Chapter 592: A Dangerous Aura (Third Update!)
"Excellent blade technique!"
Fu Riluo looked at the radiant butcher in midair and couldn't help praising, "Truly excellent blade technique! The Kaihuang Heavenly Court is a land of outstanding people and spiritual energy. Even in an era of fragmented and incomplete Dao techniques and divine abilities, there are still such remarkable figures. It truly is a fine place!"
Seeing the butcher's blade technique, his longing for the Great Ruins grew even stronger.
Compared to him, the butcher was quite "young." Although he hadn't obtained a complete cultivation system, he had entered the Dao through blade technique, reaching a level of blade-Dao enlightenment that countless gods and demons of the Taihuang Heaven and the demon race had never achieved.
Fu Riluo could see that if the butcher were to make up for his shortcomings in the future, he might even have hope of cultivating into a true god. To have such skill at such a young age—this must be the influence of the Kaihuang Heavenly Court!
"This move wasn't taught to me..."
Bashan Jijiu opened his mouth wide, his voice like thunder, and turned to Qin Mu: "Did the teacher teach it to you?"
Qin Mu replied honestly, "He did. But my cultivation level isn't high enough to execute it."
Bashan Jijiu said indignantly, "The old man is biased! This move is too powerful, too powerful..."
It wasn't that the butcher was biased. Back then, the butcher had crawled into the Crippled Elderly Village with only his upper body. Most of the time, he was insane, cursing the heavens every day, wanting to split the sky. When he was lucid, he was taciturn and silent.
In those days, the butcher suffered greatly. It wasn't that he had only half his body left that pained him, but that he couldn't ascend to the heavens to avenge his friends and vindicate his blade.
To deal with the gods in the heavens, like Yang Xingjun, he had been forging himself in madness, devising countless blade techniques, yet none could break the divine abilities of the heavenly gods.
The reason he went mad was that he thought too much.
After Granny Si picked up Qin Mu from the riverbank, the butcher's frenzied heart gradually began to be soothed by this little child, giving him something to hold onto.
From then on, the Mad Butcher's fits of insanity grew fewer and fewer. He had once driven himself mad by thinking too much, but after Qin Mu arrived, his heart found peace, and he gradually integrated and understood what he had previously pondered.
When he entered the Dao through blade technique, he created the ninth form of the Heavenly Blade: Blade Opens the Bright Moon Ring.
This move was his Dao-achieving work, making him an unparalleled grandmaster of the blade.
Bashan Jijiu had learned the Eight Forms of the Heavenly Blade before, but the butcher was truly annoyed with him. Every time he saw him, he would take a long detour. It wasn't until recently that Bashan caught up to him, and this move hadn't yet been taught to him.
Moreover, the move "Blade Opens the Bright Moon Ring" required not only extremely high cultivation but also exceptional mastery of blade technique. Bashan Jijiu had already taken the path of merging combat and techniques, making it impossible for him to enter the Dao through the blade. So even if the butcher taught him, he might not be able to learn it.
Yang Xingjun's blood rained down from the sky, turning the surrounding hundred miles into a sea of fire. His blood was that of a Golden Crow, containing the essence of the sun. Where it fell, it turned into flames that burned endlessly.
Suddenly, a great sun fell from the sky, crashing to the ground. The earth shook, turning the landing site into a blazing inferno.
Qi Jiuyi frowned slightly, then his brow relaxed.
Yang Xingjun's death was not a bad thing for him. Yang Xingjun was a helper he had invited down from the heavens. After all, Yang Xingjun had been staying in the mortal world and was familiar with the terrain.
Qi Jiuyi's purpose in inviting Yang Xingjun out was to use him to find Qin Mu. Now that Qin Mu had been found, whether Yang Xingjun lived or died was irrelevant.
The butcher strode over, carrying his long blade on his shoulder. Yang Xingjun's blood splattered on him, setting his body on fire, but since he had a Vermilion Bird spiritual body, this injury was minor.
"Refreshing!"
The butcher's chest had a large gash, and the beating of his heart could faintly be seen beneath his ribs. Clearly, his battle with Yang Xingjun hadn't been easy on him either; he had suffered considerable injuries. Yet he laughed, "Hundreds of years of madness, all cut away with one slash. Damn, that's refreshing!"
The pharmacist quickly stepped forward to examine his wound closely, frowning. "Butcher, you were almost killed, and you're still talking about refreshing? Your wound has residual divine power from Yang Xingjun. I can't remove it for you; you'll have to do it yourself. Be careful not to burst your heart. You're not Xing Han; you can't survive a heart transplant. You had your fun, but you nearly lost your life. You shouldn't have been so reckless."
"Blade techniques aren't like sword techniques with so many variations. True blade technique is straightforward—one move decides life or death. If you can take it, you live! If you can't, you die! It's that simple!"
The butcher sheathed his blade, let out a roar, and countless tiny blade lights flickered in the wound on his chest, directly erasing the residual divine power of Yang Xingjun. He said solemnly, "In the past, my blade technique emphasized subtlety and complexity, but after entering the Dao through the blade, I simplified it. Earlier moves like 'Night Battle Across the City in Wind and Rain' and 'Sun Rising Over the Eastern Sea with a Thousand Layers of Waves' were too troublesome. Now, 'Long Blade Hangs the Moon's Soul' and 'Blade Opens the Bright Moon Ring' are getting simpler and simpler."
Fu Riluo looked around and said to the many demon cultivators, "Remember his words; they are very insightful. Techniques, divine abilities, and combat skills must all eventually be simplified from complexity. But he didn't say it all. Simplicity comes from complexity; complexity is a necessary path. Without experiencing complexity, you cannot understand simplicity. What is called simplicity is concentrating all power into a single thread and gathering the Dao into a single line."
The many demon cultivators listened with a mix of understanding and confusion, nodding in agreement.
Qin Mu overheard this and couldn't help but admire silently: "Fu Riluo's insight and vision are indeed extremely profound. He is a remarkable grandmaster, worthy of being a true demon and a sovereign king. When I created the first form of my Tribulation Sword, I also went from complexity to simplicity. What is called simplicity is not actually simple. The sword technique looks simple, but it actually mobilizes all power and carries the rhythm of the Dao, which is why its power is extraordinary."
Ordinary divine abilities can only mobilize ten to twenty percent of one's total power. For example, if your left and right hands each have a hundred jin of strength, and your legs each have a hundred jin, you can't exert four hundred jin of force with a single punch.
The power within a cultivator's body is even more complex, including the power from the circulation of blood and qi, the power from the unobstructed meridians, the power from the movement of primordial energy, the power of the primordial spirit, the power of the divine treasures, and the power of runic imprints.
Channeling these powers is what constitutes a divine ability.
A great divine ability that can mobilize fifty to sixty percent is already commendable. Only a divine ability created by oneself, more suited to one's own body, can unleash more power.
And a Dao-enlightened divine ability that one has comprehended on one's own can unleash terrifying power, essentially developing all of one's own strength.
Going from complexity to simplicity—complexity is the process of exploring one's various powers, an indispensable step.
Qi Jiuyi praised, "Fu Riluo's insight is not bad."
Qin Mu glanced at him and praised, "Brother Qi's insight is also not bad."
Qi Jiuyi smiled faintly.
The pharmacist examined the butcher's wound again, using silver needles to draw out the fire poison, and laughed, "This little injury doesn't need me. Mu'er, call your fatso over to lick it. It'll promote blood circulation and regenerate the flesh."
Long Qilin quickly trotted over, smiling apologetically, "Master Butcher, Little Dragon is about to lick."
The butcher quickly looked at Qin Mu: "Mu'er, do you have any bottled?"
The pharmacist said seriously, "Dragon saliva is best fresh. Bottled stuff isn't fresh, and the wound heals slower!"
The butcher looked skeptical.
"Brother Qin, Yang Xingjun has settled his grudges, and the Heavenly Blade's injuries are no longer serious. Your mind should be at ease now, right?"
Qi Jiuyi looked at Qin Mu, smiling, "It's our turn now."
Qin Mu was about to speak when suddenly a blade light flashed, then split into two, two into four, four into eight, splitting endlessly!
"Zhe Huali!"
Qin Mu's heart stirred. Suddenly, the countless blade lights converged into a single slash that came crashing down. Where the blade light passed, the air split apart on both sides!
Fu Riluo flicked his sleeve, forcing everyone in the path of the blade light back. The blade light extended for ten li, and a massive blade aura descended toward Qi Jiuyi!
Qi Jiuyi's pupils contracted sharply, then he suddenly relaxed, allowing the blade light to come before him.
The blade light suddenly trembled and split into over a dozen streaks of blade aura, slashing toward Qi Jiuyi like a peacock spreading its tail. Then, just as suddenly, it retracted. These dozen or so blade auras brushed past the tip of Qi Jiuyi's nose without touching him.
Suddenly, the blade aura withdrew. Ten li away, Zhe Huali sheathed his demon blade on his back and strode forward. Though his complexion was somewhat poor, he was full of spirit, clearly having endured much hardship in recent days to break through.
The butcher looked at Zhe Huali and suddenly sighed, his expression desolate: "My two disciples—one has taken the path of merging combat and techniques, the other has comprehended the sword Dao. Neither has learned the subtlety of my blade technique. Instead, this man, who only glanced at my blade technique once, has comprehended it."
Bashan Jijiu's face flushed with shame. Qin Mu remained calm and composed, showing no sign of embarrassment: "I entered the Dao through the sword, which is more promising than Senior Brother Bashan. The village chief is very pleased."
Fu Riluo looked at Zhe Huali, full of admiration, and said, "Zhe Huali, you can now graduate from your apprenticeship."
Zhe Huali bowed in thanks, then straightened up, his gaze sharp as he fixed it on Qin Mu before shifting to Qi Jiuyi's face. Blade light flickered in his eyes: "Qin Mu is mine. If you want to kill him before I do, I'll kill you first."
The Cripple exclaimed in surprise, "Mu'er, you're quite in demand."
Qin Mu's face darkened instantly.
Qi Jiuyi said calmly, "Zhe Huali, you studied under Luo Wushuang, the Supreme General of the Lingxiu Army? I can see traces of his Unrivaled Blade in your technique. Divine Blade Luo Wushuang, who entered the Dao through the blade, is responsible for teaching the younger generation of the Lingxiu Army in the Heavenly Court. You have received his true teachings. Good. But do you know who I am?"
Zhe Huali shook his head: "I don't ask who you are. If you want to kill him, you die first."
Qi Jiuyi shook his head: "Luo Wushuang's disciple is far too arrogant. You comprehended a single blade move, just stepped out of Luo Wushuang's shadow, and dare to challenge me? Brother Qin, do you still want to watch me duel with the demon experts? I'll give you a chance."
Qin Mu narrowed his eyes, sensing an extremely dangerous aura emanating from him!
It was as if a primordial beast was slowly awakening inside Qi Jiuyi!
This feeling was like a true dragon activating the Ancestral Dragon Supreme Profound Art, yet Qi Jiuyi was definitely not of the dragon race—he should be of the phoenix race!
"Trouble!"
Qin Mu's heart pounded: "Qi Jiuyi has cultivated a technique that leads straight to the Imperial Throne!"
The Cripple had somehow appeared behind him and earnestly advised, "Mu'er, when it's time to back down, back down. When it's time to run, run. Trust your Cripple Grandpa's teachings—they're absolutely right."
Qin Mu suddenly grew excited, clenching his fists, his voice a little hoarse: "Cripple Grandpa, I've never beaten an expert who cultivates an Imperial Throne technique to death before!"
—This is the third update or the first? It's not yet midnight, so it's today's third update! Lala, I'm shamelessly asking for monthly votes and for everyone to join the Divine Dynasty team of the Annals of the Shepherd God!
Lunch Update Delayed by Half an Hour
Last night, I wrote the third chapter until 11:50 PM and couldn't fall asleep afterward. I simply can't finish today's noon chapter on time. Don't worry, everyone. The update will be delayed by half an hour. What can I do? I'm a pig—pig hooves type slowly, pig brain reacts slowly.
Since I opened a single chapter, I might as well ask for monthly votes. Also, I earnestly invite everyone to join the Divine Dynasty team and cheer for the Annals of the Shepherd God!