35: Three strategies

"Junior Martial Nephew Xiao, are you confident you can capture those two demons?" Immortal Master Xuan Qing's gaze was like lightning, and an invisible Divine Sense quietly extended, coiling around Xiao Zhuo's body like a snake, meticulously probing him.

Xiao Zhuo's lips curled into a slight smile, and the Spirit Concealment Art in his body quietly dissipated.

Boom!

His cultivation at the Peak of the Condensing Aperture Realm was no longer concealed. The surging and vast True Qi erupted, and the shockwave caused his blue robes to flutter wildly!

The Divine Senses of the strong cultivators in the hall swept over him, and they all nodded slightly, their faces showing understanding.

Especially the several Peak Revered Masters of the Yuyang Sect, their eyes openly revealed expressions of admiration.

"Since Junior Martial Nephew Xiao possesses Peak Condensing Aperture cultivation and has mastered the Spirit Concealment Art, making him suitable for both concealment and reconnaissance, he is indeed the best candidate," Li Miaoyi, the Peak Revered Master of Cuiyun Peak, spoke first, a smile on her lips, expressing her agreement.

Chen Jingshan and Dongfang Jianming exchanged glances, unable to hide their surprise.

Previously, they had not examined him closely and had no idea that this child's cultivation was so profound, and that he cultivated the Nine Revolutions Profound Essence Art, which was known for its slow progress within the Yuyang Sect!

"Hahaha!" True Man Xuanlun burst into hearty laughter, his voice shaking the hall. "This Disciple of mine has extraordinary talent! He broke through in one fell swoop after being granted the lower volume of the Nine Revolutions Profound Essence Art! Dealing with mere Nightmare-rank Demons will naturally be a cinch. Moreover, the cultivation he displayed is only Condensing Aperture, which can precisely lull those two beasts into a false sense of security and make them drop their guard!"

Although he spoke lightly, the smugness of having "found a treasure" in his brows was impossible to hide.

Sect Master Xuan Qing surveyed the entire hall and, seeing that everyone had no objections, said in a deep voice, "Good! This matter will be entrusted to Junior Martial Nephew Xiao!"

Before he finished speaking, a stream of light shot out from his sleeve and landed steadily in Xiao Zhuo's palm. It was a warm jade talisman, within which a vast energy subtly flowed.

"This talisman contains a full-strength strike from this humble Daoist. In a critical moment, it can serve as a life-saving trump card," Immortal Master Xuan Qing explained, his gaze profound.

"Disciple thanks the Sect Master!" Xiao Zhuo was overjoyed and bowed deeply with clasped fists. After the bow, he did not retreat but spoke again, his voice clear: "Disciple still has one request; I wonder if I may speak of it?"

"Oh? Speak freely," Immortal Master Xuan Qing tapped the armrest of his purple sandalwood chair with a finger, producing a soft thudding sound.

"Disciple's aerial movement technique is still crude and might jeopardize the battle. I implore Sect Master Senior Martial Uncle to bestow upon me a refined evasion technique!" Xiao Zhuo said loudly, not concealing his intentions.

He had accomplished a great feat on this trip, and tomorrow's demon hunt would be even more dangerous. It was only right for the Sect to provide support.

Immortal Master Xuan Qing stroked his beard and smiled upon hearing this: "Indeed, this Sect has been negligent. Very well! You have delivered information and bravely taken on a heavy responsibility; your contributions are invaluable. I grant you permission to enter the Scripture Pavilion and choose three Cultivation Techniques! As for evasion techniques, you may pick any you wish!"

"Thank you for the Sect Master's grace!" Xiao Zhuo was ecstatic and quickly bowed in thanks again.

"This matter is settled," Immortal Master Xuan Qing turned to Chen Jingshan and Dongfang Jianming, his expression solemn. "Prefect Chen, Brother Dongfang, within Qingyang City, do not spread word of the Hundred Demon Mountain matter for now. Everything will be decided after we capture those two demons and ascertain their lair."

With that, he was about to rise.

"Sect Master, wait!" Xiao Zhuo suddenly remembered something and said urgently, "When Disciple previously annihilated the bandits, I discovered that their blood all contained faint Devilish Qi. Since the demons control their internal spies with demon cores, can we not identify the spies through a 'blood-testing method'?"

Immortal Master Xuan Qing's gaze immediately turned to True Man Xuan Wei, the Peak Revered Master of Wuzhen Peak.

The latter understood and nodded solemnly: "I will arrange this matter and begin preparations immediately."

Chen Jingshan also mused, "If this method is feasible, I will also conduct a secret investigation within Qingyang City."

Everyone in the hall looked grave and nodded in agreement.

Internal spies were like a gangrene attached to the bone, lurking in the shadows and causing endless harm. No one dared to be the slightest bit negligent.

Yuyang Sect · Scripture Pavilion

Bidding farewell to his Revered Master, True Man Xuanlun, Xiao Zhuo, holding the Sect Master's handwritten note, impatiently soared into the air and flew straight towards the Scripture Pavilion, located on the mountainside of Zhenyang Peak.

The Scripture Pavilion was an important place in the Sect, guarded by an Inner Sect Elder of extremely high seniority who lived in seclusion within the pavilion all year round—an old Senior known by his Daoist name, "Heavenly Concealment."

As Xiao Zhuo's figure landed in front of the ancient pavilion, an old voice, thick with sleepiness, seemed to sound right next to his ear: "Whose child is this? Disturbing an old man's peaceful slumber in the middle of the night..."

Xiao Zhuo remained calm and bowed towards the closed pavilion door: "Disciple Xiao Zhuo, a direct Disciple of Xuanyuan Peak, greets Senior Martial Uncle Heavenly Concealment! Disciple is here by the Sect Master's order to select three Cultivation Techniques. My apologies for disturbing you so late; it was truly unavoidable."

With that, he respectfully held up Immortal Master Xuan Qing's handwritten note with both hands.

A gentle yet vast Divine Sense swept over the handwritten note.

Creak—

The pavilion door opened silently.

"Come in. You may choose from the first to third floors. Be gentle; don't disturb this old man's peaceful cultivation time," the old voice commanded with a hint of weariness.

"Disciple understands, thank you, Senior Martial Uncle!" Xiao Zhuo stepped into the pavilion.

The first floor was spacious, with ten massive ten-zhang-long bookshelves standing in rows, densely packed with paper Secret Manuals, all Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques.

Xiao Zhuo's gaze swept over them, and he unhesitatingly ascended the spiral staircase.

The second floor had a similar layout, but the Secret Manuals had all transformed into Jade Slips, suspended within specially made Restriction light shields.

Wooden plaques hung next to the Jade Slips, detailing the characteristics of the Cultivation Techniques and comments from previous Seniors.

Xiao Zhuo quickly browsed, already having some ideas in mind, but his steps did not stop, and he went directly to the third floor.

The third floor was slightly smaller, with a half-human-high long table against each of the four walls. On the tables were neatly arranged twenty-four Jade Slips, their radiance contained within, exuding an extraordinary aura—these were the Foundation of the Yuyang Sect's Legacy, all Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques!

Xiao Zhuo immediately saw the familiar Heavenly Dipper Transformation to Zenith Saber Technique.

He held his breath and concentrated, carefully examining the wooden plaque descriptions next to each Jade Slip, repeatedly pondering and comparing them.

After about half an hour, his mind was made up, and he loudly announced the names of the Cultivation Techniques he had chosen: "The Disciple requests the Earth-Grade finger technique, Heaven-Shattering Finger; the Earth-Grade Body Refining Cultivation Technique, Heavenly Fiend Body Refining Art; and the Profound-Grade evasion technique, Azure Light Evasion."

"Oh?" A soft exclamation came, and the light and shadow at the staircase entrance on the fourth floor stirred slightly. A slender, white-haired old man quietly appeared; it was Immortal Master Heavenly Concealment.

His gaze lingered on Xiao Zhuo, with a hint of playfulness: "Little fellow, your taste is quite discerning, picking all the tough bones to chew on, aren't you? These three are not easy to Revered Master."

Xiao Zhuo respectfully lowered his head: "Disciple is willing to try his best."

Immortal Master Heavenly Concealment said no more, and his withered finger pointed in the air.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Three faint lights flashed, and the Restrictions on the three Jade Slips dissolved in response, floating lightly into Xiao Zhuo's hands.

"Go," Immortal Master Heavenly Concealment waved his hand, and his figure faded like smoke.

"Disciple bids farewell!" Xiao Zhuo carefully put away the Jade Slips, bowed again, and turned to leave.

Nameless Valley · Yin Hour

High in the sky, Xiao Zhuo flew through the air, transforming into a streak of light, rushing towards the valley filled with bloody memories.

In just over two incense sticks' time, the outline of the valley came into view.

In the valley, the traces of yesterday's fierce battle still remained. Although the bodies were stiff and the blood half-congealed, the thick, unyielding scent of blood still permeated the cold air, making one nauseous.

Xiao Zhuo's brows furrowed tightly.

If such a scene were to be discovered by the demons who would arrive tomorrow, they would surely become alert!

He immediately stirred his wind elemental power, and invisible air currents, like an extension of his arm, swept up all the scattered bodies and sent them deep into the cave.

Then, he pointed his fingers like a sword and slashed through the air!

Rumble!

The hard rock ground exploded, forming a deep pit. The bodies were thrown into it.

Immediately after, he moved his palms, using the soft and gentle force from the Great Void Bright Palm, precisely striking the rock layers on the cave ceiling.

Rustle, rustle, rustle... countless Gravel rolling, burying the deep pit completely.

After completing all this, he did not stop but instead activated his water elemental power.

Clear streams of water emerged from thin air, flowing and flushing like spiritual snakes, thoroughly cleaning all the dark red bloodstains remaining on the rock walls and ground.

By the time he finished and stood up, the inside of the cave was completely refreshed, without a trace of bloody or malevolent Qi.

Outside the cave, it was the Yin hour, the darkest before dawn.

Xiao Zhuo changed into a set of crude linen clothes he had plundered from the bandit lair and sat cross-legged in the center of the spacious rock cave hall.

He took out the three Jade Slips containing powerful Cultivation Techniques, took a deep breath, and immersed his mind within them.

Heaven-Shattering Finger: An Earth-Grade finger technique that condenses True Qi into a point of destructive sharpness, with penetrative power and destructive force far surpassing his previous crude True Qi projection.

Heavenly Fiend Body Refining Art: An Earth-Grade Body Refining Secret Art that can draw the fierce Fiend Qi between heaven and earth to temper one's body, forging an indestructible golden body from within. Legend has it that when cultivated to the extreme, Rebirth of flesh and blood is not difficult.

Azure Light Evasion: A Profound-Grade evasion technique.

This was a choice born of necessity—the Yuyang Sect's Scripture Pavilion surprisingly had no Earth-Grade evasion techniques recorded!

Although this evasion technique was slightly inferior in grade, it had an astonishing advantage: its linear burst speed was unparalleled among Profound-Grade techniques, and it could even temporarily rival Earth-Grade evasion light!

The cost was that its turning was slightly clumsy.

However, for Xiao Zhuo, what he was pursuing at this moment was precisely that extreme speed, chasing the wind and lightning!

A powerful enemy was approaching; there was no time to lose.

Xiao Zhuo unhesitatingly first placed the Jade Slip of the Azure Light Evasion on his brow, and a vast stream of information instantly surged into his Sea of Consciousness.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, fully comprehending this crucial evasion technique that would determine tomorrow's success or failure.