Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 421 - 376: Valley of Deceased Gods

A blinding white light, like a giant sun, filled the entire dueling arena!

For a full ten breaths, the barrage that covered every inch of the corner carved away a large layer of the arena, erasing the white jade and gold stones and revealing the even more durable Quad-polar Dao Steel beneath.

Countless gazes from outside the arena stayed fixated on the inside, not daring to even blink, for fear of missing the slightest detail.

The thick and surging dust and smoke dispersed.

Zhong Gu stood solemnly in the center of the arena, his body appearing invulnerable like Divine Iron, without a single scratch in sight.

"Senior brother, your Cultivation is superior and your body indestructible. Junior brother admits defeat. How about we call it a draw for today?"

With his sleeves draped, Qi Xiu smiled lightly as he spoke.

"A draw?"

A hint of surprise in his eyes, Zhong Gu looked down at his right palm, where a ghastly wound that exposed his hand bones lingered. The surrounding flesh squirmed but took a long time to heal.

The strike that just occurred appeared mighty to the onlookers.

But in reality, only the initial moment possessed true destructive power; the rest was merely a dazzling display to blind the eyes.

The wound on his hand was the result of trying to block that blinding light.

Such destructive force had reached the level of the Dao Body Realm.

If the pure white cube had truly unleashed its full potential, even with his physical Cultivation, he would have barely hung onto his life, gravely injured and at death’s door.

With a calm demeanor, Zhong Gu slowly stepped forward and shook his head.

Victory was victory. Defeat was defeat. He did not want others to concede.

Just as he was about to acknowledge his defeat out loud, Yang Jingzhe in the stands suddenly spoke up, his voice echoing throughout the dueling arena,

"Sect Master Dongfang trains his disciples well, with kindness, dignity, restraint, and frugality. Let’s follow your suggestion and call it a draw today."

"Master..." With a frown, Zhong Gu started to speak, but Yang Jingzhe silenced him with a look.

"Sect Master Dongfang is indeed fortunate."

After declaring the duel a draw, Yang Jingzhe slowly turned to the side, his gaze towards Dongfang Qing filled with a mixture of helplessness and envy.

How come all the good luck in the world seemed to fall upon the Shenxiao Sect?

Was this the effect of a Divine Artifact anchoring its destiny?

First, there was Li Qingshan, who reached the Blood-Stained Peak at an early age and then swept through his peers without finding a match.

Then came Bo Xue and Sun Sanqian, both boasting near Dao Body strength before a hundred years of age.

And now there emerged Qi Xiu, outshining them all, signaling great prosperity for the Shenxiao Sect.

Perceiving the envious glint in Yang Jingzhe’s eyes, Dongfang Qing chuckled. He had anticipated this outcome. Indeed, this was why he had pushed, against many objections, for Qi Xiu to conclude this final match.

However, he never expected Qi Xiu to display such a grand vision, voluntarily suggesting a draw, which gave Yang Jingzhe and the Domineering Body Sect the face-saving they needed, preventing their relationship from freezing over.

"Just average, but since this duel ended in a draw, about the wager we placed earlier..."

"We all know what’s going on, so why put on an act? Just tell me directly what you want to forge in the future," Yang Jingzhe retorted impatiently to Dongfang Qing and then prepared to leave. His visit to the Shenxiao Sect had been a loss on all accounts.

Not only did he fail to secure a spot in the Valley of Deceased Gods, but he also ended up having to offer free labor services.

As Yang Jingzhe was about to leave, Dongfang Qing called out to him,

"Wait a moment."

A ring, brimming with the endless glow of thunder, was tossed casually by Dongfang Qing, landing firmly in Yang Jingzhe’s hand.

"What is this...?"

Looking at the little fox in front of him with puzzlement, Yang Jingzhe was somewhat baffled.

"Each sect has its laws, and each school has its rules. The ancient great teachings are profound, but also strictly regulated.

"Even as the Sect Master, I cannot act recklessly.

"The treasures of our ancestors should not be lent out unless in special circumstances.

"Today’s battle gives us a pretext. I can speak to the Grandmasters, and there will be something to justify it.

"However, I can’t lend it to you for a hundred years as previously mentioned, but for up to thirty years. That’s the furthest I can go," Dongfang Qing said while seated on the Taishi Chair.

Looking at the Hua Sheng Thunder Pond in his hand, Yang Jingzhe nodded thoughtfully and then chuckled,

"In doing so, it makes me seem rather petty."

"You’ve already come knocking at my door with trouble, if you’re not petty, who is?

"But when compared to a hypocrite, I much prefer an honest scoundrel," Dongfang Qing retorted.

The two Primordial Spirit Bosses exchanged words, and with a shared laugh, any lingering resentments dissipated in the casual exchange.

Yang Jingzhe said as he stored away the Hua Sheng Thunder Pond, giving Dongfang Qing a respectful fist salute and revealing a bright white smile, "The recent popular rumors painted you, Dongfang Qing, as miserly and scheming like a ghost. Having witnessed today’s event, I now know not all rumors are to be trusted.

"Today I acknowledge you as a friend. If you ever need anything, just say the word.

"My Domineering Body Sect may not excel in much,

"but when it comes to fighting, we do have a strong hand."

"Then it’s settled," Dongfang Qing replied.

A smile erases all enmity, and as the two Primordial Spirit Bosses shook hands in agreement, fulfilling each other’s needs, the contest between the two great sects came to a close.

Although he did not seize the spot in the Valley of Deceased Gods from Dongfang Qing,

securing the Hua Sheng Thunder Pond for thirty years was more than worthwhile for Yang Jingzhe.

The use of it for three decades would suffice for nearly a hundred members of the Domineering Body Sect to break through the Blood-Stained Realm and become Great Cultivators.

Through this incident, the Shenxiao Sect and the Domineering Body Sect have become allies. Henceforth, anyone or any power that wishes to move against either of them will have to think twice.

Those who can defeat the Domineering Body Sect, can they also defeat the Shenxiao Sect?

Those who can deal with the Shenxiao Sect, can they withstand the onslaught of the Domineering Body Sect?

After sending off Yang Jingzhe and his entourage, Dongfang Qing summoned Qi Xiu to the thatched hut where he cultivated.

The fragrance of sandalwood was faint, giving off a light white smoke.

Within the serene and elegant hut, Dongfang Qing raised his hand and tossed a golden jade sphere to Qi Xiu.

"You performed well this time. This object is now yours."

Looking blankly at the golden jade sphere in his hand, a purplish glint flashed in Qi Xiu’s eyes, as a crystal-clear, glass-like phalanx bone suddenly appeared within the sphere.

Measuring about an inch, it radiated an immaculate and sacred brilliance. If not for the yellow jade encasing it, its light would likely have shot straight into the sky.

"This is the credential for entering the Valley of Deceased Gods. It contains the divine remains of a deity. Only by holding this can one enter the Valley of Deceased Gods. Otherwise, no matter how capable you are, you won’t be able to step even half a step inside."

In his hand, without knowing when, there appeared a piece of glazed white jade the size of a palm. Dongfang Qing carefully caressed it, with a trace of distress showing in his eyes.

"Sect Master, what exactly is the Valley of Deceased Gods?"

Qi Xiu hadn’t expected that the golden jade sphere would contain the remains of a deity; his eyes stirred with curiosity as he asked about the Valley of Deceased Gods Dongfang Qing had mentioned.

"To bury deities, naturally, it is a place where gods are interred."

As Dongfang Qing mentioned the Valley of Deceased Gods, his hand movement inadvertently paused, his fingers unconsciously tightened around the piece of glazed white jade.

"Interment... of deities?"

"Mhm, the existence of deities has been from ancient times, and if we trace back to the source, we can even follow it back to the Primordial Era.

"But do you know why it is now so hard to find traces of deities in the world?"

"Please enlighten me, Sect Master."

"There are innate and derived distinctions with a deity’s form.

"The innate ones are nurtured by heaven and earth, born divine. Even among the mightiest, some may not compare to a Primordial Spirit True Honor. They directly hold sway over the great ways of the world. Within their domains, they are the very embodiment of the Dao.

"As for the derived ones, they are mostly titled and ennobled by the prominent races of heaven and earth, such as the long extinct True Dragon Clan, and today’s Human Race.

"Derived deities are far less formidable than Innate Gods but still far surpass ordinary cultivators, often carrying missions and responsibilities.

"In the Middle Ancient Era, to counter the demons, the human dynasties titled a great number of deities, leveraging their divine power to defend internally and externally, making great achievements.

"However, as time passed, these titled derived deities started to grow more powerful as they enjoyed a vast amount of human worship, and their mentality began to shift."

"Shift?" Qi Xiu narrowed his eyes slightly, as if thinking of something.

"Divine in status, ignoble in subject; born to worship the divine, die defying it.

"With enough formidable power, the idea of deities reigning supreme above all living beings spread like a plague amongst them.

"They began to defy the will of humans, erect divine palaces, and establish temples.

"Their enslavement of ordinary members of the Human Race even surpassed that of the demons.

"Because of the vast number of deities at the time, coupled with the assistance of some Innate Gods,

"a catastrophe, no less severe than a demon invasion, began to fester.

"Subsequent generations call it: the Divine Catastrophe!

"At that time, the Middle Ancient Era was coming to an end, the Daoists and demons waged a fierce war with heavy casualties, demons took the opportunity to invade, and the Divine Catastrophe surged.

"The entire Human Race fell into its darkest period."

As Dongfang Qing mentioned this period, he couldn’t help but heave a short sigh. It was the most desperate time for the Human Race. Isolated and adrift in the storm, with demons looming ahead and the Divine Catastrophe wreaking endless mischief behind. In those most tragic times, the Human Race nearly faced extinction, on the verge of being swept away by the torrent of history.

"Such tumultuous chaos lasted for more than two thousand years until the appearance of one person who ended this despairing darkness.

"He ushered in the most glorious Near Ancient Era for the Human Race."

One person? Upon hearing Sect Master Dongfang mention the Near Ancient Era, a name came to Qi Xiu’s mind.

This individual was frequently mentioned in countless ancient records, having left a profoundly influential mark in the history of the Human Race.

"This person was called Li Zhexian.

"The founding patriarch of the Sword Sect!

"He single-handedly created the lineage of Sword Cultivators.

"With one man and one sword, he caused countless demons to cower in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, daring not to cross the boundary by half a step, exterminated all Demon Sects and heretical doctrines until there was not a blade of grass left.

"It was he who personally ended the Middle Ancient Era, eradicated the Divine Catastrophe.

"The remains of the deities he slew were then moved to one place, initially intended to be collectively destroyed.

"But although these deities perished, their divine bodies did not decay. As they accumulated, they unexpectedly formed a forbidden land, an area of incredible divine marvels.

"That is today’s Valley of Deceased Gods.

"In the Valley of Deceased Gods, countless deities are buried, the mysterious ways in their bodies interacting and merging with one another, making the valley filled with the great Dao and divine marvels a thousand times, ten thousand times denser than the outside world.

"Cultivating there, one day is equivalent to a thousand days in the outside world.

"However, in this world nothing is absolutely perfect.

"The Valley of Deceased Gods is indeed a rare sacred place for cultivation, yet within it also lurks something so ominous that even those in the Dao Body Realm avoid it."

His tone imbued with seriousness and gravity, Sect Master Dongfang paused briefly and then slowly uttered a name:

"God’s Loathful Remnants."