Chapter 1708: Changing the Meridians

Zhang Xuan's current True Qi cultivation had reached the peak of Great Sage 1-dan, Reaching Divinity and Imperishable realm. He had studied all the cultivation insights and books from the Jiang and Luo families concerning breakthroughs. However, since everyone's method of breaking through was unique, these texts could only serve as references, not direct blueprints.

Consequently, despite reading extensively, he had yet to discover a personal method for breaking through.

Having recently slain dozens of Undying realm experts, he found that many of them carried cultivation techniques and breakthrough insights. Although these differed entirely from human cultivation methods, he wondered if, at the Great Sage level where life essence and meridian configurations had already transformed, their techniques could offer significant assistance for his own breakthrough.

After all, the racial hierarchy of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe appeared to be far superior to that of humans.

He searched through all the rings and, as expected, discovered thousands of books, which he scanned and absorbed into his mind.

"Correct!"

He merged all the books he had previously read from the Jiang and Luo families, among others.

A new book materialized.

With a tap of his finger, knowledge flooded into his mind, and Zhang Xuan closed his eyes.

The Otherworldly Demonic Tribe's method for breaking through to the Golden Body realm was far more intricate than that of humans, requiring the impact of murderous aura and the power of the blood moon. Despite collecting numerous books, these methods were completely distinct from human ones and showed no signs of merging into a cohesive technique for him.

This meant his prior assumption was incorrect.

However, while he didn't derive a Heaven's Path cultivation technique, their cultivation system provided him with a new source of inspiration.

"Sacred beasts gain strength when their bloodline purifies," he mused. "After humans break through to the Great Sage realm, their meridian distribution already bears some resemblance to that of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe... Improving oneself is, in essence, advancing to a higher life form!"

"My body, tempered by the Supreme Heavenly Fire Tribulation, has already undergone the transformation of a Golden Body; in fact, it's even stronger than an ordinary Golden Body realm!" he thought. "This implies that I only need to further optimize my meridians, and I should be able to achieve a breakthrough..."

A flash of insight struck him.

At this point, Zhang Xuan's physical body and soul, refined by the Supreme Heavenly Fire Tribulation, were vastly superior to those of typical Golden Body realm cultivators. Given this, the cultivation barrier he faced essentially did not exist!

In other words, he merely needed to adjust his meridian positions and alter his life essence to easily break through and ascend to higher realms!

No cultivation technique was needed at all!

"I'll try it!"

He sat down once more, and using spiritual treasures, circulated his True Qi for three major cycles, restoring his state to its absolute peak.

He clearly remembered the meridian map from when he helped Zhao Ya reshape her meridians. Now, as it flowed through his mind, he gradually began to alter the positions of the meridian channels within his own body.

Meridians were fundamental to human cultivation. He dared not alter those connected to his Dantian and internal organs, choosing instead to begin by adjusting the meridians in his limbs.

Ordinary individuals, even if they knew that altering meridians could enhance their power, were incapable of doing so, as meridians were naturally irreversible. However, Zhang Xuan was different. Having cultivated Master Kong's method for breaking through to Great Sage and being tempered by the Supreme Heavenly Fire Tribulation, his life essence had already undergone a significant transformation.

This time, employing the same method and incarnating as the heavens and earth, he indeed perceived his previously static meridians slowly shifting.

*Boom!*

A dense murderous aura surged from within him, making him appear, for a moment, to transform into an Otherworldly Demonic Tribesman.

This sensation was somewhat akin to when he reshaped Zhao Ya's meridians. He hadn't deliberately altered the properties of his True Qi, yet it emanated an aura identical to that of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe.

At this moment, even without any disguise, Wumu and the others would likely be unable to distinguish him from a genuine member of the tribe.

"It truly works..."

If meridians were akin to rivers, he was now transforming ordinary riverbeds into vast waterways. This entailed not only deepening the channels, raising and widening the embankments, but also reducing winding paths and clearing any blockages.

As more meridians were altered, the power within his body accumulated more profoundly, and his aura grew increasingly potent.

The Golden Body realm, which once seemed distant, now felt within reach, as if he could step into it at any moment.

Soon, the alteration of the meridians in his four limbs was complete.

Having completed this, Zhang Xuan did not rush. Instead, he rested for a while, fully replenishing the True Qi that had been depleted by the meridian alteration, and adjusted his state back to its absolute peak before continuing.

At this point, the meridians in his limbs had become significantly wider. True Qi flowed through them unhindered, circulating so rapidly it was like ten thousand horses galloping or vast rivers rushing.

While the limbs had fewer minor meridians, making their alteration relatively straightforward, the meridians connected to the Dantian and internal organs were a different matter. These various meridians crisscrossed, with smaller ones intricately tangled. A single misstep could lead to True Qi turbulence, resulting in paralysis at best, or qi deviation and unknown consequences at worst.

Not daring to be reckless, Zhang Xuan meticulously followed the steps, adjusting his meridians little by little.

While he was attempting to break through to the Golden Body realm, the Master Teacher Headquarters welcomed a group of guests.

These guests were Luo Qianzhen, Jiang Fangyou, and others.

Upon entering the grand hall, guests and hosts took their respective seats.

"Are you here regarding the underground ancient domain?" Ren Qingyuan asked, looking at them.

"Indeed," Jiang Fangyou replied, cupping his fists. "It seems something has also occurred at the Master Teacher Headquarters. Master Ren, could you elaborate for us? I'd like to confirm if our information aligns."

"Indeed," Ren Qingyuan affirmed with a nod. "All the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe members in the Master Teacher Headquarters' underground ancient domain were exceptionally fierce yesterday, appearing relentless in their attempts to breach the defenses. Yet, at noon today, they suddenly withdrew completely, leaving only a few to guard while the main forces vanished without a trace. We initially suspected a diversionary tactic, but after an entire day with no further movement, our scouts discovered they had actually retreated back into their sealed domain! Could it be that the ancient domains you guard have experienced a similar phenomenon?"

"Yes, our ancient domain experienced the exact same situation," Luo Qianzhen confirmed with a nod. "Those Otherworldly Demonic Tribe members also suddenly retreated back into their sealed domain. The precise reason for this remains unclear!" He then turned to Jiang Fangyou at his side, adding, "However, Brother Fangyou, you were so eager to convene us here; you must know something more, correct?"

Everyone had gathered at the Master Teacher Headquarters precisely because Jiang Fangyou had sent out the summons.

"I do possess some information," Jiang Fangyou admitted, "which is why I hastened here to discuss this crucial matter with all of you."

Jiang Fangyou glanced around, and seeing that the Master Teacher Headquarters was thoroughly sealed, preventing any news from leaking out, he finally relaxed.

Witnessing his extreme caution, Master Ren and the others' expressions all grew solemn.

"The Master Teacher Continent should be aware that ever since the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe's Emperor, who could rival Master Kong, fell, their race has been jointly governed by three peak powerhouses!" Jiang Fangyou stated.

"Yes, I've heard that Emperor Yong leads, with Emperor Xing and Emperor Ling as his subordinates," Master Ren acknowledged with a nod. "However, they have always kept each other in check and harbored mutual suspicions, which is precisely why we've had a reprieve. Otherwise, the Master Teacher Continent would never have been able to resist for so long!"

While this information was highly confidential to outsiders, it was common knowledge within the Master Teacher Headquarters.

"Indeed, these three have always maintained a balance of power... but just this morning, I received news that Emperor Xing and Emperor Ling have suddenly declared an alliance!" Jiang Fangyou's face darkened.