[Equippable Item: Demon Blood External Method (Special Martial Art)] [Rank: No fixed rank] [Equipment Effects: ① Absorb Demon (White): Ignores the side effects of the Demon Blood External Method, perfectly absorbs a monster's essence blood. Depending on the rank of demon blood absorbed, this trait will develop different grades of effects. ② Absorb Spirit (White): Igores the side effects of the Demon Blood External Method, perfectly absorbs a spirit beast's essence blood. Depending on the rank of spirit blood absorbed, this trait will develop different grades of effects. ③ Incarnation (White): Based on the blood absorbed, gain a special transformative form. During transformation, all abilities of the transformed demon beast can be perfectly inherited.] [Permanent Solidification Condition: Equip this item for one full day, or slay a demon beast of any rank while this item is equipped.]
"Absorb Demon, Absorb Spirit, Incarnation..."
Mu Yang studied the traits of the Demon Blood External Method and murmured inwardly.
He understood the monster essence blood required for Absorb Demon. It was the heart's blood located near a monster's heart; taking even a single drop would leave it weakened for a long while.
But what exactly was a spirit beast?
Was it a kind of monster?
"So this is the Demon Blood External Method? It really is sinister and strange!" Xue She exclaimed as he looked at the book, which seemed to emit a dim crimson gleam.
He had only heard of this secret technique, which the imperial court regarded as forbidden. This was his first time seeing it with his own eyes.
He had not expected that it was not merely sinister-looking after cultivation; even the book itself was quite extraordinary.
"Brother Xue, could you tell me more about this Demon Blood External Method?" Mu Yang walked over and asked curiously.
"Of course."
Xue She closed the Red Sandalwood Box and said, "The so-called Demon Blood External Method is actually a crooked path devised by those who believed their futures hopeless and willingly sank into depravity. Though the path is improper, its effects are immediate."
"A First Rank martial artist whose cultivation is no more than the Skin and Flesh Realm need only take a drop of heart's blood from a high-ranking monster, supplemented by Blood Pills refined through the secret method, to rise almost effortlessly to a realm similar to that high-ranking monster's."
"However, fast as this method may be, its flaws are enormous. The higher the rank of demon blood, the lower the chance of successfully absorbing it. And even if the absorption succeeds, it will bring emotions such as irritability, thirst for blood, eating raw flesh, and even bloodlust."
"It is said that there was once a high-ranking martial artist who switched to this method in order to break through. In the end, he lost his mind and slaughtered an entire city. Thus, the Great Jing Dynasty classified all martial artists who cultivated this method as Demon Cultivators," Xue She explained.
Mu Yang nodded.
No wonder the imperial court forbade the cultivation of the Demon Blood External Method. It had so many negative effects.
Seen this way, the Absorb Demon and Absorb Spirit traits were quite formidable. They could directly ignore the side effects.
Unfortunately, they were of little use to him.
He had no desire to become a monster.
Still, what exactly was this so-called spirit beast?
As Mu Yang pondered this, Xue She continued, "Speaking of Demon Cultivators, Mu Yang, have you heard of the Four Great Oddities—Demon, Devil, Spirit, and Monster?"
"Demon, Devil, Spirit, and Monster?"
Mu Yang shook his head.
He knew demons were monsters. As for devils, they were most likely the Demon Cultivators Xue She had just mentioned.
But what were spirits and monsters?
Xue She said, "Demons are monsters, such as the Rat Demons of Yellow Wind Mountain, or the Fox Demon you slew before. They are all demons, and they share one trait: they enjoy eating people. The higher a person's martial cultivation and the more vigorous their Blood Qi, the more they like them."
"As for devils, they are the Demon Cultivators I just mentioned. All martial artists who cultivate the Demon Blood External Method are collectively called Demon Cultivators."
"Spirits refer to spirit beasts of heaven and earth. Unlike monsters that feed on humans, spirit beasts do not eat mortal things. They are born with the ability to draw in and exhale spiritual qi. Most have gentle temperaments and rarely take part in slaughter. Of course, what I know about spirit beasts is merely hearsay. I do not know the specifics either."
"As for monsters, they refer to Flora Spirits. Most are precious herbs that have lived for many years and, through some fortuitous coincidence, developed intelligence. It is said that eating such Flora Spirits can prolong life, preserve youth forever, and they are exceedingly rare!"
"Unfortunately, Flora Spirits are far rarer than precious herbs. Not only have I never seen one myself, I have not even heard of one appearing anywhere."
By the end, Xue She could not help but sigh.
The world was so vast, and its rare treasures so numerous. Yet his strength was insufficient, so he could only listen to legends.
Mu Yang nodded and silently reviewed what Xue She had said.
If you can't find the book by searching its title, try searching for the author. It may simply have been renamed!
Spirit beasts were born with the ability to draw in and exhale spiritual qi. Did that not mean they possessed strength above the fourth stage of martial cultivation from birth?
During dinner, Xue She explained the fourth stage of martial cultivation to Mu Yang.
The fourth realm of martial cultivation was called Qi Condensation Realm.
One had to cultivate a specialized Qi Condensation Realm martial art, construct a qi sea dantian within the body, and then transform Blood Qi into more powerful true qi within the dantian.
Unlike Blood Qi, which could only circulate within the body, true qi condensed in the dantian could adhere to the surface of the body, or even the surface of weapons.
It could both defend and enhance strength.
Even the crudest and simplest method of use—merely attaching true qi to one's fist—could add a hundred jin of force with every strand of true qi.
It was comparable to the effect of nurturing one layer of skin and flesh in the Skin and Flesh Realm.
According to Xue She, even if one used only the most ordinary Qi Condensation Realm martial art as a foundation, a martial artist who had just broken through to the Condensing Qi Realm would have a dantian large enough to hold a hundred strands of true qi.
With all their true qi empowering them, the force of each punch and kick could easily exceed twenty thousand jin.
As for high-quality Qi Condensation Realm martial arts, not only did they open a larger initial dantian and hold more true qi, some even possessed special effects.
For example, the Flying Fire Sword or Hand-Waved Ice Condensation. The might of each move and stance was far beyond what mere strength could measure, and was exceedingly strange.
"You're interested in this thing?"
Seeing Mu Yang staring at the Red Sandalwood Box in his hand, Xue She asked.
Mu Yang nodded. "A little. I'm just curious about the operating principles behind this secret method."
At that, Xue She directly handed the wooden box to Mu Yang.
He did not bother warning Mu Yang not to cultivate this secret method.
With Mu Yang's talent, what orthodox martial art could he not cultivate? Why would he willingly sink into depravity?
Xue She guessed that Mu Yang was simply curious about the secret method.
After all, it was a secret technique capable of turning a human into something half-human, half-demon. Anyone would be curious.
If Xue She had not believed himself lacking in both talent and brains, even he would have wanted to study it.
"Remember to dispose of it after you've finished reading it. Keeping this thing around will be trouble sooner or later," Xue She reminded him before leaving.
"I understand, Brother Xue," Mu Yang said.
Soon, after searching through the Wang Family treasure vault, Mu Yang wrapped the Red Sandalwood Box, the Third-Grade Ginseng, and three high-grade martial arts manuals in brocade cloth, then left the Wang Family.
Watching Mu Yang's departing back, Zhou Heng could not help sighing. "I truly never expected that the Wang Family, which had entrenched itself for a hundred years, would be gone overnight. The ways of the world are truly unpredictable!"
Clearly, with the Wang Family fallen, one great stone that had weighed on his heart for years had been removed. Yet he did not feel much lighter. Instead, his heart was filled with countless emotions.
His years of effort had actually been less effective than a single slash from Mu Yang, this young man.
It was quite a sobering thought.
"In this world, a big fist is the hard truth!" Xue She also sighed from the side.
If he had possessed the strength of the Fourth-Stage Condensing Qi Realm, how could he have allowed the Wang Family to run rampant?
"What makes him formidable is more than just his fists." After pondering for a moment, Zhou Heng spoke.
Mu Yang's immense strength certainly astonished him.
But Mu Yang's bold yet meticulous nature, calm rationality, and decisiveness in killing impressed him even more.
Zhou Heng even felt that if his brother-in-law had possessed such strength, he likely would not have been like Mu Yang—calling at the Wang Family's door in the middle of the night and giving them no chance to catch their breath.
Xue She: Why do I feel like someone is talking bad about me?
Verification has begun! This humble little author is begging online for bookmarks, update reminders, and good reviews~~~
If any kind-hearted and handsome readers could send a small free gift, that would be even better. A thousand thanks!!!
After verification ends this week, the author will begin working hard to release more chapters!!!
!!!Orz
Would all you talented gentlemen be willing to chat with this little lady~~
Before you continue