The central archive's access formation required perfect synchronization between all five sword philosophies, their conflicting energies maintained in delicate balance while simultaneously demonstrating supreme mastery. Wei Liang positioned his recruited specialists in a pentagram pattern around the ancient array, each one prepared to contribute their enhanced techniques to the unlocking sequence.
"Remember," Wei Liang instructed, his voice carrying false concern for their safety, "the formation will test not just individual mastery but our ability to harmonize opposing forces. Any discord between techniques could trigger the laboratory's defensive measures."
Zhou Meili nodded seriously, her newly acquired fire techniques creating subtle phoenix patterns in the air around her. "The enhanced methods from the displays are incredibly potent. I can feel them wanting to overwhelm my previous training."
Excellent, Wei Liang thought. The technique integration is destabilizing their original foundations, making them more vulnerable to consumption while increasing their overall value as targets.
Bai Feng's ice cultivation had similarly been enhanced by the laboratory's preserved methods, his cold qi now carrying hints of absolute zero temperatures that could freeze spiritual essence itself. The other specialists showed comparable improvements, their individual capabilities elevated far beyond their original sect training.
"Begin the demonstration," Wei Liang commanded, his blood already beginning to stir in anticipation of the harvest to come.
The five sword specialists activated their techniques simultaneously, creating a spectacular display of harmonized opposition. Fire and ice danced together without extinguishing each other, wind and earth achieved balance without canceling their respective motions, while lightning provided the binding energy that held all five philosophies in perfect equilibrium.
The central archive's formation responded by projecting Jian Wuhen's final experimental data directly into the chamber. Holographic displays showed the Universe-Severing Blade technique in complete detail, its method for cutting through dimensional barriers and severing conceptual connections laid out with mathematical precision.
Zhang Wuji gasped in scholarly amazement. "The technique is complete! Jian Wuhen successfully developed the Universe-Severing Blade before attempting to use it. His failure came from insufficient preparation, not incomplete methodology!"
Perfect, Wei Liang realized as he memorized every detail of the technique display. The Universe-Severing Blade will provide exactly the capability needed for interdimensional conquest. Combined with my blood-avatar abilities, I'll be able to consume entire realms by severing their connections to universal principles.
However, maintaining the five-philosophy balance was proving increasingly difficult for his companions. The enhanced techniques they had absorbed were beginning to conflict with each other through proximity, creating resonance patterns that threatened to tear apart the demonstration formation.
"The energies are becoming unstable!" Lei Jun warned, his lightning techniques sparking uncontrollably as they struggled to bind the opposing forces. "We need to conclude the access sequence quickly!"
Wei Liang smiled coldly. "Indeed. Let me provide the necessary stabilization."
Iron Blood Manual—Conceptual Consumption: Five Philosophy Integration!
The Heavenly Demon Blood Spear materialized fully, its crimson blade erupting with absorbed power from countless previous victims. Wei Liang's blood-avatar abilities activated simultaneously, creating absorption channels that began drawing technique essence directly from his unsuspecting companions.
"Senior Wei, what are you—" Zhou Meili's question was cut short as she felt her enhanced fire techniques being systematically drained from her cultivation base. The phoenix patterns around her began flowing toward Wei Liang's spear like rivers of liquid flame.
Burning Sword Sect techniques... Vermillion Phoenix Dance... Enhanced Fire-Blade Integration... all of it flowing into my collection, Wei Liang thought with savage satisfaction as Zhou Meili's decades of cultivation became part of his growing arsenal.
Bai Feng attempted to retreat, but his ice techniques were already being consumed, the absolute zero temperatures he had gained from the laboratory's displays adding new dimensions to Wei Liang's capabilities. "Demon! You're stealing our cultivation!"
"Not stealing," Wei Liang corrected conversationally as the other specialists found themselves similarly trapped by his absorption field. "Claiming. You served your purpose by unlocking the laboratory's treasures. Now you'll serve a greater purpose by becoming part of my advancement."
Liu Yun's wind techniques were absorbed with particular satisfaction, their mobility and cutting power integrating smoothly with Wei Liang's existing abilities. Shi Gang's earth methods provided stability and defensive capabilities, while Lei Jun's lightning techniques offered speed and precision that complemented the growing collection perfectly.
Five complete sword philosophies, Wei Liang exulted as his victims crumbled to ash. Centuries of accumulated technique development, enhanced by Jian Wuhen's preservation methods and refined through integration with ancient sword principles. The Seventy-Fourth Demonic Body should be within reach now.
Zhang Wuji cowered against the archive displays, his scholarly mind struggling to comprehend what he had witnessed. "Senior Wei... you're not human. What manner of demon possesses such abilities?"
Wei Liang turned toward the terrified scholar, his spear still wreathed with the absorbed essences of five sword specialists. "I am Death," he replied simply. "And you, Scholar Zhang, have served admirably as my guide to these treasures. Your knowledge of ancient sites will make a valuable addition to my collection."
"Wait!" Zhang Wuji pleaded desperately. "I can lead you to greater treasures! The Forbidden Zone contains sites that would make this laboratory seem insignificant! My research has identified locations throughout multiple realms!"
Multiple realms, Wei Liang paused, his predatory instincts recognizing valuable intelligence. If Zhang Wuji possesses information about interdimensional sites, his immediate consumption would be wasteful.
"Explain," Wei Liang commanded, his spear remaining poised but not yet striking.
Zhang Wuji's words tumbled out frantically. "The ancient texts describe a network of connected realms, each containing fragments of the original Hundred Demonic Bodies knowledge! The Crimson Void Realm is just one node in a vast cultivation matrix spanning countless dimensions!"
Fascinating, Wei Liang thought. A systematic approach to interdimensional conquest rather than random exploration. Zhang Wuji's research could provide optimal targeting for realm-by-realm advancement.
"Continue," Wei Liang said, allowing his spear to dissipate slightly.
"Each realm specializes in different aspects of ancient cultivation," Zhang Wuji explained desperately. "The Azure Dragon Realm focuses on body refinement techniques, the White Tiger Realm contains weapon-based methods, the Black Tortoise Realm holds defensive and longevity practices, while the Vermillion Bird Realm specializes in spiritual transformation!"
The Four Divine Beast Realms, Wei Liang realized. Traditional cultivation mythology suggests these would contain the most advanced techniques in their respective specializations. Conquering all four would provide comprehensive foundation for the highest demonic body ranks.
"Your knowledge continues to prove valuable, Scholar Zhang," Wei Liang said, his tone returning to false politeness. "Perhaps our partnership should continue a while longer."
Zhang Wuji nodded frantically, understanding that his life depended on remaining useful. "The interdimensional pathways require specific keys to access. My research has identified the required artifacts and their locations across multiple realms!"
Excellent, Wei Liang concluded. Zhang Wuji will continue serving as my guide to interdimensional conquest. When his usefulness ends, his accumulated knowledge will make an appropriate final meal.
With the laboratory's treasures claimed and the Universe-Severing Blade technique integrated into his abilities, Wei Liang began planning the next phase of his campaign. The Crimson Void Realm had served its purpose as a training ground, but true advancement required expansion to the Four Divine Beast Realms and beyond.
Time to make the name Death echo across multiple dimensions, he thought as they prepared to leave Jian Wuhen's ruined laboratory. The universe awaits its new master.