87: Break into the Shang Dynasty Imperial Mausoleum and obtain the art of Tianyan

Great Shang Imperial Mausoleum.

"Old Ancestor, you must uphold justice for me!"

A young man in a black python robe, tears and snot streaming down his face, crawled to the feet of a richly dressed elder.

He was completely oblivious to the hint of disgust that flickered in the elder's eyes.

"That Wu Mingyue, a mere woman, what virtue or ability does she possess to inherit the Great Succession?

Now, Great Shang is Yin and Yang inverted, heaven and earth in chaos. I implore Old Ancestor to set things right!"

Beside the young man, the composed Ninth Imperial Uncle said respectfully.

For days, Wu Mingyue had been relentlessly pursuing and cornering the opposition.

Now, they were among the few remaining remnants.

If not for their loyal followers risking their lives to break a path, they wouldn't have been able to enter the Imperial Mausoleum and meet the Imperial Family's True Dan Grandmaster, Yin Taiping.

"Hmph, useless things.

Great Shang's empire, in the hands of the Thirteenth Prince, has fallen to what state over these years.

That girl Mingyue, I think she's quite good.

Her methods, her Heart-Nature, in what way are they not stronger than yours?"

Yin Taiping snorted coldly.

Immediately, the Ninth Imperial Uncle broke out in a cold sweat.

Only then did he truly recognize reality.

How could Wu Mingyue's ascension to power not have received the approval of all the Imperial Family's True Dan Grandmasters?

"Ninth Prince, this matter is settled, no need for further discussion.

Your only value now is to procreate more, expanding our Yin Bloodline.

Leave..."

"Old Ancestor..."

The python-robed young man's face was filled with sorrow, but then Yin Taiping waved his palm, and in a blink of an eye, the two disappeared.

Yin Taiping sighed softly.

He was the Imperial Family's foremost True Core Realm Old Ancestor, and the thousand-year foundation of his ancestors had declined in his generation, so he naturally felt desolate in his heart.

Suddenly, he frowned, looking towards the horizon of the Imperial Mausoleum.

A five-colored Escape Light flew over.

"Hmm? Who dares to trespass into my Great Shang Imperial Mausoleum!"

A precious seal appeared in his palm, with nine lifelike coiled Dragons on it.

It was precisely the Spirit Treasure left by Great Shang's Ancestor Yin—the Nine Dragon Seal.

Yin Taiping activated the Nine Dragon Seal, and immediately, a layer of light and shadow appeared over the Imperial Mausoleum, transforming into a five-colored giant hand that reached out to capture.

This was the power of the Imperial Mausoleum's protective Formation.

Capturing ordinary True Dan Cultivators was as easy as pie.

"Heh... the Imperial Mausoleum indeed has a Formation guarding it... but these meager methods, it's too much to underestimate Gu."

As the five-colored giant hand struck, Gu Changsheng did not evade it. His Qi and Blood surged, transforming into a thirty-foot golden body, and he punched out.

Bang—

The powerful punch pierced through the giant hand, and immediately, the five-colored light flames scattered, falling like fireworks across various parts of the Imperial Mausoleum.

"Ancestor Yin's methods are not exactly welcoming."

Gu Changsheng's voice boomed like a grand bell.

'Just one punch... what formidable Body Refining cultivation!'

Yin Taiping was secretly astonished.

Seeing that Gu Changsheng had no further actions, he simply flew closer and began to converse.

"Fellow Daoist's Body Refining cultivation is profound and rarely seen in the world.

This old man is Yin Taiping, may I know Fellow Daoist's Daoist title?"

"Haha, Ancestor Yin is too polite, just call me Yuan Lian.

I have come this time to seek an item, and I ask Ancestor Yin for his permission."

Gu Changsheng directly used the name of the Yuan Lian Incarnation.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan Lian, what do you seek?

If I possess it, and Fellow Daoist can offer an equivalent exchange, then there is no objection."

Yin Taiping's expression darkened slightly.

To think that he, an Old Ancestor of Great Shang, would ever be approached by a mere Loose Cultivator asking for treasures.

Ordinary True Core Loose Cultivators couldn't even meet him.

However, such times, with the decline of Great Shang, were gone forever.

"Ancestor Yin is indeed straightforward.

I have long heard that the Great Shang Imperial Court's Formation Dao is profound.

I have come specifically to seek Formation classics.

As for the price..."

Gu Changsheng hadn't actually thought it through.

He had originally planned to simply seize the classics by force.

But upon meeting, he knew that Ancestor Yin would be difficult to deal with.

His cultivation was secondary.

It was just that the Spirit Treasure, the Nine Dragon Seal, in his hand was extraordinarily powerful, and with the added power of the Imperial Mausoleum's Formation, it would likely not be easy to obtain.

"Please, Old Ancestor, set a price."

Gu Changsheng said with a calm expression.

'This person is going too far, actually planning to get it for free...'

When Ancestor Yin heard the first half, anger surged in his heart, but then he reconsidered, and an idea gradually emerged.

He couldn't help but chuckle and say, "Teachings cannot be easily passed on.

Especially the Dao of Formations, which concerns the Dragon Vein of my Great Shang.

How can it be obtained by outsiders?

Unless..."

"Unless what? Fellow Daoist, please speak..."

Gu Changsheng had a faint guess in his heart.

"Unless Fellow Daoist joins my Great Shang's sect, taking a position as a revered guest, earning contribution points, then you may exchange them for Formation classics."

Ancestor Yin said loudly.

'This person certainly plays his cards well.

He wants to recruit a True Core Realm enforcer for a single classic...'

Gu Changsheng made a hand seal, and a person emerged from his body.

It was the Yuanci Incarnation.

At this moment, the Yuanci Incarnation appeared in Dan Chenzi's guise.

"This is my good friend Dan Chenzi.

These Formation classics are sought for him.

If Old Ancestor agrees, he can join the Great Shang's sect as a leisurely revered guest."

He figured that becoming a revered guest would inevitably involve drawing a wisp of soul Qi and placing it into a Restriction. Gu Changsheng would not do anything that gave others leverage.

Who knew if the Great Shang Imperial Family had any insidious tricks?

Such risky matters were best left to a Clone.

After the soul was split, no matter what Soul Path methods Ancestor Yin possessed, at most, only a Clone would be lost.

Ancestor Yin was secretly alarmed.

Just now, so close at hand, he couldn't even detect that Gu Changsheng had someone else hidden behind him.

"May I ask, what marvelous methods does Fellow Daoist possess?"

Although Great Shang had declined, it didn't accept just anyone, nor could just anyone obtain Formation classics.

"Haha, so Ancestor Yin doesn't believe in this old Daoist's methods.

Watch closely!"

The Yuanci Incarnation laughed loudly, and an invisible force field was born in his palm, rapidly spreading throughout the Imperial Mausoleum.

After a snap of his fingers, the invisible force field twisted.

Countless refined iron, swords, spears, and iron stones vibrated, flying through the Void Realm.

Ancestor Yin was stunned, wide-eyed and speechless.

"Fellow Daoist has actually cultivated the Divine Ability—Two Forms Yuanci Mysterious Light!"

"Ancestor Yin, with this, do I have the qualifications to be listed among Great Shang's revered guests?"

"Fellow Daoist's Divine Ability is astonishing.

Naturally, you can."

Yin Taiping took out an oil lamp, from which emanated distinct True Core Qi auras.

"This is the Soul Contract Lamp. A wisp of soul Qi is needed to form a contract before one can enter my Great Shang's sect."

Ancestor Yin cast a spell, and a series of ancient characters appeared in the Void Realm.

These were precisely the terms of the contract.

"This matter is quite simple."

The Yuanci Incarnation finished reading. At least from the document, no loopholes could be found.

Immediately, a wisp of soul Qi entered the oil lamp.

A faint gray light rose from the Sea of Souls and enveloped it.

If the contract was not violated, then all would be well.

Conversely, the Sea of Souls would likely suffer heavy damage.

'This kind of Soul Path method indeed has some interesting aspects...'

Gu Changsheng watched with cold eyes, silently pondering whether it could be broken by the Nine Nether Soul-Seizing Underworld Light.

Soon, Ancestor Yin and the Yuanci Incarnation huddled together, whispering and conversing, with occasional hearty laughter emanating from them.

Through some subtle probing, Ancestor Yin seemed quite intent on drawing Gu Changsheng into the fray.

However, the Yuanci Incarnation easily avoided the topic.

'This Ancestor Yin is truly greedy... he even wants to kill two birds with one stone and drag the main body into it.'

The Yuanci Incarnation smiled on the surface, but inwardly, he sneered repeatedly.

"Here, please take this scroll of the Heavenly Evolution True Explanation.

It records the Dao of Formations compiled from what my Imperial Family has collected.

There are five scrolls in total, and this is the first.

In the future, if Fellow Daoist makes contributions to Great Shang and accumulates merits, you can naturally exchange them for the subsequent scrolls."

Ancestor Yin handed over a yellow scroll.

"Haha, Ancestor Yin is indeed forthright.

However, the Dao of Formations is profound and abstruse. I wonder if there are other Old Ancestors in the Imperial Court who specialize in this Dao.

It would be good to exchange ideas."

The Yuanci Incarnation took the scroll and asked.

"Of course, in the southwest corner of the Imperial Court, the Second Ancestor Yin Taixu is proficient in this Dao.

Fellow Daoist can exchange ideas with him.

However, the Second Ancestor has an eccentric temper, so Fellow Daoist will have to be more tolerant... Furthermore, this Great Shang Imperial Mausoleum is not to be trespassed upon by those who are not of Great Shang."

Ancestor Yin hinted, his gaze pointing towards Gu Changsheng.

"This place buries the dead, this sovereign isn't even keen on coming!"

With that, Gu Changsheng, feigning anger, flicked his sleeve and departed.

The next day, in a corner of the Imperial Court.

A disheveled old man cursed and swore, driving the Yuanci Incarnation out of his door.

"You've only studied Formations for one day, and you come to ask for guidance?

You're just wasting this old man's time.

Get out!"

The Yuanci Incarnation awkwardly touched his nose, but joy flickered in his eyes.

After a brief plea, he left the Imperial Court and headed straight for Yuanlian Island.

"Is it done?"

Inside the room, Gu Changsheng had unrolled a painting and was grinding ink.

"Smooth sailing."

The Yuanci Incarnation took out a recording stone.

This was a small trinket, not even considered a Magical Artifact.

Yet, it could record a person's image.

At this moment, black Qi poured into it, and the image of a disheveled old man appeared in the Void Realm.

Gu Changsheng glanced at it, then his brush and ink blurred.

A moment later, a spell appeared on the panel.

【Art of Heavenly Evolution】