novelraw Chapter 900 476: Modern Methods, Ancient Methods, The Secret of the Three Wonders (2)
Chapter 900 476: Modern Methods, Ancient Methods, The Secret of the Three Wonders (2)
Gu Shanhai also wasn't confident that he could help Emperor Xuan successfully break through, and the reason was simple: he didn't possess the relevant laws.
Unless he directly extracted the world's laws, which would cause a chain reaction.
As for the laws on him, he could use them, but Gu Shanhai was unwilling. It was just an experiment subject, not worth putting in too much cost.
He's not the only cultivator at the peak of the Heavenly Human Unity Realm; there are many in the Da Xuan Dynasty and quite a few in the Demon Domain, so he need not worry about lacking experiment subjects.
This ancient technique of the Three Strange Books can be cultivated not only by humans but also by the demon race.
Therefore, this ancient method is likely something both human and demon races can cultivate. It's the present-day methods that differ greatly between the two races.
"But then again, why did the world gift the ancient technique to the protagonists Qing Feng and Ming Yue?"
"That implies they might be able to solve the ancient method's shortcomings."
"It also indirectly proves that the world is rejecting present-day methods, with ancient methods appearing more orthodox."
If Gu Shanhai viewed it from the world's perspective, he'd also choose the ancient technique. First, because the god-demon breakthroughs in these ancient methods don't focus on plundering; they instead integrate with compatible laws, allowing for a deeper union with the world and becoming a part of its power.
Present-day methods relying on oneself aren't inherently bad, but if relying on oneself doesn't turn one into a consumable snack or drink for others, there'd be no issue, and the world wouldn't mind too much.
At worst, the upper limit is a little lower, but if what you cultivated in your world turns into someone else's food, then the whole world becomes like a chive field, with god-demons as the endlessly regenerating chives.
Not to mention that this was forced; even Gu Shanhai wouldn't be happy.
Half a two-hour period passed in a flash; Emperor Xuan didn't persist with his breakthrough but instead withdrew from his attempt with severe injuries.
At this moment, his aura was extremely weak, and his power temporarily dropped to the level of Three Flowers Gathering at the Top.
Fortunately, Emperor Xuan had prepared for this long ago, both mentally and physically.
He immediately took out a large amount of medicine to swallow, and his originally pale complexion began to recover, with his fallen power returning to the Heavenly Human Unity Realm. However, it was still somewhat unstable, appearing to have injured his foundation, needing some time to recuperate.
The recovery capability of one at the Heavenly Human Unity Realm is far inferior to that of a god-demon. If it were a god-demon, such an injury would have recovered in an instant.
"Failed, lacking something."
"Is the Three Strange Books incomplete?"
"No, the Three Strange Books are very complete. It's something I'm missing!"
Emperor Xuan's expression was somber; he hadn't anticipated such a situation when just one last step meant success.
Currently, the entire Da Xuan Dynasty is on the brink of collapse after the death of the Zhao family patriarch, Zhao Xuanti. If he cannot break through to become a god-demon, he'll certainly be replaced by other forces.
"What exactly am I missing? The Three Strange Books don't record this..." Emperor Xuan adjusted his mood, with a sense of helplessness.
"Perhaps, you can find the answer in the Three Strange Books." A voice suddenly sounded, making Emperor Xuan immediately alert.
"Who's there!" he reflexively shouted.
Gu Shanhai stepped out of the shadows, though it wasn't his true self. His true self was monitoring the absorption point within the Red Pattern Demon, so he came as a Heart Demon Dao Soldier avatar.
"I think you should have heard of my name; lately, I've been at the top of the trending list." Gu Shanhai quipped.
Emperor Xuan didn't know what a trending list was, but that didn't stop him from guessing Gu Shanhai's identity.
"Zhen Yuanzi of the Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain," Emperor Xuan's eyes narrowed, unsure of Gu Shanhai's purpose here.
"Don't worry, I mean no harm. If I had ill intentions, you wouldn't have received the Xuantian Treasure Record." Gu Shanhai said with a slight smile.
This made Emperor Xuan's heart sink; he had earlier guessed that the Xuantian Treasure Record had been deliberately sent, but hadn't expected Gu Shanhai to be behind it.
"Senior, what do you intend to do?" Emperor Xuan did not shout back with words like 'I won't eat the food of others' charity' or 'for killing my patriarch, I won't rest under the same sky as you.'
He didn't have much affection for Zhao Xuanti; their relationship was more about mutual benefits. While Zhao Xuanti was the Zhao family patriarch, their lineage had many generations apart, and due to the noninterference of god-demons in worldly matters, they were more about meeting needs.
They merely shared common interests.
"Nothing much, just dropping a hint. I do admire your talent," Gu Shanhai said.
Emperor Xuan understood Gu Shanhai's meaning: he valued him, hence the assistance.
"Please, senior, enlighten me." Emperor Xuan didn't feel humiliated; having a god-demon guide him, even with ulterior motives, could still benefit him greatly.
"You reached the final step in your breakthrough, missing something. That something is now sealed away; even I can't access it." Gu Shanhai spoke ambiguously.
Yet Emperor Xuan deeply resonated with this.
"Fortunately, although we can't obtain it, we can make it come to us through certain methods. You understand what I mean, right?" Gu Shanhai continued in riddles.
Not being familiar with Emperor Xuan, he deliberately maintained this mysterious air for his own satisfaction.
Emperor Xuan's gaze fell on the Three Strange Books.
Gu Shanhai had sent the Xuantian Treasure Record and appeared in person to provide guidance, indicating the breakthrough opportunity lay within the Three Strange Books.
"I didn't expect you to go all out for your two disciples."
Clearly, Emperor Xuan misunderstood Gu Shanhai, believing him to be plotting a path for Qing Feng and Ming Yue, thinking their talent would make reaching the Heavenly Human Unity Realm a non-issue as long as they survived.
However, breaking through to become a god-demon was a perilous journey.
In terms of talent, Emperor Xuan wasn't inferior to Qing Feng and Ming Yue, and yet he ended up like this trying to break through to god-demon.
"In life, you must have pursuits." Gu Shanhai didn't deny it, finding Emperor Xuan's assumptions acceptable.
"If only I could've joined your tutelage earlier, perhaps things would be very different now." Emperor Xuan lamented, but time was not on his side, and it held no significance now.
"Indeed, a pity," Gu Shanhai agreed, acknowledging Emperor Xuan's abilities and talents but lamenting his lack of protagonist status.
"Does senior have any more advice for this junior?" This implied Emperor Xuan was signaling it was time for Gu Shanhai to leave as he prepared to delve into the mysteries of the Three Strange Books.
If he hadn't known Gu Shanhai intended to use him as an experimental probe, he wouldn't dare to ask him to leave, not even subtly, understanding the power of a god-demon.
But now, knowing his own value and that Gu Shanhai wouldn't harm him, he had no fear.
As for the risk of failure, Emperor Xuan was indifferent; he knew his current condition might afford him only one more chance to break through, success or death.
If he succeeded, it wouldn't matter further. The benefits gained wouldn't make the incident significant in the larger context.
"No more, I just hope you succeed, otherwise I'd have to find another person – that'd be troublesome." Gu Shanhai genuinely wished him success.
"Then, thank you for your good wishes, senior," Emperor Xuan accepted Gu Shanhai's blessing, as it mutually benefited both parties.
After Gu Shanhai finished speaking, he gradually faded away, disappearing.
Emperor Xuan wasn't concerned about whether Gu Shanhai truly left; he just wanted an attitude from him.
As long as his breakthrough wasn't disturbed, nothing else mattered much.
"Becoming a god-demon is truly like ascending to the heavens; if unsuccessful, one falls to pieces," Emperor Xuan muttered softly.