Chapter 81: The Arrival of a Formidable Foe (Third Update)-The Way Opens Heaven and Earth(Divination)

To disregard the lives of all under heaven without a second thought—such a person as Xia Hao truly deserves death.

"There's no point in saying more. The three of you should simply cultivate in peace here," Master Yulan resumed her earlier tranquil demeanor, unwilling to speak further of Xia Hao.

"Then I must trouble you, Master, to find us a quiet place," Xu Cheng replied.

Master Yulan rose to her feet, gestured politely, and led the trio out of the opulent palace, guiding them down the mountain path. Halfway down, she found a cave residence.

"This cave was prepared especially for the elders of Jade Toad Palace. Within are myriad Dao patterns, perfectly suited for comprehending the ultimate truths of heaven and earth. Please, cultivate here," she said.

Unexpectedly, Master Yulan offered them an elder’s chamber. Such hospitality was indeed generous. Nodding, Xu Cheng, Yan Mengdie, and Chrysanthemum followed her inside.

The passage within twisted and turned, and the stone walls were etched with black lines, exuding indescribable sensations as if pointing directly to the heart of the Dao.

At a glance, Xu Cheng felt a surge of insight, proof of the formidable power within these patterns.

Inside, the space suddenly widened into a grand hall, furnished with tables, chairs, and even a few sofas—places to recline comfortably after cultivation.

There were pristine white meditation mats, spotless and adorned with faint patterns. Clearly, these were treasures, imbued with the ability to calm the mind and clarify the spirit.

Xu Cheng also spotted a jade bed, crafted entirely from emerald-green stone, a rare sight indeed.

Surveying the chamber, he found that everything—bed, tables, chairs, even ornamental vases—was a treasure etched with Dao markings. He marveled at Jade Toad Palace’s wealth.

Wasn't there a risk of someone sneaking a few things away?

But then he reconsidered: being granted an elder’s chamber meant they were treated as honored guests. To commit such petty theft would only diminish their standing.

The urge to pilfer, long dormant in Xu Cheng’s heart, stirred but was ultimately suppressed.

Each of the three chose a meditation mat, settling upon its snowy surface. Immediately, their minds grew quiet—neither joy nor sorrow.

Their souls had not left their bodies, yet Xu Cheng sensed a blazing heavenly light descending overhead.

It attached itself to his soul, warming him, hastening his cultivation. The patterns above had a powerful ability to draw down heavenly light.

This caused Xu Cheng’s spiritual wandering to loosen, leaving him just a step away from entering the realm of controlling objects.

Yet instinctively, he resisted advancing too quickly, instead channeling the descending heavenly light into ghostly Daoist talismans.

While forging talismans, the three strands of ultimate Dao he had grasped—Sacrifice, Reincarnation, and Hell—slowly grew stronger.

Though the change was subtle, after some time cultivating, Xu Cheng noticed that the three strands, once as thin as a hair, had each grown to one and a half times that thickness.

Insignificant, perhaps, but the real improvement lay in his spells.

Amidst comfortable cultivation, a clear bell sounded, gentle as a spring stream, pouring softly into Xu Cheng’s heart.

The three awoke from their training.

It was obvious this was a treasure designed to rouse those deep in cultivation gently, avoiding the shock that might cause inner turmoil.

They emerged from the cave, and Xu Cheng, still dazed, asked, "Master Yulan, I feel as though only a moment has passed. Why have you summoned us?"

Master Yulan laughed. "Take a look—what season is it now?" She pointed to the scenery below.

When they entered the cave, it was early spring. Looking closely now, the sunlight was fierce, the forests below lush with green—surely midsummer.

"Do you understand? You have been cultivating for three months and two days. It is now the beginning of summer," Master Yulan declared.

"Truly, in cultivation, time slips away unnoticed. I thought only an hour had passed," Xu Cheng sighed.

"Within this cave, time’s passage is imperceptible. Your surprise is only natural," Master Yulan replied with a smile. "But enough marveling! Three months have passed; with our enemy at the gates, it's best we discuss a strategy together."

"Has the Xia Dynasty arrived?" Xu Cheng asked urgently, wondering how many new soul-realm experts had been produced in those three months.

"Indeed. They are not far below the mountain. I have forbidden disciples of Jade Toad Palace from descending, lest they be killed," Master Yulan explained as they walked.

The group made their way to the mountaintop, entering a grand hall.

Within, many elders were gathered—presumably the final trump card of Jade Toad Palace.

Counting them, there were nineteen, all soul-realm experts.

"Palace Master!"

Several elders bowed to Master Yulan.

"Enough. With danger at our doorstep, shall we confront them directly or rely on the mountain’s protective array to resist?" Master Yulan offered two choices.

"Palace Master, they have sixty-five soul-realm experts, and all are adept at a fusion technique. If they merge into one, their power will approach that of an immortal. If we act rashly, our chances of victory are slim—even if Ancestor Polaris intervenes, victory is not assured," one elder stepped forward.

"Junior Brother Jade Crow speaks true. If not for their secret arts concealing their presence, I would have liked to strike preemptively, using the Nine Moltings Immortal Art to subdue them by surprise. But with those arts, I sense danger yet cannot detect their location," Master Yulan said through clenched teeth, bitterly resenting the hidden enemy.

Just then, a handsome young man entered the hall, exuding immortal grace with every step.

"Ancestor Polaris!"

The elders all bowed.

Xu Cheng had previously seen Ancestor Polaris’s true form—a giant ape—but had never witnessed his human guise, nor expected it to be that of a young man.

"This crisis demands unity. Let us dispense with formalities. Have you devised any strategy?" Ancestor Polaris asked, unconcerned with ceremony.

"Ancestor Polaris, my strategy is to activate the mountain’s protective array to resist the enemy. According to information from the Five Bushels of Rice Sect, the Xia Dynasty’s experts all possess fusion techniques. If their sixty-five soul-realm experts merge, their strength may rival an immortal," Jade Crow Master quickly replied.

"Indeed. Even you—" another elder began, but was interrupted by Ancestor Polaris.

"I understand. Messenger of the Yellow Springs, what is your opinion?" Ancestor Polaris fixed a piercing gaze on Xu Cheng.