Chapter 133

"The method of longevity?"

Zhang Jian gazed at the giant python, his expression somewhat askance, and he rebuked.

"You worm, what a big mouth! How dare you speak nonsense of longevity!"

The giant python lowered its head at this moment, but its eyes glowed with a determined light.

"Exalted one, I heard the village elder say that mighty generals must rise from the ranks, ministers must emerge from the prefectures, even immortals come from us common folk cultivating; though this little demon knows its lowliness, its resolve does not waver—in this life I seek only the proper way of longevity!"

"I earnestly beg the exalted one to impart the great way of longevity!"

It hissed softly.

Zhang Jian, hearing this, also felt moved.

If he had not encountered some fortuitous chance, how would he not be like this spirit snake, still painfully seeking the way of longevity!

There is no great way of longevity.

The great longevity law, he himself had only with difficulty obtained the true transmission.

The 'Tong Mountain Pure and Tranquil Treasure Record' also belongs to the list of things that cannot be transmitted.

After thinking, he said: 'The great longevity law cannot be lightly transmitted!'

After a slight pause, he added: 'But considering your sincere devotion, little demon, I can grant you an opportunity!'

Hearing this, the great snake was overjoyed.

"Please, exalted one, give us clear instruction!"

I have a volume of talisman methods; if you can save ten thousand people, granting you a chance at longevity is not impossible!

Zhang Jian condensed a talisman in his hand; the Purifying Soul talisman instantly turned into a stream of light that entered the deep spot between the giant black python's brows.

Along with it came part of the cultivation method of the Purifying Soul talisman, the refinement method.

The giant python merely grasped it slightly, and immediately understood the cultivation method of the Purifying Soul talisman, its eyes flashing with brightness.

Disciple kowtows in thanks for the master's transmission of the Dharma; the master's compassion is boundless, and the disciple wishes to emulate, to save ten thousand people, and then seek the great longevity Dharma!

Go; if you can save ten thousand people, head to Phoenix Nest Mountain in Fengyang Commandery, and there will be a response!

Zhang Jian's expression was calm.

Thank you, master!

The giant black python bowed its head again, then swiftly moved its body and disappeared into the depths of the canyon.

Zhang Jian watched its receding figure, his gaze tranquil.

If the giant black python truly could use the Purifying Soul spell to save ten thousand people, the merit would be boundless; for him to enter Tong Mountain and seek a method for it would not be impossible.

Beside him, Zhang Lu saw the black snake go far away, and hurriedly ran to Zhang Jian's front and knelt down.

My lord, I also ask for the great longevity Dharma!

He stared with bull's eyes at Zhang Jian.

Hearing this, Zhang Jian was speechless and could only rebuke: "You oaf, possessing a treasure mountain yet aiming too high!

You are born with extraordinary bones and muscles; you need only diligently cultivate your White Tiger Hundred Victories Vigor, and it is not impossible to enter the Dao through martial arts and achieve a Heavenly Man's body!

What need is there to seek any other Dharma!

The five stages of body tempering: tempering bones, changing tendons, washing marrow, refining viscera; after Master comes Grand Master, then Heavenly Man.

Grand Master corresponds to the peak of the Nurturing Spirit stage.

Once one breaks through Heavenly Man, it is equivalent to establishing a foundation in Divination Command.

At that moment, one's essence, qi, and spirit will be forged into a strand of Heavenly Man essence, equivalent to refining magical power.

It is rumored that after Heavenly Man there are other martial realms; if cultivation succeeds, divine power will astonish the world, enough to sweep across the universe.

However, such body-tempering martial artists have only appeared in the military.

One such body-tempering martial artist, augmented with the court's divine vessels, possesses terrifying power that is truly invincible wherever it goes.

Oh!

Zhang Lu had a glimmer of light in his eyes and also felt greatly exhilarated.

Master and servant continued on their way; ahead, fighting increased, battlefields spread everywhere, many villages and towns had been completely burned to white ground by war flames, corpses uncollected, left for beasts to trample, bones piled high.

Such signs made Zhang Jian somewhat worried; after a great war, a great plague usually follows!

But relying solely on his own strength, he could not turn the tide; he could only, after passing battlefield after battlefield, try as much as possible to save wandering souls, which also served to cultivate the Purifying Soul talisman.

As the number of saved souls grew, Zhang Jian felt that within the Purifying Soul talisman the image of the Ten Directions Savior Heavenly Lord began to shift from illusion to substance, its inner divine rhythm arising spontaneously, possessing a special divinity.

Each time Zhang Jian circulated the Purifying Soul method to activate the talisman, his inner self became increasingly peaceful, and his soul quietly received nourishment.

Thus he could also thereby manifest the image of the Ten Directions Savior Heavenly Lord, possessing various powers to suppress souls!

Along the way, master and servant walked and stopped intermittently!

They spent their time in such austere cultivation.

One day, on a hillside of Sanyang Commandery, Zhang Jian suddenly saw a layer of intense bronze-colored light emanate from his whole body.

The bronze-colored light was as substantial as matter; a peculiar three-legged small cauldron truly manifested from it into the world, the small bronze cauldron's wall bearing nine dragon patterns that never interlock, as if the Great Dao threads through them, and deep inside the cauldron a hazy vision of mountains and rivers appeared, as if it could suppress the universe.

The Four-Form State Altar King Cauldron was formed.

The Four-Form State Altar King Cauldron corresponds to a Golden Core-level soul technique.

This is also the first Golden Core-level technique that Zhang Jian has successfully cultivated.

To cultivate a Golden Core-level technique with the magical power of mid-stage Divination Command is exceedingly rare.

It's also nearly at its limit!

At this moment, Zhang Jian slightly circulated the divine aspect of the Four-Form State Altar King Cauldron, and instantly an invisible force swept outward; power undulated, and the surrounding heavenly and earthly spiritual mechanisms momentarily ceased operation.

One can imagine that if, during a Dharma duel, the power of the Four-Form State Altar King Cauldron were suddenly unleashed, remotely suppressing the opponent's divine thoughts and soul, it would inevitably produce a disastrous result.

Zhang Jian opened his eyes; wherever the bronze light passed, the surrounding snowflakes falling within ten or so zhang were completely stalled in the void, as if time had paused.

Actually it is not a pause, but merely being suppressed by the power of the Four-Form State Altar King Cauldron.

It is a very frightening kind of soul technique.

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered with a hint of a smile, then he slowly retracted the divine appearance of the Four-Form State Altar King Cauldron into the depths of his soul.

The Four-Form State Altar King Cauldron depends on the special fate power of Asking the Tripod Mountains and Rivers in order to be deployed.

And if it wants to advance further, in the future we still need to think of a way from within it.

However, making progress in a short time is impossible.

Even if his soul is strong, and he also has the perceptiveness brought by the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart.

Condensing the Four-Form State Altar King Cauldron is already the limit!

After the breakthrough, Zhang Lu over there had already begun packing his belongings, and he shouted loudly.

"Young master, we had better go down the mountain quickly; the heavy rain is coming soon. If we don't leave, we'll have no choice but to spend the night on the mountaintop!"

Upon hearing that, Zhang Jian also rose to his feet at once; he glanced at the distant surging clouds and mist, the scene of silver and white, looked a few more times, then nodded and led the way down the mountain.

At this moment, Zhang Lu ran ahead with a basket on his back, occasionally turning back to look; seeing Zhang Jian's steps neither hurried nor slow, always following behind him, he gave a faint smile and began to quicken his pace.

But they still never managed to outrun this sudden mountain rain.

Having no choice, the two took shelter from the rain beneath a cliff called Immortal Rock at the mountain's base; at that moment, several hunters beneath the cliff were engaged in lively discussion, with bows and arrows on their backs and game placed at their feet.

In the inner part of this cliff, there were also two bonfires.

Besides, there were bundles of firewood; it seems this is a place several hunters specifically use to shelter from wind and rain.

Seeing Zhang Jian and the other arrive, the several hunters were momentarily startled, then they warmly welcomed them.

"This young gentleman, are you a scholar heading to the capital to take the exams? Quickly come down to shelter from the rain; if you don't mind, we happen to have some hot soup here that can dispel the chill!"