Chapter 259: Chapter 211: Blood Light Approaches from the West, Evil Techniques Take Hold!
’Blood-Handed Man Slaughter’ Dai Xiong!
"With demon skills in his arsenal, he’s truly not someone to be trifled with."
Chen Jichuan silently mused, quickly coming to a conclusion: "This massacre was clearly premeditated, which is why Dai Xiong had Song Dazhi take me away a month ago."
Being Dai Xiong’s only son, ’Dai Zong’ suffered endless humiliation within the Dai Clan—
Eating leftovers, sleeping in dog kennels.
Anyone in the clan could kick him like a scrawny mutt or spit at him with foul disdain.
Among the thousand or so people in the Dai Clan, no less than half had bullied him at some point.
With Dai Xiong’s battlefield temperament, how could he possibly endure this?
"Dai Zong slaughtered over 300 members of the Dai Clan, most likely targeting those who had tormented his son."
"Indeed, a ruthless man."
You bully my son, I kill you.
Vengeance is inevitable.
Merciless methods, absolutely resolute.
However—
"For someone as cunning and resourceful as Dai Xiong, personally taking action feels beneath him."
Chen Jichuan found it odd.
Dai Xiong, as Assistant General of Five Spirits Prefecture, held a high position of authority and commanded thousands of soldiers.
If he wanted revenge, there was no need for him to personally act. He could merely threaten a few mountain strongholds or horse bandits and wipe out the entire Dai Clan without lifting a finger.
Even if suspicions arose afterward, as long as he cleaned up loose ends, there wouldn’t be any evidence—perhaps at most losing his official position.
Why would he end up publicly wanted across the nation, with everyone clamoring for his death?
"Maybe it’s greed for blood nourishment."
"Or perhaps he doesn’t want indiscriminate killing but refuses to let a single one escape."
"Or maybe he simply wanted to take revenge personally for the satisfaction."
With nothing better to do, Chen Jichuan casually mulled over possibilities.
Strangely, he felt a hint of admiration for Dai Xiong.
Though bloodlust isn’t commendable,
Had this been an orderly society with sound laws and widespread knowledge, those who bullied orphans and widows would face moral condemnation and legal punishment.
But in a feudal dynasty like Da Chao—
"..."
"It’s still not commendable."
Chen Jichuan shook his head.
When someone dies, it ends everything; it doesn’t truly offer closure.
If they were left alive...
Chen Jichuan imagined what he’d do if his own son were bullied.
A dark and eerie vision instantly filled his mind.
After a long while,
Chen Jichuan collected his thoughts, no longer dwelling on pointless ideas, and turned to ask Song Dazhi, "Uncle Song, where are we headed now?"
"I promised your father that if such an incident occurred, I’d take you away from Da Chao and head east to meet him at Liangye Mountain."
Song Dazhi, unaware that Chen Jichuan already understood the whole affair, maintained his light-hearted façade as he replied.
"Liangye Mountain."
Chen Jichuan nodded as he listened.
Having only entered this world two months ago, his cultivation was not even on par with Song Dazhi’s, much less Dai Xiong’s. It was better not to remain in Da Chao and add to the chaos.
Dai Xiong might not be a good man.
He may have even committed past atrocities, possibly an evil person infamous for his many crimes.
But he was still the father of Chen Jichuan’s current identity.
Even modern laws advocate kinship and leniency. Chen Jichuan didn’t want to become a liability that distracted Dai Xiong or caused his downfall.
That would turn aiding into "righteous betrayal."
Thus, he followed Song Dazhi toward Liangye Mountain.
After approximately seven or eight days—
First traveling by carriage, they switched to riding horses upon reaching Da Chao’s border, where checkpoints blocked the official roads.
Once past the border, they spent several more days traveling on rough terrain.
The path grew ever more rugged, eventually disappearing entirely, forcing them to abandon the horses and proceed on foot.
So it went.
Twenty days passed in total.
Finally, one day, they arrived at Liangye Mountain and began a long wait.
...
Patience wasn’t an issue for Chen Jichuan.
Having little attachment to Dai Xiong, he naturally felt no concern.
By contrast—
Song Dazhi, though outwardly calm, was inwardly anxious, climbing the mountain daily to gaze westward, hoping to glimpse Dai Xiong’s silhouette.
Meanwhile, Chen Jichuan spent each day refining the Dao Fruit and eight Affiliated Dao Fruits he’d condensed in the Qinling World while continuing his cultivation.
"The ’Great Vajra Fist’ is just something to practice casually."
"The ‹Sword Map›, ‹Taiyin Refining Body Technique›, and ‹Five Forms Eight Techniques Fist› are my real foundation."
These three were all Side Door Level Cultivation Methods,
while the ’Great Vajra Fist’ was merely basic.
The difference was vast.
Chen Jichuan had already gone through several rounds of rebuilding his cultivation in different worlds, and this time, he had to start anew again.
Practicing three systems concurrently was even more arduous.
Luckily, thanks to prior experience, realms, and expertise, rebuilding wasn’t difficult—just time-consuming.
For the Qi Refinement system—
Zero-order as a mundane level consists of Qi Sensing, Postnatal, and Innate stages.
First-order Qi Refinement spans ten layers, further divided into Mana, Flight, and Foundation Establishment stages.
Second-order corresponds to the Enlightenment Realm.
For the Life Dao system—
Zero-order as a mundane level consists of Ming Strength, Dark Strength, and Transforming Strength stages.
First-order Core Formation spans ten layers, further divided into Core Formation, Gang Strength, and Indestructible Deity stages.
Second-order corresponds to the Soul Refining Realm.
For the Xing Dao system—
Zero-order as a mundane level consists of Meditation, Observation, and Soul Emergence stages.
First-order Night Travel spans ten layers.
Second-order corresponds to the Soul Condensing Realm.
"Zero-order mundane level."
"First-order Qi Refinement, Core Formation, Night Travel."
"Second-order Enlightenment, Soul Refining, Soul Condensation."
Reflections on the cultivation experience and nuances of the three systems flooded Chen Jichuan’s mind as he contemplated the goals for this lifetime.
His Life Dao had already reached Second-order Soul Refining Realm.
The pressure was minimal, and further progress was attainable.
But Qi Refinement and Xing Dao remained stuck at First-order Tenth Layer.
"In this lifetime, I will strive to advance both Qi Refinement and Xing Dao to Second-order."
Additionally—
With his cultivation advancing rapidly, his abilities in Alchemy and Artifact Refining also needed breakthroughs.
"Alchemy and Artifact Refining are my primary means of earning Spirit Stones and cultivation resources in reality and the Dao Fruit World."
"I mustn’t neglect them."
"As cultivation escalates, wealth accumulates, but the methods of protecting Dao must advance simultaneously."
Cultivation is interlinked.
Missing any link could result in catastrophic failure—or even death.
Most alchemists and artifact refiners focus solely on honing their crafts, leaving little room for advancing protective methods.
They’d either seek out strong allies or join Immortal Sects to ensure their safety.
But Chen Jichuan possessed the Dao Fruit and a remarkable four-hundred-fold time advantage; he didn’t need to rely on favors or sect affiliations for safety. He could dedicate time and effort to sharpening his combat and survival capabilities.
To improve in these areas, he’d explore avenues such as ’Magic Skills,’ ’Magical Treasures,’ ’Pills,’ ’Talismans,’ and ’Spirit Beasts.’
"Delve deeper into Magic Skills."
"Study defensive Magical Treasures."
"Research self-preservation Pills."
Having made achievements in Alchemy and Artifact Refining, it was time to venture into the Dao Fruit World to seek extraordinary treasures and techniques, decipher their crafting methods and recipes, practice proficiency, and prepare to use them in the real world for self-defense.
Those are external aids.
For internal progress—
Various techniques would require dedicated training to amplify their effects.
"Cultivation."
"Magic Skills."
"Alchemy."
"Artifact Refining."
The higher his cultivation, the bigger the scope he’d have to manage.
The Immortal Dao is arduous, and time waits for no one.
Chen Jichuan could not afford to be complacent.
...
With clarified goals, Chen Jichuan continued his cultivation in Liangye Mountain.
Reaching the Immortal Cultivation World required robust cultivation.
Whether in overcoming perilous obstacles or searching for paths to the Immortal Cultivation World, sufficient cultivation was indispensable.
"Da Chao has legends of immortals, but most are fabrications by the populace."
"Ephemeral and unreliable, useless to me."
During his month-long stay in Five Spirits Prefecture City, followed by another month in Golden Water Prefecture City, Chen Jichuan focused on observing local experts. He found no evidence of cultivators or the Immortal Cultivation World.
Pressing further would likely lead to frustration.
It was more prudent to focus on cultivation and rise in strength before divining directions.
With these thoughts,
Chen Jichuan became all the more dedicated in his cultivation.
Apart from rigorous self-discipline, he also utilized Source Power for shortcuts. Considering the potential duration of searching for the Immortal Cultivation World, building strength early would be crucial.
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, another month had passed.
...
A month in Five Spirits Prefecture City.
A month in Golden Water Prefecture City.
A month of travel.
A month on Liangye Mountain.
In total, Chen Jichuan had spent four months in this lifetime.
One day.
While cultivating as usual in Liangye Mountain, Chen Jichuan practiced ’Five Forms Eight Techniques Fist’ repeatedly. Using the Blinding Technique externally, he presented an illusion to Song Dazhi nearby, making it seem like he was practicing the ’Great Vajra Fist.’
"What comprehension!"
"What a talent!"
Song Dazhi watched, utterly captivated, offering silent praise in his heart.
Although Chen Jichuan employed the Blinding Technique, what Song Dazhi saw still contained Chen Jichuan’s profound understanding of the ’Great Vajra Fist.’
At the Second-order Soul Refining Realm of the Life Dao system, even the slightest trace of insight from Chen Jichuan was enough to benefit ordinary martial artists immensely.
Song Dazhi, who trained alongside Dai Xiong, also practiced the ’Great Vajra Fist,’ having reached the Transforming Strength level. But Chen Jichuan could tell Song Dazhi relied predominantly on his abundant Qi-Blood, lacking in finesse and control.
He likely consumed Treasure Medicine or Spirit Pills to reinforce his Qi-Blood and force a breakthrough.
Qi-Blood was robust, but brute force dominated.
Despite Song Dazhi’s shortcomings, he had loyally served as Chen Jichuan’s protector for months. Not one to be cold-hearted, Chen Jichuan didn’t hesitate to offer pointers during his cultivation sessions.
"In just a few short months, he’s comprehended Dark Strength, now one step away in Qi-Blood from reaching Transforming Strength."
"Little Zong’s talent far surpasses Big Brother’s!"
Song Dazhi felt exhilarated.
Partly overjoyed for Dai Xiong, partly hungrily absorbing the essence himself, he unknowingly began practicing the movements too.
Unaware of how much time had passed.
Song Dazhi had completely immersed himself, his Qi-Blood resonating loudly, oblivious to the outside world.
"Hm?!"
Meanwhile, Chen Jichuan abruptly stopped.
A sudden tightness in his chest made his heart skip, catching sight of a flash of blood-red light out of the corner of his eye, striking his left shoulder before vanishing.
His body felt momentarily bound, unable to break free.
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Blood!"
"Blood!"
In the next moment, a crimson flame seemed to ignite within his heart, stirring up violent, bloodthirsty urges deep within.
"Blood Flame."
"This is—"
Chen Jichuan recited the Heart Clarity Spell, barely suppressing these negative emotions. Feeling the fiery presence within, his thoughts turned to Dai Xiong.
"Dai Xiong possesses the ’Blood Flame Technique,’ which allows him to sacrifice living beings to absorb Qi-Blood, thereby enhancing cultivation."
"It’s a demon skill."
"Dai Xiong’s current accomplishments are absolutely tied to this ’Blood Flame Technique,’ though it is merely a low-level demon skill. Its consequences are grave. Over time, the bloodshed and sin will bind him, dragging him into the abyss as a demonic entity."
Chen Jichuan had previously noticed Dai Xiong’s use of the skill but dismissed it as beneath his interest.
But unexpectedly today—
The ’Blood Flame’ had surfaced within him.
"Blood Flame Technique."
While shocked and uncertain, the crimson flame within fused with his organs, projecting an instruction method directly into his consciousness.
It was nothing else—
Precisely the ’Blood Flame Technique!’
"Sacrifice the living, absorb their Qi-Blood, and ascend to supreme divinity and demonhood!"
Chen Jichuan sneered.
A mere low-level technique with a wildly exaggerated claim. It might fool someone like Dai Xiong, who hailed from a common background, but not someone as knowledgeable as him.
"To think demon skills and malevolence would dare to come my way!"
Recognizing the connection to Dai Xiong, Chen Jichuan bristled inwardly.
The blood flame continued to burn.
Chen Jichuan sat cross-legged, activating the Insight Skill to scan himself entirely, then opened the Immortal Record panel.
Instantly—
All traces of evil techniques became visible, leaving no place to hide.
...