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

Chapter 405: Signaler, Raising the Sky and Destroying the Earth Heaven Seventeen divulged part of the plans involving Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow. These plans included inciting conflict among the powers in the Nine Mountain Realm, seizing Nine Mountains City where the realm gate is located, and igniting war between the Nine Mountain Realm and the Qinghua Realm. One of the objectives was to assassinate Xu Yan and Meng Chong. Red Cat listened silently but was inwardly shocked when he heard further details. One of Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow's missions was to infiltrate the Qinghua Realm and target Su Lingxiu or Fang Hao. Additionally, they aimed to sabotage pill concoctions and formations. For instance, by smearing poison on the pills, warriors would become lethally poisoned upon consumption. A crucial part of the plan was to kill either Fang Hao or Su Lingxiu. If successful, not only would State of Great Yue, Heavenly Martial Gate, and Myriad Thunder Sect but the whole Qinghua Realm would be in an uproar, inevitably leading to a conflict with the Nine Mountain Realm. After all, Fang Hao and Su Lingxiu's existence is pivotal to the entire strength and martial path future of the Qinghua Realm. In just a few short years, Qinghua Realm has undergone tremendous changes, significantly enhancing its martial prowess. Everyone had come to appreciate the advantages brought by formations and pills. Moreover, each major force has prodigies studying alchemy and formations at the Pill Medicine Institute and the Mysteries Institute. The potential loss of either Fang Hao or Su Lingxiu would be incalculable. Furthermore, Heaven Seventeen hinted at the possibility of launching an ambush on the person behind the Mysteries Institute and the Pill Medicine Institute, known as Li Xuan! "These Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow folks are incredibly malicious. Where did they get this confidence from?" Red Cat inwardly questioned. "Meng Chong and Xu Yan were pursued as soon as they arrived at the Nine Mountain Realm?" Red Cat was dumbfounded. Would Heaven Seventeen personally take action? Wind Spirit Tiger was equally astonished by Heaven Seventeen’s madness. Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow, in pursuit of some "Unity of Heaven and Earth", had seemingly gone a bit insane. "Heaven Seventeen, accomplish what you’re boasting about first. The Immortal Heavenly Venerable from Nine Mountain Realm and Qinghua Realm aren’t dumb, and now that Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow is exposed, everyone knows you did it." Heaven Seventeen smiled, saying, "Wind Spirit King, you underestimate Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow. Who would truly believe we could achieve all this? "Even if identified, trying to eliminate Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow would still cause turmoil in the Divine Domain. "Goal achieved, right? What do you think, Wind Spirit Tiger?" Wind Spirit Tiger chuckled, saying, "Then, show this king your abilities. Let’s see if you’re worth collaborating with." He paused, added; "Do not target Spirit Sovereign Mountain. If you disturb my peace, don’t blame me for taking action!" Heaven Seventeen laughed, "Agreed!" Inwardly mocking, he thought, the Ling Beast might not have much sense. If every other force in the Nine Mountain Realm has issues except Spirit Sovereign Mountain, how would the others perceive it? "Wind Spirit King, await news from Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow. Farewell!" Heaven Seventeen took his leave. After Heaven Seventeen departed, Red Cat proposed, "Big Brother, if the other forces face mishaps, Spirit Sovereign Mountain needs to act as well. We can’t remain unscathed." "Why?" Wind Spirit Tiger puzzled. "Nine mountains are interconnected. If everyone faces trouble, it balances minds, fostering easier information exchange. It greatly benefits us." Red Cat said cheerfully. He didn’t bother explaining further as Wind Spirit Tiger, in Red Cat's view, wasn’t quick-witted enough to deserve spending the effort explaining. "Big Brother, rest assured, I will arrange things properly. We'll surely profit, not suffer!" Red Cat promised confidently. "Brother Ji does things. I am reassured!" Wind Spirit Tiger nodded. These trivial matters are best handled by Brother Ji while I continue to enjoy the Tiger King’s prestige. Discovering Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow's plan aims at attacking Fang Hao or Su Lingxiu, while unlikely to succeed, could still cause damage. Even losing some pills heartaches the tiger. Thus, first thing, Red Cat sought out Yu Xiaolong and Little Ha. "Third Brother, return to the Qinghua Realm immediately and convey Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow's conspiracy..." Red Cat looked at Little Ha. He must return to Qinghua Realm before Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow controls the realm gate of the Nine Mountain Realm; otherwise, if the gate is controlled, one would need to traverse a long distance to return to Qinghua Realm. Time would be insufficient. "No problem!" Little Ha nodded, shrinking to a small toad form, concealing his aura, and swiftly left. Being a Mountain-Swallowing Toad, after cultivating the Greater Beast Arts, he also developed a demi-beast tribe ability, specializing in concealment, making it unlikely to attract attention. This was why Red Cat tasked Little Ha with returning to deliver the message. Although Yu Xiaolong is a dragon-offshoot, too eye-catching since dragon-kind spirit beasts, being extremely rare, include a dragon king among the twelve beast kings of the Divine Domain. Subsequently, Red Cat summoned a Spirit Sovereign Gate elder to escort Yu Xiaolong to Dagai Mountain. The purpose of visiting Dagai Mountain was naturally to alert Meng Chong and Xu Yan. The range of the message talisman is limited, but with Meng Chong and Xu Yan at Dagai Mountain, contacting them becomes feasible after narrowing the range. Once all was arranged, Red Cat began deploying. Following this, considerations were given to how Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow could yield benefits since they sought cooperation with Wind Spirit Tiger, presenting an opportunity. Thus it was evident, Wind Spirit Tiger's strength, among the Immaterial Heavenly Venerables, must be top-notch. Red Cat sensed, Wind Spirit Tiger surpassed the Great Yue King. "When will I surpass him?" Red Cat sighed inwardly. As a Greater Beast King, his strength was currently inferior to the tiger, leaving him as the second-in-command, begrudgingly. Additionally, due to insufficient strength, the Greater Beast Arts could not yet be passed to other spirit beasts, necessitating continued discreet development. ... The State of Great Yue, Heavenly Martial Gate, Myriad Thunder Sect, and the entire Qinghua Realm were amidst an undercurrent, originating from rooting out traitors. All three major powers in the Qinghua Realm mobilized, and with patterns emerging, Immortal Heavenly Venerables personally probed, thus revealing a number of hidden Earth Shadow members. However, no valuable information was gleaned. These infiltrators, upon realizing exposure, decisively self-destructed. Hence, the Immortal Heavenly Venerables took the situation gravely, worried about such deadly individuals embedded within their domains, implying grand designs. Could there be issues within the Immortal Heavenly Venerables ranks? Or were all traitors exposed? The cleansing operation continued, as Heaven's Abyss was suppressed, Qinghua Realm held the advantage, enabling these Immortal Heavenly Venerables to have a free hand. The turmoil in the Great Yue State, even the entire Qinghua Realm, was trifling to Li Xuan, who remained focused on his martial endeavor. "The seventeenth page, finally memorized." Li Xuan closed the Great Dao Golden Book and exhaled deeply. The Great Dao Golden Book now contained seventeen pages. Only one page remained to fully inscribe the book, thereby mastering the laws of Tai-Cang realm completely. Correctly speaking, it’s the entire core origin of Tai-Cang realm that would be under his control. Including, the mechanics and formation of Tai-Cang realm and beyond. Li Xuan foresaw the eighteenth page’s dictation encapsulating Tai-Cang realm’s entire origin, even the source of its birth. "The owner of the Great Dao Golden Book must be a transcendent of the realm." Li Xuan was almost certain that the owner had transcended worldly limits; otherwise, such detailed laws and principles of Tai-Cang realm couldn’t have been depicted. "Where did such a powerhouse go? The Great Dao Golden Book was discovered in the State of Wu royal palace’s treasure trove. And the mysterious stone house of Wu Kingdom, that mysterious voice…" Li Xuan fell into deep contemplation. Could the person in the mysterious stone house be the Great Dao Golden Book’s owner, or someone confined by them? "Once the Great Dao Golden Book is completely grasped, and my strength rises a bit, it’s time I visit for a chat." Li Xuan formulated his plan. With his Small Heavenly Dao Eye's mystique and mastery of Tai-Cang realm’s principles, the person’s whereabouts couldn’t evade his detection. Once located, Tai-Cang realm’s secrets would all fall into his grasp. "When will Xu Yan fathom martial arts at the Heaven-Earth realm?" Li Xuan pondered. He had devised martial methods above the Heaven-Earth realm, with a clear path for future martial arts. "I wonder if Meng Chong is still being pursued." From his spiritual platform, his primordial spirit opened his eyes, gazing at the Great Dao Golden Book. --- **New Terms:** 1. **天煞地影 (Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow):** Depicted as an antagonistic organization orchestrating elaborate plans and schemes. * Alternate translation: "Heaven Calamity, Shadow of Earth" * Literal translation: "Heaven Killer, Earth Shadow" 2. **天十七 (Heaven Seventeen):** Likely a code name or designation for a key member or leader within Heaven's Evil and Earth's Shadow. * Alternate translation: "Celestial Seventeen" * Literal translation: "Heavens Seventeen" 3. **靈尊山 (Spirit Sovereign Mountain):** A location or stronghold associated with Wind Spirit Tiger, potentially significant to the beast tribe or spiritual beasts. * Alternate translation: "Spirit Emperor Mountain" * Literal translation: "Spirit Sovereign Mountain" 4. **奇門院 (Mysteries Institute):** An institution or place of learning associated with formations, possibly interconnected with the Pill Medicine Institute. * Alternate translation: "School of Mystical Arts" * Literal translation: "Odd-Gate Institute/Master Institute" 5. **丹醫院 (Pill Medicine Institute):** An establishment for the study and crafting of pills, significant to the story's martial path. * Alternate translation: "Alchemy Institute" * Literal translation: "Dan Institute/Medicine Institute" 6. **大蓋山 (Dagai Mountain):** A location within the narrative. * Alternate translation: "Great Cover Mountain" * Literal: "Big Cover Mountain" 7. **神域 (Divine Domain):** Described as an overarching area or realm of importance, potentially covering multiple story locations. * Alternate: "Godly Domain" * Literal translation: "Divine Domain" 8. **青華境 (Qinghua Realm):** A crucial realm or region within the narrative with its powers and notable figures. * Alternate translation: "Green-Embellished Realm" * Literal translation: "Blue Flower Realm" 9. **小天道之眼 (Small Heavenly Dao Eye):** A unique ability or power derived from the martial path, tied to understanding the realm and its laws. * Alternate: "Minor Heaven's Way Eye" * Literal translation: "Small Heavenly Law Eye" 10. **蛟 (Dragon-offshoot):** Referring to a subtype of dragon-related creatures, associated with rare spirit beasts. * Alternate translation: "Flood Dragon" **Notes:** This chapter illustrates a complex narrative weave of planning, espionage, alliances, and power dynamics, focusing on martial paths and the intricate ecosystems of different realms. The gender identification and roles of characters such as Xu Yan and Meng Chong were clarified, offering critical insights for character narrations. "Ah, Wu Tiannan has improved yet again, and Xie Tianheng is quite impressive too..." Li Xuan could sense their changes in strength due to his connections with them. "The Great Wilderness is also becoming stronger." The number of martial artists in the Great Wilderness continues to grow, and their power ceiling is rising as well. Xu Junhe has already reached the late stage of the Divine Intent Realm and is considered the top expert in the Great Wilderness, not far from the Divine Essence Realm. "The spiritual energy here is no longer weaker than in the Spiritual Domain." The Great Wilderness, after undergoing various arrangements, has seen a continuous increase in spiritual energy. Over the years, its spiritual energy level is nearly comparable to the Spiritual Domain. In a few more years, the Great Wilderness's spiritual energy might even surpass the Spiritual Domain. However, the Spiritual Domain might also evolve and enhance its spiritual energy, maintaining a balance with the Great Wilderness. "Your disciple Meng Chong has realized the Small Heavenly Dao Eye, thus enhancing your Small Heavenly Dao Eye." Meng Chong comprehended the Small Heavenly Dao Eye. "Meng Chong's Small Heavenly Dao Eye differs from Xu Yan's. Now, my Small Heavenly Dao Eye is even stronger when they are combined." The Small Heavenly Dao Eye that Meng Chong comprehended differs from Xu Yan’s. For instance, it lacks the virtual eye in the center of the forehead, but instead, both his eyes manifest a Great Sun phenomenon. It possesses power to deter evil and eradicate impurities, exhibiting astonishing might. "Su Lingxiu, that girl, still lacks a bit. Once she comprehends the Small Heavenly Dao Eye, it will have its own uniqueness; each martial path insight is different." Li Xuan decided to call Su Lingxiu over and guide her again, to help her comprehend it early. This way, when the three martial paths' Small Heavenly Dao Eyes are combined, his Small Heavenly Dao Eye will be even more formidable. After guiding Su Lingxiu, Li Xuan started exploring the eighteenth page of the Great Dao Golden Book. Just a glance made him feel its profoundness, almost like witnessing an entire illusory world unfolding within, and struggling to imprint every pattern. "The comprehensive summary of the world's laws, possibly of the entire universe, is truly profound. Even with my current Void Shattering Realm strength, it feels extremely taxing!" This profundity made Li Xuan admire the strength of the Great Dao Golden Book's owner even more. "Even if I breakthrough to the Heaven and Earth Realm, I won’t match the Great Dao Golden Book’s owner." Thus, Li Xuan speculated that the Heaven and Earth Realm's strength pales compared to the book's creator. "Yet it's not too far. Beyond the Heaven and Earth Realm, it's almost transcendent, and shouldn’t be much weaker." Li Xuan mused. The actual strength of the book’s creator is hard to gauge since the Great Dao Golden Book was drawn by them. It’d be beyond estimation if its creation was just a casual act for them. "Not exceeding three realms at most, so honestly, my strength isn't that far off." Li Xuan murmured inwardly. "Xu Yan needs to speed up, to comprehend the Heaven and Earth Realm soon. Then I can impart the realms above the Heaven and Earth Realm to you. When will I surpass the owner of the Great Dao Golden Book? This will heavily rely on you." Li Xuan was filled with confidence in his martial pursuit. "Your disciple Meng Chong has comprehended the Heaven-Raising Earth-Destroying Divine Art; thus, your mastery of Heaven-Raising Earth-Destroying is complete." While absorbed in the last page of the Great Dao Golden Book, Li Xuan suddenly received feedback. "Hiss! Meng Chong actually comprehended this divine art?" Li Xuan was a bit surprised. The Heaven-Raising Earth-Destroying Divine Art was specifically crafted by him for the Physical Body Martial Path, showcasing the raw ferocity of it. Its divine might is amazingly potent. In execution, it’s akin to a giant holding up the sky, slamming down with earth-destroying force. This strike is purely a forceful blow. Of course, the giant image appearing during the divine art's execution is merely a vision of physical strength, not a literal transformation. Nonetheless, it's immensely striking. Moreover, according to Li Xuan's settings, once the realm ascends to a certain level, executing the divine art would indeed transform one into a heaven-reaching giant. Originally, he thought Meng Chong's current realm couldn’t comprehend it. Unexpectedly, Meng Chong grasped this divine art at the Divine Arts Realm. "Could it be the pursuit forced him to unlock his potential?" Li Xuan pondered curiously. Regardless of the reason, Meng Chong's comprehension increases his repertoire of powerful divine arts. Soon after Meng Chong comprehended Heaven-Raising Earth-Destroying, further feedback from the Great Dao Golden Book appeared. "Your disciple Meng Chong has comprehended the Vajra Raging Thunder Palm; thus, your mastery of Vajra Raging Thunder Palm is complete." This, too, is a divine art from the Divine Arts Martial Manual. While not as formidable as Heaven-Raising Earth-Destroying, it remains a grand divine art, where a vajra giant hand appears, thundering fury crashing down with substantial force. "Excellent, excellent, my first and second disciples are beginning to exhibit their talents, laying bricks for the martial path. The girl Su Lingxiu also needs to work hard. "And Fang Hao needs the Mysteries Martial Path to pave new roads as well. My Mysteries Martial Path should be enhanced. "Jiang Buping is just a bit away from becoming an Extreme Soul Martial Artist." Li Xuan felt as if he had exhausted himself caring for his three disciples. **New Terms:** 1. **大荒 (Great Wilderness):** A region or area witnessing a rise in martial strength and spiritual energy balance compared to the Spiritual Domain. * Alternate translation: "Great Wild" * Literal: "Great Desolation" 2. **擎天滅地 (Heaven-Raising Earth-Destroying):** A mighty divine art in the Physical Body Martial Path showcasing extraordinary power. * Alternate translation: "Sky-Supporting Earth-Annihilating" * Literal translation: "Hold Sky, Destroy Earth" 3. **金剛怒雷掌 (Vajra Raging Thunder Palm):** A powerful divine art with displays of wrathful, thunderous might. * Alternate translation: "Diamond Fury Thunder Palm" * Literal: "Vajra Fury Thunder Hand" 4. **小天道之眼 (Small Heavenly Dao Eye):** A unique ability with different manifestations among disciples, enhanced upon each realization. * Explanation: Each disciple develops a unique form of this eye, showcasing individual strengths and characteristics, magnifying their collective might when combined. 5. **靈氣 (Spiritual Energy):** A critical resource for cultivation, now balanced between the Great Wilderness and the Spiritual Domain. **Explanation:** The chapter underscores the power dynamics and growth within different realms and disciples, emphasizing their influences on the martial path, interwoven with themes of mastery and the pursuit of transcending boundaries dictated by mysterious, superior entities like the owner of the Great Dao Golden Book.