Chapter 47 - 46: Eight Desolates Invincible Scripture

Chapter 47: Chapter 46: Eight Desolates Invincible Scripture

Around midnight, Xu Guang walked into a courtyard in the Outer City, his eyes bright with expectation.

Having killed another Abnormal Person, he wondered if the act would allow him to awaken Pang Hong’s Bloodline Power. This was Pang Hong’s home. Xu Guang threw the body to the ground as if discarding trash, deciding to harvest the spoils of war first. Pang Hong lived alone, which saved him some trouble. Even if there had been others, Xu Guang wouldn’t have minded eliminating the threat entirely.

Rummaging through the house, Xu Guang found hundreds of taels of silver, a Secret Manual, and a miscellany of jars. He didn’t look at them closely, stepping out into the courtyard to begin Blood Refining.

It was just that Pang Hong’s body seemed somewhat different from an ordinary human’s. He actually had two hearts, and from the waist up, dense white fur covered him completely, making him look like an incompletely evolved monkey. For a fleeting moment, Xu Guang considered whether he even wanted Pang Hong’s Bloodline Power. The physical transformation was too drastic for him to accept.

However, after thinking it over, he still decided to take it. Having two hearts was actually an advantage. As for the white fur, he could simply have Lu shave it for him every day. After all, this was the price of gaining the formidable power of an Abnormal Person. Abnormal People were, by definition, different from ordinary humans.

By the time he returned home, it was nearly dawn.

As soon as he got into bed, Ji Xiaolu rolled over and hugged him tightly without saying a word. But Xu Guang could sense her fear from her slightly trembling body. After all, the stench of blood on him had not yet completely dissipated. He had originally intended to clean himself up first and examine his spoils, but seeing her like this, Xu Guang remained still.

The next morning.

Ji Xiaolu went to the kitchen to cook. Xu Guang rose from the bed with a hint of disappointment in his eyes. He hadn’t seemed to awaken Pang Hong’s Bloodline Power. He was still somewhat curious about Pang Hong’s bizarre explosive methods, so it was a pity.

Shaking his head, he finally opened the bundle to inspect the spoils from killing Pang Hong yesterday. Pang Hong was an Abnormal Person, after all, which put him among the wealthy. In terms of money, the Gold and silver combined amounted to nearly a thousand taels. Among the bottles and jars were medicinal powders, prepared pills, and even a bottle of blue liquid.

However, the throbbing in his Blood Eye told Xu Guang that this was blood. A type of blue blood. His expression shifting, Xu Guang carefully put the blood away and expectantly opened the Cultivation Technique that Pang Hong had practiced.

Written on the cover in massive characters was the title—Eight Desolates Invincible Scripture!

But the moment he opened the first page to read the general principles, dark lines of exasperation instantly formed on Xu Guang’s forehead.

"To practice this Cultivation Technique, one must first castrate oneself."

He cursed inwardly. There was no way he would practice this Cultivation Technique, even to save his life. Soon, he flipped through the entire introduction. It truly was an incredibly bizarre Magic Door. Although castration was somewhat hard to accept, what if one could trade that for the awakening of Bloodline Power? For this alone, this Cultivation Technique was worthy of the name Invincible.

The general principle of this Cultivation Technique stated that the male root was the origin of breath. By severing the root, the breath would have no beginning and no end. By drinking the Cold Demon Blood, a Refining Viscera Alien Species, one would assimilate into this state of no beginning and no end, thereby awakening Bloodline Power.

So, Pang Hong’s Bloodline Power was obtained through castration? Xu Guang’s expression turned strange. So this was the Cultivation Technique Pang Hong had practiced? No wonder he was such a pervert with such a twisted mentality.

The strangeness of this Cultivation Technique was unlike any he had ever seen. It was truly bizarre and perilous. For a mortal body to swallow the blood of a Refining Viscera Alien Species—the slightest misstep would likely leave not even bones behind. He couldn’t help but think back to when he became Zhao Fu’s apprentice. The man had mentioned that the Golden Willow Skill was an orthodox Cultivation Technique. So, this Eight Desolates Invincible Scripture was what they called an Evil Cultivation Technique? Because of this, he found himself somewhat curious about Cheng Shan’s origins.

Naturally, there was no way he would practice this Cultivation Technique. He was merely curious about it. Skimming through, he discovered that this text actually hinted at realms beyond Refining Viscera. A Refining Viscera Martial Artist was already considered a top-tier figure in Feiyun City, making this Eight Desolates Invincible Scripture remarkably profound.

How had Cheng Shan obtained it? he wondered. But he didn’t look much further, simply because the fourth Chapter of the Eight Desolates Invincible Scripture was incomplete and written far too cryptically. Besides, he had absolutely no use for it right now.

He dipped his palm into the clay jar containing the Cold Demon Blood and began Blood Refining. He didn’t know if it was because the Cold Demon Blood had been sitting for too long, but despite it coming from a Refining Viscera Alien Species, it only provided him with twelve drops of Essence Blood. It was a bit lacking.

After lunch, Xu Guang stood in the courtyard, comprehending the changes brought about by his Great Bone Forging Perfection.

As long as Bone Forging progressed, one would gain an increase in strength. But upon reaching Great Perfection, strength would experience an explosive surge, just like during Skin Grinding Mastery. His strength had officially risen from four thousand catties to over five thousand. Though he hadn’t formally tested it, he could clearly sense it, and his resistance to physical blows had also improved.

Previously, with his Skin Grinding Mastery and his Stone Skin Bloodline, his external defense had reached a pinnacle. However, against a Refining Viscera Martial Artist who could manipulate Viscera Strength, such defense was nothing. Visceral Force possessed a bizarre ability to bypass external defenses and strike internally.

However, with his Great Bone Forging Perfection, his resistance against a Refining Viscera Martial Artist’s Visceral Force had also increased. Perhaps if he practiced a few more Bone Forging Techniques, his bones would become even stronger. Coupled with a few Bloodline Powers, he would be able to forcefully kill a Refining Viscera Martial Artist while only at the Bone Forging stage!

He opened the Searcher and checked the modification progress of his second Cultivation Technique. It was more than halfway complete. He had only modified the Skin Polishing and Bone Forging Chapters, so it was moving very quickly.

He had also mapped out his future use of the Searcher. For now, he would search for and modify the several Cultivation Techniques he had bought from the black market, and then he would begin searching for a way to break through to Refining Viscera. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to directly advance to Refining Viscera, but the plight of Jiang Wu, the Eldest Brother of the Immortal Institute—who had been stuck at Bone Forging Perfection for nearly ten years without finding an opportunity for Refining Viscera—made him somewhat fearful. If searching for a breakthrough method took too long, it would mean he’d make absolutely no progress for a very long time.

It was better to search for a few more Bone Forging Techniques instead. Although they wouldn’t raise his Realm, his Combat Power wouldn’t stagnate.

He had also grasped some rules regarding the use of the Searcher by now. He tried not to search for problems that were too complex or beyond his current Realm. It was best to search for things that matched his current level; the search speed would be much faster. At the same time, he guessed that it was also tied to his own knowledge. It was just that he was busy with Cultivation now, so he didn’t enjoy reading as much as he did when he was a child.

Now that he was at Bone Forging Perfection, his practice of the Golden Willow Skill could be paused for the time being. Xu Guang began preparing to perform Alchemy for the Secret Medicine of the Returning Mountain Skill. Naturally, he would still train the Refining Visceras Chapter of the Golden Willow Skill every day, but it was nothing more than a passing thought now.

Another day arrived.

Xu Guang sat in the courtyard he had previously rented in the Outer City. Several clay jars were placed in front of him, filled to the brim with various herbs. His expression was solemn and serious.

Although the ingredients for the Secret Medicine were simple, the precise dosages were incredibly strict. A fraction too much or too little would turn it into poison, leaving no room for carelessness. Fortunately, he had his Blood Eye. The meticulous observational power inherent to the Blood Eye ensured that his entire Alchemy process passed without any real danger.

About three hours later, Xu Guang looked at the Secret Medicine placed in the shade of the room to dry, a joyful expression on his face.

That evening at the Song Family home.

Xu Guang and Song Yue sat at a stone table. The table was laden with a variety of delicious dishes, featuring both meat and vegetables.

"Brother Song, this is truly a feast. You’re far too generous."

Song Yue had been wanting to invite Xu Guang to a meal for a while. Xu Guang had consistently declined, but today, unable to refuse any longer, he had to attend. Over the past few days, he had also figured out the real reason Song Yue had asked him over. He was merely worried about his brother in the military and wanted to befriend Xu Guang, hoping to build some goodwill. That way, if his younger brother Song Tao ever ran into trouble in the future, Xu Guang might step forward to help.

Having interacted with his neighbors for a while, Xu Guang had gained an understanding of the Song Brothers. The two siblings had lost their parents at a young age and relied on each other to survive. During his childhood, Song Yue worked as a corpse-stitcher at the vegetable market execution ground in Suiyang City. After their parents died, nine-year-old Song Yue trekked all the way to Feiyun City with his younger brother in tow, practically raising him like a son. Even when his brother joined the Feiyun Guard a few years ago and earned merits, Song Yue was constantly worried about him.

Such deep familial bonds inevitably reminded Xu Guang of the care Father Xu had shown him when he was young. Father Xu had been exactly the same back then. Whenever he encountered someone of high status, his first thought was always to curry favor in order to secure a better future for himself. Xu Guang felt a certain sense of kinship with people like that.

Song Yue smiled somewhat cautiously. "It’s just a modest meal, nothing special."

Xu Guang could tell that Song Yue had sought him out because he had a favor to ask.

"Brother Song, if you have something on your mind, just say it. If I can help, I absolutely will."

A look of joy washed over Song Yue’s face. He hurriedly placed a large piece of meat into Xu Guang’s bowl and said, "The city has been too chaotic this year. I want my brother to retire from the Feiyun Guard. I even wrote him a letter, but he replied saying he wouldn’t know what to do if he retired. I figured, Brother Xu, you’re also a Martial Artist, and I can see your family is living quite comfortably. If you wouldn’t mind, could you let my brother come back and work for you..."

As if feeling his request was too presumptuous, Song Yue quickly added, "I’m not asking for much money. I just want to see my brother settle down and start a family in a few years, that’s all."

Xu Guang felt conflicted. He could tell that Song Yue hadn’t been intentionally prying into his family’s affairs; it was clearly something his wife had learned while chatting with Ji Xiaolu. However, Xu Guang understood clearly that if Song Yue’s brother said that in his letter, it likely meant he didn’t actually want to retire; he just couldn’t bring himself to defy his older brother’s wishes outright. Song Yue himself was perhaps entirely ignorant of his brother Song Tao’s actual Realm.

He surely hadn’t made this request only to Xu Guang. He simply refused to let any opportunity slip by.

Xu Guang didn’t want to get involved in this sort of thing, so he hesitated before speaking. "Brother Song, you might be overestimating me. I’m just..."

Before he could finish refusing, Song Yue suddenly shouted into the house. Soon after, a delicate-looking woman walked out of the room, carrying a wooden box in her hands.

"This is a Treasure my parents left behind before they died. Neither my brother nor I can understand it. Since I hit it off with you, Brother Xu, why don’t you take the Rubbing of this thing to look at? As long as you can help my brother out in the future, that’s all I ask."

Later that night.

"What’s wrong, Husband?" Ji Xiaolu leaned against Xu Guang’s shoulder, reaching out to smooth his furrowed brow.

Thinking about his encounter earlier, Xu Guang felt deeply conflicted. Seeing Ji Xiaolu’s curious expression, he recounted what had just transpired at the Song residence. Hearing this, Ji Xiaolu also fell deep in thought.

"According to what you said, that General Song probably doesn’t want to retire. You accepted Brother Song’s Treasure, so you’re worried about coming into conflict with General Song later on. Is that right?"

Xu Guang nodded in silence. He didn’t think that Song Yue’s brother, who spent his days slaughtering enemies in the military, would have a very pleasant temperament. He hated this kind of trouble more than anything, but when he remembered Song Yue’s pleading expression before he left, he knew it would look bad to reject him outright. After all, ever since they moved in, Song Yue had helped their family with many things, even if they were just trivial matters.

Xu Guang nodded, pinched Ji Xiaolu’s cheek, and asked in a low voice, "What does Lu think I should do?"

Ji Xiaolu replied without hesitation, "Just stall. After a few days, I’ll help you return the item. We can just say we asked around but couldn’t find any good connections. The worst that happens is our family eats a bit more frugally, and I’ll just say some nice things to Sister-in-law Cui Yun."

Hearing this, Xu Guang couldn’t help but hug Ji Xiaolu tightly. Life wasn’t like a novel, constantly filled with fighting and killing. There were always social nuances to navigate, and he really couldn’t bring himself to reject certain things to people’s faces. With Ji Xiaolu around, he would be able to avoid a lot of these troublesome matters in the future.