Chapter 169: The Holy Lord's Peculiar Hobby
The teleportation divine ability is actually a technique built upon mathematical calculations. Different directions, locations, distances, and spaces require different arrangements and rules of runes. Establishing each teleportation point demands a vast amount of computation.
What is "computation"? "Compute" refers to the sequence, evolution, variation, and laws of runic formations. Only with the sequence, evolution, and laws of runic formations can there be "calculation." The abacus is the most basic tool for calculation—the movement of the upper and lower beads represents the simplest formation sequences.
Refining the teleportation divine ability into a treasure relies on the runic changes and formation variations imprinted within the treasure to drive the calculations. This is tens of thousands of times more complex than the movement of an abacus's beads, akin to a large, three-dimensional, heterogeneous abacus.
If one wishes to independently perform this divine ability, they must be able to adjust the algorithm at any time, finding the secrets of teleportation amidst chaotic and complex runes.
With only ten volumes of calculation classics, it is impossible to derive such a complex computational formula. Therefore, Qin Mu felt he needed more advanced mathematical texts to fully master the teleportation divine ability.
"Advanced calculation classics should be taught at the Formation Academy of the Imperial College. The Formation Academy teaches formations, which must use mathematical calculations. Perhaps the Dao Sect also has such classics, and they might be even more profound…"
Qin Mu suddenly recalled Lin Xuan, the Dao Child of the Dao Sect. When Lin Xuan performed "One Point Pierces Through the Vast Motion, Within the Two Extremes, Yin and Yang Reverse," he employed extremely complex mathematical calculation techniques.
"Within the Two Extremes, Yin and Yang Reverse" requires a great deal of mathematical computation. Without strong computational ability, it would be difficult to calculate the changes in moves in such a short time and pinpoint the exact location of Qin Mu's weakness.
"Without advanced calculation classics, I cannot learn the teleportation divine ability now. I only know the 'what,' not the 'why.' It's better to first refine a teleportation treasure."
Qin Mu calmed himself and focused on refining the treasure. Whether refining a teleportation banner or a teleportation robe, he needed fabric. He only had one set of brocade clothing left, so he had to work with that.
To refine his Six-Winged Golden Silkworm Brocade Robe into a teleportation robe, he needed to draw threads—extracting dozens of golden silkworm threads from the garment, weaving formation patterns into the fabric with the threads, and imprinting runes with his primal energy.
He had learned tailoring from Granny Si since childhood and even dabbled in embroidery, so this was not difficult for him.
"Do you think the Holy Lord can leave Saintly Mountain on his own?"
The three Town-Suppressing Heavenly Kings had not yet left Saintly Mountain, just in case Qin Mu got trapped there. The three elders looked toward the Radiant Light Hall. Heavenly King Lu stroked the goatee on his chin and said, "Refining a teleportation treasure is no simple matter. Our Holy Sect's teleportation technique is arguably the most troublesome divine ability."
Heavenly King Yu nodded in agreement. "The teleportation technique has too high a requirement for mathematics. Without proficiency in mathematics, it's hard to learn. The Holy Lord is still young and probably doesn't have much skill in mathematics."
"Let him ponder it for a few days. If he doesn't know the difficulty, he won't know how to advance. Knowing the difficulty and advancing anyway—that's the heart of seeking the Dao and learning."
Heavenly King Shi, the most steady of the three, said, "The Holy Lord has faced too few setbacks. He rose to the position of Holy Lord smoothly without any trials. Without tempering, he cannot grow. This is also the Ancestral Master's intention."
The other two Heavenly Kings nodded repeatedly. "Should we artificially create some setbacks to temper him?"
"No need. His attempt to comprehend the teleportation method will be enough to teach him what a setback is. The Ancestral Master's intention is that when he cannot leave this place, we will give him a teleportation banner."
Heavenly King Shi smiled faintly. "Every move the Ancestral Master makes has profound meaning. How difficult is the teleportation divine ability? You know this as well as I. Why did the Ancestral Master leave him here to learn the teleportation technique?"
Heavenly King Lu and Heavenly King Yu's eyes lit up, and they clapped their hands in unison, praising the idea.
Although the teleportation divine ability was available in the Radiant Light Hall and not forbidden to sect disciples, very few could actually learn it. Despite every hall master in the Holy Sect possessing a teleportation banner, those banners were not refined by the hall masters themselves but were spiritual weapons crafted by the four Town-Suppressing Heavenly Kings.
Few in the entire Heavenly Demon Sect could learn the teleportation method and refine it into a treasure. Even the previous Saintess, Si Youyou, had not learned it; her mathematical skills were not high.
The Ancestral Master's plan was to let Qin Mu go to the Radiant Light Hall to study the teleportation technique. When Qin Mu discovered that the technique required a high level of mathematical skill, ten or more days would have passed.
Then, after another ten or more days, Qin Mu would realize he couldn't master the divine ability and would try to refine a teleportation treasure. After yet another ten or more days, he would find that even the treasure was beyond his ability to craft.
This would temper the young Holy Lord's mischievous nature, teaching him the vastness of the world and curbing his reckless behavior, preventing him from running wild without knowing his limits.
At that point, Qin Mu would calm down and first comprehend the Great Unification Technique of the Heavenly Saint Sect. Then, the three Heavenly Kings would appear as elders, give the young lord a teleportation banner, and the Holy Lord would leave Saintly Mountain smoothly—a happy ending for all.
This was the profound meaning behind the Ancestral Master leaving Qin Mu on Saintly Mountain to comprehend the teleportation divine ability.
Heavenly King Yu's expression turned grave. "What exactly happened to Heavenly King Qian? Have you received any news?"
Heavenly King Shi and Heavenly King Lu shook their heads. Heavenly King Shi said, "Brother Qian has likely met with misfortune. He was the most enthusiastic, yet he didn't show up this time. It's probable that the enemy targeted him, trying to find out the location of our sect's headquarters and the identity of the Holy Lord. Given his nature, he would never reveal such information…"
Heavenly King Lu's heart skipped a beat. "Brother Qian's cultivation was so high…"
"No matter how high the cultivation, there are always those who are higher."
Heavenly King Shi said solemnly, "High-ranking officials of the imperial court are all at the level of sect masters. The Dao Sect and the Great Thunderclap Monastery also have such top-tier experts. Other sects and noble families have hidden masters as well. Many have set their sights on our Heavenly Saint Sect, thinking we've declined over the past forty years. Who wouldn't want to take a bite out of us while we're weak? The key question is: who is the enemy?"
Everyone fell silent.
After a moment, Heavenly King Yu said, "This time, the Holy Lord ordered the Left and Right Protectors to establish the 361st Hall, the School Hall. This is a major event. This Holy Lord's ability surpasses that of Holy Lord Li. Such vision and boldness don't seem like those of a teenager but rather like a seasoned elder who has lived for centuries…"
"It's likely the Ancestral Master guiding him."
"Possibly… Hey! The Holy Lord is out!"
The three Heavenly Kings looked into the distance at the Radiant Light Hall. Qin Mu walked out, his brocade robe hanging open. Suddenly, the young Holy Lord lifted his robe and wrapped it around himself, vanishing with a *shwoosh*!
The three Heavenly Kings stared in shock. Then, with a thunderous *boom*, half of the nearby Phoenix Pavilion collapsed!
"Not good!"
The three Heavenly Kings' hearts leaped. They looked toward the Phoenix Pavilion and saw a young man stand up from under the rubble of the collapsed half. He looked around, saw no one watching, quickly lifted his robe again, and vanished once more.
"The Phoenix Pavilion was built by the Sixth Generation Holy Lord to receive the phoenix. The phoenix descending upon our Heavenly Saint Sect's Saintly Mountain—what glory that was…"
Heavenly King Yu's calves trembled as he muttered, "Now half of it is destroyed. How do we explain this to the ancestors and the sect disciples?"
Heavenly King Shi's face also changed color. He pondered and said, "The Phoenix Pavilion only contains a single essay, 'The Phoenix Perches on the Wu Tree,' written by the Sixth Generation Holy Lord. It's just a biography, not a cultivation technique. I've memorized it by heart. We'll go and repair the Phoenix Pavilion properly, then find the Hall of Books' hall master to imitate the Sixth Generation Holy Lord's handwriting and complete the essay. No one else will notice!"
"It seems the Holy Lord has already refined a teleportation robe, but his control is still a bit unsteady."
Heavenly King Lu said in surprise, "How is it possible that he could refine a teleportation treasure?"
Just then, another thunderous *boom* rang out. The three Heavenly Kings quickly looked toward the sound, their faces turning ashen.
The roof of the Three Kings Hall had collapsed. Their young Holy Lord had once again failed to control the teleportation robe, teleporting himself above the hall instead of landing on the ground, smashing a large hole through the roof.
The Three Kings Hall was a shrine built to commemorate three Holy Lords who lived in the same era. At that time, sect conflicts were extremely brutal. The Dao Sect, as the leader of the righteous path, gathered all the righteous forces of the world to attack the Heavenly Demon Sect. The old Holy Lord was defeated and, before dying, handed the sect over to Heavenly King Qing, one of the four Town-Suppressing Heavenly Kings at the time. Heavenly King Qing passed the Great Cultivation Heavenly Demon Scripture to the then-Saintess before leading the troops into battle, dying at Green Wave Pond.
The Saintess then succeeded as Holy Lord and went to war again, pushing the Dao Sect to the point of collapse until they had to retreat. The Saintess returned to Saintly Mountain, passed on her teachings, and then succumbed to her injuries, passing away.
Later Holy Lords, in gratitude to these three Holy Lords, built the Three Kings Hall in their memory.
Qin Mu's failed teleportation had damaged the Phoenix Pavilion, which was bad enough, but smashing the Three Kings Hall was going too far!
Suddenly, with another *shwoosh*, Qin Mu lifted his robe and vanished again. The three Heavenly Kings were startled and immediately gave chase, shouting, "Holy Lord! Little ancestor! No more demolishing!"
The three Heavenly Kings had deep cultivation and had also practiced the teleportation method. Heavenly King Shi's teleportation treasure was a banner; he unfurled it, wrapped it around himself, and disappeared. Heavenly King Lu's treasure was a mirror; he shone it into the air and vanished along with it. Heavenly King Yu's treasure was a jade pendant worn at his waist; with a light tap, the pendant burst with light and carried him away.
They had immersed themselves in the teleportation method for who knows how long. Though they couldn't master the divine ability itself, their control over teleportation treasures was far more adept and sensitive than Qin Mu's, a novice.
The three Heavenly Kings, with their refined skills, could predict where Qin Mu intended to teleport and immediately went there to intercept him. But they were a moment too slow, missed him, and all fell into the Fish-Watching Pond.
Several ferocious fish-dragons in the pond had opened their mouths wide, eager to snap at Qin Mu when he fell in earlier, but they missed. Then the three Heavenly Kings teleported in, providing a perfect appetizer.
The three Heavenly Kings vanished again, leaving the large fish biting at empty air, their steel-like teeth clashing and sparking.
The big fish shook their heads in frustration and swam away.
The three Heavenly Kings appeared in midair, reaching out to grab Qin Mu, who was in the air lifting his brocade robe. But their three hands only clasped together, grasping at an afterimage—Qin Mu had already moved a step ahead of them.
"Before the Ancestral Master left, he instructed that this young Holy Lord has a peculiar hobby—he likes to dismantle things. If we can't catch him…"