Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy

"I..."

BOOM!

The Five Thunder Demon-Subduing Grand Deity fiercely launched punches in unison. Their terrifying, millstone-sized fists crashed down in an instant. A million thunders roared, shockwaves burst forth, and the highly compressed void took on the hue of flowing magma.

Not even a scream was heard.

The aberrant demons, struck simultaneously by the Five Thunder Demonic Subjugation Great Formation, were instantly vaporized.

What protective demon miasma?

What demonic blood physique?

Under this mountain-shaking, thunder-augmented tremendous force, they were all as fragile as thin paper.

"Kid, do you still recognize me?"

The overwhelming Five Thunder Demonic Subjugation Great Formation slowly dissipated, revealing a figure in a deep blue Daoist robe with wide sleeves and an upright stature, striding forward.

"You are..."

Looking at the senior who had saved his life, Miao Zhong carefully searched his memories.

He felt that this person was quite familiar, yet he couldn't recall who it was.

"More than twenty years ago, I also saved you from a group of demons. How come you've forgotten your savior so soon?"

Qi Xiu watched Miao Zhong with a smile and gently reminded him.

More than twenty years ago, he was in seclusion, forging "The Secret of the Primordial Dragon-Tiger Scripture". Upon exiting his retreat, he was accurately struck by the severely injured Miao Zhong, who had been sent flying backward.

Quite an embarrassing scene. Thinking about it now, it was somewhat amusing.

"You are... Qi?!"

With Qi Xiu's prompting, the memories from over twenty years ago surged into his mind. Eyes filled with disbelief, Miao Zhong hurriedly cupped his sword and bowed.

"Miao Zhong pays respects to Qi. I... You... This..."

Overcome with excitement, Miao Zhong found himself unable to utter a complete sentence.

"Hehehe, that's right. Over twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. I didn't expect that we would meet again. It seems we truly are fated."

With a thought, an invisible force helped Miao Zhong to his feet. Looking at the young cultivator from the Mysterious Sword Sect, Qi Xiu slowly nodded.

A cultivator at the Dao-Entering Realm, leading a few youngsters in the Common Realm, daring to fight to the death against a group of aberrant demons for the sake of this small village of around a hundred people.

This young man is still as sincere and earnest as he was all those years ago, with the heartfelt determination to wield his sword in protection of the masses. A talent worth cultivating.

"Indeed. Back then, my junior sister and I were patrolling the mountain. We were fortunate to have been saved by Qi, narrowly escaping disaster. I never imagined that today would be the same."

Scratching the back of his head, Miao Zhong blushed, somewhat embarrassed.

In front of the senior he had once tried to follow, it seemed he hadn't made any progress at all in these twenty years. Still the same fool requiring rescue from Qi. How shameful.

"Not bad at all. To reach Three Flowers Gathering at the Top in over twenty years, your talent is quite passable."

A hint of purple flashed in Qi Xiu's pupils as he smiled faintly.

When he first encountered Miao Zhong, he was but a Common Realm cultivator. To have reached Three Flowers Gathering at the Top in just over twenty years, merely a step away from Dao-Entering Realm Complete and ready to attempt his breakthrough tribulation, was not slow progress.

He had come across the Mysterious Sword Sect while perusing scriptures at the Shenxiao Sect. It was a small sect founded less than three hundred years ago. In total, the sect had only two cultivators in the Blood-Stained Realm: one was the sect leader, and the other was the sect leader's master. Such a minor sect naturally had lower quality True Scripture Volumes for cultivation. Similarly, the cultivation environment and resources were limited.

For Miao Zhong to have reached Three Flowers Gathering at the Top in over twenty years under these conditions was truly remarkable. His talent might not be exceptional, but it was certainly above average. Had he been in one of the Ancient Sect Nobilities, he might already be preparing to transcend his tribulation.

"Not at all, it's just good luck."

Still as modest and down-to-earth as he had been twenty years ago, Miao Zhong smiled shyly, looking towards Qi Xiu.

I can't perceive any trace of his aura. Qi must have already reached the realm of a great cultivator.

Looking at the calm and composed Qi Xiu, Miao Zhong felt as if he were gazing up at a majestic mountain reaching into the clouds. No matter how he tiptoed and craned his neck, he couldn't discern the peak of this mountain.

Unfathomable. Like the depths of the ocean. This was his only feeling at the moment.

"Qi, you've come here for the Nu River surge, haven't you?"

After a few casual remarks, Miao Zhong wiped the rainwater and bloodstains from his face, sheathed his sword, and asked softly.

"The Nu River surge? No, I merely passed by here by chance."

Shaking his head, Qi Xiu's gaze shifted slightly before asking, "From what you're saying, this Nu River surge seems to have attracted quite a few people."

"Yes. It's said that at least tens of thousands of cultivators have gathered in the Nu River basin now, and there are even Dao Experts stationed at the rear. They are determined to intercept and crush this Nu River surge, not allowing a single drop of disastrous water to flow inland!"

When mentioning the Nu River surge, Miao Zhong involuntarily clenched his fists, his eyes revealing hatred.

"Oh? Even Dao Experts are involved? Tell me more."

Qi Xiu hadn't expected the so-called Nu River surge mentioned by Miao Zhong to have drawn Dao Experts to oversee the situation, and his interest was piqued.

"This matter goes back half a month. The Nu River is one of the three great rivers in Dianchuan Province, its basin covering two-thirds of the province. Half a month ago, the Flood Dragon King dwelling within the Nu River suddenly appeared, declaring that in a month's time, he would unleash a massive tide in the Nu River, submerging Dianchuan! At that time, all the water demons from the Nu River region will follow the flood onto land! Originally, the Nu River alone wouldn't have caused such a huge commotion. But just ten days ago, the Yongling River, also one of the three great rivers of Dianchuan Province, abruptly changed its course, its entire flow merging directly into the Nu River. Within just two days, the water volume of the Nu River tripled! If the Flood Dragon King indeed stirs up this great Nu River tide, one-third of Dianchuan Province's territory will likely turn into a marshland. By then, hundreds of millions of people will perish underwater, their homes destroyed!"

By the end, Miao Zhong was practically gnashing his teeth as he spoke, filled with deep-seated hatred for these demons that treated human lives as worthless as grass. Yet, his own cultivation was mediocre; he struggled so much against a dozen or so aberrant demons. In the end, he only survived by relying on Qi's rescue.

Flood Dragon King...

Rubbing the Golden Cry Jade Beads on his wrist, Qi Xiu's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint within them.

Speaking of which, I still have an old score to settle with this old Flood Dragon. Years ago, when Tai Yin was traveling, he accidentally stumbled upon traces of the Nu River Dragon Palace. But who would have expected that this old Flood Dragon also caught the scent and pursued Tai Yin? Yet, for some reason, the old Flood Dragon couldn't enter that Crystal Palace. He had to find a group of Heretic Cultivator Demons to enter the palace and cause chaos. Although they ultimately failed, my Flood Dragon Pool Ring ended up in the hands of the Corpse Demon Nie Biao.

If I didn't know, it would be one thing. But now that I do, I, Qi Someone, can't just ignore it. No matter who is dealing with this Flood Dragon King, I, Qi Xiu, will certainly lend my aid!

Having made up his mind, Qi Xiu turned to hurry towards the banks of the Nu River. But just as he was about to leave, his footsteps suddenly halted.

Turning to look at the slightly despondent Miao Zhong behind him, Qi Xiu's eyes flickered with thought. He raised his hand, and a Cang Fa Fei Cui landed in Miao Zhong's palm.

The next instant, Qi Xiu's figure vanished, but a slightly stiff voice reached Miao Zhong's ears.

"Consider this technique a loan to you; cultivate it well. One day, you shall repay me with one hundred thousand demon heads. Remember, this technique is for your practice alone. If you dare to teach it to anyone else, not only will I cripple you, but for every person you teach, I will kill that many."

Listening to the voice lingering in his ears, Miao Zhong looked down. Within the Cang Fa Fei Cui in his hand, the name of a spell faintly emerged: The "Gourd Sword Skill - Revised".

Looking up towards the direction Qi Xiu had left, Miao Zhong was initially excited. Then, his expression turned solemn as he clasped his hands and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for the technique, Qi! Miao Zhong will certainly heed Qi's instructions. Even if it means walking through fire or plunging into boiling water, I shall repay Qi's kindness!"

「...」

On both banks of the great river, waves surged like a fierce dragon speeding forth. The water was a robust, muddy yellow; with the blowing wind, the waves rose and fell unpredictably, churning up thousands of splashes. Cliffs were steep, and verdant trees followed the terrain, spreading out towards the river's surface. The tumultuous river, like an enraged dragon, stirred up layers of waves along the shore, roaring and rushing, creating a clamorous commotion. The treacherous shores were scattered with huge rocks protruding above the water. They roared as the waves struck them. The urgent power of the raging tides and the whistling of the wind through the trees intricately intertwined, like the prelude to an army's invasion!

This was the Nu River region!

Following the sudden diversion of the Yongling River into the Nu River, the volume of the Nu River region had ballooned dramatically within a matter of days!

In the murky yellow waters, countless eerie figures could be vaguely seen lurking beneath, their crimson eyes gazing at the shore, eager to strike.

Along the more than thirty-five thousand li of the riverbanks, over ten thousand Human Cultivators lay in wait, ready for battle. Ever since the Flood Dragon King threatened to unleash a great Nu River tide and flood Dianchuan Province, viable forces from all over had hastened here without delay. The invasion battle at Divine Sorrow Ridge was still ongoing. If the Flood Dragon King truly stirred up the great tide and transformed Dianchuan Province into a swamp, the Human Race would be caught between two fires. Thus, no matter what, this tide could not be allowed to be unleashed.

「Lantern Rouge Mountain!」

This was the widest part of the Nu River region and where the Flood Dragon King had previously appeared to make his threat. On the flat summit of the mountain, more than a dozen figures were seated. These individuals had abundant qi filling their bodies and were full of life force. The divine light in their eyes seemed capable of piercing the void. They were clearly in the True Spirit Realm, having comprehended life and death!

"Master Yanhui, if this old dragon truly insists on provoking the great tide to submerge Dianchuan, can you intervene and subdue it?"

Draped in the pelt of some unknown colossal beast, a burly man inquired in a deep voice, looking towards an elderly monk seated in the most honored position.

The old monk had a kind face, etched with wrinkles, and his eyes radiated compassion and wisdom. The calm aura swirling around him suggested that no matter the joy or sorrow, the old monk would always respond to everything with serenity and warmth. Behind this old monk, the ethereal figure of a Buddha was faintly visible, seated on a lotus pedestal, looking simple and solemn, embodying profound foolishness and simplicity.

This man was from Dianchuan Province's foremost ancient sect, Dachan Temple. He was the Head of the Prajna Academy! A Dao Body Realm Leader, Master Yanhui.

...