Chapter 230 - Eight Celestials of Shangdong

Chapter 230: Eight Celestials of Shangdong
Translator: 
EndlessFantasy Translation 
 Editor: 
EndlessFantasy Translation
Wu Qingzi’s hair was moving when there was no breeze. His jet black hair became white as snow in an instant.
Shen Lian knew that his hair did not turn white because of his anger.
The atmosphere was charged with murderous intent, and three strange flowers formed above Wu Qingzi’s head. It was hard to tell what color they were.
It was alleged that if someone had attained success in the cultivation of Qi, there would be three flowers forming above his head, and the Primordial Spirit would be formed. Finally, there would be invigoration of Qi in the five organs, leading to the attainment in the path of heavenly immortals. One would be able to peep into the great Dao and to live in enjoyment.
Zhao Xiaoyu looked at Wu Qingzi in silence. She was all he could see now.
His impressive aura filled the surroundings. Initially, there were still some cultivators on the Qingyun Stage who were fishing out their treasures to exchange for Yiyuan Elixirs in order to bid for the demonic elixir.
However, the sudden spiritual pressure fuelled the surroundings and had even shaken the Forbidden Technique of Xiaozhu Clouds. The faraway moon rippled like waves, and it looked surreal.
The massive aura rolled over, and it demonstrated how powerful the Taishang Detection Technique was. At the advanced stage of cultivation, one would be able to resonate with the essence of the world in one’s every movement.
On the sea of clouds, the flow of Yin Qi and Yang Qi eventually congregated and formed thunder. The low roaring thunderous sound threatened to explode, and this was a reflection of Wu Qingzi’s current mood.
Shen Lian knew that Zhao Xiaoyu was partially the reason behind Wu Qingzi’s current state, that and Wu Qingzi had reached a bottleneck in his cultivation process. It would seem that this was the Absurd State.
This was the first time he saw someone falling into the Absurd State. He did not expect there to be any prior signs at all. This made him realized that entering into the state of
Powang
was an opportunity and a trial.
Wu Qingzi hailed from Taishang Daoist Sect and had good control over his heart and emotions. He definitely had something up his sleeves, and he must have paid close attention to this. Yet, he still fell into the Absurd State out of a sudden.
So it seemed that Daoist Huanzhen had stepped into the state of Powang completely. Still, he could handle the dealings of Guangqing Celestial Sect with ease. He did not worry about falling into the Absurd State and bringing harm to himself and others at all. He seemed to be a much scarier character than Shen Lian had predicted him to be.
Thunder started forming in the sky and had taken the shape of a knife. Out of a sudden, it slashed down. It was as though God himself was angered and decided to take matters into His own hands.
With the three flowers as the trigger and the Yin Qi and Yang Qi as the source, thunder was formed in the shape of a heavenly knife. It was ready to pass divine judgment. This showed how Taishang Detection Technique was indeed formed out of emotions; it could control Yin and Yang, and resonated with the laws of heaven at the same time.
There was no emotion on Zhao Xiaoyu’s beautiful face. She formed a black lotus that gave off black Qi strength, and it had this indescribable divine solemnity.
The power was ancient and absolute; it commanded respect just as a deity would.
The black lotus was flicked upwards and started spinning in the sky. It blocked the thunder knife just in time.
The thunderous sound roared in the sky, and there were sparks in the air. The entire celestial market brightened up, and a lot of people saw a long electric spark that looked like a huge knife slashing at a black lotus mercilessly.
The intangible vibrations affected every inch of the clouds.
At last, a pocket flew out of nowhere and contained both of the black lotus and the knife. The towering spiritual pressure disappeared completely.
Wu Qingzi retracted his aura, and the three flowers fell slowly into his Baihui point. Eventually, his hair turned black again, and his eyes got brighter.
Xiaoyu, I’ve acted out of line,
he sighed.
He nodded at Shen Lian and left as a stream of ray.
Shen Lian knew that after this, Wu Qingzi could not stay here any longer.
This person had a deep level of cultivation. He had three flowers above his head and had entered into the state of
Powang
. The Taishang Detection Technique was unpredictably powerful. There were plenty of places for him to go. The only thing that made Shen Lian speechless was his decision to choose Zhao Xiaoyu as the subject of his emotions in order to cultivate Wangqing and enter into Dao.

Those who come from Taishang Daoist Sect have always been proud. There is something that you might not know,
Zhao Xiaoyu smiled.

What is that?
Shen Lian asked.

Long ago, there used to be a disciple from Taishang Daoist Sect who decided to break through the trial of love with Grandmaster Qingshui of Qing Xuan as the subject of his emotions,
Zhao Xiaoyu replied.

I’m unaware of this. What happened in the end?
Shen Lian smiled.

What else could possibly happen? The person ended up getting killed. As to what happened in the end, how would I know if it is something that even you didn’t know about?
Zhao Xiaoyu brushed her hair off her forehead and tucked it behind her ears.
Shen Lian was not surprised at all. From the records, he could roughly gauge Grandmaster Qingshui’s temperament. She was like the other side of Ziling, Qing Xiao; she indulged in killing.

It seems that you know quite a lot of things,
he replied. Shen Lian could be considered as knowledgeable, and yet he knew that Zhao Xiaoyu was privy to certain secrets that he was unaware of.

What are you still doing here? There are things that you should not be listening to,
Zhao Xiaoyu spoke to Fenghe.
Fenghe was shocked and immediately offered her apologies. She looked at Shen Lian.

You can leave first, I will summon you if there’s anything that I need your help with,
Shen Lian whispered.
Only then did Fenghe leave.

Why don’t we head over to the edge of the sea of clouds and have a small chat? It would be sunrise soon,
Shen Lian spoke to Zhao Xiaoyu.

Shen, you are a lot friendlier to me now as compared to back then,
Zhao Xiaoyu smiled brightly.
Her words were honest, and even Shen Lian could feel the joy coming from the bottom of her heart. He was aware that Zhao Xiaoyu would forego all form of emotions for the sake of pursuing Dao, and yet he could not help to feel that she was a mortal made of blood and flesh at this moment.
That was a strange and intriguing feeling. Shen Lian would gladly spend time with this version of Zhao Xiaoyu.
It was just like old friends who ran into each other coincidentally and had a quick catch-up session.
Shen Lian had always wanted to be someone who pursued immortality without being emotionless like the laws of heaven. That was something that he refused to become.
Both of them walked side by side and strolled on the sea of clouds. Light smoke was rising up, and it swirled around the both of them.
It did not take long for them to reach the edge of the sea of clouds. The moon was near, and the Milky Way remained far away. The stars were dim, but there were still some that shone brightly.
Under the clear sky and the bright moon, Shen Lian was accompanied by a beauty; the breeze blew gently, the cloud and smoke went along with it.

I might not know as much as you do, but there are certain things that I know and you do not. Just as how your understanding of Taishang Dao is shallow, and I happen to know something about it,
Zhao Xiaoyu spoke.
Shen Lian stared ahead at the Milky Way as he appreciated how ancient and wondrous it was. He would never get sick of it.
Xiaoyu, do you mind telling me?
He queried.

Of course I would not be a tease to you,
Zhao Xiaoyu gave a cryptic smile.
Taishang Dao originated from another continent, and I assume you already know that. However, the Taishang Daoist Sect that we know of, is merely one of the nine branches of the Taishang Daoist Sect. It could be considered the main branch.
Taishang Detection Technique is the fundamental martial exercise of the Taishang Daoist Sect, and only those from the main branch could cultivate it. As for the remaining eight branches, they are known collectively as the Shangdong Eight Celestials. These are branches left behind by the eight heavenly immortals, Tian Xian.
The eight Tian Xians attained Dao after one another, and that was the peak of the Taishang Daoist Sect.
The attainment of these eight people is considered as a rarity in this world. They sought for further improvement, and that was when they decided to go for the
Taishang Detection Technique
of the main branch.