8mi Chapter 51 Hidden Strength, Treasure of the Level
Chapter 51 Hidden Strength, Treasure of the Level
The Hidden Edge Cave has nine levels and is located in the middle of Qinglan Mountain. It is where the Sword Casting Manor stores its precious weapons.
The cave entrance is hidden behind the waterfall, where the water curtain hangs like a silver ribbon from the sky, isolating it from the noise and bustle of the world.
With the special reward order in hand, Chen Yu traveled without hindrance.
Soon they arrived at the entrance of Cangfeng Cave.
The gatekeeper disciple, Zhu Jingchun, guided them along the way.
Passing through the curtain of water, a stone gate suddenly appeared before our eyes.
The couplet on the door reads: "Hidden within are all the weapons of war in the world, yet one can remain unmoved by worldly affairs."
The calligraphy is vigorous and flowing, and it is said that the founder of the sect, Ye Ruomu, carved it into the black rock with his finger strength.
After winding down the stone steps nine times, you will reach the first basement level.
This floor is about three acres wide and two zhang high.
The outer gate is called the "Hundred Weapons Corridor," while the inner gate is called the "Hidden Edge Forest."
A lamp is embedded in the cave wall every ten steps.
The lamp oil is mixed with mermaid fat, so it can burn for ten years without going out.
The four walls are carved with honeycomb-like stone grids, framed with red copper, which is said to keep them from rusting for a thousand years.
Each stone compartment contains a weapon, totaling three hundred, creating a magnificent sight.
As the lamplight flickered, the shadows of three hundred weapons twisted and intertwined on the stone wall.
It was as if countless masters were practicing martial arts in the cave, condensing the killing intent into a tangible form, sending chills down one's spine.
"This is the north wall of the Hidden Edge Forest, where thirty-six types of long weapons are hung, hence the name 'Forest of Long Weapons'."
As they walked, Zhu Jingchun introduced Chen Yu to the others.
Chen Yu nodded slightly, then gently reached out to examine the weapon's details.
[Weapon]: Twelve-foot red-tasseled spear
[Quality]: Mid-grade, Rank 7
[Description]: This spear is named "Blood Fang". It once helped the border cavalry general break through the chain of cavalry formations of the Twelve Linked Fortresses. The tassel is made of blood silkworm silk from the snow mountain, which has been soaked in seventy-seven kinds of poisons and is red to the point of turning purple. The shaft is made of white ash wood, which has been soaked in tung oil for three years and is as tough as ox tendon.
[Equipment Requirements]: 1. Strength not less than 20 jin; 2. Proficient in using long weapons.
【Equipment Effects】: 1. Blood Silk Tassel; 2. Breaking Army Three Forms.
【Blood Silk Tassel】: 1. Attacks inflict the "Blood Silk Tassel" effect, causing the target to lose 0.2% of their health every 1 second for 5 seconds, with a maximum stack of 3 layers.
【Three Forms of Breaking the Army】: 1. First Form "Thrust", after charging for 6 seconds, thrusts straight through, dealing 180% weapon damage; 2. Second Form "Sweep", after charging for 4 seconds, deals 90% area damage to a radius of 1 zhang around the user and knocks back all targets within the area by 2 meters; 3. Third Form "Blood Rain", summons blood silkworm silk to entangle the target, immobilizing them for 3 seconds and triggering all "Blood Silkworm Tassel" stacks, instantly resolving the effect.
Seeing that Chen Yu seemed very interested in the "Blood Fang", Zhu Jingchun quickly took it off and handed it over with both hands.
"Why don't you give it a try, junior brother?"
"Thank you for your trouble, senior brother!"
Chen Yu raised the gun with one hand, his wrist sank, and the tip of the gun trembled slightly.
"Such a heavy killing intent!"
"This spear is like a fierce tiger, with an incomparably fierce momentum, and can only be subdued by the domineering."
Chen Yu made no decision, but simply hung the gun back up.
Zhu Jingchun nodded: "Junior brother has a good eye. Take another look at the Panlong Double Halberds and the Seven-Star Iron Cudgel over here..."
Chen Yu checked them one by one.
[Weapon]: Dual-wielding Panlong Halberds
[Quality]: Mid-grade, Rank 7
[Description]: One halberd is named "Zhenyue", with a black iron halberd head weighing sixty-four catties and a dragon coiled around the shaft; the other halberd is named "Liekong", with a blade as thin as a willow leaf, specifically designed to attack gaps in armor; the two halberds are crossed and hung at the highest point, and it is said that they will emit the sounds of dragons roaring and tigers howling on stormy nights.
[Equipment Requirements]: 1. Strength not less than 100 jin; 2. Proficient in using dual-wielding weapons.
【Equipment Effects】: 1. Dragon's Might Shakes the Mountains; 2. Flying Dragon Rises Through the Sky.
【Dragon's Might Suppresses the Mountains】: Normal attacks have a 30% chance to ignore 15% of the target's defense and inflict a "Shock" effect, reducing the target's attack speed by 20% for 4 seconds.
【Flying Dragon Sky Cleave】: 1. After charging for 7 seconds, leap up and slash downwards, dealing 230% weapon damage + Strength x 3 crushing damage to all targets within a 5-meter radius; 2. If the target is in the "Shock" state, the "Crush" effect will be triggered, causing the target to be confused for 2 seconds.
[Weapon]: Seven-Star Iron Rod Set
[Quality]: Mid-grade, Tier 5
[Description]: There are seven iron rods in total, with copper rings inlaid on the rods. They are arranged according to the Big Dipper direction, from "Tian Shu" to "Yao Guang", and are named accordingly.
[Equipment Requirements]: 1. Strength not less than 18 jin; 2. Proficient in staff techniques; 3. Basic knowledge of the Big Dipper formation.
[Equipment Effect]: When all seven sticks are collected, the formation "Big Dipper Formation" is activated. When the seven people are in a specific position, the attack power of the whole team is increased by 70% and the damage reduction is increased by 14%.
"This Big Dipper Staff Formation is indeed ingenious, but unfortunately it requires seven people to work together. I'm alone, so what use is it to me?"
Chen Yu read them all but made no choice.
Zhu Jingchun then led him to the south wall and continued his introduction.
"The South Wall displays 72 short weapon techniques, known as the 'Abyss of Short Weapons.' Junior Brother Chen can take a look and see if it suits his taste better."
Turning to the south wall, a sharkskin scabbard gleamed with a ghostly light, catching Chen Yu's attention.
[Weapon]: Fish Intestine Water-Severing Sword
[Quality]: Mid-grade, Rank 8
[Description]: The entire sword is concealed in a sharkskin scabbard. The blade is only two fingers wide and is entirely black. The guard is inlaid with mermaid tears, which dissolve upon contact with blood, thus destroying any trace of a corpse. It is a weapon of assassination.
[Equipment Requirements]: 1. Strength not less than nine jin; 2. Proficient in using short weapons; 3. Master of assassination swordsmanship.
【Equipment Effects】: 1. Stealth and Concealment; 2. Instantaneous Strike; 3. Blood Curse.
【Stealth】: When wielding a sword, enter "deep stealth", reducing the chance of being detected by normal scouting by 30%, while increasing movement speed by 20% but reducing defense by 50%.
【Instant Shadow Strike】: 1. Instantly teleport behind the target (maximum distance not exceeding 3 meters), causing a "critical hit" that increases the damage dealt by 300%. This can only be triggered once per hour. 2. If the target is successfully killed within 3 seconds, the cooldown will be immediately refreshed, and the user will enter the "Killing Frenzy" state, increasing their attack speed by 50% for 5 seconds.
【Curse of Blood Debt】: 1. Each time a target is killed with this sword, a layer of "Blood Scent" is added, increasing the detection range of the user by 10%, up to a maximum of 10 layers; 2. When the user reaches 10 layers, the evil aura permeates the entire body, increasing the probability of being detected by 50%.
"The Fish Intestine Sword That Cuts Through Water"
Zhu Jingchun lowered his voice.
"For backstab purposes... uh, I mean, this sword is specifically designed to break through defensive qi and blood, making it most suitable for..."
"It's perfect for assassins to carry out assassinations," Chen Yu chimed in.
After taking the sword down, he held the black blade between two fingers.
"The blade is only two fingers wide, making it easy to thrust but not good at parrying."
"The sword is unorthodox, and the person is also cunning. This sword has too much malevolent energy, and I may not be able to suppress its blood curse."
Chen Yu put down his sword and picked up the tiger-head double hooks next to him.
I've seen Han Feilong use a similar weapon before.
The double hooks in front of us look significantly more high-end.
[Weapon]: Tiger Head Hook Dual Blades
[Quality]: Mid-grade, Tier 6
[Description]: Tiger Head Double Hooks, one is "Soul Stealer" and the other is "Soul Captor"; the hook body is curved like a crescent moon, the back of the hook has a blade, and the tip of the hook has a poison groove; the use of this hook is special to take unorthodox methods. When combined with the silk-wrapping hand technique, it can directly target the wrist and ankle, which can cripple a master in an instant.
[Equipment Requirements]: 1. Strength not less than 20 jin; 2. Proficient in using unusual weapons; 3. Basic knowledge of the Silk Entangling Technique.
【Equipment Effects】: 1. Crippled Combo; 2. Twin Tiger Dance.
【Crippling Combo】: 1. When an attack hits, there is a 15% chance to inflict the "Crippling" effect, which reduces the target's movement speed by 20% and prevents them from using light footwork for 6 seconds; 2. When attacking a "Crippled" target, there is a 20% chance to trigger the "Grab" effect, which drags the target to your side and stuns them for 1 second.
【Double Tiger Dance】: 1. When both hooks are equipped at the same time, you can spin and dash 5 meters, causing all enemies in the path to lose 0.2% of their health every 1 second for 10 seconds, and also inflicting the "Crippling" effect.
Zhu Jingchun spoke eloquently: "This hook is extremely dangerous, targeting the weak points of the human body. When used in conjunction with the Entangling Silk Hand, it can cripple a person instantly. Unfortunately, I cultivate the Cloud Sea Sword Art, which emphasizes the vastness and length of sword moves. If I were to use this hook, it would be like a scholar learning to curse in the street, which is improper. Otherwise, I would have taken these hooks away long ago."
Chen Yu remained noncommittal, simply reeling in his hook and continuing eastward.
"The east wall is the 'Soft Weapon Rope,' which mainly displays soft weapons and strange divination techniques."
Upon reaching the east wall, Zhu Jingchun took down an item and handed it to Chen Yu.
"If we're talking about using skill to overcome force, nothing beats soft tactics."
"Junior brother, look at this Nine-Section Stone-Splitting Whip. It's both strong and flexible... It suits you perfectly..."
Chen Yu took the whip, flicked his wrist, and the nine-section steel rings rattled.
[Weapon]: Nine-Section Stone-Splitting Whip
[Quality]: Mid-grade, Rank 7
[Description]: Forged from high-quality steel, with nine interlocking sections. Three-edged penetrating nails are hidden in the joints. When swung, it is like a venomous dragon emerging from its cave. It can smash through a helmet or wrap around the neck. With a flick of the wrist, the hidden nails pop out, making it impossible to defend against.
[Equipment Requirements]: 1. Strength not less than 30 jin; 2. Proficient in using soft weapons; 3. Basic whip skills.
【Equipment Effects】: 1. Switch between hard and soft; 2. Penetrating cold nail; 3. Poison dragon's drill.
【Switch between Hard and Soft Form】: 1. "Hard Form": Attack speed reduced by 50%, damage increased by 80%, and comes with the "Crush" effect, dealing 30% more damage to shields/buildings; 2. "Soft Form": Attack speed increased by 20%, can entangle weapons/limbs, has a 15% chance to "Disarm" the target, and take away the target's weapon.
【Penetrating Cold Nail】: Each attack has a 20% chance to fire a triangular nail from the whip joint, dealing an additional 5% piercing damage, and has a 10% chance to inflict "Severe Wounds", reducing the target's healing effect by 50% for 12 seconds.
【Dragon's Drill】: Straighten the whip like a spear, charge for 6 seconds and then thrust 4 meters, dealing 130% damage and ignoring 10% of the target's defense.
After watching for a while, Chen Yu felt that the intensity was average.
It's not that it's weak, but it doesn't seem to have many useful special effects.
Overall, it's not very good.
Chen Yu coughed lightly twice.
"Although soft weapons do not require direct confrontation, they do require the flow of qi and blood to be used effectively. If the flow of qi and blood is even slightly interrupted, the whip will likely strike your own face first."
Zhu Jingchun then said, "What about these Mother-and-Child Dragon and Phoenix Rings? They can be thrown outwards and retrieved inwards, allowing you to strike from a hundred paces away without needing to engage in close combat!"
[Weapon]: Mother and Child Dragon and Phoenix Rings
[Quality]: Mid-grade, Rank 8
[Description]: The outer ring is in the shape of a dragon, and the inner ring is in the shape of a phoenix. It is made of strange iron from the magnetic mountain. When the two rings strike each other, they can emit a soul-capturing demonic sound. They can also be thrown out separately and fly back within a hundred paces. Taking a person's head is as easy as taking something out of a bag.
[Equipment Requirements]: 1. Strength not less than 50 jin; 2. Proficient in using unusual weapons.
【Equipment Effects】: 1. Dual wielding of dragon and phoenix; 2. Magnetic resonance; 3. Dragon and phoenix shining together.
【Dragon and Phoenix Dual Wielding】: 1. Throw the Dragon Ring (outer) with the left hand, which has a 20% chance to cause a 1.5-second stun effect; 2. Throw the Phoenix Ring (inner) with the right hand, which increases flight speed by 10% within ten meters and has a built-in tracking effect.
【Magnetic Resonance】: 1. When both rings hit the same target, an "electromagnetic explosion" is generated, which deals an additional 180% electromagnetic damage and has a "silence" effect, making the target unable to maintain health circulation for 3 seconds; 2. Within ten meters, when picking up a metal weapon on the ground, it will automatically be attracted back to your hand.
【Dragon and Phoenix in Harmony】: Simultaneously throw out two rings, which will continuously circulate within a 10-meter range for 5 seconds, forming a "strangulation field"; enemies within the field will suffer an additional 1% cutting damage every 0.5 seconds, and all metal equipment within the field will be "magnetized", reducing their attack power by 30%, lasting up to 15 minutes.
"These dragon and phoenix rings are quite strong!"
Chen Yu's eyes lit up, and he took the lighter phoenix ring.
The cold iron felt icy to the touch. He didn't throw it forcefully, but instead gently brushed it with the flowing force of the Gale Blade.
"Buzz—"
The phoenix ring slipped from his hand, tracing a strange arc in the air.
After circling the pillar once, it flew back into my hand on its own!
"interesting."
Chen Yu's eyes finally showed interest.
"Forged from Magnetic Mountain Iron, it contains magnetism, but... let's look at some others!"
After all, there are so many weapons in the cave, there might be even better ones.
"The west wall is a storehouse of hidden weapons and mechanisms, known as the 'Rain of Hidden Weapons'."
Zhu Jingchun led Chen Yu to the west wall.
"If you're worried about not having enough strength, you can try using hidden weapons."
Zhu Jingchun pointed to the box containing the pear blossoms in the rain.
"It doesn't require great strength; concealed weapons rely on skillful manipulation of mechanisms!"
[Weapon]: Rain of Pear Blossoms Nail Box
[Quality]: Mid-grade, Tier 5
[Description]: Cast from fine steel, each box contains thirty-six pieces, each as fine as a cow's hair, quenched with erythroch red; with the trigger pressed, a three-foot radius can be filled with steel needles, specifically designed to break through iron shields and protective clothing.
[Equipment Requirements]: 1. Strength not less than one jin; 2. Proficient in using hidden weapons and mechanisms.
【Equipment Effects】: 1. Breaking Qi Nail; 2. Bone-Eroding Nail; 3. Sealing Acupoint Nail.
[Breaking the Qi Nail]: Increases damage dealt to internal energy protection techniques by 30%.
【Bone-Eating Nail】: When it hits, it causes the "Poison" effect, causing the user to lose 1% of their health every 2 seconds, which can stack up to 5 times.
【Sealing Acupoint Nail】: There is a 10% chance that hitting a joint will seal the flow of Qi and blood. Precise aiming is required.
[Weapon]: Frostbite Needle
[Quality]: Mid-grade, Tier 6
[Description]: Hidden in a cold jade box, the needle is three inches long and as thin as a hair, and is tempered with Antarctic ice; if it hits the victim, the blood will freeze, and if it is not thawed within three days, the entire body's meridians will be frozen and the victim will die.
【Equipment Requirements】: 1. Strength not less than half a pound; 2. Proficient in using flying needles and hidden weapons.
【Equipment Effects】: 1. Chilling cold; 2. Frosty jade and mysterious ice.
【Irresistible Chill】: When carrying this needle, one's body emits a chilling aura. Melee attackers have a 20% chance of being "frozen," reducing their attack speed by 15% for 10 seconds.
【Frosty Jade and Mystic Ice】: 1. Deals 130% ice damage upon hitting a target and applies 1 stack of "Frozen" effect, reducing the target's movement speed by 80% for 2 seconds; 2. After stacking 3 stacks of "Frozen", it transforms into "Frozen" effect, rendering the target unable to move for 3 seconds. Taking fire damage immediately removes "Frozen" and deals an additional 150% melt damage.
After examining the two hidden weapons, Chen Yu shook his head repeatedly.
"Hidden weapons are consumables; once they're used up, they become scrap metal."
"What I'm looking for when I enter this cave is a weapon that can accompany me for decades, one that I can even entrust my life to, not a one-time killing move."
Seeing that Chen Yu was still hesitant, Zhu Jingchun finally decided to take out the real good stuff.
"In that case, junior brother, please follow me to the end of the cave."
"You're sure to find what you're looking for on the town's platform!"