Chapter 84: The Ninefold Sword Waves

"Eek!"
The little Golden Vajra Monkey suddenly leaped up, its jet-black eyes fixed on the ancient ruins, a humanlike worry etched across its small face.

"Huh? There's another little monkey?"
Lin Feng looked surprised.

Before this, the little Golden Vajra Monkey had been napping atop the Dragon Horse's head, hidden by its mutant, oversized ears, and thus had gone unnoticed. Seeing the monkey, which was no bigger than a fist, Lin Feng found it utterly adorable and couldn't help but lean in for a closer look.

But the little Golden Vajra Monkey merely shot Lin Feng a glance, then stretched out its tiny arm, pressed it against his forehead, and pushed him away.

"So strong!"
Lin Feng jumped back in shock. He hadn't expected this cute-looking little monkey to be able to shove his chubby self aside. The thought struck him as incredible.

Qingxi paid them no mind, instead continually scanning and reading the black clouds overhead. She sensed thunder brewing within, and soon, a torrential rain began to fall.

Qiu Yingying stood atop the ruins, rain cascading down, yet every drop was kept at bay by the golden sword-energy shield surrounding her.

Qingxi led the others into a dilapidated ancient building for shelter. Midnight drew near, and suddenly the downpour ceased.

"The rain stopped!"
Qiu Yingying looked up in surprise, only to see the entire mass of black clouds seemingly torn open by an invisible hand, revealing a narrow rift.

Through that gap in the clouds, the night sky appeared pure, a deep blue expanse like a precious gemstone.

Moonlight streamed down, bright and cold as divine swords falling to earth, perfectly enveloping the central palace.

"What an opportunity!"
Qingxi too took note, her eyes lighting up. "See? I told you, Lin Feng brings us good luck."

Qiu Yingying gazed at the sky in astonishment. "Is this what it means to see the moon after the clouds part? It seems the elusive thing called fortune is not mere hearsay."

She moved, wrapping everyone in sword-light, and they sped toward the central palace.

The way was entirely smooth.

The great Golden Vajra Ape, Da Huang, didn't appear. The Fire Marten never showed itself. They reached the palace with no obstacles, the journey peaceful and untroubled—so unlike their earlier struggles.

Moonlight bathed the golden stone walls.

The entire wall shimmered with golden rays, revealing an image of golden waves crashing upon a shore.

Wave after wave surged, towering and mighty. The thunderous roar echoed in their minds, accompanied by the sound of chanting, so that it felt as if they had entered a sacred land.

"Hurry, memorize and comprehend!"
Qiu Yingying's expression was solemn. Instead of seeking understanding herself, she stood guard, protecting the others.

"Got it!"
Qingxi nodded and instantly began reading and scanning.

Lin Feng quietly watched the images on the stone wall, trying to commit them to memory and comprehend them, but he soon found—lacking any experience in swordsmanship—he couldn't grasp the deeper meanings. Helpless, he gave up.

"Ding! Detected inheritance of the unique technique 'Ninefold Sword Waves.' Comprehending and memorizing. Progress: 0%... 45%... 85%... 100%. Memorization complete!"

Hearing the system assistant's voice, Qingxi was startled. "Wasn't it 'Sevenfold Sword Waves'? Why has it become nine?"

"Analysis confirms there are nine layers. However, this technique is unusual. It has surface and inner aspects. Qiu Yingying has comprehended the surface layer, 'Ninefold Sword Waves,' but due to her limited perception, she mistakenly believes there are only seven layers," the assistant explained, analyzing the technique as it went.

Qiu Yingying was unaware of any of this. She simply saw Qingxi staring at the golden stone wall and assumed he was still memorizing and comprehending, so she continued to stand guard by the door.

Though the memorization of the technique was complete, the system assistant needed some time to analyze each layer.

Soon, it said to Qingxi, "Analysis complete. The surface aspect of this unique technique is at the master level. Please check your interface for details."

[Unique Technique: Ninefold Sword Waves]
[Grade: Master Level]
[Note: Created by a mysterious master of the sword, divided into nine layers. When cultivated to the highest level, it unleashes ninefold waves of sword energy, increasing power ninefold. It is an ordinary master-level technique—less powerful than the very top tier, but remarkable for its wide range.]

After reading the introduction, Qingxi was overjoyed.

The very surface layer recorded on the golden stone wall was already a master-level unique skill. Though its power couldn't match the tenfold boost of a supreme master technique, it was still astonishing.

One must know, throughout the entire Eastern Domain, no master-level unique technique existed.

And now, he had obtained one without even expending any of his five-elemental essence—it was almost too easy.

Although it had taken a few days, Qingxi felt it was well worth it.

Had he used his five-elemental essence to deduce such a master technique, it would have cost tens of thousands of essence. In this light, he hadn't just profited—he'd struck it rich.

Hearing his thoughts, the system assistant commented helplessly, "Yes, yes, an ordinary master-level technique would cost tens of thousands of essence. You've made a fortune."

"But set that aside for now. You mentioned this technique also has an inner layer—what does that mean? Is there another unique technique within?"

"You could say that. It's also called 'Ninefold Sword Waves,' but it's sealed. You'll have to use five-elemental essence to unseal it," the assistant replied, making Qingxi's mouth twitch.

He had just celebrated saving tens of thousands of essence, and now he was faced with spending it again. Was this some kind of trick?

"Never mind, I'll leave it for later. The mission is done; let's get out of this troublesome place first."

Qingxi turned his gaze from the golden stone wall and said to Qiu Yingying, "Senior Sister, it's done."

"Really?"
Qiu Yingying was ecstatic.

"I'm not lying. But I'll need some time to write the technique down for you, so let's leave here before that."

"No problem."
A smile spread across Qiu Yingying's lips. She wrapped them in golden sword-soul energy and sped along the ground. Soon, they had left the royal palace and entered the ruined streets of the ancient city.

Just then, the Dragon Horse, ever sensitive to danger, began to shiver. It looked up at the sky and let out a terrified howl.

"Look, a shooting star! Quick, make a wish!" Lin Feng noticed the streak overhead and hurried to close his eyes and wish.

Qingxi and Qiu Yingying paused, looked up, and their faces darkened.

That was no shooting star—it was a meteorite.

Though only a few meters in diameter, it trailed a blazing tail and emitted a piercing sound, its fearsome aura crashing into the edge of the ruined city.

Boom!

A tremendous noise shook heaven and earth.

Waves of dust-laden shockwaves swept outward, flattening all structures within several hundred meters.

Any lesser-ranked beasts within were killed instantly. Only those of the profound rank survived, and even they were left with split hides and grievous injuries.

"That's not a shooting star—it's an evil demon from beyond the heavens!"
Qingxi had already used his reading ability to discern that within the meteorite lurked a demon akin to Ibucita—its aura vast, evoking the same sense of dread as facing Da Huang, the giant ape.

A true and formidable foe had arrived.

"Yaa yaa!"
The little Golden Vajra Monkey stared at the impact zone, its small eyes burning with fury as it bared its teeth and roared.