Chapter 29: Demon Shadow Divine Art, Jiang Qiong's Appreciation



"What secret technique?" Gu An asked expectantly. He had already learned many spells from Jiang Qiong, but with magic, the more, the better. After Jiang Qiong left, it would be difficult to find such a diligent Grandmaster.

Jiang Qiong took a big bite of the chicken leg and said proudly, "One of the nine secret techniques of Thousand Autumn Pavillion, the Demon Shadow Divine Art!"

Demon Shadow Divine Art?

It sounds...

Gu An frowned and asked, "Is it a cultivation technique?"

He wasn't lacking in cultivation techniques. If he had to switch and cultivate a new one, he'd have to rebuild his spiritual power, which would waste his lifespan.

"I said it was a secret technique, not a cultivation technique. The Demon Shadow Divine Art will make you better at being a spy. You’ll understand soon," Jiang Qiong said with her mouth full of chicken, barely able to swallow it all.

Gu An's face twitched.

I don’t want to be a spy for the demonic path!

Well, I'll just endure until Jiang Qiong leaves. Then, I'll play my cards right, speak as needed to different people—talk like a person when facing people, and like a ghost when facing ghosts. When wandering the world, your identity is what you make it.

...

The next day at noon, Gu An was sitting under a tree reading a book. Seven steps away, Ye Lan and Zhen Qin were practicing their swordsmanship, their movements graceful, but they failed to catch Gu An's attention.

"Master Brother, Li Ya is here!" Xiao Chuan ran over, and behind him followed Li Ya.

Gu An immediately put away his Adventures of the Green hero and went to greet Li Ya.

"Let’s talk inside," Li Ya said first.

Gu An nodded and led him upstairs.

Zhen Qin stopped practicing her sword, looked at Ye Lan nervously, and asked, "Aunt Ye, do you think Uncle Li came because of those two demonic cultivators from yesterday?"

"Maybe," Ye Lan replied softly, glancing back in the direction they had gone.

Inside the house.

Gu An and Li Ya sat opposite each other. While pouring tea for Li Ya, Gu An asked, "What’s going on?"

Li Ya spoke directly, "I plan to stay in Medicine Valley for six months. Is that alright?"

"Of course! You can stay as long as you want. Did something happen?" Gu An immediately agreed, following up with a concerned question.

Li Ya hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to share what happened yesterday. Maybe knowing about this would push Gu An to practice harder under pressure.

After hearing the story, Gu An’s eyes widened in shock. "They died? Won't the Wan Yin Sect come seeking trouble?"

Li Ya sneered, "They attacked me and Li Xuanyu. If anyone should seek trouble, it's Tai Xuan Sect going after Wan Yin Sect. And beyond Tai Xuan Sect, the imperial court will also pressure Wan Yin Sect. After all, Li Xuanyu is my father’s most cherished daughter."

Gu An asked in surprise, "And they still dared to attack her?"

"Xu Ruyue and Chan Ji have always been ruthless and unscrupulous. Chan Ji held a grudge against Li Xuanyu from their encounter in Ye City. Once they found her alone, they weren’t going to let her go, and besides..."

Li Ya’s tone was disdainful, but then he stopped himself.

"And besides what?"

"Nothing."

Gu An felt irritated. If you don’t want to finish, why say 'besides' at all?

Li Ya then asked, "Since yesterday, have you seen anyone passing through Medicine Valley?"

Gu An shook his head.

"You didn’t see, but if not for that Nascent Soul stage senior's intervention yesterday, both Li Xuanyu and I would’ve likely perished. That senior’s swordsmanship was terrifying. To kill an enemy with just a leaf—Xu Ruyue’s ninth level of Foundation Establishment was like a melon or vegetable to him, easily slain with one leaf..."

Li Ya began to describe the battle with great enthusiasm, his face full of excitement.

Gu An listened wide-eyed, gasping from time to time as if hearing a legendary tale.

【Spiritual Root: First-class Five-Elemental Spiritual Root (with prominence in Wood and Earth attributes)】

【Cultivation: Nascent Soul Stage, Eighth Layer】

【Techniques: Fire Control Art (Unmastered), Divine Wood Pure Yang Technique (Mastered), Dragon Force Divine Essence Art (Mastered), Alchemy Technique (Novice), Ten Thousand Gu Mysterious Technique (Unmastered), Yin-Yang Technique (Unmastered)】

【Skills: Gale Phantom Kick (Mastered), Tai Cang Divine Shocking Sword (Mastered), Eight Directions Step (Unmastered), Demon Shadow Divine Art (Unmastered)】

【Spells: Soul Capture (Unmastered), Sword Control Technique (Mastered), Bewitching Eyes (Unmastered), Poisonous Wood Formation (Novice), Wind Control Technique (Unmastered), Corpse Control Technique (Unmastered)】

If it shows up on the status panel, it means it’s real!

Jiang Qiong had taught him eight techniques and spells over the past five years.

She was a responsible teacher!

This made Gu An view her in a new light. Although she was a demonic cultivator, her teaching was more dedicated than many righteous cultivators.

Gu An stood up, bowed to Jiang Qiong, and said, "Grandmaster, let’s stop for tonight. I’d like to go back and rest."

Jiang Qiong continued to meditate by the cauldron, surrounded by demonic energy. Without opening her eyes, she said, "Go ahead, but continue practicing diligently. I’ll be leaving in two years at most."

Gu An said nothing, turned, and left.

Jiang Qiong opened one eye and glanced at his departing figure, thinking to herself, "This kid seems a bit sad. Of course, it’s only natural. Where else can he find such a good Grandmaster like me? He’s all alone. When I return, I’ll have someone take him under their wing and bring him to the Thousand Autumn Pavillion to cultivate. I’ll even have Father find someone to teach him swordsmanship."

Gu An, with his back to her, quickened his pace toward the cave exit.

He barely suppressed the joy in his heart, trying not to let himself laugh out loud.

Finally, she’s leaving!

Although Jiang Qiong treated him well, he much preferred to have the Eight Views Heavenly Cave all to himself.

After returning to the woods, Gu An didn’t go back to the building immediately. Instead, he headed out to a distant location, intending to meditate and invest another year of lifespan into his cultivation.

He felt that he was getting closer to breaking through to the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul Stage, perhaps in the next few days.

Even though he felt close, he kept his discipline and only invested one year of lifespan each day.

After traveling twenty miles out, Gu An sat down under a tree and suppressed his aura to the point that he was indistinguishable from the surrounding flora.

He immediately invested another year of lifespan into his cultivation, and soon, spiritual energy surged toward him.

The nearby plants and trees swayed, as if cheering for him, wishing him an early breakthrough.

Soon, the flow of spiritual energy calmed, signaling that he had completed a year’s worth of cultivation.

Gu An stood up, ready to leave, but just as he was about to take a step, he sensed something and quickly hid behind a tree.

About four breaths later, two figures flew overhead, swiftly passing above Gu An.

With his exceptional eyesight, Gu An caught a glimpse of them and immediately used his Lifespan Detection technique on them.

【Zuo Yi Jian (Ninth Layer of Core Formation): 142/490/980】

【Zuo Lin (Second Layer of Foundation Establishment): 27/280/1400】

Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment!

Gu An was curious about which sect they were from.

Once they were far enough away, Gu An quietly returned to Medicine Valley.

The next morning, Gu An led his disciples through their usual exercises, and Li Ya came over to greet him, mentioning that he needed to make a trip to the Outer Sect.

It wasn’t until noon that Li Ya returned, flying on his sword, bringing someone with him.

It was Zuo Lin, whom Gu An had detected the night before.