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Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Luo Wang Mansion
"Master, what exactly is a half-demon? Is it related to demons?"
Li Qian voiced the doubts in his heart.
"Half-demons... they haven’t appeared for a very long time. The most recent historical record dates back to the end of the Dayan Dynasty, during the Taiping Sect’s rebellion... where half-demons were involved. After the establishment of the Chang Dynasty, the complete eradication of the Taiping Sect led to the disappearance of half-demons."
Zhou Buping spoke solemnly, "Looking back through the dynasties, whenever half-demons caused trouble, it was surely accompanied by chaos... It seems the previous rebellion of the Moon Worship Sect was not so simple."
"Taiping Sect?"
Li Qian was surprised.
He had read some books about the geography and history of Chang Country.
The Taiping County he had visited before was the origin of the Taiping Sect’s disorder.
Could it be that the half-demon that appeared this time was related to the extinct Taiping Sect?
"Regarding half-demons... there are actually two explanations. One is that they actively absorb the energy from the demon stone, thereby undergoing a transformation but manage to control the degree of mutation through special methods to maintain a human form. The second is the offspring of demons and humans... Although they are both humans, they harbor demonic lineage in their bodies, which can be unleashed using the energy of the demon stones."
Zhou Buping continued, "Whichever the case, to us humans, they are considered anomalies and unacceptable. So... you must keep the fact that you use the demon stone for cultivating the Pure Holy Body secret, lest you be mistaken for a half-demon..."
Li Qian nodded, "Master, I understand."
"Ah, it’s a pity you did not break through earlier... Otherwise, you should have been the one who accompanied your grand-uncle master to Yujing."
Zhou Buping sighed.
"Master, it’s just attending the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, right? It’s no loss, I’m not very keen on such crowded events."
Li Qian said.
"Going to Yujing is not just about attending the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Not long ago... Yujing sent a message via flying eagles, revealing that Chang Xiaoyao, a disciple of the Dishui Peak Master, has already entered the Royal Divine Martial Academy for further studies."
Zhou Buping shook his head, "If only that opportunity had been yours, the conditions for cultivation at the Royal Divine Martial Academy are countless times better than our Divine Sword Sect, truly gathering the top cultivation resources in the Great Chang."
"Entering the Royal Divine Martial Academy?"
Li Qian was extremely surprised.
At the same time, he secretly felt fortunate that he hadn’t gone; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to ring the Chen Bell.
"Master, we shouldn’t force things."
Seeing his master’s regretful look, Li Qian immediately said, "Even without entering the Divine Martial Academy, I am confident I won’t be inferior to the others."
"Ha ha... You’re right, I have indeed worried unnecessarily."
Zhou Buping saw Li Qian’s calm demeanor and laughed immediately.
"Master, how is your cultivation and Sword Intent recovery going?"
Li Qian changed the topic and asked.
"It’s a bit better, but... it’s unlikely to fully recover."
Zhou Buping shook his head.
He had been mentally prepared for this.
In fact, he was more concerned about Li Qian’s cultivation and Sword Intent progression.
"It seems the sound of the Magic Artifact Level Chen Bell still has limited effects on others’ recovery..."
Li Qian thought to himself.
Unless the Chen Bell is upgraded...
But that would still require almost twenty more years.
What will become of his master in twenty years was unknown.
Though a Great Grandmaster in the Innate True Pill Realm... could live up to over a hundred, nearly two hundred years... but that’s for those Grandmasters who are exceptionally well-cultivated.
As for a Grandmaster like his master, who has suffered severe injuries, with regressed cultivation and damaged Sword Intent, how many years he could live remains a total mystery.
....
Dong dong...
Two clear bell sounds came from the Chen Bell Platform.
In the distance, the red sun had already leaped above the horizon, breaking through the morning mist, radiating bright light.
Holding Sword Eighteen, Li Qian began to practice the Heartless Sword Technique, invisible Heaven and Earth Essence Qi converged, entering his body, gradually refining and merging with his vital energies and spirit, transforming into strands of Innate True Qi.
After a complete Grand Circulation, he stopped and then started practicing the Pure Holy Body.
After finishing, Li Qian descended the Bell Platform and returned to his room, walking up to two maps on the wall—one large, one small.
One map was of Great Chang.
The other was a map of Taiping County.
These were obtained for him by the head of the Chores Hall.
Very detailed.
Especially the map of Taiping County, the precision is very high.
Combining various pieces of information, Li Qian estimated that the location recorded by the four treasure maps is likely within the range of Taiping County.
After staring at the two maps for a long time, Li Qian only felt his eyes sour and his head ached slightly due to excessive mental exertion.
It seemed like he was just looking at the maps, but in reality, he was constantly comparing and piecing together the treasure maps in his mind.
There was no other way, the treasure map given to him by Elder Song had been thoroughly destroyed, so he had to choose this time-consuming and brain-intensive method.
"It’s too difficult."
Li Qian rubbed his brows, sighed, and then walked out of the Bell Platform.
Outside on the flat ground, Liu Ming was practicing the Sword Stabbing Fist, move by move.
With just a glance, Li Qian knew the progress of his fist technique.
It was only at the level of expertise.
He had only opened four or five of the twelve major meridians.
And this was under the condition of consuming medicinal meals every day.
It could only be said that his natural comprehension was too ordinary, not even comparable to Chen Yong’s.
At that moment, Liu Ming’s fist technique suddenly stiffened, and he stopped, covering his chest, his face showing a pained expression, and large beads of sweat burst out on his forehead.
Li Qian took a step forward and appeared in front of Liu Ming, his fingers quickly tapping several acupoints on Liu Ming’s body.
Pfft!
Liu Ming immediately spit out a mouthful of fresh blood, which made him feel much lighter.
"Don’t you understand that haste makes waste?"
Li Qian said gravely.
Liu Ming showed a sheepish look and dared not speak.
"Next, reduce your food intake at each meal, it’s best to starve for a couple of days first."
Li Qian said.
He had not paid attention to Liu Ming’s diet and cultivation before.
After all, he called Liu Ming up the mountain just to ring the bell when he was away.
Just now, through spiritual perception, Li Qian sensed that Liu Ming’s body was overloaded with medicinal power from the food he consumed, which accumulated excessively inside his body.
Liu Ming’s fist technique was only at a proficient level, and although he practiced hard every day, due to the limits of human spirit, he simply couldn’t digest all the medicinal power.
Over time, the accumulated medicinal power clogged his meridians, leading to a backlash.
What happened just now was just a sign—if this continued, his meridians could be damaged, possibly resulting in disability.
Therefore, Li Qian used his Innate True Essence to make Liu Ming expel some of the medicinal power through vomiting blood.
"Yes, Senior Brother Li."
Liu Ming replied with his head bowed.
Actually, during his practice earlier, he had already sensed some abnormalities in his body, but he had not thought too much about it.
The recent event made him realize the severity, and he was deeply startled.
....
Guest Reception Hall.
This is where the Divine Sword Sect receives distinguished guests.
"Elder Xiang, in recent times, the half-demons that have vanished for hundreds of years seem to be resurging. Presumably, your sect has also noticed this. Based on this situation, Prince Luo, as the duke managing the Xingdao feudal nation, will convene a demon eradication conference. Here is the invitation, and your sect’s attendance is requested."
A man in brocade clothes sitting on a chair, after taking a sip of tea, suddenly took out a gilded invitation from his sleeve, which featured a special dark gold emblem.
It represented the emblem of Prince Luo’s mansion.
"Lord Liu, I will pass the invitation to the Sect Leader."
The speaker was a refined and scholarly elder with black whiskers, Elder Xiang Xin, who managed the Guest Reception Hall.
Despite the Guest Reception Hall appearing to be just a place for hosting distinguished guests, it also serves the important function of communicating and coordinating with other forces.
Therefore, as the master of the Guest Reception Hall, Elder Xiang Xin is a true influential elder within the Divine Sword Sect.
Elder Xiang Xin did not commit to attending.
He was only the elder of the Guest Reception Hall and had no authority to decide.
Moreover... this matter involved Prince Luo’s mansion, one of the top five powerful feudal lords in Chang Country, making it an even bigger issue.
....
