Chapter 23
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Chapter 23: Four Yin Four Yang Flying Head Burial Array
When Li Hui opened his eyes, it coincided perfectly with the first crow of the rooster.
He had practiced throughout the night, and five pieces of cotton-splitting Miao Jade and twelve pieces of green Miao Jade had turned to dust, scattering between his fingers.
“There are still thirteen pieces of Mixed-colored Miao Jade left.” Li Hui didn’t notice any adverse effects from using the Mixed-colored Miao Jade, so he carefully tried to direct his spiritual energy into his arms.
Suddenly, faint golden light erupted from his arms, revealing two majestic golden claws that held wisps of mist and gentle breeze between their sharp tips.
“Dragon Claw pattern?”
“There’s no mistake; the Chicken Claw pattern and Eagle Claw pattern aren’t this robust. The limbs above the claws don’t bend like an elbow nor have diamond-shaped scales. I specifically looked for books about Spirit Motion patterns among the miscellaneous texts. While I didn’t find detailed images, bits of knowledge had been passed down, indicating the unique features of the Dragon Claw pattern, which is robust and incorporates features of the Dragon Scale pattern.”
With a thought, Li Hui took out the nine-chain bag that stored the nine heads, his eyes glinting with determination.
“Hmm, my mind is filled with miscellaneous texts, but if I search intentionally, they can still play a significant role. These nine heads must have cost a fortune—requiring young maidens, maidens, healthy women, and old women born in Yang years, Yang months, and Yang hours; young boys, young men, robust men, and old men born in Yin years, Yin months, and Yin hours; plus one rare yin-yang person’s head. Then, using the immense bliss Earthly magic talismans, by fostering a situation similar to fusion, I could invert the duality of these heads to harmonize Yin and Yang, thus making it possible to craft the Nine-Yin Nine-Yang Flying Heads Ground Burial Great Array.”
“However, Zheng Tianxiang can’t present nine immense bliss Earthly magic talismans; not even half a treasure talisman. So, I must settle for second best and obtain nine Nine-Written Demon Blood Command talismans instead, using the Yin-Yang heads as the core and refining the other eight heads into the Four Yin Four Yang Flying Head Burial Array. Its power won’t even be one ten-thousandth of the actual Flying Heads Ground Burial Great Array, and I must refine the Nine-Written Demon Blood Command talismans into my ancestral acupoint; otherwise, these heads won’t obey and may even counterattack, endangering the user’s life.”
In truth, even the inferior version of the Nine-Yin Nine-Yang Flying Heads Ground Burial Great Array was beyond Zheng Tianxiang’s means. His family had gone to great lengths, sacrificing many lives along the way, just to gather nine heads.
This doesn’t include the significant sums the Zheng family spent to invite true disciples from the Jade Symbol Sect to craft the Nine-Written Demon Blood Command talismans. Although once this array was successfully created, it would still belong to Zheng Tianxiang to use, it ultimately remained a communal treasure of the family.
This meant that the Four Yin Four Yang Flying Head Burial Array was financed and supported by the Zheng family to help Zheng Tianxiang secure a means of survival, yet he had no right to lend it to others or claim it for himself. Even losing it in a duel would lead to severe punishment.
Of course, Li Hui didn’t know any of this. Even if he did, it wouldn’t matter. He placed the nine heads on the bed and suddenly looked at the silver snake bracelet.
“According to the final notes of Senior Chen Mengde in his travelogue, this silver snake is incredibly stingy. Even if I enforce the Dao Rhythm law seal to pluck feathers from the iron rooster, the extent to which I can pull feathers is limited.” Li Hui didn’t know what the Dao Rhythm law seal was, but it didn’t stop him from speculating.
Reflecting on the wording from the travelogue, he could determine the silver snake bracelet offered talismanic power. It would only stay strong for a period after consuming ritual artifacts. The precise timing was uncertain; ideally, the sooner the better. It was paramount not to delay, or once this opportunity passed, pulling feathers would be as difficult as climbing to the sky!
“Heh, it seems I must inherit the old elder’s will and make it my mission to pluck feathers from the iron rooster, dedicating my limited life to the limitless endeavor of feather plucking!”
Li Hui pricked his finger and dropped a drop of blood onto each of the Demon Blood Command talismans. He saw the silver snake bracelet flash with a faint white light, clearly not as vibrant as the three talismans from the Artifact Pavilion he activated when leaving the sect.
Fortunately, these were just command talismans, and he was not activating them but merely allowing them to enter his ancestral acupoint, hiding deep within his mind. For Zheng Tianxiang, it might be difficult, but for the still-functional silver snake bracelet, it was no trouble at all.
In moments, nine talismans dove into the heads, leaving a slender line of blood at the center of each head’s forehead.
Next would be the real challenge—he needed to slightly activate the Nine-Written Demon Blood Command talismans. If these command talismans lacked power and could not support the commands, the heads would be infected with demon blood and transform into creatures that would counterattack the user.
“Fortunately, the silver snake bracelet can absorb counterattacks; that’s its role as an amplification artifact. It’s also what Senior Chen Mengde took the most pride in. One can’t just pluck feathers without paying some interest after his death, can they? Because of this, Zheng Tianxiang is dawdling with the nine heads while I dare to boldly try.”
“Quickly!”
As Li Hui formed hand seals, he swiftly directed spiritual energy into the nine heads. With a loud "whoosh," the nine heads ignited in flames.
This was not ordinary fire, but demonic flames!
Having entered the Spirit Motion stage and opened the Spirit Motion marks, Li Hui clearly felt that he was now adept at forming seals; it was no longer as challenging as before when he needed the iron finger armor for help. Additionally, directing his spiritual energy was not merely at his whim; it flowed according to his thoughts, which was far stronger than before.
“This is the Spirit Motion stage?”
“This is the feeling of strength?”
“How wonderful! It feels as though one day I can grasp my own destiny, but…” Li Hui fell silent. He didn’t know how much last night’s advancement extended his lifespan. Even disregarding that, the Jade Symbol Sect had invested so much, placing all those cultivation methods and secrets into his mind. Could a mere nobody like him really transcend control? It was obvious it was impossible just by thinking about it.
People are the butcher’s knife, and I am the fish; this kind of pressure surpassed even his short lifespan because he didn’t know when the dark hand would cast its shadow over him. At that moment, could he, Li Hui, transcend?
“I must grow stronger, stronger! Even if I die, I want to take out a few of my enemies’ teeth. If we can both perish, that would be the best outcome.” Li Hui exuded a fierce aura. He had survived through turbulent times; he was a wolf, not a sheep.
The silver snake bracelet lit up nine times, reminiscent of the last shiver a child has after urinating, then returned to normal.
Despite having prepared mentally beforehand, seeing the silver snake bracelet like this made Li Hui grit his teeth and say, “Good thing I was quick. If I could pluck feathers, I would. I acted without hesitation. Otherwise, if I waited a few hours more, I wouldn’t be able to pluck a single feather!”
The blood flames swirling around the nine heads had mostly dissipated. Li Hui could tell purely by feeling that this array had quietly succeeded!
With a sigh of relief, Li Hui tossed the nine pieces of Mixed-colored Miao Jade.
The nine heads shrank from their previously plump forms, and following the authentic production process, a successful outcome required substantial blood food or even spiritual blood. Naturally, he didn’t have those nearby and could only bear the heartache to feed each head a piece of Miao Jade.
“With that, I’m left with just a few pieces of Miao Jade. If I activate the third Spirit Motion mark soon, that will be difficult!”
