https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-28-The-Flying-Leaf-Slays-the-Enemy-Such-Overbearing-Sword-Qi/12574047/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-30-Nascent-Soul-Realm-Ninth-Layer-Wood-Spirit-Sword-Technique/12574051/
Chapter 29: The Devil's Shadow Divine Art, Appreciated by Jiang Qiong
Chapter 29: The Devil's Shadow Divine Art, Appreciated by Jiang Qiong
"What secret art?" Gu An asked eagerly. He had already learned numerous spells from Jiang Qiong, but when it came to spells, one could never have enough. After all, it would be hard to find another master as dedicated as Jiang Qiong once he left.
Biting into a large chicken leg, Jiang Qiong proudly smiled and said, "It's one of the nine great secret arts of our Qian Qiu Pavilion—the Devil's Shadow Divine Art!"
The Devil's Shadow Divine Art?
That name sounded...
Frowning, Gu An asked, "Is this a cultivation technique?"
He didn't need another technique; changing his technique would mean restarting his cultivation of spiritual energy, and he didn't want to waste his lifespan doing that.
"I already said it's a secret art. The Devil's Shadow art will make you a better spy; you'll see." Jiang Qiong mumbled through a mouthful of chicken, barely able to fit more in.
Gu An's face twitched.
I don't want to be a spy for the demonic path!
Oh well, I'll just endure Jiang Qiong for now. In the future, I'll speak human to humans and ghost to ghosts. In the martial arts world, one's identity is self-proclaimed.
...
The next day at noon, Gu An was reading under a tree while Ye Lan and Zhen Qin practiced their swordplay seven steps away. Their postures were graceful, but unfortunately, they couldn't attract Gu An's attention.
"Big Brother, Brother Li Ya is here!"
Xiao Chuan ran over and said, followed by Li Ya.
Gu An immediately stood up, tucked the 'Jade Green Hero's Journey' into his chest, and walked towards Li Ya.
"Let's talk inside," Li Ya said first.
Gu An nodded and led him upstairs.
Zhen Qin stopped her sword practice and turned to Ye Lan, asking anxiously, "Master Ye, is Brother Li Ya here because of those two demonic cultivators from yesterday?"
"Perhaps," Ye Lan glanced back and replied softly.
Inside the room.
Gu An and Li Ya sat across from each other. As Gu An poured tea for Li Ya, he asked, "What's the matter?"
Li Ya opened his mouth, "I plan to stay in the Mysterious Valley for half a year. Is that alright?"
"Of course, you can stay as long as you like. Have you encountered something?" Gu An readily agreed and asked with concern.
Li Ya hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to tell Gu An about what had happened yesterday. Perhaps knowing about this would motivate his junior brother to cultivate harder.
After listening, Gu An widened his eyes in shock, "Are those two dead? Won't the Myriad Yin Sect cause trouble?"
Li Ya snorted, "He attacked me and Li Xuan Yu. If anyone is to be blamed, it should be the Tai Xuan Sect blaming the Myriad Yin Sect, and the royal court will also pressure them. After all, Li Xuan Yu is my father's most beloved daughter."
Gu An asked curiously, "Then how dare they lay their hands on Senior Li?"
"Xu Ru Ye and Chan Ji are extremely evil and will resort to any despicable means to achieve their goals. Previously, Chan Ji and Li Xuan Yu became enemies in Ye City, so when they finally encountered Li Xuan Yu alone, they naturally wouldn't let her go. Moreover..." Li Ya said disdainfully, but he held back at the end.
"Moreover, what?"
"Nothing."
Gu An felt like hitting someone. If you're not going to say it, then don't even bring it up!
Li Ya looked at Gu An and asked, "From yesterday until now, have you seen anyone else passing by the Medicine Valley?"
Gu An shook his head.
"You didn't see anyone, but if it weren't for that Nascent Soul realm elder intervening yesterday, the consequences for me and Li Xuan Yu would've been dire. That elder's sword art was truly terrifying. Plucking leaves to kill, his sword intent made our Foundation Establishment cultivations seem like flowers and vegetables in a garden, easily plucked and destroyed..." Li Ya described the battle from the previous day, his voice filled with excitement as he began to paint a picture of what had transpired.
Gu An's eyes widened, and he occasionally drew in a cold breath, as if he were listening to a mythical tale.
That Nascent Soul realm elder had only thrown out two leaves, yet Li Ya used every word he knew to describe the event, his emotions running high.
"Sword principles should be like this—no sword, yet having a sword. Whether it's a sword in your hand or something else, it's all the same. Even I... In short, I've finally found my direction. From now on, I'll focus on practicing the sword and delving into the sword path..." Li Ya's eyes shone with admiration, and Gu An nodded, feeling secretly pleased.
Brother, the elder you're praising so highly is right in front of you, but unfortunately, your cultivation is too low to see through his disguise!
Gu An interrupted Li Ya's train of thought and asked, "The Heavenly External Sect Assembly is such a grand event. Why doesn't the sect send disciples to patrol or assign someone to protect us miscellaneous disciples?"
Within a fifty-li radius around the Mysterious Valley, there were at least six external sect disciples' caves. Although most people weren't usually in their caves, the sect could easily assign someone to come if they gave the order.
Li Ya's smile faded, and he said in a low voice, "Think about why there are people in the sect who dare to keep greedy and hateful demons outside the external sect. Isn't it because the sect doesn't care about us miscellaneous disciples? But don't worry, I'll stay here and protect you all until the Heavenly External Sect Assembly is over."
After a moment of silence, Gu An asked, "Won't you be participating?"
"My cultivation is insufficient. If I participate rashly, I'll only get injured. Such an assembly will surely be dominated by those at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment realm." Li Ya shook his head.
This statement made Gu An see Li Ya in a whole new light. He was quite self-aware.
Of course, it could also be that Xu Ru Ye had dealt him a heavy blow.
The two chatted for a while longer before heading downstairs. Gu An asked Xiao Chuan and Tang Yu to help prepare a courtyard for Li Ya to stay in.
Everyone in the valley was delighted to hear that Li Ya would be staying for half a year. Firstly, they would have someone to protect them, and secondly, they could learn sword techniques from Li Ya.
In their eyes, Gu An was great in every way, except that he knew too few spells to guide them. Li Ya, on the other hand, was a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator!
In the following days, Gu An often saw cultivators riding swords or various flying magical artifacts and beasts over the Mysterious Valley, prompting him to sigh in admiration.
This was the true world of cultivation and immortality!
...
A month later, in the depths of the night.
Jiang Qiong leaned against a vine tree, her right leg swinging casually as she read a book, her delicate white legs visible under her robes. Her gaze shifted towards the distant Gu An, who was busy gathering herbs.
She suddenly sprang to her feet, the book in her hand disappearing into the pendant around her neck. She stretched languidly, her body graceful.
"Obedient disciple, take a break. It's time to practice the Devil's Shadow Divine Art."
Jiang Qiong called out, leaping towards the pill furnace, where a cloud of white smoke wafted from the lid.
Without turning his head, Gu An replied, "It's alright, I'll be done soon."
Jiang Qiong shook her head, a faint smile on her face as she thought, "This kid is truly diligent and rare. I should refine some pills for him."
Half an incense stick's time later.
Gu An returned with the herbs he had gathered, laying them out neatly on the ground according to their categories. His attention to detail pleased Jiang Qiong even more.
This kid was truly exceptional!
Gu An had reaped the lifespans of over a thousand three hundred years in one go, and his mood was excellent. Such an opportunity to harvest lifespans didn't come often.
"Continue your practice, and feel free to ask me if you have any questions." Jiang Qiong said softly, her eyes fixed on the pill furnace.
Gu An nodded and began to cultivate the Devil's Shadow Divine Art. He had been practicing it for a month, yet it still hadn't appeared on his attribute panel, which frustrated him.
He was determined to master it now!
The Eight Sceneries Cave fell into a tranquil silence as Gu An and Jiang Qiong meditated near the pill furnace, the mist from the furnace veiling their figures.
Four days later, the Devil's Shadow Divine Art finally appeared on Gu An's attribute panel.
A satisfied smile spread across his face as he looked at his attributes.
Name: Gu An
Lifespan: 27/12268
Spirit Root: First-Rate Five Element Spirit Root (Wood and Earth attributes more prominent)
Cultivation: Nascent Soul Realm, Layer Eight
Cultivation Techniques: Fire Control Technique (Unmastered), Divine Pure Yang Technique (Proficient), Dragon Vitality Divine Power (Proficient), Pill Refinement Technique (Initial Insights), Ten Thousand Gu Technique (Unmastered), Yin-Yang Technique (Unmastered)
Martial Arts: Hurricane Absolute Shadow Leg (Mastered), Grandstartling Sword (Mastered), Eight Directions Step (Unmastered), Devil's Shadow Divine Art (Unmastered)
Spells: Soul Capture Spell (Unmastered), Sword Flight Spell (Mastered), Confusion Eye Spell (Unmastered), Poison Wood Formation (Initial Insights), Wind Control Spell (Unmastered), Corpse Control Spell (Unmastered)
The fact that it appeared on his attribute panel proved that it was real!
In the five years she had spent with him, Jiang Qiong had taught him eight cultivation techniques and spells.
She was indeed a competent teacher!
This also changed Gu An's perception of her. Although she was a demon cultivator, her teaching attitude surpassed that of the orthodox sects.
Gu An stood up and bowed to Jiang Qiong, saying, "Master, I think I'll call it a night and head back to rest."
Jiang Qiong remained seated, the demonic aura swirling around her as she replied without opening her eyes, "Go back and cultivate well. I'll stay here for at most another two years before leaving."
Gu An remained silent and turned to leave.
Jiang Qiong opened one eye, glancing at his retreating back, and thought, "This kid seems a little sad. It's understandable, though. Where can he find another master as good as me? Seeing him all alone, I'll find someone to accompany him after I return, and then I'll ask Father to find that person to teach him the Sword Dao."
With his back to her, Gu An quickened his pace towards the cave entrance.
He forcefully suppressed the joy in his heart, not allowing himself to break into a smile.
Finally, he would be leaving!
Although Jiang Qiong had treated him well, he longed to enjoy the Eight Sceneries Cave all by himself.
Upon returning to the forest, Gu An did not immediately head back to the tower. Instead, he ventured further away, intending to find a place to invest a year of his lifespan into his cultivation.
He felt that he was close to breaking through to the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul realm, perhaps even within the next few days.
Despite his eagerness, he exercised restraint, investing only one year of his lifespan each day.
After traveling for about twenty miles, Gu An sat down beneath a tree, suppressing his aura to its lowest level, becoming almost indistinguishable from the surrounding flora.
He immediately began to channel his cultivation, investing a year of his lifespan. Soon, spiritual energy surged towards him.
The surrounding flowers and plants seemed to dance, as if cheering him on and wishing for his early breakthrough.
Before long, the heavenly and earthly spiritual energy calmed, signaling the end of his year of absorption cultivation.
Gu An stood up, preparing to leave. Just as he was about to take a step, he suddenly sensed something and quickly hid behind the tree.
After about four breaths, two sounds of tearing through the air approached, passing right above Gu An's head.
With his exceptional eyesight, Gu An caught a glimpse of the two figures and immediately sent out two strands of lifespan to probe.
Left Yi Jian (Golden Core Realm, Layer Nine): 142/490/980
Left Lin (Foundation Establishment Realm, Layer Two): 27/280/1400
Golden Core Realm, Layer Nine! Gu An was curious about the origins of these two cultivators.
After they had passed, Gu An quietly made his way back to the Mystical Valley.
The next morning, as usual, Gu An led his disciples in their morning exercises, while Li Ya greeted him and mentioned that he would be heading out to the outer sect.
It was only around noon that Li Ya returned, riding a sword and accompanied by someone.
It was Left Lin, the cultivator Gu An had sensed the night before.
...
(End of Chapter)
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