Chapter 351: Chapter 289: Cultivation Technique

Seven days later, a heavenly soldier came to the door, informed Liu Ming about his passing in the exams, and handed him the divine decree from the Heavenly Court before returning.

Liu Ming looked at the still-glowing decree in his hand and let out a soft sigh, realizing that he didn’t have much time left for himself.

He turned to look at the book on the table, its ink not yet dry. He had carefully selected this Divine Way Cultivation Technique for his elder brother, hoping it would help him advance further on the Divine Way.

Perhaps there would be a chance to meet in the Heavenly Court one day.

"It seems I need to hurry!" he murmured to himself and returned to his seat to continue his fervent writing.

Another seven days passed, and while Liu Ming was drinking with his brother at home, a gong sounded in the sky, and a voice shouted, "Liu Ming, the time has come. Why haven’t you ascended quickly?"

The voice spread in all directions, causing countless people to lift their heads in surprise.

In the sky, auspicious clouds gathered, and the golden light was brilliant, causing the mortals to hurriedly bow down.

Seeing this, Liu Ming bowed to his brother and said, "Brother, this departure may be long, and I do not know when we may meet again. Please accept my deepest bow!"

Despite his brother’s attempts to stop him, he knelt and bowed deeply.

"You are going to the Heavenly Court to serve as an official, and I will remain a divine spirit in the mortal world. Through the long years, the day will come when we brothers shall meet again. I only hope you take care of yourself and work diligently; do not violate the heavenly laws."

"Rest assured, brother, I am leaving now," he replied, stepped out of the house, and felt his body lighten involuntarily as he flew up into the sky.

In the sky was a gigantic Treasure Ship already filled with figures, many of whom Liu Ming recognized as those who had taken the exam with him.

"I didn’t expect the Heavenly Court to send a Treasure Ship to fetch us," Liu Ming was secretly astonished.

He hadn’t anticipated that the Heavenly Court would value craftsmen like himself so highly; a sense of loyal devotion arose in him.

What he didn’t know was that with the advent of the Treasure Ship and cannons, the status of craftsmen in the Heavenly Forge Bureau had dramatically increased. Especially now, with the Three Realms in turmoil and the storm brewing on the horizon, these craftsmen had become treasures highly valued by the Heavenly Court.

The sight was seen by the mortals, who all shouted that an immortal was ascending, each one excited beyond words, looking towards the Liu Family’s home.

"Isn’t that the Liu family’s second son’s home? I knew this boy stayed isolated, but I never expected that he had actually become an immortal."

"Alas, Auntie Wang, that’s not what you used to say. Didn’t you say this boy was obsessed with trivial pursuits and that any woman who marries him would be cursed with bad luck for generations?" a passerby retorted.

"Nonsense, when did I ever say that?"

"You even said that Liu Ming was a heavenly calamity star, and anyone close to him would die."

At those words, the woman wanted to argue back, but looking up and seeing the Treasure Ship hidden among the clouds, she ultimately couldn’t get the words out, since Liu Ming had become an immortal and might hear such talk.

The ones who had intended to visit Liu Ming’s home to bask in his immortal qi were too scared to do so and sulkily went home, causing those around to burst out laughing.

The robust man stood at the doorstep, staring blankly as his brother ascended into the Treasure Ship, sighed softly, and looked around. The courtyard where he had grown up was now deserted, and it seemed it would likely fall into ruin in the future.

He turned around the room, prepared to pack up his and his brother’s belongings and leave when he saw that the usually busy desk was spotless, with only a book lying quietly on it.

"How careless to leave a good book here," he muttered to himself, walking over to pick it up.

"Huh!" He only realized when he got closer that the book had just been recently written, its pages still wafting a scent of fresh ink.

Curiously flipping through the pages, his eyes widened instantly. This book was a rare Divine Way Cultivation Technique.

One must know that in the Three Realms, divine spirits are innumerable, and cultivators of the Divine Way are as common as carp crossing a river; however, truly possessing a Divine Way Cultivation Technique is as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, with most divine spirits relying on their innate abilities to cultivate.

He quickly looked around cautiously. This was a treasure. If word got out, countless divine spirits would break their heads trying to get their hands on it.

Seeing that there was no one around, he relaxed and carefully tucked the book into his chest.

"Where did that brat get this technique from? Don’t tell me he stole it from the Heavenly Court."

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. Remembering Liu Ming’s previous trip to the Heavenly Court, he grew increasingly convinced that the technique came from there. But then, considering that the ink on the book was still wet, it was highly likely that Liu Ming had written it himself; how he had noted it down, he had no idea.

Nevertheless, what was done was done. He knew that dwelling on it would be fruitless and might even risk exposure. The best plan for now was to act as if nothing had happened and, after some time had passed with no disturbances outside, he would then study it.

After making up his mind, he secured all his things, set up a Blinding Method, and left the courtyard where he had lived since childhood. From now on, he was going to focus on the path of divine spirits.

Meanwhile, Liu Ming was examining the Treasure Ship with great interest. Although he had read about the structure and manufacturing methods of the Treasure Ship in books, seeing it with his own eyes still amazed him.

Lu Shu on the other hand had already started exclaiming, "It really is a Treasure Ship, indeed impressive! Both the materials and the refining techniques are top-notch. No wonder it can awe all directions. Liu Ming, look closely, the hull is entirely covered with runes. I’ve only learned a few myself."

Hearing this, Liu Ming turned in surprise to Lu Shu. He hadn’t expected the ever-chattering fellow to have learned runes.

The Way of Runes was not easy to master without guidance. It seemed that Lu Shu’s background was not ordinary.

However, he quickly suppressed his curiosity. What did Lu Shu’s background matter to him? It was better to seize the chance to closely observe the structure of the Treasure Ship.

That was a tangible benefit he could grasp.

Lu Shu had initially intended to have a good chat with Liu Ming, but seeing the other so absorbed in studying the Treasure Ship, not even lifting his head once, and noticing that everyone was busy examining their own work as if he was the only person standing there foolishly, he quickly lowered his head to start observing too.

"These maniacs!"

At the bow of the ship, Immortal Official Cao saw this scene and smiled, stroking his beard. This was the state that craftsmen of the Heavenly Forge Bureau should be in. Without this starving thirst for knowledge, it was very hard to become a Great Artisan.

The Treasure Ship sailed across the sky, passing through thick clouds, and soon a dazzling light met their eyes. As they raised their heads, they saw the Heavenly Court situated in the Nine Heavens, emitting a myriad of brilliant lights that made it impossible to look directly at it.

The grand Gate of the Southern Heavens stood not far away, carrying the breath of endless years, making everyone feel the power of time.

This was the Heavenly Court, the topmost power of the Three Realms.