Chapter Seventy-Three: The Pact of Words – The Secret of the Divine Beast

Xiaoyaozi was astonished to hear that Wood had practiced the Hunyuan Celestial Mirror, acquired the Golden Flood Dragon Shears, and consumed the lettuce. “Your luck is truly extraordinary!” he exclaimed.

“The Hunyuan Celestial Mirror is said to be a cultivation method that leads directly to the Sage realm, yet among cultivators, it has always been rumored but never seen. I never expected it to be hidden in the basic material plane and, by chance, found by you.”

“Ah?” Wood was stunned to learn the significance of the Hunyuan Celestial Mirror, and that he had unwittingly laid the foundation for its practice.

“But don’t be too quick to rejoice,” Xiaoyaozi said, worry clouding his face. “This may be a blessing or a curse for you. While your strength has improved, records say the Hunyuan Celestial Mirror is a method meant for immortals. Mortals who force its cultivation will only see their true essence dry up and perish. You were only at the stage of liquefying true essence, yet, with the help of the lettuce—a rare treasure—you managed to practice it. Truly bizarre!”

“Dry up and perish?” Wood was terrified; he certainly didn’t want to die so carelessly.

Xiaoyaozi chuckled. “Since you survived the initial hurdle, I suppose you’ll be fine. But no one has ever practiced the Hunyuan Celestial Mirror, so how you cultivate and comprehend it will be up to you.” He paused, then continued, “I do know about the Golden Flood Dragon Shears. Legend says it is a formidable attack immortal artifact, but its origins are unclear. Still… can you wield an immortal artifact?”

Wood shook his head. “I don’t know. I already gave it to… well, a friend as a protective immortal weapon.”

“You gave it away? An immortal artifact?” Xiaoyaozi flicked Wood’s forehead. “Such generosity! Why not give me an immortal artifact?”

Wood replied helplessly, “Master, my friend isn’t human. She’s a silver dragon transformed from a carp, trapped by the Golden Flood Dragon Shears for thousands of years. When I freed her, she wanted to repay me, offering to become my guardian mount. Naturally, I gave her the Golden Flood Dragon Shears as a gift.”

“A silver dragon? Summon her so I can see,” Xiaoyaozi’s expression changed dramatically.

Wood explained, “I can’t summon her now. She’s with me in the fantasy plane, battling the Dragon King. She’s absorbed his dragon essence and is currently cocooning.” He recounted his battle with the Dragon King.

Xiaoyaozi cared little for the battle, instead probing into the details of rescuing the Immortal in the Clouds. Though Wood found it strange, he recounted everything honestly. At last, Xiaoyaozi sighed, “You were too reckless. Since the Immortal in the Clouds transformed from a carp to a dragon, she’s a divine beast. The soul of a divine beast is immensely powerful. If you formed a contract with her and were careless, you’d become her subordinate.”

Wood was puzzled. “I didn’t form a contract with her. She said she’d be my guardian mount, but I didn’t take it seriously!”

Xiaoyaozi shook his head and sighed, “That’s my fault. We come from different planes, and I haven’t explained many cultivation details to you. Divine beasts are spiritual entities of the world. They don’t need blood or magic contracts; their contracts are made by words. The so-called word contract is one of the golden decrees, within the domain of immortals. If a divine beast says, ‘I want to be your guardian mount,’ and you nod or verbally agree, the contract is established. The catch is, whoever’s soul is stronger becomes the master. Fortunately, you had just laid the foundation of the Hunyuan Celestial Mirror, while the little dragon was weakened after being trapped for thousands of years. Otherwise, you might have become her mount!”

Wood was shocked. “So the Immortal in the Clouds was trying to… subdue me?” His heart ached; he’d always liked the little dragon and did not want to be manipulated. He wasn’t even sure if he had nodded or agreed at the time.

However, Xiaoyaozi dispelled his doubts. “Probably not. First, she had just become a divine beast and might not know this principle. Second, you were strong while she was weak; if she wanted to subdue you, it wouldn’t be then. Third, and most importantly, beasts are quite straightforward. Since you rescued her, she wouldn’t harm you. There’s a divine beast law about this—I’m not entirely clear, but it’s something like: if you benefit a divine beast, any harm from her will bring disaster upon herself.”

Wood finally relaxed. He certainly didn’t want to be outwitted by that delicate beauty.

His eyes lit up. “Master, are there many divine beasts in the cultivation plane? Did you ever take a divine beast as a guardian mount?”

Xiaoyaozi shot him a glare. “Did you listen at all? Contracts with divine beasts are made by words, and whoever’s soul is stronger is the master. Most divine beasts are at immortal level. If you gather countless helpers and subdue a divine beast, the moment it speaks, you become its guardian mount. Who would be so foolish?”

Wood protested, “I don’t understand any of this. I rely on your guidance!”

Xiaoyaozi replied, “In the cultivation world I inhabit, only a handful possess divine beast mounts. These people have reached the realm of immortals, but for unknown reasons cannot ascend to the immortal realm. They have already comprehended unity with heaven and earth and fear no tribulation, making them the strongest beings in this world.”

He continued, “Keep your practice of the Hunyuan Celestial Mirror, your divine beast, and the Golden Flood Dragon Shears secret from everyone but me. Remember: a common man may be innocent, but a treasure brings him trouble. The Hunyuan Celestial Mirror is said to lead directly to the Sage realm; those supreme figures of the cultivation world may covet it!”

Wood knew Xiaoyaozi spoke for his sake and hurriedly bowed. “Thank you for your guidance, Master!”

Xiaoyaozi smiled faintly. “Previously, I taught you the method of controlling qi. Today, I’ll teach you the art of sword flight!” He began to form various seals, instructing Wood in the sword flight mind technique.

He explained, “Sword flight requires the Jade Clarity Technique at eighth level, with the formation of a golden core. But since you can already invoke the luck of heaven and earth, you have the realm of a nascent soul. Sword flight shouldn’t be difficult.”

Wood had acquired the Dragon King’s innate skill, ‘Imprint Shadow Technique,’ representing the highest level of comprehension. As long as he could move true essence, any technique or method he saw or heard once, he could master. Thus, Xiaoyaozi only demonstrated once, and Wood was able to ride the ‘Azure Sky’ sword, albeit wobbling atop the mountain, practicing balance. Wood had always yearned to learn sword flight; but for his first attempt, he would have soared through the clouds.

Wood’s rapid mastery startled Xiaoyaozi, though who wouldn’t be delighted by a talented disciple? Watching Wood’s awkward but improving flights, Xiaoyaozi was overjoyed. With a wave, a radiant flying sword appeared beneath his feet—his newly chosen sword ‘Crimson Cloud,’ selected after reaching the nascent soul stage.

He stepped onto the immortal sword, formed a seal with his right hand, and pointed skyward. The Crimson Cloud sword emitted a shrill cry and shot straight into the heavens. Wood hurried to follow, nervous in his first sword flight, not daring to look down as the green peaks flashed by. Suddenly, everything turned white—he had pierced the thick clouds.

Surrounded by endless mist and howling winds, Wood’s nerves were taut. Though soaring through blue skies and white clouds was exhilarating, his anxiety outweighed the excitement. He focused intently on Xiaoyaozi, unwilling to relax for a moment.

In this sea of clouds, they flew for nearly half an hour. Just as Wood grew accustomed, the sky suddenly brightened—they had burst from the clouds.

Only then did Xiaoyaozi slow, letting Wood catch up. He smiled, “Excellent, excellent! Never expected my lineage at Boundless Peak to produce such a gifted disciple!”

But Wood was too overwhelmed to listen. Now, he could savor the joy of sword flight; the boundless blue sky was magnificent and awe-inspiring. In the endless azure, a towering mountain pierced the heavens, surrounded by countless streaks of light. Looking closely, he saw cultivators riding various treasures and swords toward the peak—likely disciples of the Grand Void Sect.

At last, Xiaoyaozi explained, “This is the main peak of Grand Void—Cloud Piercer. Our Grand Void Sect is a great cultivation sect, divided into five lineages. I am of Boundless Peak, with about a hundred disciples. I was once of poor aptitude and dared not mislead others, so you are my first disciple. Boundless Peak is overseen by another senior, who has over ten disciples, but even so, ours is the smallest lineage.”

As they spoke, Xiaoyaozi and Wood merged into the flow of disciples flying toward Cloud Piercer, many lower-level disciples bowing to Xiaoyaozi in greeting.

Xiaoyaozi ignored their bows and said, “Wood, remember: the cultivation world values strength. Soon, disciples will likely test your abilities. Don’t be polite—show your skills freely; I’ll back you.”

Wood paused. “Master, you want me to establish authority?”

Xiaoyaozi replied, “For the sake of Boundless Peak’s reputation. Our founder was gentle and uncompetitive, so all the talented disciples were taken by other lineages, leaving Boundless Peak with those of lesser aptitude. For centuries, Boundless Peak has become the sect’s gathering place for ‘failures.’ Aside from myself, finally, our lineage has a disciple worth boasting about!”