Chapter 97

Ningguang watched as Zhongli flew by sword... no, by spear, with ease and grace, occasionally even performing a fancy maneuver.

For a moment, she felt a twinge of envy.

In her heart, she held quite a few expectations for her own sword-flying.

But when it came to a real weapon...

Ningguang felt it was better not to use a sword.

She didn't know how to use one.

The flight to Heaven-Reaching Peak was quick, and eventually, the two landed halfway up the mountain.

On Heaven-Reaching Peak, no one except the Sect Master was permitted to fly unless necessary.

This was the symbol of Shushan.

Zhongli and the others were naturally aware of this; in any case, Ningguang needed to go call Keqing, who was halfway up, and then they would just walk up to inform Jiang Yan.

With True Essence, their pace was not slow.

However, there was still some distance to Keqing's cave dwelling.

Perhaps feeling that walking with Zhongli was too dry, Ningguang asked softly:

"First Seat, I wonder about that posture of yours just now..."

Ningguang asked it after all. Zhongli did not hide it and asked in return:

"What did you feel?"

Ningguang pondered for a moment, then shook her head:

"Powerful, incomparably powerful, and there was also a sense of holiness."

"Just now, when facing you directly, First Seat, it seemed..."

"It seemed as if I saw the figure of a powerful existence that did not belong to Teyvat."

Zhongli nodded slightly and said softly:

"This is my spell, the Clear Source Wonderful Law Manifestation Curse. By releasing this curse, one can summon the True Lord of Clear Source and Wonderful Dao to manifest and possess the body."

"In the Manifestation state, one can wield the many secret arts of the True Lord Erlang."

"It is a pity that I have practiced it for too short a time; in the end, I have only attained its form, not its spirit."

Ningguang's footsteps faltered, and she looked at Zhongli with a strange expression.

This spell...

Why was it so similar to the god-inviting curses in the many storybooks circulating among the folk of Liyue?

Could it be...

What Zhongli was practicing was simply a god-inviting curse!

The Geo Archon inviting a god?

What kind of situation was this?

"Do you find it strange that I practice this technique?"

Zhongli naturally guessed Ningguang's thoughts and asked calmly.

Ningguang shook her head.

"This technique of yours, First Seat, must be an extremely powerful method."

"Indeed."

Zhongli nodded slightly and said with some emotion:

"The True Lord of Clear Source and Wonderful Dao, also known as Erlang Shen, is a true combat-focused Golden Immortal powerhouse of the myriad heavens and worlds."

"He possesses the Law of Heaven and Earth, Immortal Dao martial arts, numerous spells, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Dipper Methods, the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Arts..."

"With this technique possessing my body, I can use the many abilities of True Lord Erlang."

"It is just a pity that it is ultimately only a state, and the effect is very weak, incomparable to true Immortal Arts."

"In the end, it is just a peak Yellow Grade cultivation technique."

Upon hearing this, Ningguang fell silent.

For a moment, she didn't want to talk to Zhongli.

Zhongli was definitely humble-bragging.

A technique that allows the use of so many spells, and he calls it poor?

If he thinks it's poor, give it to her!

Even if it can't be kept and is just a state, so what?

A state that directly provides numerous Immortal Arts, and he still complains?

Ningguang didn't want to discuss this topic with Zhongli, comforting herself that the complete Eight Techniques were Earth Grade techniques.

After a moment, Ningguang asked curiously:

"First Seat, I wonder if you have explored the Nine Nether Secret Realm?"

"No."

Zhongli shook his head and said softly:

"Before coming out just now, I stood at the entrance of the Nine Nether Secret Realm for a long time. My intuition told me that if I didn't make full preparations..."

"I fear I wouldn't gain anything by going in. That place seems to be more than just a simple cave secret realm."

After pondering for a moment, Zhongli reminded her:

"Since the Sect Master has placed the Nine Nether Secret Realm on Dragon Head Peak, as First Seat, I need to remind you all."

"Inside the secret realm are the true demons of the cultivation world, and the abilities they master are different from the monsters of our world."

"Before you have mastered your own spells and made sufficient preparations, you must not enter the secret realm."

"Even if you are prepared, it is best to travel in groups."

Ningguang bowed solemnly.

"Disciple will keep this in mind."

While speaking, the two had already arrived at Keqing's cave dwelling.

Keqing was not practicing inside the room; instead, she was practicing her sword outside, taking advantage of the moonlight.

Every move was gentle, yet the sword intent was exceptionally strong.

Under the moonlight, Keqing and the Green Frost Sword merged into one, even drawing a strand of moonlight down from the firmament.

The moment the moonlight merged into Keqing's sword, she suddenly opened her eyes, and a sharp sword Qi flashed by.

Taking a step forward, the area for several kilometers seemed to tremble simultaneously.

"Break!"

Keqing slashed a sword toward the sky, and the sea of clouds was instantly torn open by a large gap.

Ningguang's eyes lit up, and she clapped:

"Good sword technique! Worthy of being a Sword Body."

Keqing let out a long breath and stood still, finishing her practice.

She turned to look at the two and bowed with a smile:

"First Seat."

65. The Day of Mastering the Technique, the Time of Exploring the Nine Nether

Zhongli looked up at the sword marks in the sky that lingered for a long time. Although they were not worth mentioning compared to the vast Shushan Cave Heaven,

and even on Heaven-Reaching Peak, they probably wouldn't cut very far,

this was, after all, the Shushan Cave Heaven with a stable spatial structure.

If placed in Teyvat, this sword strike could easily defeat ordinary immortals who had not yet cultivated.

In other words, Keqing already had at least the combat power of an ordinary god's attendant.

One step further, and she would be at the level of the Three-Eyed Five-Manifested Immortals.

Moreover, this was not necessarily Keqing's full strength; at the very least, she hadn't called the Green Frost Sword for help.

The gap between cultivating and not cultivating was truly large.

Zhongli sighed in his heart, but he was full of joy.

"Your talent is excellent, and your cultivation of the Sword Dao is naturally smooth sailing. In another period of time, I believe you all will be able to solve the matters in Teyvat yourselves."

"I am truly relieved to leave Liyue to you all."

Having received Zhongli's recognition once again, Keqing and Ningguang smiled at each other.