Inside the sect's main hall, vital energy and blood rose up towards the heavens. In that instant, twelve people opened their eyes almost simultaneously. The moment their eyes opened and closed, a brilliant light flashed, causing the entire air of the Qi Blood Soaring Hall to condense. Their chests rose and fell slightly, and in the gaps between their breaths, the qi and blood enveloping their bodies roared like the Yangtze River, emitting a deep, resonant hum that shook the air. Yet, more uncontrollable than the roar of blood was the excitement and ecstasy shining in their eyes.
It worked!
This was an endeavor that had lasted for years, gathering the wisdom of the sect's forebears. The whole sect had devoted itself to theorizing, testing, and refining this art... The theoretically possible, divine golden body had finally appeared before them.
Everyone's gaze focused on the scroll suspended at the center of the formation. It was not made of silk or gold, but emanated the warm luster of glass. Recorded upon it, together with spirit seals and runes of qi and blood, were all the secret techniques of the "Indestructible Golden Body."
At the head seat, the previously transparent Grand Elder was now slightly trembling. Like a pilgrim, he reached out and gently stroked the scroll. Hot tears ran in twin streams down from his deep-set eyes, falling uncontrollably onto the stone floor with a soft pong—yet the sound struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.
"It's done… Truly…" The Grand Elder's voice was hoarse and choked, mingling long-held relief and ecstasy. "No leaks in the golden body… Inborn life, flawless, the body unbroken… Ah… Heaven, bless my Body Sect. From this day forth, our sect possesses the greatest legacy, not inferior to any power in the world!"
At first, the Grand Elder's laughter was low, but it quickly grew louder, transforming into a long, howling cry that shook the qi and blood, causing the heavens to tremble—as if sweeping away centuries of gloom.
"Ha! We've done it!"
"The wish of our ancestors, fulfilled in our hands!"
A wave of excitement enveloped everyone. The elders standing atop Douluo's peak seemed to regain their youthful vigor at this very moment. Many stood up in excitement, tightly embracing those beside them, slapping each other's backs, venting the surging emotions in their hearts.
Even the usually taciturn Ghost Douluo, who had just returned to the sect, showed a rare, bright, and genuine smile on his usually frosty face, his lips curving ever so slightly. The smile seemed to clear the mist around him, making him particularly radiant.
After a long while, the excitement that had almost lifted the roof gradually subsided. Everyone returned to their seats, but the fervor in their eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
Chu Shanhe took a deep breath, suppressing his still pounding heart, and looked around at everyone, speaking in a low voice.
"The secret technique has been created. The arts for the circulation of qi and blood, the soul power guiding method, and the spirit forging technique—all are complete.
However... theory is theory. Someone must take this first step and verify it in practice."
His words broke off, and a brief silence filled the hall. Soon, several elders, including the Grand Elder, turned their complicated, expectant gazes towards the young man seated behind them.
That youth was Chen Yi.
Sensing the gathering gazes, Chen Yi slightly raised his eyes, which were clear and calm. The reason so many elders looked to him was very clear. First, Chen Yi had tempered his body at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, where natural treasures gathered, using the extremely dangerous "Ice and Fire Alchemy Body" method. While the "Ice and Fire Alchemy Body" and the "Indestructible Golden Body" were very different in concept and ultimate effect—one being forged by external forces, the other by a self-contained process inside and out—they shared similarities in ultimate tempering and pursuit of the physical body.
Chen Yi's physical foundation far surpassed his peers, rivaling even some Soul Douluo who specialized in body cultivation. Second, he was not only physically strong but also possessed a powerful and substantial spirit, crucial for precisely manipulating qi and blood and grasping the artistic conception of "no leaks."
Finally—and most importantly—this "Indestructible Golden Body" secret method was an innate art directly tied to the storage of the body and spirit, with extremely strict prerequisites: the practitioner must retain unspent, pure Yang energy.
In layman's terms, one must preserve their original yang body, not be too old, and begin cultivation during youth, when innate qi is most vigorous and pure. Only then can this vital energy be sealed within, refining the foundation of the golden body and ultimately achieving the state of "no leaks, immune to calamity."
Of the twelve present, only the young Chen Yi fit all these requirements perfectly.
Even Sect Master Chu Shanhe, whose strength reached the heavens and whose physique was considered the best in the world, was already old, with a wife and children. He had long known that his innate, pure Yang energy would eventually dissipate.
He could still cultivate the "Indestructible Golden Body" thanks to his profound bloodline, and might reach the "no leaks" realm, but he could never touch the ultimate boundary of the true "golden body," nor the apex of the body becoming divine.
Feeling everyone's gaze—including his own father's—Chen Yi looked up to meet his father Chen Zhen's eyes. At that, Chen Zhen showed a rare embarrassment and discomfort, instinctively averting his gaze.
Chen Yi understood in his heart, and smiled helplessly. He knew what everyone was thinking, and he was aware of his own strengths. The foundation was here, and cultivating the Indestructible Golden Body would indeed make him the candidate with the least risk and the highest chance of success.
Seeing several elders fix their eyes on Chen Yi, Chu Shanhe's expression darkened slightly. He knew Chen Yi fit the requirements, but it was still uncomfortable to see everyone pushing the youth so eagerly. Was this how a sect master should act—using a youth as a "guinea pig" for this Innate Secret Method? He frowned and was about to speak, intending to suggest he take the challenge himself.
At that moment, Chen Yi stepped forward. He bowed to Chu Shanhe and the elders, his voice clear.
"Sect Master, elders, the Golden Body secret art is already before us. As a disciple of the sect, I also long for it, and yearn to witness with my own body the mysteries of this path to divinity. I volunteer to cultivate this art, and ask the Sect Master and elders to permit me to complete it."
Chu Shanhe was stunned by these words, swallowing back what he was about to say, looking at Chen Yi with complicated eyes.
"Xiao Yi, do you... do you know what this 'Innate Secret Method' truly means? Do you really understand?"
Chen Yi looked up, his calm smile crossing beyond his years, filled with unwavering resolve.
"Of course, Master. I am still in my teens—this is the perfect time to practice such a secret art. If I do not step forward, will this supreme secret, the culmination of our sect's countless efforts, be left unused for lack of a suitable candidate? That would be the true regret."
That was how Chen Yi felt. Having been born with extraordinary power, all he wanted now was to pursue the pinnacle of strength and explore the ultimate path of the soul master. Romance was not even a consideration; to Chen Yi, such things were merely ornamental, not essential. Now, with a few trusted comrades, Chen Yi's deepest conviction was that it was still too early—he would not consider such things until his cultivation was complete.
More importantly, there was an unspoken, profound feeling in his heart. He sensed the mysterious, unpredictable trials of fate that lay ahead, and knew his cultivation would advance rapidly. Developing his physical strength was his top priority. By his estimate, he might reach a new level in at most ten years—and by then, the constraints of his innate body would no longer matter.
That was why, unlike in his previous life, he only needed to open his heart and hold fast to his convictions. Cultivating the Indestructible Golden Body would form a solid "insurance" for his martial path.
Hearing Chen Yi's words, several elders—embarrassed at first—felt joy rise within them, though their embarrassment only deepened. After all, however it was phrased, encouraging a youth to practice a secret art requiring "purity of heart and little desire" was a little shameful.
At this moment, the bluntest elder, Zhang Tao, slapped his thigh and laughed:
"Good kid! Ambitious and courageous, excellent! Don't worry, once you cultivate the Indestructible Golden Body, your physical body will become divine and you'll be invincible under heaven.
At that time, I'll personally take action. Whether it's the snowy nights of the Heaven Dou Empire or the Dai clan of the Star Luo Empire, I'll drag them off their thrones. Then you can enjoy the so-called seventy-two consorts of the Three Palaces and Six Courts! Ha!"
Such bold words instantly dispelled the awkward atmosphere in the hall, and everyone looked at Zhang Tao with a mix of amusement and helplessness.
Chen Yi couldn't help but raise his hand to his nose, smiling wryly and thinking to himself, "Seventh Elder, that's a bit exaggerated…"
...
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