Chapter 132: Chapter 119: Mortal Cultivation

In Du Chengfeng’s understanding, Evil Qi is called Evil Qi largely because it resembles gases.

Although he still hasn’t figured out the principle behind Evil Qi entering the body, he has a deep impression of the sensation of releasing Evil Qi—it is simply about channeling the Evil Qi that has entered the body through a weapon as a medium to release it outside. Whether it’s the fiery blade of the Heavy Great Saber or the cold wind of the Ancient Great Axe, or the invisible edge previously swung by the Broken Horse Long Saber, and Cui Yuan’s sword glow... although their manifestations differ, their essence is the same.

Even the new halberd he acquired is like this.

If there’s anything special about it, it would perhaps be the Rectangular Sword, which might be influenced by Old Man Ruan’s personality, as its expression is more restrained, converting Evil Qi into its own striking force. Still, Du Chengfeng vaguely remembers that when he was determined to face Xiang Rong head-on, this Rectangular Sword once shone brightly.

Although that time he preferred to use the halberd, so he sheathed the Rectangular Sword back, there’s no doubt that at certain times, even this introverted heavy sword desires to show itself.

And here’s the issue.

The same release of Evil Qi, the phantom of the golden-armored deity was not a crude eruption.

Instead, it had more of a substantial, realistic touch.

"How on earth is this achieved?"

Du Chengfeng felt his brain was not enough, this kind of deduction was too taxing for him.

Fortunately, now he has books to read.

But these books were not the kind of holy text taught by Old Man Ruan, but scriptures praising the "Taiyin Demon-Subduing Mysterious Emperor," given collectively by the young cultivators when they led them, the refugees, into the mountain village. According to these young cultivators, reciting these scriptures diligently every day would lead to awakening mysteries and understanding the Immortal’s strange techniques.

Du Chengfeng had been reciting them for about three to five days, yet he hadn’t comprehended any Immortal’s techniques, so in his frustration, he decided to take walks instead, using these days to explore the mountain village thoroughly.

It’s hard to imagine how such a small Mountain God Temple could manage such an enterprise, this hidden village in the mountains managed to easily accommodate tens of thousands of refugees—according to Old Man Yang Xuan’s observation, this village was much larger than the Dock Fortress of the Yang family back then, its grand scale hidden in the mountain nearly rivaling that central border fortress in Jizhen.

"A village alone manages this scale... maybe we should be leaving."

Du Chengfeng remembered the terrified look on Old Man Yang’s face upon seeing the village. Evidently, as the head of the Jibei Yang family, which once rose with Southern Chen’s founding emperor, Yang Xuan immediately thought of some unspoken truth.

However, Du Chengfeng didn’t see it that way.

Before, seeing a mere Mountain God Temple possessing such power might have led him to suspect them of rebellion—but now, with some understanding of Evil Qi, he’s realized that warfare in this world isn’t something won solely by numbers.

Like what he did in Yanzhou and Jizhou, no matter how many troops the enemy had, as long as they couldn’t release Evil Qi, they were nothing but clay chickens and porcelain dogs. Even those elite armored soldiers with Evil Qi in bodies, their armor could only block ordinary weapons; once facing released Evil Qi, it was no different from paper.

Even if this small Mountain God Temple managed to gather people and seize the county office, once the Southern Chen court sent a few fierce generals, a few sweeping battles and it would be pacified.

In this era where individual strength far surpasses ordinary, trying to stir things up just by sheer numbers is nearly impossible.

"Unless this thing really works."

Du Chengfeng looked again at the scriptures in his hands.

Though evidently, this thing was useless. During this time of idleness, he asked other refugees about it and found no one had understood any mysterious techniques through recitation.

Yet whenever someone questioned this, those young cultivators with magic swords on their backs would reveal the golden-armored deity phantom behind them.

"Sincerity makes it effective."

The cultivators answered this way.

Perhaps sincerity indeed makes it effective, as the village didn’t only harbor these refugees but also some locals from Yiyang County. These local youths were reciting scriptures and practicing strange techniques—and among these local youths, two individuals actually managed to conjure the golden-armored deity phantom.

Thus, these two persons were invited to the treasured hall on the mountain, their clothes changed into the plain robes of the cultivators, each bestowed a magic sword, truly enviable.

"What’s the matter?"

Du Chengfeng was quite perplexed.

It doesn’t make sense, there’s no reason for it. Even though he’s clear that he’s not a born genius, his intelligence average, it’s still inexplicable that even Yiyang’s youths can comprehend something he completely cannot.

"If only it were a sword instead of a book, then he could just sharpen it."

Weighing the scriptures in his hand, Du Chengfeng contemplated whether he should simply seek a magic sword from a young cultivator and sharpen it, perhaps he might find the true secret method.