Night of Despair

Chapter 302 - 302 300 Dao Artifacts Four

?Chapter 302: 300 Dao Artifacts Four Chapter 302: 300 Dao Artifacts Four “Don’t get too excited just yet; the opening of a single Gate of Despair is far from enough,” the masked woman in black tight-fitting clothes said indifferently at the bow of the ship.

“I’m aware of the Night Pool,” the man in the large cloak said with a smile.

“I’m quite curious, where exactly do you acquire all this knowledge?” His gaze rested on the woman.

“That’s none of your business. We are merely cooperating for now; nothing else matters,” the woman responded, still indifferent.

She was well aware that she was making a deal with the devil. The man before her was Long Qingzi, the most notorious villain in the contemporary Taoist Sect, without a peer in infamy.

Long Qingzi originated from the Primordial Heavenly Master Mansion and possessed exceptional talent. He was once close to being appointed as the next Heavenly Master Seed for training.

Later, he was discovered to have a cruel nature, with a monstrous fondness for torturing living creatures, and when discovered, he had already made his move on more than a dozen innocent tourists, heinous to the core.

Consequently, he was exiled from the Taoist Sect and hunted down. However, in the decade that followed, not only was he never captured, but he retaliated and killed many of the skilled members of the pursuit teams.

Thus becoming the number one wanted criminal in the entire Cultivation World.

“Never mind then, it doesn’t matter.” Long Qingzi withdrew his interested gaze, looking back to the towering column of grey-black smoke.

“With this seal broken, the Nine Sects will undoubtedly send someone to investigate. According to their dispatching habits, they tend to first assign the strongest top experts from nearby to lead the team. This way, we can take advantage of the void created in the dispatched area.”

“Hm. I will only provide information and methods, the rest will be up to your Seven Evil Alliance to decide,” the woman said calmly.

“Is that so?” A smile appeared on Long Qingzi’s face, “Then, let me personally usher in a new era. An era where the law of the jungle reigns supreme…”

*

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Qingchen Temple.

A routine summary meeting.

A circle of high-ranking Taoists from the Yu Generation were seated, their expressions somber, not a word uttered.

Previously, the recent meetings had been full of cheer and relaxation due to Yu Hong’s display of talent.

But now…

A message had arrived, leaving all eight of the Yu Generation without response.

“The seal has been broken, two in a row within the Yasong region, and it’s obviously the work of someone. Now, the resentful mark has surged with Yin Energy, forming the Yin Qi Sky Pillar, and the Nine Sects from the main council of the Taoist Sect are preparing to form an investigation team to conduct a special probe into this matter,” Master Yu Hen broke the silence.

“So… what does this investigation team mean? Does each family have to send someone?” An old, bald, white-bearded, and burly man asked in a low voice.

“One from each family to join the investigation team. And not only that, but they will also need to send someone to the sealing team, responsible for re-sealing the broken locations,” Yu Hen nodded, “Let’s make it clear, the Yin Qi Sky Pillar is already formed, and a large number of high-level resentful marks have emerged. Although the Nine Sects and the country are leading the charge, our branches of the Taoist Sect will definitely have to contribute. Hence, the danger for those who set out is not low.”

“Who will go?” He scanned the crowd.

The Yu Generation might avoid joining the investigation team, but the sealing team must have representatives from them, as the younger generation does not possess the capability to be part of the resentful mark sealing team.

The other seven exchanged glances; those playing with mobile phones continued, those pretending to nap did so, and those looking up at the sky kept their gaze, not one person responding.

“If we don’t put in the effort when the Nine Sects are sending elites, we will receive less in the internal distribution within the Taoist Sect afterward,” Yu Hen tried to persuade.

Still, no one spoke.

Seeing this, Yu Hen helplessly shook his head and played his trump card.

“The one who goes will be rewarded with a Refining God Pill.”

“I’ll go!”

“I’m more suitable!”

“I can do it, I’m the youngest!”

“My Techniques are the strongest, it’s not appropriate for you all!”

Suddenly, the old Taoists quickly changed their tune, each voicing their reasons.

Yu Hen was speechless, massaged his temples, and randomly picked the strongest one to send out.

He couldn’t help but think of Ding Rou.

In the past, when he saw such a scene, he worried about the next generation and whether Zheng Ming and Zheng Ying could take on their responsibilities.

But now… he was no longer worried but rather looked forward to the future with anticipation.

Ding Rou’s aptitude and talent had been confirmed, hailed as Qingchen Temple’s number one in a century!

This was an opportunity to rise! A great opportunity for them to turn the tide and soar to the heavens!

So before Ding Rou rose to prominence, everything else must remain stable to avoid unnecessary troubles that might hinder Ding Rou’s growth.

*

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*

Time passed, and a month flew by.

Yu Hong was still practicing his Daoist Skills in his courtyard, never slacking off.

Despite having the assistance of his life assistant Xiao Bai, the huge disparity in physical constitution led him to abandon the idea of indulgence after some consideration.

Right now, he weighed four hundred kilograms, reduced after his cultivation. His strength could instantly burst out with hundreds to thousands of tons of force.

With such weight and such violence, if he were to get excited and carelessly apply a tiny bit too much strength…

That girl’s body would instantaneously turn into mush.

Thus, apart from having Xiao Bai clean and help him bathe, he did nothing more to her.

Another month of secluded cultivation led to the breakthrough of his Daoist Skills, the Guanwu Skill, successfully reaching the Sixth Layer.

And there was even more pleasing news regarding the Taiyuan True Method.

This unorthodox Cultivation Technique officially stepped into the Third Layer—Blue Sun.

The simultaneous breakthroughs of the two Cultivation Techniques significantly strengthened both Yu Hong’s physique and spirit.

Especially the Blue Sun…

On the ground of the courtyard.

Yu Hong sat cross-legged on the ground, a blue illusory sun that only he could see slowly emerged and condensed in front of him.

This sun was the size of a basketball, like a burning blue fireball, constantly emitting a strange, wave-like blue light.

‘Is this a trace of the Ultimate Sun’s aura summoned by the Third Layer?’

Yu Hong scrutinized the blue fireball.

Around the fireball, the air was continuously being frozen, with tiny white snowflakes emerging.

As the blue light released by the sun shone upon him, Yu Hong felt his body undergoing some kind of rapid change.

It was a change he couldn’t quite put into words.

Aside from this change, he also discovered that once the Inner Qi, now integrated with the Cultivation Technique, was infused into the Dao Artifact Guang Han, it would instantly enhance Guang Han significantly.

Due to the endlessness of Cosmic Divine Light, the power Guang Han could unleash after enhancement far exceeded his expectations.

This point had already been confirmed in the camp’s world.

Lost in thought.

Suddenly, Zheng Ming with Zheng Hong entered through the gate and greeted him.

“Ding Rou, no, now you should be called Zheng Rou. The masters have changed your generation in the sect; now you are the fifth Dao Seed of our sect, and the strongest one at that.”

Zheng Ming cupped his fists from afar and came closer.

“Let’s have a sparring session today. In a few days, you will be almost ready to tackle a resentful mark incident in actual combat. If you don’t actually put your hands to the test, there will surely be slips.” Zheng Ming was arranged to come and ‘feed’ moves to Yu Hong.

Of course, it’s said as such, but in truth, he took the initiative to volunteer.

He had always been brooding over not having had a fair fight with Yu Hong.

Therefore, this invitation to battle was not the first or the second time.

Different from feeding moves, which focus on Daoist Magic Technique, the core of his invitation to battle is in the combat aspect.

“I happen to have a Profound Level Dao Artifact; I fear I might take advantage of you, senior brother.” Yu Hong said helplessly.

“No worries, there is a gap between our Daoist Skills and techniques. I can also perform the Qi Condensation and Shadow Transformation Technique, and I understand more of the other techniques; my main practice is the Soaring Jade Void Skill, which isn’t unique to Qingchen Temple, but when combined with other skills, its power is greatly enhanced. Therefore, there’s no need to worry.” Zheng Ming, truly a top genius who has practiced diligently for many years, had far surpassed Yu Hong in terms of magic technique mastery.

Upon this, Yu Hong no longer declined.

To put it simply, he also wanted to test his own strength after acquiring the Dao Artifact Guang Han.

Ever since he arrived in this world, he has always had a certain worry in his heart.

Worried that the Black Disaster would also invade this place.

Just as it invaded the previous world.

After all, no place where the Black Ship goes is safe.

But now, he could finally officially come into contact with what is known as a resentful mark.

Whoosh.

Yu Hong slowly stood up and signaled for people around to step back and give them space.

“Speaking of which, this is my first time competing in magic against someone. When both sides can’t see each other’s Fear Illusion, how should we compete?”

Seeing that Yu Hong accepted, Zheng Ming immediately showed a hint of relief on his face.

“The method is simple. Although we can’t see specific illusions, Daoist Magic Technique can affect resentful marks and cause permanent damage. So, we use this fact to come up with this method for comparing techniques.”

He stretched out his hand and a small silver bottle appeared in his palm.

The bottle was a glass pharmaceutical type, with a silver lid, and egg-sized, allowing a clear view of a small bottle full of silver powder inside.

“This is one-time-use Resentment Sand, which can be affected by techniques. Commonly used for sparring and competition, we can’t compete in Daoist Skills, but mastery of techniques can be compared through this. As for winning and losing, whoever shatters the opponent’s technique is the winner, how about it?”

“Resentment Sand…” Yu Hong squinted his eyes and nodded. “Since it has come to this, it seems senior brother has been preparing for a long time, should we start now?”

“Of course.”

Zheng Ming stepped back several paces, creating a distance, placed the Resentment Sand on the ground, and opened the bottle.

Then, he stepped back several more paces.

“Junior brother, are you ready?” His eyes intense, Zheng Ming looked at Yu Hong.

Yu Hong had also backed up a few steps, curiously watching the Resentment Sand.

“Ready.”

“Then… be careful!” Zheng Ming quickly raised his hand, forming Hand Seals and murmuring a Mantra, as if chanting something.

In an instant, a silver mist burst out from within the Resentment Sand bottle, transforming into a flock of silver birds that circled and soared around Zheng Ming.

Each of these birds was only as long as a palm, flying at incredibly high speed with sharp white light shining in their eyes.

“Go!” With a single point from Zheng Ming’s hand, a group of at least thirty silver birds all swooped towards Yu Hong.

At this moment, Yu Hong’s mind moved, he formed a handprint and executed Dress Damage.

Instantly, the shadow figure from the First Layer appeared before him.

The figure, made of silver mist, was clearly derived from the Resentment Sand as well.

It now showed a distinct silver-white appearance.

As soon as it appeared, the figure dashed towards the flock of birds.

Puff puff puff puff.

Remarkably strong, the figure grabbed one bird after another without defending, only attacking.

Within just a dozen seconds, the birds were one by one pinched and exploded, while the figure itself got pecked full of holes.

Puff.

Both sides turned into silver mist and flew back into the Resentment Sand bottle.

“This time, let’s call it a draw,” Zheng Ming let out a breath, feeling somewhat stifled already.

Although it was a draw, it effectively meant he had lost.

How many years had he been practicing diligently? And what about Yu Hong?