Chapter 582: Choice

The furnace glowed crimson, emitting a string of crackling pops, along with a muffled grunt of forcibly suppressed agony:

"Still not enough?"

"Not enough!"

His gaze pierced through the furnace wall, looking at the figure seated cross-legged within the flames. The master of Qian Yan Fa closed his Dharma Eye and shook his head: "Although you already possess the foundation of the Divine Palace, and your innate talent has undergone some metamorphosis,

if you wish to contend against that boy within the temple, your seasoning is still insufficient."

After a slight pause, he did not conceal anything, laying out the rules of the Eight Directions Temple one by one, including his own defeat at the hands of Li Yuan.

"Battle across three realms?"

Hearing the words of the master of Qian Yan Fa, whether it be the Dry Emperor, Yellow Dragon Son, or Wan Wan Zhuliu within the furnace, all could not help but furrow their brows.

Even the master of Qian Yan Fa had to battle across three realms—what about them?

Five or six realms?

"In years past, this one borrowed the power of the gods to sever my aged body, but alas fell short by a hair's breadth; it cannot truly be counted as a second life…"

The voice of the master of Qian Yan Fa was calm, without the unwillingness of failure:

"For one of your age to have cultivated to the Divine Palace realm, even within Tian Shi Yuan you would rank among the outstanding, but what the Eight Directions Temple requires is far more than mere outstanding talent—

your evaluation upon entering the temple cannot even compare to this remnant spirit of mine, let alone that boy?"

"The Dharma Master's meaning is, only when the Eight Directions Temple's evaluation approaches that of Li Yuan does one have the qualification to contend with him for a place in the Eight Directions Temple?"

The Dry Emperor's heart stirred slightly: "Then why does the Dharma Master not…"

"This one exhausted every means merely to temporarily sever bone age, and raising innate talent is nearly impossible—what are you worrying about?"

The master of Qian Yan Fa glanced at him, his expression somewhere between a smile and a laugh:

"This one needs that one strange treasure within the Eight Directions Temple, to live out a true second life. Joining hands with you all is a matter of necessity, but I bear no unwillingness either."

"This junior's concern led to confusion, I have made a fool of myself before the Dharma Master."

The Dry Emperor was well versed in the ways of keeping a low profile, just as in the years when he was still a prince, and cupped his hands in apology.

Yellow Dragon Son was somewhat taken aback.

Tian Shi Yuan was not lacking in 'Ascenders' from many life-stars; on their original stars, these 'Ascenders' were without exception overlords of a region, supreme grand masters.

After arriving at Tian Shi Yuan, aside from a very few, none could accept such a fall in status. Although 'Ascenders' were indeed highly valued and courted by many factions, after all it could not compare to the transcendent position they held on their original stars.

'It seems this Your Majesty is one of those rare few…'

Turning the thought over in his mind, Yellow Dragon Son did gain a measure of respect, but seeing him probe the master of Qian Yan Fa with his words left him at a loss for words.

Even a remnant spirit whose true body had perished was still a deity!

"Incense and vow force are fine things, but to wish to use them to sever bone age and raise innate talent..."

The master of Qian Yan Fa shook his head, looking toward the furnace: "In earlier years I heard that among the Cloud Demon clan there was one who failed in advancing to godhood, whose body perished but whose soul did not—surely that must be you."

Whoo~

Within the firelight, a flash of silver light streaked past.

"I did not expect the Dharma Master to also know this old fool?"

Daoist Cloud Demon emerged like green smoke, cupping his hands in a bow: "Yun Yun Yeshan, pays respects to the Dharma Master."

"Treacherous demon."

The master of Qian Yan Fa narrowed his eyes.

"In years past, this old fool wished to advance to godhood, but alas, my cultivation was insufficient. I thought my soul would scatter, yet unexpectedly, having been nourished by vow force during my lifetime, by a twist of fate I did manage to preserve a wisp of remnant thought."

Yun Yun Yeshan laughed self-deprecatingly: "Neither man nor ghost, neither dead nor alive, truly, torment and agony."

"How long can you remain lucid?"

The master of Qian Yan Fa inquired.

"Within a thousand years, only twelve or thirteen years of lucidity; the remaining time, there's no point mentioning."

Yun Yun Yeshan sighed.

"Then there aren't many years left either."

The master of Qian Yan Fa calculated on his fingers: "So, you wish to take advantage of these few years of consciousness to try your luck within the Eight Directions Temple?"

"Not trying my luck."

Yun Yun Yeshan shook his head: "This old fool has spent many years in a stupor within You Jing, yet it was not without purpose. Within this Eight Directions Temple, there must surely be something that can aid me."

"Is that so?"

The master of Qian Yan Fa neither affirmed nor denied, but did not dwell on it either:

"Then your purpose and mine align—before the Eight Directions Temple truly opens wide, to obtain the status to walk within it, trading death for life."

"Precisely."

Yun Yun Yeshan looked toward Wan Wan Zhuliu enduring torment within the furnace:

"Within this place over the past several thousand years, this junior's innate talent should rank among the top five. If there is a Mi Fa to raise his innate talent, it is not necessarily impossible to seize an 'identity'."

The master of Qian Yan Fa's expression turned subtle: "There are no shortage of Mi Fa and means in this world to raise innate talent, but the most reliable is still Form Transformation, only…"

"This old fool's original intention was to use the bloodline of this clan's branch to help him nurture a Cloud Demon body, transforming mixed blood into pure blood. Combined with the fact that he himself has undergone nearly a thousand Form Transformations, there may be hope of metamorphosing his innate talent."

Yun Yun Yeshan did not conceal anything, nor did he care whether the Dry Emperor and others overheard:

"Unfortunately, he is unwilling."

And hearing his words, the smile remained on the Dry Emperor's face, yet he slightly lowered his head; Wang Jin and others dared not even raise their heads or speak.

"It is one path, but it caps out at Zhao Zhao Tianxing at best; better to undergo ten thousand Form Transformations."

Looking at Wan Wan Zhuliu sitting quietly within the flames, the master of Qian Yan Fa's eyes flickered.

"Ten thousand Form Transformations is too difficult—do you have a way?"

Yun Yun Yeshan looked toward him.

"All forms are beyond the reach of external force."

The master of the Thousand Eyes Method looked at Wan Wan Zhuliu and said calmly:

"This seat has two methods. The first can use incense-offering aid to sever your bone age, but severing a hundred years will cost you two to three hundred years of lifespan.

The second is to use a secret method to refine and purge, washing away the mixed blood in your body and raising your innate endowment. But this method is extremely painful, and likewise costs lifespan—at the least thirty to fifty years, at the most even three to five hundred…"

"Which do you choose?"

As the master of the Thousand Eyes Method's words fell, the underground palace fell silent. Everyone looked toward the blazing furnace.

"Why ask?"

Within the flames, Wan Wan Zhuliu opened his eyes, and the divine blade before his knees sang with a clear ring:

"Bring it all at once!"…

……

Whoosh~

At the winter solstice, the heavens turned bitterly cold. The north wind brought heavy snow, and the Dragon-Tiger mountain range lay a sheet of pure white.

"What heavy snow."

On the main peak of Dragon Gate, in a small courtyard, Qi Qi Benchu pinched a gourd of hot wine, sat watching the snow. As far as his eyes could reach, heaven and earth were a vast white expanse.

"The wine's not bad either."

He took another great gulp of wine and looked into the courtyard:

"How long does the senior intend to keep me confined?"

Under the tree in the courtyard, Pang Pang Wenlong was still in that same purple robe, playing Go against Long Xi Xiang. Hearing the words, he didn't even look up, merely replied casually:

"At the least some fifty-odd years, at the most perhaps a hundred."

"So it's a hundred years, then?"

Qi Qi Benchu sighed, his expression dim: "May I ask the senior, who exactly has this junior offended, and what wrong have I done?"

"What do you want this old man to say in reply?"

Pang Pang Wenlong glanced up at him: "If you want something, just say it straight—why beat around the bush? You haven't offended anyone. Imprisoning you here is this old man's fault. If it's not too excessive, this old man can grant it."

"Many thanks, senior."

Qi Qi Benchu flipped down to the ground, bowed in thanks, and briskly stated his request: "This junior's blood exchange was several years ago, but I know nothing at all about how to cultivate afterward. I beg the senior to guide me."

"This old man has told you—your blood exchange took a shortcut. It was that old turtle who forcibly pushed you up with flood-dragon blood. If you don't settle for a few years, even if the blood exchange is complete, you'll have no hope of entering the Dao."

Pang Pang Wenlong shook his head. Seeing his resolve, he said no more and began:

"Of the world's martial arts, this old man has dabbled in many. Which would you like to learn?"

Long Xi Xiang set down a piece, his attention entirely on the game, seemingly not hearing their conversation at all.

"Any kind I want?"

Qi Qi Benchu's heart raced.

"Correct."

Pang Pang Wenlong replied.

"Many thanks, senior."

Qi Qi Benchu hurriedly lowered his head and bowed, a flash of cunning crossing his face: "This junior wishes to learn the senior's martial arts."

Long Xi Xiang looked up at him.

Pang Pang Wenlong was also taken aback for a moment, then laughed helplessly: "You're certainly not shy about asking."

"Senior…"

Qi Qi Benchu's heart tightened.

"Since I've spoken first, this old man shall teach you…"

Pang Pang Wenlong smiled. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly raised his brow, as if sensing something, and abruptly stood up:

"This qi…"

"Senior?"

Long Xi Xiang also stood, looked in that direction, and was startled as well.

They saw, within the great wind and snow, pale cyan light burst forth in the distance. Just glimpsing that light, one seemed to hear the 'splash splash' of water.

"Is this a Divine Realm?"

Long Xi Xiang's brow eased, a smile appearing on his face: "The sound of surging water—has this lad taken the aspect of a great river as the foundation of his Divine Realm?"

He looked at Pang Pang Wenlong, about to speak, but saw the latter's eye twitch—and in the next instant, he had vanished on the spot.

"Roar!"

"Ong!"

"Moo!"

"Screech!"

……

Pale cyan light burst forth from the body, spreading from the room into the courtyard, then from the courtyard outward in all directions, as if to cover the entire Hushan.

Li Li Yuanzhong sensed something, but had no time to attend to it. The sounds of spirit beasts and spirit birds, the ringing of blades and swords clashed and ground against each other in his mind.

Even he could not bear it—his temples throbbed.

Hum~

Li Li Yuanzhong sat still and focused his spirit, even pulling back that one thread of outward attention, concentrating wholly on his Niwan Palace.

At this moment, his Niwan Palace was already in an uproar.

Hundreds upon thousands of spirit beasts fought and slaughtered above the Wang Yang Shen Jing.

Similar battles had not ceased over the past half-month, and now, under Li Yuan's gaze, this fight had reached its end.

Upon the churning Wang Yang, only dozens of colossal forms stood out most prominently; the shapes of the vast majority of soldiers and beasts had been driven into the corners.

The Bai Yuan, formed from the 'White Ape Cloak Hammer', trembled in a corner holding its hammer, while atop its head, a spirit dragon pierced by ten thousand blades also quivered in fear.

Above it was a young mastiff interwoven with lightning, bathing in the thunder and letting out a ferocious roar.

Opposing it were spirit forms born from divine weapons or supreme arts, such as the 'Red Dragon Form', the 'Mirage Dragon Form', the 'Dragon-Elephant Vajra', and the 'Wind Tiger Cloud Dragon'.

A single young mastiff fought against dozens of spirit forms.

In the distance, starlight blazed, transforming into a half-dragon, half-tiger spirit form; there was a crimson azure dragon, and a black turtle coiled with a serpent...

The scope of the battle had shrunk greatly compared to before, yet the intensity had surged; with every collision, Li Yuan could feel his Niwan Palace shaking and trembling.

With his current divine soul, he could barely contain it.

"No wonder they say the Ten Thousand Forms is the limit..."

Li Yuan watched silently, and only when the shaking of his Niwan Palace reached its peak did his mind shift.

"Roar!"

In the next instant, the Wang Yang boiled, a water column shot skyward, and a giant fish leaped from the depths, its mouth gaping wide as if to swallow all thousands and tens of thousands of beasts into its belly!