Chapter 144: The World's Most Extraordinary Technique

Chapter 144: The World's Most Extraordinary Technique

This is the Temporal Mirror, capable of displaying scenes from a specific moment in the past. Of course, activating the Temporal Mirror is no easy feat—it requires an entry point, known as the Temporal Key. No matter how high one's martial prowess or how profound their divine abilities, without the Temporal Key, it is impossible to locate the desired scene within the vast universe.

At this moment, Zhang Linshan serves as that temporal entry point.

The Spiritual Void Venerable traces the aura emanating from him, uncovering events tied to his past.

The images on the Temporal Mirror rapidly rewind before finally settling on a scene—Emperor's City under a heavy downpour, an ancient and weathered mansion. Zhang Linshan thrusts a finger forward, striking Ning Xiaochuan's palm.

From Ning Xiaochuan's palm emerges a surge of Devouring Force, causing Zhang Linshan's arm to wither slowly. The Blood Qi and Profound Qi within Zhang Linshan's body are absorbed by Ning Xiaochuan until, with a desperate palm strike to his own chest, Zhang Linshan forcibly separates himself from Ning Xiaochuan.

Boom!

The Temporal Mirror shatters, and the scene vanishes.

"Ning Xiaochuan has indeed cultivated the Blood Devouring Demon Art!" Han Fu's expression turns grave, his gaze toward Ning Xiaochuan now laden with complexity, his tone laced with deep apprehension toward the technique.

A triumphant smile spreads across Zhang Linshan's face. Let’s see how Ning Xiaochuan refutes this now!

Han Fu's eyes gleam with stern authority as he declares, "The evidence is irrefutable. Ning Xiaochuan, what possible rebuttal do you have left?"

Ning Xiaochuan replies calmly, "I have not cultivated the Blood Devouring Demon Art."

Zhang Linshan, his voice thick with grief and fury, cries out, "Ning Xiaochuan is a Demon Sect Fiend! If we do not execute him today, how can we answer to the souls of the forty-one academy disciples who perished?"

With a wave of his arm, Han Fu signals two armored warriors from the Law Enforcement Team to step forward. Their auras radiate killing intent as they move to drag Ning Xiaochuan away for execution.

"Hold!" The Spiritual Void Venerable takes a step forward, her voice ethereal and melodious, like celestial music resonating in the ears of all present in the Law Enforcement Hall.

Han Fu glances at her, aware of her mysterious origins, and treats her with deference. He waves his hand again, instructing the two warriors to release Ning Xiaochuan for now.

The Spiritual Void Venerable asks, "Before this moment, has anyone here personally witnessed a Demon Sect expert wield the Blood Devouring Demon Art—devouring human blood and absorbing Profound Qi?"

Silence falls over the Law Enforcement Hall.

Han Fu solemnly states, "Those capable of cultivating the Blood Devouring Demon Art are undoubtedly high-ranking experts of the Demon Sect. Demon Sect experts are notoriously ruthless, leaving no witnesses alive. Even if someone had seen them perform the technique, they would surely have been killed."

Zhang Linshan adds, "Exactly. No one who has witnessed a Demon Sect expert use the Blood Devouring Demon Art has ever survived."

"Then does this not mean none of you have actually seen the Blood Devouring Demon Art in action before?" The Spiritual Void Venerable's form seems to drift within mist, elusive and ever-shifting, as if she exists not in this space but somewhere far beyond.

Once again, silence reigns.

The Spiritual Void Venerable continued, "I have personally witnessed a master of the Demon Sect wield the Blood Devouring Demon Art. Once activated, the practitioner becomes frenzied, bloodthirsty, with crimson pupils, and a cloud of blood emanates from their body. The deeper their cultivation, the wider the blood cloud spreads and the denser it becomes. This blood cloud is called the 'Blood Devouring Cloud,' the foundation of the Blood Devouring Demon Art."

"Any martial artist enveloped by this cloud will have their Blood Qi and Profound Qi completely drained, reduced to a withered corpse."

"Earlier, when I observed the images reflected in the Temporal Mirror, Ning Xiaochuan did not manifest the 'Blood Devouring Cloud' while executing his peculiar technique. His gaze remained firm and calm throughout, showing no trace of panic or fear even when facing opponents far stronger than himself. These are traits absent in practitioners of the Blood Devouring Demon Art. Thus, I believe Ning Xiaochuan may not be cultivating the Blood Devouring Demon Art but another extraordinary technique."

Had anyone else spoken these words, they would have been met with scorn. Yet, coming from the Spiritual Void Venerable, they instilled unwavering belief in all present, for everyone knew of her unique status.

"If that's the case, doesn't that mean the technique Ning Xiaochuan cultivates surpasses even the Blood Devouring Demon Art?" someone exclaimed.

"No wonder Ning Xiaochuan, at merely sixteen, has reached the Sixth Level of the Divine Body Realm and conquered the Fifth Level of the Heavenly Bridge. He must possess a heaven-defying technique!"

"If I could cultivate such a technique, I'd surely surpass Ning Xiaochuan and become invincible. Within a decade, I'd undoubtedly rise as the foremost expert of the Yulan Empire!"

Greed and fervor gleamed in many eyes. Within the Hall of Judgment, every martial artist fixed their burning gazes upon Ning Xiaochuan, their restless desire palpable.

A technique superior to the Blood Devouring Demon Art?

The Blood Devouring Demon Art was hailed as the foremost miraculous technique in the world. Though every martial artist present despised it, given the chance to cultivate it, none would hesitate to seize the opportunity. For the Blood Devouring Demon Art was indeed profound—stealing the Blood Qi and Profound Qi of others to bolster one's own power. Who wouldn't covet such a divine art?

Yet the Blood Devouring Demon Art had its flaws. Its side effects were severe. Once activated, the practitioner would grow bloodthirsty and frenzied, sometimes losing control entirely. Some Demon Sect masters, consumed by its backlash, became mindless, blood-crazed fiends.

And now, Ning Xiaochuan allegedly cultivated a technique even more formidable than the Blood Devouring Demon Art—one without such drawbacks. Naturally, this set everyone's hearts ablaze with longing, each eager to force Ning Xiaochuan to divulge its secrets.

Han Fu, too, burned with desire for this technique, though he masked it beneath a cold facade. "Ning Xiaochuan," he demanded sharply, "what sinister art have you cultivated? Confess the truth at once!"

Only Ning Xiaochuan knew the truth—he possessed no miraculous technique. His ability to absorb others' Blood Qi and Profound Qi stemmed solely from the power of the Demonic Sword. Revealing its secret was out of the question, so he resolved to weave a tale aligning with their expectations.

Deliberately, Ning Xiaochuan allowed hesitation to flicker across his face.

Han Fu observed Ning Xiaochuan's expression and became even more convinced that he had indeed cultivated some remarkable divine art. He said, "If you don’t confess truthfully today, no one can save your life."

Ning Xiaochuan seemed to make a difficult decision and said, "Fine. I admit I’ve cultivated an extraordinary technique called—the 'Northern Abyss Divine Art.'"

Originally, Ning Xiaochuan had considered fabricating names like "Star-Devouring Great Technique" or "Energy-Dissolving Great Technique," but both sounded too sinister. If he mentioned them, these people would surely accuse him of practicing demonic arts and immediately turn hostile.

The moment the words "Northern Abyss Divine Art" left Ning Xiaochuan’s lips, every martial artist present committed the name to memory.

It was easy to imagine that today, news would spread from the Emperor's Ruins, reaching the hands of major figures from noble houses and sects. The fame of the "Northern Abyss Divine Art" would likely sweep across the entire Yulan Empire in an astonishingly short time.

A divine art even more mysterious than the "Blood Devouring Demon Art."

Ning Xiaochuan’s name would become synonymous with the "Northern Abyss Divine Art," and countless martial experts would undoubtedly seek him out, pressuring him to hand over this extraordinary technique.

Of course, that was a matter for later.

Deputy Headmaster Yan of the Diamond Martial Academy frowned slightly and said, "In my youth, I traveled the world and encountered countless profound arts, yet I’ve never heard of the 'Northern Abyss Divine Art.' Even the Jian Pavilion Marquis House’s foremost divine canon, the 'Heart Furnace Divine Canon,' likely pales in comparison. Ning Xiaochuan, you still refuse to honestly explain the origins of this technique?"

The Spiritual Void Venerable also fixed her gaze on Ning Xiaochuan, deeply curious about this divine art.

There were very few things that could pique her interest.

Since Ning Xiaochuan had decided to fabricate, he would commit to the lie. He said, "That only proves how narrow-minded you all are. Since childhood, I’ve suffered from a congenital ailment that prevented me from cultivating Martial Arts Profound Qi. But not long ago, I encountered an extraordinary man. Not only did he impart the 'Northern Abyss Divine Art' to me, but he also cured my congenital ailment."

"If such a man truly exists in this world, he must be a figure of great renown. Tell us, what is his name?" Deputy Headmaster Yan demanded.

Ning Xiaochuan gently stroked his chin and said, "That extraordinary man only told me his surname—'Zhuang.' This Master Zhuang possessed vast knowledge and unfathomable cultivation, almost like a deity descended to earth."

"He said, 'In the barren north lies the Abyss Sea, a heavenly pool. There dwells a fish, thousands of kilometers wide, yet none know its true length.'"

He also said, "'If the accumulation of water is not deep, it cannot bear a great vessel. Pour a cup of water into a hollow in the ground, and a mustard seed will float like a boat. But place the cup itself there, and it will stick—the water is too shallow for the vessel.'"

"What nonsense is this? You’re clearly spouting gibberish!" Zhang Linshan snapped.

Ning Xiaochuan sneered, "Just because you don’t understand doesn’t mean these words lack meaning. Master Zhuang said these very phrases encapsulate the essence of the 'Northern Abyss Divine Art.' All Martial Arts Divine Abilities in the world are at my disposal, just like the Abyss—bearing both great and small vessels, accommodating both massive fish and tiny ones."

Ning Xiaochuan continued, "All rivers flow into the sea, and the sea’s vastness comes from embracing them. The boundless ocean exists because of accumulation."

The martial artists present were utterly bewildered, having no idea what Ning Xiaochuan was talking about.

Only the Spiritual Void Venerable seemed to have grasped something, carefully pondering Ning Xiaochuan's words.

The Spiritual Void Venerable fixed a deep gaze on Ning Xiaochuan and said, "What you speak of is a principle—simply put, you liken yourself to the sea and other martial artists to rivers. The waters of the rivers must all flow into the sea. This is the essence of the Northern Abyss Divine Art absorbing the Blood Qi and Profound Qi of other martial artists—'All rivers flow into the sea,' and I am the Northern Abyss."

Ning Xiaochuan clapped in approval and said, "Finally, I meet someone intelligent. A Venerable is indeed a Venerable, not to be compared with those ordinary fools. The God of the Northern Abyss—boundless above, limitless below. Cultivate for ten years, and you shall be invincible under heaven."

All the martial artists present were shaken by these words.

Ning Xiaochuan also let out a sigh of relief in his heart. By plagiarizing the words of the sage 'Zhuang,' he had finally managed to deceive them all.