Chapter 144: The Undying Heavenly Doors
Ten days later, in an idyllic cottage within the humans' domain,
Xiao Nanfeng told You Jiu, "Thank you for guarding the Immortal's Destruction all this time."
"Of course, Sir Xiao. I apologize that I was unable to find any draconic veins to enhance the power of Immortal's Destruction."
"You've already done very well. I'll be demonstrating a fist technique. Watch carefully and learn it well."
You Jiu's eyes widened as Xiao Nanfeng demonstrated a fist technique slowly and carefully, explaining its most vital components as he did so.
"This is the Specter King's fist technique? It's—" You Jiu exclaimed in shock.
"That's right. I'm imparting you with the complete technique now," Xiao Nanfeng informed him seriously.
Although he didn't know if You Jiu were completely loyal to him, he could sense that You Jiu had been sincere about his ten years of service. You Jiu had been dedicated and diligent to date, and there were many affairs with which he would need You Jiu's help in the future. This was a reward, as well as a responsibility.
You Jiu's eyes were shining as he memorized the technique.
"I was unable to save the old sect leader of the Hall of Specters. He's dead, and the Hall is now yours."
You Jiu sucked in a deep breath, suddenly understanding Xiao Nanfeng's intent. "Don't worry, Sir Xiao. I'll do my best."
"A few days later, I'll be leaving this hidden realm. Bring trustworthy subordinates with you as we leave. Make your preparations now," Xiao Nanfeng warned him.
You Jiu nodded. "Yessir!"
After You Jiu left, Xiao Nanfeng retrieved Marquis Wu's storage bangle. He had already cracked its protections, but unfortunately, there were no treasures of great value within—only a few recovery-related pills, materials for forging, and information about countless officials of the Tianshu Empire.
He studied the information, then took out the battered Seal of Great Wei and carefully considered Emperor Wei's inheritance within.
"Imperial Court of Heaven, a technique for founding a kingdom and amassing its fortune from the natural world at large—then using that fortune to absolve oneself of karmic consequence and become a divine emperor? As for founding a kingdom, does it make sense for me to do so?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned as he contemplated his future plans.
Just then, a black-robed figure descended from the sky, startling Xiao Nanfeng.
"Elder Blue Lantern? Have you recovered already?" Xiao Nanfeng looked toward the black-robed figure that had just appeared.
"A little. Enough for me to explore the world beyond the realm, at least. I don't want to return to this undying realm after three millennia of suffering." Blue Lantern nodded.
"This hidden realm is known as the undying realm?"
"It was built by the divine undying king, so it's naturally called the undying realm. Before I left, I wanted to bid my farewell to you. Emperor Wei saved me from a terrible fate, and I owe him a debt. Unfortunately, he's already perished, and I won't be able to repay that debt to him. I implore you, his only successor, to accept that debt on his behalf."
"Me?"
"I am intimately familiar with formations and have some knowledge of the majority of all that exist in this world. Take this compass of white jade. Crush it, and I'll sense it and head to you immediately. To you, I promise to accomplish a task within my means." Blue Lantern carefully passed Xiao Nanfeng a compass.
"My thanks, Elder." Xiao Nanfeng's eyes brightened.
"This is a hidden realm established by the divine undying king, and it's filled with traces of his presence. If he is to revive, he'll do so here. I would be able to help you construct a gateway into and out of this realm if you aren't afraid of him."
"Oh?"
"I forged the altar leading into this hidden realm as well, but it looks as though it can only be operated one more time. Once the altar's destroyed, it won't be easy to enter and leave this hidden realm at will. I'll make a durable gateway that will allow you access if you're in its vicinity," Blue Lantern explained.
"Please, Elder. I need access to this hidden realm," Xiao Nanfeng requested.
"The gateway will require dimensional truegold and imbued material of this realm. You must provide these materials," Blue Lantern continued.
"What's dimensional truegold, and what counts as imbued material for this realm?"
"The Seal of Great Wei is made of dimensional truegold, and immutable copper is the unique material that the divine undying king can condense with his cursed spiritual power. You possess all that you need, I believe."
Xiao Nanfeng thought for a moment before removing a pile of objects from his storage ring.
First was the Seal of Great Wei. It had been badly damaged in the battle between Emperor Wei and the copper man. Xiao Nanfeng now cleared away the remaining imprints on it.
Next was the Red Emperor's coffin and the copper doors out of which her tomb was forged, as well as the cursed king's coffin. All this was made of immutable copper.
"What else do I need, Elder?"
"This is sufficient." Blue Lantern waved a hand. Eight golden characters floated up from the ground around him, radiating golden light that condensed into the form of a golden furnace.
"This is...?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
"It's an eight-trigram furnace that I manifested via a formation," Blue Lantern explained.
With a wave of his hand, he sent the immutable copper and the Seal of Great Wei into the furnace, then shut its lid with a bang.
As Blue Lantern murmured a few mantras, countless spiritual aether from the environment surged toward the furnace, which roared with flames so intense they dyed the skies red.
A few cultivators attempted to rush into the cottage upon seeing the unusual phenomenon, but Xiao Nanfeng sent them all out. Blue Lantern couldn't be disturbed while undergoing such a critical undertaking.
The furnace burned for seven whole days. It clattered and clanked as Blue Lantern was sapped of all his energy.
As he uncovered the lid of the furnace, a ray of golden light shot out. Within the light was a huge doorframe shaped like a memorial arch. Four characters were engraved on them: the Undying Heavenly Doors.
They fell to the ground. Mist emanated from the gaps in the door, and it was impossible to see what lay within.
"Let's have a look," Blue Lantern suggested.
Xiao Nanfeng stepped through the doors and passed through a cloud of mist before arriving before a gigantic altar, which he had seen upon entering the realm for the first time.
Xiao Nanfeng walked back through the mist and into the cottage in which Blue Lantern was located.
"Elder, these doors are amazing! I even managed to walk out of the hidden realm easily." Xiao Nanfeng was shocked.
With a wave of Blue Lantern's hand, the doors shrunk to the size of a palm. He placed them in Xiao Nanfeng's care.
"Activate them by infusing them with spiritual power," Blue Lantern informed him.
"Thank you, Elder!" Xiao Nanfeng carefully retrieved and stored the gateway.
With another wave of Blue Lantern's hand, the eight-trigram furnace transformed into eight orbs of light that crawled back into the eight golden characters Blue Lantern had created on the ground. With another wave of his hand, they all vanished.
"I promised the serpent to bring him to the draconic palace of the Eastern Sea. It'll accompany me, and I have other means of leaving the hidden realm. I won't have to travel alongside you," Blue Lantern continued.
"I'll be leaving the hidden realm shortly as well. Elder, I'm a disciple of the Taiqing immortal sect, which is located on an island in the Eastern Sea. If you need my assistance, Elder, find me there." Xiao Nanfeng bowed respectfully.
Blue Lantern nodded, flew into the air, and vanished over the horizon.
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