Chapter 72 The Spirit of Painting Transmits Skill

Jiang Huoyu's smile froze on her face.

The words she had just spoken were something she had learned in her Family since she was a child; they showed respect without losing her status, carrying the unique arrogance of a scion from a noble Family.

Furthermore, by introducing her background and stating her origins the moment she opened her mouth, she was both displaying her capital and exerting an invisible pressure.

Yet, she hadn't expected that this Painting Spirit wouldn't even spare her a glance.

"Senior..."

Jiang Huoyu was unwilling to give up and wanted to say something more.

"Noisy."

The Painting Spirit finally spoke, his voice dry and hoarse, yet carrying an unquestionable majesty.

Jiang Huoyu instantly felt an invisible pressure envelop her entire body, and she couldn't utter a single word of flattery.

She could only retreat two steps in anger and annoyance, biting her lip, looking at Chen Mu and the Painting Spirit with complex eyes.

"Kid, I have guarded this Void Realm within the painting for who knows how many years, and I have seen countless challengers."

"Among them, there were many proud sons of heaven with top-tier Aptitude, as well as determined cultivators, but like you..."

The Painting Spirit paused, seemingly weighing his words.

"Direct, even a bit rude—this is something I have never heard of or seen before."

The Painting Spirit's gaze remained locked on Chen Mu, who did not answer, only listening quietly.

"When faced with beauty, you draw your sword and slash. When subjected to torture, you sit cross-legged in meditation. Upon discovering it was a test, you didn't bow or kowtow, didn't call me Senior, but instead started cursing directly."

The Painting Spirit shook his head, then nodded.

"You are truly reckless, and truly rude."

"Enough, since you were able to pass the test, although the way you did it was a bit special, according to the rules, I should give you something."

Before he finished speaking, he raised his finger and tapped the Void Realm.

A beam of spiritual light flew from his fingertip, transforming into two ancient Jade Slips that hovered in front of Chen Mu.

"Of these two techniques, the first is the 'Wind God Wings.' It is not a real pair of wings, but it can control the power of wind spirits to travel by the wind. Once cultivated to Minor Achievement, you can tread on the wind to move rapidly, doubling your speed. Once cultivated to Major Achievement, you can briefly hover in the air; although it is only for a dozen breaths, in battle, it is enough to catch your opponent off guard and attack when they are unprepared."

"The other is the 'Soul-Loss Art,' which is a secret technique specifically targeting the Divine Soul. Once mastered, it can intimidate the opponent's Soul; at the very least, it will cause them to lose focus and become dazed, and at its worst, it will cause their Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering."

When mentioning the 'Soul-Loss Art,' the Painting Spirit's tone noticeably stiffened; he paused and added.

"It is especially effective against those demonic Ghostly Creatures with weak spiritual bodies and nascent intelligence. If you encounter spirits without a Soul, such as those formed from dead objects like Puppets, mechanisms, or Formation spirits, it is even more overwhelming."

"These two Cultivation Techniques—one for saving your life and traveling, the other for attacking and killing enemies. Since you have already entered the Dao, you should know that Cultivation Techniques are hard to come by, especially secret arts that point directly to the Great Dao."

"These two techniques were left behind by an Immortal and are gifted to those who pass the test. Keep them well."

Jiang Huoyu watched from the side, her eyes fixed in amazement.

"Wind God Wings" and "Soul-Loss Art"!

Just hearing the names, one knew they were not ordinary items, especially the "Soul-Loss Art." This type of Cultivation Technique that specifically targets the Divine Soul was extremely rare throughout the entire Great Wu Dynasty.

She subconsciously took a step forward, opened her mouth, and wanted to say something, but the Painting Spirit ignored her completely.

Chen Mu did not immediately take the Jade Slips; instead, he glanced at the Painting Spirit, a look of contemplation flashing in his eyes, but in the end, he said nothing and reached out to grasp the Jade Slips.

The Jade Slips felt cool to the touch, their surfaces carved with dense runes, with faint golden light seemingly flowing within them.

At the same time, the System's notification sounded in Chen Mu's mind.

[Acquired Cultivation Technique: "Wind God Wings" (Not Initiated)]

[Acquired Cultivation Technique: "Soul-Loss Art" (Not Initiated)]

Chen Mu's heart stirred, and he immediately called up his panel.

[Chen Mu: 17 years old, Remaining Lifespan: 2 years, (Plundered Lifespan): 156 years]

[Mastered Martial Arts: "Broadsword Technique" (Perfection)! "Taibao Horizontal Training" (Perfection)! "Sword Drawing Technique" (Perfection)! "Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique" (Perfection)! "Divine Void Step" (Perfection)! "Wind God Wings" (Not Initiated), "Soul-Loss Art" (Not Initiated)]

[Special Item: bear paw gloves ("Flying Bear Dream-Entering Technique": Perfection)]

156 years should be enough.

Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Mu immediately recited in his heart, his eyes fixed intently on the "Soul-Loss Art."

This Cultivation Technique specifically targeting the Divine Soul might be the key to dealing with the Ghostly Creature at the Zhao Residence. He couldn't wait to cultivate it to Perfection.

"Infuse Lifespan to upgrade 'Soul-Loss Art'."

[Infusing...]

[Year 1: You begin to study the general outline of the "Soul-Loss Art." The Cultivation Technique is profound and obscure, and you feel waves of stinging pain from the depths of your Soul.]

[Year 10: You initially understand the principle that "the Soul is the root of the Divine," and begin to try to condense Soul Power to strike external objects with your will.]

[Year 30: You have been able to condense a blurry Soul Blade in your Sea of Consciousness, but its power is weak, only able to shake the Souls of ordinary flying insects.]

[Year 60: You temper your Soul Power day and night, and the Soul Blade in your Sea of Consciousness gradually solidifies, capable of causing Soul intimidation to small wild beasts.]

[Year 120: You break through the Bottleneck; the Soul Blade can leave your body by three inches and can directly attack the enemy's Soul defense. Your understanding of the Soul reaches a new height, and you begin to touch the true meaning of "Soul-Loss."]

[Year 156: You make rapid progress in the Soul Realm. You realize that "Loss" is not destruction, but deprivation, intimidation, and disintegration. Your Soul Power undergoes a qualitative change, capable of condensing into invisible spikes that strike directly at the core of the Soul. Your restraint against soulless things reaches the extreme. "Soul-Loss Art": Perfection Realm!]

[Infusion successful! "Soul-Loss Art" has reached the Perfection Realm!]

[Special Effect Unlocked: Has a significant suppression and destruction effect on all soulless spirits (Puppets, vengeful Souls, spiritual bodies, etc.).]

In just a fleeting moment, which to outsiders was only a few breaths of time, Chen Mu had bitterly cultivated for 156 years in the illusion of the infusion, deducing it to Perfection.

Chen Mu opened his eyes, felt the power of the "Soul-Loss Art," and immediately felt confident in his heart.

Now, when facing that Ghostly Creature at the Zhao Residence, he had a true means of restraint.

As he thought this, the Painting Spirit on the side spoke slowly again.

He seemed eager to end this meeting. He raised his finger and pointed to a seemingly ordinary wall on one side of the great hall.

"This is the exit of the painting scroll. Walk straight three steps, and you can return to your original body and leave this Void Realm within the painting."

The Painting Spirit's tone became somewhat desolate.

"After you leave, this painting scroll will self-destruct. A thousand years of guarding will end in a single day, and I, this old man, should dissipate as well."

Jiang Huoyu became anxious upon hearing this.

If the scroll self-destructed, wouldn't this Painting Spirit also disappear? She hadn't gained any benefits from this trip, so she hurriedly tried to stop him.

"Senior, this Junior still has..."

"Go. What should have been given has been given, what should have been said has been said, and I am tired."

The Painting Spirit interrupted her, his voice filled with weariness.

Although Jiang Huoyu was unwilling, she feared complications, so she hurriedly bowed to the Painting Spirit and walked quickly in the direction he pointed.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Her figure quickly blurred and became transparent, and then she disappeared, having already left the world within the painting.

However, Chen Mu still stood where he was, without moving an inch.

He did not look at the exit, nor did he have any intention of leaving; instead, he cast his gaze toward the Painting Spirit once again.

"Senior, I have a question."

Chen Mu spoke indifferently.

The Painting Spirit frowned slightly: "What question?"

Chen Mu smiled slightly, his voice gradually becoming meaningful.

"For these past few thousand years, has Senior gifted these two Cultivation Techniques to every person who passed the test?"

The Painting Spirit was stunned, then nodded.

"That is only natural; it is the rule."

"The rule?" Chen Mu sneered, a flash of coldness in his eyes.

"I just want to know, besides the Cultivation Techniques, is there anything else?"

The Painting Spirit's expression changed slightly.

"What do you mean?"

Chen Mu did not answer; he stepped forward twice, his mind stirred, and he fully activated the "Soul-Loss Art" against the Painting Spirit!