Chapter Nine: The Chronicle of the Underworld Soldiers Devouring the Heavens

Hidden Merit Peak was the most crucial among all the summits of Kunlun, dedicated solely to the collection of extraordinary techniques and secret arts from across the world. Whether the classics of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, or the various branches of military strategies, here could be found corresponding methods and wondrous secrets. Once, Kunlun Sect had a Sect Master obsessed with collecting techniques, a master of immense power who delighted in reading the arts of all sects under heaven. Because of this passion, he issued a decree: any Kunlun disciple who could present a technique not yet possessed by the sect could exchange it in the Hall of Hidden Merit for a secret art of equivalent rank.

It was precisely this decree that led the Kunlun Sect to flourish, becoming the greatest sect under the heavens over the course of thousands of years. The Hall of Hidden Merit became a treasure trove of all conceivable methods—martial arts, military strategies, Daoist arts, artifact forging, pill refinement, array formation—every field was represented. Even the most sinister and venomous demonic arts were not in short supply.

A year ago, Yang Nan had already heard Hu Yuan speak of the rules of this Hall. Aside from exchanging techniques, registered and outer disciples were not permitted to select arts here. On Azure Luan Peak, there was another Scripture Hall for lower-ranked disciples to choose from lesser arts; if they wished to learn higher Daoist techniques, they could only rely on instruction from senior brothers or uncles. Supreme arts were not lightly passed on; only in this way could disciples be made to strive and improve!

Each inner disciple, however, was allowed to choose two techniques here for their own cultivation.

One technique was for the mastery of spiritual power, the other for supernatural transformations. The rule was set so that inner disciples would not grow greedy and unfocused, dabbling superficially instead of attaining true mastery. After all, true prodigies were rare; even those who sought the Way could not hope to master every art under heaven.

It was said that depth is better than breadth, and Kunlun held firmly to this principle.

Upon entering the grand and resplendent Hall of Hidden Merit, Yang Nan was startled as two white jade parrots at the entrance called out, “Senior brother, a guest has arrived! Senior brother, a guest has arrived!” Realizing they were spirit beasts, he could not help but grin—spirit beasts were found on all peaks, in all halls, but perhaps only he had none. Curiosity piqued, he smiled at the parrots and asked, “How do you know I am a guest?”

The jade parrots, exceedingly clever, squawked in chorus, “All who come are guests. Uncle Master, please come in, please come in…”

Yang Nan was secretly amazed at their intelligence—just a glance at his jade token and they knew his status. Clearly, these parrots were no ordinary creatures.

Passing into the main hall, more than a dozen attendant disciples saw the token at his waist and immediately understood, despite his youthful appearance, that his rank was formidable indeed. The leading outer disciple bowed respectfully, “Uncle Master Yang, are you here today to exchange a secret or to claim a technique?”

On his belt, Yang Nan’s azure jade token shimmered with the image of a black serpent, lifelike and elusive, while his name glowed bright. That the disciple could recognize his rank was no surprise. Yang Nan replied calmly, “I wonder if the Hall of Hidden Merit possesses the Mysterious Azure Water Technique, a water-type Daoist art?” As an Uncle Master, there was no need for courtesy toward junior brothers; hierarchy in the sect was strictly observed, and no matter how low his cultivation, this could not be disregarded.

Yang Nan had long since memorized the Mysterious Azure Water Technique and thought it a good exchange. Techniques claimed by inner disciples under the Sect Master’s decree could not be taught to others, but those exchanged carried no such restriction. Thus, Yang Nan intended to trade the Mysterious Azure Water Technique for a more useful art.

The attendant disciple replied with great respect, “Please wait a moment, Uncle Master. I will consult the register with Uncle Master White Crane.” Hu Yuan had said that the keeper of Hidden Merit Peak was not human but a great demon called White Crane Boy—a mount of a certain ancestral master, born with extraordinary gifts, who had managed the peak for over a thousand years.

Demons were more loyal than humans and, once bonded, rarely rebelled. Moreover, Kunlun cultivators devoted themselves to ascetic practice, leaving such complex matters to their demon stewards.

Yang Nan nodded and began to examine the hall, hands clasped. A disciple immediately offered him spirit tea. Every building and hall in Kunlun was served by countless disciples; even among inner disciples, all had their duties. Yet since Yang Nan entered the inner sect, the Sect Master Xuanxu had, strangely, not assigned him any post for three years, which had secretly puzzled both Hu Yuan and Ren An.

Yang Nan, however, understood the reason well enough: his status as an inner disciple was not deserved. He had not started as a registered disciple, nor did he understand the workings of the sect. There is benefit and harm in all things! To soar to the heavens in a single step—if not ascending, then plummeting to a ruinous fall! How could Yang Nan not keep his guard up?

The attendant returned quickly with a smile. “Uncle Master Yang, the register does not contain the Mysterious Azure Water Technique. Please engrave the technique upon a jade slip in the hall. If Uncle Master White Crane finds no duplication, you may exchange it for a technique of equal rank.”

Yang Nan saw the envy on the disciple’s face and sighed inwardly. Outer disciples had to curry much favor with senior sisters and uncles for a technique, while he could so easily obtain one. No wonder there was envy.

With a slight nod, he followed the disciple into the inner hall, where, at the upper seat, a boy in white awaited. The child’s features were striking; atop his head, two small forked buns, his eyes clear as a spring. Though he looked no more than ten or so, his gaze was ancient and far-seeing.

Rising with a smile, the boy greeted, “So it is Junior Brother Yang! I have waited in the Hall of Hidden Merit for three years, yet you spent them all in seclusion. I have waited long indeed!”

Yang Nan’s spiritual sight discerned the white aura rising from the child’s crown—truly not human. In Kunlun, aside from inner disciples, only the great demons keeping each hall or peak could address him as ‘Junior Brother.’ Seeing the warmth in the boy’s manner, Yang Nan replied without reserve, “Senior Brother White Crane, your insight is legendary, and your knowledge of the arts unparalleled. I have long heard your name. To meet you today is a great honor.” Born to a distinguished family, he knew the importance of decorum and bowed deeply out of respect.

White Crane Boy, observing Yang Nan’s measured and proper conduct at such a young age, felt a flicker of admiration. Having cultivated for over two thousand years, what manner of person had he not seen? Still, he grew curious about this youth who had become an inner disciple while so young. “Junior Brother Yang, let us attend to business first. Please choose a jade slip and engrave your technique. If, upon my inspection, there is no repetition, you may exchange it for a technique.”

Seeing White Crane Boy turn solemn, Yang Nan also grew serious. Taking up a jade slip, he infused it with his spiritual sense and inscribed the Mysterious Azure Water Technique from memory. The process took little time, and soon Yang Nan had finished. He handed the slip to White Crane Boy, saying, “May I trouble Senior Brother to examine this.”

White Crane Boy accepted it without ceremony. Twin beams of divine light shot from his eyes, piercing the slip like swords. In an instant, his spiritual sense had scoured every word. Looking up, he smiled, “Congratulations, Junior Brother. This third-tier water technique is indeed not yet in the Hall of Hidden Merit. You may select another third-tier art.”

The Mysterious Azure Water Technique, having lain dormant in Green Brush Mountain for who knew how long, left Yang Nan a little anxious. But the certainty in White Crane Boy’s tone put him at ease, and he thanked him. “Thank you, Senior Brother. I shall select my technique and return to speak with you.”

White Crane Boy sealed the slip, summoned an attendant, and instructed him to take the slip and Yang Nan into the Hall to choose a technique. The Hall of Hidden Merit housed tens of thousands of arts, ranked from first to ninth tier. Yet what made Kunlun the preeminent sect was not merely this vast collection, but those peerless arts by which one might ascend to immortality or sainthood!

Such peerless arts, however, were the foundation of the sect and never taught to outsiders; they were transmitted only by the elders, mind to mind. The best in the Hall were first-tier arts, but true methods of immortality were not to be found there.

Yang Nan’s Mysterious Azure Water Technique was only a third-tier water art, so he could only exchange it for a third-tier technique. However, as an inner disciple, the two techniques he could select were not so restricted; he could choose any, from first to ninth tier.

At the Hall’s entrance, the attendant disabled the wards and bowed, inviting Yang Nan inside. Hidden Merit Peak was a place of utmost importance, guarded by 108 layers of lethal wards and the Black Armaments Annihilation Array—a thousand and eight divine weapons forming a deadly formation. Without the key and incantation, even an immortal sage would be destroyed, body and soul!

Listening to the attendant’s introduction, Yang Nan was secretly astonished by the array’s terrifying might. Such defenses were the best use of power—no matter how one infiltrated Kunlun, to steal a technique here would be like fishing for the moon in water.

Once the doors opened, the attendant recited an incantation; the jade slip in his hand flew inside. The attendant himself did not enter, but bowed, “Uncle Master Yang, you have only three sticks of incense’s time to choose. If you see a technique with your spiritual sight, simply take it down, but once taken, it cannot be exchanged. Please choose with care.”

Attendant disciples were strictly forbidden to enter the Hall—a long-standing rule—so he remained outside awaiting Yang Nan’s return.

Yang Nan nodded and stepped slowly into the Hall. Passing through the shimmering barrier, he saw above him a sky strewn with stars, resembling the Milky Way, inspiring awe. Looking closer, he realized that the ‘stars’ were countless jade slips, suspended and drifting, each in a unique shape—long or short, round or square—each containing marvelous arts.

Focusing his spiritual sight, Yang Nan could discern from each slip the rank, special features, and function of the technique recorded within. But to probe further into the content, a subtle spiritual force blocked his sense, preventing him from entering.

He could not help but marvel at the ingenuity of the wards. He was here for a first-tier technique; although the lower grades were numerous, there were only a few hundred first-tier techniques in all. Yang Nan understood that the greatest arts would always be rare—no sect would ever treat its supreme techniques lightly. Second-rate techniques might be easier to collect, but first-tier arts were precious indeed.

Yang Nan had already learned the True Explanation of the Yama Ghost Soldier, the Mysterious Azure Water Technique, and the Supreme Demon Body—each of which was stored in the Hall. These were gifts from Bu Xu, and not of common quality. The True Explanation of the Yama Ghost Soldier was a top-tier art, capable of cultivating one to the Sovereign Realm; as for the art of mastering spiritual power, Yang Nan needed no more. What he sought was a supernatural transformation art.

There were over a hundred transformation arts in the category of sinister yin energy. To find the right one in three sticks of incense was no small task. Yang Nan expanded his spiritual sense and carefully combed through the hundreds of sinister arts.

Most first-tier sinister arts focused on transformations, sharp attacks, and wounding the enemy. The energy of yin was subtle and vicious, more suited to treacherous methods—hardly in line with Yang Nan’s intent for decisive combat.

After a thorough search, he found only the Ghost Soldier Devouring Heaven Codex. This art took the form of ghost soldiers forged from yin energy, granting mastery over various martial supernatural abilities. Its power was immense—soft yet unyielding—perfect for confronting opponents. At its peak, one could even assume bizarre alternate forms.

The first transformation was the Form Secret, turning the weapon into a rainbow; the second, the Change Secret, producing three thousand ghost soldiers; the third, the Defense Secret, summoning clouds of darkness; and the fourth, the True Secret, manifesting the true body of the ghost soldier. When the body was fully formed, it could devour countless foes; at the twelfth transformation, the weapon could truly take shape, divide or merge, transform or disperse—truly formidable! The twelve ghost soldiers were akin to Bu Xu’s twelve dragons in power, if not quite their equal, but the supernatural abilities were wondrous.

The register listed only the names and descriptions, not the methods of cultivation; if his spiritual power was sufficient, Yang Nan could learn all twelve abilities, though for now, he could manage only one or two at most.

Knowing that the Ghost Soldier Devouring Heaven Codex was extraordinary, Yang Nan took it without hesitation. However, choosing a second art was much harder; the rest were either focused on martial power or were extremely difficult to master, and most did not suit his aims.

With half his time already gone, Yang Nan began to feel anxious. He thought to himself: aside from sinister martial supernatural abilities, there are also first-tier Daoist arts and pure spiritual power techniques. Why not look among those as well?