The 72 Earthly Transformations

"Well, the very existence behind these Artifacts is hard to understand. Based on what we know, it's impossible to say what is or isn't. However, what we do know is that a number of bird-related Profound Beasts have made their way to the area around and above the Mist. They're making things much less than fruitful." The broker slowly shook his head.

'So one confirmed treasure with the second being a possibility.' Xia Ye didn't imagine something like this would have happened, although it made sense. Treasures left behind by Sun Wukong would be sought after. 'Still, I can't let anyone else get their hands on them.' And that meant he would have to get to them before anyone else did.

"In any case, if our dear customer is planning to try and take these Artifacts, I would advise you to wait for the announcement like everyone else." Xia Ye took his attention back to the broker. "And why would you say that?" The broker smiled as he answered. "The Leader of Crescent Moon's Military Quan Hanying is said to be at the Sky Profound Realm. On top of that, they had set a Profound Barrier Formation around the entire area containing the mist."

Hearing that Xia Ye felt his first plan being dashed to pieces. "Quan Hanying? I didn't think that the Crescent Moon's Military would be a woman." While Female Cultivators were in no way rare, Female Generals definitely were. "Well, that's just based on their name. They rarely show themselves, so no one knows the truth for sure, and even when they do, they often wear a mask."

The broker explained briefly as Xia Ye let out a sigh before laughing. "Well, it looks like this is going to be either really fun or annoying." The broker was surprised to see Xia Ye's face suddenly turn so bright after he finished speaking. "Well, dear customer, I'm afraid that's all I can tell you. The announcement is scheduled for two weeks from now. Of course, the number of cultivators that will be arriving will skyrocket as a result. I advise you to be careful."

Standing up, Xia Ye nodded before leaving the room. 'Hey, do you think I can reach the second stage of The Secret To Immortality in two weeks?' He felt that he was close to a change. His Spiritual Pearl was growing more vibrant every day, and he took that as a sign that the second stage was close. [Indeed, you are close to a breakthrough, but that happening within the next two weeks will be impossible.]

Xia Ye tilted his head to the side as he chuckled to himself. 'Well, that's not good news at all.' The moment the Sky Profound Realm was mentioned, Xia Ye knew he would need to get stronger. Without Ruyi Jingu Bang, he would say his strength was around that of a mid-level Spirit Profound Realm Cultivator.

However, by adding on Ruyi Jingu Bang and Somersaulting Cloud, his ability would definitely be higher. But if everything he had heard in the Black Moon Merchant Guild was true, which he didn't doubt then, that wasn't enough. 'Even with the Nimbus Cloud…' His chances wouldn't be good.

[Only a couple of weeks, and you've already hit such a large obstacle. It's like looking through a cracked mirror.] Xia Ye rolled his eyes. 'Glad my struggles are giving you nostalgic entertainment.' Sun Wukong let out a soft laugh before speaking again. [Alright, then it looks like I have no choice. I was hoping I could teach you after you had become used to utilizing your Qi, but time is of the essence. You'll have to pick your poisons carefully.]

'What do you mean pick my poison?' It was a weird term to use in this kind of situation. [Qi has far more uses than you believe. And one of those uses is to change its property and form in its entirety. By manipulating it the right way, it's possible for it to change its very nature.] Xia Ye frowned as he felt he understood what Sun Wukong was talking about.

'Are you talking about elemental changes?' Profound Energy could be transformed into the basic elements of Water, Earth, Fire, Wind, and Lightning. He had personally experienced that up close. [Oh no, although this technique will help you reach a rudimentary level of elemental control over your Qi, that's simply a bi-product.]

Xia Ye could hear Sun Wukong was actually excited when he was speaking. [All of this will be based on how well you comprehend the formula behind the technique. You'll basically be picking your poison and hoping for the best.] Xia Ye's brow rose as he listened in interest. 'What exactly is the technique then?'

[The 72 Earthly Transformations.] Hearing the name Xia Ye thought to himself for a moment. '72 Earthy Transformation? Hmm… Wait for a second, is it a shapeshifting technique?' Shape-Shifting was rare; no saying it's rare would be an understatement. Xia Ye hasn't ever heard a single story, rumor, or passing word of a cultivator being able to shapeshift.

It seemed like a power that was simply reserved for the gods, and no one has ever done it. [Learning the base 72 Earthly Transformations and the formulas accompanying them allows you to change your body, your being, and your very existence. But through mastery of all 72, you will be able to break down anything in this world with your eyes alone and transform into it.]

Xia Ye was shocked listening to Sun Wukong. 'So it really is the ability to shapeshift… So by picking my poisons, you mean I have to learn as many transformations as possible before the two-week limit. Xia Ye doubted they would actually start explorations when it came to the mist in exactly two weeks, but one thing was for sure.

They weren't going to let a bunch of random cultivators enter the mist due to the potential one of them will find the artifact. There must be a type of selection process, and he would need to get through it. [Learning the Somersaulting Cloud taught you how to use Qi to enhance yourself and followed a basic formula when summoning the Nimbus Cloud. The 72 Earthly Transformations will focus on the next natural step, controlling your Qi to an absolute and mastering your own body.]

Surprisingly enough, hearing that Xia Ye had to admit it did make sense in a way. It also explained why Sun Wukong taught him the Somersaulting Cloud first. "And here I thought my days of cramming were over after I gave up trying Xia Qingyue's test scores." After leaving the Black Moon Merchant Guild, Xia Ye looked around for a bit before heading back outside of the city.

"Hmm?" When he arrived, Ao Qin was still there waiting for him. However, he was glued to an older-looking man. He had a gentle look on his face with hints of curiosity and interest. On top of that, the clothes he was wearing looked humble yet extremely well made. It was as if he was trying to avoid attracting too much attention. 'The Earth Profound Realm?'

Xia Ye narrowed his eyes as he cautiously walked up to the man. "Can I help you?" Hearing Xia Ye's voice, the man looked over at him and smiled. "You're the young man who rode here on a cloud, correct?" Xia Ye slowly nodded, hearing he was talking about his Nimbus Cloud. It was a strange technique, after all.

"I've been in this city for so many years, yet I've never seen a Profound Art like that before. Not only that but from what I can tell, it moves incredibly fast." Xia Ye didn't know where the old man was going with this as he remained cautious. Seeing how Xia Ye was acting, the old man laughed.

"Don't worry; I'm not here to bother you. I simply satisfied my curiosity. You seem to have no Profound Strength, yet clearly, you are strong. After all, I've never heard of someone subjugating a Profound Beast without a Contracted Profound Seal. In any case, I'll leave you be." After saying that, the old man glanced at Xia Ye once before walking away.

'Well, that was weird.' After watching the old man completely disappear from view, Xia Ye turned his attention back to Ao Qin. "Master, are we leaving now?" Xia Ye shook his head. "No, we'll be staying here for a while. I just came here to give you these." Xia Ye released the remaining Profound Cores he had in his Spatial Ring.

"Thank you, Master!" Ao Qin's eyes lit up when he saw the core's as Xia Ye nodded. The reason Profound Beast got stronger at such a slow rate was because of the risk they faced. Attacking others for their Profound Cores was just too dangerous considering how powerful Profound Beast, in general, when compared to humans.

The fear of death became higher the more one had to lose, which was a staple for cultivators. For Profound Beast like Ao Qin who have gained intelligence that went double. "As I said, you need to get stronger if you're going to do anything for me." Xia Ye could see Ao Qin nodding his head viciously. "With these, I can definitely make a breakthrough."

Sighing to himself, he left Ao Qin there as he began to devour the first Profound Core Xia Ye left. "Now then." Entering Crescent City one more time, Xia Ye began looking for a place where he could begin practicing. Eventually, he managed to come across a fairly empty tavern. After paying the owner, Xia Ye reserved a single room for two weeks.

'Alright, let's get to it.' Sitting down on the bed in the room, Xia Ye heard Sun Wukong begin instructing him. [You're going to need to focus. Using Qi to change your body's form can be dangerous if it's not done right.] Xia Ye nodded as he went into the same state of meditation as when he practices The Secret To Immortality.

Following Sun Wukong's instructions, Xia Ye's Qi began focusing inwardly on his own body. Instead of reinforcing it like normal, Xia Ye had to try and change it. Force it too much, and he could rip himself apart by accident, but too little could result in failure. It was a balance that he had to master before he could even begin trying to learn any transformations.

The room was completely silent, and Xia Ye didn't move a muscle, keeping his eyes closed and mind focused. Aside from Sun Wukong's voice, he didn't get distracted at all by the world outside. And due to that, the days passed as more and more cultivators arrived within Crescent City.

Near the center of the city in a large building outsized the rest. It was almost rivaling the size of the Black Moon Merchant Guild building in the city. On the top floor, a figure could be seen overlooking the city. The room behind them was clearly made with the intent of a ruler being the one inside of it.

Art was endorsed on the ceiling, and smooth stone floors as the light from the surrounding windows made everything feel ethereal. However, what was really captivating was the woman standing on the balcony. Despite having the upper portion of her face covered with a mask, you could still see her dark silver eyes shining through.

Her dark smooth hair almost reached down to her waist and blew in the wind while a single golden ornament adorned her head. However, by far the most shocking thing was that this woman's cultivation was at the Sky Profound Realm. However, unlike other Female Cultivators, her appearance didn't feel elegant.

Her skin was as smooth as one could ever hope; however, her body was fairly well defined, showing efforts of training. Even her clothes felt more similar to what men would wear, being sleeveless and having gold and black over parts of her body. Everything about her broke the normal mold most Female Cultivators followed.

The door to the room opened as someone walked in and spoke respectfully. "Lady Hanying." Hearing the old calm voice, the woman turned around with a light smile. "Advisor Ju Min, thank you for coming here." This was the old man Xia Ye had met outside of Crescent City, although his disposition hadn't changed a bit.

"Of course, I am at your service as always, although your younger brother caught me off guard. I knew he was quite eccentric, but recent news has made him… Hard to deal with." Advisor Ju Min laughed to himself as Hanying nodded. "It's understandable even I wasn't expecting three of the Four Major Sects to get involved as much as they have."

Advisor Ju Min sighed to himself when he heard her words. "Indeed, the Burning Heaven Clan has sent two elders and twenty of their disciples. Along with that, I have heard the Xiao Sect has sent one of their elders here with ten of their own disciples. Theirs even news that the Frozen Immortal Cloud Palace has sent one of their fairies and will be arriving shortly."

Any part of this news would be enough to cause cultivators from across the Blue Wind Empire to feel cold. Although their numbers were few, the fact the Four Major Sects were acting at all was shocking. And all of it came from the possibility of the artifact. Hanying sat down as she replied to him.

"Although it might seem a bit much to others, we alone understand. The danger that hides in that mist is something that can't be allowed to rest. It's been fifteen years, and my worry is growing heavier every day. We must destroy it no matter the cost, even if we have to give up the artifact that lies within. "