To Desire Divine Arts to Participate in Creation, One Must Ride a Crane Up to the Azure Cloud

At night, the sky was dark, and the clouds resembled a black fog, weaving a thick, gloomy net over the mountains and the many buildings of Brocade Workshop.

In a valley deep within the Mingyun Mountain Range, gloomy clouds hung heavy. A unique Feng Shui Field, combined with Formations Flag, created a thick cloud of mist that, like a tangled, curly sheepskin, sealed off the entire valley, exuding a heavy aura of death, mysterious and eerie.

The valley was a hellish, hellish place, littered with corpses and bones wrapped in spider silk. Liquid flowed from the spider cocoons, pooling in the low-lying areas to form a viscous, deep pool.

Inside the deep pool, blood-red energy surged, and a figure radiating crimson light sat in the pool, its entire body exuding strange, evil light.

This valley is very vast, filled with towering boulders, but barren of any vegetation.

Every inch of the ground was covered with bones and corpses, especially near the deep pool, where the remains of many Great Demons were scattered. Various kinds of white bones were intertwined, as if worshipping the direction of the blood pool, forming a gloomy and terrifying scene and a bizarre sight!

"Ah!--"

"Let me go—"

A series of shrill screams pierced the bleak night sky. Outside the valley, one cultivator after another was captured and dragged in by Spider Demon Beast.

One moment they were screaming in agony, the next they were stabbed to death on the spot by the Spider Demon Beast's sword-like legs, or covered by more spider silk and slime, wrapped into a giant spider silk cocoon.

One by one, the spider silk cocoons were transported by the Demon Beast to a location near the deep pool, and within them, writhing and struggling, were vibrant lives.

From within the deep pool, a cold and hoarse voice suddenly rang out, its tone filled with cruelty.

"Speed up, speed up the pace! Nutrition, Spiritual Material, resources—I need more high-quality resources. A breakthrough is just around the corner..."

Outside the valley, several cultivators waited quietly. Upon hearing this, they all bowed respectfully, and the one in the lead responded.

"Ancestor, there are not many powerful independent Rogue Cultivator left in the entire border region. Almost all of them have joined the major Lineage."

Even the weak and Rogue Cultivator have learned their lesson; they would rather be exploited and oppressed than settle down in groups in the wild.

I originally planned to incite the Zhu Family and Luo Family to continue their conflict, disrupting the entire border region. At that time, more Rogue Cultivator would find it difficult to remain in their peaceful environment and would be hunted by the Demon Beast we drove away. Even the cultivators from these two families would be dragged into the conflict. However, for now, the best time has not yet arrived...

A voice echoed from within the valley again, "Hurry up, it doesn't matter if the methods are a bit drastic. Even if it causes trouble, once I truly break through, all troubles will be easily resolved."

"Yes!"

It was evening inside Brocade Workshop.

Chen Dengming obtained two Daoist techniques from Master Hu using the first part of the Gu Refining Technique.

One is a first-tier, fifth-level Wood Element Daoist Withered to Flourishing Art.

This technique can heal injuries and, to some extent, neutralize evil spirits, Curse, and other supernatural forces.

One of them is a first-order, sixth-level metal-based Daoist technique called "Qi Transformation to Gold".

This technique is an offensive Technique Method that can manipulate the flowing Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy in the air, instantly condensing it into countless fine golden needles or sharp blades to attack powerful enemies, catching them off guard and making them impossible to defend against.

These two intermediate-level Dao techniques for the Qi Refining Stage are far superior to low-level Dao techniques in terms of both effectiveness, power, and Spiritual Qi consumption. It would be very difficult for ordinary cultivators to master them and achieve Proficient Level casting.

However, once Chen Dengming masters the technique, each subsequent practice will bring him greater insights and gains. With effort, he can quickly master the Daoist arts.

These two Daoist techniques are both of a higher level that he has never learned before. Once he learns them both, they will extend his lifespan considerably.

Chen Dengming, whose Lifespan Limit is now 322 years, still has 84 years left to live.

This is enough time for him to slowly cultivate until he reaches the Foundation Establishment Realm.

He even harbored ambitions to continue cultivating the <Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique> to see if he could elevate his Spirit Root to a higher level.

This Daoist technique, which is considered a divine skill for those who live long lives, was so powerful that even the creator of it, Hundred Losses Demonic Path, died before reaching its peak.

I wonder what the outcome will be if we continue to cultivate along the training path that was originally deduced and tested.

However, according to legend, the Cultivation World has produced individuals with Heavenly Spiritual Root High-grade Spiritual Root.

The first sect leader of the Heavenly Dao Gate was a person with a Heavenly Spiritual Root.

However, since more than four hundred years ago, the Cultivation World has rarely discovered new possessors of the Heavenly Spiritual Root. It is unknown whether this is due to premature death or other reasons.

Chen Dengming, a mere Rogue Cultivator, could not gather much information through hearsay, and he couldn't even verify the authenticity of the information he currently possessed, but that did not prevent him from having this hope.

Those with High-grade Spiritual Root, after cultivating to the Qi Cultivation Tenth Level, have a 50% chance of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment without relying on Foundation Establishment; with Foundation Establishment, the chance increases to 80%.

However, if the breakthrough fails, the success rate will be greatly reduced.

Those with Heavenly Grade Spirit Root are said to be able to easily break through their bottlenecks, like water overflowing from a full vessel, without the need for any elixirs.

In fact, Chen Dengming possessed a cultivation panel. Apart from the risks involved in breaking through from the Xiantian to the Qi Refining Realm, he normally encountered no bottlenecks or dangers when breaking through minor realms. As his proficiency increased, his understanding naturally followed, and he broke through.

However, the transition from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment is another major hurdle, and the dangers may be even greater than those from Xiantian Refining. Chen Dengming did not attempt to learn more about it and had no idea what to expect.

Having acquired the two Daoist techniques, Chen Dengming intended to study them at night, but he remained restless and found it difficult to concentrate on his studies.

The reminder Xu Ning gave him before his death a few days ago felt like a thorn in his side, constantly lingering in his mind.

Even during my occasional moments of rest these past few days, I would be suddenly awakened by a pang of heart palpitations.

Chen Dengming had a vague feeling that what Xu Ning said might not be untrue.

Although it is said that what you think about during the day will appear in your dreams at night, coupled with the fact that I have been planning to eat fish and engaging in high-intensity training lately, I may be under too much mental stress, which has led to my paranoia.

However, out of instinctive caution, since there are already multiple clues and signs emerging, we should not ignore them.

After much deliberation, Chen Dengming decided to leave that night without further delay.

He has now Qi Cultivation Sixth Level of Qi Refining, and also possesses many Law Artifact obtained from Xu Ning.

Even his tattered high-grade robe was replaced with a new gold-type robe after he gritted his teeth and added two Mid-grade Spirit Stones. He transformed from a poor Rogue Cultivator into a big shot among Rogue Cultivator, completing the process of upgrading from a ragtag to a powerful weapon.

In addition, Jiang Qiang had prepared plenty of Spirit Rice and a map; everything was ready, and he could set off at any time.

Chen Dengming was a decisive and efficient person, and he immediately found Jiang Qiang and suggested that he leave.

Although Jiang Qiang had already guessed Chen Dengming's intentions from his movements, he was still surprised that he was leaving in such a hurry.

"Brother Chen, shouldn't we prepare for a few more days? We'll be getting our share of the profits from this batch of Gu Creatures we're working on with Master Hu in just a few days."

Chen Dengming shook his head. "Master Hu has already settled my share of the profits in advance. I'm planning to leave tonight. Whether what Xu Ning said before he died was true or false, I'd rather believe it."

Moreover, I was already planning to leave the border region anyway, and my current cultivation methods are now hindering my progress. The only way to obtain good cultivation methods here is to join one of these major Cultivation Family.

But these major Cultivation Family all seem unreliable at the moment, and they could start fighting at any time. You don't want to join them and immediately risk your life for someone else, do you?

Jiang Qiang thought to himself, "The Lin family seems quite reliable."

Until the rumors of the False Core Great Cultivator are debunked, the other factions dare not provoke him.

However, Chen Dengming had already made up his mind, so he no longer hesitated and nodded solemnly, "Then let's go, Brother Chen, I'll listen to you."

Chen Dengming nodded and patted Jiang Qiang on the shoulder. "Have you thought it through? Not staying here? Maybe my worries are unnecessary. If you stay here, you might be more secure, and I can give you some Spirit Stone."

Jiang Qiang grinned, "Brother Chen, you're all gone. If I don't follow you, I won't get anywhere here. Do you expect that shrewd and calculating Master Hu to treat me well?"

He wasn't stupid; he knew that his current success and comfortable life were all thanks to Chen Dengming, even though deep down he longed for peace and stability.

But with Chen Dengming gone, it might not be a problem for him to gain a foothold in Brocade Workshop in the short term, but it will be very difficult in the long term.

Perhaps in a few years, I will have to leave Brocade Workshop and wander again.

In that case, it's better to follow Chen Dengming around the country. At least I'll feel at ease, and I'll feel reassured having Brother Chen as my backer.

"Okay! Let's go!"

Chen Dengming stopped talking nonsense. The two packed their bags, skillfully put on Human Skin Mask, and mingled into the group of Rogue Cultivator leaving the city, making it out of the city before the overnight fee was collected.

Outside the city, many open and safe areas have been occupied by small groups of Rogue Cultivator, some with bonfires lit, others with simple tents pitched, and some even with barbecue grills cooking food, creating a strong sense of daily life.

If it weren't for the occasional spell to throw a water ball into the pot or Fireball Technique to ignite the firewood, one would think that the large group of people living outside the city as migrants were all ordinary mortals.

Chen Dengming and Jiang Qiang came out of the city and, seeing this scene, couldn't help but stop and shake their heads. "Dust flies in our faces, sweat soaks our clothes; the Three Corpses are eliminated, the Six Thieves fly away. Even if the Daoist heart has no fixed abode, it will return to this place within the Spiritual Platform."

Jiang Qiang was still feeling a little emotional at first. He used to live in a group like this group of people and was at the bottom of the class, but now he is a little confused. He didn't expect that Brother Chen would also write this line of poetry. How could he answer the question?

With limited cultural knowledge, one could barely discern that Chen Dengming was expressing his feelings. Although these fellow Daoists lived in poverty, they all had firm Daoist beliefs and were not afraid of the Three Corpses and Six Thieves. Even if they had no fixed abode, they could always keep their minds firmly in their spiritual altar of seeking the Dao.

"Brother Chen, impressive!" Jiang Qiang gave a thumbs up and said admiringly, "So, what about now that we're running around everywhere? Say a few more words."

Chen Dengming glanced sideways, ignored him, took out a map, studied the route to the Eastern Region, and continued on his way.

Jiang Qiang followed closely, rubbing his hands together and chuckling, "Brother Chen, could you just tell me briefly about our plans for the future?"

Chen Dengming pointed to the Eastern Region on the map and said, "The Eastern Region is the most outstanding of the four regions, but many powerful sects are located in places where Spirit Vein gather, isolated from the mortal world. If we want to learn powerful Daoist techniques and rise above others in the future, we must go to this region..."

Jiang Qiang craned his neck to look, feeling only awe and wonder, wondering if those lofty Immortal Sect Dao Gate would even look down on Rogue Cultivator like them.

Chen Dengming could tell what he was thinking just by looking at his expression. He sighed inwardly, thinking that the Rogue Cultivator was too self-conscious and lacked ambition.

This journey in search of the Dao is truly a celestial realm, a paradise existing only in the mortal world. To attain divine power and witness the workings of creation, one must ride a crane to the heavens.

Born into humble circumstances, only by maintaining lofty aspirations and refusing to follow the crowd can one attain the Great Dao.

Seeing that Chen Dengming had already walked far away, Jiang Qiang immediately followed.

I've decided that I should learn from Brother Chen and read more books in my spare time. I should read a set of all kinds of books, including poetry, military strategy, and more. I'll use military strategy to fight the enemy and poetry to show off.

Without studying, even cultivating immortality won't be as powerful as some people.

Traveling at night in the wilderness is quite dangerous, but compared to when Chen Dengming and Jiang Qiang first arrived at Brocade Workshop, their situation is much better now.

After all, Chen Dengming's strength has increased significantly.

With his Qi Cultivation Sixth Level strength, coupled with his magical Law Artifact and Gu Worm, Xu Ning now possesses the ability to hold his own even against high- Qi Refining Stage Demon Beast.

The Ten Thousand Mile Frontier region is resource-poor, and Foundation Establishment Realm Demon Beast don't bother with such areas. Therefore, the strongest Demon Beast that appear here are roughly at the level of the demonic birds the two encountered when they first arrived.

As long as they don't unfortunately encounter that kind of demonic bird, the two of them won't be in much danger.

Chen Dengming had already observed the monster bird's daily routine, which was almost identical to that of normal birds. It hunted at sunrise, returned to its nest at sunset, and never appeared at night.

With each other's support, the two should be in no great danger and should be able to reach the Yunhua Mountain Road, which is two thousand miles away and passes through the Eastern Region.

However, the two had only been traveling for an hour when suddenly the Gu Worm and the Little Array Spirit, which acted as mobile eyes, issued a warning at the same time.

"A Demon Beast?"

"What?" Jiang Qiang exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Dengming was frowning when his expression suddenly changed drastically. "There are Demon Beast in all four directions? We're surrounded by Demon Beast?"

Almost at the same time, screams and roars of Demon Beast echoed from the distant mountains and forests.

Further away, from the direction of Brocade Workshop, a chorus of panicked shouts and angry cries could be heard, as if that safe area had also been attacked by a large number of Demon Beast.

"What happened?"

Chen Dengming's heart pounded wildly. He felt as if the unease he had been feeling for days had been completely ignited at this moment, and the danger in the darkness of the surrounding mountains and fields was magnified in his panic.

Whoosh!

He swiftly cast a spell, and a golden spear shot out, piercing directly into a beastly shadow that lunged out from the darkness.

"Awoo--"

It was an ordinary Qi Cultivation Third Level Hyena Demon Beast at the third level of Qi Refining.

Almost simultaneously, the ground shook violently all around, the branches and ancient vines of the mountains and forests on both sides trembled wildly, and several Demon Beasts, their bodies filled with Sha Qi, roared and charged out.

"Green-backed Water Spider! How did these two kinds of Demon Beast end up together?"

Jiang Qiang exclaimed in surprise and immediately shot out his Law Artifact.

"The situation is bad, stop fighting!"

Chen Dengming frowned, then suddenly took a step forward, his eyes blazing with fierce power, his white hair flying wildly at his temples. He drew his Ice Spirit Blade, his Blade Intent surging like a celestial blade!

Buzz!--

The Ice Spirit Blade's blade emitted a mad glow, as if imbued with extra brilliance by the Blade Intent, flaunting its sinister power.

Chen Dengming's eyes shone brightly. He made a hand seal, and the Ice Spirit Blade instantly produced Myriad Sharp Blade Qi energies that circled around his body, resembling a full moon. The Blade Intent combined with Daoist techniques to manipulate the surrounding Spiritual Qi, transforming into thousands of sharp blade energies that surged and crashed towards one of the Spider Demon Beast like a thousand avalanches.

Snow weighs down a thousand trees on the mountain, a sword slashes across ten thousand miles of moonlit sky!

Swordsmanship that Blade Falls Thousandfold Snow!

The loud explosions, accompanied by a powerful spiritual force, spread out like thunder, shaking the mountains and rivers. The intense energy made the ground beneath our feet seem to turn over.

A Spider Demon Beast a spiritual power of nearly five levels was directly blasted open by the blade energy. Its carapace cracked open with hideous gashes. Before blood could even splatter, its body was covered with all sorts of strange frost flowers. It was instantly killed by the icy blade energy!

The other demonic Demon Beast, intimidated, also slowed their charge.

"Walk!--"

With a low shout, Chen Dengming charged forward, his robes billowing wildly. The Ice Spirit Blade transformed into blade energy, enveloping his body. Man and blade became one, and he shot out like a bolt of lightning.

Jiang Qiang, almost simultaneously and in perfect unison, controlled the weapon to follow closely, his heart pounding wildly, nearly leaping out of his throat.

This is terrifying! We just decided to go with Brother Chen to pursue our destiny with the Immortal Sect Dao Gate, and now we've been ambushed by Demon Beast on the way? Could it be that Brother Chen's ominous premonition really came true?

This truly shows that fortune and misfortune are ordained by Heaven, and life is fraught with danger. Who can reveal the path to immortality? Looking only at the chess pieces falling from the sky, who is the player, and who is the pawn?

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