Persimmon Mountain Peak.
Magma bubbled, and flames roared.
The Lava Fairy Palace stood like a lone island, being overwhelmed by layers upon layers of a Demon Beast Tide.
Meng Kui activated the Mana Power Hand, battling constantly around Nascent Soul-level creatures like the Runaway Fire Snake and the Flame Stepping Lizard.
The Runaway Fire Snake and Flame Stepping Lizard continuously shrieked, burning through or tearing apart the Mana Power Hand.
Yet, the Nascent Soul-level Demon Ape focused not on the Mana Power Hand but aimed its attacks at the Lava Fairy Palace.
Boom!
Under the assault of the Magma Demon Ape, the Command Platform crumbled into countless pieces.
It let out a triumphant howl, reveling in the pleasure of revenge through the destruction it wrought on the Lava Fairy Palace.
Deep in the clouds,
Meng Kui maintained a calm expression, his gaze profound.
The Magma Demon Ape's point of attack had been guided by his use of the Mana Power Hand among other means. Compared to the Runaway Fire Snake and the Flame Stepping Lizard, the Demon Ape possessed higher intelligence. Thus, within Persimmon Mountain, the Magma Demon Ape often commanded the other beast packs, establishing itself as the Royal Family.
However, after all, they were still Demon Beasts, not Demon Cultivators.
Demon Cultivators possessed intelligence and were no different from ordinary beings.
The self-congratulatory Demon Ape did not realize that it had been manipulated by Meng Kui.
The Nascent Soul-level attacks that fell upon the Lava Fairy Palace were suppressed to the Golden Core-level.
Zhu Zhen and other Golden Core-level Cultivators had already ascended into the air, blocking powerful attacks to ensure the safety of the structures.
Yet, their numbers were far fewer compared to the barrage. Numerous attacks reached the inner ring of the Lava Fairy Palace, causing varying degrees of damage to the mechanisms and even complete collapse.
Zhu Zhen, while fighting, actively searched for the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon.
So far, he hadn't spotted any unusual reinforcement of defensive forces.
However, he had discovered that the Demon Beast Tide was about to reach the Gourd Fire Furnace Forest.
This gave him a window of opportunity to fulfill Zhu Xuanji's entrusted task!
Deep in the clouds,
Meng Hu's gaze pierced through the heavens, surveying the entire battlefield.
His fighting spirit burned like the flames filling his sight, making him eager to act.
"Taiqing Palace, Taiqing Palace... why haven't you shown up yet?"
Thunderous booms...
The Nascent Soul-level confrontation shook the entire Persimmon Mountain.
Every direct clash caused the desk in front of Zhu Hou to tremble slightly.
He instinctively looked in the direction of Persimmon Mountain Peak, his mind flashing with Zhu Xuanji's image: "I wonder how things are going for little Ji."
He smiled slightly, then put aside his slight worries: "If little Ji isn't successful, who else in our Zhu Family Royal Family could be?"
"The child from the past is now the mainstay of our Zhu Family."
"Time flies..."
Zhu Hou couldn't help but recall the scenes of teaching young Zhu Xuanji.
In the Royal Capital,
Sixteen Understanding Law Maps were laid out on the desk.
Zhu Hou pointed them out one by one, having Zhu Xuanji articulate the understanding he had gained from each map.
Zhu Xuanji answered fluidly.
Zhu Hou was greatly satisfied, praising him: "Xuanji, you possess the Golden Eyes Talent, which is most capable of discerning the essence. Hence, understanding these Understanding Law Maps often allows you to see truths that others cannot."
"Plus, you are also clever and have excellent understanding, studying these Understanding Law Maps is truly the best cultivation method for you."
The young Zhu Xuanji lifted his little face: "Uncle, my Golden Eyes are so strong, why is my talent only considered Superior and not Transcendent? Transcendent Talent is also known as Immortal Aptitude, are they all stronger than my Golden Eyes? Humph, I don't believe it!"
Zhu Hou laughed: "The grading of talents is relative. Is Transcendent Talent always stronger than Low-Level Talent? Not necessarily, it depends on the specific circumstance."
"These grades are merely summaries we've made. Maybe one day, we'll find a better way to utilize the Golden Eyes Talent, allowing the grade of Golden Eyes to be elevated to Transcendent."
Zhu Xuanji asked further: "How do I develop my talent? Uncle, I heard that constantly using it is the way to go."
Zhu Hou shook his head: "Constant use isn't the essence of developing talent."
"Before answering this question, let me ask you: what does cultivation mean?"
Zhu Xuanji answered without thinking: "Cultivation means learning the true principles of nature and the universe through practice."
Zhu Hou nodded: "Correct. The rising and setting of the sun and moon, the cycle of life and death, these are the principles of the operation and extinction of all things in the universe."
"It is by learning and mastering these principles that we Cultivators can break free from mundane constraints, continuously extend our lives, and possess powers beyond ordinary humans."
With this, Zhu Hou pointed at the Understanding Law Maps on the desk: "These Understanding Law Maps are created by Cultivators proficient in painting. Through this method, they record some of the truths of the universe."
"You know about the True Scriptures, right? Those are written by Cultivators proficient in calligraphy, documenting their understanding of cultivation techniques to aid others' understanding."
"In this world, all talents are essentially part and parcel of these truths."
"Some innate talents contain more principles and are easier for us to utilize. We then classify these as high-level talents. Otherwise, they are low-level."
"The Golden Eyes Talent is considered superior because it embodies more principles, but its application is limited to assistance."
"Using the Golden Eyes often allows one to see through the essence of things, but the outcome of this ability is also heavily affected by the cultivator's own knowledge and perception."
Seeing Zhu Xuanji somewhat disheartened, Zhu Hou comforted him, "Although talents are graded, they are merely starting points. In the long run, it still depends on the cultivator's own development."
"If one can understand and master the principles contained in their talent, they can elevate their talent to a Divine Skill!"
"Whether it's Divine Skills or innate talents, both are powerful means that help cultivators to fight beyond their levels."
"Of course, not only talents can transform into Divine Skills. The essence of a Divine Skill is the understanding and mastery of the principles of the Dao."
"A common spell can also allow a cultivator to explore its principles and then elevate it to a Divine Skill."
"These Understanding Law Maps you see could all potentially be elevated to Divine Skills."
"Last time, I asked you to carefully select from these Understanding Law Maps to choose the main direction for your future cultivation. What is your choice now, little Ji?"
Zhu Xuanji did not hesitate and pointed to two of the Understanding Law Maps, "Uncle, I choose these two."
Zhu Hou looked closely, "Hmm, good."
"If you study these two maps deeply, you might master two Martial Arts Divine Abilities, specifically the Golden Mountain Stance and the Jade Pillar Body."
"Why did you choose them?"
Zhu Xuanji showed a longing expression and told Zhu Hou he had read many heroic tales and often imagined himself as an unparalleled hero on the battlefield, loyal and diligent to his country.
These heroes were standard-bearers of these two Divine Skills.
Zhu Xuanji: "When I was very young, teachers told me that formidable generals were scarce in our Southern Bean Country's Royal Family. In many cases, we had to rely on the Body Cultivation of other families. If I could master them, our Zhu Family would have its own hero."
"Good boy, good boy," praised Zhu Hou, "Thinking of the bigger picture, you are indeed enlightened."
"Since that's the case, I might as well make a move once and seek a Royal Family Divine Skill for your protection."
Zhu Xuanji was curious.
Zhu Hou explained, "This is an Official Skill Divine Technique called 'Golden Branches and Jade Leaves'. It can be cultivated individually or applied to another person for protection."
"Whether it's the cultivator or the cultivator who has the technique applied to them, they must be members of the nobles, royal family, emperor clan, or imperial family."
"Our Zhu Family's current patriarch has mastered this Divine Skill."
"Since you've chosen the Golden Mountain Stance and the Jade Pillar Body, the Golden Branches and Jade Leaves Divine Technique would be most suitable for you."
"In the future, if you can integrate the three Divine Skills, they will enhance each other, boosting your power drastically."
"If you can integrate and penetrate the three Divine Skills into one, you could even ascend to a level above Divine Skills!"
Lava Fairy Palace.
Secret Pavilion of Transition.
The Five Qi Torrent engulfed Zhu Xuanji, closely followed by Miss Rudie's all-out attack, erupting with Quasi-Golden Core level offensive.
The Five-Colored Mysterious Qi dispersed, revealing an immovable majestic figure!
Miss Rudie's attack created countless blocks of spatial fragments, colorful and dense, but none invaded Zhu Xuanji's body.
At this moment, Zhu Xuanji's body swelled to more than nine feet, muscles bulging, but wrapped in a black-edged red robe, forming a martial arts suit.
He stood proudly like a pillar holding up the sky.
Golden Qi swirled around his entire body, faintly revealing mountains. At this moment, in those mountains, a forest grew.
Every tree was made of golden branches and jade leaves, swaying in the wind, their gold and jade clashing, producing endless crisp chimes.
Official Skill Divine Technique—Golden Branches and Jade Leaves!
"Three Divine Skills?!" Ning Zhuo and others were greatly shaken.
Zhu Xuanji slowly turned around, his voice resonant like a great bell, "Ning Zhuo, you disappoint me greatly!"
"Leading you to the righteous path, yet you still choose the wrong way, cohabiting with Demon Cultivators like snakes in a pit."
"You've let down Li Leifeng, dashed my expectations, and failed your family."
With these words, Zhu Xuanji swept his arm across, instantly, a fierce wind howled.
Where his arm passed, the colorful fragments shattered, instantly dissipating.
Yang Chanyu, witnessing this scene, her pupils tightly constricted, thought, "What a joke? This is a Quasi-Golden Core level Array, and it's dissolved so effortlessly?!"
Miss Rudie's face paled, she directly said to Ning Zhuo, "Doctor, let's run! This man is fierce!"
How to run?
Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly; once he stepped in, he couldn't run anymore.
He was also within the confines of the Official Skill retreat.
As the situation grew more perilous, Ning Zhuo's heart became calmer.
He revealed a slight smile, his gaze sharp and fearless, looking straight at Zhu Xuanji, "Lord Zhu, you have no evidence, don't slander me so casually."
This time, I openly competed for the Lava Immortal Palace for my family!
The reason I aided the Bukong Sect is nothing more than an alliance for mutual benefit, just a struggle for interests.
I was actively responding to the Monarch's Recruitment Decree.