Chapter 178 - 110: The Dao Mansion Acknowledges Its Master
’First, I was inexplicably dragged into the Purple Mansion Divine Realm, and now I have to waste all this effort comprehending some damn Grotto Heaven Dao Mansion...’
’How the fuck is this supposed to be giving me a legitimate Star Position? This is clearly just playing me for a fool!’
’This feels even harder than the Tang Monk’s journey to the West.’
’The eighty-one tribulations weren’t even this infuriating!’
’I refuse to believe I can’t beat this!’
’I *will* seize this opportunity, no matter what. No one can stop me—not even the Celestial King!’
With a turn of his thoughts, the Star Power in Jiang Mu’s body roared to life.
At the same time, his other two Demon Shadows, each holding a Star Position, were also activated.
Three cores driving him, he unleashed his full power!
In a blur, Jiang Mu felt as if he had become an unsheathed sword.
Nothing could stand in the way of its edge!
’You want me to comprehend the Great Dao, don’t you?’
’Fine!’
’Then I’ll use my own Dao to contend with yours!’
’You’re arrogant?’
’I’m even more arrogant than you!’
’My Dao is a sword. Where I stand is its beacon. Where my heart aims is the heavenly road.’
’Those who stand in my way—’
’—whether god or demon, I will slay them all!!’
In that instant, an incomparably tyrannical will, one that looked down upon all existence, burst forth from the depths of Jiang Mu’s consciousness.
It was in his nature to never take a loss, and deep in his bones lay a violent, untamable pride.
’You’re trying to piss me off?’
’Well, I’m going to have my way and enjoy every second of it!’
BOOM—!
Transformed into a sword, Jiang Mu charged at the Great Dao Barrier, wrapped in an unstoppable momentum.
The Barrier trembled violently, caving deep inward.
Countless Dao Rhyme runes swirled and flickered madly, trying to resist his brutish charge.
Jiang Mu gritted his teeth, holding on for dear life.
His internal Star Power was being consumed at a frantic pace, like a river bursting its dams. Meanwhile, the Demonic Qi from his Demon Slot continuously converted to replenish the supply.
This was a battle of endurance!
Anyone else would have likely collapsed from exhaustion and retreated long ago.
But Jiang Mu was a cheater.
He had a persistent "cheat" for endurance; his specialty was simply outlasting his opponents!
’Let’s see who can outlast who!’
’Back when I was only in the Third Realm, I kited a Tier Five Zombie King to death. You think I’m afraid of some stupid, lifeless Barrier?!’
’It’s just that...’
’This Star Power is being consumed way too fast. It’s like I’m burning through cash.’
’The replenishment from the Demon Slot is gradually failing to keep up.’
...
「In a room at the post-house.」
’Strange, why hasn’t Xiaojiang woken up yet?’
Ling Ye’s brow furrowed, her eyes full of confusion and worry.
By now, she had completely suppressed the Jade Cicada Cold Qi within her body and returned to normal. But Jiang Mu was still holding her tightly, his eyes shut fast, showing no sign of waking.
’Something’s wrong.’
A sense of unease rose in Ling Ye’s heart.
She quickly activated her Cultivation Technique, sending a wisp of her divine sense to probe the situation inside Jiang Mu’s body.
The probe immediately gave her a shock.
The Star Power in Jiang Mu’s body was being consumed at an astonishing rate.
’What’s happening? Why is Xiaojiang circulating his Cultivation Technique and consuming Star Power like this while unconscious?’
Ling Ye was shocked,
’Could it be that the Jade Cicada Cold Qi he absorbed earlier has mutated inside him? Is it attacking his meridians and organs, forcing him to instinctively circulate his energy to fight back?’
Ling Ye’s heart ached as she looked at the unconscious Jiang Mu, his face gradually turning pale.
’Did you have to disregard your own life like this just to save me?’
Without another thought, she immediately began circulating her own Cultivation Technique at full power, pouring pure Star Power into Jiang Mu’s body.
...
「Before the Dao Mansion Barrier.」
’Damn it, the consumption is too fast. The Demon Slot is starting to fall behind...’
Jiang Mu cursed inwardly.
Right now, the face of the Great Dao Barrier was deeply caved in. It had even become translucent, looking as if it could shatter at any moment.
But it was just missing that final little push!
’Should I give up?’
He had a strong premonition: if he retreated now, the Barrier would only be stronger and harder to break the next time he tried!
Just as Jiang Mu’s mind was a battlefield of conflicting thoughts...
Suddenly!
He felt a stream of pure Star Power inexplicably pour into his body.
Jiang Mu was stunned for a moment.
Then, immense joy flooded his heart.
’It’s Sister Ling!’
’That means she’s recovered.’
’Her timing couldn’t be more perfect!’
Jiang Mu was so excited he felt like throwing his head back and roaring with laughter.
With this powerful infusion from Ling Ye, combined with the energy still being converted by his Demon Slot, the faltering Jiang Mu was instantly back at full strength.
He was even more ferocious and his aura even sharper than before.
’Sister Ling, lend me your strength!!’
His ambition soaring, Jiang Mu once again launched his fiercest assault on the Great Dao Barrier.
’My Dao is forged; all other ways must yield. If the heavens themselves bar my way, then I will tear the heavens asunder!’
’Break—for me!’
With Ling Ye’s powerful assistance, the sword that was Jiang Mu finally pierced the last obstacle.
The screen of the Great Dao Barrier shattered.
Countless motes of runic light scattered like fireworks.
In that instant, an overwhelming aura of blood and slaughter rushed out to meet him, like a primordial beast freed from its cage.
What followed was a sky full of crimson.
This was the [Grand Prime Heavenly Dipper Blood River True Qi]!
It was a blade of slaughter that Shangguan Luoxue had nurtured by combining it with her own Great Dao. It was also the final guardian Divine Ability protecting her Dao Mansion.
Once triggered, this True Qi would unleash a "Blood Calamity."
It would invade the intruder’s mind.
Those with a weak will or a flawed Dao heart would, at best, be corroded by the Evil Qi and suffer great damage to their Cultivation Level. At worst, they would fall prey to their Heart Demon forever, with no hope of recovery.
According to Shangguan Luoxue’s original design and arrangements.
If Jiang Mu had truly relied on his own comprehension and the guidance of the Purple Mansion Agreement to gain the Dao Mansion’s approval step by step, eventually making gentle contact with the true Dao Rhyme, then she would have sensed it in time.
She would have then removed this final "killing" barrier to avoid accidentally harming her collaborator.
But she never, ever would have expected—
—that this fellow Jiang Mu didn’t play by the rules. He was just too damn fast!