Command Talisman!

This is one of Qi Xiu's most formidable techniques.

However, it is also a double-edged sword.

Every use incurs varying degrees of backlash from the Dao.

When he used it while his cultivation was still shallow, he nearly suffered a severe injury.

The reason Qi Xiu was confident in completing the half chapter of the Dharma Gate was because he intended to utilize this [Command Talisman], which Moon Sea True Venerable could never have expected he possessed such a divine marvel of a technique.

As he raised the [Command Talisman], a thread of golden light flickered in the depths of Qi Xiu's eyes, and he softly chanted:

"Command!"

"Taoist skill, heaven born."

Buzz—

In the span of a finger snap, the power of the Command Talisman burst forth, with tempestuous waves surging around Qi Xiu, and a radiant gleam flashing in his eyes. The barely discernible sound of the Dao echoed in his ears as an illusory image of a Qinglian swayed and floated behind him.

As the Qinglian swayed, a drop of treasure dew slowly dripped from the lotus leaf.

Like a streak of light, it gently fell into the center of Qi Xiu's forehead.

Drip—

In an instant, brilliant and dazzling multicolored hues burst forth like a blossoming nine-colored treasure lotus.

The next moment!

The half chapter of the Dharma Gate recorded in Qi Xiu's mind shone brightly, with brand new characters continually emerging.

The originally incomplete sentences and meanings gushed forth ceaselessly like a bubbling spring.

While the power of the Command Talisman was completing this half chapter of the Dharma Gate.

Qi Xiu furrowed his brows, slightly opened his chest in front, revealing terrifying injuries deep enough to see the bone, which were continuously spreading as if about to tear his body asunder.

The backlash from the Dao had arrived.

This level of severity is indeed far more serious than I imagined.

But still within manageable limits…

With a slight shift of his mind, Qi Xiu's body swiftly transformed into a gentle breeze, and as he gathered and dispersed, the terrifying scars on his chest gradually faded.

...

In front of the Evernight Ancient City's gates.

People, merchants, and caravans lined up endlessly, preparing to enter this thriving ancient city.

This ancient city standing amidst the vast desert is like a pearl in the sea of sand, attracting travelers from all the world's four seas.

But without exception, these travelers are all ordinary folk, not a single cultivator among them.

With deliberate dissemination from relevant departments in the Great Tang, sects, aristocracies, and loose cultivators worldwide have all come to know that the Evernight Ancient City seems like a regular town.

In reality, it is a military fortress!

A forbidden zone not allowing any organization or individual to approach!

With daring intruders,

they would be executed without mercy.

But today, there was a change.

Among a camel train specially delivering food and supplies into the city, an old man wearing a drooping short coat and a tattered felt hat was crunching on half a cucumber and raised his head slightly to glance at the Evernight Ancient City ahead.

"Finally arrived, tch, three thousand miles of the Forbidden Air Domain.

The Li Family must have found the relics of the Four Seas.

Otherwise, they couldn't possibly be so extravagant."

Throwing the rest of the cucumber into his mouth, the old man hopped off the camel with a thrust of his backside, hands clasped behind him as he hunched forward.

Near the city gates, an ancient and simple bronze-turned treasure mirror inscribed with ninety-nine ancient Daoist characters hung high atop the city tower, with a constant flow of treasure light occasionally sweeping across.

"Tch, the Profound Heaven Bone Mirror? Such thorough inspections?

Under the might of the Great Tang, how many daredevils even exist, is it really necessary?"

Shaking his head, the old man strode straight toward the city gate.

Passing by those tall and robust, seemingly ordinary figures, who were in truth soldiers with Blood-Stained Realm cultivation, the old man grinned and gave a thumbs up:

"Hard work, hard work."

Walking through the dim city road, the old man followed the crowd into this Evernight Ancient City, the loud and noisy sounds accompanied by the warm human air filling the space, causing beads of sweat to form on one's nose.

Inspecting the Great Tang Army Fortress before him, the old man feigned nonchalance as he walked to the side, but his eyes angled downward, showing an expression of surprise.

No wonder the security is so tight; not a single cultivated person is allowed in.

Below this ancient city, it seems there is a colossal secret hidden.

Sensing the presence of the Endless Hell beneath the Evernight Ancient City, the old man removed his felt hat and scratched his scarce head, nostrils twitching as if sniffing something.

"There's no mistaking it; that aura is coming from here.

Heh heh, a queer thing, old man I'm not dead yet, how is there another one?

Could it be... it's those two old fools causing trouble?"

Muttering inexplicable words to himself, the old man donned his felt hat, resembling a farmer on his first visit to the city, looking around curiously while continually sniffing the faint aura in the void.

Unwittingly, the old man arrived at the center of the Evernight Ancient City, at the Protector's Mansion guarded by two heavily armored soldiers.

"Protector's Mansion? Was it really those two old troublemakers?"

Glancing at the imposing and solemn Protector's Mansion, the old man's wrinkled orange peel face contorted with a mix of surprise and gravity.

No good, I have to sneak in and take a look.

But they say the Protector here, Song Baiyi, is a Martial Arts True Venerable, I mustn't alarm him.

Otherwise, getting entangled with him would make it very difficult to escape.

If I accidentally kill him, won't those Evil People chase me all over the world?

I need to think of a delicate method to avoid alerting anyone.

Stroking his rough chin, the old man tucked his hands as he walked along the wall of the Protector's Mansion.

...

Inside the solitary residence of the Protector's Mansion's single building.

A slightly pale Qi Xiu dispersed Hunyuan Palace and returned to his room.

With the power of the [Command Talisman], he had already deduced the complete Dharma Gate for returning to the later generations.