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

### Chapter 398: Mountain and River Saint Physique, Accomplishment in the Void Shattering Realm Lingzun Mountain was undergoing a transformation due to the arrival of Red Cat, who had managed to deceive the Wind Spirit Tiger. Meanwhile, the spiritual beasts of Lingzun Mountain were receiving training and gradually evolving into a formidable force for the Beast Tribe. In the Nine Mountains Realm, an undercurrent was stirring. Meng Chong faced a series of ambushes and assassination attempts—some outright, some covert. Were it not for his formidable strength, his incredibly tough physique, and extraordinary martial skills, he would have likely met with disaster. "Who is targeting me?" Meng Chong had altered his appearance, donning a wig to conceal his most recognizable feature, his bald head. "The eldest senior brother appeared at Great Covering Mountain, but his whereabouts became unknown for a while. Was he in seclusion to break through? Who on earth was behind those targeting me, and from what faction? "For now, I should adopt a different identity and venture into the Heavenly Abyss to gather treasures. Once my strength is enhanced, I'll seek retribution!" Meng Chong formulated his subsequent plan of action. Due to the characteristics of his martial path, if he made a move in the Heavenly Abyss, his traces would soon be revealed. Therefore, he couldn't stay long in the Heavenly Abyss. "The Small Heavenly Dao Eye is nearly comprehended. I should devote more time to it." Meng Chong began to conceal his identity and head to the Heavenly Abyss for exploration. ... Li Xuan, as usual, sat leisurely in a chair, playing with a jade ruyi in one hand and holding a Tai-Cang Book in the other. He had reached the seventeenth page of the Tai-Cang Book, only one page away from completing it. His understanding of the Dao Principles of Tai-Cang and the Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth Principles had reached an exceptionally high level. Due to this, he was already starting to perfect the next realm beyond the Heaven and Earth Realm. Additionally, the Divine Arts Martial Manual was also improving. The target of three thousand divine arts was not far off; these divine arts were diverse in their applications, not limited to just offense and defense. "The path of divine arts is truly profound. With the Dao Principles as a reference, creating divine arts becomes more manageable." Li Xuan reflected, feeling that his martial pursuits had made considerable progress recently. "Xu Yan went to the Nine Mountains Realm, and Meng Chong should be heading there soon, too." Out of his five disciples, only Jiang Buping had yet to truly get started, but the issue with unyielding qi was nearly resolved, and the entry into the Extreme Soul Martial Path was not far off. Day after day, those around him were diligently training, including his maid Cai Ling'er, who, after activating her bloodline and obtaining the Sea-Spirit heritage, had become much more dedicated in her practice, with her strength improving rapidly. Shi’er, Meng Shushu, and Zhou Ying had all progressed to the later stages of the Divine Intent Realm. It must be said that under the influence of alchemy and the dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy in the Divine Region, cultivation speed significantly increased. Fang Hao's proficiency in formation techniques, as well as communication talismans, had greatly improved, naturally advancing his Mysterious Martial Path. Meng Chong returned briefly before heading to the Nine Mountains Realm. "Your disciple Xu Yan, has enlightened the Small Heavenly Dao Eye, your Small Heavenly Dao Eye has achieved perfection." The feedback from the Great Dao Golden Book arrived. Li Xuan was overjoyed; at that moment, he felt as if he could see through everything in Heaven and Earth. A third eye seemed to manifest in his brow, composed of radiant brilliance, extraordinarily mysterious. "This is the Small Heavenly Dao Eye. Xu Yan indeed didn't disappoint me!" Gaining the Small Heavenly Dao Eye, Li Xuan felt a sea change, looking at the Tai-Cang Book as if he could see the traces drawn by the Dao Principles. It was as if he could perceive the passage of time of the person depicting the Dao Principles. Viewing the Tai-Cang Book became even more straightforward. Gazing at the sky, he saw the operation of the Heaven and Earth Principles, perceived the laws of existence, and even sensed the essence of Heaven and Earth. It even seemed as if he glimpsed an outline in the sky, as if a world existed there. "Interesting!" Li Xuan did not continue observing; the deficiency in his ocular type divine arts had been remedied. "If the Small Heavenly Dao Eye is this powerful, how formidable would the actual Heavenly Dao Eye be?" Li Xuan mused over the divine art he created, finding it profoundly miraculous, with high difficulty in cultivation. "With the Small Heavenly Dao Eye, I should be able to discover the hidden presence within the stone house?" Li Xuan pondered. In the mysterious stone house within the State of Wu's royal palace, likely connected to the author of the Tai-Cang Book, lay undiscovered secrets. However, Li Xuan chose not to investigate the palace immediately. "No rush, the Void Shattering Realm isn't formidable enough, and I haven't fully mastered the Tai-Cang Book yet. The secrets of Heaven and Earth aren't going anywhere." Li Xuan restrained his curiosity. "Your disciple Xu Yan has comprehended the grand divine art, the Heavenly Intent Fixation, and you have achieved mastery in it." Xu Yan had comprehended yet another divine art. Heavenly Intent Fixation! This divine art was one of the grand divine arts crafted by Li Xuan, a unique type of divine art, and he hadn't expected Xu Yan to truly comprehend it. "Truly a pioneer in my martial endeavors." Li Xuan was instantly in a great mood. In high spirits, he then offered instructions to Feng Yan, busy with divine arts cultivation. Feng Yan was overjoyed and listened intently, not wanting to miss a single detail. Over recent days, he had remained at the Mysterious Arts Institute and the Divine Alchemy Institute. The respectable Immortal Heavenly Venerable had become a runner, all in pursuit of divine arts. In hopes of gaining recognition from a master, wasn't it all to grasp this rare opportunity? Now, the chance was here! Feng Yan was practicing a minor divine art, but as a Tai-Cang martial artist, the challenge of learning divine arts remained high. However, since Wu Tiannan practiced successfully, it proved that even Tai-Cang martial artists could cultivate divine arts. Even if the divine arts were slightly weaker than the Great Wilderness Martial Path, they were still divine arts, enough to enhance the martial prowess of Tai-Cang. After providing guidance to Feng Yan on divine arts, Li Xuan resumed his martial pursuits, leaving Feng Yan's success in divine arts up to his own talent. "Jiang Buping's entrance into the Extreme Soul Martial Path is pretty much a given. It's time to prepare for divine arts for it, too. "The techniques of the Extreme Soul Martial Path naturally require uniqueness, and even the weapons for extreme soul practitioners should differ. "It's time to compile the Extreme Soul Martial Canon and devise divine arts and methods exclusive to the Extreme Soul Martial Path." Li Xuan felt that for his martial endeavors, there was never a moment's rest. He appeared relaxed and leisurely, yet his days were packed with activities. Time slipped away amidst his martial compilations. "Your disciple Meng Chong, was ambushed by a True King Heavenly Venerable. He killed one at the cost of minor injuries, and your martial experience improved." Suddenly, news from the Great Dao Golden Book left Li Xuan taken aback. Meng Chong faced an ambush and killed one of the attackers despite sustaining minor injuries? "What factions did Meng Chong antagonize in the Nine Mountains Realm?" Li Xuan was puzzled. The life-saving jade charm he provided hadn't been triggered, which meant that despite facing ambushes, Meng Chong wasn't in life-threatening danger. "Immortal Heavenly Venerables have to oversee the Heavenly Abyss and cannot leave their posts easily. With Meng Chong's defenses, a True King Heavenly Venerable couldn't deliver a serious blow." Li Xuan pondered, thinking that the ambush on Meng Chong seemed rather unusual. In the next month, the Great Dao Golden Book reported several instances regarding Meng Chong's ambushes. On one occasion, Meng Chong was poisoned during an assassination attempt, yet he utilized his Golden Body Acupoints to absorb and neutralize the toxin, feigning near-death from the poison before counterattacking and killing a would-be assailant. "Meng Chong's formidable physique, with its mysterious qualities, renders ordinary poisons ineffective. Armed with the detoxifying pills crafted by Su Lingxiu, even resorting to these lowly tactics reveals who Meng Chong has offended." Li Xuan furrowed his brows in contemplation. Given the current trend, wouldn't an Immortal Heavenly Venerable need to intervene personally? With Meng Chong's present abilities, he wouldn't be a match for an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, but the protective jade symbol he possessed would certainly activate. Reflecting further, Li Xuan inquired about forces in the Nine Mountains Realm known for utilizing poison or cultivating poison arts. Unexpectedly, no such forces or notable poison practitioners could be found in the Nine Mountains Realm. Li Xuan was baffled. Had Meng Chong not gone to the Nine Mountains Realm at all? Feng Yan, being an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, held a high status in the Nine Mountains Realm and was well-acquainted with it. "True strength grows amidst adversity, and Meng Chong experiencing such crises could indeed accelerate his growth!" Li Xuan considered that Meng Chong facing such crises might also serve as an opportunity for self-improvement. With the jade symbol, even an assault by an Immortal Heavenly Venerable could be withstood safely. ### New Terms and Translations 1. **Lingzun Mountain (靈尊山)**: Translated as "Lingzun Mountain", it is the location associated with the arrival of Red Cat. An alternative could be "Spirit Reverence Mountain", emphasizing its spiritual significance. 2. **Wind Spirit Tiger (風靈虎)**: Translated as "Wind Spirit Tiger", maintaining the term for the species. Alternatives include "Air Spirit Tiger" to reflect its elemental association. 3. **Heavenly Abyss (天窟)**: Retained the term "Heavenly Abyss" as the location for exploration. Alternatives might include "Sky Vault" conveying a place of exploration or depth. 4. **State of Wu (吴国)**: Translated as "State of Wu", indicating a geopolitical entity. Alternates might include "Nation of Wu" or "Kingdom of Wu" to give different political indications. 5. **Xu Yan's comprehension of "Heavenly Intent Fixation (天意定神)"**: A divine art, named to retain original meaning. Alternatives include "Heaven's Will Fixation" to place more emphasis on divine will. 6. **Brow with the Third Eye (眉心之中浮現出的第三隻眼)**: Described as "composed of radiant brilliance" for mystical effect, though "glowing light" is an alternate. No significant pun or wordplay was identified needing explanation. The list accurately covers characters, realms, techniques, and places without requiring changes. "Your disciple Xu Yan has broken through to the Divine Appearance Realm, and you have achieved mastery in the Void Shattering Realm." Xu Yan had indeed made a breakthrough to the Divine Appearance Realm. Li Xuan felt immense joy in his heart as his strength had once again improved. The Void Shattering Realm had been perfected. "Your disciple Xu Yan, upon breaking into the Divine Appearance Realm, underwent profound sublimation, transforming into the Mountain and River Saint Physique (山河聖體). You have gained the Innate Mountain and River Saint Physique (先天山河聖體)." Yet another transformation, just as expected, and this time it was into the Mountain and River Saint Physique. "The Saint Bone and Saint Physique, flawless and perfect, have elevated the innate talent yet again." Li Xuan sighed with emotion. With Xu Yan's transformation this time, both his talent and strength had increased significantly. As his talent grew, comprehending the martial path of the Heaven and Earth Realm would become considerably easier. "Mountain and River Saint Physique..." Li Xuan contemplated his own condition, feeling as if his physical form was nurturing a vast landscape, as if he himself were formed from mountains and rivers. "Isn't this the embryonic form of a martial world?" Li Xuan mused, believing that after Xu Yan's transformation, the Mountain and River Saint Physique would similarly embody the essence of a landscape. "The Heaven and Earth Realm is not far off now." Li Xuan exhaled with relief, having an intuition that Xu Yan would soon comprehend the martial arts of the Heaven and Earth Realm. Entering the Heaven and Earth Realm would signify a monumental transformation and enhancement. With Xu Yan's breakthrough to the Divine Appearance Realm, accompanied by profound sublimation, his strength had dramatically increased, prompting successive feedback. "The martial path beyond the Heaven and Earth Realm also needs perfection." Li Xuan considered that his next focus should be on developing subsequent martial paths. "This Red Cat, he's truly something." Red Cat had recently gone to the Nine Mountains Realm to attempt recreating the Beast Tribe in the Divine Region. However, with its current strength, the challenge was substantial. Surprisingly, shortly after its arrival in the Nine Mountains Realm, though failing to establish a Beast Tribe, it did manage to govern the spiritual beasts of Lingzun Mountain. Through the art of Great Beast Divine Control (大妖神禦), Li Xuan could vaguely grasp Red Cat's situation. He was quite surprised at how Red Cat quickly took control over the spiritual beasts of Lingzun Mountain. "Wind Spirit Tiger is of the same tribe as Red Cat and a king among spiritual beasts, yet instead of the adage that 'one mountain cannot have two tigers,' it seems that, due to the scarcity of tigers, they are more tolerant of their own kind..." Li Xuan began to understand how Red Cat had deceived the Wind Spirit Tiger. "These two..." Li Xuan suddenly frowned, noticing that within the Mysterious Arts Institute and Divine Alchemy Institute, there were individuals whose presence was unusual. Although they had entered under legitimate pretenses, doing odd jobs in these institutes, under the Small Heavenly Dao Eye, Li Xuan could immediately tell that these two were spies of a very sophisticated nature. Their demeanor and conduct revealed no cracks whatsoever. After all, being placed in the Mysterious Arts Institute and Divine Alchemy Institute entailed being personally approved by the Great Yue Emperor, an Immortal Heavenly Venerable. That these individuals could deceive him suggested their extraordinariness, and the power behind such spies was undoubtedly formidable. "Late stage True King Heavenly Venerables..." Li Xuan continued observing others within the Mysterious Arts Institute and Divine Alchemy Institute, including those sent by the Tianwu Sect (天武門) and Wanlei Sect (萬雷宗) for cooperation and trade. "Yet another one, from Tianwu Sect, or perhaps someone from Wanlei Sect... Could they be spies from the Netherworld Abyss or another power?" Li Xuan was a bit alarmed. Whether from Tianwu Sect or Wanlei Sect, those who were sent were undoubtedly trusted individuals. Yet, these trusted individuals turned out to be spies! "They have cultivated a method adept at concealing one's aura, used for stealth. This technique runs deep, appearing superficially as belonging to Tianwu Sect and Wanlei Sect, though they are actually people from other factions..." These spies seemed to practice the techniques of Tianwu Sect and Wanlei Sect; however, their martial foundations did not originate from these sects. If not for Li Xuan's Small Heavenly Dao Eye, this clue might have gone unnoticed. Even he found it challenging to discover, meaning the Sect Master of Tianwu, an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, certainly couldn't notice unless the spies exposed themselves. "Deeply hidden, alright. They've infiltrated my area..." Li Xuan pondered momentarily, choosing to unmask the spies. After all, they had infiltrated his disciple's domain, and as a master, he couldn't remain indifferent. Summoning Shi'er, he instructed, "These individuals, go inform Feng Yan to apprehend them. Let the Great Yue Emperor conduct a thorough investigation." "Understood!" Shi'er hesitated for only a moment before nodding. Receiving orders, Feng Yan, without questioning reasons, knew to follow instructions as given, especially since they came from such a high source. As an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, Feng Yan quickly captured the spies. "Master Feng Yan, why are you arresting us?" One of the spies asked in outrage. Su Lingxiu and Fang Hao were also taken aback, wondering why Feng Yan suddenly apprehended these individuals. "You know full well." Feng Yan responded with a cold laugh. The captured members of the Shadow Sect felt a chill in their hearts—could they have been discovered? Impossible. Given their stealth capabilities, exposure should have been impossible. "I belong to the Tianwu Sect..." "Cease your talk." Feng Yan directly apprehended them, which naturally drew the attention of the Great Yue Emperor, since two of the individuals had been assigned to handle duties at the Mysterious Arts Institute and Divine Alchemy Institute. Cheng Zhan, representing Wanlei Sect and managing affairs here, frowned in confusion about Feng Yan targeting Wanlei Sect disciples. "Brother Feng Yan, what is the meaning of this?" The Great Yue Emperor frowned and asked. "They're spies. Investigate properly." Feng Yan tossed the individuals to the Great Yue Emperor, adding, "This came from the guidance of a senior, so it must be right!" The expressions on the faces of the Great Yue Emperor, Cheng Zhan, and the heads from Tianwu Sect changed dramatically upon hearing this. ### New Terms and Translations 1. **Mountain and River Saint Physique (山河聖体)**: Translated as "Mountain and River Saint Physique", indicating a profound transformation. Alternative: "Landscape Saint Physique" emphasizing its embodiment of nature's features. 2. **Innate Mountain and River Saint Physique (先天山河聖体)**: The same translation with "Innate" indicating an inherent or elevated version. Alternative: "Inborn Mountain and River Saint Form." 3. **Shadow Sect (地影成員)**: Translated as "Shadow Sect", inferred from context related to espionage activities, though not explicitly named in text. Alternative could be "Earth Shadow Members" suggesting grounding in stealth. 4. **Great Yue Emperor (大嶽皇)**: Given context, named as the "Great Yue Emperor," a likely sovereign or significant political/religious leader. Alternatives: "Yue Emperor" suggesting a shortened title without the "Great". Note: No changes needed to the existing list; translations were confirmed to maintain thematic accuracy of realms, techniques, and organizational structures presented within the narrative context. Identified genders in this section were generally consistent with core characters already outlined.