Chapter 272: Chapter 271: Advent of a Celestial Demon? Outer Celestial Demon?
Gu Zhao let out a dry laugh. "Perhaps, but I didn’t see any."
Li Qingshuang nodded, not doubting him. "That’s also possible. Ever since the Celestial Demon Calamity thousands of years ago, Demon Techniques have only appeared sporadically and never amounted to much."
She couldn’t help but sigh. "That’s why many people don’t take it seriously, not even Chaoyang Island and Silent God Mountain."
Gu Zhao was no longer a novice in the martial world; he knew that Chaoyang Island and Silent God Mountain were the two major powers in Yongzhou, with the Nether Fire Sect ranking only third.
But he had truly never heard of things like the Celestial Demon Calamity or Demon Techniques.
"What’s the Celestial Demon Calamity, and what’s wrong with cultivating a Demon Technique?" Seeing how formally Li Qingshuang was speaking, Zhuo Qingyan pulled her to sit down. The Silk Embroideress brought over some pastries she had made herself.
Li Qingshuang didn’t stand on ceremony. She picked up a pastry and popped it into her mouth, her eyes lighting up. "Thank you, Silk Embroideress. Your skills are getting better and better."
The Silk Embroideress gave a sweet smile, and Bai Ke jumped up, saying, "The Silk Embroideress and I made them together!"
"Is that so?" Li Qingshuang was surprised, not knowing the full story. "No wonder you two are in Harmony. Your skills are excellent too!"
Bai Ke nodded in satisfaction, put her hands on her hips, and said, "I helped the Silk Embroideress knead the dough!"
Li Qingshuang, "..."
"The Celestial Demon Calamity happened thousands of years ago. I don’t know the specifics, I just heard about it once when I joined the Spirit Court. They said the Celestial Demons are the greatest threat in the world."
Li Qingshuang said to Zhuo Qingyan and Gu Zhao, "It is said that when the Celestial Demons descended upon the world back then, they wanted to reshape heaven and earth and turn this world into a Demon Realm. In the end, they were slain by the combined efforts of the world’s greatest masters, but their Demonic Thoughts scattered, passing down countless Demon Techniques and seeking successors, leaving behind endless trouble for the future."
Everyone: (⊙o⊙)
"Those who cultivate Demon Techniques, be they demons, ghosts, or humans, advance with incredible speed in the early stages. One year of their cultivation is equivalent to ten years for others, far surpassing the speed of Harmony. Moreover, their Magical Power is profound, and their combat prowess is extraordinary."
Speaking of which, Li Qingshuang couldn’t help but glance at Gu Zhao.
’Come to think of it, Daluo Palace’s Cultivation Techniques also allowed for rapid advancement, profound Magical Power, and extraordinary combat prowess. From this perspective, they were indeed a bit similar to Demon Techniques.’
Gu Zhao pointed to himself. ’Have I become a demon?’
Li Qingshuang smiled and shook her head. "Of course, Daluo Palace doesn’t cultivate Demon Techniques. The characteristics of Demon Techniques are obvious. When used, black qi surges forth. Moreover, Demon Techniques can affect a person’s mind, making them insidious, treacherous, cruel, and bloodthirsty. In the end, they transform themselves into demons, losing their human form."
Gu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. ’Thank goodness. My identity as an Outer Celestial Demon hasn’t been exposed.’
Gu Zhao: (◔◡◔)
Zhuo Qingyan asked, "That Netherfire Sect Leader, is he cultivating a Demon Technique?"
Li Qingshuang nodded. "He’s an Old Fire Corpse who only began to rise in power in the last century. Later, his progress became faster and faster. Thirty years ago, he took advantage of the chaos to kill people from the Xuanwei Divine Sect and occupied He Yan Mansion. Now, he has broken through Shide Prefecture.
"A disciple from the Spirit Court investigated and reported that the Nether Fire Sect’s headquarters is ravaged by Demonic Qi. It’s said to no longer resemble the mortal world."
"We notified Chaoyang Island and Silent God Mountain about this, but neither of them responded. They aren’t planning to move against the Nether Fire Sect," Li Qingshuang said in a low voice. "Then I learned that he wasn’t satisfied and received news that he’s heading for Changping Prefecture."
The Netherfire Sect Leader’s might was unparalleled for a time. Worried that Daluo Palace wouldn’t be able to withstand him, Li Qingshuang had rushed over to deliver the news.
Gu Zhao asked, "You also went to Chaoyang Island and Silent God Mountain?"
"Chaoyang Island and Silent God Mountain have long-standing legacies; they won’t make a move against us," Li Qingshuang said. "Besides, Chaoyang Island still has an old ancestor living, who is of the same generation as the Spirit Court’s director."
Gu Zhao’s eyes flickered. "But the Court’s power has already withdrawn from Jiangnan."
"It’s the Xuanwei Divine Sect and the Spirit Court that withdrew from Jiangnan. Jiangnan is still under the Court’s rule," Li Qingshuang emphasized.
Gu Zhao nodded. ’The relationships are a bit messy, but it’s probably like the relationship between the central government and regional lords.’
’In the past, the Xuanwei Divine Sect and the Spirit Court were more powerful and held a dominant position. Later, after the Dragon King of Ten Thousand Spirits caused a great disturbance, the various powers in Jiangnan seized the opportunity to drive these two Extraordinary organizations of the Court out.’
’The fierce and ruthless act as the vanguard while those with deep foundations provide backing. One side tears away all pretense of civility while the other maintains contact. Quite the clever tactics.’
’But the Court’s authority still remains, after all. So, in the mortal world, they retained the Court’s name and nominally still belong to the Great Ning Court. In exchange, they gained the tacit approval of the Xuanwei Divine Sect and the Spirit Court.’
’As long as they don’t cause too much trouble or incur the wrath of both heaven and the people, the Court will just turn a blind eye.’
Thinking of this, Gu Zhao shook his head. ’The Court’s bottom line is really low. The Ink Flood Dragon devouring an entire county town in one meal is somehow still within the Court’s red line.’
’Still, I’m pretty lucky. Yongzhou has six Prefecture Cities in Jiangnan, plus long-standing powers like Chaoyang Island and Silent God Mountain. But Jiangzhou only has a single Ink Flood Dragon in Jiangnan.’
’No, that’s not right. Strictly speaking, Jiangzhou’s top master should be the Dragon King of Ten Thousand Spirits. It’s just that after the great battle thirty years ago, the Dragon King of Ten Thousand Spirits has never appeared again.’
’But speaking of which, does that mean I’m now considered one of the warring factions of Wanling Jiangnan?’
’But these warring factions don’t coexist peacefully. A battle between Daluo Palace and the Nether Fire Sect is inevitable, just like the great war that broke out between the three major powers of Shide Prefecture and the Nether Fire Sect.’
’What’s more, that Netherfire Sect Leader cultivates a Demon Technique. Just hearing about it tells you he’s bad news!’
"Is it that the masters from the Xuanwei Divine Sect and the Spirit Court are unable to act against the Nether Fire Sect?" Gu Zhao asked for confirmation.
Li Qingshuang nodded, then her expression turned serious. "But I can."
Gu Zhao smiled faintly. "I hear the Netherfire Sect Leader has two thousand years of Dao Practice?"
"I’m afraid it’s more than that by now," Li Qingshuang said, a little worried. "If one’s talent is perfectly suited for a Demon Technique, their progress will be incredibly fast. And from what we’ve seen of the Netherfire Sect Leader, he must be someone who is especially suited for cultivating a Demon Technique."
"Don’t worry. As long as he hasn’t reached three thousand years of Dao Practice, we have nothing to fear from him," Gu Zhao said with a laugh. "He may be suited for cultivating a Demon Technique, but the people of our Daluo Palace are suited for cultivating the Tao Scripture!"
In terms of Dao Practice Magical Power, after five hundred years, a thousand years was a major threshold.
The White Bone God Monarch with over a thousand years of Dao Practice was far inferior to the Netherfire Sect Leader with over two thousand years. In turn, the Netherfire Sect Leader, with less than three thousand years, was on a clearly different level from the Ink Flood Dragon, who had over three thousand.
And the Ink Flood Dragon...
’...according to Daluo Palace’s current progress, they could probably form a party to go farm it for loot next year.’
’Of course, the few old Daoists definitely won’t reach two thousand years of Dao Practice. The difference in their realms is too great. Even if they could fight above their level, they still wouldn’t be able to defeat the Ink Flood Dragon. But Daluo Palace has me, Gu Zhao, who can combine the strength of everyone!’
Gu Zhao was even planning to make a stunning entrance during the battle with the Ink Flood Dragon.
"But the Netherfire Sect Leader will do. Let’s consider him an appetizer." Gu Zhao cracked his knuckles, then took Li Qingshuang’s hand. "Since you’ve come to Jiangnan, why don’t you stay at Daluo Palace for a while?"
