A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 128 Azure Thunder Sword Cry
Lianyungang Prefecture, Qingcuo Peak, Zhenwu Hall

The day before yesterday, after Gu Xu returned, he renamed the Crimson Blood Palace to the True Martial Hall. At this moment, Elder Gu was reporting on matters inside the hall.

"Your Excellency, all those who were disrespectful within the sect have been suppressed and killed. There are now six elders and three hundred disciples, of whom one hundred and thirty-two have not yet entered the path of cultivation. Your Excellency, this is the roster; please take a look."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xu reached out and summoned the roster, which floated to his face. After unfolding it and glancing at it, Gu Xu knew that these disciples who had not yet entered the Dao were his first batch of disciples, who might play a great role in the future.

"Elder Gu, these 132 people need special care. This is a Qi Refining Technique. Teach it to them. If they can break through to Qi Refining within three years, let them go to the True Martial Hall to receive the next technique."

After speaking, Gu Xu flicked his sleeve, and a bamboo scroll emitting a faint light landed beside Elder Gu. The latter hurriedly bowed and solemnly accepted it with both hands.

"Subordinates obey orders"

Seeing that Gu Xu had no further instructions, Elder Gu bowed again and left the main hall.

Just after Elder Gu left, Gu Xu released the Soul Purification and Mind Cleansing Mirror. In the clear light, the blood-red light had become very dim. In a few more days, it would completely erase its consciousness and turn it into pure blood energy.

"Oh, this Crimson Blood Demon Lord also has a treasure vault. His arrival is perfectly timed; I need a large number of Five Elements spiritual items just in time for my Nascent Soul advancement."

Gu Xu moved swiftly, leaving the main hall, and soon appeared in front of a secret underground cave.

The entire cave was blood red, with strange runes on it that shimmered and wove into a blood net. In the center was a round piece of blood jade that illuminated every detail, and four large seal characters floated beside it.

"Tight, sealed, locked, closed—is this what blood vein patterns are? Nothing special."

Gu Xu formed a hand seal, and after a moment, a green rune soared into the air, cool as water, with circles of green ripples constantly colliding with the blood vessels.

The crimson light and the azure light clashed fiercely, but with the help of Gu Xu, the Azure Wave Talisman managed to hold its own for only a moment before the crimson light was gradually suppressed by the azure light. Then, strands of azure threads invaded the blood jade, quickly turning it azure.

Just as the blood jade turned green, the four characters around it turned to ash, the blood light quickly subsided, and with a loud bang, the stone door of the secret cave opened.

"I command!" Gu Xu uttered softly, and the Azure Wave Talisman slowly descended, imprinting itself on the Blood Jade and completely locking it in place.

Upon entering the secret cave, Gu Xu saw only a dazzling light. Upon closer inspection, he saw dozens of stone shelves arranged in different categories, each holding a jade box.

"A collection spanning hundreds of years, almost comparable to that of the Tong family, is truly remarkable."

Judging from the aura emanating from the treasures inside these jade boxes, each one is a rare and precious item. However, the most valuable items are the three bronze boxes placed on the central altar.

Reaching the altar, Gu Xu activated his protective light shield, looked at the seal on the bronze box, and snapped it open with a flick of his finger. The moment the bronze box opened, it suddenly shone with spiritual light, and a fierce aura rushed towards him.

"What domineering blazing sun energy!" Gu Xu looked at the protective aura that had melted a small hole and became curious. He went closer to take a look and saw a dark stone lying inside.

"This appears to be a meteorite containing Yang Fire," Gu Xu examined it closely. It was formed approximately a thousand years ago, and he wondered how the Crimson Blood had obtained it.

After closing the lid, Gu Xu opened the second copper box, inside which was an earth-yellow bead that looked very much like the goblin bead described in the bamboo slips.

"That's right, this thing is indeed a goblin pearl. It's said that it takes a hundred years for a single pearl to be nurtured by a ley line rich in spiritual energy, making it extremely precious."

Having obtained two items related to the Five Elements, Gu Xu was overjoyed. He then opened the third bronze box, the largest of the three, which filled him with anticipation.

Upon breaking the seal, Gu Xu saw only a blood-red longsword, its blade radiating a dense aura of bloodlust, causing Gu Xu to frown secretly.

"Was this forged from the bloodstone that condensed in the War Demon Pit?"

Gu Xu took out the bloodstone that he had used to purify the souls of the soldiers and generals in Broken Soul Valley. This item was made of almost the same material as the blood sword.

Just then, the blood sword inside the copper box sensed the blood aura and immediately floated in the air, emitting a bright red light that illuminated the entire treasure vault. Then, wisps of blood aura shot out from the sword and rushed towards the blood stone in Gu Xu's hand.

Seeing this, Gu Xu flashed a golden light in his hand, completely eliminating the blood threads that were wrapped around it. At the same time, he drew a line with his fingers, and a sword beam struck the blood sword directly. Several wails were heard, the blood sword trembled slightly, and then the blood light receded and fell into the bronze box with a clang.

"This blood sword is already so powerful with only 30% refinement. If it were to truly develop sentience, the Divine Dragon Sword would probably be slightly superior."

Stroking the sword, Gu Xuxin made a plan. The Blood Sword would be perfect for forging his own sword. He would use the Treasure Mirror to purify the blood evil energy within it, and then use the Yin-Yang Fusion Method to reshape the sword base. This evil sword would then become a divine sword.

After searching through the treasure vault, Gu Xu found a high-quality furnace, perfect for refining weapons. He lit a crystal and threw it into the furnace. When the furnace fire turned red, Gu Xu put the Blood Sword into it. As soon as the Blood Sword entered the furnace, it seemed to sense the danger and kept hitting the furnace.

Seeing this, Gu Xu remained calm. He formed a hand seal with one hand and summoned the Soul-Cleansing and Heart-Purifying Mirror with the other. The pure Yang True Fire tempered the sword, while the clear light of the mirror refined it. With the combined power of these two forces, the bloody aura on the blood sword was continuously absorbed. As time passed, the blood color on the sword faded completely. Under the tempering of the true fire, it became as clear and bright as glass, emitting a soft light.

"With the sword's malevolent energy completely dispelled, it's time to rebuild the sword's foundation."

After retrieving the treasure mirror, Gu Xu changed his hand seals, and the blazing true fire in the furnace transformed into clear, blue waves. The gentle water flow continuously swirled around the sword, cleansing it from top to bottom and from the outside in, removing any excess fiery energy.

Three days passed, and the glass sword had turned a deep blue. Gu Xu changed his hand seals again, and the green waves turned into a blazing sun, re-forging the sword.

Seeing the sword undergo a transformation, Gu Xu reached out and took out a piece of green bamboo, throwing it into the furnace. Instantly, it transformed into a wisp of pure energy that entered the sword. Gu Xu continued to add various wood spirits into the furnace. After three transformations, the sword shone with a clear, bright light, illuminating both the inside and outside of the secret cave.

Several more days passed. After Gu Xu inscribed the last rune, a clear sound rang out, stirring up the surrounding wind and thunder, which lingered for a long time. Gu Xu nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

"Once the Spirit Gathering Rune is complete, the creation of the sword spirit will be much easier in the future, but there is still one last step."

Gu Xu reached out and took the longsword. It was three feet six and a half inches long, clear and bright, exuding a chilling aura and revealing its sharp edge. Yet, when held in his hand, it felt warm and smooth. With a gentle swing, it produced the sound of wind and thunder. It was truly a superior divine sword.

"This sword possesses a spirit. Since you were born amidst wind and thunder, let us call you Azure Thunder."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Azure Thunder Sword trembled slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with the name.

"You must face the final tribulation of lightning yourself. If you can overcome it, you will surely have good fortune in the future." With that, Gu Xu took his sword and fled from the secret cave. His figure soared into the sky. He released his grip, and the Azure Thunder Sword flew out, circling around Gu Xu a few times before finally standing quietly in mid-air.

A few breaths later, a dark cloud surged in from the horizon, with thunder and lightning flashing intermittently, its target pointing directly at the Azure Thunder Sword.

A chill ran down the spines of everyone on Qingchao Peak. Elder Gu stared in horror at the tribulation clouds in the sky and exclaimed, "A spiritual treasure tribulation!"

"The Venerable One spent over a month crafting such a treasure; his skill must have reached the level of a celestial being."

Just as the elders and disciples below were all alarmed, the tribulation clouds had already enveloped the Azure Thunder Sword, and a bolt of tribulation lightning struck the sword directly. However, the Azure Thunder Sword remained as steady as Mount Tai. A flash of light passed by, and the tribulation lightning had vanished without a trace.

"Judging from the power of the tribulation clouds, there must be at least nine tribulation lightning bolts," Gu Xu silently calculated. A treasure that could withstand nine tribulation lightning bolts was already of the highest quality.

Several more hours passed, and the tribulation lightning grew more and more intense. After the seven tribulation lightning bolts, the Azure Lightning Sword was no longer as easy as before, and black spots had appeared on its blade.

Just then, the eighth tribulation lightning descended silently. This lightning bolt looked very small, but Gu Xu knew that its power was more than twice as strong as the previous seven.

The lightning bolts crashed down, and the Azure Thunder Sword let out a mournful cry before its azure light intensified. A fine crack appeared on the sword's blade, but it had managed to survive the tribulation.

"Passing through eight tribulations is already difficult, but the ninth tribulation lightning will surely be earth-shattering."

Gu Xu looked solemnly at the tribulation clouds and the Azure Thunder Sword above. He knew he couldn't make a move now, or he would surely suffer a fatal blow, with his sword shattered and himself injured.

"If I can overcome this tribulation, and in the future I attain enlightenment in martial arts, I will surely achieve the same result as you."

Gu Xu transmitted his thoughts to the Azure Thunder Sword. The Azure Thunder Sword seemed to have a spirit, its blade humming continuously before spinning rapidly. In no time, it transformed into a giant azure sword, surrounded by surging winds and thunder, swirling clouds, and dispelling a patch of black haze.

At this moment, the tribulation clouds finished gathering their power, and a bolt of purple lightning struck the Azure Thunder Sword directly. Instead of defending, the sword launched a counterattack, soaring through the clouds and dispelling the black haze with its clear light. After a sword cry that resounded throughout the heavens and earth, the tribulation lightning shattered, the black haze was swept away, and only a long sword shining with clear light stood in the void.

Seeing this, Gu Xu smiled and nodded, then reached out and summoned the Azure Thunder Sword, which flew over with a whoosh and obediently positioned itself in front of Gu Xu.

As Gu Xu reached out and grasped the sword, he felt a nascent spiritual light hidden within its blade. After calming it with his mind, the sword light slowly receded, becoming simple and unadorned, yet even more mysterious.

"Your Excellency, the Supreme Dao Master Qi Feng has arrived," Elder Gu said, bowing deeply.

"Understood, please invite him to the Zhenwu Hall."

"Yes." Gu Xu sheathed his sword and flashed his escape light, arriving at the Zhenwu Hall, where Qi Feng was sitting restlessly.

The overwhelming sword aura he had just witnessed had unsettled him, causing even his years of cultivated mental state to become somewhat unstable.

"This person's cultivation is already unfathomable, and with such a divine weapon, facing him would be a losing proposition for almost everyone. Fortunately, we didn't create too many grudges beforehand."

Just as Qi Feng was about to drink his tea, Gu Xu slowly walked into the main hall. Qi Feng hurriedly stood up and bowed.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist"

Gu Xu returned the greeting, gestured for him to sit down, and after he was seated, Gu Xu asked, "Fellow Daoist, has the demon race made a decision regarding this visit? What was the outcome?"

"Lord Qingshan has already agreed to the agreement. Ten years is a very generous timeframe for them. If they hadn't agreed, I wouldn't have given up so easily, even without your intervention."

"That's good. Ten years is the final deadline given to the demon race. We'll see what they do when the great calamity comes five hundred years from now."

Seeing Qi Feng's somewhat somber expression, Gu Xu said, "Tianhua Prefecture cannot afford to be in chaos, and neither can Lianyun Prefecture. I hope you will restrain your own disciples. If a conflict breaks out between the two sides, it will ultimately be the innocent people who suffer."

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist," Qi Feng replied, his heart skipping a beat as he looked into Gu Xu's meaningful gaze.

"I've been away for quite some time now, and I fear something may have happened at the sect. I won't stay any longer; farewell."

Seeing that Gu Xu had no intention of speaking further, Qi Feng immediately got up to take his leave.

"Farewell, fellow Daoist; I will not see you off."

"Please stay," Qi Feng nodded slightly, then left the main hall and rode away in his escape light.

After Qi Feng left, Elder Gu entered, bowed, and said, "Your Excellency, as you instructed, the 132 disciples have begun cultivating the technique you passed down. Now, a month has passed, and they have sensed the Qi on two separate days. Sixteen of them are close to achieving this, while the remaining ones have yet to make a move."

"Hmm, to be able to cultivate Qi perception within a month is quite remarkable. Tell those two to cultivate diligently, and once they reach the third level of Qi Refining, have them come to see me."

"Yes"

Tianhua Prefecture, Yujian Manor
Tie Zheng took the talismanic armor handed to him by Yin Zhong, put it on, glanced at Yin Zhong, and the latter nodded slightly.

"This talismanic armor is newly created; we don't know how powerful it is yet. Tie Zheng, you should give it a try."

"Your subordinate obeys," Tie Zheng called over three iron guards and ordered them to attack him.

The three iron guards dared not disobey. Their three longswords, gleaming with power, were thrust at Tie Zheng. The latter stood firm, letting the swords reach him. With a few soft sounds, the three swords struck the armor. The recoil caused the three men's wrists to go numb and their internal energy to surge. They withdrew their swords and staggered back several steps before regaining their footing.

As Tie Zheng, clad in talismanic armor, felt the longsword approaching, his armor automatically braced itself, reflecting the external pressure back onto him, leaving him unharmed.

"Master, this talisman armor is truly powerful. If every Iron Guard were equipped with it, dealing with those demons would be much easier."

In the previous months, when they were clearing out the demons within a hundred miles of Shenglong Town, they encountered many troublesome situations and lost more than ten Iron Guards, which made Yin Zhong and Tie Zheng very distressed.

It was for this reason that Yin Zhongcai studied day and night and finally applied the art of runes to the iron armor, and now it seems that he has succeeded.

"This talismanic armor has many other wonderful uses; try channeling your true energy into it."

Tie Zheng did as instructed. As soon as his true energy entered the talisman armor, the dark iron armor shimmered with mysterious light, and a light shield appeared half a finger's width from the outer layer. If one did not look closely, it would be difficult to notice.

"This is double protection. Even if the protective light shield breaks, there's still iron armor inside. Two lives are enough for the Iron Guards to do more."

"Your Excellency is truly talented, I admire you greatly," Tie Zheng immediately knelt down and clasped his hands in a salute, and the other Iron Guards followed suit.

Following such a lord, Tie Zheng would be willing to die for him.

"Get up," Yin Zhong helped Tie Zheng up and said to him, "You are people of my Imperial Sword Manor. I can only sit here in peace because your lives are guaranteed. Just do your job well from now on."

After a pause, Yin Zhong added, "Don't tell anyone about this talismanic armor for now. Besides, it's not without its drawbacks. If it withstands too much external force, it will lose its effectiveness and become no different from ordinary armor."

"Understood, Your subordinate," Tie Zheng nodded. He wasn't surprised by the master's words, after all, tangible things are subject to damage, and he really didn't believe that they were perfect.

After several more experiments, Yin Zhong found that there was no room for improvement in the talisman armor for the time being, and he was not satisfied. Just then, the steward suddenly came and said that Meng Fan, the head of the yamen, was requesting an audience.

“It seems the matter has been resolved,” Yin Zhong told Tie Zheng and the others to conduct their own experiments, while he led the butler to the living room.

"Brother Meng, it's been a long time since we last met," Yin Zhong said, bowing with clasped hands.

Upon hearing this, Meng Fan bowed and said with a smile, "I am but a mediocre person in this mundane world, far inferior to Brother Yin's carefree and unrestrained life."

After Yin Zhong invited him to sit down, Meng Fan said directly, "The reason I came here is that the villages within a hundred miles of Shenglong Town have been thoroughly cleared out, and quite a few demons have been discovered. These are the confiscated spirit tablets. I knew Brother Yin was interested in them, so I brought them here specifically."

With a wave of his hand, a yamen runner beside Meng Fan presented a package to the steward. The steward, at Yin Zhong's signal, took it and placed it on the table.

Upon opening them, one finds more than a dozen talismans made of different materials, each with a spirit-sealing talisman affixed to it.

In Yin Zhong's eyes, these memorial tablets only possessed a faint divine power, incomparable to the Giant Stone Village divine tablet that Tie Zheng had retrieved.

"Thank you very much, Brother Meng. I will accept it. If the yamen needs any help, please let me know, and Yujian Manor will do its best to assist you."

"I thank you in advance," Meng Fan said with delight upon hearing Yin Zhong's words, rising to express his gratitude.

This cleanup of the area around Shenglong Town calmed the hearts of the townspeople, and his prestige in the government office also increased day by day. Although Meng Fan was happy, he did not forget how he achieved his success.

Therefore, he catered to Yin Zhong's preferences and befriended him, so that with Yin Zhong in Shenglong Town, his position as the head of the yamen would be more secure.

"Brother Yin, I've recently heard some news that things have fallen apart in Xiyuan Prefecture, with tens of thousands dead and injured. The areas near Tianhua Prefecture are teeming with refugees. It's only because our place is remote that we haven't been affected yet, but given enough time, we're afraid we won't be able to escape it either."

At this point, Meng Fan felt both fortunate and worried, while Yin Zhong's heart sank upon hearing this.

"Brother Meng, it's always good to be prepared. We can't take care of other places, but we absolutely cannot allow any trouble to happen within a hundred miles of Shenglong Town. I'll have to trouble you here, Brother Meng."

“Brother Yin is right. We should prepare countermeasures in advance to avoid being caught off guard,” Meng Fan replied solemnly.

"I have troubled Brother Yin for quite some time today, but I have important matters to attend to at the yamen, so I will not disturb you any longer. Farewell."

"Brother Meng, farewell," Yin Zhong said, rising to see him off, but Meng Fan stopped him.

"Steward, we need to find out more about what's happening in Xiyuan Prefecture. I'm worried that the demon race and those demonic cultivators might take this opportunity to cause trouble."

"Yes, I understand. I will arrange for someone to go."

Saiwonju, somewhere in a military camp
He Fang, a disciple of the Supreme Dao, is collecting the souls of soldiers from the pits with his three junior brothers.

"Senior brother, look," Zhou Chen said urgently, pointing ahead.

He Fang put away the soldier spirit, looked up, and his eyes narrowed. He saw a burly soldier spirit standing several miles ahead, which looked to be a general. This was an unexpected surprise.

"It's a general's soul! Junior Brother Zhou, quickly call Junior Brother Guo and Junior Brother Zheng over. We can let go of the soldier's souls, but we absolutely cannot let this general's soul go."

"Yes, senior brother," Zhou Chen quickly ran to the two outer areas and called Guo and Zheng over. The four of them carefully surrounded the area from all sides.

Just as the four were gradually closing in, a beam of blood suddenly struck Jiang Hun. Jiang Hun roared and swung his giant axe horizontally. Caught off guard, Guo and Zheng were instantly severely injured.
Qiu Zirang

He Fang stared at the sinister-looking young man suspended in mid-air and gritted his teeth.

(End of this chapter)