by Fang Xiang
The usually warm Master Ji Wei’s expression was cold and serious. When he spoke, his tone was stern. “Everyone knows the value of this jade scroll, there’s no need for me to say more. Daren led us out of Little Mountain Jie and did not abandon us. Now, he is imparting these rare and lost knowledge to us. Let me ask, which sect can do so?”
No one said a word. That was right, which sect could do so? No sect would be able to do so. They had all been members of large sects before. Lost knowledge like this was unavailable to anyone except the core disciples, no matter how much an individual contributed.
In just a few words, Master Ji Wei’s words made everyone’s hearts feel heavy.
“So,” Master Ji Wei’s heavy tone paused, his eyes lighting up and flashing across the people present, “I and Master Sun Bao have discussed and agreed that anyone who will learn from this jade scroll must first make a killing heart oath. Our Golden Crow Camp will become its own sect loyal to Daren!”
———
Zuo Mo did not know what effect his actions created.
After putting in large amounts of effort, and producing that jade scroll, he sunk into frenzied cultivation. But what made Pu Yao discontent was that Zuo Mo did not just cultivate the little yao arts but practiced them together with the six transformations of the Great Day mo physique.
Was even this method useless?
Pu Yao wondered, but then he understood when he changed his way of thinking. Zuo Mo had experienced the power of the Great Day mo physique and thought it was stronger, which was why he was working so hard on it. Pu Yao’s eyes looked towards the sky. Threads of black energy floated in the blood-tinged sky. His eyes lit up. He snickered, and instantly felt unhurried.
Then his figure disappeared.
The next moment, he appeared in the Ten Finger Prison. Pu Yao was like a ghost, those yao art jinzhi had no effect on him. His speed was wondrously fast as the scenery flashed by.
———
Chi suddenly stopped in his steps, his hair was red and his features were masculine like a lion, and looked with shock towards the sky.
“Teacher? What is it?” the students beside him hurriedly asked.
“Oh, nothing.” Chi turned his gaze back, and pretended to be calm. “Everyone, be careful. It is your first trip to Ten Finger Prison. Vast Water Clear Skies should not have any dangers for you, but still be careful, especially of provoking other yao.”
The students beside him all agreed, their faces full of anticipation. They had all gotten to the soul-planting stage, and were starting to try out real battle.
Chi did not speak. His gaze uncontrollably went back to the distance. Just now, he had barely detected that a peerlessly powerful yao had passed by. This feeling wasn’t clear, but it made him feel fear.
Was it a Sky Yao?
———
“I can’t find it? That place is a bit strange!” Pu Yao murmured to himself, his brows tightly locked.
———
Zuo Mo’s legs were glittering with golden light as though they were made from gold. The pattern of each muscle was clear and distinct. Dong, Zuo Mo was unable to control it well, and like a knife carving into tofu, his right leg was deeply imbedded into the earth up to his hamstrings. At the side, Shu Long and Xie Shan’s jaws gaped. The earth here had been tempered by thousands of years of black fiendish energy, and was as hard as steel. But in front of Zuo Mo’s legs, they seemed to be made of tofu.
If they were hit with that leg … …
Shu Long and Xie Shan reflexively turned their eyes away.
Zuo Mo’s forehead was covered with sweat. He pulled his right leg from the earth, but he lost control of his left leg. Pew, that also sank into the earth. His figure lost balance and fell on the ground. His body wasn’t as strong as his legs, and he bared his teeth in pain.
The troop maintained a constant speed as it travelled, so Zuo Mo decided to cultivate using this method.
[Light Void Wings] was meant for speed, and [Golden Crow Feet] was for power. Before this, Zuo Mo found it hard to understand how those mo that focused on strength could rival the xiuzhe that had powerful long-distance attacks. He only started to understand as he started to cultivate [Golden Crow Feet].
Any kind of power was extremely terrifying when it reached a certain level.
When pure strength reached a certain level, it would form a boundary in the surroundings to make a force boundary. Any other power that entered this area would be fiercely attacked. It was possible to imagine how a flying sword of a xiuzhe would have to break this force boundary before wounding its target.
Entering the force boundary, what the flying sword would face was a collision of power without any finesse.
Zuo Mo was still a long way off from forming a force boundary, but he wasn’t in a hurry. The beautiful feeling of pure power intoxicated him. He used the time on the road every day to practice the six transformations of the Great Day mo physique, and when he was resting, he would cultivate the little yao arts.
As to the dangers in front, was of little concern to him but his cultivation took up all his time.
Compared to the difficulty of Zuo Mo’s cultivation, the cultivation speed of Tenth Grade was astoundingly fast. He now had a black crescent flying blade beside him. This black flying knife was like a black butterfly that danced and circled around Tenth Grade without exhaustion.
Even Shu Long was jealous. He had overcome great hardships to form his weapon, yet Tenth Grade had cultivated his weapon in a month.
Lil’ Pagoda and Lil’ Fire curiously floated around Tenth Grade. The two little ones clearly were filled with curiosity about this little black person.
Tenth Grade didn’t even bat an eye. He concentrated on cultivation. Of course, he also knew the connection between Lil’ Pagoda and Lil’ Fire to Master so he did not act.
But Tenth Grade, his goal was to reach tenth-grade! With such a high and grand goal, how could he live a life of idleness with these people that only knew how to play everyday?
Tenth Grade raised his eyelid a crack and imperceptibly glanced at the two little ones as he thought proudly.
Who knew that Lil’ Pagoda and Lil’ Fire found the black crescent blade flying around Tenth Grade was very fun. They started to chase the black crescent and twirled around Tenth Grade .
Tenth Grade that wanted to focus on cultivation felt very irritated. He could not resist any longer. Opening his eyes, his murderous intent brimmed. “Go play somewhere else! Stop bothering me!”
Lil’ Pagoda and Lil’ Fire shook and flew far away in fear.
Silly Bird who had been dozing suddenly opened her eyes. The bird eyes narrowed and flashed savagely. Her figure suddenly disappeared from her spot.
Tenth Grade felt alarm, but he was unable to muster a response before a powerful force whipped his body.
Bam!
He was like a rock that had been kicked and landed head first in the ground.
“Who … …”
The dizzy Tenth Grade tried to struggle up, his heart brimming with killing intent as he wanted to attack.
An enormously big bird claw came from the sky. The enormous shadow covered Tenth Grade .
Pew!
Limbs spread out, Tenth Grade was splayed out and pinned to the ground by Silly Bird’s claws. He was unable to move.
In Tenth Grade‘s eyes, an enormous bird head with a pair of vicious eyes came down and stared at him.
Tenth Grade‘s body froze as he was dumbstruck.
* * *
Translator Ramblings: Zuo Mo is jade of all trades, master of none and worse off than being master of one. He needs time, lots of time, ling power needs time to accumulate, mo physique needs to be exercised and he needs to study and memorize yao arts. Golden Crow Camp takes control of their own development.
Tenth Grade needs to learn the pecking order, which is Silly Bird at the top. Tenth Grade might be a fifth-grade ling beast but he’s just born and Silly Bird is stronger and mor
e experienced. Who knows what Silly Bird has eaten has affected her. I also realized something about the black butterfly. Since Zuo Mo kept the butterfly in the card, it hasn’t had much interaction with the rest of the pets and so Zuo Mo doesn’t seem to care about it the way he cares about other pets, even weaker ones like Lil’ Black.
Chapter 332: Fiendish Mist
Hoo, finally finished learning the three hundredth little yao art.
Zuo Mo exhaled deeply. Little yao arts were not complicated at all, but there were so many kinds it was a headache. If it wasn’t that his consciousness’ foundation wasn’t bad, it probably would be much harder.
He suddenly raised his head. A disturbance was occurring at the front.
There was a situation!
Zuo Mo was not frightened and was happy. After so many days that he couldn’t even remember clearly, they hadn’t encountered anything ever since entering this damned ancient battlefield. His figure shifted and he appeared at the very front of the troop.
Not far away was a spread of thin bloody mist that seemed to have things moving inside it. The bloody mist was very vast, and showed no end.
Out of caution, the troop had stopped.
Pu Yao came out and looked gravely at the bloody mist up head. “Careful, this is fiendish mist. Inside are fiend soul beasts.”
It wasn’t the first time Zuo Mo had heard Pu Yao mention fiendish soul beasts. Every time Pu Yao spoke of them, his tone was very grave. He couldn’t resist asking, “Are those things very powerful?”
“En,” Pu Yao looked at the bloody mist up head, amazement unable to be disguised in his bloody pupil, “In any battlefield that has souls that have not transcended after death, the souls of those dead would roam the battlefield. If the fiendish energy of the battlefield is heavy, these souls will not dissipate, and will absorb fiendish energy to form fiendish souls. Over time, fiendish souls will become fiendish soul beasts. This fiendish mist is a size never heard of before. The fiend soul beasts inside will also be great.”
Pu Yao’s words made Zuo Mo feel hesitant. If it really was so dangerous, going into this bloody mist … …
After a few moments of thought, he ordered for camp to be set.
———
Golden Crow Camp had completely transformed.
Golden Crow Hall was filled with people that gathered in groups of three to five to discuss their studies. It was very noisy. This was an unique habit that they had formed during their time in Little Mountain Jie. Everyone had come from small sects, and were limited in their knowledge. Many of the problems that they encountered were not ones that could be resolved by themselves. Out of helplessness, consolidating everyone’s strength became the only choice. Over time, this became an unique habit of Golden Crow Camp.
The unique open environment of Golden Crow Camp and the trust built up due to persevering through hardship together was the most fertile ground to grow these relationships. Zuo Mo’s jade scroll was like a spring rain that instantly created vitality.
But today, they had not gathered to discuss problems of formations.
“The fiendish mist is in front of us. Even though Daren has decided to temporarily make camp, we need to prepare for entering the fiendish mist,” Sun Bao said seriously.
Everyone listened careful. After they had all sworn the killing heart oath, they became much closer. If before they were more like partners working together, then now everyone was of the same sect.
“I don’t want to interrupt everyone’s cultivation plans, but the situation is an emergency,” Ji Wei continued. “Our Golden Crow Camp must not drag Daren down, and needs to do our best to help Daren. Otherwise, aren’t we useless?”
Everyone nodded their heads with expressions of agreement.
Sun Bao nodded his head inside, and said in a deep voice, “So, I and Master Sun Bao have decided to gather all the strength of the camp to forge a talisman!”
———
The five hundredth type!
An exhausted Zuo Mo collapsed onto the ground.
Zuo Mo had furiously cultivated the little yao arts just so he could get that spell from Pu Yao as soon as possible. If they entered this fiendish mist, the ones in most danger were Vermillion Bird Camp and Golden Crow Camp.
Entering the fiendish mist was truly stepping into the inner span on the ancient battlefield.
Even though it was dangerous up ahead, but Zuo Mo saw more hope than in the desolation that he had seen these previous days. Pu Yao also supported this. The closer they were to the center of the battlefield, the more likely he could recognize where they were.
Unless they could find a working transportation formation, finding the general position of this jie was their only hope of leaving this place.
The bean-sized beads of sweat gathered in streams that flowed down his face. Zuo Mo didn’t wipe them off, and said in a hoarse voice, “Pu, spell!”
“Alright.” Pu Yao did not waste words and briskly handed over a jade scroll.
Grabbing the jade scroll, Zuo Mo felt he had recovered some energy and forced himself up to run towards Vermillion Bird Camp. Behind him, Pu Yao’s eyes flashed with an unusual light. He imperceptibly murmured, “Divine Summon Art … … really makes me anticipate … …”
———
In front of Gongsun Cha, Vermillion Bird Camp finished their organization.
Everyone was silent and their eyes were full of anticipation. This was the first time they had gathered after entering this ghastly place. Was there a mission? Many people couldn’t help but feel excitement. These battle maniacs felt moldy after spending every day on the boats.
“From today, all of your training missions are temporarily cancelled, and changed to cultivating this spell.”
Gongsun Cha smiled slightly, and then Zong Ru and the others beside him quickly handed jade scrolls to every person.
Everyone had a puzzled expression. Cultivate a new spell? But they suppressed their curiosity and remained motionless.
“Take a look.”
Only when Gongsun Cha said these words did they hurry to read the jade scroll in their heads.
[Fiend Ling]
Gongsun Cha saw the shock and joy on all the faces, and smiled. With this spell, the combat abilities of Vermillion Bird Camp would not drop but go up a level.
However, his own strength … …
His gaze turned to Zuo Shixiong who was cultivating in the distance and suddenly smiled.
After some more time, maybe he could give Zuo Shixiong a surprise.
The troop camped down at the border of the fiendish mist. The entire camp was busy. Even Zuo Mo was cultivating. With the fiendish mist in front of their eyes, there was nothing else that could motivate Zuo Mo even more. If he increased his strength by a fraction, then his chance of surviving would increase by a fraction.
Motivated by the looming threat of impending doom, Zuo Mo uncovered his own potential, and progressed quickly.
Right now, he had cultivated to the third transformation of the Great Day mo physique, [Day Script Palm]. He felt very excited at the power of this move. This move would gather an enormous golden palm over ten zhang in size. Under a palm strike, half of a mountain peak would disappear. Even Xie Shan and Shu Long couldn’t help but turn pale when they saw Zuo Mo perform this move.
Xie Shan rejoiced greatly now that he hadn’t let achieving jindan go to his head . He didn’t know where Daren had learned this strange moves from. Each move was enormously powerful. He was certain if he fought against Daren, he had no chance of victory.
The longer he stayed with Zuo Mo, the more respect and awe Xie Shan felt. In his eyes, Zuo Mo was filled with mysteries and enigmas.
Zuo Mo’s face was dusty. The palm of his hand hurt like it had been sliced with a blade. Three golden lines could be made out on his palm. Relative to the power of the [Day Script Palm] was its cultivation difficulty. Zuo Mo needed to cultivate to the point that his entire hand was covered in golden lines that formed a net
work. At that point, the [Day Script Palm] could be considered somewhat complete.
Each transformation of the six transformations of the Great Day mo physique was vast profound, easy to learn but hard to master.
Pu Yao was unusual in that he did not disturb Zuo Mo’s cultivation of Great Day mo physique. Did this guy also know it was dangerous up ahead? Zuo Mo was slightly reassured. If Pu Yao went crazy, no one could stop him.
He raised his head and saw that everyone else was focusing on their cultivation. He was instantly filled with motivation. So what if it was the fiendish mist? With this group of brothers, even if it was places more dangerous than the fiendish mist, he was not afraid!
Having understood something, Zuo Mo said to Tenth Grade that was playing with Lil’ Pagoda and Lil’ Fire, “Tenth Grade, you have to work on your cultivation, and do not slack off!”
Tenth Grade felt humiliated and his little face dropped. He looked with trepidation at Silly Bird, and coincidentally saw a cold light flash through the small crack of Silly Bird’s eye as she was resting. Tenth Grade‘s body froze, and fully felt the impact of Lil’ Pagoda’s nudge.
Lil’ Pagoda was so excited it spun, and Lil’ Fire chirped happily from the side.
Silly Bird glanced at Tenth Grade and then closed her eyes.
Tenth Grade felt coldness shoot up from his spine and turned back to docilely play with Lil’ Pagoda and Lil’ Fire.
Zuo Mo did not detect the strangeness of it. In his view, it was normal for Tenth Grade to play with Lil’ Pagoda and Lil’ Fire. He turned his face, and looked with concern at A Gui.
Grabbing A Gui’s hand, a thread of consciousness was put into her body. Zuo Mo frowned. The purple light inside A Gui’s body was very weak and showed no signs of strengthening. However, what reassured him was that the black fiendish energy had no effect on A Gui.
Zuo Mo marvelled at this point. A Gui’s spells and secret techniques were strange and profound. Even Pu Yao who thought himself as knowledgeable did not know of its origins.
However, Zuo Mo did not care about all that.
“A Gui, we will definitely get out.”