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

**Chapter 417: Slaying Blood Spirit, Renown Shakes Nine Mountain Realm** Blinding blood-red light suddenly enveloped the surroundings, turning the entire world a shade of crimson. The overwhelming aura was suffocating. Xu Yan, who was cautiously scouting the area, abruptly changed expression. The Yin-Yang Immortal Sword materialized, eternally unyielding; vast sword light surged forth, and a golden dragon roared. Boom! Every technique seemed to be deployed in a desperate attempt to fend off the sudden assault. Simultaneously, he retreated swiftly, attempting to escape. Pfft! In that moment, the sword light shattered, the golden dragon crumbled, and all of Xu Yan's attacks collapsed. Suffering a tremendous impact, his retreat quickened, yet he coughed up a mouthful of blood. "Xu Yan, today is your death day!" Blood Spirit Mo exulted as he charged forward, the scarlet long saber radiating lethal intent, poised to deliver another strike. As for the Fallen Immortal Heavenly Venerable's land, he no longer intended to explore. If there had been any ambush, it would have already revealed itself. Slaying Xu Yan was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! "Blood Spirit Mo!" Xu Yan's face darkened, wildly swinging one sword after another while still stumbling backwards, appearing disheveled, desperately trying to evade Blood Spirit Mo's pursuit. "If I fail to kill him now, there will be no future opportunities!" Blood Spirit Mo was inwardly alarmed. With his strength, merely entangling Xu Yan, preventing his escape, was all he could achieve. Killing him in one blow proved impossible; such a formidable foe he was. "What kind of sword Dao is this, so formidable!" Whether for the collaboration of Heavenly Calamity and Earth Shadow or for Netherworld Abyss itself, such a peerless genius must perish! Otherwise, upon maturing, he will become Netherworld Abyss's greatest threat! "You cannot escape!" Blood Spirit Mo was enveloped entirely in blood-colored radiance, the crimson saber light reflecting midair, his imposing aura surging throughout the heavens and earth. Xu Yan continued to retreat frantically, hoping to escape, the sword wheel spinning around him, seemingly on the brink of collapse, swinging desperately, sword after sword. "Where is Meng Chong? Has he fled?" Blood Spirit Mo sneered coldly, the thrill of extinguishing a peerless genius searing through him. "Junior brother, don't worry about me, just run!" Xu Yan shouted loudly. Amidst the conflict, Blood Spirit Mo noticed a figure swiftly departing in the distance—it was Meng Chong! "Once you're dead, Meng Chong won't last long either!" Blood Spirit Mo transformed into a streak of blood light, accelerating violently toward Xu Yan, his blade shattering layers of sword light, seemingly ready to cleave its target. Jiang Buping, lying in ambush, couldn't help but sigh inwardly, impressed by his eldest senior brother's exceptional acting skills. Back when he had to escape the Tai-Kun Realm, he'd feigned madness and stupidity, thinking himself unparalleled in acting. Today, he realized that playing the fool might be his forte, but in acting, he was far outclassed by his senior brother. "This is the essence of a true warrior, not just a brawler!" At this moment, he comprehended some of the profound teachings of their master, understanding that a martial artist was not merely a brute. His elder brother epitomized this principle! "Our second brother may look like a brawler, but he's actually adept at adaptability and strategy," Jiang Buping marveled, thinking perhaps only their third sister had a simple mind. "No wonder their master doesn't let her roam the martial arts world; her heart is too simple!" The figure that fled was a Divine Essence Avatar of their second brother. Given the distance and ongoing battle, how could Blood Spirit Mo discern this? Moreover, the Divine Essence Avatar, aside from being weaker, was indistinguishable from the original, naturally revealing no flaws. By now, Blood Spirit Mo's vigilance had diminished, no longer worried about Meng Chong's ambush, convinced that he had already fled. Boom! "Blood Spirit Mo, if you wish to kill me, Xu Yan, you won't have it easy either!" Abruptly, Xu Yan halted, realizing escape was futile and prepared for a desperate fight. Buzz! In an instant, the Yin-Yang Immortal Sword enlarged, revealing the Mountain and River Divine Apparition. Eighteen golden dragons coiled around it, unleashing all of Xu Yan's divine arts. Blood Spirit Mo's expression turned grave, secretly awed by Xu Yan's formidable power, could he be invincible under the Immortal Heavenly Venerable? "I admit, you're a prodigy, invincible below the Immortal Heavenly Venerable, but to hurt me, you're far off!" Blood Spirit Mo sneered coldly, blood light emanating, exuding an aura akin to the Immortal Heavenly Venerable, sovereign over all. "Today, I shall end you; Tai-Cang doesn't need talents like you!" Blood Spirit Mo strode forward, blood light surging, manifesting a sharp blood-red saber light towering behind him, lethal and decisive. Xu Yan's gaze focused, taking a deep breath. A faint glow encircled him as he activated his Mountain and River Saint Physique, a vast luminescence emerged from within, revealing visions of mountains and rivers. Blood Spirit Mo's heart trembled. What kind of physique was this? His killing intent intensified, pointing, the towering blood-red saber light descended. A bloody line appeared across the sky, like a wound of heaven, slashing down towards Xu Yan. Roar! Xu Yan projected palms one after another, deploying True Dragon's Wrath eighteen times. Subsequently, eighteen black sword lights emerged, projecting an apocalyptic aura. Consequently, layers of mountains and rivers emerged, within which beings wielded swords to strike. The indelible Sword Intent fused into the mountains and rivers, enhancing them, accompanied by roaring golden dragons. This instant, Xu Yan unleashed all his might, integrating his Sword Within Heaven And Earth, Absolute Heaven Sword, True Dragon's Wrath, indelible Sword Intent and Martial Divine Art into a single attack. Such myriad potent divine arts piled onto Blood Spirit Mo’s slash in a collision of power. Blood Spirit Mo was greatly astonished, how could Xu Yan withstand his blade? Moreover, shock grew as he noticed the mountain and river apparition, though fracturing, crept towards him, enveloping him within its stretch. "Humph!" Blood Spirit Mo snorted coldly. The scarlet blade light intensified piercingly, his vigor soared, advancing his strike to shatter mountains, sever golden dragons, inching steadily towards Xu Yan. At that moment, he was also ensnared by Xu Yan's assault. Though it detained him for mere moments, it revealed Xu Yan's terrifying might, even below the Immortal Heavenly Venerable. If it were a battle of equals, Blood Spirit Mo couldn't imagine—he’d likely be slain with ease! The blade light edged closer to Xu Yan, who coughed blood, appearing near the brink of collapse. Blood Spirit Mo's lips twisted into a sinister grin. Boom! Suddenly, an unparalleled domineering presence emerged behind. As if a colossal giant, lifting the sky, pounded down! "Not good!" Blood Spirit Mo's expression changed, shouted instinctively, attempting evasion and defense. In that instant, a beam of light shone from Xu Yan’s brow. Entangled by Xu Yan's power, under the beam's illumination, Blood Spirit Mo felt his strength stall momentarily. Merely a few breaths were enough to alter the outcome! In crisis, he barely summoned a layer of blood shield light, attempting to withstand the incoming strike! Boom! A ferocious slam landed on him, his flesh fractured, collapsing. To his horror, it targeted his physical vulnerability, focusing all strength to annihilate his flesh. As if the assailant possessed incomprehensible understanding of the human physique. Pfft! He couldn't suppress another spurt of blood. "Trying to kill..." Blood Spirit Mo's expression twisted in frenzy, when a cold glint appeared. A long spear exuded an icy aura, an unrivaled spear thrust toward him. Momentarily regaining composure, Blood Spirit Mo prepared to counter the spear, only to horrifyingly discover—it wasn't physically visible, but perceptible to the divine soul! This spear aimed directly at his divine soul! Buzz! Within Blood Spirit Mo's soul emerged a blood membrane, encasing it, a unique defensive soul art bestowed to enter the Nine Mountain Realm. Pfft! Yet, this blood membrane was like paper—it pierced his divine soul, leaving an enormous wound, the place where the spear landed dissolving slowly. Unprecedented agony surged, excruciating soul pain, bulging his eyes, he let out a shriek, his crisis-response hindering momentarily. --- **New Terms and Translations** 1. Blood Spirit Mo (血子漠) - Translated "Blood Spirit Mo" to suggest a malevolent entity or title, with "Mo" likely referring to his given name. 2. Yin-Yang Immortal Sword (陰陽不滅劍) - A mystical sword denoting duality and immortality. 3. Mountain and River Saint Physique (山河聖體) - A divine physique embodying mountains and rivers. 4. Divine Essence Avatar (神元化身) - A spiritual projection, keeping with its semi-divine nature. 5. True Dragon's Wrath (真龍怒) - A fierce technique involving draconic elements. "Blood Spirit Mo" was chosen to maintain the character's menacing essence. In contrast, a literal translation would be "Blood Son Mo," which conveys less of a character impact in English. Additionally, "Mountain and River Saint Physique" suggests holiness and grandeur, fitting its formidable nature in the narrative. The literal option "Mountain and River Holy Physique" might lack the mystical connotation. Lastly, Xu Yan's assets like "True Dragon's Wrath" were preserved for their evocative imagery and martial context within cultivation fiction. Despite the intense awareness deep within his consciousness warning him of the deadly danger, the soul-crushing pain in Blood Spirit Mo's spirit was unprecedented, making it impossible to devise a countermeasure in that fleeting moment. A fierce wind assaulted his soul, tearing at it, and at that moment, the violent force struck again, causing his physical body to shatter, leaving his soul without support. Pfft! In his last moments, Blood Spirit Mo glimpsed Meng Chong, transformed into a giant; a young man with a spear, carrying a peculiar aura that seemed to suppress souls; and lastly, Xu Yan's black sword light, meant to obliterate everything. It was then that he realized—Xu Yan and his companions had been the ones to ambush and slay the Fallen Immortal Heavenly Venerable, and now, they were here to eliminate him. Regret flooded his heart; he'd been too careless! But it was too late! Blood Spirit Mo perished, his very essence dissipating into nothingness! Breathing heavily, Meng Chong took a moment. The relentless fighting and ambushing of the Fallen Immortal Heavenly Venerable had him on edge, using all his strength. His Heaven-Raising Earth-Destroying technique was immensely draining. Even Xu Yan was slightly out of breath. Blood Spirit Mo's saber was overwhelmingly powerful and domineering, forcing him to give his all, not only to block it but also to distract Blood Spirit Mo, creating an opening for Meng Chong. Jiang Buping's chest rose and fell heavily; the consumption of his Extreme Soul Martial Path powers was immense. Whether it was in attacking the Fallen Immortal Heavenly Venerable or slaying Blood Spirit Mo, he had expended every ounce of his current capability and deployed his most potent soul-destroying divine art. This understanding was something he'd only grasped after their master's direct guidance. The divine art, Slaughtering God! "The Heavenly Calamity and Earth Shadow's Immortal Heavenly Venerable is dead, and so is Blood Spirit Mo. It's time to leave Daga Mountain now," Xu Yan stated gravely. The news of a Fallen Immortal Heavenly Venerable and a Netherworld Abyss Blood Spirit perishing at the hands of their fellow disciples would send shockwaves throughout the Nine Mountain Realm. He feared that Tian Shi Qi would soon intervene personally. Currently, their strength could not rival Tian Shi Qi's. A direct confrontation wouldn't guarantee victory against an Immortal Heavenly Venerable. This recent reversal against an Immortal Heavenly Venerable had been exhilarating, yet it was also a moment for reflection and consolidation. "Let's go to Spirit Sovereign Mountain!" Spirit Sovereign Mountain was practically Red Cat's territory, providing cover ensuring they wouldn't be discovered. The three brothers set off at once for Spirit Sovereign Mountain. "Is it true that Blood Spirit has fallen?" The Immortal Heavenly Venerables of Daga Mountain felt the presence of a being comparable to the immortal realm fading. Since it wasn't their own Immortal Heavenly Venerable from the Divine Domain, it must have been a Blood Spirit from Netherworld Abyss. Such a brief span had passed since one Immortal Heavenly Venerable was felled that another Blood Spirit had followed? Who accomplished this? The Wan Clan's territory was anything but calm. "You mean Xu Yan, Meng Chong, and another person teamed up to slay an Immortal Heavenly Venerable?" the Wan Clan's Immortal Heavenly Venerable said in disbelief to the two clan elders. "Indeed, that Immortal Heavenly Venerable fell to Xu Yan and company!" Shock lingered on the Wan Clan elders' faces, the realization still surreal. "Geniuses, truly they are geniuses. Luckily, our Wan Clan shares a decent relationship with Xu Yan!" The Wan Clan's Immortal Heavenly Venerable experienced a sense of unease, tingling at the scalp. Despite the trio's teamwork, their monstrous prowess was undeniable. If faced at equal levels, might they be effortlessly slain? "Could it be Blood Spirit Mo who perished?" The Wan Clan's Immortal Heavenly Venerable recalled meeting Blood Spirit Mo en route to the fallen site of the Immortal Heavenly Venerable. It seemed he was headed there as well. The confrontation at Daga Mountain concluded, marking the downfall of an Immortal Heavenly Venerable in the Nine Mountain Realm as a monumental event. Following this, rumors spread quickly that the fallen Immortal Heavenly Venerable was from the Heavenly Calamity and Earth Shadow, eliminated in an attack meant for Xu Yan and Meng Chong, only to be counterattacked and slain instead! Xu Yan and Meng Chong's defiance against an Immortal Heavenly Venerable sent the Nine Mountain Realm into upheaval. The Immortal Heavenly Venerables from Thousand Layers Mountain and Horizontal Peak Mountain retreated to their domains, trembling with awe. Could Xu Yan and Meng Chong already defeat an Immortal Heavenly Venerable? The implications were terrifying! What might happen when they transcend to the Immortal Realm themselves? At Spirit Sovereign Mountain, Red Cat, Yu Xiaolong, and Little Ha gathered together. "No wonder he's the Supreme of our Beast Tribe!" Red Cat remarked, proud. Yu Xiaolong and Little Ha nodded in agreement. Elsewhere, at Horizontal Peak Mountain. "Xu Yan and Meng Chong cannot be left unchecked!" Tian Shi Qi declared, shocked, standing abruptly. Behind him stood a man wearing a mask with the Seven-Leaf Calamitous Evil design. "My lord, Xu Yan and Meng Chong have slain an Immortal Heavenly Venerable; no others of Heavenly Calamity are their equal. Even if I intervene, it may still be perilous." It was frightening. Killing one Immortal Heavenly Venerable might involve tricks, but to also slay Blood Spirit Mo suggested that Xu Yan and Meng Chong's achievements stemmed from powerful abilities. Could the pair truly slay Immortal Heavenly Venerables together? Amazing yet horrifying! "Both Thousand Layers and Horizontal Peak Mountains hold grudges against Xu Yan and Meng Chong. Now that Heaven's Abyss is calm, Immortal Heavenly Venerables need not constantly guard their posts; they can set out at last." Tian Shi Qi spoke with an icy stare. --- **New Terms and Translations** 1. Tian Shi Qi (天十七) - Translated as "Tian Shi Qi," a name probably denoting a title or honorific within a group, showing a level of formality or commencement with celestial or heaven-like authority. 2. Seven-Leaf Calamitous Evil (七葉兇煞) - A mask design that likely symbolizes a position or rank within an organization or sect, indicating danger or significant power. 3. Spirit Sovereign Mountain (靈尊山) - Translated to indicate authority, dominion, and a place of reverence for spirits. 4. Daga Mountain (大蓋山) - The name implies a grand or significant location, possibly related to protection or coverage (from "Daga" meaning "large shelter"). 5. Blood Spirit Mo appears to be confirmed as a character tied to the name Mo, maintaining his menacing quality. The choice of translating Seven-Leaf Calamitous Evil Mask keeps with the original tone, highlighting the mask's association with danger while retaining its potential symbolic meaning.