Free Web NovelChapter 570: Chapter 561: Abdication
Ding Ling and Li Canghai were no longer interested in exploring the Celestial Palace.
At that moment, they noticed the Celestial Ladder had dimmed significantly.
Not daring to delay, they immediately retraced their steps, descending the Celestial Ladder.
Ding Ling held the massive plaque of the South Celestial Sect in front, swiftly flying down.
Ascending the Celestial Ladder is difficult.
Descending it is even harder.
But for someone like Ding Ling, with exceptional lightweight skill, it was no problem.
In the Celestial Palace Realm, Ding Ling felt shackled, as if he had entered a world of weak waters, his body extremely heavy, struggling to soar, but at the Celestial Ladder, it was entirely different.
He flew swiftly, like the wind, like lightning.
His figure was light and graceful, like drifting clouds slicing through the sky.
Because the Celestial Ladder descended almost vertically, the speed of dashing down was much faster than going up.
This was true for Ding Ling.
For those without strong lightweight skills.
It truly was ’easier to go up the mountain than down,’ and on these increasingly vertical steep slopes, without high lightweight skills, it was easy to fall and die when descending.
Of course.
This referred to the Celestial Ladder of the Valley of Eternal Spring.
The Celestial Ladder where Ding Ling completed his task was not so steep, but for most first-class experts, it was indeed easier to ascend.
On the return.
Ding Ling once again saw the artificial sun.
This time he guessed it might be related to the Divine Maiden who erected the stone monument and planted the Immortal Tree.
Perhaps it was a treasure she held.
Unfortunately.
Now unable to approach the sun, Ding Ling could only look at the treasure and sigh.
Swish, swish!
Ding Ling and Li Canghai, one in front, one behind, landed in the Valley of Eternal Spring.
Almost immediately after they landed.
Swish!
The Celestial Ladder’s light dimmed rapidly, and with a whoosh-like sound, it retracted back into the ground, the speed was swift, and at the same time, the stone monument that had been toppled over automatically righted itself again, standing at the original position where the Celestial Ladder was located.
Ding Ling and Li Canghai were stunned by what they saw.
Ding Ling became increasingly certain that this stone monument was a Magical Treasure. He stepped forward again attempting to extract it, but no matter what, he could not move it, saying:
"It seems that activating the Celestial Ladder beneath this stone monument requires energy. Now the energy is depleted, it may take another ten or hundred years to accumulate it again, to topple the stone monument and activate the Celestial Ladder."
Li Canghai nodded in agreement, thinking the same thing. Just like the Immortal Tree and the Fountain of Youth, to be effective, they required time to gather life essence energy.
"Let’s go back."
They had explored here.
To return, they might have to wait until Zhong Ling and others become stronger, led by Li Canghai.
Ding Ling prepared to arrange the follow-up matters upon his return, then shatter the void and leave.
To the Celestial Palace.
Feeling the omnipresent shackles and restrictions.
Only then did Ding Ling deeply realize that he was still very weak and needed continuous improvement.
The two, each with a piece of fresh bark, left the Valley of Eternal Spring.
Bang!
After stepping out of the Exit Gate’s tunnel.
In just the blink of an eye.
The tunnel vanished into thin air.
Upon looking again.
It was just a regular cave.
No one would imagine that within this cave world, there was another hidden realm!
Moreover, walking around these caves for dozens of rounds, no one would notice any abnormalities.
The Valley of Eternal Spring was unmistakably in a different dimensional grotto heaven world.
The key to opening the portal.
Ding Ling returned it to Li Canghai.
He kept a piece of bark himself. If he wished to visit, he could use the piece he kept.
But once outside the Valley of Eternal Spring.
The bark became as tough as iron.
Upon closer inspection.
Indeed, it had lost any enhancement of life vitality or similar effects.
Clearly, the bark was only effective when consumed near the Immortal Tree.
"So strange."
Li Canghai couldn’t understand it and could only conclude:
"The Great Thousand Worlds truly are full of wonders."
Ding Ling wholeheartedly agreed.
Having seen even the broken South Celestial Sect gate.
Such oddities, while strange, were also completely understandable.
...
...
Ding Ling returned to Luoyang Imperial Palace.
The South Celestial Sect plaque was placed in a corner of the Imperial Study.
After returning, he tested the power of the plaque.
Indeed, it was domineering and unparalleled.
A plaque smashing down could easily demolish a small mountain!
However, it severely depleted Longevity Venerable Qi, making it impossible for Ding Ling to wield it as a weapon for long.
This was secondary.
The most troublesome issue was the plaque’s massive width, making it inconvenient for Ding Ling to use as a weapon; the best method was to melt it down and craft it into a superior Divine Weapon.
However, Ding Ling had tried fire and other methods.
Unable to refine!
"It seems the fire grade in this world is too low, while the material grade of the plaque is too high!"
Ding Ling was both surprised and delighted.
This plaque, if kept, could perhaps be used to craft Magical Treasures and Immortal Weapons in the future.
"It appears there’s no way to bring this plaque to the Upper Realm. Just let it remain in this world. If I don’t find suitable materials to make Immortal Weapons later, I can always return to this world and refine this plaque again."
Unable to refine now.
Due to inadequate techniques and flame grades.
Ding Ling was self-aware, and wouldn’t forcibly attempt it.
The reason he’s not preparing to take this plaque to the Upper Realm.
First, the plaque is too large, smooth all over, without handles, larger than common doors, and not suitable for weapon making.
Second, operating this plaque consumes too much Longevity Venerable Qi. Rather than that, he’s better off using the broken Immortal Weapon Long Halberd he acquired.
Thirdly, it can’t fit in a Storage Pouch, carrying a plaque around daily is impractical. Moreover, Longevity Venerable Qi can’t support Ding Ling carrying a plaque around daily.
Upon returning to Luoyang, Ding Ling’s Longevity Venerable Qi was severely depleted, forcing him to leave the plaque aside, rest, recover, and then resume his journey.
Fourthly, leaving the plaque in this world allows its use upon returning to the Lower Realm.
Thinking this way.
Ding Ling decided not to worry about the plaque anymore.
And began addressing state affairs, reading books.
The tenth batch of books wasn’t fully stocked.
Ding Ling didn’t mind.
If free, he would go and take a look.
In his free time, he would also specially guide Li Canghai, Li Qinglu, Zhong Ling, and Mu Wanqing in cultivation techniques.
Li Canghai’s abilities were incredibly profound, having also drunk Water of Eternal Youth and chewed Immortal Tree Bark, her aptitude and potential seemed to have improved considerably. She was naturally gifted with a photographic memory, her perception and wisdom exceedingly high, fulfilling the minimum requirement for cultivating the Eternal Youth Technique.
Upon returning, she began transitioning to this cultivation.
But there were many areas she didn’t understand, so she consulted Ding Ling, whose mastery of this technique was Full Level, explaining from a commanding position, striking the root, hitting the mark.
Often enlightening Li Canghai as if she’d been infused by profound insights, opening up new understanding.
Her admiration and respect for Ding Ling increased daily.
She often marveled that if Master Xiaoyao saw Ding Ling, he too would surely exclaim that each generation produces talented individuals who replace the old!
...
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
Ding Ling finally completed the tenth batch of books.
After finishing reading, Buddha Qi rose.
[Wisdom +0.1]
[Martial Arts Melting Furnace Progress 50%]
Leaping two percentage points from 48%.
Reaching this step.
The surface-level Secret Manuals of this world had been essentially drained by Ding Ling.
Bear in mind, each batch of books required Ding Ling to read for over a day, and sometimes two to three days.
Even for him, who read books like flipping pages, it took such long durations.
One can imagine the vastness of a batch of books!
To say that he had learned from merely five cartloads of books is to underestimate him.
Overflowing with literary knowledge, well-read, highly talented, these terms couldn’t fully describe his current strength.
Ding Ling saw that the time had come.
And began to call Xiaoo Feng, to discuss in detail the matter of succession.
For over half a year.
Ding Ling had been consciously cultivating Xiaoo Feng.
Xiaoo Feng was also a genius, with various guidance from Ding Ling, coupled with help from renowned ministers on the court, he excelled in both governance and military tactics, not the top but quite remarkable.
Most importantly, Xiaoo Feng was bold, open-minded, broad-hearted, perceptive and discerning, deeply loyal and righteous.
Ding Ling greatly appreciated such a person.
However, even so.
Xiaoo Feng was startled to not dare accept the position.
Claiming he’s Khitan, unfit for such a heavy responsibility.
Ding Ling said:
"Xiaoo Feng, what I value is your character, not your origin. Besides, Khitan and Han people are family now. Why speak of two families when you’re one? As long as you love the country and its people, serve them, and strive to overcome obstacles and govern Jiuzhou with vigor and vision, why should you lack confidence?"
Xiaoo Feng was at a loss.
Ding Ling further persuaded him a few times.
Xiaoo Feng was ashamed, moved, knelt down, made a grand salute, and said:
"Since Your Majesty’s enthronement, understanding people’s talents, enforcing strict discipline, refining internal affairs, exhibiting grand demeanor, accepting honest advice, the country’s power has increasingly strengthened, surrounding small nations respect and submit through admiration!
I’m afraid I can’t achieve Your Majesty’s excellence."
"Afraid of what?"
Ding Ling smiled and replied:
"Since I took office, I essentially managed little. When you’re bold and do well, you’ll make it. I believe in you."
Xiaoo Feng’s experience as Southern Court King proves his capability.
Moreover, over the past half year.
Ding Ling assessed Xiaoo Feng multiple times.
Proven, indeed Xiaoo Feng was talented, apt to be a king, possibly a ruler.
"It’s settled. Prepare yourself, succession in three days."
"Your Majesty."
Xiaoo Feng panicked:
"Please reconsider thoroughly."
"I’m about to ascend, what is there to reconsider? Withdraw now. It’s set."
Upon hearing Ding Ling’s impending ascension.
Xiaoo Feng was momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood.
