A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 113 Time Flies Like Water
In the Water Moon Cave, three months passed in the blink of an eye. Gu Xu attended the clan chief succession ceremony, Tong Yuan officially stepped down, and Tong Hui became the new clan chief.

Although he was young, after being tempered by Tong Yuan and several elders, his temperament became more and more peaceful, and he increasingly showed the demeanor of a clan leader.

Although Tong Yuan stepped down as clan leader, he retained the position of elder, but this position had no real power and he had no right to interfere in clan affairs.

After the ceremony, Tong Yuan took the six elders back to the treasure room and began the daily ritual. Although the six elders had not stepped down, they had only been in office for a few years.

After visiting the grand ceremony and completing his daily teaching, Gu Xu returned to the library to read the bamboo slips. After finishing one volume, Gu Xu returned to his residence and began to continue comprehending the Dragon God Technique.

Some time ago, Gu Xu successfully cultivated the Dragon God Technique to the third claw form in the jade pendant space, and now he is deducing the fifth claw.

Gu Xu quickly completed the previous steps, successfully evolving a four-clawed dragon. However, when he reached a certain point in the exercise, the three or four dragons tumbled violently and then their forms dissipated like smoke.

After several failed attempts, Gu Xu regained his composure and sighed. He was still a little impatient. This fifth claw was the final and most crucial step. Since he was not a direct descendant of the Dragon Clan, it was naturally extremely difficult for him to cultivate it.

"Perhaps we can borrow a bit of General Longteng's blood for research," Gu Xu thought to himself, then immediately shook his head. Blood is something that martial artists and cultivators care about most, and even close friends cannot ask for blood.

After all, in this magical world, spells are constantly emerging, and once blood falls on the enemy's hands, they are capable of doing anything.

With this in mind, Gu Xu cleared his mind and continued to deduce the Dragon God Technique.

After Tong Hui took over as clan leader, he followed the plan set by Tong Yuan step by step without daring to overstep the bounds. The six elders were very satisfied with him and gradually stepped down from their positions as elders over the next three years, entrusting the future of Shuiyue Cave to these young people.

In the treasure room, after Tong Yuan and the six elders finished refining the treasure mirror, they looked at Gu Xu and said, "Daoist, the treasure mirror has been refined. The final step of gathering spirit energy will require your help."

"It is my duty to do this," Gu Xu bowed to the six men and walked up to the precious mirror.

Gathering Spirit means imbuing a treasure with spirituality. With spirituality, the treasure mirror is no longer an inanimate object, making it easier for its master to control. This treasure mirror was originally a treasure used by the Tong clan to deal with the great calamity, and the most suitable person to wield it is Gu Xu.

Gu Xu drew lines in the air with his right hand, and golden runes flashed out of the sky. He then continuously threw them into the treasure mirror. As the runes entered, the ancient and unadorned treasure mirror hummed incessantly, as if something inside was about to emerge.

"The Daoist's Spirit Gathering Spell has reached a level of perfection. Although the technique is slightly different, its power is not diminished at all, and may even be superior. It's truly unbelievable," Elder Jin said, looking at Gu Xu with amazement. This Spirit Gathering Spell belongs to one of the three great spells, and no one in the entire clan has mastered it yet. Elder Shui, however, has only scratched the surface of it.

Elder Shui kept his eyes fixed on Gu Xu casting the spell, and the other party seemed to have no intention of hiding it, so Elder Shui could clearly see all the techniques he used to cast the spell.

"Elder, the Daoist Master intentionally made it clear to me, which is why he slowed things down a bit. The Tong family has no choice but to accept this favor," Elder Shui said to Tong Yuan, who was standing to the side.

Although my lifespan is short, I can write down my experience in cultivating the Spirit Gathering Spell. With Master Gu Xu's unique methods, perhaps a future generation in my clan will be able to successfully cultivate it.

Tong Yuan nodded upon hearing this, but said nothing.

Gu Xu cast the final rune with both hands, and the treasure mirror shone brightly. A soft white light shot out of the treasure room and spread out in the air, turning the Water Moon Cave into a white expanse. Then, suddenly, black clouds surged and occupied one side of the white light. For a moment, all the Tong clan members looked at the strange phenomenon in the sky.

"It seems the elders and Taoist priests have already mastered the Treasure Mirror."

Tong Hui, who was handling clan affairs, also witnessed this strange sight. After he became the clan leader, he also learned about some of the clan's secrets.

"Elder, go and tell the clansmen not to panic. The elders are just practicing a formation," Tong Hui instructed the black-bearded middle-aged man beside him, who then obeyed and left.

Before long, the Tong clan members received the news, and the crowd dispersed to go about their own business.

Inside the treasure room, Tong Yuan and several elders stared in astonishment at the treasure mirror.

"The Taoist priest's Spirit Gathering Incantation actually triggered a lightning tribulation. Could it be that this newly born precious spirit has incurred the jealousy of the heavens?"

Some ordinary treasures, even if they develop spirituality, will not attract lightning tribulation. However, treasures that can attract lightning tribulation, if they successfully overcome the tribulation, will definitely become great treasures. The strongest can suppress fortune, and the weakest can greatly enhance combat power.

Since the founding of the Tong clan, countless treasures have been crafted, many of which have even developed sentience. However, the status of the Spirit Mirror has remained unchanged because it is the clan's most prized treasure.

Now that the Soul Purification and Mind Cleansing Mirror has almost reached this level, Tong Yuan and the others do not think it is their achievement. The key lies in Gu Xu's Spirit Gathering Spell.

Gu Xu sensed the impending tribulation and pointed at the treasure mirror. The treasure circled once, then broke through the stone wall and arrived in the sky, ready to receive the tribulation.

"Elders, the Precious Mirror is about to undergo its tribulation; please protect yourselves."

By the time Tong Yuan and the others heard the telepathic message, Gu Xu had already vanished from the room in an instant.

"Elders, please come with me."

Tong Yuan gave a shout and led everyone out of the treasure room. It was rare for a treasure to undergo tribulation. If they could gain some experience from it, it could fill the gaps in the bamboo slips.

Black clouds and white light each occupied half of the sky, pressing back and forth, neither giving way to the other. Then, with a loud bang, a bolt of lightning struck the white light directly, causing it to dim instantly. Several more bolts of lightning followed, the deafening roar shaking the entire Water Moon Cave. As the lightning continued to strike, the white light grew dimmer and dimmer, with only a single point of light shining brightly in the very center.

"Elder Huo, you are most skilled in refining treasures. I wonder if this treasure mirror can withstand the test?"

Tong Yuan was somewhat worried. This treasure mirror had cost them a great deal of effort. If they couldn't survive it, the loss would not only be to the Tong clan, but also to the safety of the entire world.

"The materials used to refine the treasure mirror are all top-grade, so it should have no problem withstanding several tribulations of lightning. Besides, since the Daoist is doing this, he must have considerable confidence. The Daoist is a cautious person and would not act rashly."

Although Elder Huo said he wasn't worried at all, he was actually very concerned inside.

Seeing this, Elder Jin said, "The Daoist Master rarely makes mistakes; he will certainly be alright."

Hearing Elder Jin say this, Tong Yuan felt a little relieved, but kept his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

In mid-air, the treasure mirror continuously emitted light to resist the lightning. Every time the white light reappeared, lightning would fall one after another.

A moment later, the treasure mirror seemed to be unable to continue. The area covered by the white light gradually shrank, and in the end, it was even engulfed by the black clouds, which were just a little bit away from completely swallowing it.

But even this tiny glimmer of light was incredibly resilient, standing proudly in the sky despite the double pressure from the dark clouds and thunder.

"This doesn't look good," Tong Yuan thought, his mood becoming somewhat somber upon seeing the situation.

"Elder, there's no need to worry. The most dangerous hurdle has already passed. Just now, the black clouds and thunder kept squeezing the treasure mirror, which was like helping it to merge with itself. The white light just now was actually the treasure mirror's inability to contain its power, which caused it to pour out."

Now, with this help, the treasure mirror has completely mastered its power. This treasure spirit seems to be quite intelligent.

Elder Huo was a renowned expert in refining magical artifacts, and when he said this, the others immediately understood.

Elder Jin remained silent for a moment, then opened his eyes and exclaimed with delight, "The power of the thunder has begun to weaken; it seems there is hope of surviving the tribulation!"

Gu Xu stared at the treasure mirror in mid-air. This treasure had gradually adapted to the tempering of the thunder and had now been transformed. Then he sensed an astonishing power brewing in the dark clouds.

"If you survive the final tribulation lightning, you will truly appear in the world; otherwise, your spirit will perish, and I will not offer any assistance. It all depends on your own fate."

As if understanding Gu Xu's thoughts, the treasure mirror hummed and shone brightly, dispelling half of the dark clouds. At the same time, the last bolt of tribulation lightning struck the treasure mirror directly, and a soft sound entered Gu Xu's ears.

The dark clouds dispersed, the tribulation lightning disappeared, and Tong Yuan and the others looked at the treasure mirror in mid-air. Suddenly, the treasure mirror shattered, and fragments fell down one after another.

"This"

Tong Yuan and the others all wore expressions of disbelief. This treasure had clearly survived the tribulation, so why...?

“Elders, there’s no need to worry. This is the old form of the Treasure Mirror,” Gu Xu explained as he approached the group.

"Wash away the filth and grime, cast aside the old body," Elder Huo clenched his fist and clapped his hands excitedly.

When treasures are being crafted, they inevitably become tainted with some worldly impurities, which are extremely difficult to remove unless they are washed with the purest yang energy of heaven and earth, or constantly nurtured by the master's true qi and polished with water. Otherwise, these impurities will accumulate within the treasure.

Ordinary treasures would naturally not be a concern, but for some highly spiritual treasures, these impurities are obstacles hindering their progress. Removing them as soon as possible would be of great benefit. Upon hearing this, the elders all looked at the treasure mirror floating in mid-air.

The treasure mirror, having shed its old form, stirred slightly and then descended towards Gu Xu, hovering in front of him.

Upon closer inspection, all that could be seen was a shimmering light emanating from the mirror, with runes flashing and radiance flowing. Everyone who looked upon it felt their souls clear and their bodies feel completely refreshed.

Gu Xu reached out and took it in his hand. It was not heavy and felt warm to the touch. Then the light of the treasure mirror subsided, and it returned to its ancient appearance.

"Even if this treasure is not as good as the Spirit Mirror, it is not far off," Elder Huo said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"In my opinion, this treasure still has room for improvement," Elder Jin said upon hearing this.

Gu Xu nodded and said, "This treasure was originally created to purify the soul. Once it is used, it will begin to transform."

"Master, we entrust this item to you. Please do not fail our trust."

After Tong Yuan finished speaking, he bowed respectfully, and the elders also bowed. Gu Xu reached out to help him up and solemnly said, "This humble Taoist will certainly not disappoint you all."

The outside world, the supreme path
Inside the secret chamber, Qi Feng, who was in seclusion, felt a sudden tremor in his heart. After silently calculating for a moment, he felt that the secrets of heaven were in complete chaos and he could not see anything clearly.

"The secrets of heaven are even more obscure than before. Could it be that I made a mistake in my calculations?" Qi Feng continued to calculate silently with his fingers, but still had no clue.

According to his calculations, if the Tong family were expelled from the court, the Supreme Path would win the battle for destiny, which would greatly benefit the subsequent teaching of the masses. Although the Supreme Path is currently thriving, Qi Feng still feels that something is amiss.

"Perhaps it's because the remnants of the Tong clan weren't completely eliminated, and their fortune can't be perfected. It seems we need to find their stronghold quickly and wipe them out completely. It's a pity that Yin Zhong, that pawn, has been wasted like this."

Qi Feng felt a little regretful. From the time Yin Zhong met the woman from the Supreme Dao to their marriage, it was all part of the Supreme Dao's plan to dismantle the Tong clan from within. And Yin Zhong did not disappoint him, stepping into the trap that he had prepared for him.

"Yin Zhong is missing, and the blood curse within Yin Feng has been sealed. It seems there are still hidden masters within the Tong clan."

Just as he was deep in thought, he suddenly heard Ning Dao's voice from outside.

"Lord Dao, the matter you instructed us to undertake is showing signs of progress."

"Come in"

Ning Dao entered and bowed, saying to Qi Feng, "Dao Lord, the demon race has indeed placed a large number of altars in the three states. After inspection, the earliest altar is from a hundred years ago, and the most recent is from the last ten years. Although some places are inhabited by human communities, they have actually been controlled by the demon race."

As he spoke, Ning Dao presented a bamboo scroll. Qi Feng waved his hand, and the scroll floated above him. He slowly opened it, carefully read through it, and then sneered.

"These demons are truly formidable, daring to make a move right under my nose. If I hadn't been busy dealing with the Tong and Long clans, they wouldn't have been able to cause such trouble. Ning Dao, issue my decree to send disciples to thoroughly clean up Nanling Prefecture. All demons must be killed on sight."

"Disciple obeys," Ning Dao accepted the Dao token, then cautiously asked, "Dao Master, is there any possibility that the demon race's god-making plan will succeed?"

"Hmm," Qi Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing Ning Dao in front of him.

Upon seeing this, Ning Dao immediately knelt down, saying in fear, "This disciple knows his mistake."

"Get up," Qi Feng said calmly, glancing at him, which put Ning Dao at ease.

"The demon race's plan to create gods is a heretical and unorthodox path that won't go far. The Supreme Path has its own wondrous methods of inheritance, so why covet those minor techniques? Ning Dao, you must remember, the Supreme Path's most important task now is education. The more followers the Supreme Path has, the more room there is for progress. As for the demon race, you must send people to keep a close eye on them. As for Lord Qingshan, I will take care of him. Go ahead and do your job."

“Yes,” Ning Dao said, watching the Dao Master close his eyes before immediately retreating from the secret chamber.

After returning to the main hall, Ning Dao sent someone to summon Senior Brother Wei and his two companions. When the three of them arrived, there were already six people in the main hall, all of whom were old acquaintances.

After exchanging greetings, Ning Dao arrived shortly afterward. Looking at the nine people below, Ning Dao said, "The Dao Lord decrees that you go to Nanling Prefecture to eliminate the demon scourge. Slay one demon, and you will receive one merit; find the altar, and you will receive ten merits..."

Upon hearing the chief's words, the people below all showed joy. The Supreme Dao has always rewarded those who have not performed meritorious deeds and punished those who have not committed crimes. If one's merits accumulate to a certain amount, one can exchange them for more wondrous techniques.

"This time I must make a lot of contributions and get my hands on that Undead Blood Array," Junior Brother Meng thought to himself.

After Ning Dao gave a few more instructions, the group left the main hall. As soon as Wei Shixiong and his two companions reached the outside of the hall, they saw a disheveled young man with an effeminate appearance looking at them.

"Junior Brother Wei, regarding this trip to Nanling Prefecture, I would like to form an alliance with you, splitting the credit equally. What do you say?"

"I appreciate Senior Brother Qiu's kindness, but I have no intention of forming an alliance. I can only decline your offer and take my leave now."

Senior Brother Wei clasped his hands in a respectful bow, offered an apologetic remark, and led Meng Wang and the other two away.

Senior Brother Qiu glanced in the direction the three had left, his eyes flashing with a sharp look. He then flicked his sleeve and strode away.

On the other side, Junior Brother Wang said with lingering fear, "Luckily, Senior Brother didn't agree to Qiu Zirang's request. That man is treacherous and cunning, and he loves to harm his fellow disciples. Some people who were on good terms with him before have been killed by him one after another."

Junior Brother Meng nodded upon hearing this, "Qiu Zirang is also meticulous in his work. Although the Supreme Dao forbids killing among fellow disciples, he always manages to clean up the mess thoroughly. If a fellow disciple dies, he only deducts a small amount of merit."

"This man is vindictive and vengeful. Senior brother, we must be careful on this trip to Nanling Prefecture."

"No matter what tricks Qiu Zirang plays, if he dares to make a move, I will not let him off. Let me find solid evidence, and I will send him to the Soul Refining Pool."

Water Moon Cave
Three years ago, Gu Xu completed his teaching mission and now he focuses all his energy on cultivating the Dragon God Technique and comprehending the art of runes.

"After much cultivation, I have finally mastered the dragon-shaped energy to the point of having five claws."

Withdrawing his mind from the jade pendant space, Gu Xu circulated his energy in the room. As his true energy flowed, a clearly visible dragon-shaped energy stream suddenly appeared, its form majestic and imposing, a powerful aura poised to be unleashed. The swirling energy roared, and the bamboo slips around him rustled as they turned. After a few breaths, the energy returned to calm.

"It's time to leave." Five years have passed since I last stayed here, and I've almost forgotten what the outside world is like.

Gu Xu got up, packed all his things, and went to see Tong Hui. Tong Hui knew he was leaving and didn't try to stop him, but gave him some things he could use on his journey.

"I and several elders have reinforced the seal on the Earth Flame Valley. From now on, the clan leader can send people to guard it carefully."

After meeting Tong Hui, Gu Xu bid farewell to Tong Yuan and the six elders. Their lives were coming to an end, and this parting would be their last.

"Your Excellency carries a heavy responsibility; I, an old man, offer my sincere wishes for your safety and success."

"Thank you, esteemed elders. I shall take my leave now."

After leaving the back mountain, Gu Xu went to see Long Teng. Although the latter still looked like a middle-aged man, his life force was almost exhausted.

"Daoist Master, if you have time, please go to Juhe Mountain in Tianhua Prefecture to visit my Long clan descendants. I would be grateful if you could pass on this Divine Dragon Sword to me."

Long Teng took out the Divine Dragon Sword, reached out and drew the blade. His eyes suddenly sharpened. He stroked the sword one last time before sheathing it, and the light in his eyes dimmed.

The divine sword seemed to sense its master's impending departure, and its blade trembled slightly.

"I will hand it over to the descendants of the Long family; General, you can rest assured."

Gu Xu reached out and took the Divine Dragon Sword. He gently stroked the blade with his hand, and the sword stopped shaking.

"General, farewell."

May you have a safe journey, Taoist priest.

With his bundle on his back and sword in hand, Gu Xu descended the mountain and, after passing through the three barriers of the living forest, darkness, and water curtain, finally emerged from the Water Moon Cave.

(End of this chapter)