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

Chapter 411: Utilizing the Qinghua Realm as the Marvelous Mysterious Scheme Fang Hao couldn't help but express his helplessness upon seeing Jiang Buping's hesitation, "Fifth Junior Brother, you just go ahead and strike. With Master here, what could possibly go wrong? Besides, you're underestimating your Fourth Senior Brother. Qi Men Martial Path isn't just about refining tools and formations." Jiang Buping, acknowledging the truth in this logic, nodded immediately, "Alright, Fourth Senior Brother, be careful!" "Just go for it!" Fang Hao replied with a bright smile. In an instant, the Marvelous Mysterious Scheme appeared like an abyssal vortex, slowly rotating with Fang Hao at its center. Boom! Jiang Buping raised his hand, and with a single palm strike, the power of his Extreme Soul burst forth like a tidal wave, slashing out in an instant. The vortex was stirred, appearing unable to withstand the Extreme Soul's force. A mighty power seemed to lock onto the Martial Spirit, targeting directly at it. Fang Hao raised an eyebrow. This power bore a resemblance to Senior Master's Xun Wind Sword Intent, but it was more extreme and violent. Swoosh! A radiance manifested as Fang Hao stepped forward. The power of the Qi Men Martial Path transformed into a restriction, surrounding him with a Marvelous Mysterious Scheme that, in the blink of an eye, turned into a seal targeting divine souls. Boom! Finally, it clashed with Jiang Buping's Extreme Soul Martial Power, defending against it. "Fifth Junior Brother, your Extreme Soul Martial Path is truly domineering!" Fang Hao couldn't help but exclaim. "However, you're still not a match for me, your Fourth Senior Brother; you have the strength but can't fully utilize it." Fang Hao did not rely on his Qi Men Divine Weapon Casket; instead, he used the Marvelous Mysterious Scheme to set up an array, continuously deploying restrictions to safeguard his own Martial Spirit. Jiang Buping's expression remained unchanged as he brandished a long spear in his hand. The spear radiated Extreme Soul power as he attacked ceaselessly. The battle didn't last long. Jiang Buping, having just joined the sect, lacked the experience and cultivation of the divine skills specific to the Extreme Soul Martial Path, making him no match for Fang Hao. After all, Fang Hao's Qi Men Martial Path was comparable to the Divine Appearance Realm. "Ah, so this is the Qi Men Martial Path," Jiang Buping remarked without disappointment. "Fifth Junior Brother," Fang Hao praised, "your Extreme Soul Martial Path is strong. In terms of sheer destructive power, you actually surpass me." The Qi Men Martial Path is not primarily about overwhelming attack power but relies on its "marvel" in its variation and multitude of techniques. "Moreover, Fifth Junior Brother, you're lacking a divine weapon tailored for the divine soul; once I have the time, I'll craft one for you." Creating a weapon for the divine soul was within Fang Hao's capabilities, providing the right materials were available. His Qi Men Divine Weapon Casket, for example, was crafted to defend the Martial Spirit. Whether it be Xu Yan, Meng Chong, or Su Lingxiu, the divine weapons they nurtured were all geared towards Martial Spirit defense. "Fifth Junior Brother, let me try too!" Su Lingxiu eagerly volunteered. "Third Senior Sister, is this..." Jiang Buping hesitated, knowing she specialized in alchemy and healing rather than combat. Su Lingxiu frowned slightly and sneered, "Do you really think I lack combat ability? It's just that I don't favor fighting. It doesn't mean the Dan Medical Alchemy Martial Path lacks combat power. You can just strike." Feeling slightly annoyed, she wondered why others perceived her as merely skilled in alchemy and healing, considering she possessed combat divine skills as well. "Alright then," Jiang Buping agreed. He thrust his spear forward, the Extreme Soul power penetrating Su Lingxiu's body in an instant. "Senior Sister!" Jiang Buping was startled, fearing she might be unable to withstand even this attack. "It's nothing!" Su Lingxiu lifted her head proudly as a tree a short distance away split open with a crack, instantly losing all vitality. Meanwhile, Su Lingxiu stood unscathed, without a trace of injury. "Do you truly think Senior Sister is that easily injured? While your strength is considerable, it’s insufficient to harm me," Su Lingxiu boasted. "Damage Transfer," Jiang Buping realized with amazement. In this instant, he keenly understood his senior siblings were far from simple, each possessing a unique Martial Path. Contrary to its intentions, the sparring session left Jiang Buping feeling his Extreme Soul Martial Path seemed weak. "Even Third Senior Sister, whom I supposed to be the weakest, is beyond me,” he confessed, acknowledging he’s now the weakest. "You've just entered the sect, possessing the Extreme Soul's power yet void of its Martial Path practices. Your martial mindset is still stuck on the Tai-Cang Martial Path, which won't do," Li Xuan elucidated. "Master!" Jiang Buping turned towards Li Xuan respectfully. "Master means I've successfully cultivated the Extreme Soul Martial Path but lack its heart and methods?" "Exactly!" Li Xuan nodded solemnly. "The Extreme Soul Martial Path represents the apex of divine soul destructive power, involving unique methods, divine skills, and weapons. "You have much to learn, needing to refine your Extreme Soul Divine Weapon, cultivate its divine skills, and study the path itself. "The Extreme Soul Weapons are soul-slaying devices, differing from common divine weapons. You must create them yourself..." Li Xuan explained the crafting of Extreme Soul Divine Weapons required unique and powerful materials, combined with the refining and nurturing of the Extreme Soul. "You can seek guidance from Fang Hao on crafting. While the refining involves the Extreme Soul, crafting methods aren't vastly different from general forging. "The strength of these weapons hinges on numerous factors. I'll teach you the core yet fundamental techniques; understand these, and you'll grasp how to continually refine and elevate your divine weapon..." Fang Hao began imparting crafting techniques to Jiang Buping, tailoring the methods in alignment with the properties of Extreme Soul Divine Weapons. Once done, Fang Hao selected suitable materials for Jiang Buping to craft his weapon. At Fang Hao's current stage, obtaining crafting resources wasn’t an issue, given that the three major factions of the Qinghua Realm and several Immortal Heavenly Venerables sought his expertise, often providing rare materials. Jiang Buping, then prepared, returned to seclusion, focusing on understanding the Extreme Soul Martial Arts Compendium while cultivating divine skills and studying how to create his weapon. Fang Hao also became busy, realizing that with impending upheaval in the Divine Domain, his efforts in managing the Qinghua Realm and boosting strength were crucial. The Formula's method of practice and his progress in formation techniques was particularly distinct, having reached a new level upon directly tapping into the Divine Laws. "The transmission range of the Messenger Talisman is too limited. However, the new ones can cover the entire world and Divine Domain without much difficulty." Thus, Fang Hao embarked on crafting an advanced version of the Messenger Talisman. How to extend the transmission range? Only one way: cornerstone it with the Laws of Heaven and Earth. --- ### New Terms: 1. **Qinghua Realm (青華境)**: Interpreted as "Qinghua Realm" given the context of a unique realm; other interpretations could be "Blue Flower Realm" or poetic names, but "Qinghua Realm" maintains the distinctive Chinese character. 2. **Marvelous Mysterious Scheme (天地奇局)**: Translated as "Marvelous Mysterious Scheme" as it imparts a sense of strategic manipulation tied with the earth and heavens, with "Marvelous Mystery Array" as an alternative. 3. **Extreme Soul Power (極魂之力)**: Directly translated maintaining its significance; alternatives could involve less impact with terms like "Ultimate Spirit Power," which doesn't capture its full martial intentionality. 4. **Qi Men Divine Weapon Casket (奇門神兵匣)**: Mantained as "Qi Men Divine Weapon Casket," reflecting a place keeping strategic and divine weapons—could also alternatively be "Mystical Weapon Box." These terms focus on preserving cultural connotations, linguistic integrity, and respect the context of mastery and uniqueness in the martial universe. Some adjustments in character names or titles may be required if further characters, realms, or domains overlap, shifting existing interpretations. A More Advanced Communication Talisman will be based on the Tao of Laws, which Fang Hao cannot manufacture at this stage. However, using the Laws of Heaven and Earth as a foundation is well within his capabilities now. "The Laws of Heaven and Earth govern all. Even an Immortal Heavenly Venerable or stronger cannot destroy them. With that as a base for transmitting information..." The more Fang Hao pondered, the more feasible it seemed. He selected a specific Law of Heaven and Earth from the many available and infused this particular law into the communication talisman as its bridge. With this approach, the range of the communication talisman would undoubtedly expand tremendously. Once he succeeded in crafting the communication talisman, Fang Hao started planning the next phase. He already had a strategy mapped out: to set up a grand formation enveloping the Qinghua Realm or even using the entire realm as the foundation for the formation. "Once this grand formation is established, it marks a significant boost in my power, potentially reaching a level comparable to the Void Shattering Realm," Fang Hao felt a surge of excitement. However, such a grand formation required the cooperation of the three major forces, including the Emperor of Great Yue, for it to be feasible. "With the Divine Domain in chaos, stabilizing the Qinghua Realm with this formation is essential. Once it's operational, the Heavenly Abyss will pose no threat. "Enemies from beyond the skies will be slain upon entering the Qinghua Realm. No martial artist with Immortal Heavenly Venerable strength could resist the formation based on the Qinghua Realm." Fang Hao was confident Emperor Da Yue and others would support his decision. With the assistance of the three major forces, completing the formation was only a matter of time. The materials required for constructing the formation were substantial. They also pertained to his Marvelous Mysterious Scheme, as he intended to integrate it into the formation. Employing the Qinghua Realm as the scheme's foundation! The more Fang Hao thought about it, the more thrilled he was. Imagining the Qinghua Realm transformed into his Marvelous Mysterious Scheme—once successful, he could easily decimate an Immortal Heavenly Venerable within its confines. Of course, he had to keep the full extent of his control over the Qinghua Realm’s scheme a secret from Emperor Da Yue and others. If the Immortal Heavenly Venerables perceived a threat, they would not agree, even if intimidated by his master. "Each Immortal Heavenly Venerable needs a formation disc, especially the three from Great Yue, to maintain their power advantage. This shouldn't be hard. "How can I ensure they work diligently?" Fang Hao pondered. Immortal Heavenly Venerables seemingly reached their cultivation limit. What lay beyond the Immortal Realm? If setting up the formation offered a chance to break through, would they work harder? "What lies beyond the Immortal Realm? How is it cultivated?" Fang Hao, puzzled, consulted Feng Yan. "What's beyond the Immortal Realm?" Feng Yan blinked and scratched his head, "I don't really know. Immortals don’t have to worry about lifespan unless killed. As for what's above, I'm clueless." He paused and continued, "The concept I've heard is vague—perhaps it merges with the heavens and earth? Truly becomes one, unlike the Immortal Realm's superficial unity, gaining command over a portion of the world. "Immortal Realm synchronization with environment is considered incomplete heavenly merger—they still exert control externally. But fully uniting with the heaven and earth escapes us, even the Emperor of Great Yue hasn't achieved it. "Whether the Divine Domain's spiritual energy supports such advancement is unknown." Fang Hao mused, merging with the heavens? Since Feng Yan couldn’t simplify this more, Fang Hao turned to his master. Li Xuan didn't know what lay beyond the Immortal Realm either, but as a peerless sage, he had theories based on his deep understanding of the Tai-Cang Martial Path. He listened to Feng Yan's remarks, contemplating breakthroughs beyond the Immortal Realm as true heavenly unity. "Immortal Realm control is external, whereas true heavenly union implies a complete merger…" Li Xuan pondered. What purpose does transcending the Immortal Realm serve? Naturally, it involves grasping and manifesting the laws of the world—surely training beyond the Immortal Realm. Laughing, Li Xuan advised, "Beyond immortality, it comes down to grasping the laws and harnessing a macro law's resonance. Your grand formation must draw this resonance, bolstering heaven's spirit, easing their cultivation for breakthroughs." He didn't pinpoint what followed the Immortal Realm. Yet, he guided Fang Hao on incentivizing Immortal Heavenly Venerables. "Resonance of the Laws?" Fang Hao pondered. "The robe’s aura holds a trace of this resonance," Li Xuan pointed out. "Master, I understand now!" Fang Hao's eyes brightened as inspiration struck—how to draw out this resonance. While impossible at first glance, by finishing the grand formation, its effect seemed inevitable. Now, he had a goal to motivate Emperor Da Yue and the Immortal Heavenly Venerables to labor earnestly. --- ### New Terms: 1. **Tao of Laws (道則)**: This term signifies the foundational rules governing existence and fate, here associated with communication talismans. Alternatives could involve "Principles of the Way" or "Tao Rules." 2. **Resonance of the Laws (道則之韻)**: Implies a harmony or aura resonating from the laws. May also be interpreted as "Harmonious Echo of the Laws" but the term "resonance" captures its ethereal connotations. These reflect crucial elements in the narrative where communication and dominion expand beyond usual limits, carrying refined concepts of metaphysical enhancement and large-scale configuration. As introduced terms unfold, regular alignment in martial environments may adjust based on their dynamic and philosophical implications.