"Four phantoms?" Hong Yin was startled by his words, then took a deep look at Li Yan. He had previously said that this magical treasure only had one dharma image, but now he was saying this. It meant he had a way to upgrade this treasure.
Li Yan, however, looked perfectly composed. Hong Yin pondered for a moment.
"If this treasure truly has four Vajra Hand Bodhisattvas, based on the power you released earlier, it would still be impossible to completely suppress it. However, to seal it again within ten years using four dharma images, and with the help of the residual sealing power I left behind, the two Buddhist magical treasures would amplify each other, doubling their power. It should be able to suppress it for at least another ten years, perhaps even two or three more. Although I don't know what material this magical treasure was made from, I think there are not many materials in this realm that can be used to refine a Vajra Hand Bodhisattva dharma image. Otherwise, this magical treasure of yours shouldn't have only one! Do you have such a material, Fellow Daoist?" Hong Yin now understood Li Yan's idea: to use the bonus from the sealing power she had left behind to buy more time for the Tianli Clan to migrate.
Li Yan did not put away the eighteen prayer beads. Instead, with another wave of his hand, a skullcap over four feet long appeared on the ground.
Although Li Yan was supporting it with his magical power, the moment the skullcap appeared, the restriction in the room erupted with a brilliant, deep, and dark light, like a startled bird flapping its wings and taking flight.
"This is..." Hong Yin's beautiful eyes swept over the skullcap. For a moment, she couldn't recognize what it was, but she could feel that it was extremely heavy, and could probably crush a large mountain with ease.
"This is the bone of a 'Sinking True Dragon.' Fellow Daoist, please see if it can be used as a raw material for refining a Vajra Hand Bodhisattva," Li Yan said. In fact, he hadn't known these things before.
It was only later, through the "Golden Pearl Dragon-Subduing Art" left behind by Ling'e, combined with the leg bone in Chan Master Dajing's storage pouch, that he had deduced it himself.
"This is the bone of a 'Sinking True Dragon'? No wonder it contains such heavy power. In my era, it seems there were only a few 'Sinking True Dragons' left on the Wind God Continent. I have never seen one either. According to some records, it is a demonic beast of pure crimson yang, which is in line with the Buddhist Dao. When the pure yang power in its body circulates through its meridians, it will slowly sink into its bones. Afterward, it will gradually become a part of the bones, forming a harder bone texture, yet its yang nature will not be obvious. Only when it uses its innate divine ability, 'Crimson Abyss of Destruction,' will it once again stimulate the power in its body, including the power in its bones and flesh. But a Fourth-rank 'Sinking True Dragon,' even without using its divine ability, can create spatial cracks in a region just by writhing its body.
I observe this skullcap; its owner must have been at least at the Mid-stage Fourth-rank in life. Otherwise, it wouldn't have such gravity." Hong Yin nodded. She was also somewhat knowledgeable about the "Sinking True Dragon." Afterward, Li Yan did not speak, still looking at her. Hong Yin then nodded.
"This item should be suitable for refining a Vajra Hand Bodhisattva. It seems you have other bones in your possession, Fellow Daoist. Truly a great fortune!" Hong Yin was, after all, a Spirit Transformation cultivator of the Buddhist sect. She immediately gave her judgment.
A hint of joy appeared on Li Yan's face. He had only taken out the smallest skullcap. He had not taken out the other two larger ones.
"Daoist Li, so you are also proficient in some Buddhist cultivation methods. How virtuous, how virtuous!" When Hong Yin looked at Li Yan again, a strange light appeared in her eyes. The other party had asked her for the technique to activate Votive Power. Was he going to delve into Buddhist cultivation methods?
"Me? Fellow Daoist Hong Yin has misunderstood. I do not know any Buddhist cultivation methods!" Li Yan's expression was one of bewilderment.
"Oh? Daoist Li does not understand Buddhism, so how do you know how many Vajra Hand Bodhisattva dharma images can be refined from the materials in your hand?" Seeing Li Yan's expression, Hong Yin couldn't help but be surprised.
Li Yan's eyes flickered. He had studied the "Golden Pearl Dragon-Subduing Art" and could roughly judge that this skullcap, over four feet long, should be able to refine one Vajra Hand Bodhisattva.
As Li Yan's thoughts spun rapidly, he immediately replied.
"To be honest with you, Fellow Daoist, this magical treasure was also evolved by a monk from a technique called the 'Golden Pearl Dragon-Subduing Art.' But I only have the most primitive version of the 'Golden Pearl Dragon-Subduing Art,' not the true refining method. What I said just now was my speculation based on the most primitive refining technique!" Li Yan said so, and Hong Yin nodded slightly.
"That makes sense. I thought you knew some Buddhist cultivation methods but didn't understand Votive Power, so you asked for some Votive Power techniques in order to refine this magical treasure. Daoist Li, that string of prayer beads is blessed with Votive Power. This Votive Power is not distributed in a single bead but exists in all eighteen, currently in a state of balance. If you try to refine the 'Sinking True Dragon' into one of the beads, the balance of Votive Power within the bead will be instantly shattered. Even if I gave you the method to control Votive Power, you can only control it simply. Without the threads of karma from incense offerings, you cannot re-condense Votive Power into it. You have less than ten breaths to stabilize it. If you fail to handle the riot of Votive Power, this string of prayer beads will explode and be destroyed, not a single one will be left." Hong Yin said softly.
Li Yan's eyes flickered repeatedly as he listened. He really hadn't expected this situation. In an instant, his thoughts spun rapidly.
He had originally thought that although he didn't have the refining method for "Secret Traces Vajra Suppresses the Sacred Mountain," he had the original "Golden Pearl Dragon-Subduing Art." He also had the finished product, the string of "Secret Traces Vajra Suppresses the Sacred Mountain" prayer beads. If he were to deduce it carefully, he should have a thirty to forty percent chance of deducing the refining technique.
In Li Yan's view, deducing the refining technique for "Secret Traces Vajra Suppresses the Sacred Mountain" was the most difficult part, and it would take the most time.
But now, after Hong Yin's explanation, he realized that the most difficult part was that he didn't understand Buddhism, had no threads of karma from incense offerings, and had not cultivated Buddhist techniques.
Thinking of this, Li Yan looked at Hong Yin again.
"Then what if I give the 'Golden Pearl Dragon-Subduing Art' cultivation method to you, Fellow Daoist, for you to deduce the refining method and then help me refine this treasure? Please rest assured, Fellow Daoist. As long as you complete this matter and allow the Tianli Clan to be safe for a while longer, I can go and find a physical body for you first. What do you think?" As soon as Li Yan finished speaking, Hong Yin immediately shook her head, looking straight at him.
"First, I cannot do this. After losing my physical body, it is already not easy for me to maintain my current realm. If I were to refine another magical treasure of the same rank, I would have to burn my soul power. Perhaps the day this magical treasure is completed would be the day my soul disappears. Second, as for finding a physical body, the Tianli Clan has only asked me to wait for a few years. For me, this is not even considered a single session of closed-door cultivation. If I were really in a hurry to find a physical body, Daoist Li, you still owe me one thing, don't you? I might have already brought it up just now. Therefore, I can completely wait for this amount of time." Hong Yin's eyes held a strange light.
After hearing this, a hint of apology immediately appeared on Li Yan's face. He had only been thinking about the conditions for refining "Secret Traces Vajra Suppresses the Sacred Mountain" and had not considered Hong Yin's current state.
"It was I who was reckless. I was too anxious. Please don't take offense, Fellow Daoist Hong Yin! By the way, I hope you can keep this matter a secret for me!" Hong Yin waved her hand.
"Alright, I need to go back and rest!" As soon as her voice fell, Hong Yin had already floated towards the main door. She was not a person who liked to meddle in other people's business. But in her view, Li Yan should go to the Grand Elder and the others at this moment. After all, this was a matter of great help to the Tianli Clan.
They would naturally be more attentive and think of all possible ways. But since Li Yan had said so, Hong Yin would not ask any more questions.
Watching Hong Yin leave the pavilion, Li Yan stood in place for a moment before retracting his gaze. Then, he sat down cross-legged on the spot. However, at this moment, a new idea had already formed in his mind.
"Buddhism... Buddhism... Buddhism, is it?" Li Yan had already thought of a solution. Of course, he would not go and cultivate Buddhist techniques alone. To be precise, he thought of a person—Zhuo Lingfeng!
One of the main reasons Li Yan didn't want Hong Yin to spread the word was that his ambition was very great. His ultimate goal was not just to temporarily seal that Fifth-rank "Yin Mountain Beast," but he wanted to—completely seal the other party! The source of this idea came from the discussion that the Grand Elder had asked him to attend today.
The subsequent cultivation methods of the "Qiongqi Purgatory Art" were too difficult to obtain, especially the last three layers, unless one made a contribution to the Tianli Clan that was akin to turning the tide.
And the only opportunity at present was to enable the Tianli Clan to continue to survive in this place, and to survive peacefully.
And the most crucial point was how to deal with that Fifth-rank "Yin Mountain Beast," so that he could no longer stir up trouble. At the same time, Li Yan had an even bolder plan, but the conditions were even less mature. He first had to be able to seal that Fifth-rank "Yin Mountain Beast." Li Yan's first step was to refine the "Secret Traces Vajra Suppresses the Sacred Mountain," at least four phantoms, in order to form the more powerful "Vajra Sacred Mountain-Suppressing Formation." Only then could he unfold his plan. If all of this could succeed, then Li Yan was confident that he could obtain the last three layers of the "Qiongqi Purgatory Art." Otherwise, he wouldn't mind taking Gong Chenying away at that time. He believed that after Sixth Senior Sister knew of his efforts, she would also be disappointed in the clan. After all, he was acting according to the rules of the Tianli Clan.
The previous generations of "Qing A Wang" could do it, so why couldn't he? Then it could only mean that the Tianli Clan did not respect Gong Chenying herself.
If you make agreements according to the rules and regulations, I will handle things according to the rules. But you can't just let me give without letting me get what I deserve. This was Li Yan's thought.
...
In a cultivation chamber, Gong Chenying's beautiful eyes were closed. She sat cross-legged, her hands resting on her knees, her posture straight and tall, further accentuating her prominent chest, a magnificent sight.
A red light flowed unstably around her body.
The "Red Lotus Incinerating Fire Scripture," the ultimate treasure of the "Red Whisk Temple," had nine layers just like the "Qiongqi Purgatory Art," but there were only five layers in the lower realm. That is to say, one could only cultivate to the Spirit Transformation stage in the lower realm.
The subsequent cultivation methods were taken to the Immortal Spirit Realm by the founding ancestor, the "Red Whisk Divine Nun." To be precise, she probably hadn't created the subsequent cultivation methods at that time.
It was said that she had also established a sect in the upper realm. Therefore, after seeing the demise of the "Red Whisk Temple" in the lower realm, Hong Yin had already planned to ascend to the Immortal Spirit Realm and then go to the ancestor to confess her sin of breaking the inheritance.
After entering the Tianli Clan, she had continuously consulted a large number of scriptures in detail. The news she finally got made her heart despair.
That was that the human cultivators on the Wind God Continent were even weaker now. It was difficult for a normal sect to recruit a disciple, let alone a nun. The existing Buddhist sects also mainly accepted lay disciples.
Seeing this news, Hong Yin's heart was filled with an icy cold. She planned to go out for a trip after her physical body was recast, to personally confirm the truth of this information.
If there was still something to be done, she would of course still think about establishing a sect again. But if it was impossible, she could only ascend.
But based on her current understanding of the Tianli Clan, Hong Yin could basically be sure that everything she saw was true. She was just holding on to a sliver of hope.
Accepting Gong Chenying was also because she saw that her aptitude was good. In addition, she just wanted to leave a spark of fire in the lower realm. Of course, she couldn't miss any opportunity.
After all, Gong Chenying had also promised her that if she encountered a suitable female cultivator who had seen through the mortal world and had suitable aptitude, she would pass on the inheritance to that person and explain the origin of the cultivation method.
At the same time, this person Li Yan was actually an ancestor of the Malevolent Spirit Sect. And Hong Yin needed to go to the Desolate Moon Continent to investigate some matters. Li Yan was an indispensable and huge help.
Many things, in Hong Yin's almost fox-like cunning mind, soon formed a complete plan. Although there was a suspicion of using Gong Chenying here, Hong Yin had indeed taken a liking to her talent. If a clear line had to be drawn, even Hong Yin herself could not explain it clearly... In the cultivation chamber, the red light on Gong Chenying's body suddenly became as dazzling as the red sun, reflecting the entire secret chamber as if it were shrouded in a large expanse of red clouds.
Outside the chamber, Hong Yin, who was meditating with her eyes closed, had her beautiful brows suddenly twitch. Although she did not open her eyes, a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Inside the chamber, Gong Chenying's aura was rising steadily. After more than ten breaths, her full and delicate body trembled violently, and a vast power instantly spread out in all directions.
This vast power crashed against the surrounding restrictions, making a series of rumbling sounds like a tide. The restrictions were washed over, constantly flashing with patches of multicolored light, which complemented the red clouds within, as beautiful as a dream.
At this moment, the aura on Gong Chenying's body had already broken through to the Pseudo-Core Realm, and the aura gushing from her body still did not diminish, continuing to rush upwards.
The magical power in Gong Chenying's body was like a tide. As the fire-attribute spiritual power continuously circulated throughout her body, the wood and earth-attribute magical power compressed in a corner of her Dantian seemed to be constantly shrinking.
But if someone were to probe with their Divine Sense at this moment, they would find that the more these two types of magical power were compressed, the more refined they became, purer and purer.
Even as the fire-attribute spiritual power in Gong Chenying's body continued to rise like a tide, the overall strength of the three types of magical power always remained at the same level... Another three hours later, the red light on Gong Chenying's body once again intensified.
"Boom!" Amidst a sea of crimson red like blood, a huge illusory image of a demonic beast suddenly appeared above Gong Chenying's head.