Chapter 531: One Calamity Sword

"This sword technique alone isn't enough to defeat the Human Emperor." Qin Mu sheathed his sword, looking at the Grand Emperor Heaven shrouded in darkness, as the dazzling sword light in the sky dissipated.

On the battlefield, crackling flames still burned, unextinguished. The air was filled with the smell of charred flesh.

The sword strike he just executed, though it channeled all his emotions and feelings into it, reaching an unprecedented height, was still a considerable distance from defeating the Human Emperor.

Without the Human Emperor's pressure and this encounter in the Dark Realm, it would have been difficult for him to take this step, to break free from the Village Chief's sword diagrams, and to move beyond the Butcher's blade techniques.

This sword strike was not merely him creating a unique sword technique; it also pierced through the gloom that had shrouded his heart during this period.

Sang Hua stared blankly at his back. The young man's practice of cultivation and swordplay on the altar had left a deep impression on her.

Especially Qin Mu's final sword strike, aimed at her brow, imbued with such a magnificent artistic conception that she seemed to glimpse a monumental transformation changing heaven and earth, seeing countless noble individuals struggling bravely, one after another, amidst a storm of blood and strife.

Qin Mu's previous sword techniques, like "Sword Traversing Mountains and Rivers," though grand and possessing the spirit of fearlessly challenging gods, merely described the landscape, its intricacy diluting the grandeur.

"A Single Sword Opening the Emperor's Bloody Ocean" was incredibly murderous and overbearing, showing potential for a sword god, but its sword intent was nostalgic for fallen heroes, lingering in ancient times.

"Upper Emperor Calamity" was overly sorrowful and regretful, recounting the lost history of the Upper Emperor era.

These three sword techniques each had their strengths, but also their shortcomings.

In terms of grandeur, she felt the previous three techniques were still inferior to the one Qin Mu had just demonstrated, though she couldn't articulate exactly why.

"A good sword technique," she said. She stood up, walked over to Qin Mu, and asked, "What is this sword technique called?"

"Calamity Sword," Qin Mu replied, turning his head to look at her as she approached, then raising his gaze to the distance again.

Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind blew past, landing in front of the altar and transforming into an exceptionally magnificent tiger. Its fur was striped black and yellow, with some patches swirling, giving it a powerful and imposing appearance. A small tuft of downy fur grew on its perked-up ears, which could swivel in all directions.

"Excellent sword technique! That move was truly splendid!" The tiger god stepped onto the altar's stone steps. Halfway up, its front paws lifted from the ground, transforming into a deity with a tiger's head and a human body. It walked towards Qin Mu, its voice thundering, "Why is it called Calamity Sword?"

This tiger god was Saint Woodcutter's mount, summoned to this world alongside him, and had bravely carried Saint Woodcutter into battle.

Qin Mu's heart stirred. The black tiger god's return from the front lines suggested that Saint Woodcutter had quelled the demon gods there. He immediately said, "The transformation of heaven and earth is called a great calamity! This transformation is not just natural disasters, not just demonic invasions, not just the common people perishing in flames and floods. The transformation of heaven and earth also signifies a change in the people's hearts, a reform of divine arts, and a transformation of the Great Dao."

The tiger god tilted its head, walking up while sneering, "Changing the people's hearts, changing divine arts, changing laws, changing the Dao—you speak with great audacity! With your sword technique, can you change this world, change this vast universe, change the thoughts and ideas of all living beings? Your sword technique isn't bad, but your ambition is too great!"

Qin Mu's gaze grew fervent, his voice somewhat excited: "Change the people's hearts: if the people don't worship gods and don't fear gods, then gods will have no prestige. If gods have no prestige, then divine arts can be changed. When divine arts change, laws change; when laws change, the Dao changes; when the Dao changes, heaven and earth change!"

Sang Hua looked at the young man beside her. He was vibrant and fearless, even in the face of the imposing black tiger god.

Qin Mu raised his hand, pointing to the brutal battlefield in the darkness. His voice was a little hoarse, but it resonated powerfully in the night.

"Look! This is the calamity the gods and devils have brought upon us, to destroy our world, to make the common people know their might, to fear them, dread them, respect them, and worship them! And my Calamity Sword is meant to initiate the calamity of changing the people's hearts, the calamity of changing divine arts, and the calamity of changing the Dao and laws, thereby transforming heaven and earth!"

He grew more impassioned. Although Sang Hua didn't fully understand, she could feel the surging passion within him.

This young man seemed to possess a captivating charm that made people want to listen to his words and be influenced by his emotions.

The black tiger god reached the base of the altar in a few strides. Its massive body already towered over Qin Mu and the others, exuding an immense sense of pressure.

The demon god looked down at Qin Mu. After a long pause, it finally smiled, its whiskers fanning out from its face. "I knew you were extraordinary. I don't fully understand your words, but I feel they are very profound. What is the name of this technique of yours?"

Qin Mu looked up at him and said deeply, "This sword technique is called 'Initiating Calamity'!"

The black tiger god paused slightly. "Initiating the calamity of changing people's hearts? Initiating the calamity of changing divine arts? Initiating the calamity of changing the Dao and laws? What a great name!"

Sang Hua also understood a little. The young man beside her, who came from another world, intended to bring calamities upon the gods and devils who had inflicted them, hence calling his sword technique "Initiating Calamity."

His sword technique followed a path of reform, changing ancestral laws and challenging the very existence of gods and devils.

The black tiger god then asked, "How many moves does your Calamity Sword have?"

Qin Mu's face flushed slightly, and he stammered, "Currently, only one move. After creating this one, I feel I've exhausted my reserves..."

"I'd say so too. You can't accumulate much at your age."

The black tiger god, with its whiskers pressed against its face, said, "For you to create a sword technique at your age is already quite remarkable. I'm here on my master's orders to fetch you. He's currently fighting someone and needs you. Come with me."

Qin Mu was slightly startled, then grew excited. "Saint Woodcutter wants to see me?"

The black tiger god revealed its true form again and said, "Didn't you understand? He's fighting someone and suddenly thought of you, so he wants you to go there. Get on my back. There are still some dangers along the way; there are many demons, and you can't get through by yourself."

"Saint Woodcutter is fighting... *ahem*, battling someone. Why does he need me to go?"

Qin Mu was puzzled but still leaped onto its back. Sang Hua hastily jumped up as well, saying, "My father is also on the front lines; I'll go find him!"

The striped black and yellow tiger god began to run towards the front lines at an astonishing speed.

Although its body was massive, it was all lean muscle, and it ran silently, without making any sound.

"Much faster than Dragon Fatty!" Qin Mu clenched his fists, feeling a sudden pang in his heart. Although Dragon Qilin ran much faster than before, his footsteps were heavy, crushing even rocks when he ran at full speed.

Sang Hua looked at the dark night, a little worried. They had already left the battlefield, bypassed the front lines, and were now heading towards Licheng, where the demon race resided. Many demon gods were gathered there, including the true demon Bo Riluo!

When Licheng was breached, it was Bo Riluo himself who acted, using demonic arts to annihilate countless people in the city, even causing two true gods of the Grand Emperor Heaven to perish by his hand. His terrifying might was renowned!

If this black tiger god leapt past the vanguard army and headed directly for Licheng, wouldn't it be courting death?

"How do divine arts practitioners of the Grand Emperor Heaven determine if someone has the potential to be a true god?" Qin Mu recalled something and asked the girl beside him, "How do they cultivate?"

Sang Hua suppressed her unease and said, "First, they look at aptitude. Those with royal-level spirit bodies generally have good aptitude. If they can also receive guidance from renowned masters, learn true god-level cultivation techniques, and practice diligently, their physical bodies can reach the level of a young true god. Besides that, we in Grand Emperor Heaven have another test called the Suppressing God Pagoda. Those who can successfully emerge from the Suppressing God Pagoda are considered to possess the potential of a true god."

Qin Mu blinked. "Suppressing God Pagoda? What kind of place is that?"

Before Sang Hua could reply, the black tiger god's voice came: "The Suppressing God Pagoda is a treasure left over from the Upper Emperor Era, used to test physical achievement. Successfully clearing the Suppressing God Pagoda doesn't necessarily mean one has the potential of a true god; it merely means their physical body has barely reached the level of a young true god. At most, those who pass the Suppressing God Pagoda in Grand Emperor Heaven possess half the potential of a true god. Becoming a true god is incredibly difficult. How could simply learning true god cultivation techniques and practicing diligently lead to achieving true godhood?"

Sang Hua couldn't help but ask curiously, "Senior, then what truly qualifies one as having the potential of a true god?"

"True potential for a true god isn't just about the physical body; it also involves the primordial spirit. The primordial spirit is further divided into spirit and soul. Has the spirit embryo reached the potential of a true god? Have the spirit and soul reached the potential of a true god? Besides the primordial spirit, there's also the mental state. Even if the mental state reaches the divine realm, it's not enough to become a true god. Because in addition to the mental state, there's also the divine art Dao realm."

The black tiger god continued, "What you call divine arts practitioners with the potential of a true god are still very far from being true gods! For example... young man, what's your name?"

"My name is Qin Mu!" Qin Mu quickly replied, "The current Cult Master of Heavenly Saint."

"Cult Master of Heavenly Saint? Never heard of it."

Qin Mu's face darkened. Ever since its founding, everyone had regarded Saint Woodcutter as the patriarch and sacred master of the Heavenly Devil Cult. He never expected his mount to have never heard of the Heavenly Devil Cult!

The black tiger god continued, "Take Qin Mu, for example. His abilities are considerable. From your perspective, his physical body hasn't reached the potential of a true god, but his strength is very formidable, enough to contend with your so-called divine arts practitioners with true god potential."

Qin Mu excitedly said, "That's because I have the Hegemon Body!"

"Hegemon Body? Never heard of it."

The black tiger god continued as it sped through the night, "His sword technique is almost at the Dao realm, which means his comprehension of Dao and divine arts is close to having the potential of a true god. His mental state is a bit weaker, not strong enough yet. As for his primordial spirit, it's also very powerful, first-rate among divine arts practitioners of his generation. Therefore, he has the strength to contend with young masters who possess the potential of a true god... We've reached Licheng!"

Ahead, flames shot into the sky. A magnificent city was enveloped in light, and on its walls stood numerous demon gods and countless demons.

Sang Hua watched in horror as these demon gods and demons did not stop the black tiger god, but instead allowed them to enter the city.