The True Martial Dao Repository was built within the body of Dragon Tiger Mountain, hidden to the extreme.
Its interior was vast, with walls inscribed with countless words.
"These words, written by generation upon generation of Heavenly Masters, contain the essence of cultivation. You shouldn't observe them too often. Just an occasional look is enough, or it might affect your cultivation," instructed Master Azure.
Except for Lin Yuan, the other four young disciples had already gathered around, their big eyes fixed on the words on the walls.
It wasn't until Master Azure reminded them that the young disciples reluctantly withdrew their gaze.
"Your main focus now is to comprehend the Fire Orb and Ice Orb."
Master Azure led everyone to the center of the Dao Repository, where two stones were placed.
One stone had a crimson surface, the other a deep blue.
Faint waves of heat and cold radiated from them.
"These Fire and Ice Orbs are formed from heavenly crystal stones from the depths of the Eastern Sea and can preserve various energies. The Heavenly Masters of my Heavenly Master Manor have filled them with their power over time, thus creating what you see now," Master Azure explained.
Lin Yuan, upon hearing this, had a thoughtful look.
These Fire and Ice Orbs seemed to be weakened versions of the sun and moon powers within the True Martial Sword.
The generations of Heavenly Masters had attempted to replicate these powers but could not match the original due to material limitations or perhaps the difference in their strength.
Compared to the True Martial Sword, these orbs were like fireflies compared to the sun.
This was Lin Yuan's first impression.
While Lin Yuan pondered this, Master Azure continued, "Your current goal is to comprehend the powers of the sun and moon from the Fire Orb and Ice Orb. The strong ones in our Heavenly Master Manor generally pursue one of two paths: Extreme Yin or Extreme Yang. Grasping even a fraction of these powers can lead you into the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm."
Master Azure surveyed the group as he spoke.
This path was established by the first generation Heavenly Master for the disciples, and over time, it had proven effective.
The strength of the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm practitioners from the manor was always slightly stronger than those from outside, relying on the powers of Extreme Yin or Extreme Yang.
Even the past Heavenly Masters had pursued one of these paths and could perceive the essence of the sun and moon within the True Martial Sword, attaining results far superior to the mere Orbs.
Master Azure finished, dismissing the four young disciples, before turning to face Lin Yuan.
"You don't need to ponder the Fire and Ice Orbs," Master Azure declared, gazing intently at Lin Yuan.
Although he was unaware of the secrets within the True Martial Sword, the records of the Heavenly Master Manor suggested past Heavenly Masters didn't show much interest in the Orbs.
This implied they perhaps possessed another cultivation method.
"The key lies in observing the writings on the wall. Those are the insights and understandings of past Heavenly Masters, which should be of help to you," Master Azure advised Lin Yuan, viewing him as the future Heavenly Master.
"Alright," Lin Yuan nodded.
The past Heavenly Masters of the manor, all of whom surpassed the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm, had insights invaluable to him.
"If you encounter any difficulties, just call for me," Master Azure said before leaving, showing his regard for Lin Yuan.
In the days that followed, Lin Yuan seldom left the Dao Repository.
Meals and drinks were brought to him by the manor's followers, removing the need to go out.
Even if Lin Yuan desired to leave, he could only stroll around Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Those chosen by the True Martial Sword were forbidden from leaving until they became Heavenly Masters to ensure the sword's safekeeping.
As time passed, half a year flew by.
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged against a stone wall, covered in myriad inscriptions.
These were the words left by the eighteenth generation Heavenly Master, sharing insights on the path of Extreme Yang.
"With your exceptional comprehension, your understanding of the path of yin and yang deepens as you study the Heavenly Master Stone Wall," Lin Yuan thought, opening his eyes.
"Finally, I've completed the transition," Lin Yuan smiled.
During this time, apart from understanding the path of yin and yang, he converted his previous Heavenly Phenomenon Realm True Power entirely into the forces of the moon and sun.
By using the foundational forces of yin or yang, one's strength upon entering the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm would be twenty to forty percent greater than usual.
And that was just the beginning.
The potential and cultivation speed of the paths of Extreme Yin and Extreme Yang surpassed other methods.
Originally, Lin Yuan needed fifty years to surpass the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm, but with the foundational shift to Extreme Yin and Extreme Yang, that time was halved, even without utilizing the True Martial Sword's essence insights.
"Senior Brother Shanfeng," a young disciple, Qingping, ran up excitedly, "How's your understanding coming along?"
"Sigh, the Fire Orb is really tough to grasp. I've gotten nowhere so far," Qingping lamented.
"Take it slow; no rush," Lin Yuan consoled.
Qingping chose the path of Extreme Yang and was focused on understanding the Fire Orb.
Though the Fire Orb couldn't compare with the True Martial Sword, it was better than nothing.
Qingping's potential, having been chosen by the sword, would surely yield insights through persistent effort over years.
"And you, Senior Brother?" Qingping asked hopefully.
"I made some progress," Lin Yuan smiled, raising his right hand, where a faint mixture of moon and sun power danced at his fingertips.
"Wow! Senior Brother Shanfeng, you're amazing!" Qingping exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration.
Yet his tone lacked disbelief.
From the moment Lin Yuan grasped the True Martial Sword in the Sword Tomb, a commanding aura emanated from him, one the young followers couldn't resist.
Master Azure repeatedly reminded them not to compare themselves with Lin Yuan to avoid disrupting their own mindsets, which could obstruct their path to the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm.
Thus, Qingping was merely awed to see Lin Yuan wielding both powers, while the other disciples gathered around, their eyes full of envy.
Half a month later, Master Azure returned with two other Heavenly Phenomenon Realm experts to assess their progress.
First up was Qingping, who struggled to show a faint wave of heat, revealing his early mastery.
"Not bad, you've entered the basics," Master Azure nodded.
As he followed the path of Extreme Yang, he was particularly attuned to the heat energy present.
Next were the three other young disciples.
Like Qingping, one had begun on the Extreme Yin path.
The remaining two had not yet started.
"The paths of Extreme Yin and Extreme Yang are profound and challenging. Even with the Fire and Ice Orbs for guidance, it's not easy to begin," Master Azure encouraged, reminding them to remain patient and consistent.
After checking on the disciples, Master Azure watched Lin Yuan expectantly, along with the other Heavenly Phenomenon experts.
"Master," Lin Yuan stepped forward, lifting his right hand.
Moon and sun powers emerged, intertwining with a subtler energy.
"Amazing, Senior Brother Shanfeng has grown stronger again," the disciples murmured among themselves.
Though even the two who started on one path had only gathered a thread of power, Lin Yuan had amassed moon and sun energies as thick as his thumb—a clear difference.
What the disciples didn't notice was Master Azure's expression turning grave as Lin Yuan manipulated both energies.
"Who told you to cultivate both Extreme Yin and Extreme Yang paths at the same time?" Master Azure's face flushed with concern.
"Both paths alone are supreme, but practiced together, they lead to ruin. Yin and yang are opposite forces, and though initial progress seems smooth, it grows perilous with time."
"Our third generation Heavenly Master attempted to balance yin and yang but perished explosively. Have you considered the consequences of such reckless actions?" Master Azure nearly exploded in frustration, scolding Lin Yuan.
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(End of Chapter)