I Am Overlord c1-962
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"Dao of details!" Xiang Shaoyun exclaimed.
He then knelt down before the gravekeeper elder, "Elder, I beg you to accept me as your disciple and teach me more daos that are stronger."
From what the gravekeeper elder had taught him during this period of time, Xiang Shaoyun was already seeing the elder as his master. Now would be the best opportunity to formalize the relationship. Unfortunately, before his knees could touch the ground, an incorporeal power propped his knees up, making it impossible to kneel.
"I am not teaching you because I want to take you as a disciple. I am merely doing something for the academy," said the gravekeeper elder.
"Doing something for the academy does not conflict with accepting me as a disciple," Xiang Shaoyun said. "Do you think I'm unqualified?"
"No. I am merely a cripple in charge of guarding a graveyard. Qualifications do not matter here. It's mainly because my path of cultivation does not suit you and I'm limited in what I can teach you. I don't want to waste your future," said the gravekeeper elder with a sigh. "Alright, let's talk about your move prediction technique."
Xiang Shaoyun was disappointed to learn that the elder had no intention to take him as a disciple. But he quickly readjusted his mindset and started telling the gravekeeper elder about his self-created technique.
The gravekeeper elder also gave him some opinions, allowing him to gain a brand new understanding of his self-created technique. Based on what the gravekeeper elder said, the technique couldn't be classified as a battle technique. Rather, it was in a sense a tactical technique.
The so-called tactical technique was a technique that worked similar to how a game of chess would unfold where knowledge of the opponent would allow one to grasp victory. Xiang Shaoyun's Havoc Dance was a technique that relied on his ability to sense an opponent's energy flow and weak points, allowing him to predict the moves of the opponent and react accordingly. Thus, it was quite similar to a game of chess.
Of course, Xiang Shaoyun only knew a tiny bit of the concept of tactical technique. His comprehension wasn't even enough for him to be considered someone possessing basic mastery. According to the gravekeeper elder, there was once an expert capable of reaching a stage of knowing before the opponent.
Basically, it was a stage where one knew what the opponent would do before the opponent themself knew. One would thus be able to react accordingly, slowly setting the opponent up before dealing a single fatal blow to finish them off.
Xiang Shaoyun was completely dumbstruck when he heard the elder's explanation. He had always thought that although he wasn't a pioneer in move prediction, at the very least, he had a basic mastery in it. But now, he found that he had merely been a frog in a well.
Since the ancient times, many geniuses had appeared. Numerous paths had been explored, and numerous creations had arisen. Xiang Shaoyun was still too far off the level of a pioneer.
"Of course, don't be disheartened. You did well thinking of this technique yourself. At your age, this is a terrific accomplishment. As for whether you can reach the knowing before the opponent stage, it will depend on yourself. But the dao of tactical technique can be considered a part of the dao of craftiness. It has its very own uniqueness, and you will have to slowly comprehend it yourself.
"However, you are already going against the tide with your nine different powers. If you still need to spend time comprehending craftiness, you won't have enough time. I think you should focus on your nine powers first before doing anything else," advised the gravekeeper elder earnestly.
Xiang Shaoyun nodded. "I will remember your teachings."
"Alright, let me teach you a battle technique to make up for both of us not being able to become master and disciple. Watch carefully," said the gravekeeper elder as an afterimage appeared.
The afterimage was demonstrating a fist technique. The moves were bold and seemingly simple, yet it contained a domineering might capable of shaking the heavens and swallowing the stars.
After a glance, Xiang Shaoyun was completely engrossed in it. He had never imagined that a fist technique could present such a striking visual impact that caused his blood to boil with excitement. He was completely infatuated.
After a while, the afterimage vanished. Xiang Shaoyun stood still, as if he was still engrossed in what he had seen. The gravekeeper elder did not disturb him. After writing some words on the ground, he vanished into thin air, as if he had never been there in the first place.
Chapter 578: Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist
Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist!
These were the words left behind by the gravekeeper elder, the name of the fist technique he had just demonstrated. It was an extremely domineering name, one that matched the technique's might. Xiang Shaoyun blanked out for a long time after looking at the words on the ground.
The gravekeeper elder was nowhere to be seen. Xiang Shaoyun was filled with excitement, but he also had a sense of loss. The gravekeeper elder had taught him so much yet had not accepted him as a disciple, leaving before he could even voice his gratefulness.
Xiang Shaoyun swept his gaze at the building before him. He knelt down and kowtowed three times respectfully before saying, "No matter what, I already consider you my master. I, Xiang Shaoyun, will not forget the favor you have shown me. I will let the Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist shine brightly and spread its fame far and wide."
After saying that, he sat down cross-legged and started replaying the Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist move by move in his Nether Soul Domain. His soul body also moved along and started practicing the fist technique.
Gift of visualization!
It was one of the unique talents granted to Xiang Shaoyun by the Nether Soul Domain. He had known of this talent ever since he had started cultivating, and it was a talent he frequently utilized, one that helped him be successful in every endeavor.
This Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist did not come with an accompanying mantra. However, the gravekeeper elder had personally taught and demonstrated it. Each move showcased the key point of the technique, and by comprehending these moves, the fist technique could be mastered.
The Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist did not have complicated moves, but it had a great emphasis on the utilization of force, borrowing the power of stars to reverse the cosmos and destroy the dao. That was the essence of this fist technique.
Using the Nether Soul Domain, Xiang Shaoyun replayed the fist technique again and again. His soul body also practiced it repeatedly, and after many attempts, he finally started gaining some comprehension of it. This was a fist technique without an element. Thus, it could be used alongside any type of astral energy. That was also part of the reason why the fist technique was so valuable.
One ought to know that the higher the cultivation, the more a cultivator relied on astral energy in battle. This particular fist technique worked in a completely different manner. It was able to utilize both the astral energy within a cultivator and all the energies in the surroundings to unleash its might.
Xiang Shaoyun had a vague feeling that the Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist was not just another fist technique. It was akin to a celestial fist technique. After completely memorizing all the moves, he stood up and started moving his body, sending a completely ordinary and mediocre punch toward the thin air.
Instantly, it was as if nine stars had appeared around him. A projection of the cosmos overturning and a river of stars roiling appeared around him as an ancient aura spread out, releasing a domineering destructive might that could plant fear in anyone's heart.
The natural energy in the surrounding air was pulled over to the fist and moved alongside it, filling the fist with an incomparable explosiveness. Unfortunately, even with Xiang Shaoyun's strength, he could only display one percent of the fist's might. Yet just that little bit of might was enough to awe any Emperor in existence.
Xiang Shaoyun brandished his fists repeatedly, his movements bold, crushing complexity with simplicity, exuding an exceeding overbearingness. He had only culti
vated for a short while, yet he had already exhausted a great amount of energy. The exhaustion rate was comparable to the Nine Overlord Skyslaying Saber Technique, perhaps even higher.
He thus sat down to recover. Suddenly, he thought of the nine-colored fog within his body and wondered what would happen if he powered the fist with the fog. At that thought, he couldn't hold back his curiosity and quickly stood up and charged toward the pile of bones. When they sensed him approaching, they reformed into skeletons and swarmed him.
Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist!
With roar, Xiang Shaoyun drew out the nine-colored fog from within his astral cosmos sea, shrouding himself with a nine-colored radiance, making him seem filled with energy. As he threw the punch at the skeletons, the destructive force surrounding his fist surged while the projection of nine stars around him sharpened.
A torrential might seemingly capable of shattering stars swept forth. A series of explosions erupted as a large number of skeletons were transformed into powder. One ought to know that these skeletons were formed of sovereign-grade bones that were comparable to top-tier emperor weapons in toughness. In fact, even some sovereign weapons would have difficulty outright destroying them.
Xiang Shaoyun himself had personally experienced their toughness. But now, after powering the Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist with his nine-colored fog, the bones became so fragile, directly reduced into fine powder by his punch. It was too shocking. Even he stood there in stupefaction as he gazed at the large expanse of white powder before him.
"Haha, my persistence to cultivate nine powers is correct!" Xiang Shaoyun finally recovered from his shock and started howling with laughter.
The nine-colored fog was formed of nine different powers, containing both the power of life and destruction. Perhaps that was the ultimate secret of cultivating nine powers. It was a realization that caused Xiang Shaoyun to be wild with joy.
After all, he had been hesitating ever since he had heard the gravekeeper elder's narrative, not knowing what kind of setback was waiting ahead of him. But after once again witnessing the prowess of the nine-colored fog, he regained hope and no longer felt so lost about his future. He was now confident that his choice was right. Perhaps others had failed because they hadn't been able to form the nine-colored fog in their astral cosmos seas like him.
And thus, Xiang Shaoyun spent his days studying both the ancient mantra and the Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist every single day. He also started forming more nine-colored fog within him with the powers of his nine stars.
The nine-colored fog within him had become extremely thick ever since he had absorbed the gathered astral energies during his assessment. And with his recent growth his strength, his astral cosmos sea had expanded considerably, allowing him to gather a rather sizable amount of nine-colored fog within himself.
Furthermore, after filling all nine of his stars with nine unique powers, he was able to form an unending cycle within him that constantly replenished him with energy. Thus, he no longer needed to worry that the nine-colored fog would be fully exhausted before he could even do much with it.
After spending about two months in cultivation, his cultivation base was now extremely robust, pushing him to the very peak of the Skysoar Realm. He only needed to finish forming his draconic aura and he would be able to easily enter the Emperor Realm.
It was at this time that the academy finally sent some people to take him out. Xiao Wei was not among them. Instead, they were the grand guardians. Naturally, Xiang Shaoyun had a rather unsightly expression when he saw the grand guardians. After all, they had been trying to make him cripple himself and restart his cultivation focusing on a single power.
This time, when the grand guardians saw that Xiang Shaoyun was still cultivating nine powers, their eyes were filled with mixed emotions. Finally, they held themselves back and did not even mention making him focus on one power. Instead, the principal sent him off.
Chapter 579: The Changes After One Year
Thus far, the newest recruits had entered the academy for one year. During this period of time, many disciples had risen in fame, and a ranking of top 100 disciples had also been released. The ranking was known as the Dragon Phoenix List, and each of the disciples on the list was an extraordinary genius.
Of the 100 disciples, the hidden genius disciples, Baili Yixiao the Smiling Swordsman occupied the first place. Zhan Wushuang the Fist Emperor occupied the second place, Yu Ziyang the Holy Son of the Yu Clan occupied the third place, Ouyang Chuanqi of Ouyang Clan occupied the fourth place, Huang Wuji of the Dusk Dynasty occupied the fifth place, Yu Caidie the Holy Maiden of the Yu Clan occupied the sixth place, Han Chenfei of the Glacier Palace occupied the seventh place, Xiao Xie of the Severing Saber Manor occupied the eighth place, Long Shi occupied the ninth place, Ye Linshan occupied the tenth place, and so on.
The first eight disciples were more or less the same eight strongest freaks. Meanwhile Long Shi and Ye Linshan had squeezed themselves into the top 10. Both of them had displayed an extraordinary talent during the assessment. They possessed high-grade eight-star innate elemental physiques, comparable to Di Lin's physique.
Di Lin hadn't been able to enter the top 10 and wasn't even part of the top 20. He currently occupied the 39th place. But the only reason for that was due to his relatively lower cultivation level due to his age. Given a year or two, he would be able to climb higher.
As for Huo Xudong, he was within the top 100, while people like Di Tong and Tang Longfei weren't even part of the top 100. One ought to know the weight of this ranking list. The placings were all based on the accomplishments of the new disciples after a year of hard work.
Some of the disciples who had failed to enter the top 100 weren't necessarily weaker; they simply hadn't been as dazzling as those on the list. Naturally, many of the disciples were working hard to one day enter the list. Just by entering the list, they would be guaranteed a certain status amid the numerous geniuses of the dominion.
During the year, Tang Longfei, Lady Shura, and Ning Wenhuang had been cultivating hard. Tang Longfei was now a first-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator, and when ranked among all the disciples, he was within top 5,000.
The top 100 list was known as the Dragon Phoenix List while the top 1,000 list was known as the Jiao Luan List[1]. As for the list including all the new disciples, it was known as the Serpent Fowl List.
The naming style of three rankings were rather interesting. From a serpent to a jiao, and from a jiao to a dragon. From a fowl to a luan, and from a luan to a phoenix. The three were the same lists that had been repeatedly used generation after generation in the academy.
As for Tang Longfei, he occupied the upper-middle range of the Serpent Fowl List. After all, there were about 20,000 new disciples in their batch in addition to the large number of followers. Thus, competition was tight.
As for Xiang Shaoyun, who had initially astonished everyone, he was now ranked at the middle range of the Serpent Fowl List. The reason his ranking was so low was because rumors of him cultivating nine different powers had spread. He had even been locked up at the forbidden Back Graveyard by the principal.
It was an extremely harsh punishment, and those who had left the Back Graveyard had mostly ended up with slight mental issues or had completely gone mad. Some had even directly died there. In short, very few people had survived that place intact.
Since Xiang Shaoyun was only an eighth-stage Skysoar Realm cultivator, nobody believed he would end well after being thrown there, which was the reason for his low ranking. Everyone believed that after a period of time, his name would probably be removed altogether.
As the followers of Xiang Shaoyun, Han Qianwei and Han Xuewei had indirectly suffered the humiliation on his behalf. Due to their beauty, the two were akin to snow lotuses that gave one an urge to pluck them. Furthermore, the two weren't too strong and were at the bottom of the Serpent Fowl List, even if they had already reached initial eighth-stage Skysoar Realm from peak sixth-stage.
In the eyes of the various geniuses, they were still completely insignificant. Because of that, the two turned into the prey of many men who wanted to make them theirs. For them, having these two as maids would be a decent option. In their eyes, they weren't even qualified as lovers.
It gave the two sisters an intense sense of humiliation, and their confidence was completely shattered. Back then, they had still aimed to be Xiang Shaoyun's women, but now, it seemed like they weren't even qualified to be his women. That realization had changed their expectations, and if Xiang Shaoyun was able to leave safely, they would willingly serve as his followers without hoping for more.
Only when they managed to catch up with someone like Lady Shura would they entertain the thought of being his women. One ought to know that Lady Shura's draconic aura had reached 90 percent completion. She was almost an Emperor, and with her Shura Physique, she ranked quite high in the Serpent Fowl List and wasn't too far off from entering the Jiao Luan List.
The Shura Physique was a unique physique that wasn't any worse than the innate elemental physiques of those freaks. Thus, it was clear Lady Shura would have a bright future. Furthermore, she was also a core disciple.
Because of that, she now had her very own villa. She had also settled the Han Clan sisters in her villa, allowing them to cultivate there. Otherwise, there probably wouldn't be anything left of the sisters.
After all, private battles were not prohibited in the Dragon Phoenix Academy. So long as one did not kill or cripple an opponent, nobody would care about private battles. Those who had joined one of the various factions in the academy would receive the protection of the faction, and that would serve as a deterring force. If a faction member was targeted by someone, the faction would work together against the aggressor.