A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 128 Mental Strength Qigong, the Demonic Cult of yesteryear

"Without thought or intention..."

Guan Luoyang discovered that the internal energy cultivation in this world might be different from what he had imagined.

As he continued reading and finished the entire book of the Ice Age Manual, he became even more certain of this.

Currently, his martial prowess is primarily based on the Bai Family Holy Fist, along with various techniques from the four major martial arts styles.

The internal skill is the Supreme Heavenly Art, which is based on the Mind and Intent Method and currently has two characteristics: increasing or decreasing gravity and the Divine Phoenix Rebirth.

However, Guan Luoyang's internal energy is essentially about using his mental power to connect with the magnetic field of heaven and earth, drawing energy from the magnetic field and transforming it into primordial energy that matches his own attributes.

In this process, his subjective consciousness is very important. He must participate in the entire process of energy absorption and transformation with a clear, firm, and even resolute will.

But this Glacier Heart Sutra is different.

For the Glacier Heart Method, in the early and middle stages of cultivation, such as developing Qi sensation and refining true Qi, subjective consciousness plays a crucial role. However, once the true Qi becomes strong and abundant, the guidance of subjective consciousness becomes less necessary.

As long as you allow the true qi to flow out from the dantian and circulate naturally, regardless of whether you are thinking about other things or sleeping and dreaming, the true qi in the meridians will spontaneously grow stronger.

If Guan Luoyang's current internal energy cultivation is ultimately centered on the brain and consciousness, then this Ice Glacier Internal Energy cultivation reshapes a core outside the original physical body, directly using "Dantian True Qi" as the core, allowing it to grow and develop on its own.

This situation is like creating something from nothing, adding a complete receiver to the body. After that, as long as the switch is turned on, even if the "master" doesn't bother to participate, it can continuously receive power from the outside world.

"Interesting. If I practice the martial arts of this world, wouldn't I become a dual-core user?"

Although the Li Huo Jin Tong Sword is a Taoist technique for cultivating the eyes, its practice still largely relies on the participation of the brain and consciousness, so it can only be considered as having the brain and consciousness as its core.

If the Blazing Golden Eye Sword and the Mind-Intent Method are considered one major category, then the Glacier Internal Energy belongs to another major category.

Guan Luoyang decided to try it immediately. With his current control over his physical body, he directly adjusted his physical condition according to the highest standards of the Ice Glacier Internal Kung Fu, and also made his breathing as regular as possible.

Less than an hour later, a chilling sensation began to emerge in his dantian.

However, when he tried to channel this energy into his meridians according to the Glacier Heart Method, he encountered a problem.

When the glacial energy collides with the vital energy of the bluebird in the meridians, the cold and heat clash and the energy is instantly extinguished.

Guan Luoyang frowned, then changed his approach. He simply guided the Azure Bird's vital energy into his dantian, then circulated it again, following the route of the Glacier Heart Method.

This time, things seemed to go smoothly at first, and Guan Luoyang gradually became immersed in it, only keeping a little attention on the outside world.

After the young Taoist Xia Qing activated the Jade Snow Dragon Ring, a faint light appeared on the ring that seemed to flow on its own. Although it was a bit novel, the young Taoist was very tired and soon fell asleep.

Gu Lanxiang didn't disturb Guan Luoyang. She took the Jade Snow Dragon Ring out and asked Chen Shouzhen a few questions, confirming that the Jade Snow Dragon Ring should now be in an activated state.

However, such activation can only passively confuse the Heavenly Mirror's perception of this side. Actively using the Jade Snow Dragon Ring to sense fortune and misfortune is not something that can be done at the moment.

As dawn broke, Guan Luoyang's calm face showed a slight furrow in his brow as he opened his eyes.

He had just sensed a wandering aura from the outside world, which was gradually drawn towards him as his internal energy circulated.

That is a force different from the magnetic field of heaven and earth.

That makes sense, given the vast array of energy types in the universe; it's impossible to encompass everything with just a single magnetic field.

However, this wandering aura that was drawn in also carried an icy attribute. As soon as it entered the body and tried to converge with the Azure Bird's Yuan Qi, it weakened rapidly and was completely neutralized as soon as it touched the Azure Bird's Yuan Qi.

"Does the Glacier School's energy circulation method only draw upon icy energy?"

Guan Luoyang picked up the Ice Glacier Heart Manual again, flipped through it, pondered for a moment, and then went out towards the woodshed.

The door to the woodshed was open.

Fan Kelian leaned against the woodpile, his face pale and blank, his lips cracked, yet he kept talking.

Anfei moved a table here and began writing rapidly on several pieces of coarse cloth with his sharpened, homemade charcoal pencil.

He was probably not used to using a brush, and if he used a charcoal pencil, ordinary paper would have difficulty withstanding the rapid gliding.

There were already many words written on the cloth. Guan Luoyang glanced at it and saw that they were all intelligence from within the Fire Luo Sect.

"I have already asked them about the organizational structure and communication methods of the Huoluo Dao, as well as the situation of its branch altars and hidden agents in various places, but he only knows a limited part of it."

An Feiyu, writing furiously without looking up, said, "Is there anything else you want to ask?"

"Ask them what major moves they've made recently."

Guan Luoyang replied first, then said, "Ask him about his internal energy cultivation method as well."

Inquiring about an enemy's internal energy cultivation method is a very dangerous thing. Although Guan Luoyang's understanding of the internal energy cultivation methods in this world is not very deep, he has read a lot of martial arts novels.

Those villainous masters and righteous predecessors who suffered from strange illnesses or even hemiplegia due to pitfalls in their internal energy cultivation, such as Ouyang Feng, Murong Jiu, Shen Xingnan, and Yuan Shisanxian, serve as cautionary tales.

However, firstly, according to Guan Luoyang's mental cultivation method, he could sense that Fan Kelian's current mental state was indeed like a withered tree, resigned to his fate, with no intention of resisting.

It's unclear what kind of tactics Anfeiyu has prepared for this person's follow-up performance.

Secondly, with his mastery of the Four Refinements and his keen insight into his physical body, Guan Luoyang was confident he could detect any flaws or hidden dangers in the internal cultivation method of a defeated opponent, even if they were fabricated on the spot.

After Fan Kelian finished answering all the questions, Guan Luoyang took the internal energy cultivation manual and prepared to practice it. However, his gaze lingered on the pieces of cloth for a moment, as if he wanted to say something.

Anfeiyu asked, "What's wrong?"

"Our goal is to destroy the Fire Luo Path, so we might as well share this information with some righteous people. I feel like there's something we can do with it."

Guan Luoyang tapped his head. "But I can't think of a solution right now. I can't just fabricate a big conspiracy to get more support. If I mislead our allies, it will backfire."

An Feiyu gently flicked the sharpened charcoal stick in his hand and said with a smile, "The same thing expressed in different ways can give people completely different feelings. It's the art of playing with words. I've been thinking about polishing it since I started recording his statement."

Guan Luoyang breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that you noticed. I'm not good at this. I'm going to practice."

Fan Kelian's internal skill is called "Illusory Sun True Skill". Just as Guan Luoyang guessed, it is biased towards fire attribute, mixed with some characteristics of light and color intensity. It should not be as incompatible as the Ice Glacier Heart Method.

After Guan Luoyang left, An Feiyu wrote for a while longer before going to find Chen Shouzhen to see if this senior disciple of the Lushan Sect had any questions that reincarnators might not have considered, and if he wanted to ask Fan Kelian.

When Chen Shouzhen saw that Fan Kelian had actually revealed so much internal information about Huoluo Dao, he first praised An Feiyu, and then carefully read through the confessions.

"The Fire Luo Sect acts arrogantly in public, but is elusive and unpredictable when it comes to its headquarters. It turns out they didn't actually establish a headquarters inside the Jade Gate Pass. They simply chose several branch altars in dangerous locations as the permanent residences of their leader. In reality, even the protectors couldn't always know where their leader was."

Chen Shouzhen read through the lines one by one, his face occasionally showing surprise.

After the Lushan traitor defected to the Huoluo Dao, the Lushan Sect naturally paid close attention to the Huoluo Dao. The information they possessed was among the most in-depth of all the martial arts sects.

But now, seeing these testimonies, Chen Shouzhen still felt as if only today had half of the fog surrounding the Fire Luo Path been lifted, and he had glimpsed some of its terrifying true nature.

For example, one of these rules states that whenever a top-tier protector of the Fire Luo Path takes any action, a branch disciple in charge of mediating the situation will always accompany them from afar.

These disciples may not be very skilled in martial arts, but their ability to disguise themselves is unparalleled. Moreover, these people will never have any contact with the people in charge of the operation from beginning to end. Whether it succeeds or fails, even if they are just a little bit away from failure, these people will never show themselves.

Their job is simply to collect and transmit intelligence; they don't concern themselves with anything else.

Therefore, the news that Fan Kelian and his two companions had failed here should have already reached the sect, but even Fan Kelian himself did not know who or where had sent the news back.

To put it bluntly, this kind of task allocation, clear division of labor, and comprehensive approach, almost like an ant colony, is unmatched by 99% of the righteous sects in the world.

Firstly, righteous sects have limited manpower. Many people who come to study in the sect have to go back home to support their families. If there are more than a hundred people who stay in the sect, it is already considered a large sect.

Secondly, the orthodox sects simply do not have this awareness.

Righteous disciples often rely on chance encounters or hearsay to carry out their chivalrous deeds. Even when they act in groups, it is usually the result of a few people calling on their friends and acquaintances. Their strategy is mostly to rush over in one go or to set up a simple ambush to lure out the enemy.

Only a select few within the government specializing in this area could achieve such thoroughness and meticulousness.

"These rules, these reward and punishment systems, the tiered profit-sharing system... this, this..."

Chen Shouzhen examined each piece of cloth, his eyes trembling slightly as he murmured involuntarily, "When did the Fire Luo Path develop into this?"

Anfei quietly observed his reaction from the side.

The fact that Chen Shou-zheng was so shocked was clearly not just because of the embellishments An Fei-yu used in his recording, but because these "facts" alone were astonishing enough.

However, this reaction left Anfeiyu feeling puzzled.

"Brother Chen, even the protectors of the Fire Luo Sect are top-tier experts. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them the number one heretical sect in the Tang Dynasty, would it?"

Anfei carefully chose her words, "But you don't seem to think of it as something too... important?"

In terms of importance, the Lushan Sect clearly values ​​the Huoluo Dao. Chen Shouzhen once mentioned that Lushan currently only has two top-tier experts, including himself, which is far less than the power of the Huoluo Dao.

However, this importance is not being given enough attention.

An Feiyu found a suitable analogy in his mind: This Lushan Sect knows that Huoluo Dao is a major villain that they cannot resist on their own, but they don't seem to feel the oppressive feeling of Huoluo Dao as the number one villain boss? There is vigilance and attention, but no fear that should exist.

Chen Shouzhen was taken aback by his question. After a few seconds, he seemed to realize something and said, "That's right, we all underestimated the Huoluo Dao."

"Alas, it's probably not just our Lushan School."

With a sigh, Chen Shouzhen said worriedly, "We know that the Huo Luo Dao is growing stronger every day, but it seems that the various sects in the martial arts world only pay attention to their own protectors and do not take the forces outside of the protectors seriously. I'm afraid it's because they think that the Huo Luo Dao originated in the Western Regions and is therefore shallow and contemptible at its core."

"Furthermore, some people compare the Fire Luo Path to the Demonic Sect of yesteryear, believing that the Fire Luo Path is far less powerful than the Demonic Sect was back then. Ten years ago, even the Demonic Sect was besieged and destroyed, so the Fire Luo Path is even less of a threat."

"The Demonic Cult?" Upon hearing this term again, An Feiyu couldn't help but ask, "You said before that the Demonic Cult had been destroyed, that it was all in the past. How come after ten years, it still leaves such a strong mark on the martial arts world?"

Chen Shouzhen shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Because that battle back then has already been recorded in history. Not only are the righteous sects of the martial arts world proud of it, but it can also be called the greatest achievement since the current emperor ascended the throne."

He took a breath and sighed, "Back then, the righteous sects had five grandmasters, hundreds of heroes, and 80,000 elite troops from the imperial court who participated in that battle..."

The Tang Dynasty boasted a million-strong army, but in reality, after excluding the miscellaneous troops in various regions and those who were paid without working, the regular army numbered only about 600,000, and elite troops were even more precious.

Given the vast territory of the Tang Dynasty, the mobilization of 80,000 elite troops to a certain location was less a direct attack on a martial arts sect and more a war to conquer a foreign land.

Indeed, this was the case. For over two hundred years, the Demonic Cult dominated the mountains of Southwest China, wielding immense power and influence, and all the people of the Six Zhao regions in the Southwest were subject to its rule.

After the fall of the Sui Dynasty and the rise of the Tang Dynasty, several emperors ruled the land, and as the dynasty gradually reached its golden age, the Demonic Sect secretly colluded with the Tibetan Empire, posing a major threat to the border. This prompted the imperial court to make a firm decision and launch a great war to eradicate the Demonic Sect.

At that time, among the righteous sects of the martial arts world, Lao Jun Mountain was known as the place where Laozi, the founder of Taoism, went into seclusion and cultivated. The Tang Dynasty imperial family considered themselves descendants of Laozi Li Er and bestowed many honors upon him, ordering the construction of palaces and temples.

As for Shaolin, there were thirteen Shaolin monks who saved the Tang emperor back then. Since Emperor Taizong personally conferred the title of Grand General Monk upon the Shaolin monk Tanzong, his honor has never waned.

These two factions felt it was their duty to unite with the righteous path of the martial arts world, inviting masters and experts to join the expedition against the evil cult.

Amidst the vast mountains and countless caves and perilous terrain, countless bloody battles have taken place. The demonic sect members and the troops of the Six Zhao Kingdoms actually managed to hold out against the elite troops of the Tang Dynasty and the heroes of the righteous path for half a year.

Later, thanks to the famous general Han Yu, who devised a plan to persuade and induce the Nanzhao Kingdom, one of the Six Zhao Kingdoms, to abandon its evil ways and turn against the Ming Dynasty, the Demonic Sect was thrown into chaos in its rear, which finally pushed it to the brink of extinction.

With the southwest pacified, of the six Zhao kingdoms, only Nanzhao remained strong and submitted to the Tang Dynasty.

From the Kaiyuan era to the present day of the Zhiyuan era, this is the most noteworthy victory that the common people have been talking about in the past forty years.

After Chen Shouzhen finished speaking, he carefully unfolded the coarse cloth in his hand and said, "If the Huoluo Dao continues to develop, I'm afraid it will start to resemble a demonic sect."

"Han Yu..."

An Feiyu's expression shifted slightly. He suddenly stepped forward and took back the confessions. He flipped through three more pages, starting with the one Chen Shouzhen had seen. His fingers traced down the first line, then suddenly stopped and tapped the page.

"really."

Chen Shouzhen leaned closer to take a look and was instantly moved, shocked, and furious.

The line read: "The Southern Envoy of the Sect will kill Han Wengong four months ago!"

(End of this chapter)