Chapter 453: Chapter 440: Secret Technique, 9-Star Ultimate Art
While one group of old-timers began planning how to develop the mineral vein and deal with the Holy Light Sect, Shen Lang emerged with five War Wolf Commanders.
All the members of War Wolf, who had been cultivating diligently in the canyon, immediately assembled. A colossal momentum surged to the heavens!
Shen Lang’s gaze swept across the group. He was about to nod in satisfaction, but his expression immediately soured.
"You, you, and you. Step out!"
Shen Lang said, his face grim as he pointed at three people in the ranks.
The three of them shuffled their feet for a long moment before finally stepping out of formation.
"Take off your masks," Shen Lang said coldly.
The three exchanged glances, then reluctantly removed their masks.
They were none other than Nalan Ziyun, Shen Moran, and Chu Qingcheng!
Standing behind Shen Lang, Ying Huo was stunned. He turned to You Yue and the other three commanders, his face dark. "How could you let them cause such chaos?"
With a complete lack of solidarity, Shadow Charm, You Yue, and Black Death raised their hands in unison, all pointing at Evil Song of Evil Wind Valley.
Evil Song raised her hands in surrender and spoke in a voice as beautiful as heaven’s music. "Well... ahem. I knew them from before, and they said they wanted to cultivate with War Wolf, so... you know... ahem!"
Nalan Ziyun was a bit sheepish at first, but when she saw Shen Lang glare reproachfully at Evil Song, her own eyes widened, and she strode forward.
She jabbed a finger into Shen Lang’s chest. "We already told you we want to cultivate diligently! What’s wrong with training alongside War Wolf to learn from their experience? You don’t have the time or energy to guide us, so are you saying we can’t even learn from them?"
Shen Lang shot her a glare, then turned slightly to Shen Moran. "Moran, I can see those two causing trouble, but how did you get roped into this?"
Shen Moran blushed and glanced quickly at Chu Qingcheng. "What Ziyan said... isn’t wrong, really. We genuinely want to become stronger through cultivation, which is why we begged Sister Evil Song to let us sneak in. And we have truly benefited greatly these past days."
Nalan Ziyun stomped her foot in frustration. "What? I’m talking to you, and you just ignore me? What kind of attitude is that! Don’t walk away! Get back here and make yourself clear!"
Chu Qingcheng cast a pitying glance at Shen Lang, whose collar was now firmly in Nalan Ziyun’s grasp. Clasping his hands behind his back, he sauntered forward.
He walked up beside Shen Lang, patted his shoulder, and said leisurely, "When a woman starts an argument, it’s usually about one specific thing. But by the time it ends, it’s about your attitude. You’d do well to remember that."
Before Shen Lang could roll his eyes, Chu Qingcheng turned to Nalan Ziyun and whispered, "Men are all about saving face. He is the leader of over a thousand people, after all. If you embarrass him like this, the War Wolf members will grow to resent you. Once that happens, how do you expect to get by around here?"
Nalan Ziyun froze. She turned around, just in time to see the crowd of masked figures staring right at her...
"Er... I just noticed your clothes were a little dirty. I’m just helping you brush off the dust," Nalan Ziyun said, and proceeded to actually pat the dust off Shen Lang’s clothes.
At that moment, Evil Song stepped forward and knelt on one knee. "Please, Sir, do not blame Miss Nalan and the others. I acted on my own authority. I am willing to accept any punishment."
Shen Lang waved his hand. "Get up. I’m not blaming you. It’s just that I have special arrangements for them."
"After enduring the trial of the Life and Death Reincarnation Array, it seems all of you have reaped great rewards and grown considerably. Today, I have two auxiliary cultivation techniques to teach you... Now, all of you, take off your masks."
A stir went through the ranks of the War Wolf members, who were usually as still as statues.
Any cultivation technique Shen Lang taught them was bound to be extraordinary, but this was the first time he had ever asked them all to remove their masks.
For men accustomed to wearing masks while carrying out missions and even while cultivating, the command felt strange and uncomfortable.
However, no one dared to defy Shen Lang’s command. Though they felt awkward, the highly disciplined members of War Wolf still removed their masks.
The five commanders did the same, taking off their masks.
Of the commanders from the five sects, Evil Song and You Yue were women. One was as radiant as the autumn moon, her beauty all-natural; the other was bright and bewitching, enough to steal one’s very soul.
As for Black Death, Ying Huo, and Shadow Charm, all three were men.
Black Death was powerfully built and exceptionally tall. His eyes shone like brilliant stars, and he looked like a Celestial God descended to the mortal world.
Shadow Charm had delicate features and a lean build, but a dangerous aura radiated from his entire being, and his eyes were as sharp as swords.
In contrast, Ying Huo’s features could be called handsome, yet he appeared the most ordinary of the group—the sort of person you could easily lose in a crowd.
Yet everyone present understood that among the five commanders, Ying Huo was, without a doubt, the one with the strongest cultivation—and the most dangerous.
His aura was contained, leaving no trace. But if one looked closely, they could see terrifying bolts of lightning flashing within the depths of his pupils...
"I didn’t have you remove your masks because I wanted to see your faces. It’s because the cultivation technique I’m teaching you today requires it."
"This is a Combined Attack Technique. It can be performed by three or more people. The more people involved, the greater its power, up to a maximum of nine."
Shen Lang’s gaze swept over the War Wolf members as he said coldly, "Before you decided to pledge your loyalty to me, I made it clear that you would not become my tools, but my partners."
"You’ve removed your masks so you can clearly see the people around you. They are your partners!"
"You are not killing machines. You are living, breathing human beings!"
"From this day forward, unless you are on a mission away from here, you will no longer wear these masks while cultivating in the sect."
"You need to familiarize yourselves with one another, learn each other’s personalities, and understand each other’s preferences. As partners, you must be able to entrust your back to them, to share life and death, to endure hardships, and to celebrate together."
"And this Combined Attack Technique requires you to fully understand your partners, trust them completely, and devote your entire being to it. Only when your minds are linked can you maximize its power!"
As Shen Lang spoke, he punctuated his words with gestures. When he reached the final sentence, his right hand chopped down like a blade, creating a sharp whistling sound as it cut through the air.
A new light, something that had never been there before, flickered in the eyes of the War Wolf members. They all stared at Shen Lang in silence.
Shen Lang continued, "The reason I want you to cultivate this Combined Attack Technique is simple. The techniques I gave you before, like the Thunder Control Divine Technique or the Netherworld King’s Three Extremes Sword, cannot be brought to Great Success overnight. This Combined Attack Technique, however, will allow you to unleash even greater power at your current level."
"In certain situations, it might even be enough to turn the tide of battle!"
Just then, Tie Feng spoke up cheekily, "Sir, is this Combined Attack Technique really that amazing? If three people use it, how much power will they have?"
The corner of Shen Lang’s mouth lifted in a smile. "This Combined Attack Technique is not as simple as simple addition. I won’t say more on that point. You’ll have to experience its effects for yourselves."
"The second cultivation technique is even more interesting. It was created by a supreme expert from the Human Realm who spent thousands of years studying over a thousand different techniques. After countless trials, he created this technique, which can unseal the body’s Mystic Gates in a short period to unleash its latent potential."
Tie Feng’s eyes lit up, and he cried out again, "It can unseal the Mystic Gates and unleash potential in a short time? Does that mean if I use this Secret Technique, I could fight on par with Commander Black Death?"
"Shut your mouth!" Black Death roared, furious. "There are over a thousand men here, and none of them dare so much as breathe while the Sir is speaking, yet you, you bastard, keep interrupting him! Are you looking for a death wish?"
Tie Feng stuck out his tongue and ducked his head, not daring to make another peep.
Black Death had always been his direct superior. Tie Feng wasn’t even particularly fearful of Shen Lang, but he was absolutely terrified of Black Death.
Shen Lang, however, didn’t seem to mind. He smiled. "The gap between your cultivation and Black Death’s is enormous, but it wouldn’t be impossible to use this technique to contend with him."
"Whoa!"
Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
It was a stark contrast.
Tie Feng was only at the Xuanwu Realm Third Heaven, while Black Death was already at the Xuanwu Realm Seventh Heaven. Furthermore, even among Martial Artists at the Xuanwu Realm Seventh Heaven, Black Death was undoubtedly one of the top fighters.
Among the five commanders, setting aside their other skills and speaking of pure combat power alone, only Ying Huo was slightly superior. The others couldn’t compare to Black Death.
If a bottom-tier character like Tie Feng could contend with Black Death after cultivating and using this technique...
Just how powerful must this cultivation technique be?
Shen Lang held up a hand. "While this cultivation technique is powerful, don’t glorify it or become too reliant on it. All powerful cultivation techniques or Elixir Pills come with significant limitations and side effects."
"You should all be familiar with the Giant Potion. In terms of pure effects and side effects, this cultivation technique has many similarities to the Giant Potion. Both can cause one’s cultivation and power to skyrocket in a short time."
"However, the Giant Potion can only be used once in a short period. Its effects are also limited; it’s practically useless for anyone at or above the Spirit Martial Realm Fifth Heaven."
"This Secret Technique, on the other hand, has nine levels. Although using it is extremely damaging to the body, it won’t leave you completely paralyzed like the Giant Potion does. Someone with a sufficiently tough physical body can even use it multiple times in a short span."
Just then, Nalan Ziyun cried out in realization, "Ah! Is this the ’Burst’ Secret Technique you use?"
Shen Lang nodded, then shook his head. "More or less. In truth, this Secret Technique is called the ’Nine-Star Profound Meaning,’ and it’s divided into nine levels. My ’Burst’ Secret Technique exists only because my physical body isn’t strong enough to cultivate the technique properly. I had to heavily modify its first level just to be able to use it. Strictly speaking, it’s merely a pale imitation of the real thing."
"Even the imitation is that powerful?! I want it! I want it!" Nalan Ziyun cheered, jumping for joy.
Even though her back was to the crowd, her devilish figure was on full display. Her uninhibited movements were enough to make the hearts of even the highly disciplined War Wolf members flutter.
As for the other women in the group, looks of envy appeared on their faces in spite of themselves.
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