Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 376 - 343: Taibai Sword Sect

The shrill, piercing howls did not elicit any response!

As the sword hummed, the vibrating, trembling mound settled down, the cracked fissures closing up again, as if nothing had ever happened.

"Human language?"

Hearing the roar from inside the mound, Qi Xiu’s eyebrows raised slightly; the thing sealed within this burial mound could actually speak the human tongue.

Struck head-on by the Hunyuan Ultimate Cannon, a large portion of the Blood Lake was directly evaporated. This ultimate white light was capable of inflicting damage on Dao Experts. It exposed a large expanse of dried lakebed. The demonic creatures with two heads and four arms that climbed out of the water were mostly killed or injured by this immense power.

The boiling lake water became deathly still once more, all its aura retreating back into the lake, no longer ostentatious. It seemed to know that no matter how many demonic creatures emerged, they could not possibly cause Qi Xiu any harm and would instead invite a more terrifying retaliation.

The Blood Lake reined in all its power and aura; even the bright red, eye-stinging lake water became noticeably diluted.

Standing on the shoulder of the Mighty Dragon Demon Vajra, Qi Xiu came to the edge of this Blood Lake and closely inspected the mound and the rusted sword stuck in it.

What a fierce sword...

Hints of purple flickered in his eyes. As he looked at the rusted sword, Qi Xiu suddenly revealed an expression of surprise.

Through the Observing Qi Skill, Qi Xiu looked at the rusted sword that seemed as if it would break at any moment. Unexpectedly, standing beside it was a middle-aged man in a white robe, with an upright stature and grizzled hair.

Just as Qi Xiu scrutinized this man, the latter actually turned his head. A pair of arresting, sword-like eyes bursting with cold light met his gaze.

"Hmm?"

Eyes locked, Qi Xiu’s gaze intensified.

The next second, the middle-aged man solemnly spoke, "Tianyuan Human Race?"

Never expecting the man standing beside the rusted sword to still possess self-awareness... Qi Xiu suppressed the shock in his heart and slowly nodded.

"What a coincidence. I am Chen Wangyue, a disciple of the Taibai Sword Sect from Youzhou. May I ask who you are...?"

Youzhou?

Hearing this Sword Cultivator announce his origins, Qi Xiu’s eyebrows raised slightly, his expression growing complex. "Youzhou? The Youzhou of Great Xia?"

"Indeed. Is there a problem?"

Seeing Qi Xiu’s peculiar expression, Chen Wangyue’s face turned grave. "Has something happened to my sect?"

Indeed, Great Xia... that was an ancient dynasty that had perished more than five thousand years ago. The current Great Xuan Dynasty was preceded by the Great Yan Dynasty, and before that was the Great Xia Dynasty.

Qi Xiu had already vaguely guessed this when he heard Chen Wangyue claim to be from Youzhou. Both Great Yan and Great Xuan used a provincial system, and there was no place called Youzhou. Great Xia, however, had divided the world into seven states and eighteen commanderies. Youzhou was precisely one of them. As for the Taibai Sword Sect... it had already fragmented and perished during the Great Yan Dynasty, lost in the torrents of history. The Iron Bone Sword Sect, currently one of the ten great sects in Dianchuan Province, was one of its branches after the fragmentation.

Facing Chen Wangyue’s pondering gaze, Qi Xiu did not conceal anything. He thoroughly explained the current major changes in the world, the succession of dynasties, and how the Taibai Sword Sect had fragmented and vanished over thousands of years.

"So it has been... that long..." Hearing that both Great Xia and the Taibai Sword Sect had been annihilated in the flow of history, Chen Wangyue’s gaze became distant.

"Although your divine luster is inwardly concealed, your eyes are clear, not resembling those of the Demonic Path. Yet these two White Bone Strongmen by your side are full of demonic energy. Which sect’s disciple are you?"

As expected of one with such a clear sword-heart, after a brief stupor, Chen Wangyue’s gaze regained firmness.

"I am Qi Xiu, a disciple of the Shenxiao Sect."

"Shenxiao Sect? No wonder. A great ancient sect that has withstood numerous eras. Are you the Supreme Sect Leader of this generation? You look quite young."

Since Qi Xiu had appeared Outside the Domain, and due to the Mixed Yuan Ten Thousand Law Immortal Body’s Subdued Divine Luster, Chen Wangyue could not gauge his power level and mistakenly assumed he was the current Supreme Sect Leader of the Shenxiao Sect.

"Senior, you’re mistaken. My cultivation is only in the Blood-Stained Realm. Coming Outside the Domain was merely a fortunate accident," Qi Xiu explained with a smile, sharing how Tao Guyun’s schemes had dragged him Outside the Domain, albeit omitting the part about the ancient dragon scale.

"Hmph! These Alien Races are all treacherous and harbor evil intentions. If I were you, upon my first encounter with this Tao, I would have chopped him down immediately, not giving him a chance to strike."

Chen Wangyue was truly a top-tier Sword Cultivator; his opening words were so bloodthirsty and decisively ruthless that a chill ran down Qi Xiu’s spine. If Tao Guyun had been present at that moment, he probably would have been scared soulless on the spot.

"From what you’ve said, you came here to see what this extraterrestrial object is, and then find a way to destroy it, is that right?" Perhaps it had been many years since he last conversed with someone, for Chen Wangyue spoke very openly.

"Indeed."

"Then I’m afraid you’re bound to return disappointed. This place suppresses the head of a Great Asura. Although only a head remains, with your Blood-Stained Realm strength, I’m afraid you still lack the prowess to destroy it."

Pointing at the mound beneath the rusted sword, Chen Wangyue explained, "This Great Asura once accompanied an Asura King of the Asura Clan Outside the Domain and happened to encounter me. When humans and demons meet, there’s little room for words. My true self clashed with that Asura King deep Outside the Domain. Meanwhile, this Great Asura attempted to escape amidst the chaos. My true self cut it to pieces with a casual sword strike. Only its head remained. As it tried to flee, my true self impaled it with the sword, causing it to fall into this world. Speaking of the calamity that befell the Longevity Star Realm, I do bear some responsibility. But they are all Alien Races. Even if they are all eradicated, it’s no great loss."

Qi Xiu’s eyes rippled with emotion as he learned that the great disaster of the Longevity Star Realm was a repercussion of the skirmish between two Primordial Spirit powerhouses, while Chen Wangyue’s words also revealed deeper implications.

"Senior makes a valid point, but as a junior, I believe there is no need to be so ruthless when there is no grievance or enmity. The beings of this world are not all utterly malevolent. Could Senior possibly show mercy and spare them a sliver of hope?"

Hearing Qi Xiu pleading for the Taogong Clan, Chen Wangyue glanced at him. "Are you afraid that if this clan perishes, you won’t be able to return to the Tianyuan Main Realm? Don’t worry. Since we are from the same homeland, I have a way to get you back; it will just take some time."

"That is one reason, but not the only one."

"Oh? Are there other reasons?"

"It’s a personal matter. I hope Senior can accommodate." Unable to disclose the matter of the ancient dragon scales, Qi Xiu raised his hand and spoke in a more relaxed tone.

"A personal matter? Very well. You’re an interesting junior. Then I shall tell you. The head I suppress belongs to the Asura Clan! This clan possesses an incredibly strong life force and terrifying combat power; they are naturally born warriors who grow even more ferocious when heavily injured. This Great Asura may only have a head left, but if it’s released, it won’t take many days for it to regain its full strength. You, with only Blood-Stained Realm cultivation, would surely die against it, so you should give up on this matter."

Having slowly revealed the nature of the entity he was suppressing, Chen Wangyue continued, "I have a method. If you diligently cultivate it, you can return to the Tianyuan Main Realm in at most seven to eight hundred years. You don’t need to worry about being trapped in this world."

Chen Wangyue’s words were sincere, and Qi Xiu understood that the senior Sword Cultivator was not speaking falsely. The Asura Clan, born in the Blood Sea, were known for their extreme malevolence. The males were exceedingly ugly, innate battle fanatics, while the females were seductively beautiful, bringing calamity to all beings. A Great Asura was the respected title for a Dao Body Realm Asura.

"Senior, do you think the technique I used just now could eradicate this Great Asura?" Not taking up Chen Wangyue’s offer, Qi Xiu instead brought up another question, wondering if his Hunyuan Ultimate Cannon could truly annihilate the Great Asura’s head.

"The white light from earlier?" Showing a hint of contemplation, Chen Wangyue fell silent for a moment before speaking, "That technique certainly has some power, yet it’s insufficient to obliterate the Great Asura’s head in one strike. If it cannot be killed in one strike, it will recover, and you won’t have a second opportunity to act."

After answering Qi Xiu’s question, Chen Wangyue suddenly realized, "You are an incredibly bold junior, to think of killing a Dao Body with your Blood-Stained Realm cultivation!"

His eyes took on a playful look, a clear appreciation for Qi Xiu’s audacity.

"If I killed it, wouldn’t Senior be freed as well?" With a faint smile, Qi Xiu spread his hands.

"Don’t try to fool me. I am merely a Sword Intent bestowed upon this sword by my true self. My duty is to guard this Great Asura’s head. There’s no talk of liberation. However, if you truly wish to kill this Great Asura, I can offer you some assistance."

Chen Wangyue’s words hinted at a possibility, and without demurring, Qi Xiu openly asked, "How would Senior assist me?"

"I can transmit to you a Dharma Gate from the Taibai Sword Sect. If you can master this Dharma Gate, you will be able to cultivate a Sword Intent originating from the same source as my true self. Then you should be able to pull out this sword and directly behead this Great Asura."

Revealing the solution, Chen Wangyue looked at Qi Xiu and blinked. "Simple, isn’t it?"

"I’m afraid there are challenges in this that are beyond ordinary people," Qi Xiu replied, meeting Chen Wangyue’s gaze.

"Naturally. The Dharma Gates of my Taibai Sword Sect demand high comprehension and exceptional aptitude. One in ten thousand is not even worth mentioning; to enter my Sword Sect, one must be one in a million. Do you have that confidence?"

His tone carried a hint of pride as Chen Wangyue looked intrigued by the young Daoist before him, who, though only at the Blood-Stained Realm, possessed Divine Luster Inward Concealment. His eyes subtly revealed a glimmer of expectation.

"I am of mediocre aptitude, far from being astute." As Qi Xiu spoke, a flash of disappointment crossed Chen Wangyue’s eyes.

"But what Senior said, I am willing to try."

"Oh?"

The tables turned yet again, and Chen Wangyue found this young man increasingly inscrutable.

"Knowing your own mediocrity, why still attempt it?"

"If one dare not even try, how can one speak of inquiring into the Dao?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Chen Wangyue’s pupils suddenly burst forth with a sharp gleam, and he laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Well said! ’If one dare not even try, how can one speak of inquiring into the Dao?’ Young man, you’re to my liking."

This heartfelt statement earned Qi Xiu the approval of the Primordial Spirit’s Sword Intent. He chuckled and cupped his hands. "In that case, please, Senior, impart your teachings."

"Very well! Come closer and listen to my instruction..."