Data Cultivation System

Chapter 18: Three-Star Dharma artifacts, Blocking Blade

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Zhuge Xiang did not even take the Blood Recovery Pill to treat his injuries when he was severely injured. Instead, he seized the time to accumulate Qi and activated the Blood Lightning Slash. Though it was challenging to accumulate Qi in the midst of battle, especially in a duel, it was undeniably a skill with outstanding attack power.

With Ji Wuxue’s decisiveness, Zhuge Xiang would not have been able to successfully accumulate his Qi in two breaths. He was just a little bit off. He was just slightly off. However, at this critical moment, the frost headband’s effect made it impossible for Zhuge Xiang…

The frost headband’s effect was triggered, causing Ji Wuxue’s speed to suddenly decrease by 20%. While in the eyes of most people, Ji Wuxue’s speed remained quite fast, Lu Yuling and a few genius disciples could clearly sense the impact on Ji Wuxue’s speed.

At this crucial moment, why did Ji Wuxue’s speed decrease? The eyes of many genius disciples narrowed. Was Ji Wuxue deliberately holding back? Clearly not. Otherwise, his sword wouldn’t have ruthlessly pierced through Zhuge Xiang’s chest. The result was evident. Zhuge Xiang possessed an incomprehensible method that affected Ji Wuxue’s speed.

“Does he really have a trump card?” A strange gleam flashed in Lu Yuling’s eyes. She looked as if she had expected this.

Despite his severe injuries, with Ji Wuxue’s speed reduced and Zhuge Xiang’s Blood Lightning Slash already activated, Lu Yuling knew that the outcome had been determined. Zhuge Xiang’s rise to fame was unstoppable, and he had become renowned in a single battle…

The Blood Lightning Slash brought with it a surging saber intent that bore down on Ji Wuxue like a mountain. Ji Wuxue’s speed was affected and decreased by 20%. Zhuge Xiang’s Bloodthirst Technique increased his speed by 50%, and his Dharma artifacts boots increased his speed by another 30%. He was moving nearly twice as fast. Coupled with the terrifying attack power of the Blood Lightning Slash, Ji Wuxue resembled a rabbit facing a wild lion that had unleashed its full strength under Zhuge Xiang’s onslaught.

Blood Lightning Slash. The sound of wind and thunder could be heard. Scarlet Qi Force poured into the Blood Lightning Slash, making the faces on the Blood Lightning Slash look sinister. Ghost faces that were either in pain or crazy condensed on the Blood Lightning Slash…

Ji Wuxue was shocked. He was also stunned by Zhuge Xiang’s attack. Throughout the competition, Zhuge Xiang had never employed the Blood Lightning Slash. He hadn’t anticipated that Zhuge Xiang had not only mastered the Advanced level of the Bloodthirst Technique but had also cultivated the most offensive martial art—the Blood Lightning Slash.

Although he hastily blocked Zhuge Xiang’s attack with his sword, he had concentrated all of Zhuge Xiang’s convictions and placed everything on the Blood Lightning Slash. How could it be so easily blocked?

Despite being a one-star Dharma artifact, the black longsword could not withstand Zhuge Xiang’s Blood Lightning Slash. With a cry, a long and deep saber mark appeared on the black sword’s surface. It was unstoppable. Zhuge Xiang’s saber ruthlessly struck Ji Wuxue’s chest.

While Zhuge Xiang managed to block the attack with his black longsword, the impact of the Blood Lightning Slash caused Ji Wuxue to scream in pain as he was sent flying. The sound of bones breaking could be heard clearly. It was evident that Zhuge Xiang had broken at least a few ribs in Ji Wuxue’s chest. He spat out a mouthful of blood and flew backward, tracing a beautiful parabolic arc in the air…

His internal organs were shaken, and several of his ribs were fractured. Ji Wuxue, lying on the ground, had clearly lost the ability to continue fighting. Without waiting for Zhuge Xiang to ruthlessly finish him off, Ji Wuxue endured the pain and hurriedly shouted, “I admit defeat!”

Whoosh!!!

The scarlet Blood Refined Saber halted just in front of Ji Wuxue’s forehead, refraining from delivering the final strike. In a duel, the Asura Sect of the demonic sect would undoubtedly fight to the death. Zhuge Xiang, who had nearly perished under Ji Wuxue’s sword moments ago, naturally wouldn’t show any mercy. However, since Ji Wuxue had already admitted defeat, there was no need for Zhuge Xiang to kill him mercilessly.

Ji Wuxue’s heart trembled as he gazed at the Blood Refined Saber poised before his forehead, feeling the intense and dense Saber Qi. Simultaneously, he felt relieved that he had promptly admitted defeat. Otherwise, his head would have been separated from his body.

Zhuge Xiang sheathed his Blood Refined Saber and slung it over his back. He dispelled the Bloodthirst Technique and sensed a sense of weakness. Zhuge Xiang turned around and departed, admiring Ji Wuxue’s decisiveness.

Though this battle had appeared extremely perilous, with its twists and turns, from their initial exchange of moves to the pact of three moves, the time taken for Zhuge Xiang to activate the Bloodthirst Technique was only seven to eight breaths.

Despite feeling weakened by the aftereffects of the Bloodthirst Technique, Zhuge Xiang should be able to recover 70-80% of his combat strength after resting for a while.

After the duel concluded, the host took the stage and announced Zhuge Xiang’s victory. Simultaneously, the staff hurriedly carried Ji Wuxue away to treat his injuries. Despite his defeat, Ji Wuxue’s exceptional swordsmanship had lived up to his reputation as a genius. Naturally, the Asura Sect highly valued such a prodigy.

“Ding! You have defeated Ji Wuxue, who is at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. You have received 150 EXP and Blocking Blade.”

As Ji Wuxue admitted defeat, the system notification came as promised. 150 EXP? Zhuge Xiang was very satisfied.

Back then, the demon fox, which was equivalent to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, had also granted him over 130 EXP. Although Zhuge Xiang was only at the first level of the Qi Nourishing stage and had killed monsters two levels higher, he had received assistance from Lu Yuling at that time. This time, he had defeated the opponent alone. It was normal for him to gain more EXP.

As Zhuge Xiang descended from the dueling platform, he lowered his head and examined it. A black dagger materialized in his palm. It measured about five inches in length and was completely black. It appeared to be made of gold, yet not gold. He was unsure of the material it was crafted from. The streamlined body shape bestowed upon it a peculiar sense of beauty. It felt comfortable to hold in his hand.

Blocking Blade (Level 3 Dharma artifact): Attack 2-5. Active skill: Can block any single attack from a Qi Transformation Stage cultivator. Cooldown time: 1 day.

Zhuge Xiang gasped upon seeing the three-star Dharma artifact. The power of the one-star Dharma artifacts, the Blood Refined Saber, and the frost headband, had already been impressive. But a three-star Dharma artifact? Wasn’t this pushing him to a godlike level?

However, Zhuge Xiang felt disappointed when he noticed the meager attack power. Yet, his excitement was rekindled upon seeing the active effect of the Blocking Blade.

It could withstand any single-target attack from a cultivator at the Qi Nourishing stage? This effect was truly formidable. One must understand that the Qi Nourishing stage was not the only stage within the Qi Nourishing stage. There were also the Body Tempering stage, the Meridian Opening stage, and even the Reverting Stage. Could it withstand any single-target attack? Although it did not enhance Zhuge Xiang’s combat abilities, this Blocking Blade significantly boosted his survivability.

If not for the long cooldown time and the fact that it could only block single-target attacks, he believed that this block blade would be at least four or five stars in quality.

Although it did not greatly increase his combat prowess, the quality of this Blocking Blade was indeed befitting of a three-star Dharma artifact. Zhuge Xiang felt genuinely pleased to suddenly obtain such a three-star Dharma artifact.

After stepping off the stage, Niu Geng and Lu Yuling congratulated Zhuge Xiang on his victory. As they walked past, the disciples below the dueling platform instinctively made way, showcasing their recognition of Zhuge Xiang’s power as the dark horse. The strong were respected.

The crowd parted automatically, clearing a path for him. This was a treatment that Zhuge Xiang had never imagined before. Undoubtedly, Zhuge Xiang relished this sensation. Why had he come to the Asura Sect? His goal was crystal clear. He aimed to surpass everyone else.

Zhuge Xiang walked to a relatively distant spot where he could still observe all the battlegrounds, and he sat down. Channeling his Qi Force, Zhuge Xiang began to heal his injuries. He was still in a weakened state. Although Ji Wuxue’s sword had pierced through his chest and caused an injury, Zhuge Xiang had only lost 40 health points. With the Blood Lightning Slash, he had already regained a small amount of health by relying on the 10% blood-sucking effect of the Blood Refined Saber.

Zhuge Xiang was not in a hurry to use the Blood Recovery Pill. This was a life-saving item at a critical moment. He casually got some medicine to stop his injuries. Zhuge Xiang was waiting for the duel to begin.

Despite his injuries and the weakened effect of the Bloodthirst Technique, which had reduced all of Zhuge Xiang’s attributes by 15%, there were no disciples left on the dueling platform who could pose a threat to him after defeating Ji Wuxue. There were still 20-30% more duels to come, and in Zhuge Xiang’s mind, these disciples had already become his targets for bloodsucking and injury recovery…

Overall, the earlier Zhuge Xiang encountered Ji Wuxue, the more advantageous it was for him. The sooner he activated the Bloodthirst Technique, the weaker he would be. This would provide Zhuge Xiang with enough time to recover from his injuries.

If Zhuge Xiang were to face Ji Wuxue in the final battle, the weakened state of the Bloodthirst Technique would have a significant impact on him. Moreover, the Blood Regeneration Pills would have been depleted long ago. It would be a waste to use the Blood Regeneration Pills, which could recover 100 HP, when he had lost just over 30 HP…

Indeed, no one could pose much of a threat to Zhuge Xiang in the subsequent battles. With the Blood Refined Saber, frost headband, and his prestige from the previous battle, the three disciples he encountered later, all at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, were no match for him. Zhuge Xiang put in considerable effort to make these disciples faint from the wounds inflicted by his saber. They had over a hundred health points, but now they probably had only about ten left.

However, the effect was evident. Zhuge Xiang had gained approximately 300 health points and 10% of the blood-sucking attribute from the three disciples. The 30 or so health points he had lost were almost fully recovered. The wound on his chest was nearly healed, to the point that if someone peeled off his clothes and looked, they would only see a scar from the sword wound.

Without any mishaps, Zhuge Xiang successfully qualified and became one of the top 32. The first-place winners from the other dueling platforms also appeared one after another…

Including Lu Yuling, the first batch of disciples from the Asura Sect who had comprehended Qi Force five months ago were all formidable opponents for Zhuge Xiang. Now that they had made it to the top 32, it could be said that there were no weaklings remaining.

However, this only made Zhuge Xiang even more excited. A powerful opponent meant a significant amount of experience points. If he could continue to advance smoothly, he believed that he would soon reach the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. At that time, Zhuge Xiang would be even more confident in securing the first-place position.