Chapter 263 - 147: Wondrous Art of Shenxiao, Divergent Paths of the Profound School

Chapter 263: Chapter 147: Wondrous Art of Shenxiao, Divergent Paths of the Profound School

However, this Divine Communication Technique had a very peculiar feature. It was a technique specially created by a senior expert of the Yuxiao Sect for disciples to use as a last resort when facing an unstoppable enemy.

When first created, this technique was a life-sacrificing, single-strike art, much like the one used by Chao Qianji of the Dragon Image Sect. The caster would use their very cultivation foundation as the price to unleash a world-shaking blow.

In Xuzhuang’s estimation, even if an unremarkable Refining Cultivator were to sacrifice their life to cast the Shenxiao One Qi Heaven-Smashing Thunder Method, a Golden Core Cultivator caught unawares by the blow would face certain death.

Later, that senior expert of the Yuxiao Sect felt the life-sacrificing method was too cruel and also had the drawback of being difficult to learn. After painstaking effort to improve it, a second Cultivation Method was created: one that unleashed the Divine Thunder by expending all of the caster’s magical power at once.

But even so, casting a technique with all of one’s magical power was an act that left no room for retreat. For an ordinary cultivator, even in a moment of desperation, this technique would be useless without a truly resolute and daring heart. This was why Xuzhuang had evaluated the art as ’tasteless to eat, yet a pity to discard.’

However, Xuzhuang’s assessment applied only to ordinary people. For a cultivator who had mastered the Three-Element Elephant Body and understood its corresponding principles, the Shenxiao One Qi Heaven-Smashing Thunder Method, while still not a conventional tool, could at least be used without completely sealing off one’s escape route.

Therefore, Xuzhuang practiced it for a bit with considerable interest. After drilling his Divine Techniques, he attempted to cast this particular art.

The result, however, was a pleasant surprise for Xuzhuang. He had deliberately expended most of his magical power, so what remained was hardly immense. Yet, when he unleashed this thunder method, its power was still astonishing—far greater than the Profound Fire True Thunder, at least for the same amount of magical power expended.

Of course, along with this pleasant surprise, Xuzhuang also discovered another flaw in the thunder method: its blast radius was not very wide. If the strike was off by even a fraction upon release, it would mean the difference between the enemy being obliterated without a trace and emerging completely unscathed. ’Perhaps that’s one of the reasons its power is so astonishing.’

All in all, the Shenxiao One Qi Heaven-Smashing Thunder Method had both glaring strengths and glaring weaknesses. ’Fang Mu Pool must have spent a long time carefully selecting this technique.’

Having thought this through, Xuzhuang gave a carefree smile and put the matter out of his mind. He was about to return to his abode when his Spiritual Sense suddenly stirred, and he stopped in his tracks.

Before long, a young disciple came flying gracefully toward him on a crane. He brought his hands together in a salute and called out, "This disciple greets the Venerable."

With Fei Fan Yan representing the thirteenth generation of True Disciples on the Tai Su Platform Surface, Xuzhuang’s seniority within the sect had risen to that of a grand-martial-uncle, and many disciples now addressed him as Venerable.

Xuzhuang nodded slightly. Seeing the disciple was wearing a Steward Daoist Robe, he asked, "Is there some important matter that brings a Steward to Chongyun Peak?"

A slightly awkward expression appeared on the Deacon Disciple’s face, and he hesitated for a moment. Seeing this, Xuzhuang’s brow furrowed slightly. "Steward, please speak your mind. There is nothing that cannot be said in my presence."

The Deacon Disciple let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "Yes, of course," he said, then continued, "Venerable, your use of a large-scale Divine Communication Technique within the sect has affected the work of the Celestial Hall and disturbed the other members. This disciple was ordered by the hall to come and... remind the Venerable."

In truth, Xuzhuang had been aware of the commotion. It was just that the power of the Shenxiao Qi Heaven-Smashing Thunder, cast with only a little remaining magical power, had far exceeded his expectations. Hearing the disciple’s words, he gave a light cough and raised his hand in a small gesture of acknowledgment. "I understand. I will be more careful in the future."

"Excellent." The Deacon Disciple quickly returned the salute, then took a token from his sleeve. "The Hall Master specially ordered me to give this to you, Venerable. He said it is a credential for entering Zhuojie Mountain. If you wish to practice your Divine Techniques, Venerable, you may go there."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow. He had heard of Zhuojie Mountain. It was a minor realm established by the Tai Su Orthodox Sect thousands of years ago for its members to practice their techniques. It was somewhat similar to the Beiji Pavilion, except one focused on cultivation level while the other focused on Divine Communication Techniques.

But practicing techniques was different from regular cultivation. The sect’s High-Achieving Cultivators, in particular, could tear apart mountains and split the earth at a whim. Zhuojie Mountain didn’t last long before it was ravaged beyond recognition and was eventually closed. Now, only those with a credential could enter, and they usually went not to practice techniques, but to seek the insights left behind by predecessors who had once honed their arts there.

’The Celestial Hall Master giving me this token isn’t so much providing a place to practice my techniques as it is a way to stop me from disturbing the celestial phenomena within the sect again. A small favor, all things considered.’

Xuzhuang said, "I understand. Disturbing the celestial phenomena was an accident and will not happen again. I will accept this. You may return and report to your Hall Master, Steward."

Seeing his task completed successfully, a look of delight appeared on the Deacon Disciple’s face. He bowed to Xuzhuang in farewell, then rode his crane down through the clouds and departed.

Xuzhuang tossed the token in his hand, then shook his head with a smile and tucked it into his sleeve before finally turning and entering his abode.

At the same time, a guest arrived at the Jade Cauldron Hall.

Chen Zonghe, one of the current leading figures of the Chen Family, had come to the Jade Cauldron Hall on his brother’s orders.

Following a Daoist Child into the rear hall, they entered a spacious chamber where Chen Zonghe finally saw the current Jade Cauldron Hall Master, the one who wielded great power in the sect: Xuzhuang’s... dharma body.

Xuzhuang’s status was different now. While he wasn’t required to manage affairs in the three halls at all times, he was by no means idle. He had simply left a dharma body in the Jade Cauldron Hall to handle matters as they arose. In its spare time, it would refine Magical Artifacts and cultivate external Divine Techniques. In just a few days, it had already managed to refine another layer of restriction onto the Dragon Transformation Dharma Jade.