Chapter 334: Chapter 205: True Master Qingluan, Celestial Phoenix Body! (2)

But in the end, he still failed. In his introspective state, Su Mu saw several cracks appear along one meridian in his left arm—his body simply could not withstand the terrifying Celestial Phoenix Qi, showing obvious signs of bursting apart, while the flesh and blood of his left arm were torn as well.

"I’ve undergone the Fourth-Time Yijin now. With some medicinal decoctions, such minor injuries will heal within several days... Yet my body is still too weak—it’s hard to meet the threshold needed to cultivate the Cyan Simurgh Phoenix Transformation Scripture."

Su Mu’s lips twitched ever so slightly; only now did he realize that even among his strongest points, his physique still fell short of this martial art’s cultivation requirement.

But precisely because of this, Su Mu felt even more fiery anticipation inside—such a high bar for cultivation meant this Cyan Simurgh Phoenix Transformation Scripture must hold boundless potential.

Moreover, within the Fire Sparrow Blood he had consumed was also a trace of Celestial Phoenix Blood—this proved that this cultivation technique was fated for him, Su Mu.

"No hurry. Once I achieve the Little Vajra Secret Realm, perhaps cultivation will become possible."

After his attempt, Su Mu showed satisfaction on his face, then placed the Cyan Simurgh into Phoenix Fragment into the Sumeru Ring.

At this moment, Su Mu took out the map from the box and unfolded it. After traversing nearly all of the Three Counties, Su Mu found—looking upon this unmarked map once again—a trace of confusion still flowing in his eyes.

None of the lands he’d traveled in the Three Counties matched anything on the map.

Since he couldn’t figure it out, Su Mu did not dwell, and stowed it away directly. Finally, he took out the fish-shaped Jade Pendant from the box—the instant it touched his hand, a wave of cool, misty energy surged up, flowing into his brow center.

All at once, Su Mu couldn’t help but let out a pleasant sigh—as the fatigue weighing down his mind and spirit from listening to Elder Qing Mei’s recitation and his attempts at cultivation was soothed away effectively.

"This Jade Pendant from Sun Li truly is a good thing."

After several years, Su Mu found this Jade Pendant more and more extraordinary.

This time, Su Mu did not put it back into the sandalwood box, but wore it directly—the Jade Pendant pressed to his chest. The cool flowing sensation, like the touch between brows, left Su Mu’s heart and mind clear. His overdrawn Power of Heart and Spirit was recovering rapidly.

But as the Jade Pendant pressed against his skin, Su Mu—whose mind was at a nadir—failed to notice the Gu Insect beneath his chest suddenly stirring with a faint twitch.

"It’s about time to return to Qingyun City. For now, I’ll bring all my unfinished Martial Arts to perfection and raise my inner Gang Force as soon as I can!"

Su Mu’s eyes shone bright. He had a clear aim in his heart, and the drive to cultivate surged within him.

He returned to Qingyun City. On the fifth night, rainstorm descended on the city.

In the hidden wine courtyard, the singing of cicadas began, restless as the summer rain and thunder. Amid the torrential rain, a solitary figure darted through veils of rainfall.

Eight-Step Chasing Cicada (Perfection)

Comprehension: 127 (Dragon-and-Phoenix Level)

The figure in the rain showed a faint smile; with Eight-Step Chasing Cicada advancing from Great Success to the Realm of Perfection, a warm flow welled up beneath both feet. In his dantian, the exquisite Gangjin Pill greedily swallowed this warmth, growing just a bit stronger.

The taste of becoming stronger was exquisite—and brought reassurance as well.

...

Ngah!

Suddenly, an eagle’s cry resounded overhead—a sharp-plumed, gleaming hawk was circling the firmament.

Beneath the trees, Jiang Yao looked up from her rest, lazily lifting a hand, and the hawk dove in a streak of blood and calmly landed on her arm.

The black steed tethered under the tree, seeing the hawk, snorted a few heavy breaths. The hawk, with wings unfurled, stared at it. One eagle and one horse glared at each other as though old grievances ran deep.

"Both of you settle down now, or else."

Jiang Yao grumpily pulled out two pieces of dried meat, tossing one to the black steed and feeding the other to the hawk. As the steed chewed lopsidedly and the hawk tore at its piece, both finally calmed down.

Jiang Yao skillfully unfastened a letter-bound note from the hawk’s leg, drew out the coded message, and after reading, her eyes sharpened. A puff of flame rose from her palm, burning the letter to ashes.

"These constant errands... From here on, I’ll leave it to those two newcomers."

Jiang Yao’s mind raced. A sense of departure loomed; she decided to split up and handle the mission solo as indicated in the letter.

Soon after—

Two figures descended the mountain, their bodies marked by a thick reek of blood.

Upon seeing them, Jiang Yao vaulted onto her steed. "I’ve received a directive and must see to something first. You are now both Golden Order Blade Catchers. The last newcomer will be judged in your assessment."

"Taiping Dao has appeared in Qingyun County—the main forces from Qingzhou will bring support. The two of you are responsible for aiding that newcomer in wiping out Taiping Dao strongholds and the local rebel troops."

"Take note of everything that newcomer does. When the time comes, I’ll cross-reference it against secret letters from the local Demon Slayer Bureau."

With that, Jiang Yao pulled the reins, and her tall black steed shot off like a thunderbolt—a streak of black racing into the distance. The perilous mountain path seemed as level as plains under its hooves, outpacing ordinary horses by far.

"Three men."

"Same, three."

Zhou Qing spoke in a flat tone; Shangguan Ke was not to be outdone.

The number in their words was not the ordinary bandits, but Sixth Grade bandit leaders who fell by their hands. The two’s Golden Order assessment was to eliminate local bandits, and heading south, both strove to outdo the other in secret.

Jiang Yao’s intention was always to make a show of the Demon Slayer Bureau’s might, allowing both to cull bandits as they would. She, meanwhile, traded in heads for rewards—after all, even a mosquito is meat.

"Then let’s settle it in Qingyun County."

"Agreed."

Neither had won yet; they agreed to take the upcoming rebel suppression in Qingyun County as their decider. To them, Sixth Grade bandits were nothing but clay chickens and straw dogs—mere stepping stones in their contest.

And indeed, they had the confidence to back it up. Both Zhou Qing and Shangguan Ke hailed from noble families in the Three Canglan Counties, and their names grew ever more renowned heading south with each bandit they destroyed.

Having received Jiang Yao’s order, the two pressed onward to the south.

Leaving behind the Commandery City, the further south they went, the more mountainous it became—the bandits along the road were a mere rabble, leaving the two disinclined to act; they rode swiftly on.

"You go ask for directions—how far to the Three Counties?"

"Hmph. Why don’t you?"

As they spoke, a lone figure appeared in the desolate distance. Approaching on horseback, they narrowed their eyes. Emerging from the veil of rain strolled a monk clad in light blue robes, about thirty years old.

What drew Zhou Qing and Shangguan Ke’s attention was that, even in the pelting rain, not a drop landed on the monk—though a Martial Artist who’d mastered Transforming Force could ward off the wind and rain, it could only be done for a short time, and required deliberate effort.

But this monk walked so effortlessly, as naturally as eating or drinking—clearly, he was someone remarkable.

"A master of Dan Jin!"

Their eyes recognized the monk’s prowess at once, both growing intrigued as they tightened their reins, halting their steeds.

"Master, how far is it still to the Three Counties of Qingyun from here?"

"Amitabha Buddha. Worthy ones, head this way for another hundred miles or so and you’ll reach Canghe County; going further south leads to Qingyun County."

The monk pressed his palms together, intoned a Buddhist verse, and sidestepped to point behind him, eyes kindling with interest. "Since karma brings us together, I have a small, perhaps impolite, request."

"Master, please speak."

"This humble monk sees that the two worthy ones are of uncommon bearing. Thus, I wish to exchange a few moves with you both."

With these words, the monk’s Qi Blood surged within his body—the meaning instantly clear.

"Hahaha! You monks have some flavor to you—very well, as you wish."

Zhou Qing nodded, leaped down from his horse, cupped his fist, and stood with pride on the field.

"Monk, you take the first move."

The monk grinned wide, showing a mouthful of white teeth, and shook his head. "One is not enough. Why not both of you at once?"

...