Chapter 436: Slaying Enemies Is No Mystery~

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Lord Jin Xi and Dark Lord Wuying had fought to an unknown location. Wang Yu chatted with Jin Miaoshan for a while, then retrieved his Netherworld Earth Resentment Puppet.

The puppet performed only moderately in this battle; its effect was barely better than nothing.

Wang Yu's strength was truly too formidable, greatly exceeding the standard expected of an early Nascent Soul cultivator. This included his Dharma Intent, magical artifacts, extreme cold demonic essence, divine abilities, and so on.

How could an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator compare to him? Those older cultivators who saw his young age and thought Wang Yu couldn't keep up in other aspects deserved to suffer this tribulation.

With four Nascent Souls in hand, there were now many more options for refining the Longevity Blood Infant Pill. Most of them were at the third level of the Nascent Soul stage and could increase demonic essence by at least a thousand drops. This was something to look forward to.

“The Peach Immortal is here.”

The nearby peach tree suddenly grew facial features and reported the news.

“Miss Jin, Daoist Jin Xi was fighting with Wuying. The opponent suddenly retreated for some reason and is currently rushing back.

“The treasure transport team has stopped at the southern border of Peach State and is not advancing further.”

“It seems they received the news.”

Wang Yu nodded.

“The treasure transport team's reaction was a step slower, but it's too late for us to go there now.”

Their ambush location was in the northern part of Peach State, while the treasure transport team was in the southern part. This state itself had an elliptical terrain, and the north-south distance was too great.

Even at full speed, it would take nearly ten days.

Jin Miaoshan also had a headache at this point.

“Never mind, let's not worry about it…

“Didn't Brother Wang say he had something to come here for? Would you like Miaoshan to accompany you?”

Hearing this, Wang Yu gave her a strange look.

Her words were almost an explicit invitation. After a moment of silence, he replied:

“With Jinlin's matter resolved, you should swiftly return to Jinman Tower and cultivate in seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, thereby silencing everyone, instead of accompanying me on exploratory trips.”

The matter of Thunder Accumulation Mountain did not guarantee any gains. Even if he obtained a unique lightning power, the increase in Wang Yu's strength would be ordinary, because no matter how powerful it was, it would only be a Tier 4 lightning seed.

It was impossible for it to reach Tier 5, otherwise, it would have been taken long ago.

It wouldn't even be his turn.

He estimated it would be similar to the Ice Chilong Pill Flame, useful as a supplement to his regular methods, but it would be difficult to raise Wang Yu's upper limit.

He targeted Thunder Accumulation Mountain primarily to compensate for his weakness in speed. Before he could comprehend the Dharma Intent, it would be difficult for his Aurora Escape Technique to reach Tier 4 extreme speed, and could only be considered average.

The Aurora Dharma Intent Rainbow Feather Strange Stone, however, could elevate this divine ability to Tier 5, making its speed unparalleled in the world—faster even than Lord Jin Xi's Golden Light Ground Shrinking Technique.

There was still some potential to be expected.

Lightning had always been known for its offensive power and speed. An additional Tier 4 lightning blessing could help him compensate for his “deficiency” in speed.

Therefore, the trip to Thunder Accumulation Mountain was both important and not important. If he didn't find it, there were other locations recorded in the Thunder-Fire incomplete map; it would just take time to identify and decipher them. He could check the topographic maps of the Ice Prison Realm from ancient and primordial times upon his next return to the sect.

Maps were a sharp weapon for controlling lower-level cultivators. The permission required to view them was not low, but it was no problem for Nascent Soul cultivators, as cultivators at this realm were already top-tier powerhouses. Even without maps, they could move freely; there was no need to deliberately cause trouble for them in this regard, as it was certainly not the correct operating philosophy for a force.

Being explicitly rejected by Wang Yu, Jin Miaoshan hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. She said,

“If the treasure transport team chooses to return, the internal pressure within Jinman Tower will indeed fall on me. But what you truly need to worry about... is the Yellow Springs Sect!”

The implication was that Jinman Tower's affairs would not further implicate Wang Yu, and she would bear all the responsibility for it. The real problem lay in disrupting the Yellow Springs Sect's transaction and killing the Cursed Ghost Demonic Lord. Considering Wang Yu's previous relationship with the Yellow Springs Sect, it had long since dropped to a freezing point.

Therefore, Miaoshan could guarantee that Jinman Tower would not pursue him.

However, this information would definitely be leaked to the Yellow Springs Sect. The danger Wang Yu faced came from these people, not from a merchant organization.

“No matter, I have my own way of dealing with it.”

Wang Yu was unwilling to say more on this topic.

The primary objective of this trip was to intercept and kill Jinlin. Now that it was accomplished, after a visit to Thunder Accumulation Mountain for reconnaissance, he would naturally return to the sect to continue his seclusion. Whether or not he found the special lightning born of heaven and earth, it mattered little. By slowly digesting these gains, his strength could still rapidly increase. However, once he reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage, the potential of the Heaven Infant Creation he obtained when forming his Nascent Soul would reach its limit for the first time. Relying solely on his current nascent Asura Dharma Intent would not be enough for his Nascent Soul to grow sufficiently to break through to the late stage. He needed to pay more attention to this aspect.

The essence of Asura Dharma Intent was killing and battle! Merely meditating in seclusion was too inefficient. If he could enter a true large-scale battlefield, he would likely gain much. Since the beginning of the righteous-demonic war, Wang Yu had actually participated many times. The problem was that each time it was a high-end battlefield where exchange tactics were employed. Indiscriminately slaughtering hordes of enemies and truly experiencing the epic of battle with mountains of corpses and rivers of blood—he had indeed never truly experienced this, which was a slight flaw.

But it was not a major problem. If knowledge-based items like cultivation techniques, secret arts, divine abilities, and so on, could only be placed in the slot after he had perused them, then a more abstract concept like Dharma Intent could actually also be placed. As long as he comprehended its nascent form, he could put it in to slowly increase its progress. In his judgment, the nascent form of Asura Dharma Intent should be nearly complete, with progress around 80%. A little more advancement would allow him to truly master it.

As time passed.

About half an incense stick's time later, Lord Jin Xi descended from the clouds, with a few strands of messy hair falling from her bun. Her small face was flushed, and she seemed a little out of breath. She immediately looked at Wang Yu.

“Did you kill him?”

“Fortunately, I did not fail in my mission.”

“That's good then. My fierce battle with Wuying was not in vain. Now that Jinlin is dead, Red Kite's Jinman Tower will naturally become a subordinate of Miss.”

Hearing this, Jin Miaoshan sighed.

“It's not that simple. If eliminating an opponent guaranteed the loyalty of all key figures, the Tianchi Jin Clan would have long since perished in internal strife.

“And Jinman Tower would no longer be the Jin Clan's Jinman Tower.”

Lord Jin Xi frowned. She was not skilled in such matters and most of the time acted according to Jin Miaoshan's instructions, rarely thinking for herself.

This personality was perfectly suited for being a “tool.”

Jin Miaoshan continued, “Senior Jin Xi, please make a trip to the ancient teleportation array in Peach State and wait for me there.”

Doubt showed in Lord Jin Xi's eyes.

But then she saw Jin Miaoshan cheerfully pull on Wang Yu's sleeve.

“In as little as one day, or as long as three, Miaoshan will surely return. Please handle matters with my father, Senior Jin Xi. Just tell him I went to Qingzhuang Garden on the south coast.”

After speaking, the Golden Light Ground Shrinking Technique, passed down in Jin Xi's lineage, enveloped Wang Yu, and they vanished towards the depths of the peach forest. Wang Yu neither resisted nor expressed an opinion. He adhered to the “three noes” principle: no initiative, no statements, no responsibility. Wang Yu wasn't foolish; he could somewhat guess what Jin Miaoshan wanted to do. Miaoshan, Miaoshan — the character 'Miao' (meaning 'wonderful' or 'clever') runs through her actions.

In the early years, when they were in Guiling City, Jin Miaoshan primarily sought to use him. However, after the first time he helped her resolve the trouble of murderous intent erosion, their relationship changed. But it was only a nascent hint. Her merchant nature made her unwilling to easily give up on Wang Yu, a stock with great potential. Now that his potential had been realized, coupled with Jinlin's instigation, the spiritual nirvana experience had broken down the sense of distance between a man and a woman, and now there was the thrill of revenge. With emotions running high, whatever happened was normal. Wang Yu briefly indulged in this tender haven. Counting carefully, it had been some time since he last relaxed.

After the two went deep into the peach forest, the Peach Immortal actively created a peach illusion mist, covering the surroundings. Roots and vines quickly grew to construct a small, peach-colored cottage. Even if the movements were intense, causing considerable damage to the cottage, the broken tables, chairs, doors, and windows would be swiftly repaired by the Peach Immortal using its abundant life force. It didn't dare to look, only endlessly concealed, and occasionally, peach wine would be placed at the cottage door to add to the ambiance.

The Peach Immortal's exact strength was unknown, but it was certainly not yet at the Soul Transformation stage. Yet, it was not something an early Nascent Soul cultivator could provoke. Its compromise with Jinman Tower proved it had some capabilities, but not much. It wasn't very skilled in social etiquette, but it could take advice. It proactively created a shelter for Wang Yu and her, and incidentally created a sufficiently quiet and comfortable environment. This proved that it was quite motivated.

On this day, the hem of the Three-Foot Snow Dharma Robe transformed into a layer of brocade cloud quilt, covering the two of them. Wang Yu stared absently at the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the peach forest, lost in thought. Beside him, Jin Miaoshan lay with her upper body in his embrace, revealing her back, smooth as jade, like a mountain peak covered in fresh snow, beautiful and pure. Every slight shift was stunning. Her long, black hair was spread to one side. Her beautiful eyes held restrained affection, then she playfully swatted away Wang Yu's mischievous hand. “That's enough,” she said, “we've wasted too much time these past few days…” Wang Yu instantly came back to his senses but said nothing. Instead, he lightly kissed Jin Miaoshan's forehead. Brief pleasure was merely a temporary diversion in cultivation; cultivators ultimately needed to stay on the right path. Wang Yu said nothing, yet it was as if he had said everything. The two formally parted ways in the peach forest. When they would meet again was unknown.

A fortnight and a half later, in the northwest corner of Peach State, bordering Cloud Ridge State and Flowing Qu State, the 800-li Thunder Accumulation Mountain gradually came into Wang Yu's view.

This place was perpetually shrouded in darkness. A thick layer of dark clouds covered the sky, and lightning flashed and thunder roared intermittently. Bolts of lightning struck the ground from the clouds, leaving scorched marks. The dense lightning energy in the world seemed to transport Wang Yu back to the Thunder Descent Abyss. In this environment, both demonic beasts and spirit plants possessed unique characteristics, such as controlling lightning or possessing extremely strong resistance to it.

Such a place was undoubtedly a rare and treasured cultivation spot for lightning-attribute cultivators. The main reasons it remained unoccupied were two. This place bordered three states, each belonging to different major forces: the Heaven Refining Demonic Sect, the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect, and the Yellow Springs Sect. These were three of the five Demonic Dao sects, and also territories of transcendent forces. Strictly speaking, it was a contested four-way border region. No matter who occupied it, the other two factions would not allow it. If the Heaven Refining Demonic Sect truly intended to claim it, the Blood Sect and Yellow Springs Sect would actually be powerless.

This led to the second disadvantage of the place: no spirit veins! As is well known, regardless of the cultivation path a cultivator pursues, spiritual energy is an indispensable resource. Breaking through major realms often required spirit veins of corresponding levels to provide pure spiritual energy for a transformative rebirth. The higher the realm, the greater the demand for spiritual energy.

Thunder Accumulation Mountain, due to being constantly struck by heavenly lightning, had an excessively abundant concentration of lightning energy, and its earth veins had thus mutated, acquiring lightning attributes. In other words, Thunder Accumulation Mountain possessed a very unique lightning vein. Its existence completely precluded the possibility of spirit veins forming. Even if a spirit vein were moved there from elsewhere, it would be repelled or absorbed by the lightning vein. Over time, Thunder Accumulation Mountain became unsuitable for cultivators to reside in long-term. However, it was still very suitable as a trial ground. Cultivators frequently entered the mountain to seek treasures or cultivate lightning-attribute techniques, often achieving twice the results with half the effort, as it was more conducive to lightning attribute enhancement than ordinary environments.

If such an environment were to birth a wonder of heaven and earth, it would certainly be discovered immediately. Not to mention others, the Heaven Refining Demonic Sect would definitely not let go of such an advantageous resource.

The most direct characteristic of things born of heaven and earth was their almost endless growth potential. This could be exemplified by the Ice Chilong Pill Flame. Although the Pill Flame's growth potential was also good, it was actually a predetermined path. Its origin lay in the Cold Chilong Pill. To some extent, it was actually stealing the innate flame of demonic beasts like the Ice Chilong. Seemingly without limit to its advancement, it was actually constrained by the number and strength of such demonic beasts. For example, if there were no Tier 5 Ice Chilong demonic beasts in the Ice Prison Realm, then Wang Yu's Ice Chilong Pill Flame would very likely remain at Tier 4, and it would be difficult for it to progress further. But this was only under normal circumstances. That it could reach this stage currently was already due to the advancement effect of the 'Placement Slot.' Judging from the 'Placement Slot's effect, once his alchemy reached new heights, there might still be an opportunity to continue improving. But this was merely an exception.

As for special lightning born of heaven and earth, its growth potential was similar to a soul-bound magic treasure. The higher the realm, the stronger its power, and refining suitable heavenly materials and earthly treasures into it could also accelerate its growth. Its preciousness was beyond doubt. It was an existence of the same caliber as things like dragon veins, a true wonder of heaven and earth. Speaking of which, the Fiendish Demonic Dragon Armor, which had absorbed a dragon vein treasure and been refined with the remains of a flood dragon, had consistently performed poorly. Wang Yu suspected it hadn't been fed enough suitable materials. Look at the Glazed Ice Heart Pagoda: its amplification and suppression effects had both reached the extreme for its current realm. It was incredibly convenient to use! Compared this way, it wasn't unreasonable for pure body cultivators to be phased out by the cultivation world. They were indeed outdated in many aspects, but their combat performance was still quite strong. Wang Yu would not give up.

In summary, precisely because he knew the preciousness of heaven and earth lightning, he didn't hold too much hope for Thunder Accumulation Mountain.

After officially entering the 800-li Thunder Accumulation Mountain region, Wang Yu activated the Divine Sense Secret Art: Tracing Ten Thousand Miles. This action was to compare details on the Thunder-Fire incomplete map. It could help him further narrow down the area. The changes over time had not altered this place, so the incomplete map could still provide significant help.

After a long while, after comparing the two, Wang Yu headed west. This area would be closer to the Heaven Refining Demonic Sect's territory...

(End of chapter)