Master of Strange Dao

"Oh, it seems you do know the guy on the previous level and are aware that this place is layered."

"..."

The painted fish on the wall froze slightly, then started to smile bitterly with pursed lips.

A casual remark had inadvertently revealed much.

"If you want me to believe you mean no harm, then be open and honest. Tell me what you are and what you intend to do. As for claiming there was no selection process and that my coming here was a mere accident which even a fool wouldn't believe, just save it. Let's not waste each other's time.

If you aren't sincere this time, then next time, whatever you say, I won't listen to a single word."

Yu Ziqing stared at the painted fish on the wall, speaking with unusual seriousness.

The fish opened its mouth, but for a long time, it didn't know what to say.

"It's fine, I'm not in a hurry. You can take your time to think and make up a story."

Hearing this, the fish let out a long sigh.

"Alright, actually I don't know much. I do know there is a level above, but I'm just a sliver of his spirituality. If you want to know more, the best way is to go to the previous level and ask the people there. That place is the only completely safe spot. My spirituality is too weak; dispersed, I can only manifest as a fish in the wall painting. We've had to become part of the mural to prevent any danger, hiding within it. I can't speak for the others, but on this level, we all hope nothing bad happens to you and wish you a safe journey to the next level."

"How do I return to the previous level?"

"You need to reverse the Secret Technique you've cultivated to return to the previous level."

Yu Ziqing pondered for a moment, realizing that the Natural Mysterious Array was actually a Step Technique and not a Secret Technique.

Uh, how did he not notice anything mystical about it?

"What I cultivated was a Step Technique. Do I need to walk the path in reverse to cultivate?"

"..." The fish was a bit stunned, its mouth agape: "You actually cultivated a Step Technique?! Wasn't that Secret Technique merely a key?"

After saying this, the man and the mural went silent together.

The fish was incredibly shocked, for it was a Natural Formation, even if copied, still a Natural Formation.

They only regarded that Natural Formation as a key, crafting a matching lock. Simply trying to understand the key well enough to create a Secret Technique wasn't meant to be difficult; anyone meeting the conditions could do it.

But this guy, instead of grasping the key, comprehended the Natural Formation itself.

While others merely observed, crafting their own copy of the key to try unlocking things, you brought the original over. How could it possibly remain unopened?

Not only could you open it, but everywhere you entered would always be the best and most suitable place.

As they conversed, yet another fish swam out from the wall painting above the Sky Dome.

"They're coming, quickly hide."

The two fish swiftly swam along the wall into the mural upon the Sky Dome, silently blending in with the other paintings.

Yu Ziqing wasn't quick to believe the fish's words. Even the fish itself admitted that at least here, there was no malice.

Meaning the fish didn't know for sure why everything here was arranged or if the next level would harm him.

Yu Ziqing sensed the approaching sea demon aura from afar, calculating silently. Not falling into a Devilic state and avoiding an outburst could protect his life, but it would be tough to kill them.

Considering that each scenario in this place had limited space, if he dragged it out, it would definitely be him who perished in the end.

After some thought, Yu Ziqing swallowed a precious Devil Pill, directly entering a Devilic state.

His skin turned grayish-black, covered in strange Devil Patterns, and his flesh underwent demonization, making his physical body even stronger than before.

The Double-headed Black Snake coiled around his kidneys rejoiced, hissing with delight, while the silver Flying Eagle nestled in his lungs also became more active.

With every breath he took, strands of Golden Qi spewed out, so sharp they seemed like blades.

The Devil's Secret Technique naturally favored the Devil, increasing its compatibility greatly.

In such a state, the cycle between the Golden Water Yin Escape, Black Sky Devil God Qi, and daytime Devil divine qi sped up significantly, enhancing the overall potency.

Not many people were in this scene, and few harbored hostility towards him. After circling a few times, Yu Ziqing decided to take care of a portion first.

Moments later, a team of sea demons led by a Shark Demon rushed over.

Yu Ziqing slipped in from the side, silently inserting himself into the middle of the group, his figure appearing behind the Shark Demon.

His hands, blending Demonic Qi with the Gold and Water Two Qi, pierced through the Shark Demon's back, forcibly crushing its heart.

As the enemy turned, Yu Ziqing's chest swelled abruptly, unleashing a sharp cry mixed with golden wind, blowing into the enemy's face.

Instantly, the opponent's chest gradually shriveled, with their lung qi forcibly extracted, and their kidney qi turning into droplets.

Without kidney qi, vitality waned; without lung qi, strength dwindled.

Gritting his teeth, Yu Ziqing ignored the sea demons behind him, enduring all their attacks, and intently blew the leading Shark Demon into half a skeleton, then turned to face those behind him.

Crushing the Shark Demon's bones underfoot, a black Double-headed Snake appeared at Yu Ziqing's waist, and a Flying Eagle manifested on his shoulder.

He stepped with the Step Technique learned from the Natural Mysterious Array, his form sly but carrying a natural harmony, weaving between a crowd of sea demons.