The bright moon hung high in the sky, the azure sea surged with waves, and the golden bamboo boat swayed with the tide. The ferryman felt a mix of emotions as he glanced up at the moon and then at Wang Xuan.
What was happening? He had guarded the realm of the deceased for many years and had never seen such a young man!
"I've grasped enough; tonight I'm ready to practice the first figure," Wang Xuan said as he opened his eyes and stood up.
"Don't talk to me!" The ferryman, constrained by the Old Testament, couldn't intervene in his actions and thus didn't want to respond.
Wang Xuan wore a serious expression as he prepared to abandon the ancient methods of the pre-Qin alchemists and the Golden Body Technique to practice the scriptures inscribed on the stone tablet.
The nine human-shaped engravings, along with densely packed text, were complex, yet he understood them, filled with profound meanings. The scriptures weren't long but were incredibly remarkable, involving the resonance of various parts of the body, the stimulation of hidden powers, and nurturing different secret energies—extremely intricate.
He had pondered over them carefully; any slight mistake could tear internal organs or injure his spirit, making the scriptures extremely difficult to practice. However, he felt that the first engraved figure was prepared for him, representing the knowledge of mortals and activating various potentials, including a technique for body protection.
In a sense, the Golden Body Technique was included within it.
The first part of the scriptures focused on the development of the physical body rather than on supernatural powers, positing that this is akin to the roots of a plant. For a plant to flourish and become a towering tree, its roots must be nurtured; otherwise, injury to the roots could lead to disaster!
The scriptures contended that without properly nurturing the roots, leaving hidden dangers, and forcibly undergoing transcendence, the physical body could collapse amidst thunder—an ominous sign.
This raised deep thoughts. Were the scriptures criticizing the flaws of the immortals? Yet they didn't mention the term "immortal."
The truth might be that they originated in a time possibly even before the immortals.
If this were the case, it would be even more terrifying.
In an era before the appearance of immortals, there existed such scriptures revealing the shortcomings of transcendence, truly shocking. This would explain the complex feelings the immortals must have experienced upon encountering these scriptures—possibly even fear.
The first figure in the scriptures contained the essence of the ancient methods of pre-Qin alchemists, mysterious indeed.
Wang Xuan assumed the posture of the first figure under the moonlight, as described in the scriptures. This was a true form that could fully mobilize the potential of his body.
Upon deeper study, this true form not only had the capacity for explosive attacks but also had latent powers and the ability to block external energy from approaching and invading, serving as a defensive method.
The most challenging part was that this true form required all secret energies throughout the body to flow in harmony. If one were to look internally, they would find that all organs and different body regions had energies of different colors. A single misstep could lead to bodily collapse.
Wang Xuan took a deep breath; a soft hum emanated from within him as he began to enact the scriptures on the stone tablet.
His body was now highly active, and if he had any injuries, he could repair them in the shortest time possible, so he wanted to seize this opportunity to change his scriptures.
Boom!
As expected, just as he began, he encountered some issues—his skin broke, and he expelled some crimson blood.
This was quite astonishing; he had mastered the Golden Body Technique, making his body incredibly resilient—bullets couldn't pierce it—but now, just practicing this scripture caused him to bleed.
The ferryman's expression immediately changed. This kid was already oozing blood from his pores; if he really died, how could he correct the errors and return the mark to him?
However, the ferryman didn't intervene. If the opponent couldn't even withstand the beginning, it would be better for him to die early and be liberated; otherwise, it would become increasingly difficult to practice later on.
Wang Xuan stretched his body, assuming the true form posture, continually changing it according to his understanding of the scriptures, allowing the secret energies throughout his body to resonate.
Blood oozed from his skin even more, but he felt no fear; instead, he felt a sense of relief, convinced he was on the right path.
He was breaking barriers, transferring the Golden Body Technique into the realm of these scriptures.
Perhaps one could say that this scripture involved a broader scope, with secret energies flowing in a more complex and refined manner.
If the Golden Body Technique traversed the main branches, this figure included smaller branches and even the leaf tips, encompassing everything.
This first true form was a mortal's knowledge, a secret transition to the extraordinary, making it most suitable for him at this stage.
At this moment, the first true form focused on the physical body. His Golden Body Technique had long since reached the initial stage of the eighth level, laying a solid foundation for practicing these scriptures.
Wang Xuan's pores bled as he opened up previously unexplored intricacies; it wasn't that the path was blocked, but rather that he was connecting various mysterious paths.
Both the Golden Body Technique and the ancient methods of pre-Qin alchemists were incorporated into these scriptures. Transitioning wasn't exceptionally difficult since the major parts had already been mastered.
The most challenging and caution-inducing parts were the organs, as these areas were the primary regions for releasing secret energies. However, before reaching a profound level, they were fragile, and a careless move could result in disintegration.
Especially with this scripture, a slight mistake wouldn't simply tear the organs but could potentially turn them into a puddle of organ mush.
Because this new born secret energy was too tyrannical, it also implied that its attacking power was more frightening!
Wang Xuan smoothly transitioned the secret energies within his blood and flesh; he was covered in crimson, with blood oozing from his pores as he penetrated into uncharted mysterious areas, reaching the most delicate points.
Finally, his physical body resonated, continuously emitting light, shaking off the blood, and his skin regained its crystalline quality, losing the distinctive golden glow of the Golden Body Technique, becoming more subdued.
However, he clearly sensed that his flesh had become even more resilient.
The ferryman was astonished; this kid was transitioning too smoothly! The flesh part was nearly perfected.
However, the most dangerous moment finally arrived. With the scripture changing and secret energies reborn, replacing the old paths, they began to involve the organ regions.
As soon as he began, Wang Xuan felt as though his heart was gripped by a large hand, and his lungs felt as though they were pierced by supernatural arrows.
Every part of his organs was in pain, as if being pricked by needles.
He paused his operation of the scriptures and stood still, silently recalling the entire text, envisioning the figure as himself, engraving it in his heart, merging with his being!
After pondering for a long time, he began again.
His organs emitted light, and his six viscera rumbled, with thunder bursting forth from his flesh, enveloped by an energy substance that resembled ethereal mist. His insides became exceedingly mysterious, filled with ethereal mists, swirling and rising.
In this moment, Wang Xuan was shocked himself, as if real scenes were emerging and vanishing. There were ethereal mountains drifting, suspended Yao Pools, and peach trees growing in clusters.
He also saw that within his flesh, there appeared medicinal fields where strange herbs were cultivated, greatly enhancing his body's vitality, making his flesh brimming with life, his true form becoming immensely powerful.
Then, he seemed to see herbs floating in the sky—Heavenly Herbs rising and falling.
Wang Xuan was astonished. Is this a human body? Had he fallen into an illusion? This scripture is truly extraordinary.
He became alert, turned his inner vision inward, grasped the real world, and resonated again with the True Form Diagram, guiding the newly born secret power to flow slowly.
After changing the scripture, the newly born secret power indeed became more powerful, allowing Wang Xuan to clearly feel that he was stronger than his former self.
Wherever the newly born secret power flowed, those illusory sights shattered, turning into colorful light, becoming a special kind of secret power, cultivated from within.
The new secret power birthed from this scripture restored the real world, preventing Wang Xuan from becoming trapped in those strange and mysterious sights.
Finally, Wang Xuan encountered trouble. There were subtle injuries in his five internal organs, imperceptible to the naked eye, but he could sense them vividly.
The Ferryman felt a sinking feeling in his heart. He knew very well that once the scripture change involved the internal organs, it would become extremely difficult and terrifying.
"If things go wrong, it could explode!" he murmured, warning Wang Xuan that if he truly couldn't hold on, he shouldn't recklessly push forward.
"I must walk this path!" Wang Xuan was resolute. Then he asked, "Do you have any Feathered Ascension-level pills? If not, that's fine; Earth Immortal pills will do to protect my path."
The Ferryman's blurred face suddenly disappeared from beneath his cloak, clearly disdainful of this kid. Not only was he expected to shoulder the blame and fend off attacks, but he was also supposed to protect him? What kind of logic was that?!
Wang Xuan closed his eyes, realizing that everything depended on himself—he couldn't rely on external forces!
He mobilized mysterious factors to nourish his internal organs, repairing those subtle injuries. He had absorbed a large amount of mysterious factors from the Inner Landscape treasure's pool, and now it had a purpose.
In a certain sense, changing the scripture was the most difficult part because it required forging a new path and altering everything that existed.
Fortunately, Wang Xuan's previously practiced root law and golden body technique resonated with this scripture. Otherwise, things would have been much worse; he would have likely exploded by now.
The mysterious factors repaired his injuries, and Wang Xuan pressed forward once more. This was the day he established the strongest scripture, "Roots." This process might bring him to the brink of death, but he was unwilling to give up.
If he hadn't obtained the stone tablet scripture, that would have been one thing, but now that he had the fortune to study it, knowing it could be one of the strongest scriptures, how could he not be moved?
Soon, the red-robed demoness would likely enter the world and seek trouble with him. If he didn't cultivate the strongest scripture, how could he deal with such a person?
Even though the other party would pay a price, only returning with an early-stage extraordinary body, it would not be comparable to those who had undergone Feathered Ascension or Earth Immortal levels. However, she was still an unparalleled demoness; there would be few rivals at her level.
Now, if Wang Xuan were to cultivate this strongest scripture and then reach the extraordinary realm, facing the extraordinary-level red-robed demoness wouldn't be impossible!
Boom!
His internal organs manifested celestial mountains; Heavenly Herbs floated amidst the thunder, and various mysterious sights and legendary wonders flickered in and out of view.
"Here it comes again. Is this the manifestation of the secret power corresponding to the body's organs, or is it that the human body resonates with all things in the external world?"
Boom!
Like the sun's fiery essence sweeping across the starry sky, Wang Xuan's newly born secret power surged violently, incinerating all illusory sights, refining them into new energy.
However, in this transformation process, his body also sustained new injuries.
After several rounds, Wang Xuan was considerably injured. He felt he could no longer afford to consume mysterious substances and decided to use Earth Immortal Spring, gulping down several big mouthfuls.
During the most serious instance, his internal organs sustained tearing injuries.
The Ferryman felt a sinking feeling again, realizing that this injury was far too severe.
"You've been a bit hasty. If you took your time to endure, you'd likely succeed in cultivating this first True Form Diagram, and you'd successfully change the scripture."
Wang Xuan didn't speak, preparing to use the concentrated essence of the Earth Immortal Spring. That substance contained rich active materials. This was the confidence that allowed him to change scriptures rapidly; he didn't want to slowly grind through it—the Secret Realm was too dangerous, and he needed to quickly enhance his strength.
Especially after obtaining the stone tablet scripture, he yearned to change his technique at the mortal stage, laying down the strongest foundation.
If he delayed much longer, he might directly step into the extraordinary realm. He wanted to start from the source and cultivate this scripture even at the mortal stage.
Just as Wang Xuan prepared to use the crystallized essence of the Earth Immortal Spring, the Ferryman sighed and suddenly spoke, "Forget it; I'll indulge you this time!"
He activated the Feathered Ascension Divine Bamboo Boat, and the entire golden ship erupted with radiant divine light, as if countless bamboo leaves were fluttering, dazzling like the rain of Feathered Ascension.
A dense rain of light fell upon Wang Xuan, nourishing his flesh and repairing his internal organs, greatly boosting his body's vitality.
"Thank you, senior; I will repay you abundantly!" Wang Xuan earnestly stated, and it came from his heart.
Although he also had means to extricate himself from this crisis, he appreciated the Ferryman's good intentions. Such an act made him grateful.
In fact, the light rain from the Feathered Ascension Divine Bamboo far exceeded his expectations; it was a truly rare treasure. Otherwise, why would the woman use it to protect her body, remaining alive after three thousand years?
"You still don't know how rare and precious mature Feathered Ascension Divine Bamboo is. Every drop of its light rain is worth its weight in gold. This is something that enhances potential. Many influential figures sought Feathered Ascension Bamboo to nurture their descendants but couldn't find it. You owe me a great karmic debt for this!" the Ferryman said.
Wang Xuan felt that the speed of his scripture change had accelerated. The Feathered Ascension Divine Bamboo was indeed a divine item of fortune. His flesh and spirit seemed to be nourished, and even his innate potential felt loosened, showing some signs of enhancement!
Soon, Wang Xuan's internal organs and every part of his body glimmered with vibrant colors, various secret powers surged, resonating with each other. His body was undergoing a transformation, expelling blood mist through his pores.
He realized that he had successfully changed the scripture!
Without a doubt, his strength had increased again. He quietly contemplated, murmuring, "Stronger than the mid-stage of the eighth layer of the golden body technique!"
After changing the scripture, the improvement in strength manifested immediately, leaving him astonished.
He estimated that this kind of reshaping would continue. With the passage of time, even if he did nothing, his strength would further increase over a period.