Chapter 92: Spiral Nine Shadows

After explaining the general outline, they moved on to the other martial arts in the Nine Yin Classic.

“Zhiruo, which martial art do you think we should practice first?”

Zhang Jie asked, deliberately guiding her.

Zhou Zhiruo paused for a moment, then replied in a light, clear voice:

“The Yi Jin and Du Gu Chapter?”

Though her tone held a hint of uncertainty, it was still firm enough.

“Indeed. Martial cultivation depends solely on talent and comprehension.

The higher your talent and comprehension, the faster your progress,

and the wider your future becomes through this snowball effect.”

Zhang Jie nodded slightly, repeating to Zhou Zhiruo the same theory he had explained to Zhang Wuji.

He was deeply satisfied with her insight.

Clearly, Abbess Miejue had invested considerable effort in cultivating her over the years.

“But this place isn’t suitable for practicing the Yi Jin and Du Gu Chapter. Let’s move on to the next martial art.”

Thinking of the quiet environment required for the Yi Jin and Du Gu Chapter, Zhang Jie continued.

“Sigh!”

At the same time, Zhang Jie sighed inwardly.

The Yi Jin and Du Gu Chapter, which had greatly benefited Zhang Wuji, had no effect on him anymore.

Last night, eager and enthusiastic, he had practiced it the entire night,

only to find that, aside from feeling wonderfully relaxed—as if he’d soaked in a warm spring for hours—

there was no other change at all.

The anticipated leap in his talent never materialized.

He had Yinyin suspected: his talent, already amplified by the Diejia of four Zhang Jies,

must have surpassed the maximum improvement limit of the Yi Jin and Du Gu Chapter.

For this, Zhang Jie could only regretfully conclude that the divine art of the martial arts master Huang Shang

had suffered a dimensional downgrade from at least a multiverse-level shared space.

Yet Zhang Jie wasn’t the least upset—he was actually delighted:

He loved high-cultivation overpowering low-cultivation, immortal martial arts crushing martial arts.

He loved easy games, especially when he only had one life…

“Then which martial art should I practice first?”

Zhou Zhiruo looked at Zhang Jie, the one she considered the most powerful in martial arts.

“Naturally—the Spiral Nine Shadows!”

Zhang Jie said without hesitation.

“Hehe.

I thought Brother Jie preferred brute-force arts like Great Subduing Fist!

I never expected you to be this kind of Brother Jie.”

Zhou Zhiruo giggled dreamily.

“Hey!

Those are just empty reputations, not worth a second thought.

The most important thing in the martial world is maintaining strategic mobility—able to advance and attack, or retreat and defend.”

Zhang Jie waved his hand dismissively.

Only the living have the right to discuss gains and losses; once you’re dead, you’ve lost everything.

“Wei Yisheng, the Green-Winged Bat King among the Four Guardian Kings of the Ming Cult,

possesses nothing more than second-rate internal energy, yet he holds his position as Guardian King

solely through his uncanny, ghostly lightness skill.

For years, the Ming Cult has been at war with the Yuan Dynasty and all major sects.

Even top-tier experts like the Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun,

the Purple-Clad Dragon King Dai Qisi, and the Right Guangming Deputy Fan Yao have vanished without a trace.

Yet he remains active within the Ming Cult, and not a single rumor of injury has ever reached us.”

To ensure Zhou Zhiruo understood, Zhang Jie gave her a thoughtful example.

“Brother Jie, I’ll follow your advice.”

Zhou Zhiruo said sweetly, understanding his deep intentions.

“Good. Then I’ll teach you the Spiral Nine Shadows incantation:

Left spin, right spin, heaven and earth spin; left step, right void, ground spin.

Hands united as yin-yang, upper spin; right step, left void, spin not as…”

Satisfied, Zhang Jie began reciting the incantation to Zhou Zhiruo.

Having earned Abbess Miejue’s favor and been named her final disciple,

and designated as the next leader of Emei Sect, Zhou Zhiruo was naturally intelligent and quick-witted;

soon, she had memorized the incantation and its essentials.

“Now comes practice,” Zhang Jie said.

“Brother Jie, how far have you mastered Spiral Nine Shadows?”

Zhou Zhiruo asked curiously.

“I only just received the manual yesterday—I’ve only learned the barest basics,”

Zhang Jie replied calmly, almost gesturing with his fingers to show how little.

But before Zhou Zhiruo could comfort him, Zhang Jie suddenly changed tone:

“Still, it’s more than enough to demonstrate for you.”

Zhang Jie rose gracefully and stepped ten meters away from Zhou Zhiruo.

“Watch closely.”

Zhou Zhiruo immediately focused her internal energy into her eyes, staring wide-eyed at Zhang Jie.

“Left spin, right spin, heaven and earth spin…”

The Spiral Nine Shadows incantation flowed like a gentle stream through Zhang Jie’s mind.

He lightly tapped his toes, and wind surged beneath his ribs—he rose into the air before Zhou Zhiruo’s astonished gaze.

“This is the first shadow.”

He took one step forward, and a second figure appeared behind him—identical in attire and appearance.

“This is the second shadow.”

He took another step, and a second shadow emerged.

“This is the third shadow.”

On the third step, a third shadow appeared,

and at the same time, Zhang Jie had already risen three zhang into the air.

On the fourth step, Zhang Jie seemed to lose strength, slowly descending from the sky.

“My beloved is truly a hero descending from the heavens, riding on a rainbow cloud!”

Watching Zhang Jie drift down with flowing sleeves, like a celestial immortal, Zhou Zhiruo’s eyes sparkled.

“Thump!”

“Don’t daydream—focus and feel!”

Seeing Zhou Zhiruo in a daze, Zhang Jie, still floating down, couldn’t help but tap her on the head.

Though this wasn’t his full strength and consumed little energy, it was still his sincere effort.

Others would beg to learn it—he wouldn’t even teach them!

That dear friend, brother, and beloved disciple of his: Wuji…

A traitor who values beauty over friendship…

Yes, three shadows were not Zhang Jie’s limit—he could produce at least six at full power.

But as always, he chose to conceal his true ability, showing only three.

If anyone used this false information to trouble him,

he’d show them what real surprise meant~

His deliberate deception of Zhou Zhiruo was, of course, a kind lie.

“Ouch!”

Zhou Zhiruo cried out in pain as she was suddenly tapped on the head.

Knowing better, she rubbed her head and gazed with wide, tear-filled eyes at the lingering “Zhang Jie” still in the air.

Over ten seconds later, the shadow in the air slowly faded away.

“Are these shadows formed by internal energy?”

Zhou Zhiruo watched the dissipating shadows, her expression thoughtful.

“Exactly,” Zhang Jie nodded.

The shadows of Spiral Nine Shadows are not afterimages left by speed too fast for the human eye to catch,

but are formed by a special method of circulating inner force to project

shadows as tangible as solid matter.

This is precisely what makes Spiral Nine Shadows so terrifying:

it can create shadows nearly identical to the original,

blending illusion and reality, reality and illusion, leaving the enemy unable to discern true position.

Simultaneously, to form these shadows, high-quality inner force generates a layer of Gangqi around the practitioner’s body.

This Gangqi not only defends the user but also serves as a deadly weapon against foes.

The Gangqi can be used offensively or defensively, offering comprehensive protection.

Whether for attack or escape, Spiral Nine Shadows is an unparalleled technique.

“Incredible!”

Zhou Zhiruo’s eyes sparkled with admiration, and excited, she immediately began practicing.

Yet even with Zhang Jie’s hands-on instruction, Zhou Zhiruo’s progress remained slow.

The biggest problem was her difficulty in precisely controlling her inner force.

Spiral Nine Shadows demands exceptional physical conditioning and mental discipline from the practitioner.

To manifest lifelike shadows, one must achieve a level of inner force control bordering on divine mastery.

Otherwise, details become blurred, turning the shadows into indistinct phantoms.

Zhang Jie had no better solution—he could only urge Zhou Zhiruo to practice repeatedly until mastery arose from familiarity.

After sending Zhou Zhiruo off to practice, Zhang Jie began cultivating another martial art—The Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms.

In truth, he held great expectations for this palm technique.

For this palm art is considered the supreme palm technique of Jin’s lineage, with proven Zhanji :

Xiao Feng, Hong Qigong, and Guo Jing all became famous throughout the martial world for their mastery of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms.

Xiao Feng used the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms to terrify the martial world, dominating all rivals at the Shaolin Temple battle.

Hong Qigong earned the title “Northern Beggar” through the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms.

Guo Jing used the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms to resist the Mongol armies, defending Xiangyang for decades.

The sweeping monk of Shaolin’s Scripture Library, whose inner force was unfathomable and could form a three-foot air wall, once said:

“The Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms rightly deserve the title of the number one divine art under heaven.”

This may contain the old monk’s humility,

yet to be called the number one under heaven by such a peerless master

is proof enough of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms’ immense power.