Stronger by Killing

[Spent 500,000 Experience Points]

[Creation Skill upgraded to Eleventh Floor]

[Current Realm elevated to Enlightenment Realm]

In that instant,

Gu Zhan sensed no obvious change in his body, save for his True Essence becoming a bit purer—not much different, really.

But,

in a fleeting moment, he felt the world shift,

The once calm and tranquil sky,

in his eyes, became filled with streaks of Primordial Qi, each different from the other, like mountains frozen solid, whistling as they crashed down, resembling a mighty summer rain pounding the earth, sending up dust that veiled the heavens.

It was as if rivers wandered across the sky, terrifying waters flooding overhead, falling in torrents, the spray merging again with the rain, never ceasing, the snowflakes that once drifted quietly now vanished without a trace, frightened into hiding.

That was Primordial Qi, moving in patterns of its own,

bright yet indifferent, gentle yet formidable.

It shines upon the world, it is everywhere.

Those who follow its flow walk in light, those who turn away wander in darkness, destined for ruin.

That is Primordial Qi,

the essence of all under heaven,

its rhythms are the laws of this world,

At this moment,

Gu Zhan suddenly understood the difference between Dao Realm and Innate Realm,

The Great Innate can sense the existence of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi,

Innate Peak can touch Primordial Qi,

And when he was at the Innate Realm, he grasped two Earth Tier Martial Arts, able to wield the power of the Dao,

Yet, then,

his understanding of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi was fuzzy,

He knew only that using Earth Tier Martial Arts allowed him to harmonize with Primordial Qi,

Until now, he realized,

When he performs Earth Tier Martial Arts,

his True Essence automatically cooperates with Primordial Qi, achieving the force of the Dao,

But now, he could feel the patterns of Primordial Qi’s movement; every gesture and action could deliberately align with the laws of nature, so his strength reached its utmost,

This is the power of the Dao,

And this is only the beginning of the Dao Realm.

Dao Realm is divided into five realms,

The First Realm is called Enlightenment,

As its name suggests, it means perceiving the patterns of Primordial Qi, and by following its flow, one’s power is fused with nature to its peak.

Like a swordsman’s blade,

A sword swung with the wind versus against it; the difference is immense.

The Second Realm is called Clarity,

This stage involves searching; sensing Primordial Qi’s workings on another level, being able to know where a current of Qi comes from, where it goes, finding one’s own ideal place, so power can be unleashed beyond limits.

The Third Realm is called Profound Mystery,

This is a wholly different level—upon reaching Profound Mysterious Realm, you no longer need to follow Primordial Qi’s rules; you can alter its patterns, draw upon Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi for your own use. The more intricate the manipulation, the greater the might; thus, it is called Profound Mystery.

The Fourth Realm is called Mandate of Heaven,

This stage is very special; here, you know your own Great Dao, understand Heaven’s decree, foresee changes in the world—primordial Qi’s appearances and disappearances come early to you.

The Fifth Realm is called The Great Dao,

This realm defies description; those who reach it have stepped into the Dao itself—perhaps enter the Grandmaster in a single thought, or languish behind walls for a lifetime, or suffer a lapse and regress, truly a mystic and unfathomable state!

...

On the long street,

Gu Zhan slowly raised his hand, True Essence flowing softly,

In an instant, for ten yards around, the falling snowflakes abruptly froze in mid-air, only returning to their gentle descent when Gu Zhan lowered his hand.

Gu Zhan smiled slightly,

This is the power of Dao Realm,

Before, he could only send snow flying with a palm strike, but now, following the patterns of Primordial Qi, he can delicately control external things.

With a single step,

he has already become a Great Cultivator!

Letting out a slow breath, Gu Zhan glanced at the system interface: Player: Gu Zhan

Realm: Enlightenment Realm

Cultivation Technique: Creation Skill (Eleventh Floor, 0/1,000,000)

Skills:

Celestial Inquiry Three Slashes (Great Success)

Shadow Arrow Technique (Great Success)

Frenzied Lion Fist (Great Success)

Cloud-Stepping Step (Great Success)

Celestial Spirit Golden Body (Great Success)

Gale Palm (Great Success)

Celestial Yin Leg (Great Success)

Willow Leaf Flying Knife Technique (Great Success)

Creation Golden Body (Great Success)

Experience Points: 250,541

...

"Sir!"

Just then, a squad of Embroidered Uniform Guards galloped up, the Chief Banner swiftly dismounting, cupping his hands: "Reporting, sir, Prefecture Government is fully under control, all major city gangs have mostly surrendered, and the remaining resistance will be quickly suppressed."

Gu Zhan nodded, saying, "Deploy the crossbow teams everywhere—kill whoever needs killing!"

"Understood," the Chief Banner continued, "Resistance is weak; most of the city’s Innate Experts were killed by you last night, sir, but still, many gang leaders and experts fled the city—their leader is Luo Huaiyang. We’ve sent people after him and got word that he’s headed to Shuixie Manor."

Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes and murmured, "Shuixie Manor? Elder Canglan’s Sixth Young Master’s Shuixie Manor?"

"Yes." The Chief Banner said gravely.

At that moment, Zuo Yang spoke up: "Sir, they can only run to Shuixie Manor now. Your divine might is unmatched, after last night’s battle, though they escaped, they’re all badly wounded; none can get far. Only the Sixth Young Master of Shuixie Manor can shield them—only he might save any bit of their legacy."

Gu Zhan chuckled,

He’d intended to visit the Sixth Young Master in a few days, but now it seems he’ll have to go early.

"No matter. You handle the city’s aftermath. I shall pay Shuixie Manor a visit," Gu Zhan said.

...

In Pingyang City, calm was slowly returning,

All the gangs have lost their leaders; they were always scattered, and as soon as Gu Zhan appeared, everyone was scared witless—no one dared utter a word, obediently accepting the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s handling.

The Hundred Households Office was jam-packed,

Numerous high-ranking gang members locked up in its prison,

And the Embroidered Uniform Guards of the Office were hustling about non-stop.

Around noon,

Gu Zhan took a bath, changed clothes, and left his house,

Passing by the Hundred Households Office courtyard,

Every embroidered guard bowed respectfully; what surprised Gu Zhan was, unlike his subordinates in Linjiang City—who showed mostly fear—here, within the Hundred Households Office, an odd scene unfolded,

Most, especially the younger guards, gazed at him not with terror, but... with fervent admiration,

Clearly excited,

If not for their status restraining them, Gu Zhan suspected some might even ask for his autograph.

This is... seriously fucked up!

But on second thought, Gu Zhan relaxed,

The Yunxi Land is not like Yundong,

Here, the law means nothing—it’s all about fists,

So the young revere the strong,

And thanks to the guards’ fallen status,

His single battle restored their dignity,

And might even become the faith of many Embroidered Uniform Guards!