A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 130 The Transmission of the Azure Waves
Shangyuanzhou, Bibo Island

Several months ago, Gu Xu set up a purification array within a hundred miles of the Yuanjiang River's water vein node. To prevent anyone from damaging it in the future, and also to suppress the evil energy that had flowed out, Gu Xu stayed on Bibo Island for a period of time, teaching some Qi cultivation methods and array knowledge.

"Daoist Master, I have already mastered the Qi sensation," Chu Qing said excitedly as he ran over to Gu Xu.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xu opened his eyes and glanced at Chu Qing from head to toe. Sure enough, he saw that a faint vortex of energy had formed in Chu Qing's dantian.

"Not bad, you've developed a sense of Qi in just a few months, which shows how diligent you are," Gu Xu nodded in satisfaction. The spiritual energy in Shangyuan Prefecture is not abundant. Apart from some water spirits, there are no other people who can refine spiritual energy. This is why water monsters often cause floods in Shangyuan Prefecture, and the people of the prefecture are powerless to do anything about it.

"Keep this bottle of Qingling Pills safe. Take one while meditating and practicing Qi cultivation; it will make your efforts twice as effective."

"Thank you, Daoist Master," Chu Qing said happily as he accepted the jade bottle and carefully hid it in his bosom.

After giving Chu Qing some pointers on cultivation, Gu Xu let him leave. A while later, he got up and flew southeast towards Bibo Island.

"After waiting for so long, this beast has finally come out."

Two months ago, Gu Xu personally cleared out most of the water monsters that devoured humans in the Yuanjiang River veins, but the strongest one, a serpent, managed to escape. Fortunately, Gu Xu had already set up an isolation array overseas.

After speeding along, a moment later, dark clouds suddenly covered the distant horizon, thunder roared incessantly, and below, turbulent waves surged, a huge whirlpool continuously swallowing the river water, and a long dark shadow could be vaguely seen at the bottom of the river.

"Is this a plan to transform into a dragon? They've certainly got a good plan," Gu Xu thought coldly, staring at the dragon below, a murderous intent rising in his heart.

All aquatic creatures, once they advance to a higher realm, invariably create a huge spectacle to bolster their power, with snakes and pythons being the most prominent among them.

The first step for a snake to transform into a dragon is to absorb a large amount of water vapor and condense a water elixir. Then, it must withstand the tribulation lightning of transformation. If it can successfully overcome this tribulation, it will be reborn and become a dragon, no longer a mortal monster, but a divine being, protected by its own fortune. Its future path of cultivation will be much wider.

"The water veins have been eroded, and the malevolent energy is extremely strong. The bloodthirsty aura on this serpent is so intense; it has devoured countless people. If you successfully transform into a serpent, the future of Shangyuan Prefecture will be fraught with disaster."

Gu Xu reached out and grasped a long sword with a blue light, pointing it at the serpent at the bottom of the river. The serpent was consuming the essence of water, ignoring any evil energy, and swallowed it all in one gulp. Suddenly, it felt a pang of fear, as if something bad was about to happen.

"Could it be that stinky Taoist priest?" The serpent opened its long, narrow eyes, revealing a sinister expression. It was originally the overlord of Shangyuan Prefecture. As long as it cultivated into a serpent, it could make those mortals build shrines for it, using the incense and divine energy to dispel the blood evil and help it form a golden body. In the future, it might be possible to leap over the dragon gate and become the number one god in the world.

Unfortunately, all of this was ruined by that stinky Taoist priest. The "Dragon Palace" was destroyed, all his subordinates were killed, and now even he himself has been come knocking on his door.

"Those who obstruct my path will fight to the death!" The serpent forcibly calmed its mind and increased its devouring power. A continuous stream of water essence mixed with evil energy was swallowed into its belly. Its originally black and red body instantly turned pitch black, with only a bloodstain remaining in the center of its forehead.

"You're courting death," Gu Xu stared at the vortex, snorted coldly, and swung his sword. A clear sword aura shot out like lightning and struck the vortex. In just a few breaths, the spinning vortex suddenly stopped, and then a chilling aura quickly sealed it off.

The dragon-serpent at the bottom of the river sensed the interruption of the water essence. It raised its snake eyes and looked at the surface of the river. It saw that the river water was freezing at a rapid speed. The dragon-serpent thought to itself, "This is not a natural phenomenon. It must be that Taoist priest coming."

With a swift movement, the serpent hurriedly swam towards another waterway, but before it had gone far, it abruptly stopped, staring grimly at the blue ice wall in front of it, where its reflection appeared even more ferocious than before.

"Damn it!" the serpent roared, channeling its true energy. It opened its mouth and spat out a black water arrow that struck the ice wall squarely. The sound of ice shattering rang out, and a large hole was punched into the blue ice wall, which was still stained with wisps of black and red energy.

The serpent also suffered a great loss of energy after using the "Heavenly Serpent Breath" move, and its originally shiny black scales became much duller, but it was quite satisfied with the result.

Seeing that the gate was open, the serpent did not hesitate and immediately darted inside. Just as it had squeezed through, the serpent was shocked. The broken ice wall began to close. If this continued, it would be stuck inside before it could pass through.

The serpent gathered its true energy and immediately increased its speed, but the ice wall healed much faster than it expected. In just one or two breaths, the ice wall was completely intact, and half of the serpent's body was stuck.

"Not good!" The dragon's eyes narrowed. The ice wall contained extremely cold power, which was exactly what countered its own power. The snake opened its mouth wide, and a slightly smaller dragon emerged from it and hurriedly left.

"Snake Shedding Technique," Gu Xu stared intently at the serpent's body, reached out and grabbed it, storing it in his storage talisman. His figure flashed, and he chased after the direction the serpent had fled.

"This demon has used the Heavenly Serpent Breath Shooting Technique and the Serpent Shedding Technique in succession, so it must be severely weakened. I wonder what other tricks it has up its sleeve. It would be good to see."

They followed closely behind the serpent, watching it swim purposefully in one direction. After half an hour, the serpent suddenly straightened its body, hissed a few times at a pile of rocks, and then a bright light flashed.

The serpent leaped into the light, and before the light closed in, Gu Xu moved and sank in.

"That stinking Taoist priest kept chasing me, causing me to lose seventy percent of my vital energy. Once I've trapped you, I'll go and devour all those people."

Sensing the approaching presence behind it, the serpent swiftly slithered and soon arrived at a spring emitting waves of heat.

"This Earthly Fiery Spring is a good place. You should stay here and rest well." The serpent glanced behind it, opened its mouth and spat out a serpent breath, which hit the spring eye directly. There was a loud explosion, and the hot waves of the spring gushed out, shaking the ground. Soon the heat spread to the river above, and huge waves surged up and rushed in all directions.

Looking in the direction the serpent fled, Gu Xu's eyes turned cold. He flicked his hand, and a streak of green light disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"That beast deserves to die!"

After a brief examination, Gu Xu discovered that the spring contained earthly evil fire poison. Once it fully erupted, the already severely damaged water vein would be further damaged. What was even more troublesome was that this evil energy flowed in all directions with the water, posing a calamity to both aquatic and terrestrial creatures.

With a grab, a flash of white light appeared on Gu Xu's body, and an extremely cold force rushed towards the spring. The chaotic streams of evil energy were enveloped by the cold force and instantly turned into blocks of ice. The spring was also given special attention by Gu Xu.

The white, icy flow and the black and red flames clashed and were locked in a stalemate for a time. However, as time passed, the icy flow gradually pushed the flames back into the spring, and then quickly solidified into a thick block of ice. Seeing this, Gu Xu stretched out his finger and drew a spirit-sealing talisman, which he then stuck directly onto the ice.

The golden and white light flowed continuously, sealing off the black and red evil energy below. Finally, the two colors of light formed a tai chi pattern, the two energies merged, yin and yang transformed, and completely locked the spring.

With the spring sealed off, the drifting malevolent energy became rootless water, instantly melting into ice shards upon contact with the icy flow.

Withdrawing his hand, Gu Xu sensed the location of the Azure Thunder Sword and then rode his escape light straight west.

After breaking through the spring, the serpent fled all the way to the Abyss, a place of absolute darkness and malevolent energy, which was the best hiding place for it. It was because it hid here that Gu Xu was not found.

However, at this moment, as it was heading towards the deep abyss, it was struck by a sudden bolt of blue lightning and was seriously injured on the spot. Just as it was about to turn into blood and escape, it felt as if its soul was pinned down by a sharp weapon and it could no longer escape.

The serpent was now panicked. With its heart trembling, it looked up and saw a long sword wrapped in lightning. As if sensing its gaze, the sword flashed with lightning and cleaved its body in two.

Before the cries of agony had even ceased, a beam of light descended. The serpent trembled as it looked at Gu Xu emerging from the light, and its head drooped.

Seeing its appearance, Gu Xu urged his mind, and a flash of sword light disappeared. The snake's body straightened, then it slumped to the ground and vanished.

With a wave of his hand, the Azure Thunder Sword landed in Gu Xu's hand. He then slashed the sword and chuckled, "Well done."

A flash of blue light appeared on the sword, as if in response. Gu Xu sheathed it and looked at the snake corpse on the ground. "This excellent material is perfect for refining some special magical artifacts." He reached out and sucked the corpse into a storage talisman. He glanced at the deep abyss ahead and walked in to take a look. It was pitch black inside, with streams of cold air flowing out from it, emanating a chilling aura.

"I didn't expect to find Froststone here. This place would be perfect for cultivating the Ice Soul Frost Light technique."

Gu Xu offered up the Purifying Soul and Heart-Cleansing Mirror. Under its clear light, everything within a hundred feet was white crystal. Whenever water flowed by, it would carry away a trace of cold air.

"Let's eliminate the hidden dangers on land first," Gu Xu thought, his escape light flashing as he emerged from the riverbed. Looking at the dissipating dark clouds and waterspouts in the sky, Gu Xu felt a sense of relief.

However, the eruption of the fiery spring just now still caused considerable damage. Apart from some islands being shattered, the evil energy had vanished without a trace, and it was unknown where it had hidden itself. Finding it in this vast expanse of water would not be an easy task.

"The best course of action now is to set up a magic array on an island where people live to avoid casualties," Gu Xu thought to himself, and an idea had already formed in his mind.

They vanished into thin air and returned to Azure Wave Island in no time.

A few days later, a golden light suddenly shone brightly on Bibo Island, shooting straight into the sky. Everyone on the island looked up and saw a golden net suddenly appear in the sky, with strands of golden threads hanging down to the ground, closing in like a dome, covering Bibo Island. The people who had felt a little cold before now felt a touch of warmth.

"It's a formation set up by the Taoist priest," several children exclaimed excitedly.

They looked excitedly at Gu Xu in the air. This Taoist priest was extraordinary. They had learned a lot of useful knowledge from him in just a few months. In particular, the children who had developed a sense of Qi had a respect for Gu Xu that was beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

"One day, I hope I can fly and escape into the sky like the Taoist priest," Chu Qing said, her small face filled with determination as she looked up at the sky and clenched her fists.

At this moment, in the sky, Gu Xu clasped his hands together, and five pillars of energy rose from the five directions of Bibo Island. The five colors, blue, red, white, black, and yellow, were clearly distinguished, and the power of the five elements was smoothly connected, echoing the golden net in the sky. As Gu Xu drew a finger, the golden talisman shone, and the power of the five elements merged into the golden net. The five-colored light flowed for a moment and then dissipated.

"With this Yin-Yang Five Elements Formation, combined with the Spirit Gathering Net, Bibo Island is a first-class blessed land for cultivation. It will surely flourish in a hundred years. With this lineage, all matters in Shangyuan Continent can be settled."

With a swift movement, Gu Xu instantly appeared on a solitary hill. With a thought, the children who had received guidance all came to this spot.

"Greetings, Daoist Master," a dozen children greeted Gu Xu, bowing respectfully.

"Get up," Gu Xu glanced around and noticed that two more people had achieved Qi perception in the past few days. He smiled slightly at the two who were eager for praise and nodded.

"Chu Qing, Song Wen, Ming Shi, the three of you stay here. The rest of you go to the back and continue meditating and practicing your Qi."

The children bowed again, walked to the stone platform behind the solitary hill, sat cross-legged, and silently meditated and practiced their skills according to Gu Xu's instructions.

"Keep these two bottles of pills safe. If you can open your meridians within a year, you can go to the Transmission Stone to obtain the next stage of your cultivation technique."

With a flick of his sleeve, two bottles of pills landed steadily in front of Song Wen and Ming Shi. The two were overjoyed, quickly bowed, and then took them in their hands.

"Yes," Chu Qing and the other two bowed again after hearing Gu Xu's words, and asked some more questions about cultivation. Gu Xu answered them one by one, and the three of them left reluctantly when the moon rose.

Meanwhile, the children cultivating in the back were having their bodies nourished by Gu Xu's moonlight power.

These children live by the water year-round, so their vital energy is naturally drawn to water. This moonlight power is perfect for them, and they will achieve twice the results with half the effort when cultivating this type of technique in the future.

Looking at the children who were engrossed in their studies, Gu Xu was quite satisfied. If the quality wasn't enough, then they would focus on quantity. As long as they diligently cultivated, it wouldn't be impossible for them to reach the Innate Realm in a few decades.

Just then, Gu Xuxin had a sudden thought and released the sound transmission crystal, from which came Elder Gu's voice.

"Your Excellency, the aura of war has begun to spread in Xiyuan Prefecture. As you instructed, I have dispatched elders and disciples to purify it. However, news has recently come that Qiu Zirang, the Supreme Daoist of Xiyuan Prefecture, has already forged Dao weapons, and there are mysterious figures collecting the souls of these weapons."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xu's eyes flickered slightly. The Supreme Dao itself was nothing to worry about, but this mysterious figure might cause trouble. With that in mind, Gu Xu decided to settle things in Yuanzhou and then make a trip to Xiyuanzhou.

Saiwonju, Xuguyuan

Qiu Zirang held a fire-patterned sword, watching the general warily in the distance.

"Who are you, and why are you stealing my soul essence for no reason?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaochu gave a cold laugh and remained silent. The ghostly lamp floating in mid-air flickered, and a green light absorbed all the soldier spirits in front of him.

Qiu Zirang was an arrogant person, and Wang Xiaochu's indifference and behavior really provoked him. He slashed with his fire blade, and several fiery blade beams were slashed toward the Ghost Nether Lamp. However, at a distance of several feet, the blade beams disappeared as if they were mud oxen entering the sea, and the Ghost Nether Lamp became even brighter.

"They're courting death, using Fire Yang against Ghost Netherworld, it's utterly foolish!" Upon seeing this, Wang Xiaochu pointed a finger, and the Ghost Netherworld Lamp ignited with azure flames, transforming into a fire dragon that rushed straight towards Qiu Zirang.

Seeing that his plan had backfired, Qiu Zirang was not disappointed. He had already achieved his goal of testing the waters. The fiery yang energy had not dissipated, but had been devoured. Therefore, Qiu Zirang concluded that the ghost lamp was a spirit from the underworld.

"It is said in the sect that the more Yin and Nether treasures there are, the more they prefer the power of fire and Yang," Qiu Zirang said as he watched the approaching fire dragon. His figure moved instantly, and he formed a hand seal, causing a cold wind to blow away the fire dragon.

The fire, fueled by the wind, gained even more power. With a flick of its head and a swish of its tail, the chilling flames swept towards Qiu Zirang.

Seeing this, Qiu Zirang remained calm and used his sword to parry three Dragon Tail Sweeps. He then unleashed four Formless Yin Winds, which quickly merged into the Ghostly Yin Fire.

"The fire has reached its peak. If we use the method of using yin to counter yin, we might be able to take back this yin fire," Qiu Zirang shouted, leaping into the air and hovering there. A flash of light appeared in his hand, and he summoned a jet-black shuttle.

"When the moon gathers in darkness, the three lights (light, luminaries, and stars) are extinguished; by imperial decree..."

As the incantation was recited, the two ends of the Yinming Black Shuttle each emitted dark light, spinning rapidly to form a circle. The Ghostly Fire Dragon roared towards them, but was trapped by this circle of light. No matter how it crashed into it, the circle of light remained firmly in place.

Wang Xiaochu's calm expression changed for the first time. His face darkened, and he snorted coldly, muttering incantations. He pointed his finger, and the Ghostly Lamp's light, along with wisps of eerie green flames, burned towards Qiu Zirang.

"To relieve the siege of Wei by attacking Zhao, huh?" Qiu Zirang looked at the approaching Azure Flame and casually threw out three runes. With a flash of bloody light, three layers of light shields firmly surrounded it. Although the Azure Flame was extremely insidious, it was impossible for it to break through the Blood Light Rune in a short time.

"The people of the Supreme Dao are indeed quite capable." Seeing the Yinming Fire Dragon being gradually devoured and the Azure Nether Fire unable to do anything to Qiu Zirang for the time being, Wang Xiaochu withdrew the Ghost Nether Lamp and moved, holding a giant axe in his hand, which was covered with a ghastly green light, and slashed it on the Blood Light Barrier.

With a few cracking sounds, the light barrier shattered. Qiu Zirang's expression changed drastically. He immediately unleashed several sword beams and simultaneously intensified his movements. The eerie whistling of the Dark Black Shuttle sent chills down everyone's spine. The fire dragon trapped in the light barrier let out a mournful cry and instantly turned into countless points of light. Before they could dissipate, they were absorbed by the Dark Black Shuttle. The dark black shuttle seemed to have consumed a highly nourishing substance, emitting a ghostly light.

As Wang Xiaochu's blade was about to strike, Qiu Zirang moved swiftly, summoning back the black shuttle. He then unleashed several dark beams of light before fleeing into the distance.

"Stop running!" Wang Xiaochu shouted angrily, his body leaping into the air as he chased after Qiu Zirang.

(End of this chapter)