Exploring Immortality Cultivation-Chapter 978 - 63: Parasitic Gods

Wang Qi raised his right hand, holding the sword in reverse. Sword Light swirled between his chest and abdomen, wrapping around his torso.

Xiao Zong's long sword transformed into fierce Sword Light, pouring down like torrential rain from the converging Heavenly phenomena of Sword Momentum around him. Ordinarily, such Sword Momentum is difficult to defend against. However, Wang Qi's Sword Light was gentle like water, a light turn and it painted the scene of raindrops on banana leaves, effortlessly deflecting Xiao Zong's entire offensive.

Xiao Zong never expected that his newly realized Realm would suffer a setback on its first use. He only felt his pride was wounded, and in furious wrath, he unleashed an unreserved attack. His Sword Intent was like the heavens, Sword Momentum like the wind, Sword Qi like thunder. His Essence Qi and Spirit attached to the long sword, manifesting the severity of divine retribution within the confines of inches.

Wang Qi's Sword Intent, however, was unfathomable. His Sword Intent seemed empty, mystical. [In fact, Wang Qi didn't simulate or manifest any Sword Intent this time. Since it is 'none,' naturally it is 'empty' and 'mystical.] He only needed to glance at the opponent's Sword Momentum out of the corner of his eye to deftly use faint Sword Qi to detonate the opponent's Sword Momentum.

Wang Qi's thoughts are mainly occupied with analyzing the interaction between the mysterious "Spiritual Body" inside Xiao Zong and the Tai Chu Sword God Formation.

Ever since Xiao Zong accepted the "System," his Spirit has been separated from his Mana. He is really controlling Mana through the system. The more he cultivates relying on the system, the less control he has over his Mana.

Meanwhile, the system would disguise the Heart Demon Curse Power contained within the Tai Chu Sword God Formation as Mana and inject it into his body. The more Xiao Zong relies on cultivating through the system, his Mana increasingly resembles Heart Demon Great Curse.

Now, the "Mana" inside him is more like 'Heart Demon Curse Power that appears as Mana.'

And Heart Demon Curse Power is subject to the control of the Heart Demon Great Curse Memory Body. Wang Qi now nearly masters most of the Mana inside him.

The Tai Chu Sword God Formation has been modified by Wang Qi from the start. With the three Great Elders under Wang Qi's command, the control of the Tai Chu Sword God Formation is now entirely in Wang Qi's hands.

Xiao Zong now seems very strong, but both his Mana and borrowed external power are actually under Wang Qi's control. Wang Qi only requires a single thought to cut off Xiao Zong's "mysterious power," even depriving him of all Divine Skills.

However, Wang Qi wants to see the nature of the mysterious Spiritual Body within him, so he continues to fight him.

Xiao Zong's Sword Qi continues to evolve various Heavenly phenomena, sometimes like sorrowful clouds and mist, mysteriously elusive, sometimes transforming the cold ground into frosty moonlight, inexplicably drifting, sometimes resembling gusts and thunder, manifesting various illusionary true forms.

Meanwhile, Wang Qi consistently uses a single sword to target the opponent's Sword Momentum crucial point, breaking it ingeniously.

As the combat progresses, Xiao Zong's momentum becomes grander, means increasingly powerful and intense. The more fiercely his Mana operates, the more data appears in Wang Qi's eyes, and the various characteristics of the "mysterious Spiritual Body" become more apparent.

This mysterious Spiritual Body triggers internal and external convergence, causing subtle changes in the entire Tai Chu Sword God Formation.

The three Great Elders have long been stripped of control over the Array by Wang Qi. Now, the Tai Chu Sword God Formation can only rely on natural changes. Amidst the Array's operation, this minor disturbance is also accumulated and amplified.

Wang Qi who completely controls the Tai Chu Sword God Formation carefully records all this.

In the intense duel of "sword striking sword, sword cutting sword," Wang Qi swiftly accumulates data.

At the same time, he also notices the opponent's power continues to grow.

Though not obvious, it has ultimately reached the stage of "visibly perceivable."

Wang Qi deliberates secretly: "I can't continue… This matter is not that simple."

If this Spiritual Body continues to grow, it's highly likely to attract the attention of the Holy Emperor Venerable. Caution is needed!

Wang Qi decisively decides to end this battle. An infinite killing intent emerges from him, deriving the Infinite Killing Dao. Red-black Sword Light clings to his long sword, becoming an extension of his Sword Intent.

Then, Wang Qi flips his hand for a slash.

The terrifying Sword Intent, completely unlike Golden Core Stage, instantly transforms into Sword Form, precisely slashing towards Xiao Zong hidden within the Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth.

Xiao Zong only feels his spirit as if being cut open by an Invisible Sword. The insinuation about "slaughter" within Wang Qi's disguised Sword Intent rushes into his thoughts. Xiao Zong only feels like falling into Shura Killing Path, undergoing endless attacks from weapons, emitting a brief, tragic cry in the air, and falling to the ground.

Wang Qi's Sword Intent seems as if it "killed" something. In that instant, the wind stopped, the thunder faded, the clouds dispersed, the mist vanished, the rain ceased, and the sky cleared.

Xiao Ou in the ambience created like divine retribution was actually broken and slain by Wang Qi's one sword!

"Seemingly grand, beautiful as it may, strong it may not be." Wang Qi pretentiously shakes his head: "Not as good as Xiao Changgu, after all."

In fact, under the unique Law Gate blessing of the Holy Emperor Venerable that connects internal and external, and under the protection of the Tai Chu Sword God Formation, the power Xiao Zong showcased earlier had steadily exceeded the original top individual of Luochen Sword Palace, Xiao Changgu. However, after undergoing this change, he has only fought Wang Qi alone, with no other records providing a point of reference.

And Wang Qi's actual combat power was above the Late-Stage Nascent Soul, so when facing this group of mere Golden Core cultivators, he naturally spoke as he wished.

Of course, the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators could also discern the specifics of strength and weakness. But would those mere employees dare to challenge Wang Qi, the boss?

Afterward, Wang Qi could completely seal the "cheat" inside Xiao Zong's body, and Xiao Zong would most likely think he lost the sword duel, and his Sword Heart was sullied, thus unable to exert the power he possessed today, without suspecting the system.

Having collected enough data, Wang Qi was about to leave. At this moment, however, Xiao Zong climbed up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and stared at Wang Qi's back with anger: "Xia Li… you dare insult my dignity... you're just a few years ahead in cultivation! Do you dare to engage in a duel with me?"

Zhen Chan almost burst out laughing. A Golden Core Stage ancient method practitioner was typically a couple of hundred years old. The years this guy has been cultivating could almost form a number bigger than Wang Qi's age. He shouted, "Stop, stop! Let's hear what this guy has to say?"

Wang Qi was somewhat impatient, but considering that now was the time to use this worthless ring grandpa, he stopped his steps and asked, "What do you want?"

Most of the unfriendly tone in these words was likely aimed at Zhen Chan, but Xiao Zong took it as directed at him, his fine-featured face flushed completely red: "You geniuses, thinking you're superior just because you got the Sword Palace's support. But I don't believe it! In half a year, at the Qionghua Conference, what you, Xia Li, have bestowed today, I will return tenfold! Do you dare to duel with me?"

—— You, Xia Li, are merely an ordinary cultivator; half a year is not enough time for you to do anything. But I have the 'system' forged by great power, I lack neither magic artifacts, elixirs, nor divine skills!

—— Moreover, the system can allow me to quickly break through!

—— After half a year, let's see what you have to fight with me!

Wang Qi's mind was still deducing the data he had just obtained, as he replied, "Oh, just like that? All right, fine."

He agreed so lightly, as if he wasn't accepting some duel of honor but just an ordinary game of chess.

"You... are pushing it too far!" Xiao Zong's eyes turned bloodshot as he turned and left.

In his fury, he did not notice. Wang Qi's fingers were weaving spells under his robe's sleeves.

Nor did he notice that the power he had just gained had vanished without a trace.

After resolving the potential issues on Xiao Zong and another experimental subject, Wang Qi returned to the Quiet Room. The figure of Mi appeared, asking, "What have you discovered?"

"Divine Spirit…" Wang Qi's tone rarely revealed some uncertainty as he spoke softly, "The Holy Emperor Venerable seems to be using people's mana to create a 'Special God'… This kind of divine spirit is based on the cultivator's mana and a sacrificial victim. It can also serve as the core for the Human Dao System's operation, but there seems to be something different about it..."

"If my speculation is correct, the mana within those 'users' of the system would transform into something similar. If described biologically… they seem like parasitic entities. On one hand, they draw power from the host to nurture themselves; on the other hand, they connect with the Human Dao, overseeing the Human Dao System..."

"If my speculation is correct, those system 'users' who exhibit this phenomenon would first show signs of mental invigoration and increased mana. This is because their mana suddenly 'comes to life,' generating negative entropy and vitality. In the Ancient Method, this is known as 'Creation.'

However, it is ultimately a parasitic entity… If my guess is correct, this parasite would cause those 'users' to constantly increase their demand for elixirs and spiritual power..."

Mi frowned, "This doesn't sound very good. You should be able to stop this phenomenon from worsening, right?"

Wang Qi asked curiously, "Why stop it?"

Mi tilted her head, "What?"

"I'm just interested in researching how pay-to-win... exchange-trade mechanisms are applied in the System Flow Human Dao Power System!" Wang Qi laughed, "Isn't this kind of 'disease' that forces those guys to work hard on tasks to earn resources beneficial? Just perfect for my 'beta testing'!"

Mi squinted her eyes, "Even though I can't quite understand, I still feel… you're talking about something very dangerous…"

After repeatedly deducing the data collected earlier, Wang Qi waited for three more days.

Within those three days, five more individuals gradually exhibited the traits of having 'Parasitic Gods.'

Upon confirming that this was a phenomenon induced by the Holy Emperor Venerable Law, Wang Qi called the three elders of Luochen Sword Palace.

Mei Sicheng had been under quasi-house arrest by Wang Qi for many days, yet he still showed poise, facing Wang Qi without arrogance or servility.

However, Wang Qi's first sentence changed his expression.

"Fellow Daoists, I have rather unfortunate news." He said, "I have preliminarily figured out why the Holy Emperor Venerable suppressed cultivation, and… you might be facing great peril."