Chapter 397: Where there is a flood dragon, slay the flood dragon, Heavenly Demon Blood, Dragon Eye Bodhi

【The gazes of the few gathered, waiting quietly for your answer.】

【You spoke slowly, your voice clear, "Those who bring disaster to the human world should be killed!"】

The killing intent in Long Yi's eyes surged, his pupils shrinking to the size of needle points; the corners of his mouth slowly spread, revealing sharp white fangs, and his voice was hoarse as he said word by word: "Xie Guan, you are courting death!"

【Master Lianchi pressed his palms together, his appearance solemn, chanting the Buddha's name, "Amitabha."】

【Lu Hua seemed to have long expected you to be like this, and could not help but raise the corners of her mouth; your character is resilient and unyielding, and you handle matters with propriety.】

【Xie Hong's expression was calm, passing you to sweep over the four people, "We will meet again."】

【He turned his head to look at Long Yi, "You go first."】

【A glazed Buddha hand behind Lianchi suddenly swung out from the void; his entire body's tendons and bones exploded with sound, his originally withered body instantly turning into a burly man, as if a Jin Gang glaring in anger.】

【Xie Hong also did not want to be outdone, his aura surging, the power of the three families intertwined, his momentum not losing to Lianchi in the slightest. He was certain that with his own strength, he was enough to block Lianchi and let Long Yi escape a thousand miles.】

【However, the First Gentleman suddenly shook his head, speaking out, "Since Young Friend Xie disagrees,."】

【He laughed lightly, his tone peaceful, "Why are you in such a hurry? Why not listen to what he has to say."】

【Long Yi saw this, his face immediately turning ugly.】

【The Demon Master stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent, clearly having no objection.】

【Lu Hua also followed the gaze to look at Xie Guan, her eyes carrying a touch of inquiry.】

【Long Yi felt resentful in his heart; a Xie Guan with low cultivation, what right did he have to point fingers here?】

【Xie Hong saw this, not wanting to make a move against Lianchi here, not forcing a departure, observing the changes quietly.】

【The crowd's gazes gathered on you, waiting for your answer.】

【You bowed respectfully to the First Gentleman, "Thank you, First Gentleman."】

【"Regarding the world, Buddhism says that saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. If it is to kill one demon to save thousands of innocent people, it is naturally a worthy act."】

【Afterward, you looked directly at Long Yi's ferocious face, word by word, your voice clear.】

【"For myself, you have wanted to put me to death four times; you can kill me, why can't I kill you!"】

【"I ask the First Gentleman to give Xie Guan a chance?"】

【Lu Hua looked at Long Yi, suddenly remembering the scene where Long Yi quietly left during the Flower Banquet; could it be that it was for Xie Guan at that time?】

【The First Gentleman's gaze fell on Long Yi, seeing that he was already at the Ninth Realm of Martial Arts, capable of the transformation of a flood dragon, his physical body tyrannical, far from what an ordinary Ninth Realm Martial Artist could compare to.】

【However, he was a demon mutated from the Master's corpse energy, long since mutated, and even if his heart was dug out and his lungs chiseled, he could not be killed.】

【If it weren't for the fact that this type of demon is difficult to penetrate the Yang Spirit in terms of the Primordial Spirit, otherwise he would have already condensed his destiny.】

【And Xie Guan, now only at the Fourth Realm of Martial Arts, Seventh Realm of Primordial Spirit, his strength was vastly different from Long Yi's.】

【Lu Hua could not help but speak, her tone carrying a touch of worry: "Xie Guan, do not be reckless; how many days have you been cultivating?"】

【Xie Hong also did not expect you to say such words, a flash of surprise in his eyes.】

【The First Gentleman, however, seemed to have thought of something, laughing lightly: "Interesting!"】

【"Young Friend Xie, having obtained the Second Gentleman's Nine Swords, you are actually confident."】

【The First Gentleman turned to look at Xie Hong, asking: "What do you think?"】

【"Master, what do you think?"】

【Lianchi pondered for a moment, knowing that he alone could not keep Xie Hong and Long Yi, so he spoke slowly: "This old monk has no opinion. Since Young Benefactor Xie is willing to make a move, if he loses, this old monk will naturally not intervene again."】

【Xie Hong heard this, his gaze cast toward the Invitation to Immortals Tower not far away, pondering for a moment, then nodded.】

【"However, how to determine the outcome?"】

【The Demon Master laughed lightly, saying leisurely: "I actually have a method."】

【"If this flood dragon can withstand Xie Guan's Nine Swords without any harm, then you have won."】

【"How about it?"】

【"Actually, in the final analysis, you still took advantage. Xie Guan's Primordial Spirit has just wandered, and he is at the Fourth Realm of Martial Arts; he is fundamentally unable to cause harm to this demon that has lived for two hundred years and is about to become a dragon."】

【Xie Hong pondered for a moment, then looked at Long Yi again.】

【Long Yi's mouth curled into a sneer, saying without hesitation: "Good!"】

【The First Gentleman's gaze fell on Xie Guan, his tone peaceful: "What do you think?"】

【Lu Hua, although feeling you would agree, was just worried about whether your Nine Swords could break the flood dragon's skin armor?】

【You, however, shook your head, your expression firm.】

【"If it were so, it would be an insult to the Second Gentleman's sword."】

【"We will each rely on our own means; if I, Xie Guan, die at his hands, it is my fate."】

【Lu Hua's face changed, hurriedly trying to dissuade: "Xie Guan, you must not!"】

【"That flood dragon is the overlord of the Great Marsh, calling wind and rain, and its water escape technique is even more superb; its physical body is as firm as gold and iron, difficult to injure with swords."】

【"Even the Qi weapons condensed by experts of the Upper Three Realms of Martial Arts are difficult to shake its protective Qi in the slightest."】

【The Demon Master also spoke to dissuade, his tone carrying a touch of solemnity: "Young friend, I hope you think thrice before acting; with your current cultivation, it is difficult to achieve."】

【Master Lianchi's brows furrowed slightly.】

【You smiled indifferently, "If I don't try, how would I know?"】

【"In the past, the Second Gentleman went down to Ze Lake, sword-slaying a group of demons, hanging his sword by the lake; whoever came out of the lake and was higher than this sword would die, and the demons in the lake crouched at the bottom, not daring to come out."】

【"Although I, Xie Guan, cannot compare to even one ten-thousandth of him, I still dare to slay the flood dragon where there is a flood dragon."】

【The First Gentleman praised, a flash of appreciation in his eyes: "Good!"】

【"Since you are a disciple recognized by the Second Gentleman, just call me Senior Uncle."】

【"You truly have the demeanor of the Second Gentleman when he was young."】

【"Good, then it is settled; each relies on their own means, and life and death are determined by fate."】

【Lu Hua hurriedly stepped forward, her tone urgent: "National Master, this matter must not be! Xie Guan's cultivation is still shallow, how can he resist this flood dragon..."】

【The First Gentleman waved his hand to interrupt, "A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger; once the horns grow, it fears the wolf. A great man walks the world with a horizontal sword and standing horse; what is there to fear!"】

【Lu Hua's beautiful brows furrowed tightly, but a trace of doubt faintly arose in her heart: With Xie Guan's usual steady and calm personality, why would he make such a near-reckless request?】

【Could it be... Xie Guan truly has certainty?】

【But the difference in cultivation between the two is huge; how is this possible?】

【The First Gentleman's eyes were calm, his gaze falling on Xie Hong; regardless of the outcome of today's matter, the beneficiaries after the Flower Banquet would definitely include the Xie Hong before him, as well as the Third and Fourth Gentlemen hidden in the Invitation to Immortals Tower.】

【Xie Hong had not yet spoken, when Long Yi spoke first, his voice low like a stone mill turning, carrying a trace of trembling and excitement.】

【"You lose... I will eat you!"】

【You had already stepped forward, your expression indifferent, saying slowly: "Good, if you lose, I will skin you and pull your tendons."】

【Long Yi's eyes shimmered with bloodthirsty light, grinning ferociously: "You are... dead!"】

【Xie Hong saw this and no longer blocked it, just silently taking a step back.】

【The Demon Master slowly opened his lips, his tone revealing an unquestionable coldness and arrogance: "This seat has never liked to owe favors, nor do I allow others to owe me. That Heavy Water Flower of the Second Gentleman was indeed of great help to me."】

【"Since the Second Gentleman is no longer here, as his disciple, I will repay this favor to you."】

【Having said this, he lifted his left hand, the finger bones distinct, shimmering with crystal-clear light. This was the Demon Sect's supreme sacred object—the Heavenly Demon Hand, which can condense one drop of "Heavenly Demon Blood" every year.】

【This blood, for a mortal body, possesses the miraculous effect of strengthening tendons and bones, washing marrow and cutting veins, capable of strengthening tendons and bones, increasing strength, and even catalyzing demonic bones, making one extraordinary and holy. In addition, it can also enhance the power of the Primordial Spirit, and even help people ignite the divine fire, achieving extraordinary results.】

【"The battle with the Master earlier already consumed dozens of drops of 'Heavenly Demon Blood', and only this drop of Heavenly Demon Blood Marrow, which takes fifty years to condense, remains."】

【Having said this, a drop of blood marrow like blood-colored amber appeared in his palm, slowly drifting toward Xie Guan, emitting unparalleled blood energy.】

【"The effect of this blood marrow is twenty times that of Heavenly Demon Blood; even this seat needs to breathe and regulate, otherwise it will accumulate in the blood vessels, causing blockages."】

【It was precisely because of this that when he fought the Master earlier, he was in danger several times, yet he did not use this item.】

【"I observe that although your Primordial Spirit is abundant, your innate constitution is too weak, and your acquired nourishment is insufficient; your root bones are truly too poor. This Heavenly Demon Blood Marrow will just happen to help you shed your mortal shell and change your bones."】

【"Thank you, Demon Master!"】

【You did not hesitate, reaching out to catch the blood marrow. Such an item capable of increasing cultivation was exactly what you needed.】

【The Demon Master's expression was solemn, "Sit down, I will teach you the first style of the Changing Heaven and Striking Earth Demonic Art; only the supreme demonic art of my Holy Sect can help you refine it completely."】

【The First Gentleman turned to look at Xie Hong, his tone indifferent, "I ask Mr. Xie to wait a moment."】

【Xie Hong nodded slightly, not urging, just waiting quietly.】

【Long Yi's face still wore that sneer, his heart full of disdain. In his view, such precious blood marrow was definitely not something that could be fully absorbed in a short time, only increasing the burden on the human body's eight extraordinary meridians, becoming a burden, and in the end, if he ate it in one bite, it would only benefit him.】

【Master Lianchi suddenly spoke, "Wait a moment."】

【The Demon Master looked up, only to see Master Lianchi holding a crystal-clear small tower in his hand, the tower body flowing with ten layers of glazed radiance; it was precisely the Eastern Holy Sect's sacred relic—the "Ten-Layer Glazed Reincarnation Tower."】

【A dark brown bodhi seed rolled out from the small tower, its color deep, a pattern on the surface like an opened dragon eye, emitting a deathly medicinal fragrance, so that even a light sniff made one feel refreshed.】

【Master Lianchi's expression became unusually solemn; he said in a deep voice: "This old monk also owes the Second Gentleman; today, this Dragon Eye Bodhi is gifted to Young Benefactor Xie. If this bodhi seed is worn for a long time, it can help you forge a Jin Gang-indestructible body, and if swallowed directly, it can help your cultivation advance by leaps and bounds, especially for practitioners below the Ninth Realm of Martial Arts, having the miraculous effect of raising one level of cultivation."】

【The Demon Master heard this, a flash of surprise in his eyes, laughing: "Buddhism truly has a deep foundation, actually having such treasures."】

【Master Lianchi's expression was solemn, looking at you: "But swallowing this item, the pain is like ten thousand ants biting the heart, difficult for those without firm will to endure."】

【"Young Benefactor Xie, do you dare to try?"】

【Lu Hua's brows furrowed slightly, whispering a reminder: "I have heard of this Dragon Eye Bodhi; even the Buddhist Jin Gang Realm experts who cultivate the physical body do not dare to swallow it easily. The pain is enough to make one faint, or even directly die from pain; if one cannot remain clear-headed, not only will the medicinal effect be halved, but it will also cause irreparable damage to the Primordial Spirit."】

【You smiled lightly, your expression composed, "Why wouldn't I dare!"】

【The Demon Master heard this, laughing: "Since that is the case, why not use the Heavenly Demon Blood Marrow and the Dragon Eye Bodhi together; the effect will be even better."】

【You sat cross-legged, receiving the Heavenly Demon Blood Marrow handed over by the Demon Master. The blood marrow dripped into your palm, instantly absorbed by your pores, turning into a scorching energy surging into your body.】

【Just in an instant!】

【Blood energy surged into your brain like a tidal wave; your pupils suddenly turned blood-red, your entire person as if ignited, your blood boiling like a collapsing snow mountain.】

【Your heartbeat was like a god beating a drum, shaking your eardrums until they buzzed, your breathing short and rapid.】

【After the blood circulated for one cycle, strands of black stagnant blood had already seeped out from your back, the fishy smell pungent.】

【You only felt dizzy, as if placed in a purgatory of flames, unable to control yourself.】

【Just at this moment!】

【The seven sword intents comprehended in the Mud-Pill Palace suddenly bloomed with radiance, like seven "stone tablets" suppressing the violent blood energy in your body.】

【You endured the pain, operating the "Nurturing Will Spirit Turtle Talisman" from the Seven Arts of Yin Talisman; this method has the effect of calming the mind and concentrating the spirit, helping you stabilize your mind, and also driving the "Five Dragon Prosperous Fortune Talisman," which can flourish essence, Qi, and spirit, helping you resist the impact of blood energy.】

【The Demon Master transmitted his voice via Primordial Spirit, the sound like thunder ringing in your ears: "Heaven and Earth Mourning, the first style of the Changing Heaven and Striking Earth Demonic Art, borrowing the power of heaven and earth, turning oneself into the pivot of heaven and earth, suppressing blood energy, calming the mind."】

【The Demon Master taught you the oral formula and mental method within it.】

【You acted according to his words, the violent blood energy in your body gradually being suppressed; although still surging, it was no longer out of control.】

【You took a deep breath, swallowing the Dragon Eye Bodhi handed over by Master Lianchi without hesitation.】

【In an instant!】

【You gritted your teeth, your entire body's muscles tense, the blue veins on your forehead bulging, the ground within three feet of you being plowed into spiderweb-like cracks by the escaping aura, a wisp of vital energy being stimulated at your Dantian, surging like a bursting river.】

【Innate Qi surged out from the lower Dantian, rushing upward along the meridians, crossing the middle Dantian, and reaching the upper Dantian with the force of a broken bamboo. Along this path, it washed every corner of the meridians, taking away accumulated impurities, making your meridians become tougher and wider.】

【The Heavenly Demon Blood Marrow and the Dragon Eye Bodhi seed, one nourishing essence and blood, the other tempering root bones, complemented each other; the blood marrow was like a raging fire, burning impurities and tempering blood vessels, while the bodhi seed raised the foundation, yet the pain was unusually abnormal.】

【You only felt as if there was a great battle of heaven and earth in your body, the inside of your body churning like a river and sea.】

【Pain, this was a heart-piercing and bone-carving pain, even your Primordial Spirit trembling incessantly at this moment.】

【A wisp of quiet Qi appeared in your chest, the "Quiet Qi in the Chest" talent activated.】

【The paleness on your face gradually had a trace of blood color.】

【Lu Hua watched you from the side, her eyes full of worried expression.】

【The purple Qi and black demonic energy steaming from the top of your head intertwined, as well as the strands of fierce sword intent circling around your body!】

【The Demon Master, however, had a strange expression; in such a short time you had actually comprehended this "Changing Heaven and Striking Earth Demonic Art," which took Zhu Ziqian a full stick of incense time to learn in the carriage pavilion; you had almost learned it just by hearing it once!】

【Even he back then hadn't been this fast!】

【This... could Xie Guan be a natural-born Demon Child!】

【Master Lianchi was surprised in his heart; this Xie Guan had such deep composure, such pain of ten thousand ants biting the heart, yet he did not utter a word, his face gradually becoming calm.】

【Such pain, an ordinary person would have long since had their mind collapse, yet he could handle it with composure, showing the firmness of his Dao Heart.】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 398 =====