Chapter 188: A Friend of Mine...
Chapter 188: A Friend of Mine...
Chapter 188: A Friend of Mine...
On the small hill of Silver Sword Peak...
The first assembly of Chu Liang's team was happening.
Aside from him and the ambitious Lin Bei, there were the three confused ones.
Shang Ziliang remained in a daze, trying to grasp the sudden turn of events. He thought, I am a boss at Cloud Horizon Peak. How did I end up becoming a member of the Silver Sword Peak's team?
For some reason, he felt as though he had been ordained.
I am the son of the peak master of Cloud Horizon Peak. If I, being the leader of my lackeys surrendered, what would the others on Cloud Horizon Peak think of me? Shang Ziliang wondered.
Initially, he thought Chu Liang would be by himself, and all they needed to do was to recruit him. Who would have thought Chu Liang, despite being all alone, would also try to form a team by himself?
"Cough." Chu Liang cleared his throat and said, "Happy to have you all join the team at the Silver Sword Peak. In the upcoming Mountain God Memorial Ceremony, we will be comrades fighting side by side."
"And now, I will appoint myself as the team leader, with Lin Bei as the deputy team leader," Chu Liang said as he pointed at Lin Bei.
Shang Ziliang immediately started protesting, "Big Bro, I am fine with you being the leader, but why does he get to be the deputy team leader?"
Chu Liang explained, "You three outnumber Lin Bei, who is the sole representative from the Jade Sword Peak. Therefore, I granted him a bit more authority."
He pressed his palms together and reassured, "Our team operates on absolute democracy. All decisions will be made by voting."
Shang Ziliang's face lit up at the mention of voting. If they vote, him and his lackeys would hold absolute dominance.
"Each of you three members gets one vote, while Lin Bei gets two," Chu Liang said as he made arrangements.
Hearing this, the three from the Cloud Horizon Peak smiled.
With their combined votes, they could easily overpower Lin Bei. Then they hear Chu Liang continue saying, "I get three hundred and sixty votes."
"Ah?" The three opposite Chu Liang's jaws dropped in astonishment.
"Alright. Meeting adjourned, " Chu Liang stood up and said, "Let's register our team at the Heaven-Reaching Peak."
While they were flying to Heaven-Reaching Peak, they witnessed a stream of people rushing towards the top, where fellow disciples were crowded, waiting to register.
As soon as they landed, they heard a commotion ahead, and the crowd automatically parted to make way.
A fierce figure was revealed.
Xu Ziyang, leading a team from Jade Sword Peak, emerged after completing registration.
Behind him were three cultivators at the Golden Core Realm, which included his sister Xu Ziqing and Fang Ting.
With news of Xu Ziyang reaching the fifth realm spreading, his prestige on Mount Shu soared even higher. In fact, nearby fellow disciples were even afraid to meet his gaze.
Lin Bei quietly turned away, not wanting the disciples from the Jade Sword Peak to see him.
Just then, another shout came from outside.
"Jiang Jiang is here!"
"Senior Sister Jiang!"
Unlike the silent and stressful atmosphere caused by Xu Ziyang, Jiang Yuebai's arrival ignited the entire square, with the crowd boiling with excitement.
After her last lecture, Jiang Yuebai's popularity among disciples had soared. Now, she was not just loved, but even revered by some.
Chu Liang turned his head and noticed a tall, slender figure dressed in flowing robes. The person exuded a cold demeanor and walked forward while fixing her eyes straight ahead.
Accompanied by four formidable cultivators at the Golden Core Realm, the figure walked directly towards them.
Being able to reach the Golden Core realm at their age or just a few years older would typically be deemed remarkable. In slightly smaller sects, they would undoubtedly be regarded as core disciples or even potential leaders.
In the current era of the Mount Shu Sect, there were only a few dozen disciples at the Golden Core Realm or higher.
However, of the disciples at the Golden Core Realm, nine of them were in Xu Ziyang's team and Jiang Yuebai's team.
It was obvious that the Azure Falling Peak and Jade Sword Peak were extremely powerful.
Like a gathering storm, wherever the teams from the two peaks passed, crowds retreated. With each entry and exit, their crossing drew the attention of everyone on the entire square.
Jiang Yuebai and Xu Ziyang's eyes met briefly. They both nodded in acknowledgment without speaking before they continued on their way.
The tension in the air was palpable.
The spectators in the square were all somewhat excited, wishing they could see these two teams fight on the spot! Most disciples had already assumed that the winning team would be either one of them.
Chu Liang was the only one who mumbled, "Don't they need to line up?"
"Eh?" Lin Bei as well as the other three froze.
No one noticed this issue.
Those two teams squared off like a clash between Mars and Earth, or a needle amidst wheat. They were the center of attention.
Yet Chu Liang was here questioning why they weren't queuing up.
...
After registering at Heaven-Reaching Peak, Chu Liang asked them to return first.
As for himself, he conveniently walked into the Hall of Conservation.
The furnishings here seemed unchanged for thousands of years.
Upon entering the corridor, Chu Liang saw Senior Brother Yuan sitting there with his rectangular face.
As usual, he was reading a book.
"Junior Brother Chu." When Yuan Zhou saw him here, he immediately placed his book down.
"Senior Brother Yuan." Chu Liang said, "I am here for a divine art manual. I am wondering if I can find it here."
"What type?" Yuan Zhou asked.
Chu Liang, feeling a little embarrassed, showed an awkward smile.
He then said, "The type that allows two Golden Cores to merge and operate together, complementing each other and mutually helping each other progress in cultivation..."
"Oh." Yuan Zhuo answered, "Dual cultivation?"
"Yes." Chu Liang nodded.
Dual cultivation, as the name suggested, was actually two individuals practicing cultivation together. It was unclear when it became a term specifically used for couples. Nevertheless, Chu Liang still felt really awkward.
In all seriousness, dual cultivation was indeed the deepest form of communication.
The strongest connection between men and women happened when they deeply understood each other without saying much. It was like there was a strong attraction simmering just below the surface.
In dual cultivation, both individuals must open their Dantian and Sea of Qi to each other, allowing both parties to merge into each other's circulation of qi, thereby merging their cultivation together as one.
In this scenario, being open and taking risks were crucial. It was similar to entrusting one's life and everything else to someone. Only with such a trusted individual could one feel comfortable revealing everything.
It was no wonder dual cultivation became a technique that represented Daoist couples.
"You have successfully formed your core, right?" Yuan Zhuo said as he stared at Chu Liang.
"What Golden Cores did you and the other person form?"
"Ah..." Chu Liang said, "I formed the Golden Core of Lesser Yang, while the other person... formed the Golden Core of Lesser Yin."
"This pair of Golden Cores is a good match." Yuan Zhuo said, "Let me think if there are any dual cultivation techniques suitable for the Golden Core of Lesser Yin and Golden Core of Lesser Yang."
"By the way..." Chu Liang continued, "I have another question. Is there a divine technique capable of fatally severing a person at the waist simply by slicing through their shadow?"
Ever since his clone was killed by the masked man in the Immortal's Marsh, he felt lingering fear in his heart.
"Light and shadow share a profound connection with the soul. When it comes to severing shadows and inflicting harm upon the soul, there are at least seven or eight divine techniques capable of accomplishing such feats. However, when it comes to cutting through shadows and hurting the actual body..." Yuan Zhuo looked around thoughtfully, then after a moment, he said, "From what I know, there's only one technique that can do that: the Shadow-Severing Seal: Black Light."
"Senior Brother, thank you for the information," said Chu Liang.
"Let me find a suitable dual cultivation technique. Give me a minute," responded Yuan Zhuo.
With this he stood up and left.
He then walked to the bookshelves in the back and started searching.
While Chu Liang was waiting, a crisp voice suddenly sounded behind him.
"Senior Brother Chu Liang!"
"Hmm?" He turned around and saw a charming figure approaching. "Junior Sister Ziqing?"
"Yes, are you also here looking for martial arts techniques? What a coincidence," Xu Ziqing said sweetly with a smile.
The two hadn't seen each other for many days. Chu Liang smiled and said, "Yes, it's been a while."
"Of course we haven't seen each other. You never come to Jade Sword Peak to hang out with me," Xu Ziqing pouted as she complained.
Chu Liang said with a smile, "I wouldn't dare...to go to the Jade Sword Peak."
"Hmph." The young girl pouted coquettishly. Just as she was about to say something, Yuan Zhuo walked back and interrupted their conversation.
"Junior Brother Chu, here is the dual cultivation technique you requested."
He handed over a book instead of a jade slip. It was no wonder he needed to get it himself. The book looked quite old and worn, with yellowed pages.
Several large characters were written on the cover: Yin and Yang Fusion Technique.
"This technique is the most suitable for dual cultivation of the Lesser Yin and Lesser Yang Golden Cores. It harmonizes yin and yang, connecting one to heaven and earth and benefiting both parties greatly," Yuan Zhuo continued to explain. "However, I must remind you to exercise moderation in the practice of dual cultivation. In the past, countless talented individuals claimed to be practicing dual cultivation. The reality was that they depleted the yang in their kidneys every day, thereby delaying their cultivation progress and becoming mediocre individuals...[1]"
With each sentence he uttered, Xu Ziqing's brows furrowed a bit more and gave Chu Liang an odd look.
"Um..." Chu Liang noticed her stare.
He grinned awkwardly and said, "This is for someone else. Right! A friend of mine..."
1. So basically some couples saying that they are cultivating but they are really doing something else. ?