Zhu Xian: The way of heaven collapses, and I only have one sword!

Chapter 23: Nineteen Stops of Killing Ghosts and Gods, Each with Its Own "Poison Method"

"Haha, you're quite humorous, kid." Wan Jian laughed, then turned serious and continued, "Although this Devil Slayer technique consumes a lot of energy, if used skillfully, it can be a crucial killing move that turns the tide of battle at a crucial moment. Come, try it out. I'll watch and help you correct it."

Chen Qiye took a deep breath, calming his inner excitement. He reached out and summoned Qiu Shui Wuhen. The moment he grasped the hilt of the sword, aura flowed through his body, and the spiritual power within him began to gather. He imitated Wan Jianyi's demonstration, channeling the righteous energy of heaven and earth into the sword's body, and whispered, "The righteous energy of heaven and earth, vast and eternal, does not seek to slay immortals, but to slay demons and gods!"

Instantly, a stream of black sword energy gushed out from the Autumn Water Traceless Sword. However, compared to the energy unleashed by Wan Jianyi, this energy was slightly weaker, and the wailing of ghosts and gods was also much weaker. Chen Qiye clearly felt his spiritual power draining away like a flood during the execution of this sword, and his face turned pale.

"Keep your mind steady and don't rush for success. The key to this sword technique is to perfectly integrate your own momentum with the power of heaven and earth, rather than simply consuming spiritual energy." Wan Jianyi reminded from the side.

Chen Qiye already possessed the "General Principles of the Sword Path" and the innate sacred sword body, making him highly sensitive to sword techniques. After Wan Jianyi's guidance, he quickly grasped the essence. He closed his eyes and concentrated, ignoring all external distractions, meticulously tracing the flow of his spiritual energy. He integrated the insights from the "General Principles of the Sword Path" with Wan Jianyi's teachings, attempting to find the unique rhythm that resonated with the power of heaven and earth.

When he opened his eyes again, a flicker of determination flashed across Chen Qiye's. He took a deep breath and slowly mobilized his spiritual energy. No longer as eager as before, he guided the righteous energy of heaven and earth into his body with an extremely calm and composed manner. His aura began to rise, and it felt as if an invisible aura slowly expanded around him.

Holding Qiu Shui Wuhen, Chen Qiye muttered the sword formula, the long sword in his hand trembling slightly, and the blade flickered with light. As he continued to inject spiritual power, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth seemed to be attracted by some powerful force, and it gathered continuously.

"The righteousness of heaven and earth will last forever. We don't seek to kill immortals, but kill ghosts and gods!"

This time, Chen Qiye's voice was even louder, filled with confidence and strength. A black sword energy, several times thicker than before, erupted with a deafening wailing of ghosts and gods. Wherever the sword energy passed, a deep furrow was plowed into the ground, and the surrounding trees were uprooted by this powerful force.

Wan Jianyi watched this scene with admiration in his eyes: "Good boy, you are indeed smart! Such comprehension ability is truly rare in a century."

"After seeing this move from senior, Qiye has another move that I would like to ask for your instruction." Chen Qiye nodded and said.

Wan Jianyi raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes brimming with interest. He smiled and said, "Oh? I didn't expect you to have a trick up your sleeve. Go ahead and use it. I want to see what surprises you have up your sleeve."

"This move of mine is called Nineteen Stops!"

After Chen Qiye finished speaking, his aura suddenly subsided, as if he had merged into the universe, without a trace of worldly air. The Autumn Water Sword in his hand was like a dormant beast, seemingly calm, yet concealing a turbulent current.

He slowly closed his eyes, and the spiritual energy in his body began to circulate in a mysterious and complex way, gathering from his limbs and bones to his dantian, and then flowing in the opposite direction along the eight extraordinary meridians. Each flow seemed to be accumulating endless power.

When his spiritual energy reached its peak, Chen Qiye suddenly opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing across them. His first strike, seemingly understated, carried an indescribable rhythm, slicing through the air with a sharp whistling sound. This strike lacked earth-shattering momentum, but it was like dropping the first stone into a calm lake, stirring up ripples. Then came the second, the third... The intervals between each pause were imperceptible, yet they seemed to be connected in some way, each successive step increasing in intensity. As his sword moves piled up, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to surge towards him frantically, forming a vast vortex of spiritual power that enveloped him and Wan Jianyi.

Wan Jianyi's expression gradually grew solemn. He could sense the terrifying power contained within these "Nineteen Stops." Each strike seemed to challenge the limits of heaven and earth, and each stop caused the surrounding space to vibrate.

"Chen Qiye, what kind of sword genius are you that you can create such a shocking sword move?"

When Chen Qiye used his tenth move, cracks began to appear in the surrounding space, as if being torn apart by this powerful force. Trees and rocks were reduced to dust under the impact of this force. It seemed as if only he and the sword in his hand were left in the world.

Eleven pauses, twelve pauses… Chen Qiye's face grew paler, his clothes drenched in sweat, but his gaze grew more resolute, and the sword in his hand held steady. Finally, it was the nineteenth pause. Chen Qiye roared, pouring all his spiritual power into the sword without reservation. A brilliant sword light shot up into the sky, seemingly piercing the entire heavens.

After the sword light dissipated, Chen Qiye slowly sheathed his sword, knelt on one knee, and gasped for breath. His spiritual power had been exhausted, but a satisfied smile was on his face.

"You said my Devil Slayer was poisonous, but your Nineteenth Stop is no less toxic." Wan Jianyi stepped forward, his eyes filled with shock and admiration. He reached out and helped Chen Qiye, who was kneeling on one knee, and said, "The young are formidable. Once this move is unleashed, I'm afraid few in the world can resist it. However, this kind of sword move will consume too much of your spiritual power. If you were to fight in real combat, how would you deal with the dilemma of running out of spiritual power?"

"Dilemma? Haha, that doesn't exist. As long as I can successfully strike first with my sword, I will be invincible. At the very least... I can exchange my life for another's!" Chen Qiye shook his head and said.

Upon hearing this, Wan Jianyi's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He patted Chen Qiye's shoulder and said earnestly, "Qiye, trading lives for others' is not a long-term solution. The highest realm of swordsmanship is not about blindly fighting, but about finding a balance between life and death, preserving oneself while defeating the enemy."

"If I encounter an enemy that I cannot defeat, I can only take a risky move. It's the same as when the senior slew ghosts and gods, isn't it?" Chen Qiye said after taking a deep breath.

Wan Jianyi was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "That being said, you must understand that every time you seek victory in a risky situation, you are gambling with fate, and the stakes are your own life. If you can find a safer way, why put yourself in such a desperate situation so easily?"

Chen Qiye raised his head. "If one day, I were to face an enemy that no one could defeat, and watch everyone I cared about perish, I would regret not giving it my all, even if it meant dying in pieces, to give them a glimmer of hope."

Wan Jian looked at Chen Qiye and was deeply moved. He understood the obsession of sacrificing everything to protect the people he cherished. He had also been like that in the past.

"If I remember correctly, there's still a year and a half until the Seven Clans Martial Arts Competition. Qiye, you'll stay with me for about half a year and thoroughly master the Devil Slayer and your Nineteen Stops, or perfect these two moves based on your understanding. At least don't risk your life."

(End of this chapter)