Chapter 43: When Golden Wind Meets Jade Dew
Su Mei said, “The energy circulation method of the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art creates a vortex in your dantian. By applying this principle to palm or blade techniques, you can achieve unexpected victories…”
She began explaining the intricacies of the Violet Vortex Blade Technique to Shi Hao.
Shi Hao drew his sword and, using it as a blade, practiced the movements.
Lacking the power of Ye Zi Yin and Su Mei, and with his sword being made of jade and not particularly sharp, he couldn’t cut through the jade in the Primordial Grotto Heaven, a material far harder than ordinary stone.
However, the surface of the jade still warped and distorted slightly.
Shi Hao marveled at the bizarre and unpredictable nature of demonic techniques.
He continued learning the Violet Vortex Blade Technique from Su Mei, practicing diligently.
After combining the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art with the blade technique, he finally understood why the movements seemed so unrestrained.
Because while channeling the energy, it was like having an invisible, swirling sphere attached to the blade, making it much harder to control than he had initially thought.
If he held back too much, it would disrupt his internal energy flow. If he released too much, he couldn’t control it.
It took him several hours to fully master the technique.
Finally, he could even perform the Violet Vortex Blade Technique without a weapon, using his palm as a blade, just like Su Mei.
He practiced for six hours straight.
A full two days had passed since he entered the Primordial Grotto Heaven.
He hadn’t even had a chance to sleep and was now exhausted.
But these two days had been incredibly rewarding.
After mastering the Violet Vortex Blade Technique, he ate some fruit, bathed in a cold spring, and then found a place to sleep for two hours.
He then met with Ye Zi Yin and Su Mei again.
He demonstrated what he had learned, incorporating his own understanding, while they occasionally tested his skills and offered further guidance.
As the time distortion was about to shift, they told him the ingredients for the sixth-rank Immortal Formula and the requirements for the demonic ritual to advance to the sixth rank.
The main ingredients for the sixth-rank Immortal Formula were relatively easy to obtain: Illusory Sea Spirit Fruit, Molting Snake Reverse Scale, Tri-colored Qilin Grass, Carriage Horse Mushroom… They were all unfamiliar to Shi Hao, so he didn’t think much of them.
The supplementary ingredients were mostly herbs like Autumn in Han Palace, White Cogon Grass Flower, and Coastal Wind Vine, which he had encountered while learning alchemy from Daoist Lan Ke.
The demonic ritual for advancing to the sixth rank, however, was quite troublesome.
A matricide’s heart, a weapon that has killed a thousand people, the blood of an Undying Child… It sounded like a headache.
Su Mei even chuckled and said, “They’re not difficult to obtain. A matricide’s heart is simply the heart of an unfilial child who killed their own mother. In this world, everything has a price.
“Ten taels of silver is enough for a desperate commoner to kill someone. A hundred taels, and they’ll even kill their own mother. Just tempt someone to kill their mother, and then you take their heart.”
“As for a weapon that has killed a thousand people, I won’t elaborate. You know what that is.”
Shi Hao asked, “And the blood of an Undying Child… What’s an Undying Child?”
Su Mei said, “There’s a demonic technique specifically for children abducted by the demonic sects. It’s called the ‘Blood Erosion Technique.’
“Children who practice this technique must soak a type of medicinal vine called Blood Vine in human blood every seven days and then consume it. This allows a child to achieve ninth-rank, or even eighth-rank, strength within just two or three years, without much training or resources, making them useful to the demonic sects.”
“These children are easy to train, possess decent strength, remain in their childlike form, and as long as you control the supply of Blood Vine, you don’t have to worry about them rebelling. Many demonic sects use this method to train child servants and slaves.”
“An Undying Child is a child trained with the Blood Erosion Technique. Don’t worry, this method is so convenient that it will never be lost. You’ll be able to find them if you infiltrate the demonic sects.”
Shi Hao was inwardly shocked… As expected of the demonic sects.
From Su Mei’s perspective, the three main ingredients for the next demonic ritual were easy to obtain.
But Shi Hao already felt a headache coming on… This was even more troublesome than the one hundred living souls.
After memorizing the sixth-rank Immortal Formula and the demonic ritual, Shi Hao prepared to leave.
The two women stood on opposite sides of the central area of the Primordial Grotto Heaven.
Ye Zi Yin looked at him and said softly, “A month in the outside world is only a few days here. From what you’ve described, it seems chaos is brewing. Be careful. All sorts of demons and monsters will emerge from the shadows.”
Su Mei winked at him, “There are many temptations in the outside world. Don’t forget about us. Hee hee.”
They extended their hands, their energies colliding, and with a ripping sound, a rift opened in the air above them.
Shi Hao, now understanding the importance of “building momentum,” stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a smile on his face. Without moving his body, he lightly tapped his toes and soared into the air.
He floated gracefully, reciting in a melodious voice, “Fine clouds weave their magic, shooting stars carry longing, across the vast Milky Way, a secret crossing; when golden wind meets jade dew, all earthly joys pale in hue… My ladies, I will return on the next full moon. Until then, farewell!”
He flew into the shimmering spatial rift and disappeared.
Watching him leave, Su Mei glanced at Ye Zi Yin, “What nonsense did you teach him?”
She looked up at the rift, a mixture of annoyance and amusement on her face.
Ye Zi Yin’s expression softened, a thoughtful look in her eyes, “When golden wind meets jade dew, all earthly joys pale in hue?”
She thought to herself, “Not only is he exceptionally talented in martial arts, but also in literature.”
The two women stared at the spot where he had disappeared, lost in thought…
Shi Hao returned to his tent. Outside, Lu Tong and the three others were still chatting.
None of them knew he had spent almost three days in the mystical Primordial Grotto Heaven.
He used the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique to change his appearance again.
Before entering the Primordial Grotto Heaven, he had been forced to maintain the disguise for so long that his face felt stiff.
He had had a brief respite inside, and his face felt much better now.
He rested for a while, then exited the tent.
Lu Tong, the woman sitting with her, and the two other men all looked at him.
It was strange that they all looked at him simultaneously.
Especially the three besides Lu Tong, who weren’t familiar with “Righteous Hao.” They had initially thought he was just a quiet and aloof person.
But now, as he emerged from the tent, they felt an inexplicable aura of authority and charisma emanating from him.
They watched as he sat down under a tree. His face seemed softer now, and although he still didn’t speak, even just sitting there, he seemed to blend seamlessly with nature, radiating a mysterious and captivating aura, a presence impossible to ignore.
The full moon rose high in the sky, its bright light bathing the forest.
As midnight approached, Zhao Leitong, the leader of the Kan Shui Branch, and Fu Shiyuan, the “Heroic Iron Eagle,” the leader of the Li Huo Branch, sent messengers to instruct everyone to prepare for action.
Two groups set off quietly.
Shi Hao’s group was led by a martial artist named Qu Zongping.
He was tall and muscular, his bronzed skin a testament to his training in external martial arts.
Their group was the last to leave the forest.
After all, their main task was support and covering the retreat.
They followed Qu Zongping towards Civilian Martial Ridge, using the shadows of the trees and hills for cover.
But before they reached the ridge, they caught up with the group ahead.
Qu Zongping hurried over and whispered, “Why are you still here? Aren’t the barbarian troops about to arrive?”
The man replied, “We’re not sure. It seems the situation has changed. The two leaders told us to wait here and assess the situation.”
They exchanged glances, someone whispering, “What’s going on?”
The sudden change of plans confused everyone.
After waiting anxiously for fifteen minutes, an explosion suddenly echoed from Civilian Martial Ridge.
Flames erupted into the sky, followed by billowing smoke and the roar of fire, shattering the tranquility of the night.
A messenger arrived, “Leader Zhao told us to advance, all of us! Quickly!”
“All of us?” Qu Zongping asked, wanting to confirm, “Including the support team and the rear guard?”
The messenger said, “Don’t ask questions! All of us! There’s no time!”
Shi Hao and Lu Tong exchanged glances, equally confused.
But unexpected changes were common in such operations. Something unforeseen must have happened.
They hurried towards Civilian Martial Ridge and soon joined Zhao Leitong, Fu Shiyuan, and the others.
Chaos reigned below. The raging fire sent plumes of black smoke, clearly poisonous, towards the barbarian troops, many of whom collapsed before they could even react.
Explosions of energy echoed, and shadowy figures rappelled down the cliff face on the opposite side.
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