Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 482 - 425: Zhao Qianqiu
The void thundered ominously. Five Grotto Heavens, each spewing endless divine radiance, appeared above Lord Zhao’s head, stirring this part of heaven and earth as if it were about to reenact the cataclysm of Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire, regressing to the age of chaos!
The five Grotto Heavens above his head resembled five Haiyan.
An extremely terrifying pressure, surging like a tsunami, poured out from them, ruthlessly bearing down on Daoist Yunxiong.
Unperturbed, Lei Mang flickered in Daoist Yunxiong’s eyes. Behind him, a Divine Authority Furious Thunder Vajra, a thousand zhang tall with six arms wielding various thunderous Magic Artifacts, stood imposing and majestic. Above its head, a thousand layers of thunderclouds roared, and Lei Mang cascaded down like a waterfall.
The two unyielding auras collided. The resulting explosive shockwave swept in all directions, the friction in the air releasing terrifying strands of golden lightning.
A great wind swept through. The surrounding Dao Experts were all drawn by this intense clash of auras and turned their gazes over.
"Isn’t that...?"
"I knew the feud between these two clans wasn’t settled. Sure enough, they started clashing the moment they met."
"Prince Zhao has the backing of the Zhao Imperial Clan, and his Aptitude is also supreme. A thousand years ago, Daoist Yunxiong of the Shenxiao Sect single-handedly defeated four great masters from the Shilin Zen Monastery."
"If these two really begin to fight, it’s truly hard to say who would have the upper hand."
The discussions among the people nearby gradually grew louder. Hearing these voices, Daoist Yunxiong’s expression flickered slightly, and the Lei Mang in his eyes shone even more brilliantly.
"Truly worthy of being the one who led the destruction of Buddhism at Shilin back then. Judging by the quality of your aura, you’ve already achieved Dao Embodiment four times, haven’t you?"
Sensing the increasingly fierce and potent aura from Daoist Yunxiong, this Lord Zhao smiled faintly, casually exposing Daoist Yunxiong’s Cultivation Realm.
"Your Highness has sharp eyes. It seems that over these years, not only have you restored your Cultivation, but you’ve also sharpened your eyesight."
Having his Cultivation seen through by Lord Zhao, Daoist Yunxiong remained unhurried and unbothered. His words, however, were barbed, striking directly at the other’s sore spot.
"Master, he is...?"
Seeing that his Master and Lord Zhao were at loggerheads the moment they met, and with Lord Zhao being the one to provoke the matter, Qi Xiu was also curious and immediately inquired of Daoist Yunxiong through Secret Method Sound Transmission.
"A member of the Zhao Imperial Clan, the current Emperor’s biological uncle, named Zhao Qianqiu. This fellow has a personal vendetta with our Shenxiao Sect. In the Southern Ming Wasteland, we must be careful of this person."
Zhao Qianqiu?
So he’s the Zhao Qianqiu that Old Gu mentioned—the one whose Cultivation was first crippled by the Sect Master, then re-cultivated, rising from the ashes and becoming even stronger.
"Gentlemen, we are here today for the great cause of the Human Race. We can’t start infighting before we’ve even departed, can we?"
Walking over with a hearty laugh, Liu Tai was all smiles. The impact of an aura powerful enough to tear the void and crush Xuan iron into paste landed on him yet felt like a spring breeze, causing no ripples whatsoever.
"What’s this? Since when did the Domineering Body Sect throw in their lot with the Shenxiao Sect?"
Gazing down at Liu Tai, who stood almost shoulder to shoulder with Daoist Yunxiong, Zhao Qianqiu chuckled, his expression tinged with ridicule.
"Your Highness, your words are rather harsh. When has my Domineering Body Sect ever needed to consult your Zhao Imperial Clan about who we associate with?"
Though the smile on Liu Tai’s face didn’t fade, the chill in his words began to form white frost in the void.
"Interesting."
Behind Zhao Qianqiu, three other Dao Experts from the Zhao Imperial Clan also walked over.
Yet, it was at this moment that a hoarse voice suddenly broke through.
"What’s this? Looking to fight?"
Attracted by this voice, Zhao Qianqiu turned to look, only to see a middle-aged man of average height with a wrinkled face, resembling a withered farmer, walking over.
The man was slightly stooped, with a bluish crew cut. His knuckles were large, his arms hung below his knees, and his eyelids drooped. At first glance, he looked as inconspicuous as a dull stone.
"Old Feng, it seems our Prince Zhao has some complaints about us. What do you think we should do?"
Approaching Feng Jun with a smile, Liu Tai yawned and cast a slanted glance at Zhao Qianqiu and his party of four.
"Beat them up? Or...?"
Scratching his crew cut, making a rustling sound, Feng Jun pursed his thin lips, hesitating as if wanting to say something but stopping short.
"You..."
Hearing this, a well-dressed gentleman behind Zhao Qianqiu abruptly darkened his expression, about to scold them sternly.
But Zhao Qianqiu, contrary to expectation, raised his hand to stop him. He smiled, cupped his fist to the group, and said, "Today, this Prince was too abrupt. Please, don’t take offense."
With that, he turned and left with the three people behind him.
"Your Highness, what is that man’s background?"
Knowing well that his Prince would never act without reason, the man who was about to speak earlier asked softly.
"For the Domineering Body Sect’s "The Indestructible Body", one enters the Initiate Realm at the third gate, the tenth gate brings Bloodstain, and by the eighteenth gate, one can ascend to the True Monarch Realm.
"That thin and short man is named Feng Jun, with the honorific title Quadsplit Sea True Lord. He is one of the Domineering Body Sect’s foremost True Monarchs of the Dao Body, having cultivated "The Indestructible Body" to the twenty-sixth gate.
"He once single-handedly fought six Dao Body Realm Flood Dragon Kings in the sea and killed them barehanded, which is how he earned the title Quadsplit Sea True Lord.
"Moreover, this man is the nephew of the Domineering Body Sect’s Sect Master, Yang Jingzhe. Yang Jingzhe is not only a grandmaster of the Dao of the physical body and the Dao of strength, but he also concurrently cultivates the Dao. Although this Feng Jun has always fought barehanded, there’s no guarantee Yang Jingzhe hasn’t prepared a Life-Bound Magic Treasure for him.
"Furthermore, the True Monarchs of the Dao Body from all the major Ancient Sects and prominent families are present today. If I were to truly attack them, it would inevitably lead to gossip, and I’d be saddled with the crime of inciting internal conflict. At that point, it would be difficult to account to the Dao Alliance."
"Your Highness means that, once we reach the Southern Ming Wasteland..."
"Heh, the Southern Ming Wasteland—a forbidden land from the Middle Ancient Era. The heavenly secrets there are chaotic, and turbid qi surges. Unless it’s a Primordial Spirit True Honor who specializes in the Skill System and Methodology of divination, no one can see clearly what’s happening inside. By then, whatever we want to do will be much more convenient."
Pausing in his stride, Zhao Qianqiu turned to glance at Qi Xiu standing beside Daoist Yunxiong, the corners of his mouth slowly curving into a smile. "You also wish to Attach your Dao to the Five Elements, is that it? Since we walk the same path, once we reach the Southern Ming Wasteland, this Prince will be sure to lend you a hand."
「...」
"This Zhao Qianqiu’s actions are becoming increasingly domineering."
Watching Zhao Qianqiu’s figure gradually disappear among the crowd of Dao Experts, Liu Tai tightened the bindings on his wrists, a solemn look in his eyes.
With this, the fellow is sure to stir up something once he arrives at the Southern Ming Wasteland.
"The imperial aura of the Zhao Family is leaking, and the dynasty is unstable. The Shangjing Emperor’s control over these uncles and elder relatives is also becoming increasingly weak.
"Currently, the Great Xuan is plagued by the secession of vassal states, and the Zhao Family’s empire has long been torn apart. It is estimated that before long, events such as Warlord conflicts and uprisings to ’protect the Emperor’ will be reenacted."
Daoist Yunxiong’s gaze was calm. In the mortal realm, changes and successions were common. The Great Xuan’s Zhao Clan had occupied the imperial throne for over a thousand years. Now, its decline was becoming apparent, just like the previous Great Yan Dynasty when it was on the verge of collapse.
Perhaps soon, the words ’Great Xuan Dynasty’ would be inscribed in history books, prefixed with ’former’.
「After the brief interlude.」
Qi Xiu, along with Daoist Yunxiong, Liu Tai, and Feng Jun, found a relatively quiet corner of the deck to wait quietly for departure.
「As the sun set.」
Under the gazes of countless ordinary cultivators below, their necks aching from looking up for so long, the last two Dao Experts from the Ancient Sect Nobility finally arrived, unhurried.
These two arrived without any divine radiance or unusual phenomena, no dazzling displays.
Dressed in commoner’s clothes, each carrying a bamboo woven basket on their back, they landed on the Dragon Whale Giant Ship with smiles, riding atop two puffs of cloud-qi.
The moment the two landed, two flagpoles suddenly extended from the woven baskets on their backs. On the bright red banners, five large characters were written in gilded paint with bold, elegant strokes: [Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion]
"Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion? Why are they here too?"
Seeing these two men in commoner’s clothes with their woven baskets, everyone was stunned, their eyes filled with astonishment and surprise.
"We’ve made everyone wait for so long, apologies, apologies, ha."
The man on the left, with a friendly smile, gathered his sleeves and cupped his fists, giving a slight bow to the crowd before him, completely unconcerned with his status as a Dao Expert.
"I am Shen Ziyi, and this is my younger brother, Shen Zixiao.
"As members of the Human Race, our Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion must also actively respond to the Dao Alliance’s call.
"Enter the Southern Ming Wasteland, slay the enemy invaders!
"Rest assured, everyone. Although my brother and I are not strong in combat, we will definitely ensure everyone’s logistical needs are met.
"Magical Treasures, Elixirs, Talisman Scripts, Array Plates... there’s nothing you can think of that we can’t sell.
"Honest trade with fair prices for young and old alike.
"I have a product list here. Would any of you like to take a look first?"
As he spoke, Shen Ziyi flipped his hand and produced a Dharma Axis. When he unfurled it, a dazzling array of all sorts of goods, exuding precious light, immediately appeared hovering above it, looking remarkably lifelike.
However, the Dao Experts present were all elites from the major Ancient Sects and prominent families. Having come this far, they had all made thorough preparations. How could they possibly need to purchase Magical Treasures or Elixirs at the last minute?
The Shen Family Brothers advertised their wares for a long time, but only a few Dao Experts approached to take a look, and even then, it was merely out of curiosity; no one actually bought anything.
"The Shen Family’s business acumen is truly out of this world! They actually managed to get the Dao Alliance to agree to let them conduct business in the Southern Ming Wasteland."
Watching the still enthusiastically promoting Shen Family Brothers, Liu Tai couldn’t help but laugh.
"I don’t think they approached the Dao Alliance; it was likely the Dao Alliance that approached them," Qi Xiu, observing the Shen Family Brothers thoughtfully, offered a different opinion. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
"As far as I know, the predecessor of Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion was the Ancient Shenxing Sect. There is no place in the world Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion cannot go, and no goods they cannot deliver.
"If, for example, we find that Sword in the Southern Ming Wasteland, couldn’t we then use these Shen Family Brothers to send the Sword back?"
Qi Xiu’s words caused Liu Tai to frown. "If the Sword is found, why not bring it back ourselves? Why go to the extra trouble of having them deliver it?"
"Because we cannot guarantee that, when that time comes, we will still have the strength to leave the Southern Ming Wasteland."
Slowly turning, Qi Xiu looked intently at the Shen Family Brothers and said gravely, "They are likely here to serve as our final safety net."
「...」
