CHAPTER 610: CHAPTER 595: GOD-SLAYING SWORD TECHNIQUE

After arriving in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, Zhou Guangxiang separated from Zhouyang. He needed to explore the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm himself and seek his own opportunity for Core Formation.

Zhouyang had a [Jade Liquid Golden Pill] in his possession but had not yet decided whether to let Zhou Guangxiang use it.

His idea was for Zhou Guangxiang to travel in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm for a while, attempting to form his core on his own. If, in the end, it truly was impossible, then he would consider whether to allow its use.

After parting ways with Zhou Guangxiang, Zhouyang returned to Chongxuan Mountain with six other Zhou family junior cultivators, including Zhou Ronghua.

He had only left for about a year; naturally, everything on Chongxuan Mountain was normal.

"Next, your ancestor will be in seclusion for a long period. If you wish to travel down the mountain, it’s best to go together for mutual support."

"However, one thing you must remember is that when traveling, it’s best not to visit the territory of the [Six Paths Alliance], and unless absolutely necessary, do not declare yourself from Chongxuan Mountain. Otherwise, if you encounter those who died by your ancestor’s hand among the Golden Core Stage cultivators’ fellow disciples or kin, it may bring catastrophe!"

"Moreover, Chongxuan Mountain has now become the foundation of our Zhou family in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. If you Zhou family descendants wish to expand and flourish here, I will also fully support you, with corresponding benefits given as per family rules!"

Upon returning to Chongxuan Mountain, Zhouyang gathered all the Zhou family descendants to talk about new plans.

Including those he brought back this time, there were ten Zhou family descendants on Chongxuan Mountain. Among them, apart from four like Zhou Shengyu still at the Qi Cultivation Stage, the other six were at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The number was still somewhat small, but Zhouyang had already instructed Zhou Guangxiang, who remained behind in the Zhou family. Once several cultivators opening Purple Mansion in the family achieved results and stabilized their cultivation, she would bring another group to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

Additionally, when Zhouyang returned, he stopped by Immortal Sun City and visited the Profound Sun Pavilion to collect "Cloud Breath Grass," and asked the pavilion to help him purchase materials for refining the "Hidden Spirit Incense" in bulk.

As long as the production of "Hidden Spirit Incense" increases, by the time Zhou family Purple Mansion Stage cultivators take turns bringing people to Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, making ten trips or more can bring five or six dozen people.

At that time, the banner of the Zhou family in Chongxuan Mountain could officially be established, truly becoming a force in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

"Ancestor, if we marry and have children here, having offspring with Spiritual Roots is fine, but how shall we settle mortal offspring? We can’t just have them live on the mountain, can we?"

Zhou Ronghua glanced at Zhouyang, then quickly lowered his head before Zhouyang’s gaze fell on him, softly voicing his concern.

Although Chongxuan Mountain spans a thousand miles, it is surrounded by deep mountains and forests where beasts and demon beasts roam, with the nearest mortal city a thousand miles away.

If they were to have mortal offspring, it would be truly difficult to settle them.

There exists an invisible, intangible barrier between mortals and cultivators.

If they were to live together, mortals could easily develop certain psychological issues.

Even in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, when Zhou family cultivators have mortal offspring, they generally let these offspring live in mortal towns.

"Here’s what we’ll do. You find a place suitable for building a city outside the mountain, and construct a mountain city suitable for mortals. Then use Spirit Stones to create a Tier Two Spiritual Vein, set up an array to protect the mountain city, and issue tasks to those Qi Cultivation Stage registered disciples in my name, having them take turns every half year to visit the city for cultivation and protection."

"Additionally, you can also issue a message permitting registered disciples to bring mortal relatives to live in the mountain city, or even migrate some mortals from outside mortal towns, whatever works."

After a brief contemplation, Zhouyang provided a solution in response to Zhou Ronghua’s query.

This was merely a temporary measure. Once the number of mortals increased, a small mountain city would surely be insufficient.

So he quickly added, "Also, for those among you who prefer not to travel down the mountain, you can lead registered disciples on the mountain to clear out nearby forests of demon beasts and build roads connecting to the outside world."

"Yes, we humbly comply with the ancestor’s instructions."

After instructing Zhou Ronghua and others, Zhouyang summoned Wang Yanzhang and Ren Fei, two foreign surname Foundation Establishment registered disciples.

With a calm expression, he said to them, "You two were the most outstanding among the last group of registered disciples. I will be in seclusion for a long time to come, with little time to guide you. You may continue cultivating on the mountain or travel down it, just file a report."

"Here, I can offer you an expectation. Whoever among you reaches Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment first will become my official disciple, and I will bestow [Purple Heart Jade Marrow] to assist in opening the Purple Mansion!"

This was his first time setting a standard for official disciple recruitment. Previously, even someone like Wang Yanzhang, who had caught his eye as a registered disciple, saw no hope of officially joining.

Thus, upon hearing his words, both Wang Yanzhang and Ren Fei’s eyes radiated intense excitement. They glanced subtly at each other and saw the fiery determination in each other’s gaze.

There was only one spot for an official disciple; between the two of them, one was bound to lose this spot, turning them from friends into competitors.

However, these two are currently only at the Third-Layer Foundation Establishment Stage. To reach Zhouyang’s requirement of Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment, it will take at least sixty or seventy years, and spending a century might not be unusual.

Zhouyang has already given them the opportunity; who will ultimately prevail depends entirely on themselves.

Next, Zhouyang sent messages to cultivators like Master Cyan Yang, Liu Yunxiang, Lin Yuxian, and others, whom he was familiar with, to inform them about his seclusion, and then he formally entered the seclusion chamber for a lengthy retreat.

...

On the Endless Snowfield, above a dazzling blue ice lake, a white and blue pair of graceful figures were wielding flying swords, dancing in the air, engaged in relentless combat with a beast from the water.

The beast is a giant strange fish with numerous fangs. Its back is adorned with a row of long sharp spikes, its fin is as sharp as a knife fan, capable of performing several formidable ice element divine techniques, and can use the spikes on its back as secret weapons, its power exceedingly strong.

But the spikes on its back were ultimately limited in number. Once all the spikes on its back were shot, the white graceful figure suddenly shouted sweetly and swung her hand, releasing a white ice light onto the strange fish.

Shrouded by the white ice light, this ice attribute demon beast’s body unavoidably formed a layer of frost, freezing together with the surrounding lake water.

Simultaneously, the blue shadow pinched a spell with her jade hand, quickly gathering a blue thunder ball composed of countless silver-blue bolts of lightning, which was hurled toward the fish frozen on the lake surface.

Boom!

After a deafening explosion, the powerful Tier Four Top Grade strange fish was directly blown away, losing half its body, its entire head smashed to smithereens.

"Phew, finally dealt with this strange fish. Sister, your thunder technique is sure effective. Had it not been for your company, I fear these icefield demonic beasts would have long since torn me apart alive!"

On the ice lake, Lu Xuewei landed the sword light and descended onto a piece of floating ice. Her face glistening with sweat, she caught her breath with a smile, praising the blue graceful figure woman.

This blue figure woman, in terms of appearance, was no less than her, and in cultivation far surpassed the Fifth Layer of the Purple Mansion that Lu Xuewei cultivated to; she truly reached the Eighth Layer of the Purple Mansion.

This woman was named Lan Cailian, a loose cultivator she befriended while traveling on the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. The two have long since become sworn sisters, sharing a remarkably close relationship.

At this time, hearing Lu Xuewei’s words, Lan Cailian couldn’t help but smile and said, "Sister, you flatter me. If it weren’t for your ’Ice Soul Profound Light’ freezing this strange fish, my magic wouldn’t have killed it so easily."

"Just a minor convenience, how could a mere Tier Four High-Grade Demon Beast stand against you? With your capabilities, only the master at your cultivation could surpass you!"

Lu Xuewei seemed to greatly admire this sworn sister, her words full of reverence.

Upon hearing her remarks, Lan Cailian’s eyes couldn’t help but reveal a hint of curiosity.

She had heard many times about this so-called master from this sister, having traveled together for decades, she’d heard such comments too many times to count.

Truthfully, she had some doubt whether the "glorious tales" about her sister’s master were true.

Yet she never voiced these thoughts, merely smiled lightly this time and said, "Dear sister, I know you have a remarkable master. Let’s not boast about it anymore and focus on the task at hand."

"I’m speaking the truth, Sister, why do you never quite believe me!"

Lu Xuewei pouted but didn’t attempt any further explanation. Instead, as Lan Cailian suggested, she proceeded with the task.

The task involved handling the strange fish’s corpse and then venturing to the lake’s bottom to open a cave dwelling guarded by the fish.

This underwater cave dwelling had once been a Golden Core Stage cultivator’s place of cultivation. Lu Xuewei and Lan Cailian stumbled upon its map and the entry token by chance which led to the preceding scene.

The true identity of the strange fish was, in fact, a guardian beast deliberately attracted by the Golden Core Stage cultivator to guard the cave entrance.

After Lu Xuewei and Lan Cailian cleaned up the fish’s body, they both submerged into the depths of the lake, entering the lake-bottom cave where the fish had originally resided.

Subsequently, Lu Xuewei activated a token spiritual artifact, successfully located the Golden Core cultivator’s cave entrance, and smoothly entered the dwelling using it.

Inside the cave dwelling, the two clearly obtained a significant bounty, leaving them with smiles upon exiting.

After exploring this cave dwelling, neither lingered further on the Endless Snowfield, swiftly returning to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

More than a year later, Zhouyang, having secluded for eight years, was summoned by his Dao companion Xiao Ying’s message, emerging to meet the returning Lu Xuewei and her sworn sister Lan Cailian.

"Master, this is the sworn sister, Lan Cailian, whom your disciple befriended during her travels in the Cultivation Realm. Sister Lan has helped your disciple a lot over these years, even saving my life several times. It’s no exaggeration to say she’s my life-saving benefactor."

On Chongxuan Mountain, after Zhouyang emerged from seclusion and met with Lu Xuewei, the first thing Lu Xuewei did was introduce her sworn sister, Lan Cailian, to him.

Upon hearing this, Lan Cailian quickly bowed respectfully to Zhouyang, saying, "Junior Lan Cailian, greets Elder Zhou."

Zhouyang quickly glanced at this woman, who was as dazzling as a summer lotus, then quickly withdrew his gaze, waved his hand with a smile, and said, "Fellow Daoist Lan, there’s no need for formality. Since you are Xuewei’s sworn sister, you are family. I must thank you for taking care of Xuewei all these years."

Lan Cailian hurriedly replied, "Elder, you are too polite. It’s merely that junior and Xuewei have been supporting each other through challenges; it’s not a matter of who takes care of whom."

Zhouyang simply smiled and did not pursue the topic further. Instead, he turned to his Dao companion Xiao Ying and said, "Ying’er, Fellow Daoist Lan is our honored guest, and it’s Xuewei’s first visit to Chongxuan Mountain. Go to the ice chamber and retrieve some Flood Dragon meat for stewing, and take half a jar of the Bee King Brew sent by Fairy Lin—let’s celebrate properly."

"Alright, I’ll get to it,"

Xiao Ying responded, then went to attend to the matter.

Zhouyang then continued to look at Lu Xuewei and Lan Cailian, "You two, take a seat. Xuewei, tell me about your adventures this time. I’m eager to hear about what you’ve learned over these decades."

"Master, disciples must report straightaway. This adventure was beyond expectations, and I have some treasures to offer to Master."

Lu Xuewei’s face flashed a smile, and she began to recount her experiences over these years to Zhouyang.

She spoke in detail, and Zhouyang listened intently.

When she finished describing the treasures she and Lan Cailian obtained from the cave beneath the ice lake, she waved her jade hand and presented several treasures before Zhouyang.

"These treasures are what your disciple and Sister Lan acquired from the cave. If Master finds them worthy, you may use them as you see fit."

Zhouyang looked over, and there were three treasures that Lu Xuewei had brought forth.

They consisted of a human-head-sized white jade stone emitting cold air, a beast tooth bone chain, and a white jade scroll.

With Zhouyang’s discerning eyes, he immediately recognized the white jade stone as a rare ice attribute spiritual object known as the "Thousand-Year Profound Jade." It appears to be jade, but is extremely hard, ideal for refining ice attribute flying swords, and can be incorporated into other sword-type magical artifacts to imbue the sword with chilling damage.

Like his "Taiyin Soul-cutting Saber" which incorporated a considerable amount of "Thousand-Year Profound Jade" during its refinement.

As for the beast tooth bone chain, if Zhouyang wasn’t mistaken, this item was not a magical artifact refined by cultivators but rather by the "Bingyi people" of the Endless Snowfield.

Such artifacts are challenging for cultivators to refine and use. Even with secret techniques to consecrate and use them, they cannot unleash their full power.

This differed from the "Invisibility Ice Staff" he acquired from two "Bingyi people" before, as the "Invisibility Ice Staff" didn’t require recognition or refining; it could be triggered simply by channeling magical power and was essentially a secret treasure, not a magical artifact.

Finally, Zhouyang directly reached for the jade scroll, releasing his divine sense to examine the information contained within.

Upon observing it, his face immediately displayed evident joy.

It turned out that the jade scroll only recorded one kind of divine technique, one he had long sought but hadn’t obtained.

This divine technique was named the "God-slaying Sword Technique," a rare spiritual sense attack divine technique.

God-slaying targets the primordial spirit of cultivators.

This divine technique is immensely powerful and equally perilous. Once mastered, it can transform most of one’s divine sense into an invisible "Godslaying Sword" to strike an enemy, wielding a sword of no regret, where either the foe perishes or oneself is doomed!

According to the information recorded in the jade scroll, this "Godslaying Sword" poses potent attacks even against the nascent soul of Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators.

What is the most powerful escape divine technique of Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators?

It’s the "Instant Teleportation" divine technique freely deployed after the nascent soul emerges.

However, if a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator masters the "God-slaying Sword Technique" divine technique and has a significantly stronger divine sense than the opponent, they can deploy the "Godslaying Sword" to severely wound the nascent soul that emerges, robbing it of the power to perform "Instant Teleportation."

Compared to peers of the same tier, Zhouyang had many advantages, a plethora of treasures, refined magical power, and a robust physical body—these were his past advantages in defeating opponents.

Yet another advantage had scarcely been realized since his core formation—that was his divine sense.

His divine sense was naturally stronger than ordinary cultivators at the same tier, and after acquiring the "Void Refining God Technique" spiritual sense cultivation secret technique and reaching its second layer, his divine sense far exceeded that of cultivators at the same tier.

Even now, generally, Ninth-Layer Golden Core cultivators who haven’t practiced Secret Techniques to enhance Divine Sense don’t possess Divine Sense as powerful as his.

Yet, his powerful Divine Sense had been rendered less effective in magical combat due to the lack of a Divine Sense attack divine technique like the "God-slaying Sword Technique".

Now that Lu Xuewei has offered the "God-slaying Sword Technique", his formidable Divine Sense finally has a use, making him utterly overjoyed.

"Good, very good, excellent!"

"Xuewei, your gift is excellent. As your master, I am very pleased and satisfied!"

Zhouyang held the jade scroll, his face brimming with a smile as he repeatedly praised it, showing how happy he was.

Seeing this, Lu Xuewei couldn’t help but smile too, saying, "As long as Master is satisfied, this disciple is relieved."

Lan Cailian watched the laughing Zhouyang, a glimmer of understanding flashing in her eyes as she pondered.

She had also seen the "God-slaying Sword Technique" and knew its power and danger. Now seeing Zhouyang’s jubilant expression after reading it, she could already guess a few things.

Just then, Xiao Ying came over, using her magical power to carry a large pot of boiling meat soup and half a jar of spirit wine. Noticing Zhouyang’s smile, she couldn’t help but grin and ask, "What has made my husband so happy? I could hear your laughter from far away."

"Hahaha, it was Xuewei who offered a divine technique that is of great use to me. Ying’er, you came just in time. Having acquired this divine technique today, let’s drink a big cup in celebration!"

Zhouyang laughed heartily, waving his hand to draw the half jar of spirit wine into his grasp. He filled a jade cup with the golden-hued spirit wine and gulped it down in one go.

This "Bee King Brew" is a specialty spirit wine of the Suyun Sect, brewed with honey from a Tier Three Demon Insect, the "Golden Needle Bee King," mixed with various rare spirit fruits and spirit elixirs, refined through a special secret technique.

The entire Suyun Sect only produces three jars of "Bee King Brew" every century. Of these, one jar is given to the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, another to the Yuqing Daoist Sect, leaving just one jar for themselves.

The jar in Zhouyang’s hand was a gift from Lin Yuxian during Xiao Ying’s Core Formation celebration.

After drinking a cup, he smacked his lips in satisfaction and then smiled at Lu Xuewei and Lan Cailian, saying, "Come, come, you both have a cup of this ’Bee King Brew’. It’s rare indeed, once reserved for Nascent Soul Stage seniors, and after tasting it, you’ll find no other spirit wine compares!"

The "Bee King Brew" not only has an exceptional taste but also enhances a cultivator’s cultivation. For someone like Zhouyang at the Golden Core Stage, a single cup might equal half a month of cultivation. However, for a Fifth-Layer Purple Mansion cultivator like Lu Xuewei, one cup could match half a year of arduous cultivation.

Moreover, this spirit wine is completely harmless, unlike consuming spirit pills, which could cause "erysipelas," making it perfectly safe to drink freely.

Of course, truly drinking it freely, Zhouyang’s half jar wouldn’t be enough, so after watching Lu Xuewei and Lan Cailian have a cup, he begrudgingly suggested they switch to eating flood dragon meat.

Although the quantity of flood dragon meat is also limited, he had saved over a thousand pounds initially, and they have consumed only a third so far.

After eating and drinking to their heart’s content, Zhouyang looked at Lu Xuewei and Lan Cailian, who were red-faced and a bit overwhelmed from indulging, and said, "Having returned from your travels, both of you should surely retreat for some time to digest your gains. Although Chongxuan Mountain isn’t much of an Immortal Mountain Blessed Land, with me here, there’s no risk to your safety."

"If you have any needs, feel free to speak up. Nowadays, I hold some sway in the Profound Purity Dao Alliance, and as long as it’s not too troublesome, assisting you shouldn’t be difficult!"

He said "you," but he mainly referred to Lan Cailian since Lu Xuewei is his disciple and has no need for these assurances.

Though Lan Cailian drank two cups of "Bee King Brew," she remained sober and promptly glanced at Lu Xuewei beside her. Seeing the hopeful glint in Lu Xuewei’s eyes, accompanied by covert gestures, Lan Cailian hesitated for only a moment before nodding and saying, "Elder Zhou’s willingness to take us in is immensely appreciated by this junior, who will indeed be imposing on you."

Seeing this, Lu Xuewei’s face instantly showed noticeable joy and relief.

Then, with a rapid glance, she suddenly looked at Zhouyang and said, "Master, Sister Lan has already gathered the spirit stones needed to purchase Core Formation Spiritual Objects but lacks a purchasing channel. Since Master is now an Elder of the Profound Purity Dao Alliance, could you assist Sister Lan in making the purchase through the alliance’s channels?"

Lan Cailian’s expression tightened, unable to avoid feeling tense.

Requesting Zhouyang’s help to purchase supporting Core Formation Spiritual Objects was Lu Xuewei’s pretense to invite her to Chongxuan Mountain. She had thought it was mere talk, but now, this very matter was unexpectedly brought up in her presence.

This filled her heart with a mix of gratitude and nervousness.

For a loose cultivator like her, buying supporting Core Formation Spiritual Objects is no easy task. Even with enough spirit stones, acquiring such spiritual objects often hinges on luck, and there’s a risk of being targeted, losing both the money and the item.

But with help from a Golden Core Stage cultivator like Zhouyang, it saves the time of running around and diminishes the risk of being watched.

"Consider it done, leave it to your master," Zhouyang said with a slight pause before readily agreeing.