Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 396 - 287: Outerworld Garment, Divine Fiend Dread Garment! The Deeper the Foundation, the Step into the Second Realm!
Li Xian closed his eyes to feel it. The cries of ghosts and wolves echoed, while the transcendent sound lingered in his ears... The two were seamlessly fused, both ethereal and ferocious, terrifying yet exceptional. Such peculiarities are never recorded in ancient texts, strangely remarkable.
It was as if the gates of hell opened, demons danced wildly, spirits roamed, and pipa music played furiously. It also mirrored the dazzling glow, the grand banquet in the Celestial Palace, with gentle zither sounds as immortals gathered, and danced gracefully in the Jade Pool. ’God Demon Ferocious Attire’, with emphasis on the word ’ferocious’. Its ferocity shone brightly, causing gods and demons to retreat.
Li Xian focused his mind and shouted, the ghosts crept back through the ghost gates, and the immortals rode the mist back to their nests.
Li Xian already possessed "Heavy Pupils", able to repel ghosts and spirits, and intimidate tens of thousands of troops with supreme dominance. If he donned the "God Demon Ferocious Attire" again, with heavy pupils revealed, all extraordinary phenomena would manifest. What kind of spectacle would it be? It’s hard to imagine.
"This God Demon Ferocious Attire is indeed formidable, but with no ancient texts to examine, its functions remain difficult to fathom. However, when activated, its might is greatly enhanced, akin to hell arriving in the world. This is indeed a good use, combined with heavy pupil intimidation, surely...Should any ghost come knocking again, I’d just shout loudly and they’d flee promptly."
...
...
Li Xian hid the dirty attire, and the hellish scenes retreated. He steadied his mind and cleared his thoughts. The dirty attire is merely a trait, always must prioritize "Martial Arts".
Today is leisurely.
Li Xian introspected, still had over a hundred strands of "Essence of Heaven and Earth". Fully absorbed and digested, just enough to activate the "dust settles" trait. Officially entering the Martial Arts Second Realm, then must plan the "Essence Treasure" resources.
He thought to himself, planning must not be hasty. Took out the "Residual Demon Map" and studied it in the courtyard. The "ghost painting" school flourished from Nanyang and spread widely, the Residual Demon Map has a long history, rough to the touch, made from some demon-like skin.
The painting is pitch-black, requiring concentrated observation. Vaguely see bold lines, appearing chaotic at first glance. Upon close examination, deep meanings lie within...
The Residual Demon Map is only palm-sized, with tears at the edges, faint ink fragrance and burnt smell, seemingly undergone burning. The original painting should depict four little ghosts "spirits", imitated from Candle Sect’s "Demon Picture". Due to imitation and damage, only "demon ghost" remains, hence named Residual Demon Map.
The artwork is exceedingly dark, requiring meticulous scrutiny. In the painting is depicted a "bare-bodied, long-clawed" little ghost. Bold and flowing lines convey "ghost sensation", indeed possessing intimidation effects.
Li Xian knew the Residual Demon Map was profoundly mysterious, initially intended to discuss "Broken Demon Spear" training magic skills with Nangong Liuli, leveraging her aristocratic knowledge. But seeing her frightened by ghosts, she was unsettled. Only after collaborating earnestly last night did she calm down. Moreover, this Residual Demon Map has scared several elders silly, harming Nangong Liuli would be very inappropriate.
Thus, he pondered alone.
Martial Arts is hidden within the painting, so it must be pondered from the painting. Demon ghost frolicking in water, willow trees casting shadows, distant display of disemboweled corpses, grass rustling, several scantily clad, emaciated figures hang upside down on willow trees, expressions terrified, seemingly not dead yet. Amidst a few lines, depicted winds blowing, bleak and bizarre, seeming to have a village in the distance, a few wisps of black smoke floating...
The painting contains many scenes.
Li Xian had some understanding of Nanyang’s history, the plight of the people was unbearable. He closely observed the artwork, contemplated the details in the painting, thinking:
"Martial Arts contained in the painting should present two scenarios. First: the artist possessed considerable Martial Arts, Martial Arts essence hidden within lines, dots, hooks, strokes, all representing Martial Arts principles, the patterns in the artwork are not particularly important. Thus, by observing the artwork, infer the artist’s movements during painting, thereby gaining Martial Arts inheritance."
"Second: Martial Arts is hidden within the painting, requiring comprehension of the painting’s expression, appreciating its meanings. Observing this painting belongs to the second type. The second type is most difficult, no wonder many elders, leave empty-handed."
"I boasted and wagered with Yan Hao, truly overestimating myself. But with the opportunity before me, how can I not strive for it? I’ve observed this painting for half an hour. Closing my eyes contemplating, it had no utility, the priority is first obtaining a long spear!"
"Combining movement with stillness, might gain insights."
Li Xian did as he thought, finding a blacksmith shop in East Street, purchased an iron spearhead. Then entered the forest, chopped down a peach tree, carved it into a spear shaft. Fastened the iron spearhead to the shaft, made a makeshift long spear.
He held the Peach Blossom Spear, thrusting several times in the air. "Whoosh whoosh" wind sounds echoed, the momentum quite impressive. He casually applied "Bandit Extermination Spear Technique", sweeping, thrusting, dodging, chopping...fairly proficient.
In past Black River Village garrisoned, attracted mountain bandit forces. Li Xian armed villagers for self-defense, teaching "Bandit-killing Array". Used Martial Arts understanding to formulate "Bandit Extermination Spear Technique", enabling villagers to quickly grasp it.
This Bandit Extermination Spear Technique was merely spear technique basics, devoid of intricacies. Spear technique easily learned, facilitating array formation, was of great utility at the time. Li Xian shouldered the spear back to his residence, took out the Residual Demon Map and attempted to practice the magic skills.
He pressed the Residual Demon Map on the stone pavilion table, sought a spacious area to wield the spear. Continually thrusting, dodging, sweeping, then performed several spear tricks, his posture extremely elegant. But it had no connection with the "Broken Demon Spear."
He had a sudden thought: "Could it be the long spear must act as a brush, drawing that Residual Demon Map during moves? Let me try!"
Upon turning back with the spear, glimpsed the painting’s demon ghost, saw its bare body and long claws, visage fierce and terrifying, demon eyes sly and sinister. Waving the Peach Blossom Spear, the spear tip tried to outline the ghost’s face.
This indeed was a novel idea. As Li Xian wielded the spear, combined with understanding, stepping the Seven Stars Step, along with precise force control. It unexpectedly created an eerie sensation, the spear’s movement was extremely hard to grasp.
Li Xian practiced according to this, upon finishing the first round, felt no response. Then practicing the second round, he suddenly felt the spear technique confined within the painting, stiff as lifeless. Absolutely lacking the Middle spear technique’s essence, barely classified as basic spear techniques. Naturally due to unfamiliarity, yet evident that using the spear to paint, is indeed wrong.
