Chapter 74: After Hugging The Thick Thigh

Chapter 74: After Latched Onto a Powerful Backer

That the emperor's bestowed blade was stored near the ancestral shrine was one thing, but that their own divine sword was hidden away too left Zhao Changhe bewildered; by right, weapons were meant to be wielded, not enshrined like ancestors... what if an emergency struck and there wasn't even time to retrieve it?

Yet, as this world ascended into higher realms, it grew undeniably fantastical, and there were circumstances his current level could not fathom. Besides, whatever the matter was, it was not something a mere "guest" like himself could meddle in; Zhao Changhe dismissed the thought and followed Cui Yuanyang into the blade armory.

Though called a blade armory, the collection was sparse, since the Cui family primarily specialized in swords, and blades were considered an unconventional pursuit. A few hung on the walls or rested on weapon racks, totaling perhaps twenty or thirty, all sheathed and indistinguishable in quality.

Yet, Zhao Changhe's gaze was instantly arrested by a long blade resting horizontally on a rack.

Its blade spanned four to five feet, nearly matching Cui Yuanyang's height... immensely broad and thick, with an elongated hilt that could accommodate a two-handed grip. Its sheath concealed its material, but judging by its sheer imposing presence, it felt as though it must weigh dozens of catties.

The broadsword from his dreams! Such a blade actually existed in reality!

Seeing Zhao Changhe fixated on that weapon, Cui Yuanyang was somewhat taken aback: "Brother Zhao, do you like this one? Isn't it a bit too large and heavy..."

"Uh." Zhao Changhe snapped out of his daze: "Indeed... it's likely a blade beyond my current ability to master."

Cui Yuanyang caught the underlying meaning.

Not "currently" within his mastery meant this fellow was genuinely considering mastering it in the future... yet it perfectly suited Zhao Changhe's character; that wild, furious slashing spirit of his was tailor-made for such a weapon. Imagining him walking out holding a blade like this in the future, enemies would probably feel their knees buckle at a single glance, so overwhelming was the aura...

No wonder Brother Zhao liked it.

Biting her lower lip, Cui Yuanyang pondered for a moment before murmuring softly: "This was a blade captured by Father when he personally slew a foreign general on the Earth Ranking. I heard that man was hardly human, standing over ten feet tall... Actually, the blade bestowed by His Majesty is somewhat similar to this one, though a bit smaller and lighter, about four feet long and weighing around thirty catties. It might be better suited for normal use..."

Knowing full well he could never obtain the emperor's bestowed blade, Zhao Changhe was still deeply intrigued: "What is that blade called?"

"It is called Longque, the Great Xia Longque."

"..." Zhao Changhe's expression turned peculiar once more.

The name was grand and formidable. The problem was, this name also existed in his own world—Helian Bobo's Great Xia Longque—though that Great Xia had been rather unimpressive; Xia Longyuan, was this a coincidence, or what...

Never mind, what did it have to do with him? He was destined never to hold that blade.

Zhao Changhe's gaze swept over the other blades. He knew perfectly well that any weapon here was several times better than his original steel blade, but after seeing the broadsword, these normal blades simply felt entirely unappealing, no matter how he looked at them...

Cui Yuanyang found his expression amusing, thinking that he called her a child, yet Brother Zhao himself was often quite childish, wasn't he? It was just like seeing a brilliant toy, after which all other toys lost their charm...

Ultimately, she selected a precious blade whose shape and weight closely resembled his original one, shoved it into Zhao Changhe's hands, and didn't even bother to introduce its name: "Use this one for now..."

As she spoke, her eyes darted toward the Bronze Hall, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she plotted something unknown.

That seemed a bit difficult... but if normal precious blades were expected to never chip and last forever, even Yuanyang found that unrealistic; perhaps only that kind of...

...

"Have you chosen a blade?" At the evening banquet, they finally met Cui Wenjing. No one else was present except for the father and daughter along with Zhao Changhe. It seemed he wished to prevent others from pointing fingers or gossiping about Zhao Changhe, showing true social grace.

Spotting the new blade at Zhao Changhe's waist, Cui Wenjing smiled: "I figured it would be this one, as it is quite similar to the blade you previously used."

Zhao Changhe cupped his hands and said, "It is an excellent blade. I tested it, and it can truly sever a hair blown across its edge. Thank you, Senior."

"You have earned it," Cui Wenjing replied with a smile. "You could have obtained even more... I know you are not a greedy man, and what you seek is exceedingly clear. It is likely how to resolve the side effects of the Blood-Fiend Art, and how to expand your meridians and dantian so your internal cultivation can keep pace with your external training."

"Exactly! I don't need anything else!" Zhao Changhe said joyfully. "Does Senior have a solution?"

Cui Yuanyang stole a glance at him, thinking that he had also wanted money...

Cui Wenjing said, "Let us first address the Blood-Fiend Art. Its issue is determined by the very foundation of the technique. Since it channels blood energy and fiendish aura, it naturally causes the fiendish aura to invade the mind and corrode the body. If I were to purge this fiendish aura for you, it is within my power, but your blade would lose its former vicious ferocity. It would effectively strip away the very capability you rely on to run rampant. Consider carefully whether the loss would outweigh the gain."

As expected, Cui Wenjing certainly had more solutions than Yue Hongling, yet even he could not provide the best of both worlds... Nursing a headache, Zhao Changhe asked, "The Blood God Art also cultivates blood energy and fiendish aura, so why does it lack these drawbacks? This proves there must be a way to balance both, right?"

Cui Wenjing let out a disdainful smile. "If the Blood God Art were truly so miraculous, Xue Canghai wouldn't have been challenged and beaten across realms by a nineteen-year-old girl."

Zhao Changhe silently thought that Cult Leader Xue was truly pitiful; as long as he lived, this incident would be thrown in his face for the rest of his days... The Chronicle of a Troubled World was maddeningly brutal like that, and now he had tasted a bit of its sting himself.

Cui Wenjing continued, "No one in our family has interacted with anyone who knows the Blood God Art, so we do not know the details. However, the Blood God Art must possess its own flaws, which Yue Hongling perceptively seized upon in a fleeting moment. That girl's combat instinct is truly astonishing; beforehand, even I did not expect Yuanyong would actually lose to her, considering what Yuanyong has learned surpasses her tenfold..."

As he spoke, his eyes drifted toward Cui Yuanyang, who sat nearby.

Seeing her sweetheart and her father conversing so pleasantly, Cui Yuanyang was delighted. She hadn't interrupted at all, watching with her chin resting in her hands. Yet, out of nowhere, the gossip turned upon her... She knew exactly why her father was looking at her; he used to constantly use outstanding women of the same generation in the martial world to spur her on, though she had always just indulged in eating and drinking, ignoring him completely.

But at this very moment, a spark of defiance actually flared up within her.

Yue Hongling had stayed in his mountain fortress for so long, they might have even done that... It was bad enough that her father didn't warn him, but he even praised her. Why praise her so much? Was he even her real father! So what if her brother couldn't beat her, could it be that I... oh, I can't beat her either, boohoo...

Isn't it just practicing martial arts! Yuanyang had suffered a great loss during this excursion, and she had already intended to practice properly upon her return. Why use another woman to provoke her... Just talk about your Blood God Art already!

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment before deciding resolutely, "In that case, there is no need for Senior to help eliminate this fiendish aura. A little discomfort in daily life is worth the massive boost in combat power. Come to think of it, aside from these flaws, the Blood-Fiend Art is actually quite excellent, isn't it?"

"Aside from that, it is indeed an excellent technique." This was a reassuring confirmation from a true master of the Heaven Ranking, following Yue Hongling's words. "If you can endure its drawbacks, there is no harm in making it your primary focus; it is worth practicing. In fact, I have a suspicion that the Blood-Fiend Art is the true fundamental form of this school, but because no one could properly sustain its practice, the Blood God Art was created as a substitute to eliminate the side effects. Its true upper limit might not even match the Blood-Fiend Art."

Zhao Changhe listened with pleasant surprise. "Is Senior certain?"

"Don't you find your own combat prowess somewhat absurd? At a mere third layer of the Mysterious Pass, the pressure and illusions you inflicted upon Qi Bubi during your battle—is that something a third-layer cultivator should be capable of? Even I could not achieve that back when I was at the third layer!" Cui Wenjing delivered his final judgment. "If the Blood God Art were stronger than this, how could the Blood God Sect remain a mere second-rate sect, and why would Xue Canghai fail to even make the Mortal Ranking?"

So you were watching the whole time back then, you motherfucker...

Zhao Changhe really couldn't be bothered to complain about this old fox. As his understanding deepened step by step, the advantages of the Blood-Fiend Art became clearer and more verified; he truly couldn't bear to replace it now. It seemed this technique would remain his primary cultivation for a very long time. He wondered what it would be like in the later stages; could he break through the nine layers of the Mysterious Pass and peer into the Secret Realm?

The manual stated it was possible, and now it seemed it wasn't just a boast... but the problem was, Fang Buping's manual didn't contain the method to break through to the Secret Realm or the subsequent cultivation techniques...

Discerning his thoughts, Cui Wenjing said casually, "As for the matters regarding the Blood God Sect, I will have people keep an eye out. If the opportunity arises, resolving the subsequent techniques for you won't be too difficult... In fact, I see that even your Xia Chichi could handle it for you, provided she doesn't hack you to pieces first."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Cui Yuanyang: "..."

"Now, your only remaining issue seems to be cleansing your marrow and altering your tendons to expand your meridians?" Just when Zhao Changhe thought he had latched onto a powerful backer who would solve everything, Cui Wenjing said placidly, "We cannot solve this matter."

Zhao Changhe: "?"

You just said that even Chichi could handle the Blood God Sect matter, meaning I thought I hooked up with the ninth-ranked master in the world, only for you to tell me you're actually doing nothing?

Cui Yuanyang grew anxious as well: "Father!"

Cui Wenjing waved his hand and proffered a medicinal pill. "Do not be impatient. This pill may not be of small benefit to you either."