Chapter 436: Twenty-Eight Supreme Constellations Scripture

Xu Mingyuan and the rest of the group had all consumed the Withered Glory Pill, elevating the quality of their mana by an entire tier.

Even the weakest among them was now comparable to a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.

Someone like Xu Deling was not inferior to a Golden Core Perfection expert in the slightest.

Ye Fan, Xu Deyue, and Xu Mingxian were slightly behind.

"What grade is this Magic Treasure of yours?" Demonic Cultivator Yan asked.

Naturally, Xu Deyue could not be bothered to reply. Her only response was dozens of streaks of sword light.

In addition, Xu Mingshu patted her Spirit Beast Pouch and released Xu Ying.

Xu Ying transformed into a massive eagle spanning over thirty feet and soared high into the sky.

Following a piercing screech.

Xu Mingshu also activated the Black Dragon Flag. A black-scaled dragon crocodile lunged out from the banner's surface, opening its gaping maw to bite down.

Xu Dewen did not make a move for the time being.

Of course, Demonic Cultivator Yan had also grown up amidst life-and-death slaughter, possessing abundant combat experience.

He quickly broke out of his passive, beaten-down state.

He activated a Black Quadrilateral Pyramid, shooting it violently toward Xu Mingshu.

'As long as I eliminate this person first, I can deal with Xu Deyue without worries,' he thought.

Xu Deyue's strength was not weak, but she was still significantly lacking compared to him; she was merely relying on the overwhelming power of her Magic Treasure.

However, to his complete surprise, Xu Mingshu also possessed a High-Grade Defensive Magic Treasure, which perfectly blocked his quadrilateral pyramid Magic Treasure.

"Just what is the background of this group? How do almost all of them possess high-grade Magic Treasures?"

This was the exact same doubt plaguing Demonic Cultivator Xu.

Defended by high-grade Magic Treasures while simultaneously being attacked by wielders of high-grade Magic Treasures, such seamless coordination quickly forced both Demonic Cultivator Xu and Demonic Cultivator Yan into a severe disadvantage.

They even appeared somewhat miserable and battered.

"A bunch of useless trash!"

Yin Shuo watched quietly. Although he cursed under his breath, in his mind, he was also pondering the origins of Xu Mingyuan and the others.

Were they all from the same faction, or was this a gathering of prodigies from multiple different powers?

He leaned more toward the latter possibility.

There were quite a few Golden Core cultivators in the Corpse Yin Sect who possessed high-grade Magic Treasures, but the internal competition among them was intensely fierce.

At most, two or three of them might be on good terms, forming a community of shared interests.

Having everyone united as one was simply impossible.

Only the most outstanding few among them had the qualifications to fight for a Nascent Soul Formation Opportunity.

If one did not wish to rely on the sect, their only option was to venture out and search for a method to reach the Nascent Soul Formation stage themselves, but this path was even more arduous.

After all, even a hegemonic force like the Corpse Yin Sect might only find two or three Nascent Soul Formation Opportunities over several centuries, and sometimes even fewer.

And that was with the Nascent Soul Grand Elders personally taking action.

Unless a Golden Core cultivator possessed truly astonishing Providence, their chances of obtaining one were incredibly slim.

Even in a place like the Ancient Battlefield, which held countless opportunities, there had been very few instances throughout history where a Golden Core cultivator managed to obtain a Nascent Soul Formation Opportunity relying entirely on their own efforts.

As for the outside world, finding a Nascent Soul Formation Opportunity was only bound to be infinitely more difficult.

Of course, if one lacked a supplementary method for Nascent Soul Formation, their only choice was to force a breakthrough directly.

However, aside from the most extremely confident individuals, the vast majority would only choose this path when absolutely all other hope was lost.

Because the success rate of a direct Nascent Soul Formation breakthrough was less than five percent.

Yin Shuo shifted his gaze toward Xu Deling.

"It seems you are the strongest among this group. Do you really think you can defeat me in a one-on-one fight?"

"Why don't you make a move and find out for yourself?"

"Arrogant!"

Yin Shuo's eyes turned sinister.

With a mere thought, the Corpse Puppet beside him—whose skin was a bruised cyan-black and whose fingernails were long, sharp, and pitch-black—let out a low, guttural roar and lunged forward.

Its speed was as fast as a phantom. Both of its claws aimed straight for Xu Deling's heart, bringing with them a foul, reeking corpse wind.

Xu Deling's gaze remained icy, not showing the slightest hint of fear.

She formed hand seals to manifest a fire phoenix, seamlessly integrating the Fire Phoenix Plume into it.

The fire phoenix's body rapidly expanded to nearly fifty feet in size. The flaming feathers across its body seemed to solidify, genuinely turning into tangible fire phoenix feathers.

A pair of razor-sharp talons directly clashed with that Peak Third-Tier Corpse Puppet.

Clang!

The sharp sound of metal clashing rang out.

The Corpse Puppet's arms were firmly locked by the fire phoenix's talons before it was dragged forcefully into the sky.

Even Yin Shuo was momentarily intimidated by this Divine Ability.

Immediately after, Xu Deling flipped her hand and drew a longsword that was as crimson as pure jade.

This served as her backup Magic Treasure, graded as a Four-Pattern Mid-Grade Magic Treasure.

She flicked her longsword, and clusters of blazing sword lotuses—crimson tinted with pale gold—bloomed out of thin air, gracefully swirling around her body.

"Red Lotus Karmic Fire, burn!"

The sword lotuses spun furiously. Searing sword qi and evil-banishing true flames erupted outward, surging fiercely toward Yin Shuo.

"It seems I truly underestimated your methods, Fairy!"

Yin Shuo swept his cyan-black sleeve robe. A Bone Shield flew out, effortlessly blocking the blazing sword lotuses one after another.

He then formed hand seals, condensing several pitch-black streaks of Bone-Eroding Yin Malevolence Fingers. Like venomous snakes, they silently struck toward Xu Deling's exposed back.

Xu Deling scoffed coldly.

Deploying her movement technique, she danced like a spiritual butterfly within the flames, gracefully dodging the incoming attack.

"Go!"

Xu Deling's evasion was entirely within Yin Shuo's expectations; he seemed to have calculated this exact outcome.

At the precise moment she dodged, another Magic Treasure shot out from his sleeve robe.

It took the form of a gray line, heavily concentrated with an incredibly dense corpse malevolence aura, crashing toward Xu Deling at unparalleled speed.

Xu Deling could acutely sense the terrifying power of that Magic Treasure.

It was significantly stronger than the high-grade Magic Treasures wielded by Demonic Cultivator Xu and Demonic Cultivator Yan.

Without a shred of hesitation, a Crimson Gold Shield materialized out of thin air, guarding her front.

A crimson-gold light screen instantly condensed.

Bang!

The gray line finally revealed its true form; it was a gray bracelet known as the Corpse Demon Bangle.

"Another High-Grade Defensive Magic Treasure!"

Yin Shuo was filled with shock, muttering in his heart, 'This group's wealth is far too abundant, isn't it?'

"A six-pattern corpse dao Magic Treasure, how rare," Xu Deling's pupils slightly shrank as she thought, 'This Magic Treasure would actually be quite suitable for the Profound Yin Corpse King.'

Having spent so much time with Xu Chuan, she had unconsciously adopted some of his habits.

Whenever she saw a good item, her first instinct was to secure it for a suitable member of her own family.

The Corpse Demon Bangle returned without achieving any success, falling back into Yin Shuo's hand.

"Your Magic Treasure isn't bad either."

Seeing Xu Deling praise his Magic Treasure, Yin Shuo offered a polite response of his own.

'Taking this person down will not be easy. He definitely still has trump cards, perhaps more than just one Third-Tier Corpse Puppet,' Xu Deling thought.

She recalled that Xu Chuan was exactly like this.

Whenever he made a move in the past, he would unleash either ten peak-stage blood corpses or a massive ghost army of Yin souls.

Therefore, she naturally used the same standard to estimate this type of demonic cultivator.

'Should I use the Fire Phoenix Manifestation Art? Or should I ask Fifth Uncle or Second Brother for help?'

However, Xu Mingxian was currently breaking the formation, and they could not let all previous efforts go to waste at this critical juncture. As for Xu Dewen, he was the trump card arranged by Xu Mingyuan; if they were unable to defeat the enemy, he would be ordered to disguise himself as the demonic cultivator named Li.

With a Golden Core cultivation base, he would control the Tier-4 Corpse King and Tier-4 Ghost King.

But it was best not to expose this matter unless absolutely necessary.

Xu Dewen's identity was not easy to guess, but as for the identity of their Xu Family, it would not be difficult for others to find out with just a little investigation afterward.

Just as Xu Deling and Yin Shuo were feeling mutual apprehension toward one another.

Suddenly, a miserable shriek echoed from the battlefield where Ye Fan and Xu Mingyuan were fighting.

The agonized scream naturally belonged to Demonic Cultivator Xu.

As it turned out, while he was entangled with Ye Fan and being bombarded by Xu Mingyuan's Heavenly Talisman Brush, Xu Mingxuan had launched a sneak attack using the Purple Flame Helmet.

It actually managed to trap him directly in a net.

He was completely unable to break free.

Furthermore, the purple net manifested intensely hot purple flames that continuously incinerated him.

"Brother Yan, Brother Yin, save me!"

The two swept their divine sense over and discovered that Demonic Cultivator Xu was completely enveloped by a high-grade binding Magic Treasure, unable to escape.

Such Magic Treasures were exceedingly rare.

Once trapped, it was virtually impossible for anyone below the Nascent Soul stage to break free.

The only method was to evade before being captured in the first place.

However, the Xu Family had strength in numbers, and none of them were weak. Even if they could not achieve outright victory, tying down an enemy for a period of time was not a problem.

"Damn it, they actually have this kind of Magic Treasure too!"

When Yin Shuo saw this, his expression instantly contorted in shock and horror.

Without uttering another word, he recalled his Peak Third-Tier Corpse Puppet. After forcing Xu Deling back with the Corpse Demon Bangle, he instantly fled into the distance.

Demonic Cultivator Yan did the exact same.

Are you joking? Once these people freed up their hands to surround him, he would undoubtedly suffer the exact same fate as Demonic Cultivator Xu.

"Brother Xu, hold on! I will go gather reinforcements to save you right now!"

"You two bastards!"

Xu Mingshu was just about to command Xu Ying to give chase.

"Do not pursue a cornered enemy!" Xu Mingyuan shouted.

Xu Mingshu hesitated for a moment but ultimately obeyed Xu Mingyuan's words.

When their father was not present, they listened to their eldest brother. If their eldest brother was absent, they listened to their second brother.

At the very least, in the eyes of their younger siblings and the junior generation, both Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan were figures of absolute authority and prestige.

If it had been Xu Mingxuan speaking, his words would not have carried enough weight.

"Second Brother, how should we deal with this person?"

"Kill him."

"No! I am a disciple of the Purple Gauze Sect! My Purple Gauze Sect is second only to the four great hegemonic forces like the Corpse Yin Sect! You cannot kill me!"

"Heh."

The only response Demonic Cultivator Xu received was the cold sneers of the Xu Family members.

A moment later.

Demonic Cultivator Xu died.

Xu Mingxuan recalled the Purple Flame Helmet.

Xu Mingshu looked at it with envy. "Third Brother, this is truly a fantastic treasure. Lend it to your little sister to play with for a bit."

"Hehe, no way. It's much more realistic for you to ask Deling to refine one for you when she gets the chance," Xu Mingxuan teased.

Xu Deling commented, "This Purple Flame Helmet is extremely impressive. It can be considered the absolute peak among high-grade Magic Treasures. Coupled with its unique effects, its true value is completely comparable to an ordinary Top-Tier Magic Treasure.

I reckon even Early and Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators would fight over it."

"Then, Linger, can you refine one?"

"It seems I have actually never refined this specific type of Magic Treasure before. The main issue is that such unique Magic Treasures often require highly specialized materials to achieve their corresponding effects.

It is unlike ordinary Flying Swords or shields, which can be forged using standard materials."

"Is that so?" Xu Mingshu said, feeling somewhat deflated. "I was thinking that if I had an item like this in the future, it would be so much more convenient when capturing demonic beasts in the wild.

Compared to cultivators, they are much easier to catch."

Xu Mingyuan pondered for a brief moment before saying, "Mingxuan, when you have some free time, let Deling study the Purple Flame Helmet. Even if we lack the specialized materials to replicate its exact power, A replica would still be more than enough for the clan's disciples and the junior generation to use."

"Since Second Brother has spoken, very well," Xu Mingxuan agreed helplessly.

For the sake of the family clan, he truly could not refuse.

Two days later.

The grand array enveloping the Grotto-Residence's entrance emitted a prolonged, resonant hum that sounded almost like a heavy sigh.

Immediately after, countless complex array patterns, like ignited silken threads, began to rapidly disintegrate and annihilate from the center outward, turning into a sky full of firefly-like motes of light before fading entirely.

"Crack..."

A crisp shattering sound echoed throughout the surroundings.

It was as if some ancient shackle that had been sealed in dust for ten thousand years had finally been broken open.

Before them stood an ancient, rustic Grotto-Residence gateway nearly thirty feet tall, completely integrated into the mountain itself.

The massive doors were tightly shut, yet completely devoid of any Restriction fluctuations.

Xu Mingxian let out a long breath of relief and slowly stood up.

Though his complexion was slightly pale from exhaustion, a trace of deep gratification shone through.

Breaking this formation had provided him with a tremendous amount of insight regarding Half-Step Fourth-Tier Grand Formations.

"Swallow this and restore some of your mana."

Xu Mingyuan walked over and handed him a High-Grade Jade Void Pill.

"Thank you, Second Brother."

Xu Mingxian did not decline. He immediately accepted the pill and guided it into his mouth.

After merely a brief moment of breath adjustment.

His mana had recovered significantly.

"Let's go. Let's head inside and see just what kind of treasures lie within to warrant the protection of a Half-Step Fourth-Tier Grand Formation," Xu Mingshu urged, her voice tinged with excitement.

The others shared her eager sentiment.

Ye Fan stepped forward and pushed against the stone door. The massive slab of stone, weighing over five thousand kilograms, was effortlessly shoved open.

Behind the stone door lay a deep, narrow, and incredibly long passageway.

It was overwhelmingly dim and gloomy.

It looked as though it had been carved out in an extreme hurry.

After walking forward for a few hundred feet, they arrived at a rather spacious, utterly unadorned stone chamber.

A few sparse patches of wild weeds were growing in the corners of the stone room.

In the very center of the stone chamber lay nothing more than a simple, crude jade Meditation Cushion.

Seated upright upon the Meditation Cushion was a skeletal figure draped in an ancient, rustic Daoist robe.

The skeleton's bones were as translucent and flawless as jade. Having withstood the passage of countless ages without rotting or deteriorating, they still faintly radiated a flowing light, clearly indicating that the person's cultivation base in life had been anything but weak.

The skeleton's hands rested naturally upon its knees. Its posture was perfectly serene, as though it were merely sitting quietly in deep meditation. Only its hollow, empty eye sockets remained fixedly staring in the direction of the entrance.

The skeleton had absolutely no worldly possessions on its person, save for a single Azure Jade Ring worn on the middle finger of its right hand.

Aside from that, the entire stone chamber was completely empty and devoid of any other objects.

By completely tacit agreement, everyone's gaze immediately fell upon that Azure Jade Ring.

"Second Brother, you should be the one to retrieve it," Xu Mingxuan stated.

"Third Brother is absolutely right. You are the most suitable person here," Xu Mingshu echoed in agreement.

Xu Mingyuan nodded slightly and stepped forward to carefully remove the Azure Jade Ring. Sending his divine sense inside, a look of unbridled joy quickly surfaced on his face.

"Second Brother, how is it? Judging by your expression, there must be some truly incredible things in there, right?"

With a sweeping wave of his sleeve robe, the items stored within the Azure Jade Ring immediately flew out one by one, elegantly lining up on display before everyone's eyes.

"An Ancient Prodigy Token!" Ye Fan exclaimed in absolute shock.

"Our luck is rather good. This makes our second token," Xu Mingxian chuckled faintly.

"Is this compass a Top-Tier Magic Treasure?!"

Xu Deling's astonished voice successfully captured everyone's attention, prompting them to instantly look over.

It was a compass-like Magic Treasure, its main body forged from a dark, profound silver.

Embedded perfectly across its surface, strictly following the positions of the heavenly constellations, were twenty-eight uniquely sized, exotically glowing gemstones.

The needle itself was painstakingly carved from a piece of lustrous, jade-like bone.

The compass rotated slowly and entirely of its own accord, subtly drawing out faint spatial ripples in its immediate surroundings.

"Is it truly a Top-Tier Magic Treasure?" Xu Mingshu asked in utter amazement. "But what is a compass shape used for? Is it an Array Disk?"

Xu Deling contemplated the object before answering, "If my guess is not entirely mistaken, it should be a Magic Treasure dedicated to the Path of Divination."

"Rumor has it that during the Ancient Era, there existed a Constellation Disk. It possessed the profound ability to calculate Heavenly Secrets, ascertain absolute directions, and pierce through all illusions to seek out undeniable truths. It could not be wielded by anyone lacking attainments in the Path of Divination.

This Magic Treasure couldn't be more perfect for Grandfather."

"And within this Jade Slip lies its accompanying technique manual," Xu Mingyuan pointed at a yellow jade slip with a wide smile. "It is called the Twenty-Eight Supreme Constellations Scripture."

"Once Father returns and learns we have acquired such a magnificent treasure, he will undoubtedly be ecstatic beyond belief."

Xu Mingxuan's face was brimming with a radiant smile.

Beyond those items, there were also two other high-grade Magic Treasures.

One was an azure seal that looked as if it had been entirely carved from a single, massive piece of profound deep-sea jade.

The seal's knob was exquisitely sculpted in the shape of a coiled dragon employing the Dragon Sucks Water technique. Engraved onto the base of the seal were two ancient cloud-pattern characters: 'Suppressing the Sea'.

The treasure seal merely floated quietly in the air, yet it naturally emanated an invisible Pressure—one that was as heavy as the abyss and as vast as the boundless ocean.

Even at a passing glance, one could tell that this was absolutely no ordinary high-grade Magic Treasure.

In Xu Deling's professional evaluation, it was significantly more powerful than the Heavy Profound Seal currently held by Xu Chuan.

The final item was a massive, profound-black banner.

Its pole was heavy and completely dark, while the banner's surface was made of a material that was neither silk nor cloth. Embroidered across its surface was an awe-inspiring illustration of ten thousand stampeding beasts.

Looking closely, those exotic beast patterns actually seemed to be slowly flowing and roaring. The faint, terrifying sounds of various primordial beast roars drifted outward from the fabric, capable of thoroughly shaking a person's very soul.