Chapter 77

Chapter 76>

I can understand why my comrades are feeling this way.

Suddenly being told to fight against divine beings that are beyond their reach must be a tremendous psychological burden for them.

However, for the venerable beings of the Spirit Realm to possess someone's body even once requires an enormous expenditure of spiritual power.

Therefore, Jo Hui's expression became quite serious as he immediately rejected his comrades' request.

"No."

In Yan Shanglu's eyes, this refusal seemed to stem from a desire to monopolize the venerable beings of the Spirit Realm for himself.

"Would you hoard this rare opportunity for yourself even as the Central Plains face annihilation? Isn't that too greedy?"

Ugh, that extremely evil guy.

Jo Hui let out a long sigh and slowly explained.

"For the elders to possess my body once... "

The more Jo Hui explained, the more puzzled his comrades' faces became.

"Spiritual power?"

"What is that?"

Jo Hui could proudly say he had deeply explored the world of intent.

However, he still did not fully understand the essence and concept of spiritual power.

"Hmm... Can I compare it to the inner strength of a martial artist?"

Only then did his comrades' faces stiffen in unison.

Inner strength is everything to a martial artist.

It would be too much to ask them to endure such a tremendous sacrifice just to impart teachings.

"That, such a situation..."

"We didn't know..."

-There's no need.

When the indifferent voice of the great sword deity was heard, Jo Hui's face turned pale.

"Ah, no, Master!"

-Regardless of the reason, when you were caught in the Heavenly Tribulation Lightning, our spiritual power increased dramatically. There's no need to worry to that extent.

"But still..."

No matter how much he tried to persuade, the great sword deity always stubbornly possessed him.

Whoosh!

As a powerful aura enveloped Jo Hui's entire body and the great sword deity manifested, Nangong Zhanghuo was the first to react.

"Ah...!"

Pure martial might might be stronger on Jo Hui's side.

However, the great sword deity, standing there indifferently, was a pure and complete sword of the world.

A mysterious and indescribable aura emanated from his entire body, gently spreading throughout the world.

Even Jiang Biwu, who had been facing the great sword deity, could not help but kneel under the immense pressure.

Jiang Biwu's life was also the sword.

A man who could proudly say he had devoted himself to the sword more than anyone else, truly worthy of the name "sword master."

However, the moment he met the great sword deity's gaze, he felt as if his entire life had been negated.

Can you truly say that your life was solely dedicated to the path of the sword?

"Me, I...!"

Jiang Biwu could not answer rashly.

The great sword deity, standing there indifferently, proved himself with his entire being.

The great sword deity.

In the world, only he is complete in the way of the sword.

The great sword deity's gaze then turned to Jiang Biwu's left arm.

"Have you given up on the left-hand sword?"

Jiang Biwu felt a chill run down his spine.

"How...!"

The fact that he had given up on the left-hand sword was something from before he was ten.

"Unfortunately. If you hadn't given up on the left-hand sword, you could have easily reached the absolute realm before the age of thirty and become invincible in the world. It's a pity that you never got to see the full potential of your unparalleled talent."

Hearing the great sword deity's definitive statement, Jiang Biwu's face turned ashen.

Jiang Biwu, the successor of the previous generation's great sword master, the Lone Sword, knew this himself and his master also knew.

His left arm was stronger than his right.

Especially, the meridians in his left arm were overwhelmingly open.

Over a long period, expanding the meridians themselves by circulating qi through the fine meridians is a rigorous practice for martial artists.

However, in the past, his left arm had so many fine meridians that his master at the time could have called it deformed.

But the Lone Dragon Sixteen Roads of the Lone Sword did not have teachings for the left hand.

It was impossible to practice without completely dismantling the theories contained in the sword technique.

So, with tears in his eyes, he chose the right-hand sword.

He had always harbored lingering feelings for the left-hand sword, but when he received the great sword deity's direct criticism, Jiang Biwu felt as if the sky was collapsing.

On the other hand, the great sword deity's expression when looking at Nangong Zhanghuo was satisfied.

"Indeed, you are good."

Nangong Zhanghuo was a promising young talent he had observed for a long time.

He not only had excellent bones but also a temperament like a pine tree, which made the great sword deity even happier.

"Do not doubt and continue to progress as you are. You will surely reach the level of a grandmaster in the way of the sword."

The sword of the Nangong Imperial Family is a late bloomer.

One day, his sword will represent the Central Plains and make a name for itself in the world.

However, Nangong Zhanghuo, feeling satisfied, could only urgently call out to the great sword deity who turned away from him.

"Great Sword Deity! I, I...!"

"Do you look down on your own sword?"

"..."

Nangong Zhanghuo, unable to answer, lowered his head.

The great sword deity, with eyes as calm as a lake, sternly rebuked Nangong Zhanghuo.

"A thousand-year-old pine does not easily break in a fierce north wind because it has deeply rooted itself in the ground over a long period. How can the sword of the Imperial Family be upright if it easily sways? If the Heaven-Splitting Sword truly embodies the will of the emperor, do not urge me to teach you the ways of evil."

Nangong Zhanghuo's mind was suddenly clear at the great sword deity's stern rebuke, but he still wanted to learn a technique from the great sword deity.

"Even now, your sword, influenced by this mischievous one, is already quite advanced. I would rather urge you to progress more slowly."

Nangong Zhanghuo's expression changed.

He had heard similar words from his father.

His father had said that the form of his sword was becoming fainter.

Nangong Zhanghuo could not deny that this was due to the influence of Jo Hui.

"…I will keep it in mind."

Suddenly, the great sword deity's gaze turned to Yan Shanglu.

"Trivial."

The great sword deity's eyes, filled with disdain as if he found Yan Shanglu contemptible, made Yan Shanglu's anger boil.

That Nangong guy, while pretending to scold him, was showering him with all kinds of praise, and now he says I'm trivial?

"Ah, no! Great Sword Deity, you're all great! What do you mean by trivial!"

Slap!

"This brat?"

Nangong Zhanghuo slapped the back of Yan Shanglu's head and glared at him.

To speak in such a manner to a great sword master, the ancestor or even a deity of the sword, in the long history of the martial world!

"What? Do you want to fight? Just because you've reached the Profound Realm, do you think you can see everything? Sob! Jiaxi!"

Approaching Jin Jiaxi, Yan Shanglu started to act like a monk, and the great sword deity's mocking voice echoed again.

"Have you ever chosen the path of asceticism even once? When the difficulty of sword techniques became too much, you probably turned to the way of the dao, and when cultivating the dao became too difficult, you probably turned to the spear. When the intricate spear techniques became too much, what did you turn to next?"

What, is he a fortune-teller?

"Is this where you ended up with the scythe? It must have been easy. You must have quickly mastered it and reached a high realm. That's why you have no future."

As the great sword deity spoke as if he knew his past, Yan Shanglu was truly chilled to the bone.

As he said, the sword, dao, and spear were all weapons he had passed through.

The last time he begged for teachings from the Black Heaven Eight Kings, the Demon Scythe, it was because he believed it was the fastest way to achieve the highest level in scythe techniques.

But he felt wronged.

What, should I only cultivate martial arts for my entire life?

Others become Ghost Killers and Heaven Killers, advancing well, but what good would it do to spend my whole life cultivating the sword in the deep mountains until my hair turned white and then come out into the world?

"Ah, no! Is it a sin to consider efficiency in a short life?"

The great sword deity's eyes became even more disdainful at Yan Shanglu's aggrieved protest.

"Are you saying that martial arts are merely a means for advancement and glory? If so, there is no teaching I can impart to you. You are not a martial artist, are you?"

Shaking.

"Am I supposed to be so noble to become a martial artist!"

"There is no way to discuss martial arts with someone who is not a martial artist."

"Ah, ah!"

The great sword deity coldly turned away from Yan Shanglu and then looked at Jin Jiaxi.

"You are ill."

"Me?"

The great sword deity's eyes had already become warm, like a father worried about his daughter.

"Who can deny that life is not easy? However, martial arts built on resentment and hatred are like a mud wall that will eventually crumble with the passage of time."

The great sword deity raised his intent, warmly enveloping Jin Jiaxi's entire body.

"Moreover, the achievements made through evil energy will eventually lead to illness in the bones. It may already be progressing. Relax and entrust your body."

"Ah... "

A look of relief appeared on the great sword deity's face.

"Since I have detected the evil energy before it reached your bones, it is indeed fortunate."

You are ill.

The great sword deity's words, recognizing that her mind and body were both diseased, made Jin Jiaxi collapse.

It felt as if all the intense loneliness she had felt over the years was being washed away.

"Inner strength techniques that achieve success by coveting the essence of others are all based on hatred and resentment towards the world. With such a sick mind, you can never reach a high realm. Your master must have warned you of the dangers of dispersing your inner strength."

"Ah, yes."

The Poisonous Snake King of Death had said that the Blood Snake Heart Spring Technique was an inner strength technique with its roots in the demonic sect.

The Blood Snake Heart Spring Technique, if it failed to overcome the demonic influence and break through a critical point, would inevitably lead to the dispersal of all inner strength, a common characteristic of demonic techniques.

"Empty the resentment in your heart. Otherwise, you cannot avoid a miserable death. That is the limit of demonic techniques."

Jin Jiaxi bit her lip tightly.

Her mortal enemy, the Black Heaven Great Killer, was already dead.

Her master, the Poisonous Snake King of Death, who had lusted after her, was said to have been crippled by Han Xueyan's Ice White Heart Palm.

It was absurd to continue harboring resentment.

"I will keep it in mind."

Just then.

-What kind of nonsense is this!

In the Spirit Realm, the Demon Deity was having a fit.

-Instead, refine your hatred and resentment! Shout madly at the world! The moment a demon forgets the essence of being a demon is the true death!

"Ah! What nonsense! Shut your mouth!"

-Hmph! Your way is not always right!

"Ah! What are you doing!"

Whoosh!

Thus, the Demon Deity forcibly possessed Jo Hui's body and shouted powerfully at Jin Jiaxi with glaring eyes.

"You! Refine your hatred and resentment, and ignite the demonic fire in your heart!"

"Huh!"

"Ah!"

Sssssss!

The immense demonic aura surrounding the Demon Deity's body filled the surroundings with a suffocating pressure.

"You guys!"

When the Demon Deity pointed at them with his gaze, Yan Shanglu and Jin Jiaxi were terrified and responded.

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

The Demon Deity asked sternly.

"You guys! Do you want to learn the Demon Deity Technique?"

Demon Deity Technique?

Thinking he might have heard wrong, Yan Shanglu blinked repeatedly and then gasped in shock.

"Y-You mean the Heavenly Demon Deity Technique?"

"That's right. Do you want to learn it?"

Is there any evil person who would dare say "I don't want to learn" here?

The Heavenly Demon Deity Technique is the pinnacle of all demonic techniques in this land.

But, is it really okay to just hand out the Heavenly Demon Deity Technique, which is secretly passed down as the supreme technique of the Heavenly Demon Sect?

Let alone being a disciple, if someone learns the Heavenly Demon Deity Technique without permission, they will face unimaginable consequences.

They will suffer under the Heavenly Demon Sect's vast network.

Only if one reaches a realm surpassing the Demon Deity and can single-handedly crush all threats would it be different.

In the end, Yan Shanglu swallowed his tears and bowed his head.

"I am deeply grateful for your generous offer... but I... I will decline."

"Decline?"

"..."

The Demon Deity looked bewildered.

"If the heads of the Eight Great Demon Families or the distinguished elders and enforcers of our sect were here, what expressions would they have? All the disciples of our sect would mock you as the most foolish person in the world."

"Those terrifying demon sect members would question my qualifications as a disciple. The execution order would be a foregone conclusion. As long as I survive, anything is possible, right?"

The Demon Deity snorted.

"Hmph! What does it matter when the world is on the brink of destruction?"

"That's true, but the supreme technique of the Demon Deity is still... The execution order of the demon sect is too terrifying."

"Petty. Disappear from my sight."

"Ah!"

The Demon Deity glared, and Yan Shanglu fled.

On the other hand, Jiang Biwu clenched his teeth and stood boldly before the Demon Deity.

"I will learn it."

"Indeed, I expected no less from you."

Smirk.

The Demon Deity, who had been observing Jiang Biwu all along in the Spirit Realm, was already pleased with his serious attitude towards martial arts.

"Extend your hand."

Jiang Biwu immediately understood that the Demon Deity wanted to examine his inner strength and extended his wrist without hesitation.

"Ah!"

Jiang Biwu gasped in shock.

The moment a stream of cold energy entered his body, it transformed into an unimaginably immense force that instantly surrounded his qi sea.

The powerful inner strength of the Demon Deity was repeatedly squeezing and releasing as if testing his capabilities.

The problem was that it came with a pain that made him feel like he was about to faint.

"Ugh!"

Jiang Biwu, who had developed a mental fortitude through rigorous training that could withstand most extreme pain, found the Demon Deity's test to be of a different dimension.

After about half an hour of testing his dantian, the Demon Deity finally smiled in satisfaction.

"Indeed, it is solid. Impressive. It seems to be a type of Heaven-Defying Technique."

When the Demon Deity released the pressure, Jiang Biwu wiped the sweat streaming down his forehead and regained his color.

"Ah... It's the Black Dragon Mixed Essence Technique."

"I've heard of it. Wasn't it the inner strength technique of the Lone Tyrant?"

The Lone Tyrant, Mo Hou.

His master always knelt and deeply revered this name.

The legendary sword master of the evil path who created the Lone Dragon Sixteen Roads.

"But it has its limits. Heaven-Defying Techniques all experience the dispersal of inner strength. You must already know this, right?"

"Yes..."

Heaven-Defying Technique.

Also known as a demonic technique.

This terrifying inner strength technique circulates qi in the opposite direction from the usual circulation from the Baihui to the Huiyin.

It completely deviates from the principles of martial arts and is not easily possible.

However, if one can overcome the rampant qi with powerful drugs or demonic nature and ultimately control the surging blood and qi, it can be several times, or even dozens of times, more efficient than ordinary techniques.

Of course, not all demonic techniques are the same.

Their sophistication and meticulousness are directly proportional to their long history, and among them, the Black Dragon Mixed Essence Technique is one of the highest-level demonic techniques.

Therefore, while it takes decades of rigorous practice for orthodox techniques to cultivate inner strength for a single cycle, such high-level demonic techniques can achieve this in just a few years.

The reason there are overwhelmingly more