[Calligraphy (Sixth Realm): 9.3%]

[Human Path Merit (Sixth Realm): 1%]

[Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture Mystery (Fifth Realm): 17%]

[Observing Qi Skill (Fifth Realm): 94%]

[Five Thunder Orthodox Skill: Divine Thunder (Fifth Realm): 96]

[Alchemy (Fourth Realm): 17%]

[Shangqing Bell (Fourth Realm): 13%]

[Black Water True Skill (Fourth Realm): 12%]

[Gourd Sword Skill (Fourth Realm): 36%]

[Painting (Third Realm): 87%]

[White Bone Demonic Dao (Second Realm): 7%]

[Yama's Golden Chapter (Second Realm): 1%]

[Talisman Array Tao (Second Realm): 22%]

[Culinary Arts (First Realm): 11%]

[Dragon Might Spell: 6%]

「 … 」

It seems that without realizing it, I've accumulated quite a lot...

Quietly observing his proficiency panel, Qi Xiu chuckled lightly. He hadn't taken stock of it for a long time.

When had that frail scholar, who could only earn his keep by ghostwriting for others, become a great cultivator that roamed the lands?

His gaze swept over the techniques and skills on the panel, and he slowly rubbed the Golden Cry Jade Beads around his wrist, deep in thought.

His studies were diverse. He cultivated the Dao, Demonic, and Buddhist paths simultaneously, and he had several Mysterious Abilities at his disposal. The means of an ordinary great cultivator paled in comparison to even a tenth of his.

His overall strategy centered around his Divine Marvel calligraphy as the main force. He used Cloud Seal Talismans to evolve various True Scriptures, allowing him to manipulate them as easily as his own limbs. Furthermore, the Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture Mystery governed his entire body, commanding all techniques. Therefore, his Divine Marvel calligraphy and Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture Mystery were at the highest levels.

Currently, it seems I don't lack methods, he thought. I have the Five Thunder Orthodox Skill and the Gourd Sword Skill at my disposal. My offensive means are enough to compare with those of a top cultivator from an Ancient Sect Nobility. I also have the Black Water True Skill and White Bone Demonic Dao for support. The soul aspect is sufficiently covered by Yama's Golden Chapter. What I really lack is simplification, to choose a primary method that can stand on its own. Just as Taiyang Daoist said, I have the Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture, which can govern all techniques. As a result, I learn more and more, and my methods become increasingly complicated. In confrontation, although I appear to have a multitude of tricks, it's hard to deliver a decisive blow! Especially when facing opponents of the same level, or even fighting above my level. This flaw becomes even more apparent!

Reviewing his cultivation and battles over this period had become a years-long habit for Qi Xiu. He wasn't able to reflect on himself daily, but he believed periodic summaries were essential.

Previously, in the Dragon Prison, when battling the Corpse Demon Nie Biao, he had clearly sensed that Nie Biao's methods were few. They could even be described as very limited—merely some simple physical techniques and the use of corpse demonic qi. Yet even so, this Corpse Demon exhibited extremely strong combat power, pushing him to the brink.

Had it not been for the evil dragon's head exhausting Nie Biao to the point of serious injury, with all nine lives extinguished and his golden armor shattered, even using the Dragon Binding Rope might not have guaranteed victory. This is the advantage of 'purity.' Perhaps when facing other problems, I would have more ways to solve them than Nie Biao. But in a life-or-death struggle, Nie Biao's approach would undoubtedly have the upper hand. If it were peaceful times, I wouldn't need to fight and could advance step by step, steadily reaching the end. With the Sect's protection, I wouldn't have to worry about anything else. But now the situation is turbulent, with undercurrents surging. I might also try a new idea.

Recalling the warning Taiyang Daoist had given him, Qi Xiu's fingers, turning the Golden Cry Jade Beads, suddenly stilled.

Discarding the Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture is utterly impossible, he mused. But relying on it to slowly advance all my techniques takes far too long. After all, once the Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture entered the Fifth Realm, its proficiency growth became extremely slow, thereby causing the progress of other techniques to slow down as well. Moreover, I've devoted most of my energy to calligraphy and the Talisman Array Tao in recent years. This has resulted in the advancement of my other techniques being much slower than before! The evolution of the Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture is extremely difficult. It's nearly impossible to improve it quickly, unless I recklessly use the Hunyuan All-Encompassing Luminance without regard for depletion. But that would mean treading the same old path.

The candles of the Hunyuan All-Encompassing Luminance were formed from merit. Once exhausted, they required the consumption of Human Path Merit to be re-condensed.

In these chaotic and turbulent times, I need a sharp sword to cut through all filth! he resolved. I just need to carefully consider where to forge this sword.

Looking at the various techniques on the panel, Qi Xiu first ruled out the White Bone Demonic Dao and Yama's Golden Chapter. These two tomes were too high-grade, and their level advancement was slow. Moreover, neither the White Bone Demonic Dao nor Yama's Golden Chapter were true combat methods. They lacked a singular, pure focus.

Next was the Black Water True Skill. This voluminous demonic scripture, encompassing ice, snow, hail, dew, fog, frost, rain, and clouds, was comprehensive in scope. But what he needed now was a sword sharp enough to cut through everything, not a Swiss Army knife.

As for the Gourd Sword Skill… Purely in terms of killing power, this sword technique is the strongest among my many skills, Qi Xiu considered. However, its only flaw is the same as that of the White Bone Demonic Dao and Yama's Golden Chapter: the grade is too high, and it's difficult to improve. Moreover, the terrifying aspect of the Gourd Sword Skill lies in its concealment. If it doesn't sound, it remains silent; once it sounds, it must shake heaven and earth! The sword I seek, though, is one to be held constantly in hand. Its blade must shine brightly, making demons and fiends fear for their lives.

After comparison and elimination, only one choice remained before Qi Xiu.

It seems joining the Shenxiao Sect truly was my destiny, he thought with a light smile, his gaze focusing on the words 'Five Thunder Orthodox Skill.'

Within the Shenxiao Thunder Skills, the Five Thunder Orthodox Skill was of middle grade, not particularly high. He was only practicing a fifth of it. Therefore, the difficulty of advancing its level was far lower than that of Ancient Sect scriptures like the Gourd Sword Skill. Thunder Magic was a cultivation method of righteous and upright qi. This also fit well with his plans.

Since that's the case, there's nothing to hesitate about.

With a thought, the clear sound of a bell rang out. In the next instant, figures with no facial features, wearing long-sleeved robes and tall hats, appeared beside Qi Xiu. Summoning the Earth Burrower Tribe, Qi Xiu had these otherworldly creatures take him deep underground.

Ever since his last experience in the Dragon Prison, he had found that the underground was an excellent place for secluded cultivation. Firstly, it was difficult for most cultivators to dive too deep underground. Even great cultivators of the Blood-Stained Realm found this to be true. Besides the heavy pressure of soil and rock, there was also the omnipresent Geomagnetic Elemental Force and the yin qi of the Earth Veins. These various factors accumulated continuously and could severely affect a cultivator's power. Even a Dao Expert, with Divine Sense, could usually probe only a hundred li deep into the earth before the Geomagnetic Elemental Force interfered and prevented further expansion.

But these Earth Burrowers were uniquely blessed, able to effortlessly take Qi Xiu hundreds of li deep into the earth and construct a spacious, secluded place for his cultivation.

I hope it won't take too long, Qi Xiu thought.

With a flip of his hand, the Merit Golden Light behind Qi Xiu's head stirred. A stream of colorful light swiftly flew out, transforming into the Hunyuan All-Encompassing Luminance in the palm of his hand. Exhaling lightly, the flame of the Hunyuan All-Encompassing Luminance was suddenly ignited. A luminous glow imbued with the aura of wisdom gently fell, enveloping Qi Xiu.

Bathing in the light of the Hunyuan All-Encompassing Luminance, Qi Xiu felt countless thoughts madly emerging in his mind. As soon as one arose, it was immediately surrounded by numerous others. What followed was a collision between these thoughts, sparking against one another and producing outcomes. The entire process was astonishingly rapid.

Everything is prepared. Then, let's begin.

「 … 」

"The Flood Dragon King is dead?"

Deep within Divine Sorrow Ridge, three bright moons hung high, illuminating a clear pool. Within this sanctum, Monk Xing'e, dressed in a black kasaya and adorned with a string of blood-colored Buddha Beads, sat expressionless on a dark purple Lotus Platform. In front of him, the seven Kings of the Ancient Sect Nobility knelt on one knee. Revered as ancestors by hordes of demons and devils, they dared not lift their heads.

"Reporting to the Demon Buddha," one of the Kings said, "according to the Water Demons from the Nu River Palace, the life tablet of the Flood Dragon King placed there has shattered. They have tried all means to contact the Flood Dragon King, but all attempts have sunk like stones into the sea. Currently, it seems the Flood Dragon King has most likely perished. Yet, there have been no signs of major battles in Dianchuan Province lately."

A powerful Dao Expert would not die so silently, which was why the seven Kings could not be entirely sure if the Flood Dragon King had truly perished.

Slowly turning the blood-colored Buddha Beads in his hand, Monk Xing'e, his eyes half-closed, couldn't help but think of the Ancient God who had suddenly appeared and forced him away.

Was it his doing? he wondered. That Ancient God was enveloped in thick water vapor; he was probably of the Water God lineage. The Flood Dragon King's sudden disappearance was most likely his work. Does this mean that Ancient God is siding with the Human Race?

At this thought, Monk Xing E's fingers paused in their turning of the Buddha Beads.

The power of that Ancient God was immeasurable. It was ancient and potent, carrying a sense of boundless might from ages past. And beings like gods cannot be killed. Even if I used Mr. Li's three swords, it would probably be difficult to slay him.

His gaze fell upon the longsword lying nearby, sealed under layers of cloth. Monk Xing E's brows furrowed involuntarily.

Gods differ from living beings. Their origin lies in Heaven and Earth. Since ancient times, there has never been a precedent for a god being killed. At most, their True Bodies can be destroyed, sending them into a long slumber. And once I use Mr. Li's three swords, I will have no trump cards left to deter the Human Race's Primordial Spirit Bosses. Then, those Primordial Spirit Bosses would likely descend at once and take Divine Sorrow Ridge entirely!

"As for the matter of the Flood Dragon King, don't bother with it for now," Monk Xing'e finally said. "You are to send men to the Nu River Palace as quickly as possible and retrieve the Reprimand Root. It is the rootstock used to create the Scolding Sacred Heart. A single Flood Dragon King's death won't affect the overall situation. But if the Reprimand Root is lost, I fear all of you will have to make a trip to the Cold Water Prison!"

Hearing the words 'Cold Water Prison,' the seven Dao Experts, despite their power, trembled violently as if recalling something utterly terrifying.

"We understand!" they responded at once.

Nodding in immediate understanding, the seven Kings vanished instantly, hurrying to arrange for men to head to the Nu River Palace and retrieve the Reprimand Root.

After the seven Kings departed, Monk Xing E stood in silence for a moment before walking towards the deeper part of the pool. Amidst SPLASHING sounds, Monk Xing E's figure gradually descended, sinking into the pool until he completely disappeared.

「 … 」

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.