I Cheated While Cultivating

Chapter 314: Chapter 34: It turns out that Yan Shouyi is about to coalesce his Dao Seed!

“`

Ten paper warriors, each possessing seventy percent of Zhou Heng’s strength, were by no means inferior to any True Gang Realm martial artist.

Now, De Sheng was equivalent to facing the siege of ten powerful True Gang Realm fighters.

Moreover, some of these paper warriors performed the Overturning Heaven Three Palms, others executed the Purple Thunder Blade Skill; each technique was of the highest caliber and immensely powerful, making it very difficult for De Sheng to fend off.

After just three or four exchanges, De Sheng fell into a disadvantage.

No matter how he swung his iron rod in an attempt to counterattack and escape from being suppressed, it was of little use. He was still being pressured relentlessly.

He could only parry, without the strength to fight back.

In such a situation, not to mention gathering his full True Gang strength to strike back, De Sheng found it hard to even wield his iron rod; the paper warriors’ attacks were too relentless, sealing off the natural Qi of the heavens and the earth, giving him no chance to catch his breath.

This made the many civilians present very surprised. This was a high monk from Jia Ye Temple, a Secret Six Rank martial artist capable of traversing the azure heavens, a figure of high status, and yet he was being beaten like this!

It was simply unthinkable.

Standing to the side, De Kai’s face had already gone pale. He never imagined Zhou Heng would be so powerful.

This was no ordinary onset of True Qi; even a martial artist at the peak of True Gang Realm and Secret Six Rank wouldn’t possess such exaggerated strength.

Too strong!

It totally surpassed the normal scope of the True Qi Realm.

“No wonder this lad boasted so confidently earlier, saying he could defeat us without involving the surrounding civilians; his strength is indeed formidable,” De Kai said with a grim face, his gaze shifting toward Zhou Heng who was standing off to the side leisurely, “But alas, no matter how advanced your Taoist formulas, they will not necessarily protect your own body!”

He made his move.

Since Zhou Heng had previously stated he would fight them alone, De Kai’s intervention was within the rules.

In De Kai’s opinion, even joining forces in two against one was better than just watching De Sheng be easily defeated by Zhou Heng.

As long as they won this fight, there would always be an excuse to gloss over their actions.

However, the moment De Kai acted, he immediately felt a tingling in his scalp and a sharp rise in his sense of danger.

A purple sword light, like thunder, descended out of nowhere, and then split into twelve beams, enveloping him.

Sword Control Technique!

Qingyuan Sword Manual!

This Sect Sixth Rank Sword Manual, combined with the Secret Six Rank Sword Control Technique, wielding the purple lightning swords, was comparable to a peak True Gang Realm martial artist’s move, effectively locking down De Kai’s every possible action and preventing him from making a move.

“Does Master De Kai wish to test my sword technique?” Zhou Heng said with a light chuckle. He stood there relaxedly, and in the entire course of the competition, he had not moved an inch, thoroughly suppressing the two from Jia Ye Temple.

Zhou Heng, who had cultivated three kinds of True Qi, although not yet able to compare himself with a real Sect Fifth Rank, found that martial artists below that level posed no threat to him.

Perhaps only a Secret Six Rank possessing unique techniques would be somewhat of a challenge.

Unfortunately, De Kai and De Sheng did not seem like practitioners of exceptional martial arts, so Zhou Heng suppressed them without breaking a sweat.

Clearly, the outcome had been decided.

However, the spectators beneath the stage were somewhat disappointed.

There were no heavenly phenomena, no great shocks of wind and thunder; the rumored power of a Secret Six Rank innate expert in summoning the forces of nature was not displayed, and the fight was already over.

Moreover, from the moment De Sheng made his move and Zhou Heng released the paper warriors until now, when the fight ended, it took only a few short breaths’ time.

“This fight between Secret Six Rank experts doesn’t seem as good as one with Lower Third Rank,” someone remarked.

“Yes, I heard before that Secret Six Rank experts could harness natural forces, bringing intense heat in the twelfth lunar month, or snow in August, but now…”

“Could they be holding back their power? Alas, it’s somewhat anticlimactic.”

…

There were whispers in the crowd.

In their eyes, the match between Zhou Heng and De Kai and De Sheng ended far too quickly, and aside from the initial astonishing act of turning paper into soldiers, there was nothing much to see.

“Shut it, who gave you the nerve to discuss figures on the same level as our Prefecture Lord?!'” someone reprimanded in a low voice, and people suddenly realized that their Prefecture Lord was also of Secret Six Rank and most of them weren’t even Ninth Grade…

Suddenly, the murmurs around got much quieter.

At the same time, many people began to lament the strength of Pure Yang Palace.

Zhou Heng, at the young age of nineteen, easily overcame two Jia Ye Temple’s Secret Six Rank elders in their nineties. Who was stronger and who was weaker was immediately apparent.

The battle ended quickly.

De Sheng and De Kai, surrounded by paper warriors and enveloped in sword light, were unable to offer any resistance and had to concede defeat.

“Amitabha. The layman’s strength is extraordinary, this monk overestimated himself,” De Kai said, admitting defeat with excellent composure, still smiling and clasping his hands together, “Given this, our Jia Ye Temple will withdraw from Qingyang Prefecture.”

“You’re very impressive,” De Sheng nodded and said solemnly, “However, I do not believe I am inferior to you. In some time, I will come to challenge you again.”

“You’re welcome anytime,” Zhou Heng nodded lightly and said with a smile, “Then I shall respectfully send off the two masters from Qingyang Prefecture.”

De Kai and De Sheng left the stage and headed towards the city gates. Along the way, many people followed and bombarded them with questions, but they were all kept at bay by their protective True Gang, unable to get close.

But there were also not a few people around Zhu Heng’s stage.

This crowd was still waiting for people from Taixu Viewpoint, hoping to see if they could create a grand and magnificent battle.

But no matter how long they waited, no one appeared.

By this time, the private room in the tavern across from the stage had already emptied, devoid of any presence.

A good while later, someone from Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall came to inform Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian of a piece of news—

The people from Taixu Viewpoint had already secretly left Qingyang Prefecture City.

As the person relayed this news, their voice “accidentally” grew louder, allowing many people below the stage to hear it as well.

One stone stirs a thousand ripples; the crowd suddenly erupted into commotion.

Taixu Viewpoint had been spreading their teachings very ostentatiously before, much more so than Jia Ye Temple, and now, just after the defeat of the people from Jia Ye Temple, those from Taixu Viewpoint had already fled.

It was a flight without a fight!

Completely shameless!

“`

For a time, Taixu Viewpoint’s image in the hearts of the people of Qingyang Prefecture City plummeted to rock bottom, sinking even lower than that of Jia Ye Temple.

At the very least, Jia Ye Temple had put up a fight.

Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were also somewhat surprised; they did not expect the people of Taixu Viewpoint to be so decisive, but this was good as it saved them a lot of trouble.

“Next, we should head to the neighboring prefectural city,” said Zhou Heng with a smile.

“Mm,” Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, smiling as she said, “In the next city, I will take action.”

…

Above the high clouds outside Qingyang Prefecture City.

Qin Feng and Kou Guang were traveling by riding the light, flying away from Da Qi, on their way back to Southern Jin.

“Brother, we’re just leaving like this?” Kou Guang furrowed his brows slightly, his voice tinged with worry, “Won’t this damage the reputation of our Taixu Viewpoint? If the View blames us, it won’t be easy to explain.”

“Don’t worry, there won’t be any blame,” Qin Feng said with a smile. “Our Taixu Viewpoint’s foundation lies in Da Jin; with the complicated situation in Da Qi, that land is not our target to open up. Moreover, we’ve already achieved our goal, so there’s no reason for the View to place blame on us.”

“Goal?” Kou Guang was startled at first, then came to a realization, “Are you referring to Yan Shouyi’s attitude?”

“Exactly,” Qin Feng nodded, smiling as he spoke: “Does my junior brother really think that the View sent us to Yuzhou to preach, simply to vie with Pure Yang Palace for territory?

“That’s clearly impossible. Our Taixu Viewpoint has been passed down for tens of thousands of years; we are long past the stage of competing for territory. What the higher-ups want to know now is Yan Shouyi’s attitude towards Yuzhou, as well as his attitude toward the various factions in Southern Jin.”

“Yes, indeed,” Kou Guang nodded lightly and said, “Sending Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, two individuals with status, high standing, and formidable strength, signifies Yan Shouyi’s great emphasis on Yuzhou, as well as his rejection of the Southern Jin schools… But still, what’s the significance of figuring out all these things?”

“Heh, my junior brother, you are naturally cautious and seldom interact with others, missing out on lots of information,” Qin Feng laughed lightly and continued, “I display an arrogant temperament, taking great pride in being a disciple of Taixu Viewpoint.

“In doing so, I managed to gain favor with some of the elders, and sometimes I can learn some secrets from the higher levels, such as signs of a breakthrough in becoming a Celestial Man.”

“A breakthrough to Celestial Man?!” Kou Guang’s eyes widened in shock, he gasped for air and exclaimed in astonishment, “Yan Shouyi is about to condense a Tao seed and ascend to the position of a Tao Lord?!”

“If before there was only suspicion, after probing his attitudes toward Yuzhou and the schools in Southern Jin, we can now be sure,” Qin Feng nodded, his voice grave:

“Why is he so protective of his own? For just an attack on a junior brother by someone of a higher realm, he struck directly at the Heavenly Palace itself! Why does he insist on holding the position of the number one in the world?

“Why doesn’t he hesitate to utterly offend Taixu Viewpoint, even to forcefully suppress our master? Why is his attitude so tough, hell-bent on maintaining the purity of Pure Yang Palace’s foundation in all regions…

“My junior brother, think about it, why is this so? This is because this is his path. He is on the verge of condensing the Pure Yang Tao seed and must maintain this pure, bright, resolute, and strong state.”

“So it is,” Kou Guang nodded in realization, and his eyes began to shine, “Uncovering Yan Shouyi’s situation is a big piece of news indeed.”

“Perhaps upon our return this time, we will have the chance to learn martial arts of the Absolute Fourth Rank,” Qin Feng was filled with joy.

At the same time, he looked back at Qingyang Prefecture City, coldly smiling, “Poor Zhou Heng, he still believes his senior brother genuinely cares for him, completely unaware that he is nothing but a pawn used by Yan Shouyi to maintain his state of ascension to the Tao.

“Junior brother, send a message to notify the others in Yuzhou that we can all return now.”

…

Taihua Mount, at the Golden Peak of Jade Void Peak.

Yan Shouyi was sitting cross-legged above the sea of clouds, flicking his finger and revealing a Three-legged Golden Tripod, also temporarily releasing Yang Wuji’s perception, and smiled, “Come, Daoist Yang, join me for a chat.”

“Yan Shouyi, what exactly are you trying to do?!” Yang Wuji’s expression became fierce, and he questioned loudly, “By forcefully suppressing me, are you attempting to practice your Pure Yang Path?”

“No, it’s just that I find you unpleasant to look at,” Yan Shouyi gently shook his head and said, “Tell me, if one day Taixu Viewpoint sends people to Yuzhou to preach, what would be their purpose?”

“Go to Yuzhou to preach?” Yang Wuji visibly startled at the words, his thoughts whirling and his eyes narrowing slightly, he said, “You’re planning to condense the Pure Yang Taoist seed?”

“What do you think?” Yan Shouyi said with a chuckle.

“It looks like your junior brother is just a pawn of yours,” Yang Wuji sneered, “How clever, Yan Shouyi, the so-called ‘Number One Under Heaven’, the ‘True Yang that Resides in the World’!”

“You think too much,” Yan Shouyi said as he gently shook his head, then he snapped his fingers, and the mist once again shrouded the Three-legged Golden Tripod, shielding Yang Wuji’s perception. He laughed inwardly, “Who said I’m cultivating Pure Yang Tao?”

At the same time, in his eyes, there shone a bright golden light; but as the light spun, bits of pitch-black began to “light up”, and the gold gradually turned pure white.

Then, the two intertwined and merged, bearing the Yin while embracing the Yang.

Just like Tai Chi, generating all phenomena.

“It seems my master was not wrong; Taixu Viewpoint indeed harbors some designs against my Pure Yang Palace, so intent on when I will condense the Taoist seed,” Yan Shouyi pondered in his heart, while his eyes returned to their normal state.

“Jia Ye Temple also has its schemes. Yuzhou is hiding something extraordinary; it wasn’t in vain that I used the Tai Chi Force once to divine the heavenly secrets. I must send a message to the junior brother to be wary of the people from Jia Ye Temple, no, it’s better to have him return.”

In fact, from the beginning, Yan Shouyi’s reason for sending Zhou Heng there was simply because he didn’t want his hometown to fall under the influence of Taixu Viewpoint and Jia Ye Temple, potentially becoming a point of contention between Da Qi and Southern Jin.

But he had not anticipated that there would be unexpected gains.

With Yan Shouyi’s cultivation level, it was not difficult at all to remotely observe the situation in Yuzhou.

Therefore, he heard the conversation between Qin Feng and Kou Guang, which made him understand some of Taixu Viewpoint’s attitudes, and he took the situation in stride, further confusing Yang Wuji.

To prevent the unexpected, he had also very briefly used the true Taoist power he cultivated to divine the heavenly secrets, involving Taixu Viewpoint and Jia Ye Temple, but then he unexpectedly discovered that there really was a problem in Yuzhou and that Jia Ye Temple had a grand scheme.

And this was very dangerous for Zhou Heng at the moment.

…

Under the suppression of the Three-legged Golden Tripod, Yang Wuji wore a cold smile and thought to himself, “Yan Shouyi, oh, Yan Shouyi, do you really think you can suppress me completely?

“The thousands of years of inheritance of my Taixu Viewpoint is not to be underestimated. There are too many secret techniques, too many methods that you don’t know about, you’re just a nouveau riche small sect, shallow in resources.”

Immediately after, he performed an extremely secretive communication technique, and through an intangible connection of the divine soul, he sent a message to Taixu Viewpoint millions of miles away.

“Yan Shouyi is about to condense the Pure Yang Taoist seed.”

…

Qingyang Prefecture City, Tongshun Inn, the best room in the “Heaven” category.

Bedroom.

Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were sitting on the bed.

The two were discussing which prefectural city to go to next, especially since the people from Taixu Viewpoint and Jia Ye Temple had already left Qingyang Prefecture City.

But at that moment, Zhou Heng’s gaze flickered slightly, and then he frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Cheng Jianjian asked, puzzled.

“Jianjian, I’m afraid you won’t have the chance to make your move in the next city,” Zhou Heng stood up, smiling as he said, “My senior brother sent a message that there might be great changes in Yuzhou soon, telling us to go back.”