Shen Muzhi paid no mind to what they were discussing. From the moment he entered the space, his entire focus was on the surrounding specters.
It wasn't that he was particularly interested in these monsters, but rather their sheer number and the terrifying state they were in when they attacked him. For his own safety, Shen Muzhi dared not let his guard down. He could only chant incantations repeatedly, making the flames around him burn even more fiercely.
The specters feared the flames and would suffer significant damage if they got too close. However, perhaps because there were simply too many of them, even though Shen Muzhi was using his skills to their utmost, the specters still swarmed around him, showing no signs of retreating.
Looking at the scene, Shen Muzhi felt as if he had fallen into the ocean, surrounded by water he couldn't escape. He pushed aside those near him, but more would quickly surge forward, giving him no room to breathe.
If this situation continued, Shen Muzhi had no doubt that before he could clear all the specters, he would likely meet his end.
To prevent this from happening, Shen Muzhi pondered for a moment and finally made up his mind. He pursed his lips and changed the incantation he was chanting to a new one.
His hands, which had been continuously forming mudras, shifted their movements. One hand maintained its original form and speed, while the other began to form a different mudra. Coupled with the incantation, the golden-red lotus before him transformed into purple-black lotuses under his urging, blooming even more brilliantly than before.
Upon seeing this, Liu Buli understood what was happening without needing any explanation.
His expression immediately lit up with surprise. He turned to You Siqi beside him and asked, "Did you tell him? To combine the cultivation technique they found from Yun Xiang with his Karmic Fire Red Lotus?"
"Of course not. I wish he'd never have the chance to use those techniques in his life," You Siqi replied curtly, shaking his head.
You Siqi never lied when facing Liu Buli's questions.
It was precisely because he knew this that Liu Buli couldn't help but feel a greater sense of admiration for Shen Muzhi as he looked back in his direction.
Truly worthy of being the protagonist.
At least in terms of talent, Shen Muzhi was unrivaled.
To conceive of merging two completely different cultivation techniques and using them simultaneously required not only immense imagination but also a great deal of mental fortitude.
As was the case now.
To others, it might have seemed like merely a change in the color of the Karmic Fire Red Lotus. But in reality, it wasn't just the color that changed; the spiritual energy intertwined within had also developed in an entirely new direction.
This meant that Shen Muzhi not only had to control his red lotus but also the other cultivation technique. As these two techniques operated simultaneously, he also had to find ways to overcome the repulsive reactions that arose.
It was incredibly difficult.
As a reader who had seen the book, Liu Buli had never considered such a method. One reason was its extreme difficulty in control; one might put in immense effort and achieve less than using a single technique. Another reason was the inherent risk to the practitioner during use; a single misstep could lead to qi deviation, making it a highly inadvisable endeavor.
If it was this challenging for him, he certainly wouldn't let Lu Wuming attempt it.
Yet, seeing Shen Muzhi seamlessly combine the two techniques, Liu Buli felt a stir of envy.
He seriously considered whether he could achieve this level with a bit more effort.
Or even a slightly lesser degree would be acceptable, as these purple-black lotuses were indeed far more beautiful and powerful than he had imagined...
Not knowing exactly what he was thinking, Lu Wuming could sense the admiration and longing emanating from him. He frowned slightly, displeased, and reached out to pull Liu Buli into his embrace.
Holding him tightly, Lu Wuming spoke, "Shizun, why are you looking at him like that again? Do you like the technique he's using? Then Wuming will learn it too. Wuming can be like him, and then you won't look at him anymore, right?"
Hearing this question, Liu Buli immediately snapped back to reality.
He cursed his own lapse in composure inwardly. When he looked at Lu Wuming, he forced a stiff smile and said, "Wuming, you shouldn't learn this. It's not something suitable for you. If you tried, I would worry about you getting hurt, so..."
"So why are you still constantly looking at him?"
Interrupting Liu Buli's explanation, Lu Wuming's voice was both pleasant and dangerous.
Liu Buli knew that if this continued, it would surely lead to trouble for him. He quickly tried to placate him, "Wuming, listen to me. I wasn't staring at him just now, I was just thinking. I promise I have no other thoughts about Shen Muzhi. Even if his technique is beautiful, it's absolutely incomparable to you in my heart, so..."
Lu Wuming chuckled softly. "Shizun, you've learned to lie now?"
Liu Buli immediately became vigilant and shook his head firmly. "I'm not lying, I'm serious. Honestly, his technique isn't that beautiful; it's just exceptionally powerful, so I wanted to know why he's so strong. There's no other reason, don't you trust me?"
He ended with a pleading, pitiful look in his eyes towards Lu Wuming.
Lu Wuming found this demeanor of his irresistible. After a moment of silence, he said, "I know why he's so strong. If Shizun finds it interesting, I can show you."
As he finished speaking, Lu Wuming drew his long sword and charged directly into the red lotus pool before them.
Seeing that he couldn't dissuade him, Liu Buli could only sigh helplessly and abandon his attempts to stop him.
You Siqi patted his shoulder, his eyes filled with sympathy.
Only Li Qingcheng, who had initially been terrified by the specters and then awed by Shen Muzhi, was completely bewildered.
Was this still the world she knew?
Why did none of them show any fear towards the specters? Shouldn't they be fleeing or facing them with the idea of mutual destruction? But what was happening now? They were charging into the specter horde one after another. And judging by their expressions as they entered, they were treating this situation like a game for practice?
Li Qingcheng stared blankly at everything unfolding before her.
She felt like she was going insane.