Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 365 - 358: Taoist Canon Seven

Chapter 365: Chapter 358: Taoist Canon Seven

Lin Xin had been adjusting his breath in his room for three days straight to adapt to the newly added attributes of his body.

The additional attributes significantly enhanced the toughness of his skin and internal organs, as well as his sensory range and ability to predict danger around him.

He tested it, and found that his current level of defense could stand undefeated against the Jade Fox King by simply standing still and letting it attack; the surface of his skin alone was impenetrable to the Jade Fox King.

And that’s to say nothing of the increase in defense, which was not only in physical strength but also in the protective field of Demonic Qi or Spiritual Light.

This was the so-called Protective Aura. The Jade Fox King likely couldn’t even break through the Protective Aura.

The enhancement in defense was immediately apparent, but the improvement in evasion seemed not so straightforward to Lin Xin.

It seemed as though an indistinct aura enveloped his body’s surface as his evasion enhanced, progressively surrounding him.

This aura was continually making his skin smoother—not in the way of a feminine smoothness, but more like a force-dissipating structure.

This change was also reflected in the Protective Aura.

It seemed that the Spiritual Light also became harder to impact.

Just when he had barely adapted to these changes, the grand competition of the Taoist Canon was officially opened.

A large number of cultivators were consecutively admitted to the mountain summit.

Besides the participants, there were affiliated sect cultivators, family members, friends, and partners. The number of people entering on the first day alone exceeded a thousand.

Lin Xin, representing the Immortal Demise Alliance, along with Elder Hong Gui and the Second Green Lady, met with several top-notch experts who were ranked highest in strength.

The audiences entered the next two days.

Teams of fully armed guards emerging from the green water columns of Snow Mountain began to take over and reinforce the security of the entire summit.

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At the summit of Snow Mountain, in front of the emerald green water column, were crowds of cultivators who had come to participate in and watch the Taoist Canon.

Three floating building ships formed a triangle, each floating around the water column.

Under the sunlight, the building ships emitted a faint red crystal shine, all three constructed from the purest red colored glass stone.

Each ship was shaped like a long, slender key, hundreds of meters in length.

Lin Xin was currently standing at the tip of one of these building ships, with Elder Guan Mingyue behind him and farther back were Jade Fox and representatives of Yuan Dou Demon Sect among others from the sect, nearly all of whom were aboard this ship.

The fierce wind at the bow whipped everyone’s robes into a noisy flutter.

Lin Xin glanced at the other two building ships.

The Second Green Lady and Elder Hong Gui led their sect members at the bows, similar to him—one looking indifferent, the other somewhat solemn.

Looking downward.

Beneath the building ships, by the small lake, were densely packed heads of people, with thousands crammed into a small area.

"The auspicious time has come!"

Suddenly, a Golden Armor Guard slowly emerged from the green water column connected to the sky, floating mid-air and loudly declaring.

Lin Xin squinted slightly, watching the Golden Armor Guard.

The guard seemed to notice his gaze, and nodded slightly in a friendly manner.

Elder Guan’s voice came from behind him.

"It is indeed the Elders of Yuan Dou Demon Sect responsible for the defense this time,, no wonder the Sect Master arranged for your Highness to personally oversee everything."

"What is the intention?" Lin Xin asked, slightly puzzled.

Guan Mingyue smiled.

"These gold, silver, and bronze Level Guards are the Taoist Canon Protectors guarding the Nether River, comprised of reclusive experts who are stationed with our three organizations.

Among them, the Golden Armor Guards are all at the level of Yuan Jing, no fewer than ten in number, while the Silver and Bronze Armor Guards fluctuate in number, with details unknown to outsiders except those stationed."

He paused, facing the wind to continue.

"If it turns to be an Elder close to our ranks in charge of the Taoist Canon’s defense, then there will be great advantages in the final distribution of the Nether River water."

Lin Xin nodded slightly, beginning to understand. Although he was unclear about the specific benefits of the Nether River water, it was enough for him to know there would be benefits. There wasn’t much time to elaborate at this moment.

He returned his gaze to the green water column.

Whoosh!

A sound as loud as a giant wave crashing shore.

Below the water column, massive amounts of lake water crazily converged towards it, causing the column to thicken and its color to grow deeper under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

The small lake beneath gradually exposed its dried-up bed.

With a wave of the Golden Armor Elder’s hand, a golden trident suddenly appeared, which he then thrust downward.

Bang!

After a dull sound.

The entire thick green water column suddenly exploded.

Without much noise, the upper half of the water column blew apart, forming a huge, broad saucer-like shape.

"All may take the stage now. No disorderly conduct is permitted, offenders will be executed without exception!" the Golden Armor Elder coldly declared.

Then he turned around and disappeared into the water column.

"We should head up as well," Guan Mingyue reminded.

Lin Xin nodded, lifting his hand slightly upwards.

Suddenly, the entire ship shuddered fiercely, tilted, the bow rising as it flew slowly into the sky.

With a whoosh, a large white banner of the Immortal-Demon Alliance unfurled abruptly, hanging down from the ship.

Similarly, on the other two sides, the big banners of Jade Purity Sect and Heavenly Cloud Path also unfolded and fell.

The three ships, carrying the personnel from the three major host organizations, slowly surged upwards toward the huge green water disc overhead and soon completely entered the upper half.

Only the upper half of the ships entered and then they paused, hovering in mid-air.

The remaining lower halves with the big banners continued to float in mid-air.

From afar, it looked as if a censer hung atop a snowy mountain.

The body of the censer was that green circular disc, and the legs below, which supported it, were the three long, narrow ships.

Lin Xin stood at the bow, his gaze piercing through the green water disc, and the scene before him suddenly opened up

His vision was filled with green.

Above the entire water disc was a green stone plaza.

At the center, there was a structure resembling an arena, with giant spirals heavily layered on the ground.

Four huge mermaid statues stood around it, each more than ten meters tall, not of females but strong-bodied males, each holding a massive trident, the tip of each glowing with a huge green symbol.

"Welcome everyone to the Taoist Canon Venue."

An ethereal figure slowly materialized in the center of the plaza. It was the Myriad Laws Hall’s spirit that Lin Xin had seen before.

The spirit, dressed in a black gown, stood in the center, her face cold as she looked around.

"According to the agreement, the Nether River’s fluctuation period has arrived again, so I immediately notified the stationed elders from the Three Sects, hence organizing this Taoist Canon Assembly to select the most outstanding top talents of our Central Prefecture to nurture the primeval womb with the Nether River, lend them a helping hand, and achieve Yuan Jing.

This is one of the two grand events of our Central Prefecture. I believe you all had some understanding before coming here."

Lin Xin frowned slightly.

"Two grand events? Elder Guan, is there another event comparable to the Taoist Canon?"

Guan Mingyue nodded.

"What we co-organize is the Taoist Canon, naturally corresponding to the so-called Demonic Canon. The Demonic Canon, also known as the Great Assembly of All Demons, is currently being hosted by the Red Spine Sect. There is also a branch of the Nether River there, with a special spiritual body guiding cultivators to nurture the primeval womb. Or to nurture the demon primeval bodies."

"I see."

As soon as he explained, not just Lin Xin, but Jade Fox, Wang Peng, and others behind him also understood.

At that moment, the spirit made a few more polite remarks, and suddenly the entire space above exploded with a huge burst of golden flames.

The golden sparks sprinkled down, casting the whole plaza in a glorious golden radiance.

"This is a golden prohibition," Elder Guan explained, "It appears to be for celebratory decoration on the surface, but inside, it contains special prohibited methods, combining 168,900 powerful Fourth Grade prohibition talismans, which can instantly detect and kill anyone harboring ill intentions."

"Even an Elder Yuan Jing cannot avoid this massive formation."

While people were initially admiring the golden scenery, upon hearing the inside explanation, they suddenly became somewhat timid.

The others felt nothing towards this formation talisman.

But as soon as the golden flames exploded, Lin Xin felt an extremely terrifying vast spiritual light.

It seemed to be comparable to the black-robed Yuan Jing he had encountered a few days ago.

"What an enormous effort!" he couldn’t help but exclaim, "More than a hundred thousand Fourth Grade prohibition talismans, it must have taken many years to barely complete."

"Indeed." This time, it wasn’t Elder Guan who answered, but the cultivator stationed here in charge.

"Your Highness truly is a Master of the Formation Talisman Path, recognizing the difficulties at a glance. This massive prohibition formation was assembled by as many as 3,000 Formation Talisman Masters, continuously made over five years to barely complete. These five years of effort bloomed in this instant, achieving a power that even an Elder Yuan Jing cannot ignore."

Lin Xin slowly nodded. He glanced at the person in charge, a somewhat plump middle-aged man who always appeared extremely respectful and subservient before him.

"What is your name?"

"Your Highness may call me Lou Xiaofei," the chubby man respectfully replied.

"Lou Xiaofei..." Lin Xin and the others couldn’t help but laugh. With his physique, the nickname "Xiaofei" (Little Fly) was indeed a bit of a stark contrast.

After the spirit’s mention, it was time for representatives of the three major organizing parties to give their speeches.

The Second Green Lady, with the highest level of cultivation, spoke first.

"This grand ceremony adheres to the same rules, all aimed at giving elite talents an opportunity to showcase themselves and push their limits, with three stages in total, each major organizer handling one stage. The prompts will be given after entering the stage, unknown to outsiders. The specific judgments will be made by the Defensive Guards and the spirit together."

The Green Lady’s demeanor was always cool and indifferent; she spoke unhurriedly, her eyes sweeping over the audience, vaguely radiating an intense aura that even the great formation could not conceal.

After her, it was Lin Xin’s turn.

He stepped forward, clearing his throat.

"In our Immortal-Demon Alliance, we adhere to the three principles of fairness, justice, and friendship, striving to ensure the smooth conduct of the Taoist Canon, and fully cooperate with the defense side and the spirit to protect the whole process. For those who intend to disrupt the Taoist Canon, disturb the order of the meeting, disobey rules, or harm others through covert means..."

He actually had no idea what to say, but recalling the standard speeches from various conferences held back on Earth, he still knew how to imitate them.