Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation SutraAll things under Heaven and Earth are born of Yin and Yang. Everything has two aspects—Yin and Yang. Yin alone cannot give birth; Yang alone cannot grow. Thus, all beings have both Yin and Yang. The fusion of Yin and Yang is the root of creation.A living person is dominated by Yang, with Yin being secondary; a dead person is Yin-heavy and Yang-weak. The two are facets of the same entity. If one can attain Pure Yang and Pure Yin, one could become an Immortal or a God.
These words imprinted themselves into Yi Tianxing's eyes, and an involuntary ripple of shock arose in his heart.
The text clearly stated: if one could acquire Pure Yang and Pure Yin, they would naturally have the opportunity to ascend to godhood or immortality.
In truth, a cultivator's path was a continual process of transformation.
"The fusion of Yin and Yang births creation, it is the origin of Heaven and Earth. If Yin and Yang are separated, one becomes purely Yin, the other purely Yang—does this not mean one could obtain Pure Yin and Pure Yang through an alternate method? In this way, a body refined to be purely Yang or purely Yin could advance by leaps and bounds in cultivation.And the severed Yin or Yang, still connected to one's qi and spirit, could be refined into an external avatar."
Reading this part, Yi Tianxing was once again shaken to his core.
This theory of Yin and Yang was unexpected, utterly overturning conventional thinking.
Yet upon closer reflection, it carried undeniable logic.
However, based on his knowledge, if one's cultivation had not reached a sufficient level, it was impossible to split Yin and Yang. Otherwise, they would face the danger of Yin without growth, Yang without generation—not true transformation, but death. One would become a ghost.
Right now, his own cultivation had clearly not reached such a threshold. If he attempted it recklessly, he could die during cultivation—completely and irrevocably.
"If I were to sever Yin and Yang, it would be completely unsuitable for me. My body was born with the awakened Yin-Yang Life Aperture, and I possess the innate Yin-Yang Eyes. I am already a unified embodiment of Yin and Yang. To sever that would destroy my innate Yin-Yang Eyes. That is absolutely unacceptable."
Clutching the Yin-Yang Spirit Transformation Sutra, Yi Tianxing realized that while this may be a peerless divine technique for a disciple of the School of Yin-Yang—one capable of forming an external avatar and dramatically boosting combat power—for him, it was useless. Compared to the potential of his innate Yin-Yang Eyes, this technique was insignificant.
He was certain that even among the School of Yin-Yang, this scripture might be viewed as a heretical or fringe technique, bizarre and rarely practiced due to its danger.
"Although I can't cultivate it directly, there's no reason I can't borrow from its concepts to develop a method for my own external avatar. These ideas are simply too bold, too revolutionary. They're definitely worth referencing."
Yi Tianxing meditated silently.
The ability to craft an external avatar was of tremendous importance to him—potentially determining the future of not only himself, but the entire Xuanhuang City.
As he gazed at the sea of ancient scriptures before him—collected from all the Hundred Schools of Thought—he took a deep breath and decisively declared:
"Father-in-law, Zhaoji—these techniques have deeply stirred something in me. I must enter seclusion immediately. If all goes well, this breakthrough will elevate both my cultivation and my strength to a whole new level."
A sense of urgency and inspiration filled his eyes.
In that instant, inspiration surged like a flood through his mind. It was the feeling of enlightenment—if missed, it could take great effort to recapture.
Without further delay, Yi Tianxing turned and left.
His mind brimmed with countless ideas...
While Yi Tianxing entered seclusion, leaving Cai Yong and Cai Yan stunned, they didn't dwell on it. They knew this kind of immediate retreat only occurred when one stood at the edge of a great breakthrough.
His departure also gave the father and daughter more time to catch up, sharing experiences and events since their separation.
Meanwhile, the arrival of the Immortal Academy sparked widespread discussion throughout Xuanhuang City.
Former students from the Jixia Academy strolled the city, soaking in the atmosphere of human civilization. The more they learned about the city's history, the more respect they felt for Yi Tianxing.
Building such a vast city from scratch—enduring countless life-or-death trials—was something few could even imagine achieving. Their admiration subtly blossomed into a sense of belonging.
Soon after, Cai Yong officially took residence within the Immortal Academy. Large numbers of students followed suit, filling the academy with fresh vitality.
However, no one knew what went on within. To the city folk, the Immortal Academy remained cloaked in mystery, shrouded in curiosity and awe.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Now, in Xiaoyao City, it was the third day of the public selection announcement—the final deadline set by the City Lord's Mansion. They were to select one hundred maidens. If the quota wasn't met, the consequences would be dire.
That day, the city was rife with a strange atmosphere.
Whispers filled the streets. Glances were exchanged with suspicion. An invisible undercurrent flowed, veiled beneath an oppressive tension.
Unlike normal cities, Xiaoyao City had many residents who'd been transported from ancient cities. Whole families had appeared together, not just individuals.
To demand their daughters enter the City Lord's mansion was tantamount to pushing them into a fire pit.
Several hundred girls had already gone in—and not a single one had returned or been seen again. Even the families who had willingly sent their daughters in were now filled with dread. None dared send more.
Everyone believed: if Xiaoyao King failed to get what he wanted, he would simply take it by force.
A sense of despair loomed over the city. Parents of daughters were especially grief-stricken. Many girls wept constantly, afraid of being chosen. No one wanted to send their daughter away.
Still, discontent was reaching a boiling point.
"Word is, someone in the city is organizing a resistance—trying to force the City Lord to cancel the selection. If it comes down to it, I'd rather die than send my daughter to her death."
That idea took root in the hearts of many.
DONG DONG DONG!!
As morning arrived, the sharp ring of bronze gongs echoed through the city.
Masses of residents instinctively gathered toward the central square.
There stood a thin but sharp-eyed middle-aged man dressed like a steward. It was Eunuch Chun, the head eunuch of the City Lord's mansion, formerly a palace official.
He commanded Xiaoyao King's complete trust.
When the crowd had assembled, Eunuch Chun spoke in a shrill voice:
"Time is almost up! The City Lord demands one hundred maidens, ages sixteen to twenty. All eligible girls, step forward! This steward will personally select and escort them to the City Lord's mansion. To be chosen is a great honor, a blessing upon your families!"
His tone was arrogant, as if being selected was a glorious fortune.
But even after several repetitions, not a single girl stepped forward.
Silence. Cold stares. The people answered with silence—a silent rebellion.
"Hmph! What a bunch of ingrates. Do you think silence will save you? The City Lord will have his one hundred girls. I have a full list of all eligible young women. If you don't bring them out, I'll come collect them myself! You have one hour!"
His tone grew menacing.
Then, someone shouted from the crowd:
"Xiaoyao King is a depraved monster! He's already taken hundreds of girls! This isn't a selection—it's slaughter! We won't let our daughters walk into that fire!"
"He's clearly practicing an evil technique—Harvesting Yin to nourish Yang! Those girls were used as furnaces and drained to death!"
"Bring our daughters back! Let us see them! Otherwise we believe you've killed them!"
"We've had enough! Let's overthrow the Xiaoyao King! Drive him out!"
"Drive out the Xiaoyao King! Take back our city!"
Voices rose in unison, like a dam bursting. Rage erupted—irrepressible.