Chapter 718: Yao Dao (II)
After traveling about two kilometers, the roars of yao became increasingly frequent, and he often saw them fighting with deep-sea exotic beasts. At the same time, the demonic qi in the surroundings grew denser, indicating that he was drawing ever closer to the space-time node.
"The location of this space-time node is rather ingenious. No wonder no experts are stationed here, yet the yao haven't managed to occupy it either," Lin Zheyu remarked with a smile as he weaved through the battles between the yao and the deep-sea exotic beasts.
A vast population of powerful exotic beasts resembling swordfish inhabited the surrounding area. Moreover, they possessed an ability akin to a military formation. The more swordfish gathered in the school, the more terrifying their collective combat power became. The deep-sea swordfish treated the yao that crossed through the space-time node as food. Almost as soon as a yao appeared, the swordfish would swarm it. Weaker yao would be devoured without a trace in fewer than ten breaths.
A pure demonic river flowed out of the space-time rift. Instead of merging with the seawater, it poured forth like a celestial river, forming a vast black waterfall that crashed onto the seabed hundreds of meters below. This persisted for a long time, and the pure demonic river energy accumulated on the seabed, forming a demonic lake.
"Roar! Roar!"
The sounds of the yao and deep-sea swordfish fighting echoed endlessly through the surroundings. Lin Zheyu hovered in the seawater before the space-time rift, yet neither the yao nor the deep-sea swordfish detected his presence.
This is a stable space-time node, but for now, it can only support the passage of yao at the Golden Core realm. However, if no one intervenes to seal it and the demonic qi is allowed to continue eroding it, this node will probably grow larger and larger, Lin Zheyu thought after examining the space-time node.
However, that had nothing to do with him. This was the sea clan's territory. Even if the demon realm used this place as a breach to launch an invasion, the sea clan would be the first to face them.
There are formation restrictions unique to the Sea Clan inscribed nearby. They seem to be used for surveillance... Lin Zheyu murmured inwardly as his eyes narrowed.
After recuperating along the way, his Heavenly Eye had recovered from its previous injury and could be used again. Lin Zheyu did not rush to enter the space-time node. The Heavenly Eye within his sea of consciousness shone with brilliant golden light as he carefully searched for any experts concealed in the shadows or traps that might have been laid nearby.
A long while later, Lin Zheyu finally relaxed after confirming that only a surveillance formation was present and that no sea clan experts were guarding the area. With a slight movement, he leaped into the space-time node.
Black winds howled as immense waves of demonic qi formed demonic tides that ravaged the node's void. This node had already stabilized, and there was neither a great sealing formation outside nor any sea clan experts standing guard. The aura of living beings on the other side passed through the space-time node and reached the demon realm. Attracted by this aura, an endless stream of yao passed through the space-time node and entered the deep sea.
Lin Zheyu ignored the yao within the node's void. His figure flickered as he plunged directly into the demonic lake suspended there.
[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]
[Name: Lin Zheyu]
[Origin Force: 2386]
[Skills: Martial Divine Pattern Secret Manual (Dormancy), Seven Absolute Sabers (Seventh Stage: 100%), Eight Desolations World-Suppressing Art (First Stage: 0%), Primordial Chaos True Art (Sixth Stage: 100%), Earth Shrinking Technique (Third Stage: 100%), Primordial Golden Body (Fourth Stage: 100%), Heaven-Deceiving Art (First Stage: 100%)]
Over 2000 units of Origin Force should be enough... Lin Zheyu thought as he examined the data in his mind.
To break free of the second shackle, Lin Zheyu had completely exhausted the accumulated resources from the Shamanic Dao inheritance he had received. The current environment of the world was simply incapable of supporting Shamanic Dao cultivation.
Lin Zheyu could no longer rely on the Shamanic Clan's cultivation methods to break free of the third Life Shackle. Therefore, he had placed his hopes in divine patterns.
I'll start with demon arts. Given my current realm, cultivating demon arts from the beginning all the way to the limits of the Golden Core realm should not be too difficult, Lin Zheyu thought after some consideration.
Demon arts were heretical techniques created by the experts of this world by modifying the Yao Dao Body system. Understanding the Yao Dao through demon arts was far easier than directly studying the demonic patterns of yao. Lin Zheyu had obtained many powerful demonic techniques from Cao Hongchang, and now was the perfect time to put them to use.
"The Heaven-Devouring Demon Arts... There really is a demon art with such a name..." A faint smile appeared on Lin Zheyu's face as he sorted through the techniques. With a thought, he selected the jade slip containing the Heaven-Devouring Demon Arts and decided to begin cultivating it.
"Evilheart Demon-Subduing Art... Ethereal Shadow Concealment Art... Heaven-Shaking Earth-Rending Palm..." Lin Zheyu swept through them with his mind, and thirteen jade slips containing powerful demon arts flew out and landed in his hand.
𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Due to the unique properties of Origin Force, his process of cultivating demon arts was somewhat unusual, ultimately resulting in the formation of divine patterns. However, the general process remained the same. As his mastery of the techniques improved, his understanding of both the techniques and the Yao Dao would gradually deepen.
I'll start with the Evilheart Demon-Subduing Art, Lin Zheyu thought.
With a sweep of his powerful spiritual sense, the cultivation method for the Evilheart Demon-Subduing Art was imprinted into his consciousness. The Evilheart Demon-Subduing Art was a powerful demon art that let its user form a second persona. In this state, a cultivator would enter a condition of Supreme Detachment. It was specifically designed to prevent cultivators from losing their reason due to the corrupting influence of yao will. However, as one's cultivation deepened, even this state would gradually be affected, eventually making one's temperament increasingly sinister and strange.
I can discard all the useless parts. All I need is the pure cultivation method for demon arts, Lin Zheyu thought.
With a thought, Lin Zheyu quickly formulated a new and simplified version of the Evilheart Demon-Subduing Art within his consciousness. He looked at the data in his mind. The simplified and modified Evilheart Demon-Subduing Art had successfully appeared on the panel, proving that there were no issues with the modified technique.
Use 20 units of Origin Force to cultivate the Evilheart Demon-Subduing Art. As the thought spread through his mind, a vast surge of mysterious energy erupted from his body. It swept up the demonic qi within the demonic lake and poured into Lin Zheyu's body.
His consciousness blurred for a moment before entering the consciousness space, where he began an endless cycle of cultivation. Under the influence of the mysterious energy, new divine patterns formed one after another. They clashed slightly with the divine patterns composing the Primordial Golden Body, but Lin Zheyu soon forcibly suppressed the conflict. Several breaths later, the cultivation session ended.
"Huff..." Lin Zheyu exhaled deeply and awakened from his cultivation, a trace of weariness flashing through his eyes.
Lin Zheyu examined the condition of the martial divine patterns within his body as he murmured inwardly, The progress is good. It probably won't take 300 units of Origin Force to cultivate the Evilheart Demon-Subduing Art to Perfection. However, the conflict between demon arts and the Primordial Golden Body is somewhat troublesome. It's still relatively minor now, but as my mastery of the Evilheart Demon-Subduing Art improves, the conflict will become increasingly severe...
However, he merely found the issue somewhat troublesome. Resolving it would only require him to expend a little more Origin Force. After confirming that it was not a serious problem, Lin Zheyu's figure flickered as he entered the Primordial Chaos Pool to rest.
With a thought, a jade slip fell into his hand. He had obtained it from Cao Hongchang, and it contained cultivation texts, personal notes, and insights concerning demon arts. He had relied on the Shamanic Dao to break free of the second Life Shackle. Now, the task of breaking free of the third Life Shackle rested upon the Yao Dao. The deeper his accumulation in the Yao Dao, the greater the effects of his eventual transformation would be, and the higher his chances of breaking free of the third shackle...