Chapter 114: The Embryonic Form of Divine Powers, the Killing Ban Is Unleashed!

Under everyone's gaze, the bone stele's light pillar connecting to Fang Xu had completely turned light blue, and was gradually shifting toward dark blue.

"Great Master Ku Lun, this..." Huang Qingzhou, standing nearby, saw this and his expression grew somewhat complex.

Fang Xu could have this fortunate encounter; as a friend, he was happy.

But at this moment, the entire square was filled with members of various factions, and Fang Xu's such fortunate encounter had surely already caught the attention of those with ulterior motives.

If it were merely a sixth-rank, or even a fifth-rank martial technique or secret art, relying on the prestige of the Ascension Immortal Society and the intimidation of Great Master Ku Lun, Huang Qingzhou believed there should be no trouble.

But now he fears that the color of that light pillar might change again!

If it shifted from blue to red, entering the third or fourth rank, Huang Qingzhou felt that the veteran martial masters present, and even the major powers that had received the news, would likely be unable to resist taking action.

After all, he had heard that the martial artist who had just grasped a suspected third-rank martial technique had left the square yesterday, and all the martial masters in the entire square had set out.

"It's fine." Great Master Ku Lun gave a faint smile, then glanced at everyone, and slowly walked over to sit cross-legged beside Fang Xu.

His action made all the martial artists present feel a jolt in their hearts!

Great Master Ku Lun's action clearly told them that he was protecting this person; if they wanted to move against him, they'd first have to get past him.

Some juniors might not fully grasp Great Master Ku Lun's terror, but the martial masters present knew well that his strength in the entire Great Yu could rank among the top few.

Seeing this situation, most of the martial artists present felt that fifth rank should be the limit.

If he were to protect that youngster, the many martial artists present who wanted to act would still have to weigh whether they were qualified enough.

Over the past ten-plus days, the light pillar's change had merely shifted from light blue to dark blue.

His resolve also strengthened once more; he must protect Fang Xu.

Although the current situation is tense, with Great Master Ku Lun's protection, the problem is not too serious.

That phantom suddenly stepped forward, a terrifying roar erupted, and behind the phantom a giant ape about ten zhang tall abruptly appeared!

If it were a fourth-rank secret art, it would be an even more extraordinary existence!

Scanning the small movements of some people present, Huang Qingzhou grew anxious.

Huang Qingzhou, besides occasionally contemplating the bone stele, would sometimes glance at Fang Xu and Great Master Ku Lun sitting before him.

The giant ape slammed down a fist, the ground before it instantly shattered into pieces, and the terrifying aura's shockwave blew up the surrounding rubble like bullets fired from a barrel, shooting out in all directions!

The shattered land vanished, and he and that phantom appeared in a stretch of void.

He could tell that the secret art the phantom was employing was somewhat similar to the Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth described in the films and dramas of his previous life.

But Fang Xu had already watched it several times in a row, and still couldn't grasp how to condense the Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth.

If, by then, the imperial household of Great Yu also got involved, the matter would become difficult to handle.

Great Master Ku Lun sat cross-legged beside Fang Xu, feeling the various mysteries continually transmitted from the light pillar, his heart slightly startled.

The light pillar had seen no change for several days, and the small square seemed to have returned to calm once more.

That hint of red within the deep blue was especially conspicuous!

His single exclamation instantly drew the attention of all the martial artists present onto Fang Xu!

"Red!"

He had been at the bone stele for nearly half a month, painstakingly contemplating for a long time, yet ultimately failed to grasp anything satisfying to himself.

This...

Afterward, the giant ape changed again, its size continuing to swell; moreover, mysterious runes appeared on its body, and as these runes emerged, the scene before Fang Xu rapidly shifted.

Above his head, a black giant dragon roared as it surged forward, its terrifying dragon body weaving through the void, its sharp claws aiming straight for the giant ape's skull!

The giant ape let out a roar, its massive body surging upward; relying solely on the strength of its leap, it sprang straight into midair, and with a pair of large hands it instantly seized the black dragon's claws, forcibly dragging it down from the air!

The two grappled together; the giant ape, with each hand gripping the black dragon's head and tail, let out a roar and directly tore the black dragon apart!

That giant ape was his dharma aspect.

Time passed bit by bit, and in the blink of an eye another ten-plus days had gone by.

After all, even a fifth-rank secret art wasn't worth offending the Ascension Immortal Society and locking horns with a powerhouse like Great Master Ku Lun.

Before him, a phantom entirely condensed from white light was repeatedly practicing a martial technique for him.

Moreover, some martial artists, after a moment's thought, quietly left the small square, evidently to go deliver some news.

The scene then vanished; in an instant, Fang Xu found himself back in that shattered land, gazing at the phantom before him with thoughtful eyes.

On Fang Xu's side, the embodiment of his consciousness stood upon a stretch of shattered earth.

A fourth-rank martial technique is not necessarily possessed even by powerful factions like the Lu Clan of Azure Prefecture.

What's more, behind Great Master Ku Lun there is also a group of terribly formidable ascetics.

Besides Elder Jiang of the Ascension Immortal Society, the current Yu Emperor, and the man-slayer Zhao Wují, there are likely very few strong enough to qualify to cross blows with him.

"Quick, look, it's red!"

Gazing at that dazzling red, some martial artists' breathing suddenly grew a bit heavy, their eyes occasionally drifting over Fang Xu, Great Master Ku Lun, and Huang Qingzhou, as if weighing whether to act later.

Some worriedly gazed at that pale red light pillar; he could only pray that it wouldn't continue to change.

In less than half a day, the entire light pillar had completely turned pale red!

Fourth rank!

But now, merely sitting before Fang Xu and drawing on the aura emanating from his insights, Great Master Ku Lun felt a sensation he had long sought in vain!

After that hint of red appeared, it gradually grew stronger.

But if the light pillar continued to change, it might very well drive these greedy fellows completely mad.

At one moment, a martial artist who had painstakingly contemplated the bone stele without success habitually glanced toward Fang Xu's direction, and suddenly discovered that within the dark blue light pillar there was actually a faint trace of red hidden!

With Great Master Ku Lun's protection, plus the prestige of the Ascension Immortal Society, after weighing the pros and cons, many martial masters of the venerable realm no longer intended to act against Fang Xu.

Besides being shocked, he immediately closed his eyes slowly to contemplate carefully.

The phantom wasn't in a hurry either, waiting for him to contemplate a while before starting the drill again from the beginning.

Martial technique, body method, and then it returned to that scene just moments ago...

Fang Xu was practicing earnestly; this time, after he had displayed his martial techniques and body methods, he suddenly gained a hint of enlightenment.

Dharma manifestation…

Like…

The apparition obviously wanted to impart to him a secret art related to primates.

In his previous life in the army, the instructor had once taught them an ancient Five Animal Frolics health exercise to strengthen their bodies.

This Five Animal Frolics is said to have been created by the divine physician Hua Tuo, aiming to let people stretch their tendons and bones by imitating the movements of the tiger, deer, bear, ape, and bird.

The instructor had said that when the Five Animal Frolics are practiced to a profound level, one's gestures will instinctively disregard the self and transform into one of the five animals.

Various thoughts arose, and he combined them with the insights he had gained while practicing the eighth-rank martial art Nine Ape Staff; he instantly understood how to emulate the apparition, fully merging martial technique and body method with himself to evolve the so-called Dharma manifestation.

Repeatedly rehearsing what he had already comprehended, Fang Xu imagined himself as a giant ape, moving from imitation to gradual adaptation, then to complete immersion.

Roar!

After who knows how many repetitions, a towering ape apparition over one zhang tall suddenly appeared behind the corporeal form of Fang Xu's consciousness.

The giant ape apparition, an enlarged version of Fang Xu, followed his conscious body's movements and threw a punch!

The air before him was compressed, blasting forward like an air cannon!

Success!

Fang Xu was overjoyed!

Seeing that Fang Xu had succeeded, the apparition seemed quite pleased; a flash of light, and it tapped a finger onto his conscious form.

Having received the information transmitted by the apparition, Fang Xu finally knew what he had been cultivating all this time.

Secret Art: Magic Ape Three Transformations!

According to the information transmitted by the apparition, the Magic Ape Three Transformations is a secret art and also includes three divine abilities.

And divine abilities are martial techniques that surpass the first rank.

However, combining the apparition's information, Fang Xu sadly discovered that even if he could now condense a magic ape apparition behind him, he still did not qualify as a divine ability.

With his current understanding of the Magic Ape Three Transformations, at best he had only condensed a prototype of a divine ability; there was still a long way to go before achieving a true divine ability.

But he was already quite satisfied.

Being able to condense a magic ape apparition meant his Magic Ape Three Transformations had entered the entry level of the first transformation; thereafter he only needed to continually contemplate, and one day, after achieving great accomplishment in the first transformation, he could also condense a three-zhang magic ape and attempt to cultivate the first divine ability.

The outside world.

After Fang Xu stepped into the entry of the Magic Ape Three Transformations, the light pillar connecting him and the bone stele also changed from deep red to gold!

The dazzling golden light illuminated the entire plaza; at that moment, all the martial artists in the plaza stopped their contemplation and gazed greedily in the direction where Fang Xu stood.

Moreover, martial artists kept arriving from the various passageways around the plaza.

After seeing the golden light pillar between Fang Xu and the bone stele, these martial artists' eyes all showed greed.

Many martial artists had even lost reason to greed in their hearts, and began slowly circling toward the direction where Fang Xu and his two companions were.

Huang Lightboat saw this, directly drew the long sword at his waist, and shouted sternly at the approaching crowd:

"Do you all want to be enemies of the Ascension Immortal Society?!"

This sentence made many martial artists instantly sober up a bit; they all knew the terror of the Ascension Immortal Society.

But under the temptation of what seemed like a first-rank martial art, everyone fell into struggle!

"We naturally don't want to be enemies of the Ascension Immortal Society, but as far as I know, this kid merely obtained the Ascension Immortal Society's immortal gate pass; he still doesn't count as a member of the Society."

"If you say that, can we understand that the Ascension Immortal Society wants to monopolize this kid's first-rank martial art?"

In the crowd, a wavering voice appeared, causing Huang Lightboat's expression to change instantly.

Obviously, someone is setting the rhythm.

"Exactly, the Ascension Immortal Society is a major sect, but they shouldn't be bullying people like this, right?"

"Don't talk nonsense; I heard that when the Ascension Immortal Society's disciples came to Maple Forest Town, they wiped out six Maple Forest Town families in one go, tsk tsk!"

"There's also this? The Ascension Immortal Society's disciples are truly overbearing..."

"Overbearing? I believe everyone present has likely encountered that female disciple of the Ascension Immortal Society outside; many just glanced at her and got their eyes gouged out, alas!"

"The Ascension Immortal Society treats us like nothing! Today I'm throwing caution to the wind; if you have the ability, kill me now!"

"Exactly! The Ascension Immortal Society wants to monopolize this kid's martial art; best to kill all the martial artists present!"

The crowd grew more and more agitated; many martial artists had actually drawn their weapons, seeming ready to rush up and seize people at any moment.

Huang Lightboat also noticed that some martial artists in the crowd who had reached the Martial Sovereign realm were already staring at the bitter wheel who was cultivating, seemingly preparing to ambush him at this opportunity.

The situation gradually became uncontrollable.

Whoosh!

Clatter!

Clatter!

Just then, a fresh breeze blew from somewhere into the tense little plaza.

Next, the chains hanging the bone stele gave a slight tremor; under everyone's gaze, the massive bone stele that had stood upright in the middle of the plaza suddenly burst forth with a dazzling golden light!

After these golden lights appeared, they all vanished into Fang Xu's body in the blink of an eye!

After the golden light faded, the surface of the huge bone stele actually showed some fine cracks; then these cracks grew larger, and eventually the entire bone stele, under the gaze of all the martial artists, turned into a heap of bone powder that scattered across the plaza.

Clatter!

Bang!

Bang!

The huge iron chains that had been hanging the bone stele, after the stele turned into bone powder, swiftly struck their respective stone pillars under gravity, producing a tremendous noise.

"The bone stele……broken?"

Looking at the scene before them, a martial artist wore an expression of disbelief and muttered.

One must know that in today's martial world, whether it's cultivation methods, secret arts, or martial techniques, they are basically monopolized by the major powers.

For an ordinary martial artist, obtaining a martial technique or cultivation method is extremely difficult.

After the opening of Tai Lan Mountain ruins, many martial artists, although aware of the great danger inside, still fearlessly rushed in; aside from hoping to find some treasures in the ruins, many were drawn because the bone stele of the ruins' second stage offered a chance to obtain a martial technique or cultivation secret suited to themselves.

Among the many martial artists in the small square, some had come since the ruins opened, and they had been sitting dryly before the bone stele, simply wishing to comprehend a martial technique, cultivation method, or secret art suited to themselves.

But now, the bone stele has shattered……

"It's him!"

"He must have exhausted the bone stele's power!"

"Exactly! This brat has been absorbing the bone stele's energy for nearly a month!"

"Kid! Quickly hand over what you have comprehended to make up for our losses!"

"Hand it over!"

"Hand it over quickly!"

……

The shattering of the bone stele severed some martial artists' hopes; in despair, they chose to vent their anger onto Fang Xu.

Of course, this anger was mixed with some selfish motives, some selfish desire for what Fang Xu had comprehended!

This outcry grew louder and louder; eventually, a large number of martial artists brandished their weapons and began to advance on Fang Xu and his two companions.

At that moment, as the bone stele shattered, Ku Lun and Fang Xu, who had been immersed in cultivation, awoke one after another.

Seeing the martial artists drawing ever closer, Ku Lun slowly rose to his feet and spoke:

"Everyone, fate has decreed this opportunity; Xiao Fang has comprehended the ultimate secret within the bone stele—this is his fortune."

"This bone stele existed here for such a purpose; now that its mission is fulfilled, it naturally shattered, and this has nothing to do with Xiao Fang."

Ku Lun's words rang in everyone's ears, but how could these profit‑driven martial artists listen to him now?

They all began to shout!

"Master Ku Lun, we respect you as a senior, but this brat has cut off our path; please step aside!"

"Exactly! We martial artists have come here through life and death just to grasp a martial technique or cultivation method that is our own; now this brat has destroyed the bone stele, making him our mortal enemy!"

"All together, seize that brat and extort the cultivation method from him!"

Ku Lun is an ascetic, renowned in the martial world as a kind old man; many senior martial artists know he rarely kills.

Perhaps precisely because they knew this, they were confident that with so many people attacking together, even if Ku Lun were stronger, he would not unleash a massacre.

The notion that the law does not blame the many exists in any era.

After someone stirred up trouble, a hot‑headed fool brandished his weapon and charged forward!

Seeing this, Ku Lun immediately swung his wooden staff and drove the attacker back.

"Please listen to my words, everyone……"

"All together!"

Seeing that Ku Lun merely repelled that person without delivering a killing blow, these people grew even more reckless.

With a loud shout, the hundreds of martial artists present all surged forward in a swarm!

"Fang Xu, I will take you away!"

Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Ku Lun also knew that if he did not unleash a killing blow, he could only escort Fang Xu away from this place.

"Where do you intend to go, Master Ku Lun?"

Just then, a low, hoarse voice came from the crowd.

Thereafter, a figure clad in a blood‑red robe and wearing a strange mask slowly walked from behind the crowd to stand before Ku Lun.

"Who are you?"

Looking at the blood‑robed figure before him, Ku Lun furrowed his brows slightly and said.

Because he sensed from the figure's body an aura not inferior to his own.

"Master, he is a follower of the Yan Shen Sect."

Seeing the newcomer, Fang Xu immediately recognized that this blood‑robed person was precisely the leader of that Yan Shen Sect group who had taken away Yu Shan Tianyi.

"Yan Shen Sect?" Ku Lun frowned slightly.

The other martial artists, upon hearing this, also looked at the blood‑robed figure with some fear.

The Yan Shen Sect has been deemed an evil cult by the Dayu Dynasty, and legends about it that make people's faces change have long circulated in the martial world,

and at this moment, upon seeing a Yan Shen Sect member in person, many martial artists felt fear arise.

"Don't worry, everyone; I will hold Ku Lun back for you all. After you capture this brat, you may interrogate him however you like—just leave him alive for me."

Upon hearing his words, the martial artists' faces instantly lit up with joy.

Ku Lun's strength is too great; even though he is kind‑hearted and reluctant to kill, if he were determined to take Fang Xu away, the assembled martial artists might not necessarily be able to stop him.

Now that this Yan Shen Sect follower is confident he can hold Ku Lun, we ourselves certainly have a chance to seize Fang Xu!

"Master Ku Lun, are you prepared to fight me here, or shall we discuss elsewhere?" the blood‑robed figure said lightly, looking at Ku Lun.

Ku Lun glanced back at Fang Xu, a hint of worry in his voice:

"Xiao Fang, all I can do is this."

"What comes next……"

Fang Xu gave a light smile: "Master, rest assured; if you can hold this guy for me, I'll take care of the rest."

Before them, although the square held hundreds of martial artists, the highest cultivation among them belonged to that blood‑robed person.

Aside from him, there were over ten who had reached the Wu Zun realm, but most were below the third tier of Wu Zun.

Under the suppression of the seal, Fang Xu had previously been able to contend with Yu Shan Tianyi, the foremost inner‑door disciple of the Dayu Ascension Assembly; now, with his greatly increased strength, he naturally would not regard these martial artists as anything.

Seeing him full of confidence, Kulun gave a slight nod, turned and looked toward the blood-robed figure, saying: "With your and my strength, if we truly go all out, we might harm the innocent; please come with me."

As his words fell, he lightly tapped the tip of his foot and then flew toward a passage.

Seeing this, the blood-robed person also leapt suddenly, chasing after Kulun.

After the two left, Fang Xu glanced at Huang Qingzhou beside him and said: "Senior Brother Huang, as an inner disciple of the Ascending Immortal Society, as long as you don't act, they won't dare to make things difficult for you."

'Senior Brother, step aside a bit.'

Hearing this, Huang Qingzhou also seemed to understand that, with his own strength, acting rashly would only drag Fang Xu down; he immediately clasped his hands, leapt up, and came to outside the battle circle.

After Huang Qingzhou left, Fang Xu slowly picked up the strange wooden staff beside him, his face cold as he swept it toward the crowd closing in.

He had already prepared to unleash a massacre!

(End of chapter)