Chapter 457 - 228: Blood God Set
Chu Xuan gazed within himself, seeing that the twelve towers and five cities cultivated through the "Jade Capital Secrets" were still present, mostly maintaining their jade-white hue, but no longer emanating that gentle pure brilliance, resembling a lifeless structure.
The biggest change was the disappearance of the Nascent Soul, leaving only a dark vortex in the central Dantian.
This vortex itself had no color, but it could devour everything within its scope, including light, thus it visually appeared as a pure black.
Moreover, Chu Xuan’s realm was not yet high enough; once he reached the seventh realm, the three Dantians would merge into one, becoming the "Returning Ruins", and then the twelve towers and five cities would all be swallowed up.
Strictly speaking, the "Celestial Water Returning Ruins Technique" does not belong to the "Inner Core method", neither cultivating a Golden Core nor a Nascent Soul, forming a complete system where even the Primordial Spirit resides within this vortex.
Thus, it cannot be classified using realms such as Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Out-of-Body, Divinity Transformation, Void Refinement, Unity, Mahayana.
In theory, the Great Divine Techniques expert who created the cultivation technique should have named these nine realms individually, yet he did not.
Chu Xuan himself was too lazy to name them, anyway he was the only one cultivating them in the world, using so many specialized terms that others wouldn’t understand either.
By the way, that Jade Capital Dragon of Dark Night was still present, but it was a product of cultivating the "Jade Capital Secrets", incompatible with the current technique, forcibly merging it would merely make it nourishment for Chu Xuan, so he temporarily kept it within the celestial energy.
Dark Night was quite pleased itself, as long as it stayed in this celestial energy to be nourished, it would do anything.
It’s worth mentioning that the state of the celestial energy was a bit strange; after being coaxed out by a mysterious method, it continued to linger in the red palace, seemingly waiting for an opportunity to reclaim its position, even faintly connecting with these twelve towers and five cities, giving him a sense of not being completely dead yet.
But that was impossible, could it possibly turn back?
Additionally, in managing the methods within the Jade Capital Secrets, Chu Xuan could still freely manipulate the celestial energy, but celestial energy remained celestial energy, and the demonic technique remained the demonic technique, the two unable to cooperate.
In the future, when he makes a move, he could even use it to disguise himself, simulating the previous technique, giving an impression of being a celestial being with high cultivation.
Of course, if he absorbs someone’s magical power in front of others, then no matter how ethereal he appears, it’s still a demonic path.
In short, this wisp of celestial energy will be of great use in the future, Chu Xuan wouldn’t waste it by directly devouring it, but simply sends it to the sea of consciousness, keeping it with the Six Souls Banner, to avoid any accidents.
Finally, these three years for Chu Xuan weren’t just about switching cultivation techniques; he experienced an inner sedimentation, during which he came to terms with many things.
...
Upon opening his eyes, in Chu Xuan’s view, the world had changed, with the flow and trajectory of countless energies reflected in his eyes, allowing him to devour them into his body whenever he wished.
This familiar feeling, this familiar power, Chu Xuan clenched his right hand, and couldn’t help but smile.
In Qingqing and Xiaoxue’s eyes, Chu Xuan still appeared as his old self upon emerging, just that his eyes had become deeper and darker, but for some reason, he seemed to have changed a bit?
Most noticeably was his aura; previously Chu Xuan gave the impression of being gentle like jade, a modest gentleman, but now that gentle feeling had faded somewhat, replaced by an air of dominance and assertiveness.
Especially his gaze, it carried a strong sense of aggression, making others fear to meet his eyes directly.
This made Qingqing a bit anxious, "Chu Xuan, are you okay?"
Chu Xuan restrained his outward aura a bit, smiling at Qingqing, "I’m fine, how could anything be wrong? I feel better than ever."
Saying this, he stepped forward and embraced Qingqing, his actions still were very gentle.
Only then did Qingqing somewhat relax, she embraced Chu Xuan tightly, "I, I’m a bit afraid..."
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid you’ll no longer be like the Chu Xuan you used to be."
"Don’t be afraid, I am always the person you love most in your heart, I just won’t hesitate anymore, won’t waver, won’t be lost."
After soothing Qingqing like this, Chu Xuan then smiled at Xiaoxue, reaching out to it.
Xiaoxue hesitated a bit but jumped up.
Chu Xuan gently petted its head and kissed its forehead, "Thank you for your hard work, little fellow."
Previously in Xiaoxue’s eyes, Chu Xuan was a very simple youth, after all it had watched him grow up, so all his actions seemed easy to understand.
But now, for the first time, Xiaoxue discovered that there was something inscrutable about Chu Xuan.
He couldn’t possibly be completely oblivious, right?
It still said the same thing, Chu Xuan wasn’t a fool, when Xiaoxue first went to the Heavenly Ruins to find him, he probably had quietly speculated in his heart.
Much less later, Ji Mingyu suddenly appeared in the Grotto Heaven to save him; even if he was dense, he should have known that Xiaoxue at least played a role similar to a white jade bracelet.
Originally, Xiaoxue had prepared itself, thinking Chu Xuan might drive it away after emerging.
But unexpectedly, Chu Xuan remained just as affectionate towards it, even, even as if returning to the time at Langhuan Grotto Heaven, with a sense of being utterly without reservations.
What exactly does he think of the master?
...
On the other side, Ji Mingyu over the past three years had always "stayed" by Chu Xuan’s side, not only watching from close-by but also able to directly contact through the pet.
This gave her the confidence to persist; she firmly believed that one day, Chu Xuan would change his mind.