Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 358: The Protagonist of the Tome of Troubled Times

Judging solely by the power displayed and the broader perspective demonstrated at that moment, it seemed that Zhao Changhe might indeed be correct.

However, both Xue Canghai and Zhao Changhe frowned, both of them dissatisfied with the outcome.

Zhao Changhe was naturally endowed with greater strength because of his Blood Asura Body, yet he had only managed to push Xue Canghai back by two steps more—much less than he expected. Furthermore, he himself had been forced back three steps. The terrifying vicious qi from Xue Canghai, filled with fierce and violent bloodlust, suppressed his own vicious qi, making it feel somewhat weakened.

The two stared at each other in silence for a while. Then, Xue Canghai suddenly asked, “Are you sure that the intent you spoke of isn’t just derived from the name of the technique, as a literal interpretation of it?”

Zhao Changhe understood why Xue Canghai would ask such a question. Excluding the influence of his unique physique and considering only the inherent power of the strike itself, it seemed that Xue Canghai should have had the upper hand.

He was not here to rely on his unique physique to challenge someone on the Ranking of Man; he was here to refine his understanding of the vicious blood qi. Making Xue Canghai retreat two more steps was meaningless.

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath and said softly, “Even if it is a literal interpretation, it is the path I wish to take. I do not desire bloody, violent slaughter. Frankly, it does not suit me. On the other hand, I find the will to scatter the gods and Buddhas much more appealing. The Profound Mysteries are about understanding, not rigidly following those before us.”

Xue Canghai’s eyes once again revealed admiration. He sighed and said, “Very well. Take this then!”

A streak of blood-red light sliced through the sky, reaching Zhao Changhe’s throat in an instant from eight steps away!

Zhao Changhe shifted his foot, using Traceless Soaring Blood to move half a step to the side. He held Dragon Bird slanted to deflect the strike, deliberately avoiding using his brute strength to overpower his opponent and focusing purely on his integration and understanding of various techniques.

To the onlookers, what had seemingly started as a simple contest of strength quickly transformed into a comprehensive and intricate display of technical attainments. The techniques of the two began to diverge.

Although the techniques of the Blood God Cult did not emphasize feints, tricks, or elaborate routines, there were still differences in individual applications.

Intuitively, one might expect that Zhao Changhe, using a larger, heavier Dragon Bird, would employ slower, more powerful strikes. Yet it was the exact opposite; his moves were quicker, with more variations, constantly probing Xue Canghai for weaknesses.

In contrast, though Xue Canghai used the Blood God Saber, which was only slightly heavier than a regular saber, he swept it with the ferocity of a dragon, generating immense, violent power. Even if there were flaws in his technique, they were obscured by the overwhelming force with which he swung his blade, a force that made it difficult for anyone to get close.

Xue Canghai’s vicious blood qi was nearly tangible, forming a wall of energy that not only enhanced his strength but also created an oppressive aura. In contrast, Zhao Changhe’s vicious blood qi, though weaker in comparison, manifested as precise, needle-like stabs, seeking to break through and dispel Xue Canghai’s wall of energy.

The sound of their sabers clashing was relentless. Blood-red light filled the air and the oppressive vicious qi forced some of the surrounding cult members to step back, further clearing the area.

“So strong,” someone murmured. “To think that he’s just been practicing the Vicious Blood Saber Art for a year.... We’ve been training for twenty years, and it feels like we’ve just wasted our time.”

“That’s just how geniuses are. But actually, if you look closely, Zhao Changhe’s Vicious Blood Saber Art still appears somewhat immature. At least, it’s certainly not as refined as the cult leader’s. The cult leader’s moves may seem broad and simple, but the transitions are incredibly sophisticated, and he looks like an impregnable fortress... If he fought Yue Hongling like this back then, he would not have lost.”

“Don’t mention Yue Hongling, or the cult leader might kill you if he hears.”

“Zhao Changhe himself admitted his lack of expertise when it comes to vicious blood qi, and it shows,” remarked an elder. “If he was still part of the cult, his saber art would have warranted a few words of advice from me here and there.”

Instructor Sun glanced at him and said, “If he had stayed in the cult, he would not have developed this style.”

“I’m not talking about his lack of mastery over vicious blood qi. It’s understandable that his vicious qi isn’t intense since he isn’t naturally bloodthirsty and hasn’t killed all that many people. I’m referring to his actual saber art. It’s quite lacking and he heavily relies on traits from other martial arts to compensate. He has breadth but lacks depth. He has not fully grasped the essence of saber arts. Hell, he even shows sword intent at times. While this might make him strong in actual combat, it doesn’t help his understanding of saber arts.”

Instructor Sun had to concede. “That makes sense. Without a higher-level manual, he had to learn from various other martial arts, integrating them into his techniques. His style would naturally differ from those who have always practiced our cult’s techniques. In a real fight, I wouldn’t stand a chance against him, but if we’re only looking at his mastery over the Vicious Blood Art, you and I can indeed critique him. After all, he’s really been practicing it for just a little over a year.”

Indeed, only a little over a year, yet he can fight the cult leader to a standstill. As much as it might sting, we have to admit, not only is he a genius, but he’s also incredibly diligent. Who knows how much he trained to get to this point.

The high-ranking members of the cult watched intently. It was easy to criticize Zhao Changhe’s unrefined saber arts as spectators, but if they faced such a saber in battle, they knew deep down the number of moves they could defend against.

And that number was probably zero.

Zhao Changhe was aware of his own shortcomings. He knew that he was lacking in his mastery over vicious blood. He was here precisely to make up for this deficiency.

For instance, Zhao Changhe’s method of deflecting and then striking again involved borrowing some of his opponent’s force while conserving some of his own. By the second strike, his power increased by fifty percent. Repeating this, his attacks grew increasingly fierce, creating the impression of an unstoppable river.

This technique was not part of Blood God Cult’s repertoire but rather belonged to the Sword Emperor. It was Underworld River Surges. Zhao Changhe used to have to integrate actual sword arts into his saber arts, but now, having grasped the essence of the art, he could achieve the same effect with any weapon.

On the surface, Zhao Changhe’s understanding of martial arts could already be said to be at the level of a master. Yet, Yuxu believed he lacked sufficient combat experience, and the blind woman thought that he had not taken enough beatings.

Both perspectives were valid.

Take Underworld River Surges, for instance; it was effective, but how long could he keep stacking it? A truly experienced and powerful opponent would not give him the chance to do so. Xue Canghai, for one, sensed the borrowed force in one strike and immediately adjusted, tightening his power on the next, making it impossible for Zhao Changhe to borrow any more. This made Zhao Changhe’s subsequent strikes seem weaker while Xue Canghai’s momentum surged.

The unstoppable force had become Xue Canghai instead.

Even Zhao Changhe’s use of the Spring Water Sword Intent, a technique that relied on refraction to deceive the eye, had no effect on Xue Canghai. He saw through it instantly, and his counterattack almost severed Zhao Changhe’s fingers.

Zhao Changhe could not help but admire Xue Canghai. Cult Leader Xue always seemed like a pushover in the rumors, but Zhao Changhe now understood from direct experience that the Ranking of Troubled Times hadn’t recognized the man for nothing.

In terms of the precision and sophistication of his saber art, his rich combat experience, and his effortless control of energy, Cult Leader Xue was indeed above countless others.

This battle was incredibly beneficial for Zhao Changhe as he faced an opponent that used a saber art and a cultivation technique from the same origin. The other party demonstrated a different but more experienced display of the same methods. He showed how to use vicious blood qi, and how to use the saber.

Trying to manipulate his opponent’s energy flow did not work. Instead, it was his own energy that surged wildly. The intent to instill fear had no effect on himself or his opponent.

A year of cleaving his way through the jianghu would not have been as significant as this battle. Zhao Changhe could clearly feel his understanding of the Vicious Blood Saber Art, as well as his grasp of energy and vicious blood qi, advancing to a new level.

No wonder I couldn’t break through to the Profound Mysteries. My foundational techniques weren’t just missing a final push; they were missing a serious number of kicks forward!

“Your Vicious Blood Saber... is severely lacking.”

Xue Canghai’s voice pulled Zhao Changhe from his reverie.

Unbeknownst to him, dusk had fallen. The blood-red hue of the Blood God Saber, under the evening sun, made the whole world seem like it had been drenched in blood.

At the moment when Zhao Changhe attempted to manipulate Xue Canghai’s energy and was countered, Xue Canghai found his opening.

“Whether it’s your vicious blood qi or your saber art, if this is the extent of your mastery, then I can only say that you don’t seem to live up to the title of first hidden dragon.”

Xue Canghai’s voice seemed to come from the horizon, a sign that he had seized Zhao Changhe’s mind.

In Zhao Changhe’s eyes, there was no sunset, no setting sun. A blood-red demon god towered over the heavens and earth and stood in a sea of blood. With a blood-red sky overhead and a blood-red blade in hand, he dominated the world. Even a vast army would be cut in half by this blade!

This was his hell, a sea of blood and a mountain of blades!

This was Xue Canghai’s... Hell on Earth.

Such a saber intent could not have been achieved without having killed thousands... no, tens of thousands!

Boom!

A thunderous crash echoed as Zhao Changhe, with his vicious blood qi surging uncontrollably, was caught in a vulnerable moment. Unable to withstand the power of the strike, he spat a mouthful of blood and was flung backward.

Xue Canghai instinctively followed up with another sweeping strike.

If there were no unexpected developments, then this battle would soon come to an end... It was exhilarating, but Zhao Changhe’s performance as the first hidden dragon left Xue Canghai somewhat disappointed.

Even though he knew that Zhao Changhe deliberately held back on many of his ultimate techniques, like the terrifying power of his physique, Xue Canghai still felt disappointed. This was, after all, not a contest for victory but a mutual verification of theories meant to allow them to learn from one another and possibly break through to the Profound Mysteries together. However, what had played out seemed far from being able to achieve that goal.

As this thought flashed through his mind, Zhao Changhe lightly tapped the ground of the arena and rebounded, striking back with his saber.

From the perspective of the spectators, it seemed as though the dazzling blood-red light momentarily blinded Zhao Changhe, causing him to squint before he reopened his eyes and refocused his gaze.

In Xue Canghai’s vision, the blood-red sky cracked open with two seams.

One like the sun, the other like the moon.

Then, the stars shone brightly, covering the sky.

Countless stars poured down like a celestial river pouring down from the heavens.

“I told you... If your vision is that of the Blood God, then I shall scatter it!”

Boom!

Zhao Changhe’s straight slash collided with Xue Canghai’s horizontal sweep. The clash of their sabers created the illusion of an earthquake.

The sea of blood vanished, and the stars reversed their course.

This was not Zhao Changhe’s Hell on Earth... He was still using Scattering the Gods and Buddhas.

He delivered it in its purest, original form, with its signature leaping strike.

This time, it was Xue Canghai who was forced back, even though Zhao Changhe had not used the immense strength that came with the Blood Asura Body.

The spectators were stunned, unable to comprehend how Zhao Changhe managed to recover and unleash such a powerful strike while retreating.

Meanwhile, Xue Canghai’s eyes lit up with joy.

This is it...

This strike truly reflects the essence of Scattering the Gods and Buddhas. It’s a roar in the face of adversity! Resisting and struggling even under divine pressure!

When I was weaker, when did I use this move? Was it not always in moments of desperation?

Indeed...

In Xue Canghai’s eyes, a silhouette also appeared behind Zhao Changhe.

It was neither god nor demon.

With sun and moon as the eyes, a river of stars as the body, winding like a dragon, pouring like a river.

A sweeping strike, as gentle as the breeze. Between heaven and earth, no gods, no demons, no self.

The air seemed to stand still, all things ceased to exist, empty and serene, vast and distant.

This was Zhao Changhe’s version of No Man’s Land and Hell on Earth.

Boom!

Another terrifying clash rang out, the impact so intense that the surrounding cult members were forced to move even further back.

By now, Instructor Sun and the elder were dumbfounded, unable to provide any commentary. This level of power was already beyond their comprehension.

Amidst the blood-red scene, they saw Xue Canghai being forced back by Zhao Changhe’s strike. His entire body bent backward, and the Blood God’s apparition behind him gradually faded. Yet, Xue Canghai began to laugh, his laughter growing louder and louder. “I understand now.”

Boom!

The apparition of the Blood God suddenly expanded, towering over the heavens and treading the sea of blood.

“You’re right. Perhaps that was what the Blood God thought before the collapse of the era. He was resisting, making his voice heard...” Blood seeped from the corners of Xue Canghai’s mouth, but his eyes turned frenzied. “The Blood God Cult has rage but lacks spirit... Being suppressed by a mere woman, unable to resist, that’s why I’ve been stuck at the threshold.

“I follow the path of the Blood God. No Man’s Land!”

Xue Canghai roared, and an overwhelming force surged, pushing Zhao Changhe back.

Xue Canghai stood tall, the Blood God’s apparition behind him reaching the sky and standing over the sea of blood.

“So that’s all it took to step through the door of the Profound Mysteries.”

Xue Canghai had broken through to the Profound Mysteries.

Zhao Changhe was stunned.

This isn’t how mutual verification is supposed to go... How did you find a new meaning randomly and actually break through? And what about me? Fuck, I still haven’t figured it out yet! This isn’t fair...

People joke that Cult Leader Xue is the protagonist of the Tome of Troubled Times. Don’t tell me...

In the next moment, Zhao Changhe was left even more speechless, and the entire arena was dumbfounded.

Xue Canghai dropped to one knee and said softly, “I pursue the Blood God’s path, but I know I’m not the Blood God. However, you... You’re at least his representative or spokesperson, and you are worthy of being referred to as the cult’s saint.”

Zhao Changhe’s jaw hit the ground.

What are you saying? Didn’t you just say that you were troubled after being suppressed by a woman? Why are you suddenly kneeling to me?

“Your explanations of the Blood God’s will are correct, or at least they align with his final will,” Xue Canghai said seriously. “And more importantly, I sensed the aura of the Blood God on you. How else could someone who has practiced for only a little over a year understand the Blood God’s will and help me break through a barrier I’ve been stuck at for thirteen years? There’s no evidence clearer than this.”

Zhao Changhe suddenly remembered the blood token he had bought for a penny from Ying Five.

The Blood God Cult was a cult, it was devoted to a god and had faith. It was not a martial sect. Xue Canghai was pursuing the footsteps of an ancient demon god, not seeking to replace his intent.

Zhao Changhe stared blankly at the kneeling Xue Canghai, thinking, Should I actually try playing as the Night Emperor and make Vermillion Bird kneel to me too?