Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 663 - 554: Dongfang Xiong!

"When did our sect suddenly get an Acting Sect Leader?"

The loud shout from the man in the yellow robe not only made Qi Xiu show a hesitant expression, but also left the Yun Generation Elders beside him utterly puzzled.

But the moment the man in the yellow robe unfolded the decree scroll in his hand, the bright red seal in the lower left instantly revealed the identity of the Acting Sect Leader.

Dongfang Xiong!

"Is it the Great Elder? Has he come out of seclusion!?"

Seeing Dongfang Xiong's private seal at the bottom of the decree, the Yun Generation Elders were both surprised and delighted.

Dongfang Xiong is the Great Elder of the Shenxiao Sect, the elder brother of the Supreme Sect Leader Dongfang Qing, and the most hopeful to achieve the Primordial Spirit Supreme within the sect.

To reach the Primordial Spirit Realm.

Dongfang Xiong declared a closed-door life-or-death seclusion three hundred years ago, since then leaving no trace, and many newly inducted disciples were unaware of such a Great Elder's existence.

And now Dongfang Xiong suddenly ordered a summons for Qi Xiu, and as the Acting Sect Leader, it must be related to the disappearance of the Supreme Sect Leader Dongfang Qing.

Knowing the urgency of the matter, Qi Xiu did not delay and bid farewell to his master and fellow uncles, then followed that yellow-robed Taoist all the way to the depths of the Shenxiao Sect Gate.

"Dare I ask, Daoist, do you know why the Acting Sect Leader is summoning me?"

Riding a cloud forward, a mighty wind blowing upon him, Qi Xiu softly inquired of the yellow-robed Daoist in front of him.

"Master did not specifically say, but I suppose it must be related to the disappearance of Master Qing."

The yellow-robed Daoist replied simply, and then fell silent again.

Knowing likely nothing could be learned from this Daoist, Qi Xiu chose not to inquire further.

Riding the cloud swiftly, the two soon arrived at the edge of a vast accumulation of thunderclouds, heavens and earth shrouded in darkness, occasionally with blazing thunder light streaking across the sky at the black stone cliff.

Looking at the mottled, uneven stone cliff before him, as if blasted open by countless thunders, Qi Xiu could clearly sense the Great Dao of Thunder Magic contained within.

Dharma Lecture Cliff!

One of the divine forbidden zones within the Shenxiao Sect.

Legend has it that the Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Ruler of Thunder True Venerable, founder of the Shenxiao Sect, comprehended the Great Dao of Thunder Magic here and thus founded the Shenxiao Sect.

When the Nine Heavens Divine Firmament Ruler of Thunder True Venerable achieved the Primordial Spirit Realm, he lectured here for a hundred days, causing heaven and earth to resonate, thus forming the grand spectacle of all thunders resonating and the Heavenly Palace welcoming.

And left behind the eternal essence of the Great Dao of Thunder Magic within this stone cliff.

Thus, this unassuming black stone cliff gained the name Dharma Lecture Cliff.

However, the thunder magic essence left by the Founder was too intense, and over long ages, instead of dissipating, it continuously absorbed the essence of the heavens and earth, gradually transforming into the Ten Thousand Supreme Golden Thunders.

The ordinary members of the Shenxiao Sect, even the Dao experts, dare not easily come here to cultivate or comprehend.

Because the accumulation of thunder energy in a practitioner of Thunder Magic's body would easily provoke thunder resonance, like a human lightning rod.

Practicing here could lead to rapid advancement in Thunder Magic comprehension.

But a single mistake could trigger the might of the Supreme Golden Thunders.

Let alone a Dao expert, even a Primordial Spirit True Honor could not withstand a few strikes.

Only someone like Dongfang Xiong, who has already glimpsed the path to the Primordial Spirit Great Path and is only a step away from reaching the True Honor Realm, would risk closing himself here to break through to that ultimate realm.

Utilizing the thunder magic essence left by the Founder and the pressure of the Ten Thousand Supreme Golden Thunders to force himself towards an early breakthrough to become the second Primordial Spirit True Honor of the Shenxiao Sect!

Before even stepping into the Dharma Lecture Cliff, dragons of roaring golden thunder emerged from the thick clouds above.

Primordial Spirit level thunders...

Instantly sensing the profound pressure of these Supreme Golden Thunders, Qi Xiu's expression slightly tensed.

Worthy of the thunder magic essence left by the Founder.

Every golden thunder above the Dharma Lecture Cliff could match a full-powered strike of a Primordial Spirit True Honor, and should all thunders resonate, a Primordial Spirit True Honor would be killed on the spot.

Previously, if not for Gao Tianxiong suddenly intruding into the mountain gate, relying on the mountain gate's resources, given early preparations, capturing three to five Primordial Spirit True Honors would not have been a tall order.

While Qi Xiu was still marveling at the formidable power contained in the Dharma Lecture Cliff, the yellow-robed Daoist slightly bowed, softly speaking to the figure at the top of the stone cliff:

"Master, Junior Brother Qi Xiu has arrived."

"You may leave."

From the stone cliff came a voice deep and ancient.

"Yes, Master."

With a light reply, the yellow-robed Daoist nodded to Qi Xiu, then rode his cloud gradually away from the Dharma Lecture Cliff.

"You must be Qi Xiu, Qingchen speaks highly of you, saying you are a rare talent in the Shenxiao Sect for ten thousand years, his constant chatter almost forming calluses in my ears.

Seeing you today, it seems you are indeed as worthy of his praise.

You have not squandered his painstaking efforts to cultivate you."

Hearing Dongfang Xiong's praise, Qi Xiu realized that the Qingchen mentioned was the Supreme Sect Leader Dongfang Qing, Qingchen being his courtesy name, and promptly stood straighter, clasping his hands in thanks:

"Thank you, Uncle, for the praise. Uncle, have you summoned the disciple today for the matter of the Sect Leader's disappearance..."

"Hmm, you guessed correctly, now come up here, and we'll discuss in detail."

Before Dongfang Xiong finished speaking, a flat path formed by lightning suddenly stretched down from the top of the stone cliff.

Observing the Thunder Path extending to his feet, Qi Xiu's eyes flickered, and after a brief pause, he stepped onto it.

Hiss—

At the moment Qi Xiu stepped onto the Thunder Path, the fierce and surging power of thunder burst forth like an enraged tide, flooding into his body all at once.

Is this a test?

Perceiving Dongfang Xiong's intention, Qi Xiu smiled faintly. Behind him, thunder resounded in the endless void, and a Thunder Pond, with a missing corner, began to revive. The thunder light rushing into his body was almost instantly absorbed into this Thunder Pond.

The storm subsided, silence reigned.

"Haha..."

From atop the stone cliff came a satisfied laugh.

Knowing that he had passed the test, Qi Xiu took large strides along the path, ascending to the highest level of the Dharma Lecture Cliff.

On the mottled and uneven black stone cliff platform, clusters of seemingly golden grass grew in the small cracks of the rocks.

At the center of this stone cliff, a tall man, draped in a dark gray daoist robe, with a somewhat emaciated physique, disheveled hair, and a bushy beard hanging down to his chest, sat quietly in a meditative position. Though he looked quite desolate, his eyes emitted a vibrant divine light.

"Disciple Qi Xiu greets Master Uncle."

Seeing Dongfang Xiong's disheveled and untidy appearance, Qi Xiu showed no surprise and respectfully saluted this elder brother of Sect Master Dongfang Qing, the Great Elder of the sect.

"Divine Luster Inward Concealment, Dao Charm Innate.

Ah, no wonder Qingchen gave you the Nine Heavens Shenxiao Imperial Thunder Command.

If it weren't for you this time, Gao Tianxiong, that lion-dog, would have taken advantage."

Ruffling his wild hair like weeds, Dongfang Xiong laughed softly, clearly quite satisfied with Qi Xiu's performance.

Listening to Dongfang Xiong's words, Qi Xiu slightly raised his eyes, looking at this Great Elder of the Shenxiao Sect, the brother of the Supreme Sect Leader, the existence with the greatest hope to achieve Primordial Spirit True Honor.

Although he and Sect Master Dongfang Qing are brothers from the same mother.

Yet in both image and temperament, when placed together, Dongfang Xiong and Dongfang Qing are completely contrasting existences.

Sect Master Dongfang Qing is handsome and elegant, carefree and unrestrained, often appearing lazy and leisurely, giving off the impression of a carefree wanderer of the mortal world.

However, this impression seems more like a layer of camouflage that Dongfang Qing has given himself, a mask he wishes others to see and believe.

Those truly familiar with him know just how fearsome his shrewdness and depth are, despite his usual lazy demeanor and constant smile.

But looking at this Great Elder, Dongfang Xiong.

From the first glance Qi Xiu had of him, a word involuntarily sprang to mind: steady.

Yes, compared to Dongfang Qing's free, unrestrained nature above the Nine Heavens.

Dongfang Xiong gives off the feeling of being down-to-earth and steady. Although his broad frame is somewhat thin, it exudes an impression of being able to hold all things, to support the heavens.

It feels as if standing beside him, even if the sky were to fall, there would be someone there to hold it up.

"No need to stand on ceremony, this Dharma Lecture Cliff is humble, sit wherever you like."

Gesturing with his hand to let Qi Xiu feel at ease, Dongfang Xiong plucked a few strands of the golden grass beside him, twisting them into a grass rope to tie up his messy hair.

"This time, Qingchen has entrusted me with a few matters to pass on to you."

"Please speak, Master Uncle."

"Qingchen left in a hurry this time, unable to explain everything, and to ensure the utmost secrecy.

Throughout the sect, aside from you and me, no one else knows where he has gone.

The first thing he instructed is that once you return from the Blood Lotus Great World, you must immediately go to the Dao Alliance to retrieve the set of [Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls].

These pearls were not easy to come by, so don't let them slip away again.

The second thing is that you must swiftly enhance your own strength.

A world of great turmoil is about to descend, potentially sweeping across the entire land of Central Earth.

He has gone Outside the Domain, uncertain when he will return, and I have locked myself onto this Dharma Lecture Cliff. Without breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Realm, I cannot leave this place for even a single step.

Should great calamity strike, the Shenxiao Sect will have to rely on you."

When speaking about the second matter, Dongfang Xiong looked at Qi Xiu in front of him.

This child, though only over a hundred years old, Qingchen has entrusted him with such a heavy burden. Is it too reckless; can he bear it...

Seeing Dongfang Xiong suddenly silent midway through his words, Qi Xiu thought he was waiting for his response and immediately said:

"Rest assured, Master Uncle, what the Sect Master has entrusted, this disciple will surely dedicate himself to."

"Good, and there is one last matter..."

Gazing at Qi Xiu's youthful face, with its determined gaze, Dongfang Xiong's eyes slightly shifted, a nameless premonition filling his heart.

Qingchen has never been wrong from childhood to adulthood. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

And today, it will be no different.

Steeling himself, Dongfang Xiong turned his palm, producing a jade token that seemed cast of pure purple gold, transparent as glass.

On the upper part of the jade token were carved nine Thunder Law Dao Seals, below which were a sword and a print, and in the center, two large characters were inscribed in ancient script of the Human Race.

Shenxiao!

Holding the Shenxiao Jade Order, Dongfang Xiong sat up straight, his expression becoming solemn, his lips parting as his voice, like a great bell or booming timpani, suddenly echoed throughout the Dharma Lecture Cliff:

"Shenxiao Sect Member Qi Xiu, hear the order!"

...