Zhang Mazi
Looking at the two Seven Kills Sect assassins on the ground, their eyes glazed over, drooling, and almost losing their sense of self due to a tenfold dose of mind-controlling drugs.
Qi Yun rubbed his temples in exasperation.
"I really need to find a way to learn the Soul Searching Law Technique when I get the chance—what kind of decorum is it for a member of the dignified Demonic Sect not to know how to use it!"
With a hint of disdain, Qi Yun began his slow and methodical interrogation of the two incoherent assassins.
The process was not complicated; under the influence of the medicine, the two answered almost every question.
Although the logic is somewhat confusing.
However, by corroborating each other, they were able to piece together the whole story of the gold ring.
It turns out that the seemingly ancient and indestructible gold ring itself did not possess any earth-shattering divine power.
Its true value lies in being the key to unlocking a place steeped in ancient traditions.
This place of inheritance was discovered by chance by the Seven Kills Sect many years ago.
Based on the limited information they had, they deduced that the legacy left inside likely belonged to an ancient sword-cultivating lineage that had long since disappeared.
Ancient methods, compared to the cultivation systems prevalent today, are often more powerful and direct.
Especially in the art of warfare, he has truly unique insights.
However, the drawbacks are equally obvious.
There are numerous constraints and taboos, the cultivation process is perilous, and many of its concepts even contradict the original intention of the mainstream "seeking Changsheng" cultivation practice.
There is always the risk of Qi Deviation in cultivation, resulting in death and the dissipation of one's spiritual power.
However, this applies to the Seven Kills Sect, a sect that regards the art of killing as its guiding principle.
Ancient sword cultivator's flaws are not a major problem.
Even though many of these methods may not be suitable for disciples of the Seven Kills Sect to practice personally.
But they could use it to cultivate Dead Puppet.
The Seven Kills Sect has a special Secret Method to control and train Dead Puppet. Dead Puppet do not need to consider the long-term Dao Path or inner demons and karma; they only need absolute strength and lethality.
If one could obtain the inheritance of the ancient sword cultivators, and use it to train Dead Puppet, a group of terrifying puppets proficient in the killing techniques of the ancient sword cultivators could be created.
That would be a huge boost to the overall strength of the Seven Kills Sect!
Therefore, the Seven Kills Sect highly values this suspected ancient sword cultivation inheritance.
That gold ring was one of the credentials for entering that place of inheritance.
There are seventy-two of these standard gold rings scattered around.
Using its power, the Seven Kills Sect secretly collected nearly thirty [items] and distributed them to the leaders of its important branch sects.
The one Qi Yun had previously seized belonged to a branch of the Seven Kills Sect in the Northwest region.
The Seven Kills Sect assassin who died at Qi Yun's hands was carrying out an assassination mission against the Holy Sect disciples and was about to return to the branch to report back.
Who would have thought that they would run into Qi Yun, a ruthless and cunning guy, and end up in a complete mess, losing their lives and their rings.
The disappearance of the gold ring at the branch level naturally attracted the attention of that branch.
They immediately mobilized all available channels to investigate, and finally, through years of intelligence gathering on assassinations, they identified Qi Yun as both the "murderer" and the "ring thief."
Thus, this meticulously planned ambush took place.
However, they never expected that their target was even more formidable and ruthless than described in the intelligence.
Not only did the ambush fail, but the elite assassins they sent out were almost completely wiped out.
Even the secret of the key to inheritance was revealed through interrogation.
"Ancient Sword Cultivation Legacy - Seventy-two Keys - Seven Kills Sect Branch -" Qi Yun stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming.
This unexpectedly acquired gold ring seems to have drawn into a considerable vortex.
However, risks and opportunities often go hand in hand.
The legacy of the ancient sword cultivator is so highly valued even by the Seven Kills Sect, its worth is self-evident.
"The Seven Kills Sect probably won't let this go easily," Qi Yun thought to himself, while simultaneously considering how to deal with this hot potato.
He glanced at the two Seven Kills Sect assassins on the ground, now of little use, and casually flicked out two Southern Brightness Devil Fire, turning them to ashes and completely erasing any trace of them.
This place is not safe to stay in; we must leave as soon as possible.
The Seven Kills Sect is a tough nut to crack.
Although sects specializing in assassination are not as large as the Yellow Springs Netherworld, they are no less threatening.
If they really get involved...
Then I'm afraid I can forget about finding the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha Acupoints in peace.
After a moment's thought, Qi Yun made a plan.
To truly escape the Seven Kills Sect's pursuit, one must completely "disappear" from their sight.
It's not just about physical concealment, but also about causal obfuscation and a complete reset of identity.
"I have Wu Yushan's Storage Ring, which can temporarily isolate me from any possible divination or calculations that the Yellow Springs Netherworld or the Seven Kills Sect may be conducting."
As for whether using this Storage Ring will attract the attention of the Yellow Springs Netherworld.
That's a problem for later; let's deal with the Seven Kills Sect first."
"Besides that, I need to change my approach."
It's not just about changing one's appearance; even commonly used Law Technique techniques and the aura and attributes of one's body must be completely altered.
Only in this way can the Seven Kills Sect lose all clear leads, like headless flies, unable to find my whereabouts.
Having made up his mind, Qi Yun no longer hesitated and set off again, speeding towards the core area of the Wuji Sacred Sect Sect's territory.
He needs to utilize the resources within the Holy Sect to complete this "transformation".
Several days later, shouts of battle, the sounds of Law Technique exploding, and the sounds of buildings collapsing were mixed together.
The outer market town of "Yin Bone Market" in the Yellow Springs Netherworld was transformed into a boiling furnace.
The true cultivators of the Holy Sect once again joined forces to attack the entire market, engaging in fierce combat with the Yellow Springs Netherworld disciples stationed there and some hired Evil Cultivator.
Demonic flames blazed across the sky, Sword Qi crisscrossed, ghostly spirits howled, and poisonous miasma permeated the air—the battle was exceptionally fierce.
The true cultivators of the Holy Sect are ruthless and work in perfect harmony.
This is clearly not the first time such a clearing operation has been carried out.
Amidst this chaos, one figure stood out as particularly striking.
He was wearing an old gray Daoist robe that had been starched until it was faded and even had some patches.
He was tall and thin, with an unsightly face covered in freckles, making him look unremarkable and even somewhat timid.
He held in his hand a large, jet-black banner that was slightly taller than the rest of him.
The banner was made of some unknown material, dark and without luster, as if it could absorb the surrounding light and exude a faint, chilling, and soul-stirring aura.
Unlike his fellow disciples who charged into the fray like tigers among sheep, the tall, thin man always remained on the fringes of the battlefield.
He never actively charged towards the stubbornly resisting Yellow Springs Netherworld, nor did he show any interest in the spiritual materials and treasures that might be hidden in the shops of the marketplace.
Their attention seemed to be entirely focused on the corpses lying on the ground, lifeless.
Whenever the battle shifted, or his fellow disciples were distracted by new enemies, he would stealthily approach the corpses like a ghost.
With a gentle wave of his hand, the large black banner unfurled as if alive, stirring up a gust of cold wind that instantly swept up one or more corpses on the ground, causing them to vanish without a trace.
The entire process was lightning fast and completely silent.
After he finished, he immediately reverted to his meek and harmless demeanor, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.
Occasionally, when fellow disciples noticed his strange behavior, they would only frown slightly or whisper a few words like, "This guy is collecting those banner-refining materials again," and then pay no more attention.
The Holy Sect disciples practice all sorts of strange and unusual Law Technique, and there are many who practice Evil Method related to souls and corpses.
As long as they don't harm their own fellow disciples, no one will interfere much.
Sensing the slightly disdainful gazes of those around him, the tall, thin man with a pockmarked face lowered his expression, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
It seems Qi's acting skills are quite good.
In order to completely shake off the relentless pursuit of the Seven Kills Sect, Qi Yun meticulously planned this "disappearance."
He first found a market in the Holy Sect and purchased this incredibly realistic human skin mask and a set of inconspicuous clothes.
Next, he chose the extremely obscure and distinctive Law Technique [Soul Refining Banner] as his disguise.
The materials Law Artifact to craft the Soul Banner could be found in Wu Yushan's collection, saving him his biggest expense.
After paying a hefty fee for crafting the weapon, I commissioned a craftsman to create this Yin Qi black banner.
He then spent twenty days mastering the basics of this Law Technique.
And it successfully distorted and disguised its aura, making it appear cold and mixed.
His aura was completely different from when he used the Sand Iron, Demon Fire, and Wood spells.
He gave himself a very nice-sounding name: Zhang Mazi.
After that, he disguised himself as "Zhang Mazi" and infiltrated the Holy Sect's extermination team.
On one hand, they can use the power of the Holy Sect to conceal themselves, and on the other hand, they can take advantage of the chaotic environment of the battle to openly use the Soul Refining Banner to collect corpses.
This perfectly conceals the subtle fluctuations that might occur when the [Essence Devouring] divine power devours blood essence.
It can also absorb resources to improve [Nether Spring White Bone Method].
This is truly killing two birds with one stone!