Devour

Chapter 434 Ownership of the Inner Core

At the center of the stone dragon's coiled encirclement, where its head hangs low and gazes, stands a tiered altar. It is constructed from multiple smooth, mirror-like pieces of smoky purple jade, where purple mist and turquoise light intertwine, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.

The top of the altar is shaped like a treasure vase, on which is placed a jade box, which faintly exudes a soft, pale blue light, as if the clear starlight is sealed within.

Cheng Bai swayed slightly, landing lightly in front of the altar like a falling feather. He did not rush to examine the jade box, but carefully observed the surroundings for a while before slowly saying, "The altar surface contains hidden secrets. These patterns are sophisticated formations. Those who rashly intrude may invite the calamity of being pierced by ten thousand swords."

Li Tong praised, "Your insight is getting sharper and sharper! This is the most powerful 'Heaven' formation in the Three Talents Strike Sword Formation. Once its killing intent is activated, it's equivalent to being attacked by a half-step Three Lives Realm expert."

Cheng Bai chuckled, "The First Sword Emperor only needs to activate the passageway, but I'll have to solve this killing sword formation myself. If I can't break the formation, I'll have to slink back home and all my efforts will be in vain... Heh, this is no small problem, no wonder it's so generous. There's less than an hour left!"

"Don't worry, there's no need for a direct attack." Li Tong quickly calculated the changes in the formation, his tone full of rationality and calmness. "The Three Talents Sword Formation is mysterious and ever-changing, and it was once included in the 'Qiankun Qimen'. I have already figured out its mysteries, and I'm here to lure you away from the formation's killing intent and directly target your inner core."

"Let's begin!" Cheng Bai, protected by three immortal artifacts, had enough confidence, but he didn't dare to be careless. He immediately adopted the suggestion of the Inheritance Cube and prepared to meet the challenge.

Li Tong calmly instructed, "This formation is based on the three elements of Heaven, Earth, and Man, and it conforms to the principle of mutual generation and restraint of the five elements. Its changes cycle with the twelve two-hour periods of the day. I have calculated the 'safe path' for its operation. Stepping onto the altar will avoid triggering the sword formation, as if entering an empty place."

Cheng Bai closed his eyes and concentrated, taking in all the footwork, directions, and timing transmitted by Li Tong's divine sense, comprehending it in a flash. He suddenly opened his eyes, a golden light flashing in them, and stepped out with profound steps.

With each step he took, a mournful sword cry resounded from the altar, and several sharp sword energies crisscrossed and slashed across the spot where he had stood, the bone-chilling cold feeling like a festering sore.

The purple jade brick floor of the altar appeared flat and unobstructed, yet Cheng Bai leaped and moved with incredible agility, his robes fluttering as he moved with the grace of a startled swan or a soaring dragon.

He would sometimes charge forward in a lunge stance, sometimes turn around to dodge, then step in a circular pattern, and then suddenly return to his original position, as if navigating a complex maze, precisely walking on the edge of life and death.

The Golden Pagoda erected layers of invisible barriers, protecting Cheng Bai completely. He maneuvered within the formation for a long time, until the sword shadows thinned and the killing intent gradually subsided. Finally, he crossed the last barrier and steadily arrived at the jade box at the core.

Cheng Bai secretly rejoiced, "With the inherited immortal artifact in hand, a mere fourth-order Venerable-grade array is nothing to worry about."

Li Tong stared at the jade box, frowning slightly, and said, "This place is full of traps, and moving one thing will affect the whole situation. You cannot take it by force. You only need to maintain a respectful heart and perform the 'Three Offerings Ceremony', offering it to Heaven, Earth, and Man respectively, and the treasure will naturally appear."

Cheng Bai understood immediately, bowed respectfully three times to the pale blue light source, and said, "Lord Ao, I humbly request the treasure left behind by the senior. Please forgive any offense I may have caused."

With a soft "click," the tightly sealed jade box slowly opened amidst surging blue light. The rich, pure water vapor sealed within surged forth, carrying a large, emerald-blue inner core, which drifted gently out.

Cheng Bai used his spiritual eye and deduction technique to discover that this rare Marrow Cleansing Pill had only three runes on it: "Water Curtain," "Blessing," and "Water Mirror."

"I've witnessed the wonders of the water curtain and water mirror before, but Enze... it's said to be a tragedy, truly fate!" Cheng Bai pondered in his heart, but his hands dared not slack off at all, and he quickly activated the Four Symbols Cauldron to put it inside.

The moment the inner core was put away, the surrounding environment changed drastically. The turquoise mist that covered the stone dragon's body rapidly dissipated, turning dull and lifeless in an instant, as if it had experienced millions of years of vicissitudes.

Cheng Bai's footwork was neither too tight nor too loose, subtly revealing profound secrets. He carefully followed the principles of the Three Powers and Five Elements that he had just comprehended, steadily retreating from the altar. As he walked lightly and was about to embark on the sword path to leave, a soft sigh suddenly drifted from behind him like a whisper.

"Please wait, benefactor!" A loud and authoritative voice suddenly rang out, shaking one's heart and mind.

Before he could turn around, Cheng Bai stopped in his tracks. The phoenix power rippled out without a trace, instantly capturing a unique and solemn aura. Following the breath, the outline of the person who came appeared clearly in his mind.

"The World Honored One, the Venerable Great Wisdom, is the head of the World Honored One's sect." Cheng Bai's voice was calm as still water, yet it carried a faint pressure that resisted the other party's Zen-like tone. "May I ask what brings you here, Venerable One?"

The Venerable Dahui stood several feet behind Li Chengbai, his posture neither too close nor too distant, his sense of proportion perfectly balanced.

He clasped his hands together and said slowly, "The White Emperor Saint Lord of the Devouring Heaven Sect, it has only been a short time since we last met, yet your strength has improved so much. Seeing your outstanding performance in the sword formation, you must have a profound understanding of formations. I believe that given time, you will surely surpass the Bright Kings of Mount Sumeru. I admire you!"

Cheng Bai knew that the Great Wisdom Venerable's "Insightful Eyes" were unparalleled, and it would be no difficult for him to see through his true nature. So he asked directly, "Venerable Venerable, did you come to the Sword Spirit Pit just to flatter me?"

Venerable Dahui tightened his palms slightly and replied in a deep voice: "To be honest, Ao Qiushui, the last city lord of this place, was the leader of the dragon people under my sect's protection forces. Unfortunately, he was bewitched by heretics and became deeply mired in the quagmire of the three poisons of afflictions, and eventually lost his life here."

His voice was melodious and rhythmic, each word like a golden lotus of the Great Dao, drifting away in an instant, as if trying to tightly envelop Cheng Bai.

Li Tong secretly warned: "The Buddha taught 'telepathy,' which allows one to know what others are thinking and thus understand the source of their thoughts. Therefore, it can break through attachments and shake the mind."

Shi Chi had already taken precautions and confidently said, "My lord, I will not let him affect you."

Cheng Bai sensed the subtle fluctuations in mental energy, a cold smile flickered across his lips, and he simply turned around and sat cross-legged facing Venerable Dahui.

Cheng Bai casually placed the Four Symbols Cauldron he held in his right hand beside him, and a smile appeared on his face as he said, "Venerable One, please sit down. Your words are as epic and moving as an epic poem; there must be a long and wonderful story behind them."

The Venerable Mahamati, with eyes like a deep pool and calm demeanor, sat cross-legged opposite him and said, “Benefactor Baidi, you understand immediately, which shows that you have a deep-rooted wisdom and a profound affinity with the teachings of our World-Honored One.”

"You flatter me, Venerable One. May I recount the details of the past?" Cheng Bai replied with a smile, casually tapping the Four Symbols Cauldron to activate the magic weapon and prepare for its attack.

The Venerable Dahui was also an enlightened monk. Although he did not want to be controlled by words, he had to reason with people. So he said concisely, "Ao Qiushui built the Xiaoyao Lingjian City. If we trace its origins, it originally belonged to the World Honored One's teachings."

Cheng Bai interjected incisively: "But why wasn't it taught by the World Honored One later?"

Venerable Dahui hesitated slightly before explaining, “It is because this city has changed hands several times and is currently under the control of the Burial Bone Sword Tomb sect, which is led by Sword Madman and his disciples. This matter is both legitimate and reasonable, so it is inconvenient for our sect to interfere.”

Cheng Bai connected the dots and suddenly realized: "After all, the World Honored One's teachings and actions all adhere to order. Since the Sword Madman is the nominal master, there is no reason for him to forcibly occupy this city. This method of establishing a separate name was probably conceived by the Master."

The Venerable Mahamati was adept at discerning truth from falsehood. He realized that Cheng Bai was using the art of communication to subtly guide him. He immediately manipulated the Universal Enlightenment rosary on his wrist, subtly activating the power of the magic treasure, and the effect of the communication was instantly neutralized.

The spell suddenly failed, and Cheng Bai felt a slight chill: "Da Hui is truly the first person who can withstand my spell!"

Venerable Dahui coughed solemnly and stated his purpose directly: "Although Xiaoyao Lingjian City no longer belongs to the World Honored One's Sect, Ao Qiushui is undoubtedly a subordinate of the World Honored One's Sect. Her inner core has been passed down to this day and should rightfully belong to our sect."

Cheng Bai gave a curt "Oh," his tone suddenly sharpening: "Since you arrived earlier than me and made a wish at the Myriad Swords Monument, why didn't you go down into the Sword Spirit Pit to retrieve the inner core first, instead of busying yourself with tempering the soul weapon?"

The reason was not complicated. Venerable Dahui was not confident in breaking through the formation, so he kept delaying in order to quickly comprehend the "Qiankun Qimen" he had obtained from the Ninefold Abyss. When Cheng Bai saw through his thoughts, he was immediately embarrassed and ashamed.