Chapter 531: The Calamity Sword
"Relying solely on this sword technique is still not enough to defeat the First Ancestor."
Qin Mu sheathed his sword, gazing at the Imperial Heaven shrouded in darkness as the brilliant sword light in the sky dissipated.
On the battlefield, crackling flames still burned, unextinguished, and the air was thick with the smell of scorched flesh.
The sword he had just thrust out had poured all the emotions and feelings in his heart into that single strike, reaching a height he had never achieved before. Yet there was still a considerable gap between him and defeating the First Ancestor Human Sovereign.
Without the pressure of the First Ancestor Human Sovereign, without this encounter during his entry into the Dark Realm, it would have been difficult for him to take this step, to break free from the Village Chief's sword diagram, and to escape the Butcher's blade technique.
This thrust was not merely about creating a sword technique of his own; it was also about piercing through the gloom that had shrouded his heart during this period.
Sang Hua stared blankly at his back. The young man's practice of techniques and swordplay on the altar had left a deep impression on her.
Especially Qin Mu's final strike—pointing at his brow and thrusting out the sword. The artistic conception contained within that sword was so magnificent and stirring that she seemed to glimpse, in a daze, a grand and earth-shaking transformation, seeing countless people of lofty ideals struggling amidst blood and storm, advancing wave after wave.
The sword techniques Qin Mu had displayed earlier, such as Sword Traversing Mountains and Rivers, though grand and imbued with a spirit of forging ahead to challenge the gods, merely described the landscape, with intricacy diluting the momentum.
The move One Sword Opens Imperial Blood Like an Ocean was steeped in murderous intent, overly domineering, bearing the qualities of a Sword God, but its sword intent was to commemorate martyrs, indulging in antiquity.
Imperial Calamity Stirring was too sorrowful and wasted, recounting the history lost during the Imperial Era.
These three sword techniques each had their strengths, but also their shortcomings.
In terms of momentum, she felt that the previous three techniques were still inferior to the one Qin Mu had just executed, but she couldn't articulate exactly what made it better.
"Excellent sword technique."
She stood up, walked to Qin Mu's side, and asked, "What sword technique is this?"
"The Calamity Sword."
Qin Mu turned his head to look at her as she approached, then raised his eyes to gaze into the distance.
Suddenly, a fierce wind swept toward them, landing in front of the altar as a divine and majestic tiger, its body marked with black and yellow stripes, some fur curling in spirals, exuding extraordinary might. A tuft of down grew on its ears, which perked up and could swivel in all directions.
"Excellent sword technique! That move was truly brilliant!"
The tiger god ascended the stone steps of the altar, halfway up lifting its front paws off the ground, transforming into a tiger-headed, human-bodied deity as it strode toward Qin Mu, its voice rumbling: "Why is it called the Calamity Sword?"
This tiger god was the mount of the Woodcutter Saint, summoned to this world alongside him, carrying the Woodcutter Saint into battle with great valor.
Qin Mu's heart stirred. This Black Tiger God had returned from the front lines, indicating that the Woodcutter Saint had likely pacified the demon gods at the front. He promptly said, "A transformation of heaven and earth is called a great calamity! Such a transformation is not merely natural disasters, not merely the invasion of celestial demons, not merely the people perishing in flood and fire. It is also a shift in the people's hearts, a change in divine abilities, a change in laws, and a change in the Dao." Note 1
The tiger god tilted its head, climbing upward while sneering, "Changing the people's hearts, changing divine abilities, changing laws, changing the Dao—what big talk! Can your sword technique change this world, change this bright and clear universe, change the thoughts and ideas of the multitudes? Your sword technique isn't bad, but your ambition is too great!"
Qin Mu's eyes grew fervent, his tone becoming somewhat excited: "Change the people's hearts—if the people no longer worship gods, no longer fear gods, then the gods lose their authority. When gods lose authority, divine abilities can change. When divine abilities change, laws change. When laws change, the Dao changes. When the Dao changes, heaven and earth change!"
Sang Hua looked at the young man beside her. He was radiant with spirit, showing no fear even before this imposing Black Tiger God.
Qin Mu raised his hand, pointing at the tragic battlefield in the darkness. His voice was a bit hoarse but struck a chord in the night.
"Look! This is the calamity the gods and demons have brought upon us, to destroy our world, to make the people know the might of gods and demons, to fear them, dread them, respect them, and worship them! My Calamity Sword is meant to initiate the calamity of changing the people's hearts, the calamity of changing divine abilities, the calamity of changing the Dao and laws, thereby transforming heaven and earth!"
He grew more impassioned, and though Sang Hua didn't fully understand, she could feel the surging passion within his heart!
This young man seemed to possess a charm that could move people's hearts, compelling them to listen to his words and be infected by his emotions.
The Black Tiger God reached the base of the altar in a few strides, its body towering far above Qin Mu and the others, exerting immense pressure.
The demon god looked down at Qin Mu. After a long pause, it finally revealed a smile, its whiskers spreading outward: "I knew you were remarkable. I don't fully understand your words, but they sound impressive. What is this move called?"
Qin Mu looked up at it and said solemnly, "This sword technique is called Opening Calamity!"
The Black Tiger God was momentarily stunned: "Opening the calamity of changing the people's hearts? Opening the calamity of changing divine abilities? Opening the calamity of changing the Dao and laws? A fine name!"
Sang Hua also understood somewhat. This young man from another world intended to bring a calamity upon the gods and demons who had brought calamity upon them, hence naming his sword technique Opening Calamity.
His sword technique followed the path of reform, changing ancestral laws and revolutionizing the fate of gods and demons.
The Black Tiger God then asked, "How many moves does your Calamity Sword have?"
Qin Mu's face flushed slightly, and he stammered, "For now, only one move. After creating this one, I feel my foundation is exhausted..."
"I think so too. At your age, you can't have accumulated too much."
The Black Tiger God's whiskers pressed against its face as it said, "To create a sword technique at your age is already quite remarkable. I have been sent by my master to fetch you. He is currently in a fight and needs your help. Come with me."
Qin Mu was taken aback, then grew excited: "The Woodcutter Saint wants to see me?"
The Black Tiger God revealed its true form again and said, "Didn't you understand? He's in a fight and suddenly thought of you, wanting you to come over. Get on my back. There are still dangers along the way—many demons—so you can't make it on your own."
"The Woodcutter Saint is in a fight... Bah, in a duel, and he wants me there for what?"
Qin Mu was puzzled but still jumped onto its back. Sang Hua hurriedly leaped up as well, saying, "My father is also at the front lines! I'll go find him!"
The yellow-and-black striped tiger god set off, racing toward the front lines at incredible speed.
Though its body was massive, it was all muscle, and it ran silently, making no sound at all.
"Much faster than Fatty Long!"
Qin Mu clenched his fists, feeling a pang in his heart. When the Dragon Qilin ran, though much faster than before, his steps were heavy, and when sprinting at full speed, he would crush even rocks to dust.
Sang Hua looked at the pitch-black night, feeling anxious. They had already left the battlefield, crossed the front lines, and were heading toward the demon-occupied Li City, where many demon gods had gathered, including the true demon Fudri Luo!
When Li City fell, Fudri Luo had personally acted, using his demonic arts to bury countless people in the city, even killing two true gods of Imperial Heaven, earning a fearsome reputation!
Wasn't this Black Tiger God leaping over the vanguard army and charging straight for Li City a suicidal act?
"How do the divine ability users of Imperial Heaven determine if someone has the potential to become a true god?"
Qin Mu recalled something and asked the girl beside him, "How do they cultivate?"
Sang Hua suppressed her unease and said, "First, they look at aptitude. Those with kingly potential among spiritual bodies usually have decent aptitude. If they also have a renowned teacher to guide them, teaching them true god-level techniques, and they practice diligently, their physical bodies can reach the level of a young true god. Besides that, our Imperial Heaven has a trial called the God-Suppressing Tower. Those who can walk out of it are considered to have the potential to become a true god."
Qin Mu blinked: "The God-Suppressing Tower? What kind of place is that?"
Before Sang Hua could answer, the Black Tiger God's voice came: "The God-Suppressing Tower is a relic left from the Imperial Era, used to test physical achievements. Being able to clear the God-Suppressing Tower doesn't mean you have true god potential; it only means your physical body barely reaches the level of a young true god. Those who pass the God-Suppressing Tower in Imperial Heaven at most possess half the potential of a true god. Becoming a true god is extremely difficult—where is there such a principle that learning true god techniques and practicing diligently can make you a true god?"
Sang Hua grew curious and asked, "Senior, then how can one truly have the potential to become a true god?"
"True potential to become a true god involves not just the physical body but also the primordial spirit. The primordial spirit is divided into spirit and soul. Does the spiritual embryo have true god potential? Do the soul and spirit have true god potential? Besides the primordial spirit, there is also the state of mind. Reaching the divine state of mind is not enough to become a true god, because beyond that, there is the Dao realm of divine abilities."
The Black Tiger God continued, "What you call divine ability users with true god potential are still far from being true gods! For example... young man, what's your name?"
"My name is Qin Mu!"
Qin Mu quickly replied, "The current Heavenly Saint Cult Leader."
"Heavenly Saint Cult Leader? Never heard of it."
Qin Mu's face darkened. Since the founding of the Heavenly Demon Cult, everyone had regarded the Woodcutter Saint as their founding master, yet his mount had never heard of the Heavenly Demon Cult!
The Black Tiger God went on: "Take Qin Mu, for instance. His skills are considerable. In your eyes, his physical body hasn't reached true god potential, but his strength is formidable enough to contend with those you consider to have true god potential."
Qin Mu said excitedly, "That's because I have the Overlord Body!"
"Overlord Body? Never heard of it."
The Black Tiger God raced through the night and continued, "His sword technique is nearly at the Dao realm, meaning his understanding of Dao techniques and divine abilities almost qualifies as true god potential. His state of mind is a bit weaker, not strong enough. As for his primordial spirit, it's also very strong, among the top tier of his generation. That's why he can match young experts with true god potential... Li City is here!"
Ahead, flames soared into the sky. A magnificent city was enveloped in light, and atop its walls stood demon gods and countless demonic beings.
Sang Hua watched in horror as these demon gods and demons did not block the Black Tiger God but allowed them to enter the city.
Note 1: "A transformation of heaven and earth is called a great calamity" — this phrase originates from the Daoist classic *Yunji Qiqian*.
PS: There will be another update after midnight tonight. The collection count for *The Legend of the Shepherd God* on Qidian is approaching 670,000. Zhuzhu really wants to make a push on the monthly ticket rankings. I hope everyone can support me!