Chapter 248: Enter the Witch God Palace, Acquire Three Thousand Ancient Divine Texts, Half‑Step Formation Immortal, Ascend, Slay Ever

It lasted no more than three short days.

First, bizarre phenomena occurred in the Southern Barbarian Realm, and then the Western Desert gave birth to demonic soil.

The emergence of the Sea Tribe dealt a heavy blow to the world; they are domineering, arrogant, and overbearing, suppressing everything, sweeping across the Eastern Wilderness, no one daring to contend, although the Da Xia Dynasty is indeed resisting.

But the world is not foolish; it is evident that the Da Xia Dynasty's resistance appears especially fragile, even arguably meaningless and valueless—purely a death sentence.

The only thing worthy of praise is that they have won dignity and face.

What the world can accept is that the Central Continent Dynasty has so far escaped any impact.

But as soon as that statement appeared, it was immediately slapped down.

Rumor has it that the Divine Tribe has already descended upon the Central Continent Dynasty, meeting the Great Emperor of the Central Continent face to face; the palace had no defenses, and the emperor truly has the resolve to converse with ten of the Divine Tribe's strong ones.

No one knows what was discussed; the only known fact is that after the Divine Tribe left, they destroyed ten ancient cities of the Central Continent.

Countless deaths and injuries.

Soon, a voice from the Divine Tribe sounded.

"From the southern Central Continent, Wangyue Mountain is a prohibited zone for our Divine Tribe."

"Unauthorized entry, death!"

That is the Divine Tribe's cold voice; they directly demarcate territory, claiming this area as theirs, and this is only because the Divine Tribe has not fully revived—once fully revived, they will likely claim even more land.

"From now on, each year, the Eastern Wilderness Realm must sacrifice ten million humans into the sea; otherwise, when the Sea Tribe returns, there will be tenfold slaughter."

The Sea Tribe's voice rang out, equally domineering.

No one holds the later generations in any esteem.

At present, the world feels immensely burdened, emotions extremely complex; in fact, they know this will be a cataclysm, yet they did not expect it to be so terrifying.

The oppression is overwhelming, almost a suffocating blow, leaving the world no chance to catch a breath.

"Ancient Tribes! Do you truly not fear the emergence of our saint?"

Finally, someone is indignant; he witnessed the cataclysm with his own eyes, especially at the Eastern Sea border, where countless civilians gathered, destined to be sacrificed, guarded by Sea Tribe strongmen.

Such sorrow is known only to the world.

Some scholars are filled with rage, but alas, though they possess lofty righteousness, they cannot resist the Sea Tribe.

However, upon hearing this, a response also came from within the Sea Tribe.

"A saint emerges?"

"Doesn't the Da Xia Dynasty already have a saint? Has something changed?"

"Or perhaps you think the true saint is Gu Jin Nian?"

A voice sounded, laced with mockery and ridicule.

"Don't think of sowing discord; when Saint Gu emerges, these hatreds will be settled one by one, and then you need not fear."

A Great Scholar spoke, inhaling deeply, conveying this voice with his own lofty will.

"Settle... one by one?"

"Why is he absent? You are suffering, yet no saint appears? Has he gone to the Taihao Immortal Realm? Why at this time? Why not earlier, or later?"

"The revival of the five tribes is known to him; choosing to go to the Taihao Immortal Realm now, you wouldn't truly think Gu Jin Nian is merely seeking self-improvement, would you?"

"He is merely choosing to flee; faced with such disaster, his heart is full of fear, fearing the Sea Tribe, fearing that his overbearing pride will be shattered by the five tribes."

"If not, why is he nowhere to be seen?"

A voice sounded, full of contempt and disdain toward Gu Jin Nian.

But his words were logical and well‑founded, indeed silencing some, for upon reflection, it is indeed so.

At this critical juncture, Gu Jin Nian happened to go to the Taihao Immortal Realm, to improve himself? Honestly, people do not think the Taihao Immortal Realm could benefit Gu Jin Nian much.

"Ridiculous. When the ancient saint was present, why did you not dare to reveal yourselves? Gu Saint's journey to the Taihao Immortal Realm must have his purpose; if you have the ability, would you dare wait for Saint Gu to emerge?"

The Great Scholar continued, without any fear, raising morale for the world so they would not be trampled by the Sea Tribe.

"Fine."

"We wait for Gu Jin Nian at the coastal border."

"During this period, when you contest the famous mountain, the Sea Tribe will show you what a hegemon is, what true invincibility looks like."

"Only, you won't live to see that time."

A voice sounded, and swiftly a black hand swept across the heavens and earth, appearing atop an ancient city, attempting to strike down and slay the Great Scholar who had been speaking.

This is tyranny, also a display of might.

Crunch.

But at that moment, amid the mountain range, a bolt of thunder struck down, instantly blasting the massive hand apart.

"Thunder Tribe!"

"Do you want to die?"

A terrifying voice rang out; a Sea Tribe strongman was wounded, gravely so, by the sudden attack, and he naturally went berserk with rage.

The entire sea erupted, raising waves a thousand zhang high.

"Anyone who dares lay a hand on the Da Xia Dynasty will be executed without exception."

"Sea Tribe, do not think yourselves above all; the Ancient Tribes are more than just your five tribes."

It is the Thunder Tribe Grand Elder's voice; he wielded a Thunder Tribe celestial artifact, protecting the Great Scholar at the crucial moment, also a statement, standing opposite the Sea Tribe and supporting Gu Jin Nian.

"Ancient Great War, you survived by the skin of your teeth; now you are merely scraping by. In this life you still dare such arrogance? They do not know the strength of my Sea Tribe; do you Thunder Tribe not know?"

A cold voice sounded.

The Sea Tribe strongman was extremely angry, almost uncontainable; in their view, the later generations of humanity do not fear them because they do not understand their strength.

But the Thunder Tribe should understand that.

Since they understand yet still dare to strike, that is what fuels his anger.

In the ancient war, how many of my Thunder Clan did the Sea Clan kill? This grudge—how could the Thunder Clan forget it?

Don't make a fuss—you haven't truly recovered, you're still imprisoned, and even if you did recover, we would have recovered first; all of this now is merely for show of strength.

As long as Saint Gu Jin Nian appears, you can just wait to die.

The Thunder Clan elder also saw that the Sea Clan had not fully recovered at all; after all, he knows the Sea Clan's strength—if they had fully recovered, how could it be only like this? At least half the people in this great world would have to die.

Even without recovery, their present strength could blood-wash the great world.

Thunder Clan, you trust Gu Jin Nian so much—fine! We'll wait here until Gu Jin Nian appears, then hunt him down, slaughter him before your eyes, and let your fantasies utterly turn to bubbles.

After the Sea Clan expert said that, he fell silent.

They realized that Gu Jin Nian's prestige was too high—he is the spiritual pillar for everyone in this great world.

Therefore, to utterly crush the human race, they must kill Gu Jin Nian; only then can they truly achieve their goal.

The two sides had no further dialogue.

But a great war has already begun; the Sea Clan is waiting, waiting for Gu Jin Nian to appear.

If Gu Jin Nian appears and truly sweeps everything aside, human confidence will rise; if Gu Jin Nian is defeated, it will be an indescribable turmoil.

It will become the darkest age for humanity.

It would be a hundred times more terrifying than any dynastic strife or the emergence of the demon race.

At least in dynastic strife, someone always wins, and the common folk can at least scrape by.

Even if the demon race emerges, mobilizing the whole world's strength could still exterminate them—it's merely a matter of time.

But now it's different; the five clans are like colossi—with a flick of a finger they can slaughter humanity, treating all living beings as ants, killing or raising them as they please.

Just like right now on the eastern coast, Sea Clan people have already seized hundreds of women and devoured them alive, extraordinarily bloody.

Now Gu Jin Nian is everyone's hope, the hope of this great world.

People are praying, praying for Gu Jin Nian to come out quickly, to emerge from the Taihao Immortal Realm and save humanity.

However, the appearance of the Thunder Clan also counts as helping the world—at least the Sea Clan has taken no further action, though it's also possible they never had any next step.

They set up an ancient altar on the shore, not knowing what they were doing.

But it is known that once the altar is set up, these commoners will all become sacrifices, with no other possibility.

Thus.

Time passed bit by bit.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed.

Within the Eastern Wilderness, the Sea Clan indeed did not step into the Eastern Wilderness dynasty during this period; they wholeheartedly set up the altar, while some experts went to various sacred mountains to vie for treasures.

They gained much, after all, humanity dared not contend.

But one thing is, the Sea Clan did not offend Mount Xizhou; even among the Sea Clan, mentioning Mount Xizhou is like a taboo.

This shows the Thunder Clan was not lying—Mount Xizhou truly exists in an inconceivable way; even such a powerful Sea Clan dares not provoke its existence.

Within the Central Lands, the Divine Clan erected a divine pillar on Mount Wangyue, representing the Divine Clan's habitat; within a thousand li radius, no living being may exist—whoever comes dies, utterly domineering.

In the Western Desert, the demonic soil continues to spread, though it's somewhat better than before, not so exaggerated.

But the most terrifying is the Southern Barbarian Realm; its dark qi grows ever thicker, its eerie aura making people uneasy.

If it weren't for a saint suppressing this place, the Southern Barbarian Realm would likely erupt with something even more terrifying.

Another seven days passed.

In the Southern Barbarian Realm, moreover, some phantoms appeared—ancient palaces, looking gloomy and terrifying, with ghostly shadows everywhere; even though they are thousands of li away, they still make people feel fear and dread; but if one must speak, only the far north is still relatively calm.

Although strange howls occasionally come from time to time, like ancient feral beasts reviving, at least the far north has seen no mishap.

And at this very moment.

The far north.

Some ancient wills are currently engaged in a certain exchange.

"The Sea Clan and Divine Clan have already partially recovered; O Great Demon God, when will we emerge?"

"Right now we too can partially recover; in fact we could fully match them, competing for the great world's opportunities—otherwise, would we just let them take advantage for free?"

A voice rang out—it was a certain great demon expert, who, observing external affairs, couldn't help speaking thus.

The entire demon race is sealed in the far north; theoretically, the demon race could, like the Sea Clan, choose partial recovery—meaning reviving a small fraction of its existence to devour humanity and contend for sacred mountain territories.

But the Demon God did not do so, which left the great demons somewhat disgruntled; in their view, early recovery brings only benefit and no harm, although it's likely to cause conflict with other races.

At the very least, the benefits that could be gained would still be gained; otherwise, they could only watch helplessly as the Sea Clan recovers and emerges.

"Don't act rashly."

"The region we are in is about to undergo a change of fortune; the seal is here, and everything is predestined."

"Such trivial gains are nothing; the far north hides astonishing fortune; moreover, the Sea Clan, Divine Clan, Demon Clan, and Human Clan, by emerging early, may seem to gain an advantage, but in fact they are merely exposing themselves."

"If Gu Jin Nian can step into the Fivefold Heaven, these people will likely die without a burial place."

A will rang out—it was one of the Ten Great Demon Gods.

"The Fivefold Heaven? In later generations, is there anyone who can reach the Fivefold Heaven?"

"That's impossible; Gu Jin Nian is said to have become a saint only a few years ago, about a year—reaching the Fivefold Heaven's Kunpeng Great Realm within a year? I doubt even a demon god's son could cross five realms in a year, especially going from the fourth to the fifth, which is itself an extreme leap."

"Great Demon God, you may be overthinking; the Fivefold Heaven can be called an ancient great power; we in ancient times trained for a thousand years, plus plundering endless fortune, barely reached the Great Power realm—Gu Jin Nian would surely find it difficult."

"Even exhausting this lifetime's fortune, Gu Jin Nian likely cannot reach the fifth level of the Seven Realms within a year."

Voices rang out one after another.

Those who can communicate with the Demon God are all great demon experts; theoretically, the demon race's hierarchy is strict—when a Demon God speaks, even if those below are dissatisfied, they would not openly oppose.

But now they are almost unanimous.

The reason is simple.

The Demon God thinks too highly of Gu Jin Nian.

The Seventh Realm has nine heavens.

The first heaven is consolidation, as the name implies—consolidating the Seventh Realm's cultivation. Having just broken through the Seventh Realm, one possesses power hundreds of times greater than before; if not consolidated, one cannot control this power and would instead injure oneself, so time is needed to consolidate.

Generally, a Seventh Realm expert takes half a year to a year to achieve perfection in the first heaven, as this is a foundation—learning to control the power suffices.

The second heaven is for moving forward; after the realm is consolidated, one can proceed onward to explore and grasp greater power, thus becoming stronger, but the second heaven is merely a few times stronger than the first.

The third heaven is for climbing a mountain; upon reaching the third layer, a certain change occurs. As one continually explores and advances, one senses greater power and must undergo transformation, akin to climbing a new divine mountain—this process is extremely arduous, and many will fall before that divine mountain.

A new mountain range brings despair, and it also needs a certain amount of fate's blessing; without enough fate, one cannot cross it.

Therefore the third heaven is a 'fixed number'; without sufficient fate, no matter how excellent your talent, you cannot hope to cross that divine mountain.

The fourth heaven is for crossing the mountain.

After reaching the summit, one must traverse this great mountain; only by overturning the strongest mountain along the forward path will one's essence, energy, and spirit reach the peak, at which moment the heart will know no fear, achieving the true self.

Moreover, only after the fourth heaven does one undergo true transformation and become truly invincible.

Consolidate the first heaven, advance in the second, climb the mountain in the third, cross the mountain in the fourth.

The first four heavens are all a gradual process, like an infant learning to speak, so the strength difference between the first, second, third, and fourth heavens is not large.

Sometimes, with a divine artifact, a battle between the second heaven and the fourth heaven is not impossible.

This is because the first four heavens hardly increase strength at all, as they revolve around the basics.

But upon reaching the fifth heaven, everything will undergo a terrifying change.

The fifth heaven is named the Kun-Peng Realm.

Just hearing this name reveals the terror and immortality of this realm.

A great peng rises with the wind in a day, soaring straight up ninety thousand li.

Using Kun-Peng to describe the fifth heaven is absolutely perfect, because upon reaching the fifth heaven, one's essence, energy, spirit, and indeed everything, will receive a terrifying increase.

It is as if crossing a heavenly chasm.

In ancient times, the fifth heaven had another title: 'Great Ability'.

The top prodigies of all races can be called Great Ability; the Thunder Race certainly has a Great Ability, but cannot be revived, bound by heaven and earth; if a Great Ability-level existence acts, it is no joke—heaven and earth will inevitably suppress.

Nowadays, don't be fooled by the Sea Race's arrogance; in fact, the Sea Race has not yet deployed a Great Ability expert.

The princes of the Four Seas Dragon Palace are all conducting perfect assaults around the Great Ability realm.

Thus one can see how terrifying Great Ability is.

In ancient times, any race that reaches the fifth layer of the Seventh Realm, the Kun-Peng Realm, becomes a regional Great Ability; all races must give face, unless one's strength surpasses Great Ability, otherwise no one wishes to provoke a Great Ability.

That is, only after the later period when myriad races began slaughtering each other did Great Abilities start to fall.

Therefore, the Demon God said Gu Jin Nian is very likely to assault the fifth heaven, which made many demon race Great Abilities find it hard to accept at once.

After all, in terms of talent, they do not admit they are inferior to Gu Jin Nian.

In terms of environment, can the present era compare to ancient times?

Then they, in ancient times, struggled for thousands of years just to reach the fifth heaven, while Gu Jin Nian can break through the fifth heaven in less than a few years? They truly cannot accept this.

But upon hearing these Great Abilities speak, the Demon God's voice also gradually sounded.

"Do not underestimate Gu Jin Nian."

"He is this era's Heaven's Mandate."

"If in ancient times, a mere few years certainly could not make a Great Ability, but in this era, have you not noticed? The great age is withering; aside from Gu Jin Nian alone, most people appear extremely mediocre."

The Demon God's voice sounded, warning everyone and also reminding everyone not to look down on Gu Jin Nian.

This is true; the fortune of the whole world is bestowed upon Gu Jin Nian alone.

This can also be seen.

Still unwilling, still unwilling.

"If Gu Jin Nian this time emerges from the Taihao Immortal Realm and truly steps into the fifth heaven, that will be a catastrophe."

"If that is truly the case, for our demon race it is a good thing; at least by relying on Gu Jin Nian's hand, we can weaken their strength."

They spoke, still unwilling to admit that Gu Jin Nian can reach the fifth heaven, but to give face to the Demon God they still do so, thus using this method to ease things a bit.

"If Gu Jin Nian truly reaches the fifth heaven, that is indeed wonderful."

"However, the impact will not be great; before the five races fully emerge, everything is meaningless."

The Demon God spoke.

Having said this, he did not continue to nag.

"Observe the ancient human race; they have not appeared, participating in this struggle; likely there are other secret plots."

"Furthermore, no matter what, do not act rashly; here there is immortal creation, no need to contend with them; guarding here will surely bring benefit."

After saying this, the Demon God's aura vanished, and he fell back into slumber.

And thus.

The far north also grew quiet.

In the coming period, a strange event occurred.

The land expanded as usual; the Divine Continent gained some new islands and some new oasis lands.

To present-day people, this is very strange, full of wonder.

But for the ancient races, they are very calm; someone explained the reason: heaven and earth are changing, seeking to recreate the ancient era.

According to the reply, the world's spiritual energy will continue to surge in the coming period; strands of spiritual veins will automatically evolve into dragon veins, and it is highly likely that several cultivation holy lands will be born.

This is a contested land for all races; whoever secures such a cultivation holy land will see their entire great clan receive unprecedented enhancement.

The ancient era must be recreated.

For many, this is a good thing; at least in terms of the ancient era's scenery, the probability of breaking through the Seventh Realm will be high; even if one cannot break through the Seventh Realm, the probability of breaking through the Sixth or Fifth Realm will not be small.

The only drawback is that if there are ancient clans, if there are no ancient clans, this will inevitably be a worldwide celebration good thing.

And at the same time.

Taihao Fairyland.

108 Immortal Island.

Gu Jin Nian had been lying in wait here for a long time; he was waiting for the destiny of the 108 Immortal Island to manifest.

For almost a month now, Gu Jin Nian had shielded his own Qi, and at the crucial moment he merged his breath with that of the island.

Finally, after Gu Jin Nian's patience of nearly a month, a breath of Qi appeared on a certain island.

Boom.

Gu Jin Nian acted in an instant; his speed was unbelievably fast, and he locked onto that breath of Qi.

Soon, the illusory forms of the Five Direction Divine Beasts appeared; honestly, if Gu Jin Nian hadn't been so close, he wouldn't even be able to tell whether they were shadows or real.

Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, Qilin.

The Five Direction Divine Beasts erupted a terrifying aura.

Boom.

Gu Jin Nian raised his hand, thunderous as ten thousand pounds, shattered the five illusory forms, and at the same time unfurled the Primordial Five Elements Banner, which had already set a heavenly net and earthly net.

Now it's just a matter of reaping the net. Under the suppression of the Five Elements Banner, the aura finally stabilized.

Gu Jin Nian's figure vanished; he was also very curious what thing had taken so long.

But when Gu Jin Nian arrived before the treasure, he couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

"A broken stone."

At just a glance, Gu Jin Nian was stunned; he had schemed and lain in wait here for a month, and it turned out to be for this thing? A broken stone?

Gu Jin Nian looked down; on the ground lay an extremely dark stone, oval and flat, giving the impression of a large black pancake.

Clang.

However, when Gu Jin Nian struck the iron disc forcefully, he felt his power entering the disc like a mud ox sinking into the sea.

He could not affect the iron disc in the slightest.

"Is it some kind of divine metal?"

"Or perhaps it's wrapped in divine metal on the outside, with a divine core inside?"

"I don't know if the Departing Sun Cauldron can melt it."

Gu Jin Nian muttered to himself; he was very curious about this thing and even considered whether to burn it once with the Departing Sun Cauldron to see what was inside.

However, upon hearing "Departing Sun Cauldron," a slightly weak and hoary voice suddenly sounded beside his ear.

"Little friend."

"That's excessive, isn't it?"

As the voice sounded, Gu Jin Nian's expression changed; he sensed that the voice came from within the iron disc.

"You can speak?"

"Has the divine metal become sentient?"

Gu Jin Nian was indeed a bit surprised; at most this thing was just a piece of divine metal, how could it speak?

"Little friend, I am not divine metal; I am a Technique God."

The hoary voice sounded, explaining who he was.

"Technique God?"

Gu Jin Nian grew more curious, not understanding what a Technique God meant.

"In the Taihao Fairyland there are the Witch Clan; they follow the Way of Technique, and I am the Technique God they worship, mastering the Great Way of Technique."

"Little friend, our meeting is of great destiny; I shall pass you the supreme Technique Way, and if you let me depart, it will also leave a good karmic bond."

The hoary voice continued, its words warm and calm, bearing the aura of an enlightened master.

"Supreme Technique Way?"

"Then please, senior, transmit it directly."

Hearing the supreme Technique Way, Gu Jin Nian's spirit surged, and he directly asked the other to teach him.

"Then, little friend, please first lift the seal here."

The latter said with a gentle smile.

"Senior, you jest; what if you trick me?"

Gu Jin Nian not only failed to lift the seal, but instead clutched the iron disc tightly, feeling it was unusual, though its purpose remained unclear.

"Little friend, in my whole life I've done everything except deceive people."

"If you don't trust, then take back the Primordial Five Elements Banner and see if I will run away."

He said, apparently intending to flee.

"It can conjure the Five Direction Divine Beasts, and being in the Taihao Fairyland, this thing is certainly of great use."

Gu Jin Nian muttered to himself.

He wasn't foolish; a being that could summon the Five Direction Divine Beasts couldn't be ordinary. As for spirit communication, Gu Jin Nian was clueless; he didn't understand the other's background, only that this fellow certainly hid many secrets.

Thinking of this, Gu Jin Nian set up the Departing Sun Cauldron.

"Bake the outer skin, extract only the core; the core must be supreme divine metal, and if used to forge divine weapons, it would be of great benefit to me."

Gu Jin Nian spoke; without any idle words, he began to bake with the Departing Sun Cauldron.

Then he tossed the black iron disc in, without hesitation.

The reason was simple: first, he wanted to test his hypothesis, to see if the iron disc concealed divine metal; though unlikely, at least he could press the fellow.

The other clearly intended to fool him; wouldn't he obey if not given a chance? Indeed, as the Departing Sun Cauldron ignited, the hoary voice instantly became agitated.

"Little friend, why so? I was only playing with you."

"Little friend, I will now pass you the Supreme Technique Dao; you roasting me is meaningless, I have no celestial gold in my body."

"Little friend, little friend, truly unnecessary."

The voice grew increasingly urgent, Gu Jin Nian was indeed roasting, public opinion surged around the Departing Sun Cauldron, the temperature instantly reached its peak, the iron cake turned blazing red in an instant, and if the roasting continued, it would inevitably melt.

"Senior, it's not something else; you keep saying you'll pass me the Supreme Technique Dao, yet you never have, empty words without proof. Rather than this, I, the junior, would rather investigate; if indeed there is no celestial gold, consider it a loss on my part."

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

His meaning was clear: stop playing these frivolous tricks; if there's anything, say it outright. We can cooperate, but if you intend to cause trouble, then forget it—anyway, I can still obtain a piece of celestial gold.

This is already a blood‑earned matter.

The remaining specifics are up to you.

"Alright."

"Since you, little friend, are so clever, I will no longer deceive you."

"Little friend, although I cannot impart the Supreme Technique Dao, I know where the Wushen Palace is hidden."

"The Wushen Palace contains the witch tribe's endless techniques, and legend says a world‑shaping formation lies within, granted to the fated. I think you're worthy; since we are fated, I will take you into the Wushen Palace."

"But the condition is that you gain something and let me go, okay?"

The other party became completely honest, saying no nonsense, and directly mentioned the Wushen Palace.

"Wushen Palace?"

Gu Jin Nian slightly frowned; he had previously heard the Central Continent Emperor say that the most famous Technique Dao lineage is the witch tribe, and that the tribe mysteriously vanished in the Southern Barbarians, linked to the Taihao Immortal Realm.

This Wushen Palace indeed exists, as it is the supreme land of the witch tribe.

"But how can the junior trust the senior?"

Gu Jin Nian did not lower his guard, but hesitated slightly.

"We can swear an oath."

The latter answered quickly.

"Senior, you jest; you are a stone, what oath can you take?"

Gu Jin Nian smiled faintly, not targeting the other, but mainly because he feared being duped.

One must not be without a guard against others.

"Then what do you propose?"

"I, the elder, can follow your lead."

The latter's tone remained gentle; clearly he had a good temper and understood the bigger picture, knowing that arguing was pointless, preferring a mutual benefit exchange.

"It's simple: take the junior to the Wushen Palace, but the senior stays within the Departing Sun Cauldron. If I encounter any danger, the senior will die together with the junior; if the senior does not deceive the junior, the junior will spare the senior."

"The junior is a Confucian‑Daoist saint; this trust should be present."

Gu Jin Nian voiced his thoughts.

He naturally became interested in the Wushen Palace, yet feared mishaps there; fate can be discussed, but Gu Jin Nian cared more about inheritance—once he obtains it, his journey is not in vain.

"Fine."

"No problem."

What surprised Gu Jin Nian slightly was that the other party agreed outright, showing no hint of bargaining.

Truly, those who understand the times are heroes.

Since the other cooperated, Gu Jin Nian did not chatter, extinguished the flame, and stopped roasting.

"Little friend, I will soon activate a Transmission Formation to send you directly into the Wushen Palace."

"But remember this: once inside the Wushen Palace, do not utter a single word, no matter what wonders occur or what you see; you must silently comprehend the Technique Dao."

"If you grasp it, you have grasped it; if not, don't overthink. As for the witch god's creation, it depends on fate."

"If you truly obtain it, consider yourself lucky—you may break through the Fifth Heaven; if you cannot, that's destiny."

"Understood?"

The latter's tone was especially solemn, with no hint of joking.

This inexplicably stirred fear and anxiety within.

But Gu Jin Nian did not overthink and nodded directly.

He is a saint; why fear anything? At that moment.

The iron cake surged wildly inside the Departing Sun Cauldron; the cauldron's controller caused the innate Five Elements Banner to tremble slightly.

This is setting up some formation.

Before Gu Jin Nian could speak, the other's voice already sounded.

"Let's go."

He spoke, and the surrounding scenery shifted; a spatial tunnel reappeared, Gu Jin Nian stood with hands behind his back, the Departing Sun Cauldron above his head.

Clang.

Quickly, the Departing Sun Cauldron was covered; the iron cake seemed somewhat fearful, unsure of what it dreaded.

"Iron cake senior."

"Is the Wushen Palace dangerous?"

Gu Jin Nian asked, inquiring of the other.

"Not exactly dangerous."

"You will know once you go."

"I hope you don't see it."

The other didn't know how to explain, saying let Gu Jin Nian go and speak later.

Soon.

In an instant, the spatial tunnel disappeared, replaced by an altar.

The ancient altar came into view, but everything was dilapidated, reduced to ruins; everywhere lay broken tiles and crumbling walls, time having corroded everything here.

"Senior."

"Where is the inheritance?"

Gu Jin Nian inquired.

"At the altar's center."

"Sit cross-legged directly."

"Force out a drop of essence blood, and you will sense the Witch God lineage; if they acknowledge you, they will bestow upon you the inheritance technique."

"If they do not acknowledge you, they will produce some anomalies and drive you away."

"Also, do not speak directly; use voice transmission, and keep it low."

The latter transmitted his voice, his speech sounding tense.

He frowned slightly, Gu Jin Nian surveyed the surroundings, finding nothing strange.

Without further hesitation, he went straight to the altar's center, then offered a drop of fresh blood and began sitting cross-legged in meditation.

He exhaled.

Suddenly.

Just as Gu Jin Nian had just closed his eyes, he felt a breathing sound behind his neck.

"Don't move."

"If you move, you will die."

Senior Tie Bing's voice sounded, at the critical moment, telling Gu Jin Nian not to move.

In an instant, Gu Jin Nian's hairs stood on end all over; he inexplicably felt that the presence behind him was extremely strange and very strong, absolutely surpassing him; otherwise, it could not have appeared soundlessly.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

An unknown liquid fell, like blood, landing on the spot between his eyebrows.

Finally, Gu Jin Nian heard footsteps, the footsteps of departure.

Boom! As the footsteps faded, the surroundings suddenly burst forth with strange light; these broken tiles and crumbling walls emitted strands of light, ancient runes delineating a supreme formation, with beams of light surging toward Gu Jin Nian.

But Gu Jin Nian continued to recall every moment just now; he did not open his eyes, yet the fear in his heart could not be suppressed.

"Senior, what was that just now?"

Gu Jin Nian really couldn't help but ask.

"You don't need to know."

"I'm not clear either."

"It's best that nobody knows."

"Wait until you become a Heaven's Mandate Saint in the future, then you can come to understand."

Senior Tie Bing obviously did not want to answer.

He was also very afraid.

Even though he was a piece of immortal metal, he was still afraid.

"Only by becoming a Heaven's Mandate Saint can one understand?"

Gu Jin Nian clicked his tongue, isn't a Heaven's Mandate Saint an invincible existence?

"Pretty much."

"Don't meddle too much."

"The Witch God has already acknowledged you; properly comprehend this inheritance."

He spoke, letting Gu Jin Nian properly comprehend the Witch God's inheritance.

Upon hearing this, Gu Jin Nian indeed stopped being talkative.

In his mind, a vast amount of information surged in, densely packed, including geomancy, terrain trends, ancient and modern great tombs, and various kinds of information, all sorts.

But these were merely basic information; afterward, a vast amount of scripture nearing a million characters appeared.

Yes, scripture nearing a million characters.

Gu Jin Nian felt a bit overwhelmed; fortunately, as a Saint, he could accept all this information at once—if it were a Martial Emperor coming, he estimated just understanding these messages would take half a month.

Massive amounts of information emerged.

Gu Jin Nian also gradually understood the art of the technique.

The saying goes, 'master one method and all methods are mastered'; moreover, as a Saint, Gu Jin Nian's learning ability is unsurpassed under heaven.

Gathering the accumulated wisdom of the Witch Clan over thousands, even tens of thousands of years, Gu Jin Nian spent less than an hour to fully comprehend it, not only comprehending but also achieving an excellent understanding.

This is terrifying.

Just this hour alone, for Gu Jin Nian, the improvement is too great.

Boom! At this moment, Gu Jin Nian raised his hand, using himself as the formation's eye, evolving a formation.

Immediately, the surrounding terrain was affected; the formation grew larger, heavenly might permeated, and in the mountains and rivers, a terrible 'momentum' condensed, transforming into strands of sword qi.

This is the Formation King realm.

Relying on heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers, he laid out a terrifying formation.

Furthermore, with only a little practice, Gu Jin Nian can step into the Formation Emperor realm, where mountains, rivers, sun, and moon all become formation implements; he controls the might of heaven and earth, and with a flick of his finger, he can annihilate an army of a million.

"As expected of a Saint, casually comprehending it allows one to reach the Formation King realm."

Senior Tie Bing secretly thought, he was observing Gu Jin Nian.

Technique Dao is the way of assistance; reaching the Formation King realm is terrifying—when encountering special terrain, even those at the Seven Realms may not be able to defeat a Formation King.

Technique Dao is a system that borrows the power of heaven and earth.

Reliance is not on one's own strength, so this system is both extraordinarily strange and immensely powerful—it's a pity its transmission has been cut off.

However, just then.

Boom.

Inside Gu Jin Nian's body, a brilliant light suddenly burst forth.

It is the All Beings Tree.

The next moment, three thousand Dao rays of light burst from within Gu Jin Nian's body, illuminating the entire Witch God Palace.

Inside the Witch God Palace.

One after another, ancient runes suddenly revived.

Three thousand runes condensed above Gu Jin Nian's head.

At this moment, Senior Tie Bing let out a terrified cry.

"Three Thousand Ancient Divine Scripts—how is this possible? Does the Witch God Palace really dare to think of this? They even dare to do such a heaven-defying act!"

"The Witch God Palace's peerless fortune has actually been snatched by this brat!"

"This is going to cause a major incident."

"Three Thousand Ancient Divine Scripts, Witch God, Witch God, you truly have gall—no wonder you've incurred heavenly punishment."

"This kid's luck is truly good—all the Witch God Palace's tens of thousands of years of effort have been handed over to him."

"Damn, his luck is good."

"Besides the Seven Realms Fivefold Heaven, plus a peak Formation Emperor expert—even having comprehended well, a half-step Formation Immortal."

"Such strength."

"Once it emerges, we'll kill everything."

He muttered to himself, filled with endless emotion and shock.

Especially thinking that once Gu Jin Nian gains his benefits and leaves, won't he go on a killing spree in the outside world? —My head hurts immensely.

Yesterday I really couldn't bear it; this morning I got up at six and wrote ten thousand characters.

Brothers, it really hurts—this time I've flared up, and I'm crying from the pain.

(End of chapter)