Chapter 174

The Soldier Character Secret differs greatly from the other few secrets; once this secret is mastered, every grain of sand, stone, and dust in heaven and earth can become a weapon, revealing killing intent.

At the same time, one can seize control of an opponent's weapons and use them for oneself; if one's cultivation is strong enough, even the aura of an extreme-path emperor can be taken.

This is simply shocking to hear, profoundly mysterious!

"Is the Soldier Character Secret here?"

Gai Jiuyou and the Yaochi Holy Maiden, seeing Yang Zhu like that, were all stunned, but soon understood what was happening and began trying to comprehend it.

As the foremost person of Zhongzhou several thousand years ago, Gai Jiuyou possessed extraordinary talent and stunning brilliance; after about half an incense stick's time, he also began to grasp its profound mysteries.

The Yaochi Holy Maiden is also no ordinary heaven's pride; among the younger generation of Donghuang, few can match her talent.

Moreover, she had the aid of the Enlightenment Tea Tree Heart gifted by Yang Zhu, and within less than half an hour she also entered the state.

Moonlight like water, the surroundings were tranquil and harmonious; after an unknown span of time, Yang Zhu finally came to his senses.

The scripture of the Soldier Character Secret is lengthy, but for Yang Zhu's Dao nature, comprehending it is not difficult.

"The Soldier Character Secret is indeed infinitely profound."

Yang Zhu exclaimed in awe; the Soldier Character Secret, as the supreme esoteric learning of Daoism, represents the ultimate understanding of the domain of "vessels," with detailed accounts from forging weapons to their completion.

He waited several hours; Gai Jiuyou and the Yaochi Holy Maiden successively withdrew from their states, each gaining a considerable harvest.

Fortunately, this place is in the rear mountains, rarely entered by anyone, so it has remained quiet, with no one coming to disturb.

"I had earlier guessed that the Soldier Character Secret was in the hands of the Cai family's descendants, and indeed it was; this time, thanks to the Imperial Son, I have finally gotten my wish."

Gai Jiuyou's gaze was deep; he had wandered nearby for a long time yet could not find any trace of the Nine Secrets, never expecting it to be in such an inconspicuous spot.

"The Soldier Character Secret is already in hand; what are you thinking about now?"

At this moment Yang Zhu was gazing into the distance, as if pondering; the Yaochi Holy Maiden smiled lightly, knowing he surely had another idea.

"Actually, I want to try seizing an imperial weapon." Yang Zhu did not conceal it, voicing his thought.

"But I haven't decided which one to take, and my cultivation is still too low; taking it isn't hard, the difficulty lies in dealing with the deity inside."

Each extreme-path imperial weapon is unique, a heaven-defying existence, most having already gained some spiritual awareness.

Imperial weapons resonate with the chosen person, or the thoughts of a great emperor's descendants, allowing them to be recalled; this too is part of the terror of extreme-path imperial weapons.

Even if you can temporarily seize it, once the controlling faction activates the deity within and revives it, the weapon can return to that faction's hands.

"Wait until you reach the Immortal Platform to try; then your chances will be somewhat better."

The Yaochi Holy Maiden brushed aside a lock of blue silk, knowing Yang Zhu was not joking; his declaration to seize an imperial weapon was a genuine dare.

Just as before—charging into the forbidden zone, seizing the Enlightenment Tea Tree, stealing the True Dragon Divine Medicine—though to ordinary people it seemed like sheer fantasy, he actually did it and succeeded.

"It's not easy to seize here; I'll try in the outer realms later."

Yang Zhu nodded; most of the Northern Dipper's imperial weapons already have masters, making them difficult to take, so later he could try other star fields.

For example, the immortal robes of the Great Emperor Daoyan, the imperial weapons of the Yin and Yang Human Emperors, the Light Clan's Divine Refining Vessel, and the four Slaying Immortal Swords of the Lingbao Celestial Venerable…

If the opportunity arises, Yang Zhu will certainly try, for the saying still holds… the more, the better! "Senior, I have an opportunity; I wonder if you would like to join me."

Now that the Soldier Character Secret is in hand, Yang Zhu next wishes to visit the Immortal-Ascending Pool, where there is a great opportunity; he hopes to use this chance to break through to the Immortal Platform, then depart afterward.

"Imperial Son, please speak; this ailing old one will surely follow." Gai Jiuyou was very humble, exceedingly respectful and courteous.

"Senior, have you heard of the Immortal-Ascending Pool?" The Immortal-Ascending Pool is said to be a fairyland, with too many legends and myths about it, mysterious and ethereal, hard to find.

It is said that there one can find the chance to become an immortal; just that alone would drive everyone mad.

Throughout the ages, countless peerless powerhouses have spent their lifetimes searching for its whereabouts, yet all returned empty-handed.

"To be frank, I have been searching for it these past years, but after encountering dozens of similar places, I still have no clue."

In the Qinling Mountains, there are dozens of divine springs bearing stone tablets inscribed "Immortal-Ascending Pool," yet without exception, none of them are the one people seek.

"If you trust me, then follow me."

As an Imperial Son, he knows many secrets, and besides being a transmigrator who has actually read the script, finding the Immortal-Ascending Pool is not difficult.

Yang Zhu inscribed the formation markings; the three instantly vanished from the rear mountains of Qin Gate and arrived at the southeastern region of the Qinling Mountains.

Upon arrival, he offered the Hun Dun Chi; the chaotic essence stone within came from the bottom of the Immortal-Ascending Pool and can aid him in his search.

"Indeed it is chaotic essence stone, the same material used in the weapons of the Wushi Great Emperor, with three other kinds of immortal metal added."

At the instant he saw the Hun Dun Chi, Gai Jiuyou nodded repeatedly, even he could not help but exclaim in awe.

Yang Zhu's methods are terrifying; each immortal metal used in the sacrificial refinement is exceedingly rare worldwide, and only someone like the Wushi Great Emperor could obtain them in such a way.

"Yaoguang?"

Who would have thought that after searching for half a day, Yang Zhu would spot a familiar figure—none other than the Yaoguang Holy Son, unexpectedly also present in Zhongzhou.

The Yaoguang Holy Son, handsome and outstanding in appearance, with an elegant and easygoing temperament, his whole body bathed in holy light, behind him float one hundred and eight divine halos, extraordinarily holy and divine.

"Yang… Brother Yang, and also Yaochi Fairy, what are you doing here?"

The Yaoguang Holy Son also noticed Yang Zhu and his companions, similarly stunned; his holy light completely receded, a flicker of barely perceptible wariness and concern flashing in his eyes.

"Today we have fatefully met; I happen to want to borrow a volume of scripture from you."

Yang Zhu walked toward him, a faint smile on his face.

"Brother Yang, please speak; if possible, I will certainly not be stingy."

The Yaoguang Holy Son's smile was refined and elegant, appearing very easygoing and magnanimous.

"I wish to peruse the Indestructible Heavenly Skill."

But as soon as the four characters "Indestructible Heavenly Skill" were spoken, the Yaoguang Holy Son's face stiffened, and he could no longer smile.

"Indestructible Heavenly Skill… I, your humble self, do not know what Brother Yang means; that is the Ruthless Great Emperor's technique—how could I possess it?"

He feigned calm, but inside his heart surged tumultuously; if it were anyone else, he could simply strike to silence them, but it happens to be Yang Zhu.

He cannot defeat him in battle, nor can he escape.

"You know you are the inheritor of the Ruthless lineage; how your people have eroded and taken control of the Yaoguang Holy Land—as long as you do not bring harm to the world, I have no wish to interfere."

Yang Zhu stood a few meters before Yaoguang, his gaze deeper than the stars, possessing a compelling aura that made people involuntarily feel awe.

"You..."

Upon hearing this, Yaoguang Holy Son's pupils constricted; he never expected Yang Zhu to know so much. Despite his extraordinary scheming, at this moment he too was trembling with fear, cold sweat pouring.

(End of chapter)