C16 A Desperate Situation

He had that thought, but his Teacher's Virtue was currently insufficient. It seemed best to test the limits of his Infinite Dao Body.

"Initiate comprehension of the Dao Scripture's first level."

"Ding! To comprehend the first level of the Dao Scripture, one point of Teacher's Virtue is required. Proceed with comprehension?"

"Comprehend—immediately!"

The text of the Dao Scripture's first volume resonated within Chen Ming's mind, transforming into a page that settled into his consciousness. He was struck by the realization that a new Dao Palace was taking shape within him!

A Dao Palace served as the repository for spiritual energy following cultivation. Upon reaching the Dao Entering Stage, this energy would be converted into magical power.

Upon introspection, Chen Ming discovered not one, but two Dao Palaces within himself!

He pondered briefly before recalling the Heavenly Thunder Nine Transformations practiced by the Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. "Comprehend the first level of the Heavenly Thunder Nine Transformations!"

"Ding! Comprehending the first level of the Heavenly Thunder Nine Transformations requires three points of Teacher's Virtue. Will you comprehend?"

"Comprehend—without delay!"

The verses of the Heavenly Thunder Nine Transformations echoed in Chen Ming's mind. Peering beyond the surface, he grasped the essence of the text and instantaneously mastered the first level.

Inspecting his inner self once more, Chen Ming now found three Dao Palaces—two small and one large. Both smaller Dao Palaces contained spiritual energy: one held the attribute-less energy from the Dao Scripture, while the other was imbued with the lightning energy of the Heavenly Thunder Nine Transformations.

"Wait, does this mean I could become three Immortals? And if I master more techniques, could I become even more Immortals?"

"Ding! You're overthinking it. You may possess the Infinite Dao Body, but you are still mortal. The Infinite Dao Body has not yet taken shape, and the highest stage you can achieve is the Dao Realizing Stage."

"What? Then how do I form the embryonic Infinite Dao Body?"

"Condense three thousand Dao Seeds!"

"Damn it!"

After some time, Chen Ming regained his composure. Though the Dao Realizing Stage was the pinnacle he could currently achieve, it didn't trouble him. After all, he possessed three thousand Dao Palaces.

The Great Dao encompasses three thousand paths, all of which he cherishes. How could he possibly show favoritism?

Yet, it seems it's time for a change in his approach to combat. With numerous Dao Palaces at his disposal, he could utilize them as if he were many cultivators, all in sync with one another. Therefore, the most fitting technique for him would undoubtedly be array formations.

Formations that would typically require numerous cultivators to establish could be effortlessly completed by him alone, and with a unity of purpose. With the ability to alter formations at will, the power of these formations would surely surge!

He hadn't delved much into the study of array formations before, so upon his return to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, he resolved to explore their texts.

Each Dao Palace required a vessel to channel its power and set up formations. He decided to cultivate a Dao Sword within each palace to serve this purpose.

In reality, the potency of a formation often far exceeds that of divine abilities or magical techniques. However, formations have one significant drawback—they are difficult to move. This is why sects typically rely on Mountain Protecting Great Arrays for security. But this implied that he himself could become a mobile array, and once he mastered divine techniques related to the void, he wouldn't just be able to move—he could teleport!

He was a sect unto himself, capable of changing formations at will with a harmonious intent. "This Infinite Dao Body really seems quite formidable!"

With just ten days until the entrance disciple competition, it was time to return. After all, this mission came with a reward of one thousand Teacher's Virtue points. A thousand points of Teacher's Virtue would allow Chen Ming to elevate three cultivation techniques to the Dao Entering Stage. At that point, he alone could deploy an array that would normally require the combined effort of four Dao Entering Stage cultivators.

At the Prince Regent Mansion, once the matter with the Killing Palace was settled, peace was restored as if it had all been a mere performance.

Truth be told, Old Prince and Chen Yuhu were astounded upon hearing the news. Chen Ming had never commanded troops in battle, yet reports claimed that he had led the thirty thousand strong Flying Tiger Army to an overwhelming victory, slaying over ninety thousand foes. Chen Ming himself achieved the fearsome milestone of a thousand-man slaughter.

The very notion of having a strategy for victory was astonishing enough, but the fact that it was a total rout, with the Flying Tiger Army's casualties being virtually non-existent, was even more extraordinary.

Such a resounding triumph was unheard of, something they had never even imagined.

Yet, they remained skeptical. They summoned Wang Meng, who had been in the thick of the fray, to testify. "Old Prince, are you certain there's no exaggeration in the military report?" he was asked.

Wang Meng replied with solemnity, "Your Highness, I assure you, it's all true. You might find it hard to believe, and honestly, even having lived through it, it still feels surreal to me. I suspect all the generals, save for the Prince, share this sentiment. All I can say is that the Prince's strategic prowess is divine, and his battlefield presence, like that of a war deity, is utterly awe-inspiring."

Chen Yuhu's furrowed brow finally eased into a smile. "Hahaha, excellent, my son has indeed outshone his father!"

The Old Prince chuckled, "Well done, well done. In my old age, it's comforting to know we have such a hero among us."

Chen Yuhu shared a bit of gossip with a laugh, "I heard the emperor threw a tantrum last night, smashing a fortune in treasures."

The Old Prince snorted with contempt, "What insolence, to think he could pull one over on us. By the way, did the Prince return with you?"

Wang Meng informed him, "The Prince has already gone back to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect. Ms. Qingyao is about to compete in the disciple trials, and he's concerned for her."

The Old Prince cursed, "That little scoundrel, not even visiting his own father or grandfather. Wait until he returns—I'll give him a piece of my mind!"

Prince Su Mountain.

After three days of aimless wandering, Chen Ming finally made his way back to Prince Su Mountain. He remembered the girl was still at the bottom of the cliff, so he went straight to the Cliff of Reflection. Hovering at the cave entrance, he peered through the thick ivy and saw Zhuo Qingyao practicing her swordplay. It wasn't unusual for her to practice, but why did her technique resemble the most dominant move of the Prince Su Sword, rather than the Jade Maiden Sword she was supposed to be learning?

The resemblance was uncanny and piqued his curiosity.

Chen Ming had to admit, it was quite the feat to inadvertently refine the Jade Maiden Sword into the Overbearing World technique.

Sensing someone's presence, Zhuo Qingyao looked up. Chen Ming didn't linger outside the cave any longer and flew in, only to be met with her eyes, brimming with a touch of grievance. "Master, in your absence, I nearly fell to my death from the cliff."

Chen Ming's gaze fell upon Zhuo Qingyao, revealing a surprising discovery—she was enveloped by two distinct auras.

Fallen Cliff Aura, Level 1:

How could a true genius meet their end by tumbling off a cliff?

70% chance of death from a cliff fall.

20% chance of surviving the fall.

10% chance of finding treasures upon the fall.

Desperation Aura, Level 5:

"At the end of the path, when all seems lost, a hidden village appears amidst the dark willows and bright flowers!"

In dire straits, one's luck significantly increases based on the level of the aura.

It's no mystery how he managed to emerge from the Hundred Thousand Mountains; it was the power of this high-level Desperation Aura!

Seeing him, it was clear he was blessed with an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind aura. He had to battle through the Hundred Thousand Mountains, driven by a relentless Killing Intent.