Chapter Eight: Three Years in Seclusion

After he began his secluded cultivation, he instructed Commander Shrimp to guard the entrance and prepare meals, while he devoted himself wholeheartedly to his training.

Kunlun Mountain was already a place where the world's spiritual energy gathered, and the Heavenly Origin Pure Void Divine Talisman was a treasure of the immortals. Upon entering the Divine Talisman Mansion, Yang Nan's cultivation advanced with remarkable speed. The Heavenly Origin Divine Talisman, renowned as one of Dragon Tiger Mountain's three great guardian treasures, not only contained an abundance of concentrated spiritual energy but could also ceaselessly draw more from the outside world. Kunlun Mountain was the source of earth's veins, and here, the talisman absorbed spiritual energy ever more smoothly, benefiting Yang Nan greatly.

Yang Nan summoned the Undying Yin Wheel, simultaneously cultivating two contrasting techniques: the Xuan Yi Azure Water Method and the Luosha Yin Soldier True Explanation. Like two currents—one blue, one black—they gradually fused under the harmonizing influence of the Undying Yin Wheel. The water essence refined by the Xuan Yi Azure Water Method, further purified by the Yin Wheel, began infusing the upper elixir field's black mist with steady magical power. Yang Nan silently operated the Undying Yin Wheel, cultivating both arts together, and his progress was astonishingly swift!

The Undying Yin Wheel acted almost as a sentient consciousness, coordinating the cultivation of both energies. Yet, its third layer was just sufficient for the speed required; if Yang Nan wished to strengthen it further, he would need to find a Yang Wheel to cultivate alongside.

A dragon could transform into a snake, and a snake into a dragon. Under the Undying Yin Wheel's miracle, the interplay between these energies was seamless and unhindered.

Like a dragon and a snake, weaving and swallowing, the two great spiritual apertures—the misty pools—began to crystallize.

The threshold of Master level lay in the ability to make one's magical power manifest, transforming the intangible into the tangible.

With the Undying Yin-Yang Wheel in hand, Yang Nan's speed in refining spiritual energy far surpassed ordinary cultivators.

His spiritual apertures were vast as the sea, boundless clouds of yin; Yang Nan's spirit dwelled within the Undying Yin Wheel, drifting as if in an endless ocean.

For those who walk the path, time is meaningless; days slipped quietly by.

Endless years passed in a flash. Since he ascended the mountain in winter, the cycles of the seasons had already turned thrice without him noticing.

On this day, Yang Nan sat silently within the Divine Talisman cave. In his brow's aperture, the black snake magical weapon surged with potent yin energy. The talisman's spiritual energy poured into the snake's mouth like mighty rivers; clouds of yin surrounded it like a sea, layer upon layer of spiritual energy swallowed and exhaled, forming dense clouds of sharp energy, continuously staining the snake weapon.

Suddenly, the black snake transformed, becoming like a real serpent. In one heavy inhalation, it absorbed all the endless mist into its belly!

Mist became substance; the realm was achieved. Whether this boundless yin cloud could be crystallized into magical power would determine the fruit of Yang Nan's years of arduous cultivation.

At this stage, Yang Nan knew that achieving the tangible from the intangible depended entirely on this final step. Concentrating his mind, his soul immersed itself in the Undying Yin-Yang Wheel, fully controlling the black snake to refine spiritual energy.

Finally, the true snake exhaled, dispersing all the dense mist. Yang Nan felt a sudden boom within his upper elixir field: the endless yin mist vanished, replaced by a black, gleaming crystal!

This crystal, unlike the Undying Yin Wheel, seemed to contain inexhaustible, razor-sharp yin energy.

The yin energy had become tangible. The weapon's keen aura gathered between his eyes, faintly sparkling with star-like brilliance. Imbuing this sharpness into his weapon, he would be unstoppable—nothing could resist or withstand him.

With a new crystal of tangible magical power in his brow, Yang Nan felt a surge of power throughout his body, far greater than when he first entered the Dao realm—several times more, at least.

Three years of relentless cultivation had finally yielded this formed magical power; Yang Nan's joy was hard to describe. With this black crystal, he was no longer weak. The weapon's sharp energy could now cleave mountains, shatter stone, stride through clouds—far beyond the meager strength of a year ago that could only produce two blasts of fierce energy.

With the aid of the Undying Yin Wheel and the Divine Talisman's spiritual energy, Yang Nan's two arts had reached the Master level. Now, his yin energy was nearly twice as abundant as at the Warrior level, finally meeting the requirements for sword-flight.

To soar through the skies and roam the blue heavens, Master-level magical power was essential—a dream Yang Nan had cherished for three years!

The Sword Sect, a branch of the Weapon Sect, was the legendary domain of sword immortals. Within the Weapon Sect, some specialized in cultivating flying swords and knives; the sword was the king of weapons, and most cultivators preferred to refine their artifacts into sword form. Yet flying swords were merely common techniques—worlds apart from the Weapon Sect's true miracles.

At higher levels, one's true weapon could transform into a dragon or phoenix—not only moving much faster than flying swords, but also wielding far greater power. With Yang Nan's current Master-level magical power, he could barely drive a flying sword's light—he could not yet transform his true weapon into an immortal beast.

If he wished to reach the Step-Void stage and transform his weapon into a true dragon, who knew how many years that would take?

The Luosha Yin Soldier True Explanation had also reached its third layer. This method focused not on transformation, but accumulation of power; thus, though Yang Nan's magical power was at the Master level, his actual strength remained at the Warrior level.

The Xuan Yi Azure Water Method had reached Master level even earlier this year than the Yin Soldier True Explanation. The lower elixir pool had already crystallized into a flawless gem. Yang Nan had not intended to cultivate the path of magical arts, yet its progress was even quicker—this strange circumstance was both a surprise and a delight. After all, each additional magical power meant greater self-preservation; to possess two types was surely advantageous.

The Azure Dragon of the water path split and multiplied, until twelve phantom dragons transformed from intangible to tangible, becoming a single, fully formed little azure dragon, composed entirely of water spiritual energy, lying within Yang Nan's elixir field, swallowing the crystal gem. The dragon's body held immense power; a mere thought from Yang Nan could unleash water-elemental magic.

One dragon and one snake: one in the upper elixir field, one in the lower. Unless driven by the Undying Yin Wheel, they seemed to go their separate ways, coexisting peacefully. But in battle, Yang Nan could instantly wield the strength of a double Master, possessing twice the magical power of ordinary experts—victory was assured.

Having reached Master level, Yang Nan no longer hurried to cultivate further. Advancing from Warrior to Master, with the aid of arts and talisman, required only three years; but ascending from Master to the Sect level was not so simple. Each new crystal in the spiritual aperture raised one's rank; to reach Sect Master, twelve robust crystals must be refined!

Step-Void once said he hoped for Sect Master in ten years, but magical power alone was not enough; miracles were required—mere absorption of spiritual energy could not achieve mastery.

Thus, it was time for Yang Nan to ascend to the Hall of Hidden Arts and select new methods.

"It is time to go to the Hall of Hidden Arts..." Yang Nan could barely contain his joy. Rising, he left the Divine Talisman behind, storing the Heavenly Origin Divine Talisman in the Rivers and Mountains Ring. Pushing open the mansion's doors, he saw Commander Shrimp and over a hundred soldiers frolicking in the deep pool beneath the silver waterfall. Since entering the Kunlun Immortal Realm, Commander Shrimp had truly found his element—having advanced from top-level demon warrior to demon master, his spewed demon core gleamed with azure light, formidable indeed. Even the hundred soldiers, after cultivating the Xuan Yi Azure Water Method, had advanced a couple of ranks, further aiding Yang Nan's supreme demon body technique.

For years, Commander Shrimp and his soldiers had guarded the cave, living like immortals, reveling in the spiritual pool.

Seeing his young master finally emerge from seclusion, spiritual aura transformed, Commander Shrimp leapt from the pool, face alight with joy. "Congratulations, young master, on reaching the Master level! Your talent is extraordinary—truly admirable..."

For the past three years, old Shrimp had lived carefree. Kunlun Mountain offered countless rare flowers and fruits, and Yang Nan, as an inner disciple, could draw hundreds of spirit stones and treasures annually. While Yang Nan focused solely on cultivation, these benefits were all left to Commander Shrimp to distribute among his subordinates and himself. Yang Nan's generosity naturally won Commander Shrimp's utmost respect.

Yang Nan found Commander Shrimp's flattery amusing. "Enough, old Shrimp, don’t you know your flattery is much worse than Huang Shan’s or old Crab’s?"

Yang Nan did not mind his subordinates flattering him, but Commander Shrimp was truly lacking in the art!

Commander Shrimp paused, then sheepishly grinned. "Young master is wise and valiant—of course you see through my little tricks."

Yang Nan said, "Watch the house with the brothers. I'm going to the Hall of Hidden Arts to select new techniques. If anyone comes looking for me, have them leave their name."

Commander Shrimp slapped his shell, declaring, "Rest assured, young master. With me here, not a single thief will enter this cave."

"What thieves could there be in Kunlun Mountain?" Yang Nan thought, amused. Yet he would not dampen his loyal subordinate’s spirits. For three years, he had focused on cultivation, relying entirely on Commander Shrimp for food, tea, spirit stones, and medicines. Though old Shrimp was clumsy, he spared no effort to serve Yang Nan. Even if not perfect, his loyalty was commendable.

Yang Nan summoned the Corrosive Yin Weapon. The black moon gleamed, its scales complete—far sharper than three years before. With a thought, the weapon responded, releasing two streams of fierce energy, sharp as tangible blades. With a gentle wave, Yang Nan watched as the black light flashed and a nearby boulder was cleaved in two by the black moon!

The boulder, eroded by the fierce yin energy, soon split again and again until it crumbled into a pile of rubble.

Commander Shrimp was dumbstruck by his young master’s weapon. Yang Nan beckoned, and the weapon returned to his hand. He sighed inwardly: this effortless command and speed surpassed his Warrior-level abilities by far.

Had it been three years ago, his power could only split the boulder in two; now, he could reduce it to rubble—a world of difference.

Yet having only a weapon without the miracles was not enough. Now, he must go to the Hall of Hidden Arts to choose new techniques.

Yang Nan yearned for the legendary Weapon Sect miracles. If he could acquire a skill like Step-Void’s ability to transform weapons into dragons, that would be ideal!

Three years passed in a blink—does life, too, vanish so swiftly?

With a sigh, Yang Nan formed a flight technique. The crescent moon weapon expanded, seeming almost sentient as it adhered beneath his feet. Yang Nan stepped upon it, his thoughts guiding his power; the weapon transformed into a streak of black light, speeding toward the Hall of Hidden Arts.

Yang Nan was now sixteen. He had ascended the mountain three years ago in winter, and now it was spring again. The youthful air of three years ago was gone, replaced by the maturity gained from two lifetimes. Dressed in azure robes and standing tall, he now possessed the bearing of a true cultivator.