Chapter 803 The Great Battle Concludes! The Secret of the Elixir of Immortality...
The dark thunderclouds have dissipated.
The evening light fell into the Xunyang Grottoes.
It also landed on the man and his sword in the center of the high platform.
The young man in the scholar's robe and the craftsman, bathed in the thunder pool, seem to be completely unharmed.
At least in Rong Zhen's and the others' view, apart from the strange electric shock and being blocked from approaching by the Thunder Pool, Ouyang Rong seemed to be unharmed, only his brows were furrowed with his eyes closed.
Ouyang Rong was fully aware of the commotion outside, whether it was Wu Daozi, Xue Zhongzhu, and others fleeing in panic, or Rong Zhen and Yi Qianqiu's concerned cries, but he had no time to care about them at the moment.
There's nothing I can do about these things.
Having withstood the ninefold heavenly lightning, Cui Hao had exhausted all his means. Even the previous "no-fly zone" decree had become invalid, all the Kui Xing talismans had been used up, and the two fake cauldron swords could not be used at their full strength. Cui Hao had run out of tricks.
If Wu Daozi, Xue Zhongzhu, and the others had charged forward again without fear of death, the outcome would indeed have been uncertain.
However, even Xue Zhongzhu, who had the most fiery temper, did not have the intention to rush up, which showed that he had been beaten into submission. The residual power of Ouyang Rong's dragon-like attack today had already greatly deterred them. Apart from running away, they dared not make any rash moves... because in their eyes, the young man in the scholar's robe was simply unfathomable. He could even withstand the ninefold lightning tribulation. Was he even human?
"Hmph, I put you in charge of taking the lightning strikes, and now look what happened? Well, it's not exactly good, but it's not too bad either."
Cui Hao clicked his tongue in amazement.
"What's the meaning."
Ouyang Rong frowned inwardly.
Cui Hao did not answer, his expression a half-smile.
Ouyang Rong closed his eyes and examined his body internally.
First, there was the seventh-grade spiritual energy filling the dantian.
By killing Granny Song in public, the sacrificial ceremony of the Fang Shushi lineage was completed, and the Fang Shushi lineage officially entered the seventh rank, no longer the half-baked seventh rank it had been before.
However, there is still a flaw: the sword technique is incomplete, and the swordsman's cultivation path is always stuck at the seventh rank.
If he were to complete the Emperor's sword manual right now, he would be able to advance to the seventh rank without any obstacles. Ouyang Rong suspected that he could even reach the great perfection of the seventh rank in one go.
Apart from that, there was no physical harm.
Ouyang Rong asked again, "What do you mean by 'damage'?"
Cui Hao smiled:
"See for yourself. Do you really think heavenly lightning is so easy to get through? Heavenly lightning, heavenly lightning, the lightning itself isn't important. What's important is the divine punishment. Once you're involved, it's difficult to deal with. But I've done my best to help you avoid it."
A mournful cry unique to the little guy reached Ouyang Rong's heart, and he suddenly realized what was happening and opened his eyes.
"Ouyang Lianghan, you're awake?"
He had just opened his eyes when Rong Zhen spoke with a hint of surprise.
Ouyang Rong nodded and looked up at the [Craftsmanship] item.
He saw that there were lightning arcs swirling around him and the [Arc], but these ordinary silver-white arcs seemed unable to harm him.
But judging from the fact that Rongzhen and the others dared not approach, this was clearly not normal.
Ouyang Rong tried to walk forward a little, stepping out of the forbidden zone.
But [Craftsmanship] remained stationary, looking at him with a somewhat "aggrieved" expression.
Ouyang Rong then realized that compared to his ability to leave so easily, the lightning around [Craftsmanship] seemed to be more severe. The outer ring of silver-white electric arcs was just an appetizer. Around [Arch], electric arcs of nine colors were faintly intertwined, and mysterious patterns that gave people a sense of barbarity and antiquity were also faintly visible.
[Craftsmanship] It seems unable to move.
This Thunder Pool is not attached to Ouyang Rong, but rather attached to him.
Ouyang Rong subconsciously took a step forward, stepping back into the treacherous pool of [Craftsmanship].
The silvery-white arcs of electricity outside couldn't do anything to him, nor could they repel him in the same way they had repelled Rong Zhen and the others.
However, just as Ouyang Rong's fingers were about to touch the [Arc] body, his cuff was electrocuted and turned into charcoal.
It's best to avoid touching it for now.
A certain intuition told him.
Ouyang Rong withdrew his finger.
Cui Hao's illusory figure squinted and said:
"This is a rare lightning tribulation. Logically speaking, lightning tribulation will not stop until it completely destroys the thing it is entangled with. If it were an ordinary thing, it would have been reduced to ashes long ago if it dared to block the lightning tribulation like this. However, the mythical cauldron sword cannot destroy it, so the lightning tribulation has been entangled with it. The two are locked in a stalemate."
"You should put it away first. The Mo family sword box can hold it. Actually, by taking advantage of the indestructible nature of the Ding sword, you might accidentally retain a piece of 'Thunder Punishment'. I don't know if that counts as a blessing in disguise. I've never heard of anything like this before. It's a mixed blessing. I'll explain it to you in detail later. You should deal with the things around you first. If you don't pay attention to that short woman, she seems like she's going to drop her little pearls again, haha."
Ouyang Rong nodded and opened the sword box.
The [craftsmanship] wrapped in the Thunder Pool was placed into the sword case.
This Mo family sword box is indeed mysterious, as it actually contains both the [Craftsmanship] and the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Pool.
Ouyang Rong patted the violin case, wondering if it was electrostatic shielding? Had it accidentally become a Faraday cage?
Some dead physics knowledge began to attack him.
Ouyang Rong shook his head.
At this moment, Yan Liulang was leading his men up to take control of the high platform.
When Yan Liulang and the Fang sisters came earlier, they left the constables outside Shuangfengjian.
Currently, very few people have survived inside the main grotto.
Besides Rongzhen, Yi Qianqiu, Old Yangtou, the old musician, the Fang sisters, and a dozen or so female officials and soldiers, there were hardly any others left, and most of them were seriously injured and unable to resist.
Or rather, with Ouyang Rong's intimidating presence, no one dared to resist.
No one knows what the next second will bring—whether another Kui Xing talisman will appear from their sleeve, or whether they will be beheaded by a [Craftsman] who appears out of nowhere.
Everyone obediently complied.
Yan Liulang and his men easily took control of the entire area.
If outsiders were to witness this, they would likely be astonished that a local constable of the Great Zhou Dynasty would dare to detain officials from the Imperial Observatory and the Imperial Guard from Luoyang.
This is indeed an overreach of law enforcement authority.
But this scene is unfolding right now, under the calm gaze of the young man in the scholar's robe.
No one objected.
Yan Liulang followed the prefect, head held high and chest puffed out, feeling triumphant.
Perhaps because of what happened in Xunyang City today, and without Ouyang Rong's special instructions, Yan Liulang was not so polite to everyone, and looked at Yi Qianqiu and the others with some vigilance.
However, he acted as if he didn't see Rongzhen and let her move around freely.
"Prefect, what should we do with these guys?"
Yan Liulang asked respectfully.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.
Yi Qianqiu looked on with admiration, hesitant to speak, but Yuan Huaimin clapped his hands and stepped forward somewhat embarrassedly:
"Lianghan, Qiuniang knows she was wrong..."
Ouyang Rong ignored him and waved his hand:
"Take them back to the city first, detain them temporarily, and treat the injured."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Facing Yi Qianqiu's gaze, Yuan Huaimin chuckled and scratched his head.
At this moment, Ouyang Rong suddenly realized:
Where is Mr. Yu?
Yan Liulang looked around and found that there was indeed no sign of the old musician.
A female official said timidly, "I just saw the old senior return to the bamboo forest."
Ouyang Rong gave Yan Liulang a look.
The latter immediately sent someone to "invite" him.
Ouyang Rong turned to look at the strange white sturgeon beside him, uttered a word, and stepped down from the platform;
"If you're injured, Liulang, take care of it first. I'll wait for you on the north bank."
From behind, Rong Zhen suddenly called out, "Ouyang Lianghan..."
Ouyang Rong seemed not to hear, leaving only one sentence:
"I also bandaged Princess Zhenxian's wounds and told her not to wander around."
They didn't care whether Yan Liulang responded or not.
Ouyang Rong walked alone to the north bank.
During this time, he frowned as he looked at the floating white sturgeon that had been following him.
"Why is this thing following me?"
Cui Hao laughed and said, "Perhaps it has recognized its master."
Ouyang Rong's face hardened: "Can we release them now?"
"Do as you please, but this is a rare item, something that ordinary Qi cultivators can only dream of, especially for certain Dao lineages."
Ouyang Rong said in a serious tone, "I don't raise fish."
Cui Hao:......
After a short while, the handsome young man said again:
"The craftsmanship has been punished by lightning and is temporarily unusable, but I can teach you a set of formations."
"What kind of formation?"
Cui Hao said quietly, "Peach Blossom Spring Sword Formation."
Ouyang Rong asked, "Is it the one used in the grand formation of Tian Shu and the Four Great Buddhas?"
"That's right, it's all stuff I've already mastered. Back then, I improved on Brother Tao's original copy of 'Peach Blossom Spring.' I'm considered the founder of this formation, and no one in the world knows it better than me. I can teach you. Although the 'Craftsmanship' skill is no longer usable, you can still build a small formation around it and use the Counterfeit Ding Sword to activate its sword energy. You can also learn how to use the Counterfeit Ding Sword, since you now have three Counterfeit Ding Swords, including the 'Craftsmanship' skill."
Ouyang Rong nodded and looked down at the bronze scroll and the newly renovated eighteen seeds.
Today, by a twist of fate, I acquired two counterfeit Ding swords.
In addition, some strange spoils of war were seized, such as Zhi Shuang's sword and Xiu Niang's sword... all of which were put into the Peach Blossom Spring Map. This map seems to be able to store things. I wonder if it can replace the old Mo Family Sword Box in the future.
A short while later, he heard Cui Hao teach him the Peach Blossom Sword Formation.
After listening, Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment, a look of sudden realization appearing on his face.
I have gained a new understanding of the counterfeit Dingjian sword.
While digesting the information, Cui Hao continued:
"Although your crafting skills are restricted, you have now experienced nine tribulations of lightning and are immune to ordinary lightning. You are now suitable to cultivate lightning-based techniques. In addition, ordinary heavenly lightning can no longer harm you and will avoid you."
Ouyang Rong looked thoughtful.
Cui Hao, as if thinking of something, laughed again:
"You better watch out, kid. In the future, when some strange cultivators undergo tribulation, they might sneak up next to you to avoid the lightning tribulation, haha. Seeking advantage and avoiding harm is the instinct of living beings."
Ouyang Rong carefully noted it down:
"good."
Tao Yuanming spoke up at the opportune moment: "It's time to go."
The atmosphere quieted down for a moment, and Cui and Tao prepared to leave.
Ouyang Rong suddenly asked:
"Please wait a moment. Do you two seniors know the whereabouts of other new sword techniques?"
Cui Hao looked at Tao Yuanming and smiled:
"Brother Tao should be familiar with this. I am not the Swordholder, so I am not very clear about the intricacies of your Swordholder's ways."
Tao Yuanming paused for a moment, then spoke:
"You have already mastered the Sword Technique of the Humble Scholar. As for the other sword techniques I know, my memory of them is hazy and I cannot recall them. However, I do remember one thing: the sword technique related to the Elixir of Immortality."
Ouyang Rong was taken aback: "The Longevity Elixir Sword Technique? Where is it?"
"Hidden in the Queen's Palace."
"The Queen's Palace of Yunmeng Sword Marsh?"
"That's right."
Tao Yuanming said calmly:
"The first sword, the Elixir of Immortality, was created a thousand years ago and was used to kill the First Emperor. Among the team that accompanied the assassination attempt was Yue Chuzi, the first person to wield the Elixir of Immortality. After her death, the sword manual was taken back by Yue Chuzi, and it must be in the Queen's Palace."
Ouyang Rong nodded slowly and continued walking along the riverbank.
"The foundation of Yunmeng Sword Marsh is indeed unfathomable."
He looked up and glanced at Tao and Cui, whose bodies were gradually weakening and unable to support themselves:
"Thank you both for your help. I have nothing to offer you for my departure. Please enjoy one more cup of Xunyang wine, Senior Tao."
On the riverbank, under the setting sun, a young man in a scholar's robe tilted his head back and drank the last drop of wine.
The two illusory figures separated.
Ouyang Rong watched the two of them leave.
Tao Yuanming suddenly turned around and said to Ouyang Rong:
"I've told you everything I know this time, so please don't call me again in the future."
Ouyang Rong was not surprised. Looking at this open-minded and easygoing senior, he nodded:
"good."
Tao Yuanming smiled slightly, "Your temperament is quite to my liking, just like mine when I was young."
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "No, my rank is higher than yours."
Tao Yuanming choked slightly, looked Ouyang Rong, who loved to speak the truth, up and down, and then smiled silently.
Before turning his head, the old man suddenly asked:
"One last question: how will future generations evaluate me over the past three hundred years?"
Ouyang Rong's eyes were serious, as if he had thought about it for a moment, before he quickly answered:
"Didn't you already answer that yourself, sir?"
He murmured:
“From childhood he studied Confucian classics, loved tranquility, thought of doing good deeds, cherished a solitary spirit, loved hills and mountains, had a strong will, and was different from the common people.”
Tao Yuanming was quiet for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter:
That's enough!
The old man carrying the hoe strode forward, his silhouette gradually disappearing, leaving only a long howl that lingered in Ouyang Rong's ears:
"Heaven and earth endow life with destiny; all who are born must die. Since ancient times, which sage or saint has been able to escape this fate?"
Cui Hao's illusory figure curled his lip, rolled up his sleeves, turned and left, but left behind a contradictory remark:
"Where there's a will, there's a way; man can conquer nature."
From within the sleeve, a little ink spirit jumped out, stole the square face mask, and put it on its little face.
When she saw Tao Yuanming's departing figure, Miao Si wiped away her tears, as if she was reluctant to part with him.
She didn't forget to shout loudly at Tao Yuanming's serene and detached figure as he walked away:
"Little Taozi, you still have several IOUs to pay back!"
Tao Yuanming's dignified figure seemed to stumble slightly, his pace quickened, and his silhouette quickly vanished from sight.
Before disappearing, Ouyang Rong caught a glimpse of Senior Tao's retreating figure and hurriedly waved. He understood what Senior Tao meant; she was asking him to help settle the debt and prevent this "bully from the family" from coming to collect it. In short, she was asking her to show some respect for the spirit of the dead.
Seeing Xiao Taozi leave, Miaosi sniffed and turned back reluctantly.
"Little Rongzi!"
She patted her flat chest and proudly asked Ouyang Rong:
"How about it? Wasn't my ex's sidekick handsome?"
Ouyang Rong: ...
To the right front, Cui Hao, whose phantom image had also gradually disappeared, slowly stopped after seeing Tao Yuanming completely vanish. Instead, the phantom image solidified a little.
Cui Hao turned around, smiled, and said:
"Oh, right, there's something else. I've thought of a way to remove the lightning punishment from [Craftsmanship]..."
Before Ouyang Rong could respond, Xiao Mo suddenly asked:
"Kid, are you trying to stay? Taozi's already gone, are you trying to linger?"
The handsome young man paused slightly.
(End of this chapter)
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