Chapter 134: Nine-Cloud Soul-Severing Talisman

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It was early summer in April. On Flying Cloud Island, the summer lotuses had just begun to grow, their leaves shimmering beneath the rippling water, while dragonflies and fledgling swallows played above the ponds.

Suddenly, nine-colored radiance shot into the heavens from the heart of the island, condensing in the air into nine divine dragons of varied forms. Some flew, some coiled; some soared, others lay in repose. Though their shapes differed, each possessed a dragon might that shook the skies, summoning clouds and mist to shroud the entire island.

The Jade Zhi Immortal Lady stepped from her grotto abode. Glancing toward the pear orchard, she murmured, “Junior Brother’s talismanic art is beginning to show real promise.”

When their party had returned to the Dragon Domain, the Drought Demoness and Feng Qianli had explained the circumstances to her. At last, the Immortal Lady had cast aside all doubts concerning Ji Feichen’s identity and had even allowed him to remain on Flying Cloud Island in secluded cultivation.

Several days passed. The Immortal Lady tempered her magical power and contemplated the mysteries of the profound Dao, while Ji Feichen devoted himself to painting and inscribing talismans, studying the Nine Clouds Spirit Talisman.

On this day, Ji Feichen finally attained an insight and condensed the nine spirit talismans into magical implements one after another.

The nine-colored spiritual radiances corresponded respectively to the talismanic arts of Azure Cloud, Scarlet Cloud, Yellow Cloud, White Cloud, Dark Cloud, Nether Cloud, Luminous Cloud, Violet Cloud, and Golden Cloud.

Now the nine-colored cloud talismans transformed in midair into horned dragons. They roared at one another, tumbling and twisting through the sky. At last, they merged into a single spirit talisman flashing with five-colored radiance, which flew into the Nine Heavens Dark Gold Dragon God Pagoda.

Boom!

The spirit talisman burst into the pagoda’s second level, gathering the force of wind and cloud before crashing directly against the portal to the third.

The Nine Clouds Separation Spirit Talisman was originally a treasure born within the clouds, endowed with the power to part cloud-light. Five-colored brilliance flickered as the spiritual clouds sealing the levels weakened by a third.

Yet the talisman’s power was still insufficient to open the portal to the third level. After several collisions, it accomplished nothing and fell back into the second level, where it became that level’s suppressive treasure. In the next instant, it transformed once more into nine command tokens.

“The Nine Clouds Separation Spirit Talisman requires each talisman to be superimposed ten thousand times. Only ninety thousand spirit talismans can bring it to true perfection. Thus far, I have superimposed each of the nine cloud talismans three thousand times. Though I have refined them into a magical treasure, they are merely magic implements for now. I must continue inscribing and painting talismans until they advance into treasure implements.”

As Ji Feichen studied the spirit talisman, his mind suddenly cleared. Within the Niwan Palace of his ancestral aperture, the Divine Being Taihuang stood with his tail coiled behind him, forming hand seals as he spoke the words of the Great Dao.

Nine clouds mirror jade; five colors shine forth. Golden script probes the subtle; radiant light condenses into talismans. The Dao unfolds profound truth, joining Heaven and Earth. When despair reaches its end, fortune returns; ascend the tower to the Violet Court.

This was the third image among the Eight Scenes and Twenty-Four Diagrams: the Dao-Connecting Diagram.

Once the diagram was complete, another projection of the Great Dao, embodied by a Jade Tide Pearl, appeared upon Ji Feichen. And as the Divine Being Taihuang enacted his insight into the Nine Clouds Separation Spirit Talisman, Ji Feichen himself entered a state of enlightenment.

Outside, the nine-colored radiance continued without end. Inside, layer upon layer of clouds and rosy light emerged from Ji Feichen’s body, continuing for an entire day and night without pause.

As the Immortal Lady watched him expound the Dao, Fu Yutang, on the other side of Flying Cloud Island, also began to stir. A surge of spiritual energy issued from the place where he was in seclusion. As Ji Feichen enacted the true diagram of the Great Dao, Fu Yutang advanced along with him.

“These two really do know how to choose their moment,” the Immortal Lady said helplessly, and could only remain nearby to protect them.

Late into the silent night, a gust of demonic wind suddenly drifted from the pear orchard where Ji Feichen was secluded.

The wind sounded like ghosts wailing and gods shrieking. It was sinister, icy, and chilling to the bone. A hideous and terrifying demon charged straight toward the Immortal Lady.

“What sort of cultivation method is Junior Brother practicing?” she asked with a frown, instinctively taking the Primordial Golden Dipper into her hand.

A sweep of golden light drew the demon into the dipper.

“Sister, please show mercy!” Ji Feichen hurriedly ceased his cultivation and rushed out of seclusion. Coming before the Immortal Lady, he said, “Sister, that was one of my Three Corpses Demon Gods.”

“Three Corpses Demon Gods?” At once, understanding dawned on her. “Of course. Today is a Gengshen Day.”

Ji Feichen had learned the Three Corpses Severing Method from Peng Weng. One of its advantages was that on a Gengshen Day, one could sever out a Three Corpses Spirit and refine it into an incarnation.

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On a Gengshen Day, the power of the Three Corpses Spirits was weakened, making it the ideal time to sever them.

The Immortal Lady peered into the dipper. The demon had been beaten back to its original form: a bizarre red insect.

Ji Feichen sketched the Luminous Cloud Talisman with his fingers. The profound radiance of the Eight Scenes gathered into clouds, enclosing the poisonous insect within their light. In the blink of an eye, it transformed beside him into another cultivator whose appearance bore some resemblance to his own.

This “Ji Feichen,” however, had a ferocious expression, and an evil aura permeated his entire body.

The Immortal Lady looked him up and down and laughed. “What? Are you planning to have him impersonate a demonic cultivator?”

“I’m afraid it won’t be that easy. After all, this is merely an incarnation formed from one of the Three Corpses Spirits. I’ll still need to find him a physical body.”

The Three Corpses Spirit Peng Weng had severed in the past had possessed a Drought Demon’s corpse, hoping to cultivate the Great Dao. Only after many twists and turns had Peng Weng finally subdued it.

Ji Feichen had buried his elder brother’s bones within the Immortal Manor. Later, if he used those bones to gather vital essence and nurture a physical body, he would truly be able to play both roles, without needing Tu Shan and the others to lend him a hand.

For now, Ji Feichen was using the Luminous Cloud technique from the Nine Clouds True Talisman to simulate a body. It possessed the form, but not the substance, and at most could deceive an Earth Immortal. Before a terrestrial immortal, its true nature would inevitably be exposed.

“By my reckoning, I’ve already spent many days wandering overseas. There aren’t many days left before the Cloud Firmament Manor opens on the fifth day of the fifth month.”

The Immortal Lady counted on her fingers. “Indeed. Today is a Gengshen Day, and less than a month remains before you open your manor on the fifth of next month.”

Ji Feichen’s opening his manor and receiving guests had originally been a minor matter. But now that the destiny of the Cloud Firmament Pavilion had been established, and with the Jade Zhi Immortal Lady’s recognition added to it, this opening would serve as the pavilion’s first permanent base. It would be the first time the pavilion formally announced itself to the world, and could not be treated carelessly.

Of course, the Huangyang Demon Cult would later attack the Immortal Manor, making the journey even more uncertain.

“This Immortal Manor marks the founding of our Cloud Firmament Pavilion. Junior Brother, return first and make the preparations. Once Yutang survives his tribulation and becomes an immortal, I’ll take him there to assist you.”

The Immortal Lady already knew that Ji Feichen intended to use the opportunity to deal with the Huangyang Demon Cult. Since the Immortal Manor had taken root on an ancient battlefield at the entrance to the Southern Frontier, it would naturally become the demon sect’s first target.

“You and I cultivate the Dao and refine our qi; strictly speaking, we are not part of this killing calamity. But with Junior Brother establishing a manor at the mouth of the Southern Frontier, the demon sect will inevitably come spying. During this calamity, neither of us is likely to enjoy much peace.”

Yet the Immortal Manor could not be abandoned. Its former master had been a Dao attendant of the Cloud Firmament Pavilion. When the karmic consequences eventually unfolded, that person might have the chance to reclaim the manor. If it fell into the hands of the demon sect, he might one day be forced to join them, turning into a laughingstock for the Cloud Firmament Pavilion.

“Junior Brother understands.”

The Immortal Lady was serene, wise, and gentle. After some thought, she said to Ji Feichen, “From what you’ve said, your Immortal Manor has barely been cleaned, and I doubt you have anything with which to receive your fellow Daoists. Gather some spirit fruit from Flying Cloud Island before you leave, so you won’t lose face.”

The two of them settled their arrangements. Early the following morning, Ji Feichen returned to the Central Lands. He encountered no obstruction and saw few immortals or demons along the way, arriving smoothly at his Immortal Manor.

Under Mu Sheng’s care, the manor had gradually regained its celestial appearance. Standing before the entrance, Ji Feichen moved his hand, and an elegant dragon-patterned talisman drifted forth. It fell upon the gate plaque and inscribed the words “Cloud Firmament.”

The Cloud Firmament Immortal Manor perfectly matched the destiny of the Cloud Firmament Pavilion and would serve as the foundation upon which the sect was reestablished.

Next came a pair of couplets on either side of the gate.

The upper line read: “Clouds part and mists disperse; the Heavenly Dragon presents auspiciousness and bows before the Violet Palace.”

The lower line read: “The firmament clears and sunlight shines; the true current of the Great Dao belongs to the Yellow Court.”

Ji Feichen pointed once more. On either side, divine dragons coiled around the bronze pillars, guarding the immortal gate.

These two divine dragons had evolved from his Yin-Yang Dragon Whiskers. Should an enemy come to invade, the dragons would emerge and transform into Yin-Yang Dragon-Whisker Scissors to slay them.

“With the Cloud Firmament Pavilion reestablished and Heaven’s mandate returned to our Dao, these couplets could not be more fitting.”

Smiling, Ji Feichen stepped into the Immortal Manor, just as Mu Sheng opened the gate to welcome him.

“Senior Brother!”

Sima Kang stood behind Mu Sheng.

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Now that Ji Feichen and Mu Sheng had forced Sima Kang into it, he had severed himself completely from the Huangyang Demon Cult and could never turn back. With no other choice, he had spent these days following Mu Sheng in restoring the Immortal Manor.

Ji Feichen led the two of them into the Moon-Yang Garden and collapsed onto the Jade Roaming Bed.

“Nowhere compares with one’s own home!”

Though the Jade Zhi Immortal Lady treated him well and allowed him to come and go freely on Flying Cloud Island, it was not his own residence. A certain ease was missing. Only now, within the Moon-Yang Garden, did Ji Feichen feel truly free.

Mu Sheng sat nearby and related what had happened during his absence.

“There have been no abnormalities in the Immortal Manor these days. Demonic cultivators often come to scout the entrance, though. It seems they’re trying to locate the manor.”

“Leave them alone. Once the manor opens next month, we can deal with them then.”

Ji Feichen turned to Sima Kang. “The blood oath imposed on you by the demon sect can be undone. During my journey overseas, I happened to meet an elder who can break the blood oaths of the Huangyang Demon Cult.”

As he spoke, Ji Feichen took out a pale-red feather and tossed it over.

The phoenix feather drifted down and clung to Sima Kang’s brow, suppressing the blood oath within his body.

“I obtained this phoenix feather from that elder. For now, it can suppress the blood oath. As long as you perform more good deeds in the future, I can ask him to remove the blood curse for you.”

The Huangyang Demon Cult’s blood curse relied upon fire, and Feng Qianli was a master of that art, capable of breaking the corresponding blood oaths.

Sima Kang hurriedly bowed to Ji Feichen in thanks, while secretly glancing at Mu Sheng from the corner of his eye.

Ji Feichen usually cared about maintaining appearances. His methods were certainly ruthless, but on the surface he still observed a veneer of courtesy. Mu Sheng, however, was a spirit creature who had attained the Dao. What did she care for human ethics or worldly conventions? Day after day, she amused herself by tormenting the few of them within the Immortal Manor.

After being worn down by Mu Sheng, they had lost all courage and no longer dared to resist.

“Junior Sister, I met fellow Daoists from the Cloud Firmament Pavilion overseas. That senior sister will visit next month. You can seek her guidance and perhaps gain some insight into the pavilion’s Golden Core cultivation arts.”

As Ji Feichen spoke with Mu Sheng about the arrangements for opening the manor, he handed her the spirit fruit he had brought from Flying Cloud Island and told her to store it safely.

Mu Sheng suddenly raised another matter. “Senior Brother, there are only you and me in our Immortal Manor. Even with Sima Kang here, we still lack enough people. I’m afraid we’ll have difficulty receiving guests.”

“I have already made plans for that.”

Ji Feichen took out the Five-Colored Breath Soil, pinched off a small portion, mixed it with the Three Radiances Divine Water, and molded it into a pellet, which he flicked into the Moon-Yang Garden.

Azure bamboo and scarlet peaches grew within the garden. Once touched by the spiritual soil and divine water, their branches began to sway, inhaling and exhaling immortal energy. Green radiance curled around the bamboo, while red light enveloped the peach trees.

At last, two child attendants leapt from the azure bamboo and scarlet peach.

“Azure Bamboo and Scarlet Peach pay their respects to the Master.”

The two child attendants had been born from the forms of immortal attendants as Ji Feichen imagined them in his mind. Both had the faces of seven- or eight-year-old children, their features hazy and indistinct. They possessed only the most basic common sense and understood nothing of the principles governing the various arts.

“Junior Sister, I’ll give you some Breath Soil later. You can use it within the manor to transform more child attendants, who can receive guests when the time comes.”

Mu Sheng herself had attained the Dao through the body of a divine tree. When she saw the Five-Colored Breath Soil, her eyes lit up.

Ji Feichen smiled. “This five-colored earth was formed from the essence of the Great Earth. I’ll divide some of it among you later. Use it in your cultivation, and perhaps you’ll become an immortal sooner than expected.”

The Five-Colored Breath Soil was similar to the life-nurturing soil of Ji Feichen’s former life. If buried in ordinary earth, it could transform the surrounding soil into spiritual earth.

Ji Feichen gave half of it to Mu Sheng. He placed the other half in a jade basin, buried the immortal seed of a Pan Peach within it, and watered it with the Three Radiances Divine Water, patiently awaiting its roots and first shoots.

“If this immortal peach seed can mature, it can become the spiritual root that anchors my fortune. It will be no inferior to the Turtle Immortal’s Wisdom Spirit Immortal Fruit.”