NOVEL NEXT Chapter 313: The Living Dead
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"How is your Heavenly Demon force field even stronger than that succubus Zhu Yuyan's?"
Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Ba Fenghan, and Fu Junyu, within Tao Yu's grandmaster aura, were like drunken penguins, swaying from side to side. Tao Yu hadn't even made a move yet, and they were already toppling over, unable to touch him even if he stood still.
"I originally possessed the Great Shift of Qiankun, and I've merely incorporated the Sky Demon Great Technique into my grandmaster force field. It's quite normal to have such an effect."
After successfully integrating the new Longevity Secret, Tao Yu had been staying secluded in the small valley, familiarizing himself with this power.
Having tasted the sweet rewards of turning his accumulation into strength, his discussions with Zhang Sanfeng became more frequent.
Who knows when he could perform another synthesis like the Longevity Secret!
In the past, he sought survival, prioritizing skills over anything else. After all, a single Deification was cost-effective.
But now, as his strength increased and various theoretical systems gradually improved, and after starting to accumulate his own, he began to consider forming his own system.
Undoubtedly, the Longevity Secret is at the core for now!
With the Longevity Secret still possessing the potential for a second Deification, it certainly has the credentials!
Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, embracing all things!
Actually, when abilities like All Forms Inclusive, Demonization, and the Dragon Elephant Prajna Kung appeared and were mutually linked, Tao Yu vaguely felt he would eventually take this path.
But he didn't expect the Longevity Secret to nudge him first, blending the Big Dipper, Nine Yang, and parts of the Sky Demon Great Technique into it.
And it allowed his grandmaster's realm to encompass both strength and foundation.
Besides, he also got his hands on Tai Chi Fist during this period, and with Tai Chi Fist, the Sky Demon Great Technique, and his now even more profound power, the Great Shift of Qiankun naturally progressed to the seventh level!
It became Tao Yu's first skill to reach level 8!
For Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and the other two, such strength also represented a preliminary understanding of this integrated power.
Even without Tao Yu exerting his full strength, he felt he could juggle all four of them like yo-yos if he fully activated this shifting and controlling art.
He could toss them around just like the Fool juggles balls.
But if they struggled desperately, they might just slip and fall flat on their faces.
"After enough accumulation, the Great Shift of Qiankun indeed flows naturally, but this also has to do with my learning of Tai Chi Fist and the Heavenly Demon force field, gaining insights related to them."
The Heavenly Demon force field's concept was integrated into the Longevity Secret, but at its current level 3, it doesn't show much.
The proficiency of the Longevity Secret doesn't increase rapidly. In fact, it's quite slow. It's only at level 3 now due to the True Yuan accumulated from the Big Dipper.
"Phew, actually, if I practiced for a month with a hundredfold Acceleration, I would definitely make huge progress."
Tao Yu looked at the Yuan Force he had intended to save for a second Deification and felt somewhat speechless.
It seemed like a lot before, but now it's just a fraction, still inexperienced...
However, before returning to the Floating City, he dismissed the tempting idea.
If there's a chance to grind back ten million through partial equity, it's still most important to prioritize the Deification of the Fundamental Law, the Longevity Secret!
"There's also the Daoist scriptures and the Metal Series from the Great Tang that more seamlessly join together. If I bring back the trainers from there, along with the Fortune Thief Alliance and the associated Chosen Ones..."
Money shimmered in Tao Yu's eyes. It's all money!
The last time those grandmasters offended him, there's no need to kill them, just subjugation will do.
But then Tao Yu frowned slightly, wondering if he had demonstrated too much strength?
Never mind that, making money is the priority. He's already obtained another fragment of the Heart of the World here. By the time they travel thousands of miles back, his strength will have changed again, so there's nothing to fear.
Strength is always the biggest capital and confidence!
To hesitate would only be to starve from fear of choking!
Although he doesn't currently wield as much control over the Great Tang as he did in the times of The Divine Sculpture and Tai Chi, to say that he's invincible...
"No, no, no, better not recklessly claim that in this world."
Tao Yu thought of Xiang Yutian, that eccentric old man.
This is someone who existed in the same era as Yan Fei. To assume he has died of old age is clearly unlikely, with the highest probability being that he faked his death and shattered the void.
But whether he shattered the void to escape or not is uncertain...
If that Temor broke through the Shattered Void because of being pulled into the Abyss, it's possible he could still be jumping around somewhere!
"With my current strength and the presence of Yuan Force, I can make arrangements with the Fortune Thief Alliance. I could even call on the little rich girl for a strike, and I could go retrieve the Demonic Emperor's relic."
Tao Yu pondered in his heart, then spoke to the Twin Dragons.
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"I'll make a trip to Yangzhou first, and once I've finished matters here, I'll go seize Yang Guang's treasury."
"Good. I've also benefited greatly during this period. Practicing with you every day doesn't show much change; it's time to test my skills against the heroes of the world."
At this moment, Kou Zhong was also full of vigor.
Although he and Xu Ziling missed out on the opportunity to cleanse their marrow with He's Jade Disc, they managed to acquire Tao Yu's Muscle Changing and Bone Forging Scripture.
During this time, everyone engaged in discussions, and with the fully translated Longevity Secret, they had all made significant progress.
Especially in terms of their mental state, it became much more solid and dependable, and their talents were quietly influenced by the Muscle Changing and Bone Forging Scripture.
In the past, they only practiced the Eight Routines of Xia Ji, but now they had a systematic direction for follow-up development.
"Old Daoist I have gained a little, so I won't accompany you. The environment here is pleasant; I'll settle down in a hut with young friend Song."
Zhang Sanfeng smiled, stroking his beard.
Ever since he arrived in this world, it had been in a period of rapid development. Although he did not cultivate the Longevity Secret, he found much to learn from it, which greatly enriched his understanding.
Tao Yu absorbed the Longevity Secret and completed the Deification process, and with a superior perspective, he brought significant inspiration to Zhang Sanfeng through their discussions. Now his head was full of wild ideas, just waiting to verify them.
Fu Junyu initially had an affection for Ba Fenghan, but it has to be said that Ba Fenghan is the epitome of a male escort, not someone easily bound by a woman.
Now, seeing Song Shidao's deep affection for her sister, she seemed to have other thoughts and showed no intention of leaving.
As for such natural developments, everyone else saw it but chose not to point it out.
"Then make your trip quick, and be careful not to be devoured by those succubi," Kou Zhong said with a hearty laugh, winking at Tao Yu.
He had an arrangement with the Yin Gui Faction, this time going to Yangzhou to exchange some intelligence.
For now, the only people who were convenient for the Fortune Thieves to gather information from were the Yin Gui Faction.
"Be careful. People from the Demon Sect are ultimately unreliable, even with mutual interests. Beware of them turning on you."
Xu Ziling warned Tao Yu.
"I know. I have some confidence in my ability to protect myself."
The unrivaled Yuan Force within him was Tao Yu's source of confidence, and even if he faced the leader of the Fortune Thieves who could use the Thunder Method, Tao Yu believed he could handle it!
In fact, Tao Yu was even a little excited.
Truth be told, although this was a transaction of interests with the Yin Gui Faction, they had indeed brought the Sky Demon Great Technique and some skills he needed, and he had yet to pay his part.
If the creditors didn't do anything to him, Tao Yu would actually feel a bit embarrassed to clear the debt.
Who knows, maybe when collecting the Demon Strategy, he might end up wearing the hat of the Yin Gui Faction...
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Yangzhou, historically, was always a place of immense prosperity, famous for its lean horses.
Even Emperor Yang spent his last days here, which shows its allure.
Historically, Yangzhou has always led in commerce, second only to the coastal city of Yang; in terms of trade, Yangzhou has always been at the forefront. Among the southern cliques, apart from the Baling Gang, it was the Zhu Hua Gang of Yangzhou.
Yangzhou, like Luoyang in the Central Plains, is a hub connecting various regions by water and land, particularly advantageous in waterway connections, as it is the confluence point of the Grand Canal and the Yangtze River and the coast through which the Yangtze flows into the sea.
Thus, as long as stability is maintained, the revival and prosperity of Yangzhou are inevitable!
When Emperor Yang was killed by the rebel leader Yuwen Huaji, Du Fuwei's Jianghuai Army arrived too late, helplessly watching Li Zitong seize this most important southern city, a case of a single missed move in the game of chess.
Tao Yu, wearing a straw hat and dressed in a long robe, stood outside of Yangzhou City, also filled with a few reflections.
But as he entered the city, his step suddenly paused because he overheard two swiftly passing, strong-looking men muttering to each other,
"Damn that extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon, looks like another village in the south has been hit by living corpses. Just a few days ago, we cleansed the west street, and now everyone is really panicking..."
For a moment, Tao Yu almost thought he had entered the wrong movie set.
How long had he secluded himself for?
And now all sorts of nefarious accusations were already firmly attached to him!
Living corpses?
Tao Yu wasn't surprised. After Zhu Yuyan mentioned the intelligence about the alliance of Fortune Thieves, Tao Yu guessed that such things might appear.
But, the mobility of this era naturally limited the spread of such a virus.
He just hadn't expected to become the scapegoat...