The Heaven Conquering Overlord Manual Xiang Shaoyun cultivated was an incredibly powerful cultivation method and was the cultivation that had brought him to the peak of the dominion during his previous life. It had made him the tyrant of swathes of land and had ultimately earned him the moniker Overlord.

  As he circulated the Heaven Conquering Overlord Manual at full speed, the golden stinging energy was redirected to his gold star. This gold energy was unique, an energy that Xiang Shaoyun still couldn't figure out. He did know, however, that if he couldn't refine the energy assaulting him, he would die.

  As Xiang Shaoyun absorbed the energy, he felt as though countless needles were flowing through his meridians. An intense pain coursed through his body, putting him in so much pain he started groaning.

  Fortunately, he was somewhat relieved when the energy entered his gold star. The star grew rapidly without suffering too much damage. It seemed this gold energy only damaged things that were corporeal as opposed to inner stars, which were incorporeal energy storage spaces.

  This was good news for Xiang Shaoyun as he could now last longer and direct more of the energy into his gold star. The stinging pain constantly tormented him, and every inch of his body was in pain. He even started thinking that death would be a better alternative. However, it also felt like this was the type of pain that would persist even in death, and it caused an extreme suffering no word could describe.

  Before long, Xiang Shaoyun's gold star was completely full. If he wanted to store more, he would have to break through and increase his stars' capacities. Otherwise, the stinging energy would start attacking his body again.

  Xiang Shaoyun wasn't given the chance to properly think this out. He had been at the very peak of the seventh stage for a while. It wouldn't be hard for him to break through now despite his pain. However, as his body was in a terrible condition, it wouldn't be beneficial to break through now.

  Left with no choice, Xiang Shaoyun could only turn his attention to his astral cosmos sea. He roared, "Go!"

  His astral cosmos sea was boundless and capable of holding everything in existence. Unsurprisingly, the entire clump of the golden energy was successfully pulled inside.

  The next moment, a clump of powerful gold energy appeared at a certain corner of his astral cosmos sea. The clump wasn't causing any harm, and Xiang Shaoyun heaved a breath of relief. He lay limp on the ground and was too tired to even use his Secret Reversal Technique. He only used several drops of silver lightning liquid to heal his injuries.

  Afterward, he felt better. He then hastened his body's digestion of the healing energy. While doing so, he recalled the gold-scaled dragon turtle and the goldmark toad fighting outside the lake.

  He had no idea when they would return. In his rush, he hurriedly took out the Radiant Saint Sword and swung it around, leaving behind only the bottom part of the stones that were stuck to the ground.

  "These are goldblood stones I risked my life to get!" said Xiang Shaoyun with a satisfied smile.

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  He was able to obtain six pieces of goldblood stones in total. Each of them was of a decent size. A tiny piece sliced off them would be good enough to increase one's strength by 50 percent. If others knew he alone had gotten so many stones, many trade offers would come knocking, and some people would even come robbing.

  After putting the stones away, he prepared to leave. But when he looked at the underwater cave, he thought of the possible secret hidden inside. He had a sudden urge to rush inside and uncover it.

  "With the clump of energy inside my body, there shouldn't be any other dangers inside. Might as well go take a look," he muttered before rushing over.

  The cave wasn't big, and neither was it deep. Before long, Xiang Shaoyun reached the end where there was a golden skeleton. A Buddhist robe was wrapped around it, and the skeleton was obviously the remains of a monk who had passed away in meditation. A hole could be seen within his chest, evidently the cause of his death.

  From the golden skeleton's condition, this monk was definitely a Saint when alive. Otherwise, his remains wouldn't be so well-preserved, and the bones wouldn't look so sleek and glossy.

  For a super expert like this to be killed, it was obvious just how strong his enemy was. Xiang Shaoyun also noticed that atop the skull of the skeleton was a shiny golden bead. The bead was dazzling and emanated an auspicious and serene aura, giving one a sense of closeness.

  He stared at it for a bit and swallowed before muttering, "A-Are these the sarira of the Buddhists?"

  The so-called sarira was the essence of a Buddhist high monk's cultivation. Not only did it contain a monk's life cultivation, but it also contained the enlightenment of the monk. Any monk could reach the level of a high monk in the shortest time possible after obtaining one. This was basically the inheritance of a high monk.

  This discovery was something Xiang Shaoyun had never imagined. He was naturally overjoyed. But just as he reached out for the sarira, a phantom flew out. He quickly withdrew his hand in fear.

  An incomparably handsome monk appeared before him. The monk looked to be about 30 years old, but he had a pair of ancient and profound eyes. His handsome face and righteous bearing gave everyone around him a comfortable sensation, and Xiang Shaoyun couldn't help feeling intimate toward this person even if he was well aware that this was a man.

  Bah, how can this Overlord fall for a man? cursed Xiang Shaoyun inwardly.

  "Amitabha. Greetings, young benefactor," greeted the phantom.

  Xiang Shaoyun knew that this handsome monk was probably the skeleton's true appearance. He probably existed in the form of a soul, which was a different form of existence than an evil spirit. Evil spirits were formed of resentment, while the monk did not seem to contain any sort of malice. Just that point alone made him feel much safer.

  Xiang Shaoyun cupped his hands and greeted, "Greetings, master."

  "Young benefactor, since you are able to tame my flux goldthorn energy and reach this place, it proves that we are fated to meet. My final remaining power will be gone soon. I have a request for you, and I will compensate you generously for the request," said the handsome monk.

  Xiang Shaoyun became aware that this monk was leaving his will, so he nodded without hesitation. "Just say it, master. I'll do my best to help."

  Chapter 950: Flux Finger Sword Technique and Limit Stimulation Technique

  Zang Yuan was a disciple of a mysterious ancient Buddhist temple. The temple was called the Righteous Buddhist Sect. It wasn't the oldest Buddhist sect in existence, but it was a branch of the oldest Buddhist sect. The oldest sect had now sealed itself in seclusion, effectively making the Righteous Buddhist Sect the oldest active Buddhist sect. It was now the biggest and strongest Buddhist organization.

  Zang Yuan was a high monk from a different era. In fact, it had been almost 10,000 years since he died. He was not this secret space's master. Rather, he was merely someone who had entered by accident while fleeing with heavy injuries. He ultimately hid at the bottom of the lake to heal himself, but his injuries were too heavy. He eventually passed away in meditation.

  The golden stinging energy Xiang Shaoyun absorbed was the special energy Zang Yuan cultivated while alive. Although it had weakened considerably after the continuous corrosion in the lake, it was still extremely powerful. One could say that this energy was the reason for the lake to be gold.

  Zang Yuan's final wish was to have his sarira delivered back to the Righteous Buddhist Sect. His wish was to be returned to his roots.

  Xiang Shaoyun immediately agreed to the request as he said, "Don't worry, master. I will definitely bring your sarira back to the Righteous Buddhist Sect."

  Zang Yuan had a grateful look as he thanked, "Thank you, young benefactor. Allow me to teach you a unique battle technique, the Flux Finger Sword Technique. This is the only battle technique capable of fully utilizing the flux goldthorn energy. I will also teach you a body refining technique, the Limit Stimulation Technique. This is an ancient secret technique, capable of tempering your body to perfection. Doing so, one would be able to stimulate one's potential and increase one's combat strength. Unfortunately, I only have half of the technique's mantra. Even that much was enough to forge me an extreme physique that made me almost undefeatable among my peers."

  When Xiang Shaoyun learned that, he immediately realized that both were amazing techniques. His eyes burned with passion. He quickly regained his calm and asked, "Lord, are you not worried that you would mistrust a person with your final wish? Don't forget that few people can resist the urge to pocket the sarira for themselves."

  Zang Yuan replied solemnly, "I am confident in my judgment. I am also confident in your character. If I really am entrusting this to the wrong person, it must be the will of fate that I can't return to my roots, and it would be proof that I have not earned Lord Buddha's recognition. If so, I might as well scatter with the wind. This stubbornness of mine is in itself a violation of the teachings of Buddha. Where in this world can't I rest? My heart is always with Buddha, the merciful Buddha. Amitabha."

  A look of respect covered Xiang Shaoyun's face as he listened. He said, "Don't worry, master. I, Xiang Shaoyun, may not be a good person, but I am one to always keep my words."

  "Good. The sarira might be valuable, but one without the Buddhist aura and the Buddhist root will not be able to inherit it. In fact, if one tries to inherit it forcefully, one will suffer the backlash for it," said Zang Yuan.

  Xiang Shaoyun felt a chill creep up his spine. He thought, Good thing I wasn't aiming for this thing at all, or I would've suffered.

  Zang Yuan then passed on the two techniques' mantras to Xiang Shaoyun. By the time he was done, his figure had turned incredibly transparent, and he was slowly fading away from existence.

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  At his last moments, he gave a warning, "Do not disturb the slumbering lord at the massive palace."

  "Do not disturb the slumbering lord at the massive palace?" Xiang Shaoyun muttered blankly.

  When he first entered the secret space, he heard something similar about some lord from the evil spirit possessing the corpse of a whitebone snake. With the high monk saying the same thing, it was obvious there was a powerful big shot residing there.

  "Forget it. It's pointless to think too much about it. For now, I need to cultivate the Limit Stimulation Technique and Flux Finger Sword Technique. Also, I need to refine a piece of goldblood stone," Xiang Shaoyun muttered to himself. He decided to start cultivating his newly gained techniques.

  Unfortunately, after putting Zang Yuan's sarira and remains away, he saw a massive shadow heading toward the cave. Clearly, either the gold-scaled dragon turtle or the goldmark toad was returning.

  He paled as he exclaimed, "Shit! If they find me here, I'm dead!"

  It was a good thing Xiang Shaoyun had many tricks up his sleeve. He turned invisible and completely vanished from view. He then stayed still, trying not to make any sort of sound. Soon, the gold-scaled dragon turtle's head appeared at the cave entrance. The head peeked into the cave, scanning the cave with a pair of massive eyes.

  "Weird, why has the flux goldthorn energy gone missing? I can still smell that kid. He should still be here," muttered the gold-scaled dragon turtle doubtfully. His body turned small, and he swam into the cave.

  Xiang Shaoyun was feeling great pressure. The gold-scaled dragon turtle was a top-tier Demon Sovereign. A random breath from this turtle was enough to kill him. He hadn't even recovered from his injuries.

  He prayed inwardly, Please don't notice me.

  Although he was confident in his invisibility, nobody knew if the gold-scaled dragon turtle had a special ability capable of detecting him. Fortunately, after taking a casual look around, the turtle left the cave. Xiang Shaoyun heaved a breath of relief.

  Suddenly, the turtle returned. His crafty eyes were filled with doubt as though he was having a hard time believing there was nobody in the cave.

  "How weird. I can obviously still smell that kid. No movement in this lake can be hidden from me. How can I not detect him? Something is not right," muttered the gold-scaled dragon turtle.

  He then decided not to leave and started absorbing the remnant flux goldthorn energy in the surroundings. Xiang Shaoyun's mood sank. He was far stronger than before, and his trait of invisibility had also grown in duration. But if the gold-scaled dragon turtle insisted on staying here, he would be exposed sooner or later. What should he do now?

  Numerous thoughts went past Xiang Shaoyun's brain. He had the urge to sneak near the gold-scaled dragon turtle before unleashing a bombardment of flux goldthorn energy on the turtle. He was confident the energy was powerful enough to kill him.

  But he erased the thought as fast as it came. Attacking with the energy would be his last option. If he tried it and failed, he himself would be in great danger. Fortunately, the goldmark toad soon showed up.