Chapter 31: The Great Liberation Divine Radiance

“What a pity. Borrowed power is always limited, leaving me unable to employ many of my most formidable techniques. Otherwise, why would I need to sharpen my sword at the last moment?”

He cast both Magnetism Divine Mountains, along with the myriad spiritual sands he had collected, into the alchemical furnace.

Though he held little regard for these so-called grand cultivators, his mentor once said: hold your opponent in contempt on the strategic level, but respect them on the tactical. He had no desire to stumble in a ditch; the necessary preparations must be made.

The Twin Poles Magnetism Divine Mountains, relying solely on their innate magnetic force, were already extraordinary. In this world, cultivation methods are rooted in the five elements, occasionally supplemented by rare affinities like thunder or wind, which arise from the interplay of two elements, giving birth to variant spiritual roots and, on that foundation, new techniques.

As for rare primordial energies such as the twin poles of magnetism, while they are not entirely unstudied, the depth of research pales in comparison to the Great Way of the Five Elements. This is due to differences in the environments and cultivation systems of the two realms—not a matter of right or wrong.

The true value of the Twin Poles Magnetism Divine Mountains lies in their use as superb materials for cultivating the Magnetism Divine Light.

In Shu Mountain, three types of Daoist arts are most widespread and formidable. Foremost are the myriad divine thunders, demonic fires, and true fires; next are sword arts with flying swords; then, various divine, immortal, and Buddhist lights.

This ranking is not by sheer power, but by prevalence and accessibility. The three arts are equal in might, their effectiveness determined by one’s cultivation and mastery.

Divine thunders and true fires are the easiest to learn, but the hardest to perfect—a single strike from a master can obliterate an entire minor realm.

Sword arts are more difficult, not only because advanced sword techniques are hard to master, but also because truly powerful flying swords are rare. Forging one oneself is laborious and time-consuming, and without superior swordsmithing methods, the result is hardly useful.

As for the various divine, immortal, and Buddhist lights, they are the hardest to begin, requiring at least the pinnacle of Loose Immortal cultivation and a fully formed nascent spirit. They are the signature abilities of great figures across the sects: Emei’s Supreme Purity Immortal Light, Kunlun’s Jade Purity Immortal Light, Wudang’s Tai Chi Immortal Light, Wutai’s Primal Unity Immortal Light, and, among the Buddhists, the Formless Buddha Light, Extinction Buddha Light, and the many Sandalwood Buddha Lights.

Among the Demon sects, the Blood Shadow Divine Light is infamous—a single pounce, a flash of blood, and the Blood God Child can strip away the target’s entire cultivation.

These divine, immortal, and Buddha lights, each with their own wonders, serve not only as methods of protection and demon suppression, but can, at a critical moment, be wielded as flying swords. Though not as sharp as true swords, their agility and versatility surpass even the finest swords refined nine times.

If one can cultivate such a divine or immortal light and pair it with a suitable top-grade flying sword, the sword’s power can become utterly astonishing. If one’s swordsmanship is also adept, it is possible to erase primordial energy and matter themselves.

This “erasure” means that primordial energy and matter are made to vanish from the world, dissolved into nothingness. Such supreme swordsmanship—the true “one sword breaks ten thousand spells.”

Of course, Chen Yang was far from capable of cultivating Magnetism Divine Light at the moment, but having previously achieved Primal Unity Immortal Light, he understood the essence of these lights. Now, using the Twin Poles Magnetism Divine Mountains as a foundation, together with the spirit sands refined over countless years—now worthy of the title “divine sand”—he could forge a magical treasure that could at least simulate a fraction of the divine light’s power.

Though only a fraction, it was more than enough to deal with these so-called grand cultivators of this world.

“This thing shouldn’t really be called Twin Poles Magnetism Divine Light, as it’s just a poor imitation… Hmm! Let’s call it the ‘Great Liberation Immortal Light.’ After all, the divine sand is consumed and instantly ascends—what could be greater liberation?”

Chen Yang chuckled, his hands weaving constant incantations, pouring one forbidden spell after another into the furnace. The twin mountains erupted in red and blue light, amidst which the divine sands ground against each other, giving rise to a soul-dissolving, bone-eroding force.

……….

Mount Jiuhua.

Tianyuan Sect’s main gate.

“How amusing, truly amusing.”

Handing the letter to the disciple beside him, Master Yang’s face was wreathed in smiles, though a cold gleam flashed in his eyes.

Master Yang, renowned as “Yang the Invincible,” was universally acknowledged as the greatest cultivator in Baohua Continent for thousands of years, unmatched by any beneath the Divine Transformation realm. The other four visible grand cultivators had all suffered grievous setbacks at his hands.

It was said that Master Yang once battled a Divine Transformation demon beast from the northern continent who had crossed the sea. The outcome was unknown, but since the demon beast retreated and Master Yang remained alive and well, it was clear that, even if he had not won, he had not suffered much loss.

With this “Yang the Invincible” holding the line, the sea-dwelling demon clans dared not invade.

Though cultivators were as numerous as cattle—by the hundreds of millions—beasts were truly beyond counting. After all, in terms of area and living space, the land was less than one percent the size of the oceans.

Moreover, demon beasts generally enjoyed long lifespans. Those with noble bloodlines could live ten thousand, even tens of thousands of years.

In ancient times, when the world teemed with spiritual energy, humans, by virtue of their intellect, could achieve in a year what beasts required a century to accomplish. With each step up in cultivation, the gap widened immeasurably. Strength in numbers meant nothing against overwhelming quality.

But as the world’s foundations eroded, cultivators’ upper limits seemed locked. The long-lived demon beasts began to gain the advantage.

Now, humanity had shifted from offense to defense. The founder of the Four Seas Trading Guild, Yu Guo, was driven to flee to the Eastern Victory Continent under these very circumstances. By a twist of fate, he found an opportunity, traversed a sea vortex, and arrived in Baohua Continent.

The tides of heaven and earth wax and wane. Cultivators once flourished; now they decline. Yet when the world’s essence is utterly spent, humans may lose their power, but they still possess wisdom. Without magic, demon beasts are but wild animals.

There may be a period of decline, but as long as wisdom endures and the flame of civilization is not extinguished, no beast, however mighty, can ever truly overcome humankind’s innate intelligence.

Master Yang’s disciple, himself a Nascent Soul cultivator, took the letter and laughed:

“Indeed amusing, that someone would dare plot against you, Master.”

Returning the letter, he asked in some confusion, “The Demon Lord of the Supreme Demon Sect? Quite an audacious title—not inferior to your own, ‘Yang the Invincible.’ Yet I’ve never heard of it before. Could it be a powerful newcomer from the Eastern Victory or Southern Toad Continents?”

Master Yang tossed the letter aside with a smile. “It’s most likely that old Divine Transformation fiend, starting over in a new body. It’s no wonder you haven’t heard of him—he only surfaced a year ago, yet in that short time he’s established a mighty foundation in the northern Da Li region and brought the entire Four Seas Trading Guild to heel.”

The disciple considered this, then said, “If that’s the case, though our informant clearly harbors ill intent, there’s probably some truth to what he says.”