I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 480Book 2: : The Nine Luminaries Open, Crowds Flock In
Vol 2 Chapter 480: The Nine Luminaries Open, Crowds Flock In
"Qian Kun Tripod?" Yuan Xiaoniao lay sprawled across the bronze tripod, her head practically stuffed inside as if she wanted to cook herself alive. Her tone was cheerful, "Is it really powerful?"
"It should be quite powerful." The Heavenly Emperor body pondered before speaking, "At the very least, it's not inferior to the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation."
The nearby Senior Sister Zhang and others listened with growing alarm, their gazes toward the Qian Kun Tripod becoming distinctly different.
Yuan Xiaoniao clung to the edge of the bronze tripod, lowering her head with her mouth open, the corners of her lips actually glistening.
Was she... craving the tripod itself?
Even after knowing Yuan Xiaoniao for nearly a century, he sometimes found it difficult to understand this little bird's thought process.
"Senior Sister Yuan?"
"You know," Yuan Xiaoniao came back to her senses, expressing genuine wonder, "if we used such an amazing treasure to cook meat... how incredibly fragrant would it be?"
The Heavenly Emperor body silently turned his gaze to the Qian Kun Tripod, feeling that within the ancient, desolate cracks of its inscriptions were densely written the words "food lover."
If this Qian Kun Tripod was truly what he thought it was, then Yuan Xiaoniao's idea could be considered downright sacrilegious.
These characters and their connection to oracle bone script suddenly made Zheng Fa realize something: he had always wondered why the divine abilities he obtained so closely resembled modern legends, with such deep connections.
But now it seemed those legends might contain faint traces of history—not modern history, but the history of Xuanyi Realm, the history of the First Era.
To Zheng Fa—no, to anyone in Xuanyi Realm—the First Era was completely unfamiliar.
Even the most ancient Taishang Dao actually originated from the Second Era.
In this world, there were essentially no survivors from the First Era, which seemed quite unreasonable.
The subsequent three eras all had many powerful beings who survived, still influencing the situation in Xuanyi to this day.
Only the First Era existed purely in legends. Even what exactly happened during the First Era remained unclear to anyone.
From these characters deeply connected to oracle bone script, Zheng Fa formed an idea—what happened in the First Era had actually been preserved in the modern world, becoming the elusive legends of immortals.
They were the gods worshipped by the Shang dynasty people.
They became the immortals longed for over millennia.
Later, they even entered novels and storybooks.
"If we take the Shang dynasty as the boundary..." the Heavenly Emperor body pondered secretly, "'Investiture of the Gods'? 'Primordial Chaos'?"
Was the First Era the Primordial Chaos Era?
Were these characters remnants from the First Era?
Uncle Pang pulled aside the drooling Yuan Xiaoniao, circling the Qian Kun Tripod once before saying puzzled, "This thing looks completely devoid of great power. How can it compare to the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation?" ʀàƝo͍𝐁Εʂ
"I'm afraid it might even surpass it." The Heavenly Emperor body shook his head, "The Slaying Immortal Sword Formation was forged by Tianhe Venerable. This Qian Kun Tripod is probably a relic from ancient times."
Simply put, judging from the inscriptions, this thing looked like an antique. Even if not genuine, it was at least an aged replica.
"What's its use?"
"You can already interpret most of those inscriptions. This tripod's most important function is actually... treasure refinement."
"For artifact forging?"
"Specifically, it only has the ability to enhance artifacts." The Heavenly Emperor body pointed to four characters beside the tripod's foot, "Return to Primordial."
"Primordial?"
Senior Sister Zhang was extremely sensitive to these two words, as she already possessed the mystical Primordial Eight Trigrams divine ability.
"Yes, this tripod can refine artifacts into primordial artifacts. Of course, I don't know how to refine them or what the consumption would be."
"What are primordial artifacts?"
"Don't know." The Heavenly Emperor body's expression also showed some regret, "Our interpretation of the tripod's script still needs improvement. We only know that when artifacts become primordial artifacts, their power receives some enhancement."
"This... the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation?" Senior Sister Zhang's eyes lit up, "Can it be used to upgrade the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation?"
"Senior Sister and my true self thought alike."
The Heavenly Emperor body smiled and nodded. What Jiushan Sect needed most to upgrade right now was indeed the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation!
To be fair, the sword formation was already quite powerful, but external developments were advancing rapidly, and its power was gradually falling behind.
Even with the Myriad Immortal Formation technique, the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation's power had actually improved very slowly over the years—essentially, this was like breaking through from True Immortal to Golden Immortal. For anyone, consuming several hundred thousand to a million years wouldn't be considered very long.
It's just that Jiushan Sect didn't have that much time left.
Therefore, upon learning the Qian Kun Tripod's function, Zheng Fa immediately thought of the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation.
Uncle Pang said happily, "This Gu God person is really quite good!"
"Probably she vaguely knew about the Qian Kun Tripod's marvels but didn't really know how to use it."
"But don't we also not really know how to use it?" Uncle Pang's face fell at this thought, looking at the bronze tripod with the confusion of a primitive man holding an RPG.
"The key is still these inscriptions." Senior Sister Zhang said softly.
"Fairy Xiao, please organize personnel to analyze these inscriptions."
The Heavenly Emperor body first spoke to Xiao Yuying.
Even though modern research had already begun, Jiushan Realm cultivators weren't completely waiting to be spoon-fed anymore.
After decades of development, the sect actually already had a group of excellent scholars.
"Alright."
Xiao Yuying looked at the bronze tripod, her eyes quite bright. Compared to others, she cared more about the great civilization hidden behind these inscriptions.
She thought for a moment, then frowned again, hesitating, "This research project still has too little information. It will be difficult to achieve results in a short time."
"I understand, no need to rush."
Modern scholars had also mentioned this point. Although these scripts were closely related to oracle bone script, they actually constituted a new writing system. Moreover, their research on oracle bone script itself faced numerous difficulties, making it hard to produce results quickly.
"I'm thinking that Jiuyao Heaven might hold some surprises."
"Jiuyao Heaven?" Uncle Pang was startled.
"This Qian Kun Tripod belongs to Gu God. Where did she obtain it from?" The Heavenly Emperor pointed at the bronze tripod, speaking slowly, "And that altar..."
"They're both closely connected to Jiuyao Heaven! Could it be that even the Qian Kun Tripod came from Jiuyao Heaven?" Uncle Pang understood, "Are you saying that Jiuyao Heaven might also conceal secrets of the First Era?"
"Exactly. If there's any place in Xuanyi Realm that might contain such script, it's probably Jiuyao Heaven."
Everyone nodded slightly, unconsciously looking toward the direction of Haori Mountain.
...
Zheng Fa was also waiting for Jiuyao Heaven to open, but these Lu Clan members were really taking their time.
Below the Haori Golden Summit, Lu Clan members stood around the altar in several concentric circles.
They hung their heads, softly reciting sacrificial texts while circling the primitive remains.
"Lu Yan" mouthed along, but his peripheral vision never left the area below the altar.
The Great Elder of the Lu Clan and several others danced about while making formation spells, their voices louder than the others.
Lying near the base of the altar were three long tables holding sacrificial offerings.
On the right was a mysterious turtle, while in the middle and left lay two cultivators.
They lay with closed eyes, facing the primitive statue as if unconscious, yet their expressions clearly showed terror.
All three were at Nascent Soul cultivation level. Even with the Lu Clan's strength, they had struggled to gather them.
Or rather, they never actually gathered enough.
The Yun and Luo clans had been closely watching the Lu Clan, leaving them no opportunity to capture sacrifices.
The mysterious turtle and one cultivator had been captured earlier and kept imprisoned.
The cultivator in the very center actually... bore the Lu surname—not of Lu Clan bloodline, but an outsider who had earned the Lu surname through struggle.
Because of the Shi Nandang incident, these outsiders already occupied somewhat awkward positions. Now with one Nascent Soul sacrifice missing, the Great Elder of the Lu Clan, fearing complications, decided to simply pick an unfortunate individual.
Looking at the familiar face lying below the altar, almost all Lu Clan disciples avoided looking directly.
"Lu Yan" however examined carefully.
He saw streams of spiritual energy pouring from the mouths and noses of the three, like smoke, flying into the vortex above.
The vortex's red color deepened, and the primitive remains' chest rose and fell more noticeably, as if truly coming to life.
The chants of the Great Elder and others grew even louder, making "Lu Yan" want to cover his ears.
Then, the eyelids of the primitive remains suddenly moved.
The three Nascent Soul sacrifices instantly shattered into bloody foam, transforming into two streams of red smoke that surged into the nostrils of the primitive remains.
An incredibly terrifying aura spread across the summit of Yuanzun Peak.
"Open..."
A deep voice resounded throughout Haori Mountain.
"The sacred land has opened!" the Great Elder shouted, "Holy Patriarch's bloodline, those with cultivation above Nascent Soul, follow me into Jiuyao Heaven!"
"All others, guard this place! With the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow here, your lives are secure!"
"Yes!"
This had been the Lu Clan's arrangement all along.
The relics in Jiuyao Heaven were almost impossible for lower-cultivation Lu Clan members to obtain, so it was better to wait here.
This both preserved their lives and allowed control over Haori Mountain's great formation, preventing their home base from being attacked.
"Lu Yan" watched eight Nascent Soul cultivators of Lu Ancestor bloodline rush outward, feeling concerned for his sect leader.
...
Zheng Fa stood at the entrance to Jiuyao Heaven.
The gate to Jiuyao Heaven had already swung open, with streaks of red light shooting forth from within.
Luo Yun and Yun Fan stood beside him with members of the Yun and Luo clans, their expressions worried.
"The Lu Clan has finally opened Jiuyao Heaven." Yun Fan said quietly, "If they truly obtain Lu Clan relics, we..."
He didn't finish, but members of the Yun and Luo clans exchanged glances, understanding his unspoken concern.
The three clans were essentially already at a breaking point, but with Haori Mountain's great formation still in Lu Clan hands, they didn't dare truly fight.
But if the Lu Clan members really found some powerful treasure, it would mean disaster for them.
"Let's go in too!"
A Yun Clan Nascent Soul cultivator suddenly said, his eyes flashing with unmistakable greed, "We're all Haori Mountain disciples. We should have a share of that treasure too!"
Yun Fan's expression shifted slightly, his gaze unconsciously turning to Zheng Fa as if seeking instruction.
Zheng Fa pondered slightly, "We still need to see what the situation is in Jiuyao Heaven. Perhaps we should wait a bit longer..."
"Wait?" Unexpectedly, the Yun Clan member sneered, "How can opportunities be waited for? Patriarch Shi, you're being too cautious."
Having said this, the person didn't wait for others to speak before flying directly toward Jiuyao Heaven.
Seeing this, others from the Yun and Luo clans also showed signs of temptation.
Zheng Fa remained expressionless, simply watching this person's retreating figure.
Jiuyao Heaven seemed to be repelling him, making his progress difficult, but blinded by greed, he mustered his spiritual power and charged fiercely toward the cave entrance, seemingly about to enter.
Suddenly, golden flames erupted from the cave entrance. Within the flames, only the man's scream could be heard.
When the flames dissipated, the man's figure had long disappeared.
Those who had been tempted earlier couldn't help but change expressions, stepping back. Looking at the cave entrance again, it seemed like a bloodthirsty maw that devoured people without spitting out bones.
Zheng Fa also frowned slightly. Jiuyao Heaven apparently had an access mechanism, though that golden flame somewhat resembled his Great Sun True Fire.
"You actually think you can enter my clan's sacred land?" A voice came from behind them as eight Lu Clan members surged toward the cave entrance. The Lu Clan Great Elder laughed while shouting, "Aside from Lu Clan members, no one can enter!"
They flew into the cave entrance, also proceeding step by step, moving extremely slowly toward the interior, not worried about Zheng Fa and others attacking from behind.
Just as Zheng Fa considered testing the waters, his heart suddenly tightened, and he looked toward the sky.
A black fissure had suddenly appeared in the sky.
A gigantic divine eagle flew out from the fissure, its two golden wings shining upon the Haori Golden Summit.
Golden-Winged Great Peng?
Why had he come here?
Zheng Fa's heart stirred, abandoning his plan to attack.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng hadn't come alone either. Behind him actually stood a white-robed youth—bald-headed with an indifferent expression, looking at Jiuyao Heaven as he asked, "So this is the Jiuyao Heaven my master left behind?"
Master?
From this address, this person seemed to be Lu Mo's disciple. Judging by his attire, he appeared to be a monk... someone from Leiyin Temple?
Zheng Fa focused his senses slightly and found he couldn't discern this person's strength at all. Yet the Golden-Winged Great Peng's powerful strength and unruly nature could carry him here, clearly indicating this monk was no ordinary individual.
These two also didn't seem to take the Haori Mountain people seriously, flying directly toward the cave.
The Lu Clan Great Elder seemed flustered too, saying, "This is my Lu Clan's secret realm. Only Lu Clan members can..."
The monk took out a golden treasure pearl and threw it toward the cave entrance. The pearl emitted a golden light that enveloped both of them as they slowly flew into Jiuyao Heaven.
This left several Lu Clan members gaping, staring at them while muttering, "Holy Patriarch's essence blood!"
Their expressions resembled returning home to find Little San sleeping in their own bed.
They looked utterly furious, yet surprisingly none interfered. Instead, they gritted their teeth and continued walking into the cave.
Zheng Fa basically understood—the Jiuyao Heaven entrance seemed to have some hidden rule against conflict.
This place even seemed to repel both the Lu Clan members and the monk. Though not burned by the golden flames, they progressed with great difficulty, slower than old men.
Zheng Fa waited a while longer. The Jiuyao Heaven entrance had already begun shrinking, as if about to disappear.
Seeing no one else arriving, he finally nodded to Yun Fan and Luo Yun, taking two steps forward.
"Shi Nandang, you want to come in treasure hunting too?" The Lu Clan Great Elder inside laughed at his movement, "You have no connection to the Holy Patriarch whatsoever! Pure wishful thinking!"
Even the Golden-Winged Great Peng and the monk turned back to look.
Zheng Fa took two steps forward, feeling a repulsive force coming from the cave entrance, as if resisting his entry.
Ignoring these people, he revealed the back of his palm, displaying his Sacred Blood Seal.
"Sacred Blood Seal..." the Lu Clan Great Elder's voice filled with hatred, "You think having the Sacred Blood Seal lets you enter? Don't you know even the Yun and Luo founding ancestors couldn't enter Jiuyao Heaven!"
Indeed, although the Sacred Blood Seal had some effect, the repulsive force from Jiuyao Heaven hadn't dissipated.
"I told you you couldn't..."
Zheng Fa paid no attention to the Lu Clan member's chatter, instead quietly circulating his spiritual power. An aura of Fusang Wood emanated from him.
The Lu Clan members, the Golden-Winged Great Peng, and the monk only felt a figure flash past them like lightning.
Both groups stopped in their tracks, staring blankly ahead.
