The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 503

Chapter 503: Chapter 499: Xuan Yin Opening Vein Chapter 503: Chapter 499: Xuan Yin Opening Vein “I apologize for my previous rudeness given the urgency of my father's condition. I hope you'll excuse my impudence, Friend Shen.” Ma Xiuxiu immediately realized her inappropriate behavior and said with a blush on her face.

“It's only natural for Miss Ma to be concerned about her family.” Shen Luo responded.

“Thank you for your understanding, Friend Shen.” Ma Xiuxiu thanked him.

She hastily took the Dream Remembrance Talisman, seemingly eager to return and soon bid Shen Luo farewell and departed.

Shen Luo watched her figure vanish into the distance before turning around and leisurely heading in a different direction.

Chang'an City, East City, Chang Le Alley.

As evening was approaching, the lanterns in the market began to glow, reflecting a vibrant red color onto the entire street. The sound of music and clinking glasses were heard from the taverns on either side of the street, emanating a lively atmosphere.

On the smaller streets of the market, night food stalls and small booths began setting up along the street. White smoke emanated from stoves and pots by the roadside and the shouts of the vendors were heard everywhere.

As Shen Luo ambled through the market, his mind was still revolving around the daytime confrontation with the Dragon Soul. He was gripped by frustration and resentment. Had he possessed the same prowess as he commands in Dreamland, he never would have suffered such a defeat.

Bearing these thoughts made his desire to rapidly increase his strength grow exponentially intense.

However, his Dual-element True Water's supplies had already been used up, if he wanted to continue advancing his realm, he would have to consider another method.

“Hot, tender lamb in a water basin…” A shout from the roadside mixed with a tantalizing aroma interrupted his train of thought.

Unexpectedly, Shen Luo, who had long passed the Grain Avoidance Stage, was tempted by the tantalizing aroma of food. He sat at a roadside food stall and ordered a bowl of steaming water basin lamb, enjoying it immensely.

The roadside traders chatted idly with their regular customers. Some people mentioned the recent chaos in the city with demons and ghosts rife, and how Chang'an City is no longer safe and peaceful.

Some complained about the deteriorating times, others reassured with the existence of the government officials, and there were those who blamed the immortals for their infighting. Opinions were many and diverse, none in the same vein.

Shen Luo silently listened, adding no comments. His heart was full of mixed feelings. When the dreaded Demonic Tribulation arrives, not a single soul in the world will be unaffected.

After having his fill, he paid his bill, stood up satisfied, burped loudly and then left to make his way back to his residence.

Shen Luo had made up his mind to start practicing the Technique of Opening Dark Yin Meridians, intending to open new Meridians and thus increase the speed of his cultivation.

“Elixirs and True Water are external aids, after all. Improving my innate qualities is the true way to progress.” Shen Luo sighed.

He had a basic grasp of a part of the Great Unsealing Technique and also had the experience of practicing the Technique of Opening Dark Yin Meridians in his dreams, which gave him some confidence that he could successfully open the Meridians.

Even if he failed on the first try, he had the Great Unsealing Technique to heal the damaged veins and flesh wounds. The risk was within manageable limits. Besides, he had the holy healing elixir, the Milk Spirit Pill.

The Pill was famed for its ability to rescue a person from the brink of death and heal any injury as long as the person was alive. It was indeed a life-saving tool.

Upon returning to his courtyarded residence, Shen Luo went straight back to his room and sat in meditation.

After a period of recuperation, he slowly opened his eyes and took out a red porcelain bottle and placed it in front of him. Then he took out his Qiankun Bag and held it in his hand.

Although Shen Luo had reviewed the intricate workings of the Technique of Opening Dark Yin Meridians countless times in his mind, kick-starting it still filled him with apprehension. He needed to be fully prepared.

He waved his hand, and the mouth of the Qiankun Bag slowly opened. A wisp of black smoke drifted out, and quickly, the figure of a Soul Condensation Stage's Ghost General materialized from it.

“I greet you Master.” The Ghost General appeared and immediately gave a fist and palm salute to Shen Luo.

“No need for so much formality, I asked you to come today because I need your help with something,” Shen Luo waved his hand and spoke.

“I am willing to lay down my life for the master, please feel free to instruct,” the Ghost General did not rise and continued speaking.

Most military men value trust and loyalty, and once they are won over, they are usually very loyal. Obviously, this Ghost General was no exception.

“I intend to practice a secret method, for which I need to borrow the Yin Sha Qi from your body. It may cause you some harm, but afterwards I will think of a way to compensate you,” Shen Luo spoke.

“For the master's matters, even a thousand deaths would not deter me, how dare I ask for any compensation?” the Ghost General responded without hesitation.

“Alright, in a moment you just need to sit cross-legged, you don't need to pay attention to anything else,” Shen Luo said.

“Yes,” the Ghost General responded with a fist and palm salute.

Having spoken, it immediately sat cross-legged, its hands lying on its knees, remaining as still as a statue.

Seeing this, Shen Luo narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze landing on his own leg.

In his first attempt to practice the Technique of Opening Dark Yin Meridians after returning to reality, he didn't plan to directly start from the Twelve Channels. Instead, he planned to try it from the collateral channel of the Yin Qiao Mai, just as he did in the Dreamland.

After all, this was his first meridian successfully opened using the Technique of Opening Dark Yin Meridians. He made the most mistakes on this meridian, hence also gathered the most experience, which could help to avoid a lot of unnecessary mistakes.

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Luo put his fingers together and started carving on his leg like a knife. Soon, a complex array of bloody charm patterns emerged on his leg.

Seeing the tiny blood beads arranged like ant soldiers, Shen Luo nodded satisfactorily, murmured the mantra of the Xuan Yin Opening Vein Method, and pointed at the ghost general sitting not far away in the void.

Immediately, a white light beam shot out from his fingertip and hit the Ghost General.

The Ghost General shuddered violently, and immediately began to tremble like a sieve. His eyes rolled back and his mouth fell open, a thick black fog erupted from it, flowing towards Shen Luo.

“This Yin Sha Qi seems a bit different from the one in the Six Chen Whip?” Shen Luo hesitantly remarked.

The Yin Sha Qi that flowed from the Six Chen Whip that day was a solid black beam of light, not black fog like now.

Shen Luo just slightly frowned and didn't think too much about it. He guided the thick black fog to land on his leg.

The moment the black fog covered Shen Luo's leg, it was like an evil ghost smelling a Blood Meal, it eagerly rushed into his leg without Shen Luo having to guide it. Soon black light shone on Shen Luo's leg and the charm pattern contained the Yin Sha Qi on the surface of his body.

After it was infused with the black fog, the Array started to operate. Shen Luo immediately felt a tingling and painful sensation like ants gnawing. His eyebrows frowned involuntarily.

Although he was familiar with this kind of sensation, he still couldn't remain completely calm.

Soon he steadied himself. After all, he was now on the verge of the Ant Line Devouring Vein stage, it was crucial to maintain the meridian flow, and combine it with the Yin Sha Qi under the guidance of the Ant Line. He could not afford any distractions.

However, a moment later, a sharp pain suddenly swept in. His collateral meridian, it had broken again.

Enduring the severe pain, Shen Luo swiftly activated the Great Unsealing Technique, urgently repairing that meridian.

After the repair was completed, he began again to mobilize the Yin Sha Qi, trying once again to open this meridian.