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Chapter 29: Demon Shadow Divine Art, Jiang Qiong's Appreciation
🕑 Added 2024-12-08 08:57:21 +0000 UTC"What secret technique?" Gu An asked expectantly. He had already learned many spells from Jiang Qiong, but with magic, the more, the better. After Jiang Qiong left, it would be difficult to find such a diligent Grandmaster.
Jiang Qiong took a big bite of the chicken leg and said proudly, "One of the nine secret techniques of Thousand Autumn Pavillion, the Demon Shadow Divine Art!"
Demon Shadow Divine Art?
It sounds...
Gu An frowned and asked, "Is it a cultivation technique?"
He wasn't lacking in cultivation techniques. If he had to switch and cultivate a new one, he'd have to rebuild his spiritual power, which would waste his lifespan.
"I said it was a secret technique, not a cultivation technique. The Demon Shadow Divine Art will make you better at being a spy. You’ll understand soon," Jiang Qiong said with her mouth full of chicken, barely able to swallow it all.
Gu An's face twitched.
I don’t want to be a spy for the demonic path!
Well, I'll just endure until Jiang Qiong leaves. Then, I'll play my cards right, speak as needed to different people—talk like a person when facing people, and like a ghost when facing ghosts. When wandering the world, your identity is what you make it.
...
The next day at noon, Gu An was sitting under a tree reading a book. Seven steps away, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were practicing their swordsmanship, their movements graceful, but they failed to catch Gu An's attention.
"Master Brother, Li Ya is here!" Xiao Chuan ran over, and behind him followed Li Ya.
Gu An immediately put away his Adventures of the Green hero and went to greet Li Ya.
"Let’s talk inside," Li Ya said first.
Gu An nodded and led him upstairs.
Zhen Qin stopped practicing her sword, looked at Ye Lan nervously, and asked, "Aunt Ye, do you think Uncle Li came because of those two demonic cultivators from yesterday?"
"Maybe," Ye Lan replied softly, glancing back in the direction they had gone.
Inside the house.
Gu An and Li Ya sat opposite each other. While pouring tea for Li Ya, Gu An asked, "What’s going on?"
Li Ya spoke directly, "I plan to stay in Medicine Valley for six months. Is that alright?"
"Of course! You can stay as long as you want. Did something happen?" Gu An immediately agreed, following up with a concerned question.
Li Ya hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to share what happened yesterday. Maybe knowing about this would push Gu An to practice harder under pressure.
After hearing the story, Gu An’s eyes widened in shock. "They died? Won't the Wan Yin Sect come seeking trouble?"
Li Ya sneered, "They attacked me and Li Xuanyu. If anyone should seek trouble, it's Tai Xuan Sect going after Wan Yin Sect. And beyond Tai Xuan Sect, the imperial court will also pressure Wan Yin Sect. After all, Li Xuanyu is my father’s most cherished daughter."
Gu An asked in surprise, "And they still dared to attack her?"
"Xu Ruyue and Chan Ji have always been ruthless and unscrupulous. Chan Ji held a grudge against Li Xuanyu from their encounter in Ye City. Once they found her alone, they weren’t going to let her go, and besides..."
Li Ya’s tone was disdainful, but then he stopped himself.
"And besides what?"
"Nothing."
Gu An felt irritated. If you don’t want to finish, why say 'besides' at all?
Li Ya then asked, "Since yesterday, have you seen anyone passing through Medicine Valley?"
Gu An shook his head.
"You didn’t see, but if not for that Nascent Soul stage senior's intervention yesterday, both Li Xuanyu and I would’ve likely perished. That senior’s swordsmanship was terrifying. To kill an enemy with just a leaf—Xu Ruyue’s ninth level of Foundation Establishment was like a melon or vegetable to him, easily slain with one leaf..."
Li Ya began to describe the battle with great enthusiasm, his face full of excitement.
Gu An listened wide-eyed, gasping from time to time as if hearing a legendary tale.
That Nascent Soul stage senior had only thrown two leaves, yet Li Ya used every adjective in his vocabulary to describe the scene, getting more and more animated.
"A sword cultivator should be like that—when the swordless surpass the sworded! No matter what’s in your hand, it can be a sword. Even for me... In short, I’ve found my path, and from now on, I’ll focus solely on swordsmanship, delving deeply into the way of the sword..."
Li Ya’s eyes shone with longing, and Gu An nodded, feeling secretly pleased.
Brother, the senior you’re praising so highly is right in front of you, but alas, you’re too inexperienced to see it!
Gu An interrupted Li Ya’s musings and asked, "If the Outer Sect Tournament is so important, why isn’t the sect sending patrols or guards to protect us, the labor disciples?"
Within fifty miles around Medicine Valley, there were at least six other Outer Sect disciples’ residences. Although most of them were absent, surely if the sect ordered it, someone would come.
Li Ya’s smile faded, and he said quietly, "Think about it. Why would the sect allow people to raise The Demon of Greed and Rage outside the Outer Sect? It’s because they don’t care about labor disciples. But don’t worry, I’ll stay here until the Outer Sect Tournament ends."
Gu An remained silent for a moment before asking, "Aren’t you participating?"
"I’m not strong enough. If I recklessly join, I’ll just end up getting hurt. Such a grand event is bound to be dominated by those at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment." Li Ya shook his head.
This gave Gu An a bit of respect for Li Ya. At least he was self-aware.
Then again, it could also be that Xu Ruyue had shaken him too much.
They chatted for a while longer before going downstairs. Gu An had Xiao Chuan and Tang Yu clear out a courtyard where Li Ya could stay alone.
When the others found out that Li Ya was staying for half a year, everyone was excited. Not only would they have protection, but they could also learn swordsmanship from him.
In their eyes, Gu An was great in every way, except he didn’t know enough spells to teach them, whereas Li Ya was a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator!
In the days that followed, Gu An often saw sword cultivators and beasts flying over Medicine Valley, allowing him to witness many magical flying artifacts and mounts, leaving him in awe.
Now this feels like a world of cultivation!
...
A month later, deep in the night.
Jiang Qiong sat leaning against the Ancient Vine Tree, her right leg swinging as her pale, smooth calf peeked out from beneath her robe. She held a book in her hand and glanced at Gu An in the distance, who was busy harvesting herbs.
Suddenly, she flipped over, sending the book back into the pendant around her neck. Stretching her body, she said, "My good disciple, stop working for a while. Come and practice the Demon Shadow Divine Art."
She leapt and landed in front of the cauldron, which was currently brewing pills. Wisps of white smoke floated up from the lid.
Gu An, without turning back, said, "No worries, I’ll finish up soon."
Jiang Qiong shook her head and chuckled to herself, thinking, "This kid is truly diligent, a rare trait. I should refine some pills for him."
Half an incense stick’s time later.
Gu An finished gathering the herbs and brought them to Jiang Qiong, carefully categorizing them on the ground. Jiang Qiong’s satisfaction grew even stronger.
This kid is flawless!
Gu An had just harvested over 1,300 years’ worth of lifespan and was in a very good mood. This kind of harvest wasn’t easy to come by.
"Keep practicing. Ask me if you get stuck," Jiang Qiong said softly as she watched the cauldron.
Gu An nodded and continued practicing the Demon Shadow Divine Art. He had been practicing for a month but still hadn’t made enough progress for it to appear on his status panel, which was quite frustrating.
Now, he was determined to master it!
The Eight Views Heavenly Cave fell silent as Gu An and Jiang Qiong meditated by the cauldron, their forms obscured by the rising alchemical smoke.
Four days later, the Demon Shadow Divine Art finally appeared on Gu An’s status panel.
He glanced at his status panel with a satisfied smile.
【Name: Gu An】
【Lifespan: 27/12,268】
【Spiritual Root: First-class Five-Elemental Spiritual Root (with prominence in Wood and Earth attributes)】
【Cultivation: Nascent Soul Stage, Eighth Layer】
【Techniques: Fire Control Art (Unmastered), Divine Wood Pure Yang Technique (Mastered), Dragon Force Divine Essence Art (Mastered), Alchemy Technique (Novice), Ten Thousand Gu Mysterious Technique (Unmastered), Yin-Yang Technique (Unmastered)】
【Skills: Gale Phantom Kick (Mastered), Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword (Mastered), Eight Directions Step (Unmastered), Demon Shadow Divine Art (Unmastered)】
【Spells: Soul Capture (Unmastered), Sword Control Technique (Mastered), Bewitching Eyes (Unmastered), Poisonous Wood Formation (Novice), Wind Control Technique (Unmastered), Corpse Control Technique (Unmastered)】
If it shows up on the status panel, it means it’s real!
Jiang Qiong had taught him eight techniques and spells over the past five years.
She was a responsible teacher!
This made Gu An view her in a new light. Although she was a demonic cultivator, her teaching was more dedicated than many righteous cultivators.
Gu An stood up, bowed to Jiang Qiong, and said, "Grandmaster, let’s stop for tonight. I’d like to go back and rest."
Jiang Qiong continued to meditate by the cauldron, surrounded by demonic energy. Without opening her eyes, she said, "Go ahead, but continue practicing diligently. I’ll be leaving in two years at most."
Gu An said nothing, turned, and left.
Jiang Qiong opened one eye and glanced at his departing figure, thinking to herself, "This kid seems a bit sad. Of course, it’s only natural. Where else can he find such a good Grandmaster like me? He’s all alone. When I return, I’ll have someone take him under their wing and bring him to the Thousand Autumn Pavillion to cultivate. I’ll even have Father find someone to teach him swordsmanship."
Gu An, with his back to her, quickened his pace toward the cave exit.
He barely suppressed the joy in his heart, trying not to let himself laugh out loud.
Finally, she’s leaving!
Although Jiang Qiong treated him well, he much preferred to have the Eight Views Heavenly Cave all to himself.
After returning to the woods, Gu An didn’t go back to the building immediately. Instead, he headed out to a distant location, intending to meditate and invest another year of lifespan into his cultivation.
He felt that he was getting closer to breaking through to the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul Stage, perhaps in the next few days.
Even though he felt close, he kept his discipline and only invested one year of lifespan each day.
After traveling twenty miles out, Gu An sat down under a tree and suppressed his aura to the point that he was indistinguishable from the surrounding flora.
He immediately invested another year of lifespan into his cultivation, and soon, spiritual energy surged toward him.
The nearby plants and trees swayed, as if cheering for him, wishing him an early breakthrough.
Soon, the flow of spiritual energy calmed, signaling that he had completed a year’s worth of cultivation.
Gu An stood up, ready to leave, but just as he was about to take a step, he sensed something and quickly hid behind a tree.
About four breaths later, two figures flew overhead, swiftly passing above Gu An.
With his exceptional eyesight, Gu An caught a glimpse of them and immediately used his Lifespan Detection technique on them.
【Zuo Yi Jian (Ninth Layer of Core Formation): 142/490/980】
【Zuo Lin (Second Layer of Foundation Establishment): 27/280/1400】
Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment!
Gu An was curious about which sect they were from.
Once they were far enough away, Gu An quietly returned to Medicine Valley.
The next morning, Gu An led his disciples through their usual exercises, and Li Ya came over to greet him, mentioning that he needed to make a trip to the Outer Sect.
It wasn’t until noon that Li Ya returned, flying on his sword, bringing someone with him.
It was Zuo Lin, whom Gu An had detected the night before.
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