Chapter Thirty: The Celestial Tome Sanctuary

Chapter Thirty

It was no wonder Wu Hong was surprised; he had always believed that the True Interpretation of the Great Sun Tathagata was merely a miraculous body refinement manual. Yet, upon breaking through to the Blood Refinement realm, a new set of techniques suddenly appeared before him!

"I'm truly looking forward to it—what surprises will await me once I reach the Bone Refinement stage?" Wu Hong murmured with anticipation.

Even now, Wu Hong had yet to master any conventional martial arts attacks. All he possessed were the extraordinary energy manipulation techniques of the Nineteen Forms of Body Refinement. The energy techniques contained within these Nineteen Forms could only be described as utterly miraculous.

Otherwise, no matter how clever he was, it would have been impossible for Wu Hong to achieve the skill of dissecting an ox like a master butcher in just over a month, let alone apply these energy techniques in actual combat.

The manual of the True Interpretation of the Great Sun Tathagata hovered before him. The inscription of the Great Sun Tathagata Vajra Palm exuded a vigorous aura, as mighty as the blazing sun in the sky, radiating an intense masculinity.

Wu Hong, his hand trembling slightly, gently traced the characters for the Great Sun Tathagata Vajra Palm. Instantly, he felt a surge of domineering energy rush into his body, and a diagram of the human meridians appeared in his mind, as if it had always existed there.

The Great Sun Tathagata Vajra Palm belonged to the Yang, its element was fire—fierce and unyielding, making daytime cultivation twice as effective.

Following the energy pathways described within the Vajra Palm, Wu Hong sat cross-legged and began to channel his inner energy.

Soon, he felt his hands grow warm. Delighted, Wu Hong opened his eyes to find his hands enveloped in flickering flames. Though the fire seemed to emit no heat, Wu Hong knew its power was formidable.

While Wu Hong himself felt little, the other martial artists staying at the inn sensed the temperature suddenly rise by two or three degrees, though none could explain why.

Wu Hong stood, his stomach growling from days of fasting. He hadn't brought his weapons when leaving his room, haunted by an uneasy premonition that they might bring him trouble. So the weapons he'd always kept by his side lay abandoned in his bedroom, and he went downstairs alone to order some food.

"Ah, these are troubled times! With Wu Hong, the Demon King, on the loose, it's a misfortune for the martial world and for the House of the Martial Might Prince!"

Wu Hong had just taken a seat when he heard someone loudly discussing him. He felt nothing amiss; he'd always been a wanted man. But as the conversation continued, Wu Hong sensed something was wrong.

"That Wu Hong is truly detestable, committing such cruel and monstrous acts—how could he be so heartless?"

One man spoke loudly, showing no regard for others.

"Indeed! Those heroes whose sons and daughters he mutilated had never wronged him. Yet that young man is so ruthless. I heard that the only son of Master Li from Yunluo City fell victim to the Demon King's cruelty just days ago. Master Li has but one son, and now he's been castrated—how will he ever stand tall among men again?"

Wu Hong smiled silently at this, reflecting on karma—retribution had indeed arrived. Yet, after his ordeal with the heart demon, he found himself less concerned with such matters.

Still, Wu Hong was perplexed: who hated him so deeply as to commit such universally condemned deeds in his name?

As everyone discussed the affairs of the martial world—

A thunderous boom erupted; the entire inn shook. All the martial artists inside looked at one another, bewildered.

"The seal on Mount Wuyi has disappeared!" someone cried out in shock.

This startled the crowd; legend had it that the Cave of the Heavenly Book on Mount Wuyi opened once every fifty years, and it was still a month before the expected date. Yet the earth-shaking sensation was unmistakably the unsealing of the Heavenly Book Cave.

Immediately, all the martial artists in the inn grabbed their weapons and rushed out toward the rear of Yunluo City.

Wu Hong returned to his room to retrieve his weapons, packed quickly, and joined the throng leaving the inn.

Unlike the others, Wu Hong did not rush madly forward. The Heavenly Book was unique; its competition would be fierce and would not be decided so quickly.

As he walked, Wu Hong saw his own likeness plastered across every street and alley—lifelike paintings depicting him with a hammer in his right hand and a dagger in his left, his figure gaunt.

Wu Hong raised his hand, examining the distinctive weapons he carried, troubled by the realization that he had become a pariah throughout the land. Even though his appearance had changed greatly, the two weapons were unmistakable; sooner or later, they would reveal his identity.

Fortunately, the streets were crowded and chaotic, with everyone drawn by the tremors from Mount Wuyi, and none paid him any attention.

Wu Hong could only follow behind those who left the city first.

"Move aside—move aside!" As Wu Hong was about to run at full speed, a clamor of hooves and shouts came from behind.

Turning, Wu Hong saw a group of young men, one of whom, about twenty years old, brandished a riding whip, striking anyone who blocked his way. Those struck dared not protest.

Clearly, this youth was someone of high status. Wu Hong recognized him—it was Wang Liang, who had been drugged at the inn a few days ago.

Some martial artists tried to confront him after being whipped, but upon seeing the insignia on the sleeves of several black-clad men following Wang Liang, they swallowed their anger and stepped aside.

Others, unable to bear the injustice, wanted to argue, but their companions dragged them back, whispering, "Brother, do you want to die? These young masters and ladies are sons and daughters of the capital's Ministerial families. That leading woman is even more remarkable—she's the daughter of the Martial Might Prince."

The would-be protester clicked his tongue in amazement—no wonder they were so arrogant.

"Wang Liang! You've gone too far!" Wu Songran snapped sharply at Wang Liang.

Wang Liang merely gave her a cold glance and replied icily, "What's it to you? I do as I please!"

"You—hmph—" Wu Songran, infuriated, pointed at Wang Liang. Then, as if remembering something, she snorted coldly and ignored him.

The other three young men accompanying Wu Songran, especially sensitive, were visibly displeased at her concession.

Wu Hong stood among the crowd, watching Wang Liang's strange behavior in confusion.

He knew, back in the desert's thatched tavern, Wang Liang had clearly shown ambiguous feelings toward Wu Songran. Yet, after just a few days, Wang Liang had changed completely, showing her no respect at all.

Now, with a cold face, everything irritated him. His heart was torn—once, he had deeply admired Wu Songran, but lately, a conflicting feeling tormented him, driving him nearly mad!

Wang Liang was gradually losing interest in women. Even when presented with the most beautiful naked woman, he might have thoughts, but when he realized he could no longer fulfill certain desires, it drove him to madness.

The sound of hooves faded into the distance. Wu Hong followed behind. At this moment, Wu Songran, Wang Liang, and the others hated Wu Hong fiercely, but given Wu Hong's transformed appearance, they failed to recognize him.

If they saw his distinctive weapons, perhaps they would suspect, but Wu Hong remained hidden among the crowd.

Following the procession for nearly an hour, Wu Hong finally saw a towering mountain piercing the clouds, its summit capped with eternal snow.

The enormous mountain was encircled by a winding road, like a colossal dragon coiling its way upward, the summit forming the dragon's head.

The Heavenly Book Cave lay halfway up the mountain, once shrouded by a mysterious force that prevented outsiders from entering—now, it was enveloped in colorful clouds.

"Wow—the legends are true! The clouds swirl and the Heavenly Book opens!" The cave opened once every fifty years; given human lifespans, many were here for the first time, having only heard stories before.

The awe-inspiring scene left everyone stunned. Did the legendary realm of immortality truly exist? Yet, even with the Heavenly Book Cave before them, the crowd paused halfway up the mountain.

All the martial artists seeking to claim the Heavenly Book gathered at the mountain's base, but none dared to ascend first, fearing that whoever took the lead would become the target of all others.

The atmosphere grew tense and anxious.