"Duàn Làng, it's time for you to go cause some chaos."
As Daniel continued training within the Heavenly Gate, an idea struck him about the outside world. He decided to send out a Wood-Style shadow clone, impersonating Duàn Làng, wielding the Fire Lin Sword. Initially, his plan was for Duàn Làng to stir up trouble in the Eastern Islands. However, after obtaining the divine beast serum from Emperor Shitian's hidden arsenal, his plans changed.
Daniel intended to use the shadow clone not only to create disruption but also to practice the Devouring Sun Sword Art. Although clones weren't effective for training internal energy, they were excellent for refining combat techniques.
"Zòng Yì Dēng Xiān Bù... Emperor Shitian really didn't waste his 2,000 years of life," Daniel mused.
The Sacred Heart Technique, Emperor Shitian's magnum opus, was a culmination of centuries of martial knowledge. Among its many secrets was the Ascension Step, an unparalleled lightness skill.
At first glance, the technique looked as though the user was casually strolling, their robe fluttering elegantly. Yet its speed was blinding, nearly akin to spatial displacement. The combination of grace and speed made the Ascension Step an awe-inspiring technique.
In the world of Wind and Cloud, few could rival this movement skill. Perhaps only Wind's mastery of the Wind God Leg or the long-deceased Shenxing Taibao could match its swiftness. Shenxing Taibao, known for his exceptional lightness skills, might have been ranked among the top three of all time. Yet even he could only match the speed of a young Wind at his peak.
Wind's natural talent for lightness skills was undeniable. Although the Wind God Leg was not an obscure martial art—many disciples of the Three Absolutes had learned it—only Wind managed to bring it to such prominence.
In addition to its lightness skills, the Sacred Heart Technique boasted the Mantra of the Sacred Sea, Celestial Palace Phantom, and many other abilities, including the powerful Four Sacred Tribulations and Seven Absolute Domains. These made Emperor Shitian elusive and almost untouchable.
Combining his unparalleled movement skills with healing, restoration, and even resurrection capabilities, the Sacred Heart Technique wasn't necessarily the strongest martial art in Wind and Cloud, but it was undoubtedly the most versatile and well-rounded—making it an excellent fit for Daniel.
"If I use the Sacred Heart Technique to augment Heavenly Frost Fist, the power increases significantly. It seems I'll need time to fuse the Sacred Heart Technique with the Taoist Heavenly Sect techniques, Yin-Yang Arts, Heavenly Frost Fist, Wind God Leg, and Cloud Dispelling Palm."
The Sacred Heart Technique, with its ice-based foundation, was perfectly suited to complement the Heavenly Frost Fist. Similarly, the Ascension Step could seamlessly merge with the Wind God Leg and Dragon Subduing Divine Leg, creating a harmonious blend of lightness skills and leg techniques. Even the Cloud Dispelling Palm, when infused with the Sacred Heart Technique, could achieve unprecedented levels of power.
The Cloud Dispelling Palm had unique traits—its ability to draw on water to amplify its force, or even use the practitioner's blood in the absence of water, was just one aspect. Another hidden capability was its illusionary element, such as the Clouds Come from Paradise, which relied on cloud energy to create hallucinations in the opponent.
The hallmark of a true martial arts master wasn't merely learning techniques but adapting and evolving them to fit one's own style. Those who blindly adhered to martial manuals without innovation could never ascend to greatness. Sword Chen was a prime example. Despite being one of Nameless's disciples, he couldn't even defeat the early-stage Duàn Làng.
Strictly speaking, Sword Chen wasn't untalented. If he were, Nameless wouldn't have accepted him as a disciple. Sword Chen's biggest flaw was trying to learn Nameless's swordsmanship—a style that didn't suit his temperament. Had he studied a martial art like the Black Tortoise True Art, his potential might have been fully realized.
"Master, what are your orders?" In the Heavenly Gate's main chamber, the Sacred Mother Luo Xian knelt before Daniel, awaiting instructions.
"Retrieve the Brahma Sky Staff and bring it back here. This game no longer serves any purpose. While you're at it, send people to deal with the skeletal remains in the snowfields. They're unnecessary."
Daniel had no intention of continuing Emperor Shitian's twisted game. After some thought on how to reshape the Heavenly Gate, he decided to start by abolishing its more sinister practices.
"Understood," Luo Xian said after a moment's hesitation, bowing her head.
"I'll be entering seclusion for an indeterminate period. During this time, all matters of the Heavenly Gate will fall to you. Also, you won't stay here anymore—relocate to Luo City. If anything urgent arises, I'll come to find you. That's all; you may leave."
"Yes, Master."
With the pretext of seclusion, Daniel effectively sealed off the Void Sky Realm within the Heavenly Gate and left. Unlike Emperor Shitian, Daniel had no need to reside in the freezing ice cavern. Though his strength rendered him immune to the cold, he preferred freedom over confinement.
As for Luo Xian, Daniel had recognized her inherent goodness. Back in Luo City, she had been renowned for her medical skills, which she used to help the common folk. Daniel decided to send her back to continue her work. With her strength, only a handful of people in the Jianghu could pose a threat to her.
"So this is Dragon Island?"
Leaving the Heavenly Gate behind, Daniel arrived at Dragon Island, the location Emperor Shitian had predicted the Divine Dragon would appear on the Day of Auspicious Signs. The island was vast and home to a tribe that called themselves the Sea Clan, worshipping the Divine Dragon as their protector deity. The island even featured a grand temple dedicated to their draconic savior.
However, their faith was built on a misunderstanding. The so-called Divine Dragon was simply a powerful beast among the Four Divine Beasts of Wind and Cloud. While these creatures had extraordinary abilities, they lacked the intelligence and divinity of true gods.
Centuries ago, the Divine Dragon had inadvertently saved the islanders during a hunt. Its appearance was sheer coincidence. In truth, had it not been distracted by a sudden abundance of strange fish in the waters, it might very well have devoured the humans instead.
"These people know nothing about the Divine Dragon. It seems I'll have to wait until the Day of Auspicious Signs," Daniel muttered. Initially, he had hoped to locate the dragon ahead of time for an early confrontation. But after several days of searching the island and its surrounding waters, he found no trace of the creature.
Daniel concluded that the dragon must be hiding deep beneath the ocean, making it nearly impossible to locate. Leaving behind a Flying Thunder God seal for later use, he departed the island.
Back at his secluded training ground, Daniel resumed his research into the Phoenix Blood, combining modern science with the surgical precision of the Op-Op Fruit. Emperor Shitian had been unable to fully integrate the Phoenix Blood into his body, but Daniel was determined to succeed.
Unlike Emperor Shitian, Daniel didn't intend to hoard the Phoenix Blood for himself. Though the quantity left was limited, it was enough for him and others like Ada to benefit from it.
"Emperor Shitian completely wasted the Phoenix Blood's potential with his crude alchemical methods," Daniel mused. Through extensive research and by comparing the Phoenix Blood to the Fire Qilin's blood, Daniel discovered its true nature.
The proper way to consume Phoenix Blood was the same as the Dragon Essence—direct ingestion. If the user could withstand the fiery energy, they could not only achieve immortality but also gain tremendous power and even inherit the phoenix's innate abilities, like rebirth through flames.
Unfortunately, Emperor Shitian's crude methods had destroyed much of the blood's essence. The Phoenix Blood in its current state retained only its longevity-granting properties.
After days of rigorous training and experimentation, Daniel felt his power reach new heights. His mastery of the Sacred Heart Technique and other martial arts had refined his skills to a level far surpassing the Four Emperors of his previous world.
"It's time to see what's happening outside," Daniel decided.
When he returned to the Jianghu, he quickly learned of the chaos caused by the invasion of the Eastern Islands' Wushen Absolute Palace. Qin Shuang had been defeated by Absolute God and was forced to flee with some of his followers. The palace had taken control of the Tianxia Association, and reports claimed that even legends like Nameless and Bu Jingyun had been captured.
The news sent shockwaves through the martial world.
"Nameless, poisoned again by Sword Chen, no doubt. But how did Bu Jingyun get captured?" Daniel thought, incredulous.
Given Nameless's strength, Absolute God shouldn't have been able to defeat him directly. The only plausible explanation was treachery—likely by someone close to Nameless. Daniel immediately suspected Sword Chen, whose cowardice and poor judgment made him an easy target for manipulation.
As for Bu Jingyun, while he might not yet be a match for Absolute God in single combat, capturing him alive should have been no easy feat. Daniel surmised that Chu Chu might have been used as leverage against him.
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