NOVEL NEXT Chapter 182 Five-colored Peacock
Chen Ku watched Er Lang and the Flower Fox Mink departing and thought to himself:
I wonder if one month is enough to forge that Famous Weapon before the martial arts examination?
Now, his Cultivation and Qi Power had increased by an unknown factor compared to before, allowing him to release two Incarnations in one breath, both of whom could withstand at least a month outside by relying on their own Qi Power.
He harbored anticipation in his heart.
At the same time, noticing some sweat and greasy dirt on his body, he couldn't help but mutter to himself:
With the Erlang Transformation and the great achievement of the Iron Cloth Shirt, the circulation of blood and Qi is faster, making it feel like the speed of training in the Jade Skin Realm has been enhanced again. At this speed... I feel that in another four or five days, I can filter all the impurities from my body and fully step into the Third Realm Peak. If I also perform my Qi Performing Technique, this speed might be even faster.
Thus, he returned to Medicine King Hall and began to seriously cultivate the Jade Skin Realm chapter of Medicine King Hall, entering a closed-door session aiming for the 'Gold Jade' Realm at the peak of Jade Skin.
He remained in seclusion for over two days.
The people in Medicine King Hall, hearing that Chen Ku was in closed-door cultivation, did not disturb him, and some of his masters surmised that perhaps the boy needed to digest and stabilize himself well after that great battle...
But little did they know that Chen Ku was actually making a breakthrough to the next Cultivation Realm.
During these two and a half days of his seclusion, Ye Zhong, the Commander leading one thousand troops of the Divine Machine Camp, finally arrived at Baojiao County and directly stationed his troops in Snake Fish Town.
At the same time, with the martial arts examination approaching, more out-of-town people arrived in Baojiao County.
「...」
"Dugu Wuer is here?"
In the upper room of Hongyan Tower, Cai Feihong heard the news brought back by Di Jianqing, her face immediately displaying a grave expression. "When?"
"He entered the city this morning and is staying at an inn called 'Old Wine House' in Baojiao County."
Di Jianqing handed a Jianghu Mansion Report to Cai Feihong, saying, "I know you, like him, practice Swordsmanship and have always regarded him as your imaginary enemy, wanting to defeat him, but I advise you not to rush."
Cai Feihong looked at the Jianghu Mansion Report in her hands, which included a portrait. It depicted a young man in wide blue robes, appearing to be under twenty years old, tall and with a high nose bridge. Even though it was just a portrait, Cai Feihong felt as if she was looking at the real person because she had once seen him: Dugu Wuer.
He was a young man with flowing black hair and a vibrant spirit, as striking as a flash of lightning.
Back then, she had only observed him from a distance. That young 'Sword Demon' was standing on a connected arched bridge, presenting an aura far superior to his peers, making one's heart palpitate as though he were a cold sword.
That was three years ago when Cai Feihong had first received the Nine Yin Sword Technique and saw someone wield a sword in that manner for the first time.
The person was carrying a Sword Box on his back.
She hadn't even clearly seen how he drew his sword when a famous swordsman from Qiu Dragon Mansion's 'Iron Sword Association', standing opposite on the connected arched bridge, was pierced through the throat and killed by a single sword strike.
This event deeply branded a Sword Dao mark in her heart, indelible for a long time, to the point where she could see the black-haired young man's figure on the stone bridge again during her midnight dreams.
"What do you think, if I were to challenge Dugu Wuer now, what are my odds of winning?" Cai Feihong muttered to herself, gazing at the portrait in the Jianghu Mansion Report.
"Not even one in ten," Di Jianqing took a deep breath and said, "Didn't you read what the Jianghu Mansion Report said? Dugu Wuer had disappeared from the Jianghu for half a year because he was too ostentatious, having consecutively slain several well-known figures from Qiu Dragon Mansion, which led to him being hunted. But upon his recent return, on his way to Baojiao County alone, he has already slain masters from six different Martial Associations, part of the Thirty-Six Martial Association. Including masters from the Black Path, at least eleven Fourth Realm Experts have been killed by him. Mingsheng Nan speculated that Dugu Wuer might now be able to control the Five Divine Swords from his Sword Box in one go. Do you understand what this means?"
Fu Huangfei said gravely, "Dugu Fort's hereditary Sword Box, acquired from Divine Soldiers City, contains nine Divine Swords. These were originally crafted by Divine Soldiers City for a Ninth Realm pure Sword Cultivator as exceptional weapons. That Sword Cultivator, wielding this Sword Box, swept through all his peers in You State at the time and was known as 'Nine Swords Unleashed, Invincible Across a State.'
"If Dugu Wuer can wield five of those swords, even if he does so with difficulty, he possesses the strength to crush all in the Fourth Realm and could even challenge those in the Fifth Realm. This man is indeed as the rumors say: the hope and savior of Dugu Fort for the past three hundred years. His strength is simply incomparable to his peers."
Hearing her two good friends speak so, Cai Feihong slowly closed her eyes and said, "I know he is very strong, but if I cannot compare my Swordsmanship with his, I fear my Nine Yin Sword Technique will struggle to achieve the Perfection Realm in this lifetime, something you two cannot understand."
To her, that distant glance years ago had instilled a Sword Dao goal in her heart, a summit she was determined to overcome.
"Don't be foolish," Di Jianqing advised. "Remember why we came to Baojiao County. I am here to become a Grandmaster's Disciple, to have a chance to learn the 'God Shaking Decision'. You too, hope to become a disciple of a Grandmaster, so he could intercede with your parents to accept your decision to break the engagement. There's no need to provoke Dugu Wuer."
Fu Huangfei added, "That's right. Everyone knows Dugu Wuer is a pure Sword Cultivator and a battle maniac. He's probably only in Baojiao County to find opponents to sharpen himself, not to seek discipleship from Grandmaster Qin. This doesn't conflict with our goals at all. You need to stay clear-headed."
Cai Feihong said nothing more, simply stating, "I understand. Let me think it over."
"By the way, not only did Dugu Wuer arrive, but this afternoon, the Little Princess from the Marquis of Han Shou's Mansion also entered the city," Di Jianqing reported. "This is an important signal. Grandmaster Qin is helping Tan Chongrui with reforms, aiming directly at the Marquis of Han Shou's Mansion. Now that someone from the Marquis Mansion has finally come, it's likely that Baojiao County is about to become a major whirlpool."
"Are you saying that the Little Princess is going to face off against Qin Yuxian and Tan Chongrui?" Fu Huangfei pondered thoughtfully.
「...」
「...」
"Commandery Princess, I am Qi Wanshan, the County Magistrate of Baojiao County. My apologies for not meeting you further out on your long journey."
In a garden within Baojiao County, County Magistrate Qi stood in front of a very luxurious carriage, bowing to the silhouette behind the carriage curtains. "This is an official garden of Baojiao County, the highest standard here. Although it is certainly not as spacious as the Marquis Mansion, I hope you will be understanding, Commandery Princess."
"You must be Qi Wanshan. My elders have spoken of you, saying you are a courteous man, and indeed it is true."
A melodious female voice, like that of a phoenix, emerged from the carriage, saying, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Rise."
Qi Wanshan rose slightly. Just then, the curtains inside the carriage were gently lifted by someone, revealing a stunningly beautiful woman. Her noble face and luscious lips complemented her tall stature as she was assisted in rising, emanating an air of natural arrogance, standing out like a crane amongst chickens.
At the same time, she wore a fur stole that displayed a spectrum of nine colors, which, under the sunlight, made her look even more like a deity.
Is she the Phoenix Goddess? Qi Wanshan was momentarily distracted, then quickly lowered his gaze, daring not to look further.
At that moment, sounds akin to a phoenix's gentle chirp actually emerged from inside the carriage. This prompted Qi Wanshan to inadvertently look up, just in time to see the Commandery Princess disembarking from the carriage with, astonishingly, a Five-colored Divine Bird perched on her shoulder. It appeared to be only about a foot in size, yet it faintly emitted a terrifying Qi Mechanism, no weaker than that of a human expert of the Third or Fourth Realm.
Could this be the Demon strange species, the 'Five-colored Peacock', that the Commandery Princess rears?
Qi Wanshan was slightly shocked and hurriedly said, "I have long heard that the Commandery Princess had a divine bird by her side. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation."
SCREECH!
The Five-colored Peacock, as if understanding human speech, proudly raised its neck and let out a clear call upon hearing Qi Wanshan's words.
"You have a way with words; even 'Ling'er' is pleased by your flattery," said the Commandery Princess with a light laugh.
Qi Wanshan hurriedly demurred. Then, looking at the radiant clothes on the Commandery Princess, he exclaimed again, "Those robes on you, Commandery Princess, if I'm not mistaken, must be made from the fur of a Nine-Colored Deer."
"Indeed. And to think, I owe it to the hunters of Baojiao County," said the Commandery Princess as she tightened the fur stole around her and stepped down from the carriage. "Let's not dwell on this. My Spirit Pet is hungry. Do you have any places here in Baojiao County known for poisonous insects? I want to let it out to hunt."
"Poisonous insects?"
Qi Wanshan chuckled and said, "To answer, Commandery Princess, Baojiao County is famous for its snakes and insects. You can find a large number of poisonous snakes and ants on nearly any mountain. However, if we are talking about the place with the most, Snake Fish Town would be it. It's home to the 'Green Ring Snake,' which is no longer than seven inches but has extremely potent venom, perfect for feeding your Spirit Pet, Commandery Princess. If you need, I can arrange to have some collected and brought to you."
As a County Magistrate, he was naturally well-informed.
This Five-colored Peacock, listed eighteenth on the Qiu Dragon Strange Demon Beast List, was said to have a natural Five Elements Spiritual Body, capable of traversing heaven and earth. It is Immune to Water, Fireproof, Uninjured by Gold, able to merge with earth, and thrives with wood. It favored poisonous insects and was extremely rare.
"No need. My 'Ling'er' never eats food that's been fed; it must hunt on its own. Just point me in the direction, and I'll let it out," said the Commandery Princess. "It will return on its own once it's full."
Thereupon, Qi Wanshan pointed towards Snake Fish Town. The Five-colored Peacock nuzzled the Commandery Princess's collar, then spread its wings, soared towards the high heavens, and disappeared from sight.
「...」
In the blink of an eye, nearly three days had passed. Chen Ku had to take several baths each day. Finally, through continuous Cultivation and the enhancement from the Erlang Transformation, he successfully elevated his Cultivation to the 'Jade Skin Peak' level.
"Third Realm Peak!"
Chen Ku observed his skin, which seemed as smooth as white jade under the effects of his Qi Performing Technique. Internally, his flesh appeared golden under the nourishment of his Inner Qi.
CLANG!
He experimentally snapped his fingers, producing a sound akin to that of jade striking, yet with a hint of a metallic resonance.
After his delight, Chen Ku mused to himself:
It's another breakthrough so soon. Now, what reason should I find to ask my master for the Fourth Realm Meridian-Opening Realm Cultivation Technique?
Sometimes, advancing too quickly in Cultivation can also be a source of anxiety.