Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus exuded a powerful aura as he held his golden staff in the scorching passageway.
At that moment, all three versions of him were True Bodies, and all three radiated with an aura that was already at the Tribulation Transcendence stage.
“Everyone thought that your Qi Refinement cultivation was nullified after your dantian was shattered. But they didn’t realize that you actually successfully cultivated that peerless technique from the Celestial World.”
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader’s lightning and heavenly aura vibrated. He sounded slightly rueful. “Three Pure Ones in One Breath!”
The so-called Three Pure Ones in One Breath technique was not a legacy from the five regions.
In fact, this was not a legacy from the mortal world. It came from the Celestial World.
When the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader and Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus had taken part in the Primordial Battlefield’s trial that year, they had both obtained Ye Qingcang’s recognition.
Everyone knew that the God of War Pagoda’s core principle was “Always fair and just”.
As much as Ye Qingcang admired someone, he would not go against that rule and give extra favors to participants.
Thus, as well as the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader had performed, Ye Qingcang had just given him an incomplete sutra as per the regulations—the Heavenly Dao Sutra.
But compared to the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader, Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus had the kind of character that Ye Qingcang liked even more.
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader had long known that Ye Qingcang had given his First Senior Brother a legacy that was as good as the Heavenly Dao Sutra.
And this legacy was the Celestial World’s peerless technique—the Three Pure Ones in One Breath.
The Three Pure Ones in One Breath was one of the most highly-ranked legacies even in the Celestial World.
A complete version of the Three Pure Ones in One Breath was considered a priceless legacy even among the most mighty figures in the Celestial World.
Similar to the God of War Pagoda’s Heavenly Dao Sutra, the Three Pure Ones in One Breath was also an incomplete version. The most core and intricate chapter had already been lost.
Even so, it was still a highly-valued treasure.
It could be said a major reason the God of War Palace had been destroyed was because of these priceless legacies.
It was rumored that when one practiced the Three Pure Ones in One Breath to the highest levels, they could split into three selves. Each self would possess all the battle prowess and abilities of the original.
Even more miraculous was the fact that as long as the original self was unharmed, those three clones would be more or less indestructible. They could fight on forever.
If the practitioner was good at coordinated attacks, the original self could communicate with his clones mentally and exhibit an attacking power that was more than four times the original’s.
Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus’ Three Pure Ones in One Breath was not the complete version. A normal person would have found it very challenging to cultivate with that incomplete version. If unlucky, they might even end up with Qi Deviation.
But this old Taoist priest’s talent was clearly exemplary. He had been able to make significant progress even with the incomplete version.
Ye Qingcang probably didn’t expect that this old Taoist priest would be able to use that incomplete sutra to cultivate two clones.
With two clones of himself, the old Taoist priest’s battle prowess had gone on to another level.
Even the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader felt somewhat suppressed by him now.
…
“So that year, when you made it appear as if you self-imploded in a kamikaze attempt to kill those Sages, you actually only sacrificed one of your clones?”
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader said calmly, “Or perhaps you had already successfully mastered the Three Pure Ones in One Breath then and were very confident of killing those Sages. But in order to hide your true power, you purposely pretended to blow yourself up?”
Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus pursed his lips. “Junior Brother, do you think I am the reincarnation of the God of War?
“That year, if those old fellows had joined forces, even if I self-destructed, it would have been very difficult to kill them all. Thus, I pretended to be captured.
“But those stupid fools started fighting amongst themselves after capturing me, and I ended up defeating them.”
The old Taoist priest sneered. “But my dantian was indeed destroyed. Those Middle Ground Sacred Leaders are all so devious, how could they possibly not secretly do a check?
“A pity that their eyesight was not sharp enough to distinguish which one was my original self.
“As long as my True Body is unharmed and I utilize some resources, I can make a new clone anytime.”
Shen Tian couldn’t help sighing inwardly as he listened to the exchange between the Divine Firmament Sacred Leader and Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus.
Tsk, tsk. These two are so adept at hiding their true strength.
I thought Master was already the best at hiding his true talent. Didn’t expect that this foolish-looking Martial Uncle is just as good as Master.
If not because this fellow was so stubborn and insisted on practicing the Tinder God of War Sutra, such that his providence decreased day by day, his cultivation level might be unfathomable now.
This Three Pure Ones in One Breath is not able to replicate as many clones as the Blood God Sutra, but the battle prowess of every single clone is nearly equal to the original. One’s battle prowess is instantly multiplied.
Ahem… I must go ask Old Man Ye when I return whether I can practice this sutra.
If I can, I will become even more formidable in the future!
…
After Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus revealed his two clones, he seemed determined not to hide his true power anymore.
A man who had been holding it in for very long would seek release sooner or later.
The three figures stepped out in unison. Their aura merged into one and tunneled toward those three Golden Crows like a drill.
The youth had a green sword in hand, which was astonishing in its sharpness. Every single stroke was able to slice the fabrics of space like a piece of paper, extinguishing the boundless flames.
The middle-aged man raised his hands as Mixed Divine Lightning surrounded him. The golden lightning morphed into the 10 divine beasts such as the Green Dragon, White Tiger, and Crimson Phoenix, which pounced forth.
The old Taoist priest himself was engulfed in an azure-colored fire. His Supreme Ocean Staff whacked down on those Golden Crows until they shrieked in pain.
At that moment, he was able to go toe-to-toe with those three Golden Crows on his own power alone.
It should be pointed out that the cultivation level of all cultivators in the Thearch tomb was suppressed.
Even so, Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus alone was able to hold up against those three Golden Crows, whose combined power was equivalent to seven to eight Sages.
It was now clear for all to see that when Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus had defeated seven Sages on his own 700 years ago, it was no exaggerated story. And now, he was just as powerful, if not more!
After all, no one knew if this sly old man was still holding back!
“700 years ago, everyone said my battle prowess was lower than yours. Actually, I have never accepted that.”
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader’s heavenly aura faded to reveal a golden armor clad over a tall, slender figure, as well as a face misted over with a layer of divine aura.
He walked over to the three Golden Crows with a sword in hand, looking very regal and holy. Everyone couldn’t help feeling awe and respect.
Looking at him was like looking at the epitome of dignity and righteousness.
Swoosh!
The sword sliced through the air, instantly appearing by the side of a Golden Crow.
A mass of fire was sliced off the main body, which instantly disintegrated.
Woooooo!
The Golden Crows shrieked woefully. They could already feel that these three humans were no pushovers. At the very least, the three crows were unable to handle them on their own.
…
Rumble!
A terrifying flame burst forth, and those three Golden Crows tried to flee.
Unfortunately for them, Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus was already prepared. His three clones formed hand seals in unison, and an endless stream of divine runes morphed into a divine chain, which bound those three fireballs.
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader also calmly conjured the Divine Firmament Lightning Emperor Flags. This was one of the most traditional treasures of the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground.
Although it had only half the power of the full set of Divine Firmament Lightning Emperor Flags at its peak, this was more than enough to subdue those three Golden Crows.
The Divine Firmament Lightning Emperor Flags split into four, and an endless mass of golden lightning fell upon the Golden Crows like an all-encompassing net.
Woooooo!
The black evil spirit qi rose and struggled, disintegrated, and resurged.
The Divine Firmament Sacred Leader said calmly, “Lightning alone is not enough to wipe out this evil spirit qi completely. Tian’er, we need your Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk.”
Shen Tian nodded and took a step forward. A crystalline jade plate rose from his body.
There were six paths of reincarnation on this jade plate, and it looked very mystical.
“Old Man Ye, I have to trouble you again,” Shen Tian muttered to himself before activating the power of the Tinder Sutra inside his body.
The power of the nine extraordinary items in his body surged wildly into the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk. They included the Feather Immortal Metal, Dragon Black Metal, Hurricane Lilies, Divine Devouring Vine, Triple Light Divine Water, First Essence Heavy Water, Nan Ming Li Fire, True Sun Fire, and Mixed Divine Lightning.
The six types of energy circulated the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, and the small silver disk visibly enlarged.
Soon, the jade plate expanded to dozens of feet wide, looking very majestic.
Shen Tian sat cross-legged in front of the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk with his eyes slightly closed. He looked very regal as holy light shone upon him, looking very much like a god who had just descended.
His lips parted slightly as a wondrous chanting echoed through the air.
“The way of mortal life cannot be foreseen, the road of cultivation is long and hard to grasp.
“The way of ghost can bring people temporary happiness, but as a human, one should walk the path of cultivation.
“The road of cultivation is where one would treasure and cherish one’s life so as to serve others, while the way of being a ghost places emphasis on finishing and the end.
“The way of cultivation often brings one luck while the way of ghost often endangers one and makes one vicious.”
…
As the chanting of the sutra resounded, characters formed in the air and entered the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk.
Shortly after, the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk emitted an even more dazzling light and started to spin slowly.
A tremendous power of attraction radiated from the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk toward the three Golden Crows.
The three struggling Golden Crows quietened down after being shone upon by the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
The black spirit qi was dissipated into nothing by the silver light.
Meanwhile, the originally dark-red Golden Crow Flame gradually turned to a reddish-gold color after being cleansed by the light. It exuded a regal, pure, and warm glow.
The dark-red feathers of those three Golden Crows also turned back to an exquisitely beautiful gold color.
Their gaze slowly turned clearer as they looked at Shen Tian and the others with utmost gratitude.
It was obvious that their consciousness was gradually returning to them.
The first Golden Crow spoke up. “Thank you all, our benefactors. Your bravery and kindness have saved us.”
Heavenly Venerable Azure Lotus kept his stuff and grumbled, “If you really want to thank us, give us something practical! For example, some Immortal or Thearch artifact.”
The three Golden Crows, “…”
After keeping silent for a moment, the first Golden Crow looked at Shen Tian with a smile. “Young benefactor, you have helped us to transcend, and it is only right that we return the favor.
“There aren’t many Immortal and Thearch artifacts in this tomb, but there are indeed a few.
“However, although we have been saved, we still have six brothers still submerged in the sea of misery, unable to transcend.”
The crow looked at Shen Tian sincerely. “We are willing to lead the way so that you can help our six brothers transcend too.
“As long as you agree to assist my six brothers to transcend, we are willing to give you all the fortuitous opportunities in this tomb.
“If we have the opportunity in our next lives, we will definitely repay your kind act!”
The three Golden Crows were willing to help him go and transcend the remaining six Golden Crows?
Shen Tian was slightly taken aback. This was good news!
He could save his energy in trying to locate the remaining crows.
At the same time, if those six Golden Crows joined forces, it would be better to have these three helpers at his side. These crows were freakishly powerful, after all.
Yeap, let’s do this then!
…
Shen Tian and the other two resumed their journey to find those Golden Crows.
Meanwhile, in the tomb’s outer region, the fabrics of space suddenly got all twisted up.
A man dressed in black evil-looking armor appeared, causing all the surrounding rays of light to become distorted.
He had a malevolent saber behind him, and he glowed with a demonic flame. The space around him was blurred by the flames, such that his true features could not be clearly seen.
Even more bizarre was the fact that he just stood there proudly in mid-air.
But none of the cultivators nearby seemed to see him or even notice his presence.
The corners of the man’s lips curled up slightly.
“Shen Tian, are you ready to receive my rage?”
