Chapter 52 - I'll be Sorry If I Break It
Once all the departed spirits were gathered, Yin Xu stored the soul flag and initiated his Devilish Exercise, his body naturally absorbing the surrounding Yin Qi.
He distinctly sensed that the Devilish Exercise within him teetered on the brink of advancement.
Observing Yin Xu's sudden vanishing act and the darkening of his surroundings, Teng Yu detected a presence but presumed it to be another attempt at invisibility, thus he remained unperturbed.
Abruptly, the forest crows emitted peculiar cries and flapped erratically before realizing their inability to sustain flight, resorting to loud caws.
Similarly affected were other nocturnal denizens of the forest. Though their instincts warned of encroaching peril, they found themselves immobilized.
Teng Yu, unaffected by the Demonic Qi at a distance, experienced discomfort from the emanating aura, prompting subconscious manipulation of his internal energy.
Witnessing birds plummeting from the skies and trees one by one, Teng Yu held his breath, fixating on Yin Xu's location.
After prolonged observation, Teng Yu grasped that Yin Xu was engrossed in unconventional training, distinct from customary cultivation techniques.
Indeed, why resort to such clandestine practices rather than conventional cultivation methods? What compelled him to venture to the desolate cemetery?
In less time than it takes for incense to burn, the forest fell silent, devoid even of avian calls, suffused with an ominous atmosphere.
Immersed in this eerie silence for an extended period, even the patient Teng Yu couldn't shake off a sense of unease, feeling like the sole living presence under the heavens.
Unable to locate Yin Xu in the end, Teng Yu, who had shadowed him discreetly, realized Yin Xu had departed unnoticed after his cultivation.
Shortly after Yin Xu's departure, a chilling gust swept through the unmarked cemetery, causing the forest to sway. Yin Xu slowly opened his eyes, a red gleam flashing as a smile curled his lips.
“Success.” Yin Xu leaped from the tree branch, striking out with his palm toward the distant forest. Wherever the wind palm traversed, trees were uprooted or severed, their broken parts turning black and emitting corrosive hisses.
Yin Xu inspected his handiwork. This modified cultivation technique, derived from “Ten Thousand Devils Returning to Heart,” remained untested in terms of its power. Nevertheless, if unleashed upon an ordinary individual, the palm strike would assuredly prove fatal.
“Thankfully, I integrated corrosive effects. Otherwise, relying solely on my feeble inner force would have been a disadvantage.” Yin Xu pondered deeply, contemplating potential modifications to the technique.
The Devilish Exercise emphasized lethality, but why did it incline toward such malevolence? Were it not for his frail physique, he might have attempted the Poison Demon's Palm, albeit it required daily immersion of the hand in poison. Given his current state, success seemed doubtful.
“What in the world was that noise just now?”
“I … I don't know … Perhaps … it was the wind?”
“Don't talk nonsense. This cursed place is chilling to the bone. Evil winds are blowing.”
“Brother, let's hurry and toss him back. I've heard rumors about… you know, weird stuff around here at night.”
Amid the darkness, four silhouettes advanced slowly. Each bore a sack over their shoulders, yet Yin Xu made no attempt to evade. Instead, he approached them.
“Bang…” The quartet dropped the sack onto the ground, kicking it open. “Just dump it here. We're not going in there. This place gives me the creeps, too quiet.”
“Alright, let's skedaddle.” With that, the timid one turned and bolted. It wasn't their first encounter with the deceased, but they've had their share of mishaps. This wasn't their virgin visit to an unmarked graveyard, so why the sudden chill?
“Ah…” A wail escaped the timid youth. “Ghost…”
Turns out, when he turned around, he spotted a figure standing before him. Naturally, he jumped to ghostly conclusions, hearing no footsteps.
“Wh… Who's there?” The other trio took a step back, unsheathing their blades, eyes scanning warily.
Yet, save for the hysterical youth, there was no one else in sight. The leader cuffed the youth, barking, “Why the hell are you shrieking?”
“Ah… Ah? Where's the ghost?”
“Where'd this ghost pop from?”
“Just now… You definitely…” There was someone standing right in front of him just now.
“Tch, coward! You're seeing things!”
The timid youth patted his chest, scanning the surroundings in puzzlement, convinced it was a mirage.
But as he turned away, his eyes widened. He pointed shakily at the trio's backs, stuttering, “Bi… Brother… There… Behind you guys.”
Yin Xu wagged his index finger, grinning. But this time, the smile held a more sinister edge, sending shivers down the youth's spine, warm liquid trickling down his leg.
The others followed his gesture, wheeling around. One felt a blow to his face before he could react.
Instinctively, he raised his saber to parry, the impact numbing his hand with a resounding “clang.”
Not only that, but he was also shoved back by the force, his scalp tingling as he beheld the assailant.
Yin Xu, having risen from slumber, let his hair loose, strands cascading down his back. In the moonlight, the black locks swayed.
“Who's there?” “Quit playacting!” The leader, skeptic of ghosts and deities alike, swung his blade at Ye Zichen. “Let's see how I handle you!”
Yin Xu intended to use these individuals for practice, thus without hesitation, he employed basic techniques to engage the adversaries.
Observing Yin Xu's straightforward maneuvers, his opponent's initial trepidation waned. Encircling Yin Xu, they emitted sinister laughter.
“Kid, playing tricks under the cover of night to taunt your elders is inviting demise!”
“Bro, this kid's got some charm. How about we have some fun with him later?”
“Hey, Little Four, not scared this time?” “Haha…”
Amidst laughter, Yin Xu systematically engaged the quartet. Yet, upon discerning their lack of martial prowess, impatience crept in.
The man struck by Yin Xu's palm maintained a grin, remarking, “You're quite the looker. Breaking this would truly grieve me…” His laughter ceased abruptly, replaced by a piercing scream.
“My hand…” “Ahh!” His palm liquefied visibly, leaving naught but a skeletal residue.
Witnessing this, the others felt a chill down their spines. The leader promptly severed his own arm, but it was futile; Yin Xu's hand had already grazed his forehead.
Ascending to the third level, Yin Xu's absorption rate accelerated noticeably. Swiftly, the man who had been screaming moments ago withered, his flesh and eyes shriveling.
Witnessing such a gruesome demise for the first time, the remaining three attempted to flee. However, their pace couldn't match Yin Xu's. Before exiting the grove, they were drained of their Profound Qi.
Yin Xu dusted his hands, retrieving a handkerchief from his pocket, contemplating: “These four seemed formidable, but their combined Profound Qi scarcely rivals that of my first encounter.”
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