Chapter 258: The Hidden Blade Technique, Stirring Up Turbulence in Yuzhou

Chapter 258: The Hidden Blade Technique, Stirring Up Turbulence in Yuzhou

Li Xuan never expected that Xu Yan's guidance would lead Fang Hao to realize the unique weapons of the Qimen Wudao and truly comprehend the path of slaughter inherent to this martial art.

Once again, he couldn't help but marvel at his senior disciple, Xu Yan, who was indeed the trailblazer of his martial arts journey.

"Your disciple, Fang Hao, has awakened the Qimen Bingxia. You have obtained the Qimen Divine Weapon."

"Your disciple, Fang Hao, has comprehended the Qimen Slaughtering Path. Your Qimen Wudao has merged as one, and you have obtained the Qimen Killing Path."

Li Xuan gazed at the feedback from the Golden Book of the Great Dao, his heart filled with excitement.

A weapon box appeared and floated above his spiritual platform.

Qimen Divine Weapon Box!

A unique instrument of slaughter belonging to the Qimen Wudao.

Moreover, this weapon box projected by the Golden Book of the Great Dao was not a physical entity but a divine weapon box formed by the convergence of martial arts power.

One could imagine how powerful this weapon box would be.

Of course, while the weapon box was extraordinary, it would be impossible for Li Xuan, with his current God-source Realm strength, to unleash its full potential.

However, since the divine weapon box was not a physical object and was obtained through the feedback from the Golden Book of the Great Dao, Li Xuan, despite being only in the God-source Realm, could still wield it.

In addition to the divine weapon box, he also received the Qimen Killing Path.

This was the slaughtering technique unique to Qimen Wudao, encompassing formations, restrictions, heavenly oddities, and other aspects of Qimen techniques, all fused into one formidable killing art.

At this moment, Li Xuan could effortlessly wield the Qimen techniques, slaughtering at will and integrating them with all the martial arts he had mastered, allowing him to exhibit and transform them as he pleased.

"My strength has increased again."

Li Xuan was in high spirits.

With a lift of his hand, refining materials flew over, and Dan Yan appeared, crafting a refining furnace amidst the dazzled eyes of Fang Hao.

Casually tossing it, Li Xuan threw the refining furnace in front of Fang Hao.

"For refining, one needs a furnace designed for it. Those so-called refining furnaces in the spirit realm are useless. This refining furnace is just right for you; too high a grade, and you won't be able to use it."

Li Xuan explained calmly.

Fang Hao stared at the refining furnace before him, stunned. Formations, restrictions, and more were incorporated within, and this refining furnace almost surpassed the spiritual artifact tier.

"Thank you, Master!"

At this moment, he felt a twinge of shame.

He had indeed been too dull-witted. How could he not have crafted a refining furnace for himself and instead needed his master's guidance?

Li Xuan felt refreshed.

Although this was his first time refining, it felt as if he had been doing it all his life.

"Study it well. Martial arts have no boundaries, and I hope you can forge your own Qimen path."

Li Xuan said indifferently.

"Yes, Master!"

Fang Hao replied solemnly.

Excitedly, he selected the necessary materials to refine his own Qimen weapon box. With this refining furnace, the process would be faster and the grade higher.

Xu Yan had been studying the formation chart. Although he had realized the Mountain River Sword Formation, he needed to continuously improve and perfect it, as the sword formation was different from Fang Hao's formations.

Of course, the formation chart provided him with significant reference value.

Fang Hao held a brush and paper, sketching his Qimen weapon box. But after drawing it, he encountered another problem.

"The weapon box isn't big enough. How can I fit all the various Qimen instruments, like the formation devices, inside?"

Unless the Qimen weapon box contained a spatial dimension like the storage bag, it would be impossible to store all the Qimen weapons.

Therefore, to refine a Qimen weapon box, he must first refine a storage-type treasure.

And so, Fang Hao began to delve into the method of refining the storage ring that his master had mentioned.

The reason the storage bag could contain a sizable space within its small form was due to the Swallow Mountain Toad. Thus, to refine a treasure that could contain space, one needed to use the Swallow Mountain Toad as the primary material.

If he wanted to refine a treasure that could contain space, he would require not only the refining technique but also some special materials.

The Dai family's treasury had all kinds of materials, even the skin of the Swallow Mountain Toad used for refining the storage bag. So, the issue wasn't a lack of materials but the lack of a complete refining method.

Fang Hao began his research.

Not long after Xu Yan's return, Meng Chong also came back.

Fang Hao was thrilled and immediately controlled the formation to test if he could trap his second senior brother.

However, while Meng Chong didn't transform the formation into his sword like Xu Yan, he simply ignored the formation's attack and barged in.

Fang Hao felt a little depressed. The formation was obviously powerful, capable of trapping a Refining God for a short time, so why was it ineffective against his senior brothers?

Although Meng Chong hadn't broken through, his strength had increased significantly. With the auxiliary cultivation of the Sky Hammer Hundred Refinements, his Indestructible Golden Body had improved by at least 30%.

After Meng Chong's return, like Xu Yan, he also studied the formation chart, hoping to gain some insights into his own martial arts.

With the guidance of Xu Yan and Meng Chong, Fang Hao's understanding of the Eight Trigrams improved significantly, leading to advancements in his formations, restrictions, and heavenly oddities.

A prototype formed in his mind, showing him how to integrate the Eight Trigrams into formations and heavenly oddities.

The courtyard was serene, like a secluded sanctuary untouched by the bustling world of martial arts in Yuzhou.

Unperturbed by the increased bounty offered by the Yushen Sect and the Su family, Li Xuan's disciples diligently cultivated while he delved into the fourth page of the Grand Book of Tai Cang.

Simultaneously, he continued to perfect the martial arts techniques above the divine powers.

The third realm of swordsmanship should also be on the agenda.

The day before, Xu Yan had already broken through to the minor achievement of the Heart Sword Realm, and his sword formation had made significant progress, becoming more robust.

When Xu Yan broke through to the minor achievement of the Heart Sword Realm, Li Xuan reached the perfect stage of the same realm.

Swish!

Suddenly, a figure flashed across the sky above the courtyard.

Since the courtyard was shrouded by a formation, the passing cultivator did not notice its existence.

Li Xuan and the others paid it no mind.

Located outside the capital of the Kingdom of Zheng, the courtyard was somewhat remote but not too far from the city. It wasn't unusual for cultivators to pass by.

However, in the following days, several cultivators passed by one after another, seemingly searching for something.

Now, Li Xuan was curious.

Had something happened in Yuzhou?

"I've finally succeeded in refining it!"

Fang Hao wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at the storage ring in his hand, a smile spreading across his face.

After this period of refining, he had finally succeeded.

"Master, I've refined a storage ring."

Fang Hao was thrilled and brought the storage ring to his master for inspection.

Li Xuan swept it with his divine sense. The space inside the ring was not small, larger than the storage bag, and it seemed more stable and easier to retrieve items from.

Although the refining was a bit rough, it was still a remarkable achievement for a first attempt.

"With some minor improvements, it'll be perfect."

Li Xuan nodded.

"Yes!"

Fang Hao was elated. Now that he had refined the storage ring, he could start refining his first Qimen weapon box.

The first storage ring was a bit crude, so Fang Hao casually gave it to Shi Er.

Shi Er was overjoyed.

After mastering the art of refining storage rings, Fang Hao turned his full attention to refining the Qimen Weapon Box.

The complexity of refining the Qimen Weapon Box far exceeded that of the storage ring, so he dedicated all his focus to this task.

Meng Chong sat cross-legged on the ground with a knife across his knees. Xu Yan's sword intent lingered in the surroundings, causing the grass, trees, sand, and stones to transform into sharp, formidable swords.

Meng Chong was in the midst of comprehending this profound scene.

Li Xuan silently observed for a while.

"Meng Chong, you're about to break through to the Hidden Knife Realm."

The second realm of the Knife Path shared similarities with the Heart Sword Realm in their own unique ways.

Knives exist everywhere in the world!

The Hidden Knife Realm hides knives all around, both concealing their sharpness and implying that all things can become knives.

When the hidden knife is unsheathed, its sharpness is unmatched!

"Your disciple, Meng Chong, has understood the Hidden Knife Realm. You have achieved perfection in the Hidden Knife Realm!"

As expected, a few days later, Meng Chong broke through.

After his breakthrough, his sharp aura was completely concealed, and he no longer appeared like a fierce knife cultivator but rather a gentle and elegant scholar.

If not for his tall stature, bald head, and scholar's robe, who would believe that he was an overwhelmingly domineering knife cultivator?

Swish!

A figure flashed across the sky above the courtyard.

"This is the eighth one."

Xu Yan murmured to himself.

"Has something big happened in Yuzhou?" Meng Chong asked, puzzled.

"It's indeed strange." Fang Hao nodded in agreement.

"Could it be because of what happened with Senior Brother Xu and Second Senior Brother Meng?" Su Lingxiu guessed.

"Impossible. I've been cultivating with Senior Brother Xu all this time, and we haven't gone after the Yushen Sect or the Su family." Meng Chong shook his head.

Xu Yan nodded in agreement. It had been quite some time since they had slapped the Yushen Sect and the Su family in the face and killed that third-rate Lingzong Refining God expert.

Whatever major event was happening now couldn't be related to them.

"Hmm, another person has come. I'll go ask." Xu Yan took a step forward and disappeared from the courtyard.

A few miles from the courtyard, a brown-robed warrior was searching the area, inspecting almost every large tree and seemingly wanting to dig three feet into the ground in his investigation.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him.

The young man was handsome, with a curious look on his face.

"What are you looking for, brother?" Xu Yan asked with a smile.

The brown-robed warrior was in the middle of his search when a figure suddenly appeared without a sound, startling him.

But when he looked up and saw Xu Yan, he was even more stunned.

"Xu... Xu Yan?" he stammered.

Xu Yan frowned, "Do I know you?"

The brown-robed warrior was both excited and frightened. This was the notorious killer of Refining God experts, and although he himself was a Great Heavenly Man warrior, he knew he was no match for Xu Yan.

But!

He had discovered Xu Yan's whereabouts, and as long as he reported it to the Yushen Sect, he would receive a hefty reward.

"I've... I've seen your portrait, Brother Xu."

The brown-robed warrior wanted to leave and immediately report Xu Yan's location to the Yushen Sect. As for capturing or killing Xu Yan or any other higher bounties, he knew his limitations.

"Tell me, what are you looking for?" Xu Yan asked with a smile.

The man's expression had been odd when he saw him.

"Could he be looking for me?" Xu Yan wondered.

"I... I'm not looking for anything. Ahaha, my pet spirit beast ran away, so I'm just looking for it," the brown-robed warrior stammered, trying to leave.

"Oh, it's my pet spirit beast that ran away. I'm looking for my spirit beast," he quickly added, trying to cover up his initial response.

"Brother Xu, have you seen a small brown beast around here?" he asked, trying to keep Xu Yan engaged in conversation.

He had to stay calm and not let Xu Yan suspect anything.

Xu Yan smiled, "I hate liars the most. I'll give you one more chance to answer truthfully!"

The brown-robed warrior broke into a cold sweat, feeling a sense of mortal danger.

It seemed that if he answered incorrectly, he would instantly turn to ashes!

He wanted to escape, but his instincts told him that attempting to flee would mean certain death!

An invisible killing intent seemed to envelop him!

"It's the Yushen Sect and the Su family who have put out bounties on you and Meng Chong. I was just..." The brown-robed warrior was drenched in cold sweat.

He didn't know how to deny that he wasn't looking for Xu Yan and Meng Chong.

Xu Yan's eyebrows furrowed. Were all the warriors who had passed by in recent days searching for him and Meng Chong?

What kind of rewards had the Yushen Sect and the Su family offered?

"Tell me, what are the Yushen Sect and the Su family offering as rewards?" Xu Yan asked.

The brown-robed warrior dared not hide anything and told him everything he knew.

Xu Yan was astonished at the scale of the rewards.

The Yushen Sect and the Su family were truly generous.

Just discovering their whereabouts would earn one a reward of one million spirit crystals. If one could find their hiding place and report it, they would be rewarded with the status of a Lingzong or family clan warrior, along with five million spirit crystals or an equivalent treasure.

There were even higher rewards for capturing or killing them or assisting in any way.

One of the rewards was even a spirit crystal mine.

And the most precious reward of all was the Earth Soul Flower, which would undoubtedly attract the attention of Refining God experts.

The few Refining God experts in Yuzhou were using all means possible to search for Xu Yan and Meng Chong's traces.

There were even rumors that Refining God experts from other states had come to Yuzhou.

"I swear, I won't reveal your whereabouts!" The brown-robed warrior trembled as he spoke.

His face was filled with fear.

"I, Xu Yan, am not a bloodthirsty person. Now that I know, it won't make a difference whether you reveal my whereabouts or not, so off you go!" Xu Yan said, then waved his hand and sent the brown-robed warrior flying away.

The brown-robed warrior felt like he had been granted a new life and fled without looking back.

Xu Yan's appearance near the capital of the Kingdom of Zheng implied that he and Meng Chong were hiding somewhere within the kingdom.

This was extremely valuable information.

If he reported it, he would receive several million spirit crystals, a fortune for a wandering warrior.

Xu Yan returned to the manor and shared the news.

Fang Hao looked at him with admiration. His senior brothers were truly formidable, forcing the Yushen Sect and the Su family to offer such huge rewards!

"Hey, the Yushen Sect and the Su family are really going all out," Meng Chong commented.

With the spirit crystal mine and the Earth Soul Flower, they were stirring up the martial world of Yuzhou.

"It's about time we collect the Yushen Sect's spirit crystal mine. Since Junior Brother Fang knows how to set up formations, it'll come in handy," Xu Yan said with a cold smile.

"Senior Brother Xu, rest assured. The spirit realm has never seen formations like mine. Even Refining God experts won't be able to detect them. The spirit crystal mine will be ours from now on," Fang Hao said excitedly.

He was thrilled at the thought of being able to stand up to Lingzong and family clan warriors.

"Soon, Refining God experts will come to investigate this place," Xu Yan said solemnly.

Now that he had shown himself here, the Yushen Sect or the Su family's Refining God experts would surely come to check the area.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end