Chapter 306: Daxing City

Yu Liancheng smiled and said, "The reason the Evil King has both good and evil sides is related to his state of mind, and also to the Immortal Seal Scroll. If I could take a look at the Immortal Seal Scroll, it is not impossible that I could find a way to resolve it."

Few people know that Shi Zhixuan has a dual personality.

At times he is a peerless expert who kills without blinking, and at others, a sentimental poet filled with melancholy. The most direct reason for this is the mental collapse he suffered after causing the death of Bi Xiuxin.

But if one were to trace it to its source, it is still because Shi Zhixuan practiced the Undying Seal Technique.

Profound martial arts often influence one's temperament.

For example, Kou Zhong, who practiced the sixth diagram of the Longevity Formula, and Xu Ziling, who practiced the seventh, were both deeply affected.

Or rather, the Longevity Formula brought out their true natures more thoroughly.

Kou Zhong is like fire in form, a heroic lord contending for the world. While Xu Ziling is tranquil like water, possessing the air of a hermit.

The Undying Seal Technique fuses the two diametrically opposed martial arts mentalities of the Flower Faction and the Heavenly Dao Sect; under their mutual influence, it also caused Shi Zhixuan's personality to become split and twisted.

And as the Undying Seal Technique deepened, the Buddhist mentalities that served as its theoretical basis gained the upper hand, to the point that Shi Zhixuan was finally awakened by the Four Great Holy Monks and fled into the Buddhist life.

Shi Qingxuan examined Yu Liancheng carefully and said softly, "You are truly arrogant. With his talent, even he could not mend the flaws, let alone anyone else."

He was naturally the Evil King.

Shi Zhixuan is the top expert of the current age, brilliant and talented, and the creator of the Undying Seal Technique; he could not be more familiar with this marvelous skill. Even he was deeply harmed by it, so how could others mend and perfect it?

Yu Liancheng laughed: "I have a martial art similar to the Immortal Seal Scroll. If we speak of profundity and mystery, it is by no means inferior to the Immortal Seal Scroll. With the two reflecting each other, perhaps we could find the flaws."

"A martial art similar to the Immortal Seal Scroll?"

"Indeed, would you like to try?"

After speaking, Yu Liancheng's figure suddenly flashed before Shi Qingxuan, reaching out a hand in a flirtatious gesture.

Shi Qingxuan's slender brows furrowed, and the long flute in her hand suddenly pointed out, as fast as lightning, with the intent preceding the move. Although she rarely uses force, her martial arts are not bad at all. Were it not so, she would not have been able to walk the world with the movement techniques of a strange woman and remain safe and sound to this day.

The long flute collided with Yu Liancheng's palm, yet it transmitted a feeling of unreality.

And where the long flute touched Yu Liancheng, ripples spread out irregularly, only to shatter and vanish in an instant.

"Qingxuan's martial arts are quite good."

A clear, bright voice rang out. Shi Qingxuan's beautiful eyes sharpened, her jade wrist turned, and the flute pierced toward her side, once again piercing through a figure beside her.

But after being pierced this time, the figure transformed into dozens, then hundreds of faint afterimages, and in an instant, the afterimages turned into the likeness of Yu Liancheng, all pouncing toward Shi Qingxuan together.

Even with Shi Qingxuan's temperament, she could not help but feel her scalp tingle.

Although she believed that many of these shadows were illusions, each was identical, no different from a real person, making it impossible to distinguish the true from the false.

Shi Qingxuan bit her cherry lips with her pearly teeth, and the long flute in her hand unfolded, manifesting thousands of flute shadows that spread out like a heaven-and-earth net. The whistling airflow injected into the flute holes, circulating a moving note that sounded like a heavenly melody.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The phantom shadows were pierced through by the long flute one after another, yet they seemed endless.

And although the phantom shadows were easy to defeat, when the long flute touched them, the shadows could immediately transmit a force to counterattack, invading Shi Qingxuan's meridians; this force was precisely the true power she had used herself, leaving her exhausted in dealing with it.

Just as Shi Qingxuan was panting and her true power was failing, the hundreds of shadows suddenly merged into one. Yu Liancheng stood before her with his hands behind his back and smiled: "Although the Meiying Shenggong and the Undying Seal Technique manifest differently, their inner core cannot escape the two words 'borrowing force.' How does Qingxuan find this martial art of mine?"

Shi Qingxuan straightened her pretty face, secretly regulating her True Qi, and said indifferently: "Not much, it's just flashy."

Yu Liancheng did not mind and said: "Then is Qingxuan willing to let me take a look at the Immortal Seal Scroll?"

"Hmph, you are truly lucky. I happen to have brought this harmful thing with me this time; you may look at it." Shi Qingxuan did not hesitate for a moment, taking out a scroll and tossing it to Yu Liancheng.

Yu Liancheng was quite surprised: "Oh, why is Qingxuan so generous?"

Shi Qingxuan wrinkled her little face, and even with that ugly large nose, she remained charming and cute: "Qingxuan's martial arts are no match for yours, and my movement techniques are no match for yours, so what else can I do? But I must still warn you: be careful of going into Qi deviation."

"Rest assured, Qingxuan, I have my own considerations." Yu Liancheng unfolded the scroll and began to browse through it.

He possessed the ability to never forget what he had seen; for now, it was merely a rough browse, to be studied carefully when he had leisure time in the future.

But even this glance was enough to yield a rich harvest, and at the same time, he could not help but sigh at Shi Zhixuan's talent.

Once the Undying Seal Technique is mastered, it possesses many marvelous uses, including using True Qi to measure the enemy, gaining insight into the enemy's situation, and confusing the enemy.

And its greatest utility is utilizing the rapid conversion of life and death Qi to borrow and neutralize force, transforming the harmful "death Qi" of an enemy's attack into "life Qi" beneficial to oneself, in order to restore one's own True Qi, Qi and Blood, and spirit. From another level, it reaches a realm of Endless Life that never decays.

But the foundation of the Immortal Seal Scroll is the two completely different mentalities of the Patching Heaven Pavilion and the Flower Faction; with Shi Zhixuan's brilliance, he could only unify and blend them using Buddhist Dharma.

Yet precisely because of this, the Immortal Seal Scroll contains huge flaws. As one practices deeper, if one does not suffer a mental breakdown and develop two completely different personalities, one will develop the urge to become a monk.

Shi Qingxuan stared at Yu Liancheng with her beautiful eyes, looking slightly nervous—not because she feared he would run away with the Immortal Seal Scroll, but because she worried he would suddenly go into Qi deviation.

Clearly, Shi Qingxuan's worry was superfluous.

Yu Liancheng did not intend to practice this skill, but rather to integrate it into his own martial arts.

Soon, he finished reading the Immortal Seal Scroll and exclaimed: "What a Shi Zhixuan, such stunning talent. If he could perfect the Immortal Seal Scroll, it is not impossible that he could become an expert who Shatters the Void, like the 'Celestial Master' Sun En or the 'Wild Sword' Yan Fei."

While speaking, the Immortal Seal Scroll in his hand flew back toward Shi Qingxuan.

Shi Qingxuan took the scroll and asked curiously: "You aren't taking it with you?"

Yu Liancheng smiled: "I have already memorized it all in my mind."

"Really?"

"Naturally it is true, but if Qingxuan insists on giving the Immortal Seal Scroll to me, I can also treat it as a token of love." Yu Liancheng lowered his sleeves and smiled slightly.

Shi Qingxuan stamped her foot and said: "You, how can your face be so thick."

Yu Liancheng did not mind and said: "Would Qingxuan like to travel to Daxing with me and see the prosperity of the Imperial City?"

Shi Qingxuan gave a delicate huff: "I certainly don't want to."

"Since that is the case, I shall take my leave first. Goodbye, Qingxuan." Yu Liancheng turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

"This guy..." Shi Qingxuan watched Yu Liancheng's back and muttered to herself: "I hope he can really fulfill his promise."

Who would have thought that at this moment, Yu Liancheng suddenly turned around: "Right, I almost forgot, there is one more thing I haven't done."

"What..."

Before Shi Qingxuan could finish her sentence, Yu Liancheng's phantom flashed, appearing before her, and he reached out to grab. The fake nose used for disguise was plucked off, revealing a beautiful, flawless face as clear as a fairy.

"Qingxuan truly has the appearance of a fairy, beautiful beyond compare. This trip, I have truly returned with a full harvest." Yu Liancheng clapped his hands in praise, his gaze unabashedly examining Shi Qingxuan's face.

"You annoying fellow." Shi Qingxuan stamped her foot, and her long flute pointed toward Yu Liancheng once again.

Unfortunately, what she struck this time was still an afterimage; Yu Liancheng's figure had already drifted to a place far away, his voice slowly drifting over: "Qingxuan, we shall meet again if fate allows."

Shi Qingxuan looked in the direction Yu Liancheng had left in, pouting, then suddenly let out a giggle, with an indescribable air of playfulness and spirit: "We shall meet again if fate allows, you lecher."

……

The moonlight spilled down.

With a "creak," the window was blown open by the wind.

Yu Liancheng's figure drifted in, leisurely entering a guest room of a luxurious inn in Dongping Commandery.

Although there was no lamp lit in the room, he could still see Wanwan lying on the bed by the moonlight; her jade-like body was stretched out, her curves were distinct and graceful, and the skin exposed to the air shimmered with a dreamlike, ethereal jade-colored halo under the moonlight.

Especially that pair of fair, jade-like feet with the shoes and socks removed; the shape was beautiful and rounded, the toes Linglong and exquisite, as if they were the finest jade artifacts in the world.

Come to think of it, this girl had been following him for a while, yet she had not returned to her original appearance as a barefoot demoness, which was truly a pity.

Yu Liancheng sat down by the bedside and, without any hesitation, gave Wanwan's buttocks a light pat, feeling the delicate texture and astonishing elasticity, and said: "Little niece, wake up, it's dawn."

"Uncle Yu, you are so bad; it's the middle of the night, the time for sleeping." Wanwan sat up lazily, a faint blush on her jade cheeks. She stretched, her curves fully revealed, her beautiful eyes half-open and half-closed: "I'll tell you a piece of news: Master intends to make a move against you."

Yu Liancheng raised an eyebrow: "The Demon Queen Zhu Yuyan? This seat has been wishing for exactly that."

Wanwan rolled her eyes at him: "Master has sent the experts of the Yin Gui Sect out in full force; you are going to be in trouble. It was only because I persuaded Master that she decided not to make a move against you for the time being."

Yu Liancheng said calmly: "Oh, then I should thank Wanwan, shouldn't I?"

"Hee hee, don't be in such a hurry to thank me. It's just that I told Master that your trip to Daxing this time is to unearth the Yang Gong Treasury, so she decided to let me stay by your side to spy on information at any time." Wanwan giggled, her just-awakened state giving her a uniquely moving charm: "Once you unearth the treasure, Master will wipe you out and make you suffer the consequences."

Yu Liancheng said: "Oh, and why would Niece Wan be willing to report such intelligence to me?"

"Because Wanwan is Uncle Yu's obedient niece." Wanwan blinked, her eyes full of allure, and hooked her hand around Yu Liancheng's neck, breathing like an orchid: "Wanwan has been thinking so much for Uncle Yu, shouldn't Uncle Yu unlock the Life and Death Talisman for Wanwan?"

Yu Liancheng opened his arms and said: "Serve this seat by undressing first, then we shall talk."

"I know." Wanwan complied readily, her slender hands rustling against Yu Liancheng's body, and she looked up at Yu Liancheng with her pretty face: "Uncle Yu, tell me, what is the first thing you are going to do when you go to Daxing?"

"Of course, it is to go to the Imperial Palace to acknowledge my relatives." Yu Liancheng stroked Wanwan's exquisite cheeks and suddenly said leisurely: "It is a pity that your Heavenly Demon Art has not reached completion; otherwise, tonight would have been a very pleasant night."

A flash of shyness crossed Wanwan's eyes: "I don't understand what Uncle Yu is saying."

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly: "There will always be opportunities to teach you in the future; for now, I can pass on some little tips that a demoness must know."

As he spoke, he pulled Wanwan's hand downward.

……

Daxing.

A gathering place of cultural relics, an ancient capital of a thousand years.

Yu Liancheng and Wanwan had already entered Daxing City, stepping onto the Vermilion Bird Street, which was wide enough for over forty riders to travel abreast.

The Sui Dynasty was on the verge of collapse, but as the imperial capital of a nation, in terms of prosperity and bustle, even a major hub like Luoyang could not compare to Daxing.

Looking around, the long street was filled with a constant stream of carriages and horses, and pedestrians were as numerous as crucian carp. One could see martial artists wearing swords and blades, wealthy merchants throwing money around, and even foreigners walking among them.

Wanwan stopped from time to time, observing the surrounding scenery with curious eyes.

She had lived in the Yin Gui Sect since she was a child and had never been to such a bustling and prosperous place, so she naturally carried a heart of curiosity.

"Daxing is prosperous and bustling, a place that military strategists must fight for; whenever a dynasty changes, it inevitably leads to blood flowing like oars and corpses covering the ground." Yu Liancheng walked along the long street with his hands behind his back, looking entirely at ease.

Wanwan played with her hair with her jade hands, her beautiful eyes containing infinite splendor and mystery, and giggled: "The Great Sui is already tottering in the wind and rain, but since Uncle has arrived in Daxing, it will naturally be a case of single-handedly turning the tide, and it will be another era of peace and prosperity."

Yu Liancheng glanced at her and chuckled: "Your mouth is flattering me, but in your heart, you are mocking this seat for overestimating my own strength."

"This niece would not dare."

Both of these two were top-tier figures who were transcendent and refined; appearing so openly on the crowded Tianjie, it was unknown how many gazes they attracted.

Especially Wanwan, this peerless beauty, who was enough to make any man lose his soul.

However, everyone could see that these two were extraordinary, so no one came to cause trouble.

Boom—!

The sound of horse hooves was like thunder; pedestrians on both sides of Tianjie dodged in all directions, clearing a path.

One could see a group of more than twenty riders galloping down Tianjie; the riders were all tough and capable, with long blades strapped to their waists, clearly well-trained soldiers.

There was no lack of experts on Tianjie, but no one acted rashly, because this group was the Imperial Guard of the Imperial Palace; even if one did not fear the Imperial Guard, one had to be wary of the Yuwen Clan behind them.

This group of Imperial Guards rushed in front of Yu Liancheng and Wanwan and suddenly reined in their horses, displaying superb horsemanship.

Their eyes scanned Yu Liancheng and Wanwan, and when they landed on Wanwan, they immediately became hot and greedy.

"Truly a peerless beauty; no wonder General Yuwen wants to send her to the Imperial Palace to be enjoyed by His Majesty."

The leading soldier muttered to himself, then revealed a smirk: "May I ask for the beauty's name? You have really hit the jackpot this time..."