Chapter 203 : Blue-Grade Cultivation Technique Skill! The Scourge Army's Revenge!
Chapter 203: Blue-Grade Cultivation Technique Skill! The Scourge Army's Revenge!
Hang Yu immediately began reorganizing the skills he currently possessed.
Every skill could be categorized into clear classifications.
There were many ways to divide them.
For example, according to execution method, there were blade arts, sword arts, spear arts, spell arts, witchcraft, curse arts, and so on.
Or according to attributes, there were fire-element skills, ice-element skills, lightning-element skills, wind-element skills, as well as spirit, soul, death, and other attribute-based skills.
Or according to functionality, there were offensive skills, defensive skills, summoning skills, healing skills, and so forth.
There were many other methods of classification as well.
Every skill possessed its own characteristic nature.
And that characteristic nature was formed by the combination of all these dimensions.
Theoretically speaking—
Although all paths of power were different, they ultimately led to the same destination.
Any two skills possessed the possibility of fusion.
The closer their characteristic natures were—
The higher the success rate of fusion.
According to statistics, two skills with extremely similar characteristics generally succeeded after around three attempts.
Two skills with vastly different characteristics, however, might require twenty or even thirty attempts before succeeding.
It was not that Hang Yu did not want to innovate.
But even though his difficulty in obtaining Essence Points was only a fraction of that faced by other Lords—
He still did not want to waste such precious resources casually.
After all—
There were already many complete skill systems with highly compatible characteristics available for direct integration.
By spending relatively modest resources, he could achieve dramatic improvements in effectiveness.
Let's begin with commonly used combat skills.
Among Hang Yu's frequently used offensive abilities—
A considerable portion originated from Zhou Cang's Tiger Blade Art.
These skills possessed similar characteristics and formed a complete system.
They were ideal fusion materials.
If he used Tiger Blade Art as the core—
And then fused it with foundational skills such as Qi Gathering Slash and Shield-Breaking Strike—
There was a very high probability of creating a top-tier new skill!
With a clear direction in mind—
Hang Yu began cultivating within the Dao Comprehension Tower.
After frantically consuming Essence Points for comprehension—
He ultimately obtained the following skill fusion formulas:
Tiger Consecutive Slash (White) + Qi Gathering Slash (White) = Tiger Blade Qi (Green)!
Tiger Blade Qi (Green) + Fierce Tiger Roaring Slash (Green) = Fierce Tiger Wild Blade (Green)!
Shield-Breaking Strike (White) + Shockwave (Green) = Shield-Breaking Wave (Green)!
Fierce Tiger Mountain-Crushing Drop (Green) + Shield-Breaking Wave (Green) = Fierce Tiger Earth-Shattering Slash (Blue)!
Fierce Tiger Wild Blade (Green) + Fierce Tiger Battle Soul (Green) = Fierce Tiger Wild Flame Blade (Blue)!
Fierce Tiger Wild Flame Blade (Blue) + Fierce Tiger Earth-Shattering Slash (Blue) = Wild Flame Tyrant Blade (Blue)!
……
To fully comprehend this entire skill chain—
Approximately 800,000 Essence Points would need to be consumed within the Dao Comprehension Tower.
For Hang Yu—
This was insignificant.
For players, however—
It was far beyond what they could currently afford.
After all, skill fusion within the Dao Comprehension Tower carried a failure rate.
With good luck, one might spend less.
At minimum, however, half the projected amount would still be required.
With bad luck, the cost could easily double.
Furthermore—
The seventy to eighty thousand Essence Point figure only represented Dao Comprehension costs.
It did not include the costs of learning and cultivating each individual skill.
To build the complete skill set—
A total expenditure of roughly two million Essence Points would be required.
However—
Once successful—
The results were astonishing.
Every person could create different skills within the Dao Comprehension Tower.
The final result of Hang Yu's fusion process was a blade technique called Wild Flame Tyrant Blade.
【Wild Flame Tyrant Blade】Blue-Grade Cultivation Technique. Current Skill Level: 1.
Permanent Strength +200.
Permanent Agility +50.
Fire Resistance +30.
After activation, consumes 200 Mana per minute.
Weapon Attack +100.
Fire Attribute Skill Damage +100.
Damage Negation +100.
Strength +50.
Attack Speed +20.
Cooldown of all subordinate skills -25%.
All skill costs -20%.
Effects of all subordinate skills +15%.
Upon seeing this skill—
Hang Yu could not help revealing a satisfied expression.
“Not easy at all. I've finally comprehended a complete cultivation technique!”
From the description alone—
It was obvious that this was not an ordinary skill.
It was a Cultivation Technique-type skill.
What was the difference between an ordinary skill and a cultivation technique?
The distinction was actually simple.
A cultivation technique was a complete system.
Ordinary skills were usually single moves or individual spells.
A cultivation technique generally contained numerous moves and spells.
A single move or spell alone could rarely become a cultivation technique.
However, once a series of subordinate skills were integrated into a complete system—
All those skills would receive systematic enhancement.
At this moment—
Using the Dao Comprehension Tower and a series of existing skills as a foundation—
Hang Yu had successfully comprehended a complete Blade Dao cultivation technique!
Once he activated the cultivation technique—
He would receive massive attribute enhancements.
At the same time, he could freely utilize all skills within the cultivation system.
Whether it was basic skills like Qi Gathering Slash and Shield-Breaking Strike—
Or advanced techniques such as Fierce Tiger Wild Flame Blade and Fierce Tiger Earth-Shattering Slash—
All of them would receive substantial enhancements.
Skill costs would decrease.
Power would increase.
Cooldowns would shorten.
Even at Level 1—
Wild Flame Tyrant Blade was already astonishingly powerful.
Continuing to spend Essence Points—
Hang Yu directly cultivated the technique to maximum level!
【Essence Points -820,000!】
【Your "Wild Flame Tyrant Blade" has reached maximum level. Permanent Strength +400, Permanent Agility +100!】
【Wild Flame Tyrant Blade】Blue-Grade Cultivation Technique. Current Skill Level: 10.
Permanent Strength +400.
Permanent Agility +100.
After activation, consumes 500 Mana per minute.
Weapon Attack +200.
Fire Attribute Skill Damage +300.
Damage Negation +300.
Strength +150.
Attack Speed +50.
Cooldown of all subordinate skills -70%.
All skill costs -50%.
Effects of all subordinate skills +40%.
Absolutely terrifying!
After reaching maximum level—
Its effects increased severalfold!
Even ignoring the enormous permanent attribute bonuses and attack enhancements provided by the cultivation technique itself—
The effects of reducing subordinate skill cooldowns by 70% and increasing their power by 40% were already outrageous.
At present—
Hang Yu possessed three Blue-Grade skills:
Swift Shadow Instant Strike.
Martial Saint Three Blades.
Wild Flame Tyrant Blade.
Among them—
Martial Saint Three Blades belonged to the category of ultimate techniques.
It was difficult to say whether it or Wild Flame Tyrant Blade was rarer or more valuable.
However—
Swift Shadow Instant Strike was completely incomparable to Wild Flame Tyrant Blade.
After all—
Swift Shadow Instant Strike was merely an independent move created through the fusion of Swift Shadow Step and Instant Shadow Step.
At best—
It was equivalent to individual techniques such as Fierce Tiger Earth-Shattering Slash or Fierce Tiger Wild Flame Blade within the Wild Flame Tyrant Blade system.
Although Swift Shadow Instant Strike and those two techniques were of similar rank—
The latter two belonged to a complete cultivation system and benefited from systematic enhancements.
The former was merely a standalone move.
Its practical effectiveness naturally could not compare.
This demonstrated clearly—
Just how powerful Wild Flame Tyrant Blade truly was!
Even among all Blue-Grade abilities—
This cultivation technique ranked among the very best.
The comprehension of this cultivation technique significantly increased Hang Yu's strength.
Combined with his newly equipped Huangtian Demonic Dragon Set—
As well as his level increases—
If Hang Yu fought Dian Wei now in a one-on-one duel—
He was highly confident that he could suppress him.
Creating this skill—
Had consumed over ten hours.
And that was despite already possessing Fierce Tiger Wild Blade beforehand.
Of course—
Such efficiency was already exceptional.
Throughout this round of Dao Comprehension, he successfully fused four abilities.
The average failure rate remained below three attempts.
While not extraordinarily lucky—
It could certainly be considered smooth sailing.
If Twisted Three Kingdoms were treated as a game—
Then its skill system was absurdly complex and incredibly free.
The territory's current skill reserves alone offered players limitless possibilities.
For example—
Combining Qi Gathering Slash and Tiger Consecutive Slash—
Could result in either Tiger Blade Qi or Tiger Gale Slash.
Hang Yu chose the former.
And Tiger Blade Qi could then be fused with any compatible skill to create new abilities.
Hang Yu chose to fuse Tiger Blade Qi with Fierce Tiger Roaring Slash.
This could produce Fierce Tiger Blade Qi.
Or alternatively—
Fierce Tiger Wild Blade.
Fundamentally, both remained blade-qi techniques.
The former continuously launched burning blade qi from range.
The latter infused blade qi directly into the weapon to enhance burst damage and offensive output.
Street-Slaughter Berserker had learned Fierce Tiger Wild Blade.
Mad Blade Old Wang had just mastered Fierce Tiger Blade Qi.
It could be said—
That from this point onward—
These two top-tier Scourge Army warriors had already embarked upon completely different paths.
As their levels and skills continued advancing—
Their combat styles could diverge dramatically.
They might even establish entirely separate cultivation schools.
Hang Yu himself had also chosen Fierce Tiger Wild Blade.
By extension—
Almost every skill combination possessed two or more possible comprehension directions.
There was even a tiny chance of a critical comprehension event occurring.
Such an event could unexpectedly create a completely different skill.
Furthermore—
Although each skill could only undergo comprehension once within a short period inside the Dao Comprehension Tower—
That did not mean it could only ever be used once.
After a sufficiently long cooldown period—
All foundational skill materials could be reused.
Overall—
While each skill's attribute enhancement could only take effect once—
Skill combinations themselves were unrestricted and virtually endless.
Everyone could create their own cultivation techniques.
Even using identical ideas—
Two people might not create the same cultivation technique.
After all—
Some skill combinations could produce more than two possible outcomes.
One also had to account for critical comprehension effects.
As the saying went—
Children and grandchildren would have their own fortunes.
The Scourge Army were all Hang Yu's disciples and descendants in a sense.
Whatever schools and cultivation paths they ultimately pioneered—
Would depend on their own opportunities.
Hang Yu would quietly observe and record.
He would not interfere with individual development choices.
Returning to the matter at hand—
This round of Dao Comprehension had finally achieved a complete simplification and refinement process.
For Hang Yu—
Skills such as Qi Gathering Slash, Shield-Breaking Strike, Fierce Tiger Wild Blade, and Fierce Tiger Battle Soul had all disappeared from his skill list.
They had been merged into Wild Flame Tyrant Blade.
From now on—
They existed merely as techniques within a unified cultivation system.
Yet that was not enough!
There were still many skills within the territory that could be integrated!
For example—
The Peace Sect Talisman Arts.
Thunder Command Talisman, Fire Talisman, Ice Talisman, Wind Strike Talisman, Spring Restoration Talisman, and Tranquility Talisman.
These six talisman arts clearly belonged to a single system.
Or—
The various alchemy arts brought to the territory by Doctor Zhang Zhongjing.
After undergoing Dao Comprehension Tower integration—
They would likely form an entire Alchemy Cultivation Technique system.
Beyond those—
There were numerous miscellaneous skills that did not easily fit into systems.
Such as Iron Armor Technique.
Savage Charge.
Healing Art.
Swift Shadow Instant Strike.
Flame Arrow.
Chain Lightning.
Explosive Flame.
Wind’s Protection.
Thunderhorn Eagle Summoning Art.
Dragon-Lizard Transformation Art.
And many others.
One could only say—
Skill cultivation, integration, and comprehension remained a long journey.
There were no useless skills in this world.
Nor was there any redundant skill.
Every skill represented part of the territory's foundation.
If properly organized and utilized—
Each could play an important role.
Just as Hang Yu was preparing to consider—
How to integrate these remaining skills—
Xiao Ba suddenly issued a warning.
“Master, an alert has been triggered. A large army is currently passing through the Wasteland of Death and has entered the Luoshui Region through the eastern Abyssal Mist Gate.”
Upon hearing this—
Hang Yu narrowed his eyes.
“So they've finally come.”
Very well.
Let's stop here for today.
This round of cultivation and comprehension had consumed nearly three million Essence Points.
For the territory's current reserves—
That amount was insignificant.
Under present conditions—
He could continue comprehending until most combinable skills in the territory had been fused.
However—
Priorities existed.
The enemy Lord had likely already infiltrated Wo Niu Mountain.
Therefore—
Hang Yu had to eliminate the threat posed by Zhang Xiu as quickly as possible.
Otherwise—
If the enemy Lord discovered Zhang Xiu's faction, they might exploit or even ally with him against Hang Yu.
Should such a troublesome situation arise—
It would become quite a headache.
This time—
Hang Yu did not even need to issue a mission personally.
The players of the Scourge Army had already learned the news ahead of time.
They immediately logged in en masse and assembled at the Revival Plaza.
The Scourge Army already held a grudge against Zhang Xiu because of his betrayal.
Had Zhou Cang not stopped them—
They would have marched on New Wan City long ago.
Now that Zhang Xiu was personally leading an army toward the main city—
How could they remain indifferent?
Moreover—
This battle was obviously directly connected to the conquest of New Wan City.
It concerned mission evaluations.
It concerned reward quality.
Naturally—
The players treated it extremely seriously.
For that reason—
Whether they were busy enhancing equipment in the Forging Workshop.
Studying skills in the Skill Tower or Dao Comprehension Tower.
Or even offline resting—
Everyone gathered immediately.
When Hang Yu arrived at the plaza—
Over two thousand Scourge Army players had already assembled.
Not only were all participants from the Day of Ultimate Darkness campaign present—
Even several hundred newcomers leveling within the Luoshui Region had gathered.
After hearing that the main city was threatened by Spear King Zhang Xiu—
Every one of them enthusiastically demanded to join the battle.
The instant Hang Yu appeared—
The players erupted with excitement.
“Lord!”
“The Lord is here!”
“Wow, Feather God changed equipment!”
“That armor is amazing! Feather God looks even cooler now!”
“What quality is that equipment? At least Blue Grade, right?”
“I want the same set!”
“Shh!”
“Quiet!”
“Don't be disrespectful!”
“...”
Within mere seconds—
The noisy crowd instantly fell silent.
Every player felt genuine awe and admiration toward the Lord.
Even within a game—
They dared not entertain disrespectful thoughts.
Several Legion Commanders stepped forward.
They would represent the players and receive the Lord's orders.
Little Bell shouted loudly:
“Little Bell of Divine Feather Palace greets Lord Feather!”
She quickly continued,
“Reporting to Lord Feather! Just as you predicted, that old traitor Zhang Xiu truly covets the territory. He is leading an army directly toward the main city!”
Ye Li Meng said,
“This is intolerable! Perfect timing to settle both old and new scores!”
Black-Eyed Rui Ge requested:
“Lord Feather, Zhang Xiu tricked the Scourge Army before. We humbly request permission to engage first and take our revenge!”
The moment these words were spoken—
Everyone became excited.
The decisive battle against Zhang Xiu would likely determine whether New Wan City could be conquered.
In other words—
This battle would greatly influence the final mission evaluation.
The Scourge Army had every reason to fight for participation.
Otherwise—
Once the Lord personally entered battle with Zhou Cang and the Azure Dragon Guard—
The players' opportunities to earn merits would become limited.
Thus, Toasting the Moon immediately added:
“We seek not only revenge, but also to test the true strength of Wan City's forces!”
Arthur King, commander of the newly established Twilight of the Gods Legion, also said:
“Please grant us this opportunity, Lord!”
Hang Yu nodded.
“Since you cannot swallow this grievance, I shall give you a chance for revenge. As for how much damage you can inflict upon Zhang Xiu's forces, that will depend entirely upon your own abilities.”
The moment these words were spoken—
The crowd erupted in joy.
“Thank you, Lord!”
“Long live the Lord!”
“Hahaha! Great! The Lord agreed!”
“Brothers and sisters! Another opportunity to earn merits has arrived! Let's kill that old dog Zhang Xiu and avenge the Scourge Army!”
“No time to waste!”
“Move out!”
“Charge! Charge! Charge!”
“...”
After receiving the order—
The Scourge Army immediately scattered and rushed out to intercept the enemy.
Zhou Cang asked,
“Lord, relying solely on the Scourge Army's ambush may not be enough to stop Zhang Xiu's forces. Should we take action as well?”
He was not worried about the main city.
Rather—
He feared that once the Scourge Army appeared, Zhang Xiu and his followers would discover the territory's greatest secret.
Should they decide to retreat and return to Wan Region—
Things could become troublesome.
The possibility was not certain—
But it could not be ignored.
Zhou Cang was already aware that another foreign Lord was invading Wo Niu Mountain.
If Zhang Xiu was not dealt with swiftly—
The territory might truly end up fighting on two fronts.
“No matter.”
“As long as Zhang Xiu enters Luoshui, they won't escape.”
As he spoke—
Hang Yu took out a Teleportation Staff.
This strategic-grade equipment had been worth every resource spent on it.
Its teleportation radius covered nearly the entire Luoshui Region.
As long as Zhang Xiu entered Luoshui—
Hang Yu could immediately lead Zhou Cang and several hundred Azure Dragon Guards to cut off his retreat.
With Hang Yu's overwhelming combat power—
Alongside Zhou Cang and Zhang Zhongjing.
Plus over one hundred Azure Dragon Guards possessing at least quasi-Tier-3 Commander-level strength.
Such a force could easily sever Zhang Xiu's escape route.
Under those circumstances—
The immortal Scourge Army would continuously launch attacks and wear down the enemy.
No matter how formidable the Wan City Army might be—
Escape would be impossible.
Even if total annihilation did not occur—
Hang Yu was confident that none of the key leaders, including Zhang Xiu himself, would get away.
As long as Zhang Xiu and his core subordinates were captured—
New Wan City would already be more than halfway conquered.
…………
Meanwhile—
The Wan City Army crossed the Wasteland of Death.
When they reached the edge of the Wan Region Dreamscape—
A massive white wall of mist appeared before them.
The boundaries of every Abyssal Nightmare Region were formed from dark-red mist walls.
Within this endless crimson barrier—
A gigantic white mist wall nearly ten thousand meters high and forty to fifty li long was extraordinarily conspicuous.
This—
Was the Abyssal Mist Gate.
Ordinary mist walls could not be crossed.
Only Abyssal Mist Gates connected different regions.
The leaders of New Wan City revealed expressions of excitement and joy.
Han Ji said,
“The path to the outside world has truly opened. We no longer need to remain trapped in a single land!”
Deng Zhi eagerly said,
“Speed is paramount in warfare! Since we're fighting, we must strike swiftly before the Lord finishes preparing!”
Zhang Xiu stared at the massive mist wall.
For a brief moment—
A trace of hesitation unexpectedly appeared.
However—
He quickly discarded it.
Because matters had already reached this stage.
The arrow was nocked and had to be released.
Zhang Xiu firmly believed that Luoshui City, having lost several thousand elite troops during the Day of Ultimate Darkness, must currently be vulnerable.
Although the Starsea Lord might be extremely powerful—
One person alone could not reverse destiny.
Furthermore—
Zhang Xiu still possessed a forbidden method hidden for many years.
Even Jia Xu would be wary of that power.
If he fought without reservation—
He did not believe himself inferior to the Lord.
His gaze swept across the army participating in this operation.
Although only around five thousand troops had been deployed—
The force included the entire Blood Spear Battalion.
Elite troops from every major family.
And the finest guard units of New Wan City.
Every soldier was among the best of the best.
In addition—
There were more than ten super-first-rate experts, including Zhang Xiu himself.
With such a force launching a lightning assault—
How could victory possibly fail?
Unfortunately—
Wen Pin had not joined the expedition.
With his defensive arts supporting them—
The operation would have been even safer and casualties greatly reduced.
“Advance!”
Zhang Xiu pointed his spear toward the Abyssal Mist Gate.
In an instant—
The five-thousand-strong elite army surged forward.
They passed through the Abyssal Mist Gate and rapidly emerged on the opposite side.
Soon—
The entire army had left the Wan City Region and entered Luoshui.
“Accelerate!”
“March directly toward Luoshui!”
“Those who enter Luoshui City first shall be heavily rewarded!”
“...”
After entering Luoshui—
The soldiers became even more excited.
They could clearly feel that the Abyssal presence here was extremely weak.
There was almost no direct contamination.
This was a true sanctuary!
And there was more than one such sanctuary!
As long as they killed the Lord—
Every territory under his control would become New Wan City's domain.
Zhang Xiu led the army forward at high speed.
Since every soldier was at least Tier 2—
The army advanced over a hundred li in less than an hour, rapidly penetrating deep into Luoshui territory.
As they passed through a forest—
“There is an ambush!”
Zhang Xiu suddenly sensed something.
He immediately ordered the army to halt.
Beneath his pale, withered hair—
His gaunt face darkened.
Sharp eyes like drawn swords stared into the forest.
Then he coldly said,
“Come out.”
“Ai!”
“We got discovered again!”
“Why do all our ambushes get exposed?”
“Forget it!”
“A gentleman walks openly while villains hide their chickens!”
“Our Scourge Army fights honorably! We should charge head-on!”
“...”
A force emerged from the forest.
When Zhang Xiu saw the size of the opposing army—
He first felt surprised and confused.
The Starsea Lord's forces had clearly suffered heavy losses during the Day of Ultimate Darkness campaign.
How could they still assemble such an elite force?
Although it could not compare to this carefully selected Wan City Army—
It seemed no weaker than the former Xinye defenders.
Then—
When Zhang Xiu looked closely at the leaders—
His surprise instantly transformed into shock and disbelief!
“How is this possible?!”
“This can't be!”
“You should all be dead!”
Zhang Xiu had personally witnessed Ye Li Meng, Black-Eyed Rui Ge, and the others die before the fortress.
Yet now—
These dead men were standing before him alive and well.
It completely defied logic!
When the players saw the marvelous expressions on the Wan City commanders' faces—
They became extremely excited.
“Hahahahaha!”
“Didn't expect this, did you?”
“Surprised? Shocked?”
Midnight Pig Slayer laughed.
“Hey everyone, we're Scourge Army warriors with two and a half months of training experience—but obviously, we're not that easy to kill!”
……