Chapter 181: Cultivation Method of the Demonic Art (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181: Cultivation Method of the Demonic Art (1)
The Diancang Sect.
It was a Taoist sect with a history that rivaled any of the Nine Great Sects.
Their sword techniques differed from those of other Central Plains sects; because Diancang swordsmen usually traveled in pairs, they were often referred to as the "Diancang Dual Swords."
The origins of the Diancang Sect could be traced back to the fallen Dali Kingdom. As descendants of a royal dynasty, it was perhaps natural that they possessed a pride far greater than any other sect.
*
Whoosh!
Inside a grand hall so massive it was difficult to take in at a single glance, the sight was nothing short of majestic—and unsettling. Hundreds of Taoists sat cross-legged, their shirts removed, skin glistening with sweat.
"Open the Sea of Qi Acupoint and draw in energy along the Chong Meridian and the Dai Meridian. Do not stop midway, and do not attempt to move your existing Origin Qi."
A sharp, piercing voice rang out.
The one reading from the open book with meticulous precision was Won Hyo-ja, the Sect Leader of Diancang.
"Do not push it away; accept the energy. Trap the great providence of nature within your body, forming a great coil..."
Won Hyo-ja’s eyes moved busily, constantly darting between the book in his hand and the detailed annotations attached to it. Following his oral instructions, every Taoist in the hall began to circulate their qi.
Fwoosh!
A faint, rising heat filled the air. As hundreds of men unleashed their momentum simultaneously, steam began to rise from their pores.
Whirrr!
Whenever a cold breeze drifted through the hall, white mist billowed from the bodies of the practitioners. Then, one Taoist, who had been emitting energy with particular ferocity—
"Urgh!"
He let out a stifled scream.
"Lee Myeong!" his master cried out in distress.
The moment Lee Myeong faltered, the men sitting next to him also began vomiting black blood, one after another.
"Cough!"
"Blegh!"
"Do not make a sound! I told you not to open your mouths!"
Seeing the chaos, the Fifth Elder, Won Jong, let out a thunderous roar.
"Recall the Taoist scriptures! Remember who we are! Do not lose your focus! If you cannot endure it, raise one hand! The elders behind you will immediately rectify your blood flow!"
"Cough, cough..."
"Hmph. Urgh!"
The Taoists who had been vomiting blood struggled to focus their minds once more. Every person gathered here was a volunteer. They were not following orders; they were individuals filled with resolve who had stepped forward of their own accord after hearing the words of the Sect Leader and the elders.
"Uuuuugh!"
Their mental fortitude was second to none. They endured with sheer will, but... the effect did not last even fifteen minutes.
"Uuuugh..."
"Khhhhk!"
No matter how strong one's will, there are things in this world that cannot be overcome by spirit alone. Groans of pain leaked out, and eventually, unable to withstand the agony, disciples began to collapse.
"Aaaaaagh!"
"Gah... cough!"
They vomited blood along with the contents of their stomachs. Blood leaked from noses and ears, while others had fluid seeping from the very pores of their faces. All this, just from reciting the internal energy cultivation formulas.
"Aaaaagh! Aaaaaaaaagh!"
It was a scene bordering on a mass seizure. No matter how one looked at it, this was not a situation that should be occurring within the Diancang Sect, a pillar of the Orthodox path.
Go Ju-gang watched this horrific, gruesome training with a calm, detached expression.
"I expected as much, but it truly is a martial art that cannot be easily mastered."
Won Hyo-ja's troubled heart was reflected in his voice. The disciples collapsing right now were the future of Diancang. Among them were his own pupils and the most promising First Generation Disciples of the sect.
"As you said, was this not expected?" Go Ju-gang spoke, offering words that might or might not have been intended as comfort.
Diancang had prepared for this. Mixing the Demonic Energy Absorption Art with Orthodox internal energy was an extremely dangerous endeavor. At first, even the elders had protested vehemently. But after the news that Diancang had been humiliated by the Qingcheng Sect—specifically, that three elders had been defeated by a single First Generation Disciple—their opposition had turned into fervent, desperate research.
Staking the entire fate of Diancang, they had attempted numerous trials and prepared safety measures. Even so, the casualties were staggering. Likely, many of those who had just vomited blood would end up crippled for life, regardless of their lofty resolve.
"Azure Cloud Taoist researched this for hundreds of years," Go Ju-gang began. "In that process, many lost their lives. The Energy Absorption Art is certainly a terrible martial art, but if successful, it will become a massive power that will elevate Diancang to the pinnacle of the world."
"Indeed... it must," Won Hyo-ja replied, though his expression did not soften.
Even if he understood the necessity intellectually, he was watching his disciples—his family—collapse in agony. It would be abnormal to remain indifferent, especially for a Sect Leader.
"It is a relief, at least, that the fragment of the Violet Mist Divine Art I provided is proving effective."
"Mmm."
The disciples in the hall were divided into several groups. The group on the far right was using the Violet Mist Divine Art provided by Go Ju-gang—those who had taken the fragmented legacy of Mount Hua as their foundation.
"I thank you for your consideration, Alliance Leader."
"Think nothing of it."
Certainly, those applying the Violet Mist Divine Art showed less severe symptoms. The introductory heart method Go Ju-gang had handed over was designed to focus the mind and protect the body's core.
"Since we have joined hands, is it not the mark of a true alliance to help to the best of one's ability?"
"An alliance..." Won Hyo-ja wore a complex expression.
From the beginning, they were sharing the same bed but dreaming different dreams. Won Hyo-ja knew Go Ju-gang was not a man to be trusted, and Go Ju-gang likely knew he was distrusted. Nevertheless, it was humiliating to have no choice but to rely on him so unilaterally.
"Gah!"
Just then, another man vomited blood and began to convulse. Blood poured from his seven orifices, and his entire body twisted violently. It was the most severe side effect yet—an intensity that signaled imminent death.
"Heavens..."
"This is..."
The elders watching from the front of the hall turned pale.
"Aaaargh! Urgh... uuuugh!"
The Taoist, who appeared to be in his thirties, thrashed as if having a fit before his eyes rolled back.
Splatter! Splash!
The skin all over his body began to bulge hideously, swelling like boils until, finally, it burst with a sickening sound.
Pop!
"Ugh!"
"Good god!"
Green fluid flowed profusely from the ruptured skin, accompanied by a pungent, acidic stench. It was instant death.
One of the elders, his face filled with despair, approached with trembling steps. "Lee Hyeon..."
"Stop. It is already too late for Hyeon." Another elder grabbed him, his brow furrowed in grim resignation.
It was the Sect Leader's order: they must pass this stage no matter what. But the grieving elder couldn't help himself. The bond between master and disciple was said to be as strong as that of father and son. The affection for a disciple raised for over a decade was often greater than that of blood relatives.
"W-We cannot... we cannot do this! At this rate, we will lose every disciple in the sect!" the elder wailed, his aged eyes overflowing with tears.
The other elders shook their heads gloomily.
"Was this not something we already braced ourselves for? Control your heart."
"Ah..."
The sight of the collapsing elder was a reflection of their own hearts. Today it was Lee Hyeon's master; tomorrow, it would be them.
"The Sect Leader is watching! Everyone, steady your minds!"
"Diancang has suffered such humiliation! Does a gentleman wish to live in disgrace?"
"Aaaaagh! Aaaaaaaaagh!"
Some offered encouragement, while others pushed the disciples harder. Nevertheless, screams filled every corner of the grand hall. It had been only three or four days since they began learning the Energy Absorption Art, and already, there were fatalities.
The start was ominous. Just reciting the formulas brought about pain as if their limbs were being torn apart. It was truly a demonic art. Diancang realized anew why the Demonic Energy Absorption Art was strictly forbidden and why the Demonic Cult was the public enemy of the world.
"Still, a significant number are holding out. As expected of Diancang," Go Ju-gang remarked.
"..."
Won Hyo-ja remained silent. Most of the disciples were enduring, and those who were dead or crippled accounted for about ten percent of the total. However, if they had to sacrifice ten percent just to pass the first stage, it was unimaginable how many would be left by the fifth or sixth.
Even if they obtained the strongest martial art, what could a sect with no members left possibly achieve?
'Is this... really the right path?'
Just as Won Hyo-ja began to feel a creeping sense of doubt, a middle-aged man rushed over and knelt beside Go Ju-gang. Since everyone else was wearing Diancang robes, the attire of the Martial Alliance stood out significantly.
"Alliance Leader!"
"What is it?"
"I have... something I must report to you privately." The man scanned the surroundings and bowed his head.
"...Excuse me for a moment, Sect Leader."
"Go ahead," Won Hyo-ja waved his hand dismissively, looking weary.
—Uuuugh! Aaaaagh!
—Master!
Even as the Alliance Leader walked away, the screams of the Diancang disciples continued. To the Sect Leader, the evening sunset felt like a deep, bloody red—much like the path they were now forced to walk.
*
Flutter.
"...Where did you get this?" the Alliance Leader asked as he folded the letter he had just received.
"They say a mysterious man was carrying it in his robes. According to a member named Woo Myeong, he saw a man suddenly having a seizure while walking and found it while trying to help him..."
The messenger constantly checked his surroundings. This information could never, under any circumstances, be known to the people of Diancang.
"A seizure? Like martial artists who suffered from Qi Deviation in the past?"
"Yes. They say the symptoms were identical."
"...Hmm." Go Ju-gang hummed thoughtfully and looked down at the letter again.
The source was unknown, but the contents were impossible to ignore. Inside were detailed annotations regarding the Demonic Energy Absorption Art.
1. The most effective way to suppress the demonic qi of the Demonic Energy Absorption Art is to use the power of True Origin Energy and Origin Qi. Detailed instructions are written below.
2. If there is a practitioner who has strayed from the path, their internal energy can be absorbed and controlled. However, in this case, the one absorbing the energy takes on an even greater burden; if their level of cultivation is low, they may lose their reason and go mad.
3. The side effects of the Demonic Energy are classified into six major categories depending on the symptoms... and the corresponding prescriptions must also differ. Detailed instructions are written below.
4. The Demonic Energy can be operated on the premise that the Upper Dantian can be fully utilized from the start. If the practitioner has not reached this level, a dedicated cultivation method to protect the Upper Dantian is required.
The moment reason is lost and the mind is overwhelmed by demonic qi, confusion ensues, the blood vessels throughout the body run wild, and the energy turns green. Detailed instructions are written below.
It explained every single horror Diancang was currently experiencing in detail, as if the author had foreseen them. Numerous cultivation formulas that could be applied to the corresponding symptoms were densely written as annotations.
As Go Ju-gang read, his face turned rigid.
'This... is not the way of the Orthodox path.'
He was the Martial Alliance Leader. There was no internal energy heart method of the Orthodox sects that he didn't know. He might not know the secret scriptures of the Nine Great Sects, but he knew their fundamental methods.
But the letter in his hand... he could guarantee that this was a form of internal energy operation that no Martial Alliance Leader in history had ever heard of.
Receiving internal energy through the Palace of Toil Acupoint or the Gushing Spring Acupoint was one thing, but these were bizarre methods. Drawing in qi and operating internal energy through the eyes, the nose, and even the Huiyin Acupoint.
No matter how one looked at it, this was typical of the Unorthodox Faction. Or rather... it was the original form of the ancient Demonic Path.
'...It was planned.'
Only then did Go Ju-gang realize that his discovery of the Demonic Energy Absorption Art had been intended by someone. Thinking back, it had been strange from the start—the numerous Giant Demons captured by the Alliance, and the formulas ostentatiously engraved on their robes.
He had thought he was being meticulous, that he had obtained it by chance. But the moment he saw this letter, it became certain.
There were those who were using them.
"Alliance Leader." Ha Myeong-wi, the guard who had brought the letter, asked cautiously.
"...Who else knows of this?" Go Ju-gang asked.
Flinch!
"As of now, only myself and two of my direct subordinates. They are men who can be trusted with my life."
Go Ju-gang stared at him. "I will trust you. Ensure your men keep their mouths shut."
Ha Myeong-wi bowed deeply. Then, as if afraid Go Ju-gang might change his mind, he quickly tucked the letter into his robes and vanished.
The Martial Alliance Leader watched his retreating figure for a moment before nodding to himself.
'Well, regardless... I have nothing to lose.'
Even if it was the intention of those outside the Orthodox path, it didn't matter. In any case, those who handed this over clearly wanted to see the results. Did that not mean they still couldn't properly control the Demonic Energy Absorption Art themselves?
'I just need to master it. After that, everything will be over.'
He stepped into the blood-red sunset, struggling to suppress the smirk rising to his lips.