Then, should I cultivate the techniques of the Zhenmo Division, or this "Extreme Yang Art"?
The Zhenmo Division's technique is called the "Golden Cicada Blood Exchange Method"!
It was an accidental enlightenment by a top martial artist of that era while observing a golden cicada shedding its skin. He likened the human body to a golden cicada, and the repeated blood exchange was the process of shedding its skin.
To this day, it has become the exclusive cultivation technique for the Blood Exchange realm of the Zhenmo Division. Its efficiency in blood exchange is the fastest in this world, surpassing all others.
It is also because of this technique that the Zhenmo Division can continuously produce strong individuals.
The Blood Exchange realm takes an extremely long time to cultivate. Before the emergence of this technique, only elixirs and secret recipes from various sects could accelerate blood exchange.
It is precisely for this reason that the Zhenmo Division's breakthrough speed in the Blood Exchange realm far surpasses that of other martial artists.
This has attracted many people to join the Zhenmo Division, as this technique can only be cultivated by those within it.
Gu Yuan's thoughts raced. As someone who had absorbed so much martial knowledge, Gu Yuan naturally understood the effectiveness of this "Extreme Yang Art." While it might not be overwhelmingly powerful in direct combat, it was extremely effective against demons.
The Zhenmo Division's lectures had once stated that demons, above all else, feared potent yang energy, such as flames.
The blood energy cultivated by techniques with such yang attributes possessed additional damage multipliers against demons.
As Gu Yuan pondered, his current body's talent was immense, so he did not need to worry about the progress of his cultivation. Therefore, the priority was to quickly ascend to a high position, change this world, and most importantly, acquire Source Energy.
Within the Zhenmo Division, promotion was achieved through contributions and military merits. Thus, killing demons was indispensable. Moreover, Gu Yuan needed to kill more demons to gain more contributions and resources.
After all, he had already thoroughly analyzed the entire Blood Exchange realm. As long as resources were available, he could immediately exchange his blood!
Following the three stages of blood exchange came the Blood Qi realm. By erupting blood qi, a layer of blood qi shield could be formed outside the body, sustaining itself endlessly. It could also exist independently, meaning it could be attached to arrows and shot out.
It could also be transformed into sword qi or saber qi and unleashed. How far it could travel depended entirely on the strength of one's blood qi.
In other words, the Blood Exchange realm was crucial. If blood exchange had flaws, the strength of one's blood qi would also be compromised, and vice versa.
Given equal circumstances, Gu Yuan would naturally choose to cultivate a technique that produced stronger blood qi.
His mind made up, Gu Yuan's gaze fell upon the "Extreme Yang Art" on the table.
He wondered who the author was, possessing such insight into yang energy.
It seemed they were also a top expert. Gu Yuan made his decision; he would cultivate this "Extreme Yang Art."
Gu Yuan placed the "Extreme Yang Art" back in its original spot and sat cross-legged on the bed, beginning to recall the cultivation methods of the "Extreme Yang Art" in his mind.
This was because the essence of Extreme Yang could only be cultivated when the sun's heat was at its peak at noon.
What Gu Yuan needed to do now was to convert the "Golden Cicada Blood Exchange Method" into the "Extreme Yang Art."
That night passed peacefully.
The next day, Gu Yuan sat in the small courtyard, watching the sun rise in the far east.
He circulated the "Extreme Yang Art" within his body, sensing the gradual ascent of the sun. A stream of purple energy swiftly entered Gu Yuan's brow. This was the phenomenon of "purple energy coming from the east."
After absorbing the purple qi, Gu Yuan ceased cultivating the "Extreme Yang Art." This was because this technique was bound to cause trouble sooner or later, as it could only be practiced at noon. This significantly slowed down the blood exchange process, which was why the original Gu Yuan had been so conflicted for so long.
Gu Yuan slowly executed a fist technique. This was one of the techniques he had unleashed in his prior experience of a thousand fist techniques.
This fist technique was powerful and aggressive, an unnamed martial art whose essence was a crimson primordial yang!
It was extremely suitable for this world and the cultivation technique he was currently practicing.
After completing the set of punches, Gu Yuan rested for a moment, donned the Zhenmo Division uniform, and went to the mess hall for breakfast.
After breakfast, Gu Yuan immediately immersed himself in the Scripture Pavilion, beginning to read about the history of this world.
From his reading, he learned that this world was not only inhabited by demons but also by "Guǐwù" (诡物)!
These were humans who, after being killed by demons, absorbed the spiritual energy and demonic qi left by the heavens, earth, and demons, transforming into a formless entity.
These Guǐwù were extremely bizarre and posed a significant threat to ordinary people. However, newly formed Guǐwù were very weak; even ordinary people could disrupt them just by approaching.
They were a polarizing species, but like demons, they possessed clear strength classifications.
Many Zhenmo Emissaries had fallen victim to Guǐwù.
After understanding the information, Gu Yuan left the Scripture Pavilion and headed to the Zhenmo Hall, preparing to accept an assessment mission.
Upon arriving at the Zhenmo Hall, Gu Yuan went directly to a sparsely populated counter. After a period of waiting in line, he placed his token on the counter.
He said to the staff member inside, "Please help me apply for the assessment mission for the Yellow-tier Zhenmo Emissary."
"Certainly, please wait a moment." The staff member nodded and took Gu Yuan's token.
A moment later, a piece of intelligence and Gu Yuan's token were handed out from the counter.
Gu Yuan accepted it and left the Zhenmo Hall.
On his way back, Gu Yuan opened the intelligence report.
[Yellow-tier Zhenmo Emissary Assessment Mission: Nascent Guǐwù!]
[In the abandoned urban area of the east district of Yuanshan City, within a derelict house, yin energy is emanating. Preliminary judgment indicates a nascent Guǐwù. One blood exchange is sufficient to eliminate it.]
After reading the specific details below, Gu Yuan's face remained calm.
Returning to his dormitory, Gu Yuan packed his belongings and immediately headed to the east district without delay.
Time ticked by. At noon, Gu Yuan cultivated the "Extreme Yang Art." As he had anticipated, his internal blood qi developed a scorching sensation. Martial artists' blood qi already possessed high temperatures.
Gu Yuan further enhanced this on that foundation.
...
The sun began to set, casting a fiery glow in the western sky.
"It seems this is the place."
A young man with a long saber at his waist stood before a dilapidated courtyard, holding a piece of paper in his hand and surveying his surroundings.
Gu Yuan lowered his head, comparing it with the intelligence report, and put the report away. He reached out and pushed open the dilapidated gate.
"Creeaak." The wooden door, aged and unrepaired, let out a piercing groan. Inside, it was a very ordinary commoner's courtyard. Having been uninhabited for a long time, the courtyard was utterly dilapidated, overgrown with weeds.
Gu Yuan frowned. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he felt a chilling sensation, a stark contrast to the outside.
Walking into the house, he found it even more dilapidated, with practically nothing inside. Gu Yuan had no choice but to exit the house and find a relatively clean spot in the courtyard. He sat cross-legged, recalled the intelligence report in his mind, and began to rest with his eyes closed, quietly awaiting the arrival of night.
As the last ray of sunlight disappeared from the sky and darkness descended, Gu Yuan's eyes snapped open. He felt the surrounding chilling atmosphere begin to slowly envelop him like a tide.
The corners of Gu Yuan's mouth curled upwards, a dangerous smile appearing on his face.