"But as soon as the seal is broken, we will naturally know," Master Qu stared at the bottom of the pond and continued.
"Have you also learned the Star Divination Breaking Seal Technique?" Mu Hanyan looked at Qu Shanling with suspicion.
The aura of the seal was retracted and hidden exceptionally well, clearly indicating that the person who sealed it possessed extremely refined techniques, so much so that even the master of Qu Shanling couldnât break it.
And she knew very well how capable this old god was; it was hard for her to believe that he had the strength to break the seal. Mu Hanyan initially wanted to say, "You have the ability?" but fearing it would be too discouraging, she changed her phrasing.
"I have studied it, indeed, but I never really grasped it. However, now, thanks to the Young Masterâs blessing, there should be no problem," Qu Shanling said with a mysterious smile, then spoke confidently.
After speaking, Qu Shanling performed the Hand Formation.
Star Illusion Thousand Machine Technique!
Mu Hanyan bent down and closely observed the detailed Star Map at the bottom of the pond, which was actually made up of variations and combinations of the Star Illusion Thousand Machine Technique. She had not noticed it initially, but upon closer inspection, she found the changes intriguing.
It seemed she really needed to learn the Star Divination Skill, Mu Hanyan thought to herself. Previously, she only knew that the Star Divination could be used to predict good or bad fortunes, and she was not very interested in such godly tricks. But knowing that it could also be used to break seals, her interest surged immediately.
"Master, I finally learned the Star Illusion Thousand Machine Technique, and now I have also learned your Heavenly Star Seal Breaking Technique. Your spirit in heaven will no longer be disappointed in your disciple," Qu Shanling performed a series of Hand Formations, filled with excitement and melancholy recalling the past, he habitually muttered to himself.
"Your master hasnât died yet," Mu Hanyan reminded him.
"Ah right, my master hasnât died...ugh, ugh, ugh." Qu Shanling quickly spat a few times and continued with the Hand Formation.
Gradually, Qu Shanlingâs face turned pale as a ghost, and his forehead was dripping with sweat, his fingers also trembling slightly. Clearly, the Heavenly Star Seal Breaking Technique was more mentally and physically draining than the Star Illusion Thousand Machine Technique.
Seeing he was nearly at his limit, Mu Hanyan handed over a bottle of elixir. For this trip to the Capital, the Great Elder had given her plenty of fine items, even taking out the treasures from the bottom of the chest. This bottle of Upper Pure Qi Returning Pill was originally for his own breakthrough into the Sword Master realm. It was said to be worth a fortune, and he had spent almost half his lifeâs savings on this bottle. Yet, when handing it over to Mu Hanyan, he did not show any signs of hesitation, even Mu Ruiâan was secretly astounded.
It was also because the earlier cry of the Cold Sky Sword was too peculiar, and because the whirlpool formed by the gathering of Heaven and Earth Power was too bizarre, that Mu Hanyan knew there must be a great opportunity within this seal, thus she willingly took out the Upper Pure Qi Returning Pill. Otherwise, she would not have parted with it.
"No need, this elixir is too precious, I have another Energy Replenishing Holy Item." Qu Shanling wiped his sweat, reached into his chest, and pulled out a well-roasted large pig leg, burying his head in a frenzy of biting and chewing, his complexion instantly improved.
Then, Qu Shanling stuffed the pig leg into his chest, casually wiped his hands on his clothes, and continued to perform the Hand Formation.
Mu Hanyan shivered inwardly and quietly put away the elixir.
Huayue and Zirong, along with the others, also turned their heads away, all wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads.
While performing the Hand Formation, Qu Shanling occasionally pulled out the pig leg and furiously chewed a few bites; before they knew it, half an hour had passed.
"Master Qu, are you capable of doing it or not?" Jiang Yuzheâs eyeballs were sore from staring, yet he hadnât seen any movement, and couldnât help but ask.
"Why wouldnât I be? This is the Seal Breaking Hand Formation passed down by my master himself, how could it not work!" Qu Shanling glared at Jiang Yuzhe, performed another Hand Formation, and shouted, "Break!"
Following his Hand Formation, Qi condensed into a phantom that shone brightly, appearing like an ancient character, and directly imprinted onto the cyan stone slab.
"Boom," amid the muffled sound, a flash of blue light appeared, like a semi-circular blue barrier, suddenly bursting outward.
Qu Shanling was completely unprepared and was blasted away, tumbling over a dozen times on the ground before stopping.
"It worked, it finally worked." Qu Shanling, not caring about the dust on his clothes or the weeds in his hair, danced with joy and quickly scurried back, only to meet the bizarre gazes of Mu Hanyan and the others.
Qu Shanling craned his neck to see, only to find that the pool remained unchanged, exactly as before.
"It doesnât make sense, it just doesnât make sense," Qu Shanling said to himself, puzzled.
"If it doesnât work, perhaps we should give up," Jiang Yuzhe said, his mouth curling slightly in disdain.
"No, this Hand Formation is the true transmission from my master, it must work," Qu Shanling, stung by Jiang Yuzheâs dismissive look, retorted, not willing to give up.
Then he dug out a pigâs leg, took a fierce bite, and rapidly executed the Hand Formation again.
"Boom." Another muffled sound, and Qu Shanling was once again blasted away.
This time, the fall was even worse, chipping a piece of his lip, which spurted blood.
"Just a little more, I can feel it, we are just a little away from success," Qu Shanling said, seeing Jiang Yuzhe curl his lip again, and without waiting for him to speak, he rushed back again.
Ignoring the blood on his mouth, Qu Shanling clenched a fatty pig leg in his teeth and once more executed the Hand Formation with both hands.
Mu Hanyan shook her head; she could faintly sense that the seal was indeed on the verge of breaking. However, Qu Shanlingâs strength was just a bit short, unable to breach the final barrier.
Staring intently at Qu Shanling, Mu Hanyan also quietly performed the Hand Formation. Although unsure how to use the Heavenly Star Breaking Seal Technique, she had learned the Star Illusion Thousand Machine Technique and could mimic the actions.
Of course, Mu Hanyan was not sure if her mimicked Hand Formation would work, so she did not announce it.
"Heavenly Star Breaking Seal, shatter, shatter, shatter!" This time, Qu Shanling exerted his full strength, and amidst a flicker of light, ancient characters poured out like dense rain toward the blue stone tablet.
The blue halo emerged again from the stone tablet, and a massive qi also faintly dispersed.
Qu Shanlingâs face changed. Although the power in the seal hadnât fully erupted, he could vaguely sense the terrifying force contained within that qi.
This was, at the very least, equivalent to the all-out strike of a Sword Master, perhaps even stronger.
"Be careful!" Huayue and the others also sensed the danger hidden in that powerful qi and cried out in alarm.
If this powerful force were to erupt, few present aside from Mu Hanyan could withstand it.
Qu Shanling knew this too, but the Hand Formation had already been executed and he couldnât take it back even if he wanted to.
Just then, with a flicker of light before his eyes, a dazzling Light Talisman appeared, mysterious and unfamiliar, yet filled with endless profundity.
"Crack," as if something had broken, a golden light burst forth from the center of the pool, sweeping away the terrifying qi.