Chapter 56: Volume I: Mountain Ghost Rumor, Chapter 56: Passing on the

Volume I: Mountain Ghost Rumor, Chapter 56: Passing on the "Art"

The talismans Wang Huan had given Zhao Chan were completely exhausted.

The gale swept through, and the rubble from the collapsed wall was scraped continuously against the three people in the battle. Even though some fragments struck the areas on Zhao Chan's upper body that had been scorched by fire, causing heart-piercing pain, he remained expressionless.

Upon engaging Wang Lu, the youth instantly realized that this man was not even as capable as Aunt Fang.

It was not just the speed of his blade, but also the flashy, flowery blade technique that seemed impressive but posed no significant threat to Zhao Chan.

Threads of True Qi wandered incessantly through his Twelve Main Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians, bringing Zhao Chan power far beyond what his physical strength could achieve. However, physical strength also had its unique merits; whether it was shifting his position or swinging his sword to parry and strike, all required the coordination of his physical power.

The foreign cultivators who had hunted him previously had evaluated Zhao Chan as an Upper Grade Body Refining realm cultivator, describing him as: "Spirit bright and clear, bones pure and firm. The pot-heaven sun and moon hold old karmic ties; from now on, hold fast to the spring breeze's smile, and act as a long-lived immortal among men." Zhao Chan's physical strength was indeed extraordinary, and the physique he had forged and tempered in the Body Refining realm was rare in this world.

No matter how he swung his sword, the cleverness of his force and the stability of his physique left Wang Lu feeling terrified.

In other words, he and the old cultivator had originally assumed it was a Demon Slayer Commandant taking action, which explained why one after another of their fellow Qi Gathering cultivators had died. Now, looking closely, it was no Commandant at all, but the young swordsman before them.

Zhao Chan was becoming increasingly familiar with the Fufeng Sword. The angles of his slashes, the force of his parries, the ferocity of his chops, the cunning of his stabs, and the timing of his deflects—these were all the most basic sword techniques, yet he used them to turn the rotten into the miraculous. Combined with those threads of True Qi, Wang Lu, an Upper Grade Qi Gathering cultivator, not only failed to gain any advantage under Zhao Chan's hands but was beaten into a full retreat.

Upon reaching the Qi Gathering realm, cultivators begin to branch out. Some remain obsessed with weapons, continuously honing their martial arts to slay enemies in simple, efficient ways. Others are fond of Dharma arts, using the miraculous and bizarre nature of these arts to kill. A very small group of people try to balance both weapons and Dharma arts, but either their energy is limited or their talent is restricted, and they often achieve nothing in either, ending up worse than the former two types.

Wang Lu and Fang Xia were similar; they knew a few minor Dharma arts, but their true ability lay in their weapons and physical combat.

The old cultivator was the same as Su Shen, accustomed to using Dharma arts to kill.

Each had their own way, and there was no difference between them.

Kong Yanxing suddenly shouted: "Kid, look in all directions and listen to all sides! There are two people surrounding you; one is pinning you down, and the other is casting a spell."

The white-bearded old cultivator retreated to the side of the alley, his hands forming seals, his mouth muttering incantations. The Dharma art he was casting took longer to prepare than Su Shen's Yellow Turban Warrior, meaning it was even more troublesome.

Zhao Chan's peripheral vision had long since noted the old cultivator's abnormality, but Wang Lu's entanglement, while allowing him to beat the man back, provided no decisive killing blow.

Combined with the final move of the "Broken Cloud Blade Technique," the "Sword Trace" of the third form of the "Shake God Sword" had been reborn, but Zhao Chan had only just entered the Lower Grade Qi Gathering realm and had fought several battles in succession. Especially after using excessive force to shatter the Yellow Turban Warrior, he was already feeling a bit exhausted.

Meanwhile, Kong Yanxing, who had consumed two Great Grass Return Pills, was preparing to take action. Zhao Chan was the treasure of the Yang County Demon Slayer Division, and he was now his protector. He would rather die in battle than let the enemy harm a single hair on Zhao Chan's head.

In previous years, when a genius Demon Slayer appeared in the county divisions of other places, Yang County would be so envious they would gnash their teeth. Now that a genius Demon Slayer had finally been born on their own turf, how could he not spare no effort to cherish and protect him?

The longer he fought Wang Lu, the more Zhao Chan could perceive the flaws in his blade technique.

This blade technique was broad and sweeping, aimed solely at taking lives. If it were a favorable situation, it would naturally be formidable, and against an evenly matched opponent, it could also hold its own. But against an "evildoer" like Zhao Chan who defied common sense, it was simply not enough.

It was also because he had experienced too few battles. If it were an experienced Qi Gathering Demon Slayer, Wang Lu would have long since lost his life.

The Fufeng Sword collided with the broad blade again. Zhao Chan thrust out his left fist, scaring Wang Lu into retreating. Seizing the moment, he thrust his sword toward the man's throat. The "Sword Trace" appeared in the air. Before Wang Lu could retreat two steps, the tip of the Fufeng Sword approached. Zhao Chan loosened his grip and gave a light push, and the blade sank into Wang Lu's throat.

On the other side, the old cultivator's Dharma art was also completed.

In an instant, the mud in Nongsui Lane seemed to come alive, like a dragon turning over. Zhao Chan gripped the hilt and pulled the blade from the corpse, then, for the sake of safety, retreated to Kong Yanxing's side with a swift, agile motion.

Kong Yanxing frowned; he did not recognize the art the old cultivator was using.

The Dharma arts of mountain cultivators were countless; just the arts that Qi Gathering cultivators could use numbered in the thousands.

The old cultivator puffed out his beard and glared, forming seals again. The ground rolled continuously, surging toward Zhao Chan and Kong Yanxing like a tidal wave.

Kong Yanxing said: "I will deal with this art; you go kill him."

"Good."

Kong Yanxing took a deep breath, ignoring the heart-wrenching pain brought on by mobilizing his True Qi.

The aftermath of the "Anger Origin Spirit Ascension Pill" far exceeded his imagination. According to his original prediction, two Great Grass Return Pills would be enough to restore three or four tenths of his combat power, and by the fifteenth of the eighth month, he would have six, seven, or even eight tenths. Looking at it now, he had less than two tenths of his strength, barely enough to move without hindrance.

Next time he took the "Anger Origin Spirit Ascension Pill," he would have to calculate carefully; he absolutely could not disregard the consequences like he had when dealing with the old flood dragon of Wangqing River.

Zhao Chan gripped the Fufeng Sword and bypassed the rolling ground to flank him.

Regardless of whether he could hear him or not, Kong Yanxing spoke to himself: "The Yang County Demon Slayer Division has thirty-eight types of Dharma arts, twenty-one of which are suitable for Qi Gathering cultivators, accounting for more than half. Among them, there is an art called 'Bimu Zhaohua' (Green Wood Morning Flower).

This art is very special; it is cultivated in the Qi Gathering realm, and only with the True Qi of an Upper Grade Qi Gathering cultivator can it achieve great success. To reach perfection, one must reach the Lower Grade Foundation Establishment realm, where the True Qi is more vigorous. Even at the minor success stage, the power of this art is quite impressive, making it difficult for ordinary people to resist. At great success, one can run rampant in a region relying on 'Bimu Zhaohua', and ordinary Upper Grade Qi Gathering cultivators are definitely no match for it. If one reaches perfection at the Lower Grade Foundation Establishment realm, one can fight against Middle Grade Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Therefore, very few Demon Slayers in the Demon Slayer Division cultivate the 'Bimu Zhaohua' art; one must be a Demon Slayer who has performed great meritorious service.

Coincidentally, I am one."

As he spoke, he used both hands to form seals.

For a cultivator at his level, casting low-level Dharma arts did not require the cumbersome use of incantations, but because he was injured and the True Qi he could use was limited, he had to settle for the second best and waste time forming seals.

When Su Shen wanted to use the "Hundred Flower Technique" to kill them with flower pollen, it was like a spring breeze arriving. "Bimu Zhaohua" was like the end of spring, with green wood welcoming summer and ten thousand flowers in full bloom.

The surging ground gradually calmed down. Stars appeared, and suddenly saplings and flower branches broke through the soil. As Kong Yanxing increased his True Qi, the saplings grew vigorously, and the flower branches bloomed with vibrant buds...

The astonished old cultivator suddenly felt a sharp pain in his lungs. Before he could react, a slender flower branch stretched out from his open mouth, followed by his skin. Flowers of all shapes and sizes appeared out of thin air. The old cultivator was terrified and immediately wanted to run away, but his feet felt unbearable pain. Looking down, he saw two tree branches as thick as index fingers had pierced through the soles of his feet and were growing.

Kong Yanxing stopped his True Qi, looking like a fish leaping onto the riverbank, covered in sweat, gasping for air. His whole body was in pain. Fortunately, he had taken another Great Grass Return Pill, otherwise, forcibly mobilizing his True Qi, especially the "Bimu Zhaohua" art, would have caused his injuries to deteriorate severely.

However, the "Bimu Zhaohua" art at this level still could not kill the old cultivator. The rest was up to Zhao Chan.

The youth's gaze was calm, his hand gripping the Fufeng Sword like a rock.

The abnormalities on the old cultivator's body dissipated rapidly as Kong Yanxing stopped.

Although he regained his mobility, Zhao Chan had already killed him with his sword.

Kong Yanxing watched the old cultivator's head be severed from his body and moved slowly and laboriously to sit on a wooden stool.

Zhao Chan ran over in large strides: "Kong Dage..."

Seeing the cold sweat the size of soybeans rolling down Kong Yanxing's face one after another, he swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

He truly had not expected the situation in Youju Town to be this complex. First, the great battle with the old flood dragon, then the continuous attacks by foreign cultivators, and now a treasure-hunting immortal's cave...

Wang Huan, as a Hundred-Household of the Youju Town Demon Slayer Division, had failed to report the news to Yang County in a timely manner; this was an act of complete dereliction of duty!

However, even if Wang Huan had reported the truth, the Yang County Demon Slayer Division would not have had any extra manpower to spare. Perhaps it would have been the same as now, with him coming alone to deal with it. The head of the reporting room had been sent out, which showed just how short-handed the Yang County Demon Slayer Division was.

Alas, it was an eventful autumn.

Zhao Chan carried the Fufeng Sword and ran toward the wine shop.

Who knew if there were other foreign cultivators waiting to kill them?

There was no one on Caiyan Street, and Zhao Chan could not help but let go of the heart he had been holding in his throat.

Standing in front of the wine shop, the young man panted a few times; even with his physique, he could not handle such high-intensity fighting.

After catching his breath, he knocked on the door.

The shopkeeper opened the door quickly, originally thinking it was Master Pan from the private school, but it was Zhao Chan.

"You... another demon infestation?"

Zhao Chan's bare upper body had been scorched by fire, and combined with the blood of his enemies, anyone who saw him would think he had just finished dealing with a demon infestation. Thinking about it, foreign cultivators were actually no different from demons, so he nodded: "Zhou Bo, pour me a pot of wine."

The shopkeeper took the wine gourd he had given him and, without a word, filled it with the last of the Xueyu wine in the shop. "Ten copper coins... wait."

Zhao Chan, with the wine gourd hanging from his waist, watched the shopkeeper holding a large wine jar: "Take it. This jar of wine is free. I want to do something for Youju Town... You are a Demon Slayer now. Drinking my wine is equivalent to helping me slay those damned beasts! Don't refuse; this is all I can do."

Zhao Chan was silent for a moment, put down the money, hugged the large wine jar, and said to the shopkeeper: "I will try my best to keep everyone safe."

"Alas! It is fortunate that our Youju Town has a Demon Slayer like you! It is a blessing for the common people!"

Hugging the large wine jar, he returned to his home where the courtyard wall had collapsed.

He pulled out the stopper of the wine gourd and handed it to Kong Yanxing.

He drank a mouthful impatiently.

A moment later.

Kong Yanxing let out a soft exclamation: "Xueyu wine? How much did he charge you?"

"Ten copper coins."

"Ten copper coins?!" The wine numbed the severe pain in his body, and he felt much better, but hearing that a pot of Xueyu wine only cost ten copper coins, he still could not help but show a look of shock.

"What kind of wine is Xueyu wine?" Zhao Chan asked.

Kong Yanxing took a large gulp, "Taste it yourself."

Zhao Chan took a sip. This wine was very different from the wine he had drunk before. He could not say exactly what it tasted like, only that it was not as spicy on his tongue or throat.

"How is it?"

"I couldn't taste it."

"Haha..." Before he could laugh much, Kong Yanxing coughed violently, spitting out a large mouthful of blood mixed with the smell of wine. Only then did his pale face turn rosy. "It's fine, you will know the fame of Xueyu in the future."

Zhao Chan said "En," found a place to sit down, and stared at the corpses inside and outside the courtyard. It was hard to imagine that just a few days ago he was a lacquer collector worried about money, and in the blink of an eye, he had become a Lower Grade Qi Gathering cultivator.

He continued to pick the spiritual Qi drifting between heaven and earth, stimulating the firewood in his dantian, and slowly refining it into True Qi.

The True Qi wandered through the Twelve Main Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians, feeling extremely wonderful, as if his whole body was soaking in a warm spring.

Kong Yanxing said: "You have never practiced Qi Gathering cultivation methods, so you don't know how to use True Qi. Like when you just killed the Yellow Turban Warrior and that blade-wielder, you were still relying mainly on physical strength. If you had practiced Qi Gathering cultivation methods, it would be different."

"How different?" Zhao Chan asked.

Kong Yanxing paused for a while and said: "Qi Gathering cultivation methods can speed up your ability to pick spiritual Qi and refine True Qi. There is no need to be as clumsy as you are now, first searching for spiritual Qi and then picking it into your body. Your dantian will also burn more and more vigorously. The routes of True Qi in each type of Qi Gathering cultivation method are different. The 'Peizhen Yangjian Manual' I mentioned before is a method that focuses on the Hand Taiyin Heart Meridian and uses other meridians as supplements. Moreover, the True Qi you cultivate with sword techniques will be mixed with sword intent, and only then can you be called a sword cultivator."

"Sword intent?"

"En. You don't have your own sword intent yet. The sword intent mixed in the True Qi is usually what you have practiced from the sword manuals. Take the sword moves you created yourself as an example; the sword intent of this sword is derived from the 'Shake God Sword'. To put it bluntly, it is still the sword intent of the 'Shake God Sword' manual."

"I understand."

"We still have many things to do now. When we return to the Yang County Demon Slayer Division, I will find the 'Peizhen Yangjian Manual' for you from the county division's treasury."

"Thank you, Kong Dage."

"It's a small matter. You are in the game and don't know the game; you don't know what your existence means to Yang County."

Zhao Chan asked calmly: "What does it mean?"

"It means that many people can be saved from dying. The premise is that you can grow up smoothly..." Kong Yanxing handed the wine gourd to Zhao Chan, and he asked the youth to open the stopper of the large wine jar, "Keep the Xueyu for yourself to drink; it's too soft and not strong enough."

Zhao Chan poured a bowl for him, and Kong Yanxing picked up the bowl and downed it all in one gulp: "Go, search the bodies of these foreign cultivators."

The young man had long since intended to do so.

He searched them thoroughly and efficiently.

More than twenty taels of silver plus a book of Dharma arts were all the gains. Zhao Chan did not count the weapons that were still intact; if he sold them, it would be another sum of income.

Kong Yanxing flipped through the Dharma art book: "The art used by the old cultivator is called 'Dilong Tunshen Method'... the name sounds quite mysterious, and the power is actually not bad. It doesn't suit you. Since you have chosen to be a sword cultivator, all your capital is in your sword. Of course, knowing a few minor Dharma arts to deal with emergencies is fine..."

"Kong Dage."

"En?"

"Can I practice sword techniques while learning Dharma arts?"

"You..." Kong Yanxing wanted to scold him for being greedy and not mastering anything, but in an instant, he thought that this kid had broken through from the Body Refining realm to the Qi Gathering realm with just a few of his pointers. Who knew if he would be like other cultivators, restricted by energy and talent, and achieve nothing?

"Good. I will first teach you the simple 'Ignition Technique' so you can burn these corpses."

"Thank you, Kong Dage!" the young man laughed.

After all, it was a mysterious Dharma art, and Zhao Chan was also envious in his heart.

"Lean your ear over; I will pass on the incantation for the 'Ignition Technique' to you."

"Thank you, Big Brother Kong!" the young man laughed.

After all, it is a mysterious spell, and Zhao Chan is also envious in his heart.

"Lean your ear over, I will pass on the formula of the 'Ignition Technique' to you."