Chapter 432 - 31: Seeing Zhou Yuantong Again, Bizarre Secret Technique

「Two months later.」

Zhu Ju appeared in the sky above a mountain forest.

Clear traces of combat scarred the area, and over a dozen corpses of Immortal Alliance Cultivators lay scattered in the woods.

He frowned slightly as the Magical Treasure Wind and Thunder Blade Wings on his back unfolded, separating into three hundred and sixty-five sharp blades that vibrated gently.

"Go!"

He flicked a finger.

The three hundred and sixty-five blades shot out like lightning, fanning out in all directions.

Each blade carried a wisp of Zhu Ju’s Divine Thought, spreading out over an area with a radius of fifty kilometers.

Within this area, it was as if he had three hundred and sixty avatars observing everything.

Of course, a Golden Core Grandmaster’s powerful perception was not something an ordinary Demonic Cultivator could evade.

"A Golden Core!"

The Demonic Cultivators, who had been hiding among the rocks and within the Water Veins using Secret Techniques and Talismans, cried out in alarm:

"Flee!"

The word had barely left their lips.

Over a dozen figures had already shot out, streaking away in different directions.

They knew they were no match for a Golden Core Grandmaster. They used every trick they had to flee, their only hope being to get as far away as possible.

"SWISH!"

The blades hovering in the void trembled, then shot down like falling crescent moons, slicing through the fleeing figures with an unstoppable sharpness.

"SPLAT!"

"SPLAT! SPLAT!"

Flesh and blood flew through the air.

Corpse after corpse fell to the ground.

"Huh?"

Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow, then transformed into a streak of lightning, hurtling toward a figure on the ground that was flying away in a straight line.

This person’s Cultivation was clearly only at the Mid-Stage Dao Foundation, yet they had unleashed speed comparable to that of a Golden Core Grandmaster.

For a moment, even the Wind and Thunder Blade Wings couldn’t catch up.

"A Cultivator from the Celestial Corpse Sect."

Zhu Ju’s eyes glinted as he spoke slowly:

"With such Talent, he must be a Core True Inheritance disciple on track for the Golden Core Realm. To dare come here to kill... truly, the skilled are bold."

"Unfortunately..."

"Your luck isn’t very good. You happened to run into me while I was on patrol."

He raised one hand slightly, and an Invisible Power began to gather. The fleeing figure below seemed to sense something, and a look of despair washed over his face.

Just then.

Zhu Ju’s expression suddenly changed. He spun around, his open palm closing into a fist as he punched viciously behind and to his side.

The power of his Physical Body far surpassed that of his peers, rivaling a Mid-Stage Golden Core Cultivator. Even a light jab contained boundless might.

Now, employing his exquisite Fist Technique, he had a good chance of shattering even a Low-Grade Magical Treasure.

"BANG!"

A ghastly white hand appeared out of nowhere.

Wreathed in an eerie white smoke, the hand collided with Zhu Ju’s fist, and a terrifying might erupted in an instant.

"BOOM!"

A visible shockwave erupted from the point of contact, sweeping out for dozens of miles in an instant.

Below, mountains crumbled and trees were uprooted, leaving a scene of utter devastation.

"Mid-Stage Golden Core!"

A sweet taste filled Zhu Ju’s throat as he retreated frantically, his expression turning grave.

His right hand had been stripped to the bone, all flesh and blood gone, and his arm had shattered on the spot.

Only a Mid-Stage Golden Core Cultivator could have suppressed him to this degree with the power of their Physical Body alone.

"SWISH!"

The figure flickered, crossing several miles in an instant and appearing before Zhu Ju as if by Instant Teleportation.

The ghastly white hand clenched into a fist and struck again.

Celestial Corpse Fist!

A life-stealing power surged from the fist, causing Zhu Ju’s breath to catch in his throat.

Unlike the methods of a technological world, the true strength of a Golden Core Grandmaster in the Cultivation Realm lay not in pure power, but in the Magical Power that could affect one’s Primordial Spirit.

For instance.

The Fist Force approaching him, while powerful, was not necessarily stronger than a Grand Martial Master’s Uranium Ring Chain Killing Palm.

However, the life-stealing Corpse Qi within the Fist Force was the bane of all living things.

Zhu Ju narrowed his eyes as the power of his Physical Body erupted.

Myriad Phenomena Celestial Attraction!

In that instant, his Skin and Flesh, Tendons and Bones, organs, and Blood Marrow all vibrated in unison. A berserk power surged from every cell, employing a complex and profound method to warp the very space around him.

Space twisted and folded.

Every inch of the void now held a power no less than that of a Golden Core Grandmaster.

"BANG!"

The immense power of the Celestial Corpse Fist slammed into the void, sending Zhu Ju flying for several miles.

However,

He was uninjured!

"Oh?"

A surprised voice called out:

"What a profound Protection Method!"

Before the voice faded, the figure charged again. This time, it changed its fist into a claw, unleashing a torrent of claw strikes that filled the sky.

The claws tore, flipped, and drilled, their forms changing a thousand times in an instant. The bizarre Strength behind them made his Myriad Phenomena Celestial Attraction tremble violently, threatening to shatter.

"CLANG!"

The blades rang out with a clear chime.

At some point, the three hundred and sixty-five curved sabers had fanned out over a half-mile radius, forming a profound Array that now swept furiously inward.

The Power of Wind and Thunder surged within it.

"Hmph!"

The newcomer snorted, his assault not pausing in the slightest. Instead, the clothes on his body flew off, soaring toward the Wind and Thunder Blade Wings.

Mummy Cloth!

Tens of thousands of years ago, the Mummy Cloth that had wrapped the body of a Human Race Saint Emperor was stolen by the Celestial Corpse Sect. After being refined by Secret Techniques and passed down through generations, this treasure had become a High-Grade Magical Treasure with many profound uses.

It expanded abruptly, enveloping all three hundred and sixty-five blades, and even showed signs of trying to forcibly seize them.

Before Zhu Ju could react, another figure appeared silently at his back.

The figure held a sharp sword, appearing as a thin black line as it stabbed toward his heart from behind at an unbelievable speed.

Blood Poison Sword!

Danger!

As the crisis descended upon him, Zhu Ju’s emotions suddenly calmed, and time itself seemed to slow.

’A Golden Core!’

’So the one who attacked first wasn’t a living person, but a Heaven-Soaring Flying Corpse refined by a Golden Core Grandmaster from the Celestial Corpse Sect.’

’The one with the sword, the one launching the sneak attack, *that’s* the Cultivator.’

’Cultivators from the Celestial Corpse Sect are different from the other five of the Six Demonic Sects. One of them usually has the strength of two people.’

’Not only are their own techniques formidable, but they also nurture and refine a corpse of an equivalent Realm.’

’When fighting others...’

’It’s naturally a two-on-one fight, giving them a massive advantage.’

’Two Golden Core Grandmasters launching a sneak attack. They really hold me in high regard.’

Though his thoughts raced, Zhu Ju’s movements didn’t slow in the slightest. With a simple hand seal from his Sword Formulas, tens of thousands of sharp streams of Sword Qi erupted from beneath his feet.

Ten Directions Killing Dao!

Having been fed Blue Source Crystals over the past few days—especially from Boss Jiao’s collection of several decades—the Ten Directions Cross Sword’s grade was now among the very best of High-Grade Magical Treasures, its power unparalleled.

What’s more, in addition to refining his Cultivation Technique, Zhu Ju naturally hadn’t forgotten to improve his Sword Technique. His Ten Directions Killing Dao had reached a whole new level.

The Sword Qi blossomed forth.

A blinding light, like a falling sun, erupted—so brilliant it was impossible to look at. Only pure power was left to collide in mid-air.

"BOOM!"

The three figures were all thrown back.

Zhu Ju’s face was pale. The Wind and Thunder Blade Wings had returned to his back and were fanning gently.

His Cultivation was, after all, only at the Early-Stage Golden Core, and he had advanced not long ago. Though he had relied on the wonders of his Cultivation Technique to force his opponents back, he still lacked the strength to gain the upper hand, let alone achieve victory.

That last burst had consumed nearly half of his reserves.

"CLAP!"

"CLAP! CLAP!"

The newcomers didn’t continue their attack. Instead, one of them began to clap slowly and unhurriedly, letting his disguise fall away.

"As expected of the man Fellow Daoist Zhou has her eye on. Truly impressive."

"I told you, never underestimate him." A familiar yet strangely distant voice came from nearby:

"Even now, he still has tricks up his sleeve. He’s absolutely a worthy partner."

"Of course..."

"Only as a partner."

?

Zhu Ju turned his head, and ripples disturbed the calm surface of his gaze.

"Yuantong."

"It is."

Dressed in robes as white as snow and radiating an ethereal aura, Zhou Yuantong approached, each step on a blossoming lotus flower carrying her half a mile forward:

"Brother Zhu, we meet again."

"Yes." The ripples in Zhu Ju’s eyes vanished as quickly as they appeared. He nodded to his former ’wife’ and said,

"I never thought you would have already advanced to the Golden Core Realm."

"I have you to thank for it, Brother Zhu. You allowed me to comprehend the wonder of the Supreme Forget Love ahead of schedule." Zhou Yuantong gave a faint smile.

"Otherwise..."

"I’m afraid I might never have reached the Golden Core Realm."

"Haha..." The Golden Core Cultivator from the Celestial Corpse Sect roared with laughter.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou is the first Cultivator from the Joyful Sect in thousands of years to cultivate Formless Forget Love to its highest Realm! She has already comprehended a state that transcends self, others, and all living beings, where the seven emotions and six desires are hers to command. What’s more, she has received the legacy of an ancient mighty one. With time, advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm will be no problem at all!"

He seemed to hold Zhou Yuantong in abnormally high regard, his eyes filled with fanaticism.

’This isn’t normal at all!’

’He’s likely fallen victim to one of the Joyful Sect’s Secret Techniques, but with his level of Cultivation, he shouldn’t have been susceptible.’

"Fellow Daoist Jin, you flatter me."

Zhou Yuantong said with a faint smile,

"I forgot to introduce you, Brother Zhu. This is Fellow Daoist Jin Fangqiu of the Celestial Corpse Sect. You’ve likely heard of him."

"Jin Fangqiu?" Zhu Ju nodded.

"The name is familiar."

There were no more than a thousand Golden Core Grandmasters in total between the Righteous and Demonic paths. With the memory of a Golden Core Grandmaster, he could clearly recall the details of each one.

This Jin Fangqiu was considered something of a prodigy, having achieved great success at a young age and advanced to the Golden Core Realm three hundred years ago.

However, because the Six Paths Demon Monarch actively suppressed Demonic Golden Core cultivators, Jin Fangqiu had never managed to break through to the Late-Stage Golden Core.

In terms of strength, he was ranked among the top ten in the Celestial Corpse Sect.

’Unbelievable.’

’To think that a figure who has been famous for hundreds of years would be subdued by the previously unknown Zhou Yuantong.’

Zhu Ju’s thoughts raced, but he spoke slowly, "So, you two were looking for me?"

"Indeed."

Zhou Yuantong nodded.

"The Demon Dao is invading, and we have been assigned to this region. Brother Zhu, could you perhaps look the other way and open a path for us to pass through?"

"Heh..." Zhu Ju chuckled and shook his head.

"Do you really think that’s possible?"

"If you won’t let us, then we’ll have to fight." Zhou Yuantong shrugged.

"When that happens, the ensuing death and destruction won’t be something you want to see, will it, Brother Zhu?"

She gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead. The familiar gesture sent a ripple through Zhu Ju’s heart, but his expression changed drastically in the next instant.

"Demon Technique!"

His willpower was as strong as steel—that was no exaggeration. Every one of his thoughts was his own. And yet, a simple gesture from Zhou Yuantong had sent his heart into turmoil. Memories of their past surfaced uncontrollably, and a hint of tenderness bloomed within him.

It was as if...

He couldn’t refuse her!

This wasn’t normal at all!

Zhou Yuantong raised a delicate eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

She had cultivated Formless Forget Love to its highest Realm and, by a twist of fate, even created her own Heart Imprinting Method. With it, she could toy with the minds of almost anyone she met. She hadn’t expected her casual attempt to be noticed so easily.

It could only be said,

’He is indeed worthy of being the man who taught me the Seven Emotions and Six Desires Cross Method.’

"The Six Paths Demon Monarch has decreed that all Six Demonic Sects must either fight the enemy with all their might or break through for a thousand li."

Her eyes twinkled as she gave a dazzling smile.

"I have no desire to fight you, Brother Zhu. So why don’t we put on a little show for the Demon Monarch? That way, we can both account for ourselves."

"Besides..."

"I heard you were looking for Innate Origin Qi, Brother Zhu. I have a lead."

Hm?

Zhu Ju, on high alert, had been noncommittal about her previous words, but at this, he couldn’t help but feel his heart stir.

Opposite him, a light flashed in Zhou Yuantong’s beautiful eyes.

In her ’vision,’ the seven emotions and six desires of every person were revealed as different colors. She could observe their moods and innermost thoughts based on these colors, and even interfere with them using a Secret Technique.

And that wasn’t all.

She could see the goodwill or malice others held toward her at a glance, even if it was hidden deep in their hearts.

When their goodwill or malice reached a certain level, she could even cast a spell to twist their very will.

Excessive goodwill could make a person submit to her completely, becoming her slave.

And malice...

...could make a person lose control at the sight of her, becoming a slave to their own Heart Demon.

In Zhou Yuantong’s hands, the emotions of others became a form of energy she could wield as she pleased.

And she...

...was gradually becoming a ’goddess’ who controlled the hearts and minds of all!

That was why she had so clearly seen the fluctuation in Zhu Ju’s emotions when she mentioned the Innate Origin Qi.

’Pei Jingque...’

’Your current wife!’