Chapter 263: Chapter 258 Sword Pimps Man, Man Pimps Sword
"Jiang Li."
Jiang Li could see the three men, and naturally, the three men could also see him. Ling Wujue, with his Sword Gang swirling around him, immediately called out and swept his fierce gaze toward Jiang Li.
Beside him, Yun Jiuye was sitting cross-legged in the air, a giant sword lying across his knees, enveloped by an aura of thick earth carries things with an unmistakable air of authority. Without the otherworldly lightness of a Heavenly Immortal, he instead had an emperor’s vast presence.
’Yun Jiuye’s main cultivation is not the Earth Deity Dharma; his foundation should be related to the Yellow Emperor,’ Jiang Li judged in his heart.
He originally thought Yun Jiuye, with Earth Virtue entering his life, would be cultivating the Earth Deity Dharma from the "Form Tomb," but now it seemed Yun Jiuye indeed cultivated the Earth Deity Dharma, yet his foundation was indeed closer to the Yellow Emperor, touching the true core of the "Form Tomb."
At this moment, Yun Jiuye seemed to be contemplating the Xuanyuan Sword, his mind and body immersed. Ling Wujue had already gained something from it and, seeing Jiang Li’s appearance, he had no intention to continue and was instead staring at Jiang Li with a wary eye, acting as a protector for Yun Jiuye.
As for Xuanming, fluctuations of Qi Mechanism surrounded him, and traces of misty Qi wrapped around his body, obviously also making gains.
However, the joy of these gains turned into helplessness and regret upon seeing Jiang Li, or more accurately, when they saw the Dream Butterfly fluttering around Jiang Li.
Although the details of the Dream Butterfly were indiscernible, Xuanming was one of those from Yuxu Temple who had come to participate in the Sword Discussion Conference, and even if he were only a runner, he had relevant expertise. With a professional’s eye power, he recognized that the Dream Butterfly was a Mechanism-made object, which meant...
The almighty utility man did not choose their side.
It was truly a sad piece of news.
But there was no helping it. Who could blame them when the Mo Sect offered such attractive rewards?
Jiang Li wanted to step forward and exchange a few words with Xuanming to avoid worsening relations, but Ling Wujue already coldly said, "Sixth Brother, don’t come any closer, or don’t blame me for being impolite."
As he spoke, the Sword Gang converged back into his sword, with Ling Wujue’s hand gripping the sword hilt, ready to strike.
After his promotion to Sixth Rank, his strength had significantly increased. At this moment, he was also acting as a protector for Yun Jiuye, further enhancing his strength with his Dao Fruit Ability.
Among the four abilities of the Spiritual Official Dao Fruit—Divine Body, Demon Suppression, Punishment, Protector—the latter three could all enhance strength, activating when specific conditions were met; moreover, Dao Fruit abilities could be stacked.
Now, if Jiang Li made a move, it would satisfy the conditions for the latter two.
Ling Wujue was acting as a protector for Yun Jiuye, which could trigger the Protector ability, and if Jiang Li struck Yun Jiuye, it would be harming a fellow disciple and violating sect rules, meeting the criteria for Punishment to trigger.
The combination of the two would enhance Ling Wujue’s strength tremendously.
However, his concerns were unnecessary.
How could Jiang Li do something so foolish to provide ammunition for others to criticize him?
If he were so foolish, he would have already made a move during Yun Jiuye’s tribulation crossing.
But Ling Wujue wouldn’t believe it, or rather even if he knew Jiang Li probably wouldn’t make a move, he wouldn’t let his guard down. Who knew if Jiang Li would interfere with the eldest brother’s contemplation of the Xuanyuan Sword out of jealousy? From his demeanor, it was clear he was utterly without...
As ripples of golden light skimmed over the ancient mountain-like Stone Sword, they descended onto Jiang Li with the swiftness of thunder—too fast for ears to catch.
In an instant, multiple afterimages appeared around Jiang Li, constructing a magnificent vision.
Gods, Demons, Immortals, and Devils—a series of afterimages circled Jiang Li as if worshipping, as if pledging allegiance, making it seem as if he were the Yellow Emperor himself, indomitably majestic.
Ling Wujue did not even finish speaking when this sight shocked him into a dramatic change of expression, his eyes filled with astonishment.
The Xuanyuan Sword was actually resonating with Jiang Li—despite the fact that he was not a Ji Clan member...
In fact, even Jiang Li himself was surprised by this anomaly; such a windfall happening to him was absolutely beyond his expectations.
The golden light traversed through his body, Jiang Li’s skin becoming even more crystalline and inhuman, with red patterns sprawling across him, his flesh and bones glowing as if illuminated from within.
This golden light was actually activating his Divine Farmer’s appearance and aiding him in further development...
Jiang Li suddenly looked towards the Xuanyuan Sword.
From this direction, imprints of Gods, Demons, Immortals, and Devils emerged on the surface of the Xuanyuan Sword’s blade, including Chi You, Kui Niu, Marquis of Wind, Master of Rain, Yinglong Dragon...
But there was no mark of Emperor Yan.
’This golden light... it’s stealing my Divine Farmer’s appearance,’ Jiang Li thought instantly of the word "steal".
The imprints revealed on this side of the Xuanyuan Sword represented all those defeated by the Yellow Emperor, who were then assimilated into the "Form Tomb" as a foundation for strength. They fell to the Yellow Emperor and, in turn, contributed to his success.
However, Emperor Yan, who was also said to have been defeated by the Yellow Emperor, left no imprint on the sword.
Perhaps it was because Emperor Yan did not die or did not truly lose. Regardless, there was no presence of Emperor Yan on the Xuanyuan Sword.
And now, the Xuanyuan Sword was making up for this lack.
The Yellow Emperor transformed Chi You into one of the Six Dharmas, and now the Xuanyuan Sword is also acquiring the Divine Farmer’s appearance.
The essence of the "Form Tomb" is change, understanding the changes of all appearances to achieve self-realization. And now, it is helping Jiang Li further develop the Divine Farmer’s appearance while acquiring its secrets, leaving an imprint on the blade.
’This pie-falling-from-the-sky kind of thing really wouldn’t just happen to me,’ Jiang Li cursed inwardly after figuring this out.
Or rather, there is no such thing as a free lunch; every gift from fate has its price tagged in the shadows.
The golden light was still stimulating Jiang Li’s physical constitution, and it seemed as if a mysterious force was being infused into his body, aiding him in the metamorphosis into the Divine Farmer’s appearance.
If it were anyone else, they would probably subconsciously resist at this moment, and then like the protagonist in a novel, either succeed in repelling the golden light or, failing that, be unable to prevent the golden light from plundering their Divine Farmer’s appearance.
But Jiang Li, he chose not to resist.
He even went along with the flow of the golden light, feeling the further stimulation of the Divine Farmer’s appearance, and then...
Jiang Li’s Divine Sense perceived the golden light and detected an incredibly brilliant Qi Mechanism, immediately drawing closer.
He was not from the Ji Clan and did not have the qualifications to use the Xuanyuan Sword, much less to sense a connection with it. But now, the Xuanyuan Sword was actively forming a bond with him. Even though he was not from the Ji Clan, he enjoyed the same or even superior treatment.
The Xuanyuan Sword curses me, I curse it back – we curse each other, and we’re square.
Jiang Li felt as if his consciousness had entered another body, as if he had transformed into a True Dragon, soaring through the nine heavens or diving into the Nine Abysses, wings fluttering with indescribable freedom.
The talismanic seeds within the twenty-four acupoints in his body started linking together, deeply integrating into his flesh and bones, transforming, as if tending towards the form of a dragon’s body.
Since he had cultivated the Yinglong Transformation and had also comprehended the Eight Heavenly Dragons’ Great Power Bodhisatva Vajra, it was only natural for him to sense the compatible part through the Xuanyuan Sword and improve his own cultivation.
However, the Yinglong Transformation and Jiang Li’s inherent Divine Farmer’s appearance were incompatible, or perhaps, the golden light aiding in Jiang Li’s body’s metamorphosis did not allow it.
If he transformed into Yinglong, how could he steal the Divine Farmer’s appearance?
At that moment, it was as if a sword sound rang in Jiang Li’s mind, and his consciousness was driven away from the Yinglong’s Form and even farther from all other forms, so as not to interfere with the metamorphosis of the Divine Farmer’s appearance, and he was even unilaterally blocked from sensing it.
Yet, at this time, an unknown power retained Jiang Li’s consciousness.
In the shocked gaze of others, a mountainous giant sword revealed a formidable aura, and a crack appeared on the rock-like layer covering it.
Boom!
Jiang Li felt as if thunder roared in his mind, and a colossal God Demon emerged in his Sea of Consciousness: copper head and iron forehead, twin horns on the head, temples sharp as sword and halberd, human body with cow hooves, four eyes and six hands, wielding bow, spear, mace, and halberd, carrying a large flag, radiating an awe-inspiring red light, with the power to shake the heavens.
Jiang Li: "..."
He remembered he was comprehending the Xuanyuan Sword and wondered how this deity appeared in his consciousness. Could it be because of Chi You’s imprint on the blade?
Before Jiang Li could think too much about it, the God Demon began demonstrating Divine Skills, the vast Primordial Qi stirred his Physical Body, undergoing tempering; sometimes stern, sometimes profound, sometimes ethereal, sometimes fierce...
’Innate Qi...’ Jiang Li inwardly moaned in agony.
The legend said that Chi You was originally a subordinate of Emperor Yan, of the same tribe, and now this Demon God seemed to be verifying the truth of that legend.
Innate Eight Qi tempering the body, using Qi to sculpt the body, slowly moving towards immortality – this is the "Qi Tomb", yet transcending it, elaborating another possibility of Innate Qi – Body Refinement.
And within Jiang Li’s True Body, Innate Qi spontaneously evolved, and his flawless crystal-like body gradually gained an added touch of toughness. There was a slight itch on his forehead, as if something was beginning to grow.
The Divine Farmer’s appearance continued to undergo its metamorphosis, but because of the variable that appeared mid-way, Jiang Li and the golden light showed signs of mutual repulsion, and suddenly—
"Bang!"
Jiang Li’s body shook, and a rolling surge of Innate Qi burst out, with Innate Eight Qi coursing through his body, the Wood Qi being the strongest, bringing a vibrant vitality that emerged atop his body, repairing the slight injuries caused by the sudden change, while golden light emanated outwards. The power from the Xuanyuan Sword and his body started to repel each other, creating tumultuous Qi Mechanisms.
Jiang Li sensed that the aura of the Xuanyuan Sword was growing more intense. The sword that had stood motionless for so long seemed like it was about to awaken.
’Not good.’
He immediately guided the Demon Cleansing True Qi from his Lower Dantian, covering his body with its strong exclusionary properties, to completely conceal his aura and used the ability of one of the escapees to hide his trace.
The giant sword, which seemed on the verge of awakening, appeared unable to detect its target, and the gradually intensifying aura began to fade once again, with the anomalies around Jiang Li gradually disappearing.
Everything seemed to return to how it was before.
Jiang Li opened his eyes to find Elder Kaiyang’s face looming before him.
"What did you do?" Elder Kaiyang was both astonished and delighted, "The Xuanyuan Sword hasn’t shown any activity for hundreds of years, yet you managed to make it react."
"Hmm..."
Jiang Li pondered for a moment, "Perhaps the Xuanyuan Sword felt the disciple’s sincerity and manifested itself."
That would have to do for an explanation; after all, he couldn’t very well say that the Xuanyuan Sword wanted to steal his Divine Farmer’s appearance, or that its awakening was to chop him down, could he?