Chapter 239: Cooperation

In a remote forest on the outskirts of Haijing.

Spring was slowly arriving. Tender green buds grew on the tree branches, and various animals became more active.

At this moment, Zuo Zhicheng, Li Xunyi, and Shen An’an arrived together. Although they hadn’t revealed all their trump cards to each other, just the Dao Arts and Martial Arts they had shown were enough to allow some cooperation.

Zuo Zhicheng looked at the Red Puppet behind Shen An’an and asked, “Your Jiangshi, it’s immune to Mind Attacks, right?”

“Of course.” Shen An’an proudly patted the Red Puppet’s shoulder. “The Power of Mind and Spirit only works on living things. The Red Puppet isn’t alive, so it has no effect on him.”

Zuo Zhicheng touched the Red Puppet’s head, then pointed with his sword finger. A bone-chilling cold burst from his fingertip, like a flash of icy lightning, cutting into the Red Puppet’s body. However, neither the Red Puppet nor Shen An’an showed any reaction.

Clearly, Zuo Zhicheng’s Cold Light Rippling Sword had become increasingly proficient. Even a casual attack could carry the invasive power of his icy sword intent. If that sword strike had hit an ordinary person, or even a master who had reached Grand Completion of Qi Training, it would have been enough to freeze them to death within a few breaths.

However, Zuo Zhicheng still hadn’t mastered the final move of the Cold Light Rippling Sword, the Icy Underworld.

This was the last move of the Cold Light Rippling Sword, the strike that reached the Dharma Aspect. Mastering it would signify that the practitioner had attained the Dharma Aspect realm of Spirit Refining. From this, one could tell that the final move wasn’t easy to cultivate.

Even though Zuo Zhicheng hadn’t fully mastered the Cold Light Rippling Sword, his earlier test was enough to confirm that the Red Puppet was completely immune to attacks on the Heart Mind.

‘This thing is more like a puppet than a Jiangshi. A Jiangshi might still be considered a special kind of living creature, but a puppet is just a machine.’

Zuo Zhicheng nodded. “Good. The Red Puppet has a big advantage against Dharma Form Martial Artists. But its strength, speed, and explosive power seem a bit weak. Is there a way to enhance them?”

Actually, the Red Puppet’s physical capabilities, including the strength of its limbs and overall explosive power, were already sufficient to punch through a wall, lift a horse with both hands, and leap seven or eight meters with ease. This was enough to rival many Human Aspect Martial Artists.

But compared to Zuo Zhicheng’s monstrous physique, there was still a gap.

Hearing Zuo Zhicheng’s words, Shen An’an rolled her eyes. “Of course it’s possible. I’ve been working on modifications recently, but your housekeeper keeps rejecting many things, saying they’re too expensive…”

“Alright, I’ll talk to Lin Yuexi. Do your best to enhance the Red Puppet’s strength further. It’s fine even if it sacrifices some speed.” Zuo Zhicheng said. “Li Xunyi and I can cover speed with our Flying Swords. If the Red Puppet’s strength can increase by another thirty percent, it should be able to confront a Dharma Form Martial Artist head-on.”

Shen An’an thought for a moment. “I’ll try my best, but I can’t guarantee success. The time is too short.”

After Zuo Zhicheng and Shen An’an finished their discussion, they both turned to look at Li Xunyi, who was standing to the side.

Zuo Zhicheng asked first, “Last time we sparred, you weren’t using your full strength, right? If you went all out, how fast could your Flying Sword be now?”

The corners of Li Xunyi’s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a confident smile. “You mean the explosive technique I used on the island? That involves instantly releasing Spiritual Energy. It causes significant damage to the Flying Sword’s foundation. I can only use it once a month. But when I do, the instantaneous speed of Shancha should be faster than sound.”

Shancha was the name of Li Xunyi’s Flying Sword.

Supersonic… Zuo Zhicheng’s expression changed upon hearing this. A supersonic Flying Sword, even if it couldn’t be sustained for long, was terrifying to think about.

“By the way, what about that vibrating attack method? What’s it called?”

Li Xunyi thought for a moment. “You mean the Thunderous Zen Vibration? I only recently completed my training in this sword control art. It uses the power of thunderous oscillations to make the sword blade vibrate subtly but at extremely high speeds, allowing it to cut through almost anything.”

‘High-frequency wave blade. Of course it cuts through anything.’ Zuo Zhicheng thought to himself.

He saw Li Xunyi flick his finger in a sword gesture. The Shancha Flying Sword left its sheath with a whoosh. A buzzing vibration sound continuously emanated from the sword blade. Wherever the silver stream of light passed, whether trees, rocks, or anything else, they were pierced as if made of paper.

“Hey! Li Xunyi, be careful! Don’t scratch my Red Puppet!”

“Don’t worry, I control it like my own arm.” Li Xunyi made another sword gesture, and the Flying Sword hovered in front of the three of them.

Zuo Zhicheng looked at the Floating Sword in the air and rubbed his chin. “I had an idea after seeing your Flying Sword last time. Could we cooperate? I throw your Flying Sword, and you control it. That way, my strength and your Flying Sword’s power could combine. The result should be impressive.”

Li Xunyi murmured, “Like on the ship? It’s possible, but my Flying Sword has no hilt now. And if the speed is too high, I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it turn.”

“No need to turn.” Zuo Zhicheng said. “With our combined power, the Flying Sword would be so fast the enemy wouldn’t have a chance to dodge. As for no hilt…” As he spoke, Zuo Zhicheng extended his right hand. Sharp Bone Spikes grew out from his hand bones, enveloping his entire palm like an Exoskeleton tactical glove.

Seeing their surprised looks, Zuo Zhicheng said casually, “Just a little trick. It might not block a direct thrust from your Flying Sword, but it should be fine for just holding it.”

A few minutes later, the three prepared individuals stood on a cliff. Zuo Zhicheng gripped Li Xunyi’s Flying Sword tightly with both hands, adopting a throwing posture.

Behind him, Li Xunyi closed his eyes and concentrated fully on operating the Flying Sword.

Further back was Shen An’an, watching their performance with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

Zuo Zhicheng said, “By the way, when I throw it, can you make the Flying Sword maintain both the Thunderous Zen Vibration and high-speed rotation?”

“Rotation?”

“Yes. I’ll also add a twist when I throw it to start the rotation. See if you can increase the rotational speed.”

Zuo Zhicheng was thinking about enemies like the Great Strength Diamond Divine Ape. The cross-sectional area of the Flying Sword was too small for such a large foe. Piercing many parts wouldn’t be effective. But if it rotated, it could drill through the enemy like a spiral drill bit.

The destructive power would be completely different.

“I’ll try.”

Zuo Zhicheng nodded. The next moment, the muscles all over his body violently shook and bulged. Under the pressure of his power, the ground beneath his feet cracked with numerous fissures.

Boom!

…

Only after the aftermath of this sword strike completely subsided did Shen An’an snap out of her daze. She sucked in a sharp breath. “That’s a bit too overpowering.” Then she shook her head. “It’s just the accuracy is a bit off. It can only hit things within a few hundred meters, preferably with no obstacles in the way.”

Zuo Zhicheng mentally calculated. “It’s definitely supersonic. The question is just how many times the speed of sound. If this move hits directly, even the Great Strength Diamond Divine Ape would definitely die.”

“Hey, you two, stop marveling.” Li Xunyi sighed. “It flew way too far. I can’t even sense Shancha anymore. Help me find my Flying Sword, quick!”

“From now on, this move is forbidden. Absolutely not to be used unless it’s a critical moment.”