Chapter 310: Golden Branches and Jade Leaves
Huoshi Mountain Peak.
The lava boiled, and flames roared fiercely.
The Lava Immortal Palace resembled a lone island, being engulfed by layer upon layer of rampaging beasts.
Meng Kui's mana-empowered giant hand relentlessly entangled with the Nascent Soul-level Fire Serpent and Flaming Lizard.
The Fire Serpent and Flaming Lizard kept hissing, burning through or tearing apart the mana hand.
However, the Nascent Soul-level demon ape ignored the mana hand, focusing solely on attacking the Lava Immortal Palace.
Boom!
Under the assault of the Fire Fusion Demon Ape, the Command Platform crumbled into countless pieces.
It let out a triumphant roar, feeling the joy of revenge from destroying the Lava Immortal Palace.
Amidst the misty clouds.
Meng Kui remained calm, his gaze deep.
The target of the Fire Fusion Demon Ape’s attacks was guided by him through various means such as the mana hand. Compared to the Fire Serpent and Flaming Lizard, the demon ape possessed greater intelligence. Hence, within Huoshi Mountain, the Fire Fusion Demon Ape often commanded other beast hordes, as it was of royal blood.
However, at the end of the day, they were still beasts, not demon cultivators.
Demon cultivators had awakened wisdom, making them no different from ordinary people.
The demon ape, brimming with pride, had no idea that it was already being used by Meng Kui.
Nascent Soul-level attacks were suppressed to the Golden Core stage when they hit the Lava Immortal Palace.
Golden Core cultivators like Zhu Zhen had long risen into the sky, constantly intercepting powerful attacks to ensure the safety of the mechanical buildings.
However, compared to the overwhelming offensive, their numbers were far too few. Many attacks struck the inner circle of the Lava Immortal Palace, causing various degrees of damage to the mechanical structures, some even collapsing completely.
While battling, Zhu Zhen actively searched for the Wandering Dragon.
So far, he hadn’t found any unusual defensive forces.
However, he did discover that the beast tide was about to reach the Gourd Furnace Forest.
This gave him the opportunity to fulfill Zhu Xuanji’s instructions!
Amidst the misty clouds.
Meng Hu's gaze pierced through the sky, surveying the entire battlefield.
The battle spirit within his heart burned like the blazing flames filling his vision, making him itch to act.
"Taiqing Palace, Taiqing Palace... why haven't you shown up yet?"
Boom, boom, boom...
The Nascent Soul-level clashes shook the entirety of Huoshi Mountain.
Each head-on collision caused the desk in front of Zhu Hou to tremble slightly.
He subconsciously looked toward the top of Huoshi Mountain, Zhu Xuanji’s figure flashing through his mind. "I wonder how little Ji is doing."
He smiled faintly and quickly set aside his slight worry. "If little Ji can’t succeed, who else in our Zhu family royal court could?"
"The child we once knew has now become the pillar of our Zhu family."
"Time flies…"
Zhu Hou couldn’t help but recall the scenes of teaching the young Zhu Xuanji.
In the capital.
On the desk lay sixteen diagrams of enlightenment.
Zhu Hou pointed at them one by one, asking Zhu Xuanji to explain the insights he had gained from each diagram.
Zhu Xuanji responded fluently.
Zhu Hou was greatly pleased and praised him, "Xuanji, you have the innate gift of Celestial Golden Eyes. This talent is best at seeing through the essence. That’s why when you study these enlightenment diagrams, you often see truths that others cannot."
"Moreover, you’re naturally intelligent with outstanding comprehension. Studying these diagrams is the most suitable way for you to cultivate."
The young Zhu Xuanji raised his little face. "Uncle, if my Celestial Golden Eyes are so strong, why is it just classified as superior talent and not supreme? Isn’t supreme talent also called immortal talent? Are they all stronger than my Golden Eyes? Hmph, I don’t believe it!"
Zhu Hou chuckled. "The level of talent is only relative. Is supreme talent always stronger than inferior talent? Not necessarily, it depends on the situation."
"The so-called levels are just something we’ve summarized. Perhaps one day we’ll discover a better way to utilize your Celestial Golden Eyes, and then its grade might be elevated to supreme."
Zhu Xuanji asked, "How do you develop talent then? Uncle, I’ve heard that you just need to keep using it."
Zhu Hou shook his head. "Constant use is not the essence of developing talent."
"Little Ji, before I answer that question, let me ask you: what does cultivation mean?"
Zhu Xuanji answered without hesitation, "Cultivation means learning the true principles of heaven and earth through practice."
Zhu Hou nodded. "Exactly. The rise and fall of the sun and moon, life and death, the cycles of creation and destruction—these are the principles by which all things in the world operate."
"It is by learning and mastering these principles that we cultivators can break free from the shackles of the mundane, extend our lifespan, and gain powers beyond the reach of ordinary people."
Saying this, Zhu Hou pointed at the enlightenment diagrams on the desk. "These diagrams were created by cultivators skilled in drawing, who recorded certain principles of heaven and earth through this method."
"You know about the True Scriptures, right? Those scriptures were written by cultivators skilled in calligraphy, who recorded their understanding of cultivation methods for others to comprehend."
"In this world, all talents are actually representations of certain principles."
"Some talents contain more principles and are easier for us to use, so we classify them as higher-level talents. Conversely, those with fewer principles are lower-level."
"Your Golden Eyes are classified as superior talent because they contain many principles but are limited in application to support abilities."
"Although Golden Eyes can often see through the essence of things, the results are heavily influenced by the cultivator's knowledge and understanding."
Seeing that Zhu Xuanji was a bit disheartened, Zhu Hou comforted him, "Although talents are graded, they are just starting points. In the long run, it still depends on the cultivator’s own development."
"If you can understand the principles contained within your talent and master them, you can elevate your talent into a divine ability!"
"Whether it’s a divine ability or a talent, both are powerful methods that help cultivators fight above their level."
"Of course, talents are not the only things that can turn into divine abilities. The essence of a divine ability is understanding and mastering the principles."
"Even an ordinary spell can be studied to uncover its principles and then be elevated into a divine ability."
"All the enlightenment diagrams you see here have the potential to become divine abilities."
"Last time, I asked you to carefully choose from these enlightenment diagrams to determine your main direction for future cultivation. What is your choice now, little Ji?"
Zhu Xuanji didn’t hesitate, pointing to two of the enlightenment diagrams. "Uncle, I’ll choose these two."
Zhu Hou looked closely. "Hmm, not bad."
"If you study these two diagrams thoroughly, you may master two martial divine abilities—Golden Mountain Stance and Jade Pillar Posture."
"Why did you choose them?"
Zhu Xuanji revealed a look of admiration and told Zhu Hou that he had read many heroic tales and often fantasized about becoming an unparalleled general on the battlefield, loyally serving his country.
And the hallmark abilities of such generals were these two divine abilities.
Zhu Xuanji said, "Since I was very young, I’ve heard teachers say that the Zhu royal family lacks mighty generals. Often, we have to rely on body cultivators from other families. If I can master these abilities, then our Zhu family will have its own great general."
"Good child, good child," Zhu Hou praised. "You’re thoughtful and aware of the bigger picture."
"In that case, I might as well make a move and seek out a royal divine ability to protect you."
Zhu Xuanji grew curious.
Zhu Hou explained, "This is a divine ability passed down in officialdom, called Golden Branches and Jade Leaves. It can be cultivated individually or cast on others as a protective measure."
"However, both the person cultivating the ability and the one being bestowed with it must be members of nobility, royalty, imperial clans, or even the emperor's family."
"The current grand elder of our Zhu family has mastered this divine ability."
"Since you’ve chosen Golden Mountain Stance and Jade Pillar Posture, the divine ability of Golden Branches and Jade Leaves suits you perfectly."
"In the future, if you combine the three divine abilities, they will complement each other, greatly increasing their power."
"If you can fully comprehend and merge the three into one, you may even transcend the realm of divine abilities!"
Lava Immortal Palace.
In the Secret Chamber of Opportunity.
The torrent of Five Elements energy engulfed Zhu Xuanji, followed closely by the full-force attack of the Rudie Maiden, unleashing a quasi-Golden Core-level assault.
As the Five-Colored Profound Qi dissipated, a mighty figure was revealed, standing firm!
The Rudie Maiden's attack produced countless space fragments, dazzling with multicolored light, densely packed, yet not a single one penetrated Zhu Xuanji's body.
At this moment, Zhu Xuanji's body swelled to over nine feet tall, muscles bulging, yet wrapped in a black-edged red robe that formed a warrior's garb.
He stood like a pillar supporting the heavens, proud and immovable.
His entire body was enveloped in golden energy, faintly revealing the shape of a mountain. And at this moment, a forest grew atop the mountain.
Each tree was made of golden branches and jade leaves
, swaying in the wind, the crisp sound of gold and jade clashing echoing endlessly.
The official divine ability—Golden Branches and Jade Leaves!
"Three divine abilities?!" Ning Zhuo and the others were all shocked to their core.
Zhu Xuanji slowly turned, his voice booming like a great bell, "Ning Zhuo, you have disappointed me greatly!"
"I tried to guide you onto the right path, yet you still chose the wrong way, colluding with evil cultivators."
"You have failed Li Leifeng, failed my expectations, and most of all, failed your family."
As he spoke, Zhu Xuanji swept his arm across, and in an instant, a fierce wind roared.
Wherever his arm passed, the multicolored fragments disintegrated completely, vanishing in an instant.
Yang Chanyu witnessed this and her pupils contracted sharply, thinking, "Are you kidding me? That was a quasi-Golden Core-level formation, and it was dismantled so easily?!"
The Rudie Maiden’s face turned pale with fright, and she hurriedly said to Ning Zhuo, "Doctor, let’s run! This man is terrifying!"
How could they escape?
Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly. The moment he stepped through the door, he knew there was no escape.
He was within the range of the official divine ability's confinement.
The more dangerous the situation became, the calmer Ning Zhuo’s heart grew.
He smiled faintly, his eyes sharp, meeting Zhu Xuanji's gaze without fear. "Lord Zhu, you have no evidence. Don’t slander me recklessly."
"This time, I am openly competing with you for the Lava Immortal Palace for the sake of my family!"
"The reason I assisted the Bu Kong Sect people was merely for strategic alliance, nothing more than a contest of interests."
"This is precisely my active response to the recruitment decree issued by the king."
Zhu Xuanji's face darkened, and he rebuked, "Sharp-tongued and eloquent."
(End of Chapter)