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

Chapter 445: Tai-Miao Divine Sect and the Dimly Lit Heavenly Abyss The Life-Saving Jade Talisman, apart from disciples, is possessed by only a few people—those with close ties and some connections. Since distributing the Life-Saving Jade Talisman, no one has faced a crisis that triggered it until now. This is the first occurrence. "It's not Xu Yan, nor is it Meng Chong, and equally not Jiang Buping." Li Xuan was somewhat surprised as these three disciples were exploring the Spiritual Domain and likely to encounter powerful forces and potential crises. Unexpectedly, the first one to activate the Life-Saving Jade Talisman was not a disciple—it was Du Yuying! "She's a prospective disciple's wife, after all. What kind of crisis has she encountered? She's a disciple of the Tai-Miao Divine Sect, which rules the Tai-Miao Realm, a major region in the Divine Domain." Li Xuan was taken aback. Raising his head, he gazed in the direction where the Life-Saving Jade Talisman had been triggered. Using the Heavenly Dao Eye, he sensed the power emanating from the talisman, a power that belonged to him. With a slight gesture, he deftly manipulated the Laws of Heaven and Earth for a moment, infusing the talisman's power with a force that elevated it to the level of the Heaven and Earth Realm. His profound understanding of Tai-Cang's heaven and earth and mastery over the Laws allowed him to effortlessly mobilize the power of these Laws, even from a great distance. After all, it was his talisman, imbued with his power and situated within the Divine Domain. With his current strength, mobilizing and infusing it with the Laws of Heaven and Earth was a trivial matter. "Even besieged by several Immortal Heavenly Venerables, it can easily annihilate them." Li Xuan smiled indifferently. The talisman's power began to recede, returning to Du Yuying's body, evidently having resolved the crisis. ... In a certain corner of the Divine Domain, an unkempt old man lay atop a large boulder. Suddenly, he leaped up violently. He gazed at the sky, furrowing his brows tightly, his face full of uncertainty. "Who is wielding the power of heaven and earth? Who has such capability?" At this moment, he felt startled. "Who has secretly arrived in the Divine Domain?" His brows furrowed tightly, his mind conjuring familiar figures, yet none connected with the recently manipulated power of heaven and earth. "Something’s off, such manipulation of the powers of heaven and earth is incredibly discreet. Were it not for me, others likely wouldn't detect it, and those capable of such, I can count on one hand, but they..." He contemplated deeply, furrowing his brow. "Could it be that someone has survived?" He was utterly bewildered, for apart from a scant few who could accomplish this, there were none else. Yet, those few had long vanished. "Could it be him?" Suddenly, a name sprung to mind, only for him to shake his head: "Impossible, were it him, he certainly wouldn't be so low-key, and he wouldn't be trapped." Unable to fathom it, the old man looked gravely contemplative, sensing an unknown presence lurking between heaven and earth, for better or worse. "Those troublemakers Tiansha and Diying, they do stir up quite the ruckus, let's see what they can concoct without getting themselves backfired upon." With that thought, he instinctively smirked. He laid back onto the stone. "Oh well, should the heavens fall, let them. No point worrying." Exhaling deeply, he fell into a deep sleep again. In the Divine Domain, the Tai-Miao Realm. "Grandmother, are you alright?" Du Yuying aided Xin Mengrou, whose face was as pale as death, and whose injuries were severe. "Cough, I'm fine." Xin Mengrou inhaled deeply, looking at the vanished enemies, a resurgence of awe filling her heart. "Grandmother, what should we do now?" Du Yuying asked worriedly. Although in the critical moment, she had activated the Jade Talisman bestowed by the senior expert, effortlessly annihilating the opponents, the ensuing troubles would surely be significant. Among the foes was a Tai-Miao Divine Sect elder. "Return to the sect. If asked, claim that a mysterious senior saved you; mention nothing about the Life-Saving Jade Talisman." Xin Mengrou inhaled deeply, instructing. The earlier scene had been utterly astonishing. That silhouette resembled a sovereign of heaven and earth, with the mighty power of heaven and earth at their fingertips, eradicating the Immortal Heavenly Venerables like ants, reducing them to dust without a trace. Even top-ranked Immortal Heavenly Venerables weren't spared. "Grandmother, understood." Du Yuying nodded. Yet her eyes harbored concern. The internal strife within the Tai-Miao Sect had escalated to the surface. Grandmother practiced the Tai-Miao Dreamphantom Dao and had developed personal insights and experiences from it—thanks largely to senior guidance. With this exposed, the other faction's powerful figures in the Tai-Miao Sect aimed to suppress Tai-Miao Dreamphantom Dao, resulting in this attack. Had she not wanted to go down the mountain to learn about Xu Yan's affairs, she might not have gone out with Grandmother, and Grandmother could have been ambushed. "Hmph, a bunch of old hags fear me becoming the Tai-Miao Dreamphantom Dao's master; just wait!" Xin Mengrou sneered. Surviving this tribulation destined her rise. Now, she nearly achieved dreams becoming reality, transforming illusion into truth, granting her a formidable advantage within her realm. Additionally, Yun Miaomiao also practiced the Tai-Miao Dreamphantom Dao, albeit a different dreamphantom path. Should she succeed, her strength too would be immense. "Grandmother, should we find the opportunity to meet the senior?" A hint of anticipation colored Du Yuying's words. Xin Mengrou glanced at her, resignation evident. "Xu Yan isn't with the senior, you won't meet him." Du Yuying blushed, "Grandmother, what are you saying? I meant you should seek the senior's guidance to hasten your breakthrough." "Fine, your and Miaomiao's little thoughts, can I not understand? You both, too weak; if you don't cultivate diligently, you'll only drag Xu Yan down." "Enough, no matter your cultivation, you're destined to drag Xu Yan down. That lad is simply terrifying." Xin Mengrou sighed. Xu Yan already earned fame across the Divine Domain, having single-handedly slain numerous Immortal Heavenly Venerables, and clashed with the mighty Tianxia Diying faction. And Meng Chong, his prowess unmatched, survived a manhunt from the Wanbao Alliance—occasionally raiding branches—and remained free. Fitting for the senior’s disciples, their strength was extraordinary. "The Divine Domain, changes loom; cultivate swiftly." Xin Mengrou and Du Yuying, concealing their presence, hurried back to the Tai-Miao Divine Sect. Half an hour after their departure, a figure appeared. Clad in a green dress, her silhouette seemed ethereal. After inspecting the surroundings, a heavy expression surfaced. "None survived!" Three Immortal Heavenly Venerables, one top-ranked among them, all failed. Moreover, they were exterminated in a short span. "Who protects Xin Mengrou from shadows? Beyond the Immortal Realm's strength? Has the Dreamphantom Dao's allure attracted attention?" The woman in the green dress muttered, laden with doubt. With a graceful motion, she disappeared from the scene. Within a secret location in the Tai-Miao Divine Sect. "Failed?" The back-facing figure seemed unreal, like a shadow, yet felt utterly real. "Yes, all are dead." The green-dressed woman nodded. "News of Xin Mengrou's attempted assassination will soon spread, considering one was a sect elder." "Seize this opportunity to cleanse the sect of Diying; their reach extends too far." "Since Xin Mengrou escaped this calamity, her rise is inevitable. Expose the master behind this to the Tai-Miao sect elders." "The Tai-Miao's two primary paths originate from the same source. Any further mutual attacks—consequences will be severe." The green-dressed woman nodded, "Understood." Then puzzled, she queried, "Knowing someone intended to kill Xin Mengrou, why not intervene actively to save her?" "Each Tai-Miao supreme has their own fate. Insufficient luck results in eventual failure—this was a test." "Regardless of who saved her or observed affairs beforehand, it indicates she has the luck to become a supreme." The woman, puzzled by the need for such a test, concerned about losing a sect talent, refrained from further questioning and bowed out. As she departed, the shadow quivered slightly, murmuring words echoed. --- New Terms: 1. Tai-Miao Divine Sect (太緲神宗): Translated as it suggests a divine sect related to the realm it oversees. 2. Tai-Miao Realm (太緲境): Represents a grand spiritual realm under the sect's control. 3. Dimly Lit Heavenly Abyss (地雲天窟): This name was inferred based on its complexity. Alternatives could include Ground Shadow Heaven-focused translations revealing depth and mystery. 4. Xu Yan and Meng Chong: No changes needed, assured their alignment under Li Xuan's disciples. Wordplay: "Prospective disciple's wife" reflects a nuance in the familial and relational dynamics within cultivation novels, hinting at future personal alliances. "Who was that? It was merely a token, yet it possessed such terrifying power. What sort of method is this?" The figure from earlier flashed in her mind. Like the sovereign of heaven and earth, her impressive cultivation was hidden well, yet that figure still discovered her presence. Any slight ill intent would be met with a deathly strike! "What kind of background does this descendant of Xin Mengrou possess to have such terrifying protection?" That day, the Tai-Miao Realm was in upheaval, erupting into a war to purge traitors. As one of the major realms in the Divine Domain, the Tai-Miao Realm was extremely powerful. Once its experts acted, an Immortal Heavenly Venerable fell and was slain in no time. Moreover, during this turmoil, the Tai-Miao Divine Sect deployed an ultimate treasure to instantly suppress and kill a top-tier Immortal Heavenly Venerable. The news spread, announcing that the Tai-Miao Divine Sect was purging Tiansha Diying spies! With even the Tai-Miao Divine Sect infiltrated deeply by Tiansha Diying, other major realm powers also dared not be careless. In an instant, the Divine Domain grew more turbulent, the unrest spreading throughout the major realms, causing the chaotic situation to worsen. Simultaneously, Tiansha Diying continued to sow discord everywhere, igniting wars on all fronts. Dimly Lit Realm. Named for the persistent fog that blanketed the ground, never dispersing. In a particularly dense fog area, a massive heavenly abyss loomed, occasionally hidden in the mists. Four men wearing Tiansha masks sat around the heavenly abyss, channeling immense power into a pillar before them. The pillar, entwined with Dao rhymes, pierced the abyss edge, and as the four Tiansha masked men's power flowed in, ripples spread, slowly expanding the abyss' entrance. Suddenly, a figure descended. "How long until it's complete?" Tian Shiqi asked in a low voice. "No need for your concern here; when the time is ripe, you'll be informed naturally!" One of the men answered calmly. Boom! Suddenly, a tremor emerged beneath the abyss, revealing a flickering pink figure. Tian Shiqi's expression changed slightly. "What’s the meaning of this?" "It's the Meiwuf encephalogram looking to enter the Divine Domain from here to settle a score with Xu Yan!" One of them said helplessly. Tian Shiqi was taken aback, how did Xu Yan provoke Meiwuf? "You four useless fools, why’s it taking so long just to expand the heavenly abyss a little more?" Meiwuf's angry voice echoed. "Lady Meiwuf, we've tried our best; please be patient. Entering from here now would ruin the grand plan." "Hmph, then lure Xu Yan here; I can't wait any longer." "How could Xu Yan come here? Besides, this place must not be exposed." The four Tiansha masked men wore anxious expressions, continually persuading. Tian Shiqi's mind stirred, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Lady Meiwuf, Xu Yan can't come here, but perhaps we can lure him to another heavenly abyss!" Meiwuf coldly replied, "Regular heavenly abysses cap at Immortal Realm strength—how could mere Immortal Realm power restrain Xu Yan?" Tian Shiqi pondered for a moment, then spoke, "I heard Lady Meiwuf has a secret technique to cultivate a treasure capable of bewildering beings. I have a plan, and for it to be foolproof, I seek such a treasure from you." "In exchange, I know of a heavenly abyss that can accommodate beings above the Immortal Realm, reaching the Heavenly Confluence Realm. I'll find a way to lure Xu Yan there. How about it?" Meiwuf was intrigued, "Truly?" "Naturally, I dare not deceive you. However, luring Xu Yan will ultimately require some... things." Tian Shiqi subtly implied. "No need for you to worry about this. Lead Xu Yan there, and I'll grant you the treasure. Return in three days." "Also, should you dare deceive me, I’ll deal directly with that rascal, Tiansha!" With that, the pink figure left. Tian Shiqi clicked his tongue. From his understanding of Meiwuf, a powerful witch and demon, she was always smiling, her voice seductive and alluring, beguiling the masses. To hear her speak so gruffly indicated Xu Yan had truly gotten under her skin. "What has Xu Yan done to make Meiwuf lose her composure like this?" Tian Shiqi was filled with amazement. Yet, this provided an opportunity to obtain that treasure from Meiwuf's hands, ensuring his subsequent plan's perfect execution. "Seventeen, who is this Xu Yan?" A Tiansha masked man asked in surprise. "A monster, backed by powerful figures." Tian Shiqi was unwilling to elaborate, turning to leave. Meanwhile, the heavenly abyss within the Dimly Lit Realm continued its slow expansion, its aura suppressed, concealing its presence. "Xu Yan, you must be captured!" Meiwuf's heart seethed with anger. The sword embedded within her might seem small, yet it was curiously sharp and treacherous, even seemingly sentient, as if controlled by another. No matter her efforts, she couldn’t eliminate it nor extract it from her body. Though the sword posed no immediate threat, having such a weapon within was unsettling. It needed removal for peace of mind. Especially during battles, should the sword act unpredictably, it would undermine her strength, possibly endangering her. Her only recourse was apprehending Xu Yan, leveraging him to have his master remove the sword. --- New Terms: 1. Tiansha (天煞): Refers to a sinister force, translated as such to reflect its ominous nature, options might include "Heaven's Wrath." 2. Diying (地影): Suggests shadowy activities rooted on earth, possible translations could highlight its secretive or hidden operations, "Ground Shadow." 3. Meiwuf (媚巫): A powerful witch, with potential alternate translations like "Enchantress Sorceress" or "Seductive Witch," highlighting both danger and allure in the character. 4. Tian Shiqi (天十七): A character with enigmatic ties, "Tian" hinting at heavenly associations. Pun/Play: "Xu Yan having Meiwuf's composure crumble" plays on the irony, as Meiwuf is typically known for her beguiling control over others. The phrase "under her skin" evokes both literal and figurative disturbances due to the sword's presence, enhancing narrative depth.