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

### Chapter 450: Spiritual Domain Martial Artist, Grand Princess of Great Yan After listening to Meng Chong's intentions, Du Yuan couldn't help but feel puzzled—why seek a martial artist from the Spiritual Domain? The Spiritual Domain belongs to the State of Great Zhou, a subordinate power of the Great Yan Dynasty. Periodically, they deliver talents with Spiritual Physiques to the Great Yan Dynasty. Such prodigies with Spiritual Physiques are also considered top-tier geniuses in the Divine Realm. It's heard that due to certain factors, the Spiritual Domain, despite its thin spiritual energy and lack of vibrant Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy—resulting in low martial limits—is still able to produce prodigies with Spiritual Physiques. Rumor has it that this is the origin of the name "Spiritual Domain." As for the secrets within, Du Yuan is unaware. However, there have been prodigies from the Spiritual Domain who have broken through to the Immortal Heavenly Venerable. The strongest among them, and the greatest support of the martial artists from the Spiritual Domain, is Hou Xiang Zhen from Dongyang. His strength is unparalleled, making him a top figure even among the Immortal Heavenly Venerables. Rumor has it that Xiang Zhen of Dongyang is a Thunder Spiritual Body, which makes his offensive capabilities incredibly formidable and domineering. Could it be that Meng Chong has a feud with Hou Xiang Zhen from Dongyang? With this thought, Du Yuan's heart skipped a beat. Cautiously, he asked, "Brother Meng, may I be so bold as to ask, do you hold a grudge against Hou Xiang Zhen from Dongyang?" "Who is Dongyang Hou?" Meng Chong raised an eyebrow. "Hou Xiang Zhen from Dongyang," Du Yuan added, fearful that Meng Chong might not recognize the name. "I don't know him, never heard of him," Meng Chong shook his head. Hearing this, Du Yuan secretly sighed in relief. He asked again, "Then, may I know why you're seeking martial artists from the Spiritual Domain, Brother Meng?" "You're asking too much; just tell me where they are," Meng Chong replied discontentedly. He paused before adding, "Rest assured, I'm not going there to kill anyone." Afraid Du Yuan might misunderstand, potentially causing unnecessary conflict, Meng Chong clarified. Upon hearing this, Du Yuan sighed in relief once more. As long as it wasn't about murder, everything would be easier to handle. "Martial artists from the Spiritual Domain mostly gather in Dongyang County. Dongyang Martial Institute is responsible for recruiting prodigies from the Spiritual Domain. Brother Meng, you may head to Dongyang County." "In that case, thank you!" Meng Chong, having obtained the desired information, did not linger and took his leave with a cupped fist. Watching Meng Chong's silhouette vanish, Du Yuan pondered silently, still feeling uneasy. "If Meng Chong causes trouble for the martial artists from the Spiritual Domain, and the information comes from me, Dongyang Hou Xiang Zhen will surely not let me off easily. I will inevitably suffer." Du Yuan decided to relay this information to Dongyang Hou, Xiang Zhen. Moreover, news about Meng Chong should also be reported to the Great Yan Emperor. After all, a formidable figure like him entering Great Yan's realm could easily stir significant trouble if things go awry. Furthermore, since the Great Yan royal family is one of the forces backing the Wanbao Alliance, they must report it to the Great Yan Emperor. Meng Chong had already defeated sixteen Immortal Heavenly Venerables from the Wanbao Alliance single-handedly. If they planned to take action against Meng Chong, they had to carefully consider whether it was worth the risk. After all, the current losses of the Wanbao Alliance did not implicate the Great Yan in any way. Provoking Meng Chong without reason would be unwise. The distance between Dongyang County and Bian Nan County is vast, but Meng Chong wasn't rushing to Dongyang County. Instead, he took his time enjoying the scenic beauty of the Great Yan Dynasty. He even visited a branch of the Wanbao Alliance in a certain county of the Great Yan Dynasty to purchase some treasures, intending to gift them to Zi Yun. Meng Chong deliberately chose aesthetically pleasing items. As for the necessary Spirit Crystals and such for his purchases, all were plundered from the Wanbao Alliance, with the original seals still intact. How arrogant and audacious! It's as if he doesn't even acknowledge the Wanbao Alliance, directly mocking them! "Young Master Meng, how about a 40% discount for you?" The store manager of the Wanbao Alliance raged internally, yet maintained a courteous smile befitting a valued guest. After all, this person was known for his fierce reputation. If not treated properly, raiding their branch was not beyond him. "Our Wanbao Alliance branch is under the Great Yan royal family. It's different from other branches of the Wanbao Alliance." The manager hastily added. Afraid Meng Chong might not distinguish between the branches and might plunder their Wanbao Alliance branch. "Oh, it's with the Great Yan's Wanbao Alliance. Well then, that's good to know!" Meng Chong replied with a look of regret. Seeing this, the manager's heart nearly stopped. Did Meng Chong actually consider raiding them just now? Thankfully, the manager was astute and quickly dissociated from any connection with other branches of the Wanbao Alliance. --- As for Dongyang County itself, it was bustling with concealed activity. Various other factions from the Great Yan realm had sent representatives, especially those factions opposed to the Spiritual Domain camp. Some factions had even begun contemplating persuading the Great Yan royal family to abandon the Spiritual Domain faction. Dongyang Martial Institute remained unchanged. To the students of Dongyang, these matters remained out of reach, though some with backgrounds or those who were previous Spiritual Domain prodigies vaguely sensed something unusual. "Will Meng Chong come to find me?" Zi Yun found herself unable to concentrate on cultivation. Sitting by the window, gazing at the sky, she was filled with turmoil. Her greatest fear now was that Meng Chong might have forgotten about her. "That big oaf, despite his seemingly careless demeanor, is actually quite thoughtful and values friendships deeply. He wouldn't forget about me, would he? When will he come to see me?" Zi Yun sighed. "Zi Yun, why haven't you been diligent with your cultivation lately? Do you have something on your mind?" A friendly senior sister approached and curiously asked. "Sister Ping, it's nothing. I'm just tired and want to take a break." Zi Yun shook her head. "You can't fool me. From the looks of it, you've caught lovesickness, haven't you? Tell me, who is it you fancy?" Senior Sister Ping teased with a playful smile. "Sister Ping, please don't ask. Even if I do like someone, you wouldn't know who they are." Zi Yun rolled her eyes at her. "Sigh, I've fallen for someone too," Senior Sister Ping mimicked Zi Yun's pose, resting her cheeks on her palms, gazing at the sky. ### New Terms and Explanations: 1. **Du Yuan (杜淵)** - He is a character newly introduced in this chapter. There is speculation and caution about Meng Chong's intentions. No need for changes as his role is defined in the context of the narrative. 2. **Dongyang Hou, Xiang Zhen (東陽侯項震)** - Referred to as Hou Xiang Zhen, a powerful figure from the Spiritual Domain with a Thunder Spiritual Body. The term "Hou" (侯) suggests a noble title equivalent to a marquis. He serves as a formidable support figure for the Spiritual Domain martial artists. The translation retains the title and name for cultural and narrative significance. 3. **Great Yan Dynasty (大炎王朝)** - A significant power where much of the current events take place. The term "Yan" suggests flame or blazing, reflecting either the dynasty's traits or aspirations. 4. **Wanbao Alliance (萬寶盟)** - An organization mentioned in the narrative affiliated with the Great Yan Dynasty's royal court. The translation has chosen to retain "Wanbao" as a proper noun for its distinct identity within the narrative. 5. **Zi Yun (紫韻)** - She is depicted as contemplative and emotionally connected with Meng Chong, indicating that characters have interwoven personal relationships that may affect their motivations and actions. ### Cultural and Contextual Notes: - **Thunder Spiritual Body** - Emphasizes a martial artist's unique affinity with thunder-related abilities, contributing to their strength, making Hou Xiang Zhen particularly formidable. - **Discount and Plundering** - The scene where Meng Chong negotiates discounts while using unlaundered spirit crystals highlights both his audacity and the power dynamics between factions. This displays strategic positioning within narrative and social hierarchies. No changes needed for previously defined terms but context has provided more layers and relations as characters and affiliations intertwine, illustrating motivations and potential conflicts in narrative progression. "Eh, Senior Sister, you fancy someone? Who could it be?" Zi Yun's interest was piqued immediately. "It's the Sword God, Xu Yan!" Senior Sister Ping wore a dreamy expression. "How can such a prodigy exist in this world? So dashing and unparalleled in his Sword Dao. Oh, when can I meet him face to face..." Zi Yun held her forehead and said, "Senior Sister Ping, stop yearning for the impossible. You don't stand a chance." Such thoughts from Senior Sister Ping, if known by Yun Miaomiao and Du Yuying, might earn her a severe scolding. "But Senior Sister Ping, you've never met Xu Yan. How do you know he's dashing?" Zi Yun asked curiously. "Who said I haven't seen him?" Senior Sister Ping took out a scroll and slowly unfurled it, revealing a young man holding a sword, strikingly handsome. "Eh, where did you get this portrait?" Zi Yun was extremely surprised. The young man in the drawing was indeed Xu Yan. "It's from Tiansha Diying. They put up a bounty for chasing and capturing the Sword God Xu Yan, offering many portraits as rewards. I just replicated one..." Zi Yun suddenly understood. "Zi Yun, a lot of people from the royal capital have arrived in the county recently. There might be some big event. Should we go and take a look?" Senior Sister Ping put away the portrait and suggested. "Alright." Zi Yun thought of nothing better to do, so exploring the county with Senior Sister Ping might be a good idea. The two of them left Dongyang Martial Institute and headed to the county town. As soon as they arrived, they saw the county governor leading a procession at the city gate. A luxurious beast-drawn carriage slowly approached from outside the city, pulled by two Heavenly True Spirits. "Eh, those seem to be people from the royal family," Senior Sister Ping exclaimed in surprise. "Why would members of the royal family come to Dongyang County?" Zi Yun didn't understand and asked curiously, "Senior Sister Ping, how do you know they are from the royal family?" Senior Sister Ping explained, "Those are Heavenly True Spirits pulling the carriage. Within the entire Great Yan realm, there are only a few of these spirits, and only royals have the privilege to ride such carriages. Even among the royals, there are only a few who qualify to ride in these True Spirit carriages." She went on to further explain the Heavenly True Spirits and the traditions involving royal carriages. These Heavenly True Spirits were captured from the Heavenly Abyss. Teaching these spirits to obey command was exceptionally difficult due to their low intelligence and violent tendencies. It required specialized beast tamers and a long period of training to domesticate them. "Reportedly, not all Heavenly True Spirits can be tamed. The easiest to tame are the Giant Armored Beasts, but even so, it takes at least a century to tame just one," Senior Sister Ping lamented. Only the royal family had the resources and manpower to domesticate Heavenly True Spirits. The arrival of the True Spirit carriage in the city attracted the attention of all the townspeople. Everyone was astonished, speculating which important royal figure had come to Dongyang County. No martial artist dared to challenge the might of the Great Yan royal family. People quickly cleared the main street, lining up on both sides, looking on with curiosity. Zi Yun and Senior Sister Ping stood at the roadside, similarly curious. As the carriage approached, everyone wondered who was inside. The Giant Armored Beasts pulling the carriage made clip-clopping sounds, and the golden curtains blocked the windows. The beast carriage halted abruptly. A slender, jade-like hand lifted the curtain, revealing a face of unparalleled beauty, striking and austere features, with bright eyes seemingly exuding authority. Zi Yun's heart tightened, and she quickly lowered her gaze. For some reason, she felt as if the woman in the carriage was looking directly at her. "What is your name?" the woman inside asked. Her voice was icy and emotionless. In that moment, everyone's eyes were on Zi Yun, and Senior Sister Ping couldn't help but feel nervous. "I'm Zi Yun!" Zi Yun's palms were sweaty, unsure why the woman was focused on her. "Your poise is extraordinary, and your beauty is remarkable. I am in need of a personal maid by my side. You shall come and serve me; someone will teach you how to fulfill the role." Having said that, the woman lowered the curtain. "Huh?" Zi Yun was stunned—become a maid? Not a chance! Back in the Inner Domain, she was a nation's princess, served by others. When had she ever been in service to anybody? In the Spiritual Domain, she was a noble governor's daughter of the State of Great Zhou, always being attended to, never the other way around. Since arriving in the Divine Realm, she had been focused on rigorous cultivation, and never in service of another. Asking her now to become a maid was utterly impossible. "Thank you for the attention, but I'm not fit for such a position. I prefer my freedom. My apologies!" Zi Yun took a deep breath and spoke. "Impudent! Do you dare to question the Grand Princess's words?" Abruptly, a sharp voice warned. The old woman escorting the carriage spoke, her gaze icy. Grand Princess? Everyone present was taken aback. Senior Sister Ping's face turned pale. Though Zi Yun was not particularly acquainted with the Grand Princess, she knew the importance of such status. Declining the offer might invite trouble. However, she didn't regret her decision—at worst, she could flee! With a senior's jade talisman in hand, escaping was certainly within the realm of possibility. "Zi Yun, quickly apologize! That's the Grand Princess Zhou Qingshuang, known for her icy heart and decisiveness. In the royal family, apart from the emperor, she is second-to-none when it comes to being unassailable!" Senior Sister Ping anxiously communicated. Zi Yun immediately felt more nervous. She clenched her fists together. To apologize and become a maid, even if the other party was the Grand Princess of the Great Yan Dynasty, she was unwilling. Her eyes darted around, trying to find an opportunity to escape. ### New Terms and Explanations: 1. **Tiansha Diying (天煞地影)** - A mysterious organization or group known for putting a bounty on the Sword God Xu Yan, complete with replicated portraits. The name connotes an ominous and shadowy presence, often associated with danger or pursuit. 2. **Grand Princess Zhou Qingshuang (長公主周清霜)** - A new character introduced as a member of the Great Yan royal family, known for her icy demeanor and decisive nature. As the Grand Princess, her role emphasizes authority and high status within the royal hierarchy. 3. **Heavenly True Spirits (天外真靈)** - Majestic and rare creatures capable of serving as formidable beasts of burden for the royal family's carriages. Captured from a mystical or otherworldly location referred to as the Heavenly Abyss, these creatures exemplify exceptional status. ### Contextual Insights: - **Senior Sister's Admiration and Romanticized Ideals:** - Senior Sister Ping’s infatuation with Xu Yan illustrates a cultural trope of idolizing skilled martial artists, common in wuxia narratives. Her behaviors are archetypal fan behaviors, demonstrating admiration for martial prowess and physical attractiveness. - **Zi Yun’s Refusal:** - Demonstrates her strong sense of independence and self-worth, contrasting with societal expectations and personal ambition embodied in the proposal to serve royalty. Her willingness to defy expectations speaks to her character and possibly foreshadows implications of her actions. This section enriches existing character dynamics, showcases motivations, and unveils social structures pivotal to the narrative's development.