Chapter 309: Understanding the Way of Killing

Novel:

Yun Youzi took the Misty Herb, examined it closely, then gathered the limited spiritual energy within his body. Using his palm as a furnace and spiritual energy as fire, he refined the Misty Herb.

This emerald-green spirit herb visibly transformed into a drop of green spiritual liquid.

A rich fragrance immediately filled the entire cave abode.

Seeing that Yun Youzi could still steadily refine the spirit medicine in his current state, without any loss to its medicinal properties, Qin Sang secretly admired him. He decided that once Yun Youzi recovered, he would have him refine the Profound-Pattern Harmony Pill. There was no need to ask a Core Formation cultivator for help.

When Qin Sang brought up the matter with Shangguan Lifeng again, the latter claimed his contributions were minor and adamantly refused the spirit medicine. He only accepted two of Ge Yuan's artifacts, neither of which was of high value.

Shangguan Lifeng said with some hesitation, "Daoist Priest, I have an impudent request. Earlier, when we killed Luo Xingnan, I saw you use your spirit sword. The murderous intent within your sword energy was exceptionally pure, and combined with the grand formation, it actually stunned Luo Xingnan for a moment. This kind of murderous intent is very unique, unlike anything I've ever seen. I wonder if you could offer me some guidance?"

Hearing Shangguan Lifeng's unexpected request, Qin Sang let out a soft exclamation.

Shangguan Lifeng had observed correctly. At that time, Luo Xingnan's nascent soul had been burned by the Yin Soul Silk, and his spiritual consciousness was already in disarray. Coupled with the murderous intent unleashed by the activated Killing Talisman, he was indeed momentarily stunned. They seized this very opportunity to slay Luo Xingnan.

Shangguan Lifeng was interested in the Killing Talisman's murderous intent. Could he also be pursuing the path of Slaughter? Qin Sang then recalled his first meeting with Shangguan Lifeng in Xihuang Town, where Shangguan Lifeng's initial impression was that of a bladesman skilled in blade techniques. Both the man and his blade exuded sharpness.

Seeing Qin Sang's inquiry, Shangguan Lifeng did not conceal anything and stated frankly, "After my master was murdered, I was overwhelmed by emotion. All that remained in my heart was hatred and murderous intent. Unexpectedly, I turned misfortune into a blessing; through this, I sensed an opportunity to break through the Foundation Establishment bottleneck. Since then, I've been irreversibly committed to this path. I've also collected many related scriptures and cultivation techniques, successfully incorporating murderous intent into my blade techniques, and have decided to continue down this road.

"The murderous intent carried within your sword energy, Daoist Priest, is the purest I have ever witnessed in my life. If you could offer even a little guidance, it would mean more to me than a thousand-year spirit medicine. I am willing to offer the Spirit Jade Tree to you as well."

So that's how it was. Qin Sang, however, slowly shook his head. He did not want Shangguan Lifeng's Spirit Jade Tree and said with a somewhat embarrassed expression, "To be frank, Daoist Friend Shangguan, my talent is merely average. The murderous intent displayed in my sword energy is inherent to the cultivation technique itself. Although I have diligently cultivated, I've only grasped a superficial understanding and probably can't explain its essence."

The murderous intent came from the Killing Talisman within the "Chapter on Nurturing the Nascent Soul Sword." Qin Sang was not lying. Although he used the cultivation technique as a tool to enhance his cultivation, he had indeed studied it diligently. Whether due to limited talent or an issue with the path he chose, he hadn't gained much unique insight, always remaining within the confines prescribed by the technique. Originally, Qin Sang had harbored the ambition to comprehend the missing latter half of the "Chapter on Nurturing the Nascent Soul Sword" on his own after reaching Core Formation, but reality had mercilessly shattered this dream.

Shangguan Lifeng lowered his head, a look of disappointment on his face.

"However..." Qin Sang's tone shifted, "If Daoist Friend trusts me, there is still one method."

Shangguan Lifeng suddenly looked up, his eyes shining brightly. He asked eagerly, "Daoist Priest, please tell me!"

Qin Sang said with some hesitation, "I can activate my sword energy to allow Daoist Friend to personally experience the murderous intent. However, it requires Daoist Friend to touch the sword energy with your spiritual consciousness and concentrate fully. In doing so..."

This would mean Shangguan Lifeng would be completely defenseless against Qin Sang; if Qin Sang harbored any malicious intent, he could easily take Shangguan Lifeng's life.

Unexpectedly, Shangguan Lifeng agreed without hesitation, "Thank you, Daoist Priest, for your generosity!"

"Are you sure you've thought this through?" Qin Sang asked again with a serious expression, receiving Shangguan Lifeng's definite affirmation.

Then, the two stood up, facing each other, with about ten feet separating them. Shangguan Lifeng put down his long blade and retracted all his spiritual energy into his Qi Sea. He stood there completely defenseless, his spiritual consciousness spread out, and quietly said, "Daoist Priest, please begin!"

Qin Sang nodded slightly. His brow flashed, and the Ebony Sword swiftly flew out, appearing before Shangguan Lifeng in the blink of an eye. The Killing Talisman on the sword immediately activated, releasing boundless murderous intent. It was merely a simple gesture to allow Shangguan Lifeng to comprehend the murderous intent released by the Killing Talisman, posing no loss to Qin Sang.

The sword energy made contact with Shangguan Lifeng's spiritual consciousness. Under Qin Sang's control, the sword energy did not harm Shangguan Lifeng. However, making direct contact with the Killing Talisman using one's spiritual consciousness was an extremely dangerous act. Shangguan Lifeng's face instantly turned pale, and cold sweat streamed down, but he grit his teeth and persevered.

Seeing that Shangguan Lifeng was about to reach his limit, Qin Sang retrieved the Ebony Sword; otherwise, it could have caused irreversible damage to Shangguan Lifeng. Shangguan Lifeng cupped his hands, immediately sat cross-legged, and after recovering, repeated the process several times.

By the time Shangguan Lifeng completed his comprehension, Yun Youzi had also ingested the spiritual liquid from the Misty Herb, refined a portion of it, and awakened from his meditative state, opening his eyes. A thousand-year spirit medicine truly lived up to its reputation. Not long after, Yun Youzi's complexion had significantly improved, and his Qi Sea had partially recovered; at the very least, he could now travel on his own.

"I've refined about thirty percent of its medicinal power, and the effect is even better than this old Daoist had imagined. A thousand-year spirit medicine's properties are potent, so there's no need to rush. The remaining medicinal power can be slowly refined later. This place is not safe to linger in; we should quickly return to a secure location," Yun Youzi said, letting out a long breath as he stood up.

The three took a wide detour, avoiding Xihuang Town, and returned to the outer regions. Shangguan Lifeng bid them farewell, deciding to return to his cave abode for arduous cultivation. Qin Sang and Yun Youzi watched him disappear into the distance.

"This young man has good talent, and more importantly, his character is excellent; he knows to repay kindness. Little Brother Qin, if you were to keep him, he should prove to be a good helper," Yun Youzi said lightly.

Qin Sang offered no comment. Secrets are not to be easily shared. He had too many secrets. The only reason Shangguan Lifeng knew about the Ten Directions Yama Banner was because he was using the false identity of Daoist Priest Qingfeng. It was better to part ways and forget each other.

"Senior, let's go."

Qin Sang turned and left, walking side by side with Yun Youzi, treading the vast yellow sands, and returning to Xuanlu Pass. The Taiyi Pill Sect had its own cave abodes. Yun Youzi chose one not far from Qin Sang's, intending to start refining the Profound-Pattern Harmony Pill once he fully recovered. Incidentally, Yun Youzi instructed the manager of the Taiyi Pill Pavilion to collect the auxiliary ingredients. These ingredients were much less valuable than the main herbs and not difficult to find; Qin Sang only needed to pay spirit stones, without needing to trouble himself.

The light of their escape landed before the cave abode. Qin Sang checked its restrictive formations, confirmed they had not been disturbed, and pushed the door open to enter.