Chapter 103: Magic Dragon Force
𝐛𝐞𝗱𝗻𝐨𝐯𝗲𝗹.𝐜𝐨𝐦
Translator: Radiant
Editor: Radiant
Even as the sky darkened, the Water Daoist Faction remained brightly lit…
Within the Secret Technique Pavilion.
Since the first floor was filled with 'low-grade secret techniques', the second floor with 'middle-grade secret techniques', and the third floor with 'high-grade Transcendent secret techniques', Xue Ying went directly to the third floor.
Even though there was an even higher tier of secret techniques, the 'Deity Rank secret technique', only the Temple of Earth God, Bloodshed Tavern and Demonic Faction had such manuals!
"Secret techniques are extremely important." As Xue Ying flipped through a few manuals, he became increasingly aware of the gravity of his choice.
A Qi cultivation method would only allow him to cultivate his Qi.
On the other hand, secret techniques were methods on how to apply Qi!
An analogy would be to use a piece of paper as a rope after rolling it up. At its limit, it could only lift an object weighing a few kilograms. A heavier weight would simply tear the paper rope, rendering it useless.
However, slicing the paper into hundreds of strips and braiding it together would allow it to lift much heavier objects, even with a weight exceeding ten kilograms.
Just modifying how the material was applied to the task at hand could create such a stark difference in its lifting capability!
"Secret techniques allow for the exquisite integration between a person and their Qi." Xue Ying took up a secret technique manual, reading the brief overview written within, "Some secret techniques would allow the Qi to have a compound effect when defending. Some would markedly increase a person's attacking power. There were even techniques that could increase a person's flexibility in his movements. Utilising the same amount of Qi would lead to a great increase in combat power after an exquisite integration of the Qi."
Transcendents could cultivate several secret techniques simultaneously.
Utilizing multiple techniques during battle could vastly improve one's versatility!
…
Seeing the countless rows of secret technique manuals stored within the pavilion made Xue Ying's heart feel an intense longing.
"It's not early anymore." Xue Ying looked at the colour of the sky. Even though many places within the Water Daoist Faction were still lit up, he reckoned that it was already late into the night. He really had become totally engrossed in reading all those secret technique overviews. Finding the right secret technique differed from finding the right weapon where he could just feel for its suitability through experimenting with a few moves. Instead… reading these technique introductions made him totally lose track of time.
"Oh yes, the Vice Temple Head said to visit the innermost bookshelves within the third floor." Xue Ying immediately went into the aforementioned location before starting to flip open the manuals, "The Vice Temple Head could see that I had awakened my primordial bloodline with a single look. I wonder if there might be books related to bloodlines here?"
"Mn?"
Suddenly, Xue Ying was startled. He picked up a gold coloured manual called 'Volume of Light'. Looking at the brief introduction, he realised, "This is actually a manual for cultivating one's physique?"
"Who would have thought that there is a cultivation method within the Water Daoist Faction specialised in cultivating one's physique." Xue Ying continued with his thorough search before finding another similar physique cultivation method called 'Magic Dragon Art'.
"'Volume of Light' and 'Magic Dragon Art' are actually manuals that the founder of the Water Daoist Faction, Patriarch 'Water Emperor', sent back from the Deity world?" Xue Ying was brimming with wonder as he read through the introductions. The Water Emperor was actually the creator of the Water Daoist Faction, and an ancestor from the Xia Clan who became a Deity over eight million years ago. After becoming a Deity and entering the Deity world, he still held onto his homeworld deep inside his heart.
There were several Qi cultivation secret techniques and body cultivation methods that he tried sending back to his homeworld! Actually, there were many Transcendent secret techniques which were brought back by many Xia ancestors from the Deity world. After all, no Transcendents were capable of creating such formidable secret techniques.
As for Deity secret techniques?
Within the history of Xia Clan, even though many ancestors had entered the Deity world, none had been able to send back a Deity secret technique back.
It was due to the frightening existences supporting the Temple of Earth God, Bloodshed Tavern and Demonic Faction that gave them the opportunity to obtain Deity secret techniques.
"These are actually body cultivation methods." Xue Ying felt excited.
Compared to Qi cultivation method, the amount of body cultivation methods were few and far between.
Under the heavens, the most famous body cultivation methods belonged to just two organizations - Demonic Faction and the Temple of Earth God!
"The hope of awakening of my primordial bloodline lies within these cultivation methods." Xue Ying flipped through the two manuals.
It was really difficult for one to awaken his primordial bloodline the second time.
There were two methods for awakening.
The first method was through body cultivation. Absorbing the World Energy relentlessly to strengthen one's body would increase the chances of a second awakening. According to the records left behind within the history of Xia Clan, those primordial bloodline awakeners who were able to cultivate their physique until the peak of the Saint realm would certainly encounter a second awakening! Of course, just by cultivating the physique to the middle stage of Saint realm would already greatly increase the chances of a second awakening.As for the second method, it was entirely dependent on luck. Who knows, maybe one could awaken his primordial bloodline a second time during a life and death battle.
Those were the two methods.
The chances of a secondary awakening through the second method were too low. Not a single person had undergone that in the entire history of Xia Clan! Instead, it was someone from the magic beast clan who experienced such fortune.
"Depending on one's luck instead of a manual."
'There is greater hope in a body cultivating method.' Xue Ying reflected.
Body cultivation and Qi cultivation were greatly different.
Every increase in the realm of a physique required an exponentially greater amount of World Energy to break through! Compared to Qi cultivation, the energy requirement was enormous!
Primordial bloodline awakeners would see their fleshly body improving to the middle stage of the Sky realm immediately upon becoming a Transcendent.
To reach the peak stage of the Sky realm through body cultivation, one would require 500 kilograms of Origin Stone! This was even greater than the amount required to cultivate Qi from middle stage of the Sky realm all the way till the initial stage of the Saint realm! This time around, to invite a monstrously genius talent like Xue Ying, the Water Daoist Faction had decided to give him 300 kilograms of Origin Stone.
Yet for the body to break through from the Sky realm peak stage to Saint realm initial stage, one would require 25,000 kilograms of Origin Stone! This was a greater expense than cultivating Qi all the way till the Demigod realm.
From the Saint realm initial stage till the middle stage, the amount required was approximately one million Origin Stone! Such number would make a Demigod's heart tremble. After all, most of them could never obtain such a large amount in their entire life!
To reach peak stage of the Saint realm from the middle stage… the amount required was just unimaginable! According to the words passed down by someone from the Deity World, even if every single Origin Stone from the Transcendent worlds within a material world were dug up, it still would not be enough!
That was why the moment the fleshly body reached the peak stage of the Saint realm, the cultivator would definitely undergo the second awakening of their primordial bloodline!
'The stronger the fleshly body, the greater the hope of undergoing a second awakening. As of today, I have many Origin Stones in my possession. Taking out 500 kilograms of it for cultivating my body till the peak stage of the Sky realm is still worth the effort.' Xue Ying thought. In the future, when his combat power becomes stronger and he possessed more Origin Stones, he would take out another 25,000 kilograms of it to improve his body till Saint realm initial stage! With that, his chances of a secondary awakening would be much greater.
As for reaching the middle stage of the Saint realm? Well, it was still too far away!
…
"Which should I choose, 'Volume of Light' or 'Magic Dragon Art'?" Xue Ying looked towards the two body cultivating methods.
A few Qi secret techniques could be cultivated simultaneously.
But it was not the same for body cultivation.
Each body cultivation method would have a corresponding secret technique that must be cultivated together!
The supporting secret technique of 'The Magic Dragon Art' was the 'Magic Dragon Force'.
'Magic Dragon Force' was a secret technique that minutely transforms one's inner musculoskeletal structure!
This was quite similar to the birth of mortals.
Some were born weak, while others were born with great innate talent. Some even had huge innate physical strength the moment they were born. All of these were caused by the differences in the musculoskeletal structure during birth.
The same could be said for beasts of the sixth rank. Some were fast while others had huge power.
'Magic Dragon Force' was a secret technique discovered through investigating the fleshly body of an enormous dragon within the Deity World. Pairing it with the 'Magic Dragon Art' was extremely appropriate - they could empower the tenacity of muscles and bones, increasing the amount of explosive power one could exert.
'Magic Dragon Force' was split into five different heavens.
The First Heaven increased one's power by twenty percent. Any Transcendent experts could reach this level through self-realization.
The Second Heaven increased the power by a total of fifty percent. In order to reach this stage, one needed a high comprehension level.
The Third Heaven actually multiplied one's power by a factor of two! Those who could cultivate until this stage were rarely seen, even amongst experts at the Saint realm.
The Fourth Heaven, multiplied power by a factor of three! Demigod body cultivators of this technique were usually at this stage.
The Fifth Heaven was an increase of six times of one's original power! The grand completion! Extreme difficulty!
'This secret technique is extremely formidable.' Xue Ying felt a great yearning as he gazed at it, 'Reaching the stage of grand completion only allowed his strength to multiply by six! This could only be a Transcendent secret technique at most.'
Regardless, what did the notion of six times his strength represent?
Activating his Power Bloodline merely doubled his strength at the expense of a large amount of stamina! Yet this Magic Dragon Force represented the idea of transforming the body's fine structure such that one could have six times their original strength even at the normal consumption rate of his stamina! How miraculous was this? Of course, being a newly promoted Transcendent, it was already quite impressive for Xue Ying to start on the secret technique of 'Magic Dragon Force'.
…
The Magic Dragon Art's matching secret technique was the 'Magic Dragon Force'. After cultivating it, one's increase in strength would be clearly seen.studying it, his physical strength would temporarily not increase at all! Furthermore, he had a limited amount of mental energy. Thus, it would not be too late for him to cultivate after his Qi reached the cultivation of his body. After all, a 'secret technique'… would become easier the higher one's comprehension of the realms becomes.
…
"Everything is finally completed."
"Qi cultivation method, weapons and secret techniques are all acquired." Xue Ying walked out of the Secret Technique Pavilion. Right now, the skies were still dark. There was even a crescent moon shining amidst the skies. "It's time for me to enter the Infernal World!"
All new Transcendents had to visit the Infernal World as soon as possible.Chapter 104: Capital of Xia
Translator: Radiant
Editor: Radiant
"That is the world door that leads to the Xia capital of the Infernal World!" At the peak of an icy mountain within the Water Daoist Faction stood a door undulating with spatial ripples. Gong Liang Yuan said, "Let's enter."
"Mn." Xue Ying had great expectations within his heart.
Knowing what was within the Infernal World made him naturally more eager to enter.
Hu, hu.
The two of them entered the door, side by side. At that moment, when they passed through the door, they felt as if their bodies had become immersed in water. That feeling stayed for a while until they exited to the other side and into the other world with a 'pu'.
"This—"
Xue Ying was startled by what greeted him.
He was standing beside the world door at the peak of a high mountain. Even though it was late at night, moonlight shone across the entire world. He could see a domineering city towering above the land. Within the city, there were nine meandering roads, as if depicting nine different Deity Dragons. Mansions littered the sides of each road, some glittering in the moonlight and others in varying conditions of disrepair.
A majestic palace occupied the center of the city, emitting endless power and influence as misty flames wove around its towers. The light diffusing from the flames caused it to stand apart from its neighbors, a glittering spectacle amidst the night sky.
"Xia Capital" Xue Ying murmured.
"Yes. This is precisely the capital of Xia, the one true capital of our entire Xia Clan!" Gong Liang Yuan's eyes were filled with blazing passion, "Even though our Xia Clan has met with countless dangers over the many generations, like the Deity who emerged from the Beast Clan, or the invasion of demons, or even an attack by natives from the different worlds… The existence of Xia Capital in the Infernal World, this city, has allowed our Xia Clan to endure through all those trials."
Gong Liang Yuan pointed towards the majestic palace that was emitting light from its misty flames, "At the center of the Xia Capital, there is a palace. That palace is the Infernal Palace! As for why it's named 'Infernal', it's simply because they follow the ideology of 'passing down the flame'."
"Many times, the material world would see battles that raged until the world itself fell to ruins. Wars that would tear kith and kin apart until almost all mortals were exterminated, nearly decimating the Xia Clan in the process."
"Despite our temporary losses, we still have this Infernal World behind us!"
"There are a few billion mortals living in this Infernal World! Furthermore, the Xia Capital contains many important inheritances left behind by the Xia Clan. If the war is not in our favour, Transcendents would all safely retreat back to this Infernal World." Gong Liang Yuan said, "Waiting for the right opportunity before going back to reclaim our world."
Xue Ying nodded.
The power of a Deity surpassed every single Transcendent's power.
Much like the time when a Deity emerged from the Beast Clan - the entire Xia Clan could not resist it. The six great Transcendent organisations did not hesitate in migrating their entire headquarters into the Infernal World! They preserved as much vitality as they could! As the Infernal World is a major Transcendent world, no Deities could enter!
During the initial period, the Beast Clan wantonly destroyed, butchering almost every single mortal in the entire world! The beasts rapidly reproduced until almost every single piece of land and sea were filled with them!
But ultimately, a Deity would still be rejected out of the material world!
That was when the Xia Clan started their retaliatory action of killing!
The Xia Clan possessed a deep heritage and deeper roots. Even without a Deity, they could still suppress the entire Beast Clan!
Over time, the hatred between these two clans grew deeper and deeper. Whenever a Deity emerged from the Xia Clan, they would frequently exterminate the Beast Clan to the best of their abilities! Occasionally though, both sides would try to negotiate… such as when the human race belonged to the weaker side, that was when they would try to migrate as many mortals as they could into the Infernal World.
"The Beast Clan, the Demons from the Dark Abyss, the natives from the many different worlds…" Gong Liang Yuan continued, "There are dangers everywhere. But since the Infernal World was built in an impregnable manner, it persists until today. The laws and regulations upholding the Xia Clan are decided by the Xia Capital."
"I've troubled you this time, Elder Gong Liang Yuan. Does elder Gong Liang Yuan want to sit inside?" Xue Ying immediately asked.
He replied, "Tomorrow, Elder Eternal Wind and the rest of the Transcendents belonging to the Tranquil Sun province will take over in introducing the place. Right now, the skies are already getting bright. You should go and take a brief respite first. There are still many matters to be completed thereafter."
Xue Ying felt startled after hearing that. With a nod, he did not ask any further.
There were indeed many matters that he had to deal with.
Other than meeting his fellow Transcendents, it was the forthcoming Transcendent Battle of Life and Death that he had to prepare for!Chapter 105: Gathering
Translator: Radiant
Editor: Radiant
After seeing off Gong Liang Yuan, Xue Ying went back into his own mansion.
It was quite luxurious. There were many more maidservants as compared to his Snowrock Castle. One of the white-robed females respectfully asked, "Master, I am Xu Qin, your mansion's housekeeper! Please order us if you need anything, master."
"A female housekeeper?" Xue Ying looked at her.
With elegant features and an entrancing figure, she could be considered a stunning beauty. Furthermore, by simply by observing her aura, this female housekeeper should be a Meteor mage! This kind of young female mage at the Meteor rank… would definitely be chased after by countless people in the mortal world. Yet here, she was just given merely the role of a housekeeper for a Transcendent.
A thought occurred to Xue Ying. Many maidservants inside the mansion did not cultivate Qi nor magic, yet just based solely on their figure and features, they would be considered as quite beautiful. Those few who were closer to the female housekeeper had features and expressions on a higher level than Kong You Yue. However, since they did not cultivate in Qi nor magic, their temperament was much worse off.
'So many beauties? The Infernal World sure is considerate to us Transcendents!' Xue Ying thought to himself. He ordered, "Xu Qin, tell me the layout of this entire mansion."
"Yes." Looking at Xue Ying, Xu Qin felt relatively satisfied deep in her heart.
Initially, after being given the role of becoming the female housekeeper of a Transcendent expert, she had felt uneasy.
After all, mortals could never revolt against a Transcendent. Usually, those female housekeepers of Transcendents would naturally become the women of the Transcendent himself! Xu Qin could not go against orders and could only accept her situation. Ever since she arrived in this mansion, however, she had heard that her house master was actually a young and highly intelligent genius. He had become becoming a Transcendent at the young age of 28 years.
Becoming a Transcendent at 28? At that moment, Xu Qin heaved a sigh of relief, at the very least, she would not get an old man.
The moment Xue Ying and Gong Liang Yuan flew down towards the mansion was when Xu Qin got her first careful look at her master.
Very young.
His temperament was extraordinary as well. Even though he was not extremely handsome,his face was still pleasing to the eyes. That made Xu Qin feel a sweetness in her heart.
"Master, this are where the guards outside stay." Xu Qin walked with Xue Ying around the mansion. There were two maidservants following behind him as well, "this house is where the maidservants live."
Walking to the middle of the mansion…
"This is where master lives. There is a welcoming hall, a cultivating ground, and so on. The maidservants are all stationed around you. As for me, I'm staying at the hall diagonal to master's, thus you can send down any orders to me when you need." Xu Qin thoroughly introduced the places. Her voice was gentle, showing clearly that she had undergone some fundamental training by the Infernal Palace.
Xue Ying silently praised her.
This female housekeeper and all the other female maidservants were well trained. Within the external mortal world, only those clans with a thousand years of history would be capable of grooming this many excellent maidservants. Even in his Dong Bo Clan's castle, the maidservants were more similar to rural women than truly trained attendants.
"Alright, all of you can withdraw for now." Xue Ying gave his orders, before going to take a break himself. He had long understood the layout of the mansion by sensing the World Energy permeating through it , he was just unfamiliar with the specific uses of each area. Now, he understood.
"Yes."
The female housekeeper Xu Qin and the maidservants respectfully acknowledged, before retreating.
As Xu Qin left, a smile hovered at the edge of her lips. Even though this Transcendent ignored her, being able to live together for days and nights would naturally give them a chance to foster a closer relationship. As for her first impression, she was quite content with her current Transcendent master.
******
Early the next day, Eternal Wind Knight Chi Qiu Bai sent someone over with an invitation for a feast in the afternoon. By that time, the other Transcendents would be there as well.
Afternoon.
Xue Ying walked out of his mansion. With another step, shua, his figure appeared at the entrance of Chi Qiu Bai's mansion. Yet those guards standing at the door were not startled to see a black-robed young man appear from nothingness. After all, being the door guards of Eternal Wind Knight's mansion, they had seen many Transcendents frequently travelling at such unimaginable speeds.
"Sir Dong Bo, please." A guard immediately led him in.
The guard led him until a certain point, before the escort task was passed on to a maidservant.
When Xue Ying reached the inner main hall, he was amazed by its grandeur. At this moment, there were six Transcendents sitting on the floor, and a table was placed individually in front of each of them. This was actually the practice of Xia Clan, in the past, whenever they had a meal. Within the mortal world, only a few big clans who paid attention to such a practice… would employ such a method of eating! For clans like Dong Bo Xue Ying's, ever since the dangerous situations faced by his parents from before, they did not care much about such customs any longer.Thus, whenever they had a meal, they would sit around a table on chairs instead.
For Transcendents, due to their long lifespans, they would prefer the old system. After all, they would naturally be on guard against other Transcendents. Sitting together would be stressful and tax their hearts. Instead, sitting apart would make them feel more at ease.
"Xue Ying is here!" The person sitting at the head table was precisely Eternal Wind Knight Chi Qiu Bai.
With long flowing snowy-white hair, Chi Qiu Bai appeared carefree and uninhibited as he ate and drank. However, there always seemed to be some sort of inexplicable sadness attached to him.
"Big brother Eternal Wind." Xue Ying greeted him, before continuing to greet the other five Transcendents, "Greetings big brothers and big sister."
"Big sister?" The only female Transcendent present laughed.
"Xue Ying is a new Transcendent. Furthermore, his age is the youngest amongst us. Is there any problem with calling us big brothers and big sister? Chi Qiu Bai asked. A man on his left, carrying a sword on his back laughed, "That's right. However, this is the first time youngster sister Ling Shu is called as big sister."
Xue Ying mildly noted the man carrying a sword on his back.
All Transcendents carried a storage treasure with them, and usually, they would place their weapons inside. A single thought could summon any weapon in their hands at a much faster speed than drawing it from one's back! Thus, those who would carry their weapons on the back were rarely seen. As for the so-called reason of trying to get closer with their weapons… all Transcendents had reached Power Perfectly as One, and thus, did not need to carry a weapon with them at all times.
Those who would carry their weapons on their back would do so because of special habits, or for some special secretive reasons.
"I am called Cheng Ling Shu. Next time, just call me sister Ling Shu. Calling me big sister feels weird for me." That female Transcendent mage said. Her features were quite ordinary, and her personality was quite open.
"Sister Ling Shu," Xue Ying immediately shouted.
Cheng Ling Shu's expression broke out in a smile.
"Xue Ying, you can sit first. I'll give you an introduction. There will be three more who belongs to our Tranquil Sun province coming later." Chi Qiu Bai said, "Having originated from the same province, naturally we should help one another! If being from the same province is not reason enough to help each, then being from the same Transcendent organisation should suffice. Otherwise, who else would there be to help you?"
"Mn." Xue Ying nodded.
He could felt the cordial atmosphere within the group, with Chi Qiu Bai the leader! Xue Ying also sensed the innate leadership disposition within Chi Qiu Bai that allowed everyone to stand with him willingly.
Soon, the other three Transcendents arrived.
The ten Transcendents of Tranquil Sun province gathered together were: Chi Qiu Bai, Peng Shan, Cheng Ling Shu, Dong Yu, Wu Kui, Zong Tu, Ba Ming, Zi Che Gu Feng, and Hai Ru Zhen.
Three of them were Transcendent mages.
There were eight men and two women, with differing ages. The oldest amongst them was Devil Blade Knight Peng Shan, with an age of 1100 years old.