Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 479 - 422: Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy
"I grasp the primordial through thousands of calamities, commanding the thunder to obliterate all in ten directions..."
With his hands gently crossed and placed upon his lap, Qi Xiu’s lips parted slightly, his voice soft yet resolute. As he murmured, invisible ripples seemed to spread out, causing the surrounding air to quiver.
Gradually, the sky began to exhibit extraordinary phenomena.
Numerous bolts of lightning flickered, resembling dragons in dance—at times as bright as daylight, at times as dim as the deep blue yonder.
These bolts of lightning circled Qi Xiu, condensing into a boundless Thunder Pond with one corner missing.
Within the Thunder Pond, lightning bolts leaped like myriad silver snakes in a wild dance, yet they maintained a delicate balance amidst Qi Xiu’s chanting.
In the blink of an eye, this ancient and majestic force blended with his will, creating a wondrous state.
With the aid of multiple Divine Objects, Qi Xiu’s perceptiveness had reached an incredibly astonishing level.
Enlightenment Fish, Hunyuan All-Encompassing Luminance, Ghee Shortbread...
Any one of these, taken alone, could transform a blockhead into a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius.
The overlap of so many divine effects placed Qi Xiu in a transcendent state. Each of his thoughts could burst forth with boundless, radiant wisdom.
Inside his Ancestral Aperture, his soul, too, was glowing; pieces resembling ash were being peeled away little by little from it.
This gave his entire soul an unblemished and translucent luster.
Under his potent, transcendent perceptiveness, the progress of the ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’ was unbelievably swift.
On the proficiency panel, his mastery of this True Scripture was visibly soaring.
1%... 3%... 7%... 15%... 24%...
This was not just any ordinary True Scripture, but a treasure that could rival the untransmitted Dharma Gate of the Shenxiao Sect, the ’Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder Commanding Scripture’.
Even a Dao Expert would be hard-pressed to fully comprehend it, let alone cultivate it, upon first encounter.
Yet Qi Xiu had taken merely three days to elevate this True Scripture to the First Realm.
The Southern Ming Wasteland was perilous beyond measure. The fact that the Ancient Sect Nobility of the entire Great Xuan Dynasty would dispatch hundreds of True Monarchs of the Dao Body to retrieve that sword spoke volumes of the journey’s danger.
To be prudent, I’d best cultivate this ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’ to the Ninth Realm before departing and achieve Dao Embodiment once more!
Slowly lifting his eyelids, Qi Xiu looked at the steadily rising numbers on the proficiency panel and seemed to think it was still too slow.
Suddenly, with a thought, a black and a purple light burst forth from the Ancestral Aperture between his eyebrows, falling to the ground and transforming into two shadows.
They were the Daoist of the Taiyin and the Taiyang Daoist.
Without a word, Tai Yin and Taiyang naturally understood what their main body intended by summoning them.
The two exchanged looks, then sat cross-legged to the left and right of Qi Xiu, also beginning to comprehend the essence of the ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’.
Their shared mind and cultivation efforts would also trigger the Divine Marvel of proficiency, reflecting back onto the main body to hasten his cultivation speed.
After summoning Tai Yin and Taiyang, billowing clouds surged behind Qi Xiu; a colossal figure stepped forth.
Daoist Spirit—Hunyuan Daoist!
"Daoist friend, lend me your strength."
Opening his eyes, Qi Xiu spoke softly. Upon hearing him, the Hunyuan Daoist, shrouded in shadow with an indistinct face, revealed a slow smile.
"Good!"
With a flick of his sleeve and a shout, the Daoist Spirit sat cross-legged. With a grasp, a roll of misty, illusory True Scripture unfurled upon his lap; its yellowed pages revealed characters that seemed to embody the true meaning of the Dao.
The Hunyuan Daoist began to recite gently, endless pure Dao truths devoid of all falsehood flowed continuously into Qi Xiu’s ears.
A single word of the true teaching surpasses ten thousand volumes of false scripture.
Through the concerted efforts of various approaches, Qi Xiu’s previously furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and the faint disquiet in his heart also dissipated as the numbers on the proficiency panel steadily climbed.
「...」
"Sect Master, you summoned me?"
Atop the Sect Master Peak’s grand hall, Dongfang Qing sat below the ancestral master’s statue, with another Heart-Protection Bell beside him.
This bell was part of a set matching the one he gifted Qi Xiu.
If Qi Xiu’s bell rang, this one would likewise respond.
Daoist Yunxiong, approaching the grand hall, bowed deeply before Dongfang Qing. After standing, his gaze swept left and right, as if looking for something.
"Stop looking, Qi Xiu is in seclusion on my peak, safe and sound." Seeing Daoist Yunxiong’s searching appearance, Dongfang Qing shook his head and chuckled.
"The old worry for the young, and the young worry for the old.
Although both are True Monarchs, extraordinary beings in this world, both possess hearts so prudently cautious.
Truly worthy of being family.
Here, this is something your disciple asked me to pass on to you."
Tossing out a scroll, Daoist Yunxiong caught it. The name of the True Scripture that appeared before him was steeped in the true meaning of the Thunder Path.
’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’
"This is..."
Surprised at the True Scripture in his hands, Daoist Yunxiong looked up, pondering for a moment.
"Our sect doesn’t seem to have a Thunder Magic by this name."
"Of course not. This is a Thunder Magic technique your little disciple created himself, which he asked me to pass on to you.
I’ve looked it over, and it indeed possesses many novel ideas.
Enough to rival our own ’Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder Commanding Scripture’."
"Does this child truly possess such ability?"
At first, when Daoist Yunxiong heard that this Thunder Magic was created by Qi Xiu, he was just a little surprised.
But when he heard the Sect Master say this Thunder Magic could rival the ’Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder Commanding Scripture,’ his expression suddenly turned incredulous.
What was the ’Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder Commanding Scripture’?
It was the cornerstone, untransmitted Dharma Gate of the Shenxiao Sect, one that only disciples of the main family could cultivate.
This ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’ can actually compare with it?
"The ’Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder Commanding Scripture’ aims at solidifying the foundation, establishing the Dao Foundation for Thunder Magic.
"However, after reaching the Dao Body Realm, it becomes somewhat elementary, making it difficult to use for Dao Embodiment with lightning.
"Therefore, all True Monarchs of our sect in the Dao Body Realm typically supplement their cultivation with other Thunder Dao Skills to achieve Dao Embodiment with lightning.
"While this ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’ is extremely difficult to begin cultivating—only True Monarchs can attempt it—once one progresses along its path, they can achieve Dao Embodiment with lightning.
"In the future, our sect’s True Monarchs, upon entering the Dao Body Realm, can continue to cultivate this ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’ and avoid the trouble of having to cultivate many other Thunder Dao Skills."
Resting his chin in one hand, Dongfang Qing spoke of the ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’ with an unceasing smile in his eyes.
With this ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy,’ the entire path from the Dao-Entering Realm to the Dao Body Realm in the Shenxiao Sect could be considered balanced.
He truly lives up to the title of this generation’s [Primordial]. Just having reached the True Monarch Realm, the demeanor of commanding myriad paths is already beginning to show.
If he were to step into the Primordial Spirit Realm and reclaim the power of the previous [Primordial], our Human Race in this era would surely be able to set foot in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains again and dent the arrogance of those Demonic Evil Cultivators.
"You take this ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’ back for cultivation.
Although you have already achieved Dao Embodiment with lightning through a different path, this True Scripture could help you organize the origin of your Thunder Path, potentially elevating your power of Dao Embodiment to another level."
After the shock and amazement had passed, Daoist Yunxiong looked at the ’Pre-Birth Thunder Path Treasure Strategy’ in his hands with a relieved and emotional expression.
"I never thought that I, an old Daoist, would one day be able to cultivate a method created by my own disciple. How wonderful."
"The day we set off for the Southern Ming Wasteland is currently under discussion, but I estimate it might be within these three to five years.
Our undercover agents in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains have also sent back messages recently.
All the major Demon Caves are getting restless, preparing to dispatch forces to the Southern Ming Wasteland to compete for that sword.
So now I’m giving you the lowdown."
Seeing Dongfang Qing assume a serious demeanor, Daoist Yunxiong also became solemn.
"On this trip to the Southern Ming Wasteland, disregard everything else.
Kill when you must kill, eradicate when you must eradicate.
All consequences will be fully borne by the Dao Alliance."
A glint of chilling killing intent flashed in his eyes but vanished in an instant. Dongfang Qing’s gaze lowered, as if that terrifying chill had been a mere illusion.
"The Dao Alliance is preparing to make a move against the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?"
Upon hearing this, Daoist Yunxiong’s eyes suddenly showed a sharp gleam, unable to conceal the fighting spirit that emanated from within him.
"We’ve gathered enough intelligence. After enduring for several thousand years, it’s about time we hit them back.
This time in the Southern Ming Wasteland, the Dao Alliance has already come to an agreement.
Claiming the sword is one part.
The second part, if several hundred Demon Kings at the Dao Body Realm all die upon that desolate land... thinking about it is indeed a delightful matter."
Scratching his cheek, Dongfang Qing spoke in a calm tone, but his words pertained to a great conspiracy by the Human Race against the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
"Could it be that the sword was deliberately..."
His pupils slightly dilated, Daoist Yunxiong spoke in a deep voice.
"SHUSH. Some things are better known without speaking. Keep them to yourself; do not speak them aloud." With a smile, Dongfang Qing waved his hand and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
"This operation could impact our sect’s ranking within the Dao Alliance.
"When you and Qi Xiu go there, do not hesitate; grab what you can. Although this operation is a suppression and conspiracy against the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains by the Human Race, the human heart is too hard to gauge. Even though we are all going for the same purpose, it’s impossible to predict whether others might harbor different thoughts.
"Therefore, I have already spoken with several familiar Ancient Sect Nobility. Besides them, if any other Ancient Sect Nobility dare to play tricks, don’t hesitate—just beat them up directly."
Nodding slowly, Daoist Yunxiong said in a heavy voice,
"I understand. I’ll make sure the other Ancient Sect Nobility know what it means to be a Thunder Path cultivator."
"HEHEHE, good, that’s exactly what I meant."
Seeing Daoist Yunxiong grasp his meaning, Dongfang Qing nodded, signaling him to go back and prepare.
After Daoist Yunxiong left, a figure, indistinct and shrouded in mist like a wisp of fog, appeared in the corner of the hall.
"It’s been confirmed. The Great Profound Royal Family, driven by some provocation, has volunteered to dispatch four powerful True Monarchs to the Southern Ming Wasteland.
But the Dao Alliance has not agreed, only saying that they will consider it for now, although it’s highly likely they will consent."
An indifferent and cold voice floated to Dongfang Qing’s ears.
"TSK. Trying to play smart with those old fossils, the Zhao Family really is regressing." Slowly standing up, hands behind his back, gazing at the imposing statue of the founding ancestor, Dongfang Qing gently rubbed his knuckles.
"Probe further and see exactly which members of the Zhao Family they plan to send this time."
"Yes!"
