Ji Changfeng had no intention of hoarding the first volume of the Heavenly Book for himself.
After all, the four strongest disciples from the Seven Peaks Tournament—himself included—would be invaluable allies in the future.
Zhang Xiaofan needed no explanation.
Lu Xueqi was practically family.
And Qi Hao, destined to become the head of Dragon Head Peak, was worth winning over early.
So, a mere volume of the Heavenly Book? Hardly worth being secretive about.
Ji Changfeng wasn't that petty.
When he eventually rose to lead the Qingyun Sect, he planned to share his sword techniques and spells across all seven peaks, bolstering the sect's foundation.
I should find a chance to pass the Ice Heart Technique to Sect Leader Shibo. That way, the Immortal-Slaying Sword could go from a trump card to a standard move…
Ji Changfeng mused to himself.
Oh, and Xiaofan needed the Ice Heart Technique too.
That fire stick of his carried some risks that needed addressing sooner rather than later.
But there was no rush.
They could deal with it once they returned to the Qingyun Sect.
The group of four entered the cave, venturing deep inside. To their surprise, they found no treasure vault—only a dead end.
"Junior Brother Ji, this…" Qi Hao blinked, confused.
A dead end? Where was the supposed treasure?
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly and pointed to a small pool nearby. "Senior Brother Qi, look there."
The group followed his gaze. The pool shimmered with a faint red glow, as if blood droplets were steadily falling into it.
"Hm?" Qi Hao's eyes lit up.
He murmured the words "Blood-Dripping" to himself, and realization dawned.
Glancing at Ji Changfeng, who showed no sign of moving, Qi Hao took the initiative and waded into the pool, feeling around its depths.
Click—
As expected, he found several hidden mechanisms beneath the water.
With a gentle press, the entire cave rumbled.
Boom—
The sound of shifting stones echoed. Where there had been a dead end, a hidden passage appeared, leading to what could only be the treasure vault.
The group's faces lit up with excitement.
They cautiously stepped into the passage. At first, it was narrow, but it soon widened enough for five or six people to walk abreast.
Ji Changfeng and the others pressed forward.
Before long, the path split into two forks. Above the divergence, bold characters were carved into the stone:
"Heaven and Earth are ruthless, treating all things as straw dogs!"
Qi Hao couldn't help but sigh in awe. "What a phrase, 'Heaven and Earth are ruthless.' To think that even demonic cultivators could grasp such profound universal truths!"
Ji Changfeng's voice was calm. "The world is full of great minds. It's not surprising some could comprehend such principles."
With that, he strode toward the fork marked with "Heavenly Book, First Volume."
Qi Hao and the others hurriedly followed, anticipation building.
They entered a small chamber, but to their disappointment, it held no treasures. It appeared to be a meditation room, containing only a smooth stone wall and an old, worn cushion.
Nothing else.
"Look!" Zhang Xiaofan exclaimed. "There's something written on that wall!"
Qi Hao and Lu Xueqi turned their attention to it.
Ji Changfeng, from the moment he entered, hadn't taken his eyes off the wall.
"Xueqi, study it carefully," he said to the cool-headed girl beside him. "Memorize as much as you can. This is the greatest opportunity of our journey."
Lu Xueqi blinked, startled, but nodded earnestly and began examining the Heavenly Book's first volume.
Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan exchanged glances. Though they didn't know exactly what was written on the wall, Ji Changfeng's words spurred them to take it seriously.
The four sat cross-legged, diligently studying the Heavenly Book's first volume.
"The creation of heaven and earth began in the chaos…"
Profound and mysterious words flooded Ji Changfeng's mind. His body trembled as if cosmic truths were slowly etching themselves into his spirit.
At the same time, an indescribably mystical aura enveloped him.
Enlightenment!
He had entered a state of profound insight!
A faint voice seemed to echo in his mind:
[You have studied the first volume of the Heavenly Book, grasping the profound truths of the universe and the hardships of the cultivation path. Combining these insights, you have begun to form the foundation of a new cultivation system—the Path of the Golden Core!]
Boom—
Ji Changfeng felt himself plunge into an extraordinary state.
It was as if he had fallen into an ocean of knowledge, surrounded by the universal truths of heaven and earth. A grand path to the heavens appeared before him.
He reached out, desperate to seize it.
But he failed.
His strength faltered.
Not enough foundation?
Ji Changfeng slowly opened his eyes.
The outline of a new cultivation path had taken shape in his mind, but it was incomplete.
A single volume of the Heavenly Book wasn't enough to bring it fully into existence.
Or rather, his current insights couldn't perfect it.
I need to gather all five volumes of the Heavenly Book as soon as possible.
Ji Changfeng felt a premonition.
The moment he collected all five volumes, the Path of the Golden Core would be born!
Huff—
He exhaled slowly and glanced at the others.
Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, and Zhang Xiaofan had already awakened.
"Junior Brother Ji, what exactly is written here?" Qi Hao's voice trembled.
He had studied the Heavenly Book closely and realized that some of its truths aligned perfectly with Qingyun Sect's Tai Chi Mysterious Clarity Technique!
How is this possible?
How could this be?!
This was a demonic sect's relic—how could it bear such striking similarities to their sect's core technique?
Lu Xueqi pursed her lips, her eyes fixed on Ji Changfeng, seeking answers.
Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head. After reading the Heavenly Book, he felt a faint urge within him for his Tai Chi Mysterious Clarity Technique and Great Brahma Prajna to merge.
This…
He didn't dare speak it aloud or ask.
Ji Changfeng sighed softly and rose to his feet, gazing at the first volume of the Heavenly Book. "Senior Brother Qi, have you ever heard that our Qingyun Sect's Tai Chi Mysterious Clarity Technique was derived by our founder from an ancient, nameless scroll?"
Qi Hao and the others froze.
Ji Changfeng continued, "The Great Brahma Prajna of Tianyin Temple was similarly derived by their founder from a blank jade tablet, which also… contained an ancient scroll."
"And the demonic sects? The same."
"What?!" Qi Hao and the others gasped, stunned.
If Ji Changfeng's words were true, then the Buddhist, Daoist, and demonic paths all stemmed from the same source—their core techniques all derived from an ancient scroll.
What a shocking revelation!
If this news spread, it would shake the entire cultivation world!
Lu Xueqi's eyes flickered, clearly rattled by the implications.
The Buddhist, Daoist, and demonic paths share a common origin?
Qi Hao's lips trembled. "Junior Brother Ji, should we report this to Sect Leader Shizun?"
"You don't need to worry about it," Ji Changfeng said, shaking his head calmly. "I'll report this to Sect Leader Shibo myself."
Qi Hao and the others nodded silently.
The matter was too grave.
They didn't dare speak of it lightly and resolved to keep it buried in their hearts.
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