Chapter 94: Ultimate Sublimation

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Ultimate Sublimation

The Celestial Demon Dissolution is extremely difficult to cultivate.

Reaching even the Entry Level requires a Cultivator to achieve an unbelievable degree of control over their own Qi Blood, meridians, and even the finest muscles and fascia.

It also demands an exceptionally tough will to guide the extreme pain and sense of lost control generated when dissolving one’s Origin.

Many people can’t even pass the entry barrier. Forcing its cultivation will only cause their Qi Blood to surge backward and damage their meridians.

Secondly, its power is directly tied to the realm one has achieved in the Celestial Demon Dissolution.

If one only remains at the Entry Level, the power boost upon activation is limited, perhaps increasing combat strength by less than ten percent, yet the price paid is no less severe.

Only by cultivating it to the Great Success Realm can one truly achieve a terrifying increase in power and turn the tide in a desperate situation.

But reaching the Great Success Realm is easier said than done.

The patient, grinding effort and profound self-understanding required far exceed that of ordinary Cultivation Techniques.

The most critical and daunting aspect is the absolutely terrifying side effects.

Whether you are at Entry Level or Great Success, when you activate the Celestial Demon Dissolution, the forced burning and dissolution of your Power of Origin is like detonating a volcano inside your body.

While draining your potential, the berserk power also ravages your flesh, meridians, and organs, leaving them riddled with holes, as if you were being flayed from the inside by countless tiny blades.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be left a cripple with severed meridians and depleted Qi Blood.

Those with weaker foundations will die on the spot from the collapse of their Origin and the backlash of their Inner Strength.

This is a death-dealing Secret Technique in the truest sense—one where you die if you fail, and you might even die if you succeed.

Only by cultivating the Celestial Demon Dissolution to the Perfection Realm can one’s control over power reach a microscopic level, allowing them to guide and restrain the berserk dissolution energy to some extent at the moment of its eruption.

This reduces the unnecessary self-destruction, thus drastically lessening the side effects.

"Who would dare use such a Secret Technique unless they were forced into a corner and aiming for mutual destruction?" Chen Yue set down the Secret Manual and let out a long breath.

The reason he was studying this technique so intently was that he felt he lacked a trump card—something that could instantly turn the tide of battle at a critical moment.

In his previous fights with Gu Yiqiu, Yin Mo Li, and others, his opponents had all used similar potential-unleashing Secret Techniques at the last moment. Although their side effects were also significant, they were clearly not as severe as those of the Celestial Demon Dissolution.

Chen Yue wanted a Burst Secret Technique like that as well, just in case.

After all, the Jianghu was a treacherous place, and no one could guarantee they wouldn’t find themselves in a desperate situation where they had to fight for their life.

But this Celestial Demon Dissolution... it was just too extreme.

You’re crippled after using it, or even killed on the spot. How could he possibly use it?

’Am I supposed to learn it just to take someone down with me when I’m certain to die anyway?’

That held little meaning for Chen Yue. He pursued longevity through the Martial Dao and control over his own destiny, not mutual destruction.

Chen Yue leaned against a tree trunk, his gaze fixed on the flickering campfire as he fell into deep thought. All sorts of ideas collided in his mind.

’If I cultivate this Celestial Demon Dissolution to the Perfection Realm and combine it with...’

Chen Yue thought of his still-developing Strengthening and Healing Talent, and his steadily improving Copper Skin Iron Bones.

Strengthening and Healing could stabilize his Origin and accelerate injury recovery. Copper Skin Iron Bones greatly enhanced his physical foundation, increasing his resilience to both internal and external damage.

’If these three are stacked, could I withstand the side effects of using Celestial Demon Dissolution? Could I even reduce them to an acceptable, recoverable level?’ This idea spread through Chen Yue’s mind.

There was no precedent, no way to verify it; it was all just speculation. But in theory, it seemed quite possible.

’And my Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield will soon reach complete Perfection, giving me control over my body far beyond my peers. The Heart Nourishing Technique can also stabilize my Heart Spirit. Perhaps I could better control the dissolution power when I use it, reducing the chance of losing control...’

Chen Yue listed more of his advantages one by one.

The risk was still immense, but the potential reward was also incredibly tempting. An ultimate trump card that could unleash supreme power in a desperate situation, and with manageable side effects?

’I’ll learn it for now.’ In the end, Chen Yue made his decision.

’Having no sword in hand is different from having a sword and not using it. At the very least, I must first master it and understand it.’

Chen Yue carefully memorized the contents of the Celestial Demon Dissolution’s Secret Manual again, especially the opening Entry Level Heart Method, the Qi Blood circulation routes, and the unique Contemplation Method for simulating the pain and sensation of power from the dissolution.

「As day turned to night, at the stroke of midnight.」

[Daily Tally]

[Diligently cultivated Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield, Experience +535]

[Diligently cultivated Vast Firm Essence Technique, Experience +229]

[Diligently cultivated Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step, Experience +221]

[Diligently cultivated Heart Nourishing Technique, Experience +127]

[Diligently studied Secret Manual, Celestial Demon Dissolution Experience +1]

...

[Skill: Celestial Demon Dissolution (Entry Level 1/1565)]

Despite the hard battle today and the lack of quiet cultivation, the Cultivation Technique experience from the tally hadn’t decreased; in fact, it had increased.

Chen Yue had noticed this after a few battles in Youlin County, but it was even more apparent today.

And the experience required just for the Entry Level of Celestial Demon Dissolution was second only to the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield, even higher than the experience needed for the Heart Nourishing Technique, a technique that specialized in cultivating the Heart Spirit.

...

「The next day at dawn, the sky was still overcast.」

The four of them had a simple meal of dry rations, extinguished the campfire, and continued on the road toward Celestial State Prefecture.

The dirt road through the wilderness was rugged and lined with withered grass. Occasionally, startled hares or fox-badgers would dart into the deeper thickets, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

By afternoon, the sun was hidden by clouds, casting only a faint, dim yellow light. Around a bend in the road ahead, on a relatively open patch of flat land, a hurried-looking merchant caravan appeared.

It wasn’t a large caravan, consisting of about seven or eight large carts pulled by mules and horses. The carts were covered with waterproof tarps, bulging with unknown cargo.

There were about thirty or so guards, armed with sabers and swords. Their expressions were vigilant as they rode on horseback or walked beside the carts, their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

Mixed in with the caravan were some women, children, and elderly, huddled on the carts with fearful and exhausted expressions.

The caravan had clearly also spotted Chen Yue’s group of four emerging from a side path behind them. They saw that although their clothes were a bit disheveled, Chen Yue and Shen Dujiang were obviously armed and had a composed aura.

The guards in the caravan immediately became wary, their hands resting on their weapons as they slowed down. A few mounted guards even urged their horses forward slightly, their gazes locking onto the four like hawks.

Shen Dujiang, ever the veteran, saw this and immediately stopped, signaling for Chen Yue and the others to halt as well.

He walked a few steps forward alone and stopped while still some distance from the caravan. He cupped his hands in a distant salute, a friendly smile on his face, and raised his voice to say:

"Greetings, friends. The four of us are common folk who fled the disaster in Youlin County. We ran into bandits along the way and have been stranded here.

Seeing that your esteemed caravan is also on the road, I wonder if you could do us a favor and allow us to follow behind you? We mean no harm and are willing to offer some silver coins as thanks."

A stir went through the caravan, but their wariness did not lessen.

Before long, a middle-aged man in a navy-blue silk shirt, accompanied by several guards, emerged from a larger carriage in the middle of the caravan and came to the front.

He didn’t get too close, merely standing behind his guards. His sharp, cautious gaze sized up Shen Dujiang, then swept over Chen Yue, Hu Shaoyu, and Lin Quan, who stood watching quietly a short distance behind him.

His gaze lingered on Chen Yue for a moment longer, sensing that although the young man was quiet, he had an unusual air about him.

After observing them for a moment, the caravan manager slowly spoke:

"My friend, it’s not that I am unkind. It’s just that these are troubled times, and people’s intentions are hard to fathom. My caravan has its own rules; we don’t take in strangers of unknown origin. It would be best if you found another way."

It was a direct refusal. His tone wasn’t harsh, but it left no room for negotiation.

Seeing this, Hu Shaoyu quickly stepped forward as well, positioning himself slightly behind Shen Dujiang and speaking with an apologetic smile:

"Sir, we truly are just people in distress with no ill intentions. You see, there are only four of us, and we won’t get too close or bother you.

We’ll just follow far behind your caravan and won’t come forward to cause any trouble. As for payment, that’s negotiable. We only ask that your esteemed caravan lead the way so we can have some peace of mind. Out here in the wilderness, we’re truly afraid of running into more villains..."

Hu Shaoyu adopted an even more humble posture.

However, upon hearing this, the caravan manager’s brow furrowed even tighter. He waved his hand dismissively, his tone hardening.

"Say no more. Silver coins are a small matter. My caravan is on an important mission and cannot afford any mishaps. Please do not follow us any further, or else..."

His gaze swept over the guards in his caravan, who clearly had strong auras. The unspoken threat was obvious.

With that, he didn’t wait for Shen Dujiang to speak again. He turned, gave a few quiet instructions to the head guard, and returned to his carriage without a backward glance.

The caravan slowly started moving again, a little faster than before. The guards deliberately and unsubtly turned their bodies and mounts to block the view of Chen Yue’s group, clearly preventing them from assessing the caravan’s strength and demonstrating that they were not welcome to follow.

Watching the caravan gradually recede and disappear around a bend in the road, Shen Dujiang returned to Chen Yue’s side with a helpless look on his face and said in a low voice:

"That caravan... I’d wager they’re also fleeing from some disaster-stricken county. These days, everyone is paranoid and sees enemies in every shadow. They don’t dare trust any outsiders anymore."

Lin Quan gazed in the direction the caravan had disappeared and whispered, "What if we offered more silver coins? Maybe..."

Hu Shaoyu shook his head and sighed. "Master Lin, it’s not about the money. That man just said the risk of trouble is too great. They’re afraid we’re spies, lookouts for bandits, or people being hunted who would bring trouble to their door.

In times like these, less trouble is better than more. Ensuring their own group reaches its destination safely is more important than anything. Money is the least of their concerns."

Shen Dujiang nodded in agreement. "Hu is right. Besides, they wouldn’t even say where they’re headed. We don’t even know if their route actually leads to Celestial State Prefecture. If they’re heading in the opposite direction, following them would be useless."

Hu Shaoyu pointed at the dirt road stretching out before them. "Still, the direction of this road seems to be the general way to Celestial State Prefecture. They’re taking this path, so why don’t we just follow them from a distance?

We can stay a li or more behind them. They’ll go their way, and we’ll go ours. We won’t get close enough to make them suspicious, but we can still use them to see if the road ahead is safe. With them in front, we’ll have a sort of early warning."

Shen Dujiang didn’t answer immediately, instead turning his gaze to Chen Yue.