Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 496 - 436: Figures on the Cliff

Boom——

The massive Black God Venerable swirled up great waves and once again sank into the dim murky waters of the Guixu Sea.

With the departure of the treasure ship, the surrounding sea gradually emptied of the various wandering shadows.

This journey of the Mystic Monarch Passing the Sea was now declared over.

On the deck of the Dragon Whale Giant Ship.

The Dao Expert who had retrieved treasures from the Black God Venerable walked with a grin towards the cabin, planning to quickly absorb this unexpected gain to boost his power, preparing for the impending battle in the Southern Ming Wasteland.

However, the Dao Expert who returned empty-handed from the Black God Venerable appeared quite dejected, resting his chin on both hands, gazing at the already sunken Black God Venerable, sighing long and short.

Considering the Heaven-Earth Annihilation given by Daoist Yunxiong, Qi Xiu had also gained considerably from the Black God Venerable, acquiring two pieces of Magical Treasure of fairly excellent quality.

Carrying these two Magical Treasures, Qi Xiu returned to the cabin of the Dragon Whale Giant Ship, the interior of which resembled a moving palace, every inch of space meticulously designed, with exquisite materials and craftsmanship.

The walls were adorned with beautiful mother-of-pearl, reflecting a spectrum of colors that contrasted sharply with the dark oak décor.

The carpet was as soft as clouds, every step feeling like walking on air.

At the rear of the cabin, there was a large floor-to-ceiling window, the transparent crystal glass seeming almost non-existent, offering an unobstructed view of the sea.

When the waves surged, the shimmering sea surface and the golden light inside intertwining created a dreamy atmosphere.

Returning to his chamber, Qi Xiu pushed the door open and entered.

A separate space carved out by the Universe Prohibition Skill was several thousand square meters, with a clear, simple décor creating an aura of quiet serenity.

Sitting cross-legged beside a section of bamboo sea in the center of the room, Qi Xiu first took out the Precious Fan trapped within a golden cube.

He flicked his fingers, unlocking the Suppressing Talisman seal.

The golden light dissipated, and a small opening appeared at the top of the cube.

Sensing its constraints removed, the Ice-Fire Precious Fan instantly transformed into a Divine Light, ready to escape.

"Where can you run to?"

With a shake of his head and a light chuckle, Qi Xiu sighed softly at his fingertips, a strand of Innate Primeval Breath swiftly turned into a rope, binding the Ice-Fire Precious Fan tightly.

Seeing it struggle continuously in his hand, Qi Xiu understood.

The Magical Treasure seemed to have gained sentience, suppressed for countless years, naturally wanting to flee recklessly upon release.

"You stubborn treasure, listen to me.

If you obey my command it will not cost you anything, I have a bottle of Innate Primeval Breath to aid in purifying your essence and refining your spirit.

Over time, you would naturally advance further.

If you disregard my advice, I will erase your spirit essence, though losing some of your core, it will not hinder usage."

Addressing the Ice-Fire Precious Fan in his hand, Qi Xiu offered both kindness and authority, advising first before commanding.

His words were not false either.

Innate Primeval Breath, true to its name, can indeed enhance the spirit essence quality of the Ice-Fire Precious Fan through prolonged purification.

Upon hearing Qi Xiu’s persuasion, the previously frenzied Ice-Fire Precious Fan significantly calmed down, though still slightly trembling, seeming to contemplate Qi Xiu’s proposal.

A good half a moment later.

This Magical Treasure of considerable quality finally ceased its trembling, lying quietly and steadily on Qi Xiu’s lap, its originally fierce and tumultuous Divine Marvel glow now soft and docile, gently nuzzling Qi Xiu’s palm like a little puppy.

"Accepts this advice."

With a smile, Qi Xiu gently stroked the Ice-Fire Precious Fan, pinched a Dharma Seal with one hand, and infused a stream of Innate Primeval Breath into it, slowly refining the Magical Treasure.

With the cooperation of the Ice-Fire Precious Fan’s spirit essence, the refining process went smoothly, requiring virtually no effort, and Qi Xiu successfully refined the Magical Treasure.

He then learned the true name of this Magical Treasure.

Frost Cloud Flame!

Holding the refined Frost Cloud Flame, Qi Xiu flicked his wrist, the fan opening and closing as he waved it casually, and a great blaze erupted forth, an extremely fierce conflagration roaring in its fury, yet among this blaze, concealed in imperceptible angles, elusive Sword Seals constantly interweaved.

Hidden within the sea of fire, fiercely violent!

After the firelight, Qi Xiu waved his hand again, and abruptly the world turned cold, a blizzard sweeping across the heavens and earth, pure white immaculate snowflakes seemingly serene yet composed of countless slender sword blades, each sword tip a piercing chill.

Frost swords unseen, swords blood-sealing throats!

Witnessing the power of the Frost Cloud Flame, Qi Xiu’s eyes gleamed with astonishment; he hadn’t anticipated that this fan was truly a sword instrument.

Frost and fire were mere appearance, the sword’s shadow was its essence!

Sky-dropped frost sword, earth-surfaced fire blade!

Simply waving it twice, it already unleashed terrifying destructive force, nearly exhausting the Universe Prohibition Skill in the room, fortunately Qi Xiu realized timely, avoiding an embarrassing mishap.

Storing the Frost Cloud Flame inside, nurtured with Innate Primeval Breath, Qi Xiu then took out the Heaven-Earth Annihilation given by his master.

The short bow of arm length appeared unassuming, as if the iron bow was riddled with heavy ancient rust, starkly heavy in hand and almost bereft of any Divine Marvel aura.

If not for a discerning eye, it would almost certainly be mistaken for a discarded broken bow.

Lightly caressing the coarse bow body, Qi Xiu slowly circulated Innate Primeval Breath into the short bow.

According to his master Daoist Yunxiong, this short bow was an ancient treasure, unable to be refined, usable by whoever possessed it.

As more Innate Primeval Breath was infused, the originally dreary bow slowly shed large patches of rust, revealing intricate patterned bronze beneath.

How, is it getting heavier...

As the ugly, mottled rust peeled away, a bronze bow faintly glowing with divine marvel was revealed from within, yet this Heaven-Earth Annihilation began to grow increasingly heavy.

Even with Qi Xiu’s extraordinary physique, holding it in his hand felt somewhat strenuous.

Taking a deep breath, Qi Xiu silently operated the Innate Primeval Breath, transforming his body and continuously strengthening his physical power, only then could he steadily hold the Heaven-Earth Annihilation.

My goodness, such a heavy bow; unless one is a horizontal martial arts expert like those from the Domineering Body Sect, ordinary Dao Experts would find even lifting it difficult, let alone drawing it to shoot an arrow.

The completely derusted Heaven-Earth Annihilation’s weight had reached an alarming level, merely holding it caused the surrounding void to twist and deform, exuding an astonishing oppressive force.

"With such a heavy bow, you wouldn’t need to draw it. Just throwing it could seriously injure someone."

Rubbing the bow’s surface, which was marked with patterns like ancient seal script, Qi Xiu’s eyes shone with vibrant colors, summoning even more massive quantities of Innate Primeval Breath, gathering into beads of vibrant flow like glass, infusing into the Heaven-Earth Annihilation.

As the Dao Yuan was infused, a crystalline, subtle thread slowly emerged in the previously empty position of the bowstring on the Heaven-Earth Annihilation.

With a faint movement of his gaze, Qi Xiu slowly stood up and used two fingers to hook the crystalline thread.

The next moment!

A terrifying suction force suddenly emanated from the ancient bow, like a bottomless pit eager to swallow his entire being.

Such a large consumption, no wonder Master said ordinary Dao Experts could not use this bow.

Relentlessly channeling endless Innate Dao Yuan into it, Qi Xiu also wanted to see what terrifying power this Heaven-Earth Annihilation possessed.

With continuous infusion of Dao Yuan, the word "Annihilation" within the Heaven-Earth Annihilation began to slowly light up.

And then.

An arrow silently took shape.

This arrow was woven from pure will and destructive power.

The arrow did not hold a clear form, lacking a tangible outline, yet exuded an undeniable sense of presence.

Its tip gathered a light of inevitable death.

The body of the arrow was formed from invisible currents, like the vortex of a storm, embodying unstoppable destructive power.

The air around it turned heavy due to its presence, and all breathing seemed to halt at this moment.

Deathly intent permeated the atmosphere, like a cold venomous serpent, chilling to the heart, suffocating.

At the sight of this arrow, Qi Xiu immediately halted the influx of Dao Yuan, causing the nearly formed arrow to dissipate once again.

"What a... vicious weapon."

With eyes lowered, Qi Xiu looked at the Heaven-Earth Annihilation in his hand, feeling a chill in his heart.

The moment the invisible arrow appeared just now, the intense aura of annihilation even began to cause the Universe Prohibition Skill of the room to collapse.

If this arrow was fired, it would surely leave a huge hole in the ship.

And this was just from lighting up a single "Annihilation" character.

"It’s unimaginable how terrifying it would be when all four characters of Heaven-Earth Annihilation light up and an arrow is shot."

No wonder Master regarded this item as a trump card to secure victory.

Understanding Master’s plan, Qi Xiu put away the Heaven-Earth Annihilation. A trump card should only be used at the last moment to achieve its intended miraculous effect.

Before that, keeping it hidden was the only necessary action.

The process of refining the magical treasure was both smooth and alarming for Qi Xiu.

And after that, nothing else occurred on the journey to the Southern Ming Wasteland.

The enormous ship, gleaming with platinum light, sailed steadfastly against the wind and waves, breaking through muddy fog, heading straight towards the site of the former great battle.

Time moved forward a month and a half later.

A rising contour appeared on the endless horizon.

The destination was near.

The Dao Experts in the ship’s cabin emerged one after another, gazing towards the end of the sea, where the site of the ancient battle lay now right before them.

As the Dragon Whale Giant Ship drew nearer, the true appearance of the Southern Ming Wasteland began to unfold before everyone’s eyes. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"That is..."

Pupils narrowed, all the Dao Experts on the deck wore expressions of grave concern.

They saw numerous twisted, grim silhouettes burned into the surface of the thousand-meter rocky cliffs near the sea, their agony frozen forever in that moment, undisturbed by the relentless passage of time.

"These ought to be the righteous Dao cultivators who died during the ancient battle. Their true spirit and flesh were fused into this cliff alive.

Forever enduring the battering of seawater, the burning of the sun during the day, and the bone-chilling cold at night."

Among the crowd, a knowledgeable Dao Expert explained the origin of the shadows on the cliff.

Upon hearing this explanation, all the Dao Experts on the deck fell into silence.

At this moment, how similar their circumstances were to those of the shadows on the cliffs.

Both were participants in a world-shaking battle.

If they were to lose this battle.

Their fate wouldn’t be much better than those cliff shadows.

...