Apart from the Demon Cult's cult-defining divine technique, the Heaven Demon Blood, there were the six unrivaled absolute arts, the 36 secret arts, and a huge collection of over a hundred other formidable martial arts.
Other than the Heaven Demon Blood that the Cult Master cultivated, he also cultivated four of the six unrivaled absolute arts. As for the other martial arts, he didn't learn any of them.
The Cult Master didn't cultivate any of the 36 secret arts that could fill the role as a core martial art in any A-class faction.
Perhaps he didn't think it was worth cultivating as he had better choices. It should also be the same reason for not cultivating the Ancient Eight Word Classics that was part of the six unrivaled absolute arts.
As for the Day of Change Technique, Chen Luoyang originally believed it was because of time constraints. After all, he was only 20 years old. But now, he understood that he nearly stepped into a huge pit.
This Demon Cult Master didn't cultivate the Day of Change Technique, not because he didn't have time; it was because he disliked it.
Chen Luoyang could infer that this Cult Master liked a fighting style that confronted the enemy in a straightforward manner. The Day of Change Technique was an absolute art that borrowed strength from the enemy. In the original Cult Master's eyes, he might have been afraid that he would be given the title of being cowardly and weak.
Chen Luoyang could even roughly guess this Demon Cult Master's mindset: I am already this powerful. Why do I have to borrow strength from others? I can just slap them to death, and it will be done!
Chen Luoyang had an urge to roll his eyes in his heart and was cursing violently. Bullshit! I too know that killing an enemy in a single slap or fist is the most satisfying! If you are that incredible, then don't get severely injured! Look at what a big pit you have left for me…
He took a glance at the apprehensive Vajra. "Go on and settle it quickly." Chen Luoyang then sorted his emotions and said with an indifferent expression, "Capture them alive. This Seat has use for them."
Vajra quickly replied, "Yes, Cult Master!"
Vajra then jumped off the Six Dragons Sovereign Carriage. Chen Luoyang had already given a clear order to capture them alive, and Vajra didn't dare to be careless.
As compared to claiming credit for oneself, it was more important to complete the Cult Master's orders. Otherwise, there might not be any contribution and actually more sins.
He immediately called for help from Zhang Tianheng, Hong Yan, Wang Dubao, and others.
Extinction Sword Xie Xingmang wasn't the number one in strength among the Sword Pavilion Five Heroes. However, he had perseverance and decisiveness. He would become stronger as he met stronger foes and would grow bolder as he fought. During life and death battles, he frequently exceeded his limits and defeated enemies stronger than himself.
He was lethal and ruthless. He would rather die than to submit.
People who wanted to kill him would always have to beware of being buried along with him. It would be even harder to capture him alive.
However, the Cult Master had issued his order, and apart from Hong Yan who continued to keep an eye on that old eunuch, the rest of the Demon Cult experts had attacked together.
Vajra, Zhang Tianheng, Wang Dubao, Shangguan Song, Elder Mingjing. They were respectively vigorous, violent, cunning, shrewd, steady.
Two of them originated from the Buddhist factions, while the other three were direct-line disciples of the Demon Cult. Five of them were surrounding and attacking the lone Xie Xingmang. No matter how tenacious Xie Xingmang was, it was hard for a single sword to defeat 10 hands.
After fighting with everything he had and attempting to take down the enemy along with himself, he ultimately fell at the last hurdle. However, when a man was risking his life, no matter how many there were, they wouldn't be a match.
In order to capture him alive, five individuals had to surround him, and the price they paid was Elder Mingjing suffering an injury.
"Reporting to Cult Master, we have captured the Sword Pavilion's Xie Xingmang." Vajra and the others brought the restrained Xie Xingmang and that Great Xie Empire's old eunuch back to the Six Dragons Sovereign Carriage.
Chen Luoyang nodded indifferently and didn't bother about Xie Xingmang whose eyes were bloodshot and spewing flames.
He looked at the injured Zhang Tianheng and Elder Mingjing first and said, "Go and deal with your injuries."
The two responded by withdrawing to deal with their wounds and consumed medicine for recuperation.
Chen Luoyang then looked at the remaining two Protectors. "After today's battle, Shu Prefecture will belong to my cult. We have occupied this place newly. Someone needs to oversee the place, sort out the aftermath, and prevent enemies from making a comeback."
He then looked at Wang Dubao and said, "Qian Prefecture is your territory, and that place is important. It links the Shu Prefecture and Xiang Prefecture, forming a barrier for Dian Prefecture. You need to return to Qian Prefecture to oversee the place."
Wang Dubao bowed and said, "I shall comply with Cult Master's orders. When Cult Master returns to the shrine, the journey will include passing through Qian Prefecture. This subordinate is willing to be the vanguard."
Chen Luoyang nodded and looked at Hong Yan. "Shu Prefecture shall be handed to you."
Hong Yan's expression didn't change, and he was still firm like a rock. He bowed and said, "This subordinate understands."
"Song Lun has paid allegiance to my cult. Therefore, Yu Prefecture belongs to my cult as well," Chen Luoyang said. "Song Lun and the Five Color Hall shall be permitted to operate in Shu Prefecture. As for the follow-up arrangements, wait for This Seat to settle the sacred domain's shrine first."
Hong Yan replied, "This subordinate understands, and we shall stand united as one."
"The rest of the people will return to the shrine along with This Seat," Chen Luoyang stated.
After Zhang Tianheng and Elder Mingjing gave some simple treatments to their injuries, they returned to the Cult Master.
After hearing Chen Luoyang's orders, they responded together, "We shall comply with Cult Master's orders."
Shangguan Song had a calm expression but was disappointed in his heart. After taking down the Shu Prefecture, the Demon Cult had a new territory. If he was able to oversee the place, he would regain authority of a territory. However, Shangguan Song had also expected that Chen Luoyang wouldn't possibly allow him, a member of the elder faction, to have such an easy time.
When Chen Luoyang finally asked Hong Yan, who was from the elder faction to stay here, Shangguan Song's mood was lively again.
"Mingjing, you are the one with the most contributions this time," Chen Luoyang said to Elder Mingjing.
Elder Mingjing bowed slightly and said, "It is all because of the guidance from Cult Master and Hall Chief. The other comrades of the Divine Cult have done their part too. This old monk doesn't dare to claim credit alone."
He sounded very modest, but this time, he did have contributions and had also worked hard.
Xie Xingmang hated him extremely, and when he attempted to drag someone to death with him, he didn't target any of the Demon Cult members, as his target was Elder Mingjing.
Shangguan Song, Wang Dubao, and the others knew that Elder Mingjing's promotion was something that was inevitable.
"Nie Hua has escaped, and it is unsuitable for you to remain there," Chen Luoyang said. "If there was someone else, my cult would be able to pin the suspicion on that person, and you would have been able to continue your infiltration."
Nie Hua was one of the only five direct-line disciples under the Sword Sovereign. Of course, it was possible for the Sword Pavilion to have a traitor. But for this battle, Nie Hua and Xie Xingmang held the secret of the Sword Sovereign's sword whetstone. If Nie Hua had been the Demon Cult's spy, the revealing of this information would have theoretically allowed the Demon Cult to obtain an overwhelming victory.
That's why it was hard to pin the suspicion on Nie Hua.
"You are injured right now, and it isn't good for you to stay in the Shu Prefecture alone. You shall temporarily move with This Seat," Chen Luoyang stated.
Elder Mingjing replied respectfully, "Yes, Cult Master."
Chen Luoyang sat high up and waved his hand gently. "Alright, let's move."
Everyone complied to their respective orders and started moving.
Hong Yan led his subordinates to deal with the Golden Summit's aftermath before coordinating with Song Lun to wipe out the Shu Prefecture.
Azure Dragon 1, Liu Si, had already vanished with the Great Xia Empire's King Zhao.
Wang Dubao moved out first and cleared the path ahead for the Cult Master.
The others moved along with Chen Luoyang.
The Demon Cult army had now departed again and was returning to the Demon Domain's shrine. Over there was a much bigger fight than today's battle.
Chen Luoyang was pondering in his heart. To him, this war had its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage was that they had to face the enemy, and the Demon Cult's opposing elder faction probably wouldn't start a rebellion at this moment.
The disadvantage was that this was a huge war, and the outcome was hard to predict.
If they lost, then it was possible that their enemies would eradicate the Demon Cult.
But if Chen Luoyang had to fight with someone, what did he have to do?
The Day of Change Technique was most suitable for this moment, but it was a pit.
It was true that he could act temperamental and fickle-minded, to shamelessly say that he wanted to learn the Day of Change Technique now. However, at this critical juncture, the enemy would inevitably suspect that he was lacking confidence.
He had to cultivate the Day of Change Technique, but he had to use some hard-handed methods.
When Chen Luoyang thought of this problem, he communicated with the mysterious black pot in his mind. He pondered for a moment before issuing a question.
According to my current physical condition, what is the method to achieve the greatest lethality?
The black pot had a reaction. This time, the consumption of blood-red serum was rather significant.
Blood mist rose up from the pot and formed blood words.
[The Stake All Technique.]