“Roaring Dragon Blast, to think such a miraculous idea existed even before the ancient Desolate Era.”

In but a moment, Zong Shou closed the book. His Sea of Souls calculated rapidly, the specks of light within ceaselessly flickering.

The Great Yi Heaven and Earth Netherworld Art, in essence, divided his divine soul into two opposing yet interdependent currents of thought during meditation. Following this, it required orderly meditation and rigorous calculation.

Not only did the speed of soul power cultivation surge, but it also proved incredibly effective during moments of contemplation and enlightenment.

Within his palm, a cluster of blue and red swirling vital energy manifested once more, rotating ceaselessly like a spiral.

However, it was subtly different from before; at a glance, this mass of energy appeared far more ‘integrated,’ lacking the previous sharp points of conflict.

Zong Shou’s control over it also began to feel increasingly intuitive, yielding to his will. Speed and lethargy were dictated by his mind; the might of this World-Shaking True Force waxed and waned with his every thought.

His senior brother was truly worthy of his Saint Realm status, possessing eyes that saw through everything. In just a single night, he had already discerned every flaw and weakness in Zong Shou’s World-Shaking Spirit Art. Naturally, the future prospects of this cultivation method were also crystal clear to him.

The martial secret codices left behind were all precisely what was needed to address these issues, allowing him to shore up his weaknesses, assimilate the essence, and integrate it into the World-Shaking Spirit Art.

The initial Body Wheel stage of this technique was now nearing perfection. Regarding the cultivation of the subsequent Earth Wheel or even Heaven Wheel stages, he already possessed a clear framework in mind. Yet, Zong Shou had certainly gained a taste of the Cang Sheng Dao’s style. As the rumors suggested, they truly practiced a method of extreme laissez-faire governance upon their direct disciples.

It was akin to an eagle pushing its immature fledgling from the nest, forcing it to learn to fly. Or a she-wolf abandoning her young to hunt alone.

The Cang Sheng Dao’s approach was similar. With Wei Xu’s Saint Realm cultivation, he could have easily perfected the World-Shaking Spirit Art for Zong Shou, yet he chose not to. Instead, he left behind these supplementary martial secret codices, compelling Zong Shou to comprehend and deduce them himself.

What was even more outrageous was that after accepting him as a direct disciple, Wei Xu simply cast him aside, showing no further concern.

If he hadn't known that Zhao Yanran and Xuan Yunlan, the direct disciples of the Seven Spirits Sect and Light Melody Gate respectively, were treated the exact same way, he would have suspected the Cang Sheng Dao of ruthlessly discarding him after exploiting his utility.

Others could leverage the strength of their sect elders to gain countless benefits upon entry, rapidly boosting their cultivation. Yet, after joining, he still had to rely entirely on his own power, striving for self-sufficiency.

“Truly, I chose the wrong master; I regret it deeply! If only I had listened to Lei Dong and joined the Five Ultimate Manor, would I be suffering this misery? Still, this Great Yi Heaven and Earth Netherworld Art is truly excellent—”

Zong Shou muttered inwardly while continuing his deduction. Once he had a general conclusion in mind, he ceased his meditation. He then turned to the assistance of the Phantom Heart Mirror, conjuring various scenarios within his mind.

This time, he chose dozens of experts at the Martial Sovereign Realm as opponents, intending to test the World-Shaking True Force after his latest refinements and sublimation. He slaughtered these illusory opponents in the phantom realm with a display of near-total annihilation.

Just then, the sound of Xuan Yunlan’s zither drifted from outside the great door. A Melody for Calming the Spirit and Pacifying the Mind, which once again plunged his consciousness into a state of utter detachment.

His spirit drifted deep, and when his awareness finally returned, an hour had passed.

In the illusionary realm within his mind, not a single opponent had died. At most, they were gravely wounded and rendered incapable of continuing the fight. Zong Shou pressed his lips together slightly and stored away the Phantom Heart Mirror. The Melody for Calming the Spirit and Pacifying the Mind from the Zither Melody Sect was indeed a peerless art of the sound lineage. It had astonishing utility, whether aiding in comprehension or meditation.

There was only one drawback: listening to the melody for too long caused one’s temperament to become frighteningly placid, extinguishing all killing intent.

Take, for instance, just now: given his nature, once the zither music began, he found himself unable to strike the finishing blow in the illusion—he was practically a different person.

It was certainly possible that Xuan Yunlan was deliberately using her music to subtly influence his temperament, with an intent toward moral persuasion.

It was a blessing this woman was born into the Cang Sheng Dao. With such a disposition, even the most righteous major sects would not tolerate her existence.

Altering someone’s temperament directly attacks the root of their Dao Heart—a major taboo among martial cultivators and Spirit Masters!

It was fortunate that Xuan Yunlan encountered him. If it weren’t for the fact that they were fellow disciples, and that he needed to utilize her zither music for his cultivation, coupled with his conviction in his Clear Sword Heart preventing any bewitchment, he wouldn't have considered killing her with a single sword stroke for such an action excessive.

Even though he refrained from slaughter in the illusion just now, the subtle intricacies of the Roaring Dragon Blast had truly integrated into his World-Shaking Spirit Art.

The fact that none of the dozens of opponents perished meant that his control over this spiraling vital energy had reached a peak of refinement. Only by having complete mastery over its deployment could he manage to hold back power.

In the past, it would have been difficult for him to even hold back intentionally.

“This technique is nearly finalized. I estimate it will take another month to perfect a few details, and then I can break through to the Martial Sovereign Realm!”

He suddenly produced a five-story purple pagoda and, with a casual beckon, seized two spirit veins, drawing them directly into his body.

Unlike the previous time when flesh and blood threatened to tear apart, this integration of spirit veins proceeded calmly, without a ripple. He effortlessly absorbed the two fire-attribute spirit veins into his internal Wheel of Organs.

With his physical body reinforced, his foundation stabilized, and his core technique refined, the integration of the Earth Veins was naturally smooth sailing, without incident or danger.

He then clearly felt his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys strengthening at an astonishing pace.

The Qi and blood vital force surging within him was at least three times stronger than before!

Zong Shou abruptly drew a spirit sword and sliced a shallow cut across his fingertip. In mere moments, it healed completely, leaving behind only faint white marks.

This was a sign of the massive increase in the vital essence of life within his body. In the future, unless he suffered a mortal wound, minor injuries would mend in an instant.

Zong Shou suddenly clenched his right fist, and the second-tier spirit weapon in his hand instantly crumbled into fragments of iron.

In his right forearm, six fine spirit veins could be faintly discerned, coiling and winding like young dragons, supplying immense spiritual energy.

“Six hundred thousand jin! Even a Martial Sovereign who has cultivated the Fifth Wheel only possesses strength around this level. With six Earth Veins within me, my longevity of Qi should surpass theirs!”

A slight, triumphant smile touched Zong Shou’s lips. Misfortune and fortune are interdependent. This dual-vein physique had previously crippled his progress, but once the bottleneck was broken, it immediately revealed astonishing capabilities.

Once he fully integrates all eighteen Earth Veins, he might truly be able to contend with a Heaven Rank expert while possessing the strength of a peak Profound Martial Master, not falling short of a genius who has grasped the unity of Spirit and Martial arts.

His consciousness swept over the small Qiankun Bag. Only one martial secret codex remained inside.

“Swift Shadow Art of the Raging Flame, a Seventh-Tier Legendary Art from the Desolate Era!”

Zong Shou’s eyebrows shot up immediately. Among the dozens of texts left by Wei Xu, apart from the two internal cultivation methods—the Profound Thunder Body Tempering Art and the Great Yi Heaven and Earth Netherworld Art—only this one was truly precious.

Legendary Tier One, not inferior even to his Six Divine Blade Control Art.

He took it out of the Qiankun Bag and, upon opening it, felt another surge of joy. This was neither a cultivation method nor a set of fist or sword techniques, but a movement and soaring art that allowed one to travel a thousand miles swiftly. Moreover, through the conversion and collision of water and fire true qi, it allowed for uncanny, unpredictable shifts in form.

However, the practitioner needed to cultivate both Spirit and Martial arts simultaneously. Not only must their true qi possess the quality of water and fire unity, but their Sea of Souls must also condense two true talismans of water and fire.

What surprised him most was that this Swift Shadow Art of the Raging Flame required no modification. With his dual-vein body and spiraling vital energy, he could cultivate it directly.

In his past life, he specialized in the Dao of the Sword, but his movement techniques and swift running arts were not proficient. He was the weakest among the Seven Emperors.

According to the Shadow Emperor who died under his Six Divine Blade Control Art, Zong Shou’s combat style was either life or death.

If he could win, fine. If he was defeated, he couldn't even escape. Fortunately, before seizing the Primal Heaven Destiny Book, he engaged in four thousand, seven hundred and forty-seven battles without a single defeat, thus never needing to consider retreat.

But it was a lie to say he wasn't envious of their ability to travel a thousand miles in an instant. Faster movement speed would undoubtedly make his sword speed several points quicker, yet he had never found a suitable technique.

Turning page after page, Zong Shou’s body began to move in accordance with the mental techniques described in this secret codex. His figure suddenly flashed, scattering countless phantom images around him.

Just as he was becoming deeply immersed, a small strip of paper drifted down from the Swift Shadow Art of the Raging Flame.

Zong Shou paused slightly and caught it. On it were written four large characters: ‘Raging Flame Dragon Centipede.’

Zong Shou recognized Wei Xu’s handwriting at a single glance. The script, like the man, was gentle and restrained, yet subtly permeated with a scorching heat, as if threatening to burn everything.

“Raging Flame Dragon Centipede? Isn't that a Ninth-Tier Essence Beast that dwells beneath the Sea of Clouds? Legend says it possesses Dragon Clan bloodline, possessing strength equivalent to the Seventh-Tier at birth. If it survives over ten thousand years, it can advance to the Divine Beast category. Why would Senior Brother specifically leave this note within this secret codex?”

Puzzled, Zong Shou stopped studying the Swift Shadow Art and fell into deep contemplation.

Just seeing the characters ‘Raging Flame,’ he knew this couldn't have been left by Wei Xu previously. There weren't this many coincidences in the world. This note was clearly not left without purpose.

Although he had never seen the Raging Flame Dragon Centipede before, he had heard that this beast was adept at wielding cold power and manipulating flames, with combat strength far surpassing ordinary essence beasts of the same tier by several times.

His World-Shaking Spirit Art must have a profound connection to this beast. Perhaps the future perfection of this technique would depend on these Ninth-Tier Essence Beasts.

But that was a distant concern for now. Never mind an adult Ninth-Tier, he couldn't even defeat a young Seventh-Tier specimen yet.

Zong Shou steadied his mind and once again picked up the secret codex in his hands, settling down to study it intently.

However, after only reading a dozen lines this time, he felt his left arm tremble slightly.

Zong Shou rejoiced instantly, knowing that this must be ‘Little Gold’ leveling up once again. (To be continued)

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