The Heavens: A Qing, the Yue Girl at the beginning

"This... is the elixir of immortality?"

Tang Xin gazed at the giant purple jade tree and the human figure within it, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes: "If a cultivator truly achieves immortality and possesses endless years to accumulate experience and temper their character... what kind of being will they ultimately transform into?"

"Is it a god? A demon? Or... a monster that is neither human nor creature?"

He paused, recalling some ancient legends, "Legend has it that when a cultivator is immersed too deeply in the elixir energy, exceeding the range of their mental control, their entire body will turn into wood, as if they have transformed into a piece of real ancient medicinal wood. It seems... this is not just a rumor."

What you said may have some merit.

Zhao Qing nodded: "The person before us has indeed used the power of this immortality elixir. But the result..." Her unspoken meaning was already clearly revealed in this bizarre fusion scene.

Tang Xin interjected, "Now that he has obtained the medicine, even if it has flaws, if his only goal is immortality, he could easily find a place to cultivate in seclusion. Why would he stay here for hundreds of years, never venturing out?" He shook his head, his tone resolute, "It doesn't seem like selfishness or possessiveness... it's more like guarding, isolating, to prevent others from approaching?"

He looked around at the somber stone coffin and the isolated deep cave. "Does it... or its remaining consciousness believe that this elixir of immortality itself is the source of some kind of calamity? And must be sealed away?"

Zhao Qing finally turned his head, glanced at Tang Xin, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and explained the truth buried here for thousands of years: "You should have also heard the saying that the world will perish when the weather turns cold?"

She asked, her voice echoing in the empty hall, “History records that this empire was destroyed by an unprecedented plague. The survivors, to stop the spread of the plague, imprisoned all their infected compatriots in their ancestral lands, slaughtered them with their own hands, and then committed suicide… It was tragic and devastating.”

Tang Xin nodded. There are many versions of the legends about the cold weather on the grassland, but the core tragic tone has never changed.

"This is what everyone says."

Zhao Qing smiled slightly: "But the truth is that it is a fierce civil war stemming from choices. Some people see the elixir of immortality as a demon possessing a body and want to get rid of it as soon as possible; others are willing to endure the mutation and seek immortality."

“Conflicting ideologies led to armed conflict, ultimately resulting in a catastrophic bloodbath, turning our ancestral land into a hellish graveyard.”

"In the end, the rebels, led by the Peerless Wind and Rain Sword, as the victors, were unable to completely destroy the source of this elixir of immortality, and fearing that it would spread its poison to the world, they chose the most decisive way—to seal themselves and this calamity here forever, setting up multiple traps to cut off the path of outsiders who coveted it."

Tang Xin was deeply shaken upon hearing this.

This forgotten history is filled with sacrifice, despair, and unspeakable sorrow.

"So, this thing is really not a good thing? It brings great terror upon contact and endless troubles?"

He paused, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of inquiry, "And you? What are your thoughts?"

Tang Xin looked at Zhao Qing with a frank and direct gaze, "In my opinion, it's not simply because he covets its power of immortality."

Especially considering that she has reached this level at such a young age, and immortality does not seem to be an urgent need, it would be unwise to take the "elixir of immortality" with its huge side effects.

Zhao Qing gave a subtle, enigmatic smile, but instead of answering directly, she changed the subject:
"Speaking of which, this former number one swordsman of Tianliang, the Grand Marshal of the Tianliang Army, Tuoba Wuchou, since he has absorbed the power of immortality, although he has become almost like grass and trees, he may not be beyond saving."

"Compared to the 'elixir of immortality' that cannot be controlled, if an eighth-realm cultivator who was active hundreds of years ago could truly awaken, his extensive knowledge and experience from the past, the countless sword manuals and secret scriptures in his memory, and his extremely powerful personal combat strength would probably be a much richer gain than the former..."

"Peerless Wind and Rain Sword? An ancient Qitian Realm expert?" Tang Xin muttered to herself, "He shouldn't be just a low-grade eighth realm expert, right? Since he's named 'Peerless,' could it be that he's virtually unmatched in the world?"

The blow that blasted out of the stone hall alone, if it was done by this person, was a manifestation of power many times greater than that of Grandmaster Zhao Jianlu's "burning the sulfur pool water". Not to mention the process of the formation of the outer ring-shaped basin, which completely overturned people's imagination of the destructive power of cultivators.

"Perhaps he has already reached the upper level of the eighth realm... But to find out for sure, we'll have to try and ask him himself."

Zhao Qing replied casually, but his mind was racing: If the outer fountain of immortality hadn't been destroyed like in the original story, causing changes in the environment and laws of primordial energy, Tuoba Wuchou would probably be much stronger, and the power he could mobilize would probably be closer to the middle or even upper level of the eighth realm at his peak in life!

She secretly assessed the situation: Of course, in his current state, his consciousness was muddled, his movements were rigid, and he was driven entirely by instinct and lingering protective obsession. His flexibility and adaptability were far inferior to those of a true eighth realm cultivator, and his fighting style had long been solidified. She could find a way to break through his defenses by looking at the sword manual on the stone beast outside...

After all, the sword manual of the Peerless Wind and Rain Sword is contained within it.

He believed that those who could comprehend the true meaning of his swordsmanship would naturally approach his state of mind, understand his character from that magnificent sword intent, and would not choose to accept or integrate the elixir of immortality to harm the world—this was the reason why Ding Ning was able to successfully pass this test by commanding Shen Xuan and others to break through the moves.

In fact, the second stone beast that Zhao Qing chose was the corresponding sword manual—the inheritance of the strongest in Tianliang. Its aura was different from others, making it easy for her to find.

However, even so, relying solely on passive defense and counter-attacks makes it difficult to take direct action. Ensuring the capture of this human-tree symbiote and minimizing damage for the subsequent "rescue" remains a significant challenge.

Fortunately, Tang Xin was with him, whose combat strength was among the top in the seventh realm, so he could use her influence.

Zhao Qing pondered deeply, and at the same time, a deeper question arose: What exactly is the purpose of this giant tree? It looks quite similar to the Flesh Bodhi tree in the Wushan Formation…

But wasn't it the Peerless Wind and Rain Sword itself that absorbed the medicinal power? Clearly, the human body is the source of power, yet it was imprisoned in place, its mobility greatly reduced, which in turn maintained the tree's vitality.

Surely it's not like they deliberately designed "weaknesses" to leave out when fighting a BOSS, making the difficulty of the level lowered specifically for the sake of the game?
With this thought in mind, Zhao Qing blinked, and a point of starlight silently lit up, then transformed into two deep, flowing golden and silver vortexes, corresponding to the sun and moon. The two elements complemented each other, and the harmonious energy overflowed, enhancing her insight to the extreme.

Because he developed some personal characteristics and integrated his consciousness into the creation of his inner universe, Zhao Qing also gained a pure and immaculate land. The transformation brought about by the breakthrough in his realm also enhanced the effectiveness of "Heavenly Eye". Moreover, it did not consume any true essence or magic power, but relied on the light of his mind.

Unlike the usual "observation of qi and form", what she was "seeing" at this moment was the more essential state of existence of things, possessing a perspective that "transcends the three realms and is not within the five elements".

The “Three Realms” here do not refer to the secular concept of Heaven, Earth, and Man, but rather to the conceptual levels of the “Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm”.

In an instant, it pierced through Tuoba Wuchou's semi-transparent body and landed directly at the source of his spirit, beginning its analysis.

In the chaotic sea of ​​consciousness, more than 70% of the original human soul aura was corrupted and assimilated by a deep, viscous, cold and domineering purple aura!
The remaining less than 30% was a faint but tenacious pure white light, like a candle in the wind, struggling to maintain a blurry humanoid outline and a trace of... a stubborn determination to protect!

Is that the manifestation of the "consciousness assimilation" power of the Nine Realms of Immortality? It's quite similar to the Deadpool transformation in the Dragon Clan world.

However, compared to the blood of Nth generation dragons of ordinary level, this "elixir of immortality" is definitely a being that surpasses the first generation, so it cannot be removed by any conventional means.

However, since Tuoba Wuchou, a cultivator at the eighth realm, still retains some consciousness and is barely maintaining his resistance, there is still hope... there is a way to enable him to launch a "counterattack".

Zhao Qing pondered for a moment, gradually realizing: Humans are neither the servants nor the masters of the tree. They are the wondrous fruit the tree bears, and also the soil that nourishes the tree's continued growth!

The remaining white consciousness is Tuoba Wuchou's last human imprint, a manifestation of his obsession with protecting the ancestral mountain and isolating it from 'disaster'; while the dominant purple intent is the pure, tranquil instinct of 'the spirit of plants and trees' after being assimilated by the elixir of immortality, rejecting human disturbances and suffering. All phenomena are inherently without form, observe their natural and constant nature.

This is not possession, but rather two forms of existence achieving a strange "unity of the Dao" on the verge of life and death, catalyzed by the medicinal power! Like Zhuangzi dreaming of a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming of Zhuangzi, is he now Tuoba Wuchou? Is he the Purple Jade Ancient Tree? It is no longer a difference between self and other, but rather...

"Without that, there is no self; without self, there is nothing to grasp! Nothing is not that, nothing is not this; that arises from this, and this also arises from that!"

Her tone carried a touch of mysterious etherealness, yet it pointed out the most core philosophical thought, revealing a profound understanding: the giant purple jade tree is like a living, breathing manifestation of the Dao, a "Dharma form."

This can actually be considered the orthodox path for this world to enter the Ninth Realm. Jiang Yan, the ancestor of the Northern Dark Abyss, also nurtured a similar "Dharma Body" and regarded the transformation into ink crystal as a necessary process for the final metamorphosis.

Once mastered, external appearances can change in countless ways, which goes without saying.
"I see!"

Tang Xin was jolted! These sixteen words struck his heart like a resounding bell, breaking through some of the barriers that had been firmly in his mind.

He emulated the heavens and earth, pursuing the idea that all things, from wind to thunder, could be used by him, that he himself could control external things. But what Zhao Qing was pointing out at this moment was the blurring of the boundaries between "I" and "external things," the supreme realm where "that" and "this" are interdependent and mutually causal, embracing yin and yang!

Isn't this the perfect illustration of the unity of man and tree, and the fusion of consciousness before our eyes?

A powerful resonance and enlightenment surged within Tang Xin. He was a straightforward and genuine person, and once he understood, he wanted to verify it! In an instant, his eyes burst forth with an unprecedented brilliance, a kind of delight at seeing something new, and even more so, an excitement of sudden enlightenment.

In fact, Tang Xin had already comprehended the part of the sword manual belonging to the Peerless Wind and Rain Sword on the stone beast outside the valley, and was fascinated by its magnificent and all-encompassing wind and rain sword intent.

So, he took a step forward, his figure instantly shifting from extreme stillness to extreme motion, actually breaking free from the protective range of Zhao Qing's concealed aura and hidden in the void of "Supreme Spiritual Void," and loudly proclaimed:
"When the Dao is unified, how can the intent of the sword or the intent of the blade be distinguished? If that is so, then let me test this state of 'unity' with this very body!"

"Senior! I'm offended!"

Before she finished speaking, Tang Xin had already made her move! Her target was the figure embedded in the tree roots—Tuoba Wuchou!
The movement wasn't lightning fast; instead, it carried a strange sense of rhythm. The left hand slowly rose, fingers spread wide, not grasping, but rather as if stroking invisible strings.

There was no sword, but a dazzling, thick, white lightning bolt, as thick as a beam, seemed to have been pulled down from the heavens, or burst forth from his palm! The blinding lightning instantly ionized and tore apart the surrounding air, producing a deafening explosion!

A fierce sword intent, capable of severing all constraints and shattering all laws, soared into the sky!

Almost simultaneously, he gently swept his right hand down, as if ignoring the obstruction of the palace walls and grasping the pulse of the earth.

The thick, desolate "earth energy" and omnipresent "wind energy" that had accumulated throughout the entire palace and even deep within the ancestral mountain seemed to be summoned, frantically converging towards his right palm!
A hazy blue longsword phantom instantly solidified. Within the sword, countless fine black sand grains surged and collided violently with the raging blue vortex, like a compressed miniature sandstorm!
Before the sword was even moved, the terrifying sword intent that tore, ground, and swept everything seemed to have already slightly distorted the space!
Heaven and earth, wind and thunder, are all at my disposal! With my left hand, I draw upon the thunderbolts of the nine heavens as a blade, and with my right hand, I gather the storms of the eight wastelands as a sword!

The methods Tang Xin is displaying at this moment have already surpassed the common understanding of martial arts, and are almost like the legendary methods of immortals and gods wielding the great power of nature!

Even Zhao Qing, upon witnessing this scene, clapped his hands in admiration. Gazing at the sword and the blade, two already perfected natal artifacts, which contained his initial understanding of "the Dao is one," he pointed directly at Tuoba Wuchou under the giant purple jade tree with a tentative and eager desire to verify his understanding, and unleashed both blades simultaneously!
The moment Tang Xin made her move, the giant purple jade tree seemed to be completely awakened!

"Om-!"

A deep, resonant hum that shook the entire underground space reverberated from within the tree trunk.

At the tree roots, the half-embedded figure of Tuoba Wuchou suddenly raised its head, its pale, empty eyes locking onto the incoming wind and thunder swords! Although the focus was still illusory, a terrifying aura that had been dormant for hundreds of years erupted like a dormant volcano!
laugh--!
An invisible yet extremely sharp intent pierced through the air! Without any grand momentum, it caused the purple light permeating the entire hall to sway and fluctuate violently! In an instant, the entire space seemed to be dragged into an invisible storm!

The air became thick and filled with a chilling atmosphere. A vast and majestic mood, seemingly encompassing all the turmoil and sorrow in the world, had fully blossomed and spread with the emergence of this power.

Like the low cries and sighs of millions of dead souls, it instantly filled every inch of space in the valley!
This sword intent, which draws in, envelops, and merges the power of "wind and rain" throughout the entire space, should have appeared heavy and sluggish. However, in the hands of this peerless wind and rain swordsman, it was incredibly fast. As soon as it appeared, it arrived before the offensive constructed by Tang Xin's wind and thunder swords!

Start later but arrive first!
Boom!
A deep, resounding boom, like the striking of a giant drum, exploded in front of Tang Xin!

The tip of his cyan longsword, formed from gale-force winds and black sand, struck the edge of that invisible sword intent precisely!

The lightning blade, formed from lightning, suddenly dispersed, transforming into invisible swirling air currents, or like blazing runes clinging to the blade, reinforcing and strengthening it.

The sword and blade became one.

The raging power of wind and thunder clashed violently with the sorrowful protective intent that had been condensed to the extreme, a head-on collision without any fancy moves!
Thus, the result was perfectly natural. Even as a rare anomaly among the peak of the seventh realm, the Sword God Emperor who had forged two natal artifacts using secret methods, in terms of pure strength, he was no match for a true eighth realm cultivator. The outcome of the duel was immediately revealed:

Tang Xin let out a muffled groan, her body shuddered violently, and she flew backward, crashing heavily into the mountain wall behind her. This created a huge wave of dust and left a crater several meters deep. Her face was slightly pale, her longsword was bent to the extreme, the runes were dim, and it was almost broken and destroyed.

However, he had not suffered much internal injury, and his expression was even tinged with joy, his eyes shining brightly.

Zhao Qing immediately saw through the reason for his genuine joy: the sword intent and sword technique displayed by the Peerless Wind and Rain Sword in this move gave Tang Xin great inspiration. If he tried to avoid this attack by trickery and not become the target of the intent and technique, he would never be able to gain a clear and clear feeling.
Secondly, although the opponent's power was overwhelmingly superior, the fact that Tang Xin was not seriously injured in one move meant that she could hold her own against this eighth-realm expert for a while, which meant she was qualified to challenge him. Even if she was not guaranteed to win, she could still have a thrilling and exhilarating battle.

However, after witnessing the actual use of the Peerless Wind and Rain Sword, she was not as optimistic as Tang Xin had been. According to her keen perception of the area, Tuoba Wuchou was not actually going all out, but rather using half of his power to defend himself, his sword intent condensed but not yet unleashed.

Previously, Zhao Qing had sealed off all energy with the supreme secrets of the Lingxu Sword Sect, so that the other party could not even detect the communication. However, as Tang Xin decisively stepped out of the "domain", the momentary leakage when the "door" was opened also aroused the highest level of vigilance, and she deliberately kept a trump card.

As for the remaining half, it was also used elsewhere—almost at the same time, at the entrance to the spiral mountain path above the two people, a chilling sword intent containing endless killing intent silently descended and sealed it off.

It was as if a frozen, deadly cold rain had silently fallen on the retreat route!

Tuoba Wuchou's remaining fighting spirit revealed his ruthless and sophisticated tactics—blocking retreat routes and cutting off any chance of survival!
"Points, lines, and planes!"

At this critical juncture, Zhao Qing suddenly spoke, precisely cutting into the battle and also into Tang Xin's mind: "This is the basic framework for constructing a swordsman's intent, momentum, and domain, and it is also the principle of understanding and resolving such tactics used by the enemy! All changes can be traced!"

"Point, line, plane? What does this mean?!"

Tang Xin let out a long roar, and the green sword in his hand suddenly dispersed into intertwined wind and thunder, then condensed back into the pair of blades. His body suddenly leaped out of the deep pit in the mountain wall, sending rocks flying.

Like a raging dragon breaking free from its restraints, he once again unleashed an even more intense force of wind and thunder, and fiercely pounced on the giant tree shrouded in purple light!

...(End of chapter)