The first part of the Golden Fire Heavenly Ding Skill describes the method for refining Blood Qi. The pinnacle of the Blood Strengthening realm is the refinement of Blood Qi into Golden Fire, which serves as the foundation for all Techniques and abilities used by the Red Heart Sect below the Innate realm.
The second part of the Golden Fire Heavenly Ding Skill, however, focuses on the application of this Golden Fire, aligning with the characteristics of the Refining the Internal Organs realm.
The key to this lies in the Talisman Seal Technique, found within the Taoist Talisman Secret Image.
Talisman Seals align with the fundamental principles governing heaven, earth, and the human body.
It is founded on numerous principles: the circulation of Qi and Blood, the function of the five internal organs, shifts in acupoints and meridians, subtle Force Release from the body, and guidance techniques involving Spirit and Meditation. When combined with a Technique, these principles cause the unleashed Primordial Qi to coalesce into a specific, patterned formation. This formation takes the shape of a Talisman Seal, producing all manner of unbelievable powers.
When activated, a Talisman Seal Technique can even connect with the Power of Heaven and Earth to augment the user. It allows one to leverage the Qi of Heaven and Earth with their own strength, granting them access to certain abilities that should only be possible after breaking through the Life and Death Mystic Gate.
Such is the power of the Talisman Seal Technique in this world.
What Zhao Xuanqi was now unleashing was the most fundamental of the Talisman Seal Techniques from the second part of the Golden Fire Heavenly Ding Skill—one based on Golden Fire. But even this basic technique far exceeded his body’s limits. His internal organs, blood vessels, and entire frame could not bear the strain, resulting in immense trauma.
At the same time, however, the power it unleashed also shattered the limits he could previously achieve!
He thrust out a palm, and Primordial Qi coalesced before it into a Talisman Seal about a foot high. The strokes of the seal were majestic and overpowering. A mere glimpse of its form was enough to strike terror into one’s heart, inspiring an irresistible urge to submit. It was like a statue of a Vajra Asura in a temple, whose form alone could make one tremble in fear, daring not to look directly.
Gang Fire Demon Suppression Seal!!
Based on the heart meridian, the Golden Fire of his Blood Qi merged with his Heart Fire. With these two fires combined, the intensity of its power was unimaginable.
BOOM!!
The instant the Talisman Seal shot forward, the surrounding space seemed to ignite. Brilliant Golden Fire erupted in a conflagration. Under the searing, intense power, the space of the Ghost City, built upon an illusory dreamscape, began to warp as if it would be burned to ash.
Meanwhile, guided by Zhao Xuanqi’s will, the Golden Fire, the Force, the airflow... even the thick mist of blood that had burst from his body due to the violent power generation—all of it condensed as one.
The form of a massive Qilin manifested. Golden Fire and blood mist merged, ferocious crimson interweaving with majestic golden light, imbuing the Qilin’s form with an utterly terrifying aura.
Blood and Fire!!
The others, who had been about to split up and retreat in a final effort to buy time, stopped in their tracks. They turned to witness a scene they would never forget.
"This is..."
Somewhere in Heqing Dao, two cloaked figures watching the Ghost City through a blood-red light screen also witnessed the spectacle. The condensed form of the Blood Fire Qilin was simply too conspicuous.
For a moment, the expressions on both of their faces shifted.
The Qilin of interwoven blood and fire opened its massive maw and once again lunged, seeking to devour the Evil Cult Statue. Behind the statue, a blood-red Ghost Gate was taking form.
The Ghost Gate had not yet fully formed. The evil had not yet fully descended. This was the last chance!!
This time, faced with the devouring Blood Fire Qilin, the expression in the vertical eye on the Evil Cult Statue’s brow changed. A look of terror appeared within it as it sensed an intense threat.
VMMMM!!
The vertical eye trembled. The mass of blood floating in the sky rapidly diminished as blood-red vines erupted around the statue, and a layer of crimson light enveloped its body.
But it was useless. The Blood Fire Qilin swallowed it all in a single gulp, and the Talisman Seal launched from Zhao Xuanqi’s palm pierced straight through.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Terrifying Golden Fire erupted from the bodies of the guardian Evil Spirits within the courtyard. The new damage, stacked upon their previous injuries, pushed them beyond some limit. Three of the guardian Evil Spirits even exploded under the Golden Fire’s assault, apparently dying on the spot.
The Evil Cult Statue’s ability to distribute damage also seemed to have reached its limit. The blood-red barrier shrouding it shattered, and the Talisman Seal detonated against its body.
BOOM!!
Amidst the terrifying explosion, Zhao Xuanqi faintly heard the sound of something shattering, followed by a sharp, inhuman shriek.
’Did it work?’
Everyone’s hearts clenched once more.
「On the other side.」
Xu Jingtian and the disciples from the various sects had arranged themselves into a battle formation. Techniques were already inscribed upon their skin, and they stood ready to fight the surrounding Evil Spirits at a moment’s notice.
In the sky, the blood-red moon climbed ever higher. It seemed poised to reach its zenith at any second, heralding the start of the Night Parade of Hundred Demons.
Blood-red Ghost Gates manifested behind the special Evil Spirits in the area, and their forms were slowly being pulled inside.
But in the next moment...
FWOOM!!
A torrent of Golden Fire suddenly spewed from within each Ghost Gate. Then, the Gates themselves simply exploded, vanishing into thin air.
The Evil Spirits that had been on the verge of being pulled into the Ghost Gates reappeared.
This is...
Everyone’s expression changed. They had no idea what had just happened, and looks of terror crept onto their faces.
’The special Evil Spirits weren’t pulled through the Ghost Gates. If the Night Parade of Hundred Demons begins now, we won’t stand a chance of survival.’
’Did something unexpected happen to the strike team?’
"Look!"
Just then, someone noticed something and cried out in alarm. Everyone whipped their heads around to follow the sound, only to see the person looking up, pointing toward the Blood Moon in the sky.