Daoist Competition-Chapter 227 - 82: Returning Shuttle with a Clear Mind, Black Jade Demon Ruler_2
Chapter 227: Chapter 82: Returning Shuttle with a Clear Mind, Black Jade Demon Ruler_2 freёweɓnovel_com
He was fully aware that though Xuan Guang Practitioners and Hua Dan Cultivators differ by just one realm, the disparity between them is astronomical. Yet, he hadn’t expected such overwhelming prowess, especially since Ning Chongxuan didn’t even appear to be exerting his full strength.
He thought to himself, "I wonder if Brother Ning has cultivated the sect’s Divine Skills?"
Upon reaching the Hua Dan Realm, it is said that one’s Qi and Essence fuse into unity, and vast mana surges throughout the body. Only then can one begin to master the sect’s Divine Skills.
Divine Skills differ from ordinary Daoist Techniques; when practiced to perfection, their power can be utterly unimaginable.
Take Zhuang Bufan’s "Great Luo Heavenly Sleeve," for instance—when unleashed, even if an opponent possesses superior mana, without a Dharma Treasure for protection or the correct counter-technique, nine times out of ten they’d be drawn in, left completely at his mercy.
Zhang Yan mused, "I’m currently still at the Xuan Guang First Realm. Who knows when I’ll be able to reach that level?"
He had heard that Ning Chongxuan reached the Xuan Guang Third Realm before the age of twenty-five. Given this rate of progress, forming a Golden Core should have been a matter of less than ten years.
Yet no one had anticipated that he would remain stuck in the Xuan Guang Realm for twenty whole years, only breaking through recently.
This delay was because he had been tirelessly gathering the materials necessary to forge a Third Grade or higher Golden Core.
Though the lineage of master and disciple does not possess the deep reserves of noble Xuanmen Families, providing such items for the sect’s few direct disciples was within reach.
However, the Mingcang Sect’s master-disciple lineage had an old tradition: every disciple forging their Core was required to travel the world to collect the necessary materials themselves. Though this rule had long fallen into obscurity over the millennia, Ning Chongxuan, in his pride, refused handouts from the sect, choosing instead to roam the land with his sword.
Over the past twenty years, he traversed almost the entirety of the East Splendor Continent, only returning to the mountain gate two years ago. Details of his travels remain unknown to others.
When Zhang Yan saw the sword light Ning Chongxuan released earlier, its power was unparalleled. The sheer presence of sword intent filled the heavens and earth, unmistakably a move from the "Yunxiao Thousand Sword Scripture."
This scripture is ranked among the sect’s Five Skills and Three Classics, and its might was indeed as legendary as spoken—able to even strike down a Hua Dan Cultivator. This alone proves the vast chasm between Xuanmen True Dharma and ordinary spells.
Yet Zhang Yan could faintly perceive that Ning Chongxuan’s strength, upon entering the Golden Core Realm, was not only due to his Second Grade Elixir Formation but also owed much to the accumulation from two decades of experience. While diligent training in the sect could enhance one’s cultivation, it lacks the tempering that comes from trials and tribulations.
Just like a treasure sword that grows sharper the more it is honed—if left untouched in a sheath, it would only rust.
In his mind, Zhang Yan pondered, "Now that I am a True Disciple of the Mingcang Sect, I can traverse the skies and delve into the earth at will. Within the sect, I also have the care of my mentor and senior brothers. Even the Zhou Family, no matter how powerful, wouldn’t dare meddle with me. After this Three Pools battle, I ought to set out on a journey, broaden my horizons, and also collect materials suitable for alchemy and cultivation."
However, his "Taiyin Golden Fire Profound Skill" requires underground evil energy during cultivation. If there were some way to carry it with me after leaving the sect, that would be ideal...
Suddenly, a thought struck him. Not only could the Spirit Mechanism Institute exchange merits for Daoist Secret Books, but they could also trade for Dharma Treasure Flying Swords. He didn’t need any powerful treasures—just something akin to his Qi Acupoints, capable of storing evil energy and Five Elements essences, would suffice.
With this in mind, he started calculating his accrued merits.
Fan Changqing had offered him some minor credit; later, he gained another small merit for slaying a Demon General. Additionally, during alchemy, Ge Shuo recorded five merits for him, bringing the total to seven merits. This was enough to exchange for an ordinary low-grade Spiritual Artifact. However, the Merit Book was currently in Ge Shuo’s Flying Palace, which posed a tricky problem.
As he contemplated, his body didn’t pause and flew toward where more than ten disciples lay sprawled.
But at that very moment, he suddenly sensed something glowing within the deep ravine below.
He lowered himself and leaned in for a closer look. Amid the overturned soil, he spotted a Five-Colored Glazed Stone quietly emitting a faint radiant glow, resembling a treasure. With a casual gesture, he summoned it into his hand out of thin air, examined it briefly, then smirked, saying, "Do you think you can tempt me?"
With a swipe, he brushed off the layer of Treasure Light enveloping it, revealing its true form.
It was a pitch-black, foot-long Jade Ruler, its surface smooth as a mirror. Yet under closer inspection, one could discern Erosion Text-like mysterious patterns etched upon it, along with a faintly emanating aura of bloodthirsty ferocity.
Zhang Yan needed no further inspection—just sensing the aura confirmed that this object must be connected with the Demon Sect.
The artifact was unexpectedly absorbing spiritual energy under the moonlight, then emitting Five-Colored Radiance. To an ordinary mortal, it would undoubtedly appear as a treasure worth picking up. But such mortals would almost certainly be drained of Essence Blood by it, and whatever monstrosity might emerge afterward was beyond their imagination.
With a thoughtful expression, Zhang Yan said, "The Hua Dan Cultivator slayed by Brother Ning earlier must have been the one manipulating my junior brothers’ hearts in secret. This Jade Ruler must be what they left behind."
Yet despite Ning Chongxuan’s sword strike’s overwhelming potency capable of obliterating that Hua Dan Cultivator entirely, this item remained unharmed, signaling its extraordinary nature.
After pondering briefly, Zhang Yan felt that there was likely some secret hidden within the artifact. He resolved to keep it for now and examine it at a later date.
Though he had no particular interest in the Demon Sect’s techniques, which diverged vastly from Xuanmen Daoist Skills, he thought about how demon techniques are often sinister and peculiar. Without his Star Sword Ball’s breakthrough at the moment, dealing with that demon would have required tremendous effort. If he could uncover the origins of this technique through the Black Jade Ruler, future confrontations would be far more manageable—he wouldn’t have to fight blindly.
With that decision, he swept it up into his robe sleeve and secured it. Wasting no further time, he waved his hand to summon a Dragon Tooth Flying Boat, gathered the ten or so Mingcang disciples strewn across the ground onto the vessel, activated a talisman, and steered the boat back toward Bamboo Island.
...
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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