Eight hundred and forty million particles awaken, I sweep across the heavens.

Chapter 41 The Holy Spirit of Yaochi, Ritual

A crimson sparrow fluttered its wings and swept across the sky above the Jade Pool, landing in a grove of purple bamboo.

The glistening purple bamboo gleams with a jade-like luster, and the leaves are dotted with morning dewdrops that refract seven colors under the rising sun.

The little bird, resembling a vermilion bird, gripped the bamboo branch tightly with its slender claws. It first lowered its head to sip the dew, its throat bobbing gently back and forth for a while. Then it raised its head, its pair of dark, obsidian-like eyes looking towards the hermitage beside the purple bamboo grove.

A stream brimming with spiritual energy flows gently past the house where the fairies of Yaochi entertain their guests, yet no sound of water can be heard.

This house is quieter than ever before it was built, so quiet it seems to have come alive, with the sky above as its crown, the earth as its throne, and breathing in harmony with the surrounding mountains and rivers.

"Chirp chirp~"

As if sensing something, the Vermilion Bird suddenly flapped its wings, transformed into a cluster of flames that shot into the sky and then quickly fell back down, surrounded by wisps of misty firelight. It landed on a slender, jade-carved finger that suddenly appeared, and a bright and elegant face was reflected in the obsidian eyes.

The vermilion bird, about the size of a thumb, contrasted beautifully with the mature and voluptuous Queen Mother of the West, whose hair was styled in a high bun, and who was quietly sketched from the void. This sight surprised A Yao, Ji Ziyue, Yao Xi, Feng Huang, Yao Guang Shengzi, Ji Haoyue, Jiang Yifei and others who had gathered not far away early in the morning.

"What trouble is that brat causing again so early in the morning?" The Queen Mother of the West frowned slightly and asked the little sparrow.

Upon hearing this, A Yao's expression shifted slightly. She naturally knew who the "rascal" her master was referring to was. She was just wondering what kind of trouble Yuan Qingsu could have caused in just one night in Yaochi, prompting Zhuque, who was secretly guarding this area, to come and report.

"Chirp chirp~"

The Vermilion Bird flapped its bright red, fiery wings back and forth in front of it, making a clear and melodious chirping sound. Everyone else was puzzled, but the Queen Mother of the West seemed to fully understand this special expression. She nodded slightly and said, "In that case, let's go and see. I want to see what he can comprehend from just this corner of Yaochi that has surprised you so much."

"Chirp chirp~"

The Vermilion Bird nodded, then flapped its wings again, trailing flames, and circled above the Queen Mother of the West's head.

Seemingly sensing the doubts of the young disciples behind her, the Queen Mother of the West spoke calmly as she walked, "I had no intention of disturbing your conversation here, but the Vermilion Bird summoned me, saying that there were some abnormalities at Yuan Qingsu's residence, so I had no choice but to come and see."

The reactions of the people upon hearing this were varied.

Yao Xi's pretty face changed slightly, and she subconsciously asked, "Senior Queen Mother of the West, is there anything unusual about my junior brother's residence?"

The Holy Son of Yaoguang and Jiang Yifei remained unfazed, their eyes only growing slightly more profound.

Ji Ziyue and her brother exchanged a glance, both seeing curiosity and schadenfreude in each other's eyes.

Phoenix also showed a hint of interest and gratitude. Hua Yunfei, who was at the back and carried an ancient zither, whose expression changed slightly, even though he was well-liked by many fairies of Yaochi.

"It's not certain yet, we'll find out when we go and see." The Queen Mother of the West walked gracefully toward the hermitage beside the Purple Bamboo Grove. With each step she took, she disappeared from her spot and reappeared dozens of feet away. Seeing this, everyone hurriedly followed.

A few breaths later, a refined residence came into view.

Beside the hermitage is a dense forest of purple bamboo, stretching as far as the eye can see, swaying gently in the wind. A stream also flows gently through the cracks in the rocks. Everything is so natural, without any unusual disturbance.

But everyone present was extraordinary; whether it was the elder Queen Mother of the West or the young noblemen and successors of the holy land, they were all exceptional individuals.

"That's interesting."

Jiang Yifei remained as refined and easygoing as ever, calmly observing the room. Regardless of the breakthroughs the other party made, he knew he would be the ultimate winner in the "battle for the torch."

This is an invincible belief.

The most outstanding bloodline of his ancestors has been revived in his body. His physical body, divine sense, divine power and divine arts have all reached an extreme. Among his peers, the advantages of the imperial son are so great that outsiders cannot even imagine them.

"There was no sound of water, and no sound of wind," Ji Haoyue murmured.

"All of this...all of this is connected into one whole!" Ji Ziyue's primordial spirit body was extraordinary, and she immediately sensed the strangeness. She sensed a special "source"!

However, none of them were as shocked as Ayao.

The moment A Yao saw that room, she finally understood what her master meant by "I want to see what he can comprehend from just this corner of Yaochi".

"Source Technique, it's the Source Technique of the Source Master!"

Ayao stared at the room in disbelief, as if trying to pierce through the walls and see into the depths of the soul of the person inside. She muttered to herself, "How is this possible? He had never been exposed to Source Arts before, and he had not received any Source Master's inheritance before coming to Yaochi. He only looked at Yaochi, and in just one night... How is this possible... How could he have done something like this?!"

"No previous Source Master could have achieved this. Even someone as talented as Zhang Lin back then, according to the notes left by Saintess Yang Yi, had to cultivate Source Arts from a young age to achieve such accomplishments in his early twenties..."

She had to admit that Yuan Qingsu's performance completely terrified her.

For those unfamiliar with Source Arts, even if they can sense some anomalies, they have no idea what such anomalies represent. But for those who understand Source Arts, it is like a myth coming to life.

creak...

Just then, the door to the hermitage was pushed open from the inside.

With his black hair flowing down his shoulders, dressed in white as snow, and wearing straw sandals, his minimalist figure slowly emerged into the bright sunlight, as if he had not seen the sun for a long time. His eyes were slightly narrowed, and the historical mist in the depths of his eyes seemed to have settled into the vicissitudes of time, melting away like ice and snow in the warm and refreshing air.

He was also holding an ancient bronze lamp in his hand, the flame at the wick of which was dim.

Upon seeing the lamp, even the usually composed Jiang Yifei could no longer remain calm. Two beams of divine light shot from his eyes as he looked at the lamp and Yuan Qingsu again and again, trying his best to suppress the urge to immediately take back the ancestral relic.

Yuan Qingsu could sense the unusual movements from all sides, but he didn't care at all. He transformed into a fire spirit and met Jiang Hengyu in his youth across the vast river of history. He gained a lot. The "Six Desires Heavenly Art" was secondary. The most important thing was the "Source Technique"!

It is not a lineage of the Northern Dipper Source Celestial Masters, but a fragment of the supreme inheritance created by the Heavenly Emperor of the Mythical Era when he created the "Ninety-Nine Dragon Mountains". It involves the source of the Source Arts, the [Netherworld Lord]!

Meeting the diverse gazes of the crowd, Yuan Qingsu smiled faintly and said, "Good morning, everyone."

This is a special smile; different people see their favorite smile on the same face.

Yao Xi could sense the boy's captivating mystery and power from that smile; A Yao could sense the innocence and purity of her childhood sweetheart; Feng Huang could sense his unparalleled talent; Ji Ziyue's hostility diminished uncontrollably under that smile; and the Queen Mother of the West...

The Queen Mother of the West remained expressionless, and after a moment of stunned silence amidst that smile, she raised her hand and pointed at Yuan Qingsu.

"Chirp chirp!"

The Vermilion Bird circled and danced in the sky, then suddenly opened its beak and spat out a burst of intense flames, carrying a terrifying heat that could boil the sea and burn the heavens.

This flame is extremely powerful; each wisp is enough to burn even the strongest experts in the Four Extremes Secret Realm to ashes. Even the elders of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm would flee in terror at the sight of it. Yet now it is falling in swathes, causing many to change color in shock and not understand why the Queen Mother of the West has suddenly resorted to such ruthless measures.

A fierce aura, carrying an intense burning will, filled the heavens and earth. The firelight reflected in Yuan Qingsu's eyes, making his white clothes appear as white gold.

Bathed in such heat, the boy remained calm and composed, just as always.

"What does the Queen Mother of the West mean by this?" he asked calmly, taking a small step forward as he spoke.

As Yuan Qingsu took this step, the land, where Yaochi was covered with exotic flowers and rare herbs and where spiritual springs flowed, saw continuous swathes of dragon energy burst forth, transforming into streaks of dragon-shaped light that danced around him, like celestial dragons guarding the supreme emperor and dispelling the endless flames.

"Let's test your quality."

The Queen Mother of the West stared intently at him, her bright and dignified face as still and serene as an old monk in meditation. Yet, the clenched fists hidden in her sleeves, the white knuckles betraying her inner turmoil. What even the Holy Maiden of Yaochi, A Yao, knew, how could she not know?

How could she not know how terrifying it was to enter the Dao of Observing Mountains and Stones overnight and cultivate the Origin Technique to this level?

It was precisely because she knew more than A Yao that the Queen Mother of the West found it even more hard to believe.

It's too dreamlike; such enlightenment shouldn't exist in the human world.

The dragon's energy was surging, and the celestial dragon danced wildly in the flames, causing the Vermilion Bird, whose bloodline had reverted to its ancestral form, to retreat continuously. The scorching firelight shone on the faces of everyone in the arena, outlining the different expressions of the young men and women. Everyone felt the ferocity and power of the dragon's energy.

Yuan Qingsu's own cultivation level did not improve, but he grasped a power through another path!

"What does the Queen Mother of the West think?" he asked.

"Ayao never told me that you had practiced Origin Arts. Judging from her expression now, you probably haven't practiced Origin Arts either, but I don't believe it."

The Queen Mother of the West's voice carried an air of certainty as she asked, "Have you entered [Purple Mountain]? Have you obtained the Origin Technique inheritance, the 'Origin Heaven Book'?"

"Apart from the lineage of Yuan Tianshi, no one should know the techniques in the Yuan Tian Book better than Yaochi," Yuan Qingsu said slowly. He raised his hand and waved it, causing the countless dragon shapes to disintegrate and recombine, gathering into an ancestral dragon that coiled behind him, raising its head high and looking down at everyone and the Queen Mother of the West.

An immense aura followed, like a heavy mountain pressing down on everyone's hearts, making it hard to breathe.

The Queen Mother of the West remained silent for a long time, then waved her hand, causing the Vermilion Bird to land back in her hand. She sighed softly, "It's definitely not a technique from the Book of Origin. How did you manage to do that?"

"It's actually not too difficult."

Yuan Qingsu also dissipated the ancestral dragon form behind him, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "In the beginning of time, who passed on the Dao? Where did the secret realm techniques we cultivate come from? In fact, they were all pioneered by our ancestors. They observed the mountains and rivers, touched the grass and trees, entered the vast sea, looked at the stars, and touched all things, and that's how the 'Dao' came to be today."

"The sacred land is filled with scriptures created by the Great Emperor, which are beyond the reach of ordinary people. But in reality, the universe itself contains immortal scriptures and true meanings, hanging in the world, in every blade of grass, every tree, every flower, every leaf, and every grain of sand. I am merely imitating my predecessors and extracting a portion of them from all things."

Although it was said to be to cover up the [Gate of All Heavens and Space] and the secrets on his body, it's not entirely untrue.

When he obtained the fragment of the Ninety-Nine Dragon Mountain Manual, he did indeed use the "Wisdom Gate - Dao Self" to comprehend the universe and forcibly fill in a small missing part of it.

Seemingly sensing the sincerity in his words, the Queen Mother of the West gazed at him intently, her lustrous red lips parting slightly as she said, "This is the realm of the ancient sages."

"I am still far from it. The ancient sages were able to open up a perfect scripture for a certain secret realm, but I cannot do that now."

"You are indeed remarkable, with a connection to the Origin Technique and the Yaochi lineage. However, this elegant residence for entertaining guests is not exactly the masterpiece of the Origin Master. Please come with me."

The Queen Mother of the West spoke and led Yuan Qingsu deeper into the Jade Pool. The rest of them also benefited from this and entered a sacred place—the Immortal Pool, which is the origin of their sect's name.

The place is shrouded in mist, and the pool of water is incredibly sacred. Beside the pool stands an ancient tree that is forty-nine meters tall, with strong branches and lush foliage. Several green peaches, fragrant and rich, are growing on it and are among the finest medicinal herbs.

But that's not the most eye-catching thing.

Upon arriving here, Yuan Qingsu's gaze was immediately drawn to the strange stone under the tree. It was a crystal-clear stone with nine orifices and eight holes, seemingly breathing in and out the essence of the sun and moon, and it looked very sacred.

The Holy Spirit!

Upon seeing the stone, the young men from the Holy Land and aristocratic families all showed curiosity, but were not overly surprised, as this was already an open secret among the high-ranking members of the major powers in the Eastern Wilderness.

If it weren't for the Western Emperor Tower, an ultimate weapon, suppressing it in Yaochi, such a stone would have long since brought about countless bloodshed and chaos.

"You can attain enlightenment here."

The Queen Mother of the West spoke coldly to Yuan Qingsu, then added, "You can do this before the War of the Flames begins. How much you comprehend depends on your destiny. However, in return, I hope that one day you will use your Origin Techniques to help the 'spirit' within the Yaochi stone."

"it is good."

Without much hesitation, Yuan Qingsu agreed.

After the Queen Mother of the West and the others left, he sat down alone near the strange rock. During this time, the Western Emperor Tower remained suspended in the air above this important place. Several elders of Yaochi sat nearby, their eyes closed, but they were paying close attention to everything around them.

But Gen Kiyosu didn't care at all.

He recalled the materials for the first stage of "Yuanxin": one hundred pure Yin women, one Divine Heart Fruit of the Nine Sacred Fruits, and one drop of essence blood from the liver orifice of a Celestial Spirit Eye physique.

Initially, he intended to go to the most prosperous brothel in the Northern Divine City to gather a hundred pure Yin women, but he was intercepted by the Jiang family, who had been plotting for a long time, as soon as he left the oasis.

Then, by sheer chance, I arrived at Yaochi and walked step by step before this female holy spirit. It seemed like fate was playing tricks on me, or perhaps it was destiny.

A Holy Spirit nearing completion is enough to make up for any difference in quantity in a ritual with quality.