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

## Chapter 330: Breaking Through the Wisdom Sword Realm Tang Jinyan led the Purple Cloud Emperor towards the Thousand Martial Hall, where plans targeting the Evergreen Pavilion were brewing. The Evergreen Pavilion had already descended upon Xiaoxing Lake, a renowned spot in the State of Great Zhou, granting consultations and visitations to fewer than a hundred people each day, on a first-come, first-served basis. Lining up at Xiaoxing Lake were fighters from all across the State of Great Zhou, their sights set on ascending the Evergreen Pavilion, hoping to experience its wondrous Dan Medical Alchemy techniques. The Evergreen Pavilion itself was an extraordinary artifact many powerhouses yearned to witness. In the pavilion atop the Evergreen Pavilion, Li Xuan sat leisurely as Su Lingxiu massaged his shoulders. "Master, I'm preparing to cultivate a Dan Medical Alchemy technique I've comprehended, but I'll need some special principal materials. Could you please help me, Master?" "I don't have any extraordinary materials for you," Li Xuan shook his head and replied. "It's not extraordinary materials I need. I would like you, Master, to help me gather some Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy and the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth. I wish to use this Spiritual Energy as the principal material to refine a new alchemy technique," Su Lingxiu said playfully. "Alright then," Li Xuan nodded. Su Lingxiu intended to cultivate the Heaven and Earth Divine Furnace Dan Refinement Technique, a method she'd comprehended. She planned to use Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy and the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth as principal materials. When perfected, the pills created would surely envy those strongest in the Spiritual Domain. "Thank you, Master!" Su Lingxiu was overjoyed. She took out several small bottles used to store the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy and the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth. Crafted by Fang Hao, these bottles were imbued with restrictive formations to seal and preserve the energies within. Li Xuan extended his hand, gathering the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy into the bottles continually, effortlessly seizing and condensing even the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth. Each small bottle received a trace of this power, cautious not to overwhelm Su Lingxiu, given it was her first time using the power of the Laws for her alchemy and she was cultivating a new technique. "Thank you, Master!" Su Lingxiu was thrilled, storing the bottles eagerly. Shi’er, Meng Shushu, and the others handled the visiting martial artists. Yue'er was busy assisting her, paying no attention to the miscellaneous details. Meanwhile, Cai Ling'er, essentially Li Xuan's maid, busied herself serving him and even began learning to make delicacies like spiritual cakes. The formation array on the Evergreen Pavilion's flying ship was activated. Entry had to be granted through specific gateways, and permission was required to enter. Shi’er and Meng Shushu engaged in treating martial artists at the entrance, turning away those without injuries. They wielded authority when necessary, the Evergreen Pavilion backing their decisiveness. Suddenly, a booming sound echoed from a specially designated alchemy room onboard the Evergreen Pavilion prepared for Su Lingxiu, resembling an explosion. "Ugh!" Yue'er, who entered recently, had her face smoked black, coughing up plumes of black smoke. "Young Miss!" Zhou Ying gasped, rushing into the alchemy room urgently. Su Lingxiu's hair was slightly out of place, though unharmed, yet she wore a sulky expression. The furnace had exploded! Yue'er, too, had been smoked black by the alchemical mishap. "It's alright, Aunt Zhou," Su Lingxiu shook her head, bringing out another bottle, ready for a second attempt. Yue'er approached, spiritual herbs in hand, ready to follow Su Lingxiu’s every instruction. Deeming her presence a potential hazard because of her weaker cultivation, Zhou Ying retreated to avoid needing protection in case of another furnace explosion. Taking a deep breath, Su Lingxiu waved her hands, manifesting a Dan Furnace from her Divine Essence. Flames consumed, and a wisp of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy was tossed into the furnace as she unraveled its restraints. Bang! A soft sound echoed in the alchemy room. "Failed again," Su Lingxiu muttered, examining the charred pill in her hand. "If only Red Cat were here, the pill wouldn’t go to waste." After three failed attempts, Su Lingxiu successfully refined a pill using Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy, elated at her accomplishment, while Yue'er was equally excited. This success meant she could condense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy into her spirit more swiftly and effortlessly. "Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy truly infuses everything, including spiritual herbs. Otherwise, they couldn't become such herbs. However, it’s exceedingly thin within them. "High-grade spiritual herbs contain more of this energy, yet upon harvesting, the energy dissipates. "So, a method is needed to entirely seal the energy within the herbs upon harvest, preventing its dissipation. "Doing so will allow reliance on herbs to derive the energy for pill refinement," Su Lingxiu mused, holding the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy pill. While she could solicit her master to condense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy for alchemical purposes, lacking an alternative solution would mean inability to refine such pills without such help. Thus, an intermediary solution was necessary, though the pill's effects might diminish. It would ensure she could independently refine similar pills sans powerhouses' true support. As for refining with the power of Laws, collaboration with powerhouses remained integral to gather said power. "Perhaps not dependence on individuals but leveraging formation arrays could suffice, forming arrays to condense these Laws," Su Lingxiu pondered momentarily, deciding to have Fang Hao explore how to invoke the power of Laws via formation arrays. Outside the Evergreen Pavilion, a lengthy queue lined up — state geniuses and notable figures among them — disgruntled at waiting, which was ignored by Shi’er and Meng Shushu. Li Xuan, immersed in his martial arts endeavors, added a new Martial Divine Skill to the Divine Arts Martial Manual. The theoretical framework for breaking into realms beyond the Void Shattering Realm further refined. The Physical Body Martial Path’s subsequent cultivation method had a clear direction, and a new level was devised. "Your disciple, Xu Yan, has realized the path to the Wisdom Sword Realm. You've broken through to the Wisdom Sword Realm!" The Great Dao Golden Book flipped open, a burst of golden light emerging. Li Xuan paused momentarily, excitement brimming within. Such a marvelous Wisdom Sword Realm, the elusive third realm of Sword Dao, realized by Xu Yan who found its cultivation direction! In that instant, his Sword Dao breached the third realm, an enigmatic and profound concept unveiled. "So, this is the Wisdom Sword Realm," Li Xuan mused, admiring the complexity of the third Sword Dao realm he devised. Though his cultivation remained stagnant, breaking into the Wisdom Sword Realm in Sword Dao elevated his strength substantially! On Xiaoxing Lake, within a thought, a water sword coalesced. The sword, as if possessed, inherently commanded the Water Sword Dao. On the shore of Xiaoxing Lake, a young boy about eight or nine wielded a sword, whispering, "I want to be the next Xu Yan, a strong force in Sword Dao!" "Do you like Sword Dao?" A sudden voice interrupted. The boy looked up, eyes wide in astonishment. Before him stood a water sword, twisting and seemingly animate, with a hilt sprouting a mouth speaking: "Care to share why you like Sword Dao?" "W-what are you?" the boy stammered, yet unfazed by the spectacle. "I am the Water Sword, mastering the Water Sword Dao." "Can you teach me?" "I can, provided you tell me your fondness for Sword Dao." "My idol is Xu Yan! Like him, I wish to challenge the Spirit Sect's mountain gate one day!" The young boy excitedly exclaimed. "Impressive, you have ambition. Grasp me, and I shall lead you into the world of Sword Dao," the Water Sword nodded approvingly. The boy, eager, grabbed the Water Sword’s hilt, returning home with it. Upon arrival, he found a battle raging inside. His family's foes had arrived, and his parents were struggling wounded. "Disease, quickly flee!" his mother cried frantically upon sight. "I won't flee! I'll make you all pay!" The boy, gripping the Water Sword, charged one of the enemies. "Follow my guidance, enter the realm of Sword Dao," the Water Sword's voice resonated. In that moment, the boy's consciousness entered a profound state, where the sword wielded understanding into him, rather than bearer wielding it. Swish! --- ### Terms Translated: - **Tang Jinyan (唐金燕)**: Translated directly as "Tang Jinyan" - A female character associated with Purple Cloud Emperor. - **Purple Cloud Emperor (紫雲皇)**: A title rendered as "Purple Cloud Emperor" conveying royalty. - **Evergreen Pavilion (長青閣)**: As in list; it's a significant artifact and place. - **State of Great Zhou (大周國)**: "State of Great Zhou" captures historical and geographic connotations. - **Thousand Martial Hall (千武殿)**: "Thousand Martial Hall" fitting translation denoting martial institution. - **Xiaoxing Lake (小星湖)**: Named "Xiaoxing Lake," preserving the original mystical place name. - **Divine Essence (神元)**: Translated as Divine Essence, energy element in cultivation. - **Xu Yan (許炎)**: As in list; male, disciple breaking through to Wisdom Sword Realm. - **Water Sword (水劍)**: Literal as "Water Sword," animated sword entity with Water Sword Dao. - **Spirit Sect (靈宗)**: Refers to a prestigious sect or organization within the narrative. - **Spirit Sect's mountain gate**: Spiritual or sect's entrance way. - **Sword Dao (劍道)**: As in list, central cultivation path or philosophy. ### Context and Gender Clarifications: - **Tang Jinyan (唐金燕)**: Female character, leading figures against the Evergreen Pavilion. - **Zhou Ying (周英)**: As in list; female character, shown in interaction within Evergreen Pavilion. - **Cai Ling'er (彩靈兒)**: Female character, likened to domestic roles around Li Xuan. The narrative explores profound concepts in cultivation, interlinking realms, and coveys the intricacies of alchemy and Sword Dao, retaining all cultural essences. The inclusion of specific terms emphasizes attributes native to the novel’s universe, such as mystical places and illustrious characters. The gentle, soft sword light rippled like waves, as supple as water, yet contained within it a lethal sharpness. In an instant, all enemies lay slain. The young boy immersed himself in the mysteries of Sword Dao, while his parents stood in awe. "The wonder of the Wisdom Sword," Li Xuan marveled internally. He had formed a water sword and sent it forth, leading the young boy into the realm of Sword Dao, awakening his innate talent. In a decade or so, a sword prodigy would emerge in the Spiritual Domain. In high spirits, Li Xuan extended his hand, condensing the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth, crafting it casually into a Law Pill. "Here, take it!" He tossed it nonchalantly to Cai Ling'er, who had just brought him a dish of spiritual cakes. "Thank you, Senior!" Cai Ling'er was momentarily stunned, but then elated, accepting the Law Pill eagerly to assimilate it into her spirit and savor its gradual refinement. Increasingly, she felt her decision was wise — remaining by a sage's side was truly the greatest opportunity! Li Xuan took a piece of spiritual cake into his mouth, nodding, "Quite tasty!" Hearing this, Cai Ling'er was even more determined to hone her skills in making treats, knowing that if the senior enjoyed them, even a casual reward could become an invaluable fortune. Cai Ling'er retreated to further comprehend the Law Pill, while Li Xuan sipped spirit tea and savored the spiritual cakes, continuing his journey in the martial path. Suddenly, Li Xuan looked up and deactivated the flying ship's formation array. "Master, I've returned!" At the entrance of the Evergreen Pavilion, Meng Chong arrived with Zi Yun. Observing the pavilion, he was filled with wonder — was this the flying ship crafted by his junior? Amazing indeed. "Zi Yun greets the senior!" Zi Yun respectfully bowed. "Mm," Li Xuan nodded, estimating she might become the second disciple's wife. With a point of his finger, he reinforced the jade talisman gifted to Zi Yun with a Martial Divine Skill. "Thank you for your magnanimous gift, Senior!" Zi Yun bowed joyfully. Previously, when under siege, she nearly used the talisman in a desperate bid, unsure of its power but believing it could likely repel a Lesser Heavenly Being. Now, with additional reinforcement, she feared no stronger foes. Meng Chong was about to introduce Zi Yun to Su Lingxiu when he suddenly furrowed his brows, his blade drawing swiftly as he gazed skyward with a cold sneer, "Dare to act so recklessly here?" He nearly struck, but Li Xuan's voice came with a chuckling tone, "A mere illusion would not deceive. You must be Xin Mengrou, as mentioned by Wu Tiannan." In the sky, an illusionary form shattered suddenly. A graceful figure descended, her expression one of shock as she observed the relaxed figure in the pavilion. Xin Mengrou! She had come from the Tai-Miao Sect, prompted by Yaron's revelation that Xu Yan originated from the Inner Domain. Thinking of the Blood Spirit, Xin Mengrou questioned if they had not perished — was Xu Yan their disciple? This drove her personal visit to the Evergreen Pavilion for verification. "I assumed you were the Blood Spirit, but it seems I was mistaken. Are you from the Inner Domain?" Xin Mengrou calmed herself. The presence of such a powerful being in the Inner Domain? "Yes and no," Li Xuan replied enigmatically. "Huh?" Meng Chong suddenly expressed surprise, noting Xin Mengrou's resemblance to Du Yuying, "Is Miss Du your descendant?" Xin Mengrou nodded, casting a glance at Meng Chong, greatly astonished. Two prodigious talents of the Spiritual Domain turned out to be the disciples of the same person! No! There was another, the Alchemy Fairy of the Evergreen Pavilion! "Take a seat," Li Xuan gestured toward a chair. "Thank you, Senior," Xin Mengrou sat down, dispelling the illusionary forces and revealing her stunning appearance. Li Xuan admired silent thoughts; Xin Mengrou's martial arts weren’t simple, dreamlike, yet formidable. A slight error from someone of the same realm could sink them into fantasy, blurring dreams from reality. No wonder Wu Tiannan praised her, declaring that in the entire Spiritual Domain, only Xin Mengrou was his equal. Moreover, Li Xuan pondered Xu Yan's finding of the Wisdom Sword path might be somehow linked to Xin Mengrou's dream power. "What brings you here?" Li Xuan asked calmly. "One, Xu Yan claimed that before his master, I was but an ant; two, curiosity about whether a strong being from the Inner Domain was a former acquaintance," Xin Mengrou candidly responded, straightforward and honest in nature. "And your conclusion now?" Li Xuan smiled faintly, a mysterious aura briefly flashing and vanishing. Xin Mengrou took a deep breath, "Senior, immeasurable!" "There's nothing so deep about me; I'm merely an ordinary, casual being," Li Xuan remarked with a smile, the mystique vanishing, portraying him as an ordinary man. Yet this only magnified Xin Mengrou's astonishment, deepening her perception of his profundity. Cai Ling'er stopped her contemplation and refinement of the Law Pill, instead attending to Li Xuan, offering Xin Mengrou a cup of tea. Xin Mengrou watched, deeply shaken. "Why is there such potent Law power within your spirit?" Cai Ling'er had been attempting to comprehend and refine the Law Pill, a slight aura revealing itself and allowing Xin Mengrou to sense the powerful Law energies within her spirit. --- ### Terms Translated: - **Law Pill (法則之丹)**: Translated as "Law Pill," capturing the original significance relating to cultivation. - **Meng Chong (孟沖)**: As in list; male disciple returning with Zi Yun. - **Zi Yun (紫韻)**: As in list; female potential future consort of Meng Chong. - **Xin Mengrou (辛夢柔)**: As in list; female character with dream manipulation abilities. - **Wu Tiannan (武天南)**: As in list; male character with connections to Xin Mengrou and the Spiritual Domain. - **Tai-Miao Sect (太緲宗)**: Translated as "Tai-Miao Sect," preserving the sect's prominence. - **Inner Domain (內域)**: As in list, referring to the central region or significant area. - **Yaron (雅蓉)**: New Name, keeping phonetic sound; likely an informant to Xin Mengrou. - **Blood Spirit (血靈子)**: Contextual title suspected by Xin Mengrou to be related to Xu Yan's master. - **Alchemy Fairy (丹醫仙子)**: As in list; female associated with the Evergreen Pavilion. ### Context and Gender Clarifications: - **Xin Mengrou (辛夢柔)**: Female, possessing dreamlike powers, presumed linked to Xu Yan. - **Yaron (雅蓉)**: Information provider to Xin Mengrou. Narrative further explores profound implications of relationships, hidden strengths, and layers of intrigue through adept character interconnections, powerful artifacts, and the mesmerizing allure of the Wisdom Sword Realm. The introduction of entities like Law Pills enriches the cultivation backdrop, allowing characters to unfold and develop relationships gradually, mingling realms, knowledge, and individual progression.