Shrouding the Heavens: The Ultimate Daoist Venerable

Chapter 224 Advanced Writing Techniques

The Nine Secrets that have been passed down through the universe are actually the initial versions created by the Nine Celestial Venerables. In fact, in their several lifetimes after attaining enlightenment, the Nine Celestial Venerables often attempted to further upgrade their Nine Secrets, but not all of them succeeded. Even those who did manage to do so did not pass down these upgraded versions of the Nine Secrets to later generations.

The only known upgrade to the Nine Secrets is the Celestial Venerable of Morality. He studied the power of the departed self and the Dao self, and thus created an upgraded version of the Digital Secret that can greatly increase the lifespan of the Dharma Body by using the departed self and the Dao self as the foundation. Liang Yu's departed self body and Dao self body are actually derived from this.

Then there's Lingbao Tianzun, whose mastery of array patterns far surpasses that of the past. Although he later primarily cultivated the Intercepting Heaven Sword Technique, his Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation was still significantly upgraded. The current Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, or the Word Formation Secret, doesn't necessarily require four array eyes; as few as two or three, or as many as hundreds or thousands, it can form an array. Moreover, it's infinitely variable and can encompass all the effects of array patterns.

The way Liang Yu's ten pagodas intertwined to form an array can be seen as a manifestation of this direction, a case of their minds working in unison. Of course, Liang Yu's understanding of array patterns is not as profound as that of Lingbao Tianzun, but he incorporated source techniques to supplement it, thus giving it its own unique characteristics.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable is similar. Originally, the "All" Secret Technique could only unleash ten times the combat power during its activation period, but now the Primordial Celestial Venerable can activate and maintain it at will, and is no longer limited to ten times; he can freely adjust the multiplier. However, the "All" Secret Technique is no longer his main focus.

According to Liang Yu's speculation, the advanced version of the Boundless Heavenly Venerable's "Soldier's Secret" should involve using a human as a weapon, and strengthening and controlling oneself through weapon-forging techniques. However, the Boundless Heavenly Venerable himself failed to achieve this.

The secret of the "Zhe" character of the Celestial Venerable of Longevity is further developed into the Law of Life. Of course, constantly adjusting one's own life meridians to be in the most peak and natural state can also be considered an advanced application, but now that he has become an Earth Immortal, he has not continued down this path.

The previous secret text of the Celestial Venerable of Nirvana is a relatively progressive path, so apart from refining the details and improving efficiency, there are actually no significant upgrades.

The Transcending Tribulation Celestial Venerable's "Lin" Secret Technique is too far removed from the present day, and no one knows whether he has made further progress. After all, even the current Underworld Venerable has not yet recovered his memories from the Transcending Tribulation Celestial Venerable's time.

As for Liang Yu's "Fighting" Secret Technique, its upgraded version is "All Laws Connect Heaven," which can not only generate supernatural powers but also scriptures. Liang Yu's use of others' attacks to perfect his Dao Fruit is a manifestation of this. Of course, Liang Yu's current state of being able to freely wield Dao power despite lacking specific techniques, unleashing extreme killing power, can also be considered the ultimate form of the "Fighting" Secret Technique.

For the Free and Unfettered Celestial Venerable, the advanced version of the Original Word Secret was the Law of Time. When he reached the extreme of speed, he would naturally affect time, and thus comprehend the Law of Time.

However, after witnessing the "All" secret of the Primordial Celestial Venerable, the Carefree Celestial Venerable took a different approach and also tried this method of amplifying himself. Thus, he created a new version of the "Movement" secret, which is simply about speed, simply about being fast. But this time, it's not just about movement speed, but also your thoughts, the operation of your laws, your perception, your divine sense, your whole body's movements, and so on. Everything enters a state of extreme speed.

Alternatively, it could be argued that the Carefree Celestial Venerable accelerated his own time without affecting the external world. This state naturally consumes a great deal of energy and is difficult to maintain for long, but it can indeed greatly enhance combat power in a short period of time.

Maintaining this state, the Carefree Celestial Venerable launched another attack. Countless afterimages intertwined, flashing and shifting, as if countless Carefree Celestial Venerables were attacking simultaneously. Liang Yu remained calm and composed, unaffected by the afterimages filling the sky, and did not use any supernatural powers. He continued to unleash his Dao power in every movement, just as before, only this time it was even more elusive and unpredictable.

Countless divine lights erupted, their dazzling brilliance seemingly rivaling the sun and moon. Countless worlds were created and annihilated within them, causing the void to tremble. Even the grand formation set up by Liang Yu began to shake and tremble. The terrifying aura, even through the formation, sent chills down the spines of all living beings outside, as if the sky were collapsing.

Seeing that the battle was fruitless, the Carefree Celestial Venerable closed in again. With the boost of his extreme speed, it was as if he had ten thousand arms that stretched out, each using different supernatural powers to attack Liang Yu from all angles. It was as if he had formed a supernatural torrent that could crush the universe and destroy all obstacles.

Liang Yu, however, remained unmoved amidst the surging waves of supernatural powers, like a pillar in the middle of a raging torrent. Although his movements seemed much slower than those of the Carefree Celestial Venerable, he could use his slowness to overcome speed, completely neutralizing all of the Carefree Celestial Venerable's attacks. Each of his strikes was so natural, as if the Carefree Celestial Venerable himself were meeting Liang Yu's attacks with his own supernatural powers.

In the eyes of the carefree Celestial Venerable, Liang Yu seemed unchanged from before, yet he could still easily shatter every divine power Liang Yu unleashed.

No, the biggest change is the lack of change itself. The Carefree Celestial Venerable suddenly realized that he himself was in a state of extreme speed at all times, including his thoughts and five senses. So theoretically, Liang Yu should have slowed down in his eyes. But the other party still maintained this state of being able to counter his moves and was slightly faster, as if he himself had not accelerated at all.

Did Liang Yu also improve his own state to suppress his speed, or was it that Liang Yu, in this state, was truly as natural as the Great Dao, becoming faster when encountering speed and stronger when encountering strength, unshakable and unbreakable?

Just as the carefree Celestial Venerable was speeding up his attack while pondering, Liang Yu said, "The Nine Secrets truly have unlimited potential. This line of secrets actually has such a use, it really broadens my horizons."

As he spoke, Liang Yu flicked his sleeve, as if bringing forth a gust of wind from the Great Dao, shattering the countless afterimages and ten thousand arms that the Carefree Celestial Venerable had generated in one fell swoop, and then threw another punch.

The Carefree Celestial Venerable sensed something was wrong. He hurriedly retreated when he felt Liang Yu's faint Dao power fluctuate again, but it was too late to dodge. Liang Yu punched him through the chest, and silver light and black blood splattered out once more. However, it was this split-second reaction that allowed him to escape and avoid being directly crushed by the subsequent surge of Dao power. Even so, he was nearly torn to pieces.

Liang Yu did not choose a quick victory during the battle. Firstly, he wanted to fulfill the desire of the Carefree Celestial Venerable to fight him, and secondly, he wanted to take the opportunity to study the differences between this alien race. Or rather, this was the main reason.

The Celestial Venerable of Freedom, after his transformation, is far superior to his former self. Once he leaves this world, he will likely become an immortal being from another realm very soon, making him an excellent research subject.

(End of this chapter)