Chapter 634: Breakthrough to Seventh Rank

"..."

Shen Yi rubbed the cold surface of the iron token, looking at the Earth God staring straight at him.

The other party's meaning was clear.

This iron token could be seen as recruitment, or as intimidation.

If he did not intend to join this so-called Zhan Yao Si, he would likely become a target of their attention... and joining seemed to yield the same result.

Thinking of this, Shen Yi pondered, looking down at himself.

No, where exactly does he look like a villain?

He shook his head, casually putting the iron token away: "Is there anything else to instruct?"

The Earth God had not expected this young man to be so straightforward; if he truly came with the intent to cause trouble, facing the attention of the Divine Dynasty, he would have shown some apprehension, yet the other party did not even ask about the treatment, simply agreeing directly.

This left him momentarily stunned; after a moment of silence, he also shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Apologies, perhaps this old man misjudged."

A cultivator covered in killing intent, yet an honest man who obeys the law—could such a thing be possible?

"This old man is named Min Zhiyan; before receiving this celestial duty, I also served in the Divine Dynasty. Now that you have become an agent of the Jianyang Prefecture Zhan Yao Si, we count as half-colleagues. If there is nothing else, you may come sit with me more often in the future."

The Earth God had just apologized in the previous sentence, yet the next still inevitably revealed a hint of "I will be watching you."

"..."

Shen Yi glanced at this twisted little old man, feeling no anger; instead, a touch of sighing appeared in his eyes.

The luck was decent; upon first entering Shenzhou, the people he met, whether Master Zhikong or this Jianyang Prefecture Earth God, were all good people.

Dealing with such people is always much easier.

If not for the murder case of Lingyun Shiren hanging over him, Shen Yi would have had the thought of simply living peacefully here.

"Go."

Min Zhiyan waved his hand; presuming innocence until proven guilty, he knew he had been too harsh on this Shen Xianyou; with his profound cultivation, enduring until now was giving this old rascal enough face: "Take this token back to the city; within three days, someone will contact you."

"Farewell."

Shen Yi turned his body, preparing to push the door open and leave.

This Earth God softly added another reminder: "Once you join the Zhan Yao Si, stay away from Master Zhikong; the three teachings' disciples are not short of good people, but those as kind as him are ultimately a minority. Do not think everyone in the sect is like him; try to avoid them, it does no harm."

"Also, the Zhan Yao Si is not exactly a righteous identity; do not let others know."

Shen Yi did not turn back, merely nodding his chin slightly, then stepped out.

The Earth God was worried he would mistake Master Zhikong, such an exception, for the norm of the three teachings.

He certainly knew that living beings who cultivate to profound realms could not, for the most part, be purely good people in any true sense.

But it was fine.

Neither was he.

"How was it?"

Seeing Shen Yi come out, Prince Prince Ziyang rushed over immediately, asking with a face full of curiosity.

For a living being from a remote, poor place, staying on the land of Shenzhou was not difficult; after all, even mortals could live in peace and prosperity, let alone those with cultivation. But finding a path to climb up was difficult.

Especially for a job that required closing the doors to discuss.

"Half a colleague." Shen Yi casually handed over the Rain-Prayer Envoy token.

"Ah?"

Prince Prince Ziyang took the token, treasuring it as if it were a precious treasure, and carefully put it away. Now that Shen Zongzhu had returned, a job that was originally unimportant had become incredibly important; after all, to create the first temporary dwelling place for the Hongze living beings in Shenzhou, he needed an identity.

Immediately after, he looked over with a strange expression.

Half a colleague? He makes it rain, and Shen Zongzhu moves the clouds?

He really found it hard to imagine the figure who waved his sleeve and sentenced countless cultivators and demons of Northern Hong to death, now obediently moving clouds and making rain for the common people of Shen Yidi.

"It doesn't matter; doing this for now is fine; with your brother's skills, sooner or later you will be noticed by others."

When outsiders were present, Prince Prince Ziyang addressed him as "brother," but judging by his tone, he clearly did not believe this statement himself.

Such a bitter job was of the same type as the Earth God; good for retirement, but to climb up... which great power would pay attention to a laborer responsible for carrying water?

"..."

Shen Yi did not intend to explain too much; it was not that he did not trust Prince Prince Ziyang, but mainly that he did not want the other party involved in this matter.

He was not a fool.

The Earth God had already made the words very clear.

The Zhan Yao Si belonged to those outside the Eight Bureaus, a existence requiring hidden identity; how clean could the work they did be?

This thing was completely different from the former Great Qian Zhen Mo Si.

Thinking deeper, with the identity of the Human Emperor, what exactly was there that could not be seen in the light?

The answer was extremely obvious.

The Human Emperor forged a blade called the Zhan Yao Si; usually it chopped demons and evil, but when necessary, it would probably also aim at the disciples of the three teachings.

Hiding this blade was simply unwilling to make a scene and provoke the dissatisfaction of the Immortal Court.

Anyone with a clean background and a normal mind would probably not want to join such a faction.

Unfortunately, Shen Yi was different; he was truly short on time and had no qualifications to be picky.

He had even killed a proper celestial official; did he dare not act against the disciples of the three teachings? As long as the reward was sufficient.

Thinking of this, Shen Yi gathered his spirit and headed towards Jianyang Fucheng.

Jianyang Prefecture, an inn.

Shen Yi sat on the bed; since practicing the Divine Mountain Suppresses the Blue Sky, he had not been in such an environment to deduce for a long time.

His heart felt somewhat unsteady.

【Remaining Demon Lifespan: Two Hundred and One Kalpas】

Adjusting his mindset slightly, Shen Yi condensed a Demon-Sealing Stone and immediately began reshaping the demon soul.

Spending nine kalpas of lifespan to obtain a seventh-rank great demon was not a loss if it could help handle matters in daily life; moreover, it could allow him to learn many things he did not know.

As the demon lifespan flowed away, a palm-sized gray-furred mouse trembled and cowered in Shen Yi's palm.

With such a foundation, even in Shenzhou, if placed in Hongze, it would likely not even qualify to become a demon.

At this moment, it did not even dare to reveal its human form, which was enough to show how great the psychological shadow was from being smashed into minced meat blow by blow.

"Guard the door well."

Shen Yi lowered his hand, and the mouse darted to the corner beside the door.

He then finally fixed his gaze on the Three-Kalpa Lotus Platform Method.

He now understood that on the Shenzhou continent, above the Dao Realm, at least two paths diverged: if one continued cultivating the Dao techniques, one could ascend to the Taiyi Zhenxian realm; if one instead cultivated the physical body, one was called a Walker.

But whether Walker or Taiyi Zhenxian, both belonged to the seventh-rank category.

"Why does Master Zhikong look so much stronger than you?"

"Reporting to my Lord, Master Zhikong has perfected the Three-Kalpa Lotus Platform and is already cultivating the Six-Kalpa Lotus Platform Method; with each additional kalpa, the Lotus Platform gains one rank, adding three flowers and nine petals."

The Spirit Light Mouse replied with some guilt: "He is a Five-Kalpa Lotus Platform, I... I am two kalpas."

"How many kalpas of Lotus Platform are needed to hold the Fruit Position?" Shen Yi recalled Master Zhikong's earlier reminder, then looked at this mouse; it had clearly stolen the Dragon and Tiger Great Scripture, yet its strength had obviously not improved in the slightest.

Mentioning this, the Spirit Light Mouse's voice already carried a hint of weeping: "Even for the most ordinary Fruit Position, at least a Nine-Kalpa Lotus Platform is required; judging by strength alone, it is already equivalent to a sixth-rank Immortal Official... That day, my heart was blinded by pork fat; I originally intended to steal a Six-Kalpa Lotus Platform Method, but somehow my head grew dizzy and confused, and I took this Dragon and Tiger Great Scripture instead."

"Hah."

Shen Yi listened silently, then slowly exhaled a breath.

Although the Dragon and Tiger Great Scripture was in hand, something was still missing between it and obtaining the Dragon and Tiger Fruit Position; he just did not know if his luck was exhausted or if he could encounter a few more Master Zhikongs.

Or perhaps...

Shen Yi quietly looked at the Spirit Light Mouse; since even a rat could join the Puti Sect, it showed that the Puti Sect did not consist entirely of cultivators; adding a few more sealing stones could assemble this path as well.

Of course, besides this, if one could directly enter the Puti Sect, that would not be a bad choice either.

Take one step and see.

Having just joined a faction of unknown background, one still needed to prepare more means of survival.

Shen Yi stored the Spirit Light Walker into his panel, then rapidly poured demon lifespan into that Three-Kalpa Lotus Flower Method.

【First Kalpa: The Spirit Light Walker expounds the Dharma and imparts the scriptures; you listen in your heart, recite the sutras silently, and use this supreme, profound method to protect a compassionate heart, beginning to walk the world.】

Twelve thousand nine hundred and sixty years of walking, experiencing the changes of heaven and earth.

This is the Physical Body Kalpa.

For other cultivators, this old calendar, the most time-wasting Physical Body Kalpa, was, for Shen Yi, the easiest kind.

His gaze gradually scattered, then constantly re凝聚ed, until it became increasingly clear, filled with Lei Ting and wild winds, mountains and lakes, even down to the minutiae of a single flower and leaf.

Flowers broke and leaves fell, fading from between his eyes, drifting lightly into the space between his chest and abdomen within his body.

Three flowers, nine petals, entirely jade-white, slowly bloomed, revealing the Lotus Platform within.

Then the petals scattered and flew, surging into his four limbs, hundred bones, and entire blood vessels, as if to wash this body anew.

Shen Yi sat upright on the bed, his expression gradually becoming calm.

That was the sedimentation of having endured one kalpa and seen all the mountains and seas.

Beneath his black robe, his skin began to emit a lustrous Jin Guang, making the whole person appear like the early sun.

As the demon lifespan continued to pour in.

New petals sprouted between the Lotus Platform, continuing the previous process.

Until the three kalpas ended, the scriptures could no longer protect the mind; confusion surged into Shen Yi's eyes; the heaven and earth that were once clearly visible were now as if shrouded by countless phantom shadows, reaching out claws and fangs toward him!

His whole body shuddered, and he woke up in terror.

The scriptures lost their effect, and he had to face the true calamity directly.

"Hah! Hah!"

He panted heavily; having only glanced once more, his entire black robe was already soaked with sweat.

The Jin Guang within his skin dissipated, and the jade-white petals reassembled on the Lotus Platform.

Nine flowers, twenty-seven petals; as they opened and closed slightly, he felt something was missing on the platform.

【Seventh Rank. Three-Kalpa Lotus Platform Method: Perfected】

【Remaining Demon Lifespan: One Hundred Eighty-Nine Kalpas】

Shen Yi adjusted his breath, looking again at his palm; it seemed no different from before, but as his five fingers loosely clenched, his breathing and the opening and closing of the Lotus Platform within his body maintained a unified rhythm, as if a second heart had appeared.

The petals were formed from the most refined spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

The power brought by this Lotus Platform far exceeded the scope of the Dao Realm.

Seventh Rank, Walker Realm!

Shen Yi closed his eyes, pondering carefully for a long time, then discovered that this power still had a certain gap compared to the Bai Xi Seal.

Thinking about it, it was normal; the Bai Xi Seal represented the mighty power of the Immortal Court; compared to an individual, it could be said to be infinite and endless, though an Immortal Official could only use a portion within the scope of their duties.

It was the upper limit of the seventh rank.

And the Walker Dao, according to the Spirit Light Rat Demon's description, divided the seventh rank into two stages; his current three kalpas had only completed half, while six kalpas marked the end; perhaps only at that realm could he match the Bai Xi Seal.

To break through to the sixth rank, one would need the strength possessed only by a Nine-Kalpa Lotus Platform.

Regardless, he had finally stepped onto the path.

Shen Yi was not a greedy person; he soon suppressed the thought of using the Dragon and Tiger Great Scripture.

The experience just now served as a reminder to him.

These external techniques are indeed useful, but if placed in Hongze, a mere Three Calamities' time—less than four hundred thousand years by their reckoning—would make cultivating even a single immortal art a struggle.

Yet with the scripture in hand, in that same span, one could break through from the Dao realm directly to a realm comparable to a Taiyi Zhenxian; truly, this is the foundation of the Three Teachings.

But the danger is real.

One careless mistake, and one would fall into a place of ten thousand calamities from which there is no return.

Inside the quiet room.

Shen Yi closed his eyes to nurture his spirit, his entire body once again radiating Jin Guang; a small mouse lay coiled in his palm, already bearing a resemblance to a divine Buddha.

Only the mouse's terrified eyes added a touch of imperfection to this nearly flawless scene.

It's not... that the Three Calamities truly mean exactly Three Calamities, not a single day more?!

Even the most outstanding disciples of the sect, while reciting the scripture, would have moments of their spirit wandering beyond the heavens; to maintain an unshaken mind for hundreds of thousands of years, such terrifying concentration, what extraordinary talent must one possess!

Where on earth did this master of mine, a naturally born Buddha's child, come from!

Immortal Court, Imperial Horse Bureau.

As usual, the towering Golden Body dharma image patrolled the immortal carriage; after the previous incident, whether ordinary laborers or the Bureau Chief and Deputy Chief, besides their usual flattery toward a superior, their eyes now held much more fear.

Of course, this fear was not fear of the Bi Ma Wen itself.

It was simply the fear that one day, without noticing, they would be dragged into the ditch by this superior, never to rise again for eternity.

Too damn... hard!

They only hoped that when General Qingluan returned, the superior would be equally hard.

You see, the reason Princess Ziling could handle affairs for the General was not only due to deep trust, but also because General Qingluan was indeed very busy.

The person is busy handling matters; once those matters are done and they return, it is highly likely they will be promoted.

When they return to the Immortal Court and see that Princess Ziling handled matters so properly, asking for a post for this lady at that time would be a mere afterthought.

Under such circumstances, for their own superior to go and offend a trusted female official was purely because they were stuffed full and had nothing better to do!

As several minds drifted.

A burly figure quickly stepped into the Imperial Horse Bureau; judging by his attire, he was clearly an immortal general under General Qingluan, equal in rank to the Bi Ma Wen.

With a cold expression, he strode past Lady Qinghua, casually slapped an immortal decree into the Bureau Chief's arms, and headed straight for the stables.

"This... this time... no problem..."

The Bureau Chief trembled as he opened the decree to inspect it, then presented it to Lady Qinghua.

In the stables, the girl who looked like a fairy had already risen gracefully and bowed to the immortal general.

"Miss Ziling, no need for such formalities; you have suffered greatly. This general will take you out immediately." The general directly pulled open the stable door.

"Please do not speak thus; what suffering is there? It was simply that Ziling forgot the rules, relying on General Qingluan's trust, and forgot her original identity." Ziling shook her head gently, her face showing no hint of displeasure, only deep guilt: "I only hope I have not delayed General Qingluan's affairs; otherwise, Ziling's crime would be immense."

Hearing these words, the immortal general, who had originally intended to take the person and leave, finally took a deep breath, his gaze dark as he looked at Lady Qinghua, and said coldly: "Since someone does not understand reason and likes to use rules to suppress others, then let us hope that when the rules one day press down upon them, they too do not cry out in bitterness."

"Otherwise, it would be somewhat laughable."

"Let us go!"

He snorted, supported Princess Ziling, and left the Imperial Horse Bureau.

Leaving only several immortal officials swallowing their saliva, quietly moving a bit farther away from that towering Golden Body.

"..."

Lady Qinghua gently folded that immortal decree and, with meticulous care, stored it within the immortal register.

When she was in Nanyang, she already knew the importance of background.

She also understood that behind this Princess Ziling stood someone she could not afford to offend.

But Lady Qinghua was not at all afraid.

Because she did not believe anyone could have a greater background than her own.

Her master is merely temporarily trapped in shallow waters; there will come a day of soaring, and once he takes flight, he will be an existence beyond the reach of these people.

(End of this chapter)