431 - Made-Up Martial Arts, Have You Really Mastered Them, Disciple?
### Chapter 431: Staring into the Abyss of the Wicked Eye "According to what you said, is it because one isn't strong enough, because they're weak, that they give birth to evil thoughts, desiring to engulf everything to grow stronger?" The young man in the purple robe mused aloud. "That is one way to interpret it." Li Xuan nodded. "But if someone is already very powerful, nearly invincible, why would they still be considered weak?" The young man in the purple robe looked puzzled. "How strong does one need to be considered truly strong?" Li Xuan beamed. The fact that the young man in the purple robe was calling him "senior" was a positive sign, indicating recognition of his formidable power! It acknowledged him as an immensely powerful senior! "To be truly strong, I have treaded paths where those who come after me will follow my legend. Before me, there were none who paved the way. "This is how one can feel the loneliness of invincibility." The young man in the purple robe scratched his head, hesitating before asking, "Are you talking about yourself?" Li Xuan smiled enigmatically, silent but radiating the air of a mysterious master. In the small stone house, their conversation flowed casually back and forth. Occasionally, Li Xuan would boast, but always stopped before revealing too much, maintaining an air of profound inscrutability. It seemed the young man in the purple robe hadn't engaged in conversation with others for a long time, especially with someone strong. As they talked more and more, he occasionally almost let something slip, but caught himself and skillfully changed the topic. While Li Xuan didn’t gather much information, he did glean that the young man in the purple robe was exceptionally powerful and somewhat unique. However, his mind remained as innocent as that of a youth, sometimes showing extreme curiosity. At times he gave off the impression of someone not yet well-versed in worldliness. If handled skillfully and gradually intrigued, he would likely reveal the information needed. Nevertheless, it was crucial not to reveal intentions too overtly. The young man, despite his innocence, was perpetually cautious. Li Xuan began to suspect the young man in the purple robe was being hidden here to avoid detection by enemies. Whoever put all this in place was astonishingly powerful and shared a close connection with the young man in purple. "To live through the ages with the world, he has some special connection with this world. Even with my current realm and possessing the Eye of the Heavenly Dao, I cannot see through everything. The one who set all this up is exceedingly strong. "Though I can't see everything, I have deduced some. If my conjecture is correct, this is quite significant. "The Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth once had a master. The only one capable of setting all this up would be the Master of Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth." Li Xuan pondered. Leaving the small stone house, Li Xuan walked leisurely from the Great Wilderness and arrived at the Spiritual Domain. His keen eyes gazed upon the Heavenly Abyss that had once been sealed. With a wave of his hand, the power of the Dao surged forth, thoroughly repairing the Heavenly Abyss within the Spiritual Domain. The Heavenly Abyss of the Spiritual Domain was small, so repairing it wasn’t difficult. With Li Xuan's current strength and understanding of Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth, it was effortlessly accomplished. "The Spiritual Domain hasn't changed much; it's just that the bottom-tier cultivators are no longer as underserved. The dynamics among the major powers remain unchanged." Walking the Spiritual Domain, Li Xuan observed that the Wan Shi Alliance had become one of the top-tier powers in the Spiritual Domain. Meanwhile, the Beast Tribe founded by Red Cat had become the third tribe, following the Human Race and the Sea-Spirit Tribe. Crossing the Blue Sea, he returned to the God Domain. "Though I didn't gather much information, I have made some progress." Sitting on a chair, Li Xuan held the Tai-Cang Book, reading it with relish, even though he had already thoroughly memorized it. "Let them ponder for a while." Li Xuan's face blossomed with a radiant smile. "Your disciple Jiang Buping has absorbed the essence of the Unyielding, refining his Unyielding Divine Soul and elevated your Extreme Soul Martial Path to the Heaven and Earth Realm." The feedback from the Great Dao Golden Book came suddenly. Li Xuan was immediately delighted; the Extreme Soul Martial Path had also been elevated to the Heaven and Earth Realm, marking a significant rise in his power. "Jiang Buping has once again successfully cultivated with the essence of the Unyielding, directly feeding back to elevate the Extreme Soul Martial Path to the Heaven and Earth Realm. This means I, alone, am equivalent to two in the Heaven and Earth Realm." The Extreme Soul Physique was also in the Heaven and Earth Realm, meaning that should he encounter an opponent of equal strength, he could effortlessly overpower them two to one. "If the True Form of the Demon Ancestor could ascend to the Heaven and Earth Realm, then against foes of equivalent strength, it would be three against one!" "The God Domain's Beast Tribe hasn't been established yet, but it's not too far off." Currently, Red Cat's strength was still lacking to establish the Beast Tribe in the God Domain, but once he advanced to the Void Shattering Realm, the confidence he needed would be there. "The God Domain has thrown another realm into chaos." Li Xuan sighed. This Celestial Demon Shadow is highly capable, causing tumult in yet another realm, and sparking a great war. At this rate, it won't be long before the entire God Domain is embroiled in war, and it's highly likely that enemies from beyond will invade through the Heavenly Abyss. "No high-ranking beings intervening suggests that some people want to see if uniting Heaven and Earth can bring about benefits or if it’s a plan to seize the position of the Master of Heaven and Earth." Realization dawned on Li Xuan; uniting Heaven and Earth might be a scheme to seize the role of the Master of Heaven and Earth. "However many calculations and plans are made, they don’t predict me not becoming the Master of Heaven and Earth. No one else can either; it will merely be a nominal position." With the Tai-Cang Book in his hands, no one could rival his understanding of Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth. Even if someone became the so-called Master of Heaven and Earth, it would be a fake, meaningless title. "It’s high time Xu Yan be imparted the martial methods above the Heaven and Earth Realm." In his Lingtai, Li Xuan's Primordial Spirit cradled the Great Dao Golden Book. As he opened it, methods of martial arts above the Heaven and Earth Realm were already inscribed. "Beyond the Heavenly Dao Realm, one can equal the Master of Heaven and Earth, which constitutes transcendence. After transcending Heaven and Earth, the usage of the Great Dao Golden Book should also improve." Li Xuan mused. Though currently his Primordial Spirit held a pen, this pen was heavy and he couldn't use it to inscribe Martial Methods on the Great Dao Golden Book! "Even in the Heaven and Earth Realm, I can't use this pen. Perhaps advancing one more realm will enable its use." The Extreme Soul Physique emerged from the Lingtai, seated itself on the chair, and Li Xuan took a step forward, disappearing instantly. ... In the Changyun Realm, storm clouds brewed as the Hundred Battles Hall issued a challenge proclamation, challenging the Celestial Demon Shadow! With the movement of the Hundred Battles Hall, the force known as Celestial Demon Shadow was revealed in the Martial Dao world, sparking astonishment and heated discussions among countless martial artists. What kind of force was this? Boom! In front of a certain sect in the Changyun Realm, Luo Zhan descended with ten True King Heavenly Venerables. "Luo Zhan is here to arrest the evil members of Celestial Demon Shadow, and not to target your sect. You can be at ease; the Hundred Battles Hall has never wrongfully accused anyone. As the sect master, I’m sure you're aware of this. "Your sect's Second Elder, Fifth Elder, and the third core disciple are all members of Celestial Demon Shadow. Kindly surrender without resistance." Luo Zhan's aura was fierce and battle-ready, directly pointing out the hidden members of Celestial Demon Shadow. The sect master and other elders were instantly stupefied, initially wanting to argue, but they realized that the individuals Luo Zhan named had committed mass suicide. At that moment, they were overwhelmed with a sense of fright, realizing people they knew intimately, who worked alongside them in the same sect, were in fact spies from Celestial Demon Shadow, this mysterious force. What terrified them further was that in order to avoid capture and leaking information about Celestial Demon Shadow, these spies directly chose to end their lives. They were indeed death warriors! Having such individuals hidden in the sect—some even attaining the rank of elder, part of the sect’s core—could lead to unfathomable repercussions if they harbored malicious intent. It could even spell the destruction of the sect! "Apprehend everyone involved!" The sect master ordered fiercely, seething with anger. News of this spread, causing a stir in the Changyun Realm, prompting major forces to act. No major force would tolerate spies lurking within their ranks, hence each major force began to act, investigating their sects to root out the potential members of Celestial Demon Shadow. In Whitewood City. "Does my Wanbao Alliance harbor spies too? Could my disciple's death be related to this? Investigate thoroughly." By now, Yan Shanhe had come to understand one thing: his disciple wasn't killed by Meng Chong! Given Meng Chong's strength, if he had acted, there would be no one left alive to tell the tale, let alone someone merely losing an arm! However, although he realized Meng Chong wasn't the murderer, the grudge between them was irreconcilable. Thus, Meng Chong must die! "What a devious scheme, plotting against Yan Shanhe. A classic case of murder by proxy, isn't it?" Yan Shanhe's eyes were menacingly cold. "The Celestial Demon Shadow has extended its reach into the Wanbao Alliance, a blatant provocation!" Hence, Wanbao Alliance also initiated action. --- ### Translated Terms 1. **紫袍少年 (Purple-Robed Young Man) -** Translated as "young man in the purple robe." - Alternate translation: "Young noble in purple" - "少年" implies youth which can denote a literal young age or naivete, fitting the character’s portrayal. 2. **長雲境 (Changyun Realm) -** Translated as "Changyun Realm." - Alternate translation: "Long Cloud Region" - "長雲" suggests a name for a location, “境” typically denoting a territory or state. 3. **天煞地影 (Celestial Demon Shadow) -** Translated as "Celestial Demon Shadow." - Alternate translation: "Heavenly Calamity Shadow" - This name typesets the sect as ominous and highly elusive. ### Notes: - The terms were translated to convey the appropriate tone and characteristics; "Celestial Demon Shadow" was chosen to maintain the mystical and feared nature of the organization. - Due to context evolution, you may consider reorganizing character or place allegiances as more information comes to light in the narrative. - The sect and organization "Celestial Demon Shadow" are currently associated with significant chaos in the realms described. ### The Infiltrating and Disguising Power of the Celestial Demon Shadow The prowess in infiltration and disguise of the Celestial Demon Shadow was certainly profound. However, under the careful scrutiny of the Immortal Heavenly Venerable, not all members of Celestial Demon Shadow could evade detection. Thus, in a short period, major forces unearthed many hidden members of the Celestial Demon Shadow. All of this originated from a mistaken action by the Eight-Leaf Celestial Demon. "Fool!" In the Jiu Shan Realm, Tian Shiqi's face darkened with anger. "Wu Rang, showing off his cleverness, failed to execute Xu Yan, instead recklessly initiating a move!" Tian Shiqi was furious. Wu Rang, the name of the Eight-Leaf Celestial Demon in the Changyun Realm. "My lord, what should we do now?" A member of the Celestial Demon on Hengfeng Mountain asked respectfully. Though Tian Shiqi wore a Seven-Leaf Celestial Demon mask, his identity within the Celestial Demon Shadow was significant; the mask merely concealed his true identity. "I will handle this. Xu Yan must die!" Tian Shiqi said coldly. "Will the lord take action personally?" Tian Shiqi shook his head and left. While the major forces in the Changyun Realm were experiencing minor turmoil due to the Celestial Demon Shadow, Xu Yan had already reached the Abyss of the Fallen Witch. Buzz! With a single sword strike, the witch puppets encircling him were completely annihilated. "Wow, he's so strong, who is he?" "Sword God Xu Yan!" "So it's him! He seems even more powerful than Hong Ting!" "Number one below the Immortal Realm, as Luo Zhan said." Within the Abyss of the Fallen Witch, some martial practitioners were shockingly discussing. Xu Yan continued to advance deeper into the Abyss of the Fallen Witch. He wanted to confront the witch. The attackers thus far, although wielding the power of the Fallen Witch, obviously lacked purity, merely being witch puppets or thralls corroded and assimilated by a certain power, not even considered true descendants. "I wonder if this Fallen Witch is acquainted with the Enchantress." Xu Yan pondered. "Does this Fallen Witch possess any treasures?" Xu Yan thought about luring the Enchantress, but he needed to control the extent; if the Enchantress deemed the risk not worth her while, she might not appear. "I must make it known that I'm seeking treasures similar to the Seven Wonders Divine Flower, and I'm extremely eager, willing to take risks; this way, she might set a trap with treasures to lure me." Xu Yan plotted internally. Buzz! Dozens of witch puppets opened hundreds of eyes on their chests, emitting beams of light. "This sinister look is indeed eerie, capable of corroding consciousness, but it’s too weak." Xu Yan shook his head. The demonic light of these hundred eyes couldn’t affect him at all. Whether it be his Sword Intent, Wisdom Sword Realm, or the intent of Dragon's Might, all his martial arts techniques could easily resist the power of the Fallen Witch's evil eye. Buzz! A sword swing cleaved out darkness, obliterating everything. In an instant, the witch puppets were reduced to ashes. The martial artists behind Xu Yan were all stunned. "How does it feel like Xu Yan's strength rivals that of an Immortal Heavenly Venerable? What martial arts practice is he cultivating? It's too powerful." "Xu Yan is indeed known for leaving no trace of the enemy!" The martial artists watched Xu Yan tread deeper into the Abyss of the Fallen Witch. "Is Xu Yan perhaps seeking the Primogenitor of the Fallen Witches?" "That is the true Fallen Witch, whose hundred-eye evil is extreme. Even ordinary Immortal beings cannot withstand it. Isn't Xu Yan afraid of being corroded by the evil eye's light, becoming useless?" "Such is the pride of world-class prodigies." Xu Yan slew another dozen witch puppets, nearing the core of the Abyss. "You are quite audacious, young one." A chilling voice echoed. Xu Yan, with sword in hand, stood calmly and gazed at the figure that had appeared. "Are you the Fallen Witch?" "My name is not one you can call." The Fallen Witch smiled coldly. A raised hand pressed down imposingly. Xu Yan sneered, and the Yin-Yang Immortal Sword materialized. He executed the ‘Mountains and Rivers in the Sword’ to instantly slice through the attack. "I ought to experience just how formidable the hundred-eye evil light of the Fallen Witch truly is!" Xu Yan declared arrogantly. "Not even in the Immortal Realm, yet possessing such power, Tai-Cang Heaven and Earth indeed birthed a prodigy like you? I do enjoy seeing prodigies fall. Let me indulge you!" The Fallen Witch was astonished. Buzz! From the chest and abdomen, a hundred eyes opened, glaring sinisterly at Xu Yan. At this moment, Xu Yan felt a chill; the evil light of the Fallen Witch's eyes was distinctly more formidable than anything those puppets could muster. Even he perceived an eerie power, as if intending to erode his will. Buzz! The image of mountains and rivers appeared, and Xu Yan stood proudly, staring directly into the evil eyes of the Fallen Witch. "Do you truly possess a hundred eyes?" "One, two, three..." Xu Yan even started counting, which nearly made the Fallen Witch explode with rage! "Arrogant brat!" The Fallen Witch's expression was exceedingly grim—never before had anyone dared so blatantly disregard his evil eyes, and Xu Yan was the first! Buzz! On the cheeks and forehead, more eyes appeared. Each eye had a different expression—some sorrowful, some full of rage, others excited... The sinister power grew even stronger, radiating with a mysterious glow. Yet Xu Yan was now shrouded in this malevolent light! ### Translated Terms 1. **九山境 (Jiu Shan Realm) -** Translated as "Jiu Shan Realm." - Alternate translation: "Nine Mountain Region" - "九山" suggests a name for a location characterized by mountains. 2. **吳讓 (Wu Rang) -** Translated as "Wu Rang." This is a personal name of an antagonist within the narrative. - No alternate translation since it's a character name. 3. **墯巫 (Fallen Witch) -** Translated as "Fallen Witch." - Alternate translation: "Collapsed Sorcerer," "Descent Witch" - "墯" implies 'fall' or descent, suitable for a nomenclature of characters associated with corruption or fall from power. 4. **媚巫 (Enchantress) -** Translated as "Enchantress." - Alternate translation: "Enchanting Witch," "Seductress" - "媚" indicates a charming or seductive nature, fitting the character description. ### Notes: - These translations were selected to better capture the mythical and mystical essence of the entities involved. - The narrative context hints at possible mythological or thematic affiliations that should be further deciphered as more chapters unfold. - Adjustments to character roles can be made as more is unveiled about their history and affiliations.