Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 48

After spending some time in the Hunyuan Demon Sect, the days of training in martial arts passed unnoticed, but He Lang’s task remained far from completion.

The sect had a strict hierarchy, from the sect leader down to the protectors, hall masters, and disciples, with him being at the very bottom.

He asked with a hint of melancholy, “When can I see the sect leader’s face?”

As expected, Ge Rulan showed a look of disdain, “Tsk, how could someone as lowly as you ever see the sect leader!”

She then went on to boast about how their sect leader was unmatched in martial arts and invincible.

He Lang wished she would talk more about the sect leader, but it seemed that even after years in the sect, she had rarely seen the leader, making the leader appear even more mysterious.

“That was many years ago, when the sect leader was not yet the sect leader. Many factions with dubious backgrounds coveted the sect’s secret treasures and the sect leader’s Hunyuan Demon Body. At that time, the sect leader was truly a one-man army, defeating those outsiders with just a single Red Lotus Sword,” Ge Rulan said with pride.

Hearing the word “defeated,” He Lang’s heart sank, and he asked, “Killed…?”

He had anticipated that his target, now the leader of a sect, must have achieved great martial skill, but such a person being described as a notorious bloodthirsty villain raised concerns about how he could possibly redeem this image.

He Lang felt uneasy—if the leader had truly killed so many people, the crimes would be grave indeed. How could he turn their image around?

“What’s wrong? Do you find it cruel?” Ge Rulan glanced at him, seeing his dejected expression. She didn’t intend to reveal the full truth and continued to argue based on her own logic.

“Those righteous sects claim to protect, but aren’t they also coveting others’ interests while harming us? They have their reasons for protection, and the sect leader has his own way of guarding.”

After speaking, Ge Rulan waved her sleeve and muttered to herself, “No one would become an evil person without reason…”

He Lang thought of her earlier comments about those who had been abandoned, feeling heavy-hearted. He tried to keep his tone cheerful, “Precisely because the sect leader is so formidable, I wish to see him, to serve him and follow him.”

She scrutinized him for a moment, seeing no sign of deceit, and then paused, contemplating, “However, I can tell you that… currently there is a vacancy for the right protector.”

He Lang’s eyes widened slightly, eager to learn more.

She led him outside and pointed to a nearby arena. “In our sect, martial skills are paramount. There are several tournaments each year to select elite members for important positions. The tournament has just started. Anyone who is still standing on the stage in three months can become a candidate, and the sect leader might notice.”

He Lang looked in the direction she indicated. Although he couldn’t see clearly, the competition on the stage was intense, with combatants moving so swiftly that it was hard to discern their actions, followed by bursts of blood as one side fell lifelessly.

Another person had just died in this brief duel. Ge Rulan was used to this and tilted her chin at him. “The arena here is not like the friendly sparring of the righteous sects, where it’s just a show. Here, we have many martial enthusiasts and practitioners of demonic arts. When they fight, they spare no quarter! Injuries or deaths on the arena are never stopped. Are you afraid?”

He Lang shook his head, still resolute.

This was the only chance he had to approach the sect leader. If he failed in his task, he would be trapped in this world’s cycle of reincarnation… honestly, he had no reason to fear death.

Seeing his unyielding attitude, Ge Rulan decided not to dissuade him further. She glanced at his lean frame and smirked slightly, “Alright, you’ve just joined the sect.”

The right protector next to the sect leader must be a highly skilled individual, and due to the tradition, they should be someone who has been in the sect for many years and is trustworthy.

Given this, his chance of success seemed slim.

He Lang didn’t care and smiled, “These are just traditions, not written rules.”

Ge Rulan squinted at him, pinched his ear, her sharp nails causing him pain, and he cried out in surrender.

“Just go and get yourself killed then!”

Although she left with this harsh remark, the next day, when He Lang returned to the training ground, Ge Wenjing did not attack him as usual.

Without a word, he took up He Lang’s sword, infused it with genuine sword energy, and then handed it back.

“I heard from my sister about your situation… hmm, commendable courage. We’ll see.”

After all, he had only been in the sect for a few months but already harbored such ambitions. Though it was the bravado of a newcomer, it was a kind of courage they lacked.

“This kind of favor cannot be repaid,” He Lang said, taking the sword with a bit of surprise and quickly expressing his gratitude with a smile.

Ge Wenjing coughed a few times while holding his fist to his lips and nodded. “Indeed, it’s quite a loss—but you’re quite resilient. Over this month, I’ve developed several new techniques for the Five Yin Palm.”

The Genuine Martial Sword Energy was incredibly rare, containing a powerful and vigorous aura that was a perfect match for the Virtuous Spirit Sword, which carried a softer, spiritual energy. When the Genuine Martial Sword Energy was first applied to the sword, it began to hum and vibrate, causing He Lang’s palm to hurt. The sword seemed eager to leap and move on its own.

To avoid being controlled by the sword, He Lang took a deep breath and used his well-mastered true qi, rising from his lower abdomen, passing through his chest and arms, and flowing to his wrists. He began practicing with the sword, gradually increasing the speed and becoming more proficient. The sword seemed to lead his movements rather than the other way around.

The sword’s energy was intense and lively, like a playful child. If he mismanaged it slightly, the sword would vibrate and shoot towards the sky, as if ready to carry him through the clouds.

Ge Wenjing watched with great interest and promptly decided to spar with him.

He Lang, now airborne, focused intensely and forcefully drew an arc with the sword’s tip towards Ge Wenjing, easily neutralizing the waves of palm strikes Ge Wenjing sent his way.

With a powerful weapon, He Lang began learning to attack rather than always evading. His confidence grew, and he started refining his sword techniques. Even difficult movements became smooth and natural with the aid of the sword energy, pushing Ge Wenjing to retreat step by step.

Observing the young man before him, gracefully wielding the sword and displaying unparalleled skill, Ge Wenjing, with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, casually picked up a curved blade and blocked He Lang’s sword.

The clash of weapons produced a crisp sound. He Lang slightly retreated but landed steadily, thanking Ge Wenjing for his guidance.

The arena competition lasted three months, with daily battles. The champion of the final day would have the chance to meet the sect leader.

The competition had been going on for a little over a month. He Lang planned to face the current champion in the final match and use the time to hone his skills.

Since obtaining the Genuine Martial Sword Energy, He Lang experienced a new sensation of being able to fight back effectively. His confidence surged, and he became engrossed in martial arts.

He understood his strengths and weaknesses, recognizing that he couldn’t quickly become excellent in his weaknesses. Instead, he focused on breakthroughs in his sword techniques, embracing the idea that offense was the best defense. He sought ways to maximize his offensive power in a single strike.

In the sect, many seniors existed, and he had attempted to seek their advice humbly. However, they were not as approachable as Ge Rulan; they were temperamental and often challenged him to fights instead.

His progress drew ridicule from peers who mocked him for relying on Ge Hall Master and Demon Queen for standing firm and for trying to cling to the seniors. They believed that someone with a “face like a white boy” could not have real strength and frequently sought to spar with him.

As a result, He Lang attracted many who wanted to fight with him. Although it was exhausting, he gained much from these encounters.

Although Ge Rulan suggested that killing the troublemakers wouldn’t matter, He Lang always found it excessive, typically stopping after injuring his opponents slightly.

He often clashed with people who had nothing in common with him, and he was frequently injured.

During the healing process, he regularly visited an old doctor in the sect who seemed to have no name, only referred to as the “Demon Doctor.”

The Demon Doctor, over fifty years old, had a disheveled mix of black and gray hair. He loved to boast about his past, but few listened except for He Lang.

Finally finding someone willing to listen to his old stories, the Demon Doctor was willing to boast while treating him. However, seeing He Lang frequently injured and consuming his herbs, he grew impatient and asked He Lang who he had offended, as his injuries never seemed to heal.

He Lang answered vaguely, saying he was focused on studying martial arts.

The Demon Doctor sighed, intending to pat him on the shoulder but refraining when he remembered He Lang’s shoulder injury. “Young man, why push yourself so hard?”

Hearing the rare concern from him and seeing his lonely state, He Lang felt a pang of sympathy. He didn’t want to deceive him, so he confessed.

When he mentioned his desire to participate in the arena competition, the Demon Doctor raised his white eyebrows and regarded him with new respect. “Good lad, ambitious.”

After praising him, the Demon Doctor stroked his beard and began, “In my day, I also participated in arena battles. Back then, the audience was full of experts, but I won their cheers in less than three moves. In the end—”

He Lang wasn’t sure if the story was true, but he listened with a smile.

**Author’s Note:** The main character hasn’t appeared yet. Well, consider this a buildup. Don’t be impatient with the slow pace; He Lang is working hard to become strong enough to not be knocked out by the main character with one palm strike… He will appear in the next chapter =3=

Thank you for your blessings and the landmine from Qimo Green Baby. Rest your ears and enjoy!