Yu Ci was swimming in the void, a sensation that was incredibly peculiar.
Although Fish-Dragon wasn't Yu Ci, Yu Ci was indeed Fish-Dragon.
He was hovering in the drizzling rain and mist, surrounded by the boundless void. The contrast between him and the vastness was stark, yet he had a clear sensation that the outer void was revolving around him as the axis. He was the center of the void, possessing and required to control everything within it.
At this moment, the ice beads he sensed before, and the firelight in the periphery, seemed particularly distracting.
The ice beads were likely the Gang energy infiltrated by the Nine Heavenly Gang wind, obstructing the circulation of his Qi channels and damaging his Primordial Qi. They were numerous and scattered all over his body, making it troublesome to expel them one by one. However, this was under normal circumstances. Now that the Inner Void of the Heart had opened, all changes within his body were beyond the limitations of the Physical Image, simplified from complexity, and manifested therein.
In the void, with a single movement of Fish-Dragon, hundreds of ice grains were thoroughly crushed, and the strands of cold air melted into the rain and mist, being swallowed and digested by Fish-Dragon.
This process seemed simple, but it involved every aspect of Yu Ci's Sinew Channels and internal organs. There were millions of delicate and subtle changes in Primordial Qi happening instantaneously throughout his body. The complexity was enough to give a cultivator a level or two higher than Yu Ci a headache. Perhaps only the unique Mental Image method of the "Primordial Root Qi Method" could accomplish this so effortlessly.
After the Gang energy was expelled, Fish-Dragon's target shifted to the firelight in the periphery. If he wasn't mistaken, the firelight was the power of the Ghost Beasts.
Previously, the Gang energy from the Nine Heavenly Gang wind and this firelight were both present in the "Inner Void of the Heart", but Yu Ci did not confuse their differences. His proficiency in the "Primordial Root Qi Method" deepened day by day, and he could not be deceived by such minor changes.
The difference was: the Gang energy of the Nine Heavenly Gang wind first acted on his body and then reflected into the "Inner Void of the Heart", with a process of transformation in between; while the peripheral firelight skipped the above process, just like the Qi of the Heavenly Dragon True Form, directly rushing into the "Inner Void of the Heart"!
Moreover, it was similar to the Qi of the Heavenly Dragon True Form, containing a subtle but definite consciousness or the kind of innate instinct possessed by the Qi of the Heavenly Dragon True Form. The existence of this consciousness or instinct made the scattered firelight from all directions gather without any disorder, accumulating a force that could not be underestimated, attempting to contend with Fish-Dragon.
"The opening of the void, the introduction of energy, the formation of the inner and outer scenery, and the unity of heaven and earth as described by the immortal are correct. Somehow, my 'Primordial Root Qi Method' has entered the second stage. The True Illusion Transformation is slightly revealed, and it can draw external Qi back to the Inner Void of the Heart. The Qi of the Heavenly Dragon True Form is like this, and the current firelight is also like this."
As the thought flickered, both sides had already clashed.
The empty space around them exploded with fiery light, as if a powerful force field had been generated. The flying tongues of flame all bent towards the center of the void where Fish-Dragon stood. The gauzy smoke from the fire mingled with the light mist of the rain, some of the raindrops evaporating, but most soaked through, indistinguishable from each other.
Then, a violent impact erupted in the center of the void.
The intensity of the impact was beyond expectation. Yu Ci only felt the world spinning, and when he suddenly opened his eyes, he had already separated from the "Inner Void of the Heart". The whistling sound of the wind and the explosive noise of the fire burning were mixed together, filling his ears. It was then that he realized he was enveloped in fire!
Without time to ponder why this was happening, he let out a harsh cry: "Open!"
The Sword Qi Circle around Yu Ci, already on the brink of collapse, spun at high speed, breaking through the encircling flames and leaping into the void. In that instant, he suddenly felt that the layer of fire had not been "troubling" him, but instead produced a slight repulsion, as if bidding him farewell, which was rather strange.
As soon as he emerged, he was slightly taken aback. At this moment, all around him was thick fog, the unique scent of smog and dust, once inhaled, he would never forget.
"Sky Rift Valley!"
Moreover, it was the Sky Rift Valley that didn't touch the sky or the ground. Yu Ci's body was suspended in mid-air, with no place to leverage within dozens of feet. And a hundred feet away, the soaring flames were twisting and turning, forming that huge and familiar silhouette.
Yu Ci didn't know when the Ghost Beasts had transformed into a fiery form. But he had just flown off from the Ghost Beasts with his sword, and this could be troublesome.
Without the ability to fly, Yu Ci quickly began to fall. At this moment, through the layers of fog, he saw the position of the Ghost Beasts. The ball of fire was still burning, and this time the transformation of the Ghost Beasts seemed to take much longer than last time.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Staring at that side, Yu Ci's mind was racing. If he flew back to the Ghost Beasts now, he might be delivered to its mouth halfway through. But if he could take advantage of its transformation, it would be a good idea to escape.
Making a decision in the blink of an eye, Yu Ci held his breath and calmed his mind. His Pure Yang Talisman Sword, still stained with the blood of the Ghost Beasts, pointed forward. Even in the process of falling, he held the hilt with both hands, making a standard ceremonial gesture. This gesture had no offensive power, but it was a good choice for gathering thoughts and calming the mind.
With this gesture, Yu Ci's restless thoughts disappeared. In the most perfect mental state, he activated the Divine Bronze Mirror in his sleeve!
In an instant, countless divine consciousness starlights scattered in all directions, plunging into every corner of the fog. Since the Treasure Mirror was lost and recovered, Yu Ci had rarely used this method of starlight eruption. Mainly because hundreds of perspectives were hard to unify, it consumed energy and affected reaction speed. But now the situation was urgent, he couldn't care less.
At this moment, starlight rained down like sentient beings, each pinpoint of light instinctively capturing the life around it, infiltrating their Brain Palaces, and relaying information.
Thousands of different perspectives unfolded before Yu Ci's eyes, overwhelmingly rich, yet fragmented and chaotic, causing a dizzying effect. Fortunately, Yu Ci had no other demands; he only needed to confirm his surroundings. Therefore, regardless of what the perspectives showed, he focused on their positions and quickly drew conclusions.
Yu Ci's fingers traced a symbol, still the Godspeed Talisman, and he didn't forget to enhance it with the Qi Leading Method. However, once the talisman was complete, he did not use it. Instead, he employed a technique akin to a thousand-pound drop, his descending speed not decreasing but increasing. He quickly separated himself from the Ghost Beasts with a layer of dense fog, losing sight of the burning flames.
At this point, Yu Ci activated the "Light Extinguishing Escape Method," an escape technique from the Heaven Escape Sect. Its most basic function was to converge one's aura, which was perfectly suited for his current situation.
Having used the Escape Technique, Yu Ci did not lighten his body but plummeted nearly two miles down, over nine hundred feet high. When his internal organs were almost unable to withstand the pressure, he finally activated the Godspeed Talisman.
After being enhanced by the Qi Leading Method nine times, the Godspeed Talisman truly embodied the miracle of "White smoke, crane feathers flying freely, clouds forming underfoot as swift as the wind." Yu Ci's rapid descent over two miles had reached an astonishing speed. However, upon activating this talisman, the talisman's power seemed to drive the surrounding mist, weaving a large net to intercept his fall. Although it couldn't eliminate gravity instantly, his falling speed began to slow down, and the effect became more and more apparent.
After a moment, Yu Ci transformed from a plummeting stone into a nearly weightless ghost. With a slight sway in the mist, he sidestepped a distance. Yu Ci identified a direction, stepped on the air, and quickly moved nearly a thousand feet. By this time, the Godspeed Talisman's power was exhausted, and Yu Ci's body sank again, falling downwards. However, within less than sixty feet, a piece of dark rock appeared beneath his feet.
In Yu Ci's hand, the Pure Yang Talisman Sword hummed. In the final stretch, he used the sword to eliminate the impact. After landing, a single roll dissipated the momentum, and he landed safely.
From the perspective of the Ghost Beasts, Yu Ci had descended at least seven or eight miles in a short time. It appeared effortless and orderly, but in reality, he had exhausted all his strength. Now, with a slight exertion, he felt empty inside, a sense of weakness washing over him like a tide.
Yu Ci knew he couldn't push himself further. He sat down on the spot and started the Primordial Root Qi Method to restore his energy.
The Inner Void of the Heart naturally unfolded, and Yu Ci's thoughts entered it. Just as he did, he noticed that the continuous drizzle, which had persisted for several months, had unknowingly ceased. The bright moon hung high in the sky, illuminating the boundless void, which now appeared fresh and clean, like a spread of black silk.
The Fish-Dragon was no longer wildly dancing in the void, but had returned to the central lake, gliding and swimming leisurely.
Could it be that it was injured from the recent collision with the flame, causing the Qi of the Heavenly Dragon True Form to be damaged?
With the sudden absence of rain and fog, Yu Ci felt somewhat unaccustomed. He directed his thoughts to the central lake. As soon as his attention was focused there, he naturally merged with the Fish-Dragon.
At this moment, a miraculous feeling permeated his soul.
It was not a feeling of injury or weakness, but one of completeness, peace, and joy. It seemed as if the Fish-Dragon had just completed a significant task and was resting there contentedly.
Complete?
Yu Ci's spirit stirred, and the entire Inner Void of the Heart calmed down.
Yu Ci suddenly grasped an "opportunity" within, a natural momentum, more like the "opportunity" actively burrowing into his hand.
Next, the "opportunity" transformed into a brush as large as a beam, its ink-soaked tip poised above the swimming Fish-Dragon in the central lake. With a fluid motion, without any hesitation, Yu Ci traced the Fish-Dragon's form from head to tail in one stroke!
The ink spread out, but it followed pre-established channels, every thread and drop, every detail was sketched, not a bit too much or too little. Occasionally, with the intention of minor adjustments, it was done gracefully and naturally, without any hindrance.
When the brush was lifted, the "Inner Void of the Heart" resounded with a boom, shaking incessantly. The Fish-Dragon broke through the water amidst the tremor, its head held high as it soared. The bright moon above cast its light, the lake below shimmered, and the boundless void around echoed in response. At this moment, the entire "Inner Void of the Heart" was connected, their auras intertwined, merged into one.
Yu Ci suddenly opened his eyes and sat up. Although his strength had not fully recovered, his spirit was surprisingly robust. After a moment of daze, he lifted his right hand, extended it flatly, then slowly curled up four fingers, leaving only the ring finger extended, straight as a sword.
He didn't deliberately do anything, just gazed intently. The next moment, the tip of this finger lit up.
The so-called lighting up was just a description. That instant feeling was as if all the weight, Qi and Blood, and spirit of Yu Ci's entire body were concentrated there, pouring everything into it without reservation.
The tip of the ring finger was as heavy as a thousand pounds, but the rest of Yu Ci's body felt as light as if it could fly into the sky.
Elder Jie Liang's rigid, emotionless voice seemed to ring out again:
"To extend the ring finger, to gather the spirit and energy at the tip of the finger without hindrance, is to achieve seamless connection. At this point, the Mental Image controls the Physical Image, guiding the high to rule the low, indicating that nothing is beyond reach."
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