108. Omen from the Heavens (Part III)

Qi Fei asked in astonishment, "Is there really such a method? Can one truly force their way into the next realm?"

After a long pause, Qi Fei still found it hard to believe. "Grandpa Tong He, this method sounds a bit risky. Forcing a breakthrough to the Xiantian realm... I feel like my foundation isn't solid enough. If I take a shortcut now, won't it negatively affect my future cultivation? Is this method even worse than the one Zhuo Jin'er used, relying on medicinal pills? For the sake of the future, shouldn't we..."

Although Zhuo Jin'er possessed great power, it was merely superficial. Her true strength barely surpassed the Out-of-Body realm of a cultivator, let alone her actual martial path foundation.

"You brat, you are truly stubborn and incapable of adapting! In the path of cultivation, one must seize every opportunity. 'Shouldn't we'—shouldn't you head to the afterlife!" Before Qi Fei could finish, Tong He angrily cut him off. "How could 'breaking the void with strength' be the worst method? Is something wrong with your comprehension? Forcing a breakthrough against the laws of heaven and earth is the most difficult way to solve the problem. Think of it this way: if a boulder is lying there, is it harder to move it ten miles by brute force, or to use a cart?"

Tong He continued, "Naturally, the former is much more difficult."

Qi Fei rubbed his nose, looking embarrassed. "Solving a problem with brute force is indeed more direct. But such a method often requires more time and energy. However, I understand what you mean. While the latter is more convenient and effortless, martial cultivation is different. Solving a bottleneck in the most direct way is naturally more beneficial for the future." Qi Fei paused, and without waiting for Tong He to speak, he asked, "But how exactly do I perform this 'breaking the void with strength'?"

Tong He, having had a sudden flash of insight and calmed down to think, realized there were many flaws in his plan. He said, "Don't be impatient. Let me first break the primordial spirit restrictions in these stone chambers. I suspect we will have to live here for the next year or two, so we must first take control of this cave dwelling and find its central hub."

Tong He looked around and said, "Brat, go dig up that Iron Poplar needle, then hold it and enter the first stone chamber we opened to retrieve that lantern."

"Can this Iron Poplar needle evade the primordial spirit restriction of the Infatuation Array?" Qi Fei followed Tong He's instructions and retrieved the needle. Seeing that the branch had turned significantly whiter after absorbing the purple thunder that had trapped Tong He, he asked in surprise, "How exactly is this Iron Poplar needle formed? Why does a tree struck by lightning produce a wood that attracts purple thunder?"

Qi Fei, naturally ignorant of the mysteries behind this, had to ask the old fox, Tong He.

"This belongs to the transformations of nature," Tong He chuckled. "I have studied this Iron Poplar needle, and my only conclusion is that it is a natural change. Animals or plants that survive under specific conditions gradually alter their original state to adapt to their surroundings. This change is indescribable; it might just be the instinct of the living thing."

Tong He gave a vague explanation that left Qi Fei just as confused. Since even Tong He couldn't make sense of it, Qi Fei didn't bother digging deeper. He gave a casual response and, as instructed, held the Iron Poplar needle high above his head and walked step by step toward the stone chamber he had first opened. Upon reaching the spot where Tong He had been trapped, Qi Fei noticed blue light flashing in three inconspicuous corners, faintly revealing images of a fairy, a goddess, a holy maiden, and a vestal virgin.

As soon as these three images appeared, the air around them became incredibly violent. In a momentary daze, the three figures opened their mouths and spat out thin, silk-like strands of blue electricity. These currents seemed to expand in the wind, growing as thick as a finger, then the thickness of a child's arm, instantly converging into a web of electricity that descended upon Qi Fei.

However, with the Iron Poplar needle in hand, Qi Fei was not panicked.

The reality was exactly as Tong He had predicted: as the electric web descended, Qi Fei simply raised the needle. The purple lightning seemed to obey a command, transforming from a web into thin lines that flowed directly into the needle, unable to cause any further trouble.

Seeing this, Tong He laughed from behind, "The array is broken!" He moved to Qi Fei's side and urged, "Go, enter the stone chamber and retrieve the lantern. With this treasure, I will definitely be able to break the smaller arrays in the other rooms."

Before Qi Fei could ask why, Tong He pushed him, and the two stumbled into the stone chamber.

***

Upon entering, Qi Fei realized the stone room was more than it seemed. It was connected to a larger chamber containing many bookshelves and ancient-looking texts. It was clear that where Qi Fei stood was the study of the cave's master, while the other side was a library for precious records. Although Qi Fei didn't know the rank of a "Void-Dwell stage" cultivator, he was deeply interested in these texts. If he could read them, the benefits would be unimaginable.

Qi Fei said urgently, "Grandpa Tong He, we’ve really struck gold! Hurry and help me pick out a few books!"

Tong He grunted, "What’s the use of those books? First, get the lantern." He ignored Qi Fei and continued, "Look at this lantern. It seems low on oil, but the reservoir is actually a small space. Though I can't be sure of its size, there is likely enough oil to burn for thousands of years."

Qi Fei was intrigued. "That sounds like a complex piece of craftsmanship!" He turned his attention back to the lantern. After circling it, he pointed to the skeleton hanging above it. "Grandpa Tong He, why is there a skeleton hanging on this lantern? Is there some special meaning behind it?"

"The 'Phantom Heart Record,' is that all it amounts to?" Tong He didn't answer but sneered. He floated up, formed a blade with his hand, and severed the rope holding the skeleton. Then, with a solemn expression, he began to chant, "With my essence and blood..."

The words were unintelligible, leaving Qi Fei puzzled. "Grandpa Tong He, what are you mumbling about?"

"Summoning the spirits of the dead." Tong He glanced at him and continued his chant. After watching him for a while, Qi Fei felt that Tong He looked exactly like the charlatans who would come to the slums to chant whenever an elder passed away.

After a long while, Qi Fei's eyes widened. Under Tong He's chanting, the glowing skeleton's light rapidly converged into a flickering orb of light.

Tong He, seemingly expecting this, stopped his chanting. "Whether you committed sins in life or were cursed by the owner of this cave, meeting is fate. I use the 'Great Sun Tathagata Illumination Mantra' three times to dissolve your malice. Do not linger in the mortal world; return to the cycle of reincarnation!"

Tong He waved his hand, shooting out fine black threads that bound the orb. As he released his grip, the glowing orb shattered into stardust, shimmering brilliantly before fading into nothingness.

Qi Fei asked, "Grandpa Tong He, what were you doing?"

"I told you, summoning the spirits," Tong He replied. "This person’s soul had been trapped by this lantern for too long, accumulating intense malice. If we took the lantern without purifying his soul, he might have become a Ghost Immortal, never able to reincarnate. That would be too pitiful."

"He would have become a Ghost Immortal?" Qi Fei stared at the scattered bones, finding it hard to believe.

Tong He didn't bother explaining further. He pointed at the lantern. "Brat, stop worrying about that. Let's focus on the task. Take the lantern, use it to break the arrays in the other rooms, and then start your cultivation as I told you. We aren't leaving until you reach the Xiantian realm!"

Qi Fei nodded, his mind returning to reality. "Then, how do we take this lantern?"

As he reached for it, a powerful force of repulsion pushed his hand away. Qi Fei frowned. "Grandpa Tong He, the array on the lantern is still active. How do we remove it?"

Tong He didn't answer directly but ordered, "Extend your hand." Though puzzled, Qi Fei obeyed. Tong He used his dark palm to slice a deep wound into Qi Fei's hand. Before Qi Fei could react, his blood flowed out.

Tong He wiped up the blood with his right hand and began chanting again. Finally, he flicked the blood onto the lantern's wick. To Qi Fei's surprise, the blood seeped into the wick and vanished.

After a moment, Tong He shouted, and the lantern began to hover, spinning before his brow. He looked at Qi Fei and said, "Brat, go check the library. I need two days here."

Qi Fei nodded and headed into the study. The first thing that caught his eye was a monument-like plaque. It was not only the index for the entire library but also contained a brief self-introduction by the master of the cave.

Qi Fei sighed, reflecting on the meaning of martial arts. Although he felt a moment of confusion, his firm will allowed him to shake off the negative emotions. "Why does the name 'Xuanxin Sect' sound familiar?" he muttered.

Unable to recall where he had heard it, he looked at the index. There were nearly ten thousand books, divided into five categories: Martial Techniques, True Qi Heart Methods, Alchemy, Artifact Refinement, and Miscellaneous Arts. The index even noted three legendary high-level martial techniques.

"With such treasures, the owner’s claim of traveling the world to study the techniques of every sect was not a lie," Qi Fei remarked with envy. He followed the index to a jade box inscribed with the words "High-Level Martial Techniques."

According to Tong He, the Xiantian realm was merely the entry point to the Great Dao. Reading the words of this predecessor, Qi Fei felt deep shock. He could hardly believe such a brilliant and talented figure had once existed in this world.