Chapter 52: The Useless Divine Skill
The moment Tao Wenshu drew her sword, the area around the watchtower dimmed, as if all the light in the world had been drawn into the blade itself.
The Sect Master of the Xiaoming Sect tapped her toes, leaped from the watchtower, and sprinted toward the Zhen Mansion with the grace of one treading on air.
Her black robes fluttered, her speed increasing with every step as she descended. In the blink of an eye, she transformed into a streak of gloom, plunging into the small building that had already been shaken to ruins by the gale.
Within that gloom, a meteor suddenly manifested, tearing across the sky and illuminating the surroundings as it descended with overwhelming momentum toward the top of Ji Hanyi’s head.
This was the sword light of Tao Wenshu.
"Flying Star Piercing the Dawn!"
The strike descended like a celestial immortal from beyond the heavens. Though Ji Hanyi’s expression remained unchanged, she revealed the abnormalities that had been concealed by her "Heaven-Altering Earth-Shifting Divine Art."
Her ears transformed into rounded, tawny tiger ears; sharp, thorn-like claws sprouted from her palms, resembling those of a tiger; a layer of brown canine fur covered the backs of her hands; two sharp, lethal fangs protruded from her mouth; and a tiger tail, a full ten feet long, dragged behind her.
The yellow-and-black striped tail snapped taut, whipping through the air with a crack and striking the side of the "Flying Star."
Amidst the sound of clashing metal, Yan Changqing, who had been sprawled in the ruins of the small building, opened his eyes.
He had been tossed about by the violent wind earlier, but despite his tattered clothes, he remained completely unscathed.
In this moment, his dark, bottomless pupils grew even deeper, as if he had drawn the dark, starry night brought by Tao Wenshu into his very gaze, yet without plucking a single star.
In an instant, the entire Zhen Mansion, along with North Water Street, became abnormally dim. The bright, sunny summer afternoon was replaced by the oppressive atmosphere of a storm-heavy sky, with many areas becoming so dark that one could not see their own fingers.
Heaven-Altering Earth-Shifting Divine Art!
"Carry me on your back!
"Channel your Qi to the soles of your feet!"
Yan Changqing’s hoarse, aged voice echoed within Ding Songyan’s Sea of Consciousness.
Ding Songyan had no time to think, nor the capacity to do so. Instinctively, he followed Yan Changqing’s instructions, transferring the remaining "seeds" of Clear Mist to his feet.
With a leap, he vaulted from the underground fighting chamber into the ruins of the small building above. He hoisted Yan Changqing onto his back and, taking advantage of the oppressive darkness and the fact that Ji Hanyi was locked in a fierce battle with Tao Wenshu, he chose a direction at random and began to sprint away with a series of continuous, powerful bounds.
He possessed only "Qi," not a proper movement technique.
As he fled, Yan Changqing channeled new "Qi" into his Sea of Consciousness, forming fresh "seeds" of Clear Mist. Out of the corner of his eye, Ding Songyan caught a glimpse of Mr. Yu lying dead among the flowers and trees.
A look of profound shock and bewilderment was frozen on Mr. Yu’s face.
Ding Songyan had no leisure to lament; he took another massive leap, fleeing the area of the small building.
…………
Qi Xiaoxiang moved through the various courtyards, setting fire to several buildings.
Along the way, she encountered Su Qingli and her maid, who were fleeing with Ren Youyang. She did not block them, nor did she launch a surprise attack.
The only thing echoing in Qi Xiaoxiang’s mind was the specific warning Ji Hanyi had given her:
"Do not provoke Ren Youyang."
Not long after, the sky turned pitch black, as if a torrential downpour were imminent. Qi Xiaoxiang paused, muttering to herself:
"Heavenly Human Realm...
"The old Sect Master?"
With this realization, Qi Xiaoxiang immediately tore off her short shirt and pleated skirt, revealing the grey-blue cloth dress hidden beneath.
She disheveled her hair to look like a panicked, lowly servant, then exited the courtyard, blended into the crowd, and ran out of the Zhen Mansion amidst the rising flames.
…………
While the "Qi" had not yet dissipated, Ding Songyan vaulted over a waist-high wall and landed in a spacious courtyard.
Just then, a figure rushed over from the side, eyes filled with murderous intent, and slammed a fist toward Ding Songyan.
The man wore a bamboo hat, his exposed skin covered in tortoise-shell patterns. In his left hand, he held the mangled head of Zhen Quanwang, from which drops of blood were constantly falling to the ground.
Facing this sudden and lightning-fast punch, Ding Songyan could not react, nor could he perform any defensive maneuver.
"Qi" could not elevate his realm, nor could it improve his perception, reaction time, judgment, or combat instincts.
He had only been able to trade blows with Ji Hanyi earlier because he had initiated the attack. If the roles were reversed and Ji Hanyi struck first, he would not even be able to raise his hands.
At this critical moment, Ding Songyan could only sink the "seeds" of Clear Mist into his Sea of Consciousness.
Protect the soul with the law!
Bang!
The punch struck Ding Songyan’s chest, but it was blocked by a layer of invisible Qi, separated by the dim, dark void.
Ding Songyan felt no pain, but he was sent flying uncontrollably. He crashed through a wooden window, the sound of splintering timber echoing as he tumbled into the building the courtyard belonged to.
Thud. He had barely hit the ground and was struggling to flip over when he noticed the man outside muttering, "Kill everyone in the Zhen family," and "Leave no one alive," before rushing toward a side chamber, seemingly having lost his way.
Ugh... Ding Songyan stood up quickly. By the faint light filtering in from the window, he saw Xiaoqing leaning against a wooden pillar with her fists clenched, and Ren Youyang squatting in the corner, his high cap askew and his clothes in disarray.
Su Qingli’s face was pale, her lively eyes dim and dark, reflecting the chaotic layout of the room with its multiple chambers. Her little maid stood guard beside her.
"Great Void Illusion." Yan Changqing, who was still on Ding Songyan’s back, spoke in a hoarse, aged voice. "A pity her cultivation is too shallow to sustain it for long. That grandmaster, consumed by murderous intent, will break through soon."
As the old man spoke, he injected new Qi, replenishing the "seeds" of Clear Mist for Ding Songyan.
Sweat beaded on Su Qingli’s forehead, giving her a pitiful, heart-wrenching appearance. Ren Youyang, his canine ears twitching, cheered her on from nearby:
"Hold on! Hold on!"
Bang!
The grandmaster outside smashed through the wall and emerged, tossing Zhen Quanwang’s head to the ground.
He turned abruptly, his eyes filled with murderous intent and rage, locking onto the room where Ding Songyan and the others were hiding.
Thin trickles of blood began to seep from the corners of Xiaoqing’s eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.
Her body went limp, and the Great Void Illusion in her eyes vanished.
Ding Songyan’s heart sank. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and said quickly:
"I will strike him once. Xiaoqing, you lure him to chase you outside the courtyard.
"We will take the opportunity to relocate. He has other targets besides us, so he shouldn't pursue us relentlessly."
Ding Songyan had realized that he couldn't count on Brother Youyang; he and Xiaoqing would have to handle this themselves.
Was the "Useless Divine Skill" truly useless?
Su Qingli looked at Ding Songyan, bewildered:
"You?"
Ding Songyan, who had to hold onto Yan Changqing to keep him from sliding off his back, turned his head slightly to gesture toward the old man behind him:
"I have help!"
With that, he carried Yan Changqing toward the shattered window.
Su Qingli’s expression shifted several times before she gritted her teeth and said:
"Fine."
Ding Songyan barely managed to free one hand to transfer the "seeds" of Clear Mist when a figure appeared before him.
It was Ren Youyang, who walked over while adjusting his high cap and feathered robes. He looked at Ma Hanjiang of the Small Boat Gang—who was becoming increasingly certain of their hiding spot—and forced a smile:
"Brother, let me handle this.
"Let me show you my true strength."
Does he really have any? Besides, that man outside is a Dharma Realm grandmaster! You are only ranked last on the 'New Orchid Ranking,' with a 'Mastery' rating! Ding Songyan looked toward Xiaoqing.
Su Qingli let out a quiet sigh of relief and nodded.
"I leave it to you, Brother Youyang." Ding Songyan quickly stepped back.
Ren Youyang braced one hand against the shattered window frame and leaped out with a heavy thud.
Then, with the poise of a true expert, he walked step by step toward Ma Hanjiang, whose reason had been completely eclipsed by murderous intent.
Meanwhile, Yan Changqing, on Ding Songyan’s back, looked at Su Qingli and said with a sigh:
"Little girl of the Su family, give my regards to your aunt."
"Who are you?" Su Qingli looked curiously at Yan Changqing, who had neither legs nor arms.
"Yan Yong of the Absolute Saint Path." Yan Changqing smiled.
"Ugh..." Su Qingli’s beautiful eyes widened. "The previous Sect Master of the Absolute Saint Path? You used the alias 'Yan Changqing' to deceive Second Young Master Ding?"
No, why are you two chatting? Aren't you worried about Brother Youyang facing a Dharma Realm grandmaster? What if he loses? Even with my 'Qi,' I probably can't outrun him! Ding Songyan was stunned.
Yan Changqing laughed heartily:
"I did tell Second Young Master Ding many lies, but the name 'Yan Changqing' is real. 'Yan Yong' was the alias I used while traveling the world."
Su Qingli finally said, "Oh":
"I haven't seen my aunt in over a year. She often enters the mortal world to seek the Spirit Platform."
Yan Changqing paused:
"She has reached that stage?"
The former Sect Master of the Absolute Saint Path’s expression flickered, and he looked down at himself.
After a moment, he smiled bitterly:
"Pity the white hair..."
As Ding Songyan listened to the exchange between Yan Changqing and Su Qingli, he watched nervously as Ren Youyang approached the Dharma Realm grandmaster, whose eyes were clouded with rage.
Ren Youyang stood with his hands behind his back, staring at Ma Hanjiang, who was poised to strike. He smiled, a look more painful than crying, and said:
"Come.
"Just don't hit the face."
Ma Hanjiang, his eyes bloodshot, lunged forward, pulled back his shoulder, and slammed a heavy fist into Ren Youyang’s left cheek.
With a sickening crack, Ren Youyang was sent flying horizontally. His cheek was completely caved in, brains splattered out, and his canine ears went limp.
Thud!
Ren Youyang hit the ground and died on the spot, his appearance gruesome.
"..." Ding Songyan was completely dumbfounded.
A soft, sweet voice sounded in his ear from Su Qingli:
"That is the 'Useless Divine Skill.' It is useless for everything—it can't do this, and it can't do that."
Then what do we do? Just as this thought crossed Ding Songyan’s mind, he heard a mournful wind howling outside and felt a chilling, icy intent spread instantly.
Ma Hanjiang, who had just killed Ren Youyang with a single punch and was about to rush into the room to slaughter them, froze in place.
He seemed to be restrained by an invisible force, unable to move.
The mournful, icy wind swirled, circling Ren Youyang’s corpse and slowly lifting it into the air.
Ren Youyang’s body moved. The indentation in his face gradually smoothed out as the shattered bones knit themselves back together.
He was quickly suffused with a light that intertwined ghostly green and gold, and he stood upright, bit by bit.
The "resurrected" Ren Youyang touched his cheek and said coldly to Ma Hanjiang:
"I told you not to hit the face."
Ding Songyan stared in a daze, while Xiaoqing exclaimed with great interest:
"Isn't it amazing? That is the 'Useless Divine Skill':
"Useless in life, a god in death!"
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