137: Chapter 133: Exploring the Blood Evil Mystery, The Riddle of the Heavenly Girl 137: Chapter 133: Exploring the Blood Evil Mystery, The Riddle of the Heavenly Girl This parting did not carry the usual sorrow of previous ones.

Zhao Changhe felt a joy in his heart that made him want to sing a little tune, his mood extremely elated.

We’ll meet again next time, you just wait.

Despite his pursuit this time, he was still often plagued with doubts, hesitating to take bold steps.

It wasn’t purely due to a sense of admiration, but was more mixed with a subconscious feeling of being “unworthy” of his own strength.

She had said that his strength could not be much weaker than hers.

When faced with such a statement, besides those old hands flirting in the flowers, there were really few men who could shamelessly go forward.

But next time they met, he would be ready… Zhao Changhe was very confident, even though he knew that as time progressed, it wouldn’t be as fast as before.

It wasn’t just about the energy demands and the difficulty of the cultivation techniques needed for later breakthroughs.

Fortune and misfortune come hand in hand.

Beginning martial arts in adulthood had fixed his meridians in place, which made his progress in Inner Strength painfully slow; yet his outstanding physique and robust vitality coincided with the Blood Evil Skill, which was a highly compatible cultivation technique, giving him a great advantage.

Coupled with his exceptional martial perception and effort, along with the peculiar compatibility of the Six Harmonies Divine Skill boosting his progress, he had created the miracle of reaching the Fifth Layer in half a year.

However, this advantage of physique was now nearly exhausted.

From his recent tentative trials, the increasing clarity of experiences involved even illusions of the mind with the Red Separation Method Element, not to mention Tang Wanju was already manipulating refraction…

The intensity of the power involved in further cultivation clearly began to touch on the “non-human” realm, something that his mortal physique could hardly support much.

At most, it could be said he had a good foundation, but there would definitely not be the rapid progress of before; it had to slow down.

Otherwise, how does Wan Dongliu, also a talent of genius, practice martial arts from childhood and at twenty-three only reached the Mystical Gate Sixth Layer?

Is there any aspect where you are inferior to him?

The gap in innate capabilities couldn’t be that absurd.

Being on the Hidden Dragon List means Heavenly Dao recognizes a potential above others; and in the list, there are no differences in dimensions to speak of, let alone Wan Dongliu being a rare case on the Hidden Dragon List, to surpass him by a large margin is truly a tough challenge.

Yet Zhao Changhe was still very confident.

His talent had now been verified, not to claim himself as a prodigy, but saying that his talent was exceptional should pose no issue.

Now holding a Heavenly Book, if he couldn’t progress faster than others, then it would truly be a wasted opportunity.

Previously learning a little of everything was not due to Yue Hongling’s worries of being overly greedy; it was actually just a verification process, something Zhao Changhe always kept in mind.

Now, with Yue Hongling gone and nothing else to distract him, the first thing Zhao Changhe did was: to ask the Xiao Xiang Inn for writing materials, lock his door and start writing.

Initially, he had memorized the secret book of the Blood Evil Skill completely and had not brought it with him when he left the mountain stronghold.

Now, wanting the Heavenly Book to dissect the Blood Evil Skill, he could only bitterly transcribe it by memory, and even more painfully, with his untrained drawing skills, manage to sketch the demonstration diagrams.

When Tang Wanju suggested Zhao Changhe learn these things, he verbally agreed without ever thinking that martial arts could truly be related to writing and drawing.

Who thought it was actually necessary?

Was this what the language teacher meant by saying that to write a paper in math one must first learn language well?

Fortunately, the secret book was just a thin volume.

Setting aside the numerous diagrams, it was actually only a few thousand words.

If it had been a massive tome of tens of thousands of words, Zhao Changhe didn’t know if he would throw himself into the river.

Having struggled the entire day to copied the secret book, Zhao Changhe immediately placed it with the gold foil and quietly watched the changes on the foil.

At this moment, the gold foil continued to display his combat with Wan Dongliu, Zhao Changhe knew such replay was valuable for reference and correcting errors, but really had no interest in focusing on it at the moment.

As expected, it wasn’t long before the combat scenes on the gold foil shifted to the background, and the central display began analyzing the Blood Evil Skill.

Zhao Changhe sat up straight and watched closely for a long time, gently sighing.

It was about what he expected…

The gold foil would analyze existing content and could also improve what it considered trashy parts, but it wouldn’t expand to higher-level content.

For example, the upper limit of the Extreme Joy Method was Secret Treasure Level; the gold foil did not provide any more powerful expansions.

Now, the same was true for the Blood Evil Skill.

The secret book originally lacked subsequent Secret Treasure Level cultivation methods, and it remained so, stopping at the Mystical Gate Ninth Layer.

And the so-called improvements were not making any changes to every flaw.

The Extreme Joy Method had only adjusted the lowest quality of nourishing supplements and slightly altered the nature of Dual Cultivation Technique; as for other aspects, Zhao Changhe did not believe it was flawless, but the gold foil did not care.

There’s no perfect cultivation method—after all such changes, could it still be called the Extreme Joy Method?

Blood Evil Skill was the same.

The gold foil made some adjustments, yet it did not address the problem of the Evil Qi invasion that Zhao Changhe wanted to solve the most.

It optimized the execution of “Gods and Buddhas Scatter,” reducing expenditure and making its flaws less significant; for the move that could cause complete insanity, “Heaven and Earth as None,” it subtly optimized the overflowing Blood Evil state, leaving a trace of clarity in the Spirit Platform, which was a sliver of vitality.

The situation where he had been fully deciphered by others concerning his sole ultimate skill was improved, which was quite important…

Blood Evil Saber Technique originally had seven ultimate skills, with three at Mystical Gate Level, three at Secret Treasure Level, and one unknown entity, as the content beyond Secret Treasure Level was not in the secret book, not to mention this skill.

The gold foil currently displayed also included the improvement of the third ultimate skill at Mystical Gate Level, but that thing actually required above Mystical Gate Eighth Layer to use, so Zhao Changhe had no interest in researching it for the moment.

Because these improvements, after all said and done, were just at the level of “technique” and offered no help towards the “method.”

Especially regarding the pain of Blood Evil invasion, it hadn’t changed at all, but instead had a very detailed description.

In the eyes of the gold foil, the Blood Evil Skill was supposed to be that way—if you wish to use such Evil Qi to harm your enemy, you must bear the backlash of such Evil Qi yourself, a matter of course.

Once this core aspect is changed, then it wouldn’t be called Blood Evil Skill anymore, perhaps it should be called Blood God Skill.

The same as what Cui Wenjing had said… Indeed, it’s likely that the Blood Evil Skill was the original, while the Blood God Skill might have been the altered product; after restraining the Evil Qi, its power might actually not be as great as the Blood Evil Skill.

Old Cui, ninth on the Heavenly List, his judgments on martial arts are almost axiomatic, seldom overturned.

Zhao Changhe sighed, yet understood.

The effect of force is mutual, eh?

Even firing a gun you must endure the recoil.

Evil Qi, such a thing couldn’t be so easily controlled, unless one day his level was sufficient to dominate it, otherwise, he must contend with it.

How to become the master?

Of course, a Mystical Gate Level secret book couldn’t tell you that.

Zhao Changhe put away the gold foil, strode out the door, and headed to the Cao Gang to visit Wan Dongliu.

…

The people of Cao Gang were shocked that Zhao Changhe still dared to swagger in to “visit the Young Master,” but what surprised them even more was a command from the Young Master himself, “Treat him as an esteemed guest; invite Brother Zhao into the house for a chat.”

Trying to hide their confusion, the members of the Cao Gang reluctantly led Zhao Changhe to Wan Dongliu’s sickroom.

The servants and maids in the room had been dismissed early; there was no one around, not even within thirty feet of the place.

Zhao Changhe looked at Wan Dongliu, who was wrapped up like a rice dumpling, and sighed, “You, so cautious and hiding your presence, how did a thief manage to steal your mask?”

“The mask is right here in my chest; the thief has his own ultimate skills, unavoidable really, it’s not like it was misplaced and got stolen,” Wan Dongliu sighed equally, “Your attitude is what puzzles me.

Do you also have a mask?

Bring it out and let’s see which group you belong to, keeping it so tight makes it seem like a flood washed over the Dragon King Temple, unfairly accused and still have to admit the fault.”

“It’s not me; I’ve always meant well towards the Four Symbols Sect and Blood God Sect, believe it or not.”

Wan Dongliu’s eyes flashed with amusement, “Maybe there’s another reason… well, what you say, I’ll believe.”

Zhao Changhe stared at him for a long moment, his heart filled with sighs.

Sect faith is really something powerful; this fellow was chopped so badly merely because he’s suspected of having unusual ties with the sects, yet he genuinely harbors no resentment.

This laid-back attitude of treating each other as one’s own was much more sincere than the previous grand and hospitable demeanor, no more of that awkwardness that always seemed part of a play.

Next time he met Chichi, he really should properly learn about the Four Symbols Sect itself; he had understood too little before and seemed to have missed a lot.

Wan Dongliu leisurely said, “If you have something to say, say it quickly.

My father is currently on his way here from Jinling, and you won’t like it if he catches you here.”

“You hold a high position in the Four Symbols Sect; can you ask for a part of the Blood Evil Skill Secret Treasure from the Blood God Sect for me?”

“Why do you want that thing; why not ask for the Blood God Skill directly?”

“I just want the Blood Evil Skill; it’s quite a grudge I have with it, right?

Though having the Blood God Skill too for reference would be good.”

Wan Dongliu relaxed completely, “I thought it was something serious; you’re not scared of getting killed yet you come to me for just this… If you indeed want the Blood God Skill, I might not be able to help easily, as that is their School’s Divine Skill, only if the Vermilion Bird Venerable orders it, Xue Canghai wouldn’t dare to defy.

But it seems quite simple to procure the Blood Evil Skill; play around in Yangzhou for a couple of days.”

“Two days is enough?

Don’t tell me the Main Base of the Blood God Sect is nearby?”

“Not here, it’s farther away.

But there is one of their branches nearby; finding a book on the Blood Evil Skill in a branch isn’t a difficult task.

This cultivation technique is clearly not treasured by the Blood God Sect; they likely intended to use the pain of Evil Qi invasion along with their special elixirs to control people; hence it’s readily available for anyone to learn…”

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment, then shook his head, “I happen to know more about this than you do; what the Blood God Sect throws out for anyone to learn are only the Mystical Gate parts.

What I want is the Secret Treasure part, which won’t be in a branch.”

Wan Dongliu seemed somewhat surprised, “Isn’t it a bit early for you to delve into the Secret Treasure?

What’s the rush?”

Zhao Changhe wanted the Heavenly Book to analyze the complete version and see if there are specific guidelines for controlling Evil Qi rather than just enduring it as it is now; that’s his top priority.

Of course, he couldn’t disclose this and simply said, “I only have half of the secret book on hand; who could rest easy?

Without considering the future, one is bound to have immediate worries; I need to settle this first.”

“Then it seems I can’t help you with this.”

“Just tell me where the Main Base is.”

“It’s in Wushan; taking a boat there might be easier for you.”

Zhao Changhe felt even sorrier for Sect Hierarch Xue.

The Main Base being in Wushan, yet including himself, a bunch of ace fighters were dispatched to icy desolate places to search for the Four Symbols Sect’s items, a sect hierarch reduced to such a state…

Speaking of which, the attribute of the Blood God Sect and the name Wushan seemed out of place; if it were the Maitreya Heavenly Girl in Wushan, that would make more sense.

Thinking of this, Zhao Changhe suddenly remembered something and asked, “You’re quite familiar with the Maitreya Sect.

Do you know if they have a Heavenly Girl who makes trouble with just being at the Fourth Layer of the Mystical Gate?”

“At that level, even if she’s called a Heavenly Girl, it’s just a flattering title, much like any corporal who steps out from the army and you kindly call him General.

In reality, it’s just a level that the Maitreya Sect sends out specifically to entice and control people; a magistrate’s concubine, for instance, would fit this bill.

They might say she’s a Heavenly Girl, but she’s not really a high-ranking sect member.”

Zhao Changhe nodded; this explanation fit his initial assessment of the Pick-Up Heavenly Girl; it should be just that, right?

Yet, why does she seem so off… Especially under the widespread pursuit of the Maitreya Sect in Yangzhou, she still had the guts to secretly follow, and seized the moment when his Evil Qi acted up to counterattack—a very bold and cunning mind, should a low-level Heavenly Girl from a Maitreya Sect branch specifically raised for temptation possess such traits?

She mimicked Yue Hongling’s tone and mindset, and eventually, despite Yue Hongling’s stubborn refusal to admit it, she might have seen more clearly, possibly representing what the real Yue Hongling should have been like.

No matter how you look at it, she’s a very formidable and troublesome character…

Yet her cultivation is really low, and her combat skills are very immature!