Deadly Lessons

"Lei Bei off guard by the sword's counterattack!"

"The Horizontal Sword Technique can defend against all other sword techniques; the moment the sword is used in a counterattack is the decisive blow!"

Huo Qubing's continuous imitation of sword fighting stopped when Lei Bei finally taken over.

Lei Bei gambled on and shot back to gamble. His swordsmanship was so powerful that few could match it. Even the new emperor who had stepped into the True Self Realm dared not be careless, lest he be killed by Lei Bei's accumulated sword momentum.

When the two counter-attacking sword techniques collided one after the other, what fell were almost two corpses that had nearly died at the same time.

Ren Anran and Dong Zhongshu exchanged a few words in hushed tones, then looked at Zhang Xuezhou had swiftly provided assistance.

The gushing, fatal wound was quickly stopped by Zhang Xuezhou's fingers. The timely life-saving ability of the Supreme Purity True Technique on the battlefield was clearly demonstrated at this moment, especially since few could match Zhang Xuezhou's level of Supreme Purity True Technique.

"What powerful technique!"

Everyone's attention was undoubtedly still focused on the clash of swordsmanship between Huo Qubing and Lei Bei, while the Empress Dowager was amazed by the level of Zhang Xuezhou's healing Technique Method.

"It's stronger than the Supreme Purity True Technique released by Li Guang," the Empress Dowager added.

"Dongfang Shuo, you're gambling with Huo Qubing's life!"

The new emperor pursed his lips, and sweat unknowingly seeped through his forehead.

Normal cultivators don't have the means to be so extravagant. The resources involved, such as sacrificial cultivators, top-grade pills, and healing Technique Method, are beyond the reach of ordinary people. Even if the new emperor wanted to repeat this, he wouldn't have the confidence to do so.

Looking at Huo Qubing and Lei Bei, who were breathing heavily and vomiting blood, he felt that normal cultivators would have already died by slitting their throats and stabbing their chests, and there was no way they could come back to life.

"If you win the bet, you're always right, right, Xiao Huo?"

Zhang Xuezhou traced lines on Huo Qubing's neck with his fingers, bringing the conversation to a close. The healing wound had normalized Huo Qubing's breathing, no longer as labored as before, which meant he could speak normally again.

"A... truly a master, huh~"

Huo Qubing had repeatedly pestered Zhang Xuezhou, hoping that Zhang Xuezhou could teach him some real skills.

The good thing was that Huo Qubing finally got his wish, but the bad thing was that he no longer had the desire to study. After all, studying with Zhang Xuezhou was deadly and not a normal, gradual learning process at all.

Whether he was bound and forced to undergo sacrifices, swallowed large doses of elixirs, or practiced with monks, none of these made Huo Qubing feel safe.

Winning once in this kind of thing has a chance of success, winning twice has a very low success rate, and winning consistently is impossible.

Huo Qubing chuckled dryly, then looked at Lei Bei, who was lying on the ground convulsing.

"He's fine. He just wants to lie down a little longer to get my pills. Stop kicking, and I'll give you an extra one to save your life!"

Only after Zhang Xuezhou added a comment Lei Bei reluctantly get up from the ground, then happily accepted the porcelain bottle Zhang Xuezhou offered.

"I'm also short of pills right now, and I don't have any extra, so please don't give them to the gambling den!"

Zhang Xuezhou gave a word of advice, Lei Bei nodded repeatedly, while Dong Zhongshu, who was about to speak, quickly shut his mouth.

"Uncle Lei's swordsmanship is truly ferocious," Huo Qubing said. "He is the most ruthless swordsman I have ever seen!"

"Wait, what did you call me?" Lei Bei asked.

"Uncle Lei?"

"Uncle? I'm still a young man, I'm not married yet, how can you call me uncle? Call me brother, I'll be happier if you call me brother!"

Lei Bei yelled at several times, and he clearly found it difficult to accept being called Huo Qubing.

Compared to the pain of having his neck cut, Lei Bei that the nickname "Huo Qubing" was more unbearable.

The focus of attention on Lei Bei was unusual, even drawing several glances from the new emperor.

"His Majesty has given you three top-grade Qi and Blood Pill and ten high-grade Qi and Blood Pill. I'll supplement with three more powerful Qi and Blood Pill. Yi Shuo will use silver needles to stimulate your body's potential. Go see the Empress Dowager to see if you can break through to a higher realm!"

Zhang Xuezhou patted Huo Qubing on the shoulder.

After so long of training and continuous dedication, it's time for him to reap the rewards.

The Yin-Yang School's Realm Technique cannot replace it, but fusion and improvement are not a problem.

Once the method for fusing the Divine Ability Realm to the Sole Self Realm can be determined, Zhang Xuezhou can revise his own Realm Technique, thus gaining the foundation to reach the True Self Realm.

If combined with the cultivation conditions he prepared, Zhang Xuezhou also has a chance to successfully break through to the True Self Realm.

He urged Huo Qubing, wanting him to break through to the Sole Self Realm Selflessness in one go.

"The way the sick child breaks through to a higher realm is somewhat unique. Would you like to integrate the sick child's method into the Yin-Yang School's Realm Technique?"

"Right!"

What are the benefits?

"If one law is mastered, all laws are mastered. I have hope of breaking through to my True Self, and perhaps I can even achieve the Yang Corporeal Soul Incarnation that the Empress Dowager seeks!"

Zhang Xuezhou exchanged a few words with the new emperor, raising his voice slightly, which made the Empress Dowager's fingers tremble a little even though she was more than ten steps away.

Everyone appeared calm, but they all knew they were risking their lives.

Huo Qubing risked his life to break through his cultivation level, and the Empress Dowager's guidance on cultivation techniques was also related to her own survival. Zhang Xuezhou's push for so much must have involved risking his life; otherwise, there would be no reason for him to continue making such continuous sacrifices.

"What do you intend to do upon entering the True Self Realm?" the new emperor asked in a low voice.

"Something was implanted in my head and needs to be removed. After entering the True Self Realm, I might go to the Immortal Court, Kunlun, or even West Ox Hezhou," Zhang Xuezhou said. "I won't be safe until the illness is completely resolved!"

Who put something in your head?

"Houtu!"

"That giant snake?"

The new emperor narrowed his eyes slightly.

No amount of Technique Method Divine Ability, no matter how much Only Me to True Self, can withstand the crushing power of absolute strength.

That was a power he could see but not reach. The new emperor even thought it was a hoax, but reason told him he had to admit the truth.

For the new emperor, possessing the Great Han's empire and enjoying the awe and support of countless people, he should be quite complacent and self-satisfied. It wouldn't be surprising if he did something absurd or outrageous.

But the new emperor remained remarkably calm, partly due to his insightful understanding.

Once you realize that the world is bigger and wider, some achievements are not worth being complacent about.

Both he and Zhang Xuezhou were simply climbing higher.

Zhang Xuezhou sought freedom, while the new emperor longed to one day sit on the throne of Houtu.

Given Hou Tu's oppression, it's not hard to understand why Zhang Xuezhou acted so radically.

The places Zhang Xuezhou mentioned are frequented by ancient cultivators who have lived long lives; if you're not strong enough, you can only go there to make up the numbers.

"Do you need my help?" the new emperor asked earnestly.

"Definitely needed!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded.

Zhang Xuezhou's current attempt to break through to the True Self Realm is largely due to the dire situation in the real world, where he is threatened with death if his cultivation level is further limited.

Compared to the situation in reality, the situation in the Three Realms is not so serious, and there is more or less a buffer period.

However, Zhang Xuezhou did not refuse the new emperor's good intentions. After all, as long as Donghua and the empress were separated, the emperor's physical body would inevitably be less vulnerable to swords and blades. If they were to fight each other, the new emperor would indeed play an irreplaceable role.

He kept talking in hushed tones with the new emperor until Huo Qubing's body, which was not far away, showed an extraordinary aura of Qi and Blood, which then gradually turned into a deep red color. Only then did he lean on Dong Zhongshu, who was constantly looking at him with surprise and delight.