This ox's abilities could rival a demon king, treading on the water even more steadily than on land, and it was skilled at commanding wind and lightning, moving at incredible speed. At this pace, it could easily cover three thousand li in a day.
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan gave Qin Mu and Ling Yuxiu's chosen scriptures a cursory glance, then pinched the bridge of his nose over the ones Qin Mu had submitted, feeling a headache coming on. Ling Yuxiu had chosen sword techniques and divine abilities, or at worst, spell arts. The ones Qin Mu handed over, aside from the Setting Sun Sword Technique which was somewhat normal, the other two truly stumped him.
One of these two was called the Soul-Calling Guide, and the other was the Ghost-Commanding Spirit-Summoning Talisman Glyph.
Any sword technique, divine ability, or spell art had basic principles one could follow. As the saying went, understanding one thing could lead to understanding a whole category. With Sacrifice Jiu Bashan's profound and vast experience, he could guide them through any of those.
But the two scriptures Qin Mu had chosen were extremely obscure. In ordinary times, even if Sacrifice Jiu Bashan entered the Celestial Record Tower and came across such rare spell arts, he would glance at them once and set them aside, never paying them any mind. To have him explain them was truly asking too much.
In the eyes of someone at Sacrifice Jiu Bashan's level of existence, the Soul-Calling Guide and the Ghost-Commanding Spirit-Summoning Talisman Glyph lacked sufficient power and had nothing particularly eye-catching about them. He truly couldn't fathom why Qin Mu had chosen these two spell arts.
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan sat atop the ox's back, tossing the two scriptures back to Qin Mu for him to study on his own, then began explaining the scriptures Ling Yuxiu had brought from the Celestial Record Tower to her.
Ling Yuxiu was a member of the royal family, so she could access the second floor of the Celestial Record Tower. This time, she had brought out a profound Daoist cultivation method from the tower, called the Azure Firmament Thunder Guide.
Just from the name alone, it was many times more orthodox than the Soul-Calling Guide and the Ghost-Commanding Spirit-Summoning Talisman Glyph that Qin Mu had found.
Being an orthodox Daoist thunder technique, it naturally lived up to its reputation. When Sacrifice Jiu Bashan explained it, he spoke with clarity and conviction. Many difficult points, after his guidance, suddenly became clear to Ling Yuxiu.
Qin Mu also listened with rapt attention, and suddenly thought that the Azure Firmament Thunder Guide could be cross-referenced with the Eight Thunderclap Forms, perhaps yielding unexpected power.
His mind wandered off, and he didn't hear clearly what Sacrifice Jiu Bashan said afterward, lost in his own calculations.
Ling Yuxiu then asked Sacrifice Jiu Bashan about a few more points she didn't understand, and immediately began experimenting. She formed a series of hand seals, and suddenly, a thunderclap struck from the clear sky, crashing down onto the river surface with a crack, sending several river fish over ten feet long flying!
Ling Yuxiu was both surprised and delighted, very satisfied with the result.
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan shook his head and said, "Princess, your foundation is too weak. Your basic skills haven't been well-honed. The power of the Azure Firmament Thunder Guide is not limited to this."
He sealed his own divine abodes, keeping only the Spirit Womb and the Five Planets abodes active, matching Ling Yuxiu's level. Then he activated the hand seals of the Azure Firmament Thunder Guide, his ten fingers pinching together as if threading a needle, an invisible needle and thread before him.
The river surface was instantly filled with flashing lightning and rumbling thunder. Bolt after bolt crashed down with devastating force, striking wherever he pointed. In an instant, dozens of thunderbolts descended!
The river surface churned white, with large fish blown everywhere.
Ling Yuxiu was completely won over by Sacrifice Jiu Bashan's mastery. It was evident that this was his first time practicing the Azure Firmament Thunder Guide, yet his execution was supremely experienced, leaving her in awe.
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan laughed and said, "The royal family's cultivation method, the Nine Dragon Emperor's Art, is fierce and domineering. If your foundation were solid enough, the power of the Azure Firmament Thunder Guide you wield would only surpass mine. Seventh Princess, these days I won't teach you other cultivation methods. I'll just help you build a solid foundation."
Ling Yuxiu hurriedly agreed.
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan was himself a Cult Master-level existence, with extensive knowledge. Coupled with his experience of State Preceptor Yankang's reforms and his years of contemplation on the cultivation methods and divine abilities of various sects, schools, and noble families at this sacred academy, his depth of experience made him one of the absolute top experts in the State of Yankang.
The green ox traveled toward the border pass along the way. Sacrifice Jiu Bashan preached and taught the group, going over the scriptures they had brought from the Celestial Record Tower. After two or three days, they finally arrived near Qingmen Pass.
Qingmen Pass was the border between the State of Yankang and the Barbarian Di Kingdom, and also the border between the Great Ruins and the Barbarian Di Kingdom.
Here, between Qingmen Pass and the Barbarian Di Kingdom's border fortress, lay over a hundred li of land. However, in the middle of this hundred-li stretch stood a mountainous forest that extended over ten li. This forest jutted out from the Great Ruins and was part of its territory. Whenever night fell, darkness swept in, separating the two imposing fortresses.
The Great Ruins became a natural barrier between the Barbarian Di Kingdom and the State of Yankang. Neither side's armies could launch a sneak attack under the cover of night; they could only attack during the day. As a result, the war remained in a stalemate.
Soldiers on both sides vividly referred to this patch of the Great Ruins as the "duck's tongue."
Qin Mu and the others entered Qingmen Pass. Sacrifice Jiu Bashan presented the border crossing documents to the guard. The soldier counted the people, then suddenly caught sight of Qin Mu. He was visibly startled and quickly ran back toward the city.
The others were puzzled. Sacrifice Jiu Bashan asked in confusion, "Did you get into trouble?"
The green ox gloated, "More than just trouble, Master! Have you forgotten? Your junior brother here is an outcast of the Great Ruins. The border soldiers received a divine oracle to kill any outcasts who dare enter Yankang. I reckon your junior brother is about to be beheaded, or sold into slavery."
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan frowned slightly. After a moment, the clanking of armor was heard from within the city, and a deep voice called out, "Divine Physician! Where is Divine Physician Qin?"
A hundred or so soldiers emerged from the border fortress, escorting a white-haired old general. They looked over the group, and the general asked, "Which one is Divine Physician Qin?"
Qin Mu smiled and said, "This humble one is here. I wouldn't dare call myself a divine physician. This general..."
Clang—
Before him, all the soldiers fell to their knees. The old general also knelt on one knee, his hands clasped together and raised above his head, saying, "Divine Physician Qin, your gift of medicine saved countless soldiers at our border. I, Bian, was ordered to guard the border and could not visit the capital to thank you. I never expected the Divine Physician to come here in person. Please accept my bow, and the bow of all these soldiers!"
Qin Mu quickly raised his hand and said, "General, please rise. Was my Pure Yang Insect-Rearing Pill effective?"
General Bian stood up, his white hair swaying. He nodded, "It was effective. The great shamans of the Barbarian Di Kingdom can no longer harm our soldiers with their sorcery. The Divine Physician's grace, everyone in Qingmen Pass from top to bottom is deeply grateful!"
"You flatter me. It was a small gesture."
Qin Mu smiled and said, "General Bian, this is Sacrifice Jiu Bashan of our Imperial Academy, and this is the Seventh Princess."
Bian Zhenyun smiled and said, "I have long heard of Sacrifice Jiu Bashan's reputation, and meeting you today, you truly live up to it. As for the Seventh Princess..."
His expression darkened slightly, and he sneered, "What is the Princess doing in this remote backwater? If anything were to happen to her, who would take responsibility?"
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan laughed and said, "It was my idea to bring them here for training. General Bian, please do us this favor."
Bian Zhenyun's expression softened somewhat, and he said reluctantly, "For the sake of the Divine Physician, I'll make an exception for you. Sacrifice, you intend to train here at Qingmen Pass?"
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan shook his head. "The Barbarian Di Kingdom."
Bian Zhenyun was startled and blurted out, "You're entering the Barbarian Di Kingdom? Are you suicidal? The two nations are at war. If you cross over now, they'll surely kill you! Besides, you're bringing the Princess. If anything happens, your entire Imperial Academy could be executed!"
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan laughed and said, "With me here, nothing will go wrong. I have my own eyes and ears in the Barbarian Di Kingdom."
Bian Zhenyun sneered, "What do I care? This is your Imperial Academy's business. Even if something goes wrong, it's your academy that bears the responsibility. Divine Physician Qin, please enter the pass."
Ling Yuxiu's heart was uneasy. Sacrifice Jiu Bashan had previously told them that this trip was for training beyond the borders. She had assumed they would only go to the border pass, never imagining that he intended to enter the Barbarian Di Kingdom!
However, she had always been fearless and audacious. She had once ventured deep into the Great Ruins with Qin Feiyue. Now, hearing that they were going to the Barbarian Di Kingdom, she felt a twinge of apprehension, but excitement predominated.
That evening, a grand banquet was held at the general's mansion. Bian Zhenyun led his officers and invited Qin Mu to the feast. Sacrifice Jiu Bashan and the others were also invited, though they were merely accompaniments.
The next morning, Bian Zhenyun saw them off at the pass, presenting a plate of gold ingots. "The Barbarian Di Kingdom doesn't recognize the Dafeng currency; they only recognize gold. Divine Physician, take this for your travel expenses."
Qin Mu thanked him.
Everyone mounted the ox's back, and the green ox walked out of the pass.
They crossed the "duck's tongue" region of the Great Ruins and arrived beyond the borders. In the distance, they could see dust rising everywhere. From within the dust, several strange beasts with bone spurs protruding from their heads came galloping toward them. Atop each beast sat a tall, burly foreign warrior, shouting loudly, "Yi—so!"
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan lifted his foot and stepped onto the green ox's enormous head, then planted both feet on the ox's horns, suddenly flinging open his sable-fur cloak.
The charging foreign warriors, upon seeing the tattoo on his chest, immediately reined in their exotic beasts and halted. They bowed from atop their beasts, then turned them around and galloped away with a whoop.
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan closed his cloak and descended from the ox's head. Qin Mu and Ling Yuxiu were both puzzled, not understanding why these barbarians bowed upon seeing him.
When they reached the border fortress of the Barbarian Di Kingdom, there was another imposing city there, with extremely tight security. Sacrifice Jiu Bashan led the group to the city gates, which opened. Many barbarian warriors lined both sides, respectfully welcoming them inside.
The two became even more bewildered.
Just then, a general guarding the Barbarian Di Kingdom's border approached and laughed heartily, "The world's unparalleled Martial Khagan, King of our Grasslands, it's been a long time! Ever since you became an official in the State of Yankang, the name of the Martial Khagan has become notorious!"
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan laughed heartily and replied, "I was never of the grasslands to begin with. I merely defeated your warriors there and was honored with the title of Martial Khagan by you all."
"Martial Khagan?"
Qin Mu and the others exchanged bewildered glances. Hu Ling'er asked in confusion, "Sacrifice, what is that tattoo on your chest? Why do they bow to you when they see you?"
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan opened his robe and said, "Look."
Qin Mu looked and saw a strange head covered in bone spurs embroidered on his chest.
"This is the tattoo of the Khagan of the Barbarian Di Kingdom, blessed by the Shaman Sovereign at the Barbarian Di Kingdom's sacred site. Not everyone has one."
Sacrifice Jiu Bashan closed his robe and said, "I was originally the Khagan of the Barbarian Di Kingdom. Back then, when I traveled everywhere with my esteemed master, we came to the Barbarian Di Kingdom. I heard that it was a land that revered martial prowess, so I challenged the strongest warriors on the grasslands to duels. In a hundred battles, I was undefeated, and thus I was honored as the Martial Khagan. In the State of Yankang, the Martial Khagan means the Martial Emperor."