As if to prove柳不离's previous speculations correct, once 陆无名 made his move, everyone discovered that, in terms of talent, he was not much inferior to 沈慕之.
The 'Karma Fire Red Lotus' technique, as 柳不离 had said, was not quite suitable for 陆无名. Even though he had once considered learning it, the results were not good. The feeling he experienced while using it was certainly not as comfortable as with his water-attribute techniques.
Therefore, it was only natural that he could not replicate 沈慕之's technique exactly.
However, even so, 陆无名 could still understand how 沈慕之 had changed the color of the red lotus.
After all, he had also learned the techniques specifically designed to deal with ghosts, just like 沈慕之. Thus, he could thoroughly understand any issues with the spiritual energy emanating from it, even without 柳不离's explanation.
It was merely the superposition of two techniques. The fact that such a simple matter could completely capture their master's attention was truly infuriating.
Thinking this, 陆无名 began to form hand seals, just like 沈慕之. Giant pythons made of water surged from all directions. Unlike the seductive and beautiful appearance of the red lotus, 陆无名's technique gave off a feeling of oppressive, almost suffocating danger and madness.
In fact, 柳不离 had seriously reflected on this point more than once.
The Pill Sect was not a sect with extremely strong offensive capabilities, so their techniques were generally more flexible. For instance, the fire-attribute technique he used to frequently employ was like a dance in flames, meant to be gentle and beautiful.
The water-attribute technique was the same.
While not as beautiful as the fire-attribute technique, it wasn't a dance in water. However, the condensation of water vapor should at least form pleasant entities like carp or dragons, not the scene of a rampaging python that 陆无名 was currently creating!
Whether it was due to a difference in cultivation levels or because 陆无名's own disposition was always overly dominant, the python's attack power was significantly greater than the lotus. Even without the superposition of another technique, it successfully cleared an open space around the two of them.
At this moment, the python, which had been a dark blue, suddenly turned red. It was a deep red, like blood that had flowed out and then congealed into a scab, making anyone who looked at it feel even more uncomfortable.
Not only that, but the scales on its body began to shed rapidly, and then it slowly grew horns, its teeth became sharper, and its gaze grew fiercer.
It transformed into the shape of a dragon.
But it was not a divine beast that could bring peace.
Instead, it resembled a ferocious beast that had crawled out of hell, baring its fangs and claws, madly tearing at everything around it.
The moment he saw this, 沈慕之 unhesitatingly withdrew all his techniques and fled the room at the fastest possible speed.
As he left the area affected by the techniques, 沈慕之 gasped for breath, still feeling a lingering fear. He glanced at 柳不离, whose expression was complex, and couldn't help but ask, "柳不离, I feel like I've been behaving quite well recently. I haven't done anything to provoke you, have I?"
"Of course not. I consider you my best friend. How could you doubt me like this?" 柳不离 replied very readily.
But 沈慕之 clearly did not believe him.
Because he had clearly felt that if he hadn't escaped quickly enough, 陆无名 would have definitely treated him as an enemy along with those ghosts. Even if he wouldn't have been eliminated, he would have definitely been injured.
Glancing again at the seven or eight blood-red giant dragons, 沈慕之 said to 柳不离, "Didn't you teach him water-attribute techniques? How does this look like water? Am I just ignorant?"
柳不离 nodded seriously and smiled, saying, "This is indeed your problem. Blood is also a type of water, so my disciple's understanding is perfectly fine. The only issue is that I think I need to educate him a bit on aesthetics. Look at these techniques... they're not beautiful at all, and it's a miracle if they're not terrifying."
By the end, 柳不离 himself felt a headache.
However, it had to be said that although 陆无名's technique looked terrifying, its practicality was extremely high.
At least, they didn't wait outside for long before 陆无名 had completely cleared out all the ghosts in the room. The blood-red smoke emanating from the technique obscured what was happening inside, so 陆无名 didn't worry about being seen by 李卿澄 as he quietly absorbed all the ghostly energy.
However, the reality was as he had thought. 李卿澄 was simply terrified by his technique. She stood there blankly, completely losing the ability to think.
After absorbing all the ghostly energy, 陆无名 happily returned to 柳不离's side.
Like a big dog that had done a good deed and was seeking praise from its owner, he walked up, wrapped his arms around 柳不离, and held him in his embrace. 陆无名 smiled and asked, "Master, am I very powerful? Was that technique just now also very beautiful? This is my first time trying something like this, and I didn't expect it to be so effective. See, I told you it wasn't just沈慕之 who could do it, right?"
After asking this series of questions, 陆无名 happily awaited a response.
柳不离, however, felt even more helpless. He patted 陆无名's shoulder and said, "无名, you are indeed very powerful, I can admit that. But as for the beauty... that's still debatable."
陆无名 frowned in confusion.
柳不离 explained to him, "For example, lotus flowers are considered beautiful by everyone, so when they appear as techniques, people also find them beautiful. But pythons are considered frightening, and when paired with a strange color, they become even more terrifying. Do you understand what I mean when I explain it like this?"
陆无名 pouted, "So Master thinks my technique is not beautiful."
"It's not that it's not beautiful, it's just that there's still room for improvement!" 柳不离, afraid his foolish disciple would become self-conscious, quickly said, "Next time, you can try using the most beautiful thing in the world as the image for your technique, and then perhaps it will be beautiful."
陆无名 froze.
He stared at 柳不离's face for a long time, and it seemed as if he had found the answer. His previous unhappiness vanished in an instant, and he nodded, obediently replying, "If Master had said so earlier, I would have understood long ago."