Chapter 288 - 258: Ten Directions Killing Dao

The Cross and Vertical Saber was still with Lu Gong. Fortunately, as an Artifact Refiner, Zhu Ju was not short on Magical Artifacts.

Over the years, aside from occasionally taking on tasks to refine Magical Artifacts, he had also forged a spare Flying Sword for himself in his free time.

It was of supreme quality.

It was more than enough as a personal sword for a Dao Foundation Cultivator, but because he had the Cross and Vertical Saber, he had almost never used it.

"ZING!"

The Flying Sword, as hazy white as smoke and as pure as jade, circled around his body, as nimble as a swimming fish.

With a flick of his hand seals, the Flying Sword immediately released a Sword Light that enveloped Zhu Ju. In a state of Human-Sword Unity, he shot off into the distance.

He didn’t travel far from Yunjing Island. He plunged into the nearby water, charging toward a Spirit Fish he had locked onto.

"You beast!"

Forming the hand seal for the Water Avoidance Technique, Zhu Ju pointed forward impressively and shouted:

"Take this blade!"

"SWOOSH!"

The Flying Sword trembled lightly, instantly splitting into ten. The ten rays of Sword Light crisscrossed, trapping the Spirit Fish within.

Sword Light Division!

Immortal Demon Slash—Ten Directions Killing Dao!

"HISSS..."

The Sword Light vanished in a flash. The Spirit Fish’s body stiffened, then split into dozens of evenly sized chunks.

This was already the deep sea, and the Spirit Fish’s scales were tough, but they offered no resistance at all as the Flying Sword sliced through.

’Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.’

Zhu Ju beckoned, recalling the Flying Sword. He thought back on the feeling from a moment ago and nodded pensively.

’I’m not very skilled with it yet, but I can already use the Killing Move of the Immortal Demon Slash without any issues. I can proceed to the next step.’

"Hmph!"

He snorted softly. A flash of killing intent appeared in his Sea of Consciousness, and the Evil Qi around his Physical Body flared as the Flying Sword slashed out once more.

Ten Directions Killing Dao!

The momentum was astonishing.

However, the crooked Sword Light shot out for about a li before carving several white streaks through the water and finally plunging into the mud and sand.

’It’s not working.’

Shaking his head lightly, Zhu Ju stroked his chin.

’The power from my Sea of Consciousness and Physical Body isn’t extending to the Flying Sword. Creating my own Sword Control Method really isn’t that easy.’

’It’s the same even when trying to improve upon an existing Method.’

’Again!’

Kill!

Kill!

Kill!

The essence of Martial Arts is killing!

Whether it was the Ghost God Limit, the Immortal Demon Slash, the Human Immortal Martial Arts, or a Demon Technique, they were all Slaughter Techniques.

A Flying Sword,

is an even deadlier killing tool.

As he formed the Sword Formulas, killing intent surged in his heart. The Flying Sword leaped out with a ZING, slashing out streaks of light a li long.

’I’ve lived two lives. I have the Blood-Stealing Curse to seize the Talent of others, and the Demon Saber to enhance my Comprehension.’

’Besides...’

’I also have the foundations laid by my predecessors.’

’Acquired Martial Artists can create their own Body Tempering Hard Skills, and Innate Qi Refiners can create their own Heart Methods. I am a dignified Dao Foundation Cultivator, blessed with the resources and talents from several worlds—how could I possibly fail to create a Sword Control Method?’

After thousands of attempts, a certain realization surfaced in his mind. Zhu Ju’s eyes lit up, and he slashed out with the Flying Sword once more.

This time, the Flying Sword was enveloped in thick Evil Qi and killing intent. The moment the Sword Light appeared, all the surrounding fish went belly-up.

The mere overflow of his killing intent had caused countless mortal fish in the area to die.

"It worked!"

Zhu Ju burst out laughing:

"Visualization Techniques and Martial Arts Will can also be channeled through a Flying Sword! This path is completely viable."

"Hmm..."

"From now on, I’ll call you the Ten Directions Sword!"

"ZING!"

The Flying Sword hummed with joy.

The process of integrating his own Martial Arts Awareness into the Flying Sword through a Visualization Technique was far more complex and tedious than simple Sword Control.

To wield it as he wished was even more difficult.

Although the Flying Sword’s power had greatly increased now that he had the concept down, the Sword Skills were unformed, and openings were everywhere.

However, no Cultivation Technique is perfect at its inception. As long as the core idea is correct, it can be patched and completed bit by bit.

「Several days later.」

The Sword Control Method Zhu Ju had envisioned was already beginning to take shape. He named it the ’Ten Directions Killing Dao’.

For now, he had only clarified the concept; it was still far from Perfection. When he used Sword Control, the influence of other Sword Formulas was evident everywhere.

But, it already contained something that was uniquely Zhu Ju’s.

In terms of mastery, this crude Sword Technique had only just crossed the initial threshold.

...

"Fellow Daoist Zhu."

"Huu Lishu!" Zhu Ju stopped in his tracks. He looked at the courtyard behind Huu Lishu, a surprised expression on his face.

"This place... isn’t this the Drunken Daoist’s...?"

"Congratulations!"

"Congratulations to you both!"

Understanding dawned on him, and he offered his congratulations repeatedly.

A faint blush appeared on Huu Lishu’s face.

She had only just arrived on the island not long ago and was already living with the Drunken Daoist, so she couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

Fortunately, she was no longer a young woman. There was no need to be secretive about such things; it was better to be open about it.

"What a coincidence."

Zhu Ju smiled and scooped a fat, golden fish out of his fish basket.

"I caught a few Golden Tail Vases while I was out. They’re excellent for nourishing yin and replenishing yang. Fellow Daoist, please take one to go with your drinks."

"Thank you." Huu Lishu’s blush deepened as she accepted the Spirit Fish and thanked him.

"This kind of Spirit Fish is quite valuable. Brother Lai isn’t here, but when he gets back, I’ll definitely have him pay you a formal visit to express his thanks."

Yann Lai.

The Drunken Daoist’s name was Yann Lai, but few people ever called him that. Over time, his real name had been all but forgotten.

"There’s no need for thanks." Zhu Ju smiled and waved his hand.

"But you can certainly send me an invitation. Surely the Drunken Daoist isn’t unwilling to go through with a proper ceremony?"

"Wouldn’t that be unfair to you, Fellow Daoist?"

"That’s not it." Huu Lishu’s eyes narrowed into a smile. The slight wrinkles at the corners of her eyes only enhanced her mature charm.

"We’re looking for an auspicious date. Once we’ve found one, we’ll invite all our fellow Daoists to witness our union as Dao companions."

"Haha!" Zhu Ju laughed.

"Excellent!"

"I’ll definitely be there!"

"What?" Just then, a somewhat shrill voice rang out.

"Sister Huu, you’re becoming Dao companions with the Drunken Daoist?"

Yu Lou descended from the sky with his arms around two scantily clad, gaudily dressed women, having just overheard their conversation.

"What a shame!"

He stared intently at Huu Lishu, clucking his tongue and shaking his head repeatedly.

"Becoming Dao companions just ties you down. Sister Huu, why be so shortsighted? Being alone is so much more free and easy."

"Look!"

He tightened his grip on the two women in his arms and grinned.

"For just a few Spirit Stones, you can play with any Low-Tier Innate Qi Refiner you want. You couldn’t do that back in our poor backwater."

The two women in his arms, who had been wearing fawning smiles, couldn’t help but stiffen at his words.

But they were in the business of selling their bodies, so they recovered in an instant, twisting their waists and whining coquettishly.

"Fellow Daoist Yu."

Seeing him, Huu Lishu’s expression darkened slightly.

"Brother Lai and I are truly in love. We are becoming Dao companions to watch over and help each other. I hope you will refrain from your verbal jabs."

"This is Yunjing Island, not your Black Gorge!"

"Heh..." Yu Lou curled his lip but didn’t talk back. After all, on Yunjing Island, the Yann Family’s word was law.

"So Sister Huu has climbed to a higher branch. It’s only normal to look down on an old acquaintance who once had nothing."

"Eh?"

His gaze shifted and landed on Zhu Ju’s fish basket. His eyes lit up.

"A Golden Tail Vase!"

"So that’s where Sister Huu got her Spirit Fish. It seems Fellow Daoist Zhu had quite a good haul on his trip. How about giving one to me?"

As he spoke, he reached out to grab one.

An Invisible Power enveloped the fish basket, but Zhu Ju dispersed it with a gentle shake and said with a half-smile:

"Fellow Daoist Yu is surrounded by beauties all day. I’m afraid you wouldn’t care for the minor effects of my Spirit Fish, so I’d better not give you any."

"Farewell!"

"Hey!"

Yu Lou’s expression changed slightly. He reached out to stop him, but Zhu Ju had already returned to his own courtyard and closed the gate.

He also activated the Array within the courtyard, sealing it off from the outside.

’That guy...’

His eyes flickered as he muttered under his breath:

’If we weren’t on Yunjing Island, do you really think I, Yu Lou, would be this good-tempered?’

"And you know perfectly well this is Yunjing Island." Huu Lishu snorted coldly, then turned and went back to her own small courtyard, carrying the Spirit Fish.

"That thin waist, that big ass..." Watching Huu Lishu’s swaying figure, Yu Lou licked his lips.

’She gave herself to a drunkard?’

’What a waste!’

"Let’s go!"

He grabbed the two women and darted toward his own courtyard, his hands already getting restless on the way.

"Let your master see what you’re capable of!"

"Hee hee..."

The women giggled endlessly.

*

*

*

"Fellow Daoist Zhu!"

"Drunken Daoist."

Zhu Ju waved his sleeve and opened the courtyard gate.

"Come in."

"You’ve set up another Array in here?" The Drunken Daoist stepped into the courtyard and immediately sensed something was off, his eyebrows raising slightly.

"Isn’t that a bit of a waste?"

Every Dao Foundation Cultivator’s residence was provided with a free Array by the Yunjing Commerce Association. The grade wasn’t high, but it was sufficient.

Setting up an additional Array required spending one’s own Spirit Stones.

Arrays were not cheap, and they consumed Spirit Stones just by being active.

Unless one belonged to a Cultivation Sect or a family, most would not be so extravagant, nor would they have so many Spirit Stones.

"I had no choice."

Zhu Ju shook his head.

"Fellow Daoist Yu’s place is a bit too noisy. This way, it’s quieter. Besides, I am learning how to set up Arrays, so this is good experience."

"Haha..." The Drunken Daoist laughed.

"That’s true!"

"Fellow Daoist Yu’s constant revelry does show a lack of consideration for his neighbors. I’ll have a word with him next time I see him."

"Here."

"Lishu made this flower dew. It has the wonderful effect of Heart Concentration and Spirit Observation."

"Thank you." Zhu Ju took the Jade Bottle, sniffed it lightly, and looked up with a surprised expression, asking:

"Jade Daffodil?"

"The scent is much richer. Is this a special variant?"

After an Innate Qi Refiner opens their nasal apertures, their sense of smell becomes incredibly sharp. They never forget a fragrance once they’ve smelled it.

A Dao Foundation Cultivator’s was naturally even stronger.

"That’s right." The Drunken Daoist nodded.

"Lishu is a Spirit Plant Master, and she’s especially skilled with flowers and plants. I’m afraid our courtyard won’t be empty from now on."

"A Spirit Plant Master?" Zhu Ju understood.

"No wonder!"

"Life is hard for a Loose Cultivator, unlike for people like us." The Drunken Daoist stroked his beard and said:

"Most Cultivators out there have to master a trade to support themselves, like Artifact Refining, Talisman Making, and so on."

"Being a Spirit Plant Master has a low barrier to entry, so it’s a common choice for many."

"Lishu used to manage several hundred mu of Spirit Fields all by herself. Every few days, she had to cast the Spirit Rain Technique to water them. It was exhausting work that made it extremely difficult to advance her Cultivation. If she were a member of the Yann Family, with her Talent, she would have reached the Mid-Stage Dao Foundation long ago."

"Mm, people are born different. You can’t force such things." Zhu Ju’s eyes shifted slightly.

"Then what about that Yu Lou? What skill does he possess?"

"Talisman Making!" the Drunken Daoist said.

"Fellow Daoist, you must not underestimate him. Yu Lou is a Tier Two Talisman Maker, and his Cultivation is also higher than both of ours."

"Hmm..."

"He’s not that old, yet he has such a profound foundation. He either has outstanding Cultivation Talent or has had some sort of fortuitous encounter. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to have achieved so much."

A look of envy appeared on his face as he spoke.

Zhu Ju nodded slowly.

"Oh, right."

Remembering something, the Drunken Daoist’s expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice.

"Fellow Daoist, you should be careful these days. I was out today because a fellow Daoist on the island died."

For him to call someone a "fellow Daoist" meant it was naturally a Dao Foundation Cultivator.

"Hm?"

Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow, his face showing his surprise.

"It wasn’t a natural death?"

"No." The Drunken Daoist’s face was grim, his eyes filled with confusion.

"He was murdered in his own Cave Mansion. All the Essence and blood in his body were drained, leaving behind a desiccated corpse."

"They didn’t find the killer?" Zhu Ju frowned.

"With the Tier Three Array in place, nothing on the island should be able to escape the Commerce Association’s notice."

In all the years since he had arrived on the island, he had never heard of a Dao Foundation Cultivator being murdered on Yunjing Island.

Not a single case!

"..." The Drunken Daoist shook his head.

"That’s the crux of the matter. The Tier Three Array covers the entire Yunjing Island, yet it failed to find the murderer."

"This matter is being kept secret for now. Fellow Daoist, don’t tell anyone else for the time being. Just remember to be careful."

Zhu Ju nodded slowly, a sense of alarm rising in his heart.

A Dao Foundation Cultivator, murdered in his own Cave Mansion, and the killer couldn’t be found... such methods...

’I know I’m absolutely incapable of such a feat!’