Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Demonization
Without rushing back to his sect, Shi Xiaole found a quiet place at the foot of Mountain Luyan, and began to cultivate.
Unlike the customary sword skills, the Dai Sect does not focus on the sword moves, but instead put more emphasis on the perception and calculation of the mind and spirit. Thus, in the early stage, what Shi Xiaole needs to learn is the Plum Blossom Divination.
The Plum Blossom Divination used here is not about calculating the destiny itself but rather environmental changes, opponent’s intentions, and so on. Otherwise, even with Shi Xiaole’s understanding, it would take ten to eight years to master it.
Something astonishing happened.
When Shi Xiaole meditated on the mantras of the the Dai Sect, the Stone Qi Cyclone in his mind suddenly started spinning rapidly.
Normally, unless it resonates with the Mystic Crystal Stone, the Stone Qi Cyclone would consume a certain amount of mental energy after each use. However, when it was combined with the method taught by the Dai Sect, it surprisingly achieved a state of harmonious complementation without any consumption of mental energy.
In an instant, details such as the grass and trees within a 15-meter radius, the crawling insects, and even the flow of air and changes in sunlight clearly appeared in Shi Xiaole’s eyes.
This feeling was as if he has installed a 360-degree zoom detection instrument in his mind, picturing wherever he wanted to detect in a clear and detailed manner.
"My luck is too good."
If at the beginning, Shi Xiaole was not quite satisfied with having learned the mysteries of the Dai Sect, then by now, he has to admire his own good fortune.
The reason is simple – following the normal trajectory of development, even with Shi Xiaole’s comprehension ability, it would take a long time to reach the Dai Sect’s level of mental calculation.
But it just so happens that he had already mastered the Stone Touching Skill, and to top it off he had the second-rate Illusory Form Great Method. This furnished an excellent foundation for mental calculation.
To some extent, the existence of the Stone Qi Cyclone was even more reliable and stronger than the basic mental calculation required by the Dai Sect itself.
Combining the two, Shi Xiaole not only saved a great deal of cultivation time but also enhanced the power of methods taught by the Dai Sect. It was the best of both worlds.
However, the Stone Qi Cyclone induced using Dai Sect could not compare to what was used when he killed Sima Biao. After all, the latter was wielding powerful force at the expense of a massive amount of mental energy.
Time quietly passed, and without realizing it, several days had gone by.
Shi Xiaole was tireless; except for going out to gather wild fruit to stave off hunger and the necessary rest, he was fully immersed in cultivation and couldn’t pull himself away.
On this day, his left hand continued to calculate while his right hand repeatedly thrust the sword into the empty air.
In front of him, a small bird chirped incessantly.
However, despite its attempts to soar and escape, it couldn’t dodge the inexplicable sword moves, and after Shi Xiaole stopped, the bird was left completely plucked of its feathers.
"Predict the enemy in advance, and strike with certainty."
Standing with his sword back in its place, Shi Xiaole opened his eyes.
Yes, he had been blindfolded all the while he was swinging his sword. If anyone else knew about this, they would be shocked.
Because, whether in terms of speed, angle, or power, his sword strikes felt as if they were calculated meticulously. If they were not perfect, they were at least as smooth as the flowing clouds and water.
Despite being a second-rate sword skill, the methods taught by the Dai Sect were extremely profound.
The beauty of it lies in the fact that, with the groundwork laid by the Stone Touching Skill, Shi Xiaole managed to leap over the essential part of mental calculation.
Ironically, the most core and difficult part of the entire Dai Sect is the mental calculation. Once one gets through that, the rest of the sword moves fall into third-rate.
Thus, within a few days, Shi Xiaole had successfully cultivated it to the realm called the ’Minor Achievement Stage’.
Within a few days, a second-rate low-grade sword skill was cultivated to the ’Minor Achievement Stage’. This accomplishment would not only shock the Thirteen Factions of Mountain Luyan, but it would be a unique feat in the whole Cloud Triangle.
"The Dai Sect at the Minor Achievement Stage seems to be painless, but in terms of power, it is already comparable to the Lifeline Breathing Technique. When it reaches the Full Achievement Stage, I wonder how powerful it will be."
Shi Xiaole’s face showed evident shock.
Those who have never practiced second-rate martial arts can never understand the strength of second-rate martial arts.
If one were to compare second-rate martial arts to quadratic equations, then third-rate martial arts are at most addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The difference in complexity is huge.
At the same level, a martial artist who has learned a lower second-rate martial art can definitely crush another martial artist who has not. Unless, the latter has a significant boost in his profound understanding of martial arts.
Shi Xiaole finally understood why, among the four major independent powers in the martial world, they were able to dominate the Cloud Triangle for so many years.
With the heritage of a second-rate internal art and a second-rate martial art, the Sect Masters of the four major forces are clearly not superior to some experts in the martial world in terms of realm. But when they start fighting, they gain a huge advantage.
One could imagine, if second-rate martial arts are so strong, then how powerful would first-rate, top-tier, or even god-level martial arts be?
No wonder all the major sects in the martial world take martial arts secrets so seriously.
In such a situation, unless someone found their way, even with unparalleled talent, they couldn’t stand out.
But for Shi Xiaole, who has the advantage of the Grand Wuxia System, the path ahead of him was clearly marked with promise unless he actively sought death.
...
While Shi Xiaole was busy cultivating, a trembling scene was taking place in the Sect Master’s study room of the Changfeng Sect in Mountain Luyan.
"Senior Brother, you... you are so cruel..."
Two disciples of the Changfeng Sect were shivering as streams of energy were absorbed by the two large hands resting on their heads.
A moment later, both of them had slimmed down significantly and fell to the ground, lifeless.
"So refreshing, if this continues, I’ll be able to break through to the second level of Qi Absorption soon."
The speaker, with his hair tied back, had a cruel face. It was Chu Lin, the senior disciple of the Changfeng Sect.
"Hmph, getting bolder and bolder, causing trouble in my study," Lei Lie sat not far away, looking at his former proud disciple, a clear trace of resentment and fear flashing in his eyes.
Chu Lin caught Lei Lie’s expression, clenched his fist, and Lei Lie’s face immediately bulged with veins, his body rolling uncontrollably on the ground due to intense pain, finally giving in and begging for mercy.
"Master, we share common interests, we should be cooperating earnestly," Chu Lin finally let go of his hand and smirked.
Shi Xiaole and Yuan Qiuwei would never have guessed that the Devil Path sword technique Chu Lin displayed in the underground space was not the only Devil Path martial art he obtained.
In fact, a year ago when he was making his name in the martial world, he obtained a total of three types of Devil Path inheritances.
One was a sword technique, one was a mind method, and the last was a poison.
Originally, Chu Lin was quite hesitant as to whether to cultivate the mind method.
After all, mind methods and sword techniques are different; once cultivated, one would undergo changes from within. Especially in front of those who were well-versed in the Devil Path, it would be impossible to hide one’s identity.
However, at the Cloud Sky Meeting, Shi Xiaole’s impressive performances deeply stimulated Chu Lin, finally making him determined.
Over this period of time, thanks to a second-rate inferior Essence Refining Great Method, Chu Lin had secretly absorbed the essence and energy of sixteen disciples of the Changfeng Sect, successfully elevating his cultivation level to the mid-stage of the Qi Absorption Second layer.
In addition to this, the second-rate inferior Essence Refining Great Method greatly increased Chu Lin’s power, far surpassing his own in the same realm.
"What exactly do you want?" Lei Lie was covered in cold sweat, struggling to get up from the ground.
"Master, I plan to teach you the Essence Refining Great Method. Would you like to learn it?" Chu Lin seemed to enjoy shocking others with his words. When he saw a mixture of hope and struggle in Lei Lie’s eyes, he scoffed in disdain.
The reason he was passing the Essence Refining Great Method onto Lei Lie wasn’t because Chu Lin was generous; it was because he had already controlled Lei Lie with the Devil Path poison. Lei Lie had completely become his lapdog.
Therefore, the stronger Lei Lie became, the more beneficial it would be for Chu Lin.
More importantly, he wouldn’t pass on the full Essence Refining Great Method to Lei Lie, at most only a part of it. There was nothing to worry about.
"Master, you must have noticed my progress recently. Hehe, once you learn the Essence Refining Great Method, and absorb the essence of other sect masters, who in Mountain Luyan can compete with you? Unifying the thirteen sects will be a simple task."
Chu Lin’s words were highly beguiling. He continued, "Moreover, you’ve been infected with the poison of the Devil Path on you; you can’t get rid of the Devil Path’s title anyway, why not just use it to your advantage? Those who accomplish great deeds have always overlooked minor details."
Lei Lie bowed his head and his face spasmed. After a long while, he suddenly laughed and said, "Good disciple, since you have such filial piety, your master will follow your advice."
Chu, don’t let me catch you in a vulnerable spot or I’ll make sure there’s nowhere you can be buried!
...
"Dai Sect, how are you doing, finally achieved the Transformation Phase." Several days later, Shi Xiaole had once again advanced his sword technique realm. His rapid progress was almost beyond belief.
However, at this stage, it was evidently not possible to continue in the short term.
The higher the martial art, the harder it becomes to advance at later stages. Shi Xiaole, despite being proficient in the Stone Touching Skill, wouldn’t be able to achieve this level of refinement in just a few months.
Temporarily putting aside the Dai Sect method, Shi Xiaole turned to comprehend the Battle Blade Skill.
Many days ago, he had thought about integrating the Battle Blade Skill into one, to create his third signature move but due to his shallow foundation, the idea had unfortunately come to naught.
This period of cultivation, however, had precisely increased his foundation, and it was time to continue enhancing.
With a wave of his big hand, Shi Xiaole spent five hundred reward points and submerged his mind into the Martial God Hall.
When the fifty 2-hour periods ended, only a little more than a day had passed in the outside world. Shi Xiaole woke up suddenly, drawing his blade swiftly.
Whoosh!
It was hard to describe what kind of slash it was.
Within the unparalleled momentum, there was a burst of iron-blooded valor. Yet within that iron-blooded demeanor, there was an unutterable sense of eerie transformation that was hard to grasp.
"Good, very good. This slash has taken preliminary shape. Though it hasn’t fully matured yet, in terms of destructiveness, it already surpasses the Chaotic One Slash."
The Chaotic One Slash originated from the Draw Sword Skill, while the newly created slash came from the Battle Blade Skill. From this point alone, the Chaotic One Slash should have been stronger.
But that was a mistaken assumption.
Because the newly created slash integrated the Battle Blade Skill, drawing upon the essence of the blade technique, so purely in terms of its power, it surpassed the Draw Sword Skill.
Even compared with a Lifeline, this slash had its own merits.
The former encapsulated 20% of the perilous intent, suitable for frontal assault. While this slash was more cunning and flexible, leaving the enemy defenseless.
Shi Xiaole named this slash the Bloody Chaos Kill.
’Bloody’ represented ’iron-blooded’, ’chaos’ referred to the Chaotic Intent Realm and facing this slash, the enemy only had the share of being killed.
Having added two more trump cards, Shi Xiaole was very satisfied. Checking the time, he had been absent from the sect for many days, it was time to return to the sect.
