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

### Chapter 418: Departing the Realm of Nine Mountains, Wandering the Wilderness "The Heavenly Abyss is calm now. With the Netherworld Abyss not launching a massive invasion, it is the perfect time to deal with the grudge between our Hengfeng Mountain and your Thousand-Layered Mountain against Xu Yan and Meng Chong before they break through to the Immortal Realm. Otherwise, both you and I will face danger in the future!" Seven-Leaf Sky Fiend from Hengfeng Mountain, with his status as an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, visited the Thousand-Layered Mountain, urging the Immortal Heavenly Venerable there to team up to eliminate Xu Yan and Meng Chong. "There might have been some misunderstandings between Thousand-Layered Mountain and Xu Yan. Compensating a bit and moving on might not be impossible." The Immortal Heavenly Venerable from Thousand-Layered Mountain hesitated. Once involved in the assassination attempt on Xu Yan, it would be impossible to turn back. A successful assassination would remove the threat, but should Xu Yan escape, the consequences would be unforeseeable. "You're foolish. Xu Yan, a prodigy of his level, is inherently arrogant. How could he accept your apology and compensation? Are you, as a dignified Immortal Heavenly Venerable, going to kneel and beg for his forgiveness? If you were willing to go this far, perhaps Xu Yan might indeed let it go with this." Upon hearing this, the Immortal Heavenly Venerable of Thousand-Layered Mountain changed expressions before finally gritting his teeth and saying, "You make sense. Since we've already set ourselves against him, we must put all our effort into killing him!" How could he, an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, kneel and beg for forgiveness? That would be an unimaginable disgrace! With no other path to take, he had to join forces with the Immortal Heavenly Venerable of Hengfeng Mountain to kill Xu Yan and Meng Chong. "Very well then, await my word." Satisfied, Seven-Leaf Sky Fiend nodded and left, returning to Hengfeng Mountain. "Senior Brother Huang, what are you doing? Apologizing to Xu Yan and Meng Chong? Are you throwing away the face of Hengfeng Mountain? You are a dignified Immortal Heavenly Venerable!" Back at Hengfeng Mountain, he first sought out the senior brother who had grievances with Xu Yan and Meng Chong. "Ke from Thousand-Layered Mountain has already sent word, inviting Senior Brother Huang to join in eradicating Xu Yan and Meng Chong to uproot the threat before it grows. "Rest assured, Senior Brother Huang, I will also participate in this matter. As a dignified Immortal Heavenly Venerable, would you suffer the humiliation from Xu Yan? "Xu Yan considers himself a peerless prodigy and has no regard for anyone. He will not take your apology seriously. The only way out is to kill him, for a dead prodigy poses no threat." Convinced by his junior brother, Senior Brother Huang saw reason and appreciated the support. On this day, Hengfeng Mountain and Thousand-Layered Mountain jointly issued a bounty to pursue Xu Yan and Meng Chong. They even ventured into Great Covering Mountain to search for them, confronting the Immortal Heavenly Venerable of the Wan family. Only upon learning that Xu Yan and Meng Chong had already left Great Covering Mountain did they withdraw. At Spirit Sovereign Mountain, Xu Yan and the others found a secluded spot where they set up an array before each began to settle the martial insights they had gained. "Hengfeng Mountain and Thousand-Layered Mountain are dead set on opposing us, my senior brothers." Xu Yan glanced at the message from Red Cat and sneered. "Sooner or later, we'll take down Hengfeng Mountain!" Meng Chong smirked coldly. "These Immortal Heavenly Venerables, now on guard, are much harder to kill." Jiang Buping remarked in a sigh. In direct confrontations, even if the three of them joined forces, they couldn't slay Immortal Heavenly Venerables. Whether it was killing the one with Earth and Shadow or the Blood Child Mo, it all depended on surprise and the opponent's underestimation. Now that word had spread, these Immortal Heavenly Venerables were on guard. Even if wounded, they would likely escape. "No need to concern about it. The divine realm is vast, we need not linger within the Nine Mountains." Xu Yan spoke with a faint smile. "Master Senior Brother speaks reason." Jiang Buping nodded. The three hid in a part of Spirit Sovereign Mountain, consolidating their gains. The turmoil in the Nine Mountains continues, with Hengfeng Mountain and Thousand-Layered Mountain Immortal Heavenly Venerables searching for Xu Yan and Meng Chong, all to no avail. Instead, they clashed with other forces, leading to yet another war of Immortal Heavenly Venerables in the Nine Mountains. The chaotic Nine Mountains, where inter-factional camaraderie of the past was gone, only constant strife remained. "Wind Spirit King, we have already demonstrated the strength of Heaven and Shadow Earth, what is your consideration?" Tian Seventeen returned to Spirit Sovereign Mountain. "Your Heaven and Shadow Earth? Their power is mediocre. It depends on how much sincerity you can offer." Wind Spirit Tiger retorted calmly. "There is sincerity, indeed. How about Wind Spirit King killing two people? Xu Yan and Meng Chong, once you take action, you'll receive what you desire." Tian Seventeen insisted solemnly. Wind Spirit Tiger turned his gaze slightly, "Hand over the items first. Otherwise, if I act and end up getting nothing in return, should I kill you instead?" "Wind Spirit King, my Tian Seventeen—" "Enough talk. I'm not familiar with you, Tian Seventeen. If you want me to act, bring the goods first, or this conversation is over. And provide Xu Yan and Meng Chong's whereabouts as well." "What? You expect me to find them myself? Do you know what status I hold as the Wind Spirit King..." Sitting with a grand demeanor, Wind Spirit Tiger spoke assertively. Tian Seventeen frowned, contemplating whether to continue the cooperation with Wind Spirit Tiger. But given Wind Spirit Tiger's immense strength and status as one of the twelve Kings of Holy Realm Beasts, and being a tiger in the beast tribe, there was no better candidate. After a moment's pause, he nodded, "Agreed!" "It is settled then, but let me be clear. If you fail to provide their locations and they slip away unharmed, that's not on me. The goods will not be refunded." Wind Spirit Tiger added sternly. "No problem!" Tian Seventeen nodded confidently. With the intelligence capabilities of Heaven and Shadow Earth, Xu Yan and Meng Chong, once exposed, would be detected immediately. Once their whereabouts were confirmed, Wind Spirit Tiger's prowess would make it easy to take them out. "Very well, I await your shipment. Are you satisfied now?" Wind Spirit Tiger nodded in agreement. Gaining something for nothing, why refuse? As for making a move? Red Cat younger brother mentioned to simply "do one's best". As the Wind Spirit King, a grandiose and slow-paced appearance was expected. Should they escape, the blame falls on Heaven and Shadow Earth's lack of preparation, not Wind Spirit Tiger King's problem. Unaware of Wind Spirit Tiger's thoughts, Tian Seventeen left contentedly, preparing for the ensuing plots and moves. He smirked inwardly, thinking once Xu Yan and Meng Chong die by Wind Spirit Tiger's hand, a great war would break out. How could Wind Spirit Tiger withstand the retaliation? Ultimately, Wind Spirit Tiger would be forced to seek protection under Heaven and Shadow Earth, becoming a tool for their use. "Tian Seventeen, I won’t forget you. Heaven and Shadow Earth won't let go, will they?" Xu Yan's eyes glinted coldly. With a glance at the message from Red Cat, he understood the situation. After days of accumulation, Meng Chong had reached the Minor Achievement in the Divine Appearance Realm. Xu Yan had made significant progress as well, not far from the Major Achievement in the same realm. Their divine martial prowess had also been considerably honed through their opposition to the Immortal Heavenly Venerables. "Fifth Junior Brother, what are your plans ahead?" Xu Yan inquired of Jiang Buping. "I seek rapid growth, needing insights from battle and unyielding energy to cultivate the Extreme Soul Martial Path; so, I'm heading to other realms for training in the Unyielding Abyss." Jiang Buping replied thoughtfully. He intended to return to the Tai-Kun Realm someday, but not until he was powerful enough to seek vengeance! "What about Master Senior Brother and Second Junior Brother? Staying in the Nine Mountains?" Xu Yan shook his head, "The Nine Mountains hold no appeal. With the vastness of the divine realm, why linger? Traveling and taking in the wonders of heaven and earth enriches the soul." Meng Chong scratched his head and chuckled, "I'm planning a journey to the Grand Flame Realm, seeking old acquaintances." "Fifth Junior Brother, see you in the Tai-Kun Realm someday. Master Senior Brother will join you there to help settle old scores." Xu Yan smiled. "I will too," Meng Chong assured with a nod. "It’s the ultimate meet-up place." "Thanks, to both of you. We’ll gather again in the Tai-Kun Realm!" Jiang Buping said gratefully. The Realm of Nine Mountains was merely a small segment of their martial journey. No matter the plots of Tian Seventeen, Thousand-Layered Mountain, or Hengfeng Mountain, the trio had no intention of staying. The chaos in the divine realm was also a time for masters to rise. To the trio, the Immortal Heavenly Venerables were mere temporary obstacles. Jiang Buping departed, not through the boundary portal of the Nine Mountains to the next realm, but by crossing the wilderness directly. The portal was under guard, with the Blood Child and Immortal Heavenly Venerables in a standoff, and Heaven and Shadow Earth sealing it in search of the trio. For Jiang Buping, traversing the wilderness was also a martial tempering, requiring only a bit more time to cross into the next realm. "Second Junior Brother, see you in the Tai-Kun Realm!" --- **New Terms and Translations:** 1. **Nine-Leaf Lingzhi (九叶元芝):** A special herb appearing only in certain contexts within the story. Though not directly mentioned here, linguistic patterns correspond with the naming conventions for spiritual herbs. 2. **Tai-Kun Realm (太崑境):** Not previously listed but described as a significant area on the martial journey, indicating another tier of realms the protagonists aim to eventually traverse or unite in. 3. **Holy Realm Beasts (神域灵兽):** Referring to a group within the divine realm, indicating their prominence or category parallel to Holy Beasts but granting more divine distinction. 4. **Extreme Soul Martial Path (極魂武道):** A path of martial cultivation focusing on the soul's extremities, fostering techniques directly connected to spiritual and metaphysical growth, corresponding with the unique aspect of Jiang Buping's journey. The chapter involves strategic alliances and conflicts between practitioners exploring martial realms and metaphysical growth dimensions, emphasizing interpersonal dynamics, like alliances and betrayals, which align with overarching themes of the series. Xu Yan smiled as he spoke. "See you in the Tai-Kun Realm!" Meng Chong rubbed his bald head and laughed as he spoke. The two brothers once more parted ways, each embarking on their martial path journey. However, this time, they each had communication talismans to maintain contact. Wherever they were in the divine realm, they could communicate, sharing their experiences and knowledge. The divine realm of thirty-six realms is interconnected by vast wilderness. Apart from the boundary portals, one can only traverse this desolate expanse. Even for an Immortal Heavenly Venerable, crossing the vast wilderness requires an extensive expenditure of time. Because of this, it is common to use boundary portals, convenient and efficient. The vast wilderness is devoid of life, seemingly devoid of even insects, inducing a sense of unrest and overwhelming solitude for those who walk within it. Legend tells of a True King Heavenly Venerable who, while crossing this wilderness, succumbed to the emptiness and loneliness, which drove him to insanity. It took a long period of recuperation for him to recover. The empty wilderness exudes solitude. Even the will of powerful warriors cannot endure it, leading to few warriors daring to set foot there, and almost none brave enough to cross it. A mighty figure once warned that the Laws of Heaven and Earth in the wilderness are steeped in loneliness and sorrow. Thus, warriors in the wilderness can be affected, their will faltering, leading to madness. Amidst the desolate wilderness, a solitary figure walked, seeing no human, no vegetation, not even hearing the sound of insects. "I once read about the wilderness in Jiang family's library in the Tai-Kun Realm. Rumor has it that during the great reshaping of the world, when the divine realm was divided into thirty-six realms, this place was forgotten - also known as the Forgotten Land. "The laws of the Forgotten Land are lonely and sorrowful. Some say the existence of the wilderness is a tribute to some being..." Jiang Buping walked through the wilderness, using his communication talisman to converse with his senior brethren. "Besides bordering the Qinghua Realm, the Nine Mountains Realm is also adjacent to the Changyun Realm and Yuanping Realm. By crossing this wilderness, I will reach the Yuanping Realm. The wilderness you and Senior Brother are crossing should lead you to the Changyun Realm." The wilderness's solitude was evident, with Jiang Buping alone, surrounded by a melancholic atmosphere. "When crossing the wilderness, one must not fly through the sky. It's said that flying overhead poses unknown dangers. Even Immortal Heavenly Venerables face unexpected risks up there, so one must walk upon the earth to cross." Jiang Buping shared what he learned about the wilderness from ancient texts. Being a member of the Jiang family in Tai-Kun, he had access to many records, including those about the wilderness. "I once read a traveler's account stating that the wilderness contains dangers. Someone once stumbled upon an ancient tomb in the wilderness and encountered unknown bones, resulting in their flesh disappearing, turning them into a skeleton. "And, periodically, they lost sanity, becoming frenzied and bloodthirsty until they were killed." Jiang Buping recounted his readings in the communication talisman, "When traversing the wilderness, one shouldn't be too curious or be tempted by seeming treasures. One should cross without entering strange places." The further one ventured into the wilderness, the more intense the solitude felt, seeming to pervade the air. Though Jiang Buping was walking, his speed was not slow, keeping his eyes on the communication talisman. By communicating, solitary feelings were kept at bay. Staring into the wilderness heightens feelings of loneliness and pessimism. Besides exchanging messages with his senior brethren, he kept contact with his third and fourth junior siblings, who were far in the Qinghua Realm. The loneliness is pronounced, especially at night when silence pervades, and even the gentle breeze vanishes, causing warriors to feel some negativity. Jiang Buping looked up at the dark wilderness and brought out a moonstone, its subtle silver glow illuminating a small area. He sat cross-legged, "At night in the wilderness, one can lose direction, so it's better to train until dawn." In the pitch-dark wilderness, Jiang Buping's small light seemed extremely insignificant. After setting up a vigilant array, he began to cultivate, waiting for daylight to continue his journey. Time passed, and suddenly, there was the sound of howling wind from afar, shattering the silence. Jiang Buping awoke abruptly, put away the moonstone, concealed his aura, blending into the darkness. After a slight hesitation, he waved his hand to dismiss the array and quietly relocated. Whoosh! The sound grew closer, yet he felt no breeze. "The wilderness has wind noise. I saw a flickering green flame, resembling a human face." His senior brother's message came through the communication talisman. --- **New Terms and Translations:** 1. **Forgotten Land (遺落之地):** A narrative reference to places abandoned during significant changes, such as the division of the divine realm, reflecting the theme of loss and abandonment. 2. **Changyun Realm (長雲境):** A previously unlisted realm neighboring the Nine Mountains, indicating further connected realms. 3. **Yuanping Realm (淵平境):** Another neighboring realm, through the wilderness, leading away from the Nine Mountains, extending their journey. 4. **Moonstone (月石):** Used by characters for illumination in dark, barren landscapes, contributing to the practicality and mythological depth in the story. 5. **Communication Talismans (傳訊符):** Essential devices enabling long-distance telepathic conversation, a technology adapted into cultivator culture. The story builds further into its expansive mythology with these regions and elements, invoking themes of isolation and memory. The physical journey reflects an introspective passage for characters who navigate their pathways, relying heavily on communication, fortitude, and the unknown wilderness's acceptance.