Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy

The sword swept across the entire city, exterminating all Demonic Evil Cultivators. He watched as countless pale Human Race souls, their faces showing relieved and relaxed smiles, turned into innumerable specks of light and dissipated.

Qi Xiu's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at the proficiency panel.

His Human Path Merit proficiency had risen a few more percentage points.

Human Path Merit.

This mysterious and profound power, indescribable and unseen, was an odd existence that all cultivators could not see nor touch.

As for the amount of merit one possessed, it could only be vaguely perceived.

Only Qi Xiu, with his unique proficiency, could clearly control the presence of Human Path Merit.

91%, just a bit more and I'll break through to the Second Realm...

Withdrawing his gaze, Qi Xiu formed a spell with one hand. The Black Water True Skill within his Hunyuan Apertures suddenly activated, abruptly transforming his figure into a splash of water that scattered across the ground, vanishing from sight.

Five hundred li away, in a hidden and inconspicuous corner of a mountain stream, the water gathered with a SPLASHING sound. Qi Xiu stepped out from it, lightly flicked his sleeves to dry off the water vapor, a slight smile playing on his lips.

After discovering the wonderful use of the Hunyuan Apertures, in order to reduce the risk of exposure within the An'ning Holy Nation, he chose to directly use the Converging Water Translocation Dharma Gate of the Black Water True Skill. With a single thought, he could translocate to a marked water source. And because he had absorbed the power of the Ten Thousand Dragons Well Water, the effective distance of the Converging Water Translocation Dharma Gate had increased from the original three hundred li to five hundred li. The Divine Marvel absorbed by his Innate Mixed Yuan Holy Body seemed to enhance the effectiveness of the Dharma Gates he wielded.

Standing atop the summit of an unnamed mountain, he watched as Golden Flower Maternal Sect Disciples gathered from all directions towards the county town he had just obliterated.

Qi Xiu stood with his hands clasped behind him. The strong wind blew against him, making his robe whip and snap loudly.

His gaze was calm as he observed those hurried figures.

The young Daoist smiled faintly.

"In a hurry? But we've barely started. Let's take our time. I have plenty of it."

「...」

In just about half an hour, Golden Flower Maternal Sect Disciples gathered from all directions in the city that Qi Xiu had just obliterated.

A heavy, oppressive atmosphere of rage and shock lingered in this nondescript small city.

Two county towns within the territory of the Golden Flower Maternal Sect had been massacred in succession. All Golden Flower Maternal Sect Disciples and commoners in the town had been slain, and the Golden Flower Bishop responsible for guarding the town had died in the line of duty.

Not a single soul survived in the entire city!

Such horrific incidents occurred in succession, merely three days apart.

The entire Golden Flower Maternal Sect, from top to bottom, was outraged.

This was a complete provocation against the Golden Flower Maternal Sect!

Immediately, the Golden Flower Maternal Sect Main Altar issued nine decrees, demanding that all cult members within their territory exert all effort to capture this unknown cultivator. Upon discovering his whereabouts, they were to report immediately to the Main Altar, where a generous reward was guaranteed.

However, what the Golden Flower Maternal Sect didn't know was that while they were in a fervent and ostentatious rush to capture this nameless cultivator, Qi Xiu had already traversed thousands of kilometers, moving from Yangshan Prefecture to Yuantong Prefecture, and found his next target.

Beside a vast city situated on a plain, spanning a hundred li with fertile land and abundant waters, a great river stretched for thousands of li. Its waves were tumultuous, flowing impetuously. Its clear waters, a deep blue, sparkled under the sunlight with a crystalline luster.

And at the bottom of this great river, Qi Xiu sat cross-legged on a large bluestone. His body was enveloped by a faint black and blue aura. Around him, hidden water veins, gushing with misty water vapor, became visible in the void.

These water veins contained the force of the entire river.

Summoning the water veins of this great river with the Black Water True Skill, Qi Xiu grasped them. Streaks of subtly colorful mist merged into them, granting him temporary command over these water veins.

The Dharma Gates of the Black Water True Skill were broadly divided into two paths.

One was the Martial Path cultivation Dharma Gate: to continuously use the Black Water True Skill to temper one's own bloodline, eventually enabling transformation into a black dragon to roam Heaven and Earth.

The second was to cultivate Innate True Water, command all waters of the world, and become the Water Monarch of the world!

Both these Dharma Gates could be cultivated simultaneously, or one could choose only one.

Qi Xiu's Hunyuan Dragon Lake True Scripture itself contained the Hunyuan Body Refinement technique. Therefore, after obtaining the Black Water True Skill, he did not cultivate the art of transforming into a black dragon. Instead, he cultivated the Dharma Gate of Innate True Water.

Having committed two such acts in succession, Qi Xiu knew well that the Golden Flower Maternal Sect must hate him to the bone and would try every means to capture him. This was evident from the spontaneous manifestations of Human Path Merit he had continuously sensed over the past few days.

There were experts within the Golden Flower Maternal Sect attempting to use divination and calculation to pinpoint his location. However, they were unaware that he was protected by Human Path Merit. Any attempt at divination or calculation would trigger a backlash from Human Path Merit. After several attempts led to losses of personnel and resources, they abandoned trying to pinpoint his location through divination.

Today marked his third strike, and this time, his target was the prefectural capital of the former Yuantong Prefecture!

Everyone thinks I will target some inconspicuous small city, so today, I shall do the opposite. I shall give you all a flood to submerge the city!

His eyes slowly opened, streaks of color swirling within them. He suddenly activated the Black Water True Skill, and his Hunyuan Apertures resonated with a roar. The vital energy of Heaven and Earth surged towards him. As his hands formed spell gestures, Qi Xiu's aura vibrated, and a current of profound, majestic energy flowed through him. He began to ascend, eyes shining with Divine Light, and uttered softly, "Rise!"

The next instant, seventeen Black Water Talismans, placed along the rivers and streams surrounding the entire Yuantong Prefecture city, lit up simultaneously.

BOOM!

The river water boiled like a cauldron, its entire surface beginning to churn violently.

With a massive roar, the river water suddenly surged upwards from the ground, transforming into a towering, sky-piercing wave.

Eighteen such colossal waves converged in the Sky Dome. Water splashed, forming countless dancing droplets in the air. Sunlight pierced through the water, scattering into a myriad of colors, weaving a picture in the sky that was both dazzlingly beautiful and utterly terrifying.

A vast ocean now hung suspended above Yuantong Prefecture city!

An indescribable and extreme sense of oppression bore down.

The prefectural capital was filled with panic and unease. People ran about in terror, their screams, shouts, and cries blending into a chaotic symphony.

"What's happening?!"

Alerted by the commotion within the city, numerous Golden Flower Maternal Sect Disciples rushed out. But when they saw the majestic, surging, and colossal waves in the Sky Dome, they, like the ordinary citizens, were filled with shock and disbelief.

"Run!"

Someone shouted, and the Golden Flower Maternal Sect Disciples promptly summoned their Escape Lights, eager to flee.

"This..."

The Blood-Stained Realm Golden Splendor Grand Bishop's face turned extremely grim. He clenched his fists, wanting to order his subordinates to remain calm. But faced with such a terrifying and horrifying scene, the words caught in his throat, and he couldn't speak!

"There's a saying that things shouldn't happen more than thrice. However, when it comes to me, such sayings are invalid. Today, I shall start by flooding Yuantong Prefecture. And one day, I shall also kick down the main altar of your Golden Flower Maternal Sect! Not for any other reason, but to let my clansmen vent their anger."

His eyes lowered, Qi Xiu formed a Seal Art with his hand and pointed it decisively towards Yuantong Prefecture city below!

"Fall!"

A deluge from the heavens!

Pouring down!

An endless torrent of water crashed down, roaring and thundering as if the sky itself were collapsing, like a giant axe cleaving down upon Yuantong Prefecture city!

Dark waves surged forward, carrying boundless destructive power.

In a mere instant, the entire Yuantong Prefecture city was devastated as if by an avalanche, countless tons of mud, stone, and building fragments crushed and swept away.

The prefectural capital was like writing on a blackboard, being forcibly erased by this monstrous flood!

Thick mud and debris, carried by the current, battered the streets, resembling a terrifying and savage river.

The once bustling crowds on the streets had vanished, leaving only emptiness, desolation, and terror.

The impact force, equivalent to tens of millions of tons, was simply too dreadful.

Even the Body-Protecting True Gang of a Dao-Entering Realm cultivator could not withstand it. It collapsed in an instant, and their bodies were swept into the torrent, to be crushed and dispersed in moments.

Terrifying!

Horrendous!

An indescribable shock.

Barely breaking through the crushing torrent, the Golden Flower Grand Archbishop shot out, controlling three golden flower Magic Artifacts. His flesh was torn from his bones, a truly miserable sight.

"Who! Show yourself if you dare..."

His eyeballs, in their bloodless sockets, rolled as the Golden Splendor Grand Bishop roared in fury.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

In an instant, sparks flew. Countless gashes appeared on the Golden Splendor Grand Bishop's skeleton, especially on his skull, which was dented in over a hundred places.

One hundred and eight streams of Invisible Body-Piercing Sword Qi shrieked through the air, frantically piercing and slashing, forming a sword net that tightly enveloped him!

He hadn't expected this vicious cultivator to still be here!

The Golden Flower Grand Archbishop was utterly enraged. The Spiritual Light on his brow bone flared, and his Tao Blood continuously circulated, rapidly regenerating his flesh.

"Just you alone?"

Appearing out of thin air before the Golden Flower Grand Archbishop, Qi Xiu's eyes, glinting with a purple light, swept across the area. He confirmed that this Blood-Stained Realm cultivator was the only one of his level in Yuantong Prefecture city.

"Then you're finished."

"Arrogant!"

Gazing at the arrogant Dao-Entering young cultivator before him, the Golden Flower Grand Archbishop roared in anger. He tossed the golden flower Magic Artifact high, and countless golden, thread-like tendrils shot out.

These Golden Flower Armor-Piercing Threads were immensely powerful. Like Qi Xiu's Invisible Body-Piercing Sword Qi, they specialized in penetrating protective Gang Qi. Once they pierced the body, they would instantly spread and parasitize, rapidly draining the host's True Gang and flesh, making them incredibly difficult to deal with.

His left hand formed a gesture for the Black Water True Skill, his right hand a gesture for the Invisible Sword technique. As the golden, thread-like Armor-Piercing Threads attacked, Qi Xiu's mind stirred. A large, eerie Big Banner, radiating a sinister black aura, suddenly materialized above his head.

Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine White Bone Skull Demons howled and surged forth, like an ocean of white bones, to meet the Golden Flower Armor-Piercing Threads.

Wielding three Dharma Gates simultaneously... he has some skill!

Seeing Qi Xiu simultaneously control three Dharma Gates, the Golden Flower Grand Archbishop's eyes showed surprise. But in the next second, Qi Xiu suddenly smiled.

RUMBLE!

In the Sky Dome above, dark clouds gathered. Lei Mang surged and roared, then suddenly descended!

"Ah!"

The Golden Flower Grand Archbishop hadn't expected Qi Xiu to be able to use yet another Dharma Gate while simultaneously controlling three others. Caught off guard, he was struck squarely by the Bing Fire Divine Thunder.

Watching the Golden Flower Grand Archbishop screaming amidst the Lei Mang, Qi Xiu's eyes shone with a peculiar light.

Once a Dharma Gate was integrated into the Hunyuan Apertures, it could be activated and operate on its own without his needing to actively direct it. With a single thought, the Ten Thousand Laws could resonate in unison!

This was the second Divine Marvel of the Hunyuan Apertures!