Heaven-Sundering Diagram

The Heaven-Sundering Diagrams are three ink-wash paintings created by Immortal Emperor Ni Yang. Together they preserve his complete nine-move Heaven-Sundering Sword Art, reveal a route to Ni Yang's Realm, and authorize entry, making custody of the separate pieces a cause of warfare, theft, and political bargaining.

History

Three prizes from the Treasure-Storing Tower

Qin Yu, Dame Yan Ji, and Yan Mo each obtain one painting on the second floor of the Nine Swords Immortal Mansion's Treasure-Storing Tower. Ni Yang explains that every piece contains three of the sword art's nine moves and its own protective Heaven-Sundering Sword Energy, while all three must be combined to reveal the map to Ni Yang's Realm. Each personalized diagram can admit its owner and at most five companions. Ownership therefore grants eligibility to enter, not safety after arrival; Ni Yang explicitly warns weak holders that the realm can still kill them. (Chapter 214)

The original three pieces soon separate from their finders. Yan Mo transfers his diagram to the Dragon Clan in return for cultivation access, and it ultimately reaches Ao Feng. The piece found by Dame Yan Ji becomes the focus of Lian Yue and Wu Kongxue, who arrange changing custodians and concealment while the loose-devil faction fights to keep it; the descended emissary Du Zhong Jun later controls that faction's piece. (Chapters 219 and 239–268)

Qin Yu's piece, seizure, and auction

Qin Yu can relinquish his painting because the Lord of Black Flame's Ring gives him a separate, complete route and enough sword energy to bring himself and eight others. He first leaves the diagram with Li'er as something she can surrender if threatened, then gives it to Qin Zheng to reduce the danger to the Qin royal family. Ming Liang forcibly takes it during the struggle between loose immortals and loose devils. Qin Yu later controls the Sword Immortal Puppet as Lan Feng and retakes the same piece from Ming Liang's faction. (Chapters 216, 228–240, and 261–264)

Rather than keep that diagram, Qin Yu and Lan Feng auction it under the protection and organization of Zong Jue. Hua Yan wins with thirteen finest-grade elemental spirit stones, which Qin Yu needs to power the puppet. By the end of the sale, Hua Yan, Ao Feng, and Du Zhong Jun are the three active holders. They combine their pieces to obtain the route and later activate their separate sword-energy protections to carry their parties into Ni Yang's Realm; Qin Yu enters through the distinct authority of the Lord of Black Flame's Ring. All three holders later die on Yellowstone, and the corpus does not say who, if anyone, takes their diagrams afterward. (Chapters 272–286 and 307)

Abilities and properties

• Each of the three paintings contains three moves of the Heaven-Sundering Sword Art. The complete set therefore records nine moves, but the art is most effective for sword immortals and gives ordinary immortals only ordinary results. (Chapter 214)
• A personalized diagram automatically protects its owner with Heaven-Sundering Sword Energy. Those below the level of a standard immortal or devil cannot harm the owner, while standard immortals or devils who try are attacked by that energy. (Chapter 214)
• The protective sword energy can isolate the user's aura as well as shield the body; a temporary custodian survives the heavenly flames at Yinyue Palace by personalizing the diagram and activating that protection. (Chapter 250)
• All three pieces must be combined to reveal Ni Yang's route. A single piece does not provide the full map. (Chapters 214 and 275–279)
• At the entrance, one diagram can envelop its owner and no more than five companions, for a maximum of six entrants per piece and eighteen across the set. The key bypasses the entrance restriction but does not protect its party from every danger inside Ni Yang's Realm. (Chapters 214 and 286)
• The paintings suppress their auras and withstand destructive conditions such as the Yinyue heavenly fire, but they can change hands when a blood bond is released, removed, or replaced. (Chapters 250 and 275)

Ownership and custody