In the blink of an eye, another day had passed.
As the sky darkened, the dim yellow night gradually enveloped the forest, and at this moment, Chu Weiyang, with one hand dragging a leopard and the other carrying a bag of spirit medicines and herbs, calmly walked out from the thickening mist.
He crossed the restrictions and placed the dead leopard and the herbs in front of the Wind Pavilion.
Meanwhile, the stable master poked at a branch, tending to the bonfire.
The flames danced, growing stronger with each passing moment.
Chu Weiyang, holding a long sword, quickly skewered half of the beast meat onto a branch and roasted it over the fire.
Leaving a space for the flames, he carefully burned away the moisture from the colorful herbs and grass on the fire.
Even though the stable master found the "Green Bamboo Pill Scripture" unbearable, the fact that it could be named a pill scripture still held some profound meaning.
A dark green jade slip imparted to Chu Weiyang not only the cultivation techniques of the Green Bamboo Ancestor but also various poisonous knowledge to assist in cultivation.
These were things that Chu Weiyang couldn't fully comprehend at the moment, but he could at least gather poisonous herbs from the lush forest.
In a short time, the herbs were dried, and Chu Weiyang effortlessly crushed them into powder in his hands.
The bag full of herbs turned into a bowl of fine powder in Chu Weiyang's hands.
Walking to the large jar, he carefully lifted the sealed paper, revealing a strong fishy scent.
Initially, the scent was intense, almost warning of danger, but before anyone could react, it transformed into an elegant fragrance between breaths, reminiscent of blooming flowers, refreshing the senses and tempting one to take another whiff.
In a flash, Chu Weiyang bit his tongue lightly, the sharp pain awakening his senses.
He quickly moved away from the jar's opening, raising the bowl in his hand and evenly sprinkling the powdery herbs into the jar.
The fragrance grew stronger.
Sealing the jar with the paper, Chu Weiyang returned to the bonfire, devouring the roasted meat voraciously, as if a mythical beast reincarnated.
With the entire leopard consumed, the night deepened.
Chu Weiyang continued his cultivation without rest, swallowing several Breakthrough Pills.
As the demonic energy in his body fluctuated, he endured the warmth and pain circulating through his limbs.
Holding his sword, he tirelessly practiced the "Springtime Sword" thirty-six times.
Now, only two sword intents remained uncomprehended.
While the direction of the Clear Bright Sword Intent was still uncertain, the Grain Rain Sword Intent was a perfect self-nourishing sword.
According to the stable master, during the turbulent demonic energy circulation and the nourishment of the organs and meridians by the medicine, it was easiest to comprehend the self-nourishing sword intent.
Ancient sages used water to symbolize spiritual energy.
The Grain Rain Sword Intent built upon the Rain Water Sword Intent, reaching a higher level.
Perhaps Chu Weiyang had finally recognized his talent in swordsmanship.
During this period, Chu Weiyang had completely forgotten the "Springtime Sword" and focused on feeling the majestic and vast artistic conception.
As if a torrential rain poured from the sky!
As if the vast ocean roared in the dantian!
This majestic artistic conception detached from the pure rain and spiritual energy imagery, transforming into an intangible vastness.
Gradually, with the transmission of pain, it merged with the countless demonic energies accumulated in his limbs.
The demonic energy formed a vast sea, boundless.
Chu Weiyang had a long and profound experience of the accumulation of demonic energy in his body, turning past hardships into stepping stones for the future.
In the following days, Chu Weiyang almost reached enlightenment on the Grain Rain Sword Intent several times, pushing him to focus more on the cultivation of the "Springtime Sword."
Each new sword intent comprehended was a step closer to breaking free from the shackles of death.
As the dim bonfire flickered in the night breeze, the stable master watched Chu Weiyang's sword dance under the moonlight, feeling a mix of emotions.
Suddenly, he recalled a poem Chu Weiyang had recited a few days ago:
"The guest has been absent for a long time, leaving behind beautiful scenery for you. The West Tower is dedicated to appreciation, why bother asking for more. Summoning a bright moon, shining on my heart full of ice and snow, the vast rivers flow. The whale has not swallowed the sea, but the sword aura has already crossed the autumn."
"The wild light floats, the sky is vast, the beauty is hidden. The Central Plains hold grudges, who knows how many people are worried tonight. Who remembers the aging heroes, disregarding fame and fortune, decisions still pending. This matter is hard to explain, let's deal with it another day."
Lost in his thoughts, the stable master watched the moonlight reflecting off the sword, feeling a sudden urge.
It seemed like he was on the verge of a drunken outburst.
Or perhaps, he was simply intoxicated by the scene before him.
The next day, when Chu Weiyang swallowed another Breakthrough Pill, the slightly weakened warmth barely lifted his spirits.
For many days, he had been practicing the "Five Organs Nourishing Qi Technique" without restraint.
Finally, Chu Weiyang sensed the diminishing effect of the Breakthrough Pill, a phenomenon beyond his previous knowledge.
His experiences in this life and the previous one made it easy for Chu Weiyang to accept the concept of "drug tolerance." The inevitable decline in the efficacy of the medicine was a challenge he would have to face in the future.
The discovery was just one of the many hidden challenges he had to overcome.
Standing up slowly, leaning against the open window, Chu Weiyang let the warm sunlight shine on his pale face and thin body, relaxing his tense muscles.
Then, he drew his sword, cut his palm, and let the crimson blood drip into the wooden bowl.
After a moment, Chu Weiyang, slightly unsteady, swallowed a Dragon-Tiger Revitalizing Pill and poured the bowl of blood, filled with demonic energy, into the large jar.
As the night passed, the fishy scent grew stronger, gradually transforming into a more delicate fragrance, reminiscent of sun-dried bedding, the earthy scent of soil mixed with grass, and the subtle fragrance of a beautiful woman's neck.
Upon sealing the jar again, Chu Weiyang couldn't help but sigh, "The toxicity of this demonic energy is potent even before cultivation. When the poisonous snake truly emerges, endangering lives, it will be effortless."
Whether it was the conflict between good and evil or the prolonged exposure to demonic energy that clouded his mind, the stable master had never spoken a kind word about the "Green Bamboo Pill Scripture."
At this moment, hearing Chu Weiyang's sigh, the stable master could only sneer, "Ha! Indeed! Indeed! The toxicity of that creature endangering lives is formidable. Once it devours its master, endangering our lives, it will be equally formidable!"
Perhaps accustomed to the stable master's reactions, Chu Weiyang, with his sword in hand, casually spoke as he practiced, "If we could die in that gentle illusion, it might not be a bad ending..."
In the end, it was unclear who influenced whom, but Chu Weiyang and the stable master had both developed a habit of poking fun at each other.
Another day passed without the emergence of the poisonous snake or the realization of the sword intent.
On the third day, adding another bowl of demonic blood, Chu Weiyang and the stable master ventured into the forest, collecting a basket full of poisonous herbs.
They filled the jar almost to the brim with the powdered herbs, following the instructions of the "Green Bamboo Pill Scripture." Regardless of whether the snake could be refined from the jar, this would be Chu Weiyang's final addition of ingredients, involving life.
Even if it was just the life of an ignorant beast, in the eyes of cultivators from both righteous and demonic paths, it touched upon the profound mysteries of life and creation.
At this moment, Chu Weiyang had reached his limit.
The bowls of pure demonic blood, to some extent, surpassed the definition of the pill scripture, becoming a unique treasure of demonic energy!
The following events would depend on the forces of nature.
Despite belittling the "Green Bamboo Pill Scripture" throughout, the stable master's attention was now fixed on the jar.
Rarely affected, even Chu Weiyang found it challenging to focus on practicing the "Springtime Sword" as his mind was preoccupied.
Until a moment when the rustling sounds from the jar reached their ears.
Initially faint and almost imperceptible, the sounds intensified, and both Chu Weiyang and the stable master breathed a sigh of relief as the noises subsided.
A sense of relaxation spread throughout their bodies, a feeling of awe after witnessing the power of nature.
Even the stable master, burdened by chronic phantom pains, revealed a childlike smile at that moment.
Between life and death lies great terror and great creation!
Though only a glimpse of the life-and-death power was revealed, it was enough to soothe the troubled minds of these afflicted individuals.
As the stable master seemed on the verge of expressing his emotions, his gaze shifted to Chu Weiyang, freezing the childlike smile on his face.
His stiff cheeks and twitching mouth turned the smile from childlike to foolish.
Under the stable master's gaze, a new sword intent emerged from Chu Weiyang, a spring-like vitality harboring all living beings, cleansing the impurities and gloom from the lush earth, quietly revealing the power of life and death.
Just like the jar before them, the vitality and creation revealed in that moment nurtured both a life-sustaining sword and a sword brewing with murderous intent.
Two completely different images intertwined and resonated in a way never seen before!
Concealed within the sheath - the Clear Bright Sword Intent!
He no longer needed to make a choice, for he had already made one!
Seeing Chu Weiyang's smile gradually forming, the stable master's face lost its smile.
He seemed to have laid bare all the grievances he had endured for half his life, gritting his teeth and cursing, "Damn heavens, damn heavens! This is the Six Righteous Sword Intent!"
On the fourth day, Chu Weiyang, unusually, did not diligently practice cultivation.
He and the stable master squatted in front of the jar, listening with interest to the sounds within, sensing the changes inside.
Chu Weiyang was intrigued because these changes would greatly aid his comprehension of the "Green Bamboo Pill Scripture," allowing him to verify the knowledge flowing in his memory and gradually reach enlightenment.
The stable master's observation was likely influenced by his envy and jealousy of Chu Weiyang's concealed Clear Bright Sword Intent.
Even with half his body missing, the stable master still sought to comprehend something new.
Throughout the fourth day, the sounds from the jar were similar to the previous day, with some periods of even quieter activity.
However, the real commotion occurred in the late hours of the fourth day.
For the first time, Chu Weiyang and the stable master realized that the hissing of snakes could be so loud and frequent, resonating with a palpable intent to kill, utterly unreasonable and ferocious!
Subsequently, a cacophony of sounds made it difficult to discern the changes within.
There were sounds of collision, piercing screams, and the harsh thuds of snake bodies hitting the walls of the jar.
These sounds made the stable master's eyelids tremble uncontrollably.
Despite his experience, having a legitimate lineage in the Sword Sect, he had never encountered such a fierce cultivation method!
Chu Weiyang, on the other hand, closed his eyes slowly as memories of the past flooded his mind.
He imagined the jar's events as a replica of his experiences in the Demon-Sealing Cave.
In a daze, he felt that the events in the jar were just a reenactment of his time in the Demon-Sealing Cave.
"Good child, put in more effort! Try harder! Don't be defeated! Find a way, find every possible way to survive!" he whispered softly.
As the intense sounds gradually subsided, a sense of relief washed over them.
A whole night passed, and when the morning sun once again illuminated the forest.
The large jar cracked open.
Chu Weiyang looked on in amazement.
"Good child, come here, let me have a good look at you!"
In response to Chu Weiyang's call, a hissing sound emanated from the jar.
In the shattered jar, a snake as white as sheep fat slowly slithered towards Chu Weiyang.
The jade snake moved gracefully, resembling flowing light.
Its movements were like cascading waves, distant and continuous.
Flowers bloomed as fish swam.
The red strings seemed about to tilt.
The person was surprised by the jade light.
The little duck was surprised to wake up.
The green shade on both banks grew.
In the corridor, the oriole was heard singing.
Many books are now hard to find, so cherish them while you can.