Chapter 859: Make Up For What I Lack Through Hard Work

When Chu Liang made that request, it actually came as a relief to the major figures present.

The Mount Shu Sect had long carried itself with confidence, even without a legendary artifact to its name. Now that it held one, its standing among the immortal sects was more secure than ever.

With the fall of the Penglai Supreme Sect, the Mount Shu Sect had begun to quietly reassert itself—once again taking up the role of elder brother among the Divine Nine.

Chu Liang was the key figure responsible for bringing both Red Cotton Peak and the Vessel of God into the hands of the Mount Shu Sect. With contributions like that, he could no longer be treated like an ordinary prodigy of the Divine Nine. If he had chosen not to cooperate with the operation, no one could have forced him.

Would they really dare to unite and attack Mount Shu over it?

The Demon God was indeed a serious matter, but within the Divine Nine, there were more sects that supported the Mount Shu Sect.

Chu Liang agreeing to cooperate had already saved everyone a great deal of trouble. If the Mount Shu Sect had chosen to negotiate a few terms, the rest would have gladly accepted.

But the Mount Shu Sect asked for nothing and showed great generosity for the sake of humanity.

Chu Liang, too, made no other requests. All he requested were some Dao essence seeds. While rare, these seeds weren't particularly expensive. Even if they gave Chu Liang one, it wouldn't guarantee that he would comprehend it. To grasp so many Daos at the seventh realm was something even the gods would find impossible.

In the end, it cost them nothing at all.

And so, everyone happily handed over their Dao essence seeds. By now, Chu Liang had built up a sizable stockpile of uncomprehended Dao seeds.

To that, Chu Liang could only say inwardly,

May you good people live long and in peace.

Of course, even the Dao-Comprehending Puppet needed time. Over the past few days, it had finished comprehending several of the Great Daos controlled by the cultivators of the Mount Shu Sect.

At present, Chu Liang had fully comprehended six Great Daos: the Great Dao of Severing the Void, the Great Dao of Yin and Yang, the Great Dao of Cloud of Determination, the Great Dao of Primordial Chaos, the Great Dao of Water Mirror, and the Great Dao of Tai'a.

The puppet was now diligently studying the Great Dao of the Ultimate Yang, whose Dao Master was none other than the Guardian Ruler.

Next, Chu Liang planned to have it study the Great Dao of Ultimate Yin, whose Dao Master was the leader of the Great-Yin Cult.

The comprehension of both the Great Dao of Ultimate Yin and Ultimate Yang was something no one had ever done before. Who knew what kind of surprises might emerge?

After all, connections did exist between the various Great Daos.

For instance, each of the five elements possessed both Yin and Yang aspects. The Great Dao of Incinerating Heavens released Yin Fire, while the Great Dao of Heavenly Radiance produced Yang Fire. When these two Daos were paired together, their combined power could multiply several times over.

Similarly, fusing three sword-related Great Daos could produce unexpected and powerful results. That was why Chu Liang had the puppet study the Great Dao of Tai'a first.

What Chu Liang was doing now was carefully exploring the bonds and synergies hidden between the Great Daos.

In the cultivation world, it was already incredibly rare for someone to comprehend more than one Great Dao, let alone being able to choose which ones to comprehend. After all, most relied on fate and chance to grasp a Great Dao. The idea of picking and choosing which Great Dao to comprehend was something that only happened in dreams.

But Chu Liang was not most people. Thanks to his own tireless effort and the assistance of the Dao-Comprehending Puppet, he could live that dream. As long as the masters of Heavenly Origin continued to provide Dao essence seeds, there was almost nothing standing between him and complete mastery of each Great Dao they once held.

At this moment, Chu Liang was just one step away from becoming the seventh-realm cultivator with the highest number of Daos comprehended in recorded history.

After feeding a few Large-Headed Dolls, he withdrew his divine sense from the White Pagoda, only to find little Tuntun curled up beside his leg, fast asleep. She was so full that she was burping even in her dreams.

Chu Liang reached down and gently pinched her chubby cheek. His finger sank into the soft flesh and bounced right back the moment he let go. He thought,

And you all tell me that this little thing can destroy the world?

Of course, Chu Liang knew it was most likely his presence that kept Tuntun so obedient. Without him, there was no way the Celestial Northern Prison could hold her, and she would have chewed her way out long ago.

Just as he was about to begin a session of breathing meditation, a sudden explosion echoed from outside.

...

Boom!

A surge of roaring flames swept through the far end of the corridor. In the blink of an eye, a massive beast charged out of the fire. Its body was covered in rough gray-black scales like jagged stone, and its wide mouth was filled with sharp, spear-like fangs. With thick, powerful limbs, it sprinted toward the prison gate, each step making the ground tremble.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several armored guards gave chase, shouting as they ran. "The Rock Devil Beast suddenly broke through to the seventh realm while inside the prison! It attacked during a routine check and escaped into the main corridor!"

"Hurry, report to the Guardian Ruler!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The guards hurled long spears inscribed with talismans—special tools equipped with hook chains. The weapons pierced the Rock Devil Beast's thick hide, and the chains tightened in an attempt to drag it back.

However, the beast had very thick and tough skin and terrifyingly great strength. Now that it had reached the seventh realm, it moved like a rampaging mountain. In a single breath, several guards were pulled off the ground and dragged behind it like fluttering flags.

"

Raaaaar!!!

"

As if stirred by the chaos, deep growls echoed from inside the other prison cells. It was as if the other inmates were cheering the Rock Devil Beast on.

Just then, Chu Liang stepped out of his cell to check on the noise. He looked up and saw the Rock Devil Beast, still dragging several guards behind it, crashing straight into the main gate of the prison.

Boom!

The entire Celestial Northern Prison shook from the impact.

The prison gate glowed with golden light and instantly pushed the beast back. It was sent rolling across the ground, only coming to a stop after several heavy thuds.

The Rock Devil Beast let out a furious roar and charged again, its footsteps pounding like war drums.

Boom!

It slammed into the wall with all its might. However, the walls of the Celestial Northern Prison were reinforced by the Great Dao of Resilient Defense controlled by Deputy Commissioner Zuo Ci, so even that earth-shaking impact failed to leave a mark.

"

RAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

"

The beast howled in frustration. Realizing that escape was impossible, it turned back around. Its crimson eyes blazed with fury, ready to unleash its rage on the guards behind it.

Just then, a flash of crimson-gold light lit up the far end of the corridor.

The Guardian Ruler had arrived.

With a desperate roar, the Rock Devil Beast lunged at the prison guards, seemingly intent on dragging a few of its jailers down with it before meeting its end.

Shiiing!

At this very critical moment, a streak of chaotic, multicolored light shot through the air.

The ray of light was like a rainbow, formed by the fusion of three powerful sword qis: the Great Dao of Cloud of Determination, the Great Dao of Tai'a, and the Great Dao of Severing the Void. It was a combination of three sword Daos. The slash carried the full force of sword intent, sword qi, and sword momentum, each one at the level of a Great Dao. When combined, their strength increased exponentially.

Though the broad rainbow beam didn't appear especially sharp, the moment it touched the Rock Devil Beast, its tough scales split open, followed by its tough flesh and then its dense organs.

In the blink of an eye, that single sword strike cut the seventh-realm Rock Devil Beast, which was famous for its defense, cleanly in two!

With a swish, Chu Liang landed gracefully. In his right hand, the Demon-Slaying Sword flicked off a trace of demon blood before he slowly returned it to its sheath.

The prison guards around him stared at his back in stunned silence.

While the Demon-Slaying Sword provided powerful support, the real strength of that strike came from the perfect fusion of three sword Daos. To kill a seventh-realm demonic beast known for its defense in an instant was no small feat. Under normal circumstances, even if they were not at the level of the eighth realm, it would take someone with Di Nufeng's level of overwhelming power to achieve that.

Yet, this young man had done it with a single slash. He was so strong!

With a thunderous boom, the Guardian Ruler descended into the scene.

Clad in a caped suit of armor, tall and broad-shouldered, his long brows sharp as blades, he carried an overwhelming presence. He glanced first at the massive, bisected corpse, then at Chu Liang. Even he looked a little surprised.

He then said, "You've only just stepped into the seventh realm, and you've already comprehended three sword Daos? Calling you a genius of sword Dao doesn't even begin to cover it."

Chu Liang gave a modest smile and responded, "I wouldn't dare speak of talent, Esteemed Senior. Just diligent cultivation. I make up for what I lack through hard work."

And that wasn't a lie. While his comprehension was certainly above average, his natural talent wasn't anything special. Everything he had achieved came from effort. More precisely, from the tireless efforts of the Large-Headed Dolls making up for him.

"Hahaha!" The Guardian Ruler laughed heartily. Then, he gave Chu Liang the highest praise he could manage. "You're something else, kid. No wonder so many people like you... You're nothing like your teacher at all!"