The First Sage of Military Strategists

Chapter 148 Yin Yang Curse Seal
In an instant, a large amount of information flooded Han Qing's mind.

"The Great Way is formless, yet it gives birth to Heaven and Earth; Yin and Yang work together to create all things."

Rigidity cannot last, nor can gentleness be maintained; only by embracing the original essence and guarding the one can one find the true path.

His aura was as deep as an abyss, his will soared to the heavens, his form moved like rivers and seas, and his spirit was as still as a mountain.

Breathing contains yin and yang, opening and closing divide day and night, movement and stillness alternate, all things are teachers…

This Yin-Yang incantation is extremely profound and contains a vast amount of information; if written down in a book, it would easily amount to hundreds of thousands of words.

Fortunately, Han Qing had the Seven Killings Stele to help him, and he quickly digested this secret technique.

However, the special thing about the Yin-Yang Incantation Seal is that reaching perfection is just the beginning. The real difficulty lies in collecting a large amount of Yin-Yang energy and condensing it into the Yin-Yang Incantation Seal.

The Yin-Yang Incantation Seal is divided into thirteen levels, and the amount of Yin-Yang energy required for each level doubles.

Han Qing had no cultivation experience and had no idea how much Yin-Yang energy was needed. However, considering that the Yin-Yang Sect had been collecting young boys and girls across the country for so many years and had only managed to condense a seventh-level and a twelfth-level Yin-Yang seal by gathering Yin-Yang energy, he knew how difficult it was to master this secret technique.

Moreover, the twelve-layered Yin-Yang seal in the hands of the Grand Master of Fate was passed down from hundreds of years ago.

"That's normal, otherwise how could it be called the number one divine soul technique in the world!"

As Han Qing spoke, he moved his mind and manipulated the power of the Boundless Monument to draw over the Yin-Yang Curse Seal that was hanging not far away.

"To refine this Yin-Yang curse seal, one must master its corresponding secret technique. Otherwise, once the curse seal enters the body, the Yin and Yang energies within the body may become unbalanced, causing severe damage to the body and soul. It is not impossible that one could even lose one's life as a result."

As Han Qing spoke, he opened his mouth and inhaled, directly sucking the cursed seal into his mouth.

"The principle of refining this incantation seal is very different from that of refining a magic weapon. The former requires using the body as a container to hold the incantation seal, while the latter requires manipulating one's magical thoughts to probe into it and intertwine and merge with the magical thoughts originally present in the magic weapon." Han Qing pondered, while frantically circulating the corresponding scripture of the Yin-Yang incantation seal.

The moment the Yin-Yang incantation entered his body, the Yin and Yang energies within Han Qing's body suddenly became violent, filling his limbs and bones.

However, following the instructions in the scriptures, he guided this yin and yang energy to circulate within his body, gradually building a yin-yang energy circulation system within him.

At first, he could only build a cycle in one part of his body, but as time went on, small cycles gradually covered the whole body, eventually forming a large cycle.

At this moment, although a massive amount of Yin and Yang energies were surging within his body, a strange balance was formed, originating from the Yin-Yang incantation seal.

Han Qing opened his eyes, let out a long breath, and a look of excitement flashed in his eyes.

"Now my combat power has greatly improved, reaching the half-saint realm. There are very few who can defeat me, but I don't know if I can defeat a saint in the incense-burning realm."

Han Qing pondered for a moment, then flipped his palm, and a Yin-Yang curse seal appeared.

He secretly activated it, and in an instant, a considerable area around the curse seal was frozen.

This freezing technique is quite different from the Meditation Umbrella technique; it covers a wider area and has a more powerful effect.

It can not only freeze a person's body, but also freeze their soul, magic, and other illusory things, making it incredibly powerful.

Not only that, this curse seal can also extract the vital energy and yin and yang energy of others from a distance. If you are in the domain formed by this curse seal and cannot break free immediately, it will become increasingly difficult to break free over time, and you will eventually turn into a dried-up corpse.

In addition, he can manipulate the seals, changing them into various shapes at will, such as a palm, a finger, or a longsword, to attack enemies.

From the fragments of Xingmou's memory, Han Qing saw that the cursed seal was extremely deadly. Some half-saints of average strength would be seriously injured or even killed immediately if hit by it.

Secondly, this curse mark can also accelerate a person's flight through the air.

Han Qing practiced in the Boundless Monument for a while until he could control the spell seals at will, and then he left the Boundless Monument.

"There's no time to lose. I'll set off now to wipe out those thirteen Yin-Yang Sect strongholds."

"Han Qing, I'll go with you," Yan Qiuling said.

"No need. My combat strength has greatly increased now. Even if I encounter a master like Xingmou again, I can handle him on my own. You all stay in the city to guard against a sneak attack by a powerful enemy. I will return in three days at most!" Han Qing instructed.

"it is good!"

"Young master, please go ahead and leave this to us," Zhou Xiaoru said.

Han Qing nodded slightly, and without lingering any longer, he suddenly took flight and instantly soared into the sky.

He took the lead in using his escape technique, soaring through the clouds like a dragon, his speed increasing dramatically. Clouds swirled around him, sometimes transforming into dragons, sometimes dissipating, his speed more than tripling.

But that wasn't all. He then tried to activate the Yin-Yang Curse Seal to empower himself, and in an instant, his speed increased dramatically again.

Excitement gleamed in Han Qing's eyes; the power of the Yin-Yang Curse Seal greatly boosted his confidence.

He has only doubled his flight speed by using the cursed seal.

As he poured more spiritual power into it, the incantation within his body shone brightly, and Han Qing's flight speed increased dramatically once again, from two times to three times, and then to ten times.

In that instant, Han Qing's entire shadow in the air became blurred.

However, he only maintained this tenfold flight speed for a moment, because the rate at which his magical power was consumed was too fast. He estimated that he couldn't maintain it for long, at most ten breaths.

But ten breaths are enough. With this curse seal, his ability to protect himself has greatly increased, and even many saints cannot catch up with him.

"Xingmou was too careless. If she had immediately withdrawn the curse seal into her body and escaped that day, even if I used Cloud Dragon Flight, I wouldn't have been able to catch up."

"The Yin-Yang Curse Seal truly lives up to its reputation as the number one divine soul technique in the world. It has numerous functions, not only increasing flight speed but also being able to be combined with other flight techniques. It is truly incredibly powerful," Han Qing pondered.

Thus, with the blessing of this Yin-Yang incantation, Han Qing arrived at his first destination, Xuan Tie Mountain, in just one hour.

This mountain is extremely desolate, with a dark brown earth and soil containing pyrite.

His target was a temple at the foot of the mountain, but this temple was just a facade, a disguise. In reality, the monks inside were all members of the Yin-Yang Sect.

Han Qing landed in the air and immediately activated the Yin-Yang Incantation Seal.

In an instant, everyone in the temple was placed within the Yin-Yang Incantation Seal's domain.

Their bodies were suddenly restrained, their vital energy and blood rapidly drained away, and expressions of terror appeared on their faces.

No one could break free; the domain formed by the seven Yin-Yang curse seals was too powerful, even he couldn't escape it, let alone these people.

Three breaths later, Han Qing flew away, and everyone in the temple had turned into mummies.

The Yin-Yang Curse Seal's method of killing is indeed somewhat cruel, which is a major reason why the Yin-Yang Sect is considered an evil cult by the world.

"Next stop, Samsung Town!" Han Qing thought to himself.

He flew at top speed toward Samsung Town while silently pondering the matter in his mind.

After personally experiencing the power of this secret technique, he developed a strong sense of dread towards the Grand Master of Fate.

"If the seventh level is this powerful, I wonder how strong the twelfth level will be? The thirteenth level is even more divine."

This thought only lingered in Han Qing's mind for a moment before quickly dissipating. He was an optimistic and open-minded person. The Great Master of Fate must be very powerful, but he didn't want to worry about these things before trouble truly arrived.

Before long, he arrived at his next destination, Samsung Town. This was an oasis town in the desert, and according to intelligence, about two hundred members of the Yin-Yang Sect were hiding in the Iron Sword Manor north of the town.

Han Qing flew up to the top of the manor, and his magical thoughts transformed into a storm that swept across the entire manor. He could clearly see how many people were in the manor, what their status was, and how strong they were.

After becoming a demigod, his range of magical perception also greatly increased.

His unbridled use of magical energy to sweep across the area naturally alarmed many experts within the manor.

"who is it?"

"Be bold!"

Amidst shouts and curses, many people rushed out of the manor with knives in hand.

However, in the next instant, Han Qing had a thought, and the Yin-Yang Curse Seal appeared above his head. A domain spread out, vast and mighty, instantly enveloping the entire manor. The souls and bodies of the powerful beings within were imprisoned, and their vital energy was rapidly drained.

After a few breaths, Han Qing drifted away. All two hundred-plus Yin-Yang Sect members in the manor were dead, and the strongest among them had already entered the Possession Realm.

However, even those who cultivate their spirit in the Parasitic Realm are completely powerless against the Seven Yin-Yang Curse Seals and can only die in despair.

Han Qing immediately took flight again, heading to the next location without stopping.

"Such slaughter accumulates external evil energy very quickly, but I am now a half-saint with great strength. Killing thousands of people will not pose a risk of qi deviation."

Two days later.

Han Qing flew away from a small city called Luoshui, the thirteenth stronghold of the Yin-Yang Sect. The Yin-Yang Sect members in the city had been almost completely slaughtered.

The same method was used again, with the Yin-Yang Curse Seal to kill.

He benefited greatly from it. The Yin-Yang Seal absorbed the Yin and Yang energies and gained a certain improvement. Although the improvement was not significant, it added up, and one day he would definitely be able to step into the eighth level.

The temple was filled with over a thousand more ghost soldiers, bringing the total number close to three thousand.

There are now thousands of soul light spots in front of the Seven Killings Stele. Absorbing these soul light spots allows one to inherit more than three thousand martial arts skills. Even if some of them are of low quality, the sheer number of them adds up to a huge amount of proficiency.

"With these thousands of soul points, my strength will see an astonishing increase," Han Qingxin thought.

On the third day at dusk, Han Qing returned to Fengyang City.

He landed in the courtyard, and Zhou Xiaoru and Yan Qiuling rushed over for the first time upon hearing the commotion.

"Young master, how was the trip?" Zhou Xiaoru asked with a smile, fanning himself.

"It went smoothly. My combat power is now extremely strong. Apart from saints, I have nothing to fear from anyone," Han Qing said.

He stepped into the house directly opposite and sat on a carved red lacquered chair. A maid immediately came forward and brought him a cup of warm tea.

"Summon Lord Liu here, I have something to tell you!"

"Also, gather everyone together; we'll leave Fengyang tonight."

Han Qing took a big gulp of tea, thought for a moment, and then gave the order in a deep voice.

"Yes!"

A few loud, clear voices came from outside the door; it was none other than the Nine Elders of the Crimson Dragon.

After Han Qing became a half-saint, even the Nine Elders of the Crimson Dragon became much less helpful to him, and their attitude became more respectful, with a hint of fear in their eyes.

Before long, Liu Jinchen was brought into the room. When he saw Han Qing, he was also very afraid. Especially after seeing Han Qing easily kill Huangfu Qi, he didn't dare to sit down and completely put himself in the position of a servant.

Han Qing didn't say much. In this world, one's own strength is more important than anything else.

"I have killed all 1126 Yin-Yang Sect members in the thirteen strongholds in Liangzhou. The crisis has been completely resolved."

"What?" Liu Jinchen was shocked. He was amazed by Han Qing's efficiency.

How long has it been, and the Yin-Yang Sect of Liangzhou has been wiped out?

"Then, what about Shao Siming?" Liu Jinchen pressed.

"He has already been killed by me," Han Qing replied.

Liu Jinchen took a deep breath, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He never expected that even a renowned master like Shao Siming would die at Han Qing's hands.

The battle between Han Qing and Xing Mou took place near the city that day, but Han Qing had already used the Yuanling Treasure Pearl to separate heaven and earth beforehand, so Liu Jinchen was unaware of the entire battle. From afar, he could only see a vast expanse of white and hear the intense fighting sounds coming from within.

"I will leave with my men tonight. If Lord Liu needs any other assistance, please let me know now, and I will take care of it for you," Han Qing added.

Liu Jinchen hurriedly said, "I am already extremely grateful that you are willing to help me kill the Yin Yang Sect demons. How could I dare to trouble you with anything else?"

Although Liu Jinchen really wanted Han Qing to help him kill several powerful figures from Liangzhou who were affiliated with the imperial court, he also knew that everything should be done in moderation, and being too greedy would only cause trouble.

Han Qing nodded slightly: "In that case, I'll be going."

Liu Jinchen wanted to invite Han Qing to stay a few more days and host a grand banquet at his residence, but he quickly dismissed the idea. After spending the past few days together, he realized that Han Qing was not a person who liked crowds, and a banquet would be unnecessary.

So, under the cover of night, Han Qing and his party rode away from Fengyang City.

This time, however, he did not travel by water from Liangzhou into Sichuan, but rather by mountain road.

All of this stemmed from a single sentence by Zhou Xiaoru.

“Young master, there is a branch of Yuelu Academy in the mountains of Shu. When Emperor Yu trampled the Jianghu, this branch was reduced to ruins. However, my lady once told me that the branch was connected to a scenic spot, which contained a supreme martial arts manual that could lead to becoming a Thousand Aperture Martial Saint!”

Han Qing naturally expressed doubt about this claim: "If there really is such a supreme scripture, how could it have been preserved until now? It must have fallen into the hands of the imperial court."

“That scenic spot requires a special method to enter. I heard from the lady that its location is extremely hidden and may not have been discovered yet. Since you are returning to Shu, young master, it’s on your way anyway, so why not take a detour and go check it out?” Zhou Xiaoru said.

After a moment's thought, Han Qing felt that Zhou Xiaoru's words made sense.

"Where is that place?"

“It’s right here at Thousand Blade Mountain,” Zhou Xiaoru replied.

“Thousand Blade Mountain? Let’s go take a look. Anyway, taking a detour will only waste a few more days. If there really is such a supreme martial arts manual, the path ahead will be much clearer,” Han Qing said.

Therefore, the group chose to take the mountain path instead of the waterway.

Holding the travel permits given to them by Qi Wufeng, the group traveled smoothly and without hindrance. After many days of travel, they finally arrived at Thousand Blade Mountain.

Nestled among the precipitous mountains lies a flat valley. Han Qing enters the valley and, with a glance, sees numerous ruins ahead, faintly revealing the former grandeur of the academy.

Although it was just a branch palace, according to Zhou Xiaoru's description, it was once built to be extremely magnificent and grand, but now it has all become ruins.

(End of this chapter)