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

Chapter 319: The Gift of Opportunity from the Expert, Wu Tiannan's Audience Cai Ling'er was preparing spiritual tea for Li Xuan nearby when she was struck with amazement. In an instant, effortlessly, he condensed a thread of the Laws of Heaven and Earth? That is the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth! She glanced at Yue Changming, her expression filled with envy. To encounter an expert was to surely gain an opportunity; was her own opportunity too meager? Yet, she could only envy and dared not seek for herself! As Li Xuan sipped his tea, feeling content, he remembered he had yet to bestow Cai Ling'er with an opportunity. He was, after all, an expert. In his good mood, how could he neglect to bestow opportunities? Moreover, Cai Ling'er had been diligently attending to him recently. With a casual gesture, a thread of the Laws of Heaven and Earth emerged. He looked at Cai Ling'er, shook his head, and said, "You're still too weak." Saying this, he loosened his grip, causing the power to weaken considerably before handing it to Cai Ling'er. This thread was all she could withstand; she had not yet reached the state of condensing the aura of the Laws of Heaven and Earth. Cai Ling'er was visibly excited, bowing and expressing gratitude, "Thank you for bestowing the law upon me, senior!" In her heart, she lamented her own weakness, unable to bear such a great opportunity! "Alright, focus on comprehending it well." Li Xuan nodded in approval. Cai Ling'er absorbed that thread of law into her soul, feeling an immediate stabbing pain and a dizzying sensation, nearly failing to withstand its force. She hastily found a place to sit in meditation and took a soul-nurturing dan from Su Lingxiu to begin comprehending and refining that thread of law. Feeling so pleased, Li Xuan almost hummed a tune; however, to maintain his expert demeanor, he refrained. "Who else will come to see this expert of mine? To meet an expert, one must have deep fortune!" He mused internally. He was in an especially good mood today, so anyone visiting would certainly gain opportunities. As for those seeking medical treatment, they didn't count since they weren't coming to see him specifically! Fang Hao approached and said, "Master, someone wishes to visit you." Li Xuan was curious. Who could it be that wanted to visit him? In the Spiritual Domain, he had no acquaintances, and even in the Inner Domain, not just anyone could visit an expert like him. Xie Tianheng? Instinctively, he thought of Xie Tianheng, who had entered the Spiritual Domain. However, he quickly dismissed it, as Xie Tianheng was his disciple in the Sword Dao; if he came by, he would directly visit. "Who seeks to visit me as their master?" Li Xuan asked coolly, sipping his tea. "Yu Gao sent me a message, stating that the visitor claims to be Wu Tiannan, the Dean of the Ten Thousand Stars Martial Institute, directed by your senior disciple to find the Jade Province Alliance and seek an audience with you." Fang Hao explained, holding up the message talisman. The head of the Ten Thousand Stars Martial Institute? Since directed by his senior disciple, he might as well meet him, especially since he was in such a good mood after his breakthrough. The visitor must indeed have good fortune to come at such a time and seek an audience, as meeting the expert would surely bring blessings. "Let him come, then," Li Xuan nodded. "I'll inform Yu Gao to relay the message," Fang Hao agreed and went back to crafting flying ships. "The Dean of the Ten Thousand Stars Martial Institute... and Yue Changming was once the institute's prodigy—isn't this an old acquaintance?" The institute might have been destroyed, but the Dean's survival proved his formidable skills. Wu Tiannan had discovered the whereabouts of Xu Yan's master at the Evergreen Pavilion in Luozhou. His heart was filled with astonishment. The much-rumored Dan Medicine Fairy, could she actually be Xu Yan's master? Her methods of restoring a warrior's damaged foundation were nothing short of miraculous! He hurried to the Evergreen Pavilion, though the journey would take some time. "How goes it?" Li Xuan looked at Yue Changming inside the Evergreen Pavilion. "The younger generation has almost fully refined this thread of law govern, but to complete the process, I need a bit more time," Yue Changming respectfully replied. "To manage this thread in such a short time—your talent is commendable," Li Xuan nodded. Being a spiritual body, Yue Changming, despite past destructions and recoveries, exhibited a phoenix-like rebirth. His spiritual body was truly extraordinary, vastly more attuned to the Laws of Heaven and Earth than most martial artists. Cai Ling'er, naturally not lacking in talent, bore the royal bloodline of the Sea-Spirit Tribe but had yet to activate it. Her realm and powers couldn't compare to Yue Changming's, so refining that thread required more time. "It’s entirely thanks to the opportunity bestowed by you, senior, that Changming has come this far," Yue Changming expressed his gratitude. "Wu Tiannan, the Dean of Ten Thousand Stars Martial Institute, will visit soon. He is an old acquaintance of yours; you shall attend to him," Li Xuan instructed. Yue Changming was stunned, "The Dean isn’t dead?" "Why do you think he is?" Li Xuan raised a brow. Yue Changming solemnly explained, "Back then, the academy had a traitor. It was rumored that the Dean was poisoned, ambushed severely, and even attacked by the previous hall master of the Thousand Martial Hall. After that, there were no signs, and rumors of his demise spread." Li Xuan internally marveled at Wu Tiannan's resilience. Surviving all those tribulations and still seeking him meant he possessed remarkable fortune. "I see." Li Xuan nodded in acknowledgment. "Do you know the Dean?" Yue Changming asked curiously. "I don't." Li Xuan shook his head. "Xu Yan guided him to seek me. Since I'm idly free these days, I might as well meet him." Yue Changming realized his mistake. The senior, a transcendent existence, couldn't possibly know the dean. It was a misconception to assume such familiarity with the Dean. "There lies the Evergreen Pavilion," Wu Tiannan finally arrived outside the Evergreen Pavilion, observing the warriors queuing for consultations. Each bore severe injuries or irreparable foundations, as only such dire conditions justified the pavilion's steep fees. Taking a deep breath, Wu Tiannan approached with a mix of nervous anticipation about what kind of formidable figure Xu Yan's master could be. Could they truly transcend the world? "Impossible, absolutely impossible. No such transcendent ever exists," Wu Tiannan repeated to himself. Yet deep within, he hoped Xu Yan's words were true, for then his journey would indeed reap rewards. "Wu Tiannan seeks audience... senior!" Wu Tiannan inhaled deeply, lowering his posture as he addressed his senior. "Enter." A calm voice called out. "Thank you!" Wu Tiannan stepped into the Evergreen Pavilion. "Dean, it truly is you!" An excited voice resounded. Wu Tiannan looked up, astonished, "Are you... Yue Changming?" After a moment of disbelief, he recognized Yue Changming, once the prodigy of his martial institute. "It's me!" Yue Changming's eyes brimmed with tears. "You've... reached this stage already." Wu Tiannan was amazed but then felt it was only right. "Indeed, no less than the institute's top prodigy—your spiritual form is marvelous; it's not surprising you achieved this after such a long time." Yet Yue Changming confessed, "The Dean may not know; I've survived only thus far by chance. Only recently, thanks to the opportunity granted by the senior, have I achieved any success." Wu Tiannan was deeply moved by this revelation, his attention shifting past Yue Changming to the young man leisurely seated with a book, awe gripping him. Mystical, grand, as if sitting within the annals of time, yet seemingly beyond this world. The more he looked, the more profound it became—more unfathomably mysterious each gaze. An expert! An unparalleled expert! Wu Tiannan found himself suddenly believing Xu Yan's assertion that his master was indeed a transcendent being. Foregoing exchanges with Yue Changming, he respectfully approached Li Xuan, "Wu Tiannan, greets the senior!" "Sit. No need for formality." Li Xuan nodded. "Thank you, senior!" Wu Tiannan cautiously perched on a chair, half-sitting, uneasy to fully face the esteemed expert. Li Xuan retracted his mystical aura, appearing unremarkable now. He appreciated how handy this mysterious aura proved to be. Yue Changming served Wu Tiannan a cup of spiritual tea, and they began catching up on the Dean’s experiences in the intervening years. **Glossary of New Terms:** - **九叶元芝 (Nine-Leaf Lingzhi):** Not directly mentioned but refers to a potent spiritual herb often sought after for its medicinal properties in cultivation worlds. - **長青閣 (Evergreen Pavilion):** A notable location known for its esteemed services, particularly for healing grave injuries or restoring one's foundational strength. It's characterized by its exclusivity due to its high service fees. - **傳訊符 (Message Talisman):** A magical device used for exchanging messages over distances. - **神秘氣息 (Mysterious Aura):** Refers to the enigmatic and intimidating presence surrounding Li Xuan, suggestive of his power and status. **Explanations and Observations:** - **丹醫仙子 (Dan Medicine Fairy):** Although previously mentioned, this confirms the identity of Li Xuan in his role of miraculous healer within this narrative context. - The author uses humor and subversion to establish Li Xuan's character. Despite his omnipotence, he refrains from indulging his whims to preserve his image of profundity, creating a situational contrast in the narrative. - The presence of characters like Yue Changming, who underwent a metaphorical rebirth—a phoenix-like transformation, adds depth to the themes of resilience and growth, commonly explored in cultivation narratives. - Wu Tiannan's skepticism juxtaposed against hope highlights themes of belief and disbelief that pave the internal journeys for characters within such a fantastical setting, maintaining suspense and engagement for the reader. Wu Tiannan began to recount some past events, as well as his experiences over the years, easing his nervousness while sharing his journey with the expert. "Wu Tiannan, indeed quite capable!" From the moment Wu Tiannan entered, Li Xuan could see through his cultivation level. The ability of the Wan Shi Alliance to stand firm without being crushed by the transcendent Spiritual Sects was likely due, in large part, to Wu Tiannan's efforts. Even though Yue Changming had refined that thread of the Laws of Heaven and Earth, he couldn't be a match for Wu Tiannan. Within Wu Tiannan, nine auras of the Laws of Heaven and Earth had been condensed. If it were just that, the power derived from these nine auras would be roughly equal to what Yue Changming could achieve after refining a single thread of the Laws of Heaven and Earth. However, each of Wu Tiannan's nine auras of the Laws hid their own power. Although the power of each single aura was weaker than the thread given to Yue Changming, Wu Tiannan embodied nine threads in total. "Quite adept at hiding, indeed." Li Xuan mused internally, noting that Wu Tiannan was an experienced strategist. He likely learned from a significant past setback, thus opting to conceal his true strength as much as possible, causing adversaries to underrate his abilities. "The peak of the Spiritual Domain, no less!" Li Xuan sighed. Wu Tiannan's cultivation had reached the zenith of the Spiritual Domain. The next stage would require nine auras to transform completely into laws and to become one, condensing the Laws of Heaven and Earth into the body. Clearly, such a step was unattainable in the Spiritual Domain. The primary reason was that the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth within the Spiritual Domain couldn't sufficiently sustain the full comprehension and integration of these laws into a warrior's body. Wu Tiannan continued sharing his journey. After the collapse of the Ten Thousand Stars Martial Institute, the surviving members retreated to the Blue Sea. Eventually, they established a new institute in Yun Tian Bihai City. And the lord of Yun Tian Bihai City had a good relationship with Wu Tiannan. Though the city was under the dominion of the transcendent Spiritual Sects, it governed only Blue Sea and coexisted with the Sea-Spirit Tribe, lacking the strict hierarchy present in the Eighteen Provinces. "In my secluded cultivation, I've reached the limits of the Spiritual Domain. After condensing my divine soul as a Refining Divine Heavenly Being, I sought to infuse the spirit with Heaven and Earth's essence..." Wu Tiannan began elaborating on his martial path insights. Although it was meant to instruct Yue Changming, it simultaneously served to share his doubts about his martial pursuit. Post-refinement of divine beings entails condensing the spirit of Heaven and Earth into the divine soul. Generally, refining nine threads of spiritual essence is the limit, which are then unified to form the aura of the Laws of Heaven and Earth. Having gathered the nine auras, the next step is the convergence of the power of these laws. However, reaching the pinnacle generally stalls at this stage due to insufficient spiritual essence to further condense such power. "In a certain relic in Blue Sea, I sensed a more active presence of spiritual essence, allowing me to gather nine threads of the Laws of Heaven and Earth, which remained concealed within the aura. "But I cannot unify them, insufficiently supported to continue." Wu Tiannan sighed. Yue Changming shared his sentiment, recognizing the arduous nature of each cultivation stage, requiring not just techniques but exceptional talent. The strength of spiritual prodigies lay in their affinity with spiritual energy and essence, facilitating easier comprehension and integration of these elements and the Laws of Heaven and Earth. Yue Changming understood Wu Tiannan's intent to consult the senior for guidance in finding the way forward. "Even the Dean struggles to break through further, it’s even more unrealistic for others," Yue Changming lamented. "The transcendental secrets of the Spiritual Sects might have a solution, possibly related to the Divine Bridge," Wu Tiannan shared what secrets he knew, such as the existence of the Divine Bridge, suggesting the possibility of breakthroughs through it. However, the intricate secrets of the bridge remained unknown, deemed core secrets of the Spiritual Sects. Despite his friendship with Yun Tian Bihai City's lord, no revelations of these secrets were forthcoming. "Divine Bridge? Does it lead to another space within Tai-Cang?" Li Xuan pondered aloud. Both the Inner Domain and Spiritual Domain belong to Tai-Cang, which was evidently not limited to just these realms. "Why are the regions of Tai-Cang so distinctly separated? There must be some hidden truth," Li Xuan speculated. Nonetheless, these mysterious truths held little allure for him. The martial path he pioneered was uniquely his, unbound by the constraints of Tai-Cang's spiritual energy. "The Prodigy Contest is indeed related; I compelled the Thousand Martial Hall, Thundercloud Villa, and the Spirit-Blessing Mansion to accept the rules, awaiting the opening of the Divine Bridge. First, for my own breakthrough; second, to find someone." Yue Changming was startled, asking, "Dean, who are you searching for?" "My martial guide." Filled with nostalgia, Wu Tiannan explained, "From a poor mountain village in the Inner Domain, I, Wu Tiannan, rose step by step to reach the Spiritual Domain's peak—all thanks to my sister's guidance." Li Xuan was surprised. Wu Tiannan hailed from the Inner Domain? "The Ancestor of Seven Star Academy?" He immediately connected Wu Tiannan's identity. "Dean, you're from the Inner Domain?" Yue Changming was astounded. "Indeed!" Wu Tiannan nodded, recounting his childhood experiences and rise within the Inner Domain. Su Lingxiu had been quietly listening but now couldn't resist joining beside Li Xuan, eyes wide, sizing up Wu Tiannan. An Inner Domain compatriot and the legendary founder of Seven Star Academy! Glossary of New Terms: - **碧海 (Blue Sea):** A region where the remnants of the martial institute retreated and rebuilt after its initial downfall. - **雲天碧海城 (Yun Tian Bihai City):** A city with loose affiliations under the transcendent Spiritual Sects, marking a stark contrast with the more strictly governed Eighteen Provinces. - **靈域之巔 (Peak of the Spiritual Domain):** The highest point of cultivation achievable within the Spiritual Domain, before transitioning to integrating the powers of laws into one's body. - **神橋 (Divine Bridge):** A mystical gateway or concept believed to open access to further realms or states of power beyond typical martial comprehension, hinting at transcendent secrets. - **太蒼 (Tai-Cang):** A vast domain encompassing multiple realms, such as the Inner and Spiritual Domains, with implied further spaces linked by the Divine Bridge. Explanations and Observations: - The narrative continues to detail the intricacies and limitations faced by practitioners at advanced levels, emphasizing the critical role of environment and mysterious elements like the Divine Bridge. - Wu Tiannan's background highlights a classic rise-from-obscurity story, positioning him as a relatable figure overcoming tremendous odds through familial influence and personal tenacity. - The legends surrounding the Divine Bridge and Tai-Cang suggest significant plot elements revolving around broader metaphysical themes that may challenge conventional martial possibilities and explore narrative metaphors of personal transcendence. - Su Lingxiu's interest reflects both a personal and cultural intrigue in shared roots, fostering connections and reinforcing the narrative's woven blend of individual paths and collective heritage.