I have Immortality In The Cultivation World-Chapter 613 - 451: A Decade in the World

Chapter 613: Chapter 451: A Decade in the World

The Body-Piercing Formless Sword Qi was indeed Zhou Yi’s original creation.

After cultivating the Epiphyllum Treasure Tome for a long time, his True Qi was vast and inexhaustible, and he comprehended many profound usages.

Among them, most were inspired by the martial paths of predecessors, such as the Dragon-Grabbing Hand and Protective True Essence, etc. Only the condensation of True Qi from the major acupoints in the shoulder blades and ribs to form arms could be described as unprecedented.

Zhou Yi simplified it and compiled the Body-Piercing Formless Sword Qi.

Once mastered, Sword Qi could be shot out from any major acupoint in the body, catching opponents off guard.

The Undying Golden Body was based on the Vajra Indestructibility Divine Skill, incorporating external cultivation techniques such as the Golden Bell Shield, Iron Shirt, and Iron Head Skill, forming a combined internal and external strengthening method.

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The cultivation technique improved on the Vajra Indestructibility Divine Skill’s flaw of consuming too much True Qi but also required extra effort in external body refining.

Upon attainment, True Qi and Body Refinement burst forth simultaneously, complementing each other, with power even surpassing the original.

“You two, as you wander the martial world, must watch out for each other and avoid causing trouble or committing violence,”

Zhou Yi cautioned, “If there is any violation, do not blame your master for not reminiscing about the past and personally cleaning the sect!”

Both disciples kowtowed in unison, “We will heed Master’s teachings.”

Zhou Yi waved his hand, “Go down the mountain.”

Gu Xiao expressed concern, “Master, when will you emerge from seclusion so that your disciple can make preparations?”

Zhou Yi’s gaze flickered uncertainly, as if he saw through Gu Xiao’s thoughts and then found a reason to say,

“Your master’s seclusion this time is to attempt a breakthrough to the Innate realm, which is extremely perilous. If there is no news in three to five years, there’s no need to wait any longer.”

Gu Xiao respectfully said, “Disciple will burn incense and recite scriptures morning and evening, praying for blessings for Master.”

“Life is determined by oneself, why ask for the grace of Immortal Gods?”

Zhou Yi leaped up, stepping on the water’s surface and gliding more than ten zhang, slowly sinking into the center of the Heavenly Pond.

In the water, the Innate cold qi was even denser, refining it faster than in the outside world. He breathed using the Embryonic Breathing Technique, drank directly from the river when thirsty, and ate fish and shrimp from the bottom of the lake when hungry.

This was true seclusion and arduous cultivation, unaware of the passage of day and night, oblivious to the changes of seasons.

From then on,

The Misty Wave Angler was never seen again and was gradually forgotten by the martial world.

…

In the thirteenth year of Taichang,

the Empress Dowager passed away, Emperor Taichang began to rule in person.

The following year,

Marshal Xie was ordered to lead troops to inspect the North, battling the Northern Border army, winning consecutive battles and advancing a thousand miles.

…

In early October,

the cold wind on the Northern Border was piercing to the bone, the land was ice-bound for a thousand miles, and snow was drifting for ten thousand miles.

Snow Wolf Valley.

Stretched over a hundred li, with cliffs on either side topped with a hundred zhang high ice.

Though normally a place few people visited at this time of year, the valley was bustling with activity, teeming with figures, echoing with the whinnies of horses and the rumbling of wheels, as an army of tens of thousands stretched for dozens of miles moving slowly.

At the same time,

thousands of soldiers appeared on the top of the cliffs on both sides, each dressed in snow-white cotton clothes.

In the midst, two middle-aged men were surrounded. The leader was frail and pale, tightening his polar bear fur cloak when the wind blew.

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The man beside him wore a light garment, unfazed by the harsh wind in his face.

“Princely Heir, with the Imperial Court’s army having entered the strategic pass, there is no need for you to personally oversee the battle. You can wait for the good news back at the camp. Do not harm your health.”

“Thank you for your concern, Brother Feng.”

The frail middle-aged man was Zhang Liang, the Heir Apparent to the Northern Border King and the real commander of the Northern Border army. Worried, he said, “Today’s battle is critical for the safety of the Northwestern Frontier. I’ll be uneasy if I don’t see it for myself.”

Feng Ze nodded slightly, full of admiration for Zhang Liang.

When he and his father sought refuge in the Northwestern Frontier, they faced opposition from many generals of the Northern Border army. It was the Heir Apparent Zhang Liang who maneuvered on their behalf, allowing him and his father to establish themselves firmly.

Latter when developing and training the Firearms army, Zhang Liang advocated for secrecy and kept a low profile.

“The Northern Border army must battle the Imperial Court!”

Zhang Liang suggested that the Northern Border King should feign weakness and yield at every turn, making the Imperial Court relax its vigilance, thereby gaining more time to train the new army.

At the start of the conflict, the Northern Border army only deployed a very small number of the Firearms army. Mostly, they still relied on cold weapons, engaging the Imperial Court’s army briefly before retreating, purposefully acting defeated as a strategy of deceit.

Waiting for the right moment and location, they aimed to annihilate the main force of the Imperial Court in one fell swoop.

Feng Ze asked with a hint of doubt, “Princely Heir, how can you be sure that Marshal Xie would dare to venture close to Snow Wolf Valley?”

Snow Wolf Valley’s terrain was treacherous, unsuitable for the movement of troops, but on the other side, it led directly to the Town of the North, shortening the distance by a thousand li and allowing for an unexpected attack.

“There’s only a seventy percent certainty,”

said Zhang Liang. “Thirty percent of it is due to Marshal Xie. I have pondered over his background repeatedly. Initially, he was just a down-and-out military officer who lived off the empty payrolls of household troops.”

“By chance, during Zhou’s campaign across the martial world, Xie made a name for himself through his ancestral military training and formation methods, earning considerable merits. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll find he only defeated bandits and water pirates.”

“Afterward, he exterminated the Southern Barbarians relying on the new Cannons. Otherwise, why had he achieved nothing in the previous years?”

“Subsequently, by supporting Emperor Taichang’s ascension, he rose to the position of Grand Marshal of all troops in the world, which was due to his political maneuvering, not military achievement.”

Zhang Liang paused and continued, “Therefore, I surmise that Marshal Xie is only fit to be a general. He may have the cleverness to choose sides, but he is far from a great strategist!”

“That’s a sound argument.”

Feng Ze didn’t think highly of Marshal Xie; it was his father who truly achieved the feat of conquering a nation. To this day, Daqing’s rule over the Northwestern Frontier was still riding on the coattails of the late Prince of Pingxi’s legacy.

“What about the other forty percent certainty?”

Zhang Liang replied, “Thirty percent comes from a secret report from the Capital, Emperor Taichang has ordered the eunuchs to lead the army in secret, instructing Marshal Xie to capture the Town of the North before the New Year, as a celebration of the new auspiciousness!”

“Isn’t this nonsense…”

Feng Ze couldn’t help but shake his head; no wonder since early September, the Imperial Court’s army had already begun encamping and fortifying, waiting to continue advancing their troops next spring after the snow melted.

This was a strategy of mature and assured victory, without surprises or a greedy pursuit of great achievements, sweeping the Northern Defense’s army with the grand momentum of the Imperial Court.

“The remaining ten percent, we leave to destiny!”

As Zhang Liang spoke, his gaze turned to the valley below, where tens of thousands of soldiers lay, a glance of reluctance flickering in his eyes. Regardless of allegiance, these were living, breathing men, pillars of their families, husbands, and fathers.

“The time is almost upon us, light the wolf smoke signals!”

A moment later.

Wolf smoke signals shot up to the sky, like Heavenly Pillars erected on the cliffs.

When the Imperial Court’s army in the valley saw the wolf smoke, they were thrown into disarray. However, being well-drilled troops, they quickly regained composure under the command of their leader and attempted to quicken their pace to escape the Heavenly Wolf Valley.

But it was too late; the valley had been rigged with explosives every ten or so miles, which were ignited as soon as the wolf smoke rose.

The rumbling detonations were continuous, triggering an avalanche.

Countless soldiers were buried alive in the snow, and those who were fortunate enough to survive faced a barrage of heavy artillery fire.

The cannons of the Northern Defense army were inferior in range and power to those of the Imperial Court’s forces; however, given their high ground advantage, it was easy to obliterate the enemy.

The bombardment lasted for half the day. When it ended, the Heavenly Wolf Valley fell eerily silent.

“Cough cough cough…”

Zhang Liang coughed violently a few times, then ordered, “Gather the Imperial Court’s supplies, and station troops southwards in the three prefectures of the Northern Border!”

Feng Ze asked in surprise, “Are we still going to fight?”

“No more fighting.”

Zhang Liang answered, “The Northern Defense army is no match for the Imperial Court. They cannot compete in firearms or logistics. It will be enough if they can negotiate at the table and secure compensation.”

After the battle at Heavenly Wolf Valley, the Northern Defense army had used more than half of their ammunition and could no longer support a large-scale campaign.

Moving troops towards the three prefectures of the Northern Border was designed to keep the Imperial Court in the dark about their actual strength and to secure more advantages at the negotiation table.

Feng Ze reminded, “The Imperial Court won’t let this go easily. Once they regroup, they’ll surely head north again. We must secure enough advantages to prepare for war.”

“It’s nothing but land and indemnity,”

Zhang Liang said. “To the east of the Northern Frontier lies vast plains and mountains rich in resources, sparsely populated with only several hundred thousand residents due to the harsh climate. The Imperial Court has always cared little for this land; taking it will ensure we no longer lack resources.”

Feng Ze sighed, “After such a triumphant victory, we can only negotiate. When will we march upon the Capital?”

Zhang Liang pondered for a long while, then slowly said.

“Wait for Chancellor Tang to pass away!”

…

The thirteenth year of Emperor Taichang’s reign.

Winter.

The main force of the Northern Defense army laid an ambush in the Heavenly Wolf Valley. The Heir Apparent to the Northern Border King personally oversaw the battle, defeating a hundred and fifty thousand troops of the Imperial Court, achieving a resounding victory.

Marshal Xie died for his country, and with the Northern Defense army intending to move south, the court was shaken.

Emperor Taichang sent envoys to negotiate peace, recognizing the rights of the Northern Border King in the Northern Frontier, withdrawing all Imperial officials, ceding the northeastern region of Daqing, and compensating with fifteen million taels of silver.

…

Heavenly Pond.

The heavy snow sealed the mountain, and the lake surface was frozen several feet thick with ice.

Suddenly.

Undercurrents surged beneath the water, the ice began to crack and a fissure extended in all directions. With a loud bang, a column of water shot up several zhang high.

Zhou Yi stood in the air, his robes fluttering, like an Immortal amid humans.

“I wonder what year it is now; I should descend the mountain to find out!”

While talking to himself, he shifted across the void, flying out more than a hundred zhang; the ice could not withstand the stimulation of his True Qi and shattered into dust. Only then did Zhou Yi slowly land,

“If I find a Divine Weapon that is compatible with the Heavenly Sword Technique, perhaps I can fly with Sword Control as the legends say.”

Even for the Nameless Sword God, using the Heavenly Sword Technique only allowed him to leap a hundred or so zhang before running out of True Qi. However, Zhou Yi’s True Qi was so vast he could fly a thousand zhang without rest.

To the eyes of ordinary people, it was no different from Sword Control.

At the edge of Heavenly Pond.

The thatched cottage where he once resided had collapsed, mostly buried in snow, with a mound nearby topped with a piece of bluestone.

It read: Here lies the Fisherman, master of Misty Wave Angler. Erected by disciple Gu Xiao.

The inscription was dated the eighth year of Emperor Taichang, early September.

“Heh heh heh…”

Zhou Yi let out a strange laugh, finding it amusing.

“It appears I am already dead, but why is only Xiao’er’s name on the gravestone, and not Yun’er’s?”