As for the Nether Abyss Ancestor, he has mingled in the Celestial Continent for nearly three hundred years, and might have some understanding of these Evil Books.
Zhang Yao thought of this, and immediately, with a movement of his Divine Thought, sought out the Nether Abyss Ancestor.
"Qingxu!"
After receiving his message, the Nether Abyss Ancestor first dealt with the selection task at hand, then hurriedly maneuvered his Escape Light to come over.
"It turns out it's about the 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory'..."
After a brief inquiry, he pondered for a moment, then spoke:
"This matter in the Celestial Continent is actually not a secret; it's one of the widely known strange tales."
"Widely known?"
Zhang Yao hesitated for a moment, then looked thoughtful.
He possesses the memories of Liu Cang, the Five Elements Wanderer of yesteryear, yet within those memories, he had never heard of any strange tales about the 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory' within the Nine Mansions of the Celestial Continent.
It is very likely that in the over two thousand years since Liu Cang's death, something significant regarding these Evil Books occurred.
Sure enough:
The following words from the Nether Abyss Ancestor unraveled his doubts.
"According to the Nine Heavens Alliance's announcement, these 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory' books have an unclear origin, suspected to have come from some sage of the Middle Ages."
"The announcement states that there are twelve different versions of these 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory' books, with each version having a hundred copies printed and recorded, totaling as many as twelve hundred copies."
"The differences between each version lie only in the different Secret Techniques recorded at the end."
Zhang Yao nodded slightly and then spoke:
"But these twelve Secret Techniques should all be fake, right?"
"No!"
To his surprise, the Nether Abyss Ancestor shook his head and said:
"To be accurate, among the twelve different versions of the 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory', ninety-nine copies of each version are Blinding Techniques, but one is genuine!"
"The Nine Heavens Alliance's announcement claims that there are twelve True Scriptures in total, recording twelve genuine Secret Techniques, while all the rest are False Secret Techniques."
"These 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory' books have actually been circulating in the Celestial Continent for at least several thousand years, but few people have ever taken them seriously."
"After all, each generation of sects, noble families, and organizations that attempted to seek plots through Secret Techniques all declared failure, proving long ago that these Secret Techniques are all fake."
"At that time, these twelve hundred 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory' books were discarded like worn-out shoes, though the material was somewhat special, leading people to speculate they might be a joke by some sage."
He paused here before saying slowly:
"About one thousand six hundred years ago, a major event shook the Celestial Continent!"
"Back then, in Xichuan Prefecture, there was a major force, seemingly ordinary among many Nascent Soul Level great forces, yet suddenly, within just a century, it repeatedly produced thirty-five Golden Core masters, astounding the entire Celestial Continent!"
"This great force immediately became the focus of the Nine Mansions of the Celestial Continent, with countless forces eyeing them, even the Nine Heavens Alliance was alarmed, sending people secretly to investigate."
"In just a few years, they were thoroughly investigated, and the most deeply hidden secrets naturally got exposed."
Zhang Yao's expression shifted slightly as he spoke:
"It seems they not only coincidentally obtained one of the Twelve True Scriptures but also, for some unknown reason, genuinely attempted the 'False Secret Techniques' proven numerous times to be false."
"As a result, they struck it lucky!"
"Indeed!"
The Nether Abyss Ancestor sighed with emotion:
"After the news leaked, the entire Celestial Continent went mad!"
"Don't look at the many Golden Core cultivators in the world; over half of them are Celestial Spirit Root or Exotic Spirit Root cultivators, yet ninety-nine percent of cultivators still have Earth Spirit Roots and Mixed Spirit Roots."
"The Secret Techniques recorded in the twelve versions of the 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory' are different. Some, for developing a sect or noble family, are like adding wings to a tiger; some can remedy the Spirit Root defects of those strong cultivators; some provide Exotic Techniques for cultivation, causing one's battle power to soar..."
"One can imagine the great turmoil this news created within the Nine Mansions of the Celestial Continent and even the countries of the Central Plains!"
"The 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory', once considered almost worthless, suddenly became a coveted treasure, with everyone fighting fiercely for it. Just to compete for books of unknown authenticity circulating outside, a huge calamity of carnage occurred in the Cultivation Realm..."
Zhang Yao's gaze flickered, he asked:
"And what happened afterward?"
"Afterward..."
The Nether Abyss Ancestor chuckled, spreading his hands:
"Wasn't it the same old story? In the end, it was up to the Nine Heavens Alliance to resolve such a mess."
"The Nine Heavens Alliance published an announcement, explaining the origins in detail, and implemented a series of strong and effective measures, which put an end to the chaotic fighting and snatching."
"After that calamitous event, the Nine Heavens Alliance issued an Imperial Decree requiring anyone obtaining one of the Twelve True Scriptures to turn it in, while promising generous rewards, of course."
"Should anyone be discovered by the Nine Heavens Alliance secretly using Secret Techniques from the Twelve True Scriptures, their consequences need not be elaborated."
"In the more than a thousand years since, this matter passed into the realm of strange tales, and now the Nine Heavens Alliance openly has seven of the Twelve True Scriptures, with five still unaccounted for."
"I see..."
Zhang Yao nodded slightly, speaking:
"So this 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory' has such a story behind it."
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for clearing up my doubts."
"Why be so polite with me?"
The Nether Abyss Ancestor laughed heartily and said:
"Actually, the fake Secret Techniques of the twelve versions are already common knowledge in the Celestial Continent."
"Countless cultivators within the Nine Mansions hope to obtain a true scripture by chance one day, to offer it to the Nine Heavens Alliance and soar to great heights."
"Yet, unless you open the book yourself, there's no way to know its contents, so they can only hope to get lucky."
As he spoke, he casually produced a blank Jade Scroll, inscribed it with a Divine Thought, and tossed it to Zhang Yao:
"Here you go."
"This Jade Scroll contains the contents of the twelve fake Secret Techniques."
"Considering your connection with the 'Spiritual Root Origin Flow Theory', perhaps one day you'll find a true scripture by chance. That would be quite a fortune!"
"The Nine Heavens Alliance's generosity in rewards is unmatched worldwide. It's said their Treasure Vault's collection of Treasures and Exotic Treasures is even greater than that of the Outer Sea Dragon King Palace..."
Zhang Yao also chuckled, casually catching the Jade Scroll, putting it away with the intention to thoroughly examine it at a convenient time.
At this very moment:
"Hm?"
Zhang Yao's expression shifted slightly, showing a faint smile:
"As expected, the Golden Core cultivator of Da Li arrived first."
Among the three remaining major powers in the Southwest Land, Da Li is the closest to Da Mo, followed by Dachang, and the farthest is Dayu to the east of the Fubo Sea.
"I told you, these Golden Core cultivators are smart people. They must first pay respects to the Kitchen God before daring to start their journey."
The Nether Abyss Ancestor laughed aloud but then quickly paused, revealing a look of surprise and joy.
His Divine Thought may not be as keen as Zhang Yao's, yet he also perceived that among the seven Escape Lights flying in from afar, there were three very familiar auras!
"My disciples are indeed still alive, and they're here in the Southwest!"
"This is truly great news!"
With a face full of smiles, the Nether Abyss Ancestor exclaimed repeatedly:
"I'll go out to see them first."
As soon as he finished speaking, he hurriedly maneuvered his Escape Light to welcome his own disciples.
"Master!!"
Outside the Seven Sects Alliance headquarters, Black Abyss Ascendant immediately recognized his master's Escape Light, brimming with excitement:
"Master, I finally see you again!"
"Good disciple..."
Their Escape Lights rapidly neared, and after a long-absent reunion, master and disciple exchanged words of great sentiment.
While the master and disciple communicated, the others waited patiently at the side, with only Jiuhua Ancestor and Chen Xianhe of the Heigu Chen Clan occasionally chiming in or responding to questions.
Not until the Nether Abyss Ancestor realized the inappropriateness of the situation did he show a hint of apology, speaking:
"You all must be Golden Core cultivators from Da Li?"
"Reuniting with my disciple, I could hardly contain my feelings, making you wait long."
"No need..."
True Yang Ancestor, Du Guyan, and others, naturally responded humbly, keeping a low stance.
The Nether Abyss Ancestor before them, though not as renowned in the Southwest as Elder Qingxu, still was a Golden Core Perfection cultivator whose prowess far exceeded their own.
"Let's go."
The Nether Abyss Ancestor chuckled, gesturing with his hand:
"Fellow Daoist Qingxu awaits you in the hall."