Chapter 1416

Human world cultivation has four Gates and seven Paths.

The four Gates number five: skin, flesh, bone, blood, borrowing a mouthful of Xuan Qi to rush the viscera; the seven Paths are not the end — Horse, Wolf, Tiger, Elephant, Dragon, Furnace,

Rainbow also.

When Zhen Xiang is full one can become Dragon, tread the void and walk; Dragon full, wield great authority as Furnace, one cycle in three thousand years; Furnace full, spread branches and scatter leaves, gather authority genealogies into Rainbow.

Rainbow means all manner of Dao rhymes, myriad rosy clouds, boundless mist form my true body, can be light as nothing, can be heavy as a thousand jun, one body's Qi and blood traverse a hundred thousand li, attaining supreme great freedom.

If fortune is sufficient, strength sufficient, awakening to Zhen Dragon, grasping the great Position Fruit, and also having the corresponding minor Position Fruit, refining them all, theoretically, there is completely hope to cross the Furnace and directly reach Transforming Rainbow!

The Calamity Realm is also a Realm!

Can be unused, cannot be absent!

All are minor Position Fruit Realms — whether they are superior or inferior to the major Position Fruit Realm, whether it is like nurturing Qi, Liang Qu does not know, this path has no predecessors. But, even the worst Transforming Rainbow is still Transforming Rainbow, even the strongest Furnace is still Furnace; later when he holds meetings, he won't call Old Yin Whale and Yin-Yang Person.

Except the small thing's refining is a bit difficult.

【Yong Fruit】

【Refining Vessel: dwells in weapons, feeds on Sha to live】

【Fei Fruit】

【Refining Vessel: poison corrodes six viscera, corpse liberation spreads plague】

Water Monarch as King, Four Calamities as assistants.

Calamity Realm genealogy, right now Liang Qu is just short of the last Ying Fruit!

How can one not cheer?

Dream Dynasty, nine Rank-One Sects, nine external Immortal Artifacts, nine Position Fruits — why in one wave of plunder did they happen to pick the two most critical ones.

There is only one explanation.

Frog Duke's invisible large webbed foot exerted force.

Alas, even in perfection there is regret — the final Ying Fruit fell into Old Yin Whale's hands. Back then Liang Qu discovered traces in Loulan, before he could go pluck it, Old Yin Whale ripened it early and made it the Grand Hunt Conference's first-place reward.

Wait.

Liang Qu restrained his smile.

Was Old Yin Whale deliberate or accidental.

It's not that he suspects Old Yin Whale of foreknowledge — the Ying Fruit was three years ago — but he suspects that guy Old Yin Whale, secretly targeting the Yin-Yang Person!

The Mei Fruit was Great Snow Mountain's intent to pollute Huaijiang, the Recreate Human God's arrangement; Great Snow Mountain's Lotus Sect now openly has connections with the Yin-Yang Person. If successful, the one missing three in the Calamity Realm now wouldn't be Liang Qu, it would be the Yin-Yang Person!

That so-called "Recreate Human God" back then — previously thought it was Lotus Sect intending to build a top-tier Zhen Dragon, specifically to destroy production, destroy Great Shun's rear foundation, ally with Northern Court to annex — now the Fifth Immortal has reincarnated ————

But ————

Liang Qu also has doubts about this — he suspects the Yin-Yang Person doesn't understand Calamity Realm combinations.

Ten thousand years, only collected nine Position Fruits?

Definitely not just that — the nine Immortal Artifacts are what the Yin-Yang Person put on the surface.

Since it's not just that, and this guy can also "One Qi Transforms Three Purities", splitting himself — such an arrogant, control-freak person, to spread branches and scatter leaves, the first choice would definitely be "himself" ah, directly refining Position Fruits — that Ze Ding would definitely not be able to take it.

"Hua King this is ———— two Immortal Artifacts, two Position Fruits ah."

Zhang Longxiang exclaimed in admiration, completely understanding Liang Qu's laughter just now.

One self-nurtured Position Fruit share, former Blue Lake Mei Fruit one share, now snatching two more — a full four shares! One major, three minor! Foundation terrifying like this!

No, not right — it's one major, four minor.

Zhang Longxiang remembered Liang Qu was transformed from a monkey, and there's also a Chang You.

But how can a person turn into a monkey?

He still couldn't figure it out.

Gathering his thoughts, about to offer congratulations, Zhang Longxiang then noticed Liang Qu suddenly looked unhappy. He laughed: "Hua King why this expression? Joy turning to sorrow?"

"Ha, nothing nothing." Liang Qu grinned, "Just suddenly thought of some things — back then wasn't Lotus Sect trying to pollute Huaijiang? Now it seems, maybe it was doing business for Great Li's Taizu."

"Indeed possible." Zhang Longxiang turned serious, "Great Snow Mountain actually able to create Great Li Taizu's physical body — if not for Great Li Taizu's face, Northern Court would probably have been the first to go eradicate Lotus Sect."

"Evil people meet their match from evil people. Longxiang King, this seclusion you awakened to the Realm right?"

"Mm, thanks to Hua King's blessing." Zhang Longxiang smiled.

Words finished, his whole body's surging Zhen Dragon aura no longer concealed, rushed straight out.

Tea in the cup rippled.

Liang Qu exclaimed: "Truly thirteenth stage? One day two stages?"

"If Hua King only thinks Zhang broke through two stages, that would truly be underestimating me."

"Could it be ———— Position Fruit embryo?"

Zhang Longxiang nodded: "Never expected it would go so smoothly. Underworld Martial Saints, compared to the living world there are too many more. The vast Northern Court's transferable Martial Saints, perhaps all added together are only this many."

Nineteen Zhen Dragons, Fifth Immortal body and mind extinguished — not horizontal foundation accumulation, but layer upon layer stacked, straight up! Equivalent to refining half a Northern Court expert, briefly sublimating to surpass Half-Immortal — how could it not nurture!

"Is it Xuan Huang Position Fruit?" Liang Qu rubbed his hands, very happy to have a fellow traveler, learning from each other and improving — he just likes copying homework.

"That's not it. Same as Hua King, on the Lower Dantian Heavenly Palace an extra red Qi cluster appeared, cannot use authority. I plan to use Xuan Huang Nurturing Qi to ripen it."

"No, Xuan Huang Nurturing Qi can be used like this?" Liang Qu's butt left the stool.

Xuan Huang, the only Position Fruit under heaven that can coexist in multiples, even fuse and convert — possibly ripening different self-nurtured Position Fruits — still exceeds his imagination.

Zhang Longxiang shook his head: "Normally no. Back when I entered Zhen Xiang, what I ate was Xuan Huang, and I ate three shares together. Now the self-nurtured Position Fruit is what I gestated, not external, has compatibility — not impossible to try. This is also the advantage and benefit of self-nurtured Position Fruit.

And in recent years our Great Shun thrives, every year sacrifices, Xuan Huang Nurturing Qi output supposedly increased quite a bit — trying does no harm. If useless, can ask Your Majesty to exchange again.

Hua King won't work so well — what you used back then seemed to be Yuanliu, not Xuan Huang? Then cannot be compatible. Twenty-first day Grand Court Assembly, I've already informed Your Majesty, wanting Xuan Huang Qi as reward ————"

Damn!

Who says I can't.

Even Long Eying wouldn't dare say that.

No, I have Xuanhuang too!

Liang Qu screamed internally; his Nine Qi merged into One, greatly enhancing the effects of his remaining long qi — the transformation from the Life-Giving Creation long qi into Heavenly Dew was precisely Xuanhuang long qi!

I really copied the homework.

No good!

"Where is Prince Huai going? Why not eat a meal before leaving?" Zhang Longxiang watched Liang Qu run outside.

"Going to see His Majesty! Tomorrow's grand court assembly — if I'm late it'll be too late; I might be able to use Xuanhuang after all!"

"Hmm?"

"Didn't I go to the East Sea last year and ask the Whale Emperor to use Yellow Mud Mother to remodel my Lower Dantian? Most of what's inside has transformed into Xuanhuang; my root sea is no longer a cloud sea but fertile soil — like attracts like, I might just be able to pull it off!" Liang Qu found an excuse in an instant.

"Hiss— that is indeed the case. Wait, since I've emerged from seclusion, you and I will go together!"

Gold bricks gleamed brilliantly.

Once again they illuminated faces.

A youth ten years ago, a young man ten years later.

Liang Qu and Zhang Longxiang in the front row, Prince Su and Prince Chong in the second row.

"——Discussing the Way to govern the state, appointing only those of merit and virtue; dividing the realm to act as regional lords, truly entrusting kin and worthies——

——My Imperial Guard General Prince Huai Qu, profound in bearing and deep in wisdom, brilliant in strategy and decisive in action. Personally leading elite troops, capturing banners and slaying generals——

Can be made Supreme Pillar of State, granted——

Bestowed one hundred Xuanhuang tablets——"

Liang Qu clenched his fist, swinging a fierce punch in his heart.

"Virtue flourishing deserves high office, merit flourishing deserves generous reward — the grand principle of statecraft, the constant teaching of sage kings. Therefore the splendid dragon-robed garments truly match the world-rare achievement; the jade axe and vermilion shield truly manifest the nobility of a pillar minister——

——My Pillar of State Zhang Longxiang, vast in capacity and profound in bearing, clear in spirit and sharp in insight——

Can be made Supreme Pillar of State, granted——

Bestowed eighty Xuanhuang tablets——"

Zhang Longxiang revealed a smile.

The ministers murmured in surprise.

In a single day's investiture, two Supreme Pillars of State!

Pillar of State, Pillar of State — pillar of the nation, jade pillars propping heaven, golden beams spanning the sea.

Supreme Pillar of State — the pinnacle of merit.

However, the rewards — why are they all Xuanhuang qi?

Combined, one hundred eighty strips — how many years of the imperial court's output is that? Can it even be used up?

The well-informed heard rumors from the netherworld; the uninformed truly thought only a single Northern Court sickly tiger Suhe Balu had been captured.

"The secretariat's confidential mandate, entrusting tasks and bestowing rewards, presenting counsel at the throne — the post is truly prominent. Reputation and substance both exalted, kin and worthies are thus attached——"

The bestowals concluded.

The Sage Emperor spoke again: "I have reverently assumed the precious throne, ruling the myriad regions, pacifying and nurturing the common people, now nine years. I wish for benevolent governance to reach all under heaven; for the Way of virtue to prevail throughout the universe——"

Another grand amnesty!

Another special examination!

The ministers looked at each other in blank dismay.

The assembly dismissed; discussion erupted in the square, clamorous beyond compare.

The two Supreme Pillars of State were delighted, exchanging thanks and congratulations, proceeding to the side hall to collect their stacked-like-small-mountains Xuanhuang tablets and remaining rewards, golden light dazzling.

With so much Xuanhuang long qi, could it let Ju Mang advance another step?

Liang Qu pondered.

"Prince Huai, King Longxiang, please follow me." Steward Li called out.

The two tidied their appearance and followed the Steward all the way, meeting Lan Jicai, "Suhe Balu", the Sage Emperor, and—— at the top of the Moon-Viewing Tower.

"Qu / Longxiang, pay respects to His Majesty, kowtow to the Immortal!"

"No matter! No need for excessive courtesy, sit."

The Immortal's finger pointed at the long table, wearing the same loose oversized robe as ever.

First time Southern Border, second time achieving sainthood, third time Great Hunt Assembly, fourth time Yellow Sand River — this was already Liang Qu's fifth meeting, all in this same "leisure wear", like pajamas, one could say very leisurely indeed.

But how did Mr. Lan manage to mix in here?

This is a high-end game against a half-step Transforming Rainbow expert.

The Immortal sat facing south from the north; the Sage Emperor sat to the Immortal's left.

Liang Qu, Zhang Longxiang, and Lao Yingting descended to the lower level; behind them was Lan Jicai.

The Sage Emperor spoke first: "Minister Lan, speak first of your research findings."

"Obey!" Lan Jicai rose, bowing left and right, "After researching through the night, the Imperial Observatory has gained a basic understanding of the Fifth Immortal's corpse——"

So he's a researcher, Liang Qu realized.

"This body of the Fifth Immortal is quite extraordinary; on it I saw many recorded and even unrecorded martial bone characteristics, as if the traits of many martial bones were extracted and fused into one, forged into a whole — its degree of ferocity even surpasses King Longxiang's Ding Zhen Shanhe hammer-forged to this day."

"Fused martial bones? What a formidable method."

Zhang Longxiang's brow lifted.

Liang Qu stroked his chin.

Surpassing Ding Zhen Shanhe — how does it compare to his current Drag River Grasp River body?

Lan Jicai continued: "The Lotus Sect of Great Snow Mountain has always had rituals using human skulls, leg bones and other bones to make dharma bowls and gangdong vessels — there are merits to adopt, one cannot help but suspect those ritual implements do not merely serve as containers——"

Lao Ying Tian nodded unconsciously; what he saw the most of in the Lotus Sect, he feared, were human bones.

Huh——

Liang Qu thought of the Dharma Bowl Jian Zhongyi had once given, and resolved another doubt.

The Great Snow Mountain's utilization of "human resources" could almost be said to be unrivaled under heaven.

"Now the Lotus Sect is the only independent sect under heaven, likewise with a long heritage; I fear that even in the days of the former Great Li Tianhuo Sect, there was already intercourse————"

"Worthy of being the former Great Li's Grand Ancestor."

Liang Qu understood increasingly clearly.

Tribes, sects, dynasties — this is the developmental vein of this world.

The Great Li Grand Ancestor unified the world, regulated all sects under heaven, thus the dynasty prototype was born; to today's Great Shun, there are basically no independent sects left, like the Hanging Temple and Louguan Terrace, they are all under Great Shun's rule, merely with some autonomy.

Only the Lotus Sect, because of environmental reasons, has thrived perpetually, dominating the Great Snow Mountain, being both a sect and a ruler.

"Additionally, regarding the ritual protocols, efforts are already underway; within half a year, they ought to be producible."

"What ritual protocols can that corpse make?" Zhang Longxiang asked.

Lan Jicai turned his head: "Currently only half the husk has been used, preparing to replicate the Guimu Sect's Guimu Ritual Protocol, resurrection from death."

Liang Qu and Zhang Longxiang's expressions stirred.

The Saint Emperor smiled: "The Guimu Sect's ritual protocols were obliterated by the Great Li Grand Ancestor, yet his corpse fell into our hands; formerly the Lotus Sect and Great Qian used the Qiujin Wu Sheng's corpse to forge the Guimu Sculpture, we have the Fifth Immortal's body, why could we not forge one ourselves?

Now the Dream Dynasty will certainly be on guard, it may not be usable, but having it and not having it are two different matters; should an opportunity arise yet we cannot use it, we would inevitably regret it too late."

Lan Jicai smiled: "Formerly the Huai King exterminated the Guimu Sect, we specially went to study the Guimu Sculpture, largely reverse-engineered the Lotus Sect's technique, only that ritual protocol requires critical materials, now————"

Hiss!

Liang Qu straight-up praised the researchers as awesome.

Thank goodness I directly reported the ritual protocol back then, that's why there's a research backup.

The Great Li Grand Ancestor comes out to poke once, dies once, and another copy can be made————

"Very good." The Immortal spoke, "I'll also speak of my understanding."

Everyone turned their ears to listen attentively.

"According to the Huai King's words, that Yao Dragon surpassing the Yao Dragon is the Fifth Will, the Fifth Immortal; with the Fourth Immortal appearing further, I suspect the Great Li Grand Ancestor has already created three Furnaces, one Empty Furnace, one Fifth Immortal."

"What do you mean?" Lan Jicai asked.

"There may be three or more Immortals in the Netherworld, and all are the Great Li Grand Ancestor himself."

Silence.

Lan Jicai's eye corner twitched: "This———— how is that possible?"

He looked at Liang Qu and Zhang Longxiang, the only two present who had been to the Netherworld, discovering both were entirely silent.

"As expected————" Liang Qu pinched his brow; from the Fifth Consciousness and Fourth Will's intensity he had conjectured, now it was confirmed by another Immortal.

"Mr. Lan, it's not impossible." Zhang Longxiang said, "One Grand Position Fruit corresponds to one Furnace Immortal; the Great Li Grand Ancestor killed the Mirage Dragon, and captured the Old Dragon Lord.

Theoretically, this already allows three intact Furnaces; the Fourth Immortal perhaps lacks a Grand Position Fruit, merely elevated to the Furnace tier by various strengths; the Fifth Immortal is the resource 'overflow' result, hence surpassing the Yao Dragon but not reaching Furnace.

Originally all five Immortals should be dormant, the weakest Fifth Immortal awakens first, after self-detonation should have transferred remnants to the Fourth, thus able to awaken the Fourth Immortal."

Lan Jicai was speechless, then his scalp went numb; how is this battle to be fought?

Ally with the Southern Frontier and Northern Court?

"I also have a conjecture." Liang Qu spoke, "The Netherworld population is very large, not only experts but countless commoners, but compared to ten thousand years of accumulation, it is decidedly insufficient, pitifully few. Netherworld Martial Saints are also many, yet the Yao Dragon is immortal in the Netherworld, numbers likewise don't match; I suspect the reason is: the surplus were absorbed by the Great Li Grand Ancestor in Blood Treasure form."

"Then why did the Tianhuo Sect still manufacture so many commoners?" Lao Ying Tian couldn't help asking.

"Deduction!"

"Deduction?" Everyone was curious.

"In Yixing I pioneered a dream game, letting different Mirage Clams exhale mist, achieving a 'linked roaming' effect."

"Quite interesting." The Immortal smiled.

"Many thanks for the Immortal's favor." Liang Qu cupped fists, then continued, "That kind of linking, seemingly simple, actually complex; every person's instantaneous thoughts differ, to mutually combine and influence requires real-time calculation; relying on a mere ordinary spirit monster is clearly insufficient."

The Immortal nodded: "So each of their brains participated?"

"Correct, every brain provides a portion of computing power, creativity. I conjecture the Netherworld's many commoners are the same, becoming part of perfecting the Netherworld dynasty; maintaining a certain population guarantees world complexity, otherwise computing power is insufficient, aspects of the world would trend toward simplification, like———— everyone having no accent."

"If the population all disappeared, would that greatly weaken the Great Li Grand Ancestor?" Zhang Longxiang asked.

Lao Ying Tian widened his eyes; although the Netherworld is originally dead people, hearing words about making everyone disappear————

"No need for such panic; if the Great Li Grand Ancestor were truly that strong, our Yang World is likewise not weak, and, according to observation, both the Yin and Yang worlds have their weakenings." The Immortal looked at Lao Ying Tian.

Lao Ying Tian nodded: "Yang World flesh bodies entering the Yin World are rejected, like being roasted; Yin World coming to Yang World seems likewise."

The Immortal continued: "That's why you could sever one of the Great Li Grand Ancestor's fingers; one, the Fourth Immortal is incomplete; two, his hand reached into the Yang World."

"I had the same feeling when killing the Fifth Immortal." Zhang Longxiang agreed.

Liang Qu thought of another matter.

The Old Yin Whale's scheming is greater than the Yin-Yang Person's; the Yin-Yang Person is this fierce, how could the Old Yin Whale also match up?

"Liang Qing's words are reasonable." The Saint Emperor interrupted the digression, "Continue on, Liang Qing, speak of the River-Center Stone and Five Elements Plate issue."

Liang Qu bowed: "Replying to Your Majesty, per my observation, Yang World entering Yin World, whether soul entry or flesh entry, the Yang World River-Center Stone 'will not disappear, and no matter how one moves in the Yin World, the Yang World's won't move; perhaps similar to a hamster wheel."

"Hamster wheel?" Lan Jicai's eyes brightened.

"Right, no matter how the hamster runs, actually it still stays in place, because the Yin World is 'illusory', is a 'dream', people inside, however they move cannot affect the Yang World.

At this time using the Five Elements Plate in the Yin World would open the gap at one's own flesh body location, possessing a certain connection.

Conversely, opening directly in the Yang World, or opening directly in the Yin World, without connection, the position becomes random; who opens is critical.

Moreover, flesh body entering, passing through the Yin World, then to another gap, enables ultra-long-distance traversal effect, like Su Hebalu jumping from the Northern Court to the Yellow Sand River."

"No wonder————"

Laboring Ying Tian understood that at that time, it was a matter of utmost urgency, and Liang Qu insisted on having himself come to open it, all for the purpose of letting the Fifth Immortal go to Northern Court to cause trouble.

One shocking piece of information after another was exchanged atop the Moon-Watching Tower.

Just as Liang Qu had relaxed, he felt tense again.

Damn it, even after death, people won't behave!

Finally, after understanding the situation, the Holy Emperor called out to Liang Qu and Zhang Longxiang, then gave the order: "The day after tomorrow, we will go together to the Yellow Shahe to meet the Old Dragon Lord."

"Yes! I am willing to serve Your Majesty!"

Liang Qu responded.

At last, it has come! The world's hemorrhoid has burst, the Old Dragon Lord has broken free from confinement, and it is time to execute the replacement plan!

Once the Old Dragon Lord becomes the Dragon King, will my great water-control undertaking still be difficult?

Warm winds came slowly, stirring the curtains.

Hearing the words, the Holy Emperor gazed at Zhang Longxiang and Liang Qu, the two Pillars of the State, one a hundred years old, the other thirty, truly vibrant and vigorous, standing tall and strong, bringing joy; he could not help but step forward, placing his hands on their shoulders.

"Good, good! Indeed, they are my Hidden Dragon and Phoenix Chick! Left and right arms!"

"Zhang Qing wields the sword, Liang Qu holds the spear—under heaven, who could stand against them?"