Chapter 96: Celestial Blade: Whirlwind Thunder, GOD-508: A Hundred Feet at the Top (4K)

Chapter 96: Celestial Blade: Whirlwind Thunder, GOD-508: A Hundred Feet at the Top (4K)



After a long while, the silver in Xue Jing's irises gradually faded.

He exhaled softly.

"Heaven's will is like a knife that cannot be defied... This blade's intent is derived from the Asura Blade, but its ambition is infinitely loftier."

Xue Jing gazed at the graceful silver radiance flowing along the Futu Blade.

"For now, this blade's intent is merely a prototype and not yet perfect, but the feeling it gives me is even harder to control than the Asura Blade."

He recalled the state of mind he was in when immersed in the 'Heaven's Will Blade'—a mindset like that of a god, scorning everything and indifferent to all living beings...

"Compared to the Asura Blade, which drives one into a direct frenzy and uncontrollable bloodlust, the 'divinity' of the Heaven's Will Blade doesn't affect one's consciousness so directly. Instead, it subtly influences me, making me feel superior to all living creatures..."

Xue Jing frowned slightly.

"The later stages of the Old Martial Arts focus on the mind, using spiritual power to influence physical genes. The stronger the mind, the stronger the body, so an invincible mind can wield an invincible fist..."

"If one possesses a divine heart that transcends all living beings, one could surely wield a heavenly blade that annihilates all existence... But is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Would I still be myself at that time?"

Xue Jing couldn't help but ponder.

Soon after, he glanced at the 【Contemplation Lv.6】 on the panel, and his frown eased.

"I must trust the Panel. Even if the Heaven's Will Blade becomes perfect in the future, the level of 【Contemplation】 will continue to rise, allowing me to firmly lock down my self and anchor my original heart."

Xue Jing's worries dissipated, and he twirled the Futu Blade in his hand, creating a floral pattern. He murmured, "The Asura Blade has transformed into the Heaven's Will Blade, but for now, it's still just a blade's intent without any accompanying moves. Its true power cannot be fully unleashed."

"However, the Killing Moves of the Dragon-Concealing Stream are very versatile, so I can barely manage to use them together."

He changed his grip on the Futu Blade to hold it with both hands, his eyes turning silver and his expression becoming aloof.

Then, he activated Twinborn Defense, and as the power surged, a dragon's roar echoed.

Spiral-shaped indentations began to appear on both of his arms.

He turned his head to look at a small lake not far from the grassy area.

"Celestial Blade: Whirlwind Thunder!"

...

Pei Youguang stood by the lakeshore, holding a few flat pebbles and idly skipping them across the water's surface.

"Swish—"

After all, he had practiced martial arts before, and with a surge of power, the pebble flew from his hand, skipping across the lake's surface with a series of crisp plops. It skipped dozens of times, demonstrating his exquisite technique.

"Great! A new record!"

His spirit lifted, and he was about to continue.

"Youguang, stop playing and come help!"

Pei Tiancheng's voice called out from a distance, and Pei Youguang could only scratch his head and reply, "Yes."

The two brothers had been invited by Ye Chenglin, the young master of the Ye family, to join a barbecue party here in the northern hills with a group of friends.

According to his older brother, Pei Tiancheng, the Ye family had been going through some tough times lately... Their father, a governing council member, had been under attack by many critics, and with the 'Grand Council' approaching, it seemed unlikely that he would be able to retain his seat this time.

So today, they had invited this group of young friends to strengthen their relationships and try to salvage the situation.

Pei Youguang didn't quite understand all of this, but fortunately, he didn't need to.

Currently, he had only one task: to get along well with Brother Jing... or at least maintain their current relationship.

Even his usually distant father had personally asked him to do this.

Recently, his relationship with his father had improved significantly, and his father had even tentatively invited him to move back home.

He understood that all of this was because he had finally become 'valuable' to the family.

What he found a bit intriguing was that his value didn't come from himself but from his connection with Brother Jing.

"Let the Second Young Master Pei play. We don't need him for the barbecue. You can handle it, right?"

A girl who was setting up the barbecue rack spoke up with a smile.

Another girl next to her teased, "Hey, you're so gentle with the Second Young Master Pei. Do you have something on your mind?"

"We're all good friends who've been through life and death together. There's that 'suspension bridge effect,' you know. It's not strange to develop feelings. Although the Second Young Master Pei is a bit young, he's a good kid, and I support this!"

"Speaking of which, why wasn't that Xue fellow invited this time?"

"The only one with his contact information is the Second Young Master Pei, but he said that Xue has been busy training and didn't want to disturb him..."

"I really want to see him again... I didn't get to thank him properly last time. Sigh."

Pei Youguang heard the girls' conversation and twisted his mouth, tossing another pebble onto the lake's surface.

"Boom!!"

Suddenly, a thunderous roar startled everyone.

"Hmm? Is it going to rain? That's odd. The weather forecast said it would be clear today."

"There aren't any rain clouds in the sky, either."

"Everyone looked bewildered as they turned towards the direction of the sound.

At that moment, a silver-white spiral radiance ravaged across the lake's surface.

"Whoosh—!"

Where the light passed, the lake waters churned and twisted, forming a horizontal water tornado that howled as it swept across the lake.

"Whoa, what's that? A water dragon?"

"How can there be a horizontal water dragon?"

Everyone stood there, dumbfounded.

Pei Youguang, on the other hand, stared blankly at his hand, which had just thrown the pebble.

"Huh? Did I do that?"

...

Xue Jing observed the land that had been plowed over and the rippling lake, nodding in satisfaction at the power of his strike.

"This strike already has a bit of a fantasy feel to it..."

Combining the Heaven's Will Blade with the Dragon-Concealing Stream's killing move, Whirlwind Thunder, actually produced an effect similar to 'blade energy'.

"What is this? A vacuum slash? That doesn't seem scientifically plausible."

Xue Jing furrowed his brows, puzzled.

He felt that there were still many mysteries about spiritual power that he didn't know.

"I'll ask Master about it later."

Shaking his head, Xue Jing sheathed the Futu Blade and, holding it, walked towards 'Wind Eater', who was grazing on the grass a short distance away.

"Whinny~"

Seeing Xue Jing approaching, Wind Eater also took a few steps forward and rubbed its head against Xue Jing's.

"Good boy."

Xue Jing patted its mane and smiled.

He stepped into the stirrup and leaped onto the horse's back.

Without needing any signal, Wind Eater began to run across the grassy field with just a thought from Xue Jing.

Holding the reins and riding the horse, Xue Jing opened the panel to take a look.

Fitness Lv.8, Health Maintenance Lv.6, Culinary Arts Lv.5, Running Lv.6, Charm Lv.7, Aiming Lv.6, Martial Arts Lv.6, Dragon-Concealing Power Lv.5, Meditation Lv.6, Weapon Strike Lv.4, Swimming Lv.2, Horsemanship Lv.2...

"Running, Charm, Aiming, and Martial Arts are all close to leveling up."

Xue Jing pondered as he looked at the Divinity skill bar, skipping over Twinborn at Lv.3 and Shadowflame at Lv.2, and focused on the number of Divinity.

【Divinity in Possession: 56】

"I still lack too much divinity. Cat only gives me a little bit each day, like squeezing toothpaste, and I can barely get a dozen or so points."

"When will I get another containment mission?"

Xue Jing sighed.

...

After riding Wind Eater back to the Zhushan Ying family's estate, Xue Jing went to the indoor swimming pool to relax for an hour, gaining +129 Swimming experience.

Zhushan Ying wasn't there. Although she had said three days ago that she wanted Xue Jing to accompany her horseback riding every day, Xue Jing rarely saw her and didn't know what she was busy with.

After swimming, Xue Jing took a shower and drove back home.

"Miss Wan?"

Upon entering the door, Xue Jing called out, but there was no response.

After searching for a while, it seemed that Cat had gone out. Perhaps the people from the Dragon Church had come to find her again.

Xue Jing took out his phone, intending to call his sister, Xue Wan, to tell her that he would be going to Fengcheng in a few days.

But just as he finished dialing the number, his phone vibrated with an incoming call from an unknown number.

Xue Jing answered the call.

"Hello?"

"It's me."

A calm and mature female voice came through the receiver.

"Captain Xu Ren..."

Xue Jing raised his eyebrows.

"Did you change your number?"

Xu Ren replied, "No, I'm calling from an encrypted communication channel."

"Let's cut to the chase. I'm calling to ask you to take on a task..."

"Is it related to the borderland?"

"Yes."

Xue Jing's eyes flickered, and he shifted his posture on the sofa, thinking for a moment before saying,

"Go ahead... But let me make it clear that I might not accept it."

Xu Ren remained calm and said, "I understand. Hear me out first, then make your decision."

"Three days ago, someone reported that a new borderland was discovered in the area north of the Fifth City Circle..."

"Since it's not within the city circle, it's beyond our observation range, and we don't know when this borderland was formed."

"After receiving the news, the Agency ordered the nearby White Crows to enter and investigate the situation..."

"But... they couldn't get in."

Xue Jing asked in confusion, "Why?"

Xu Ren explained, "The borderlands are born from the fusion of the real world and the otherworld, and their internal rules undergo bizarre changes during the confusion of the two worlds, resulting in all sorts of incomprehensible chaotic rules."

"The White Crows conducted numerous tests over the past three days and only determined the entry conditions for this borderland yesterday."

Xu Ren paused before continuing, "There are two entry conditions: one is that the physiological age must be under eighteen years old, and the other is currently unclear but is likely related to being a 'natural organism'."

"Hmm?

Xue Jing fell silent.

"You're referring to someone whose body hasn't undergone any modifications?"

Xu Ren hummed in affirmation. "That's right... We're not entirely sure if that's the condition yet, but so far, anyone with implants, performance-enhancing drugs, or who has undergone a 'super surgery' can't enter."

Xue Jing pondered for a moment before asking, "Don't you have any special talent within the agency to deal with this kind of situation?"

"Of course." Xu Ren replied.

"There's a special force under the Special Service Department, called 'Zhi Go,' which is specifically made up of martial artists to deal with criminal martial artists. There are many talented individuals there who cultivate Old Martial Arts..."

"The problem is, Zhi Go and the White Crows don't get along too well." Xue Jing added.

"I see." Xue Jing now understood the situation.

"This time, the situation is special. To avoid having to bow down to Zhi Go, my superiors have given me the authority to offer you the commission fee in advance." Xu Ren offered.

"Aren't you after a Godly Relic? We can give you one that has special benefits for martial artists..." Xu Ren proposed.

Xue Jing's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "Which one?"

"GOD-508: A Hundred Feet at the Top..."

"As a Godly Relic Containment Officer, you should know what it does, right?" Xu Ren continued.

Xue Jing sat up straighter, his eyes sparkling with interest.

Of course, he knew about it.

He had thoroughly browsed through all the information available on the Godly Relic website that was accessible with his current level.

The details about GOD-508 were etched in his memory.

A Hundred Feet at the Top was a bamboo segment that looked indistinguishable from an ordinary bamboo joint.

Its effect was simple: one had to place it on their head and keep it from falling while continuously performing a single task.

After three days, GOD-508 would grow taller by one segment, and simultaneously, the skill being practiced would also improve by a notch.

For example, if one spent three days exercising, their physical fitness would improve by a notch, and if they practiced martial arts, their skill would advance by a notch...

Hence the name, 'A Hundred Feet at the Top, Further Progress.'

According to the information, there was once a prominent figure whose name was censored who, after using GOD-508, successfully achieved '■■Ascension.'

Although Xue Jing didn't know what ■■ referred to, the fact that it was associated with the word 'Ascension' indicated that it was an extraordinary matter.

This was quite a tempting offer...

Xue Jing coveted Godly Relics, and even more so, GOD-508...

"What's the situation with this borderland?" Xue Jing inquired.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ren realized that Xue Jing was considering accepting the offer.

She breathed a sigh of relief and explained, "The specific situation is still unclear. The testers aren't strong enough to venture deeper, but from the fact that they can exit at any time, it seems to be a C-class borderland..."

Xu Ren briefed Xue Jing on all the information they had gathered so far. After listening, Xue Jing said, "Let me think about it."

"Okay, give me your answer within a week." Xu Ren replied.

After hanging up, Xue Jing sank into contemplation.

According to Xu Ren, a C-class borderland wasn't too dangerous, and even if there were creatures within, the danger level was unlikely to exceed 5.

His task was to enter the borderland and install special instruments at various locations, which would not only reveal all the details about the borderland but also allow them to monitor any changes that occurred within it.

It didn't sound too challenging...

Xue Jing shook his head. He knew too little about borderlands, and he needed to consult Wu Youqing about the details before making a decision.

Based on his interactions with the White Crows so far, he didn't fully trust Xu Ren's words.

"I'll think about it later."

Xue Jing picked up his phone, opened the dialer, and entered his sister Xue Wan's number before placing the call.

After a few rings, the call connected.

Xue Wan's cheerful voice came through the receiver.

"Hello, hello, hello~"

"My foolish little bean, don't keep calling me. If people think I have a brother who's obsessed with his sister, how will I ever find a good man?" Xue Wan teased.

Ignoring her banter, Xue Jing said, "I'm coming to Fengcheng in a few days. Is there anything you want me to bring?"

There was a clattering noise on the other end of the line, as if Xue Wan had knocked something over.

"Ah? You're coming to Fengcheng?!?" Xue Wan's voice held a hint of panic.

Xue Jing narrowed his eyes. "What's the matter? Do you have something to hide?"

"No, of course not..." Xue Wan forced a laugh.

"I'm just so happy that my dearest little bean is coming to see me. I'm overjoyed, really..." Xue Wan said with feigned cheerfulness.

Xue Jing replied with a meaningful tone, "I hope so."

...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end