The chaotic Dharmic powers gradually came under control as the wounds left by the surging forces in Qin Yun's meridians and organs gradually healed through the Nine Revolutions Spirit Pills' effects. However, his purplish-gold Golden Core and soul recovered at a much slower pace.
"Huff. Puff." Qin Yun's breathing slowly returned to normal. He controlled his Dao domain to clean up all the blood on his body, making him look more normal. However, his face remained extremely pale.
Qin Yun gave a self-deprecating smile.
This attempt at condensing an Essence Soul had set him back greatly.
He had considered possible failure! But he figured that even if he failed, he should have been able to deduce the reasons for the failure and gain experience from it, so as to modify the Dharmic formulation he created.
"I can't find the reason."
"I don't even know where in the Dharmic formulation I went wrong."
Qin Yun stood up. The pain in his soul made him stumble a little as he slowly walked to the chamber's entrance. After resting for a moment, the Nine Revolutions Spirit Pills' effects finally began to restore his soul. However, he clearly needed some time to fully recover.
The injuries to his soul were much harder to treat than the injuries to the Golden Core.
"Creak."
The door opened.
Outside, Yi Xiao was waiting alone in the yard. She was anxious, worried about Qin Yun who was attempting the impossible task of condensing an Essence Soul inside the chamber. Yet, she could not help him in any way.
Upon hearing the chamber's door open, Yi Xiao turned her head immediately. She instantly saw the pale Qin Yun and sensed his weak aura.
Her heart jolted.
"I failed." Qin Yun forced a smile at Yi Xiao. "It's too difficult. It's no wonder no mighty figure has managed to infer the Dharmic formulation except the Grand Supreme Dao Ancestor."
Yi Xiao hurriedly went forward and helped Qin Yun to a stone table in the yard. "Brother Yun, sit down first."
Qin Yun sat down.
"All over the vast Three Realms, there are numerous mighty figures. Not one of them succeeded," consoled Yi Xiao. "There are many geniuses that have cultivated ordinary mortal sword immortal Dharmic formulations. Just the Great Chang world alone has produced several powerful mortal sword immortals, much less the Three Realms as a whole. Yet, no one has created an Essence Soul sword immortal Dharmic formulation. Brother Yun, you have attained so much despite not having cultivated for very long. Many Skyimmortals and Skydragons envy you."
Qin Yun looked at his wife. He knew that she was consoling him.
"Xiaoxiao, I'm very confident," said Qin Yun. "We don't even need to talk about the Great Chang world. Even in the Effulgent Great World, there is no mortal sword immortal as powerful as me."
Famous geniuses in the Effulgent Great World would typically not choose the sword immortal lineage for it had no future. But even if they chose other schools of thought, such as Arhat Tenside and Ape Fiend Junior, their realms were actually not much different from Qin Yun's. They had even cultivated for a longer period of time.
Even amid the rivers of time, Qin Yun could match the cream of the crop in the Effulgent Great World. This was the very reason why the Grand Supreme sword immortal lineage, the Jade Tripod Sect's sect master, and the Golden Light Sect's sect master came to offer him invitations.
"However, I need to rely on my own strength to rescue my daughter from Yellow-robed Supremacy. I have no idea how long I have to wait," said Qin Yun. "That is a great demon that had existed since the era of the Ancient Heavenly Courts. He was once the leader of the western mansion of the Twenty-eight Lunar Mansions. He was a celebrated combat general of the Heavenly Courts who fought many Golden Immortals and Buddhas. He is an existence who defines what it means to be a mighty figure."
"Are you really going to the Skywolf world?" Yi Xiao looked at Qin Yun.
"I can afford to wait when it comes to cultivation, but our daughter can't," said Qin Yun.
"But…" said Yi Xiao worriedly. "Isn't there any other method? I'm afraid that I'll lose not only my daughter, but also you."
"Don't worry, I will not do something like throw myself to my death," said Qin Yun calmly. "However, I have to go to the Skywolf world. Once there, I can investigate the situation regarding our daughter. Only then can I think of a suitable way to rescue her."
"But Yellow-robed Supremacy is known to be capricious." Yi Xiao was worried. "Many dragons have perished tragically at his hand."
"There are certain things that need to be done," said Qin Yun. "If not, I'll never be at peace."
Yi Xiao's eyes reddened as she nodded gently. "I understand. Brother Yun, I will not stop you. However, you need to protect yourself well."
"Yes," said Qin Yun with a smile. "At the worst, I'll need to reincarnate. There are many sect masters in the Effulgent Great World that wish to receive me. The awakening of my memories should happen very quickly. And who knows? I might be able to successfully rescue our daughter and bring her back from the Skywolf world."
Yi Xiao nodded. "When do you plan on setting off?"
"It's best not to delay. However, having failed to condense my Essence Soul, my injuries are rather heavy. My Golden Core's recovery is easier but the recovery of my soul is more difficult. Three months. That will be when I set off," said Qin Yun.
Qin Yun did not publicize the matter of his attempt to condense an Essence Soul.
However, he contacted Ancestral Master Zhang before he departed. Ancestral Master Zhang rushed over when he learned of the matter.
Under the shade of the willows, Qin Yun and Ancestral Master Zhang strolled down a tiny path by the side of the mirror lake.
"Qin Yun, you attempted to condense an Essence Soul?" inquired Ancestral Master Zhang.
"Yes, I failed." Qin Yun nodded.
Ancestral Master Zhang sighed inwardly.
The task was still too difficult! Even someone as brilliant as Qin Yun had failed.
Although he had become the personal disciple of the Dao Ancestor and had great aspirations, he believed that Qin Yun's potential and talent were in no way inferior to his. If he received guidance from the Dao Ancestor, his accomplishments might be higher than his.
"Do you know the reason for the failure? Are you confident about succeeding the next time?" asked Ancestral Master Zhang.
"The problem is… I can't find the reason for my failure," said Qin Yun in a self-pitying manner.
Ancestral Master Zhang nodded and did not continue.
"Senior Zhang, there's no way to know what lies in wait for me in the Skywolf world," said Qin Yun. "Although I'll be very careful not to fling myself into harm, there's nothing I can do if Yellow-robed Supremacy really turns crazy. Therefore, if I do die in the Skywolf world, I must ask you to take care of my Qin family."
Ancestral Master Zhang nodded. "Yes. If you were to reincarnate, would you still be a sword immortal in your next life?"
"We will discuss that in the future," said Qin Yun.
He did not wish to give an immediate answer, because deep down…
He really did not wish to abandon the path of a sword immortal. He practiced in the way of the sword from a young age. Including the dream of a hundred years, he had been forging ahead on the way of the sword for more than a hundred years. He had never even entertained the thought of taking other cultivation paths.
"You know, you do not need to be a sword immortal to cultivate in the Sword Dao," said Ancestral Master Zhang. "My master is well known in the Three Realms for his extremely terrifying sword array formation. Although it uses four Connate Numinous treasure divine swords to construct the array formation, it also contains Sword Dao in it."
"Talisman arts, array formations, Dharma treasures… all sorts of Dharmic formulations can use Sword Dao," said Ancestral Master Zhang with a smile. "The Dao is intrinsic while the Dharma is extrinsic."
"The Dao is intrinsic while the Dharma is extrinsic," muttered Qin Yun as he nodded, but he did not speak on the matter further.
"This is the Effulgent dominion's map. It's rather crude." Ancestral Master Zhang took out a scroll and, with a wave of his hand, slowly unfurled it in midair. There were many points of light floating on the scroll's surface, forming a massive stellar chart.
Qin Yun looked at it carefully.
By touching any point of light with his Dharmic powers, the point of light would immediately reveal the relevant information.
There was a planet that was occupied by a peacock demon. The entire planet looked like a huge fireball.
Qin Yun looked at the floating information and could not help but comment, "This peacock demon is a Chaos Godfiend descendent? What are Chaos Godfiends?"
"Connate Godfiends are born during the birth of a Small World," explained Ancestral Master Zhang. "And in the entire Three Realms, Godfiends are born before the Chaos develops into anything. For example, the legendary Pangu had split apart the Chaos, creating countless worlds. There's also Nüwa and the Three Pure Ones of Daoism. Many of the great mighty figures were born out of the Chaos. They are considered Chaos Godfiends."
Qin Yun was enlightened.
Ancestral Master Zhang pointed at the massive stellar chart. "The Effulgent dominion has too many Small Worlds. It's impossible to have all of them recorded. We can only record down the more important planets. When you are traveling, be careful. Don't enter extremely dangerous worlds. There are many places in the Effulgent dominion that match the Skywolf world."
Qin Yun nodded. As a Dao Ancestor disciple, Ancestral Master Zhang clearly knew a lot.
"By the way, when do you plan on leaving?" asked Ancestral Master Zhang.
"Tomorrow," said Qin Yun. "Once I bid Xiaoxiao farewell, I'll set off. There is no need to make this known to the outside world."
"Alright." Ancestral Master Zhang nodded. He would not publicize it if Qin Yun did not want it publicized.
"Anyway, be careful. Don't reincarnate if there's no need to," said Ancestral Master Zhang. "Accidents can always happen during reincarnation."
Qin Yun nodded.
Following that, Ancestral Master Zhang left.
"Creating an Essence Soul realm sword immortal Dharmic formulation is still too difficult." Ancestral Master Zhang flew into the sky before looking back at Qin Manor. "Going to the Skywolf world to save his daughter is really a test of his luck. I hope Qin Yun's luck is good."
The next day.
Qin Yun bade his wife farewell.
"If you miss me, trigger the memento with your Dharmic powers. I'll sense it—" Qin Yun paused mid-sentence.
Yi Xiao had reached out to hug him, her head resting on his chest. "Don't speak."
The couple leaned against each other.
They separated only after a long time.
Yi Xiao looked at Qin Yun, heart filled with mixed emotions. Husband, daughter…
"You must return." Yi Xiao's eyes were filled with tears as she looked at Qin Yun.
"I will." Qin Yun nodded.
Following that, he waved his hand.
Rip!
A rift tore in the void, opening up a void passageway. Qin Yun smiled at his wife before stepping into the void passageway.
Yi Xiao could not help but take a step forward. She even had the urge to rush into the void passageway!
"Brother Yun…" Yi Xiao felt unease. She did not know when she would meet her husband again.
"You must return."
"I'll be waiting for you, always." Yi Xiao looked at the void passageway as it slowly closed.
(End of Volume)