Chapter Forty-Seven: Be Careful

Back in the Azure Heaven Domain, Xu Zhe had once researched the Five Grand Heavenly Domains. Although his understanding came solely from ancient texts, it was clear that the Five Domains were originally equal, with no distinction of superiority or inferiority. Over time, however, certain domains gradually declined, such as the Blue Heaven Domain.

According to accounts from lesser cultivators who had ascended from the Blue Heaven Domain, the spiritual energy there was sparse, and those able to reach the Grand Ascension stage and ascend were all beings of exceptional talent. Yet “ascension” was not, in itself, some mighty ability; it was simply that the domain was too weak to contain existences at that level. Thus, when a cultivator reached the peak of the Grand Ascension stage and was on the verge of a breakthrough, the void of the domain would be disturbed, and, driven by instinct, the cultivator would shatter the void and leap forth—much like fish leaping from water when oxygen is scarce beneath the surface.

Cultivators acted in this way as well, breaking through the void by sheer instinct and surging toward lands rich in spiritual energy. Afterwards, equilibrium would return to the original domain, and the shattered void would heal. Therefore, the passage for ascension was temporary and random, never permanent. This was also why, throughout the years, even though the Immortal Emperor’s clan was aware of the existence of the other four domains, they had never managed to travel between them.

But now, Ji Dali claimed that his ancestor had returned—even if only as a lingering soul—which was proof enough that a passage must exist between the two great domains.

And then there was the jade slip of the “Righteous Qi Demon-Sealing Canon” in Ji Dali’s hand—a living witness and physical evidence together!

Xu Zhe grew ever more convinced that his conjecture was correct.

“Chief Hall Master, do you believe me now?” Ji Dali spoke. “That ancestor also said the key to this technique is not the bone age of the cultivator, but their bloodline and spiritual roots. So no matter how you obtained this method, as long as you can master it, and possess five-element spiritual roots and human bloodline, you are indeed the Chief Hall Master of the Twelve Divine Halls.”

Xu Zhe, drawn from his reverie, was momentarily stunned by this. The emphasis of the “Righteous Qi Demon-Sealing Canon” was not on bone age, but on bloodline and spiritual roots? This was the first he’d heard of such a thing. The Immortal Emperor’s clan had never uncovered this insight. Then again, there were many eccentric scholars among the Immortal Emperor’s clan, each capable of creating new techniques. Could it be that, when they experimented in the past, they used some method to circumvent the requirements of bloodline and spiritual roots?

Xu Zhe shook his head. There was no point in delving too deeply into that mystery now. What truly intrigued him at this moment was the possible passage between the two domains.

The Lord of the Northern Continent? The Mo family of Western Kunlun? If they angered him, he’d simply summon the Immortal Emperor’s clan!

“Mr. Ji…” Xu Zhe began.

Ji Dali immediately waved his hands, interrupting, “Chief Hall Master, since you now believe all this, please don’t address me so formally anymore. If you don’t mind, just call me Little Ji.”

Xu Zhe rolled his eyes without thinking and continued, “I have a question for you. Do you know from where your ancestor’s lingering soul returned all those years ago?”

Ji Dali pondered for a moment before replying, “I’m not entirely sure, but I once heard an elder—who has since passed—say that the ancestor’s soul seemed to have come from the Stone Flame Secret Realm.”

“Stone Flame Secret Realm?” Xu Zhe frowned. Secret realms were usually abodes created by powerful cultivators or formed by the evolution of heavenly laws, existing as semi-independent pockets of void, attached to the domain. If the domain passage was hidden within a secret realm, it would indeed be well concealed—no wonder it had gone undiscovered for so many years.

“Chief Hall Master, the Stone Flame Secret Realm has existed for countless ages, filled with dense fire spiritual energy, nurturing many rare treasures. It opens once every fifty years, and every opening sees disciples from countless sects flocking in, especially those with fire spiritual roots,” Ji Dali explained briskly, fully adopting the posture of a subordinate.

“Every fifty years? With such frequency, wouldn’t the spiritual energy have been depleted long ago?” Xu Zhe asked curiously.

“As expected of Chief Hall Master! Wise and far-sighted indeed. You are absolutely right—since several millennia ago, the Stone Flame Secret Realm began to decline, its spiritual energy no longer as abundant, and the rare treasures greatly diminished. So three thousand years ago, the East Qianzhou Council enacted restrictions—only a thousand slots are available each opening,” Ji Dali continued, then muttered to himself, “Come to think of it, the next opening should be soon—ten days from now, I believe.”

Xu Zhe’s interest was piqued. The secret realm would open in ten days? That was just the opportunity he needed to search for the passage.

He immediately questioned Ji Dali about the realm’s entry rules. As before, only a thousand slots would be available—three hundred reserved for the other three continents, as part of a strategic exchange, leaving only seven hundred for the sects of East Qianzhou to compete for. These seven hundred slots had already been distributed a few days earlier. The Rooster Hall, being a hidden force, was not even registered in East Qianzhou, and so had no right to vie for a slot.

Moreover, the Rooster Hall was rather lackadaisical. Though they sent disciples to join other sects, none managed to distinguish themselves—most became nameless underlings. Ji Dali took pride in this, claiming it was he who insisted the others keep a low profile, lest they draw unwanted attention.

Business, however, was another matter—the louder, the better. That’s why his “Home of the Rooster” shops now had over a hundred branches across East Qianzhou.

Seeing that Ji Dali was about to recount his entrepreneurial saga, Xu Zhe got up, preparing to leave. The Rooster Hall had no slot for the secret realm, but he remembered someone who might—a certain old classmate he’d only just reunited with today, Zhu Chongli, head of the Taiyi Sect.

“Chief Hall Master, where are you going?” Ji Dali asked hastily as Xu Zhe stood up.

“I plan to enter the Stone Flame Secret Realm, so I’m going to ask an old friend for a slot,” Xu Zhe replied simply.

Ji Dali thought for a moment, then slid a finger over his storage ring and produced another jade slip, handing it over together with the one for the “Righteous Qi Demon-Sealing Canon.”

“Chief Hall Master, since you’ve returned, the general outline of this technique and the Rooster Hall’s inherited ‘Featherflame Art’ should be entrusted to you,” he said expectantly. “If you enter the Stone Flame Secret Realm, you can use the fire spiritual energy inside to cultivate the ‘Featherflame Art’ with twice the result for half the effort. I hope you will quickly advance your cultivation and unify the Twelve Divine Halls.”

Xu Zhe was momentarily stunned. This “Featherflame Art”—no, it was clearly the “Lunar Fire Lotus”—and it was just handed over to him like this?

He hesitated briefly, then accepted both jade slips. If Ji Dali’s account was accurate, he truly was the Chief Hall Master the Twelve Divine Halls sought. There were likely only two possibilities: either it was all a coincidence and misunderstanding, or the position of Chief Hall Master was always meant to screen for someone capable of cultivating the “Righteous Qi Demon-Sealing Canon.”

Whatever the case, Xu Zhe decided to practice the “Lunar Fire Lotus” first, to strengthen himself. Given the chance, he would gather all the techniques of the Twelve Halls and complete the “Righteous Qi Demon-Sealing Canon.” As for everything else, he would deal with it in due time.

“You may return whenever you wish, Chief Hall Master, but remember: trust no other hall lightly. Except for the Rooster Hall, all the others have changed,” Ji Dali earnestly advised before Xu Zhe departed.

Xu Zhe nodded in acknowledgment. People always change, just as some of his old classmates had.

…

Before leaving the “Home of the Rooster,” Xu Zhe made it a point to ask for the locations of the Wind Seizing Hall and the Taiyi Sect. Upon exiting, he headed first for the nearer Wind Seizing Hall, guessing that Zhu Chongli was likely still there. If not, he would visit the Taiyi Sect next.

As he retraced his steps along the main street, he saw the aftermath of a great battle not far ahead—rubble and collapsed buildings, the ground strewn with bodies. Among the dead were black-clad, masked cultivators, and several female constables he’d met earlier, as well as the black-robed senior constable and his captured son, Lu Xiong. Every one of them was dead.

A squad of male constables in blue uniforms from the Wind Seizing Hall had already cordoned off the area. Xu Zhe was in luck; before reaching the hall, he spotted Zhu Chongli inspecting the scene.

“Old Zhu!” he called, striding forward.

Zhu Chongli glanced over in surprise, then nodded gravely and started toward him. But in the next instant, his expression changed dramatically. His eyes widened as he shouted to Xu Zhe, “Look out!”

…