Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 510 - 446: The Open Conspiracy

"So, it has already been... this long?"

Amidst the lush and dense Boundless Forest Sea, a clad-in-blue Lin Cong led Qi Xiu through this underground world. The murmuring water beneath their feet, the soft grass, it was impossible to see that this was the same place as the bizarre wasteland above.

"Did you come to this desperate place to search for that sword that escaped from the Valley of Deceased Gods?"

Arriving at a stone platform, Lin Cong raised his hand slightly, gesturing for Qi Xiu to sit.

"Yes, that sword holds great importance. If it were found by the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, it would pose an immense threat to our Human Race.

This time, we dispatched so many Dao Experts to ensure the sword could be brought back.

But the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains have also made ample preparations."

Gazing at Lin Cong before him, whose eyes were clear and demeanor lucid, Qi Xiu nodded slowly.

Indeed, compared to those Demonic Cultivators who were filled with resentment and unwillingness before their demise, crazed with envy and hatred.

The tenacity of the Righteous Dao Cultivators wasn’t always for slaughter and revenge.

They were more rational, maintaining enough spirit essence.

They could even communicate without barriers.

"Alas, our tenacity remains in form, confined to one place, like the tethered spirits of the mundane world, unable to lend you aid."

With a light sigh, Lin Cong revealed a trace of regret.

In the Middle Ancient Era, demons prospered as Dao declined.

Cultivators of that time all bore a strong sense of responsibility, otherwise, there wouldn’t have been this decisive battle in the Southern Ming Wasteland.

"Although I can’t directly help you, I can still lend a small hand."

With a wave of his right hand, Lin Cong brought earthen grey-white urns, upheld by vines, within reach.

In no time, more than a hundred urns were arranged in front of the two.

Gazing at the neatly arranged urns before him, each faintly emitting a whisper of spirit essence, Qi Xiu curiously asked:

"This is..."

"Ashes."

"Ashes?"

Lin Cong’s answer left Qi Xiu momentarily stunned.

"After the decisive battle of that year, this Southern Ming Wasteland was severely polluted and destroyed, and we were gravely injured, unable to fly away from the Guixu Sea.

So we, who managed to live for a few extra days, gathered the remains of Great Demons and Great Demons left on this land and burned them into these urns of ashes.

These ashes, taken outside, are at most some divine marvels attached with spirit essence.

But within this Southern Ming Wasteland, they should assist you greatly."

Rather than dispelling the suspicion in Qi Xiu’s eyes, Lin Cong’s explanation made it even more intense.

How could these ashes be of any help?

Seeing the perplexity in Qi Xiu’s eyes, Lin Cong smiled and said:

"In the Southern Ming Wasteland, the environment is treacherous; if a being’s tenacity isn’t dispersed before death, it will surely transform into tenacity retention.

The Righteous Dao’s esoteric practice first cultivates the heart.

So even when transformed into tenacity retention, most can still maintain self-awareness.

But for those demons and devils, it’s different.

Their temperament is twisted, their will violent, and before their death, their resentment reaches the heavens, filled with reluctance.

Therefore, the forms of tenacity retention into which they transform are almost devoid of rationality, focused solely on destruction and revenge.

These ashes contain their lifetime’s spirit essence.

Once a hint is stained, it shines like midnight luminescence, drawing tenacity retention to launch a relentless pursuit.

Moreover, this attraction can even drive those demonic tenacities to break through regional restrictions.

If you encounter an unstoppable enemy, strive to douse him with these ashes, so gathered tenacity retention of the Demonic Path would assault him.

They will grind him to death.

"Indeed, I shall accept them gratefully,"

Hearing of the extraordinary effect of these ashes, a gleam appeared in Qi Xiu’s eyes, his mind intent on pocketing the hundred or so urns of ashes.

"Wait, brother, hold on."

Stopping him with an uplifted hand, Lin Cong smiled and said:

"Logically, since you risk your life to come to this desperate place, I should assist with all my might.

But as a retention of tenacity, the tenacity in my heart has become instinctual.

You may take these ashes, but could you help resolve the tenacity in my heart, ending this ages-long solitude?"

Indeed, there is no free lunch in this world.

Hearing Lin Cong’s words, Qi Xiu didn’t find anything amiss.

After all, Lin Cong was a retention of tenacity, not a living body.

Tenacity was the core driving his existence, everything must give way to it.

"Please speak, senior, if I can help, I will not refuse."

"My Qingmu Cliff has been inherited for four thousand three hundred nineteen years, through thirteen Supreme Sect Leaders.

I do not know if my Qingmu Cliff still exists in this present age.

If it does, I hope you will pass on our sect’s Daoist inheritance.

If not, I hope you will pass down our sect’s Dharma Gate, even if the name Qingmu Cliff fades, it should not vanish completely."

With a solemn expression, Lin Cong rose and bowed deeply.

This was the greatest tenacity of his main body before death.

And it was the only reason he waited silently, enduring solitude since the Middle Ancient Era.

Understanding the steadfastness and hope of ancient cultivators towards their inheritance, Qi Xiu straightened up, did not shirk from receiving Lin Cong’s ceremonial bow.

"Rest assured, senior, if I can return alive.

I will definitely seek out the location of Qingmu Cliff and restore the Dharma to its rightful place."

"Good! With your assurance, my many years of waiting won’t be in vain." Hearing Qi Xiu agree to his request, Lin Cong showed a relieved and liberated expression.

After so many years of waiting, there was finally a result.

Having received Qi Xiu’s response, Lin Cong flipped his palm, and a lush and translucent leaf, akin to a celestial object, emerged. He casually pushed it, transforming into spiritual light and merging into Qi Xiu’s heart.

As the green leaf entered his body, ancient and profound knowledge surged fiercely within Qi Xiu like a torrent.

It was indeed all of Lin Cong’s cultivation experience and insights accumulated over many years.

"Senior you..."

"This is our Qingmu Cliff’s secret technique ’Endless Azure.’ I have integrated my years of cultivation insights into this method and bestowed it upon you.

Letting you pass on the Daoist inheritance, it naturally can’t be empty-handed.

Contained within this ’Endless Azure’ is the ’Azure Eternal Wood Scripture,’ which is the essence of our Qingmu Cliff’s Daoist inheritance.

I observe that within you, there is already the breath of water and fire successively. Ordinary cultivators would not cultivate this way, lest the Dao conflict and self-damage their cultivation.

You aim to embody the Dao of the Five Elements."

As the Sect Master of an ancient sect, Lin Cong’s perception is remarkable. He immediately saw Qi Xiu’s intention to embody the Dao of the Five Elements.

Or rather, his traces of dual cultivation of water and fire, which are quite obvious in the eyes of some veteran Dao experts.

It was unexpected that Lin Cong could see Qi Xiu’s intention to embody the Dao of the Five Elements at a glance. Qi Xiu didn’t hide it and nodded accordingly:

"Senior, keen insight; indeed, I have plans to embody the Dao of the Five Elements."

"That’s just right; I notice the water and fire Dharma gates you cultivate are of excellent quality, certainly not ordinary.

If you want to embody the Dao of the Five Elements, match them with the same-grade Earth, Wood, and Metal Dharma gates.

Although our Qingmu Cliff is not an ancient sect nobility.

The ’Azure Eternal Wood Scripture’ we inherit is considered a superior Dharma gate in the Dao of Wood.

Perfect for you to use and complete the Five Elements."

Surprised by Lin Cong’s generosity in handing over the sect’s Dharma gate, Qi Xiu opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words of gratitude.

"No need to thank me. My tenacity is to pass down all I’ve learned. Ideally, to restore the Daoist inheritance.

If not possible, at least ensure continuity.

I observe your pure aura and clear eyes, far from wicked or deceitful.

Allowing you to inherit my knowledge is the best outcome.

Oh, and this."

Retrieving the Snake Demon King he had captured, Lin Cong scrutinized it:

"Is this a demon from the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?

Weaker than our era."

"Naturally, the Demonic Sect Heretics were only driven to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains in the Near Ancient Era.

Prior to that, the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains were entirely the domain of the Demon Clan, fighting and hunting each other, making it impossible for the weak to survive.

Only after the Near Ancient Era did demons and devils mix.

The Hundred Thousand Great Mountains also established order, no longer primitive and wild.

Without a pressing survival crisis.

The power of these demon clans naturally declined, and even the innate battle instinct flowing in their bloodlines has been significantly diminished," Qi Xiu remarked.

The changes in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains over the years have been almost universally acknowledged.

This is also why, when facing the incursions of the demons from the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, the Human Race has always been on the defensive, rarely initiating attacks.

Because in their plans, driving the Demonic Sect Heretics to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains was an open strategy from the start.

Although on the surface, the mixing of Demonic Sect Heretics into the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains seemed to increase their overall strength.

In reality, once those cunning and malicious Demonic Sect Heretics settled into the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, they inadvertently eroded the original ferocious and brutal nature of the Demon Clan.

More and more members of the Demon Clan became lazy and greedy under their influence, the wildness symbolizing the Demon Ancestor’s bloodline gradually being extinguished.

Take this sword-grabbing incident as an example.

If it had been the Demon Clan from before the Near Ancient Era, they would have swarmed out regardless of strategies or situation, seizing first and questioning later.

But now, it clearly differs.

The shift in environment has made the Demon Clan hesitant and cautious, and the Human Race’s strategy is unknowingly effective, reaching an extent even demons themselves haven’t realized.

"You humans only know how to play dirty tricks; if you have the skills, face us in true battle, I curse you..."

In Lin Cong’s grasp, hearing their conversation, the Snake Demon King erupted in curses, spewing foul language.

"This beast was sent by the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains; I plan to extract its soul for interrogation, to probe their deployment."

However, a strange figure has emerged from the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains in recent years."

Mentioning soul extraction reminded Qi Xiu of his encounter in the Valley of Deceased Gods.

It was the first time he met a presence against which he had no power to resist.

If not for his foresight using Observing Qi Skill, the grass on his grave would already be overgrown.

"Oh? Is that so? I’m about to dissipate; let me try it for you then."

With a touch of curiosity in his eyes, Lin Cong immediately agreed to the task.

Firstly, he embodies Tenacity Retention, rendering him invincible.

Secondly, with his tenacity waning, he will soon disperse.

Before that, it’s his pleasure to assist the younger generation, and it’s his final effort.

Lin Cong’s heart stirred, and from his palm, tendrils slender as hair, emitting a rainbow hue, twisted and curled, piercing the Snake Demon King’s brow and Ancestral Aperture with a pop.

...