Chapter 855: Naming the Technique
Chapter 855: Naming the Technique
"Did you actually learn the art of meditation?"
Xiao Diansi was momentarily incredulous.
Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. He had only mentioned it casually, never expecting the usually inscrutable Xiao Diansi to react so strongly, even appearing somewhat flustered.
He recalled some of the secrets of meditation techniques that his master had once told him, and he began to understand a bit more.
Meditation techniques were extremely obscure.
Few people learned them, fewer used them, and even fewer practiced them to a certain level. In a long cultivation journey, amidst the mundane world, grudges, emotions, and all sorts of desires, it was even rarer for cultivators to maintain their Inner Peace and persist in practicing meditation.
Even his master had admitted that as he aged and his experiences grew, his heart had become tainted, and his meditation skills were far from what they used to be.
Thus, the inheritance of meditation techniques was naturally limited.
Most cultivators focused on physical cultivation and spiritual power, neglecting the cultivation of the mind and the Dao heart, and thus would not bother to learn any meditation techniques.
But cultivators like Shui Yanluo and Xiao Diansi were different.
They cultivated malevolent energy through unorthodox means.
This made it easy for their minds to become restless, leading to malevolent energy backlashing.
The same likely applied to the Fire Buddha.
Despite his ruthless killing, he pretended to cultivate Buddhist teachings to cultivate his mind and suppress malevolent energy.
For them, the art of meditation was crucial.
Of course, Mo Hua thought, with their malevolent hearts, even if he told them the techniques, they might not be able to truly learn them.
Buddhist teachings could deceive one's conscience with phrases like "lay down the butcher's knife, and instantly become a Buddha," allowing those with blood-stained hands and deep grudges to find some peace of mind.
Meditation, however, was different.
It required a direct confrontation with one's true self, accepting it for what it was.
They might not be able to bear the weight of their sins.
Xiao Diansi, however, was oblivious to these thoughts. His expression was urgent, his breathing heavy, and he trembled as he said:
"You... Young Master, you... will tell me the meditation technique..."
Mo Hua shook his head.
He wasn't that foolish.
Xiao Diansi's face contorted, almost twisting.
He considered threatening Mo Hua but thought it unwise. This technique required genuine willingness to be effective.
Meditation techniques emphasized profound meanings in every word.
Each word had its own significance.
If the teacher harbored any resentment, adding or omitting a few words could lead to significant errors.
It was better to entice rather than coerce.
Xiao Diansi's gaze darkened, and he said, "Young Master, what do you want? Cultivation techniques, Dao techniques, or women? I can get them for you."
"Like that girl from the Hundred Flowers Valley? If you like her, I can arrange for your desires to be fulfilled in this White Bone Maze."
He assumed that despite Mo Hua's clear Dao heart, he was still young and inexperienced, with youthful desires and a vague curiosity about women.
Moreover, Mo Hua had visited the Lipstick Boat before coming to the Dragon King Temple, enveloped in a thick fog, which likely stirred some desires.
There were bound to be hidden desires in his heart, unspoken but present...
Mo Hua wasn't about to fall for his tricks.
He certainly wouldn't harm his senior sister, Qianqian.
He thought for a moment, his eyes brightening as he said, "I can give you the meditation technique, but in return, I want to see what's inside the Water Prison Casket."
Xiao Diansi was taken aback, his expression turning cold.
Mo Hua continued, "Just a quick look, I'm just curious about what's inside."
Xiao Diansi's gaze darkened, and after a moment of contemplation, he narrowed his eyes and said, "A quick look won't do. Young Master, if you tell me the meditation technique, I can let you learn the techniques inside the WaterPrison Casket, but only up to the second level, until you reach the Foundation Establishment stage..."
Mo Hua's expression brightened, "Really?"
Xiao Diansi nodded, "I won't deceive you, Young Master."
I believe you as much as I believe a ghost, Mo Hua thought silently.
His expression was hesitant, and he slowly nodded, "That works, but... we can only do this after we leave the Dragon King Temple. I won't feel at ease otherwise."
Mo Hua nodded firmly, "Once we leave the Dragon King Temple, we'll make the deal. You show me the WaterPrison Casket, and I'll tell you the Meditation Technique."
Xiao Diansi silently looked at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua's gaze was sincere, meeting Xiao Diansi's eyes.
His eyes were clear and pure, reflecting Xiao Diansi's image as if in water.
Xiao Diansi's eyes were deep, "Fine, it's a deal."
The two tentatively reached an agreement.
Afterward, Xiao Diansi no longer avoided Mo Hua and instructed Shui Yanluo:
"Infuse the WaterPrison Technique's spiritual power into your blood, and pour it into the Casket as I told you..."
Shui Yanluo hesitated, "My technique might not be refined enough..."
"Enough." Xiao Diansi insisted, "We don't have much time. We must open the Casket before we leave the Dragon King Temple, or it could lead to complications."
Seeing Shui Yanluo still hesitating, Xiao Diansi added, "Don't worry. I won't treat you unfairly for your efforts. The inheritance inside is yours as well."
Shui Yanluo's heart warmed, and he gritted his teeth, "Understood."
He then began to sit and gather his spiritual power, directing it to his heart meridian. Once the spiritual power merged with a drop of his heart's blood, he used his technique to force the drop to his arm and then used a dagger to cut his arm, pouring the blood onto the WaterPrison Casket.
The WaterPrison Casket seemed to come to life, absorbing the blood.
The blood prison pattern on its surface became increasingly vivid and red.
Mo Hua watched in surprise.
So, that's how it's opened...
The WaterPrison Technique's inheritance truly has its dark side.
No wonder Dao Ting was able to wipe out the sect...
However, Mo Hua didn't understand the intricacies inside, so he just pretended to be interested and eventually found it boring.
Mo Hua yawned, his eyelids drooping as he pretended to fall asleep.
Xiao Diansi glanced at him but didn't ask any questions, instead focusing all his attention on the Water Yama.
Mo Hua wasn't really asleep.
Thanks to the mysterious Dao Stele, he usually didn't need to sleep at all.
He was just closing his eyes to rest and think about some things.
The altar was hidden deep within the Dragon King Temple.
But this altar was different from the ones in Bishan Demon Cave or the small fishing boat. It had likely existed for a long time.
Using the desires of the pleasure-seers on the Yanzi boat as bait and the vast Dragon King Temple as protection, this was undoubtedly a crucial altar.
Relying on his own abilities, it would be extremely difficult to infiltrate the Dragon King Temple, and even harder to approach the altar.
The Dragon King Temple was vast and complex.
The temple guardians were all dead, and Mister Wu had become a monster.
The main gate was locked by Mister Wu, and the inner halls were a sea of blood, with a labyrinth beneath.
In the labyrinth, there were countless blood corpses.
These layers of obstacles and dangers meant he would never make it in alone.
Therefore, he had to find someone to do the job and take the risks for him.
This was a dangerous task.
Senior Brother Feng and Senior Sister Qianqian weren't strong enough, and Uncle Gu and Xia Diansi were too valuable as "companions."
Everyone knew that secret realm explorations usually came at the cost of "teammates."
Mo Hua didn't want to put Uncle Gu and Xia Diansi in such danger.
Thus, Xiao Diansi and the others were the best choices.
If not for Xie Liu opening the path, Shui Yama unlocking the gate, and Xiao Diansi helping to deal with the monster Mister Wu, he might not have been able to enter the inner halls at all.
However, while the situation was largely developing as he had predicted, there were still some surprises.
The biggest surprise was Xiao Diansi.
Mo Hua hadn't expected Xiao Diansi to be so strong.
With the Water Prison Sect's orthodox core lineage, his techniques and body methods were formidable. Adding the Water Prison Art and Blood Pupil Art made him even more terrifying.
These skills were strictly reserved for the Water Prison Sect's leader.
Being able to master these skills meant that, in the past, Xiao Diansi was almost the predestined leader of the Water Prison Sect.
Even in the entire Qianxue State, few Golden Core cultivators had such privileges.
In that case, it was understandable that Uncle Gu and Xia Diansi couldn't match Xiao Diansi.
Uncle Gu was from the Gu family's core lineage, but he wasn't favored. While he learned the core techniques of the Gu family, they were still inferior to the true leader's inheritance.
The same went for Xia Diansi.
She was from the core lineage, but the Xia family had many core lineage members, and her inheritance was definitely not the most core.
Even if the Xia family had a deep foundation, a core lineage disciple's inheritance couldn't surpass that of a sect leader.
Moreover, Xiao Diansi was a cunning old fox.
He had always kept his skills hidden, only using them at critical moments. It wasn't surprising that Uncle Gu and Senior Sister Xia couldn't defend against his sudden attacks.
It wasn't Uncle Gu and Senior Sister Xia's fault...
However, Xiao Diansi's actions also gave Mo Hua a wake-up call.
Killing moves and trump cards should be kept as close as possible, used only at the last moment to be truly effective.
Indeed, among three people, there must be a teacher.
Xiao Diansi had a lot to offer that Mo Hua could learn from.
Thinking about this, Mo Hua, though pretending to sleep, couldn't help but nod.
Xiao Diansi was taken aback.
Seeing Mo Hua nodding even while "asleep," he was puzzled.
This kid... What did he suddenly realize?
Xiao Diansi was truly perceptive, but he didn't know where this little brat had learned all his cunning and sly methods...
...
This place wasn't suitable for a long stay. After resting and tending to their injuries, they set out again.
Mo Hua had "woken up" and didn't need Shui Yama to carry him anymore. Instead, he wore a Spirit Binding Lock and followed behind Xiao Diansi.
Xia Diansi, Gu Changhuai, Ouyang Feng, and Huashan Qianqian all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Mo Hua.
Huashan Qianqian asked, "Junior Brother Mo, are you okay?"
"Uh-huh," Mo Hua nodded, "Senior Sister, don't worry, I'm fine."
Huashan Qianqian's heart finally settled.
"Alright, no need for small talk. We need to find a way out as soon as possible," Xiao Diansi said.
Everyone knew the urgency and didn't argue, continuing to navigate the labyrinth, trying to avoid the endless blood corpses and find a way out.
At a crossroads, Xiao Diansi looked left and right, frowned, and was about to turn right.
Mo Hua suddenly said, "Go left."
Xiao Diansi was slightly stunned, his gaze lowering as he looked at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua, however, was straightforward. "The exit is on the left."
Xiao Diansi's expression tightened, and he asked in a serious tone, "How do you know?"
Mo Hua didn't plan to hide his knowledge anymore.
The time was right, and he had already seen the altar and entered the labyrinth. The various tricks of the "Mister Wu" guarding the place had been revealed, so there was no need to prolong things further.
It was time to close the net.
Mo Hua said, "The old ancestor taught me a set of array techniques related to puzzle arrays, which include the layout, direction, and changes of the array..."
"This White Bone Labyrinth is secretly aligns with a puzzle array and contains some blood Sacrifice and Nurture arrays. By following the array direction, we can determine the position of the labyrinth and safely leave here..."
Mo Hua spoke confidently, mixing truth and fiction.
Xiao Diansi was taken aback, though he didn’t fully understand the situation.
Especially when he heard the words “Old Ancestor.”
The Old Ancestors of the sect were no ordinary individuals.
Xiao Diansi’s expression grew solemn. “The Old Ancestor of the sect is teaching you array formations? What is your true identity?”
Mohua casually replied, “Our Old Ancestor is different. He likes to personally teach his disciples array formations. Every disciple in the sect has been taught by him…”
Xiao Diansi was half-convinced, half-doubtful.
Mohua didn’t say more, but instead waved a hand. “Follow me.”
With that, he naturally walked past Xiao Diansi, leading the group.
Xiao Diansi silently watched Mohua’s back, saying nothing.
Gu Changhuai and the others didn’t comment either.
They were familiar with Mohua and knew he was always good at finding the way, even if he sometimes seemed mysterious and unpredictable. Generally, following him was the right choice.
The group followed Mohua, navigating the maze of white bones.
With Mohua leading the way, the once complex and confusing maze became clear and straightforward.
Which paths were safe, which were not.
Where to turn, where to backtrack.
Mohua knew everything as if he had personally supervised the construction of the bone maze.
Xiao Diansi found it hard to believe, even suspecting that Mohua might be working with the “Mr. Wu,” leading them to their doom.
Fortunately, their journey remained smooth.
When they encountered blood zombies, Mohua often seemed to know in advance and could avoid them.
Occasionally, a few stragglers couldn’t be avoided, but they were no match for Xiao Diansi.
Thus, they continued, fighting and resting as needed.
After an unknown amount of time, they approached the edge of the maze.
Mohua, however, hesitated.
He still hadn’t found the altar.
Moreover, he sensed that the altar’s position had changed, likely hidden by Mr. Wu.
Recalling the earlier scene of the blood sea surging back, Mohua realized the altar was probably the “spring” of the blood pool.
“This is troublesome…”
Mohua frowned.
If he led everyone out now, it would be nearly impossible for him to return to the maze’s depths alone. Even if he could, it would be extremely dangerous.
Worse, he still didn’t know where the altar was.
Even if he did, if the altar was at the point where the blood surged back, he wouldn’t be able to enter.
Mohua thought hard but could find no good solution. He deliberately took a few wrong turns, buying some time.
But this couldn’t go on forever.
Mohua glanced at Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian, sighing softly.
Fine, he decided, better to get everyone out first to avoid further complications.
Mohua led the group toward the maze’s exit.
After about an hour, the exit came into view.
It was a large, familiar door with ram horn carvings, broad and heavy, the same one they had entered the inner hall through.
The blood pool had transformed into the bone maze, so the maze’s exit was naturally the same as the entrance to the blood pool.
Everyone’s spirits lifted.
Even Xiao Diansi breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Shui Yanluo and whispered, “How much longer?”
Others might not understand his question, but Mohua did.
Xiao Diansi was asking how much longer it would take to open the Water Prison Forbidden Chest.
Shui Yanluo’s gaze darkened. “About six hours.”
Xiao Diansi frowned.
That was a long time…
Mainly because Mohua’s guidance had been so efficient that they wouldn’t have reached the exit so quickly otherwise.
Now, with six hours left, his plans were thrown off.
But getting out was the priority now.
Xiao Diansi thought for a moment and started toward the door. But before he could reach it, his expression changed, and he slowly retreated.
A sinister laugh echoed suddenly:
“I’m impressed you found your way here…”
At the same time, countless blood zombies crawled out from all directions, blocking the door tightly.
Their numbers were several times more than what they had encountered in the maze.
The air was thick with blood.
A figure gradually appeared at the center of the blood zombies.
It had twisted limbs, was surrounded by blood mist, and was covered in scales, looking grotesque and hideous, like a yaksha.
It was Mr. Wu.
Behind him was a special blood zombie.
This blood zombie had only one arm, radiated intense evil, and had a row of blood holes on its neck, drenched in blood, clearly newly created.
It was Xie Liu, whom Xiao Diansi had severed an arm from, and Mr. Wu had bitten on the neck, causing him to fall into the blood pool.
The monster-like Mr. Wu’s eyes were wild as he spoke in a human voice:
“This Dragon King Temple is a place of death.”
“By the command of the divine master, all cultivators who enter this temple must die.”
“The temple’s believers are all dead, killed by me.”
“Their lives were offered to the divine master, their flesh nourished the embryo, and their souls will return to the Great Wasteland.”
“Death is their honor, and my supreme offering to the divine master!”
The half-human, half-demon Mr. Wu’s eyes turned crimson as he looked at the group and continued with a cold laugh:
“According to the divine master’s revelation, a powerful enemy who blasphemes against the divine master will soon arrive.”
“And you, will be the perfect living sacrifices.
”
“It’s my grand offering to the Divine Lord!”
“When the Divine Lord awakens and tastes your divine souls, using your flesh and blood to craft puppets, and vanquishes powerful enemies, he will bestow upon me the greatest of blessings.”
“I give you a chance to submit now…”
Before Mr. Wu could finish his sentence, a blade of icy blue light slashed across his face.
It was Xia Dian’s sword.
Mr. Wu’s words were cut short, his face growing even more furious, but his gaze turned even colder:
“Those who are stubborn and unyielding are unworthy of becoming the Divine Lord’s followers…”
Mr. Wu growled.
This was the signal for the slaughter.
Behind him, Xie Liu, who had been transformed into a “blood corpse,” let out a sudden scream and lunged at the group.
Gu Chang waved his feather fan, summoning several wind blades to intercept Xie Liu’s attack.
The dragon-scaled monster that Mr. Wu had transformed into also charged forward.
Xiao Dian and Xia Dian summoned their sword lights, engaging Mr. Wu as the battle began.
The other blood corpses surged forward like a tide.
Some surrounded Xiao Dian and the other three Golden Core cultivators, while others rushed toward Mo Hua and the Foundation Establishment cultivators.
There were too many blood corpses for them to handle.
Mo Hua frowned and quickly said, “We need to retreat!”
Shui Yanluo and the others weren’t fools; they knew the situation was dire and immediately retreated into the White Bone Labyrinth.
With the narrow maze obstructing the way, they could barely manage to deal with the blood corpses.
However, the blood corpses were too numerous, and their formation began to break as they retreated.
Seizing the opportunity, Shui Yanluo pulled Mo Hua deeper into the labyrinth.
Mo Hua, still bound by the Spirit Binding Lock, saw the flood of blood corpses and said to Shui Yanluo, “Untie me.”
Shui Yanluo sneered and continued his retreat without a word.
Mo Hua frowned; he suddenly felt that Shui Yanluo’s demeanor was strange.
Sure enough, retreating deeper into the labyrinth, Shui Yanluo found a secluded corner, took out a bronze brazier, and lit a red incense stick. The incense smoke formed a faint veil.
This incense, of unknown origin, seemed to make the blood corpses wary.
The blood corpses hesitated at the edge of the smoke, roaring but eventually retreating.
With this respite, Shui Yanluo took out the Water Prison Prohibition Box, placed it on the ground, and then took out a dagger, stabbing his arm.
A large amount of essence blood spurted out, merging into the Prohibition Box.
The box’s surface gradually turned blood-red, quickly filling the seven Dao Prisons.
Mo Hua’s heart raced.
Shui Yanluo was accelerating the opening of the Water Prison Prohibition Box…
The seven Dao prisons were filled with blood.
Shui Yanluo’s eyes grew fierce as he activated his pupil technique, focusing on the Life Soul Prison in the middle of the Qi Po Dao Prison.
A look of pain appeared on Shui Yanluo’s face; he seemed to be enduring immense suffering and trials.
Mo Hua held his breath, remaining silent.
After an indeterminate time, a faint, dark light flashed over the Prohibition Box, and an ancient aura flowed out. Then, a crack appeared on the seamless box.
The Water Prison Prohibition Box had opened…
Shui Yanluo’s face lit up with joy, and he cursed:
“Damn Xiao Zhenhai, do you really think I’m a fool? You want me to open the box and then kill me? You’re dreaming if you think I’ll let you do that!”
“This box belongs to me, and no one can take it from me!”
Shui Yanluo clutched the Water Prison Prohibition Box tightly, then whipped his Water Torture Whip, wrapping it around Mo Hua’s neck.
A bloody marks appeared on Mo Hua’s neck.
Shui Yanluo threatened, “Brat, teach me the Meditation Technique, and I’ll spare your life!”
With the Water Torture Technique and the Meditation Technique, he could calm his mind and eventually form a Golden Core, ensuring an unlimited future!
Shui Yanluo’s heart burned with anticipation.
Before Mo Hua could speak, several Spirit Needles flew toward Shui Yanluo’s face.
Caught off guard, Shui Yanluo could only block with his hands, but the Spirit Needles pierced his palms, causing them to bleed profusely and sting painfully.
“Release Mo Hua!”
A soft but angry voice rang out.
Shui Yanluo turned angrily and saw a graceful figure, none other than Hua Qianqian.
Beside Hua Qianqian stood Ou Yangfeng, his face stern.
The two had been separated by the blood corpses but, worried about Mo Hua’s safety, had rushed over.
Shui Yanluo’s anger turned to a sinister laugh, “Good, good, two little ones, coming here to seek their own deaths.”
His gaze roved over Ou Yangfeng and Hua Qianqian, lingering on Hua Qianqian, his eyes growing redder.
“Such a fine specimen, I will enjoy you thoroughly, making you wish you were never born.”
Hua Qianqian’s face paled with fear. But then she glanced at Mo Hua, bound by the Spirit lock, and clenched her teeth, her voice resolute:
“The one who deserves to die is you!”
Ou Yangfeng’s eyes narrowed, and he drew his sword, charging at Shui Yanluo.
Hua Qianqian continued to wield the Spirit Needles.
Shui Yanluo sneered, threw Mo Hua to the side, and drew his Water Torture Whip, channeling his spiritual energy to engage Ou Yangfeng and Hua Qianqian.
This time, he wouldn’t let them go!
Ou Yangfeng and Hua Qianqian fought Shui Yanluo with great difficulty.
After dozens of exchanges, Shui Yanluo saw an opportunity, a blood shadow appearing in his eyes. He intended to use this opening to control Hua Qianqian and Ou Yangfeng, securing his victory.
But before he could activate his pupil technique, he heard a voice:
“Shui Yanluo.”
The voice was clear and melodious, yet cold and commanding, like that of a true King of the Underworld, calling out his name.
Shui Yanluo instinctively turned and saw a pair of golden eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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