shot out, hovering above Yang Zhu's head.

"It really came……"

Translation: "It really came……"

Indeed, as Yang Chu had guessed, just now he was not inside the stone slab's interior space; rather, through a secret method he had reached the bitter sea of Lingbao Tianzun.

Translation: Indeed, as Yang Zhu had guessed, just now he was not in the stone disk's inner space, but through a secret method had reached the Bitterness Sea of Lingbao Tianzun.

"What…… how could there be an imperial weapon!"

Translation: "What…… how could there be an imperial weapon!"

Beside him, the Crow Daoist was terrified beyond measure, feeling the killing sword intent released from the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram; his body seemed ready to split, his soul nearly exploding.

Translation: Beside him, the Crow Daoist was terrified to the extreme, feeling the killing sword intent released from the Slay Immortal Formation Diagram; his body nearly split, his soul almost exploding.

"Pfft!"

Translation: "Pfft!"

A mouthful of blood spurted out; the Crow Daoist's tendons and bones were all broken, his body like a puddle of mud, unable to support himself, his legs gave way and he knelt down.

Translation: A mouthful of blood spurted out; the Crow Daoist's tendons and bones were all broken, his body like a pile of mud, unable to support himself, his legs went soft and he knelt down.

He had no doubt that if he endured even a moment longer, he would be annihilated in both body and spirit by the imperial might; even though the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram had not yet been activated, the killing sword intent it naturally emitted almost cut down the eighth layer of immortal fire, and in an instant, the flames within a radius of a kilometer were completely extinguished.

Translation: He had no doubt that if he endured another moment, he would be wiped out in both form and spirit by the imperial might; the Slay Immortal Formation Diagram, not yet activated, naturally emitted a killing sword intent that nearly cut down the Eighth Layer Immortal Fire, and in an instant, the flames within a kilometer radius were completely extinguished.

"His strength faintly reaches the level of the foremost of the Nine Celestial Venerables—indeed, it is no rumor."

Translation: "His strength faintly reaches the forefront of the Nine Great Heavenly Lords—indeed, not a rumor."

Yang Chu dared not continue; he hastily stored the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram, the imperial might vanished in an instant, and everything returned to normal.

Translation: Yang Zhu dared not continue; he hurriedly stored the Slay Immortal Formation Diagram, the imperial might vanished in an instant, and everything returned to normal.

In the next moment, his mind gained a Salvation Sutra as well as the complete Word Formation Secret.

Translation: The next moment, his mind gained a Saving People Scripture and a complete Word Formation Secret.

"Senior, are you alright?"

Translation: "Senior, are you alright?"

Yang Chu felt a slight remorse; he had not expected the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram to be so overbearing and domineering—even after he had restrained its aura as much as possible, it still nearly shocked a powerful being to death.

Translation: Yang Zhu felt slightly apologetic; he also hadn't expected the Slay Immortal Formation Diagram to be so overbearing and domineering—though he had restrained his aura as much as possible, it still nearly shook a Great Ability to death.

Afterward, he began to heal the Crow Daoist's injuries; in less than half an hour, the wounds were largely healed.

Translation: Afterwards, he began to heal the Crow Daoist's injuries; in less than half an hour, the wounds were mostly healed.

"You little brat, what great ability……"

Translation: "You little brat, what great ability……"

Whether it was instantly comprehending the stone slab, the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram, or helping him recover from his injuries, all of this left the monstrous demon expert greatly astonished.

Translation: Whether it was instantly comprehending the stone disk, or the Slay Immortal Formation Diagram, or helping him recover from injury, all left this Monster Clan Great Ability greatly astonished.

"Senior, thank you for your stone slab; it has given me a bountiful harvest!"

Translation: "Senior, thank you for your stone disk—it has given me a bountiful harvest!"

Yang Chu took out a gleaming golden fruit, obtained from Ye Fan in exchange for the Travel Character Secret; it is the fruit of the Nine Wonders Immortal Medicine, extremely precious.

Translation: Yang Zhu took out a gleaming golden fruit, obtained from Ye Fan by exchanging the Walking Word Secret; it is the fruit of the Nine Marvelous Immortality Medicine, extremely precious.

This... this is a divine medicine fruit?

The Crow Daoist was stunned, with his cultivation and experience, although he could not utter its name, yet he knew this was a divine medicine fruit, worthy of being called a rare treasure of the world!

That's right, I hope you, senior, will accept it.

The Nine Marvelous Divine Medicine Fruit is indeed precious, but compared to the Nine Secrets, the Scripture of Salvation, and the Slay Immortal Formation Diagram, it pales in significance.

Alright, then thank you, old Daoist. The Crow Daoist pondered for a moment, without too much hesitation, carefully stored the fruit.

I have gained some insights; I need to go into seclusion for a while, so I'll leave first.

By the way, old Daoist, I haven't yet asked your name.

Yang Zhu.

Having said that, Yang Zhu disappeared at the cave entrance; he intends to go into seclusion again to contemplate the Nine Secrets and the Scripture of Salvation.

Yang Zhu returned to the place where he forges weapons; since emerging from seclusion in the Cloud-Breaking Mountain Range last time, his cultivation has reached the Four Extremes Peak, ready to break through at any moment, though he has been suppressing it.

Fortunately, this time taking advantage of the opportunity, he broke through to Dragon Transformation in one go, achieving Nirvana once more! The Fire Realm has an endless supply of life essence to replenish, making it absolutely an excellent place for seclusion.

Three days later, the Fire Realm was overcast by black clouds; then apocalyptic thunder fell, each bolt tens of thousands of feet thick, capable of destroying heaven and earth, able to annihilate everything! 'Good heavens, is someone undergoing tribulation?'

Such a mighty spectacle is still the first I've seen in my life; back then I had witnessed powerful beings undergoing tribulation, but none were this grand!

That day, the Southern Realm trembled; everyone felt the apocalyptic might, even though separated by tens of thousands of miles, they were terrified.

(End of chapter)