Chapter 256: Method 232, Part 2

“In the moment of the divine transformation, hierarchical levels are determined.”

Zhang Yunqi seriously introduced.

“The lowest is the Spiritual Guard, transformed from ordinary people.

Next is the Spiritual Veins.

Then, the Spirit General.

Higher, we can’t reach, but it’s said that in the depths of the Spirit Court, there are worship levels above the Spirit General, which we won’t discuss for now.”

He took a sip of water and continued.

“Different worship levels bring different enhancements.

The Spiritual Guard typically makes the body as hard as metal, increasing speed and strength by about ten to fifty percent, with a spiritual blast occurring every forty-nine deaths.

The success rate depends on cultivation; the higher the martial artist’s grade, the higher the success rate.”

“The next is the Spiritual Veins, which aside from physical enhancement, increases speed and strength by about sixty percent to double, with a spiritual blast occurring every ninety-nine deaths.

And they have different focuses. For example, the Jade Sea Dragon God of the Sea Dragon, enhances swimming speed in water and allows for prolonged underwater breathing.

Moreover, the success rate for Spiritual Veins depends on martial arts level and cultivation of literature. Both are effective.

However, because the enhancement from Spiritual Veins isn’t significant, and after worship, one’s prowess ceases to grow, preventing further martial arts mastery.

Therefore, major forces demand dual cultivation of literature and martial arts.”

Zhang Yunqi laid out the fundamental aspects of the Spiritual Guard and Spiritual Veins.

Looking at Zhang Rongfang, who seemed deep in thought, he sighed softly.

“Finally, the Spirit General.”

“Spirit General…..”

He suddenly paused, falling silent.

“How about the Spirit General?” Zhang Rongfang was listening intently, but suddenly stopped here, quickly raised his head to carefully observe the other.

“Spirit General….we don’t know much. Because anyone who’s ever seen a Spirit General in action has died.

And to date, not a single Spirit General has died, whether of old age or being killed.” Zhang Yunqi said helplessly.

“As far as I know, the Great Dao Teaching only focuses on the cultivation of literature, aiming for higher literature cultivation. This is the only way to step into the realm of the Spirit General during worship.”

Zhang Rongfang frowned.

“Does this mean that once a Spirit General succeeds, whether they know martial arts or not, they become an absolute existence that martial artists cannot compete against?”

“I don’t know, we only know that the Spirit General’s speed, strength, body durability, and the Spiritual Veins and Spiritual Guard, are completely on different levels.

As for the Great Dao Teaching, they’ve had Spirit Generals, so the cultivation of literature theory should be true.” Zhang Yunqi nodded.

“All this may only be fully understood once you truly unlock the secret archive. Inside, there is more related information.

Unlike us who only know what is rather than why, there should be deeper research and secrets there.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rongfang gained a comprehensive understanding of the divine transformation and its spiritualization.

He realized that just these secrets from Zhang Yunqi were worth the journey to Citong.

If the secret archive is unlocked later, who knows what other secrets are hidden inside.

“Alright, let’s not talk too much. Some things we know only after experiencing them ourselves. Let’s first go unlock the secret archive.”

“Alright!”

The two got up together, leaving payment for the tea, and left the tea room.

*

*

*

In Huangjing Mountain.

Zhang Yunqi and Zhang Rongfang moved quickly through the forest one after the other.

“Brother Ying, how is your martial arts? I’ve heard that the Daoist of the Great Dao Teaching doesn’t emphasize martial arts, but I don’t know about your case.”

Although he knew the other was carrying the key, he was unclear about their identity and background.

He only knew the other was in the same camp as him and others, and that was enough.

Because the other wasn’t a spiritualized individual, that much was sufficient.

As for whether he’s a person with hidden intentions, that depends on the insurance from the Eastern Sect.

If he really is such a person, then those of them guarding the secret archive are destined for it.

Upon hearing Zhang Yunqi’s inquiry.

“I am indeed not good at martial arts.” Zhang Rongfang replied, “Because cultivating martial arts is quite inconvenient in the Celestial Treasure Palace, I just practice casually. Not long ago, I broke through to Super Grade and entered External Medicine.”

He naturally wouldn’t rashly reveal his background. Revealing what everyone already knows as the ’real’ truth is the proper thing to do.

Moreover, even his real prowess is only at seven achievements of Super Grade External Medicine class.

In his view, this isn’t much.

“It’s alright. You’re doing well.” Zhang Yunqi nodded, “But your cultivation of literature should be good; those two Snow Rainbow Pavilion experts behind you are probably here to protect you.”

“I suppose so.” Zhang Rongfang nodded. “I don’t know where they came from either; I was planning to observe them for a while longer, but you spotted them first.”

After observing them these days, he had basically figured out the attributes of the two Snow Rainbow Pavilion experts behind him.

They were both Spiritual Veins, and their levels were complete External Medicine nine times.

Since Spiritual Veins cannot be killed even if defeated, he didn’t plan to act against them.

But now they were discovered by Zhang Yunqi.

“I’m also troubled, not knowing how to deal with these two.” Zhang Rongfang said with a helpless expression.

“If you’re willing, can you let us handle them?” Zhang Yunqi said earnestly.

“Is it possible?” Zhang Rongfang asked in surprise.

“Of course it is. We of the Rebel Sect, each one of us has been persecuted by the Spirit Court, and have an unsolvable enmity with spiritualization.

From the moment we gathered, everyone had their resolve.

Kill those monsters when able!” Zhang Yunqi said in a low voice.

“Then, thanks to you, Brother!” Zhang Rongfang spoke with a hint of gratitude.

He was indeed unsure how to handle the two masters behind him.

“Handling Spiritual Veins can’t be done quickly, especially since we lack specialized weapons in our vicinity. So, we should temporarily shake them off first.” Zhang Yunqi suggested.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Zhang Rongfang denied. “I’ve observed several times and found there must be something on me they can track, no matter where I go, they quickly follow.”

“Then there’s no way….” Zhang Yunqi frowned inwardly.

Finally, as he hurried along, he pulled out a black jade short flute from his bosom.

Putting the flute to his lips, he blew hard.

In an instant, a clear flute sound pierced through layers of forest, spreading across a vast area.

As the sound of the flute began.

Not far behind them, several hundred meters away.

Two skilled fighters from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion were swiftly rushing through the forest, closely following Zhang Rongfang.

Suddenly, they heard the flute sound ahead.

The two paused their actions.

“The situation has changed! What is that sound?”

“We might have been discovered, retreat! This area is near the Rebel Sect. These people specialize in intercepting and killing Spirit Guards and Spiritual Veins, quite troublesome.” Pingyuan said in a deep voice.

“Considering this, Zhang Ying dared to enter this place alone, absolutely related to the Rebel Sect! Also, it means there’s a greater chance he holds the key to the hidden treasure!” The other person speculated.

While turning to leave, they remained cautious of the surroundings, ready for any situation.

Suddenly, a slight sound reached their ears.

They quickly turned their heads towards the sound.

But it was already too late as they turned.

Zhang Yunqi tightly gripped two black blades in his hands, moving with lightness and speed akin to a crossbow arrow, suddenly appearing beside the first person.

He raised his hand.

And struck.

With a splutter, a large gash opened in the person’s throat, with silver threads surging inside.

The person immediately collapsed, unable to get up.

His hands, attempting to block, could only raise halfway before falling powerlessly.

The speed difference was simply too great.

Zhang Yunqi spun around, slashing like lightning towards the other person’s neck.

But it was blocked.

Clang!

Pingyuan combined his arms, fiercely blocking the strike with his saber.

The Flying Eagle Leveling Saber he practiced allowed him to explode with full force, accurately and swiftly, in an incredibly short time.

But the sudden appearance and rapid pace of this person left them unprepared.

In his experience, only those martial artists without Spiritualization specialized in speed of body technique. Because they couldn’t endure much, neither could they withstand much.

After invoking the gods, though those with Spiritualization had enhanced speed, strength, and physique, their body weight increased.

This caused their body techniques to become fast yet less agile compared to before they invoked the gods.

The significantly heavier weight inclined Spiritualized individuals toward more straightforward explosive speed.

Clang! Another strike was blocked.

Pingyuan used all his strength to suppress the opponent’s power.

The attacker’s strength wasn’t formidable, a typical weakness for those who haven’t invoked the gods.

He deflected the short blade and was about to look closely at the other person’s identity.

Suddenly, there was a gunshot.

Pingyuan felt a sharp pain in his chest, collapsed powerlessly, and his vision blurred.

He saw the person standing opposite holding a single-handed firearm, about the length of a forearm.

The silver muzzle still emitted wisps of blue smoke.

“You…!?” Pingyuan tried to speak but quickly lost consciousness amid the intense pain.

Zhang Yunqi sighed softly, quickly advanced, searched the body, and checked.

Then he found a small crystal cage containing a living creature resembling a thin black line.

“Black Spiritual Line!? Even this they possess.”

His expression changed slightly before he hurriedly stripped the corpses and left.

His aim was merely to cut off these two from tracking Zhang Ying.

Unexpectedly, he discovered something more hidden.

Additionally, these two…

Had a secret letter hidden on them.

On his return to rendezvous with Zhang Rongfang, Zhang Yunqi opened the secret letter in his hand and checked.

“Great Dao Teaching Daoist!?” His eyes widened. “Human Seed! It seems that person is indeed the Human Seed!”

In an instant, he had a judgment.

According to previous agreements, Human Seed might be their hope for a future resurgence.

Thus, this time, he had taken the right step.

’Although I don’t understand why a Daoist from the Great Dao Teaching would be chosen as Human Seed, since they don’t typically practice martial arts.

Nonetheless… following the original agreement, the Human Seed is our future hope, and that person’s judgment is rarely wrong.’

With thoughts flashing through his mind, Zhang Yunqi swiftly decided he must ensure the Human Seed’s safety.

Even though this person is still very fragile, having only broken through the Super Grade, lacking competitiveness, he must excel in other aspects to be noticed by those above.

In the future…. the three Human Seeds are the true hope!

Soon, he returned to where Zhang Rongfang was waiting.

“It’s done, let’s leave quickly; they won’t be able to catch up for a while.

People from Snow Rainbow Pavilion are difficult to kill; if you kill them, they’ll continuously send stronger experts to follow.

Moreover, those two were not only tracking and monitoring you but also for your protection.

So no need to completely resolve them.” He explained solemnly.

“Snow Rainbow Pavilion….” Zhang Rongfang recalled how everyone with high cultivation of literature in Celestial Treasure Palace was guarded by the Snow Rainbow Pavilion, indicating he also enjoyed this privilege.

“Then let’s not waste time. Let’s set off, talk while walking.”

“Alright. Take this.” Zhang Yunqi took out a black short saber from his chest and tossed it to Zhang Rongfang.

“What is this?” Zhang Rongfang caught the blade and scrutinized it; it was a seemingly ordinary curved saber, entirely silver-black, with the handle wrapped in rough burlap, and at the guard, there was only one mark— a fork resembling a swallow’s tail.

“When you killed the last Spiritualized person, after the spiritual explosion, use this saber to pin it into his corpse to prevent the Spiritual Line from returning to resurrect.

Without this weapon, the Spiritual Line can return to the corpse’s body and resurrect again.” Zhang Yunqi said solemnly.

“A weapon for the final blow?” Zhang Rongfang’s eyes gleamed.

The two moved quickly, leaving their previous position, heading into the depths of Huangjing Mountain.

“May I ask, where are we heading now?” Zhang Rongfang asked aloud.

“Aren’t you searching for the hidden treasure?” Zhang Yunqi replied without turning, “It’s deep within here.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep