Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 202 - 150 The Venerable’s True Form Arrives

Chapter 202: Chapter 150 The Venerable’s True Form Arrives

Body-snatching has always been a hot topic within the Cultivation World.

All the major sects have taken precautions and developed an extremely comprehensive prevention system.

This includes carrying treasures that defend against the soul attacks and figuring out how to identify body-snatchers.

The latter is often the more crucial element, as there is no such thing as guarding against a thief for a thousand days; offense and defense are always annihilating each other. It is better to focus on deterring the great powers capable of body-snatching, making them understand that body-snatching the chosen ones of their own sect means certain death.

Thus, for the True Disciples of the major sects, there would be a minor inspection every ten years and a major inspection every hundred years.

Taking a first-class sect as an example, the minor inspection would be conducted by at least a Mahayana, while the major inspection required at least a Dao Realm Venerable.

The sect’s chosen ones are often the disciples of a Mahayana or Venerable, constantly in the spotlight and subject to secretive annual inspections.

After understanding the ’development history of preventing body-snatching in the Cultivation World’s sects,’ Gu Wen could somewhat grasp why they were so surprised.

Theoretically, body-snatching True Disciples is inconceivable; even the most minimal ten-year inspection would not be enough for a body-snatcher to advance to Mahayana, and once they did, they should be arrested immediately.

Chi Yu Zi frowned and said, "If they body-snatch a regular disciple, they might avoid the soul inspection. However, they would likely be hindered by the original body’s talent and probably not recover to their peak."

Golden Core Nascent Soul cultivations might rely on resources to stack up, but Mahayana and above depend on fate.

Many could not reach the Mahayana Realm again even if they cultivate anew, let alone become a Dao Realm Venerable.

Ao Tang gradually calmed his emotions and said, "The leader of the Yin Yang Sect seems to only be in the Dao Realm, and the master of Qingqiu Grotto Heaven generally has the strength of a Demi Immortal, so it seems not entirely impossible."

"This devil incarnated as our Human Clan Venerable, one can only wonder what kind of conspiracy and tricks are being brewed."

"I need to report this to the Daoist Sect."

Both faces displayed a heavy and grave expression.

A whiff of meaty aroma wafted over; at this moment, Gu Wen had already set the Sheep Demon ablaze, roasting it with fierce Spiritual Fire, almost done in just a few minutes.

It didn’t matter if it was charred or lacked seasoning, even raw would have been fine.

One bite and it was full of mutton flavor, surprisingly not bad at all.

Gu Wen felt that even within the Devil Clan, there should be equality, at least raising the status of Sheep Demons.

While eating, he said, "Let’s not blow the whistle on this yet. Right now, the Yin Yang Sect is not our leader, and exposing a Devil Emperor won’t make our situation any better."

In Gu Wen’s view, this information, for now, couldn’t be used as a weapon; their revelation would only plunge the Yin Yang Sect into internal chaos, yet the Yin Yang Sect was not currently the leader.

Chi Yu Zi asked, "So we just let it go?"

"If we killed Tushan’s last bloodline, he might come to seek revenge. Also, to kill and silence, he will inevitably have to take the field."

Gu Wen killing Tushan Xue wasn’t without considering the consequences; he figured at most a Devil Emperor would come, but would he dare to make a move in the Human Race’s Earth Realm?

The distinction between human and devil still existed; today’s conflict could only be considered a youthful squabble not worthy of mention.

The Venerable equate to armies in a conflict between nations, and presently, they would not mind having one more Venerable on their side.

As if fate favored them, this letter could become the critical evidence that would utterly destroy the leader of the Yin Yang Sect. Once exposed, the Immortal Sects of the Human Clan could never tolerate him.

In such a case, it would seem that the Yin Yang Sect Venerable could only run away, but for those in power, death seems trivial compared to the loss of power.

Being in the top ten Daoist sects meant not only power but also countless Spiritual Mountains, Spirit Veins, and treasures accumulated over ten thousand years.

Gu Wen was confident, as long as it wasn’t the very last step, as long as he didn’t make the information public, the Yin Yang Sect Venerable would choose to take a risk.

"Wouldn’t that be very bad?"

Chi Yu Zi obviously couldn’t grasp the cunning plan, but Ao Tang, who had seen a lot, only needed a moment to understand Gu Wen’s intention.

This youngster really had a ruthless heart.

He explained on behalf of Gu Wen, "Right now, there is no Venerable who has taken the field. He would become the leader if he did, organizing others as well. Releasing this information would only result in changing generals mid-battle, and merely an internal investigation within the Daoist sects would be enough to keep them occupied."

Before focusing on external threats, one must ensure internal stability, especially since they are part of the Sanqing Taoist Sect.

Initially, besieging Fire Cloud Cave to gain advantages was disgraceful, now that a Devil Emperor turned Venerable needs to be dealt with, the Venerables of all major schools would be embarrassed if they did nothing.

Moreover, it might draw out some old creatures who have withdrawn from worldly affairs.

At this time, Yu Hua woke up and came out of the house. When she heard that a Devil Emperor had body-snatched someone and now served as the Venerable of the Yin Yang Sect, her slightly dazed expression didn’t change much.

To Yu Hua, a Venerable was just a dog. Killing one would take some effort and life span, but it wasn’t like dealing with a Demi Immortal who could compete with her.

Even if the Yin and Yang Venerable had the strength of a Demi Immortal, Yu Hua wouldn’t take him seriously.

She approached Gu Wen, leaned in to sniff, and asked, "There seems to be another scent on you."

The fragrance of rouge, yet she and Chi Yu Zi didn’t wear any.

Gu Wen repeated the sequence of events, and Yu Hua looked at the snow-white fox head and praised, "Her fur really is beautiful; it can help you make a long-desired Vestment robe."

Yu Hua took the fox woman’s fur; she was skilled in making Vestment robes, so there was no need to trouble Chi Yu Zi.

Furthermore, regarding Gu Wen’s freeloading behavior, she scolded him somewhat sternly, "Your friendship with Chi Yu Zi is as pure as water, not discussing benefits is fine, but you can’t completely lack reciprocation. You must show thanks if Chi Yu Zi helps you with something in the future."

Brothers settle accounts clearly, what are you trying to do by not keeping accounts?

Chi Yu Zi scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Your highness is too polite, I’m under your protection, it’s right for me to help."

"You must give something, you cannot let him take advantage of you."

Under Yu Hua’s insistence, an unwilling Gu Wen took out a Taoist Sword from Broken Sword Mountain; now he was left with only eight Taoist Swords.

These ’old swords’ could hardly withstand a beating, but they were still rare treasures, usable as currency. Chi Yu Zi truly had helped him a lot, but anyone would be reluctant to pay for something that could have been free.

The bonds of a Dao father are more precious than Taoist Swords, after all.

Chi Yu Zi was touched and looked at Yu Hua with even greater admiration, nearly calling her sister.

Gu Wen, determined to convert heartache into appetite, started devouring the two devil carcasses, consuming them within two hours, adding forty more years to his Heavenly Marrow.

[Heavenly Marrow one hundred and twenty years]

He consumed Tushan Xue’s Demon Core midway, gaining thirty years of Heavenly Marrow, as well as a strand of extremely special essence.

[Heavenly Marrow one hundred and fifty years]

A wisp of white essence burst forth from the melting Demon Core, whirling chaotically within Gu Wen’s body, momentarily proving difficult to refine.

"What is this?"

Gu Wen’s divine thought delved internally, gathering the vast mana within his body to control the white mist, but in just an instant, white light burst forth from his Qi Sea.

He opened his eyes, and before he could intervene, the white light flew into the mysterious token inside the Qiankun Bag.

The Fate Diagram trembled slightly, and strands of information came forth.

"Taiyin Order, imbued with Taiyin Skill, a hundred years of Heavenly Marrow contemplation."

Taiyin Skill?

Gu Wen’s expression was tinged with disbelief and delight.

The law, it is that which is supreme in heaven and earth.

Every Cultivation Technique ending with the word ’Skill’ is, without exception, an Immortal Skill, symbolizing a certain Law, a certain realm of ultimate achievement.

Human Immortal Skill, Golden Core Skill, True Sword Dao Understanding Method, and now there is a Taiyin Skill.

For others, obtaining an Immortal Skill was not a question of availability but of mastery. For instance, Yuqing Daoji and True Sword Dao Understanding Method were always semi-open; with the right connections, anyone could get their hands on them.

But so far, only Gu Wen had mastered them, thus even prodigies seldom pursued Immortal Skills.

On the contrary, Gu Wen, blessed by the Heavenly Marrow, benefited from an abundance of Immortal Skills. Unless it was a sinister Immortal Skill like the ones Jun Yan cultivated by raising his Divine Soul with parasites, he would welcome all others.

One more Immortal Skill meant an added layer of combat power, and further assurance.

But a hundred years of Heavenly Marrow...

Gu Wen fell into brief silence, then pushed aside the idea of contemplation.

Because contemplation didn’t guarantee learning, let alone immediate strength gain, whereas the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill was a tangible enhancement.

"Sixth Transition Golden Core, Taixu Valley, hidden within is the Divine Valley’s millennium abstention, requiring a hundred years of Heavenly Marrow."

A Sixth Transition Golden Core could provide six times the mana of an ordinary Golden Core, and Gu Wen’s main combat power currently stemmed from his Immortal Sword, which required vast amounts of mana to wield.

"The Taiyin Skill can be put on hold for now, as it won’t disappear anyway."

With a thought, Gu Wen channeled the Heavenly Marrow into his Fifth Transition Golden Core.

Hum!

The Golden Core resonated, gaining another ring of light.

In one breath, he entered the realm of the Sixth Transition Golden Core, reaching the limit that any other Dao foundation could achieve.

At this moment, Gu Wen had attained the fifth level of perfection in Yuqing Daoji. To go further, he would need to rely on the Golden Core Skill.

"Sixth Transition Golden Core Perfection, the Root Origin Acupoint, the Fuming Pass, attaining Divine Skills"

"Sixth Transition Golden Core Divine Skill ’Mysterious Female’, rooted in Mysterious Female, harmonizing the Five Qi, blending a hundred gods."

The Sixth Transition Golden Core had Divine Skills too?

Gu Wen’s spirit was shaken; Chi Yu Zi had demonstrated the might of Divine Skills to him more than once.

Apart from Immortal Skills, the strongest techniques were Divine Skills, and the closest to Immortals were Divine Skills. If dharma form was the hallmark of a True Monarch, then Divine Skills were the hallmark of a Venerable.

Now, with just a five-level Dao foundation, he possessed Divine Skills, while others at the eighth level might not even have them.

Once again, Gu Wen firmed his determination to pursue perfection. The further he progressed in cultivation, the clearer it became to him: fall short by a bit in perfection, and you are a hundredfold behind when stepping out into the future.

If he was stronger than others by a hair, he would be a hundred times stronger in the future.

Inspecting his mana internally, the Sixth Transition Golden Core sucked in all the mana from the Qi Sea like a grand sun besetting the horizon, with the mana reserve increasing by another order of magnitude.

He could wield the True Sword Dao Understanding Method thirty full times, each capable of overcoming an opponent of one higher level. With the sword sheath, he could do so fifteen times, able to overcome opponents two levels higher. When the Immortal Sword, sword sheath, and True Sword Dao Understanding Method were used in unison, he could overcome three levels higher.

Typically, killing an enemy required at least two moves because the first move often forced the opponent to reveal their life-saving measures.

Unless Gu Wen used the Immortal Sword to transcend only one or two levels.

Gu Wen gathered his thoughts and stabilized his realm.

"Another breakthrough?"

Ao Tang murmured to himself. Although it was not the first time, every advancement from Gu Wen was a challenge to his own understanding.

Chi Yu Zi saw it, and despite glowing with fire and scratching her head in irritation, she remarked,

"How does this guy refine the medication so quickly?"

This past month, Gu Wen had broken through three minor realms, leaping from the Third Transition to the Sixth Transition Golden Core.

Naturally, this was good for her; the stronger Gu Wen was, the safer she felt and the easier it was to acquire the remaining Earth Core Crystals.

However, the Golden Core path was something Chi Yu Zi had always taken pride in, and to see Gu Wen, a junior, so effortlessly catch up to her bruised her ego.

"He’s different."

Yu Hua patted Chi Yu Zi’s head to soothe her, displaying the greatest composure and reciting almost ritualistic words in a calm voice,

"You don’t have to feel inferior."

-----------------

Fire Cloud Cave.

Hee Huan and his party were mingling in its town, frequently delving into the depths of the Fire Cloud Cave in search of opportunities and to seek Spiritual Medicines for Alchemy.

Those that could enhance their Dao foundations were consumed by them, while Pills for healing and replenishing mana were all retained.

Jun Yan, observing from the shadows, could guess what they were up to: to use these Pills to support Gu Wen, and his own benevolent junior sister also planned to help herself.

Those who have attained the Dao receive help from many, and even in such circumstances, they were not without support. But compared to the influence of all fronts and the sieges by countless Venerables and Demi Immortals, their help was more symbolic than effective.

This was also why the likes of Hee Huan attracted no attention; who would bother with a bunch of juniors unless they had the strength of Jun Yan and Chi Yu Zi?

Boom!

Suddenly, the Grotto Heaven trembled, and a crack opened in the void, with wave after wave of mana assailing the barriers of the Immortal Land.

A young man in a Daoist robe stepped out into the air, his boundless authority crushing everything around him, causing the entire Fire Cloud Cave to tremble.

Dao foundation of the ninth level, Seventh Level Fulfilled, the true body of a Venerable.