Chapter 25 — Opening the Spirit Treasury Once More, Stepping into a New Realm
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 3
Before its fist could reach the pit's bottom, Shen Mu's finger snapped against its fist once more. The next moment the Xuan Liao Demon Ape's massive body was launched high, and Shen Mu sprang from the pit, chasing the ape into the air.
Nine Dragons Riding Wind and Thunder!
Bang, bang, bang—a string of explosive blows rang out, and the Xuan Liao Demon Ape's massive body was struck down like a falling star, crashing through more than a dozen great trees in succession. A long while later, Shen Mu and the Xuan Liao Demon Ape had fought their way to the top of the cliff and lay down panting. They had no strength left to continue.
Though the Heaven-Reaching Divine Eye was powerful, it consumed vital essence greatly; even Shen Mu, for all his deep cultivation, could scarcely bear it.
After resting a moment, the Xuan Liao Demon Ape sat up, raised a thumb, and pointed at itself: "Me, big brother! " Shen Mu sat up too, shook his head, and said, "Me, big brother. You, little brother.
" The Xuan Liao Demon Ape was furious. It thrust out a fist, its arm all knotted with muscle: "Me, strong!
" Shen Mu seized one of its fingers, swung it up, and slammed it hard against the ground: "Me, stronger!
" The Xuan Liao Demon Ape flipped up, and man and ape were at it again.
Soon both were spent once more, each lying down panting. Shen Mu recovered some strength, stood, and on the cliff top demonstrated the Eight Arcane Arts of the Thunder's Roar.
The Xuan Liao Demon Ape sat up too and watched without blinking. Yesterday Shen Mu had taught it only once; it had learned merely the rough shape, a crude framework.
Now Shen Mu showed it every detail of the Eight Arcane Arts of the Thunder's Roar, explaining as well the secret of generating power in each stance.
The Xuan Liao Demon Ape learned with astonishing speed.
After a few hours it had grasped the complete Eight Arcane Arts of the Thunder's Roar, and watching this, Shen Mu's scalp went numb.
He wondered whether at this rate he would still be able to beat this big fellow.
"This creature is a martial prodigy too—can a savage beast really have such spirit?
Then can it cultivate as well?
" Shen Mu thought it over, sat down, and taught the Xuan Liao Demon Ape how to breathe and guide essence, passing on to it his "Three Cores Art of the Dark Body. " The Xuan Liao Demon Ape copied the breathing and guiding with proper form.
The "Three Cores Art of the Dark Body" was in truth the simplest art of guiding essence; its method was very simple, merely moving and directing vital essence. Before long the Xuan Liao Demon Ape had basically mastered the art of guiding essence, its breathing steady and plain.
This was in fact also due to its nature: it ate only plants, was by disposition fond of stillness, and its mind was simple and pure—which was why it could master the art of guiding essence in so short a time. "This fellow is truly a martial prodigy.
" Seeing it grasp things so quickly, Shen Mu could not help praising it from the heart.
He said, "Big fellow, cultivate well. Tomorrow I'll come find you to fight again.
" With that he leaped down from the cliff and headed for the village. The Xuan Liao Demon Ape watched him go, then sat down again and said softly, "Little bean sprout.
. . " Over the next dozen or so days, Shen Mu came every day to trade blows with the Xuan Liao Demon Ape.
After they fought, the ape would treat him to fruit, and Shen Mu in turn guided it in cultivation; he even taught the ape the leg techniques of the Lame Elder's Sky-Grazing Divine Legs.
The Xuan Liao Demon Ape had originally been skilled in fist arts but woefully poor in legwork; after learning the Sky-Grazing Divine Legs, however, its leg techniques became exceedingly cunning, and even Shen Mu would suffer if he grew careless. Shen Mu's strength advanced rapidly, and the Xuan Liao Demon Ape's progress was frighteningly fast as well.