An Overdose
A cultivator at the True Self Realm has their energy contained within, resulting in almost no extra consumption. Their internal circulation is unified, and their breath is long and deep.
The new emperor's martial Technique Method skills allowed him to keep up with Zhang Xuezhou's speed in low-altitude flight, a feat that Zhang Xuezhou greatly admired.
This is somewhat similar to Divine Lord Zhenyuan's transformation of techniques into martial arts. Although their cultivation methods are different, they converge on the same Dao Path when they reach the peak of their cultivation.
Maoling is a hundred miles from Chang'an City. When the new emperor entered the city, he was in good spirits, as if he had just run for a while.
"You control the 'demon- Demon-Revealing Mirror ' on your end..."
"It's sealed off! Even if a demon infiltrates Chang'an City, it's sealed off. I'll remove the Demon-Revealing Demon-Revealing Mirror from your list once I've figured it out!"
Unlike Li Shaojun's near-death experience, Zhang Xuezhou's current mindset is similar to Shi Wudao, but neither is 100% certain of being resurrected.
Upon entering the city, Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but ask questions, lest the new emperor trigger the Demon-Revealing Mirror.
The new emperor's response was extremely straightforward and also pointed out a solution to the problem in the future.
"I'm a little curious, what kind of Demon Power resides within you?" the new emperor asked curiously after queuing to enter the city.
"When I was young, I was forced to eat the flesh and blood of many demonic birds, which caused rough demonic feathers to grow on my arms. Later, I obtained the ' Technique Within the Clouds ' and refined it to achieve a flying technique," Zhang Xuezhou said. "This is the direct reason why my flying Technique Method is so outstanding!"
Can I learn from this?
The fact that the new emperor could place the Demon-Revealing Mirror in the palace shows that, like many emperors before him, he maintained a sense of aversion to demons and refused to lead his subjects to Jieyin Demon Power. However, as long as the effect was good enough, the new emperor did not mind conducting small-scale tests.
As Zhang Xuezhou mentioned regarding the living souls, he couldn't possibly cram 100,000 troops into it for testing, but allocating a few hundred or even a thousand people for use wouldn't be a problem.
"It's impossible to learn," Zhang Xuezhou shook his head repeatedly. "Several people have tried to learn the ' Technique Within the Clouds ' in the Yedie River Holy Land, but most of them end up with festering arms or difficulty lifting their arms. Very few have actually succeeded!"
"Borrowing Demon Power is a perilous path; those who succeed in cultivation are one in a thousand!"
Zhang Xuezhou's case is not representative, and this situation is no different from the teachings in classical texts.
If a skill is only suitable for an individual, it is at most a school of thought or sectarian learning, and it is difficult for it to become an official learning of the imperial court, let alone be promoted and made available for everyone to learn.
The new emperor felt a pang of regret, but he also knew very well that things were unlikely to repeat themselves.
Even setting aside Zhang Xuezhou, his swordsmanship is difficult to replicate in others.
Are we taking the bus from Old Tree Alley again this time?
Zhang Xuezhou leaped forward at lightning speed, his agility making him almost invisible. He caused quite a few collisions in the bustling city center, hitting more than ten people in a row, which gave him a headache. He could only hope to reach his destination as soon as possible.
"We're going with a dog this time!"
Zhang Xuezhou's guide was a bit strange, but it's not unusual for him to accept a dog as his guide.
Until the new emperor saw 'Xiaotian' in Old Tree Alley, after only a brief exchange, the dog was already running like the wind.
"Xiaotian, slow down! I can't keep up with you!"
Instead of going through the city gates, they traversed narrow paths with very few pedestrians. When the dog nimbly leaped onto the side of the city wall and crossed the moat, which was over thirty meters wide, and ran away, the new emperor's expression changed slightly.
The dog ran at the front, leading the way, Zhang Xuezhou was in the middle, and the new emperor lagged behind.
The new emperor never expected that a cultivator at the True Self Realm would perform worse than a dog.
If Zhang Xuezhou hadn't called out, he would have lost sight of the other person during those few leaps and landings.
"Woof! I'm fast, aren't I!"
Xiaotian let out a triumphant shout, then his expression turned somewhat dejected.
If he hadn't witnessed Zhang Xuezhou's Technique Within the Clouds, he would have been truly smug. But knowing that Zhang Xuezhou's Technique Within the Clouds was incredibly fast, even Yang Jian had some difficulty catching up, Xiaotian had no desire to compare himself to him.
"Your speed is second-rate in the Three Realms, but your ability to move freely in the city is first-rate. Few cultivators are as agile as you!"
Zhang Xuezhou praised the dog and immediately assessed its abilities.
Xiaotian's situation is indeed like this. Although he is fast, he cannot be ranked among the top speeds in the Three Realms. However, his ability to traverse harsh terrain is extremely strong, and few cultivators are better than him.
Zhang Xuezhou's praise wasn't just empty flattery; it was a genuine expression of his feelings, making Xiaotian feel as if he were hearing the comments of the Three Pure Ones and the Four Emperors.
"You're far more capable than me!"
Xiaotian replied sullenly.
Only top-tier cultivators who know the true extent of a matter can make such an evaluation. Zhang Xuezhou undoubtedly has sufficient qualifications in terms of flying ability, which Xiaotian has no choice but to acknowledge.
Zhang Xuezhou implicitly acknowledged that he couldn't outrun Xiaotian in the city, which prompted Xiaotian to slow down. Then, he made a rare gesture of mutual praise.
"Compared to other dogs, I think you're the best. Compared to others, how could I possibly be number one? In the end, you're just amazing!"
Zhang Xuezhou also offered some empty praise, slowing the dog down. Only when the new emperor caught up from behind did their speeds barely become the same.
After passing through the Chang'an City and heading into the mountains and forests, and crossing three more mountains, we arrived at the ruins of the former Xianyang City.
This place has experienced war and burning. All the wooden buildings were burned down, and the bluestone used to build the city walls was dismantled to rebuild Chang'an City. The entire city was demolished, leaving only undulating hills, and piles of thorns and weeds growing here.
"Is your master here?"
Seeing that Xiaotian did not head towards the Mount Li palace, but instead ventured deep into the ruins of Xianyang City, Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised.
"I told you that old hag is ruthless, you don't actually think I'm in her secret realm, do you?"
Xiaotian raised his head, and when he saw a woman in plain clothes in a thatched hut on a distant yellow earthen slope, his dog-like face quickly changed color.
"Holy Mother, what brings you to our place!"
After barking, the dog, which had been cursing and swearing, changed its tune and charged forward, sparks flying from its feet.
"You're speaking so affectionately with that dog's mouth, you must have been badmouthing me behind my back quite a bit, right?"
The Holy Mother Wudang her gaze swept over Zhang Xuezhou and the new emperor who were running closer in the distance, her expression changed slightly, clearly indicating that she did not want to get involved with these two troublesome individuals.
"I obtained some Hundred Flower Wine from Pilan to help True Lord detoxify. Tell True Lord not to rely on his strong physique to eat whatever he wants in the future!"
The Holy Mother Wudang gave a few words of advice, waved her sleeves, nodded politely to Zhang Xuezhou and the others, and then disappeared into the ground.
"This Nine Treasures Wine is amazing... it's incredible!"
Xiaotian frantically patted Yang Jian, who was lying on the ground seemingly completely drunk. Yang Jian then stood up unsteadily, holding his head, with saliva dripping from his mouth.
Yang Jian's situation wasn't too outrageous. Zhang Xuezhou and Divine Lord Zhenyuan had also relied on the Poison Avoidance Instruction to eat anything in previous years, but they both ended up failing miserably.
Yang Jian clearly suffered a major setback because of the Nine Treasures Wine.
If the dosage far exceeds what the body can tolerate, it wouldn't be surprising if the Nine Treasures Wine stimulates the mind and soul, turning a person into an idiot.
The Hundred Flowers Wine requested by Our Holy Mother Wudang was far from sufficient to counteract the harmful effects of this overdose.
At this moment, Yang Jian was three parts clear-headed and seven parts confused, and he still hasn't been able to calm down.