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

Chapter 407: Ant-Like Trickery, Ash To Dust Outside the capital of the State of Great Yue (大岳国), a figure quietly emerged in the skies, blending seamlessly into the clouds, even the Emperor of Great Yue failed to notice his arrival. An Immortal Heavenly Venerable, who is in harmony with heaven and earth, holds the power to control a region within. Thus, even among peers, it's difficult for one Immortal Heavenly Venerable to conceal themselves from another. Yet, here was someone who seemed to have accomplished this feat without a sound, entering the dominion of another's territory. "Interesting." Li Xuan found it somewhat surprising that behind the scenes of the Tian Sha Di Ying's operations was a power wielded by someone above the Immortal Heavenly Venerable level. The person within the clouds was indeed an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, less powerful than the Emperor of Yue, but stronger than Sui Hongwu. Not the highest in the echelon of Immortal Heavenly Venerables, yet certainly not the weakest. He wore a shadowy cloud mask, etched with seven leaves. "Seven Leaf Tian Sha? No, the little toad mentioned Tian Sha with a fierce mask, not a shadow cloud mask." His gaze fixed on the black robe draping the individual, a garment imbued with a hint of Dao resonance, isolating the wearer from the powers of this realm, going unnoticed by the ruling Immortal Heavenly Venerable. "This robe couldn't be crafted by an Immortal Heavenly Venerable; it must encapsulate a trace of Dao rhythm to achieve such concealment." Li Xuan surmised that the robe must have been crafted by the formidable force behind the scenes of the Tian Sha Di Ying and given to its agents for missions. Beyond this robe, the Immortal Heavenly Venerable was also adept in the art of stealth. This assailant, like a shadowy cloud, hid within the sky, floating over the capital of Great Yue, and after a brief investigation, his focus landed on the Qimen Institute and the Dan Institute. The intruder did not act immediately but lingered, seemingly waiting for the right opportunity. "If he approaches the Great Yue Palace, even with the robe’s concealment, the Emperor of Great Yue would detect him. Yet, from this distance, without intervention from an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, a single strike could obliterate everyone in the Dan Institute and Qimen Institute." Li Xuan watched with interest. He looked up at the sky, murmuring, "The mastermind doesn't seem to reside in the Divine Domain. I wonder how they would measure against me now?" With a wry smile, he added, "Though I’m merely at the Void Shattering Realm, against the powers beyond immortality, maybe I can’t crush them with one slap, but they might not be my match either." Targeting my disciple, they'll soon learn the consequences of provoking someone of high standing once my strength surges! "Oh, these Tian Sha Di Ying are indeed cunning." Li Xuan suddenly noticed something new. An Immortal Heavenly Venerable had come to visit the Emperor of Great Yue, arriving from the Nine Mountain Range, as if bearing important news. Feng Yan raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Ping Qiu from Duan Xia Mountain, what's he here for? Has something happened?" Duan Xia Mountain, one of the Nine Mountains within the Nine Mountain Range, is where Ping Qiu, an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, resided. "Should I go check it out?" Feng Yan felt curious. "No, I mustn't leave!" Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his curiosity to remain steadfast. "Brother Ping Qiu, what brings you here?" the Emperor of Great Yue inquired with curiosity as he received his guest. "Your majesty, an urgent matter has arisen." Ping Qiu wore a grave expression as he replied. "What has happened? Is there unrest in the Heavenly Abyss of the Nine Mountain Range requiring support?" asked the Emperor. "It's not about the Heavenly Abyss." Taking a deep breath, Ping Qiu solemnly continued, "Your Majesty, have you ever heard of Tian Sha Di Ying?" A look of puzzlement came across the Emperor’s face, "Tian Sha Di Ying? No, I haven’t heard of it." "My Duan Xia Mountain received intel that this force, Tian Sha Di Ying, intends to stir discord between the Nine Mountain Range factions. Moreover, they have a sinister plan aimed at Qinghua Realm..." Ping Qiu detailed Tian Sha Di Ying’s plan to the Emperor, aligning closely with the information brought by Little Ha, including details unknown even to him. The Emperor was taken aback, "Could this be true?" "Absolutely true!" With a serious tone, Ping Qiu revealed more shocking information that unsettled even the Great Yue Emperor. "It appears Tian Sha Di Ying has a covert agreement with the Heavenly Abyss. The Heavenly Abysses in the Nine Mountain Range have calmed down, and some enemies from beyond have retreated from them. "Furthermore, Tian Sha Di Ying will soon initiate major upheaval within the Divine Domain." The Emperor of Great Yue was no longer composed. Could Tian Sha Di Ying be preparing a collaborative inside-outside assault to unify heaven and earth? With Ping Qiu's messages, the Immortal Heavenly Venerables were alarmed, but after delivering the information, Ping Qiu hurriedly departed to Tianwu Gate and Wan Lei Sect. "This Tian Sha Di Ying doesn’t care if their plans are known, as long as they incite chaos within the Divine Domain. "It matters not if it's internal slaughter or the siege of Tian Sha Di Ying..." Li Xuan mused, recognizing them as a band of fanatics. For the so-called unity of heaven and earth, to restore its former glory, they've gone mad. "Has the time not come yet? What are they waiting for to act?" Li Xuan eyed the assassin hiding within the clouds. Days later, Ping Qiu returned, coming from Wan Lei Sect. These successive actions dispelled the Emperor's doubts, thinking Ping Qiu truly came to relay information. "Indeed, quite crafty." Li Xuan nodded, curious about their next move. Were the two Immortal Heavenly Venerables, with one in the open and the other concealed, aiming at him, plotting an ambush? "Could they truly be targeting me?" Li Xuan muttered, his curiosity piqued. "Let's see how you plan to act." Li Xuan seemingly unfazed, continued waiting silently. Soon, Ping Qiu and the Emperor arrived. Ping Qiu was eager, having learned of the array and elixirs’ miraculous effects, to personally meet Fang Hao and Su Lingxiu, and purchase array disks and elixirs. His intention was clearly to bolster Duan Xia Mountain’s defenses against possible Tian Sha Di Ying attacks. The Emperor, though pondering for a moment, couldn’t refuse Ping Qiu’s goodwill, being an Immortal Heavenly Venerable from Duan Xia, representative of Duan Xia Mountain, also gesturing honest intentions. Therefore, he personally accompanied Ping Qiu. "Ping Qiu, what brings you here?" Feng Yan asked, confused. "Feng Yan? It’s great you’re here too, help me out a little; I’m here to buy array disks and elixirs, visiting Brother Fang Hao and Miss Su Lingxiu." Ping Qiu was mildly surprised but quickly delighted to see Feng Yan. Hoping Feng Yan would put in a good word due to their shared status as Immortal Venerables of the Nine Mountain Range, allowing him to purchase array disks and elixirs smoothly. "No problem, as long as you have the treasures for trade." Feng Yan nodded. It's irrelevant whether good words were exchanged or not, what matters is Ping Qiu's ability to trade treasures for the needed items. Fang Hao and Su Lingxiu focus solely on treasures for array disk and elixir transactions. Neither the Emperor nor Feng Yan suspected Ping Qiu, especially since he had been delivering credible intel over recent days. If he were an assailant, would he disclose Tian Sha Di Ying’s plans so transparently? "They're about to act." Li Xuan observed the Immortal Heavenly Venerable in the clouds getting closer, positioning precisely, remaining undetected by the Emperor yet poised to unleash a devastating strike in an instant. Clearly a seasoned assassin with extensive experience. Fang Hao and Su Lingxiu came out, engaging with Ping Qiu who was extracting treasures while negotiating the purchase of array disks and elixirs, as well as discussing their proper use. He had no indication of attacking. Even at close range, there was no inclination to strike. After all, with the Emperor and Feng Yan present, he couldn't guarantee a successful assassination even with a sudden attack. Moreover, there was still an unknown mysterious force lurking. "The alert array you're after, this set is perfect, covering a wide area. Should an intruder slip in, it alarms and activates the array's power..." Fang Hao introduced an array disk, explaining its details to Ping Qiu. Boom! Suddenly, a terrifying aura descended, incredibly swift, as the aura surfaced, a formidable attack followed close behind. "Watch out!" Ping Qiu's expression shifted drastically as his aura surged, releasing a powerful blow seemingly to defend against the incoming assault. Simultaneously, the Emperor's expression turned grim, deploying a mighty halberd to strike the descending Immortal Heavenly Venerable from the clouds. "Tian Sha Di Ying?!" The Emperor seethed with rage internally, berating himself for not detecting an Immortal Heavenly Venerable's covert infiltration, wondering how he managed it. **New Term Translations:** 1. **Tian Sha Di Ying (天煞地影)**: Translated as "Heavenly Fiend Earth Shadow." This is the organization suspected to be the antagonist group plotting throughout the chapters. Alternate translations could include "Sky Fiend Earth Phantom" or "Heaven Calamity Earth Shadow." The translation attempts to retain the mystique and threat implied by the original. 2. **Duan Xia Mountain (断霞山)**: Kept as "Duan Xia Mountain," alluding to its place within the Nine Mountain Range. Literal translation could be "Broken Sunset Mountain," but this wasn't used to avoid over-literalization, maintaining it as a geographical marker. 3. **Qimen Institute (奇门院) and Dan Institute (丹医院)**: Translated as respective "Qimen Institute" and "Dan Institute," reflecting possible section types within some academies or schools, perhaps specializing in their namesake arts. "奇门" often refers to mysterious arts or strange methods, and "丹医" to alchemy or medicinal arts. 4. **Ping Qiu (平秋)**: The name remains as "Ping Qiu," suggesting a character tied to Duan Xia Mountain's affairs as an Immortal Heavenly Venerable. 5. **Nine Mountain Range (九山境)**: "Nine Mountain Range" is a straightforward translation encompassing the broader geographical scope and importance with its nine constituting mountains. The text presents a complex scenario of hidden politics and subterfuge, with Tian Sha Di Ying acting as a destabilizing force intending vast chaos, elevating tension in the narrative. The terrifying power of heaven and earth descended in that instant, unleashing a violent strike not aimed at Li Xuan, nor at Feng Yan, but directed squarely at Fang Hao and Su Lingxiu. The breadth of this attack was vast, and within it lurked a genuine intent to kill. Should any part of the attack go unblocked, even a stray wave could eradicate martial artists beneath the True King Heavenly Venerable level. "Such audacity!" Feng Yan roared in fury. A layer of stone-like power emerged from him, and in a thunderous burst, the stone-like defense expanded, shielding Su Lingxiu and Fang Hao. *Splat!* A cold, sinister light pierced his defense with a sound like tearing fabric, creating a breach in the rocky barrier. Feng Yan's expression changed, his aura surging as he unleashed a punch. A powerful force of obliteration shot skyward, striking toward the assailant. The destructive power left even the Great Yue Emperor stunned; Feng Yan possessed such formidable martial prowess? In terms of sheer force, Feng Yan's fist was more ferocious than the emperor’s halberd. This was Feng Yan’s painstakingly cultivated minor divine power, the Great Obliteration Fist. "Die!" At this pivotal moment, the attacking Immortal Heavenly Venerable exuded an overwhelming cold aura. The air grew violent as he unleashed a costly secret technique. "Combine our strength to stop him!" Ping Qiu roared, his aura flaring angrily, his eyes red with hatred towards the attacker. He launched a strong volley into the sky as if preparing to intercept. But in the blink of an eye, Ping Qiu suddenly pivoted. Taking advantage of the breach in Feng Yan's defense, he tore through the stony shield, aiming his strike at Fang Hao and Su Lingxiu! This sudden turn of events took both the Great Yue Emperor and Feng Yan completely by surprise. Ping Qiu had long earned their trust, appearing to have wholeheartedly resisted the assault earlier. Neither anticipated that he was the true attacker! "Ping Qiu!" The Great Yue Emperor was livid, unable to turn back for aid. Feng Yan's face flushed with rage; against the oncoming attack, he rushed forth, clad in stone-like armor, moving at his fastest to shield Fang Hao and Su Lingxiu with his body. "They won't die! As long as they survive, it's worth it!" Feng Yan reassured himself through gritted teeth. Li Xuan’s lips twitched in amusement. Feng Yan was certainly going all out to showcase himself; however, in front of a distinguished figure like him, having others shelter his disciples with their bodies was a hit to his prestige. Li Xuan had been observing, interested in how Ping Qiu would coordinate with his ally and ready for any potential strike against him. However, as soon as the airborne assailant acted, Li Xuan knew their targets were not him. They were Fang Hao and Su Lingxiu. "The plan is to kill my disciples, provoke me into action, and thus incite chaos in the Divine Domain? Interesting!" Li Xuan instantly grasped their intent. He could almost confirm that Tian Sha Di Ying had infiltrated many major forces within the Divine Domain, including reputable Immortal Heavenly Venerables amongst them. Attempting to eradicate Immortal Heavenly Venerables would inevitably pit one against these great forces. "Hmph!" Li Xuan let out a soft, thunder-like snort, reverberating through the soul of the Immortal Heavenly Venerable. Before Ping Qiu's strike could reach Fang Hao and Su Lingxiu, and before Feng Yan could accelerate using his position and power to shield them, a colossal vajra thunder hand manifested. As this golden giant palm appeared, all assaults dissipated like smoke, with thundering anger seemingly capable of extinguishing worlds. The vajra hand closed around Ping Qiu, rendering his struggles and frenzied attacks useless. Amid the raging thunder and unstoppable force, with a firm grip, Ping Qiu’s screams withered into nothingness, turning to ash in an instant. The vajra hand reached into the air, capturing the terror-stricken Immortal Heavenly Venerable assassin, who, despite desperate efforts and secret techniques, couldn't escape its grasp. "How dare mere ants play tricks before me?" An authoritative voice boomed as, with a firm grip, the attacker disintegrated to ashes. In that moment, all attacks and the fierce power of the Immortal Heavenly Venerable were smoothed over. From the strike’s onset to Ping Qiu's betrayal, it all transpired in mere moments. Even Yue Changming and others barely registered it before everything calmed beneath the thundering vajra hand. The battle's aftermath spread not a ripple, quickly neutralized. As if nothing had happened, the clash involving Immortal Heavenly Venerables seemed to have been a mere illusion! Only the Great Yue Emperor and Feng Yan were left deeply shaken. The expert before them was truly unfathomable. "Before such a master, Ping Qiu's surprise attack was mere comedy. The master had already seen through everything, merely watching a play unfold," sighed the Great Yue Emperor inwardly. Feng Yan, however, was filled with regret: "I was truly obtuse, failing to see Ping Qiu as the real threat, missing a chance for a heroic body block. What a waste!" **New Term Translations:** 1. **Great Obliteration Fist (大崩滅拳):** This is a technique employed by Feng Yan characterized by significant destructive power. It suggests a technique intended to obliterate or smash through obstacles with immense force. The word "Great" emphasizes the level of complexity and strength inherent in the technique. 2. **Thunderous Vajra Hand (金剛巨掌/怒雷纏繞):** Translated from "Vajra" which implies a powerful, indestructible nature and with "thunder" suggesting explosive energy, they describe a divine might reminiscent of divine retribution or unmatched power, evoking deep severity and resolve. Alternative renderings might include "Giant Thunder Fist" or "Heavenly Thunder Hand." The narrative reveals an attempted plot by hostile forces to incite conflict and chaos, with themes of betrayal, stealth, and divine intervention underlining the volatile struggles among Immortal Heavenly Venerables and beyond. The craftsmanship of the story lies in the elegant interplay of hidden might versus overt malevolence.