Twilight Boundary-Chapter 763 - 754: Shangjing Magic Duel

After passing through Bull Heart City, they embarked on the spacious official road, heading straight for Shangjing City.

It seemed that during this battle formation, at the most opportune moment to kill Hu Ma, a flaw had appeared, and the chance was missed.

Or perhaps it was because, during this crisis, the Zhou Family's Lord, the Sword-Catching Hall Officer, Tie Jun, and the Soul-Hooking Impermanence from the Li Family had shown up in succession. This made those Reincarnators realize the lurking dangers, and thus they became more cautious. Consequently, no one else appeared to attempt an assassination.

Hu Ma also calmed down, using this rare tranquility to silently ponder his own abilities on the road.

Yuan Yang Body, Nine Incense.

Even among the Ten Surnames, possessing nine columns of Tao was extremely rare. The only one known to possess this was Eldest Master Meng. However, his nine columns of Tao were cultivated by borrowing the fierce might of his ancestors, whereas Hu Ma had relied on changing fate.

According to Old Calculation, this life-stealing method also held a path to transcendence.

But how exactly to transcend?

When truly encountering someone from Shangqiao and engaging in a duel, whose abilities would prevail? Who could truly subdue the other?

As a member of Shousui, Hu Ma was indeed curious and expectant about this, but he wasn't in a hurry to test it just yet. After quietly contemplating for a while, he invited Fourth Miss Zhou to his carriage on the road.

He earnestly inquired, according to the righteous skill of the Zhou Family's Shousui Path, when one's cultivation reached its peak, how should these abilities be further cultivated?

He was already certain that the Great Mighty Master method left behind by Lao Junmei did not stop merely at Entering the Mansion.

There had to be more paths beyond, but for some reason, they had been completely erased.

At this point, seeking the Zhou Family's method became a natural course of action.

Master Ping specialized only in 'Skill,' while the truly advanced dharma methods of the Shousui Path were solely in the hands of the Zhou Family's direct descendants.

"Ah, you're asking me?"

Fourth Miss Zhou was called into Hu Ma's carriage. Her face was blushing and her head lowered, a stark contrast to her usual liveliness in Immortal Miaoshan's carriage.

Feeling both apprehensive and expectant about what Hu Ma wanted to say, she was stunned when she realized he wanted to learn her family's method. She blinked. The Zhou Family indeed didn't mind passing its teachings among their own, but now…

...wasn't it a bit early?

"Fourth Miss Zhou, don't worry. I am not only interested in learning the Zhou Family's method."

Hu Ma looked at her, calmly stating, "In the path of cultivation, it is natural to verify and learn from each other. We can exchange teachings."

Fourth Miss Zhou's eyes widened. "You... You mean..."

"That's right."

Hu Ma nodded, saying, "I am indeed interested in the Zhou Family's Righteous Skill, but I am also willing to discuss the Great Mighty Master method with you, Fourth Miss Zhou."

This statement was naturally frank and open.

In fact, when the Zhou Family's Lord had previously come to ask for the Great Mighty Master method, it had been too sudden. He had asked for it outright, his intentions were unclear, and it was precisely when Reincarnators were urgently seeking this dharma method from him. Naturally, Hu Ma could not have agreed so readily.

But now, understanding Lao Junmei's intentions, this particular worry vanished.

The Zhou Family wasn't aware that he was the sole inheritor of the Great Mighty Master's dharma method; it wasn't a matter of limitations in its transmission.

In fact, the Great Mighty Master's method had always been an open teaching, aligning with the philosophy of the 'not eating beef' skill being spread throughout the world.

Others couldn't learn it simply because they were incapable of grasping it…

If it could be used to exchange for the Zhou Family's method, it was an incredibly valuable trade…

But hearing this, Fourth Miss Zhou was momentarily dumbfounded. She couldn't help but look up at Hu Ma's face, her eyes full of delight, even slightly moist.

Dharma methods in this world were the most precious of things. He was the sole inheritor of the Great Mighty Master's dharma method. Previously, her own father had tried to ask him for it, and they had parted on bad terms, with her father storming off in anger...

But now that he was willing to hand over the Great Mighty Master's dharma method, didn't that signify…

...his intentions?

"Will you exchange?"

Hu Ma sensed Fourth Miss Zhou's complex emotions and unusual reaction, so he asked again to be sure.

Fourth Miss Zhou slowly lowered her head, blushing, and said softly, "Since it has come to this, I will naturally listen to you!"

It wasn't that she was being immodest; the betrothal gift he offered was truly too precious.

Besides, since he was willing to pass on his method, did it also mean that persuading him to leave the Ghost Walking Sect and join the Shousui Sect in the future might be possible?

"Actually, the Zhou Family's dharma methods, although outsiders find them formidable, aren't anything particularly special…"

She spoke softly, exhibiting utmost grace. "My father always said that within the Shousui Sect, it's mostly a matter of endurance."

"Ascension allows one to comprehend life and death, Entering the Mansion reveals one's true heart, and even upon reaching Shangqiao, one only learns the Heaven and Earth Unmoving Seal…"

"…"

Hu Ma was also unexpectedly pleased, listening intently.

Fourth Miss Zhou truly lived up to her status as a direct descendant of the main branch. She was knowledgeable and not only spoke of the Entering the Mansion level but also the differences between the Zhou Family's dharma method and the Great Mighty Master's cultivation.

Even though she hadn't reached Shangqiao, she was well-versed in the abilities beyond it.

He instantly focused his mind, asking in detail about the Great Mighty Sky General Seal as he cross-referenced it with his own studies.

Seeing someone with abilities clearly far surpassing her own listening so intently to her words, like a young apprentice, his gaze pure and his attitude respectful, Fourth Miss Zhou's heart... well, it simply melted.

Listening to these explanations was like opening up a new avenue of thought for Hu Ma. Gradually, the unique aspects of the Great Mighty Master method, when viewed from the Zhou Family's perspective, and his own earlier, vague conjectures, became clearer.

「At the same time」

Due to the Impermanence Li Family's appearance, mysterious figures around the battlefield were startled away, and an enormous assassination plot consequently fell apart. Most of the individuals from Mingzhou did not appear, their attitudes unclear.

But the woman holding a white cat showed no intention of hiding. After distancing herself from the battle with others, she calmly arrived at a secure estate.

Seeing her, many figures in the courtyard slowly stood up, their gazes cold and firm. "Miss White Wine, it seems you owe us an explanation."

"Explanation?"

The woman with the white cat had a somewhat cold look, retorting, "What kind of explanation do you want? After all, in the beginning, it was you who acted mysteriously, abandoning Red Grapes and me, thinking you were off to handle some grand affair. Then it was you who suddenly reappeared and made me watch him. And now, it's you again, abruptly wanting to retrieve the so-called Immortal Fate from him.

"I've lived in this world for over twenty years. How did I not know that Reincarnators had started playing spy games?

"Are human lives so worthless that you can just kill as you please?"

"…"

"This isn't a time to be willful!"

Someone said in a slightly deep voice, "He was introduced to this circle by your group. The crisis he brings and the hidden dangers he represents have already been made very clear to you."

"We invited several prominent figures from Mingzhou to show you respect and to handle this matter discreetly. Originally, it could have been resolved without alerting the entire Reincarnator community, but now, no one can put a stop to it."

"Now it's impossible to prevent him from returning to Shangjing, and trouble for all Reincarnators is imminent."

"You've always been the most cautious. Back then, you were too young and your abilities were undeveloped, so you weren't brought along…"

"But now…"

"…"

"I am indeed very cautious, but for your sakes, I once ventured deep into Old Yin Mountain."

Miss White Wine said indifferently, "And now I cannot stand by and watch you casually decide his fate."

"In my eyes, he is no different from any of you."

"…"

Hearing this, the one who had spoken earlier looked slightly angry, but the person beside him interrupted with a gentle sigh, saying, "At this point, more words are useless."

"We originally intended to resolve this matter quietly. Now, however, it seems we must inevitably prepare for a major confrontation. Therefore, this information shouldn't be confined to just us. We've already arranged for it to be disseminated through various channels."

"As for you, I understand your thoughts, and I have two choices for you now."

"One option is to return to Old Yin Mountain. If *she* is willing to see you, then you will naturally understand the full story, the cause and effect."

"The other option is to go to Shangjing."

"You should know how perilous Shangjing is now, but it is indeed a good opportunity for you to understand the truth and decide on your course of action."

"How will you choose?"

"…"

Miss White Wine fell silent. After a long moment, the cat in her arms, seemingly finding the surrounding atmosphere too tense, stretched lazily.

She scoffed coldly, saying softly, "I'm most familiar with Shangjing. Naturally, I should go to Shangjing!"

"Very well!"

The speaker sighed lightly. "After this failure, none of us have any path of retreat left."

「That night」

Various pieces of information were conveyed through the Lifebound Spirit Temple to countless individuals.

For security reasons, all information was transmitted privately between two parties and not made public.

Nevertheless, many who received the news were profoundly shocked, stirring up considerable turmoil.

「Two days later」

Outside a very secluded forest in Gunzhou, someone arrived and projected their voice into the woods: "Mr. Monkey Wine, you did not respond through the Lifebound Spirit Temple, so I had no choice but to visit you in person."

"We all know you are engrossed in cultivating some Secret Technique. However, that person's identity has now been exposed, and the clandestine attempt to eliminate him has failed. We have no choice but to implore you to come out of seclusion…"

He projected his voice three times, yet there was no response. Just as he couldn't resist the urge to step into the forest, his expression suddenly changed drastically.

His footing faltered, and he hastily retreated several dozen feet, then looked up towards the forest.

The forest seemed to churn, an oppressive aura emanated from within, and a fierce wind rustled the trees violently. Only a single, impatient voice drifted out: "Can't you understand something so obvious?"

"Scram!"