Chapter 454 53: Slaying a Golden Core, Formless Seal

The allure of the Primordial Spirit Stone Embryo for Cultivators far exceeded Zhu Ju's expectations.

Even after he had revealed strength enough to slash the void with a sword, some Golden Core Grandmasters still clung to a sliver of hope and hid nearby.

In that case,

He certainly wouldn't hold back.

He had lost his Magical Power True Essence and his Spiritual Soul Perception of the outside world, but his evolved and powerful Physical Body was like a precision instrument, capable of detecting the Life Qi Mechanism of every living creature within a hundred miles.

In Zhu Ju's "eyes," the Golden Core Grandmasters concealed by magic were as conspicuous as candle flames.

SWOOSH!

A gray figure flashed past like lightning, instantly parting the heavy clouds and rushing out.

"Zhu Ju!"

Yuee Zhouzhi's eyes narrowed.

"I was just about to see what you're made of!"

As a Golden Core of the Star-Picking Tower, he had achieved the Golden Core Realm over three hundred years ago and already possessed a Mid-Stage Golden Core Cultivation.

Barring any accidents,

He should be able to advance to the Late-Stage Golden Core Realm, but his hopes of reaching the Nascent Soul Realm were slim.

But if he could obtain the Primordial Spirit Stone Embryo, then reaching Golden Core Perfection would be just around the corner, and he would have a great chance at reaching the Nascent Soul Realm as well.

'This is a battle for the Great Dao. How can I possibly retreat?'

Facing the charging Zhu Ju, Yuee Zhouzhi flicked a finger, and a brilliant river of stars instantly spanned the void.

The Flying Star Sword!

A High Grade Magical Treasure!

This sword was forged from a Celestial Meteor and contained seventy-two Meteor Cores, matching the Earth Evil Number. It was one of the most famous Flying Swords of the Star-Picking Tower.

The Great Cycle of Stars Sword Technique!

As the Sword Formula was unleashed, the area for dozens of miles around suddenly darkened. The great sun vanished, replaced by a sky of glittering stars.

A flicker of emotion crossed Zhu Ju's eyes.

Cultivators absorbed Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi to nourish and temper their Physical Body, but their fundamental purpose was to strengthen their Primordial Spirit Magic Power.

Only with a powerful Primordial Spirit and immense Magical Power could one command the vast Power of Heaven and Earth. With the Cultivation of a Golden Core Grandmaster, given enough time, it was a simple matter to use Magic to split mountains and sever peaks; the might they could display was truly remarkable.

Martial Arts was different.

A Martial Artist's Physical Body was formidable, but their Primordial Spirit was dormant. They could only contend with the might of heaven and earth using their own limited power, naturally putting them at a disadvantage.

Therefore, while those at the Innate and Dao Foundation realms might still practice Martial Arts as a supplementary skill, a Golden Core Grandmaster absolutely would not.

Yuee Zhouzhi was a case in point. By using Magical Power to command his Flying Sword and the sword to execute his Sword Formulas, he instantly filled the surroundings with a sharp killing intent.

BOOM!

Zhu Ju's figure collided head-on with the sky full of starlight.

The Great Cycle of Stars Sword Technique was an ancient Immortal Technique. Although it no longer possessed its former might after being modified by later generations, it was still extraordinary.

The Flying Sword drew upon the Power of the Stars, transforming it into ubiquitous blades that slashed madly at the figure.

BAM!

Zhu Ju surged forward and suddenly threw a punch.

The muscles in his arm bulged and then contracted, and terrifying power erupted from his fist.

This punch.

It contained not just pure power, but also exquisite, microscopic control over space-time and the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi.

As the fist flew,

The Power of the Stars that saturated the area suddenly stagnated, and the Flying Star Sword hidden within let out a mournful cry.

'How can this be?'

Yuee Zhouzhi's eyes flew open, his heart filled with terror.

'This Power of Physical Body is even more terrifying than a Tier Three Demon Beast's. It's already reached the level of Tier Four.'

'Tier Four…'

'The equivalent of a Nascent Soul!'

'And that's not all.'

'Zhu Ju's Fist Technique looked grand and sweeping, but it was actually extremely profound. The skill for channeling and unleashing power was unheard of, capable of magnifying one's force tenfold, even a hundredfold. It was no weaker than Magic or Divine Techniques!'

BOOM!

The sky full of starlight shattered, and the Flying Star Sword flew backward, transforming into a streak of starlight that enveloped Yuee Zhouzhi. With a slight tremble, it shot straight into the sky.

'Escape?'

Zhu Ju narrowed his eyes. He spread the five fingers of his left hand and made a grabbing motion toward the sky.

SWOOSH!

The Five-Colored Divine Light appeared.

The Power of the Five Elements intertwined in the air, its terrifying might twisting space-time itself and causing the Flying Star Sword to falter for an instant.

Zhu Ju followed close behind, forming his right hand into a blade and slashing through the air.

This slash.

It was supremely refined and subtle, yet also fierce and domineering, as if an army of thousands were charging into battle. It carried a ferocious killing intent that could make one's Divine Soul tremble.

A mixture of shock and rage on his face, Yuee Zhouzhi roared at the sky. The Golden Core inside him spun madly, and a stream of pure True Essence spewed out.

ZING!

The Flying Star Sword trembled violently.

This sword was forged from a Celestial Meteor and could barely be considered to transcend the Five Elements. It actually managed to break free from the restraints of the Five-Colored Divine Light.

THUMP!

With a muffled sound, the aftershock of Zhu Ju's Fist Force grazed Yuee Zhouzhi, and half of his body exploded. Enveloped in the Sword Light, he achieved Human-Sword Unity, transforming into a shooting star and fleeing at an astonishing speed.

In his desperate struggle, he had actually unlocked his latent potential, and for a moment, Zhu Ju was unable to catch up.

However, after taking a blow from Zhu Ju's fist and using a life-risking Forbidden Technique, Yuee Zhouzhi, though he would survive, would likely see his Cultivation regress to the Early-Stage Golden Core Realm. He would have no more hope of advancing on the Great Dao.

*

*

*

"One escaped, two killed."

Zhu Ju returned to the main hall of the Bright Void Sect and tossed two Golden Cores and several Magical Treasures to Shui Qianning.

"You deal with these."

Golden Cores!

Magical Treasures!

...

Shui Qianning swallowed hard, her face stiff.

She had watched Zhu Ju's battle clearly through the Sect Array, so one could only imagine the shock in her heart.

This Martial Uncle Zhu killed Golden Core Grandmasters as if it were child's play.

Yuee Zhouzhi, a Mid-Stage Golden Core, was forced to flee after just one punch, and the other two Golden Core Grandmasters didn't even have a chance to escape.

"Little Friend Zhu, you truly are..." Fang Zhong's expression was also strange.

"Your methods are formidable!"

'Of course there are differences in strength among Golden Core Grandmasters, but while repelling or injuring one is simple, killing one is not easy.'

'And yet, Zhu Ju.'

'He was gone for just a moment, and in that time, he killed two Golden Core Grandmasters and injured and repelled another. It's simply terrifying.'

'You have to understand...'

'The Golden Core Grandmasters Zhu Ju killed weren't at the Early-Stage Golden Core Realm; they were famous figures who had achieved their Golden Cores hundreds of years ago.'

'Late-Stage Golden Core?'

'No!'

'Even a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator couldn't accomplish such a feat!'

"Elder Fang."

Zhu Ju turned to the side, his expression serious as he cupped his hands.

"During the time the Sect Leader and I were away, it is thanks to you, Elder, that the Bright Void Sect was spared from disaster."

"I am deeply grateful!"

"You're too kind, Little Friend Zhu." Fang Zhong smiled faintly and waved his hand.

"Since the Celestial Yu Sect sealed its mountains for secluded cultivation, I have received much care from the Bright Void Sect. It is only right that I help out a bit."

"Hmm..."

"Your body seems... not quite normal. I wonder if you would allow me to take a look?"

He could tell something was wrong with Zhu Ju, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was, and his professional curiosity was piqued.

As one of the world's top Alchemists, Fang Zhong was also highly accomplished in the Medical Arts.

"I'll trouble you, then."

Zhu Ju did not refuse, extending his arm and placing it on the table.

"Mm."

Fang Zhong took a deep breath, slowly reached out to take Zhu Ju's pulse, and as he channeled his Magical Power into him, his expression changed.

'How can this be?'

After a long moment, Fang Zhong, his brow furrowed, withdrew his fingers.

"The Body of Ten Thousand Spirits?"

"Yes."

Zhu Ju nodded.

Ever since the Jade Void Cave Heaven appeared, this Spell had been spread around, and it was no longer a secret within the Golden Core Realm.

"The Body of Ten Thousand Spirits is incomplete, and the Method you've been practicing, Little Friend Zhu, seems to be a flawed imitation."

Fang Zhong shook his head.

"Right now, the bloodlines in your body are in chaos, and your Golden Core Magical Power has vanished. It's a miracle you're even alive, let alone brimming with life and vigor, and with your strength greatly increased. It's simply... inconceivable."

"I am powerless to help!"

Zhu Ju just smiled and flexed his wrist, not at all surprised by this.

Ever since his Seven Spirits had entered his body, his Divine Soul Power was already no less than that of a Nascent Soul True Man. Aided by the Six Passes Alchemy Dao, his Comprehension and wisdom were even greater than a Nascent Soul's. His understanding of Medical Skill and the Alchemy Dao had long since surpassed Fang Zhong's.

If even he couldn't figure out how to resolve the trouble in his own body, it was even more impossible for the other man.

"However..."

Fang Zhong looked up and said,

"There is a Method that might be able to improve your situation, Little Friend Zhu."

"Oh!"

Zhu Ju's eyes lit up.

"What Method?"

"The Formless Seal of the Profound Clarity Sect." Fang Zhong stroked his beard and said,

"The Formless is without shape or appearance, like the void yet not the void. It encompasses everything between heaven and earth, yet transcends everything. It is one of the supreme Spells of the Buddhist Sect, no less profound than one of the Primordial Nine Seals of the Jade Void Sect."

"By obtaining this seal, you can preserve your true nature, evolve with the myriad changes of all things, and remain uncorroded by the chaotic bloodlines."

"The Formless Seal!" Zhu Ju's face became pensive.

From Fang Zhong's description, although this seal wasn't a direct cure for his ailment, it seemed highly likely to solve the problems in his body.

However...

"Can it be cultivated?"

"The Profound Clarity Sect modified the seal, named it the Formless Technique, and it can be cultivated," Fang Zhong nodded.

"The Formless Technique?" Zhu Ju sighed softly.

"One of the seven core inheritances of the Profound Clarity Sect. Those who practice this technique can comprehend the Ten Thousand Laws."

"I imagine it won't be easy for an outsider to learn."

"Indeed," Fang Zhong nodded.

"However, it shouldn't be difficult for you, Little Friend Zhu, to ask to take a look at it."

Zhu Ju was taken aback.

Then, he came to his senses.

'That's right!'

'The person I am now can absolutely be called one of the strongest in the world. Something that would be incredibly difficult for others might only take a single word from me.'