Chapter 688 - 684: Copying
The next day, he went to the True Martial Institute earlier than usual.
The soul was tripled, the absorption of the Karma Stone Wall’s aura would be faster, and the benefits from the True Martial Institute would be greater.
So the earlier you absorb the aura of the Karma Stone Wall, the greater the benefit by threefold.
This time, the Third Prince Chu Liyang had not yet appeared.
So he freely used Super Sense, to see through the Karma Stone Wall, to see through its material, to see through every word on it.
Every stroke of each character, every structure of each character, every position of each character.
Seeing through it made it clear in his mind. Once he closed his eyes, he could envision it clearly, every word distinct.
Meanwhile, he pulled out a piece of White Jade from his sleeve and took out the Autumn Water Divine Blade.
The White Jade was about a foot long and three feet high, containing spring water within, and the spring water was gently flowing, emitting glistening clear light.
The Autumn Water Divine Blade lightly carved on the jade.
The tip of the blade was bright and reflected the clear light within the White Jade, but its speed was slow.
It seemed as if an invisible force was resisting the fall of the blade’s tip.
His arm slightly trembled, resisting strong opposing forces, as if he was climbing a mountain under burden, struggling and ready to collapse at any moment.
The tip of the blade moved forward with difficulty and finally carved the first word into the White Jade.
Then the second word, the third word...
These small characters were exactly the same as the Light Ode on the Karma Stone Wall, as if the Light Ode on the Karma Stone Wall had been reduced by five times, etched onto the White Jade.
Chu Zhiyuan’s arm trembled slightly, yet the blade’s tip was steady, without any mistake.
Soon white steam emerged from the top of his head, like a pot just opened to steam buns.
His face flushed red as if drunk, his eyes becoming increasingly bright, so bright it was blinding.
The cave was initially bright enough, much brighter than outside, and now with his gaze, it shone even brighter.
Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, growing more dense, then trickling down, over his cheeks, from his chin, dripping onto the ground, shattering into a few pieces and seeping into the green stone floor.
Time seemed to slow down extremely.
He was entirely focused, not daring to be distracted.
...
At first, when he wanted to copy this Light Ode, an invisible force blocked him, preventing the pen from falling.
Now with his soul increasing threefold, although there was still overwhelming resistance while copying again, he barely managed to write.
Difficult yet making slow progress, this was already a huge step forward.
However, the consumption was also incredibly astonishing; within a short moment, not only was he drenched with sweat, but his face turned pale as paper, breath rapid.
This was nearly to the limit.
Copying this ode consumed an astonishing amount of spiritual power, almost beyond his imagination.
At a crucial moment, he had to summon the spiritual power of other avatars and the main body.
Thus, at the Prince Qing Mansion, Chu Zhiyuan suddenly turned pale as his spiritual power was nearly entirely drawn away, leaving only a sliver to maintain consciousness.
Simultaneously, the two Autumn Water Divine Blades in the Profound Yin Palace suddenly became dull and lackluster.
At the True Martial Institute, Chu Zhiyuan’s complexion regained its rosy hue, his spiritual power replenished, allowing him to continue engraving.
...
After writing another forty words, his face again turned paper-white.
This time, he could no longer draw out spiritual power; he could only watch helplessly as the White Jade, which had sixty words written on it, crumbled into powder with a ’pop’.
He felt as if his strength was drained, his body becoming soft, nearly collapsing to the ground.
Retrieving the Autumn Water Divine Blade, he closed his eyes and began restoring his spiritual power.
Sweat drenched his clothes, sticking them to his body, so he gently shook himself.
The Xiao White Snake revolved in the Shan Zhong point, True Yuan surged forth.
His clothing suddenly billowed, issuing a muffled ’bang’, as every drop of water was shaken off.
Though his spiritual power was entirely depleted, his True Yuan remained unaffected, still lively, so he began cultivating the Infinite Brightness Scripture.
Merely visualizing the Great Bright Peak not only didn’t consume spiritual power, it also nurtured and restored spiritual power.
...
Footsteps sounded.
The Third Prince Chu Liyang strode in, suddenly paused.
Noticing Chu Zhiyuan arriving a step earlier, his eyes flickered as he approached Chu Zhiyuan’s side: "Ninth Brother, you came so early."
Chu Zhiyuan kept his eyes closed: "Third Brother is still this early, quite diligent."
Chu Liyang pointed to the warm jade mat where Chu Zhiyuan sat: "Ninth Brother, you’re sitting in my spot."
Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes, looked at him: "Third Brother, does it matter where you practice? Must it be here?"
Chu Liyang replied: "I’m used to it; sitting elsewhere feels uncomfortable, affects cultivation."
Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes, speaking blandly: "At the Outer Realm Battlefield, do you still need to pick a spot to cultivate? Won’t even know how you died, with Heavenly Demons waiting long!"
Chu Liyang retorted in annoyance: "Ninth Brother, do you insist on taking my place?"
Chu Zhiyuan snorted: "Third Brother, you should’ve come earlier, find a place yourself."
"...Fine." Chu Liyang considered, then sat next to him.
Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, glancing at him: "Third Brother, you really are something."
"Likewise." Chu Liyang snorted.
The two sat shoulder to shoulder, about a meter apart.
Chu Zhiyuan was too lazy to respond to him, closing his eyes to continue cultivation.
Shortly thereafter, the Second Prince and the Eldest Prince came together, talking and laughing.
Upon entering, seeing Chu Zhiyuan and the Third Prince seated together, they paused in surprise.
Exchanging glances, they curiously observed Chu Zhiyuan and the Third Prince.
The Second Prince chuckled: "Ninth Brother, are you two on such good terms now?"
Chu Zhiyuan remained silent, eyes closed.
"Oh, did Ninth Brother get injured?" The Second Prince noticed Chu Zhiyuan’s pale face and asked curiously: "Who did you fight?"
"Second Brother, focus on practicing." Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes, retorting peevishly: "Don’t waste time."
"Haha... it seems Ninth Brother has heard the news, the Yuanzhen Dynasty wants to challenge you, they’re ready to undermine you."
Chu Zhiyuan coldly replied: "Second Brother is pleased, gloating over the misfortune?"
"Haha," the Second Prince quickly waved his hand, a look of watching a good show on his face: "I think they’re going to be unlucky this time, Ninth Brother, show them a bit of strength!"
The Entering Spirit Level Great Brightness Fist indeed, even the Eldest Brother is no match.
Those guys from the Yuanzhen Dynasty still think the Ninth is a pushover, but they’ll find him a tough nut to crack.
Imagining such a scene made him unable to hold back a laugh.
Chu Zhiyuan glanced at the Eldest Prince: "Eldest Brother, I heard from Uncle Fifteen that this time it’s the Fifth and Sixth Princes coming over, have you dealt with them?"
"Be cautious of this Fifth Prince, he’s been on the Nine Transitions for several years, accumulating the Heavenly Inquiry Sword extensively," Chu Liechu stated solemnly: "Even if his Heavenly Inquiry Sword isn’t at Entering Spirit level, it’s at the Divinity Transformation Level."
"What does the Heavenly Inquiry Sword look like?" Chu Zhiyuan asked: "Has Eldest Brother fought them?"
"I’ve fought the Eldest Prince Cheng Yunhai," Chu Liechu slowly replied: "Experienced the Heavenly Inquiry Sword, very strange and formidable, barely a tie. That was just Divine Level’s Heavenly Inquiry Sword... the Yuanzhen Dynasty’s most talented is the Fifth Prince, his Heavenly Inquiry Sword far exceeds the Eldest Prince’s, I am no match for him."
Chu Zhiyuan frowned: "Is the Heavenly Inquiry Sword strange because it’s unexpected? Unusual style, or something else?"
"The Heavenly Inquiry Sword is akin to foresight, predicting your moves in advance, finding strengths to attack your weakest point. Our Great Brightness Fist is powerful, yet not flawless, not invulnerable."
"The Great Brightness Fist isn’t perfect, so the Heavenly Inquiry Sword has weaknesses too?"
"The Heavenly Inquiry Sword requires extremely high aptitude and is very exhausting, it can be executed at most three times."
"Three strikes..."
"It’s usually resolved in one strike." Chu Liechu shook his head: "No chance for a second strike."
Chu Lixuan remarked: "Eldest Brother, does that mean Ninth Brother is not guaranteed to win?"
Chu Liechu shook his head: "The outcome could go either way, it’s hard to say it’s a guaranteed victory."