Chapter 1004: The Twelve Sacred Forms of Nanyun

Dongbo Xueying spent over half a month in the archives, flipping through similar books before finally stopping his search.

During this time, he perused numerous records such as *Traces of Ancient Ruins* and *Treasures of the Crimson Ox Palace*. Most of these texts contained fragmented clues about various ruins, but Dongbo Xueying surmised that the majority were likely useless—probably documenting sites already well-known to others. In the two cataclysmic wars between ancient nations, countless powerhouses had fallen, including waves of Cosmos Gods. The ‘Crimson Ox Palace Master’ was one of the most infamous among the fallen, having slain dozens of Cosmos Gods himself. Dongbo Xueying deduced that this figure must have been at the level of a Sacred Master.

This realization made him understand that even Sacred Master-level beings had perished in the history of the Heartcontinent.

And those still alive? Likely far more numerous.

“What a terrifying place the Heartcontinent is,” Dongbo Xueying murmured to himself.

Though it was a Source World like the Chaos Void, its depth and heritage were incomparably greater. No wonder ‘Meta’ had left behind an opportunity for descendants like him to enter the Heartcontinent.

“I can’t be the only one reincarnated into this world,” he mused.

“Moreover, smaller nations don’t seem very safe.” He had also gleaned hints of lurking dangers.

The Southcloud Nation lay to the south of the Six Great Ancient Nations, bordered by the ‘Summerwind Ancient Nation’ to the north and the vast ‘Black Prison Dark Sea’ to the south. Between them stretched four nations and an immense marshland.

That marshland—

A notorious perilous region across the entire Heartcontinent, where space twisted unpredictably. One step could transport a traveler billions of miles away. Thus, it had become a haven for countless fiends. Fugitives from the Summerwind Ancient Nation and other parts of the Heartcontinent gathered here, earning it the name ‘Black Fiend Marsh.’ The surrounding four nations were collectively known as the Black Fiend Four Nations.

The Black Fiend Marsh sprawled as vast as a nation, teeming with innumerable fiends—nearly ten of them Cosmos Gods. It was one of the most infamous gathering places for malevolent forces on the Heartcontinent, so entrenched that even the Six Great Ancient Nations struggled to eradicate them.

Compared to others, the Southcloud Nation fared better under the protection of the Southcloud Monarch, suffering fewer ravages from the marsh’s fiends.

But the same couldn’t be said for the ‘Flamebright Nation,’ another of the Black Fiend Four. Despite having three Cosmos Gods, lacking the Southcloud Monarch’s deterrence, it had practically become the Black Fiend Marsh’s playground. Fiends ran rampant, cities fell frequently, and even the Flamebright Monarch could only endure—his predecessor had been slain by the marsh’s fiends.

Though the Southcloud Nation was relatively stable, skirmishes with the Black Fiend Marsh still occurred, though Cosmos Gods rarely intervened.

“A world fraught with peril,” Dongbo Xueying shook his head slightly.

Nations were forged through strength.

Take the ‘Snowhook Nation,’ another of the Black Fiend Four—boasting five Cosmos Gods, its power was immense. The Snowhook Monarch was a figure of notorious ferocity, unwilling to bow even to the ancient nations, having waged war against three of them. Though his nation suffered heavy losses, his own survival prowess ensured its continued existence.

“Truly remarkable. To withstand three ancient nations and still stand—this second-rate nation is no small feat,” Dongbo Xueying marveled inwardly.

Both the Southcloud Monarch and the Snowhook Monarch were peerless overlords.

Yet the Southcloud Monarch was far more amicable, fostering alliances far and wide and disseminating his supreme techniques. Disciples of his teachings were countless even within the Six Great Ancient Nations, making the Southcloud Nation the most stable of its peers.

—

Setting down the ancient tome, Dongbo Xueying made his decision: “From what I’ve read these past days, the most suitable supreme technique for me is the *Twelve Forms of the Southcloud Sacred Art*.”

The Southcloud Sacred Sect was one of the Ten Great Sects of the Heartcontinent.

Considering that even Sacred Master-level Cosmos Gods were not uncommon, the fact that the Southcloud Sacred Sect ranked among the Ten spoke volumes of its prestige.

Its renown stemmed from the supreme technique created by the Southcloud Monarch—the *Twelve Forms of the Southcloud Sacred Art*. Its fame was such that any cultivator of notable strength on the Heartcontinent would know of it. Within the Southcloud Nation, it was practically common knowledge.

“My awakened bloodline is of the Void, and my foundation in Void principles is deep,” Dongbo Xueying smiled. “This *Twelve Forms* is precisely a Void-type supreme technique.”

Void—

Time and space were among the earliest forces any cultivator could perceive. Even a True God could manipulate them to some degree. On the Heartcontinent, where True Gods were countless, mastering the basics of a Void-type technique was relatively simple. Combined with its immense power and the ability to achieve teleportation at higher levels, the *Twelve Forms* was inherently suited for widespread dissemination.

Of course, Void-type techniques were plentiful. The true reason for its ubiquity was its comparative ease of cultivation!

—

By the lakeside, Marquis Flamestrike was fishing.

Dongbo Xueying arrived swiftly astride his Blackflow Cloudbeast, while Elder Tian and the guards watched from a distance. Dismounting, he approached eagerly. “My Lord, after studying the archives, I’ve decided on my path of cultivation.”

“Oh? What have you chosen?” The red-haired Marquis Flamestrike smiled.

“The *Twelve Forms of the Southcloud Sacred Art*!” Dongbo Xueying declared without hesitation.

“It is our Southcloud Nation’s most renowned supreme technique, created by the Monarch himself—but it suits those with an affinity for the Void,” the Marquis observed.

In response, the space around Dongbo Xueying rippled violently with countless undulations.

The Marquis’s eyes brightened. “Hah! A Void bloodline indeed. Then there’s no issue. Many in our nation cultivate the *Twelve Forms*, but while the basics are accessible, reaching profound mastery is exceedingly rare. You must devote yourself wholeheartedly. Fortunately, my estate has several practitioners of this art to guide you.”

Dongbo Xueying understood well.

As a native of the Southcloud Nation with a Void bloodline and prior insights into Void principles, this technique was his natural choice. Though it was considered easier to cultivate, the path remained arduous. Reaching the eighth level of Unity would likely be as challenging as attaining the seventh level in the Chaos Void. But Dongbo Xueying was undaunted—even in the path of Rule and Mystery, he was confident of reaching the ninth level.

“Shall we proceed with your training now?” the Marquis asked.

“Yes,” Dongbo Xueying replied firmly.

“Good. Come, I’ll take you to the Southcloud Sacred Hall.”

The Marquis glanced at Elder Tian and the guards. “Return to Snow Eagle’s residence and await his return. I shall escort him back myself later.”

“As you command, My Lord,” they acknowledged.

“Let us go.”

With that, the red-haired Marquis and the young boy vanished into the void, traversing space until they arrived before the grand Southcloud Sacred Hall in Flamestrike City.

Across the Six Great Ancient Nations, Southcloud Sacred Halls were present in even modestly sized cities, welcoming cultivators from all corners. However, to master the highest levels of the art, one typically had to journey to the Southcloud Nation itself.

Within the nation, these halls not only instructed disciples but also served as recruitment centers for powerful cultivators. Joining the Sacred Hall meant pledging allegiance to the Monarch, entailing privileges and benefits.

The overseer of Flamestrike City’s Sacred Hall was none other than one of the city’s two titans—Chunyu Weiyi.

—

A red-haired man and a young boy materialized at the entrance of the grand hall.

“Marquis, you grace us with your presence?” A tall, lean man clad in gray armor emerged. His every step seemed to cleave the void, sending spatial ripples in his wake. His gaze settled on Dongbo Xueying, and he smiled. “This must be the young Lord Yingshan Xueying—born a Void God. Extraordinary. Has the Marquis brought him to me?”

“Snow Eagle has decided to join the Southcloud Sacred Sect,” Marquis Flamestrike replied with a grin.

“Excellent! Come, come inside, and let us discuss in detail.”

Chunyu Weiyi ushered them in warmly.