239 - Made-Up Martial Arts, Have You Really Mastered Them, Disciple?

### Chapter 239: Returning to the Inner Domain, Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent Xu Yan noticed the way Granny Jing was looking at him and couldn't help but frown slightly. Had she seen through his disguise as a member of the Spiritual Sects? "There are many Spiritual Sects in the Spiritual Domain; could she possibly recognize them all? Or is my Spiritual Sect attire not realistic enough?" Xu Yan pondered quietly. The guardian of the Spiritual Domain Gate didn't have much power. If he slightly revealed a strong aura, how could they dare to look at him directly, much less scrutinize the insignias on his clothes? Xu Yan was confident he could easily pass for the real thing without getting detected. Unexpectedly, he encountered Granny Jing along the way, and her keen eyes seemed to have noticed something off. Just as he was pondering whether to avoid Granny Jing and change outfits before continuing to the Spiritual Domain Gate, Granny Jing spoke coldly, "From where does this lowly rogue cultivator come, having the audacity to impersonate a member of the Spiritual Sects? You deserve to die ten thousand times!” As a warrior of the Spiritual Sect, with a significant status in the Mercury Palace, how could Granny Jing sit idly by when encountering a rogue cultivator impersonating a Spiritual Sect warrior? Moreover, discovering that Xu Yan wasn't particularly powerful, she prepared to effortlessly kill this audacious rogue cultivator who dared to impersonate a Spiritual Sect member. She raised her cane and thrust it at Xu Yan, revealing the full might of a Great Heavenly Being warrior. The jade dragon coiled around Xu Yan’s wrist was somewhat bewildered. Was this old woman tired of living? Xu Yan chuckled. He had just been considering avoiding this old woman, changing his attire, and then proceeding to the Spiritual Domain Gate. But now, it seemed unnecessary. Since she was so eager to invite death, he would grant her wish! At the same time, Xu Yan once again deeply realized the condescension that Spiritual Sects and noble warriors held towards rogue cultivators from the core of their being. “Like Brother Shen, such gracious noblemen are indeed rare!” In this comparison, Shen Haizhou became the exception among the noblemen. “If you seek your own demise, then let me assist you!” Xu Yan didn’t even bother to draw his sword; he simply slashed forward with two fingers, his Sword Intent manifesting and encompassing the imagery of mountains and rivers. Granny Jing was horrified. "You..." Boom! Her consciousness was torn asunder with excruciating pain, her vision darkened, and she was enveloped in sword light. Granny Jing died. Faster than Jiao Ming and Ping’er, she was killed before even reaching the Spiritual Domain Gate. Xu Yan grabbed the discarded storage pouch, opened it, and found a jade token inside. "Mercury Palace?" This old woman had come from the same Spiritual Sect as Jiao Ming. “It seems she was also heading to the Inner Domain. Was it because Jiao Ming had been missing for too long, prompting her to investigate? "What business does the Mercury Palace have in the Inner Domain?” Xu Yan was full of doubts. What level of Spiritual Sect is the Mercury Palace? Next time he returned to the Spiritual Domain, he should ask Shen Haizhou about it. Storing the pouch away, Xu Yan headed to the Spiritual Domain Gate. …… In the hall before the Spiritual Domain Gate, two guards sat cross-legged, seemingly engrossed in diligent cultivation. In reality, they were engaged in a soundless exchange. "Old Ke, what do you make of the Dai family affair?" The right-side guardian transmitted his voice. Although they were responsible for guarding the Spiritual Domain Gate, some significant events in the martial world of Yuzhou would still reach them. The left guardian, Old Ke, spoke in a deep voice, "It seems the Dai family is doomed, and both the Jade God Sect and the Su family are in danger." He continued heavily, "Old Nie, regardless of whether it's the Blood Demon, if it comes from the Inner Domain, we must never let it slip that we allowed it through the gate. “Not only transcendent Spiritual Sects, but even the Jade God Sect and Su family won’t spare us!" Nie, the right guardian, nodded in agreement. No matter what, their role was to claim ignorance and keep all information contained. If they let anything slip, not only would those refining gods vent their anger on them, but that one particular figure wouldn’t spare them either. Having decided on their course of action, they silently resumed cultivation. The task of guarding the Spiritual Domain Gate was easy; the martial conflicts of Yuzhou couldn't reach them. Anyone entering the Inner Domain? Just open the door. “The agreement set by those transcendent Spiritual Sects is nearly due. I wonder if there are still holders of the Jade Token entering the Spiritual Realm from the Inner Domain.” Nie asked. “Once this is over, the Spiritual Domain Gate may be completely closed, making any future entry from the Inner Domain into the Spiritual Realm uncertain.” Ke nodded solemnly. “Why completely close the gate? Are they afraid of the Blood Demon?” “I’m not sure. Maybe they think the Inner Domain is a lowly place not worth their attention anymore, and keeping it separated might stop any interference between them. Or, perhaps, it’s to prevent interference in the Inner Domain by the Spiritual Realm?” “When the Blood Demon was entering the Inner Domain, there were indeed plenty of warriors from the Spiritual Realm who came into the Inner Domain to cause trouble and enjoy themselves by seeking beauties for entertainment.” “Perhaps, for the Inner Domain’s lower regions, it might actually be a fortunate turn?” The pair fell silent. Suddenly, a silhouette walked in. The faces of guardians Ke and Nie changed abruptly. Hastily, they rose and greeted respectfully, “Greetings, senior!” The arrival, at least a Great Heavenly Being, and apparently a strong figure from a certain Spiritual Sect, caused them to bow their heads slightly in reverence. “Yes, I'm going to the Inner Domain.” Xu Yan said indifferently. “Yes, senior!” Obligingly, the two guards quickly opened the Spiritual Domain Gate without delay. Xu Yan eyed the glowing pillars of the hall for a moment and noted the slight twist. The Spiritual Domain Gate then opened into a narrow slit. “So this is how the Spiritual Domain Gate operates.” After memorizing the gate’s operation, Xu Yan silently stepped through the hall, toward the gate, and returned to the Inner Domain! Inside, the guardians’ minds were shaken; what business did this Spiritual Sect senior have in the Inner Domain? “We must adhere strictly to our duties, neither voicing what we see nor leaking anything. If questioned, aside from that figure, do not conceal anyone entering the Inner Domain!” Guardian Ke stipulates. Guardian Nie fervently nodded. …… On Canglan Island, Li Xuan was perfecting theoretical understandings and practices for comprehending intent within the Great Wilderness Martial Path, weaving together a framework for all intent. Among his three disciples, only Su Lingxiu lacked an understanding of intent. Although her strength lay in the Dan Medical Martial Path, Li Xuan hoped that Su Lingxiu could also harness this to derive her own understanding of the practitioner's essence from it. He therefore took the time to impart his theoretical insights concerning intent to Su Lingxiu, aiming for her to combine this understanding with the Dan Medical Path’s principles to form the unique intent belonging to a practitioner of the Dan Medical Martial Path. Having guided Su Lingxiu, Li Xuan continued mulling over how to further perfect the martial path he was pioneering. He had formulated the structure for the Mysterious Martial Path, pending the disciples’ practice. Should he also begin contemplating the fifth Martial Path system? Additionally, preparation for martial realms beyond the Divine Arts Realm needed to commence, developing theoretical and structural frameworks in advance. “Martial advancement is arduous,” Li Xuan sighed internally. Even with the Great Dao Golden Book as an aid, perfecting the martial path was still not a straightforward task. Meanwhile, Su Lingxiu cultivated while preparing for the breakthrough to the perfection of the Tongxuan realm, trying to comprehend her unique intent. The distinct intent of the Dan Medical practitioner? “Alchemy requires fire, with fire refining impurities and extracting essence...” Su Lingxiu meditated, first considering Dan Fire. Her True Essence was endlessly vibrant but could transform into Dan Fire used for crafting pills. This was a particular asset of a Dan Medical practitioner. Whoosh! Dan Fire emerged in her palm, and Su Lingxiu stared at it, falling into contemplation. Canglan Island remained serene. Yet the Great Wilderness Martial Path flourished vigorously, with new practitioners joining daily. Under Li Xuan’s guidance, Peng Yuan perfected the technique for masters switching to the Innate method. Even without relying on elixirs, the masters could transition. Though slow, the newly formed Bridge of Heaven and Earth would appear fragile, demanding extended efforts to consolidate. Nonetheless, this was a significant stride forward. This transition method circulated widely within the Great Wilderness Martial Circle. Therefore, many masters were in the process of transitioning to the new martial path, though it was more challenging for Great Masters who needed elixir assistance. Moreover, upon transitioning, they only achieved the Innate Realm, not the Tongxuan realm. The knowledge of the Tongxuan method hadn’t spread yet. Of course, not all masters and Great Masters opted to transition. A substantial number chose to observe or were constrained by personal talent or other factors, thus forgoing the shift. Meng Chong had reached the peak of the Tongxuan realm and was accumulating his foundation to break through to the Great Sun Immortal Golden Body. However, due to the low-grade spiritual herbs in the Inner Domain, even refining them into elixirs, the pace to accumulate the necessary foundation was slow. At this rate, it might take a year or two to gather enough fundamentals to support his transformative and elevating breakthrough. Meng Chong was in no rush; within the Inner Domain, he was already unparalleled. Red Cat diligently learned characters to become a cultured tiger and engaged deeply with the array diagram, although its profoundness remained elusive to him. Every day, he stayed with Madam Xu, who naturally became familiar with the diagram, developing a keen interest in studying it during her leisure time. After breaking through to the Innate Realm, Madam Xu's longevity significantly increased. Lacking martial ambition, she further reduced her training time, now training only an hour a day. Sometimes, she didn’t train for a day or two. Xu Junhe had yet to breach his barrier, not achieving the Tongxuan realm, instead staying in the accumulation of the Innate perfect state. Similarly, Zhou Ying and Shi’er remained in this status. Meng Shushu, having transitioned to the martial path, had reached the completion of the Innate realm but hadn't found the opportunity to break through yet. Li Xuan wasn't surprised by this; it was the typical state of cultivation for many martial artists. Talents like Xu Yan, Meng Chong, and Su Lingxiu were rare indeed. Many martial artists, even after reaching the peak of the current realm, might still struggle to move to the next. Some remain stuck at one level, never breaking through. The Great Wilderness Martial Path is like this, and it's the same for the Tai-Cang Martial Path. How many Grade Martial Artists stop at their level without breaking through to become Grandmasters? And how many Grandmasters fail to step forward to become Great Grandmasters? For those cultivating the Great Wilderness Martial Path, naturally, there are numerous warriors who remain at the Qi and Blood Realm. However, the level of power at the Qi and Blood Realm for those on the Great Wilderness Martial Path is greater, and they live longer, making this path naturally more appealing than that of the Tai-Cang Martial Path. "Cultivating the martial path requires talent, comprehension, and opportunity as essential conditions to reach the pinnacle!" Li Xuan mused silently. Xu Yan lacked neither talent nor comprehension, both being quite strong. As for opportunities, being able to apprentice under him, successfully cultivating, paving a path through the martial world against all odds and rising fearlessly—he naturally lacked no opportunity. Thus, Xu Yan had all the necessary conditions to reach the summit of the martial path! “Who among them could gain the mystical chance for the Mysterious Martial Path?” Li Xuan wondered internally. Su Lingxiu had reduced her time in alchemical cultivation to focus more on understanding intent, seeking to comprehend a unique intent exclusive to the Dan Medical practitioner. She explored Dan Fire but found no success and shifted her focus back to integrating alchemy and medicine. "The essence of a Dan Medical practitioner is both the pill and the medicine. Understanding the properties and effects of spiritual herbs is crucial to devising suitable pill prescriptions... "But with countless spiritual herbs and materials out there, how can one understand the properties and effects of unknown herbs?" Suddenly, Su Lingxiu had a revelation. She picked up a spiritual herb, feeling it carefully. Li Xuan was already delving into the third page of the Tai-Cang Book, occasionally guiding Xu Junhe and others in their cultivation. He no longer hoped to find a fourth disciple in the Inner Domain. “Your disciple Su Lingxiu, having achieved a profound understanding of ‘Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent,’ has reached its culmination.” Suddenly, the Great Dao Golden Book unfurled, and golden light surged forth. Li Xuan was overjoyed; Su Lingxiu had at last comprehended a unique skill exclusive to Dan Medical practitioners. Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent (妙心灵意)! This is a wondrous intent, akin to a talent. Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent is not used for combat but allows one to perceive the characteristics and effects of worldly spiritual materials. Understanding a spiritual herb's efficacy, properties, and combinations. Once one comprehends Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent, unraveling the characteristics and effects of any unknown material becomes effortless, applying it perfectly. “Your disciple Su Lingxiu has realized the embryonic form of the third tier of the Dan Medical Compendium. You have obtained the complete third tier!” Following Su Lingxiu’s enlightened understanding of Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent, her talent triggered an insight into the embryonic third tier of the Dan Medical Compendium. Li Xuan instantly acquired the complete third tier. The third tier of the Dan Medical Compendium enhances not only alchemy techniques, the medicinal arts, and even medicinal-based lethal arts, formulas, and more—rich, perfected, and more formidable. “The Dan Medical Martial Path grows stronger, and the art of medicine use becomes more powerful.” Li Xuan was exhilarated. Su Lingxiu’s talent in the Dan Medical Martial Path was genuinely extraordinary; to achieve Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent so swiftly, and thereby realize the embryonic third tier of the Dan Medical Compendium. Having mastered the third tier, he decided to pass it on to Su Lingxiu. How many tiers the compendium ultimately encompasses, Li Xuan didn’t know. Perhaps Su Lingxiu could continue to comprehend further? When Su Lingxiu completed her cultivation session, Li Xuan beckoned her. “You have taken yet another step in your understanding of the Dan Medical Compendium. Today, I shall impart to you a higher tier of the Dan Medical Path. With your insight into Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent, you can enhance the Dan Medical Martial Path.” Su Lingxiu responded respectfully, “Yes, Master!” She marveled internally—everything seemed to be within her master’s eyes, as he had already sensed her realization of Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent. Even as she found a direction toward the next stage of the Dan Medical Compendium, her master had already perceived it. “Master’s attainments are truly beyond reach!” Li Xuan passed the third tier of the Dan Medical Compendium to Su Lingxiu, urging her to continue to understand and deeply explore the mysteries hidden within the Dan Medical Martial Path. Following her enlightenment of Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent, Su Lingxiu promptly selected spiritual herbs and formulated a more potent medicine prescription, crafting it successfully. She was now nearing the perfection of the Tongxuan realm. --- **New Terms Explained:** - **Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent (妙心灵意)**: Translated as "Marvelous Mind and Spirit Intent," this term captures the mystical ability to understand the innate qualities and effects of spiritual materials, reflecting a unique insight rather than a direct combat capability. - **Dan Medical Compendium (丹医武典)**: This term refers to a comprehensive guide or manual that encompasses techniques, methods, and special arts for the Dan Medical Path, reflecting the integration of alchemical and medicinal arts. The translation seeks to retain the original intent by capturing the mystical and insightful nature of the intent as a non-combat talent, which is central to the character's development and understanding. The compendium represents a structured martial and medicinal path guiding the protagonist's pursuit of mastery and perfection.