At this moment, He Qing sensed that Yu Ci was harboring thoughts of going out, which she found somewhat curious. "Do you wish to go out?"

"Mhm," Yu Ci replied, his demeanor respectful. "In the Sword Garden, I have successfully formed the Seed True Golden Talisman, and my realm has improved. Now with the opportunity presented by the Star Plucking Tower, I feel I should not spend all my time recuperating from injuries, but should seize the chance to advance further. Therefore, I plan to visit the Spirit Sky Pavilion and seek guidance from Old Master Zhu."

His attitude was courteous and his reasons well-founded. Yet, not content with just that, he smiled and added, "In the Sword Garden, I also found a Sword Embryo and the corresponding Sword Casting Method. I wish to integrate it with the Morninglight Stone. For this matter, I am considering consulting at the Sect's Mountain Gate."

The two matters he mentioned served as the perfect cover, dispelling any other thoughts He Qing might have had. Instead, she nodded in approval, "Sharpening your blade does not delay the work of cutting wood. Your approach is correct. I heard Old Master Zhu has imparted to you the technique of 'Heavenly Flying Stars,' which complements the Primordial Root Qi Method nicely. As for sword casting, Brother Lu has just returned with me, and you can seek his help. He would likely be willing to assist you."

"Uncle Lu has also returned?"

They were referring to Uncle Lu De, who was close friends with Yu Zhou and a leading Artifact Refinement master within the Sect. Together with Xie Yan, Elder Jie Liang, and Thousand Treasures Daoist, they formed an influential group within the Sect, a force not to be overlooked among the Third Generation Disciple Group.

He Qing gave him a look that was both smiling and not, "The incident in the Sword Garden has shaken the world. The Broken Realm Mountain Range has since been troubled, and it may not settle down for another ten or eight years. The Sect naturally has to recall some people to prepare for any eventuality."

Yu Ci did not wish to continue this topic, but He Qing smoothly changed the subject, "You have an eighteen-day cultivation opportunity in the main tower, right? I often practice in the Star Plucking Main Tower during this time. If you wish to go, let me know in advance so we can coordinate our schedules."

Yu Ci acknowledged with a nod, and He Qing said no more, transforming into a rainbow and vanishing into the sky in the blink of an eye.

Yu Ci watched her disappear into the distance, rubbing his temples thoughtfully. Suddenly, a thunderous sound indicated that the Power Guardian Saint was growing impatient. Without further delay, Yu Ci excused himself with a "Thank you for your trouble," jumped out of the window, and plummeted into the void. The wind howled by his ears, but soon, layers of clouds gathered around him, quickly neutralizing the force of his fall. Then, enveloping him, they flew sideways at a speed not much slower than He Qing's rainbow light.

On this journey, Yu Ci finally understood the geography surrounding the Star Plucking Tower. Without seeing it for oneself, it was hard to imagine that such towering peaks existed in the world. Rising from the foundational lands of the Sect's Mountain Gate, they soared like pillars holding up the heavens, a sight so magnificent it left one in awe.

Yu Ci had once glimpsed this towering peak from afar, never imagining its staggering height. Thankfully, the Power Guardian Saint was there; otherwise, even riding the Ghost Yarn Cloud to the mountain's base would have taken a full hour.

The Power Guardian Saint only escorted him to the foot of the mountain; Yu Ci proceeded alone to the Spirit Sky Pavilion. Before his visit to the Sword Garden, he used to come here nearly every day. The cultivators of this place, now familiar with him, expressed their surprise and delight upon seeing him, and some went to inform Old Master Zhu of his arrival.

This time, Old Master Zhu didn't wait for him in the usual corner of the seventh floor. Instead, he had set aside a Meditation Room on the twenty-sixth level, just below the highest, as if he had anticipated Yu Ci's urgent consultation.

Yu Ci was not one for idle chatter. After exchanging greetings, he immediately disclosed his intentions to Old Master Zhu, then presented the Heavy Armor and the white jade Dharma Seal.

Old Master Zhu's eyes narrowed as usual, and he reached out emotionlessly to take the Dharma Seal. However, upon contact, Yu Ci noticed the elder's withered hands were slightly damp. Clasping the Dharma Seal, Old Master Zhu remained silent for a long while.

Without rushing for confirmation, Yu Ci simply watched quietly. Old Master Zhu caressed the Dharma Seal in his hand, and after a moment, he gently traced the Rune Patterns on the Heavy Armor. Finally, he let out a long sigh, shook his head, and chuckled in resignation:

"Three months ago, Yu Zhou mentioned to me the so-called 'Heavy Weapon Sect Leader.' I had my suspicions then, and now they are confirmed beyond doubt... Well done, young man. How many in this realm could walk away unscathed from an encounter with Yu Qingxuan?"

"Yu Qingxuan? It was really her!"

Yu Ci's eyes widened. Since entering the world of cultivators, he had heard Yu Qingxuan's name only once, yet the impression she left was indelibly deep. The calamity that befell Sky Rift Valley decades ago was a result of the strife between her master, the Great Mysterious Demon Mother, and the Rakshasa Ghost King. The recent grand conspiracy surrounding Sky Rift Valley was a continuation of that past calamity. And now, the Great Mysterious Prohibition materializing within his Inner Void of the Heart was a direct consequence of that disaster.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Beneath the two Earth Immortal-level powerhouses, Yu Qingxuan's brilliance might have been somewhat obscured. Still, having witnessed the tragic fate of Lu Mingyue's Yang Spirit at the hands of the Great Mysterious Star Lock, Yu Ci held a sense of admiration for the formidable practitioner who, it was said, braved the forty-nine tribulations after a century of cultivation to achieve the Power of the Great Tribulation.

Wait—how could a cultivator from Rui Zhu Palace possess the Supreme Dharma Seal Treasure of the Shangqing Sect?

Old Master Zhu exhibited a demeanor of tranquil composure. "You should already be aware that I hail from the Shangqing Sect. Yu Qingxuan's father, Yu Xun, and I are of the same sect; by our generational hierarchy, she would be considered my disciple's niece. However, when she was young, she was favored by the Great Mysterious Demon Mother, who took her in as her chief disciple..."

Oh? Is the Shangqing Sect so generous? To give away a scion of their own lineage is one thing, but to also include a precious Dharma Seal?

Old Master Zhu couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity: "Such good fortune doesn't come by so easily. The Great Mysterious Demon Mother is known for her capricious temper. She originally stormed into the Sect's Dharma Platform and seized the seal by force. Having succeeded, she then noticed Yu Qingxuan's exceptional potential and impulsively took her as a disciple. When you think about it, it's quite an embarrassing episode."

As he narrated the events of the previous calamity, there wasn't the slightest hint of embarrassment in his manner. Whether he had made peace with the past or had grown indifferent was hard to tell.

Yu Ci refrained from delving deeper, and Old Master Zhu timely shifted the conversation: "I've mentioned before that this Jade Divine Cave Spirit Seal is one of the most suitable Dharma Seals for Talisman cultivation, and it would be of great benefit to you. Yet, who would have thought that it would come into your possession so soon? Perhaps it's fate?"

His withered fingers gently caressed the surface of the Dharma Seal as he spoke softly, "This seal was forged before the Twelve Calamities, dating back to the ancient times. Since then, it has been consecrated by successive elite cultivators of the Shangqing Sect, reaching the grand perfection of a single cycle of one hundred and eight layers. As for the double cycle, it should have over forty layers. It is a first-rate Magical Treasure within the sect, and even in this realm, it is considered top-tier."

"A single cycle of one hundred and eight grand completions? Forty layers in a double cycle?" Yu Ci was truly taken aback, his mind reeling, unsure of what era he was in.

The terms 'single cycle' and 'double cycle' are jargon from the art of refining through Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha. The consecration of Magical Instruments and Magical Treasures involves eighteen celestial layers and one hundred and eight layers of refinement for one complete cycle. The 'single cycle' pertains to Magical Instruments, while the 'double cycle' refers to 'Magical Treasures'.

So, the white jade seal before Yu Ci's eyes was indeed... a Magical Treasure?

Is this what a Magical Treasure looks like?

Yu Ci was no stranger to such objects. The "Great Void Seven Changes Five Directions True Form Talisman" with its ninety-two layers in a single cycle had once incited a life-and-death struggle between formidable figures like Nan Songzi and Murong Qingyan. And now, before him lay a treasure whose value, not to mention its utility, was beyond the Great Hole True Symbol by more than a hundredfold.

It seemed Old Master Zhu had had his fill of fondling the treasure and gestured for Yu Ci to come forward and take it. Yet Yu Ci hesitated.

Seeing his reaction, Old Master Zhu understood and said with a wry smile, "Did you think receiving this Dharma Seal would be easy?"

He looked at Yu Ci, cradling the Dharma Seal in one hand: "I really should thank the Great Mysterious Demon Mother. If not for her unparalleled sealing technique, the emergence of the Dharma Seal Divine Light would have shaken the Nine Heavens and Ten Realms. Every Talisman Cultivator would have sensed it and converged upon the Broken Realm Mountain. Even the Lichen Sect would likely have been unable to protect you then."

Without giving Yu Ci a chance to speak, he continued, "Even if you hold this seal, do you truly think you can unleash its supreme power? This Jade Divine Cave Spirit Seal has been refined by countless individuals over the Twelve Tribulation Eras. Its Divine Light has become as immovable as mountains, not easily swayed. After acquiring it, even if you follow the path of the predecessors to re-refine it, not to mention unleashing its full potential, unless you reach the pinnacle of refinement as in the past, you won't be able to merge it with your spirit, let alone incorporate it into your body. If you encounter a formidable being, they could snatch it away with ease, turning it into a shortcut for disaster and calamity."

As he spoke, he grabbed Yu Ci's hand and slapped the Dharma Seal onto it. Yu Ci couldn't help but smile wryly at the irony—being warned of attracting disaster while having the very source of it thrust upon him. What was the meaning of this?

But to be honest, even if the Dharma Seal was a hot potato, did Yu Ci truly not wish to accept it?

Actions always speak louder than words. Yu Ci clasped his hands together and firmly gripped the Jade Divine Cave Spirit Seal.

Seeing this, Old Master Zhu was quite satisfied: "Facing difficulties head-on is the true path of cultivation. I have passed on to you the 'Heavenly Flying Stars' technique, essentially regarding you as the heir to the Shangqing Sect's legacy. Now that the sect is in decline, if not to you, then to whom should it be passed?"

Yu Ci's heart trembled. Although he had suspected as much, the confirmation from Old Master Zhu's own lips still sent a shock through him. Yet Old Master Zhu spoke as if it were the most ordinary matter, continuing his instructions:

"Even with this seal in hand, do not use it lightly against enemies until you have refined it to at least the level of the Single Cycle Eightfold Heavens. Remember, this Dharma Seal is not meant for you to slay enemies; what I want you to observe are the traces left by the Talisman predecessors of the Shangqing Sect over the past nearly fifty thousand years on this seal. Watch how they grew from green to mature, from novice to master, to transcendence, and finally became distinguished figures. Learn from their strengths, discard their weaknesses. This will be far more useful to you than using this seal to kill hundreds or thousands of people!"

Yu Ci solemnly accepted the charge and listened as Old Master Zhu added, "So, I'll set a task for you. Spend a year in the Star Plucking Tower, contemplating the traces on the Dharma Seal while refining it... as well as the Magical Instruments on your person. As for the number, besides this seal, three will suffice. Regarding the level of refinement, not to mention this seal, at least one of the other three must be above the Six Heavens, and the rest should reach at least the Five Heavens Refinement."

Yu Ci inhaled sharply, finding himself speechless for a long moment.

The aftereffects of a long journey had struck; I've caught a viral cold these past few days, my body aches all over, and I'm feeling rather unwell. While I assure you of continuous updates, the timing of these... well, I hope you can forgive any irregularities for now?